Les trois temps forts de la saison 2024/2025 du Top 14

I didn’t get the impression NZR made a big effort to keep Leicester in the country, despite his undeniable talent, which overseas professional clubs could easily spot.

Yet they certainly threw a good chunk of money at Ioane. Because he’s been loyal. And disappointing. I suspect NZR offered way below Leicester’s market value because he didn’t pass some abstract loyalty or service test.

So he took the option to go where he’s valued at fair market value.

We risk losing a lot of young talent to overseas clubs, because they can see older players get the best contracts based on hierarchy and service.

And these abstract rules don’t exactly encourage these highly valued professionals to return, because they know that when they get back, they are not even eligible for the national team. Because they don’t deserve it, apparently.

Two world cups is far worse.

What do we have here!?

England did 89% in 2020

France did 100% in 2022

Ireland did 92% in 2022

South Africa did 85% back to back 2023 and 2024.

So +80% has been done plenty.

Only knew Zeland hasn’t done >80% in the last 6 completed seasons. Average of 68% 2019 - 2024.

This year you’ll do it I reckon.

I don’t agree with the NZR policy as such, because they may as well get their money’s worth while he’s here, but I can certainly see how they’d be viewing his ‘stay’ as a not particularly loyal one.

Exactly the wrong message loyal players want to hear, and would cause to also leave in future.

True though, he could have played wing, I was only thinking of center.