Tony Johnson

I think it was important that he showed the ability to be able to manage the game because that's such an important part of the number 10 make-up.

But you still want to see him doing those Reuben-love things.

And I think he was able to do that in the game against the Highlanders.

You go through the season, being the odd moment, a pass that went out the back door or arrived low, but he's done so many really good things.

I don't know, I seem to be changing the wind on this, who should be the starting 10.

And I was thinking that maybe...

At one stage you give them one each in July, and Ruben may be starting the test in Wellington, but I actually think at the moment he's got his nose in front.

I really do.

I think he's got his nose in front because he just can create chaos that you have to try.

I guess that's an expression I think that they use these days.

But he's also shown, you know, he's growing his management skills.

I mean, it helps a lot that he's got, obviously, Geordie Barrett on one side of him, Cam Roygard on the other, because these are two, I mean, Barrett vastly experienced, and Roygard, who to me, I see as a future All Black captain, medium term probably.

So he's got that either side of him.

So he's kind of...

focused a lot on just making sure the back line functions well.

But man, when he's allowed to play, it has such a devastating effect.

If common sense prevails and wins out in the end and Richie Maunga is allowed to go to South Africa and I really just can't

understand why he wouldn't be.

Because if he's available, he's committed himself to the next year and a half.

I mean, why wouldn't he?