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Sonny Bill Williams has called for the end of the New Zealand Rugby policy not to pick overseas-based players for the All Blacks.
With Scott Robertson’s team holding a 4-3 record this year ahead of two Bledisloe Cup matches against the Wallabies, the former All Blacks star claims the team is being hamstrung by the policy and could have beaten South Africa if they were on equal footing.
The Springboks have an open-door policy, picking the best 23 regardless of where they play club rugby.
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts on Tuesday, Williams said the decision to rule out stars such as Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick was flawed.
“This might be a little bit controversial but I don’t care,” Williams said. “I think we should be picking these guys, easy. It’s about the cattle.
“And if we have these players, we have a Shannon Frizell to pick from, we have Aaron Smith to pick from – the game changes.
“Mo’unga… you’ve got to pick what’s best for the squad at the current time… the All Blacks, we have a problem.”
Williams, said the All Blacks’ best possible backrow was Frizell at No.6, Wallace Sititi at No.8 and Ardie Savea at No.7.
“At the highest level, we have some players there that have experience in this space that should be playing, right here right now.
“Success leaves clues. What’s South Africa doing? Players can come over (from overseas) and they’re still thriving.”
The Wallabies have only picked one player from overseas this year – Marika Koroibete – and Williams said he wanted to see RA bring in more OS players, including his close friend Quade Cooper, and Bernard Foley, who appeared alongside him on the episode.
Williams said that based on the current NZ policy he would bring Beauden Barrett to replace Damian McKenzie as the All Blacks No.10 and would have Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane in midfield with Jordie Barrett at fullback and Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele’a on the wings.
Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick of New Zealand sing their national anthem before the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final match. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“I would like a real emphasis on this being a 23 man game, that we’re all in this and everyone’s going to get game time… I’m not happy because I know what the All Blacks are capable of… You’re telling me Aaron Smith is not a good fit right now?” Williams said.
Foley also backed a return for Smith.
“The level of the nines now coming in (Cortez Ratima and TJ Perenara), probably just don’t have his ability to control the game,” the Wallabies flyhalf said.
“His width of pass and his kicking game is something that they relied on so much.
“When we played against them, off set piece they’d use his pass to get wide, get that go forward through the middle and then they’re on the front foot and they can play width, they can kick on the front foot or they can hurt you.
“So I think they’re probably missing him the most.”
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