It’s a bit confusing because other All Blacks who are also playing club rugby in Japan, like Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Sam Cane, are available to New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson because they are on overseas sabbaticals awarded to key players by NZ Rugby.
However, if players like Mo’unga take up overseas contracts it gives them time to have a respite in a less demanding rugby environment, and it also gives New Zealand the opportunity to discover new talent and build the overall strength of their squad.
There are still so many players in some positions in New Zealand with the same quality of skill-set that it is not a player drain, but in some positions – like fly-half at the moment – it is difficult to replace Mo’unga because of the inconsistency of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett at 10.
Every side suffers when players are inconsistent, and New Zealand are no different. McKenzie is a classic Barbarians/Harlem Globetrotters style of fly-half, and everything is sexy about the rugby he produces.
What you’ve got in McKenzie is a bit of a Carlos Spencer, or Freddie Michalak, who just wants to go out and play, and be a free spirit. The only issue with these guys is that they are not tactical bosses on the field, or commander-in-chief strategic kickers – i.e. the sort of game- manager 10s that Northampton’s Fin Smith promises to be.
I love watching McKenzie, and at Bath they still talk about his majestic performance for the Barbarians a couple of years ago at The Rec. However, while he’s the player everyone wants to see, the great entertainer stuff is not always what his Test team-mates want to see. He’s brilliant – but it’s also the ying and yang of rugby union.
Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Daley-McLean backs Harrison
KATY Daley-McLean is backing Zoe Harrison over Holly Aitchison in John Mitchell’s fly-half conundrum due to the Saracens 10’s formidable goal kicking, which she feels will give England an edge during tight knockout matches in next year’s World Cup.
Diamond still has faith as Falcons battle on
THE Premiership’s bottom two sides, Newcastle and Exeter, faced each other at Kingston Park on Friday night – a match which ended in victory for the Falcons – with talk of relegation back on the Premiership menu.
Batley sets sights on reaching top
JOE Batley has two remaining targets in a career that started at Gloucester 10 years ago – help Bristol win the Premiership for the first time and gain international recognition.
Confused path to rules of combat
TRYING to obtain an even rough timetable over the class action being taken by players claiming negligence over concussion and brain injuries has been difficult to say the least but I have been busy on your behalf ringing around various interested parties.
Life with Welsh was such a roller coaster
To play professional rugby was such a privilege and something I never expected to happen once I left the south-east to go and do a master’s in chemistry at Bath University.
Watts wins it for Leeds with last-gasp goal kick
WHEN these two teams met last season, both games were high-scoring affairs that were in the balance right until the end.
At last! Falcons end record losing streak
NEWCASTLE finally put an end to their 25game losing streak in spectacular fashion on Friday night at Kingston Park.
YOUNG GUNS
Max Clein is enjoying learning from his childhood hero Sean Cronin at Munster and hopes to emulate the Ireland legend’s career.
Saracens go top in last-minute drama
THERE is a reason why Saracens have been serial winners down the years – they never know when they are beaten.
All Blacks will have to be at their best
IN some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not at full strength between World Cups. You can see it in the way fly-half Richie Mo’unga, blindside Shannon Frizell, and veteran lock Brodie Retallick, who are all in Japan, are ruled out by taking up overseas contracts, despite being number one picks before they went.