MARSHALL LORE

Danny Cipriani was more of a liability than an asset for the Rebels last year. But against the Blues he showed glimpses of what he is truly capable of. There is some genuine talent there. He returns home next year . . . will we see him play for England again? Alama Ieremia has to be commended for the work he is doing with the Hurricanes backs. They are playing as a unit with the spark of intermittent moments of individual brilliance. Ieremia has got the balance and game management bang on for his backline. Win of the week has to go to the Chiefs. Mentally, when you are on your way to South Africa and stop in Perth to play a very capable team it’s easy to be slightly off form and next minute you’re beaten. Not at their best but regardless they got the result. A job well done. Injuries were a major problem for the Highlanders last year and it really challenged their squad depth. After a blistering start to this year’s competition they are now starting to face the similar difficulties. The big question is can they overcome them this time with a trip to South Africa still to come? later on in the season come, that’s when we find true talent.’’

In other words, it’s not just about making linebreaks, scoring and creating tries; it’s about attitude composure and, most importantly, doing those inspirational things for your team when the entire fate of the competition rests on every decision you make. That’s when we find All Blacks, Foxy said before turning to follow his son down the 15th fairway.

I mention this conversation for two reasons really. Firstly, well done to Steve Hansen. Not only is Grant Fox a brilliant thinker of the game, he can also spot talent in the blink of an eye. And, critically, he won’t be bullied or panicked into picking All Blacks unless he thinks they are All Blacks.

Secondly, our conversation has grounded me a bit. I left Yarrow