Sam Whitelock's new deal proves New Zealand Rugby will reward loyalty
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New Zealand Rugby has made an unprecedented deal in order to keep one of the best locks in the game in New Zealand with Sam Whitelock penning a new four-year deal.
The test centurion has been granted the opportunity to play in Japan after the World Cup while still being able to represent the All Blacks in 2020.
Whitelock has been tipped as the All Blacks captain in waiting with Kieran Read calling time on his test career after the showpiece in Japan. Whitelock has led the Crusaders to back to back Super Rugby titles and looks set to complete the three-peat later this year.
His new deal is the best of both worlds for both parties as the All Blacks still have one of the best locks in the game at their disposal next year while Whitelock benefits from a lucrative stint in Japan.
The Crusaders' captain looked set to leave New Zealand next season with Toulon seen as the likeliest of destinations but his tough negotiations have benefitted New Zealand Rugby.
"I was pretty open with the NZRU if that it didn't happen I probably would have gone," he said.
"They put it out there and asked what would it take to stay, and I said flexibility."
So what does this mean for overseas All Blacks going forward?
New Zealand Rugby is unlikely to select overseas-based players anytime soon but their willingness to make exceptions for loyal servants of the game will give youngsters more incentive to remain in the country.
A number of players in the past have been given sabbaticals where they could head abroad and test their abilities overseas, like Dan Carter, or non-playing sabbaticals like Ben Smith. Matt Todd, however, was the first player to buck the trend and actually represent the All Blacks while playing in Japan after Sam Cane's horrific neck injury last year.
Whitelock's new deal is a further indication that New Zealand Rugby will do whatever they can to hang onto their top players for as long as they possibly can.
Speaking at the press conference confirming Whitelock's extension NZR Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum said such a case warranted an easing of the rules.
"We are really comfortable with the precedent," said Lendrum.
"If the threshold for that degree of flexibility is around the Sam Whitelock threshold, I think everyone would understand that."
Going forward it is likely that we will see more deals like this being made and more players representing the All Blacks while not playing Super Rugby but there will definitely be restrictions. This kind of precedent will not be afforded to all players, especially citing Lendrum saying 'the Sam Whitelock threshold'.
The likes of Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles and Aaron Smith are among the talents that could potentially get this kind of treatment. All three players have made over 100 appearances in Super Rugby, are some of the best players in their positions.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson summed this up perfectly saying "There is a bit more flexibility and he deserves it, he has played a lot of games, he's performed, and he's a great leader."
Another restriction is that the All Blacks are unlikely to select a player based in Europe for a number of reasons. One being that their players will be exposed to a higher level of rugby than that of the Top League in Japan and a short stint in Europe could be more taxing on their prized All Blacks' bodies not to mention the headache of the player arriving later than the rest of the squad for test windows.
Japan is a far more suitable destination for New Zealanders geographically and they play fewer minutes in a calendar year.
