KEY POINTS:
Attempts to force the New Zealand Rugby Union to amend legislation around All Black eligibility seem certain to fail.
The Herald on Sunday understands a number of senior players would like scrapped the ruling which says individuals must play in the preceding Super 14 or Air New Zealand Cup before they can be available for the All Blacks.
More players are taking an overseas sabbatical in their prime years, intending to return and attempting to resurrect their All Black careers.
Troy Flavell and Leon MacDonald have successfully shown how a mid-career break can pay dividends and now Aaron Mauger is following suit.
Some players, however, believe the legislation is an impediment to successful re-integration.
That fear is most acute for those who feel they could leave after this World Cup and still return to play in the 2011 competition.
As an example, any All Black who makes this World Cup squad and then chooses to play in Europe after will most likely sign a two-and-a-half year contract that will keep them overseas until June 2010.
If that player then returned in June 2010 he would have to play in the Air New Zealand Cup before being eligible for the All Blacks.
As the World Cup is to be held in June 2011, the end-of-year tour in 2010 will be the last chance for prospective candidates to press their claims and it is likely that whoever is coach, will use that tour as a dry run and pick his strongest squad.
Some players want new rules so they could return in June 2010 and be immediately available for the Tri Nations. That way they could be picked for the All Blacks as the selectors are more likely to be willing to experiment knowing they still have a full year before the World Cup.
But departing NZRU chief executive Chris Moller says the issue has been raised several times in the last few years with unanimous agreement the rules not be changed.
"Every time we have been firm," said Moller. "It has been discussed several times and the board has been resolute.
"No one wants short-term expediency that will affect the competitions in this country."
It is a view shared by chief executive designate Steve Tew and that unwillingness to change was demonstrated in 2005 when appeals to exempt Bruce Reihana failed.
The former All Black had signed to return to New Zealand after his contract expired with Northampton in June 2005.
He wanted to be available to play the Lions the following month but even an appeal from the All Black coaches fell on deaf ears and Reihana stayed at Northampton.
One potential way round the rules is for the returning player to turn out immediately for his New Zealand club and for the All Black coach to then argue he has seen enough to select the player.
That would put the NZRU in a tough spot as they would effectively be saying club rugby is not a legitimate pathway to national honours.
That scenario may arise in the coming years but leading player agent, Rob Brady, says there is a better solution.
"I think the best way for players to be certain of playing for the All Blacks is to commit to New Zealand rugby where they know they will be in front of the selectors every week."
