Steve Tew has all but shut the door on New Zealand Rugby following Australia's example and making it easier for players to move overseas and still represent their national team.
Only those who have played 60 tests for the Wallabies and seven years of Super Rugby or at international level will be permitted the Australia Rugby Union's long-service dispensation which is designed to strengthen their World Cup squad, and in particular, allow inside back Matt Giteau, currently playing for Toulon, a pathway back.
But Tew this morning said there was little chance of the same thing happening here, in the short term, at least.
"You never say never, but our policy is that to wear the All Black jersey you have to play your rugby in New Zealand," Tew told Radio Sport.
"We have treated some players I guess with a little bit of flexibility in terms of their return to the country when they've become eligible but the core policy is if you're not here you don't play for us and we think that's been a very important part of our player retention strategy and there's no immediate thought of changing that.
