Barrett, Mackenzie, Rittalack have all played in Japan.
You can’t honestly believe NZ rugby needs two rugby outposts in a foreign rival? Needs them for what, fodder?
Yes but they are unable to play for the All Blacks when they do.
They are given sabbaticals.
This is actually even worse for Super Rugby as the talent is lost to the competition for a period.
It is absolute madness that NZR have had no stake or incentive for teams in major Australian cities to succeed.
Yes they absolutely do. This is fairly basic stuff when organising any competition. NZ needs good opposition on the field which bleeds over commercially.
The Crusaders hockeying a Western Force weakens all sides long term. The reason why Super Rugby regressed is because of this.
The answer according to some Kiwis is to cut Australian teams back to 3 but this is absolute madness. It makes absolute no sense to ditch markets like Perth or Melbourne. Even if you look at Kiwi expats, both cities are full of them. When the All Blacks play there you see the fans come out. So why not have a Beauden Barrett in Melbourne to help them on and off the field?
NZ and Australia putting all of their ducks in the national team was very silly by both as if they don’t perform, the commercials take a hit.
If you look at Ireland, yes the National team is by far the most important but the provinces are also given a role. If you go back to 2008, Munster’s success glossed over the toxicity of the Ireland team in 2008. Same goes for Leinster in 2012. Wales are another example of the National team above all been an absolute disaster.
The boys were up for it this morning. There was some ill intent in those deliveries
New Zealand won 50-0. The Samoans must feel pretty daft that the put so much effort in to their Haka.
And Samoa did brilliant in the world cup this time last year. Expected a better game tbh
Ponga is a wizard
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A wizard with a whallop- put on some massive hits too. He’s fantastic to watch
Hell be pissed with his pass to gagai late in 2nd half tho. All tied up, could have been different result if his pass went to hand and you’d have bet the house on him making that pass.
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Lets go Cows, sink the sharkies
Ferk