Ex-All Black’s blunt verdict on suggestion that NZ Rugby utilise scrapped Australian policy to ease eligibility rules
All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga and ex-New Zealand hooker James Parsons (inset).
James Parsons is not in favour of NZ Rugby adopting a policy like Rugby Australia’s Giteau Law which allowed for overseas-based players to represent their country at Test level.
The All Blacks will head to South Africa in August to face the Springboks but, as things stand, experienced fly-half Richie Mo’unga will not be in action during the series despite signing an 18-month contract with NZ Rugby.
Although Mo’unga is set to return to New Zealand at the end of the current Japan Rugby League One season, which concludes in June, the fly-half will not be eligible to play for the All Blacks until October.
That means he will miss his country’s Nations Championship fixtures in July and the four Tests against the Springboks in South Africa and the USA in August and September.
NZ Rugby sticking to their eligibility rules
Incoming All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has asked NZ Rugby to make an exception for Mo’unga, but the governing body have indicated that they are sticking to their eligibility rules.
That means Mo’unga will have to play in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) before becoming eligible for All Blacks selection although Rennie has indicated that the experienced playmaker could be called up if there are injuries in his squad.
The Mo’unga selection issue has become a big talking point in recent weeks with the likes of former All Blacks stars like Israel Dagg and Kieran Read criticising NZ Rugby’s decision not to utilise Mo’unga’s services for the Greatest Rivalry series against the Boks.
Former Crusaders scrum-half Bryn Hall, who currently plays in Japan for Kubota Spears, suggested that NZ Rugby implement a policy similar to the Giteau Law which was used by Rugby Australia.
The Giteau Law was started back in 2015 and paved the way for Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, who were playing their club rugby for Top 14 outfit Toulon, to represent the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.
In 2022, Australia’s Giteau Law was tweaked to allow players who have at least 30 Tests or five years’ service to Australian Rugby to be eligible to be picked while playing overseas, with a limit of three picks a series.
However, Rugby Australia scrapped the controversial policy last year and Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt is now allowed to select players from around the world.
Although implementing an overseas policy similar to the Giteau Law could be too late for New Zealand’s upcoming Test season, Hall feels it is something which should be considered in future.
“I think the kind of Giteau Law would probably be the thing that they think is probably the most fair,” he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“I think if you have done your time in New Zealand, whether that’s 50 Test matches, 100 games for Super Rugby, then you do open up that law. But at the same time, it takes away from the players that have been here in New Zealand. It’s why we’ve been so strong in the past.
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‘Giteau Law would be great’
“But I think no doubt we’ll go more into Richie around what that’s going to look like if he’s going to even go to the South African tour. But I think a Giteau Law around having some criteria would be great.
“And not only for players that are playing in Japan, but players that have gone to Europe and been able to ply their trade over there.
“No doubt this chat will continue. But of course, a guy like Richie Mo’unga would love to play while he’s been in Japan. But there’s laws at the moment.
“So yeah, that’s how it just kind of is at the moment.”
Parsons, who represented the All Blacks and Blues as a hooker, is not in favour of NZ Rugby going down the Giteau Law route but feels there is room to manoeuvre regarding Test selection under the governing body’s eligibility rules.
“I can barely pick a 34 from the current Super (Rugby) squads. So, I think if you add any more players, it’s trouble,” he said.
“So, I think where it’s different for Richie, I don’t think you need a Giteau Law. I just don’t believe in that aspect of it. I think the All Black jersey is hard to get into.
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“And I think you’ve got to make some sacrifices, and you’ve got to have a strong desire to do that. And one of those is taking less money and staying here in New Zealand. So, I think where Richie’s (situation) is different is he is signed back in New Zealand.
“It’s not as much as like once he sets foot in New Zealand then technically, he’s a contracted player. I know history says that you want them going back into NPC.
“And look, I’m obviously a big advocate for sticking with (the) status quo.
“But I think status quo could, I suppose, open up a caveat where if you are on a New Zealand rugby contract for the next 18 months, then you should be available for selection given the need of winning this year and a tour that I’d say is as big as the World Cup.
“And then the World Cup coming up. I don’t think it’s going to make a massive difference if Richie misses it in terms of us winning the World Cup.
“But I mean, as a fan and someone that wants to win in South Africa, he’d be a pretty good asset.”