I think most Aussies would point you in the direction of the win/loss record under NZ ref James Doleman, it is very low for Aussie sides. This is not my counter argument, merely highlighting a point of what appears to be a pattern.

I think what is more astonishing honestly is how the Chiefs got 18 penalties and the Waratahs got 4 and the Chiefs still lost. That is a potential 54 points left on the field (not that all of them were kickable, but you take my point) in a game where they lost by 7.

And while I agree that an 11 team draw with 6 sides based in NZ will create some unfair situations, lots of Aussie derbies and NZ derbies coupled with a more home games for NZ sides v Aussie sides is not aiding the competitiveness of the comp but it is making for a tight draw, so there is a positive as far as engagement goes.

I think your point on unfair draw and mine, which in essence is about an unfair draw actually aid each other for a rather strong argument that the draw needs to be looked at.

I think this is a case of two things can be true at once.

I have chosen in around 1000 words to explore this particular issue with the draw I have identified.

Your point, with having the NZ teams playing each other twice on some occassions while others in Aus not is also not fair.

But with the way the table looks currently, would the NZ sides all be in the top six if the draw had been done more in line with my and your point?

For instance, 4 of the 6 Aus wins against NZ sides have come against the Highlanders, 3 in Aus, 1 in NZ.

The Landers have beaten the Blues and lost to the Canes by 2 points, those are their only two NZ games to date and they play the Chiefs this weekend. Their 3 games against the Aussie sides in Australia compared to the Blues 1 is a massive disadvantage because travel takes it’s toll.

Then looking at your example the Blues, they have the toughest season of any side by far but I would also argue that the limited travel is a massive help in preparation, recovery etc. But their draw must be looked at, any side would suffer with a draw like that.

Although I am not suggesting the Aus sides are better than the NZ sides overall, the current ledger and table set up suggests the rift is not as big currently as the underlying assertion to your argument suggests.

More will absolutley be revealed over the coming rounds as the strength of the two franchises.

Now, that wasn’t what I was saying happened, but if you can now follow that thread of logic, I’m saying its because this situation happened, signing for Toulon just months later, that you are wrong to think “returning to New Zealand” must mean he wasn’t “shackled”.

Actually, I’m not saying that he was “shackled”, the article is saying that. That is how you would read the words “His parents see that as the route they want their son to take, and we support that.” and “but it’s probably a slightly different package to what Toulon can offer” here, and I’m pretty sure in most English speaking places GD.

Of course without those statements I agree that it is very possible he’s grown, changed his mind from wanting to develop here with players and coaches he’s comfortable/friends with, to where he wants to take on the challenge of a rich and prestigious club like Toulon. A few months is perhaps enough time to people he trusts to open him up to that sort of environment even, but that’s simply not the message we go, is it? I also think you maybe have an over defense stance about thinking intrinsically or literally about money meaning he was thrown lots of dollars? It might be far from the case, but the monetary value of been given a home and jobs for the family, all the bells and whistles a wealthy club can provide etc is far removed from the mentality he’d currently be in of “cleaning the sheds” after a game. Even without real money just the life style they got given when there last would no doubt be enough to change the mind of some grown up living day to day off your own sustenance/plantation or like that they would have had.

Sounds like you agree with my own criticism of your post lol.

Clarke has been no where near as good as Tele’a. I agree that if Naholo can shrug off his poor SR form he’d be a good replacement, I’m just not too sure whether it’s form or class that’s holding him back at the moment.

Crickey you’re doing what every other coach does, leave Love alone. Give him this chance at 10 and make him at most a 10/15, don’t tar him with the Jordie Barrett trifecta of positions bug. Same with Jordan.

Wing could become a ‘problem’ like 10 though, with those departing, and likely some to follow. I’m not sure Leicesters going to cut having been away so long, I’d rather go a holding and safe option like Leroy Carter until the next kid like Tangitau is ready to walk into a RWC squad at late notice.

Razor has not been taken to school once in his whole career, even with his rebuild last year. He came into a team in Christchurch, won the local comp, then coached Canterbury, won the NPC, then signed to the Crusaders, won 7 back-to-back titles, and has now picked up the ABs on a winning record, only being handed proper losses by the Springboks (back-to-back world champs) and Argentina.

In those games he lost, the coaching of the team was excellent and they were ahead early. However, the bench use killed him in the end.

Of course it does, it helps create the concept of the two seasons Rassie has mused on over the years.

Are you asking how you might have been wrong about your previous statement? If you’re referring to South Africa having a Super Rugby side, I hope answers the your question.

Definitely a shame though, hence why I criticize the coaching for not unlocking that composure earlier. We would have seen he was definitely the player we need to take us through that WC, and the next, before the contract talks started. After, was too late. Conversely, if he had of continued to play the way he had been when he signed to go to Japan, I have no doubt Damien McKenzie would have been the player to lead us in 23’, and then we very likely would have won that Final. I’m not so sure Dmac would hve been good enough to get us past Ireland, Richie definitely deserves a lot of credit for simply getting us to the Final.

But that was all my message to HHT was. That class, or talent in this case, is permeant, and games like Ireland showed he did definitely had that. Obviously Richie’s got a large responsibility in realizing it sooner too, but in terms of not displaying it when it counts in 2019 or 2023, I reckon that’s on the coachs more than a lack of talent on his part, and it’s the same shame when it comes to your sentiment. If he was at the point were he could have saved out bacon against Ireland in 2022, it might not have been too late for NZR to have come in with a big contract offer. The bigger problem now is that Razor is only exasperating that problem with this new group. We now clearly know he was a big factor in Richie taking so long, because he’s replicating the same problems with the current batch. Thankfully NZR had no other option but to offer a big contract to secure Dmac this time though, regardless of how he must have felt after being treated like that.