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VIDEO: Milner-Skudder is Back
By Fred Culazzo
Nehe Milner-Skudder is back in action after spending three months on the sidelines through injury. The winger was in fine form as he managed to get 25 minutes of game time under his belt in Perth. He also treated All Blacks fans and selectors to a few trademark Skudder-steps as the Hurricanes ran out 34-12 winners.
It's a timely return for Skudder given the All Blacks squad will be announced on Thursday. There's plenty of competition in the back three, but having proven himself at the highest level, Hansen should find space in the squad for him.
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Latest Comments
The grandparent rule is a joke, it’s one generation too far.
And the residency rule should be extended to 7 years. I have no issue with a youth who moved to a new country and was developed as a player by his adopted country playing for that country after 7 year’s residency. He would still be 25 or younger when eligible and just entering his prime.
Additionally If you play U20 for a national team then that country developed you, paid for your development ,and should capture your international eligibility.
But this will never happen as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would not be competitive if they could not bolster their national teams with Kiwis, South Africans, and Aussies.
Go to commentsWe had this conversation a year ago Nick, where I remember showing that throughout 2023 there was a pretty direct correlation between how much England kicked and how well they played. England had two decent performances in the WC kicking everything and defending, and they didn't play that way for the rest of 2023. In fact, England's worst games in 2023 came with Marcus Smith at 10.
A year ago I favoured England building on the gameplan that worked against Argentina and SA, with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went to an Irish style attack in the 2024 six nations. That went badly for the first few games, but came good in the end. At the end of the 6N I thought England should build on that gameplan with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went over to a Labit/Quins style attack for the rest of 2024 and it has been an unmitigated disaster. I think the personnel England have available are best suited for a return to the Irish style system, with the kick-heavy tactics retained as a backup.
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