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Okay. Well personally I hope that isn’t the case. Daugunu is, IMO, one of a handful of wingers we have that has some way to go, but also some genuine potential. On current form I would put Kellaway & Wright in the same boat. I know Daugunu has only had sparse minutes so far due to his...

Is that purely based on his tackle/suspension earlier this year Reg, or is there more to it then that?

I understand Campbell is in the squad

But your rational is that he is too good to benefit from playing Shute Shield. Defence is a combination of technique, confidence, communication & attitude. He could improve all 4 of these aspects against lessor opposition. In any case, it’s all irrelevant in any case. Firstly, we both agree...

The rational for keeping him at Super level is all about his standing compared to the competitors for his spot, who all have their own shortcomings. I’m sorry, but I complete miss any sense in your argument that he is too good to be demoted if a suitable replacement exists. Ideally the standard...

Maddocks has been poor and, date I say it, seems disinterested. Nawaqanitawase has a lot of promise, and I was a big fan of him being given an opportunity at the start of the season. But he has been exposed as having some serious deficiencies. I wouldn’t be including him. I can understand if...

Yeah, but they won’t ditch Sio, and nor should they. Plus - didn’t it come out that he has been carrying his injury all season. It’ll be interesting how he returns after the break. I’d like to see Wright included. There is a lot to like about his game.

Off the top of my head I would guess - Mafi, Tupou, Blyth, Rodda, Salakaia-Loto, Wright, Wilson, McReight, McDermott, O’Connor, Paisami, Daugunu & Campbell That leaves one more out of JP Smith, Paenga-Amosa, Hockings, Stewart, CFS & maybe Petaia (who you would definitely include if injured...

No probs with your assessment of his ability - I just can’t see a guy who isn’t starting for his Super team getting a gig in the Wallabies squad in front of the 4 guys who are starting. Whatever his potential is, he is not currently considered a Super Rugby starter. From time to time Super...

It’s interesting with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes). I guess there is a lot of history of props being swapped over and it not working out. But he does seem, to me, to have the raw ingredients to make a good fist of it. But he had to be given a bit of time. Guys like Slipper, Holmes & Kepu were all moved around. It didn’t...

Why would Andrew Deegan be in the mix? Surely there are at least 4 contenders in front of him.

Purely out of the Reds locks - Blyth has been consistently good for the Reds this year and the best of our locks and has played in most games. Rodda was well below his best, which I assume probably relates to his injury. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) has been very good too, but has mostly had 6 on his back. Hockings...

I think this is a key point - NZ Rugby want to maximise their earning capacity, which means taking part in the best possible comp they can with enough games to provide a high level of content for broadcasters and the biggest possible numbers of viewers. Yes, they’ll have other goals too - but...

But that doesn’t actually answer the question. Being better relevant to us doesn’t mean they can make the revenue out of a stand alone comp they’d need to. Edit: sorry - my post was in response to Derpus above

What position is New Zealand in to attract sufficient dollars to fund a professional comp that can retain their best players either to the extent or close to the extent that super rugby currently is? If they are able to do that then I imagine there is limited appeal from their side in a TT...

I have been pleasantly surprised by the form of both O’Connor & To'omua at 10. I rate both, but would have said before this season that neither is a 10 and they are doing a good job of proving me wrong. I’d probably have one at 10 & the other at 12 and I’ll leave it to Rennie as to which way...

I just hope fit & healthy. Deserves some good luck.

You must be due to visit your parents soon. I’m happy to buy the ticket.

Okay Ritchie

Wow. I only just read the letter. Thanks for sharing BH. Well done Dan Leo for penning it.