Last week we reported on Kiwi Bundee Aki, the latest signing at Connacht, declaring his interest in the green jersey. It hasn't gone unnoticed in the Southern Hemisphere with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen calling on those on the fringes of New Zealand rugby to harden up.
"It is frustrating and it is disappointing," he says. "Players here have a dream of playing for the All Blacks and then they suddenly give it up when an easier option comes along.
"It's not their dream but they decide to go for it and I think we need players with a bit more mental fortitude: a bit more of a constitution to dig in harder and fight for the dream they really want."
Hansen fears that post World Cup there will be an inevitable exodus of senior talent but only a sparse number of second-tier players left to take their place."Maybe, though, it says something about those athletes who take that easy option," Hansen says.
Keith Wood has talked before on the topic, speaking of his unease about the recruitment of foreign players to the Irish setup. Talking about New Zealander Michael Bent's switch he said
It can’t be, it can’t be, that easy to play for Ireland as to get onto a flight and fly into the country. It can’t be. I find it wrong. We know he has played 10 or 11 games down in New Zealand and apparently he’s good, and all that, but this is playing for your country. It isn’t playing for Leinster
I find it awkward, it doesn’t sit well with me.”
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[NZ Herald]
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