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'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Head high tackle 10 minutes ago

So how do you judge that Mounga, who never once cemented the ABs jersey, and had many years of it being his, is playing better than BB or DM or other options in NZ? He is playing in a weaker comp. Easier to look good in a weak comp. Maybe NZ players should all try to play in weaker comps to look good.

'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Head high tackle 20 minutes ago

And just like Dmac and BB, Mounga should not be available to represent NZ until, like BB and Dmac, he comes back and fulfills the requirements. All agreed.

'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Head high tackle 21 minutes ago

I think the future of rugby is around fabricated teams not internationals. I can see a 12 team world tour. Get the top 600 players in the world and have tournaments around the world in seasonal conditions. An IPL of rugby. Spread the talent everywhere.

Cantab 1 hour ago

A bit harsh perhaps. Halfback sound enough but admittedly flyhalf and other inside backs need to be improved to give our wingers and fullback the chances they need to shine. Our backplay currently is too sitters for comfort.

What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?

Head high tackle 1 hour ago

Id like to see who has toured Fiji and played tests at Fiji's home. NZ gets bagged yet plays Fiji quite a lot compared to others. NZ basically bought DRUA in to SR and has been sending teams to Fiji for 100 years.

GP 1 hour ago

Richie Mo'unga was picked in the 2023 World Cup tournament team. Foz constantly undermined him with sceptre of Beauden lurking at 15 or even at 10. Richie is one of the best 10's in the world , Barrett , ( particularly) and McKenzie are not. 4 losses , says it all really.

GP 1 hour ago

David Havili hardly played. He will be back. Will Jordan is rightfully at fullback. Dallas McLeod has to be looked at in the midfield, big , strong , bruising midfielder for Canterbury and the Crusaders. Noah Hotham has to step in now TJ is gone. Default position ? Who do TJ, Cane, Ioane , Barrett, McKenzie play for ? They are "default " selections and they ain't Crusaders

GP 1 hour ago

Richie Mo'unga will be back and will reclaim the AB 10 jersey. As he showed with Brave Lupus, Crusaders and All Blacks he is so much better than McKenzie or Barrett. Ethan Blackadder will take over from the thankfully departed Cane

Head high tackle 1 hour ago

Agree. Its embarrassing tbh. Mounga and Havili have had plenty of time in a black jersey and both found wanting. Razor cant seem to move on from Saders players.

Head high tackle 1 hour ago

And he had the Saders play him at 10 hoping that was his 10 going forward. That was before any squad was selected.

What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?

JW 1 hour ago

Ahh but it's xmas, who wouldn't wish for just as much reward for Fiji to be able to play at home? If England gave them a share of their revenue, all the ABs and Wallabies, theres, then I dare say we'd see Fiji being happy to host such games at home!

That is some wishful thinking of course, so San Diego it will be again no doubt.

Head high tackle 1 hour ago

No progress in the backs whatsoever. A total lack of a gameplan to follow and a lack of selection nous. Almost deliberate!

What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?

JW 1 hour ago

Well said. I'll also add that I hope the French (players here) can understand think about the western perspective when it comes to rugby as well. Criticism the game or the referee is not a good look. I just hope that it was the state of the country that caused it and it fell outside the normal French characteristics. It might be a slightly different context but there was also a very similar sort of feeling on the ground during the 2011 RWC Final, and how things could been much less seemly if the All Blacks hadn't of won that game. Thankfully we haven't seen the like again and I hope that is the same for France.

What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?

JW 1 hour ago

I like being able to better see how a scrum players out (I would therefor appreciate if it was also zoomed in more and not treating like another 'angle' as you suggest).

What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?

JW 1 hour ago

Lovely spirit in this article.

In the past I'm pretty sure teams like the Maori All Blacks have held test status for their oppositions, this needs to be extended to other All Black teams because you are not going to get the All Blacks sending a team to like Fiji were a B or C team could easily lose.

That is to say Fiji have received NZ XV teams etc, which will be the same players, from the B or C top side etc, but the game loses something, especially in their capacity to make money out of the All Black brand if theyre forced to play a team called New Zealand XV by WR. Essentially, if you haven't followed so far, WR to allow these types of fixtures to act like tests for one side, while the other can choose not to count it as a test (where currently a test game is a test game to my understanding). This will allow bigger nations to show much more freedom with the amount of T2 countries like Japan, and Italy etc they can play, let alone the USA or Georgia type team.

JW 2 hours ago

was* great, hasn't even been that good in the last few years (lots of injruy?).

JW 2 hours ago

second?

JW 2 hours ago

Razor isn't a grinch to ask for two wins against SA, and if he was to ask for two, those would be meaningless if the record is still lost. After SA come to Eden Park the game he'll most ask to be gift wrapped is Eden Park's Bledisloe Cup.

He's also already got Mo'unga I'd say, what he'd be asking of Robinson (or whoever takes over) is that the rules are bent to all his inclusion without first representing Canterbury. Razor will need a lot of good will spirit heading his own way if he selects Mo'unga to start in July against France.

When a Dupont-less, understrength B-team French outfit heads over to Aotearoa in July for a highly anticipated series down under, nothing less than a 3-0 sweep will suffice for the All Blacks.

You aren't very good at sneaking a look at what's in the Xmas hamper around you Henry? If Toulouse somehow fluff one of their knockout games they will be able to tour (only players in the Final are excluded) and it will basically be Dupont's Toulouse versus all of New Zealand in July. They will be VERY hard to beat.

The old Christmas excitement gets the best of everybody. Personally I think Razor would be saving up backline wish for some creativity and spark till next Xmas. Mostly he'll wanting to stay in the good books and for fans to pay attention next year.

It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table, and World Breakthrough 15’s Player of the Year Wallace Sititi seems to have locked down the number six jersey.

Ardie was selected as an openside flanker against France, two games ago. Dalton Papali'i is the incumbent though and while the jersey number is largely irrelevant, he might still want somebody to stand out in the 6 jersey next year.

It would be my own wish that Ardie is asked to be selected at 7 again, and play like a 7, though. I really hope that no one stands out in the 6 jersey for Razor though, so he's forced to think creatviely and move Scott Barrett there lol