All Blacks Star Damian McKenzie Calls for Policy Shift on Overseas Players
The debate surrounding the eligibility of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) players is heating up, with prominent All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie publicly urging the governing body to reconsider its long-standing policy of not selecting players based overseas for Test matches. This stance, which currently requires New Zealanders playing abroad to secure a sabbatical from NZR to be considered for the national team, has been a recurring topic of discussion within the rugby community.
While former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson initially advocated for an open-minded approach to these eligibility rules, NZR maintained its position, indicating no immediate plans to alter the policy. Interestingly, Robertson’s perspective evolved; by 2025, he reportedly aligned himself with NZR’s existing policy of not picking overseas-based talent.
However, the conversation has been reignited by Robertson’s successor, Dave Rennie. Shortly after his appointment, Rennie expressed his keenness to recall legendary All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who is currently playing in Japan for Kobelco Steelers, the same club where Rennie is coaching.
McKenzie, a veteran of 74 Tests for the All Blacks, believes that New Zealand Rugby would significantly benefit from embracing a more inclusive selection approach. “It’s been a pretty well-talked-about point… it’d be great for that to be able to happen,” McKenzie stated. He elaborated on this sentiment, emphasising a fundamental principle: “You just want the best players playing for your country, right?” He concluded by acknowledging the ultimate decision-making authority, adding, “Whatever way they (NZR) go on, we just have to stick with it and back it.”
Australia Paves the Way with Giteau Law Repeal
New Zealand Rugby’s potential shift in eligibility rules would see them follow in the footsteps of Rugby Australia (RA). Last year, RA made a significant move by scrapping its Giteau Law, effectively granting Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt the freedom to select Australian players regardless of their current playing location.
The Giteau Law, first introduced in 2015, was instrumental in allowing players like Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, who were then based at French club Toulon, to represent the Wallabies at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. Initially, the law permitted overseas-based Australians to play for the Wallabies if they had accumulated at least 60 Test caps and had a seven-season tenure in Super Rugby.
Over time, the Giteau Law was refined. The eligibility criteria were adjusted to allow players with a minimum of 30 Test appearances and five years of service to Australian rugby to be considered for selection while playing abroad. This revised policy also imposed a limit of three such selections per series.
Since the repeal of the Giteau Law, several prominent Australian players, including Noah Lolesio, Will Skelton, and Taniela Tupou, who are all currently playing overseas, remain in contention for Wallabies call-ups. This broader selection pool is seen as a strategic advantage as Australia prepares for an upcoming World Cup on home soil.
Springboks’ Inclusive Approach Sets a Global Precedent
Australia’s move to broaden its player selection pool by looking beyond its domestic competitions mirrors the approach taken by South Africa. The Springboks made a similar policy change in 2018, empowering their then-newly appointed head coach, Rassie Erasmus, to select players from anywhere in the world without any specific eligibility requirements.
This decision proved to be a game-changer, leading to the Test debut of star winger Cheslin Kolbe in the same year, even while he was playing abroad with French Top 14 powerhouse Toulouse. The success of this more inclusive strategy has demonstrated the potential benefits of tapping into a wider talent pool for national teams.
The ongoing discussion in New Zealand highlights a global trend towards greater flexibility in player selection, with national unions increasingly recognising the value of having access to their best talent, irrespective of their geographical location. The coming months will likely see further debate and potential policy shifts as NZR navigates these evolving considerations.
