Antoine Dupont named world player of the year

Women's game is a shining light (sevens and 15s), however, with its growth in Top tier nations comes with lots of financial and now fan support (look at PWR in England), the women are following the old pattern that the men did in 90s and 2000s with many of the top players playing out of country. That will not ensure a strong domestic development program.

One area that seems to be ignored is the Grassroots development. Based in British Columbia, our grassroots numbers are only just now recovering from COVID and growth at the base is slow and not helped that many school-based systems are disappearing. A number of BC clubs are supporting growth thru robust youth programs, however, many are stuck in the old days when players came to them without little or no community involvement from the club. We cannot afford that pattern anymore. If clubs do not take on a more active role the development of athletes throughout the pathway programs, we are destined to continue the slide. If a club does not male and female pathways from minis to senior, you have ask WHY NOT? Game will not grow unless they begin that transition. In my club we have male and female pathways from minis to senior along with feeding our local university with players as they graduate - resulting in450-500 registered athletes. If we can do it, why do so many clubs in BC only produce senior teams (many with imports from abroad) with limited youth programs?

Seems simple, build the base and upper levels will be better supported (athletes, resources, funds, opportunities for sponsorship). It just takes focus, effort and prioritization.

The simple fact is that the days of NZ being an impenetrable fortress are looooong gone. And I think All Blacks fans know this. Which is why there is such anxiety about the Eden Park game. The record represents the last vestiges of the All Blacks' world domination and losing that would be pretty devastating to NZ. It's the sort of psychological blow Rassie Erasmus lives for.

The All Blacks have it all to lose at Eden Park and the pressure will be immense. Given how the ABs have choked against the Boks in recent games I quite fancy SA's chances.

I predict 2-0 to NZ with st least one comfortable win

Whether it was Mehrtens, Carter, or Mounga, every single one of the Crusaders Super Rugby championships were driven by a test quality 10.

So if I was writing this article - I’d add, get this teams fitness up