Highlanders team to play Blues in round one of Super Rugby Pacific

So I would find it concerning to see these guys paired with Savea against the likes of France or South Africa as some have suggested.

Papali’i was instrumental in the Blues win by dominating the breakdown when the Blues were on attack. When the Blues needed to retain the ball for long periods in the last quarter he made sure it happened. None of Kirifi, Lakai, Sititi, or Savea can be relied on in that facet against the top teams.

Also Sotutu was better than both Parker and Sititi at 8 last night.

Robinson is acutely observant/interested in the results of Barrett’s move. That is what is going to determine if it is “accepted”. At the moment the most one would say is that they are “happy” the foreign party has played ball and kept a tight ship.

Sititi actually had a mixed game against SA. He really struggled with physicality in the first quarter but then got better as the game went on. But overall PsDT was comfortably the best blindside on the field that day.

Against the top ranked sides he’s only been in one win against Ireland so he’s pretty much unproven against the best teams.

Say if NZR don’t offer half of the overseas deal then if your performances increase and by the end of the contract NZR would offer over half, then you’re eligible to be included from overseas for a couple of years. This is so that the gov body can continue to track performance, as currently if it were any other coach there wouldn’t be any interest from NZR in Mo’unga, it would all be down to waiting till/if he wanted to return, and then it would be on a much reduced offer than he previously got, instead of more.

Simplifying things and letting everyone know it’s “time to move on”, especially the player, is one of the most important components of why it exists imo. Still fun to wonder ‘what if’!

Granted, the 3 AB quota is probably only something put in during the beginning of their existence to give them a boost but maybe NZR don’t find too many downsides from it? The new tournament could be regulated heavily, all teams data open to the respective unions to monitor their players in overseas teams etc.

“They’ve earned the opportunity; they’ve been loyal, they get to go away and come back.” In this respect, there is no difference between Jordie and Richie

There is a huge difference here! Richie didn’t want to come back, he is staying in Japan FFS LOL

That freedom of choice is what sticks in Robinson’s craw

I doubt it’s that, I think it’s more the look of not getting your man. Though if Robinson was to think deeper on it, it could have fuel a hatred of allowing “free men”, yes.

It leaves New Zealand rugby in something of a quandary

You mean NZR? No, I think it leaves the player in a quandary..

This is no washed-up has-been seeking to improve his pension plan in some easy far corner of planet rugby, it is a player still near the peak of his powers and marked by his resilience in the face of adversity.

I had been thinking in all likely hood it had been looking more and more likey; Richie would need to switch allegiance if he really was in a quandary about what he could achieve. With a typical normal NH player returning Mo’unga would have arguable had more time in the saddle at International level if he choose Samoa or Tonga, but then I realised that JRLO players return so early in the year that he will still be able to join club rugby, and doesn’t need to wait for NPC.

Richie’s two further titles probably haven’t helped the situation. Arguably one of the reasons he underperformed on the International stage was because of the ease of his domestic success. He struggled for a long time with what it actually meant to be a top player, and I really wouldn’t be surprised if he has lapsed back into that mindset playing in the JRLO. But if he could return to NZ in May or June next year, and selectable in July, well I would back him to then have enough time to get back to where he was when he nearly won a WC with the team on his shoulders.

On the other hand, a team made of up of Mircale Fai’ilagi, Taufa Funaki?, Richie, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tele’a, Shaun Stevenson would be pretty baller for Samoa as well!

Like you I think most of those puzzles they will try to cover with the six, but a mix of Sitit/Ardie/Dalton can cover some too (DP especially has the rucks covered, I wouldn’t start Sititi).

My argument is solely about Richie choosing to go and that fans need to realise he’s not the second coming of Carter and shouldn’t be treated like it…he has 60 tests under his belt and people say he was treated poorly and messed around which is rubbish. He was an OK All Black starting to show signs of becoming a very good one.

That would give Mo’unga the one full International season, plus the incoming tour and shortened Rugby Championship in World Cup year. I would think that would just the right time to hit his straps again.

Moana have a player trade with Kobe for a Japanese hooker? Have to think they are the look the more likely SR team to have a chance of snagging Frizell and Mo’unga in 2027 too if those guys want to compete at the RWC.