Worcester statement: Application to join the new Tier 2 league

Boom.

When entering the NZ Senior Age grade/senior school boys system players should have to sign a deal that would keep them playing in NZ until they were 25 unless someone bought out their contract or some other stand down period if the player emigrated. It would be a financial boon for NZR and all the PIs.

He is saying this because his coaching tenure is failing and he is out of ideas to turn it around, and he thinks RM is the silver bullet to change his fortunes.

Hansen and Fozzie can probably both tell him that he isn't a silver bullet. He is an enigma at best, and red herring at worst.

Razor's reasoning is that at 31 Richie is finally going to become Mr. Consistent and actually demand selection for 3 years in a row, while playing in a second class competition where 95% of the players aren't good enough to make the team ranked 13th in the world. Then at 33 lead NZ to WC glory having failed twice previously.

Razor could turn things around, but more signs point to him running this team into the ground. The way Ryan has integrated new forwards, and actually made the ABs pack better this year despite losing so much experience is the only thing that has stopped this ABs team becoming an absolute rabble. I don't know how long he is contracted with NZ rugby but he will have some very healthy offers coming his way. If he leaves before the next WC the wheels could come off completely.

Razor to be replaced after the 2026 Rugby Championship.