Netherlands U20 international Joey Buskens dies aged 20

He wouldn’t find that in the SH anytime soon

Obviously the move of Jim was a big call and difference maker, but also 9 and 10 had been lively, Tele’a solid as ever, and of course Tangitau hit the scene. For Moana Lalomilo was even more fo a recking ball than Tavatavanawai, and he had Patafilo in great touch outside as well. Both attacks, obviously with forwards involvement as well, fired pretty damn nicely, and we all know by now that yes, attack is the key to winning games.

The Landers have almost even stalled a bit in their progress from that, still great in patches but without the consistency of Moana’s. Maybe Millar will be a bit faster in his play and provide the same edge Pellegrini has? I agree with you, Moana has taken their game on a step and if they do hold together, have the players playing good rugby, they can make their first finals.

The vast majority of managers continue performing at a high standard after the age of 50, but you said Pep had gotten better with age by every metric - surely you must see that that was incorrect?

Still not a reason to sack him after he’s achieved EPCR wins other home-grown coaches can only dream about…

Sure ROG has made his share of mistakes he has a winning pedigree at the highest level - and where do you get the idea he has a problem with his players??

I am glad to hear at least that French journos see the missed opportunity in July! There i still time to reverse the likely squad selection criteria…

Apart from the money (which we have no info of for now), there are way more games between the Top14 and the European cups to get some game time compared to SR. With 29 games of Top14 for those who qualify in the top 6 and play the final, plus the potential of 8 Europan cups games, that’s almost 37.

Many 18/19/20 year old French already play in the Top14 or those cups, sometimes in the U20 6 Nations or World Cup, with a high level of rotation.

The guy was quite ahead in his development, playing during the 2024 6 Nations, he was said to be tested for the Argentina summer tour. And no SR game time.

So I guess that between not getting opportunities to play in the Super Rugby and entering the rotation of a top 3 French team, money isn’t the only thing that could motivate him.

At Toulon, Corentin Mézou is a year younger than Tuifua and has already played in 2 U20 6 Nations, 1 U20 World Cup and played in 5 games for Toulon this season in Top14.