Junior All Blacks should stem flow of departures

The player drain will probably haunt New Zealand rugby forever, but the introduction of the Junior All Blacks next season should help slow the overseas departures from a gush to a drip.

Helping retain players on these shores is not the primary aim of re-introducing a team that enjoyed enormous popularity until it was disbanded in 1984. It is, however, a very handy side effect and was a key factor in convincing the money men at the New Zealand Rugby Union to loosen the purse strings and fund a team that will sit just below the All Blacks in the national pecking order.

There is a widely held misconception that elite players take up overseas contracts purely to earn more money. That rings true for some but the New Zealand Professional Players Association insists it paints too simplistic a picture.

Many players have left because they are disillusioned at a lack of opportunities in the test arena. Miss the Super 12 due to injury or have a few bad games and it is almost impossible for players to force their way into the All Blacks. Players slog their guts out for their province only to hear the All Black coaches express their concern about the gulf in quality between the NPC and test football.

The Junior All Blacks will provide another platform for test candidates to push their claims for a senior cap. Super 12 is a good base from which the selectors can work. Henry, though, has made clear he does not view it as the definitive environment in which to make cast-iron judgements.

His opinion seems to be that the good-natured frolicking in the Super 12 is wonderful for honing ball skills under pressure, but if the All Blacks want to become feared for their set-piece work, the players need more vigorous preparation than a 14-week pyjama party.

The Junior All Blacks, then, will serve the dual purpose of motivating an aspiring core of players on the fringe of test selection, while giving the All Black coaches better evidence as to who can stand up and thrive in high intensity football.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew, says: "This is effectively what we and other teams in the past have called the 'A' team. We just wanted to incorporate the All Black brand going forward. We are looking for a programme to give the guys another opportunity up a notch from Super 12. The name is simply a branding exercise, it will not be an age-grade team. It is certainly not paving the way for the end of the Colts. It will simply be the next best players who are selected for this team.

"Part of the deal is giving the guys experience and seeing how they take that next step. And part of it is giving an environment where the guys will remain at that level as opposed to stepping out of Super 12 into club footy. It gives us a chance to give some at the next level a clear message of exactly where they sit. "

Next year the Junior All Blacks will play three games in Australia. The possibility remains alive that in future years a shadow Tri-Nations could be played involving the respective second teams of Australia, South Africa and the Junior All Blacks.

The Six Nations used to run a shadow tournament for their respective 'A' teams, playing on the Friday night before senior sides. It was very popular and was only scrapped due to financial constraints.

"We have not talked about a Tri-Nations but you wouldn't rule it out,' says Tew.

Coaches for the Junior All Blacks will be announced early next year, with Ian Foster and Colin Cooper the likely front-runners having taken charge of the Possibles for the All Black trial.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY