"All Blacks coach Steve Hansen can do whatever as long as team is winning",

100% agree

We can also add that while many comments bemoan Hansen for asking for support from the government I wonder how many of these same commentators have argued for equality in different forums but fail to see how the ABs, through their superior performances as an international sporting juggernaut, attract sponsorship that is used to subsidise womens rugby. The ABs are so good their performances fund much of the domestic game, most of the grass roots game along with thousands of volunteers, most of the female game, have a huge influence on how many (not all) New Zealanders view themselves, and are a tremendous brand ambassador for New Zealand. There are many sports in NZ receiving funding that dont achieve anywhere near this - yet know ones sees the inequality. Just the typical tall poppy.

Your argument doesnt make sense. Thats like saying we shouldnt send people to the Olympics because they may only do 10 seconds of running.

The last nine years have been the most successful ever in All Black history and as a result the jersey has never had as much international profile and respect. It is as desirable to young NZers as it ever has. Older All Blacks didnt have to cope with the allure of 100s of thousands of dollars that European teams can offer. Never have we seen so many NZ Rugby players plying their trade in Europe or becoming international players for other countries. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to see that the enlarged squad is a strategy to assist NZRU in dealing with these pressures, earn revenue to buoy contracts , players once they have played for NZ are ineligible for other countries, younger players are given a carrot to remain loyal to NZ rugby. What is so difficult to understand about this?

Trying new things, smart thinking from Hansen, Fox, Foster and co. Great minds doing their best for us lovers of the game and for you tireless complainers.

Have you seen the calibre of players at high school though? Those young men and women are absolutely phenomenal. Watch them train and they appear semi-professional. Even a middle size schools second 15 would wipe my 1990s old first 15 off the park.Yes less are coming through and club rugby is already suffering but now there is a clear professional development pathway the good players are cranking it.The issue for me is more around adolescents wrecking their bodies and using performance enhancers

Ehm, â˜let Hansen do what he wants....actually he does. Its his job. We dont get a say. Even the media!

Absolutely agree, which is why it is odd that Americas Cup gets government funding

Give him the cheque book I say!!!

And how is that Hansens fault? Answer: It isnt. If he was losing your argument might have a point. Your logic is faulty, Regan.

Have you quite finished?

Yes. Why are Kiwis so bitter about backing success?

Point taken and agree with much of what youre saying but cant help but think that we do have to prepare and build considerable depth going into the RWC next year to increase those chances. Retrospect is always a good thing and this would prove a masterstroke especially because we can do it. How many countries have the depth we do and would be stupid if we didnt when we could going into RWC year??

why is that odd?...the govt invest because of the return on investment...its called business and there is a huge upside for our country when global brands like team NZ and the All Blacks are successful on the world stage. Bermuda are still reaping the benefits of the last Americas Cup, watch Auckland/NZ do the same again in 2021.

You have zero understanding of the rigours of modern test rugby and the effects of travelling across the globe to play it.

The value in the jersey comes from the winning record of the All Blacks. As long as that is maintained - particularly if the ABs threepeat in Japan - then Hansens methods justify themselves.

Its all about building capacity and depth. Great plan and gives experience to a wider base of players.

it is difficult for people to see the sense in what you are saying ,because they are stuck in a time warp from the past, and are unable to open their minds to the present and the future...the bigger picture so to speak Hansen can see it that is why he is so successful

More likely Mr Reason!

so how else are they meant to do it with all of the global travel and compact schedule, with less players?come up with a solution that enables a smaller squad to be successful with that type of programme, bearing in mind that most of the players have been hard at it for 10 months of this year already