Ex-Italy No9 Callum Braley headlines list of 8 further Saints exits

Have others preferred the easy money in Japan while taking a bit of a break from the treadmill? Does “NZ always recognise the value of rugby played elsewhere”? Neither of us has inside knowledge so we're in the realm of speculation.

What we do know is that Mo’unga is one of the very few first choice All Blacks under 30 who have taken 3+ year contracts overseas and that he decided to do it in Japan, not Europe. Also that Reiko and Jordie's sojourns prove that they are open to sabbaticals in Europe.

Haha, I think we’ve had him identify himself here..

He would have been offered those terms (“great money”) to return this year however, and chose not to.

So you’re saying Richie was not ready in 2019? That’s the same thing as being chosen and failing. No ones criticizing him, they are simply stating a fact. Most likely to people that believe he was the best option.

Is there anything hard in sports than to be a great All Black?

I reckon Richie freed himself to try that last year and a bit.

Before that he just wasn’t sure if he had it, if he should but the one. It is such a privilege jersey that number 10 especially. But nobody else was, so why not try and see if it can be me.

Of course the nature of a sabbatical is that you don’t need to worry about your form, you will get some sort of leeway (months) to get back upto speed. Jordie is not really a normal example of that, as in his case he is young and it was probably more about his aspect of development than a reward, so we’ll have to see where the balance may lay.

Also no new Super Rugby newbie will be able to replace the experience Barrett has at the international level

That is also the exact reason why now would be the time to pick those players. You have to remember, these sorts of changes all have a mind around the Rugby World Cup for a country that does have to cycle out their old players while they’re still performing.

I would already rank several in New Zealand better than Jordie, but I don’t think that implies you are wrong about there being readymade replacements or not. It is more likely an issue with your perception of Jordies abillity.