OTD: Stuart Lancaster lands prestigious coaching role

Something being relevant just because someone wants to make it relevant is a bit of a logical fallacy there.

As is earning money if you want to play that argument.

Similarly, I also said that these traditional aspects of rugby need to change

But I didn't really hear why from you? People love to say that South Africa is the only one who doesn't have this rule, but really the English, French, and Irish don't really even need the rule (unless it is working), so how is this attitude stopping the game from growing if NZ and Aus are the only real countries where it's enforced? The rugby world needs a dominant All Black side? I'm not sure I buy that!

Test is the pinnacle of rugby, unlike football where club reigns supreme. This is a culture that won't change.

Club football only reigns supreme by these ideals you have of devaluing the national jersey. FIFA is even more hardline than rugby in regards to international competition, it's there if the players want to make it more important than club, it's just less valued in an individuals mind; ie, your removing of an ideal that one should not sacrifice for their journey. Why wouldn't it change if you alter that?

But there are two points to consider here: 1) can this not create a situation whereby increased depth and rotation for player health and safety allows for more players to get game time?

That sir, is football in a nutshell. With the second, why not just keep each group of players in their own hemisphere and have local competitions in the 6N and RC? FIFA international window.

owever, I do think that you have missed my point. Basically, why should a player be excluded from selection just because they earn money elsewhere? Yes, it's a difficult scenario.

Well the defacto argument is that those players (ones chosen as being the best, even if overseas) don't perform to the required standard. They managed very well and have jet lag/can't train. This is your point where argued that "well if they don't perform, don't select them", this is why the rule is enforced in a nutshell. While NZ is able to retain a core of players, even if not at the ability of others, they will still perform better in a game of rugby.

Why not just let them play overseas, if their jersey is so nailed down?

Frizell and Mo'unga were not nailed down when they left. Perhaps that is the difference in view points? They both signed to go overseas very early because NZR were happy for them to go at the time, I don't even think Frizell had been offered a contract at that point. Their stocks simply went up after they had decided to leave, hence Razor and the contract crew now trying to offer them what might be a more realistic and competitive option to come back. This reason might be the only actual reason to have some sort of leniency. Ethan Roots, Chandler Cunningham -South, Warner Dearns were offered no contract. If they wanted to put their hand up for selection while performing overseas they should be able to do so, with say three seasons to return?

Grasping at straws. They had a POOR POOR season by their high standards.

I might be wrong, but is there even enough talent coming through the ranks at JUNIOR LEVEL in NZ?

They last won the trophy in 2017.

2024 - Semi Finals

2023 - 7th

2019 - 7th