ABs exodus unavoidable: World Rugby

WORLD Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper admits there’s not much they can do to prevent New Zealand’s top players from leaving for greater riches in the northern hemisphere.

Since the beginning of 2017, the likes of Aaron Cruden (Montpellier), Steve Luatua (Bristol), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (La Rochelle) and Malakai Fekitoa (Toulon) – all in their 20s – have been lost to the All Blacks to bigspending French or English clubs, who continue to trumpet the capture of talented Kiwis as marquee signings.

Lima Sopoaga (Wasps), Charlie Ngatai (Lyon), Liam Messam (Toulon) and Seta

‘‘There’s a little bit of imbalance happening and there is an attraction of big dollars, in particular in France, and to a certain extent Japan.

‘‘The All Blacks have been very strong in keeping their players.

‘‘Their brand and business has mainly kept players but there will always be a player that will head north because he or she is happy to find riches elsewhere.’’

The All Blacks are mainly losing players on the fringe of the starting 23, but the departure of Cruden and Sopoaga means they’re not blessed with the kind of depth they would like at first five-eighth.

Both Cruden and Sopoaga have chosen to cash in with twotime World Rugby player of the

There are very strong market forces [in Europe], but it’s up to the local unions to try and make it as attractive as possible for those players to stay.’ BRETT GOSPER