Gloucester's Alex Hearle to reunite with Steve Diamond at Newcastle

NZ rugby as a whole has done a brilliant job at not alienating its best talent. Thanks to those two coaches, it utterly failed Mo'unga. Given his clear desire to look after his family, is it any surprise that at best he is only going to one more year in NZ rugby?

My solution to the Mo'unga problem? Put the blowtorch on Barrett, who has never been a world class 10, and McKenzie, who threatens a good game but has never played a good one at 10 against a major opponent. Only play them at 10. Ever. Force them to compete for that slot, and only that one. Never play them at fullback. If Jordan is injured, bring in another fullback. And bring in one player at least who is a pure 10, a clear threat to Barrett and McKenzie that they could also be replaced altogether. And bring in another player who can play 10, another clear threat to move on two veteran players who have never succeeded in international rugby at 10.

Have you ever come across Rennisaance wines based in Oregon House Cal? They used to do a magnificent Riesling and I knew the winemaker there…

Would love for it to be at the Canes. If the Chiefs also have a form Lord next year, both them and the Canes could find more time to push their 6/locks, Ah Kuoi and Delany, out to 6 more often. Would be taking game time away from class 6s like Flanders and Shields, Iose but it would be an interest change imo.

Agree re Rieko to wing, unconvinced by WJ at 15 so far…

Moving the tour by a week would give the French players very little time to prepare for the coming domestic season, and likewise the Kiwi players very little time to prepare for the RC

He looks sleek and fit and eager and he combined very well with Mo’unga as Toshiba’s main ball-carrier. Savea - Sititi - Frizell is an interesting big back row option.

I was shocked when comments emerged from NZ that Jordie Barrett needs to come back and prove himself again especially as there are performers in Super Rugby stepping up. He has nothing to prove to anyone as he proves time and time again that he is world class whether in a Leinster Jersey or Hurricanes one.

I suspect this is at the nub of it. NZ rugby is still considered superior to the game in other parts of the world, so Jordie must be losing ground somehow by playing for Leinster.

Waht you say about the value of experience is true also. Look at the value Rassie has milked out of the over 30’s [sometimes the well over 30’s] in his Springboks squads. Guys like Duane Vermuelen and Willie Le Roux.

The game is not the same as it was 10 or 15 years ago.

So I don’t think it is oppositional thinking. It’s possible to appreciate both players’ qualities even if Richie is the better option at 10!