NZRU battles to keep Carter
15 Apr 2008
The NZRU will look at “radical” moves to keep their best players, such as Dan Carter, at home.
Carter, along with other leading players in the country, are being lured to Europe by wealthy clubs. The NZRU’s general manager Neil Sorenson admitted they may not be able retain players such as Carter and Jerry Collins, but they will do their utmost to keep relations amicable in the hope of them returning soon. The NZRU might allow players short-term releases on their contracts – where they would play overseas – and then return as quickly as possible.
‘If a guy is going to go offshore the first thing we do is sit down and say a) we want to keep in touch, b) we want you leaving on good terms and c) we want you home,’ Sorenson told Radio Sport in New Zealand.
‘Potentially we will lose all those guys. Potentially we will lose all the guys currently playing for the All Blacks. That’s their career move these days. It’s a logical progression – they make the All Blacks, play for the All Blacks as long as they can or as long as we can keep them, and then secure themselves a contract offshore.’
‘We think there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that we just have to adapt. It’s a battle but we’re certainly not throwing the towel in,’ said Sorenson.
23 Comments
15 Apr 2008, 11:26 am
Leaving Dragon
15 Apr 2008, 11:28 am
They should (as we) should allow players to go for 4 or 6 months, simply to go play in one comp and then come back. It always helps to broaden your experience. I doubt any of those players want to go away indefinitely.
15 Apr 2008, 11:30 am
****, do they have the same political set up as sa? maybe we are not unique afterall.
15 Apr 2008, 11:44 am
It’s a flat world (as per Thomas Friedman). Building walls to counter Globalization 3.0 is counterproductive. People and money, like water, takes the path of least resistance (best opportunities).
15 Apr 2008, 12:03 pm
I dont know why the Kiwis insist that when a player is playing overseas, he is no longer elligible for play for the All Blacks. That rule will change next year when all of a sudden McCaw and Carter are playing in France.
15 Apr 2008, 12:18 pm
I thnk the failure at last years RWC has had a huge impact on the psyche of the Kiwi players. I don’t think they want to go through that pressure again, it must be immense for the AB players. I for one wished they had beaten the French last year, especially seeing as France were rubbish against England. But to see the scared look on the faces of the AB players as they stood there and watched Jauzion score the winning try just showed up the mental cracks in the AB armour.
15 Apr 2008, 13:01 pm
#5 Cheeta Champs,
The reason (NZ only pick domestic based players) is the same reason SA had the same Policy, up untill this year.
It is thought that the exodus of players heading North, would become a deluge.
Leaving NZ S14 and NPC sides totally gutted by the lure of the Euro and the Yen.
It has been reported that Carter has been offered US$1.2 Million for a season up North. We cannot comprehend paying any player anything like that.
The attractions of Heiniken Cup rugby don’t just revolve around money though.
15 Apr 2008, 13:09 pm
#6 leeanthonyw
April 15th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
“I thnk the failure at last years RWC has had a huge impact on the psyche of the Kiwi players”.
Last weekend at Loftus they didn’t look too “psyched out” to me Lee.
And those Highlanders look more “psycho” than “psyched out.”
Speaking of psychopaths, Bakkies has been quiet lately.
15 Apr 2008, 13:13 pm
I think its time they start doing what they do in the football and let players play wherever they want to and still represent their countries! I know that it could deplete the international teams like england but it could be great to see a player like Carter in a Sharks jersey!
15 Apr 2008, 13:32 pm
Brawler,
Without a Strong and Marketable S14 and 3N, Southern Hemisphere Rugby is stuffed. The whole of Professional, and a good part of Amateur Rugby is financed by the News Corp deal.
Even now in my home City in NZ soccer is getting better crowds than rugby. In Auckland R. League is getting more support every year.
In Aussie the competition for the hearts and minds of the hoi polloi has always been an uphill battle for R.Union. And they are making no or little progress. NZ’s would rather watch an Aussie NRL (League) game than any Northern Hemisphere Rugby Union match.
This North/South battle for players is a battle of very high stakes in this part of the World.
15 Apr 2008, 14:06 pm
cane – maybe a world rugby season is what is needed. Then there is no more excuses from anyone. So if a whole bunch of Boks, Ozzies or Kiwis are playing for Bath for e.g. then if the Boks/ABs or Ozs are playing against England then all the international players for either team just don’t play for Bath that weekend instead they play each other in the international.
15 Apr 2008, 14:08 pm
cane – can you imagine the pressure on the AB players come RWC2011? Even i get the jitters just thinking about the pressure on the AB players and i’m a Bok supporter!!
15 Apr 2008, 14:23 pm
Leeanthonyw,
The pressures on the AB’s are not any greater than the presures on the Boks. Both have unforgiving and demanding Fans, Selectors and Media.
Sure the AB’s were dejected after their lose to France at the WC. And yes a tear could be detected in Danny’s eye……….. But so so too were France, Australia and Argentina dejected and tearfull. In fact I never seen so many grown men weep.
You win some, you lose some. They may be Chokers, but hey are Our Chokers.
At least that is…untill we transfer our loyalty and support to the game of RL.
In case any of you Saffas have never played League. It is a least as enjoyable a game “to play” as Rugby Union. To have a good game you don’t even need a Ref. Trying playing Rugby Union without a ref.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a Union man. I’ve play both and enjoyed them both. But I’m a Union man.
15 Apr 2008, 14:51 pm
Cane, not sure you guy’s will be so keen on League if you keep getting thrashed by GB. 3-0 the last series?
IRB needs to step in here. Restrict the number of overseas players playing in France & England. The Tri-nations need to put pressure while they still have some power left.
If it carries on like this, all the power will be with the clubs & we all know how selfish they can be.
15 Apr 2008, 14:58 pm
Welcome to the club NZ! We know all about it, especially the cheetahs (lost 7 starting players to Europe)
15 Apr 2008, 14:59 pm
Your walking a thin line Cane
Goodthing we don’t have the RL is SA
15 Apr 2008, 15:04 pm
da Bill,
Hard to argue with that Post. Except…………yes NZ got wipped 3-0 by the poms in R.League.
Why ……because we were trying to merge local NZ Talent, with NRL Superstars with NH players. And then only “Players the Clubs would release”.
“Players the Clubs would release”. Will this be a catch phrase for RU Tests in the future. Lets hope it never gets to that.
15 Apr 2008, 15:10 pm
Goodstuff #15,
On TV earlier this week Robbie Deans said the “normal” defection rate to Northern Climes, was 7 members of his squad.
This rape cannot continue indefinately. (or we are all fooooked).
15 Apr 2008, 15:52 pm
Cane, I agree with you. The only really solid solution to the problem is a global season similar to soccer. If we could garuantee that between the months of May and August (for example) – only tests will be played – we could hopefully end the whole situation of club over country.
15 Apr 2008, 19:28 pm
Sounds like IRB needs to step in. Also look at the mess around contracts aka Bakkies.
I would venture to say things are getting out of hand, IRB not in control anymore.
15 Apr 2008, 19:45 pm
” Both have unforgiving and demanding Fans, Selectors and Media.”
lol cane
It seems that the NZ public, media and selectors have forgiven Henry for his stuff up’s in 2007. Why else give a choker a 2nd chance?
15 Apr 2008, 23:07 pm
#21
Cos even still before the last RWC he had a better win/loss record than anybody.How can you sack a man cos of one loss.
Have a look at yourselves first and ask “why does SA get rid of a coach that won the RWC”
15 Apr 2008, 23:31 pm
The NZRFU have to try harder to keep most of their top line players eventually they should open up eligibility but they should only pick five overseas players and the rest from NZ comps
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