Ex-All Blacks star Israel Dagg is devastated that New Zealand will be losing a fly-half the calibre of Harry Plummer, but he understands the decision.
The playmaker will make the move to Clermont Auvergne midway through 2025 when his contract with the Blues ends.
Plummer has signed a three-year deal with the French outfit and will forgo the opportunity to continue his international career.
The 26-year-old enjoyed an outstanding 2024, helping his franchise the Blues to win the Super Rugby Pacific title.
Test debut
He then made his Test debut during the Rugby Championship, coming on for the final three minutes of the All Blacks’ 31-28 victory over the Wallabies.
Although the pivot was initially not part of the main squad for the northern hemisphere tour – instead starring for the second-string All Blacks XV in their victory over Munster – he was eventually called up as cover after Billy Proctor returned home.
Scott Robertson appeared to see him as third choice fly-half behind Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie but, with the former getting towards his mid-30s and the latter producing mixed performances, that shirt has not yet been nailed down.
Plummer could have therefore been in the frame in 2025, especially if he had another good season at the Auckland-based outfit, and it has left Dagg disappointed.
“It absolutely guts me,” he said on Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy. “Knowing that a young 26-year-old is going to leave before we’ve seen the best of him. But I’m not surprised.
“When you hear rumours like Richie Mo’unga is coming back, Beauden Barrett’s playing at 10 at the moment, Damian McKenzie and Stephen Perofeta – I don’t blame him at all.
“With the money that France have on offer for him, New Zealand Rugby, just with those names we mentioned, would not be able to keep him.
“I genuinely felt like he’s a big part of the picture going forward. I’m gutted but I don’t blame him.”
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Keeping NZ talent
With the money on offer in Europe, and especially France, it has always been a challenge for New Zealand to keep the talent within those shores.
Particularly for those on the periphery of the squad, such as Plummer, it makes it a much easier decision when they are going to be well remunerated for giving up their international dream.
Equally, for French sides, Dagg believes that those clubs can get good deals on young players due to the financial disparity between the leagues.
“Every team around the world is watching our product throughout Super Rugby, and even NPC, because they know there’s a genuine opportunity to scoop up a young up-and-comer that potentially is on the brink of breaking through and get them for cheap,” the ex-All Black added.
“It’s relatively cheap for them, but for young players in New Zealand, it’s astronomically bigger than their current contracts, so it’s going to continue to happen.”
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