England boosted by 62-word Sale statement on George Ford fitness

The AB website looks out of date?

Humble heroes

Despite their ferocity on the rugby field and their superstar status in the eyes of fans around the world, the All Blacks are known for being humble.

After Johannesburg this year the NZ players said they are OK with how fand react to teh Haka, their choice particularly in their home country. You seem to be talking through your backside (again).

That ancient 10 man specialist Pollard or that total liability, Fanny Libbok.

You claimed that our inexperience front row selected before the RC wouldn’t likely get another chance to play and they were selected again in the RC.

You asked me when it was likely that SFM would be selected ahead of Polly. And even to my own surprise he was selected ahead of Polly for the RC.

You’re clutching at straws Finn.

I know that, because you love the Boks so much as your second favourite team, that you’re worried. But you really need not panic. It will be fine. Just trust Rassie will continue being the best international coach in the world and enjoy the wonderful ride.

Save your pessimism for England. Now that’s a f*ck up, slow burning, train wreck.

What’s the median age of all the top 5 teams as at 2024?

And how did you get to that figure anyway? Is it median age of the squad, or all the players capped in 2016, 2017 and 2024?

I don’t think you have your figures correct. Which means your whole argument is doubtful.

In any event. You’re focused on age. Age isn’t the issue, depth is the goal. 2-3 players per position to select from. Stated by Rassie himself. A squad of 50 at any given time good enough to compete. He’s already played 49 players this year and we have 3 games left in the year.

Let’s just pick one key position to illustrate.

In 2023 we had a problem at 10. Pollard was injured and we went in with Manie at 10 who had less than 10 caps.

Since then we have 4 options at 10. Depth. All of those options will be well on or ahead of 30 caps each by 2027.

And id hazard a guess that there’ll be at least another 2 options in the mix or tried out by 2027.

Depth. It’s not about the age profile. The age profile means nothing.

Who’s England got at 9 & 10?

In fact who’s England got from 9-15?

There should be more focus on who is going to play at 10 if he doesn’t play. In fact, let’s assume he isn’t going to play.

Marcus Smith I guess?

Who else should maybe get a shot? I’m worried that England isn’t doing enough to build depth by selecting young players. In pivotal positions like 10.

It’s keeping me awake at night.

SFM and Moodie are just two players. Every other tier one team (with the exception of Ireland*) have more than two players their age, who are just as central to their team.

*Ireland will also need to lower their squad age, but their situation is slightly less urgent than south africa's, as despite their lack of any very young players, theyve got a lot of people in their mid-20s, whereas SA's best players are mostly in their 30s.