The All Blacks can’t completely control the flood of New Zealand players heading overseas so they have done the next best thing.
The NZRU’s new partnership with English club Harlequins could see a number of high profile All Blacks heading over for a northern sabbatical/cash grab, especially after the 2019 RWC.
Here’s three All Blacks who could be heading north:
THE DEFINITE
Beauden Barrett
New Zealand star Beauden Barrett
The two-time World Rugby player of the year has already played 62-Tests for the All Blacks and at 26 the NZRU will be hoping to have him around for the next two Rugby World Cups – Japan 2019 and France 2023.
But after the RWC next year Barrett will be looking for a change rather than slugging it out in Super Rugby for four more years.
With Lima Sopoaga already departing – perhaps never to return – NZ need to manage BB very carefully and a few seasons up north could be exactly what he needs to top up the retirement funds and keep him fresh to return to NZ in 2022.
THE RISING STAR
Luke Jacobson
Luke Jacobson in action during the World Rugby U20 Championship Final in 2017.
The captain of New Zealand’s all-conquering team at last year’s World Rugby Under 20 Championship, the 20-year-old is now part of the Chiefs squad for Super Rugby.
But once Super Rugby finishes it’s unlikely he’ll be blooded this year for the All Blacks with Steve Hansen probably opting to give him a few years to mature.
Jacobson is already being talked about as a future All Blacks captain and the perfect way of fast tracking his skills could be a northern winter with Quins at the end of 2018-19.
The other option would be Mitre 10 Cup and a pre-season for Super Rugby in 2019 which may not be enough to gauge his readiness for RWC 2019.
THE WILDCARD
Sam Cane
Sam Cane – a few seasons up north could see him back in black for the RWC 2023
The Chiefs flanker has started this year’s Super Rugby in exceptional form and although it seems like he’s been around a long time – like Barrett he is just 26.
And just like BB the All Blacks will hope he can last two more RWCs so a spell at Harlequins after RWC 2019 makes perfect sense.
Captain and No8 Keiran Read will be 34 at the end of RWC2019 and will likely retire so NZ will need Cane even more come 2023 – hence the need to manage him carefully.
The one factor to consider is the toll of the northern game on loose forwards.
