'Big Bill' Mata 'a better player' following Barbarian debut

There’s often a couple of ‘high school scholarship’, or ‘residency’ players in an All Blacks squad e.g. Reece, Taukei'aho, Frizzell etc.

New Zealand definitely gives more players than it takes. But still, I’d significantly tighten the eligibility rules - for all teams.

For example I had not realised Hodgeman was 31, thought he was younger. So he is right in that age bracket where props down the ages often reach their peak. With his NZ background, he is a huge asset to have, first at Qld, second for the WB’s.

Daugunu, yes, and the time at the Rebels has seen his game refined, he is strong candidate. The player I would add to the list is Josh Canham. Not many mentioning him atm, but at 2.02 m and 116 kgs, and the way he is playing for the Reds, I would be looking at him as strong WB squad member. Uru I really like, as he brings a lot of flair with his game.

Good to hear you report that Schmidt is now not ruling Langi Gleeson out of Lions games contention. Wise move, as he is having now a very strong season, even outstanding. Good to see potential now being realised.

I would think Carlo Tizzano would also be one that Schmidt is looking at with interest. He has workrd hard to get to where he now is, and is having a very strong season. Sam Cane type player, a hard man. I guess he is a worthy successor to that great Force 7 of times past, Matt Hodgson.

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Kirifi is someone demanding attention as Ardie’s/the teams go to back up option though. Like with you’re Kaino ref though, happy for that to reverse back again if Lakai simply starts outperforming him again. The Kaino role has really been filled by Cane (perhaps because they didn’t find a replacement) and the 6’s that have been used are more like a Read/Jones/Flavell/Fifita.

I really do like the idea of that rock being a little bigger and a little tougher than Cane though. Miracle looks like that guy, and there are few possible young kiwis coming through too. Barrett over Vaa’i for me, he just has a little of the mongrol and flair you also want.

He couldn’t persuade him to stay and he couldn’t persaude NZR to change their policy, but he really should have been perfectly comfortable with the situation after the following SR season.