Love him or loathe him - and it seems the majority of New Zealanders are indeed polarised to that extent - Sonny Bill Williams' talents belong on the world stage and that's something rugby league can't provide.
Just as there are many levels of playing ability, so there seems to be varying levels of faith for selectors. A few weeks after All Blacks coach Steve Hansen called Dane Coles the "future" for his team at hooker, he has failed to start him for the second test running.
The adding of a Pacific Islands team to Super Rugby from 2016 is a preferred option by many within the New Zealand franchises but it appears a new team from Argentina has a better chance of being included.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is set to resume his colourful history with the Springboks at Ellis Park on Sunday, a place which holds few happy memories for New Zealand.
Ignored for years by the New Zealand Rugby Union, Pacific Islands rugby could be about to receive a dramatic boost in the form of an invitation to play in a restructured Super Rugby competition.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen felt the need to apologise for his antics in the coaches' box following Ben Smith's second try, his team's fourth, against the Pumas yesterday.
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe's face said it all afterwards.
Of all the selections Steve Hansen and his All Blacks assistants ponder this week in their downtown Buenos Aires hotel, or perhaps in a cafe alongside one of the grand boulevards, hooker could be the most difficult.
Brodie Retallick has the appearance of a bouncer from the north of England and at times all the subtlety of one.
The All Blacks leave for their most difficult stage of the Rugby Championship on Saturday and will be reminded of the need to be vigilant about their safety in Buenos Aires and Johannesburg.
As commanding as Beauden Barrett's performance against the Springboks was, Aaron Cruden remains above him on the ever-growing list of quality All Blacks No10s and will start against Argentina if his knee injury allows.
New Zealand's depth at first-five is giving them a big edge over their international rivals, says former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains.
The Springboks have the luxury of playing their two remaining Rugby Championship tests at home and Bismarck du Plessis is likely to be available for the final and most important one - a potential series decider against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
They tried, oh how they tried. But no matter the Bismarck du Plessis questions asked by the South African media contingent of Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer and skipper Jean de Villiers, the answer remained consistent: "We have only ourselves to blame for this defeat."
Put into stark relief by this blowtorch of a test against the Springboks was the progress of Steve Hansen's youngsters.
Steve Hansen believes Sam Cane is ready for the toughest challenge of his short career on Saturday partly because he has the requisite mental toughness and ability to put things in perspective.
Cory Jane was an unexpected presence at All Blacks training yesterday and says he hopes to make a comeback from his knee reconstruction next month.
Ma'a Nonu's future in New Zealand rugby remains uncertain, but Dan Carter believes the second-five's reliable presence outside him will be a key factor for the All Blacks against the Springboks at Eden Park.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has acknowledged the Springboks will present Sam Cane with the biggest challenge of his career but has backed the 21-year-old to deliver.
Who has the better recent record, the All Blacks or the Springboks? Many would automatically go with the former but in fact it is Heyneke Meyer's men who are on a better streak, including an away victory over England.