Ilona Maher makes low-key debut in Bristol Bears defeat

The best All Blacks teams have always had authoritative Centres in their midfield. This, in my memory, includes players like Bruce Robertson (1970s), Joe Stanley (1980s), Frank Bunce (1990s), Tana Umaga (2000s), Conrad Smith (2000-10s). What connects all these players is not their physical qualities but their mental qualities - knowing when to pass and when not to, primarily.

For all his athletic qualities, Rieko Ioane just still doesn’t appear able to do this. Looking back at the last match against France alone, you can see his shaky hands and wrong option taking at times that cost try-scoring opportunities and led to turnovers. However, selectors and fans remain interested in his athletic qualities still - he is probably the quickest man on the pitch in many matches that he plays in and has a really big frame too. It is what keeps players like Anton Lieniert-Brown and Billie Proctor out of the picture along with the underrated-but-injury-prone Jack Goodhue before then.

However, Leicester Fainga’anuku is an even stronger athlete - maybe not as out-and-out quick but certainly powerful and very industrious. If he can demonstrate an ability to think on his feet and have a safe pair of hands, he could definitely force a rethink about incumbency.

Imagine that?

I may be an old school nostalgic Saffer, whose been beaten by the Aussies too many times to believe they’ll just roll over! Bloody Aussies.

I saw things from the Aussies up North recently that made me excited by what may come. I wonder if a series win (or draw) would convince RA and JS to stick around together to the WC?

Thats what I’m hoping for this year from the Aussies. As well as a win against the ABs!

Two losses to SA though…

What about the state of rugby at school level. I believe Rugby is featuring less and less in public schools vs private schools?

The concentration of springboks at the Sharks, in my opinion, crowds out options for youngsters coming through. For example. So some good unheard ofs may well emerge yet from teams like the Pumas.

You’re spot on - it’s not the number of teams that’s the issue but how they are strategically USED to build talent pipelines.

The more significant issue is whether RA can afford to pay competitive salaries for Oz-based players.

RA doesn't even know its income stream after 2025, when I think the current TV rights contract expires. Given that it has lost the Rebels, I think it will struggle to retain its current income.

If RA's income does drop due to reduced income from the rights, I think many players will find that they will be forced overseas as RA can not offer globally competitive salaries.

I was talking to a friend in Ireland a couple of years ago, he commented on this problem there. "Good players not in the four provincial teams don't have much open to them. Only the AIL". Only France in world rugby have the answer, with their layers of leagues leading to the top echelons.

Keeping kids in sport at the u14 age group not just a challenge for RA, but also cricket, netball, and the other footy codes so the competition well and truly on to keep the smaller playing base is hot!