Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[Major Tom]

Not sure what is or what isn't "necessary", but a bloke whose been regularly starting (and performing well) at Super Rugby level is obviously going to improve this team. Especially considering 12 is probably the weakest spot in the backline (Boston played really well against Argentina). If you're picking a team and your choice is between Boston Fakafanua and Dre Pakeho, well it's not a difficult choice.

He would undoubtedly strengthen the team on the park but he would be even more valuable at training with his super rugby experience. But, playing the lions can be a once in a career experience. He’d be mad not to pick that. At least it gives others a chance to develop.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

For him and the wider landscape staying for the Lions is a no brainer.

If he's jumped the U20s category he's earnt that even though I'm sure he'd be keen to go to the WC. Situations help players and there would be others in this group that could be playing Super Rugby is coaches picked them and had the right guys around them. I know it's a couple years ago but Fakafanua outplayed Pakeho in the NSW v QLD games in the 18s but again a lot goes down to term performance and no doubt heaps has changed since then physically and skill wise.