Owen Farrell and Jamie George withdrawn from England squad

So I do not buy the story that somehow this is all Richie’s fault, and that somehow he ran away from the possibility of getting his first real chance with the ABs under Razor.

How does that tally with the mystery, mentioned below, that he lost the ABs two World Cups?

I feel he is quite capable of ‘giving back’ to NZ while being in Japan. Allowing his selection to the ABs while he is outside the country is an excellent way to demonstrate loyalty. It might even improve it, as Jordie and Richie will both be coming back with additional knowledge from their time overseas.

I have high hopes that he'll sign with NZR and be back in black next July. Razor has certainly made him feel loved and the same approach worked with Faingaʻanuku.

I just think that all these calls to select from overseas basically to get one player back two years early are incredibly shortsighted. It would only encourage others to leave Super Rugby which would seriously impact the income of that comp, player development and player availability.

Some interesting posts. I am with SK all the way…”.Probably the best 10 in the world right now” Richie Mo’unga may not be the best in the world by some metrics, but cumulatively he is, imo, the standout above all others. He has a lot of the characteristics of the great Welsh 10’s of yesteryear, players such as John and Bennett 10. Not a big man, but but uses his superb talents, such as superior speed over 20 m, great balance as a runner, and instinctive reading of the game to rise high always. I often feel in games it is his work off the ball that is the more significant.

It may well be right on the ball when some above cite the desire fir family time being a big factor in the Japan move. But I would not be surprised if those who see Richie back for the next RWC are not on the money too.

I really don’t see anyone emerging from the pack in NZ that is anywhere near Richie. Ofc, there is still time for someone to emerge. I did not see anyone replacing Dan Carter, but then there was Beauden Barrrett, cuuting defences to shreds.

As an aside, I reckon that now McKellar and Raiwalui have had time to assess the squad as both people and players we'll see some important changes during the off season. From memory he improved the Brumbies by 17 points in his second year there.

I'd hope.

Can they not bring back the Honey Badger for one last match?

Josh Ioane wasn’t given a fair go. He had real talent. He just needed better guidance and opportunities.

Ruben Love could be great. He only got a shot this year. He was behind Cameron and Morgan (who also went overseas, but doubt he would’ve been an All Black) last year.

There is a good crop of young 10s coming through at the moment. But it’s not like it was when there was Carter, Cruden, and B Barrett all jostling to the 10 jersey.

He’s one of the most carded players in Japan too, so clearly hasn’t learned his lesson there either. Far better to give someone new and young there a go.

Result : They become a jack of both trades, but a master of neither.

At this point the Tongan and Samoan squads are basically nz ones with some Aussies thrown in, and slowly losing that true island style as their home-grown players are pushed out.