New Japan Top League season is latest victim of pandemic

He basically started his career as Julian finished his (AB wise). If whatever hes done to fix that problem he’d have probably been the frontline 6 (a weak position as it were).

Whether it has anything to do with playing up north (maybe he had to simply his game for their level of play?) we don’t know.

Agree that he was in a very different position to those other names though.

I think I’ve seen just one drop from him, amazing as he’s kept up his aggressiveness with and around the ball still.

I would have the positive for Hoskins is that he would be treated at face value and appreciated for his unique style, instead of being told what he’s not to be an All Black, but I actually hear things have improved on the communcation front.

If you listen to Nacewa’s post-career interviews, it’s pretty clear that not being able to play for the All Blacks is one of his bigger regrets. I’m not sure that Nacewa’s case was in the back of the minds when the eligibility rules were changed, but he should’ve been.

As far as Moana Pasifika is concerned, I think they’re clearly fulfilling an important role. Players like Danny Toala or Sam Slade - who were always on the fringes of their Super Rugby side and would’ve likely gone to lower-tier Japanese club rugby - are getting game time at a high level and developing nicely. They are being coached by experienced and talented rugby minds - Tana Umaga, Tom Coventry, Stephen Jones, Seilala Mapusua - which will greatly help nations like Samoa and Tonga be competitive in their Test matches. Seems like an improvement to me.

When you say “England” though you’re only thinking about half the equation, and the lesser half at that.

His skill set will be unique though!

If you had a clean slate and knew nothing about history, the guy wouldn’t be anywhere near people’s choice for 13 (or 12) if you only watch super rugby the last couple of seasons. Bailyn Sullivan / Billy Proctor / AJ Lam / Tavatavanawai to just just a few have all looked miles better than ALB.

How on earth does that end up with people saying he should be in the squad let alone starting. We have to move on from these type of players - he was never a great player and we have so many alternate options.

There is a group of mediocre players that we need to clear out, or at least try other options. We know how limited that group are, now is the time to see if some other talent can step up (the time was last year, but anyway…).

Jacobson, ALB, Papali’i, Christie, Lord, Havili, Reece. Just move on from them all and try for some upside. Thank god Cane/Perenara have finally moved on because they were in this camp too.

The system is working well but I hope they've reviewed whether they could have done anything more to retain Mo’unga & Frizell. As you say, could they have been more flexible?

There’s often a couple of ‘high school scholarship’, or ‘residency’ players in an All Blacks squad e.g. Reece, Taukei'aho, Frizzell etc.

New Zealand definitely gives more players than it takes. But still, I’d significantly tighten the eligibility rules - for all teams.