KEY POINTS:
Changes to next year's Super 14 draft rules are being planned to make them more family friendly.
The increased number of older players in the competition has raised concerns that protective measures need to be put in place to prevent individuals with children having to spend six months away from home.
Under the current system, players not initially selected in a franchise's protected 24 are placed in the draft and have no control over where they will be based for six months of the year.
While some individuals have kick-started their careers by excelling for the franchise they have been drafted into, others have struggled to settle when removed from their permanent base, friends and family.
The problems of relocation are particularly acute for players who have children and are forced to live apart as a consequence of being picked in the draft.
Last year Rua Tipoki, who has four children, was able to gain a welfare exemption that meant he was available only for the Blues - his chosen franchise.
Other players with children, though, have not been granted the same exemption and this is an issue the Rugby Players' Association wants addressed ahead of next year's selection.
"We have put a lot of time and effort into building an environment that encourages players to be better people and to live fuller lives," says RPA head Rob Nichol.
"And then we undo some of that by breaking up families.
"We have got more players over 30 than we have had for some time and I think we have eight players who have children at school.
"We need to look through some of the issues around the selection process and, to be fair, the New Zealand Rugby Union have been supportive on this."
Nichol believes the problem will only get worse as more players are choosing to finish their careers in New Zealand.
In the last few years, Leon MacDonald, Troy Flavell, Nathan Mauger, Andrew Blowers, Charlie Hore, Blair Feeney and David Holwell have all returned from overseas clubs, while others such as Reuben Thorne, Justin Collins and Jono Gibbes have opted to stay.
The improved remuneration structure struck in the new collective deal - players are now guaranteed a salary for the duration of their contract - has been a major factor in encouraging some older players to return.
In next year's Super 14, there will be 17 players who are 30 or older - Collins, Flavell, Nick White, Steve Devine and Holwell at the Blues; Gibbes, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher and Keith Robinson at the Chiefs; Tana Umaga, Luke Andrews and Lome Fa'atau at the Hurricanes; Thorne and Tipoki at the Crusaders; and Anton Oliver, Hore and Greg Zampach from the Highlanders.
In 2004, there were only four - Dave Hewett, Mark Hammett and Andrew Mehrtens from the Crusaders and Umaga.
Nichol says the selection process needs to adapt to reflect the changing nature of the personnel and to further encourage more players to return to New Zealand.
Any changes to the draft system will also be welcomed by coaches who have consistently voiced their frustration at the set-up.
The Blues have always argued they should be able to select the full 28 from their catchment area and any move to give coaches greater ability to control the make-up of their final squad will be supported.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
