However, flanker Steven Luatua is still keeping up with the pace and popping up in the wide channels despite being 33 years old, and the six jersey for now - is his own.
In time, though, Luatua might have to do a Michael Leitch and move into the second row to preserve his career.
Leitch, below, Japan's most-capped player, had never played a Test at lock until this summer but made the switch against Georgia as a result of the Brave Blossoms playing a 'Chosoku' (super-fast) brand of rugby.
Bristol's style is not dissimilar and their former captain and centurion is not adverse to anything that will ultimately help the team he has served with distinction since arriving Auckland from in 2017.
"I'm open to moving in," Luatua told The Rugby Paper.
"We have got some outstanding loose forwards coming through, and we've got Fitzy (Fitz Harding) as captain, we've got Santiago Grondona and when Bill Mata is back fit, it gives the coaches a headache. But it is a good headache. I am under no illusions that whoever is performing well gets the jersey and if I need to move to lock, or the bench, then so be it."
This story is from the October 13, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the October 13, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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