New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Tuesday he has asked New Zealand rugby's officialdom to keep an open mind about using overseas players for the All Blacks.was pressing New Zealand Rugby to change
The New Zealand governing body has refused to budge on the rule banning overseas-based players from Test selection.
He asked the board of New Zealand Rugby, the Super Rugby franchise chief executives, the provincial and Heartland unions, not necessarily to ask someone to play for the side but to keep an open mind about where the game was when events were moving 'quite quickly' on and off-the-field.
Springboks' Rassie Erasmus made a similar change in 2019 when SA Rugby officially scrapped their eligibility rule for overseas players in 2019, resultng in wins in two World Rugby Championships.
Robertson said he would name his captain choice when the first squad to prepare to play England in mid-year is announced. He had discussions ahead with various parties, and that was to respect all options open.
He also expected to meet with former coach Ian Foster to complete a handover and to discuss his experiences.
Robertson said he and his management group would be checking, observing, and giving feedback through the Super Rugby coaches so they were aligned. There would also be some travel to the northern hemisphere for sponsorship commitments and to see the England-Ireland Six Nations game, as England will tour New Zealand this year.
He would also travel to Japan to meet the All Blacks playing in that competition.