Why ABs get Japan green light
Let them earn their yen in Japan or they’ll leave New Zealand for good.
That’s the harsh reality underpinning New Zealand Rugby’s increasing willingness to allow players to play in Super Rugby, head to Japan and then come back again.
Three-test All Black Elliot Dixon is one of those players and he confirmed to Stuff that he would not have returned to the Highlanders this year without his Japanese deal.
‘‘I was close to going for good – around Europe,’’ Dixon said.
‘‘I was just about to head off but a wee little deal with Ricoh [Black Rams] was awesome to get me to come back as well.
‘‘That kept me in New Zealand so I think it’s a good option for New Zealanders to go and try and something different, and if they’ve been there for a few years to come back refreshed and ready to go again.’’
None of this will be news to rugby bosses across the country but with the likes of Beauden Barrett tipped to head to Japan after the World Cup it might mitigate the nationwide handwringing if and when the Barrett deal is announced.
New Zealand Rugby isn’t so much letting its players go but retaining one hand on them when the reality is French and British billionaire club owners want to rip them from their grasp completely.
Compromises must be made all along the chain.
Dixon said he didn’t return to New Zealand from his Tokyo base until the end of January, and he was immediately given two weeks off by the Highlanders before a fortnight of training with the squad.
He will return for the Highlanders against the Rebels on Friday after being unavailable for the opening two rounds of Super Rugby.
‘‘I think we had a really good plan coming back in,’’ Dixon said.
‘‘Just getting back into things slowly . . . and getting a good couple of weeks under the belt instead of running straight back into it, which I wanted to do but having those two weeks [off] was really good to recharge and get excited for the season.’’
The Highlanders have taken a similar approach with all of their Japan-aligned players, with senior lock Tom Franklin also available to face the Rebels on Friday, No 10 Marty Banks reintroduced into the action last week and Richard Buckman probably one week away from a return.
The cautious approach is needed to guard against burnout.
South African rugby is full of horror stories about Springboks coming back injured from Japan and NZR will be acutely aware of those.
Dixon also said the level of the Japanese competition was ‘‘between Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby’’, which is rigorous enough to break players if they aren’t getting enough rest over the year.
However, NZR is going to have to manage that risk because the landscape isn’t changing any time soon.
Dixon said his peers were curious about his experiences in Japan. The culture shock of shifting from New Zealand to a densely populated city such as Tokyo wasn’t for everyone, Dixon said, but he was relishing the experience.
Being able to return to the Highlanders also had another benefit, with the 29-year-old admitting the All Blacks fire still burns brightly inside.
‘‘I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s probably another factor why I didn’t sign straight over to Europe.
‘‘But for me it’s just getting back into the Highlanders’ season and getting back into the forward pack and the starting [loose forward] three is a pretty big ask at the moment.
‘‘I just want consistent game time and after that whatever happens happens.’’