Extended AB squad

News of 51 man extended Springboks squad has got me thinking.

We need to find a way of plugging the big gap in the NZ pro rugby remuneration structure.

One idea would be to announce at the end of Super rugby a 50 man AB squad, of which, say, 34 were in line for the June series, with the other 16 attending certain sessions.

The germane point being to lock in, say $200k central supplement for the extra 16 players.

That would allow remuneration to reach maybe $400k (or more depending on NPC deals).

It would both keep young players felling that they had an AB shot, and would make it harder for overseas clubs to pick them off with a fat cheque book.

The 16 would also form the core of the AB XV, in the same way as Rassie is using his squad for the Bokke XV.

Not a finished thought, more starter for ten...

@pakman Like your thinking mate, very much. I think getting in ones for SA to train with team during July series has alot going for it.

That structure would ensure more continuity between fringe players and the main squad, along with paying those guys to try to keep them in NZ and available for selection

and give the XV a proper schedule with some promotion - plenty of people would go to watch the up and comers, it should help to pay for itself.