No current All Blacks will be released to play at the Brisbane Tens, according to the head of the New Zealand rugby players union.
Rob Nicol said Tuesday morning that all Super Rugby franchises have been instructed not to allow their respective All Blacks to appear at the two-day tournament, or they risk being in breach of the players collective agreement.
Nicol confirmed that Duco had been advised in their initial discussions that there was a possibility that the high-profile players being used in the tournament's promotions, including the likes of Israel Dagg, Jerome Kaino, and Damian McKenzie, would not be available.
"Right from the outset in discussions with the Brisbane Tens tournament, everyone knew the situation around the end of year tourists - that they wouldn't necessarily be available," Nicol told Newshub.
The players agreement stipulates that all 36 players involved in the 2016 year-ending European tour must be afforded a 12-week stand-down period from all rugby, an edict New Zealand Rugby has opted to enforce.
"I think with such a big year ahead, and last year being pretty significant off the back of a world cup and the All Blacks re-establishing themselves, the call has been that the preference is to give them that full 12-weekbreak from playing.
"At the end of the day, Duco engaged those guys and others to promote the tournament.
"Players always want to play, but sometimes the bigger picture has to come into account."
The director of Duco's Australian operations Rachel Carroll said that they were aware of the provisions imposed by NZ Rugby, but remained confident the tournament would still feature some well-known draw-cards.
"We've always been well aware that this is a negotiation with NZ Rugby in regards to the player provisions, particularly those that fall under last year's tour," she told NZME.
"But that relates to people that were on the tour and playing last year. There are a number of All Blacks that are returning to play that weren't on that tour."
Such players include backline sensations Sonny-Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, and hookers Nathan Harris, and James Parsons.
The Brisbane Tens takes place at Suncorp Stadium on February 11-12th.
Newshub.
