Rico Simpson

Not just a competition, a story, a tradition, an emotional connection between rugby and communities.

And the final MPC point I want to make is around Auckland's first five, Rico Simpson.

I love hearing a young player say in the media that he wants to live and die by his attack.

Not in a reckless way, not to throw it around for no reason, but in a way that shows he trusts his skill set, trusts his ability to read space, and wants to back himself when the game opens up.

We've always been a team that we have been able to play what's in front of us.

And New Zealand's greatest rugby identity is built around skill, speed of thought, the ability to create something from nothing.

Rico Simpson is a good reminder that those instincts are still alive in this system.

So when we look at the financial concerns around New Zealand rugby, the big takeaway for me is this.

I'm not entirely convinced that they've, you know, turned the corner, but they're definitely an improved side.

And I think we're starting to see really encouraging signs from Rico Simpson.

You know, he was in the New Zealand under-20s for a couple of years, a very tall sort of guy.

And I think he's now starting to physically fill out a bit and we're starting to see his quality improve.

And I think we're starting to see...

Really encouraging signs from Rico Simpson.

You know, he was in the New Zealand Under-20s for a couple of years.

A very tall sort of guy, and I think he's now starting to physically fill out a bit, and we're starting to see his quality.