New Zealand Rugby remains steadfast on its eligibility rules despite an unsuccessful bid for the early return from Japan of All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga.
Talks between NZ Rugby and Mo’unga, who is contracted to Toshiba Brave Lupus, reportedly collapsed at the end of 2024.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson, who coached Mo’unga to seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, had hoped to reunite with his former playmaker.
However, NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson told Newstalk ZB that there is “no appetite” to change the policy.
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“We’re very clear: The current policy we have is one that we think has served the game incredibly well for a long period of time,” Robinson said. “There’s no appetite to look at changing that any time soon.”
Robertson previously urged NZ Rugby to “keep an open mind,” but Robinson believes the coach now sees the policy’s merits.
“I think Razor [Robertson] would probably be the first to admit that he might have been able to be a little bit clearer with the way he spoke about it last year,” he said. “We are very aligned.”
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