Mark Tele’a, the rising star of the All Blacks’ wing corps, has booked his ticket from New Zealand to Detroit, Michigan, in a surprise move. He’s set to join Toyota Verblitz in Japan after the end of this season. This decision is a blow for the All Blacks. New coach Scott Robertson must now deal with the loss of Tele’a as he weighs his options ahead of picking what, should go their way, will be the first All Black selections.
Since his 2022 debut, Tele’a has established himself as an important piece for the All Blacks. He has an outrageous strike rate as a try scorer, with 13 in 19 tests. He was instrumental in the team’s run to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Specifically, he started the game against South Africa. His recent accolade of World Rugby’s “Breakthrough Player of the Year” only cements his influence on the pitch. His impending exit fuels speculation about what makes the All Blacks jersey so attractive. Can it even begin to stand up against the Siren’s calls emanating from abroad?
A Key Player’s Departure
Mark Tele’a has made the choice to sign with Toyota Verblitz. This decision, reportedly made under the advice of ex–All Blacks stewards Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, illustrates the growing epidemic of New Zealand rugby players heading for lucrative contracts abroad. No wonder so many pundits are spooked by this trend. They are concerned that allowing for financial incentives would erode the mystique built around the All Blacks.
Veteran Kiwi rugby commentator Jeff Wilson made his displeasure over this trend. He stated, “I don’t know if we can do more to keep our players in New Zealand but this really concerns me.” The logic behind Tele’a’s decision will hopefully lead to conversations among rugby administrators on how to keep more homegrown talent stateside.
The Auckland Blues have expressed appreciation for Tele’a’s enormous contributions to the team on and off the field. “A devastating character on the field, Mark’s presence in the locker room is just as immense,” they remarked. His leadership qualities and line-breaking abilities have made him a very key player for the All Blacks.
Looking Ahead
As Tele’a gets ready for this new chapter of his life in Japan, he carries with him great memories from his time spent with the All Blacks. “It’s been an amazing ride, so many fantastic memories and amazing people,” he noted. He clarified his decision: “After much thought I have decided from next year I will play my rugby in Japan.”
The ruling effectively forbids him from ever being selected for the All Blacks in 2026. Coach Robertson’s dilemma Now, Coach Robertson is in a difficult position—does he commit to Tele’a for this season’s starting five and future lineup, or does he look for new talent?
The Blues have done a great job not looking past their current season despite the inevitable change on the horizon. “We will celebrate accordingly at the end of the season but until then we’ve got work to do,” they stated. This is no small thing, an expression of their dedication to going out on top while navigating the loss of Tele’a.
Leave a Reply