All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has had a change of heart on player eligibility and is supporting New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) policy of not selecting overseas-based players.

Last November, Robertson issued a warning to NZR at the end of the All Blacks’ 2024 international campaign saying they risked being left behind if the governing body did not make changes to their policy of not selecting overseas-based players for Tests.

Over the years, NZR have limited selection to home-based players to boost their domestic competition but the governing body has allowed some experienced All Blacks to join overseas-based clubs on short-term deals while on sabbaticals.

And Robertson revealed that he has changed his stance on how he views the player eligibility policy.

Changed his mind

“I had a year to look at it and where we stand,” Robertson told the Rugby Direct podcast. “The first thing is my intentions with my comments were was it fit for purpose still?

“One of my jobs is to make sure our pathways are strong so we can continue the flow of quality professional rugby players.

“I understand how important it is and I’ve probably now got more insight around the flexibility there is in the current regulations. It is fit for purpose. There is flexibility there.”

Robertson referred to Jordie Barrett’s six-month sabbatical with United Rugby Championship heavyweights Leinster while signing a NZR contract through to 2028, as one example of the flexibility.

Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, Damian McKenzie and Patrick Tuipulotu are other experienced All Blacks who enjoyed brief spells in Japan in recent years before returning to New Zealand.

“Traditionally we’ve gone to Japan to play,” Robertson said of the sabbatical options.

“When Jordie came and said ‘I’ve got an option for Leinster’ we zoomed in and talked through all the practicalities; what would his season look like going north? Is it going to make him a better player?

“Once we’d listened – he would have the majority of the Six Nations off, he’d had a break, he is well-coached.

“I just had a catch-up with Jacques Nienaber [Leinster coach and ex-Springboks boss] when I was over there and just how impressed he was with Jordie as a player, as a man, how hard he worked on and off the field.

‘He will be learning massively’

“Jordie is an on-field coach so he will be learning massively. That’s a prime example of keeping an open mind.

“We’re in a position now where he will come back as a better player and that’s what we want out of this. He’s just one example, with potentially more to come.”

Robertson hinted that other All Blacks could, like Barrett, ply their trade at European clubs in future.

“It’s worked. The essence is we’re keeping the integrity of all our pathway programmes,” he said.

“They’ve earnt the opportunity; they’ve been loyal, they get to go away and come back. Other players, depending on where they sit in their careers, have that opportunity as well.”

Robertson was questioned on the Springboks’ successful selection model, which allows their head coach Rassie Erasmus to select players from South African and overseas-based clubs, but continued to back NZR’s stance.

“One thing I’ve learnt, and we’ve talked through it, is you look at the stats and it suits their model financially, their current competitions, and their players,” he said.

“We’re in great shape. We’ve got a great group of loyal All Blacks and Super players who want to be All Blacks and young kids playing in our country who want that opportunity.”