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All Black great believes NRL has the best model for Pasifika talent
By Sam Smith
The disparity between the All Blacks-Tonga clash has put the spotlight once again on the issue of eligibility at the international level after Tonga were outmatched in a 102-0 thumping at Mt Smart Stadium last weekend.
Discussing the issue on Sky Sport's The Breakdown, former All Black great John Kirwan highlighted the central contracting system in New Zealand creates a disincentive for Pacific Island players from representing their home nations.
He compared New Zealand Rugby's [NZR] contracting system to that of the NRL, which has removed conflict of interest from the equation with a separation of club and national control.
Kirwan suggested that if Super Rugby clubs could fund the majority of a player's wages, they may be in a position to represent their home nation, such as Tonga.
New Zealand Super Rugby clubs can sign a maximum of three internationally-capped foreign players, and at least one of those players must be from a Pacific Island nation.
However, those players aren't eligible for NZR top-up funding to boost their pay to their normal market value.
"Central contracting probably doesn't help," Kirwan explained to the panel. "If you are playing for an NRL side, and the majority of your money is coming from your club, then you can play for your country.
"So, maybe there is a need to look at that central contracting because, what Toutai Kefu said, New Zealand have the system that brings players through, and no one begrudges anyone of that, good on them, but if the majority of the money is coming from the national body, you want them to stay and play for you.
"But, if you are actually born in Tonga and you are getting the lion's share of your money from your Super side, then maybe that changes stuff."
Ex-All Blacks star Mils Muliana explained the decision for young players is almost made for them as he said the financial rewards of playing for a foreign club pushes them towards a path that means representing another nation at test level.
"When you talk about the national body not really having that funding to allow you the ability to play for your home country and somewhere else does, well of course you are going to go down that track," he said.
"We've spoken about the eligibility rules for years and years, this isn't just a 12-month conversation.
"When you are getting paid more to go somewhere else, like Japan or to Europe, then you are to play for your national team, you have to consider that. For a lot of these guys, what they are getting from the Island nations is peanuts.
"It becomes an easy decision, no matter how much you want to come back. These guys want to come back, but they have to support their families, they have to make a living and they have to do it in a short period of time."
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Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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