Sean Fitzpatrick: Cure for player drain lies in the provinces

One of the key issues for New Zealand rugby that worries me and a lot of people, is the player drain.

There have been articles, debates and conversations wrestling with the difficulties presented by players wanting to leave domestic rugby to try their luck in Europe.

The general perception - which I share - is that this is leading to a long-term negative impact on the depth and talent levels of players coming through to international level.

There seem to be two views. The first is that we embrace market-force reality. The thinking is that players will go anyway, so it is better to legislate for the fact by allowing international selection for overseas players, and by recognising the value of their journey.

Out of the domestic spotlight, these guys will learn new tricks and be better for it. I had been thinking that way but, increasingly, it seems to me the impact would be to further undermine the already fragile domestic game.

As time goes on, I am persuaded that opening the floodgates to a possible exodus of talent just isn't a good idea.

The second position is that some players are overseas for one primary reason - money. In pursuit of their dollar, they have left the All Black shirt, the lifestyle and family. Maybe the smart thing is to remove the money issue from the equation.

In other words, aggressively recruit our best players back to the domestic game. Pay good money and get them back home. In the short term, that means finding private investors who stump up significant amounts of cash. They would need to see a return - financial or emotional - on their investment.

For me in the '80s, playing against great players, against established All Blacks - going head-to-head with Andy Haden, marking Andy Dalton - was where I was able to measure myself. I am certain it was by coming up against these guys I realised I could be an All Black, and that made me work harder. These days, with players of that stature ring-fenced and removed, emerging kids don't have that opportunity. It's a great shame.

I am convinced that in the long term, to bring the money in, and so more domestic players can play alongside and against All Blacks, we have to look to how the game is structured. I would start at provincial level.

Our focus should be on getting the blood boiling at tribal level. That gives the All Black culture an environment within which it can flourish. Provincial rugby is where it has all happened for decades - 50,000 people at Eden Park roaring on their boys; Otago, Canterbury, Auckland, Waikato and Wellington and the others all vying for bragging rights; local heroes dominating; and a genuine link between players and supporters. I remember when North Harbour and Auckland wouldn't even countenance a joint Christmas party, let alone playing under one banner.

We have lost a generation of strong provincial players. With no Super 14 contract likely, they have moved on to try their luck at Munster, Montpellier, Leicester or Toulon.

It is those very provincial players who are the backbone of the domestic game and whom we should be embracing and encouraging, rather than discarding. So how about this for an idea - let's get back to the days when provincial rugby actually worked.

Let's take out the current Super 14 structure and put those franchise places up for grabs to the provincial teams. Let's help the punters fall back in love with the game by giving them their province back and making it relevant again. Let's nurture a bit of good, old-fashioned rivalry and tribalism. Let's put the dogfights and the drama back into the provincial game.

There is an issue in that some or even many of the All Blacks may not play but I think anything that strengthens provincial rugby is worth it. Instead of over-managing the player drain with contracts and regulations, or investing money to try to persuade people to love unlovable teams, let's create the environment where players can compete, win and be rewarded.

If we were to offer the Super 14 as a prize, I am sure the provinces would respond. I am sure the crowds would come to see their team and that the money would follow.

The competition would be hard, uncompromising, feudal and compelling. I am sure it would be utterly absorbing and hugely exciting. Who wouldn't want to play at home then?