1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,973 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B. 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:21,893 --> 00:00:23,653 Speaker 1: Straight down the middle. 4 00:00:23,373 --> 00:00:24,813 Speaker 2: Of truck this guy. 5 00:00:26,453 --> 00:00:34,933 Speaker 1: Try get inside the game from every end goal. It's 6 00:00:35,053 --> 00:00:38,853 Speaker 1: Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by 7 00:00:38,933 --> 00:00:39,693 Speaker 1: News Talks B. 8 00:00:40,013 --> 00:00:42,693 Speaker 3: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio book 9 00:00:42,733 --> 00:00:46,013 Speaker 3: today and stay in the game back for another week, 10 00:00:46,053 --> 00:00:48,933 Speaker 3: two episodes a week now, of course of Rugby Direct. 11 00:00:49,333 --> 00:00:51,853 Speaker 3: My name is Elliott Smith and someone that maybe needs 12 00:00:51,893 --> 00:00:53,853 Speaker 3: to go to Habit Health. Maybe not the physio necessarily, 13 00:00:53,853 --> 00:00:56,173 Speaker 3: although he has broken his wrist, but he's under the weather. 14 00:00:56,493 --> 00:00:59,053 Speaker 3: This week is Liam Napier, so joining me once again. 15 00:00:59,293 --> 00:01:01,653 Speaker 3: Welcome in, Nick Buley Bills, thanks for your time on 16 00:01:01,653 --> 00:01:02,413 Speaker 3: that Rugby Direct. 17 00:01:03,133 --> 00:01:05,453 Speaker 2: Happy to be first cab off the rank here. It's 18 00:01:05,493 --> 00:01:07,733 Speaker 2: been a pretty bad run, hasn't it for Liam? What 19 00:01:07,733 --> 00:01:12,653 Speaker 2: are we round six? But all the best to our 20 00:01:12,733 --> 00:01:17,293 Speaker 2: favorite Cane train fan. Fan. Are we calling a fan? Well? 21 00:01:17,333 --> 00:01:17,853 Speaker 3: I think we are. 22 00:01:17,973 --> 00:01:18,133 Speaker 1: Yeah. 23 00:01:18,173 --> 00:01:21,253 Speaker 3: I think he's fully on the bandwag and forget any 24 00:01:21,293 --> 00:01:24,373 Speaker 3: sort of impartiality. He's right in the fan. And look, 25 00:01:24,413 --> 00:01:25,933 Speaker 3: you know, this week we'll try and not make it 26 00:01:25,973 --> 00:01:28,173 Speaker 3: as Crusader's focus, but I think it would have been 27 00:01:28,213 --> 00:01:32,613 Speaker 3: more Hurricanes focused if Liam was indeed here, Let's rip 28 00:01:32,613 --> 00:01:35,333 Speaker 3: into the weekend. That was round six in the books 29 00:01:35,333 --> 00:01:38,453 Speaker 3: for Super Rugby Bules and the Blues beating the war 30 00:01:38,613 --> 00:01:42,573 Speaker 3: Tars thirty five twenty to round out the round on 31 00:01:42,773 --> 00:01:45,773 Speaker 3: Saturday night. This was a really good performance I thought 32 00:01:45,773 --> 00:01:48,573 Speaker 3: from the Blues game that was slipping away from them. 33 00:01:48,653 --> 00:01:52,933 Speaker 3: You felt maybe just after halftime when the Waratars had 34 00:01:52,973 --> 00:01:55,333 Speaker 3: extended their lead out to twenty points to eight, but 35 00:01:56,013 --> 00:01:58,053 Speaker 3: what I really liked from the Blues was there was 36 00:01:58,093 --> 00:02:01,613 Speaker 3: no real panic at that point. They basically stuck to 37 00:02:01,653 --> 00:02:05,053 Speaker 3: their script. They continued their game plan trusted it would work, 38 00:02:05,093 --> 00:02:06,613 Speaker 3: and I know that's a bit of a cliche, but 39 00:02:06,933 --> 00:02:09,013 Speaker 3: they just stuck to the process and believed that they 40 00:02:09,053 --> 00:02:11,613 Speaker 3: were going to write the ship and as soon as 41 00:02:11,653 --> 00:02:13,573 Speaker 3: they got one back through Cody Vais, it felt like 42 00:02:13,613 --> 00:02:15,853 Speaker 3: they had fully swung the momentum and they weren't even 43 00:02:15,933 --> 00:02:19,413 Speaker 3: chasing the game at that point. I thought, you know, 44 00:02:19,453 --> 00:02:21,173 Speaker 3: the schooline doesn't tell the full story there, but I 45 00:02:21,213 --> 00:02:23,293 Speaker 3: thought it was a pretty assured performance from the Blues, 46 00:02:23,773 --> 00:02:25,693 Speaker 3: especially the last half hour of that contest. 47 00:02:26,253 --> 00:02:27,893 Speaker 2: I totally agree. Yeah, what is that in the end 48 00:02:27,933 --> 00:02:31,973 Speaker 2: twenty seven unanswered points? I think four tries thrown in there. 49 00:02:32,693 --> 00:02:34,653 Speaker 2: They really just kicked into gear as you say, after 50 00:02:34,693 --> 00:02:38,493 Speaker 2: that VI try. I thought aj Lamb was particularly strong 51 00:02:38,493 --> 00:02:41,333 Speaker 2: and they got some real spark off the bench through 52 00:02:41,533 --> 00:02:45,973 Speaker 2: Tofa Funaki at half back. I thought Boden Barrett pulled 53 00:02:46,013 --> 00:02:49,453 Speaker 2: the strings as he always does, and as you say, 54 00:02:49,493 --> 00:02:53,773 Speaker 2: it was an assured performance, no panic and commanding. Pretty 55 00:02:53,813 --> 00:02:56,093 Speaker 2: concerning for the Warratar's side. They came out with a 56 00:02:56,093 --> 00:02:57,973 Speaker 2: hiss and a row. What's that? Three or maybe four 57 00:02:58,013 --> 00:03:00,773 Speaker 2: losses in a row now, But there is some really 58 00:03:01,133 --> 00:03:03,893 Speaker 2: encouraging signs there for the Blues. They'll be a little 59 00:03:03,893 --> 00:03:06,613 Speaker 2: bit miffed as to their starts, and I know they're 60 00:03:06,653 --> 00:03:11,093 Speaker 2: a little bit scrappy from a starting perspective against Mawana 61 00:03:11,133 --> 00:03:13,293 Speaker 2: as well, so they want to sure that up. But 62 00:03:14,093 --> 00:03:16,853 Speaker 2: signs of encouragement there for ern Cotta's side, and then 63 00:03:16,893 --> 00:03:19,333 Speaker 2: you look ahead at their drawer. They take on the 64 00:03:19,453 --> 00:03:22,013 Speaker 2: drawer back at Eden Park, a team that we all 65 00:03:22,053 --> 00:03:25,453 Speaker 2: know don't travel well. And then part of this Easter 66 00:03:25,533 --> 00:03:28,173 Speaker 2: weekend by round, which we're going to get into shortly 67 00:03:28,293 --> 00:03:30,653 Speaker 2: then the Hurricanes down in Wellington that will be a 68 00:03:30,693 --> 00:03:34,533 Speaker 2: real litmus test. But no, I thought a place where 69 00:03:34,533 --> 00:03:37,893 Speaker 2: it can be tricky, Sydney. The Warrataza is the one 70 00:03:37,933 --> 00:03:40,653 Speaker 2: place that they really tend to lift and get up for. 71 00:03:40,773 --> 00:03:42,973 Speaker 2: In a game that was slipping away, they really turned 72 00:03:43,013 --> 00:03:44,773 Speaker 2: it on in that last half hour. 73 00:03:44,893 --> 00:03:47,253 Speaker 3: They did indeed, and they did it without Golden Popolti 74 00:03:47,253 --> 00:03:49,773 Speaker 3: who went off at halftime as well. They had to 75 00:03:49,813 --> 00:03:52,853 Speaker 3: reshuffle their pack a little bit as a result. Tory 76 00:03:52,933 --> 00:03:56,093 Speaker 3: in Barns comes on. Look he's having a storming start 77 00:03:56,133 --> 00:03:58,293 Speaker 3: to the Super Rugby season. It was in the wider 78 00:03:58,333 --> 00:04:00,973 Speaker 3: training group now is a Blues regularly came off the 79 00:04:00,973 --> 00:04:05,413 Speaker 3: bench and had a full forty minutes performance. You know, 80 00:04:05,453 --> 00:04:07,253 Speaker 3: he threw everything out. I think he had about eleven 81 00:04:07,293 --> 00:04:09,933 Speaker 3: twelve runs in the end good the last try. But 82 00:04:10,053 --> 00:04:12,733 Speaker 3: players like him are just slotting into roles really nicely 83 00:04:12,813 --> 00:04:15,333 Speaker 3: for the Blues. They play little system sort of style 84 00:04:15,853 --> 00:04:18,093 Speaker 3: of rugby union. I think that the strength of Barnes 85 00:04:18,133 --> 00:04:20,973 Speaker 3: is that he has slotted in, found a real niche 86 00:04:21,013 --> 00:04:24,293 Speaker 3: and he looks like a really promising player. You've seen 87 00:04:24,293 --> 00:04:26,173 Speaker 3: a bit of him down you know in christ Church 88 00:04:26,213 --> 00:04:29,573 Speaker 3: with Canterbury and the NBC hasn't had too many chances there, 89 00:04:29,613 --> 00:04:32,293 Speaker 3: but he looks like a real comer for the Blues 90 00:04:32,333 --> 00:04:34,093 Speaker 3: over the next few seasons. And last week they just 91 00:04:34,133 --> 00:04:35,293 Speaker 3: resigned him for a couple more. 92 00:04:35,653 --> 00:04:37,253 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was just going to say they made the 93 00:04:37,893 --> 00:04:41,653 Speaker 2: core early and rightly so to promote him through to 94 00:04:42,413 --> 00:04:45,373 Speaker 2: a full squad contract for twenty seven and twenty eight. Look, 95 00:04:45,533 --> 00:04:49,653 Speaker 2: I must admit smothe, you know, watching him sparingly for Canterburen, 96 00:04:49,693 --> 00:04:51,573 Speaker 2: you'd get the odd game, the odd start at six 97 00:04:51,693 --> 00:04:55,373 Speaker 2: or eight, but primarily off the bench. I thought, look, 98 00:04:55,453 --> 00:04:57,213 Speaker 2: you know, you look at the cattle that the Crusaders 99 00:04:57,213 --> 00:04:58,933 Speaker 2: have in the loose forward department. You look at them 100 00:04:58,973 --> 00:05:01,733 Speaker 2: going out and getting an Oli Mathis, which is a 101 00:05:01,813 --> 00:05:04,293 Speaker 2: totally different type of loose forward. But you could kind 102 00:05:04,293 --> 00:05:07,173 Speaker 2: of understand what the Crusaders were thinking in terms of that. 103 00:05:07,213 --> 00:05:09,653 Speaker 2: They would have been to keep Tory and Barnes, but 104 00:05:09,693 --> 00:05:12,773 Speaker 2: they were happy to sort of, you know, spin their luck, 105 00:05:13,053 --> 00:05:15,533 Speaker 2: if you like, in the draft system late last year 106 00:05:15,573 --> 00:05:18,533 Speaker 2: with these wider training group contracts. But the Blues have 107 00:05:18,533 --> 00:05:21,333 Speaker 2: found a gym that whatever he's done over the preseason, 108 00:05:21,613 --> 00:05:24,853 Speaker 2: he looks like he's bulked up, but he is fully yeah, 109 00:05:25,293 --> 00:05:27,573 Speaker 2: buying into the way the Blues are playing. He's got 110 00:05:27,573 --> 00:05:30,853 Speaker 2: that ability to range out in the wider channels and 111 00:05:31,213 --> 00:05:36,013 Speaker 2: equally as effective in tight so no one to follow. 112 00:05:36,053 --> 00:05:37,693 Speaker 2: The Torian buds has been one of the stories of 113 00:05:37,693 --> 00:05:38,093 Speaker 2: the season. 114 00:05:38,293 --> 00:05:40,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, here's indeed Dan. Look, I just want to give 115 00:05:40,133 --> 00:05:42,093 Speaker 3: a shout out to to aj Lambon and look, maybe 116 00:05:42,093 --> 00:05:43,813 Speaker 3: he comes into it a bit later on when we 117 00:05:43,813 --> 00:05:47,093 Speaker 3: give out our three two ones, but he's going overseas 118 00:05:47,133 --> 00:05:49,333 Speaker 3: after the season. But to me, it feels like he's 119 00:05:49,853 --> 00:05:52,933 Speaker 3: played all blacks fifteen rugby, never really had a look 120 00:05:52,933 --> 00:05:56,053 Speaker 3: in at the top level, but that try he's scored 121 00:05:56,613 --> 00:05:59,333 Speaker 3: just the power that he's able to use, but also 122 00:05:59,373 --> 00:06:01,813 Speaker 3: that the speed that he's got. He's so powerful, and 123 00:06:01,853 --> 00:06:04,053 Speaker 3: I just don't know that he even got a proper 124 00:06:04,093 --> 00:06:06,813 Speaker 3: looking at test level. And I believe we may be 125 00:06:06,973 --> 00:06:09,653 Speaker 3: letting a bit of a gym go in aj Lamb 126 00:06:09,893 --> 00:06:12,453 Speaker 3: at the end of the season. You know, he's versatile, 127 00:06:12,453 --> 00:06:15,813 Speaker 3: he's played wing, he can play both positions in midfield. 128 00:06:16,613 --> 00:06:20,413 Speaker 3: You know, strong bench option as well, given the play 129 00:06:20,653 --> 00:06:22,973 Speaker 3: places that he can cover in a back line. But 130 00:06:23,253 --> 00:06:25,413 Speaker 3: I think he beat six to seven defenders on the 131 00:06:25,453 --> 00:06:26,973 Speaker 3: weekend and a few of those would have been in 132 00:06:27,013 --> 00:06:30,453 Speaker 3: that one tribe, but just a really outstanding player that 133 00:06:30,773 --> 00:06:32,773 Speaker 3: maybe just didn't get the look and he deserved it 134 00:06:33,053 --> 00:06:33,853 Speaker 3: at the top table. 135 00:06:34,693 --> 00:06:37,093 Speaker 2: I agree, and look, I think his best position as center. 136 00:06:37,253 --> 00:06:40,613 Speaker 2: And unfortunately for aj Lamb, you know, he had Rico 137 00:06:40,693 --> 00:06:43,213 Speaker 2: Juanna ahead of him for several seasons. He's now really 138 00:06:43,213 --> 00:06:45,893 Speaker 2: getting a chance to show how impactful he can be, 139 00:06:45,973 --> 00:06:50,933 Speaker 2: particularly in terms of that physicalness, the ball carrying. Yeah, 140 00:06:50,933 --> 00:06:54,293 Speaker 2: and there's a litany of players in there around that 141 00:06:54,293 --> 00:06:56,493 Speaker 2: sort of twenty six twenty seven year old age bracket 142 00:06:56,493 --> 00:06:58,213 Speaker 2: who are heading overseas at the end of the season 143 00:06:58,253 --> 00:07:00,773 Speaker 2: who you feel like New Zealand Rugby didn't quite tap 144 00:07:00,813 --> 00:07:04,253 Speaker 2: into sort of or get the full potential out of, 145 00:07:04,333 --> 00:07:06,053 Speaker 2: and a J Lamb would have to be near the 146 00:07:06,053 --> 00:07:06,773 Speaker 2: top of that list. 147 00:07:06,933 --> 00:07:07,213 Speaker 1: They would. 148 00:07:07,253 --> 00:07:09,853 Speaker 3: Indeed, Let's move for the backwards through fr Saturday night 149 00:07:09,893 --> 00:07:14,373 Speaker 3: and the Crusaders fifty Mauana Pacific at twenty one if Miwana, 150 00:07:14,413 --> 00:07:16,533 Speaker 3: if games of rugby were forty minutes, Mowana would be 151 00:07:16,533 --> 00:07:19,653 Speaker 3: pretty dangerous. But as it happens, there are eighty minutes 152 00:07:19,653 --> 00:07:23,493 Speaker 3: and the Crusaders just too good after halftime too clinical. 153 00:07:24,053 --> 00:07:27,773 Speaker 3: They weren't great for patches of that first forty minutes Bules, 154 00:07:27,813 --> 00:07:31,133 Speaker 3: but I thought they were asshured after the break. And 155 00:07:31,173 --> 00:07:32,973 Speaker 3: you know, this is a Crusaders team down on a 156 00:07:32,973 --> 00:07:37,093 Speaker 3: few players, obviously with injuries. Cody Taylor wasn't there on 157 00:07:37,133 --> 00:07:39,413 Speaker 3: the weekend. They had to go down to their fourth 158 00:07:39,493 --> 00:07:42,693 Speaker 3: choice ten. But a good performance, perhaps not great from 159 00:07:42,733 --> 00:07:44,453 Speaker 3: the Crusaders, but when you can turn that on the 160 00:07:44,533 --> 00:07:47,013 Speaker 3: second forty you know you're not doing too bad. 161 00:07:47,453 --> 00:07:49,773 Speaker 2: Yeah. Look, we'll move on quickly here because apparently the 162 00:07:50,133 --> 00:07:52,773 Speaker 2: Rugby Direct listeners don't want to hear the Crusaders commentator 163 00:07:52,813 --> 00:07:56,133 Speaker 2: and a proud Cantabrian talk about the Crusaders. But look, 164 00:07:56,413 --> 00:07:58,573 Speaker 2: I totally agree. I thought it was pretty clunky first 165 00:07:58,573 --> 00:08:02,613 Speaker 2: half and without some of those regulars, it wasn't that flash. 166 00:08:02,653 --> 00:08:04,813 Speaker 2: And look, the Crusaders are trying to force things. I 167 00:08:04,853 --> 00:08:07,013 Speaker 2: think that the games against Mowana you kind of lean 168 00:08:07,053 --> 00:08:09,213 Speaker 2: into that, perhaps a little bit too much and try 169 00:08:09,293 --> 00:08:11,693 Speaker 2: too hard. But then we saw when the like said 170 00:08:11,773 --> 00:08:13,333 Speaker 2: Lester Fining, a nook who came off the bench, ow 171 00:08:13,373 --> 00:08:16,373 Speaker 2: impactful he could be. And another shout out to I 172 00:08:16,373 --> 00:08:18,333 Speaker 2: know I'm probably a flaw investor when it comes to 173 00:08:18,373 --> 00:08:20,573 Speaker 2: Shay Fee Harckey, but I thought he was superb stepped 174 00:08:20,613 --> 00:08:23,493 Speaker 2: up as a goalkicker, scored a couple of tries, showed 175 00:08:23,533 --> 00:08:25,773 Speaker 2: how good he is in the air with that cross 176 00:08:25,773 --> 00:08:29,813 Speaker 2: field kick from Cooper Grant. His stocks arising as far 177 00:08:29,813 --> 00:08:31,973 Speaker 2: as I'm concerned. So look the Crusaders. They go into 178 00:08:31,973 --> 00:08:33,853 Speaker 2: the by first time they've won back to back, so 179 00:08:33,853 --> 00:08:37,333 Speaker 2: they'll be happy, but knowing that bigger tests are to come. 180 00:08:37,413 --> 00:08:39,653 Speaker 3: I completely agree about fee hockey and I've banged the 181 00:08:39,653 --> 00:08:41,173 Speaker 3: strum for a couple of years. But the way that 182 00:08:41,253 --> 00:08:44,933 Speaker 3: Tess rugby is being played at the moment, your skill 183 00:08:44,933 --> 00:08:48,053 Speaker 3: set is so important around the aerial game. He may 184 00:08:48,053 --> 00:08:50,253 Speaker 3: not have the odd and out pace of others, you know, 185 00:08:50,413 --> 00:08:52,493 Speaker 3: he may not have the ability to beat defenders, but 186 00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:54,533 Speaker 3: what he does have is that aerial skill, and he's 187 00:08:54,573 --> 00:08:57,453 Speaker 3: pretty good at the other two facets of play as well. 188 00:08:57,493 --> 00:08:59,893 Speaker 3: I think he's a pretty good defensive reader. He can 189 00:08:59,973 --> 00:09:02,933 Speaker 3: fall off the odd tackle, but most wing is susceptible 190 00:09:02,973 --> 00:09:04,253 Speaker 3: to doing that. But I just think you've got to 191 00:09:04,253 --> 00:09:06,773 Speaker 3: be a little bit pragmatic around what the strengths are 192 00:09:06,813 --> 00:09:08,653 Speaker 3: and then you throw on his goal kicking massive boot 193 00:09:08,693 --> 00:09:11,413 Speaker 3: on him. Handy in that facet, I think he's well 194 00:09:11,453 --> 00:09:13,053 Speaker 3: worthy of a look for for Dave Rnnie and co. 195 00:09:13,173 --> 00:09:13,533 Speaker 3: This year. 196 00:09:14,253 --> 00:09:17,813 Speaker 2: I totally agree. No, you're preaching to the converted already here, Elliott. 197 00:09:18,493 --> 00:09:20,253 Speaker 2: I think he's the full package. I know they've got 198 00:09:20,253 --> 00:09:23,333 Speaker 2: big tickets on him here down in Crusaders countries. Obviously 199 00:09:23,333 --> 00:09:27,133 Speaker 2: from came through the Auckland rugby system, but another that's 200 00:09:27,213 --> 00:09:29,813 Speaker 2: just resigned and put pens of paper. I think another 201 00:09:29,853 --> 00:09:33,013 Speaker 2: two years on his deal, so I think that we're 202 00:09:33,053 --> 00:09:35,133 Speaker 2: still going to see the best at Schaeffe Hockey, certainly 203 00:09:35,133 --> 00:09:38,013 Speaker 2: in a Crusaders jersey, and time will to out to 204 00:09:38,013 --> 00:09:39,493 Speaker 2: see if he'll get a black one as well. 205 00:09:39,573 --> 00:09:44,893 Speaker 3: Absolutely. Let's move back to the Friday Games and the 206 00:09:44,933 --> 00:09:47,813 Speaker 3: Brumbies beating the Chiefs thirty three twenty four. If you 207 00:09:47,853 --> 00:09:50,053 Speaker 3: switched the TV off at twenty four to seven and 208 00:09:50,333 --> 00:09:52,453 Speaker 3: thought that's a chance for an early night here, the 209 00:09:52,493 --> 00:09:54,253 Speaker 3: Chiefs are going to kick on with this one. Will 210 00:09:54,253 --> 00:09:57,053 Speaker 3: you missed a quite manut a half hour of rugby 211 00:09:57,093 --> 00:10:01,253 Speaker 3: as the Brumby stormed back and won that contest in 212 00:10:01,373 --> 00:10:06,173 Speaker 3: remarkable fashion. James Slipper breaking the record slips out for slipper, 213 00:10:06,173 --> 00:10:09,413 Speaker 3: I think was the catch cry last week, Well like 214 00:10:09,413 --> 00:10:11,973 Speaker 3: they're going to have a pretty poor night until about 215 00:10:11,973 --> 00:10:15,253 Speaker 3: the sixty minute mark when they roared back into life. 216 00:10:15,493 --> 00:10:18,133 Speaker 3: Lonigan with a try Charlie Cale who has been so 217 00:10:18,213 --> 00:10:20,493 Speaker 3: good this year, and Meredith gets another that all of 218 00:10:20,533 --> 00:10:25,653 Speaker 3: a sudden they're in front, and just a remarkable turnative events. 219 00:10:25,653 --> 00:10:27,693 Speaker 3: And then right at the end the Chiefs with a 220 00:10:27,773 --> 00:10:31,293 Speaker 3: chance to win it and Corey tool goes and Burgles 221 00:10:31,613 --> 00:10:33,693 Speaker 3: try down the other end and make sure they don't 222 00:10:33,693 --> 00:10:35,893 Speaker 3: even get a bonus point out of it. What did 223 00:10:35,933 --> 00:10:36,893 Speaker 3: you make of that contest? 224 00:10:37,373 --> 00:10:40,733 Speaker 2: Yeah? I uppeoseally from a Chief's perspective, first being twenty 225 00:10:40,773 --> 00:10:42,333 Speaker 2: four to seven in front with an hour to go, 226 00:10:42,413 --> 00:10:44,133 Speaker 2: even on the road at a tricky place to go 227 00:10:44,253 --> 00:10:45,973 Speaker 2: like Canberra, that those are the sort of ones that 228 00:10:46,013 --> 00:10:48,693 Speaker 2: you've got to put away. And I don't quite know 229 00:10:48,733 --> 00:10:51,053 Speaker 2: what it was, whether it was they thought that they 230 00:10:51,093 --> 00:10:53,933 Speaker 2: had the game done and they just switched off for 231 00:10:54,773 --> 00:10:57,093 Speaker 2: you know, ever so slightly. You can't afford to switch 232 00:10:57,133 --> 00:10:59,973 Speaker 2: off in this competition, particularly against a team like the Brumbi. 233 00:11:00,053 --> 00:11:01,973 Speaker 2: So we know, as we cast our minds back to 234 00:11:02,173 --> 00:11:04,533 Speaker 2: was it round two when the Brumbies put fifty on 235 00:11:04,573 --> 00:11:08,813 Speaker 2: the Crusaders. They do finish very well, and I just 236 00:11:08,853 --> 00:11:11,893 Speaker 2: thought some of the leaders there and the Chiefs, there 237 00:11:11,893 --> 00:11:13,693 Speaker 2: were a couple of moments there, of course, after those 238 00:11:13,693 --> 00:11:15,933 Speaker 2: trials were scored, with you just I'm sure these conversations 239 00:11:15,933 --> 00:11:17,813 Speaker 2: are happening. You know, let's get back to basics, let's 240 00:11:17,813 --> 00:11:19,973 Speaker 2: get back to what we have done well in that 241 00:11:20,053 --> 00:11:22,613 Speaker 2: first hour. But it just they couldn't turn the tap 242 00:11:22,613 --> 00:11:25,613 Speaker 2: off once the Brumbies got going. The disappointing factor for mine, 243 00:11:25,613 --> 00:11:27,853 Speaker 2: as you sort of alluded to there, Elliott, the Chiefs 244 00:11:27,853 --> 00:11:30,573 Speaker 2: had the opportunity to steal the game or win it 245 00:11:30,653 --> 00:11:35,013 Speaker 2: back twice. Damien McKenzie missing a seventy seventh minute penalty 246 00:11:35,253 --> 00:11:38,973 Speaker 2: from what about thirty five meters outright in front, that's disappointing. 247 00:11:39,573 --> 00:11:42,853 Speaker 2: But not only that's you know, where was the cool 248 00:11:42,933 --> 00:11:45,373 Speaker 2: heads And that seventy ninth minute mark, you know they're 249 00:11:45,373 --> 00:11:48,733 Speaker 2: a meter away from breaching the Brumbies defense. It got 250 00:11:48,733 --> 00:11:51,173 Speaker 2: a bit how to scouter. All of a sudden, Simon 251 00:11:51,213 --> 00:11:53,973 Speaker 2: Parker's got his head over the ball. Where's Xavier row 252 00:11:54,133 --> 00:11:56,853 Speaker 2: marshaling the troops? And he sort of fumbled and bumbled 253 00:11:56,853 --> 00:11:59,573 Speaker 2: it and Corey Till sort of, you know, just seizes 254 00:11:59,613 --> 00:12:02,453 Speaker 2: on the opportunity from the Parker pass off the grass 255 00:12:02,173 --> 00:12:05,493 Speaker 2: to run what ninety eight meters intercepted and deny the 256 00:12:05,573 --> 00:12:07,573 Speaker 2: Chiefs bonus point as well. I think, yeah, John O 257 00:12:07,613 --> 00:12:09,933 Speaker 2: Gibbs that that flight to Perth. I heard them with 258 00:12:10,773 --> 00:12:13,573 Speaker 2: Jason Pine on Weekend in Sport yesterday on news Talks, 259 00:12:13,613 --> 00:12:15,653 Speaker 2: he'd be it'll be a long flight to Perth. They'll 260 00:12:15,653 --> 00:12:18,853 Speaker 2: be not necessarily soul searching, but one that got away. 261 00:12:18,853 --> 00:12:20,893 Speaker 2: And I know we're going to talk about the playoff 262 00:12:20,933 --> 00:12:23,373 Speaker 2: picture as things stand a little bit later in the podcast, 263 00:12:23,453 --> 00:12:26,253 Speaker 2: but these are the sort of results or going away 264 00:12:26,253 --> 00:12:28,893 Speaker 2: from something like that empty handed when you're up by seventeen, 265 00:12:29,293 --> 00:12:30,453 Speaker 2: it really isn't excusable. 266 00:12:30,533 --> 00:12:33,733 Speaker 3: Absolutely, and I think home advantage in the playoffs is 267 00:12:33,773 --> 00:12:36,533 Speaker 3: so crucial. We saw that last year. You know, the 268 00:12:36,573 --> 00:12:38,693 Speaker 3: Chiefs had home advantage and the Blues were able to 269 00:12:38,813 --> 00:12:41,293 Speaker 3: sweep through and win that game, but they didn't have 270 00:12:41,373 --> 00:12:43,333 Speaker 3: home advantage for the next two weeks as a result, 271 00:12:43,373 --> 00:12:45,493 Speaker 3: and that probably threw away their chance of winning the 272 00:12:45,493 --> 00:12:47,333 Speaker 3: Super Rugby title. They had to go to christ Jurch. 273 00:12:47,453 --> 00:12:50,053 Speaker 3: So the high you are on the ladder the better 274 00:12:50,093 --> 00:12:51,413 Speaker 3: it is at the end of the season. I think 275 00:12:51,493 --> 00:12:53,573 Speaker 3: that's where the Brumbies have sort of folded in the 276 00:12:53,653 --> 00:12:55,573 Speaker 3: last couple of years. That've been very, very good, but 277 00:12:55,573 --> 00:12:58,453 Speaker 3: they've dropped the odd game away from home in the 278 00:12:58,493 --> 00:13:01,293 Speaker 3: regular season that maybe they should have won, and that 279 00:13:01,373 --> 00:13:03,733 Speaker 3: has moved them down the ladder a little bit. Games 280 00:13:03,773 --> 00:13:06,493 Speaker 3: like this, when they've sawn back and managed to win, 281 00:13:06,613 --> 00:13:08,773 Speaker 3: we'll get them in the right positions towards at the 282 00:13:08,893 --> 00:13:12,053 Speaker 3: end of the season. I'm not sure about that game 283 00:13:12,093 --> 00:13:13,933 Speaker 3: management at the end from the Chiefs. I thought it 284 00:13:14,013 --> 00:13:16,293 Speaker 3: was Look, you could probably argue that a drop goal, 285 00:13:16,293 --> 00:13:18,053 Speaker 3: if you miss it, it's a low percentage play, you're 286 00:13:18,093 --> 00:13:21,253 Speaker 3: better off a retaining position. But they were so close 287 00:13:21,293 --> 00:13:23,053 Speaker 3: to the line that surely you should be able to 288 00:13:23,053 --> 00:13:25,933 Speaker 3: put Damien McKenzie into the pocket on the twenty two 289 00:13:26,093 --> 00:13:29,413 Speaker 3: in front enough protection there to either give yourself the 290 00:13:29,413 --> 00:13:31,613 Speaker 3: option of the drop goal or drawing the defenders so 291 00:13:31,653 --> 00:13:33,453 Speaker 3: that you can create something else. I just thought it 292 00:13:33,493 --> 00:13:38,173 Speaker 3: was a really poor passage of leadership and game management 293 00:13:38,213 --> 00:13:40,613 Speaker 3: from the Chiefs to close out that game. Drop goal 294 00:13:40,653 --> 00:13:43,013 Speaker 3: would have won it. They went for the five point truck. 295 00:13:43,053 --> 00:13:45,093 Speaker 3: Can understand it. They'll bang on the line a little bit, 296 00:13:45,133 --> 00:13:47,573 Speaker 3: but three is as good as five. In that situation, 297 00:13:47,973 --> 00:13:49,173 Speaker 3: I would have gone for the drop goal. 298 00:13:49,733 --> 00:13:51,213 Speaker 2: Yeah, we just don't see it, do we. In this 299 00:13:51,293 --> 00:13:53,653 Speaker 2: part of the world. There's just a real lack of 300 00:13:53,693 --> 00:13:56,653 Speaker 2: confidence and going for it. It's, for whatever reason, just 301 00:13:56,733 --> 00:14:00,293 Speaker 2: considered a low percentage play, perhaps because it's just it's 302 00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:03,453 Speaker 2: never really tried. But I think you look at the 303 00:14:03,493 --> 00:14:07,613 Speaker 2: English Premiership or Top fourteen and six nations, they're popping 304 00:14:07,773 --> 00:14:11,373 Speaker 2: drop goals most weekends. So yeah, that's a very good point. 305 00:14:11,653 --> 00:14:14,573 Speaker 3: And to start the round, what a performance from the Hurricanes. 306 00:14:14,653 --> 00:14:19,413 Speaker 3: Fifty points to seven to beat the Highlanders behinds drew 307 00:14:19,413 --> 00:14:22,693 Speaker 3: first blood through jkb Rotami Tavuki Nepkins and that was 308 00:14:22,733 --> 00:14:25,733 Speaker 3: their night done. From a scoring perspective, the Hurricanes just 309 00:14:25,853 --> 00:14:28,973 Speaker 3: very very good, very assured. I know what my co 310 00:14:29,053 --> 00:14:31,853 Speaker 3: host be saying. The cane train is beginning to really 311 00:14:31,933 --> 00:14:34,533 Speaker 3: hit its straps at this point of the season. First Darby, 312 00:14:34,613 --> 00:14:37,013 Speaker 3: that was the question mark over them, while they took 313 00:14:37,093 --> 00:14:41,293 Speaker 3: that first box. Just a clinical, dominant performance from a 314 00:14:41,333 --> 00:14:44,453 Speaker 3: team that looks like and knows the way it wants 315 00:14:44,493 --> 00:14:47,413 Speaker 3: to play this season. We've seen Hurricanes teams in the 316 00:14:47,453 --> 00:14:50,373 Speaker 3: past perhaps be a little too flashy. Well, to me, 317 00:14:50,493 --> 00:14:53,133 Speaker 3: I thought on Friday night, they especially in the first 318 00:14:53,173 --> 00:14:55,973 Speaker 3: forty they played a little bit like a rugby league team. 319 00:14:56,093 --> 00:14:59,093 Speaker 3: And what I mean by that is that they knew 320 00:14:59,133 --> 00:15:01,413 Speaker 3: where they wanted to be in a couple of phases time. 321 00:15:01,453 --> 00:15:03,973 Speaker 3: They just plotted their way around the park. And you 322 00:15:04,013 --> 00:15:07,773 Speaker 3: think about the Great Storm teams where Cameron Smith was 323 00:15:08,093 --> 00:15:10,653 Speaker 3: direct can play out of hooker and Dammi half and 324 00:15:11,373 --> 00:15:13,973 Speaker 3: he'd know where they wanted to be in two sets time, 325 00:15:14,133 --> 00:15:16,533 Speaker 3: and then Cooper Kronk would trust that, and it felt 326 00:15:16,613 --> 00:15:19,533 Speaker 3: like the Hurricanes zero say, we're just playing that start 327 00:15:19,653 --> 00:15:22,293 Speaker 3: of play on the front foot rugby moving up the 328 00:15:22,293 --> 00:15:24,693 Speaker 3: field knowing where they were going to be, and the 329 00:15:24,933 --> 00:15:26,813 Speaker 3: holand has had no answer to try and stop it. 330 00:15:27,333 --> 00:15:29,453 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a very good point. And the one thing 331 00:15:29,493 --> 00:15:31,573 Speaker 2: I was going to add, which was sort of similar 332 00:15:31,613 --> 00:15:35,813 Speaker 2: to that around that league pattern is there's no fixation 333 00:15:36,173 --> 00:15:38,973 Speaker 2: on the first five having to be at first receiver 334 00:15:39,333 --> 00:15:42,533 Speaker 2: or Jordi Barrett having to be at the second man 335 00:15:42,573 --> 00:15:44,493 Speaker 2: to touch the ball because he's wearing the twelve jersey. 336 00:15:44,533 --> 00:15:46,653 Speaker 2: You know Barrett will jump in there at ten and 337 00:15:46,693 --> 00:15:48,573 Speaker 2: then it'll be love out the back, or it can 338 00:15:48,613 --> 00:15:52,453 Speaker 2: be Billy Procter or Callum Hark can sweep or you 339 00:15:52,453 --> 00:15:54,693 Speaker 2: know even cam Royguard can step in there in the 340 00:15:54,733 --> 00:15:58,293 Speaker 2: first five position. They're also skillful there with their ball 341 00:15:58,373 --> 00:16:00,693 Speaker 2: distribution that it doesn't really matter. But as you say, 342 00:16:00,733 --> 00:16:04,093 Speaker 2: it almost felt like a glorified training run there at 343 00:16:04,093 --> 00:16:06,213 Speaker 2: some stages there for the Hurricanes. The way that they 344 00:16:06,213 --> 00:16:08,733 Speaker 2: were able to sweep the ball from one side of 345 00:16:08,773 --> 00:16:10,533 Speaker 2: the field to the other while making ground and I 346 00:16:10,613 --> 00:16:12,693 Speaker 2: suppose to knock on the canes as you say, Eliot, 347 00:16:12,693 --> 00:16:14,653 Speaker 2: and the past has been too flashy. But the way 348 00:16:14,693 --> 00:16:16,933 Speaker 2: that they're pack fronted as well, and they're so physical 349 00:16:16,973 --> 00:16:18,813 Speaker 2: with their ball carrying. I mean, just look at the 350 00:16:18,813 --> 00:16:21,613 Speaker 2: way that Devin Flanders just bulldoze his way to the 351 00:16:21,653 --> 00:16:24,013 Speaker 2: line to finish off that special team try early in 352 00:16:24,053 --> 00:16:26,533 Speaker 2: the second half. Guy's like Peter Larkey, I thought that 353 00:16:26,733 --> 00:16:29,213 Speaker 2: the scrum was dominant again as well as is still 354 00:16:29,213 --> 00:16:33,733 Speaker 2: without Tyrrel Lomax. That there's a lot to like about 355 00:16:33,733 --> 00:16:37,173 Speaker 2: this Hurricanes team and the way they performing. They've got depths, 356 00:16:38,133 --> 00:16:40,213 Speaker 2: as you say, it was that first New Zealand Derby. 357 00:16:40,253 --> 00:16:42,373 Speaker 2: There'll be tough at Derby's to come just having a 358 00:16:42,453 --> 00:16:45,813 Speaker 2: quick lockdown their list and I know they've got the 359 00:16:45,893 --> 00:16:49,613 Speaker 2: Reds next, but then it's Blues and Chiefs. So again 360 00:16:50,613 --> 00:16:52,733 Speaker 2: I want to reserve a little bit of judgment for 361 00:16:53,053 --> 00:16:55,133 Speaker 2: the Canes, but you can only play what's in front 362 00:16:55,173 --> 00:16:57,293 Speaker 2: of you. The way that they're going about their work, 363 00:16:57,333 --> 00:17:00,253 Speaker 2: they racked up one thy and twenty one carry meters. 364 00:17:00,293 --> 00:17:03,333 Speaker 2: It was just totally and utterly dominant. I thought Cameroy 365 00:17:03,373 --> 00:17:06,853 Speaker 2: guard was superb. I thought Reuben Love was superb. Yeah, 366 00:17:07,293 --> 00:17:09,573 Speaker 2: there's a lot to like, but not if you're a 367 00:17:09,613 --> 00:17:10,213 Speaker 2: Highland Is fan. 368 00:17:10,333 --> 00:17:12,213 Speaker 3: No, let's stick into it to Ruben Love at ten. 369 00:17:12,333 --> 00:17:14,453 Speaker 3: There's been cries for him to get more game time 370 00:17:14,493 --> 00:17:16,693 Speaker 3: at ten. He got a little bit last year, but 371 00:17:16,733 --> 00:17:18,213 Speaker 3: that was in the back end of the season after 372 00:17:18,253 --> 00:17:21,613 Speaker 3: he come back from injury for the Hurricanes. Didn't really 373 00:17:21,653 --> 00:17:25,733 Speaker 3: get a looking at test level last year. But I thought, 374 00:17:25,893 --> 00:17:28,453 Speaker 3: you know, again, they weren't up to much the Highlanders 375 00:17:28,653 --> 00:17:30,613 Speaker 3: and he could only play what was in front of them. 376 00:17:30,653 --> 00:17:32,933 Speaker 3: But I just thought that's a performance that there's a 377 00:17:32,973 --> 00:17:36,413 Speaker 3: lot to like about from Ruben Love. Perhaps needs to 378 00:17:36,413 --> 00:17:38,413 Speaker 3: work on the game management a little bit, but again, 379 00:17:38,453 --> 00:17:41,013 Speaker 3: those tougher tests will come in those games that you 380 00:17:41,093 --> 00:17:44,453 Speaker 3: mentioned in the weeks that will follow, But that has 381 00:17:44,493 --> 00:17:47,053 Speaker 3: to be the nineteen option for the Hurricanes the rest 382 00:17:47,093 --> 00:17:48,933 Speaker 3: of the season. I know they've been short of a 383 00:17:48,973 --> 00:17:51,333 Speaker 3: couple of players and you know Harkens slotted in at ten, 384 00:17:51,453 --> 00:17:53,093 Speaker 3: but if you know, I think they've just got to 385 00:17:53,173 --> 00:17:55,733 Speaker 3: keep rolling that out because it's a very very dangerous 386 00:17:56,053 --> 00:17:58,333 Speaker 3: combo and with an at all Blacks level, you know, 387 00:17:58,413 --> 00:18:01,373 Speaker 3: accommodations are important at super level as you're flow into 388 00:18:01,373 --> 00:18:02,093 Speaker 3: the test side too. 389 00:18:02,533 --> 00:18:04,773 Speaker 2: Oh, I certainly are then the more reps that that 390 00:18:05,213 --> 00:18:09,813 Speaker 2: little triumphant with Roy Gyard, Love and Barrett can get 391 00:18:10,213 --> 00:18:14,093 Speaker 2: at super Abia level. That's only going to put their 392 00:18:14,133 --> 00:18:17,293 Speaker 2: cases forward for Dave, Rennie and Cove towards the back 393 00:18:17,333 --> 00:18:19,053 Speaker 2: end of the season. As you said, I think that 394 00:18:19,093 --> 00:18:20,933 Speaker 2: was the perfect game for Ruben Love in terms of 395 00:18:21,253 --> 00:18:24,893 Speaker 2: its openness, its expansiveness. The real tests for him will 396 00:18:24,893 --> 00:18:28,333 Speaker 2: be on those cooler nights when the winds rarely picking 397 00:18:28,373 --> 00:18:30,773 Speaker 2: up in Wellington and he has to game manage a 398 00:18:30,773 --> 00:18:32,893 Speaker 2: little bit more in perhaps with a Ford pack that 399 00:18:32,973 --> 00:18:37,333 Speaker 2: isn't going as going forward as often. So look, I'm 400 00:18:37,453 --> 00:18:39,973 Speaker 2: very encouraged. I've been one who's been waiting to see 401 00:18:40,013 --> 00:18:42,893 Speaker 2: Ruben Love play a lot more at ten through circumstance 402 00:18:42,933 --> 00:18:44,613 Speaker 2: to a degree, we're going to see a bit more 403 00:18:44,613 --> 00:18:48,133 Speaker 2: of it now, but it was a very exciting watch 404 00:18:48,293 --> 00:18:50,773 Speaker 2: to just see how good he could be, particularly with 405 00:18:50,813 --> 00:18:51,333 Speaker 2: ball in hand. 406 00:18:51,453 --> 00:18:54,693 Speaker 3: Absolutely one of the Highlanders, i mean, fired one shot 407 00:18:54,733 --> 00:18:56,853 Speaker 3: right at the start, didn't really fire another one for 408 00:18:56,893 --> 00:19:00,773 Speaker 3: the entire eighty minutes. They look like a team down 409 00:19:00,813 --> 00:19:03,653 Speaker 3: on confidence. They're certainly down on a few numbers. They've 410 00:19:03,653 --> 00:19:07,613 Speaker 3: got a few issues at Locke, Recha and Passeitor at 411 00:19:07,613 --> 00:19:11,693 Speaker 3: team not sure he's the answer, but they just don't 412 00:19:11,773 --> 00:19:14,293 Speaker 3: seem like a team that has any confidence about them 413 00:19:14,333 --> 00:19:15,333 Speaker 3: at this point of the season. 414 00:19:15,973 --> 00:19:18,533 Speaker 2: Yeah, and the point about Passi Tai, I think last 415 00:19:18,533 --> 00:19:20,973 Speaker 2: time I stepped into this podcast, we were talking about 416 00:19:21,013 --> 00:19:23,213 Speaker 2: cam Miller not being the answer either in terms of 417 00:19:23,253 --> 00:19:27,373 Speaker 2: his creativity at ten. So you feel for JB, Joseph 418 00:19:27,373 --> 00:19:29,413 Speaker 2: and Cobe because you just look at the cattle that 419 00:19:29,453 --> 00:19:31,773 Speaker 2: they have and this has been an ongoing issue with 420 00:19:31,813 --> 00:19:33,973 Speaker 2: the Highlanders in terms of their recruitment, and you can 421 00:19:34,013 --> 00:19:36,653 Speaker 2: pare that up against the Crusaders of Hurricanes, the Chiefs 422 00:19:36,653 --> 00:19:39,413 Speaker 2: and the Blues and it's just it's not the same. 423 00:19:39,573 --> 00:19:43,253 Speaker 2: So what they did so well in twenty fifteen way 424 00:19:43,253 --> 00:19:45,853 Speaker 2: back when is they got the absolute best out of 425 00:19:45,933 --> 00:19:47,213 Speaker 2: the players. 426 00:19:46,853 --> 00:19:47,493 Speaker 1: That they had. 427 00:19:48,013 --> 00:19:50,453 Speaker 2: But I just feel for them because I don't really 428 00:19:50,493 --> 00:19:54,413 Speaker 2: know what the answer is. That they might scrap away 429 00:19:54,733 --> 00:19:58,173 Speaker 2: and try and sneak into the six, but I can't 430 00:19:58,213 --> 00:20:00,933 Speaker 2: see it at this point in time. And yeah, as 431 00:20:00,933 --> 00:20:02,733 Speaker 2: I said a lot a wee while ago, now, just 432 00:20:02,773 --> 00:20:05,413 Speaker 2: the losses of Farby and Holland, and I know he 433 00:20:05,413 --> 00:20:07,053 Speaker 2: hasn't played a super baki game of the loss adl 434 00:20:07,093 --> 00:20:11,693 Speaker 2: and pledge you too. It's verging on terminal now. And 435 00:20:11,773 --> 00:20:13,173 Speaker 2: now that we're at round six. 436 00:20:12,973 --> 00:20:15,133 Speaker 3: And let's take quick break, come back with the final 437 00:20:15,293 --> 00:20:18,853 Speaker 3: four after this time, Now for the final four on 438 00:20:19,093 --> 00:20:21,933 Speaker 3: Rugby Direct, friend of the podcast Steve Lenthal had a 439 00:20:22,053 --> 00:20:25,533 Speaker 3: message and suggested that one of the final four topics 440 00:20:25,533 --> 00:20:27,613 Speaker 3: be what was the better fifty point win on the 441 00:20:27,653 --> 00:20:33,613 Speaker 3: weekend Hurricanes or Crusaders. Maybe we'll just leave that one 442 00:20:33,813 --> 00:20:35,293 Speaker 3: and Lim can answer that when he gets back to 443 00:20:35,293 --> 00:20:37,773 Speaker 3: the podcast at some point. But the actual final four, 444 00:20:38,093 --> 00:20:41,173 Speaker 3: Jason Holland announced on Saturday, Alien actually broke this story 445 00:20:41,733 --> 00:20:44,773 Speaker 3: appointed as the Blues coach from twenty twenty seven. Of course, 446 00:20:44,813 --> 00:20:47,773 Speaker 3: former Hurricanes head coach. They went to the All Blacks 447 00:20:48,093 --> 00:20:51,693 Speaker 3: as a strike play coach and assistant backs coach. Didn't 448 00:20:51,733 --> 00:20:53,133 Speaker 3: work out. He wasn't going to be part of the 449 00:20:53,173 --> 00:20:56,133 Speaker 3: setup even before Scott Robertson got sacked, went back to 450 00:20:56,173 --> 00:20:58,173 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes as an assistant in the season, and now 451 00:20:58,173 --> 00:21:01,653 Speaker 3: he lands the top job at the Blues. He surprised 452 00:21:01,653 --> 00:21:02,773 Speaker 3: by this, Bills. 453 00:21:03,533 --> 00:21:07,293 Speaker 2: No, I'm not surprised. It seemed pretty obvious to me 454 00:21:07,413 --> 00:21:09,693 Speaker 2: that when Jason hyle And left the All Blacks coaching 455 00:21:09,773 --> 00:21:12,773 Speaker 2: mix late last year he was pretty keen to get 456 00:21:12,773 --> 00:21:16,173 Speaker 2: back into a head coaching gig, and in fact, sort 457 00:21:16,173 --> 00:21:20,413 Speaker 2: of throughout the Scott Robertson tenure, with Jason Holland and 458 00:21:20,413 --> 00:21:23,293 Speaker 2: and Leo McDonald coming in having been head coaches at 459 00:21:23,293 --> 00:21:27,373 Speaker 2: Super Aby level, that was always perhaps the concern or 460 00:21:27,373 --> 00:21:29,453 Speaker 2: the query as to how these guys would go slotting 461 00:21:29,493 --> 00:21:32,013 Speaker 2: back in as assistants. So I always thought it was 462 00:21:32,053 --> 00:21:34,613 Speaker 2: going to be a temporary measure for Jason Holland once 463 00:21:34,653 --> 00:21:37,773 Speaker 2: he landed back at the Hurricanes. I suppose that you 464 00:21:37,773 --> 00:21:39,413 Speaker 2: could say a little bit surprised that he's landed in 465 00:21:39,453 --> 00:21:43,013 Speaker 2: another New Zealand Super franchise and rather than hitting overseas. 466 00:21:43,093 --> 00:21:45,173 Speaker 2: But as he pointed out to Jason Pine on News 467 00:21:45,213 --> 00:21:47,333 Speaker 2: Talks here Be yesterday, it was an opportunity too good 468 00:21:47,373 --> 00:21:50,653 Speaker 2: to turn down for me. It'll be interesting. I was 469 00:21:50,693 --> 00:21:54,733 Speaker 2: supposed Smithy to see how much he wants to bring 470 00:21:54,773 --> 00:21:58,253 Speaker 2: in his style versus the Vern cot away. And I 471 00:21:58,293 --> 00:21:59,853 Speaker 2: know you'll have some thoughts on this as well as 472 00:21:59,893 --> 00:22:02,253 Speaker 2: the Blues play by player commentator. But as we know 473 00:22:02,333 --> 00:22:05,053 Speaker 2: about the Blues, you know, particularly in year one when 474 00:22:05,053 --> 00:22:08,253 Speaker 2: they won the title under Vern, it was no free, 475 00:22:08,333 --> 00:22:13,333 Speaker 2: abrasive sort of buying aga into that Kluemont style and 476 00:22:13,373 --> 00:22:16,893 Speaker 2: being very direct. Jason Holland, as you outline being that 477 00:22:17,013 --> 00:22:20,573 Speaker 2: skills specialist for the All Blacks coach or strike play specialist, 478 00:22:21,653 --> 00:22:24,453 Speaker 2: you know, I suspect he'll be looking at a bit 479 00:22:24,493 --> 00:22:27,013 Speaker 2: more of an expansive style of play. And I suppose 480 00:22:27,053 --> 00:22:28,973 Speaker 2: secondary to that too, coming in in a World Cup 481 00:22:29,053 --> 00:22:32,253 Speaker 2: year when it's tricky for Super Ugby coaches, they'll know 482 00:22:32,373 --> 00:22:35,333 Speaker 2: they'll be told from the top down. Look, this is 483 00:22:35,373 --> 00:22:37,333 Speaker 2: how you have to manage Bowden, Barrett, this is how 484 00:22:37,373 --> 00:22:39,973 Speaker 2: you have to manage your other All Black scattle, Patrick 485 00:22:40,013 --> 00:22:43,093 Speaker 2: Tupelo two and the likes what with the Jason Hollands 486 00:22:43,173 --> 00:22:44,813 Speaker 2: in a bit of a holding pattern in year one 487 00:22:44,853 --> 00:22:46,773 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty seven and then can rarely go full 488 00:22:46,773 --> 00:22:48,613 Speaker 2: steam ahead from twenty twenty eight. 489 00:22:48,693 --> 00:22:51,333 Speaker 3: Well, I think he won't want to throw the baby 490 00:22:51,333 --> 00:22:53,413 Speaker 3: out with the bath water. The Blue has done some 491 00:22:53,453 --> 00:22:55,853 Speaker 3: good things in the last couple of years. One that's 492 00:22:55,893 --> 00:22:57,893 Speaker 3: needed in the title. Last year they sort of caught 493 00:22:57,933 --> 00:23:00,893 Speaker 3: fire a bit too late in the season and maybe 494 00:23:00,933 --> 00:23:03,013 Speaker 3: could have even gone a bit further After that, went 495 00:23:03,053 --> 00:23:05,093 Speaker 3: over the Chiefs and the knockouts and went close to 496 00:23:05,133 --> 00:23:07,853 Speaker 3: beating the Crusaders in christ Church in the semi final round. 497 00:23:08,693 --> 00:23:10,653 Speaker 3: So he won't want to throw away too much. But 498 00:23:10,653 --> 00:23:12,973 Speaker 3: I think he's also going to have to adapt next 499 00:23:13,053 --> 00:23:15,813 Speaker 3: year because he's coming into a team that will be 500 00:23:15,853 --> 00:23:19,293 Speaker 3: missing Dalton Papaletti who's going overseas, a Joe Lamb who's 501 00:23:19,333 --> 00:23:22,013 Speaker 3: going overseas. I'm trying to think there's any o other 502 00:23:22,053 --> 00:23:24,333 Speaker 3: ones from the Blues that'll be departing, but there's certainly 503 00:23:24,333 --> 00:23:26,093 Speaker 3: a couple of players there that he's going to have 504 00:23:26,133 --> 00:23:28,573 Speaker 3: to replace. He's obviously got touring in Barns into a 505 00:23:28,573 --> 00:23:31,053 Speaker 3: bigger role next year, as we've touched on earlier in 506 00:23:31,133 --> 00:23:34,093 Speaker 3: the podcast, Boden Barrett maybe gets one more year out 507 00:23:34,093 --> 00:23:37,293 Speaker 3: of him next year, but probably won't resign beyond twenty 508 00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:39,493 Speaker 3: twenty seven. You wouldn't have thought New Zealand Rugby, So 509 00:23:39,933 --> 00:23:41,293 Speaker 3: nixt year is going to be, as you say, very 510 00:23:41,373 --> 00:23:44,213 Speaker 3: very interesting, and it may be that he's sort of 511 00:23:44,253 --> 00:23:46,773 Speaker 3: plodding towards twenty twenty eight in terms of recruitment and 512 00:23:47,053 --> 00:23:50,453 Speaker 3: where the certain players are going to be in certain positions. 513 00:23:51,133 --> 00:23:53,253 Speaker 3: By that engineer Peyton Spencer. We saw a glimpse of 514 00:23:53,333 --> 00:23:54,693 Speaker 3: him on the weekend. He will no doubt play a 515 00:23:54,693 --> 00:23:57,973 Speaker 3: bigger role over the next couple of years Arico Simpson 516 00:23:58,253 --> 00:24:00,333 Speaker 3: and there are others coming through the under twenty setup. 517 00:24:00,413 --> 00:24:03,373 Speaker 3: So yeah, twenty twenty seven Loombs is a sad, a 518 00:24:03,373 --> 00:24:04,933 Speaker 3: bit of a holding pattern. Yet I'm sure the Blues 519 00:24:04,933 --> 00:24:07,013 Speaker 3: won't see it as that and won't go in with 520 00:24:07,013 --> 00:24:09,813 Speaker 3: that mentality. But given the changes that have been made 521 00:24:09,853 --> 00:24:12,253 Speaker 3: to their personnel and as you say that they're looming 522 00:24:12,293 --> 00:24:15,573 Speaker 3: thing of the World Cup, it's going to be interesting 523 00:24:15,573 --> 00:24:17,573 Speaker 3: to see how he manages that. So we wait and 524 00:24:17,613 --> 00:24:20,813 Speaker 3: see top number two in the final four. Do we 525 00:24:20,853 --> 00:24:24,493 Speaker 3: have our top six already in Super Rugby Hurricane, not 526 00:24:24,573 --> 00:24:28,933 Speaker 3: in this order necessarily, but in the top six currently Hurricanes, Blues, Brumb's, Reds, Crusaders, 527 00:24:29,013 --> 00:24:31,813 Speaker 3: Chiefs on the outside looking in the Wartars three points 528 00:24:31,813 --> 00:24:34,813 Speaker 3: behind the Chiefs, then the Highlanders, the Drewer, Force and 529 00:24:34,853 --> 00:24:38,573 Speaker 3: Moana Pacifica. Can you see anyone from outside that top 530 00:24:38,613 --> 00:24:42,773 Speaker 3: six after six rounds Bulls moving their way into that 531 00:24:42,813 --> 00:24:43,373 Speaker 3: top six? 532 00:24:43,693 --> 00:24:46,133 Speaker 2: Oh this is a bit grim to say after that context, 533 00:24:46,173 --> 00:24:49,973 Speaker 2: isn't it. But yes is my answer, which is a 534 00:24:49,973 --> 00:24:51,653 Speaker 2: bit of a shame. And look, there will be some 535 00:24:51,733 --> 00:24:54,613 Speaker 2: jeopardy on the order, which is exciting for the fan. 536 00:24:55,733 --> 00:25:00,093 Speaker 2: But as you outline there Waratars, Highlanders, Drewer, Force and Mowana, 537 00:25:00,093 --> 00:25:01,773 Speaker 2: I think you've put a line through the Drewer, the 538 00:25:01,853 --> 00:25:07,013 Speaker 2: Force and Moana the Wartars too. Is if they can 539 00:25:07,053 --> 00:25:08,693 Speaker 2: just sort this shit out a little bit. I mean, 540 00:25:09,293 --> 00:25:12,853 Speaker 2: I know that they're without Joseph Suli. They started with 541 00:25:12,893 --> 00:25:15,893 Speaker 2: two wins, what they had three losses and a bye 542 00:25:15,933 --> 00:25:19,453 Speaker 2: since they do have the Highlanders and the Force twice 543 00:25:20,013 --> 00:25:22,613 Speaker 2: the back end of their season. But then you look 544 00:25:22,653 --> 00:25:26,053 Speaker 2: at the quality of the top six and who of 545 00:25:26,093 --> 00:25:28,933 Speaker 2: them is falling out? I was impressed by the Reds 546 00:25:28,933 --> 00:25:30,573 Speaker 2: as well. We didn't get to the Reds drawer, but 547 00:25:30,653 --> 00:25:33,013 Speaker 2: that's a really tough place to go and win. So 548 00:25:33,053 --> 00:25:36,693 Speaker 2: they're four from five, they've had a buy I think 549 00:25:36,733 --> 00:25:38,733 Speaker 2: the Brumbies will be there as well, and those four 550 00:25:38,813 --> 00:25:43,693 Speaker 2: New Zealand anyways, so do you disagree. 551 00:25:43,253 --> 00:25:45,813 Speaker 3: Well, I don't disagree. It's this here. I can really 552 00:25:45,813 --> 00:25:48,693 Speaker 3: only see the war Retahs coming through out of that lot. 553 00:25:48,733 --> 00:25:50,653 Speaker 3: And the question mark I would have is funny enough 554 00:25:50,653 --> 00:25:55,453 Speaker 3: with the Crusaders, they've got the drawer after the buye 555 00:25:56,493 --> 00:25:58,973 Speaker 3: on Good Friday, then they're away to the Reds in 556 00:25:59,013 --> 00:26:03,213 Speaker 3: the Force. Now they should probably win both of those, 557 00:26:03,453 --> 00:26:05,693 Speaker 3: but the Reds are tricky and Brisbane and the Force 558 00:26:05,693 --> 00:26:07,853 Speaker 3: hasn't always been a happy hunting ground for the Crusaders. 559 00:26:07,893 --> 00:26:09,853 Speaker 3: But again, by good enough to win both of those 560 00:26:09,893 --> 00:26:11,933 Speaker 3: games and to come home launch the new stadium against 561 00:26:11,933 --> 00:26:14,293 Speaker 3: the Waratas. Should win that. But then they finished and 562 00:26:14,293 --> 00:26:15,613 Speaker 3: I know they've got to buy in the middle of it, 563 00:26:15,693 --> 00:26:18,613 Speaker 3: but they've got four Derby's in a row to finish. 564 00:26:18,773 --> 00:26:22,013 Speaker 3: And look, I'm not saying they won't there and look 565 00:26:22,013 --> 00:26:23,973 Speaker 3: there was some promising signs on Saturday night, but I 566 00:26:24,053 --> 00:26:26,453 Speaker 3: just I think that that schedules really difficult to end 567 00:26:26,453 --> 00:26:30,533 Speaker 3: the season Hurricanes away, Blues at home. Then they have 568 00:26:30,613 --> 00:26:32,493 Speaker 3: the buy, then they've got the Chiefs at home and 569 00:26:32,533 --> 00:26:36,493 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes at home. Now they've front loaded the games 570 00:26:36,533 --> 00:26:38,213 Speaker 3: and so they can have a run at the new 571 00:26:38,253 --> 00:26:41,213 Speaker 3: stadium and then it'll be fantastic. But that's a lot 572 00:26:41,253 --> 00:26:44,093 Speaker 3: of you know, last four games, you know, depending on 573 00:26:44,093 --> 00:26:45,613 Speaker 3: how much they need out of it. I just think 574 00:26:45,613 --> 00:26:46,653 Speaker 3: there's a question mark there. 575 00:26:47,253 --> 00:26:49,813 Speaker 2: No, I totally agree. And look that they've known obviously, 576 00:26:49,853 --> 00:26:53,093 Speaker 2: they've had this draw out for some time around the 577 00:26:53,133 --> 00:26:55,533 Speaker 2: back end of their drawer and how tricky it is 578 00:26:55,573 --> 00:26:57,853 Speaker 2: and how they've played a part in that because they 579 00:26:57,893 --> 00:27:01,013 Speaker 2: wanted the big fixtures to be in one in Zied 580 00:27:01,093 --> 00:27:05,413 Speaker 2: Stadium to Kaha. So it's a very good point. And look, 581 00:27:05,453 --> 00:27:09,693 Speaker 2: they have been clunky these first six weeks, so I 582 00:27:09,733 --> 00:27:12,613 Speaker 2: suspect there will be there. But yeah, no, you make 583 00:27:12,653 --> 00:27:14,693 Speaker 2: a very very compelling case that they might be the 584 00:27:14,693 --> 00:27:15,853 Speaker 2: ones to fall out. 585 00:27:16,053 --> 00:27:18,533 Speaker 3: Easter Weekend next week. In you raised the point to 586 00:27:18,533 --> 00:27:21,213 Speaker 3: me this morning. It's only three games on Easter Weekend, 587 00:27:21,533 --> 00:27:24,493 Speaker 3: the Crusaders against the drawer and the last dance at 588 00:27:24,493 --> 00:27:26,933 Speaker 3: a Polo Project stadium. On Good Friday. We're all looking 589 00:27:26,973 --> 00:27:30,653 Speaker 3: forward to that Chicks warret seven oh five on Saturday, 590 00:27:30,693 --> 00:27:33,853 Speaker 3: and then the Reds Force only three games. It surprises 591 00:27:33,893 --> 00:27:35,453 Speaker 3: me a little bit. Last year I think they had 592 00:27:35,453 --> 00:27:37,973 Speaker 3: a full slate and a couple of times last year 593 00:27:37,973 --> 00:27:40,133 Speaker 3: I think I had a four game weekend, so there 594 00:27:40,173 --> 00:27:42,493 Speaker 3: were more teams with the buy, but didn't quite realize 595 00:27:42,493 --> 00:27:45,493 Speaker 3: there's only three games. Do you reckon it's crowded down 596 00:27:45,533 --> 00:27:49,093 Speaker 3: to crowd figures or just a I guess a good 597 00:27:49,093 --> 00:27:52,213 Speaker 3: opportunity to give teams a buy. At the midway ish 598 00:27:52,253 --> 00:27:53,413 Speaker 3: point of the season. 599 00:27:53,893 --> 00:27:56,093 Speaker 2: I was listening to a little radio show called The 600 00:27:56,173 --> 00:28:00,053 Speaker 2: Mike Costing Breakfast this morning. You might have heard of it, Yeah, 601 00:28:00,093 --> 00:28:03,133 Speaker 2: and Andrew several and the commentary box mentioned three games, 602 00:28:03,173 --> 00:28:05,173 Speaker 2: and I just I just couldn't believe it. I I'd 603 00:28:05,173 --> 00:28:09,493 Speaker 2: to go check and look, there is situation or last 604 00:28:09,613 --> 00:28:12,253 Speaker 2: year where they'll have four game rounds or this is 605 00:28:12,253 --> 00:28:14,493 Speaker 2: obviously you know, it's awkward having eleven teams, so I 606 00:28:14,533 --> 00:28:16,573 Speaker 2: get that, but just to have just to have the 607 00:28:16,693 --> 00:28:19,333 Speaker 2: three and look, I know in the past and particularly 608 00:28:19,373 --> 00:28:21,333 Speaker 2: here in christ Church, I think where they can I 609 00:28:21,373 --> 00:28:23,293 Speaker 2: know they've got one on Good Friday, that last game 610 00:28:23,333 --> 00:28:25,213 Speaker 2: at Apollo against the drib But where they can, they 611 00:28:25,213 --> 00:28:27,853 Speaker 2: do request to not play Easter weekend, a lot of 612 00:28:27,893 --> 00:28:30,733 Speaker 2: people clear out from christ Church and go to Kai 613 00:28:30,853 --> 00:28:35,293 Speaker 2: Tidy or Hanmer or Akrol wherever. So But then I 614 00:28:35,333 --> 00:28:37,573 Speaker 2: look at it on the other side of the Code 615 00:28:37,653 --> 00:28:40,373 Speaker 2: Battle if you like, or the Battle for Eyeballs, and look, 616 00:28:40,413 --> 00:28:42,933 Speaker 2: it's a seventeen team competition in the NRL, but there's 617 00:28:42,933 --> 00:28:45,813 Speaker 2: a full slate of eight fixtures, the first ones on Thursday, 618 00:28:45,853 --> 00:28:48,533 Speaker 2: the last ones on Monday, so that there feels like 619 00:28:48,573 --> 00:28:51,853 Speaker 2: an audience there that is willing to engage, certainly at 620 00:28:51,893 --> 00:28:55,573 Speaker 2: least at a broadcast standpoint. So I do find three 621 00:28:57,253 --> 00:29:00,573 Speaker 2: a little curious, to say the least, and perhaps something 622 00:29:00,613 --> 00:29:02,573 Speaker 2: that needs a little bit more examination. 623 00:29:02,653 --> 00:29:04,693 Speaker 3: Yeah, it does seem a little bit odd, but I'm 624 00:29:04,693 --> 00:29:06,853 Speaker 3: with you. I know the Blues struggle to get crowds. 625 00:29:06,893 --> 00:29:10,413 Speaker 3: I think at an Easter game a couple of years 626 00:29:10,453 --> 00:29:12,293 Speaker 3: ago maybe, and it didn't work out well. And there's 627 00:29:12,293 --> 00:29:16,373 Speaker 3: all sorts of licensing rules around booze and various things 628 00:29:16,693 --> 00:29:19,293 Speaker 3: around those days as well, and how much booze or 629 00:29:19,333 --> 00:29:21,813 Speaker 3: any booze you can sell, and that obviously hits the 630 00:29:22,213 --> 00:29:24,733 Speaker 3: vendors as well, So there's little things like that that 631 00:29:24,813 --> 00:29:27,213 Speaker 3: play into it. But does seem very very quiet for 632 00:29:27,293 --> 00:29:29,853 Speaker 3: a weekend where a lot of the shops aren't open. 633 00:29:30,453 --> 00:29:32,373 Speaker 3: You've sort of got a little bit of a captive market. 634 00:29:32,413 --> 00:29:36,013 Speaker 3: At least, as you say, from a broadcast perspective, options 635 00:29:36,013 --> 00:29:39,053 Speaker 3: are limited in terms of entertainment. You think you might 636 00:29:39,093 --> 00:29:40,773 Speaker 3: make it the most of that, but I'm sure there 637 00:29:40,773 --> 00:29:43,853 Speaker 3: are compelling reasons behind closed doors as to why that 638 00:29:43,973 --> 00:29:46,693 Speaker 3: is not the case. Topic four in the Final four 639 00:29:46,933 --> 00:29:49,813 Speaker 3: Blackfood squad for Pacific four has been named. Plenty of 640 00:29:49,853 --> 00:29:53,093 Speaker 3: new faces that Whitney Hansen is named in her first squad. 641 00:29:53,093 --> 00:29:56,533 Speaker 3: I think she's got eight potential debutantes in all, but 642 00:29:56,613 --> 00:29:59,173 Speaker 3: I guess, as always, it's about the omissions and the 643 00:29:59,173 --> 00:30:02,053 Speaker 3: players that aren't the air and that the names that 644 00:30:02,133 --> 00:30:05,453 Speaker 3: stand out are pretty big ones as well that have 645 00:30:05,493 --> 00:30:09,173 Speaker 3: been regular faces for the And I don't know the 646 00:30:09,213 --> 00:30:12,053 Speaker 3: full story behind some of them, but Ilitana Ohio was 647 00:30:12,053 --> 00:30:14,933 Speaker 3: part of that World Cup squad last year. She's not there. 648 00:30:15,013 --> 00:30:17,973 Speaker 3: Just the two half backs that Winnie Hansen has gone with, Taraturner, 649 00:30:17,973 --> 00:30:20,373 Speaker 3: who was very impressive last year for the Blues, gets 650 00:30:20,373 --> 00:30:23,413 Speaker 3: her opportunity. So look, start of World Cup cycle bules 651 00:30:23,413 --> 00:30:24,853 Speaker 3: a bit of a changing of the guard, but there 652 00:30:24,853 --> 00:30:28,773 Speaker 3: are some familiar faces the as well among those players 653 00:30:28,813 --> 00:30:29,533 Speaker 3: that are missing. 654 00:30:30,373 --> 00:30:33,533 Speaker 2: Yes, certainly familiar. It's not baby out with the bathwater, 655 00:30:33,693 --> 00:30:36,213 Speaker 2: is it, from the transition from the Alan Bunting era 656 00:30:36,293 --> 00:30:38,373 Speaker 2: to the Whitney Hanson era. But of course there was 657 00:30:38,413 --> 00:30:40,173 Speaker 2: always going to be some gaps to fill, and this 658 00:30:40,293 --> 00:30:44,013 Speaker 2: primarily with the Pack four series being in April and 659 00:30:44,053 --> 00:30:47,413 Speaker 2: the World seven series still being ongoing or entering the 660 00:30:47,533 --> 00:30:49,813 Speaker 2: what is it called the World Championship phase or whatever 661 00:30:49,813 --> 00:30:52,693 Speaker 2: they've coined it this year, So no no Braxton, Sirens 662 00:30:52,733 --> 00:30:55,413 Speaker 2: and McGee, no Stacy Waka, no reci pory Laye, no 663 00:30:55,533 --> 00:30:57,973 Speaker 2: Georgia Miller, so there was always going to be gaps 664 00:30:57,973 --> 00:31:01,813 Speaker 2: in of course the retirement of Portia Woodman Wickliffe as well. 665 00:31:01,933 --> 00:31:04,733 Speaker 2: So an opportunity, as you say, for some of the 666 00:31:04,733 --> 00:31:07,893 Speaker 2: impressed at OPEKI level or even FBC level to stake 667 00:31:07,933 --> 00:31:10,253 Speaker 2: a little bit of acclaim while others are absent for 668 00:31:10,333 --> 00:31:12,773 Speaker 2: various reasons. And the one bit actually that caught my 669 00:31:12,853 --> 00:31:15,813 Speaker 2: attention Smithie and I may have missed this, but obviously 670 00:31:15,933 --> 00:31:18,573 Speaker 2: on the all black side there's been all this debate 671 00:31:18,733 --> 00:31:22,813 Speaker 2: or discussion with a new coaching regime. Where does that 672 00:31:23,013 --> 00:31:27,253 Speaker 2: leave Scott Barrett in his future as all Blacks captain, 673 00:31:28,573 --> 00:31:31,853 Speaker 2: same co captaincy model, at least for the pack four 674 00:31:32,173 --> 00:31:35,293 Speaker 2: from the World Cups. I saw that listed this morning 675 00:31:35,293 --> 00:31:40,413 Speaker 2: with Kennedy to Kwafer and Rueje Demant, and look, maybe 676 00:31:40,453 --> 00:31:46,173 Speaker 2: that's because there isn't as many other compelling leadership options elsewhere, 677 00:31:46,293 --> 00:31:50,853 Speaker 2: but obviously Whitney Hansen has full faith in those two 678 00:31:50,973 --> 00:31:52,573 Speaker 2: to lead from the front. 679 00:31:52,733 --> 00:31:54,853 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think there's a little bit of a leadership Voard. 680 00:31:54,893 --> 00:31:57,533 Speaker 3: I think in this squad. And look, these these two 681 00:31:57,573 --> 00:31:58,933 Speaker 3: captains have done it for it for a number of 682 00:31:58,973 --> 00:32:01,653 Speaker 3: seasons now in head Demant's a World Player of the 683 00:32:01,693 --> 00:32:03,373 Speaker 3: Year at a certain pointer on the back of that 684 00:32:03,453 --> 00:32:06,373 Speaker 3: World Cup win in twenty twenty. So it doesn't feel 685 00:32:06,413 --> 00:32:09,133 Speaker 3: like there's a lot of emerging leaders in the squads. 686 00:32:10,133 --> 00:32:13,853 Speaker 3: My Kabaklani Ruz strikes me as a future Black Fans captain. 687 00:32:14,013 --> 00:32:16,093 Speaker 3: She did it for a Test a couple of years 688 00:32:16,093 --> 00:32:18,693 Speaker 3: ago when there are a few injuries and players rested, 689 00:32:18,693 --> 00:32:22,333 Speaker 3: et cetera. But doesn't necessarily strike me as you know, 690 00:32:22,413 --> 00:32:24,133 Speaker 3: there are a lot of options to choose from, So 691 00:32:24,173 --> 00:32:27,453 Speaker 3: I think the status quo keeping there makes a lot 692 00:32:27,453 --> 00:32:29,853 Speaker 3: of sense compared to the Black Funds sevens team. And 693 00:32:30,093 --> 00:32:31,733 Speaker 3: Darre say that most of the players in the park 694 00:32:31,773 --> 00:32:33,813 Speaker 3: and natural leaders in their own way. You can make 695 00:32:33,813 --> 00:32:36,013 Speaker 3: them the captain and they'd lead. There. Just a whole 696 00:32:36,053 --> 00:32:37,653 Speaker 3: lot of leaders out in the park. You know, Georgia 697 00:32:37,693 --> 00:32:40,013 Speaker 3: Miller feels like she's been run forever. She's still what 698 00:32:40,133 --> 00:32:43,813 Speaker 3: twenty two maybe twenty three, she's vice captain of that team. 699 00:32:43,853 --> 00:32:46,933 Speaker 3: They are stacked with all leaders across the park. That 700 00:32:47,013 --> 00:32:50,693 Speaker 3: doesn't seem to have translated to the fifteens necessarily. So 701 00:32:51,093 --> 00:32:53,653 Speaker 3: I think that's a job for Whitney Hansen and the 702 00:32:54,293 --> 00:32:57,173 Speaker 3: coaching staff to do, is to bring through the next 703 00:32:57,213 --> 00:32:59,293 Speaker 3: generation of leaders, because I don't think there are too 704 00:32:59,293 --> 00:33:01,893 Speaker 3: many other compelling options at this point in time for 705 00:33:01,933 --> 00:33:03,853 Speaker 3: the Black Funds, especially as the head to the World Cup. 706 00:33:03,853 --> 00:33:06,493 Speaker 3: You know, you'd think demand will be there for the 707 00:33:06,533 --> 00:33:09,133 Speaker 3: next tournament in twenty nine, but is suily a given 708 00:33:09,173 --> 00:33:11,613 Speaker 3: to KWAFU the same thing. So if there is to 709 00:33:11,653 --> 00:33:13,453 Speaker 3: be a change, you know, who are the options that 710 00:33:13,933 --> 00:33:16,653 Speaker 3: Whitney Hansen can go to. So that's a pretty fascinating 711 00:33:16,733 --> 00:33:19,053 Speaker 3: question over the next few years as she takes a 712 00:33:19,093 --> 00:33:21,253 Speaker 3: full helm of this team. Let's take a look at 713 00:33:21,293 --> 00:33:24,373 Speaker 3: the MVP voting for the weekend that was. This was 714 00:33:24,413 --> 00:33:27,613 Speaker 3: a tough round to dish out some MVP votes in 715 00:33:27,653 --> 00:33:30,653 Speaker 3: the end. Look, I went for Roy Guard for three. 716 00:33:31,093 --> 00:33:32,573 Speaker 3: I thought he was just so good. Look, I could 717 00:33:32,573 --> 00:33:35,213 Speaker 3: have gone probably Rubend Love, maybe ifinny ung An all 718 00:33:35,253 --> 00:33:38,973 Speaker 3: four for three, But I just decided that he was 719 00:33:39,573 --> 00:33:42,213 Speaker 3: so good, you know that that quick thinking tap for 720 00:33:42,253 --> 00:33:45,573 Speaker 3: the try, you know, so good across the park. I 721 00:33:45,613 --> 00:33:48,373 Speaker 3: thought he was really really good over the course of 722 00:33:48,893 --> 00:33:52,453 Speaker 3: the day. A j Lamb gets my two points. We 723 00:33:52,493 --> 00:33:54,653 Speaker 3: touched on him earlier. I thought he was outstanding. Flincher 724 00:33:54,653 --> 00:33:56,453 Speaker 3: New York gets one for me as well. If he 725 00:33:56,453 --> 00:34:00,893 Speaker 3: didn't see Saturday nights game. Not just the try he scored, 726 00:34:01,173 --> 00:34:03,733 Speaker 3: didn't score, but he set up basically that was remarkable. 727 00:34:04,653 --> 00:34:06,573 Speaker 3: You know, it made a break from fifty meters hour. 728 00:34:06,613 --> 00:34:09,413 Speaker 3: It was taken just before the line gets up plays 729 00:34:09,533 --> 00:34:12,093 Speaker 3: half back in the subsequent phase. One of the subsequent 730 00:34:12,093 --> 00:34:14,453 Speaker 3: phases after that could have gone himself. Off loads to 731 00:34:14,453 --> 00:34:17,213 Speaker 3: George Bell for the try. He was everywhere on the 732 00:34:17,213 --> 00:34:19,893 Speaker 3: park and got pinged for one pen Rid couldn't quite 733 00:34:19,933 --> 00:34:21,933 Speaker 3: forget that out went back in one penalties for the 734 00:34:21,973 --> 00:34:24,213 Speaker 3: rest of the game from scrum top. Just a really 735 00:34:24,253 --> 00:34:26,253 Speaker 3: good performance from Fletcher and Yule. What are your three 736 00:34:26,293 --> 00:34:27,133 Speaker 3: two ones bills? 737 00:34:27,293 --> 00:34:29,293 Speaker 2: Well, funnily enough after you say that, Simili, in terms 738 00:34:29,293 --> 00:34:30,933 Speaker 2: of being a hard round, we've gone on a very 739 00:34:30,973 --> 00:34:33,493 Speaker 2: similar theme here, and I am very pleased you brought 740 00:34:33,533 --> 00:34:36,093 Speaker 2: up Fletch and Yule because he's one of the unsung 741 00:34:36,173 --> 00:34:39,933 Speaker 2: heroes down here in Crusaders country and much loved and adored. 742 00:34:40,053 --> 00:34:43,653 Speaker 2: So I gave him my one primarily based on that 743 00:34:43,773 --> 00:34:46,813 Speaker 2: run alone. That was one of the great sights seeing 744 00:34:46,973 --> 00:34:50,533 Speaker 2: a big man an open pasture like that. And similarly 745 00:34:50,773 --> 00:34:54,853 Speaker 2: my tours are say aj Lamb I think was super 746 00:34:54,933 --> 00:34:56,973 Speaker 2: and a real difference maker for the Blues, as we 747 00:34:56,973 --> 00:34:59,533 Speaker 2: outlined earlier in the podcast, and I was tossing up, 748 00:34:59,573 --> 00:35:01,653 Speaker 2: I had to go with a hurricane. Could it be 749 00:35:01,733 --> 00:35:04,333 Speaker 2: Roy Guard, could it be Love, could it be Finang 750 00:35:04,373 --> 00:35:06,293 Speaker 2: and off for I thought, you know, the latter was 751 00:35:06,333 --> 00:35:08,693 Speaker 2: really just on the end of the chain through all 752 00:35:08,733 --> 00:35:11,573 Speaker 2: the hard work, a little bit in field. So look, 753 00:35:11,573 --> 00:35:14,613 Speaker 2: I've gone with Ruben Love. I thought he was tremendous 754 00:35:15,013 --> 00:35:18,853 Speaker 2: the way he was used, in particular his crossfield kicked 755 00:35:18,853 --> 00:35:20,653 Speaker 2: to set up one of those tries. I thought it 756 00:35:20,693 --> 00:35:24,653 Speaker 2: was a very commanding performance and plenty of X Factor 757 00:35:24,693 --> 00:35:29,653 Speaker 2: moments as well. So yeah, three for Reuben Love and yeah, 758 00:35:30,053 --> 00:35:32,373 Speaker 2: let's see where that leaves him in the in the 759 00:35:32,413 --> 00:35:34,973 Speaker 2: standings once once you do all the tallying up, So that's. 760 00:35:34,893 --> 00:35:36,493 Speaker 3: Right, I'll throw them to the pot. See where that happens. 761 00:35:36,533 --> 00:35:40,453 Speaker 3: Of course, this is the Rebel Super Rugby MVP voting 762 00:35:40,493 --> 00:35:44,493 Speaker 3: comp where there are five teams ineligible for voting points 763 00:35:44,533 --> 00:35:47,493 Speaker 3: in terms of the Australians and the Druids. So you know, 764 00:35:47,533 --> 00:35:48,973 Speaker 3: you take out a few players and it becomes a 765 00:35:49,053 --> 00:35:51,573 Speaker 3: very very different voting tally Bulls. Thank you so much 766 00:35:51,573 --> 00:35:54,453 Speaker 3: for joining us on Rugby Direct. As always, no doubt 767 00:35:54,453 --> 00:35:57,693 Speaker 3: you'll be back, maybe very soon, we'll see, but thanks 768 00:35:57,733 --> 00:35:59,573 Speaker 3: as always for your your time on Rugby Direct. 769 00:35:59,893 --> 00:36:02,093 Speaker 2: Always a pleasure. Look forward to Thursday. I keep my phone. 770 00:36:02,133 --> 00:36:03,973 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, please do do not turn your phone off. 771 00:36:04,373 --> 00:36:06,893 Speaker 3: That is Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health book today 772 00:36:06,933 --> 00:36:08,653 Speaker 3: and stay in the game. You can get in touch 773 00:36:08,653 --> 00:36:10,933 Speaker 3: with us as well. I want your mailbag questions for 774 00:36:10,973 --> 00:36:14,413 Speaker 3: Thursday Rugby Direct at USTALKZB, dot co dot MZI thanks 775 00:36:14,453 --> 00:36:15,933 Speaker 3: to Mark Kellie. We'll see you next time. 776 00:36:20,573 --> 00:36:24,413 Speaker 1: For more from NEWSTALKSEDB, listen live on air or online, 777 00:36:24,453 --> 00:36:26,853 Speaker 1: and keep our shows with you wherever you go with 778 00:36:26,933 --> 00:36:28,893 Speaker 1: our podcasts on iHeartRadio