New Zealand Rugby has to think outside the box to ensure the player drain to Europe doesn't get to a level where the All Blacks are affected, insists coach Steve Hansen.
On Thursday, media pressed Hansen on the issue of New Zealand's elite players choosing big money offers from France and England over the lure of an All Black jersey.
Former All Black Lima Sopoaga claimed that wearing the silver fern was no longer enough and top players would be enticed by the endless cash pool of Europe's biggest clubs.
Hansen doesn’t believe the NZR is at the tipping point yet, but acknowledged the concern was growing, given the quality of players lost in recent years.
Sopoaga joined the likes of Stephen Luatua, Charles Piutau, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Charlie Faumuina and Aaron Cruden as All Blacks squad members to have taken their talents north.
"It's not about going cap in hand to the government," Hansen says. "But we have to keep thinking of ways to keep this big machine going, because it won't happen by itself and as far as I am aware money still doesn't grow on trees."
Hansen is referring to comments he made after the second Bledisloe test at Eden Park in Auckland, when he admitted to asking the Government for a little financial help.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Sports Minister Grant Robertson joined the All Blacks in the dressing rooms to celebrate afterwards, and Hansen enquired about funding.
The 59-year-old says his account of that conversation was taken slightly out of context.
Hansen believes any financial contribution from the Government would not go into the players’ pockets.
"The whole point of making that comment is that rugby is important in this country in terms of who we are," Hansen said.
"Not all the money we make goes to the players - it goes to funding grassroots, development and women's rugby.
"We spend more money than we have and that's not a great thing from a budget standpoint.
"I believe the All Blacks over many years have been a great brand for New Zealand.
"You can go anywhere in the world and people might not know much about New Zealand, but they have heard of the All Blacks.
"I think it's an opportunity for us to take New Zealand around the world by using that brand, be it in tourism or business, and that's why I mentioned that I think they [Government] should be one of our sponsors.
"If that money went to, say, developing the game or women's rugby, then maybe some of the money we get from Adidas, AIG and some of our other sponsors can be used to keep players here."
Hansen notes that the All Blacks continuing success is not a given.
"It's not an everlasting, forever-type thing we are doing here," he said.
"The word ‘complacency’ has been thrown about in regards to our team and what we are doing, and we are fighting that all the time. I'm sure there would be a different attitude if this team wasn't performing."
Hansen has no issues with Sopaoga speaking out over players taking the money for financial security.
He says the former Highlanders first-five left New Zealand shores with the full backing of the NZR, as it respected his reasons for putting an All Black jersey in his past.
"We will always understand people's reasons for going overseas, especially some of the Pacificka boys, who are supporting more than just themselves," Hansen says.
"Do we like it? No, I don't like it when someone we rate goes overseas, because my job is to ensure this team is a strong as possible, so I am going to try to talk them out of it, if I can.
"But if they do go, they go with our blessing and we will support them.
"He [Lima] is over there now, and he is obviously enjoying it and good on him."
Newshub.
