Sonny Bill Williams nears return to action for Blues

One can then use the clueless angle to critique decisions to play those guys over the new stars for the last game of the season, rather than believe it was the ‘honor’ call he said it was.

The question is (for those that follow SR) the same either way, does he play Mark Tele’a, hold to those same principles, because there’s certainly not anyone close to his level that they could select. The flip side of having someone of experience like Cane and Perenara is thrusting someone into his place like Tangitau when they might not be ready. So those factors that one could contribute to previous selections, remain with Tele’a’s.

I think most Aussies would point you in the direction of the win/loss record under NZ ref James Doleman, it is very low for Aussie sides. This is not my counter argument, merely highlighting a point of what appears to be a pattern.

I think what is more astonishing honestly is how the Chiefs got 18 penalties and the Waratahs got 4 and the Chiefs still lost. That is a potential 54 points left on the field (not that all of them were kickable, but you take my point) in a game where they lost by 7.

And while I agree that an 11 team draw with 6 sides based in NZ will create some unfair situations, lots of Aussie derbies and NZ derbies coupled with a more home games for NZ sides v Aussie sides is not aiding the competitiveness of the comp but it is making for a tight draw, so there is a positive as far as engagement goes.

I think your point on unfair draw and mine, which in essence is about an unfair draw actually aid each other for a rather strong argument that the draw needs to be looked at.

I think this is a case of two things can be true at once.

I have chosen in around 1000 words to explore this particular issue with the draw I have identified.

Your point, with having the NZ teams playing each other twice on some occassions while others in Aus not is also not fair.

But with the way the table looks currently, would the NZ sides all be in the top six if the draw had been done more in line with my and your point?

For instance, 4 of the 6 Aus wins against NZ sides have come against the Highlanders, 3 in Aus, 1 in NZ.

The Landers have beaten the Blues and lost to the Canes by 2 points, those are their only two NZ games to date and they play the Chiefs this weekend. Their 3 games against the Aussie sides in Australia compared to the Blues 1 is a massive disadvantage because travel takes it’s toll.

Then looking at your example the Blues, they have the toughest season of any side by far but I would also argue that the limited travel is a massive help in preparation, recovery etc. But their draw must be looked at, any side would suffer with a draw like that.

Although I am not suggesting the Aus sides are better than the NZ sides overall, the current ledger and table set up suggests the rift is not as big currently as the underlying assertion to your argument suggests.

More will absolutley be revealed over the coming rounds as the strength of the two franchises.

Now, that wasn’t what I was saying happened, but if you can now follow that thread of logic, I’m saying its because this situation happened, signing for Toulon just months later, that you are wrong to think “returning to New Zealand” must mean he wasn’t “shackled”.

Actually, I’m not saying that he was “shackled”, the article is saying that. That is how you would read the words “His parents see that as the route they want their son to take, and we support that.” and “but it’s probably a slightly different package to what Toulon can offer” here, and I’m pretty sure in most English speaking places GD.

Of course without those statements I agree that it is very possible he’s grown, changed his mind from wanting to develop here with players and coaches he’s comfortable/friends with, to where he wants to take on the challenge of a rich and prestigious club like Toulon. A few months is perhaps enough time to people he trusts to open him up to that sort of environment even, but that’s simply not the message we go, is it? I also think you maybe have an over defense stance about thinking intrinsically or literally about money meaning he was thrown lots of dollars? It might be far from the case, but the monetary value of been given a home and jobs for the family, all the bells and whistles a wealthy club can provide etc is far removed from the mentality he’d currently be in of “cleaning the sheds” after a game. Even without real money just the life style they got given when there last would no doubt be enough to change the mind of some grown up living day to day off your own sustenance/plantation or like that they would have had.

Sounds like you agree with my own criticism of your post lol.