Patrick Tuipulotu happy with Damian McKenzie taking the lead

Agreed the should have changed the name though, it's now a new comp, not the same without SA'n teams.

Did I hit the mark!?! Haha you go gettem with that game, sounds real exciting!

PS Stellenbosch to Glasgow

Multiple airlines ---- 1d 7h+ ----- Connecting ----from $1,534

KLM ------------------ 1d 7h+ ----- Connecting ---- from $1,632

Qatar Airways ------ 1d 5h+ ----- Connecting ---- from $3,796

Enjoy the return fixture!

You perspective doesn't also include the future, which would be the biggest aspect towards playing Proctor for example. I've always been telling people it is tight in this race, so it might put to bed the idea that it's obvious Jordie and Reiko aren't centers but I still very much think its worth continuing to experiment with the four.

Like they really were superb during that period and these ratings would only reflect a 80 minute 40 point advantage, not 20 minute. I thought New Zealand were going to rack up another 100 point scoreline there at one point.

No one really seemed to be able to light things up though, and lets be real, this is no more the actual top Japan side that France's will be next July.

The running was rather one out again, especially that first hit up wide from ALB most of the time, still lacking game management that period were Dmac and Roigard kicked them all the way down the field a couple of times aside. Would have been happy to pass Proctors game off as a good showing if he hadn't of executed that flick pass so poorly. It was great to see some pick and go from the wingers coming in but their work at the ruck was sloppy on D and part of the gaps that opened up. They also didn't really provide any of that Xfactor strike play you so often see from a kiwi side.

Surprised the scrum didn't go forward. Fair ratings given the class disparity was very evident in the backline still.

The Island boys in the loose and Waqa from lock looked to have some real ability about them too. I'd honestly prefer if Japan tried one of their own at center though, those two aren't good enough to hold others back imo.

Richie Mo'unga had Japan last time (and in a very poor performance by a much better more experienced team) and then went on to play next week against Wales and then England. So I don't think those suggesting Barrett will start have much logical thinking.

Sublime attack in the first half that makes it difficult not to notice the lack of it in the second, couple of fortunate late ones too. Still not able to put my foot on any actual reason for it.

Interesting ... stat to add. I'll add that I'd love to see a Super team (a new one obviously as the current ones already having locking partnerships) with Japan's Warner Dearns and Sanaila Waqa learning their trade together, Waqa looks like an absolute beats, and athletic (and what about that chip kick regather try!!).

You know all other options were injured right? I'm very happy Razor decided to try him at 6, it by no means he was selected to play there or anywhere else but 8. Are you being genuine here? Trust us, the decision to not select Sotutu was widely critiqued here and was found to be the best/right decision.

There were a myriad of things Razor could have done, but from what is expected and accepted, Finau came in place of Frizell, and Sititi earned new blood inclusion along with Darry at lock, Tosi at prop, Ratima in the halves, Proctor in the centers, and Perofeta in the outsides. I don't think you should expect the loosies to be treated differently just because Sotutu was available. If you just think Sotutu should have been included over Sititi based on your previously conclusions at the end of SR, well, you'll just have to accept you've been proved wrong.

My opinion is that their origin in SA and Super was far more important to their success. Hence why I suggested they see the fostering of players themselves local as far more part of their 'blueprint'.

I wasn't devaluing Rassie from selecting overseas players as being critical to stopping the downhill slide the team/country was on.

Super is a much higher standard of rugby than URC, you cannot argue against that. What is also beneficial (important I mean) is the tournaments role in giving players the ability to succeed at International level though. Thats were a competition based on 5 separate countries wins out.

Salary caps mean nothing. If you like, you can do a study based on how much players are paid locally, and then how much they sign for overseas. From memory I think it can be two or three times as much for that top player below International level. So for example you can say that the value of players choosing to stay in a team capped at 3mil euro, is worth 9mil euro overseas. That beats the French Top 14 teams value!

So aside from your Rubbish ;) I think you might be right, the setup in Aus is a joke. A good first step would be to use a lot of kiwi players, and then a lot of their coach's. Who was Noah playing for.. thought it was a top club.. a quick look on Noahs all.rugby profile suggests to me that towards the end of his joker stint at Toulon he over took the 10 that was favoured ahead of Dan Biggar in their knockout matches. That suggests he's good enough to be a starter in the Top 14's elimination rounds AM. Again, I think you're talking a pile of kak mate!

You were talking like what happened in Perth is something they'd want to see. I was telling you that it's only the east that likes league and Perth/Force fans wouldn't have wanted to see that.