Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald has supported New Zealand Rugby’s stance to deny Beauden Barrett the opportunity to be selected while playing overseas.

Barrett, a New Zealand Test centurion, reportedly requested an exemption that would allow him to still be eligible for the All Blacks, despite planning to play overseas for two years after the 2023 World Cup.

However, fearing an erosion of talent, World Cup-winner Donald supported the decision to turn Barrett down and restrict All Blacks selection to NZR-contracted players.

“I would have no problem if any of the All Blacks who has put a couple of years (in) goes and gets the Brodie (Retallick) or the Beaudy walk back into the All Blacks,” Donald said on SENZ radio.

“But the day you say that you can be an All Black from Timbuktu, then you’re in trouble. Guys are going to bugger off.”

Donald added that the All Blacks need New Zealand’s coach monitoring the fitness and condition of their players.

“When they’re all under the house of the NZR, you know that he’s played this (many) minutes, you know that this is his condition.

“Even the conditioning issue, that was Rens’ (Dave Rennie) issue when he was bringing guys back from overseas, he was always worried about having any sort of control over their conditioning because he knew … that the game is slower.

“There are all sorts of reasons but undoubtedly the biggest reason is you cannot have guys overseas and being an All Black because … what’s left to keep the guys playing for our Super Rugby teams?

“Our Super Rugby teams battle to get crowds now, what’s it going to be like in five years’ time when your Beauden Barrett’s, (Damian) McKenzie’s, Will Jordan’s are off playing in the European Championship as opposed to the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Chiefs?

“Look where Aussie rugby is at right now. They are a basket case … you would never want to open that floodgate, not for anyone.”

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