Wallabies lose another star hours from kickoff

And it's not true to say that they expect people to stay in NZ their whole career. Many All Blacks and coaches have either had sabbaticals or been welcomed back after overseas contracts.

Tbh I think there is a big difference between a title winning team and simply that which is the best of a moderate bunch. But yep, I don’t disagree, just if your loosies and Lonergan make the team I’m sure you surely will have the highest proportion

A quota would give NZR less say, not more. At the moment the vast majority of top All Blacks take the financial hit for the sake of the jersey. They know if they leave they're done so they stay.

Under your plan, players will have seen how weak NZR were by changing the rules over Mo’unga. What if a number of players, say Sititi, Vaa'i, Jordan, Lomax, Tamaiti, Savea and Roigard all leave, knowing that NZR caved last time?

By setting that precedent in caving for one bloke others will be encouraged that you'll cave for them too. A potentially disastrous loss of control.

Have others preferred the easy money in Japan while taking a bit of a break from the treadmill? Does “NZ always recognise the value of rugby played elsewhere”? Neither of us has inside knowledge so we're in the realm of speculation.

What we do know is that Mo’unga is one of the very few first choice All Blacks under 30 who have taken 3+ year contracts overseas and that he decided to do it in Japan, not Europe. Also that Reiko and Jordie's sojourns prove that they are open to sabbaticals in Europe.