New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson urges 'open mind' on player eligibility 

The former Crusaders boss would like more freedom in selecting his New Zealand squad. 

RAZOR: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson. Picture: INPHO/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Newly-installed All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says New Zealand rugby chiefs should keep “keep an open mind” when it comes to selecting overseas-based players for the national team.

Gathering his domestic-based players for a two-day camp in Auckland, Robertson emphasised the possible need to be flexible in the future.

“That’s what I’ve asked for – not to have someone come and play for us," he said, "but to keep an open mind about where the game is currently. It’s moving quite quickly, as we know. There are a lot of on and off-field decisions to be a step ahead of.

“Decipher that,” he finished, hinting at the political game behind the scenes. 

Eleven members of the All Blacks’ World Cup squad -- who dumped Ireland out at the quarter-final stage -- have since headed overseas.

Star forwards Sam Cane and Ardie Savea and back Beauden Barrett are all set to return from Japan, however, and will be available for international duty later in the middle of the year.

A handful of big-name veterans will not again pull on the famous All Blacks jersey - the former Crusaders boss will plan without Dane Coles, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Aaron Smith.

But others would certainly feature in Robertson's plans if he only he could pick them, with overseas-based players ineligible for the All Blacks unless they are there on a contracted sabbatical.

Asked about Richie Mo’unga, who was key to Robertson's hugely successful reign at the Crusaders, he said: “I just want to keep an open mind, so I can select the best players available to the All Blacks”.

“It’s obviously something New Zealand Rugby haven’t put forward in the past," he said of a policy change, "but you obviously want your best players playing for your country.

“Whether that happens or not; I don’t get paid to make those decisions. It’s well above my pay cheque. We’ll wait and see what happens in the future.”