New Zealand rugby players taking up lucrative contracts in Europe are harming their development and may struggle to win back their All Blacks jerseys, coach Graham Henry says.
"It's a huge problem," Henry told overseas reporters in a conference call from New Zealand.
"I don't think they'll develop as well in a club environment compared with an international environment.
"The risk they take is that they come back and somebody has established themselves as better than them because they have developed better during that time."
The trickle of New Zealanders playing for European clubs is gathering momentum.
Second five-eighth Aaron Mauger, prop Carl Hayman and lock Chris Jack, all still in their 20s, are among a group joining English clubs after the World Cup finishes in October. Others are still considering their options, most notably 23-year-old playmaker Luke McAlister.
It will leave them ineligible to represent the All Blacks under New Zealand Rugby Football regulations.
Other nations are also losing players to European clubs, particularly from the Pacific Islands.
Henry believed the trend could hamper the development of local talent in countries such as England.
"I was told there were only three No 10s playing in the Premiership who are English," Henry said.
"I just can't understand what they're doing in Europe to develop their own players with all these top players coming from around the world."
The New Zealand Herald - NZPA
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