McKenzie urges All Blacks to follow Wallabies example

Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 5:03 AM
SA
by Sebastian Tan - AAP

All Black Damian McKenzie has called for New Zealand Rugby to change its player selection criteria and follow in the footsteps of the Wallabies.

Overseas-based stars couldn't play for the Wallabies until Rugby Australia eased their eligibility rules to allow select players to be considered for inclusion in 2015. 

Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

It allows Australian representatives like Noah Lolesio, Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou to remain in the hat for a callup as next year's Rugby World Cup approaches.

New Zealand have held strong on their eligibility rules, meaning players like McKenzie will be prevented from playing for the All Blacks if they move overseas.

But the Kiwis are experiencing a player exodus, with Blues captain Dalton Papali'i and two-Test player Pita Gus Sowakula among those recently announcing moves to Europe.

On Monday, McKenzie's Chiefs teammate and speedster Etene Nanai-Seturo unveiled he will play in France next season, adding further pressure on New Zealand to follow Australia.

"It's been a pretty well talked about point ... it'd be great for that to be able to happen," McKenzie, a 74-cap All Black, said on Thursday.

"You just want the best players playing for your country, right?

"Whatever way they (New Zealand Rugby) go on, we just have to stick with it and back it."

McKenzie is more immediately focused on helping his Chiefs to overshadow James Slipper's historic 203rd game for the Brumbies on Friday in Canberra.

Slipper has been the centre of attention in the lead-up to becoming the most capped Super Rugby player after equalling former All Black Wyatt Crockett on 202 games two rounds ago.

"I just admire a guy like him to be able to have such a long career, particularly as a frontrower," McKenzie said.

"Hopefully we can spoil the party, but we'll celebrate that occasion with him after the game."

Winger Corey Toole is returning from a quad niggle for his teammate's milestone match and is one of the key ins for the Canberrans after coach Stephen Larkham made a plethora of changes.

The Brumbies will need all their available stars if they are to triumph over the team that beat them to make the competition's grand final last season, as Canberra aim to snap a five-game losing streak against their opponents.

They will be without young gun Lachie Shaw (illness), prop Rhys van Nek (hand) and winger Ollie Sapsford (leg) for the clash.

"We've spoken about some hoodoos (that we've broken). The first one in Christchurch a few weeks back and last year against the Blues," Toole said.

"We can take confidence out of those wins and bring it to tomorrow night."

Share
Damian McKenzie will start at flyhalf for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test. Photo: Getty Images
McKenzie steps into flyhalf role as All Blacks name side for Bledisloe Cup first Test
Richie Mo'unga has added to the injury list for the All Blacks. Photo: Getty Images
All Blacks dealt double blow as injuries start to pile up for Bledisloe Cup opener
Super Rugby U16 TOTW: Week Three
Australia U20 star Treyvon Pritchard is the most recent high profile victim of a hip drop tackle. Photo: World Rugby
World Rugby announces banning of hip drop, knee drop tackle