Michael Hooper signs short term deal in Japan

At least 1937 shows it was possible to have dominant scrums and get the ball out of them. So did the Lions in 1974. So why not so much now?

But this is only an issue in the North, all the players of some kind of PI descent often play for the country which makes the most sense for them. You can think of any player you like, but they all have some kind of real attachment to their teams, while these Northern teams are treating it like some kind of club competition.

If you create enough clear attacking incentives from a dominant scrum they will override the desire to win pens, and we'll see more ball being used to attack!

Apart from that, we have Havili, Aumua, McLeod, and Ennor for the midfield, Jordan at 15 and Fihaki, Reece, McNicholl, Macca Springer to fight over the wings.

Forwards still stacked as usual, likely to be the best in the comp. Newell and Williams, both ABs props, and Bower an experienced ex-AB. Most inform hooker in the world right now with Codie Taylor, and Bell hopefully shows why he was selected in the ABs squad. Barrett and Strange providing experience and leadership in the second row, with Hannah, Cahill, and Shalfoon all fighting for the bench (I suspect Hannah might kick Strange out of his starting position though).

Loosies look great too. Lio-Willie, super underrated and honestly should be an All Black. Very similar player to Sititi. Blackadder, Christie, Grace, and Kellow are all incredibly hardworking, tough as nails Matt Todd-esque forwards.

Residency qualification (after 18 years old) is bad enough. Residency qualification (after 18) should only be for tier two nations. The only exception should be, genuine, family migration (not just the player on a scholarship) - before the player turns 18.

Test rugby is becoming too much like club rugby, that you can play for whoever you want to (or the richest team).

I’d love for Rugby to go back to that version of the game. Which was closer to Calcio Storico. watched some highlights of England v Austria (1975). The Aussies (literally) beating the sh1t out the English players on kickoff!

Ah, the good ole days. Eh, Nick?

Alas, the game has been turned civilized. Neutered by more and more rule changes every year. Perpetrated by the rulers of the game.

Your article is spot on about time lost to resets. And stopping the clock on resets is an excellent idea. But your article mixes in the “problem” of scrum penalties which has nothing to do with time wasting. But does highlight the problem of referees struggling to referee the ever-changing rules of the game.

Let’s stop stuffing around with laws and allow the refs to catch-up and settle.

If one of those players from 1937 were teleported to present day and asked to watch a game from this past weekend - he wouldn’t know what the f$uck was going on. Might decide to watch league rather.

That said, Felix Jones would be first on my list followed by Jacques Nienaber, Franco Smith and Johan Ackermann.

The only way things improve, that the future looks bright, is if these players remain in NZ. I don't think I'd enjoy rugby if it was all played offshore, than if there wasn't the Kiwi or Aussie game to enjoy, some I'm happy for the game in NZ to make it or bust.

Unfortunately why appears more and more likely as no news comes out, is that they've had to pull in the budget and Mo'unga is unlikely to be brought out of his contract, or perhaps not even be offered enough (with Dmac running the side) to return at all. The main reason I heard for his return can only get weaker and weaker as time heals I would have thought. So it looks like NZR will try and last as long as they can, being frugal with their money, until it all finally peters out.