Historic match on the table for All Blacks and Fiji for 2024

Anyway, Ireland didn't win in 2023 so his statement is nothing to do with them. Lots of teams beat NZ and they don't all go on to win a WC. What he was saying is that if you did do that, then you're a shot at the coming WC, and Ireland were that, I'm sure you can agree with his point now that you understand it.

You want the best players playing every game. You want the most competitive games you can get. You want rivalries. Other formats (like above) deliver on those metrics were the old fashioned league systems do not.

That said, obviously France is its own country and they might be unique in their tastes, and there is a simplistical beauty about the comp currently.

Once French rugby is sustainable, then you don't need to squeak every dollar out of it and accept the broadcasters request. You sell the product to any broadcaster. I don't think you are right about the CC, but if you are, their could be a compromise where instead of all their teams playing in Europe, instead of the top half going through qualifications, perhaps just the top four qualify directly for the finals, or perhaps the round of 16 or whatever it was.

That is a compromise I could see happening, for at least 1 or 2 years every cycle. Like Lions year, so the French are guaranteed to be sending their best at the same time.

Galthie is not so stupid to not lay all his eggs up, no.

The LNR and it's players are a prime target for the new Saudi league, they will have to change and adapt quick smart of be left in the dust with their archaic approach to professionalism.

A bloke who reckons he's a Scot but also Australian but who's obsessed about the Wallabies having a kiwi coach. Ha.

The most influential rugby commentator in Australia just makes no sense.

Try getting some psychiatric help for your paranoia with kiwis.

Because no one on this site is listening to you.

I think you have the two teams back the front Nick. New Zealand is the ultra-physical, burst-based Super style, Top 14 is grinding.

What wouldn’t the New Zealand rugby public give to...

Haha I got excited for some inspiration and thought you were going to say.. "have them both playing for the All Blacks!" there! Lets hope theres some Top 14 upsets and two teams with few French plays make the final so all the stars can tour NZ then!

Assuming that the RFU don't wish to sack SB, which I don't think they will, then they need to put their hands in their pockets and hire an experienced "Director of Rugby" to mentor the entire coaching group until they can make robust enough decisions.

He’s also going to grind into dust key players like Bell and Thor. It’s a long season and next year will be similar with the Lions. The players already play too many games.

Schmidt is a good technician but he is a poor head coach as the latter requires planning 2-3 years ahead. See Rassie with his squad rotation for example and his use of OS players. The blueprint is there but Schmidt not bright/able/poor judgment whatever it is to get it.