Much has been made of the return of Shannon Frizell. The weapons-grade blindside is on his way home from Japan in an attempt to gain selection for the All Blacks’ World Cup squad. 

Along with Richie Mo’unga, NZR has a couple of quality footballers returning to the fold, rugby moths attracted to the 2027 World Cup flame. Leicester Fainga’anuku returned for the same reason, Brodie Retallick has been linked to a possible comeback too. 

Is this a bad thing? Will these returnees threaten the hold NZR has on their players in regards to leaving Super Rugby to access the stupid money in the northern hemisphere? Will this force their hand around the restrictions placed on these players around international selection? Will this herald an open season on NZ rugby talent?   

No to all of the above. 

NZR’s currency is World Cup success. That’s it. Pure and simple. 

In 2027, the best 33 NZ rugby players should be picked to hunt down and snare William Webb Ellis’ Trophy. To suggest that making that grade requires several seasons in our domestic competitions flies in the face of the reality of professional sport. The want for rugby to become a true global game says that the players must be free to ply their trade in all four corners of our pale blue dot. 

NZR make the rules for their international representation. They are not a World Rugby edict.  

NZR should look favourably on players who choose to stay to keep Super Rugby and NPC relevant and attractive, but no cutting off of noses to spite faces here. 

The players who choose to leave will have to fight their way back in, whatever route they choose, and should they scoot away for the pound or euro or yen, as sure as I wear a singlet and ie faitaga, the next generation of AB superstars will rise from the ashes of the departees. 

If you love something, set it free...