Transferts : Max Hicks passe des Highlanders à Perpignan

We should enact a Giteau type law - if you achieve 50 caps (which is 4-6 years of AB loyalty) then make sense to allow overseas selection

It works out as a win for NZRU - take Mounga as an example - he moves to Japan but given his 50 caps he’s eligible / ABs have access to arguably the 1st or 2nd best NZ fly half, but NZRU avoids a USD$1m annual salary and his vacancy in Crusaders allows new blood to come through.

The other obvious thing would to expand SR to include Japanese franchises so everyone wins because then our teams would play Boks players

But let's take the Barrett vs Mounga debate, a topic that never grows old. I think some context is in order when Barrett is proclaimed as "loyal", while it seems to be insinuated that Mo'unga is not.

A little history is needed regarding Barrett's loyalty - so far he has had 2 (or 3?) sabbaticals, which are really just overseas-based All Black's by stealth. Since he left the Hurricanes, he's 'been a bit part player at the Blues at best, while his performances at SR level have left plenty to be desired. As of last season, he quit NZ Rugby for Japan. It's concievable the rise of Mounga played a part in that decision, while Mounga's subsequent departure appears to have played a part in BB's return.

Prior to returning, BB tried to negotiate a contract to be the 1st official overseas-based player. So loyal? Maybe. Opportunistic? Probably. It's clear Barrett's first instinct was not commitment and sacrifice to the coalface of Super Rugby.

I don't recall a Mo'unga being awarded a sabatical at all, and he has been a far bigger contributor than Barrett has at Super Rugby level for quite some time. Perhaps NZR just didn't value Mo'unga enough to bend the rules the same as they have for Barrett?

NZR have always massaged the rules for Barrett and expended a lot of financial resources to keep his services. At the same time, our player depth get's stripped away, as premier SR players, such as Plumber and Burke, take off for better pay cheques elsewhere.

Personally, I wouldn't mind if the big wage bill for a few aging stars like Barrett are shared with Japan. I'm not convinced Barrett's adding much at SR level and the money could be used elsewhere. Just as long as there's no guarantee of a jersey for such marque players, I don't see a big issue.

Plus there have been many Aussie super rugby coaches in the past 10 years which means players thankfully haven't had to sell their souls....but we still aren't winning titles. How can we blame the kiwis for that?

Don’t forget the Varsity cup and club rugby scene. There are multiple teams through which SA players are developed and housed. The teams we see the most of, obviously, are in the premier divisions competing at the URC and Champions cup. The best players obviously.

As a percentage of total player pool a very small number go overseas. Obviously the most marketable. But in SA that makes space for other players to come through from the lower tiers. Which I think is a good thing.

Jake's always whinging on about it because well, he's always whinging about something or other. Yeah, he's peed off because he can't win all the time in the URC like the Bulls always believe they're entitled to do (much like England anytime, anywhere, any sport) but he hasn't quite worked out how professional sport works IMHO. I think he was also embarrassed that Franco Smith (Vrystaat!!) brought his Glasgow side over and won the URC at Loftus against all odds (and having seen them recently beat The Stormers at Stellenbosch, Franco's done an amazing job and I reckon could well be the next Bok coach once Rassie retires).

Don’t worry about backing up your assertions with any facts or anything.

But anyway. You enjoy Doris. We’ll enjoy Wiese. Let’s see who Collects the most World Cup medals by the end of their career.

Who's Jake after, high profile, test players? or ones to build a strong URC team on?

But don't think I'm against the idea, letting players like PSDT and co go offshore at 30 was a great idea.

I'm more surprised there were no better fullbacks.