New Saracens signing Chris Jack has confirmed he will not play for New Zealand again.
Family commitments come first, says Sarries ace
New Saracens signing Chris Jack has confirmed he will not play for New Zealand again.
The All Blacks have a policy of not selecting foreign-based players but Jack is adamant he will not return to international rugby even if it is overturned.
While winger Rico Gear - who joined Worcester this week - is urging the All Blacks to select players worldwide following an exodus of stars abroad, Jack intends to put his family first.
The 29-year-old second row giant, who has a five-month-old daughter, said: "For me the All Black career is over.
"As a person with a family I don't think All Black rugby suits me any more.
"To be a family man and to be an All Black you are so long away from home and it's just too much. As guys get older it's different.
Pressure
"When you are starting your career it's exciting and you enjoy the travel - and I enjoyed the pressure as well - but it's just not fair on your family to be away for three or four months a year."
But, for the sake of the game in New Zealand, Jack does not agree with Gear that the policy on All Black selection should be changed to bring in players based overseas.
He stated: "I think they've got it right for New Zealand rugby. Otherwise we'll turn into a Brazil-like situation in soccer where no-one will play in New Zealand and the local competitions will suffer.
"You look back to after the previous World Cup when people like Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens left. And without me they will still carry on because there are a lot of young guys still coming through."
Jack admitted he may never get over the failure of the All Blacks to win this year's World Cup after going in as huge pre-tournament favourites.
"I haven't got over it and I don't think I will. I still haven't got over 2003," he lamented.
"As soon as you become an All Black it's something you want to achieve and to have missed out twice, when you have the biggest goal, it hurts."
Pondering how that hurt can be healed, he said: "Probably not until the All Blacks actually win, which could be never.
"It's just something that you feel you've let down the New Zealand public, let down yourself and your family and it's kind of personal. It's not just a game
"We've proved ourselves year in, year out that we're probably the best in the world consistently and we should have done better than we have."
