The Rugby Pod - Banahan & Barnes

Robertson wants Mounga back because he's the only one who can play the way he wants. This kind of limited, narrow minded thinking is exactly why the All Blacks have gone backwards from last year.

1) it's just boring. It's every article about him. Tell us something new.

2) the fact that Marler said nice things about him isn't especially surprising. Opoku-Fordjour had already established himself as a really exciting prospect at the u20 world cup, and in the weeks following Marler's endorsement many people made similar observations.

3) the content of Marler's remarks wasn't especially interesting either. He basically just said that Opoku-Fordjour was good. That's not a level of analysis that anyone will find remotely enlightening.

All are in their late 20s or older and have proven in 2024 they are simply not good enough to be a quality test starter. It is shocking how BOTH Reese and Tele’a have lost their pace. Tele’a is a shell of the player he was in 2023. Perofeta has never fulfilled his promise as either a 10 or 15. This generation’s Isaiah Toeava.

Have no clue who should replace these players at this time but confident that new players will step up in Super Rugby.

If McKenzie’s excuse for having 2 of 10 very good tests is his coach likes someone better than me then he is a mental weakling.

Seriously, people need to get a grip and stop obsessing over every tiny error made from an overscrutinised position. DMac was good this year for the most part, as was Beauden Barrett. Mo’unga was good last year and would be an asset in the group if he did come back. I don’t see it as an area of concern.

The main concern in 2025 is finding another world class lock and loose forward, followed by some scrutiny over the midfield combination in my view.