Nick Evans is contracted to Quins until the end of the GP season 2011. To date he always said he will see out his contract, but I suspect if he wanted to return earlier than Quins would probably agree as they recently have done with Gary Botha who has returned to the Bulls. The worst thing Quins could do is hang onto an unhappy player.

I don’t think it is harsh to say he’s done nothing of note, though I should probably clarify that I was meaning “nothing at senior level”. A few encouraging matches for Manawatu don’t cut it in my opinion.

It’s just strange in that I can’t recall an NZ player being so hyped up before actually doing anything. It’s not usually the way the NZ rugby public does things.

So essentially he possesses most of the traits that good coaches look for and which players like Donald seem to lack. Admittedly it is hard to judge the full measure of talent without seeing Cruden face some greater adversity, but the hurdles he has already cleared are a testament to the type of guy he is. And all this at such a young age too.

Whoever has to back up Carter will always have it tough. Whether that is Cruden, we’ll probably know by this time next year. But to say “he’s done nothing of note” is a bit harsh.

Mike Delany was selected for the AB’s off the back of NPC form (and one S14 game). He’s also not much bigger (if at all) than Cruden, who I beleive is around the 83kg mark.

Cruden missed the Mangatainoka pre-season game (against the Blues) where the far more experienced Stephen Brett was outclassed by inexperience Daniel Kirkpatrick. Similarly, Willie Ripia was also sketchy and Piri Weepu looked most at home in the Canes No.10 jersey. Next week in Porirua Cruden will be back (after a poke in the eye ruled him out last weekend) against a good looking Brumbies outfit. NZ rugby dearly needs him to prove the doubters wrong.

Stanley looked to have picked up a niggle in the first quarter and Ranger appeared to then replace him as a midfielder where he played out the remainder of the game either partnering George Pisi, Stanley (when he briefly retured) or Lachie Munro.

After watching Ranger’s play at 13 in that match, coupled with the game time he’s been getting for Northland in the NPC at 13 I sense that he’s looking to moved off the wing and get some more ball in hand.

No doubt it’ll be tough to get consistent game time in the Blues midfield when you have McAlister, Toeava, Stanley and Pisi to contend with though. But I sense Ranger is on the verge of a big season and I belive he’ll make his mark as a midfielder.

He’s got potential, but Stephen Donald is far better than him at this stage.

Henry tends to be a bit conservative when it comes to Test experience and guys who know his system, though he’s certainly burnt through a fair number of players in his six years at the helm. Donald was coming along okay in his cameos against the Wallabies. He just wasn’t ready for first five job on an All Blacks side that was playing poorly.

The Super 14 final showcased Donald’s fatal flaw of not making enough time when defence is energetic and “that” panic that penetrates his play (as opposed to Dan Carter’s trademark calm)

Henry expected a much better overall performance from Donald for the AB season – and will be sorely peeved he didn’t deliver… Donald would need to have a stellar year – and other potentials a lousy year, if he hopes to ever don the black jersey again.

He cant shake the jitters when he’s on the big stage – which one can sympathise, but I hold him responsible for losing games for the abs last year. Sure its hard being compared to DC, but the guy is not a good all black.

Side note on experience, the Southland 10 was being rated as the next DC by some of the Kiwi scribes, not sure what they said after the final against Canterbury where he went to pieces. That was an excellent learning game for him & he’ll be better, but imagine someone like that against the Boks. It’d make a Merhtens bad hair day like a DC genius day !

I’ve always considered Mauger a “team man” and that can be a healthy balance if the team already has a fair share of “stars players”. Likewise, I always thought Leon McDonald fitted that mold as well. Solid, reliable, steady…and always thinking about the team effort as opposed to being self centred

The good news is that we’ll get to see him play regional/S14 first before he has to think about the ABs which’ll give him a better chance to find his feet than McAllister got. Although my thinking is McAllister can still make his name this season after last years injury debacle leaving Henry with either an unproven non-match fit McAllister or a newbie in his run on team.

OJ – Tana was the key back then, but Mauger helped give him both space & tactical support for whoever was at first 5 i.e. he could kick, pass, & take a gap. Don’t under rate him just because he was inside one of the best centres we’ve had in the last 20 yrs.

Having said that, SANZAR players should be allowed to play in any SANZAR country, not just their own.

If Mauger comes back and performs in the Super14 then he should get picked. If they pick him in June without any exposure, they could end up with a disaster (again).

Tamati Ellison could also play at 12.

12 months ago we were struggling to find any decent locks, midfielders, wingers and fullbacks and now we have some good players vying for selection. We’re still exposed if Carter and McCaw suffer serious injuries so the opportunity exists for Delaney, Donald, Brett, Cruden and Robinson to cement that backup spot for 10 and we’ll have to wait and see if any no.7 sticks their hand up with consistent performances.

Thanks Matt, wasn’t aware that Ranger was moving into the midfield and now that Ngatai is a year older the NZRU won’t object to him playing senior rugby.

It’s a good position for NZ rugby to be in with a number of spots up for grabs and a good mix of experience and youth.

The biggest problem he now faces is that Tim Bateman has been a NZ age grade star and has been a very good performer for the Crusaders and Juniors AB’s. He was even on the wishlist of a number of NZ journos wanting to see him get an AB opportunity. Then IMO you have an even better prospect coming through in Ryan Crotty. Crotty was one of the stars of the first U20 World Cup winning team, alongside Guildford, Luke Braid and Daniel Kirkpatrick. In fact Crotty reminds me of a more explosive Mauger more than anything.

So the question then is how do guys like Mauger and Chris Jack get game time ahead of younger players who offer so much promise for the future? The best thing in Maugers favour is that the Crusaders will have an inexperienced No.13 in Robbie Fruean next season, so an experienced No.12 might be just the tonic.

The two midfielder players to watch out for next season though would be Rene Ranger at the Blues and Charlie Ngatai at the Hurricanes. IMO both are AB stars of the future.

What makes people think that they’re suddenly going to rediscover their form again when they rejoin New Zealand? One argument stated above might be that they would lift their game when surrounded by better talent and playing in a superior competition. The counter-argument might be that their flaws will become even more exposed as a result.

If these two don’t perform, who else is there waiting in the wings beyond Nonu, Carter, Smith – assuming they play somewhere in those combinations?

Methinks Henry will still be looking at the end of the year if he relies on these two to provide some spark and ballast.

Hayman has been playing well and as captain of Newcastle he improved their performances as they are having a better season than in recent years. He would be an immediate asset to any team and of course to the ABs.

The one thing I would say about McAlister is that he returned to NZ not match fit and having spent his time in England being shifted between 13 and 15. Not ideal preparation for being thrust into test rugby – following a 2/3 year break – at 12.

P.S. I’m glad we share a similar analysis of Crane. I finally feel vindicated.