Fears recede that Premiership player release row could ruin potential Six Nations restart

My reaction here has been to the suggestions in the article and to an extent BTL that AB supporters should just lump it because of, well, France, that somehow it’s actually our fault for wanting a good tour, and that suggesting internal French rugby politics are bad for the international game is not allowed because of, well, France.

The “you don’t understand us” argument that is dragged out is factually incorrect. We do understand why it’s France B here. But we don’t like it. May not be much we can do about it, but we don’t - and don’t have to - like it.

It very much does risk devaluing international rugby over time. Many French supporters may not care that much. But I do, and I think many AB - and other - supporters do too.

Vaa’i stepped up massively in 2024. If S Barrett has an injury plagued year; A Savea does well as 7 and captain, and Vaa’i and Holland keep improving S Barrett may struggle to force his way back in on form alone.

But that may also get S Barrett to rise to a new level. Good faults from an All Blacks perspective.

It’s sad for Tuipulotu that there is so much depth at lock now that he is starting to, finally, reach his potential.

So why is he complaining now?

Not to even mention that he should be ashamed rather than proud he lead a 1974 tour to what was at the time an apartheid era South Africa - which were banned by many other bodies at the time, including in Rugby.

Tuipulotu is playing well. But is 32. With S Barrett at 31 he brings experience. Vaa’i had a breakthrough year in 2024, and Holland looks like the future.

And I agree 100%, Va'ai's future is predominantly as a #6/lock. There’ll be iterations in the back five of course along the way. And hopefully this will inspire Finau who Ryan rates long term, to rise to the competition. Building depth is on track.

I have experienced this at first hand from you.

Even your mom would tell you that, in this instance, you’re acting like an *-hole.