Bristol continue their shopping, this time signing a familiar face from Northampton

We have a long list of guys that can do the jackal, ball carry, scramble defense job but the workhorse has been the missing piece of the puzzle, even more so now Cane has retired.

He got the short end of the stick for years. Being an All Black is tough, physically and mentally. Hard games, high expectations, long seasons; lots of it half a world away.

I’d also like to think that I’d focus on the team and country as well. Mo’unga will get to retire at about 40 and be rich from playing a game he loves.

It’s part of what you sign up for when you put on the black jersey. Lots of people would give damn near anything to be a successful All Black. Yes, these days it’s just a job for some. Part of being an All Black is paying back those that went first e.g. especially the amateur era, and everyone who makes the New Zealand rugby system great (often for little or no reward).

Focus on local. Get the fundamentals right. The next in line with more time on his hands can introduce overseas based players.

It seemed like Robertson was relying on turning McKenzie into Mo’unga. If you look at the ball the forward pack secured the you would’ve expected McKenzie to have a field day; also the lack of a 13 that can distribute did not help.

This could be the year for McKenzie to break through and become a true international ‘knock out game’ 10.

South Africa's results at u20 level only really fell off a cliff since covid, but they haven’t been consistently great since 2015. Astonishingly, the SA squad at the 2023 RWC included only 7 players who turned 20 after 2015. IRE picked 13 such players, NZ 17, FRA 18, ENG 18. SA were able to win in 2023 by almost exclusively drawing on players who came through as young players back when the u20s was good. Since the u20s stopped being good they have stopped frequently producing test players.

McCaw never went overseas. Carter did early in his career and got a bad injury which probably contributed to his ongoing niggly injures.

I think that’s part of the reason why Carter is a hero, but McCaw is a legend.

It’s not like the amateur era, he would made about four million staying in New Zealand in the 2024-2027 cycle. He ultimately chose a few million extra going to Japan. Easy to understand if was still going to get the cold shoulder from the coaches. But Roberston poised to make Mo’unga the corner stone. It was Mo’unga’s chance to end the debate as to who was the best 10 in New Zealand.

Yes, it’s possible to get a career ending injury at any time playing rugby. But that doesn’t often happen. Even most really bad injuries only take one season to recover from (yes there are outliers, but that’s rare). Even if he lost a season, he would still bring home four million.

He could’ve been the difference between an All Black team that is second (probably lucky to be second) and an All Black team that is number one. Also, the current high earners only can earn highly because the New Zealand rugby system made them as good as they are. Beneficiaries of that system should look to give back to the system and to the fans. Yes, it’s a risk for the individual, but it’s a risk many took before him. New Zealand rugby is a fragile thing. The NZRU can barely make money most years. The sponsors won’t pay the same for a mid-ranked team as they will for team that is number one.

We’ve discussed this before and I know you see it the other way :)

It’s basically Ire against the world now.

I think they get it in their head that they have to be constantly innovating to stay on top. Sometimes the best thing is just to focus on the basics/current pattern.

To a degree I think that that type of coach gets bored - unless they are trying to break the mold. But also, their success to that point and personality type won’t allow them to drop the new idea and admit they were wrong.

Much like when the All Blacks were going to have a ‘flat backline’ in the Henry era. They were adamant that it was going to work, eventually. They were prepared to lose a few tests to achieve it. After the 2009 season (losing 0-3 to the Springboks) they were more than willing to give up 20 meters to offset the 'rush defense’. They generally go that 20 meters back and more on top. It was to Henry’s credit be changed how the backline worked e.g. abandoned the ‘flat backline’ and dropped the power wings for three fullback/right wings.

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight: a Cruden(10)/B Barrett(15) combo might’ve been better for the 2016-2019 cycle; and a Mo’unga(10)/B Barrett(15) combo might’ve been better for the 2016-2019 cycle. Then maybe Mo’unga(10)/Jordan (15) [with McKenzie at reserve 9] for the 2020-2023 cycle.

I went off the deep end a bit the end of the comment, see who reads that far down :)