Tana Umaga believes the time has come for New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to change its policy of not selecting overseas-based players for Test matches.
There has been lots of debate about the NZR’s eligibility rules in recent years as it currently prevents New Zealanders, who are plying their trade abroad, from representing the All Blacks unless they are granted a sabbatical by the governing body.
Former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson initially urged NZR’s policymakers to keep an open mind on their eligibility rules, but the governing body revealed that they would not be changing their policy regarding the selection of overseas-based players for internationals anytime soon.
Although he was relieved of his duties as All Blacks boss earlier this year, Robertson had a change of heart on player eligibility in 2025 and was supporting NZR’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players.
Dave Rennie eager to bring back Brodie Retallick
However, Robertson’s successor, Dave Rennie, also raised the topic of selecting overseas-based players shortly after he was appointed when he revealed that he is keen to recall legendary All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who is based in Japan at the same club that Rennie is currently coaching, Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Now newly appointed All Blacks defence coach Umaga has echoed Rennie’s sentiments and revealed that although he changed his mind on the hotly debated topic.
“My usual answer would be no, because I was a big believer that if you want to play for the All Blacks, you need to be based here and commit to New Zealand,” he told Radio New Zealand.
“But with so many young players leaving so early, you’re probably not getting the experience and players you need at Test level.”
The former All Blacks captain believes that it’s important for the matter to be discussed and used the Springboks as an example of how beneficial it can be to select overseas-based players at international level.
“There’s still the status quo in me, but then I see where South Africa are,” said Umaga, who is currently coaching Super Rugby Pacific outfit Moana Pasifika.
‘You just think of what’s best’
“Everyone’s talking about it. I suppose I’m not as hard as I was before. You just think of what’s best.”
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While Rennie has mentioned Retallick as a player he would like to see back in the All Blacks set-up, Umaga was not prepared to name specific players.
He emphasised, however, that any foreign-based player should be considered for All Blacks selection.
“Whoever wants to make themselves available, those are the guys that I suppose we’d love to work with, who can add value on the field and off the field,” he said.
“We’re picking who fits best into what we want to do, and we think will take our team to the level we need it to be.”
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