Michael Hooper has a fierce battle on his hands

It’s been really interesting to observe the way the Crusaders have welcomed him though, both as an organisation and as a team of players. That reaction to the kick was very genuine, and the way the players speak of him is so very telling.

If you’ve not seen it, check out the Next In Line mini-doco, that features the three young Crusaders 10 and what they’re learning from the veterran, and what the veteran himslef is getting out being the teacher..

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Not sure what evidence you are looking at. SFM was among the international breakout stars last year, while the likes of Nortje, Hanekom, Julius, Hooker, Wessels, and Steenekamp have all shown enough to suggest they will become mainstays on the international stage.

And you don’t need to have a lot of international caps to make an impact at a World Cup. The likes of Kolbe, Am, Mapimpi and Kwagga had a handful of caps when they played in the 2019 RWC and we all know how that turned out.

Like the article itself I think there’s a lot of wishful thinking happening with your statement. Rest of the world seems to think the only way to stop the Boks is for them to implode rather than other teams stepping up a level to catch them.

All the noise around the 7:1 split seems to mask the fact that Rassie isn’t as obsessed with size as some former Bok coaches. Their backs are getting smaller at a comparable rate to their forwards getting bigger. Cotezee certainly wouldn’t have touched either of their current starting wingers because of their smaller stature. What a loss that would be.

I still think they are missing a top drawer test #10 to link the forwards and backs. Pollard is the man with his place kicking but is one dimensional in open play. He probably still has another RWC in him. Interesting to see if they stick with the 10-man game that works or really shake it up and develop other #10’s during the next 2 years.

I think his real innovation in the 7:1 split is to disguise the fact that’s a more conventional 6:2 split. He usually includes Kwagga who can cover flank as well as wing, centre and full-back.

Reniach as replacement #9 can also place kick. PSDT can cover lock and flank. Those 3 players between them can cover 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14.

3 players for the price of 11 positions is very smart!

The Boks have another RWC and a SR title during this length of time so it’s not hurting their national game. Still seems to be how they judge success.

Their teams had been going well in the URC but tapered off a bit recently. The Bulls don’t really seem to have recovered from bombing that home final to Glasgow.

Obviously their teams are non-starters in the Euro comps which is sad. Just seems unworkable to have an non-European team compete regularly in Europe.

Although, Australia had a crack at one of the recent Eurovision song contests and I think they did well enough. It can be done.

Once in a while I would prefer to see the BFs actually play the percentages and kick down town.

Its all very nice putting together 2-6 phases inside your own red zone but it’s all undone by a knock on, or forward pass, something the top sides are happy to wait for.

Love’s still got a lot to do yet to prove he could skin England’s best player to setup a win for ABs, sky’s the limit as a 10 for him though I reckon.