Les finales du Rugby Europe Championship 2024 auront lieu à Paris

'Scratching our heads': NZ pundit urges All Blacks to follow South Africa's model

SC 18 minutes ago

Andrew I know you are a diehard Chiefs supporter but even you have to admit that Mo’ungs’s 2023 All Black performance was far superior to either Barrett and McKenzie in 2024.

In addition you have to admit that Razor and Mo’unga have had extraordinary success together. I’m willing to bet that Mo’unga’s performance in that black jersey would be better than 2023

2 Go to comments

fl 21 minutes ago

England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

so you agree; England should retain faith in young coaches, even when results go against them?

Why the Wallabies' Murrayfield munching offered a worrying glimpse of the Lions showdown

dw 27 minutes ago

Thanks Nick. Interesting analysis and I wasn't quite sure if our attack was quiet because we were tired but this seems like Scotland defended well. You've pointed out our defence issues for weeks now...surely the top people are seeing this and going to take some action? JAS is new to the position and can be moved to the back but that doesn't fix the overall defence issues?

15 Go to comments

Bruiser 34 minutes ago

Need the Giteau rule. ABs need best available players...times have a changed

Why the Wallabies' Murrayfield munching offered a worrying glimpse of the Lions showdown

James 38 minutes ago

The Sua’ali’i at 13 gamble paid off against England, but I think they need Kerevi’s power at 12 and Ikitau at 13. They can easily revert back to this comination.

Would a new defensive coach next year make an immediate impact Nick or has that ship sailed?

15 Go to comments

Andrew Nichols 40 minutes ago

'Scratching our heads': NZ pundit urges All Blacks to follow South Africa's model

...like there's anyone who would have made a difference...That's what these article fail to tell us. The real issue is the loss of the second tier who may in time step up. The incumbenta in the ABs have less and less pressure on them. Fergus Bourke, Aidan Morgan, Harry Plummer,....

2 Go to comments

fl 46 minutes ago

England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

decent lineup. I'm not conviced by Lozowski though. Slade is in better premiership form, and there's no reason to think Lozowski would be an improvement on Slade's internaitonal form.

England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

fl 48 minutes ago

you're absolutely right that England need to finish in the top 3, but I really think they will. I think the top 3 could be an absolute dog fight, and I don't expect there to be a big gulf between England and whoever wins.

Harlequins statement: Joe Marler's immediate-effect retirement

fl 52 minutes ago

for the love of god I hope he doesn't have a job in media lined up

3 Go to comments

Tom 1 hour ago

England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

Team i would like to see

Stuart Lancaster, Shaun Edwards, Mike Catt, Graham Rowntree

SF 1 hour ago

You don't build the strength of you clubs and provinces outside the country. A limited few - and not by choice, of these mega stars don't return to build capacity at clubs and provinces. No! They retire and are employed to render senseless commentary.

YeowNotEven 1 hour ago

Retallick smith piutau fainga’anuku luatua laumape…. There’s a lot.

YeowNotEven 1 hour ago

Not comparable as neither country has professional leagues of their own or winning percentages anywhere near what the All Blacks have.

The problem is it dilutes the competition at home, so the quality of the rugby falls. The flow on effect of this NZ will cease to produces the players it does because less people are interested, playing, or even watching.

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

I’d be interested to see what the second or third teams made up of NZ players playing overseas would look like.

I assume you’re including players who are playing for other countries (like Ireland). Because they wouldn’t be eligible to play for NZ for three years and unless they stopped playing for their adoptive countries.

So that leaves you with NZers playing for club teams abroad.

I can so far only think of one player. 10. Richie Mounga.

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

Correct. But if NZRU has burned through the cash from the silver lakes deal, made from selling a stake in the ABs, what’s left when the cash cow can’t fill the hole anymore?

SF 1 hour ago

Have you consulted the crystal ball? The right statement would be the right players have not been identified as yet.

SF 1 hour ago

Oh my, my. Goodness champ. You're truly ignorant and a true reflection of the hypocrisy raving in SA. Should not your argument apply to all Europeans born in this country? And don't tell me you SA'can. Do you realize only Europeans claim the name of the country they either colonize or emigrate to. If any person from African origin moves to Europe they will either be identified by the European as black-whatever or African-whatever. And so you will notice - even when, like you, will remain Chinese, Indian will be indian, Somalian will be Somalian, but not you people. You will usurp the language, culture and identity of the people as yours. Don't lecture me about eligibility, identity and adoption. We certainly did not adopt you. Like the Chinese, Indian, you will never be African.

Werner 1 hour ago

Who's swearing, cursing or bad mouthing?

I agree not everyone has a price but everything has a value and that value shouldn't be determined on where you work. Why would the jersey be less valued because more players are able to fight for it? Because more players have a better quality of life for their family?

Fiji Argentina and SA rely on the clubs to pay players salaries and subsidise them rather than the other way round. For the exact reason that it's an honour and privilege to play for their country. If you think that devalues the jersey then that's your opinion then so be it, it seems to work for all the other countries and FIFA