Last November, after his first year in charge of the team, Robertson spoke publicly about NZR’s desire for posture to change and used South Africa’s policy, world champions, who can select abroad -based players to the national team, as an example of how a new policy could work.
He then doubled these claims in January and urged NZR to keep his mind open about changing all his black selection criteria.
New Zealand Rugby replied by saying that he got the selection policy and would not make changes.
Former All Black captain Sam Cane is one of several high-level players, including Ardie Savea and former meshon Aaron Smith, who recently asked for a change in selection criteria.
“Many of the springboks have shown the ability to play one and return to the international rugby quickly and continue to play their best,” Cane said last year.
However, Robertson told the NZME podcast Direct rugbyThat he and NZR chief Mark Robinson are in agreement and he retreated from his requests to change the selection model at home.
“I had a year to look at him and where we are,” said Robertson Direct rugby.
“The first thing is that my intentions with my comments is still suitable for the purpose? One of my works is to ensure that our ways are strong so that we can continue the flow of professional rugby players.
“I understand how important it is and probably now I have more information about the flexibility that exists in current regulations. It is suitable for the goal. There is flexibility there.”
Robertson spoke of the middle of the middle -black -bonnet of blacks Jordie Barrett in Ireland this year as an example of this flexibility.
Barrett is in the midst of a six -month sabbatical period with the Leinster Club, but is hired for NZR beyond the 2027 World Cup.
Robertson said New Zealand players “traditionally went to Japan to play” and said Barrett’s case was more unique.
“When Jordie came and said, ‘I have an option for Leinster’ we expanded and talked to all practices; what would your season go north? This will make it a better player?
“After we heard – he would have most of the six nations off, he had a break, he is well trained,” said Robertson said Direct rugby.
“I just had a recovery with [Leinster coach] Jacques Nienaber when I was there and how impressed he was with Jordie as a player as a man, how hard he worked on and off the pitch. Jordie is a field coach, so he will learn massively. This is an excellent example of keeping an open mind.
“We are in a position now when he will come back as a better player and that’s what we want. It is just an example, with potentially more to come.”
Others all blacks who have had passages abroad, while still signed with NZR include Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea and Patrick Tuipulotu, while some ex -all Blacks star Brodie Ratallick and Sam Whitelock also had sabbaths before returning to Aotearo.
Robertson believes other players can also choose to spend their sabbaticals in Europe.
“It worked. The essence is to maintain the integrity of all our programs on the way. They gained the opportunity; they were loyal, they can leave and return. Other players, depending on where they sit in their careers, also have this opportunity.”
Robertson was questioned about his prior support to the South Africa selection model, which allows players to be selected for Springboks, no matter where they attach their trade.
It is a model that worked well for the World Cup winners back to the back, but Robertson has confirmed that it is now totally behind the New Zealand Rugby policy.
“One thing I learned and we talk about is that you look at the statistics and combine financially with the model, your current competitions and your players,” said Robertson.
“We are in great shape. We have a great group of laws all blacks and super players who want to be all blacks and young children playing in our country who want this opportunity.”
NZR boss Mark Robinson revealed that he and Robertson went to Japan last year in an attempt to attract Richie Mo’unga’s former first filmmaker from Richie Mo’unga back from a three-year contract with Toshiba, but an agreement could not be closed, leaving him ineligible for the national national team for the time.
“It is an area that there will always be a degree of scrutiny, but for us, we have managed for a long time to keep the vast majority of the players we wanted to retain,” Robinson told Direct rugby.
“Within politics, there are the tools and flexibility to be creative where we need, recognize some of these long-term servants who have given the game a lot, keeping them in the long run.
“We will always be open to look in the future, but we are quite firm and supported by it.”
Robertson told Direct rugby He still wants Mo’unga to return to New Zealand next year to be available for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“You want all your best players available,” said Robertson.
“That’s what it takes to win a Rugby World Cup. You keep you connected with them all, no matter where they are.
“I still get messages from the former players who check. Sam Cane had his time, but he’s an excellent example. He’s asking how everything is going to the off -season.”
Despite his desire to take Mo’nga at home, Robertson is eager to keep the star of the bosses Damian McKenzie, who is out of the contract at the end of the season in New Zealand.
“He has this special ability to do something that others do not, so we have all the intention and we will work as much as we can to have a player like him, at the height of his powers, he has learned a lot, he is mature, we are with him.”
