NZ coach wants a wider selection

Coach Scott Robertson said on Nov 24 he will ask New Zealand Rugby bosses to make overseas-based players eligible for the All Blacks in a bid to keep up with pacesetters South Africa.

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The 50-year-old said the world champions have benefited from an open policy which allows players to accept lucrative offshore club contracts but still be eligible for Test selection.

New Zealand has barred national selection for players if they are not contracted domestically, a rule aimed at preventing an exodus of players and weakening local competitions.

Robertson, who completed his first year in charge as All Blacks coach with a 29-11 win over Italy on Nov 23, will propose a change to the New Zealand Rugby board soon after returning home.

"We don't want to be a cycle behind or a couple of years behind," Robertson told New Zealand media in a Zoom call.