Jamie Wall

Yeah, and that actually tracks, that's logical to me because I've always been of the thinking that yes, it would be preferable for Richard Mwangi to have stayed this whole time, to have played for the Crusaders, to have played for the All Blacks, to have

cemented a case for him to be the guy going forward for the All Blacks instead we find ourselves in this situation because he's gone to Japan but because he's been playing in Japanese rugby this whole time and this is a it's not a sabbatical he's been there for two and a half years playing in a competition that with all due respect is seen as a pretty big step down from what everyone else has been playing from what

The guys who he's competing for spots have been playing.

You talk about Bowdoin Barrett, you talk about Damian McKenzie, and this season now we're talking about Ruben Love as well.

And so I don't think it's too out of the question to say, hey, mate, you've got to actually prove that you can get back into this team after where you've been.

There is a perception out there that Richard Mwanga is this magic bullet that's going to solve all the issues that the All Blacks have suffered from over the last couple of years.

I don't think that's the case.

I think he needs to prove his way back in the team.

I think he's going to make it.

Well, I mean, he will be because as soon as he plays a few games for Canterbury in the MPC, he may end up playing that whole campaign.

This is entirely up to Dave Rennie picking the best player he thinks for this tour.

And currently, Richie Mwanga isn't going to be at the start of this because they're going to follow NZ Rugby's rules on this.

And that he does still, though, it pushes back that start date for when he needs to earn the right to wear that all black jersey again, just back further a bit.

So yeah, maybe it's going to be a little bit longer than we thought.

Yeah, and it's exciting, isn't it?

Because we've got a situation now where it has been, for a long time, the All Black First Five conversation has been about two people competing for it.

First it was Barrett Mawanga, then it was, lately it's been Barrett McKenzie.

Now we've got like four guys to talk about now.

So it's exciting.

It's a good position for Dave Rennie to be in.