Season is over for Jonny Hill; Sale also losing Manu Tuilagi battle

Folau isn't even close to the same player as WJ. Not physically, not mentally, not emotionally. WJ puts in enough effort to get by so he has energy for his big moments and buys himself time to scan the pitch, though he always puts in a sizeable amount of effort on both sides of the ball, often leading the charts in tackles and carries.

2023 18 foreign players

2019 9 foreign players

2015 12 foreign players

2011 10 foreign players

What's going on, Rassies visionary status is bogus? WC year was different. I can see they opened up eligibility fully only in 2019? Surprised I couldn't find much fan content on about it, not in english?

As I've always said, 2025 will need to be the breakthrough year for Razor. Bring it on.

Thats you thinking like a NH rugby fan NB. NZ doesnt do "honeymoon" periods. I remember when it was far easier for coaches to blood players as we were playing 3 test series and win the first 2 and play the regies in the 3rd. Thats why you see many NZ players getting debuts v Aus in the 2nd bledisloe cup game each year. Its almost the only opportunity these days. Razor went way to conservative, Got all panicky Id say. Games like the Fijian, Italy and Japan games were crucial for the new guys but Razor failed to use those opportunities as he could have. Japan was really the only game he selected outside the incumbents.

In all honesty Fassi and Jordan are very similar sort of players so good to both see them contributing to some good rugby.

Thats always the case tho isnt it? Selection is only an opinion. Taylor is 33 and plenty of front rowers are playing great rugby at 33. Its 36 at the next WC that starts stretching the friendship and makes me think he wont be there. Bell is a very different hooker to the other 2. More a Cole than a Samisoni/Aumua