Tebaldi out of Wales clash as Italy call up Makelara

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!

Jordie was the first to be allowed out on sabbatical in Europe, so NZR is not as flexible as you portray it.

That idea could have been profitably been incorporated 3 or 4 years ago; for example he [or someone like him] could have gone to Ireland before 2022 and returned to make everyone aware how far ahead of NZ Ireland were at that time.

But I’m not sure NZ always recognizes the value of rugby played in other parts of the world.

What is harmful is this idea you have to stay in NZ for your whole rugby life or else you are ‘disloyal’ to the system. Jordie’s sabbatical went well, but it took NZR ages to accept even that idea.

Probably right GP! Probably right..