New Zealand Rugby is addressing the sabbatical system, which they acknowledge is not perfect, as it allowed All Blacks captain Sam Cane to temporarily leave the team.
According to Chris Lendrum, the general manager of professional rugby and performance at New Zealand Rugby, sabbaticals for All Blacks stars are a necessary compromise.
This system permits players to take short-term contracts, typically in Japan, before returning to New Zealand, allowing them to benefit financially while remaining eligible for the All Blacks for most of their careers.
The most recent example of this is Sam Cane, who led the national team to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. He has accepted an offer from the Kubota Spears in Japan and will spend a few months playing in the Japan Rugby League One before returning to New Zealand for the 2024 Test season.
Lendrum explained, “The alternative is that if we don’t offer these sabbaticals, some players may decide to leave New Zealand earlier, and we would lose them both from the All Blacks and Super Rugby in the long term. While it’s not a perfect solution from a fan or team perspective, it is significantly better than the alternative of losing these players permanently.”
Cane’s move may have surprised some, but Lendrum clarified that it was always part of his contract plan. He added, “The option for Sam to take a planned sabbatical has always been a part of his contract. An opportunity arose relatively recently, and Sam felt it was the right time for him to take that break. Considering his four intense years as the All Blacks’ captain and the demands of big campaigns, especially after the World Cup, the timing seemed logical to us, and we fully support it.”
Lendrum also noted that not all All Blacks have sabbaticals in their contracts, as there are long-service criteria to meet. He explained, “Not every long-serving player requests it, as it doesn’t suit everyone. Sabbaticals are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The players taking these breaks typically have upwards of 80 Test caps and have played in Super Rugby for an extended period.
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