Everybody will get a shot at Lions

NZRU announces selection guidelines

Selection guidelines for New Zealand's top rugby teams have been established for 2005 with priority given to allow as many players as possible the opportunity to play against the British and Irish Lions for their province or at representative level.

The guidelines, which will assist in determining which teams get preference on player selection, were approved by the New Zealand Rugby Union NZRU) board and will help coaches and players navigate one of the busiest international seasons ever.

NZRU Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said the emphasis is on allowing as many players as possible to have this once-in-a-career opportunity to play in the Lions Series, which requires some planning because of the congested nature of this year's rugby season.

"We have a number of matches involving different teams all being played around the same time and we needed to set some guidelines to assist our selectors and coaches and our players with regard to player selection," he said.

"We recognise that there is an overlap between programmes for national and provincial teams and there is also a unique and significant opportunity for our provincial players to play against the British and Irish Lions.

"In view of this, the All Blacks and other national teams' coaches as well as Provincial Unions that will be playing the Lions have been consulted and have agreed that in principle, eligible players will be given the opportunity to play for their province or for New Zealand Maori against the British and Irish Lions with a few exceptions."

This year's calendar sees the All Blacks play a trial match and a one-off Test against Fiji in June ahead of the Lions Series.

The New Zealand Maori are set to play two internationals - against Fiji and the British and Irish Lions - while the Junior All Blacks embark on a three-match tour of Australia later in June.

Seven provincial teams will play against the touring British and Irish Lions during June and July. In addition, the New Zealand Under-21 side will be in Argentina for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship and the New Zealand Sevens team in London and Paris for the last two 2004/2005 IRB Sevens Series tournaments.

As a result, the NZRU Board approved the following guiding principles in terms of a player's availability when that player is eligible for two or more teams.

* Bay of Plenty: Bay of Plenty players will not be considered for the All Blacks Trial or the New Zealand Maori team's international against Fiji, which are both played on Friday 3 June. This will ensure they are free to play for their Provincial Union against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday 4 June. Any Bay of Plenty players involved in the Super 12 Final should still be available to play for their province against the British and Irish Lions a week later.

* New Zealand Maori: New Zealand Maori coach Matt Te Pou will be free to select his strongest possible team for the match against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday 11 June and will have precedence ahead of All Blacks selection for the Test against Fiji which will be played a day earlier on Friday 10 June. Any eligible New Zealand Maori players involved in the Super 12 Final would be considered on a case-by-case basis for the Fiji v New Zealand Maori international on Friday 3 June in Suva.

* Otago/Southland/Manawatu/Auckland: It was agreed that any Junior All Blacks players from Otago, Southland, Manawatu and Auckland will, wherever possible, be released from the national team to play for their Provincial Union against the British and Irish Lions.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he supports these guidelines.

"This is positive for everyone. We realise that we need to do what's best for each individual player hence the continued dialogue between all the coaches involved. This in turn helps us as All Blacks coaches as, by working together, we are growing the pool of potential international players," Henry said.

"These guidelines offer the New Zealand Maori team the opportunity to field a full-strength team against the British and Irish Lions which allows us to see more players in action before we settle on our All Blacks squad for the DHL Lions Series. Provincial Unions will also be able to select their best players for their matches against the Lions, which will make for a fantastic tour," he added.

The squads for the All Blacks Trial are scheduled to be named on Monday 23 May. Henry said any players involved in the Super 12 Final on Saturday 28 May would not be considered for the Trial.

The full schedule of matches in New Zealand during June and July:

June:
3 - All Blacks Trial; Napier
3 - New Zealand Maori v Fiji; Suva
4 - Bay of Plenty v British and Irish Lions; Rotorua
8 - Taranaki v British and Irish Lions; New Plymouth
10 - All Blacks v Fiji; Albany
11 - New Zealand Maori v British and Irish Lions; Hamilton
15 - Wellington v British and Irish Lions; Wellington
18 - Otago v British and Irish Lions; Dunedin
21 - Southland v British and Irish Lions; Invercargill
22 - Junior All Blacks v Queensland Reds; Brisbane
25 - FIRST TEST: All Blacks v Lions; Christchurch
26 - Junior All Blacks v Australia 'A'; Canberra
28 - Manawatu v British and Irish Lions; Palmerston North

July:
1 - Junior All Blacks v Australia 'A'; Sydney
2 - SECOND TEST: All Blacks v Lions; Wellington
5 - Auckland v British and Irish Lions; Auckland
9 - THIRD TEST: All Blacks v Lions; Auckland