Joe Hawkins omitted from Wales’ preliminary 54-man World Cup training squad

Crusaders arguably only managed to just scrape out ahead of these sides you’re questioning so I’d being having them in the same boat. But maybe now with Reihana back the Saders will have more than the one trick ponies do? Honestly I would also have the Chiefs in that ballpark, with their Dmac/Steveonson combo not producing yet or having the potential flair a Reihana/Jordan combo might have. Both tougher than the Blues/Brumbies/Reds, and i’d still say Canes for sure though.

But market forces will dictate where players will end up.

If RA wants to retain these players, then it should offer them remuneration in line with or better than what the French clubs can. The NZRFU should have offered Aki, Lowe, or Fergus Burke a higher salary than what was offered by the likes of Irish Rugby, Sacarens, etc., if it wanted to retain them.

These kids going to France and the aforementioned Kiwi players are attempting to build a career and financial security in a career that can end with one injury. Think about that—one bad injury, and your career is over, so just like anyone, they have to make the smart, informed decision that is right for them and their families.

If the likes of Oz and NZ can’t or are not prepared to match the $$$, so be it - this is the reality of professional rugby, and whilst it turns the international game into a glorified club comp, I’m not sure if there is any solution.

And let’s remember it’s not all negative. This movement of players from Nth to South gives kids like Blair Murray or Taine Plumtree the ability to earn good $$ and experience international rugby, when let’s face it, they would at best be on the fringes of a Super Rugby squad - so it’s not all bad!

Also AB’s one of the most-home grown sides in international rugby, with most of their ‘foreign’ players having come here as kids with their parents. You can’t say the same for the Tongan and Samoan squads these days, which much like MP, are filled with Kiwis and Aussies. So, who is poaching from who. Exactly. You’re welcome.

Let’s not forget that the Crusaders were absolutely embarrassed by the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika earlier this year and won games they shouldn’t have (Hurricanes and Blues), so they’re not quite as invincible as previous Crusaders outfits. And the Chiefs lost games against the Waratahs and Drua. The Chiefs have the superior bench however and have found their mojo again.

But as we’ve seen with the All Blacks, and the Canes quarter final against the Chiefs, big teams can easily bully an opposition not in the right mindset, causing havoc with the nice fancy running plays teams may be able to use against a ‘normal’ sort of defence. The Canes have only been clicking for a couple of games now and they’ve already be tested heavily, still the timing couldn’t be more perfect for them to find out.

I’m a Bears fan and can’t believe how they are now - with Bath (H) and Sale (A), looking likely to not secure a top 4 finish after sitting in 2nd for most of the season. Only saving grace is Bath may send a weakened side to AG given they’ve already secured a home play off birth. Glos. On today’s showing at least, probably deserve 4th spot.