Munster end three-match losing run in URC with Lions victory

And the general attitude amongst media, pundits, & the chatting classes, gives a solid pass mark with more work needed, & a good foundation to build on. I'm sure Razor & the team will rise to meet the challenge.

For instance, Razor has increased NZ rank and the gap to 2nd and first place, ie it's a successful pass mark season.

You can retrospectively look at earlier seasons too for Fosters and others first seasons?

Now, under this system, Coles holds the only eligible spot still, so he would have to either, retire from the game (I know I know lets just say he hadn't already done this), wait for the last year of his 3 to expire before he qualifies for that eligibility spot (in which case he loses a year of his own eligibility of 90=3y), have Coles voluntarily relinquish it, of have some sort of decaying metric to the ranking systems (or a points share system when new plays gain share, reducing Coles's, and therefor his ranking). Given Coles is still ranked no2 and has a few years on his side, he'd more likely to included in most AB squads, were as Coles was only an emergency option.

Also include a system that gives all the saved revenue in to signing overseas talent to build the NPCs global appeal and therefor revenue.

Special Add, All positions ranked (retro spectively);

1 open

2 open

3 3rd pick Nepo Laulala (expires this year)

4 open

5 2nd pick Brodie Retalick (expires this year, already had two before that)

6 1st pick Shannon Frizell (expires this year)

7 2nd pick Sam Cane (2 years remaining?)

8 1st pick Ardie Savea (don't know how they got around this one, 2 years remaining)

9 1st pick Aaron Smith (would have come in for cover at some point?)

10 2nd (demoted by criteria - world recognition selection) pick Richie Mo'unga (expires)

11 if Leicester qualifies as top 3 ranked he earns a year because hes got the highest caps?

12 Jordie Barrett (1 year active)

13 open

14

15

NZR has been getting better and better and retaining top talent so think last spots are vacant, and actually with a realistic ranking system, there are probably a few more open as well. Obviously a huge investment to do it in such a manner but you can see how well it works, with this year having a bonus but a gaurenteed need for players to return in that WC year if they wanted to partake, and really very minimal players, just the cream of the crop that gain from it, yet still beneficial to the team having these players as extras to the domestic squad sizes, even if they don't play.

And everyone knows how that worked out.

Would have been a different story if he had of stayed, but yes, in another post I suggest when he comes into the NPC he will have that choice then to either stay in the NPC trying out 12 for the Crusaders next year, or just immediately trying to put his hand up for an AB selection (so most likely wing).

Not sure how I managed to stuff up that sentence so badly lol No doubt razor will try and bend the rules on what shuold happen though ;)

The anti Crusaders delusionists.

The 5 years didn't show it, no, but the last year showed exactly that he should be given an opportunity when he returns. Not worth changing in eligibility for in itself of course, but he was fantastic in the JRLO and I'd be happy if he earnt an All Blacks wage simply so I could see him playing in Super again.

Hopefully Schmidt feeds his speed like Razor hasn't done for Rieks 😜

I don't follow the game enough to know how well the others went, I'm speaking factually, by being voted or rated whatever as the best 10 this year.

Behaving like OJohn again I'm afraid Fran. I don't have a 'anyone but Mounga' stance, I'm very pro Mo'unga, I just saw what whoever thought Dmac was the best saw. Jacko sounds like one of these authors, BS or the like.

But with the coaches (by who I meant all in this current team) I think there is definitely a bit of lack of understanding on your part. Schmidt loves his direct play, and he got Rieko doing that first, then Jorde. Before that under Foster or whoever was in charge he had some lovely games (watching the first 2021 test against Argentina) with time and space to both move laterally and have time to play others in. Of course these were against weaker defences.

Then you have the two Blues coachs, one who left the All Blacks, and the other who's actually doubled down and asked Rieks to play even tighter. Now, of course, we have Razor, who has (hopefully intentionally) left some remnants of the teams former play in place so that he's got a few strengths to rely on(not arguing the amount of his mistakes turned it into a weakness either).

Now, I'm not going to suggest that he doesn't see an opportunity, or know how to take advantage of it, when playing center. He may not be a natural at it, no, but I was just suggesting to Locke he can be worked on.