The next Kiwi recruit who could help Leinster get back to European glory

We have long since established that Ben Smith pieces are exempt from the banal inefficiencies of simple proof-reading.

I guess being the self-proclaimed “Head of Editorial” at Rugbypass (see LinkedIn) has earned him that perk.

But I fear his colleagues are so enamored by Ben’s reality distortion field (RDF) - that must circle that enormous head of his - no one dares fact check him anymore either.

Unless it’s just professional sabotage. For being an annoying git?

Letting him confidently publish a massive, easily debunked regulatory error to the entire rugby world is the ultimate passive-aggressive revenge.

It's the editorial equivalent of letting someone walk into a boardroom with spinach in their teeth. Or bog paper trailing out the back of their pants.

Bless the skid mark of NZ rugby journalism.

Maybe Leinster and the IRFU should contact all the leading Player agents in Oz, NZ and SA, asking whether anyone with Irish heritage would be interested in a rugby gig in Ireland and promising serious dollars to anyone who signs up?

And then maybe set up a separate fund to identify young talent in the above-mentioned countries, to sign players with a view to capping them under the five-year residency pathway?

Could do worse if they hung outside the Hotels that Oz, SA and NZ U20 sides are staying at for the upcoming U20 RWC tournament - maybe set up a stand, giving away free gifts - sign up and go into the draw for a free Guinness for a year and/or years supply of potatoes?

With Ringrose there Reiko was always only the fill in 13 while Gary was on Ireland duty. In saying that Uberti would not have scored if Reiko was playing/defending the 13 channel v UBB. His defence or ability to cover his channel and any ‘backdoor wrap’ decoy or receiver is specifically his point of difference.

Any winger playing outside him would have remained marking Rayasi.

So we’re just going to ignore that they have just signed Carbery? Carbery, Byrne and Prendergast for next year. Prend still developing, Carbery with a point to prove.

Leinster need a 12. If they want someone on sabatical for a year they need to go likes of Quin Tupaea, Anton LB or Tavatavanawai. Exeter did it with Ikitau and what player he is.

How does EPCR TV content work, can we expect the game up on youtube or anything? Says we can view the content here in NZ on their website.

One point being overlooked here is that the Leinster squad are old. Next season there won’t be too many of that team’s established players who will be the right side of 30. Porter, Furlong, Ryan, VDF, Conan, Gibson-Park, McGrath, Henshaw, Ringrose, Keenan et al. Younger blood is needed.

“He’s completed the international stand down period having been last capped in 2018.

He’s off-contract after 2026 and could have another eight years to play at this level. He could qualify for Ireland on residency just like James Lowe, Gibson-Park, and Bundee Aki”

This is really quite baffling.

1) capped players can only switch international affiliation if they qualify through birth or ancestry. So he will never be Ireland eligible.

2) even if that rule didn’t apply, for some reason, Ben Smith’s argument wouldn’t really make sense. Cameron wouldn’t complete 5 years of residency until he was 34. The idea that he’d ever be picked for Ireland is quite silly.

3) even if Brett Cameron was going to play for Ireland one day, the fact that he has already completed the stand down period would be irrelevant. The stand down period is 3 years - the residency requirement is 5 years. So he could carry on playing for NZ for another 2 years after beginning his residency and still qualify at the same time. Except he can’t! [see point (1)].

Rugby issues in Ireland are simple: no depth. They have for years now relied heavily on imports. Three countries that don’t have this issue are France, England and the Boks. If England fix their league they could dominate for years. Too much animosity but consolidation needs to happen. Gloucester/Bath and Bristol in one shed phew.

Leinster is not the only European team that can match UBB. Toulouse must be above Leinster in that respect. Brett Cameron cannot qualify for Ireland on residency as he has already played for NZ. To switch from one country to another a player must have been born in the second country or have a bloodline connection to that country.

Im sure Leinster will find a way to make the most of Prendergasts talent before they waste it like they have Frawleys. Brett Cameron is hardly someone who will transform Leinster

Joey Carbury coming to Leinster. Also Ireland may want Irish fly halves developed.

Hard to take any of that too seriously!

This article really shows a failed understanding of the constraints Leinster operate under which isn’t surprising as most people seem to suffer the same ideas.

Leinster can’t go out and simply get a flyhalf unless the IRFU allows them, even if somehow source the money entirety independently, and they’ll only allow that if there are consistent reliable options at the other provinces.

And just like notably throughout the Sexton era that clearly isn’t the case.

The interwoven relationship with the IRFU probably benefits Leinster more than it hurts but supposed rugby journalists writing articles basically saying “WhY DoNt YoU JuSt BuY a FlyHaLf?” really shows no understanding of the strings Leinster have to their advantages.

The most similar skillset dude to Jordie is Havili

One player is not going to make a difference to them winning the Champions Cup or not. The gap to UBB and Toulouse is large.

The guy, is Beauden Barrett.

‘Irish inspired attack shapes and set plays’. Oh,yeah!

Barrett, Ioane and Cameron? Leinster aren’t exactly shopping at the NZ top shelf.

Brett Cameron as a savior, for a stacked team like Leinster, is a bit of a stretch.