Wasps thump Harlequins with 14 men

He’s on Tamaiti’s side right? Both dynamic players, would love for them to keep working hard on polishing some skills and finding a way to make the most of them. Mostly though I see this impact as coming best in a bomb squad application.

De Groot has had to play long minutes for the Highlanders due to a lack of depth. I’d really like to see him pivot to being able to go all in with workload/workrate for just 40 minutes rather than this sustained approach he appears best at at the moment. Could he be made to up involvements (its a really hard habit thing to change, chasing the ball instead of waiting for play etc) and impact?

I’ve written another piece on the player welfare issues raised more generally, and also with the help of your figs from the 2024 England tour of NZ and mine from Ireland 2022 in view.

Ireland plays in a league which does allow players to obey those 2000 minute/25 game rules.

It’s quite an eye opener!

The answer to your last question lies in the will to cooperate. Is it really there? It’s a question for the LNR/FFR, and the fallout from the tour has raised it.

The Lions are going to win 3-0.

I think it's telling that we never controlled the breakdown until Papali'i came on. Perhaps Ardie and Kirifi aren't test 7s.

But I suspect that with the change in guard from Joe to Les Kiss there may be some disruption that undermines their chances a little for me.

But rest assured - I’ll be shouting for the Aussies to do it.

The RC will likely be decided on the outcome of the tests between NZ and SA and who doesn’t drop a game against the Argies.

If the Aussies can pull a ringer for us against the ABs, that would be great as I suspect NZ will win both home tests agains SA this year.