Tens will have 10 All Blacks, says Duco Events

Duco Events has expressed surprise that All Blacks players used in their advertising may not be available for the Brisbane Global Tens.

The tournament falls within the compulsory 12-week standdown period following the All Blacks’ northern hemisphere tour, as contracted in the New Zealand Rugby players’ collective agreement.

New Zealand’s Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said on Tuesday Duco were aware the All Blacks would not be compelled to play in Brisbane.

But Duco Australia chief executive Rachael Carroll responded, saying that 10 All Blacks from the northern tour squad would play in the tournament - including its ambassadors.

Jerome Kaino, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith and Damian McKenzie have all been promoting the February 11-12 tournament at Suncorp Stadium.

New Zealand Rugby have been asked to clarify the matter, but haven’t responded to requests or submitted a statement.

Carroll said they had received provisional squads from the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises and the four All Black ambassadors were included.

‘‘These players have indicated a strong desire to play in the tournament, and their Super Rugby clubs have selected them,’’ Carroll said.

‘‘These selections are now subject to ratification by New Zealand Rugby. We are negotiating with New Zealand Rugby in good faith to confirm these selections.’’

Carroll said Duco had also received provisional squads from Australian franchises and the tournament would have in excess of 20 Wallabies.

The final squads will be confirmed early next month.

Fairfax Media understands some New Zealand Super Rugby teams are yet to name their squads for Brisbane.

Clubs are contracted to send a number of top tier players about four or five - but they do not have to be All Blacks.

All Black players have a detailed plan in place around their preparation for the season, all geared toward beating the Lions in June and July.

For the Super Rugby sides the main goal is to win that title, not the Brisbane Tens.

Nehe Milner-Skudder is likely to play in Brisbane after missing the 2016 international season, but top-liners such as Beauden Barrett and Kieran Read would not. feature.

A Blues spokesman said their provisional squad was for discussion purposes and not for public consumption. ‘‘As a result the final team will be submitted by end of play this Friday and Duco will release next week.’’

The Chiefs declined to discuss their Brisbane squad, saying: ‘‘We won’t be adding to the current commentary.’’

Crusaders boss Hamish Riach said he could not confirm their squad for the Tens until next week.

The Highlanders have yet to respond.

The NZ Rugby players’ collective agreement agrees a 12-week break from the game after an All Black’s season ends.

For the All Blacks who went on the northern tour that’s not until after February 11-12, the weekend of the Tens at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Nichol revealed that all parties - NZ Rugby, the All Blacks, the player and their respective Super Rugby franchise - were all together in that agreement, so an All Black could play in Brisbane subject to their own personal circumstances.

But NZ Rugby is focusing on the bigger picture in 2017, with the British and Irish Lions touring this year. An emphasis on keeping leading All Blacks fresh throughout the year takes on added importance.

‘‘We’ve always had a history where All Blacks integrate back into Super Rugby under a model that’s agreed between the player, the franchise and the All Blacks,’’ Nichol said.

‘‘Recently, what we did was establish a situation where the standard rule was that if a guy was playing the end-of-yeartour, he would have 12 weeks of no playing.

‘‘That’s the time when they had a bit of a rest and then, arguably, the hardest work of their year, being pre-season.’’

Nichol said Duco were aware that All Blacks would not be compelled to play in the Tens tournament.

‘‘When the Brisbane Tens tournament was pulled together, it was always with the understanding that All Blacks on that end-of-year tour could not be compelled to play - and that it would be subject to that model.

‘‘At the end of the day, it would come around a decision to the individual and where they’re at. That’s the model that we’re working to and that’s what we’ve known all along.’’