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The World Rugby Nations Championship Debacle

Sumo & Mils speak with Rob Nichol of the NZ Players Association about the challenges faced in the Pacific with regard to the ongoing debacle that is World Rugby’s proposed Nations Championship. Catch the full episode now on RPTV.

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Comments on RugbyPass

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PB 17 minutes ago
Highlanders vs Crusaders takes: Dane Coles 2.0, a late Jamie Joseph juggle

Yes so everyone says! Kirk spun a nice story there, and NZ fans are just lapping it up.

That said, you can bet your house that the winning ratio comparison is coming. Nothing in the top 50 players in SR that was listed on this forum shows anything really different, so we will see if JJ can get the divided AB team united.



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PB 20 minutes ago
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 10-1

Well if DMac is the best in SRP, then truly the AB’s are in a spot of bother.

4 Go to comments
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SB 25 minutes ago
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 10-1

Haha true! Bit like Stephen Donald’s punditry.

4 Go to comments
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JO 57 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Hmmm. Maybe a different article. Mine was specifically to do with subs & the number of aforesaid. It was in response to complaints about the subs during whole 6-2 thing. I’m sure it came from the same study batch.

340 Go to comments
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Perthstayer 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

NB - nowt to do with your article but I think you would be interested.

Look up Raeburn Shield on Instagram and all will become clear.



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Over the sideline 1 hour ago
RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 10-1

JAS could fart and it woukd be ruled a great pass. He has 7 SR games but is apparently in the top 10.

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JW 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Thanks for the old recap Nick, would love to have a data implant of all your articles along with way. Would be fancisinating watching the change in the game and no doubt your beliefs.

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GoTahs 1 hour ago
Waratahs vs Reds takes: Super Rugby’s best winger, Reds’ MVP contender

The boys looked super fit. I think credit to the coaching staff for getting them ready, and that showed in their trial games as well as this one. Amatosero a future wallaby, and I could easily see him among the 5 locks for the squad at next RWC. Also thought Gordon was good in controlling the game, and Phillips was excellent as Capt. Joey Walton looked good too. A lot to like about this Tahs team, they look balanced.

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JW 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

I like it, you don’t use them you lose them. Only 3 subs every 20min, with four max for one of those would be a big improvement.

340 Go to comments
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JW 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

I’ll just add for records keeping that we need to modify the laws to create more ruck contesting again.

It would be great if the only time the halfback was free to leave the ball at the back of the ruck (and not need a player to bridge it or pick it up immediately) is when the attack was rolling forward and the defence actually had to backpedal.



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J
JW 2 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

No, that will remove the bench specialist role. I like that some players are better on the bench than others and while not really meaning a lot it is better. It basically creates 17 positions in a game of rugby instead of 15. Win win.

340 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Yup I read that too but if I’m not mistaken has the wrong/no context. It’s only looking at things in isolation, and removing the concept of bigger=badder.

So yes, muscle mass protects from injuries, but it’s not specifically looking at the argument, ‘would it be safer if everyone was 10kg lighter’. It would also have nothing to do with analyzing concussion, as you can’t pad the brain, they wouldn’t be recommending bigger is better in that respect.



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J
JW 2 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Yes I think it has a good enabler for that aspect, and if for that to happen you mean there needs to be some form of restriction (on the bench size etc) I fully agree.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Like you say in your original reply though, you would have thought the Top 14 would have high BIP given that it has a greater number of players used, so they have more energy than other comps. But the results show the opposite.

I remember the All Blacks in multiple games were able to get them puffing but they always had a hardened endurance (found a way to rest and recuperate and come back doubling their efforts) and came back stronger.



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JW 2 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

It’s a metric that is shared across all sports, but yes, though SR was behind Prem and URC a few years ago that’s not to say the rugby of their BIP wasn’t better.

Rugby is great because that type of purpose is/was achieved organically I reckon Graham. You might say have a low importance on phase play, and kick earlier than others, or you might value continuity and be like Ireland and hold onto it for more than 5 phases. This all changes how teams structure attack, what threats they need, and how defences adjust and strategize. A set number becomes a bit bland I reckon.



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Jez Nez 2 hours ago
Waratahs vs Reds takes: Super Rugby’s best winger, Reds’ MVP contender

Let’s hold the excitement Finn. Adding Wilson, McDermott and Gordon in is going to make that Reds team a much more difficult side to face.

Both teams with plenty of rust, attack a long way from clicking.



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unknown 3 hours ago
HSBC SVNS 2: 12 teams to begin World Championship dream in Nairobi

A you going to broadcast the matches live from Nairobi Kenya?

1 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 4 hours ago
England involvement helping Maro Itoje deal with personal tragedy

Very sorry to learn of Maro Itoje’s sad loss. Sincerest condolences.

1 Go to comments
K
Koro Teeps 4 hours ago
Crusaders start title defence with dramatic defeat to Highlanders

Think its being announced in the next week.

13 Go to comments
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JW 5 hours ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

Not sure what you’re asking Graham, are you talking rugby?

Rugby was never stop start. Yes you had stoppages per say, but you ran to a scrum or lineout and played it immediately, there was no ‘stopping’ back in the day.



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