Better Rugby Rules

Source: Fitzy urges picking overseas players

The New Zealand Rugby Union should consider picking overseas-based players for the All Blacks, former captain Sean Fitzpatrick says.

“In the end …. selecting our overseas players is inevitable,” Fitzpatrick told the Herald on Sunday newspaper.

MY COMMENTS: THEN NZRU IS DOOMED.

“We have to start selecting from the overseas players’ base, simply because there are now so many of them and because we have to take care that we don’t spiral into a culture of loss.”

MY COMMENTS: NO WE DONT, FITZY MUST BE GOING INTO THE AGENT BUSINESS.

Flyhalf Daniel Carter and captain Richie McCaw have re-signed with the NZRU until the 2011 World Cup but have sabbatical clauses in their contracts.

Carter is expected to take up a six-month contract with a French club at the end of the grand slam tour later this year.

“I was never a fan of opening up the doors before but I think the sabbatical given to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw could open up a can of worms,” Fitzpatrick said.

MY COMMENTS: THIS IS TRUE.

“Allowing those doors to open will also safeguard New Zealand player stocks better than sabbaticals.”

Fitzpatrick, however, said the NZRU should abandon their domestic-only policy and consider the multitude of players plying their trade in Europe and Japan.

The All Blacks, who beat England 37-20 at Eden Park on Saturday, have had 11 players either leave New Zealand for overseas clubs or retire since the World Cup last year.

The 92-Test hooker said his biggest concern was diluting the player pool in New Zealand and lowering the standards in the Super 14 and domestic provincial competition.

“It isn’t as if our franchise or provincial rugby would suffer a great deal more than it is already,” the 45-year-old added.

MY COMMENTS: WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING, THE FRENCH/ENGLISH/IRISH CLUBS COULD TAKE ANOTHER 30 PLAYERS, THIS WOULD LOWER THERE PRICE, BUT STILL MORE PLAYERS OVERSEAS.

“The standard has already dropped and we are now risking such a lack of depth in the All Blacks that we risk losing.

“And I think that is the last thing the game needs in New Zealand and globally.”

MY COMMENTS: FOR NZRU IT SHOULD BE NZ FIRST, GLOBAL TENTH!!

MY COMMENTS: I hope this guy doesn’t end up on the NZRU board, if this is the standard of ‘thinking’ in ex players. Maybe Fitzy should have done some more time at school. He should have a look a Argentina (rugby) or Brazil (soccer). Some journo probably got a few beers into him to get this type of smarts, who knows, sure its an opinion, but lets hope that all it is.

UDPATE1:

Source: Fitzy’s just the man to lead rugby union– Chriss Rattue

Fitzpatrick’s insistence that never-ending All Black selection changes must end and that it is wrong to ignore overseas stars is a godsend. He was even forced to state the obvious, that great test sides are formed around established combinations which foster an honest belief and knowledge in each player’s game.

My Comments:I agree with the player combination theory, that is true, but the selection overseas players is doomed to fail. Why, look at NZ Rugby League and Soccer and see there troubles getting players released from the wealthy European clubs.  You may argue that the IRB can pass a law to allow the players to be available, yeah right,  that would work, once again review Rugby League execution of this policy. Fitzy knows about teams and playing the game, politics and money, please stand aside mate !