1 00:00:09,133 --> 00:00:12,733 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from news Talks EDB. Follow 2 00:00:12,813 --> 00:00:17,653 Speaker 1: this and our wide range of podcasts now on Iheartradiot. 3 00:00:17,853 --> 00:00:20,333 Speaker 1: Inside the Game from every angle. 4 00:00:20,493 --> 00:00:24,653 Speaker 2: It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB. 5 00:00:25,053 --> 00:00:27,973 Speaker 3: Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by Habit Health, tackling all 6 00:00:28,013 --> 00:00:30,333 Speaker 3: your aches and pains from sport and workbook online at 7 00:00:30,333 --> 00:00:33,133 Speaker 3: habit dot Health to see a physio and get back 8 00:00:33,253 --> 00:00:37,413 Speaker 3: in the game fast. We have our semi finalists in 9 00:00:37,533 --> 00:00:40,013 Speaker 3: Super Rugby Elliott Smith, Liam Apierre back with you as 10 00:00:40,053 --> 00:00:46,613 Speaker 3: always on Rugby Direct. Not upsets from the semi quarterfinal weekends. 11 00:00:46,933 --> 00:00:50,253 Speaker 3: But I think what we saw of the weekend was 12 00:00:50,693 --> 00:00:53,813 Speaker 3: the cream rising to the top in Super Rugby and 13 00:00:54,613 --> 00:00:57,293 Speaker 3: some of the pretenders got left behind, by which I 14 00:00:57,293 --> 00:01:01,253 Speaker 3: mean the Reds, who I thought we're going to really 15 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:03,173 Speaker 3: come over and try and check the tray against the Chiefs, 16 00:01:03,213 --> 00:01:05,813 Speaker 3: but they just were blown off the park early by 17 00:01:05,853 --> 00:01:08,253 Speaker 3: the Chiefs. But look, I don't know if it was 18 00:01:08,493 --> 00:01:11,453 Speaker 3: overly intriguing quarter final weekend, but what we saw, as 19 00:01:11,453 --> 00:01:13,413 Speaker 3: I said Leam, was the quality rising to the top. 20 00:01:14,213 --> 00:01:15,893 Speaker 4: I think it was a bit of an indictment on 21 00:01:16,013 --> 00:01:20,373 Speaker 4: the playoffs wasn't it just the predictability of it, the 22 00:01:20,373 --> 00:01:23,773 Speaker 4: blowout nature. The closest margin was sixteen points in the 23 00:01:24,213 --> 00:01:27,853 Speaker 4: Highlander's Brumbies match, and like you say, all the other 24 00:01:27,933 --> 00:01:34,573 Speaker 4: matches were done insides, you know, twenty minutes to a degree, 25 00:01:35,573 --> 00:01:39,293 Speaker 4: and yeah, you did see the cream rising. And when 26 00:01:39,333 --> 00:01:41,653 Speaker 4: you look at the Chiefs in particular, had staggered through 27 00:01:41,653 --> 00:01:46,293 Speaker 4: the year largely or underwhelmed and really turned it on 28 00:01:46,413 --> 00:01:50,213 Speaker 4: now when it mattered most. So look, I think it 29 00:01:50,213 --> 00:01:53,373 Speaker 4: does highlight the folly of the playoff format, which you 30 00:01:53,413 --> 00:01:57,053 Speaker 4: know we'll come to later in the pods. But yeah, 31 00:01:57,173 --> 00:02:02,493 Speaker 4: pretty underwhelming, very hard to get overly enthused about the quarterfinals. 32 00:02:02,493 --> 00:02:04,293 Speaker 4: And it is a bit of a frustration because when 33 00:02:04,333 --> 00:02:08,773 Speaker 4: you look at a wider context of quarterfinals and tournament rugby, 34 00:02:09,133 --> 00:02:13,013 Speaker 4: it's actually often the best rugby that you see because 35 00:02:14,413 --> 00:02:18,213 Speaker 4: as the tournaments progress, things to get tighter and more tense, 36 00:02:19,533 --> 00:02:21,853 Speaker 4: and you've got four of you should have eight of 37 00:02:21,853 --> 00:02:25,053 Speaker 4: the best teams theoretically in the tournament competing. So you 38 00:02:25,093 --> 00:02:27,533 Speaker 4: look back to last year's World Cut for an example, 39 00:02:28,613 --> 00:02:31,573 Speaker 4: while that was exposed the folly of the draw doing 40 00:02:31,893 --> 00:02:34,893 Speaker 4: that far out that stage of the tournament produced the 41 00:02:34,893 --> 00:02:37,573 Speaker 4: best rugby and that's what super rugby needs to aspire to. 42 00:02:37,853 --> 00:02:39,893 Speaker 3: It certainly does. See let's get into that first game 43 00:02:39,973 --> 00:02:43,533 Speaker 3: Chiefs Reds Friday night, because this one last week appeared 44 00:02:43,573 --> 00:02:45,813 Speaker 3: to me not necessarily a toss up, but certainly you 45 00:02:45,813 --> 00:02:48,573 Speaker 3: could see the Reds really pushing the Chiefs and maybe 46 00:02:48,573 --> 00:02:50,853 Speaker 3: if things went that way, getting a victory. But they 47 00:02:50,853 --> 00:02:53,093 Speaker 3: were blind off the park early. The game was done 48 00:02:53,133 --> 00:02:56,773 Speaker 3: pretty early on disappointing from the Reds. But at the 49 00:02:56,813 --> 00:02:59,253 Speaker 3: same time I thought it was a very good performance 50 00:02:59,253 --> 00:03:02,173 Speaker 3: from the Chiefs. And I saw a headline yesterday saying 51 00:03:02,213 --> 00:03:04,053 Speaker 3: have we been sleeping on the Chiefs? I don't think 52 00:03:04,093 --> 00:03:06,493 Speaker 3: that was accurate. The Chiefs have been sleeping on the 53 00:03:06,493 --> 00:03:08,733 Speaker 3: comp now they've got into the position where they're in 54 00:03:08,733 --> 00:03:12,573 Speaker 3: the final four and ready potentially to cause some habit. 55 00:03:12,653 --> 00:03:14,493 Speaker 3: But I thought that was easily the best performance of 56 00:03:14,533 --> 00:03:18,013 Speaker 3: the season and the peaking perhaps at the right time. 57 00:03:18,373 --> 00:03:20,453 Speaker 3: We just hadn't seen it through the round robin stages. 58 00:03:20,653 --> 00:03:23,133 Speaker 3: It's what been waiting all year for from the chief 59 00:03:23,173 --> 00:03:24,613 Speaker 3: isn't it. At the start of the year, you looked 60 00:03:24,613 --> 00:03:27,613 Speaker 3: at this squad on paper, the best squad in the competition. 61 00:03:27,973 --> 00:03:31,813 Speaker 3: They had continuity largely that yes they'd lost Retallic and 62 00:03:31,813 --> 00:03:35,333 Speaker 3: Webber and you know sam Kin, but they had strength 63 00:03:35,413 --> 00:03:38,653 Speaker 3: and depth. They had continuity of their coaching team that 64 00:03:39,333 --> 00:03:41,133 Speaker 3: you know, sometimes you have to lose a final to 65 00:03:41,173 --> 00:03:44,493 Speaker 3: win one. They were largely the best team in Super 66 00:03:44,573 --> 00:03:47,413 Speaker 3: rugby last year. The bulk of that squad comes back, 67 00:03:48,333 --> 00:03:51,773 Speaker 3: you know, guys like McKenzie and Shawn Stephenson. From a 68 00:03:51,813 --> 00:03:57,573 Speaker 3: playmaking perspective, they finally are starting to produce that's a 69 00:03:57,613 --> 00:03:59,613 Speaker 3: really lethal playmaking combination. 70 00:04:00,973 --> 00:04:05,373 Speaker 4: And they were really settled. You know, they've got guys monarchy. 71 00:04:05,453 --> 00:04:08,293 Speaker 4: Selby Rickett can't even make the match day twenty three, 72 00:04:08,573 --> 00:04:12,693 Speaker 4: so that speaks to their depth. But they had underwhelmed 73 00:04:12,733 --> 00:04:17,573 Speaker 4: for whatever reason this year, very patchy form struggled to 74 00:04:18,093 --> 00:04:22,333 Speaker 4: nail down their starting squads. You know, they're bringing quint 75 00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:25,693 Speaker 4: to Pyra off the bench. Another guy is bolted on 76 00:04:26,213 --> 00:04:29,973 Speaker 4: all black and you know years gone by, so this 77 00:04:30,053 --> 00:04:31,333 Speaker 4: is what we've been waiting for. 78 00:04:31,573 --> 00:04:34,373 Speaker 5: And yeah, it does look like. 79 00:04:35,933 --> 00:04:37,973 Speaker 4: You know, maybe I don't know if you go as 80 00:04:38,013 --> 00:04:40,253 Speaker 4: far as that's been a cunning plan from claim McMillan. 81 00:04:40,293 --> 00:04:43,853 Speaker 4: I'm sure he wanted them to perform better, but they 82 00:04:43,973 --> 00:04:46,733 Speaker 4: really really impressed when it mattered, didn't. 83 00:04:46,493 --> 00:04:49,613 Speaker 3: They They did, And look they've been feeling inside the 84 00:04:49,653 --> 00:04:52,573 Speaker 3: Chiefs that they peaked to early last year and didn't 85 00:04:52,613 --> 00:04:55,333 Speaker 3: quite get the playoff run right. Well, maybe they'll do 86 00:04:55,333 --> 00:04:58,373 Speaker 3: it this year coming from fourth and get it through 87 00:04:59,133 --> 00:05:02,173 Speaker 3: that way. Obviously begame to come against the Hurricanes this weekend, 88 00:05:02,253 --> 00:05:04,293 Speaker 3: but we'll touch on that very shortly. I guess the 89 00:05:04,933 --> 00:05:06,973 Speaker 3: thing about the Chiefs is that can they back it 90 00:05:07,053 --> 00:05:09,693 Speaker 3: up is the question, and they haven't done that all season. 91 00:05:09,733 --> 00:05:15,693 Speaker 3: They haven't really started mowing down teams. They haven't really 92 00:05:15,733 --> 00:05:17,853 Speaker 3: gone on a run this season. It's been hot and 93 00:05:17,933 --> 00:05:21,173 Speaker 3: it's been cold, and we haven't seen that so far 94 00:05:21,253 --> 00:05:23,333 Speaker 3: this year. So the challenge is where the Clayton McMillan 95 00:05:23,413 --> 00:05:25,133 Speaker 3: and the coaching staff can get them up for another 96 00:05:25,173 --> 00:05:27,493 Speaker 3: game this week and another game if they call high 97 00:05:28,013 --> 00:05:30,213 Speaker 3: the week after and go bang bang bang. Not saying 98 00:05:30,213 --> 00:05:32,533 Speaker 3: it can't happen, but we haven't seen that evidence from 99 00:05:32,573 --> 00:05:35,613 Speaker 3: the Chiefs. So it's all very well blitzing the Reds, who, 100 00:05:35,893 --> 00:05:38,613 Speaker 3: as I said, we're disappointing, but you've got to back 101 00:05:38,613 --> 00:05:41,333 Speaker 3: it up this week. Just on the Reds, as I said, 102 00:05:41,333 --> 00:05:43,573 Speaker 3: that game wasn't necessarily a toss up, but it was 103 00:05:43,573 --> 00:05:46,253 Speaker 3: one where you could see the Reds maybe pushing the 104 00:05:46,293 --> 00:05:47,973 Speaker 3: Chiefs to the limit. That don't against a lot of 105 00:05:48,053 --> 00:05:50,133 Speaker 3: key sides this season, including being the Chiefs in the 106 00:05:50,133 --> 00:05:53,693 Speaker 3: regular season. But they just didn't didn't really turn up 107 00:05:53,693 --> 00:05:56,213 Speaker 3: in Hamilton. It's very disappointing, very disappointing. 108 00:05:56,253 --> 00:05:59,013 Speaker 4: And have been impressed by the Reds and less Kiss 109 00:05:59,293 --> 00:06:02,613 Speaker 4: and what they've done this year. But I don't know, 110 00:06:02,653 --> 00:06:06,973 Speaker 4: maybe it's a mental thing coming to New Zealand's Australian 111 00:06:06,973 --> 00:06:10,573 Speaker 4: teams and playoffs, so I think now seventeen and oh 112 00:06:11,133 --> 00:06:15,573 Speaker 4: in Super Rugby history and they were just stunned early 113 00:06:15,773 --> 00:06:19,813 Speaker 4: and couldn't recover the pace intensity that the Chiefs brought 114 00:06:19,853 --> 00:06:22,533 Speaker 4: to that contest. You know, yes, the Reds came back 115 00:06:22,573 --> 00:06:24,933 Speaker 4: in the second half, but the game's gone by then 116 00:06:25,013 --> 00:06:26,693 Speaker 4: and yeah, you might as well pack your bags and 117 00:06:26,733 --> 00:06:30,213 Speaker 4: head home. So that should have been the most was 118 00:06:30,253 --> 00:06:34,933 Speaker 4: the most highly anticipated four v five quarter final, and 119 00:06:34,973 --> 00:06:37,413 Speaker 4: the Reds didn't really come to the party at all. 120 00:06:37,493 --> 00:06:39,853 Speaker 3: No, they didn't. Let's move on for Saturday afternoon, the 121 00:06:39,933 --> 00:06:43,973 Speaker 3: Hurricanes and the Rebels. The Hurricanes winning this one comfortably 122 00:06:44,053 --> 00:06:45,213 Speaker 3: in the end. It was a bit of an arm 123 00:06:45,213 --> 00:06:47,933 Speaker 3: wrestle for the first half hour or thereabouts, but they 124 00:06:48,013 --> 00:06:49,813 Speaker 3: just managed to break the back of the Rebels late 125 00:06:49,853 --> 00:06:52,093 Speaker 3: in the first spell set up the victory which they 126 00:06:52,133 --> 00:06:56,133 Speaker 3: went on with in the second half. Wasn't the best 127 00:06:56,213 --> 00:06:58,853 Speaker 3: Hurricanes performance of the season, but play footy. They got 128 00:06:58,853 --> 00:07:01,853 Speaker 3: the job done and got it done comfortably. Perhaps I've 129 00:07:01,853 --> 00:07:04,173 Speaker 3: been too harsh to a critic that they did struggle 130 00:07:04,173 --> 00:07:05,453 Speaker 3: to put the Rebels away for a wee bit, but 131 00:07:05,453 --> 00:07:06,733 Speaker 3: I guess there was a bit of a motion around 132 00:07:06,773 --> 00:07:12,173 Speaker 3: the Rebels performance and their first and last playoff game. 133 00:07:12,893 --> 00:07:15,613 Speaker 3: But job done from the Hurricanes and that we've got 134 00:07:15,613 --> 00:07:17,893 Speaker 3: a rise to another level this week into Chiefs. What 135 00:07:17,933 --> 00:07:18,493 Speaker 3: do you make of it? 136 00:07:18,813 --> 00:07:20,973 Speaker 4: I thought the Hurricanes made really hard work of it, 137 00:07:21,173 --> 00:07:24,573 Speaker 4: and you know, maybe it's discrediting the Rebels, and like 138 00:07:24,653 --> 00:07:28,333 Speaker 4: you say that there was a lot of emotion around 139 00:07:28,533 --> 00:07:32,253 Speaker 4: that been their their final game, and you know, playing 140 00:07:32,333 --> 00:07:37,373 Speaker 4: for that sort of cause can be inspirational. But there 141 00:07:37,413 --> 00:07:41,133 Speaker 4: was a lot of eras execute basic execution eras from 142 00:07:41,133 --> 00:07:43,453 Speaker 4: the Hurricanes. Britt Cameron kicking out on the fall at 143 00:07:43,533 --> 00:07:47,533 Speaker 4: various points, They're handling their their moves that had been 144 00:07:47,573 --> 00:07:50,933 Speaker 4: so set moves that in the back line that had 145 00:07:50,973 --> 00:07:53,533 Speaker 4: been so slick this year. I thought they really missed 146 00:07:54,253 --> 00:07:58,213 Speaker 4: Ruben love absence at the back. Harry Godfrey was good, 147 00:07:58,293 --> 00:08:02,053 Speaker 4: but Ruben Love has been exceptional this year. His injection 148 00:08:03,133 --> 00:08:05,933 Speaker 4: into the back line was missed. So yeah, I felt 149 00:08:05,973 --> 00:08:09,573 Speaker 4: like the Hurricanes were often it was only the second 150 00:08:09,573 --> 00:08:13,173 Speaker 4: half really when they pore on the bench. Guys like 151 00:08:13,573 --> 00:08:17,773 Speaker 4: Duslee Carefi made a big difference the impact there, and 152 00:08:17,853 --> 00:08:21,413 Speaker 4: finally they started to really break through the defense. Jordi Barrett, 153 00:08:21,813 --> 00:08:25,213 Speaker 4: I suffer our more. Brandon You'll see like some of 154 00:08:25,253 --> 00:08:27,573 Speaker 4: these guys starting to break and bend the line. So 155 00:08:27,573 --> 00:08:30,653 Speaker 4: they got there eventually, but I wasn't overly impressed by it. 156 00:08:30,693 --> 00:08:34,733 Speaker 4: And when you do compare it to the Chiefs and 157 00:08:34,773 --> 00:08:37,293 Speaker 4: to a lesser extent, the Blues felt like those teams 158 00:08:37,333 --> 00:08:39,373 Speaker 4: were going up a notch and maybe the Hurricanes came 159 00:08:39,413 --> 00:08:42,053 Speaker 4: back one, so there is a bit of work ahead 160 00:08:42,093 --> 00:08:42,293 Speaker 4: of them. 161 00:08:42,333 --> 00:08:44,373 Speaker 3: I think this week, Yeah, Bega against the Chiefs. I 162 00:08:44,453 --> 00:08:50,573 Speaker 3: come Saturday afternoon. I guess the Rebels. We saw glimpses 163 00:08:50,733 --> 00:08:53,413 Speaker 3: from them in that game on the weekend, and we 164 00:08:53,453 --> 00:08:55,893 Speaker 3: saw in the stands and after the game as well, 165 00:08:55,933 --> 00:08:58,933 Speaker 3: plenty of emotion that they're run in Super Rugby has 166 00:08:58,973 --> 00:09:02,253 Speaker 3: come to end, which we obviously suspected it would in 167 00:09:02,333 --> 00:09:05,293 Speaker 3: that game against the Hurricanes. So end of veneera for 168 00:09:05,613 --> 00:09:10,173 Speaker 3: Australian rugby and for some of those Rebels players, And obviously, 169 00:09:10,493 --> 00:09:13,013 Speaker 3: you know, some of them will find other teams, some 170 00:09:13,053 --> 00:09:15,893 Speaker 3: of them won't, and it's a sort of tricky moment 171 00:09:15,973 --> 00:09:20,053 Speaker 3: for for rugby and Australia. But ultimately it was always 172 00:09:20,053 --> 00:09:21,653 Speaker 3: going to be a tricky ask for them coming to 173 00:09:21,733 --> 00:09:22,213 Speaker 3: the Capitol. 174 00:09:22,693 --> 00:09:25,533 Speaker 4: Yeah, I guess on the whole it's sad for the Rebels, 175 00:09:25,533 --> 00:09:31,493 Speaker 4: isn't it. You don't want players, administrators, coaching staff, there's 176 00:09:31,493 --> 00:09:35,453 Speaker 4: so many people that are involved in the organization like 177 00:09:35,493 --> 00:09:37,533 Speaker 4: that to go through that experience. 178 00:09:37,613 --> 00:09:39,653 Speaker 5: But reality's hits. 179 00:09:39,813 --> 00:09:43,213 Speaker 4: Australia does not have the financial or player depth resource 180 00:09:43,653 --> 00:09:47,213 Speaker 4: to sustain five teams and unfortunately the Rebels Rebels have 181 00:09:47,733 --> 00:09:48,573 Speaker 4: copped the brunt of that. 182 00:09:48,653 --> 00:09:50,653 Speaker 5: But it was very very evident, wasn't it. 183 00:09:50,653 --> 00:09:53,653 Speaker 4: In the in the coaching box and the postmatch interviews 184 00:09:54,573 --> 00:09:56,453 Speaker 4: looked like there was you know a lot of tears 185 00:09:56,493 --> 00:10:00,293 Speaker 4: and I'm sure a lot of heartfelt messages and speeches 186 00:10:00,293 --> 00:10:04,253 Speaker 4: behind closed doors as well. So yeah, very sad and 187 00:10:05,013 --> 00:10:08,413 Speaker 4: I guess interesting to see where all those players to 188 00:10:08,573 --> 00:10:13,493 Speaker 4: end up. Ultimately, it should strengthen the Australian rugby by 189 00:10:14,013 --> 00:10:17,613 Speaker 4: distributing the players better. Maybe the Force don't have to 190 00:10:17,653 --> 00:10:21,053 Speaker 4: call in so many you know, aging veterans. 191 00:10:20,733 --> 00:10:22,373 Speaker 3: New Zealanders, that's right. 192 00:10:22,613 --> 00:10:26,013 Speaker 4: And you know the Wartars were a basket case this year. 193 00:10:26,053 --> 00:10:29,413 Speaker 4: They could do with, you know, bolstering again. 194 00:10:30,173 --> 00:10:31,213 Speaker 5: And I don't know. 195 00:10:31,253 --> 00:10:34,333 Speaker 4: I look at a guy like Carter Gordon and he's 196 00:10:34,373 --> 00:10:36,613 Speaker 4: just gone backwards in a massive way. And that's not 197 00:10:36,693 --> 00:10:38,973 Speaker 4: an indictment on the rebels. I think that's an indictment 198 00:10:39,013 --> 00:10:42,293 Speaker 4: on what Eddie Jones did and rushing a guy, throwing 199 00:10:42,333 --> 00:10:45,053 Speaker 4: him in the deep end, not backing him. And Australian 200 00:10:45,093 --> 00:10:49,173 Speaker 4: rugby has been guilty of that of ruining players from 201 00:10:49,293 --> 00:10:53,053 Speaker 4: a player development perspective. So hopefully somebody can get hold 202 00:10:53,053 --> 00:10:55,493 Speaker 4: of guys like Carter Gordon and really build them up again, 203 00:10:55,573 --> 00:10:58,933 Speaker 4: because he has a talent, but he looks he looked 204 00:10:58,933 --> 00:10:59,973 Speaker 4: a wee bit lost at times. 205 00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:01,293 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was a bit of chat that he might 206 00:11:01,413 --> 00:11:05,053 Speaker 3: end up at the war Tars, I think, or maybe 207 00:11:05,093 --> 00:11:07,613 Speaker 3: the NRL. So you hope he's not lost it to 208 00:11:07,693 --> 00:11:10,653 Speaker 3: Rugby Union. A kind of player like we've seen he 209 00:11:10,813 --> 00:11:14,533 Speaker 3: potentially can be. Saturday night saw the Blues and the 210 00:11:14,613 --> 00:11:17,413 Speaker 3: Drawer and a comfortable win for the Blues in the end, 211 00:11:17,773 --> 00:11:21,933 Speaker 3: taking a victory. We've talked a lot on this pod 212 00:11:22,093 --> 00:11:25,813 Speaker 3: about the Drawer and their troubles traveling, and the Blues 213 00:11:26,293 --> 00:11:28,853 Speaker 3: just did what they needed to do in the first half. 214 00:11:29,333 --> 00:11:32,493 Speaker 3: Wobbly maybe opening second when the Drawer got on the board, 215 00:11:33,773 --> 00:11:37,013 Speaker 3: but by and large, Blues will be relatively happy with that. 216 00:11:37,773 --> 00:11:41,173 Speaker 5: Yeah, they will. They shut the dur out. 217 00:11:41,653 --> 00:11:44,613 Speaker 4: I thought they were very technically astute that the blueprint 218 00:11:44,613 --> 00:11:46,493 Speaker 4: by now as well set with the Dura that you 219 00:11:46,533 --> 00:11:49,253 Speaker 4: don't allow them time and space, you don't play into 220 00:11:49,293 --> 00:11:52,613 Speaker 4: their style of rugby, and the. 221 00:11:52,573 --> 00:11:53,773 Speaker 5: Blues were on top that. 222 00:11:53,813 --> 00:11:58,173 Speaker 4: They crushed the Duris scrum in particular, and Harry Plummer 223 00:11:58,213 --> 00:11:59,853 Speaker 4: pulled the strings, plugged the corners. 224 00:11:59,853 --> 00:12:00,613 Speaker 5: They played terator. 225 00:12:00,653 --> 00:12:03,733 Speaker 4: I think it was something like eighty percent territory to 226 00:12:03,773 --> 00:12:06,213 Speaker 4: the Blues in the first half, so they're completely dominant. 227 00:12:06,933 --> 00:12:09,093 Speaker 4: The game was done by half time and then the 228 00:12:09,093 --> 00:12:12,453 Speaker 4: Blues clocked off, and that can happen when you build 229 00:12:12,533 --> 00:12:14,173 Speaker 4: up a lead. We probably saw a wee bit of 230 00:12:14,173 --> 00:12:18,413 Speaker 4: that from the Chiefs as well. But on the whole, 231 00:12:18,613 --> 00:12:22,773 Speaker 4: the Blues their home record. I think the sixteen won 232 00:12:22,813 --> 00:12:25,853 Speaker 4: their last sixteen games at Eden Park. The Crusaders are 233 00:12:25,853 --> 00:12:27,413 Speaker 4: the only team to beat them at Eden Park in 234 00:12:27,453 --> 00:12:30,693 Speaker 4: the past four years. And on the flip side, the Dura, 235 00:12:31,013 --> 00:12:34,533 Speaker 4: I think they've now lost their last sixteen away matches. 236 00:12:34,813 --> 00:12:38,333 Speaker 4: So you're not going to be a genuine force and 237 00:12:38,373 --> 00:12:42,053 Speaker 4: super rugby if you can't address those roadbos. And it 238 00:12:42,093 --> 00:12:46,133 Speaker 4: does speak to I guess how good they are in Laotoka, 239 00:12:46,933 --> 00:12:49,413 Speaker 4: but you have to be able to win away from home, 240 00:12:49,653 --> 00:12:53,133 Speaker 4: just somehow, some way. They need to find the inability 241 00:12:53,173 --> 00:12:53,533 Speaker 4: to do that. 242 00:12:53,653 --> 00:12:55,973 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's the big task for Glen Jackson ahead next year, 243 00:12:56,013 --> 00:13:00,013 Speaker 3: isn't it. The Blues actually below get the bit more 244 00:13:00,053 --> 00:13:02,333 Speaker 3: definitely the Blues. That the drawer got base to twenty 245 00:13:02,373 --> 00:13:03,973 Speaker 3: two five in the second spell and then they took 246 00:13:04,013 --> 00:13:06,173 Speaker 3: a penalty shot at goal was bizarre. When they were 247 00:13:06,173 --> 00:13:08,973 Speaker 3: trying to put the Blues under pressure. I mean there 248 00:13:09,013 --> 00:13:10,853 Speaker 3: was a chance to try and get into the corners 249 00:13:10,933 --> 00:13:13,013 Speaker 3: and put the Blues under some real heat. They missed 250 00:13:13,053 --> 00:13:15,893 Speaker 3: the penalty go and that was probably the game right there. 251 00:13:16,653 --> 00:13:18,773 Speaker 3: I don't get that tacnic in the slightest. 252 00:13:19,013 --> 00:13:21,213 Speaker 4: It didn't make any sense. I don't know what you 253 00:13:21,253 --> 00:13:23,013 Speaker 4: get out of a penalty and they missed it. Anyone 254 00:13:23,093 --> 00:13:25,893 Speaker 4: missed it. But yeah, I couldn't work that out myself 255 00:13:25,893 --> 00:13:29,573 Speaker 4: at the time. Why what notion is that I didn't 256 00:13:29,613 --> 00:13:33,893 Speaker 4: get it? Trying to achieve I guess if we go 257 00:13:34,093 --> 00:13:36,093 Speaker 4: a bit broader on the Blues. The big talking point 258 00:13:36,133 --> 00:13:38,773 Speaker 4: out of that was Patrick two polo too left the 259 00:13:38,813 --> 00:13:44,533 Speaker 4: fields midway first half knee injury. Never look comfortable, always, 260 00:13:44,853 --> 00:13:47,333 Speaker 4: you know, fears for how long he would be out for. 261 00:13:47,533 --> 00:13:50,173 Speaker 4: It's proven to be six seven weeks, which will not 262 00:13:50,173 --> 00:13:52,533 Speaker 4: only remove him from Super Rugby but also the All 263 00:13:52,533 --> 00:13:57,213 Speaker 4: Blacks campaign in July to Tesseainst, England and Fiji. If 264 00:13:57,253 --> 00:13:59,253 Speaker 4: there was one position that the All Blacks did not 265 00:13:59,413 --> 00:14:01,973 Speaker 4: need an injury, and it was lock. But from a 266 00:14:02,013 --> 00:14:06,213 Speaker 4: Blues perspective, how big a loss is Patrick two polo too. 267 00:14:06,293 --> 00:14:09,293 Speaker 3: I think it's a huge loss, both in terms of 268 00:14:09,333 --> 00:14:12,933 Speaker 3: his locking ability and his playing ability, but also his leadership. 269 00:14:13,373 --> 00:14:16,813 Speaker 3: He's talismanic for the Blues, dolden bubbly. He has done 270 00:14:16,813 --> 00:14:20,093 Speaker 3: a good job in previous season standing in for put Patrick. 271 00:14:20,133 --> 00:14:25,093 Speaker 3: But Patrick has that quiet, stoic leadership that I think 272 00:14:25,653 --> 00:14:28,493 Speaker 3: some of those Blues players and really resonates with him. 273 00:14:28,533 --> 00:14:30,853 Speaker 3: I think he's added a lot since he's come back, 274 00:14:30,853 --> 00:14:36,093 Speaker 3: and you know, on a permanent basis this season, I think, yeah, 275 00:14:36,133 --> 00:14:38,173 Speaker 3: I think it's a real blow for the Blues because 276 00:14:38,653 --> 00:14:40,693 Speaker 3: you look at the experience that they've got in the 277 00:14:40,733 --> 00:14:42,813 Speaker 3: second row and Sam Dowry has been around for a 278 00:14:42,813 --> 00:14:46,413 Speaker 3: few seasons now, but there's a lot of inexperienced at 279 00:14:46,413 --> 00:14:49,373 Speaker 3: super rugby level there. And when you get into play 280 00:14:49,533 --> 00:14:52,373 Speaker 3: footy and we've seen, you know, go back two years 281 00:14:52,413 --> 00:14:54,773 Speaker 3: with their lineout absolutely melted against the Crusaders in a 282 00:14:54,853 --> 00:14:57,613 Speaker 3: knockout game. When you don't have senior heads there that 283 00:14:57,693 --> 00:15:02,173 Speaker 3: can steady the ship, things can go a right particularly quickly. Now. 284 00:15:02,253 --> 00:15:04,733 Speaker 3: James Thompson came off the bench and did an outstanding job. 285 00:15:04,773 --> 00:15:07,333 Speaker 3: I thought on the weekend slotted him really really well. 286 00:15:08,413 --> 00:15:13,093 Speaker 3: Mcquonnoll's hopefully back this week from the concussion protocols. Josh 287 00:15:13,133 --> 00:15:16,573 Speaker 3: Berry has been very very good this season, but you 288 00:15:16,653 --> 00:15:19,413 Speaker 3: wouldn't say any a yet in the class of Patrick 289 00:15:19,453 --> 00:15:22,973 Speaker 3: twy Belotto. So when you're putting two players there that 290 00:15:23,013 --> 00:15:26,293 Speaker 3: are relatively experienced in a knockout game against the Brumby's 291 00:15:26,293 --> 00:15:30,053 Speaker 3: who set pieces as one of their real strengths. I 292 00:15:30,093 --> 00:15:35,053 Speaker 3: think that is a real worry for them. And you know, 293 00:15:35,093 --> 00:15:38,213 Speaker 3: I think the Blues are still going is relatively comfortable 294 00:15:38,253 --> 00:15:40,533 Speaker 3: favorites for this game, but I think it is a 295 00:15:40,533 --> 00:15:41,293 Speaker 3: big loss for them. 296 00:15:41,733 --> 00:15:44,373 Speaker 4: It's a good point you make about playoffs because playoffs 297 00:15:44,453 --> 00:15:47,893 Speaker 4: finals are a different beast and no one knows that 298 00:15:47,933 --> 00:15:50,453 Speaker 4: more than the Blues. The past two years they've come 299 00:15:50,493 --> 00:15:53,933 Speaker 4: a cropper in the semi finals in the final and 300 00:15:54,533 --> 00:15:57,693 Speaker 4: you do need that leadership and experience and composure and 301 00:15:57,773 --> 00:16:01,813 Speaker 4: that's when it's most vital. And the other point is 302 00:16:02,213 --> 00:16:04,053 Speaker 4: too Below too has been one of the blues best 303 00:16:04,053 --> 00:16:07,613 Speaker 4: ball carriers this year. You go back to that Crusader's 304 00:16:07,733 --> 00:16:10,693 Speaker 4: loss and and he's steaming onto the ball, making ten 305 00:16:10,693 --> 00:16:13,293 Speaker 4: to fifteen meters at a time. And now that Blues 306 00:16:13,333 --> 00:16:17,933 Speaker 4: pack doesn't lack ball carriers. Akirajuana offer toing a fuss, 307 00:16:17,933 --> 00:16:20,653 Speaker 4: They've Dalton, Popo Lee, you know, the list goes on there. 308 00:16:20,933 --> 00:16:22,973 Speaker 4: But Patrick has been one of their best and the 309 00:16:22,973 --> 00:16:26,293 Speaker 4: Blues full pack is their strength, and so it is 310 00:16:26,333 --> 00:16:28,973 Speaker 4: a big loss from that perspective as well, and I 311 00:16:29,173 --> 00:16:30,893 Speaker 4: don't see them being able to replace that. 312 00:16:31,013 --> 00:16:32,933 Speaker 5: You know, Sam Darry is. 313 00:16:32,893 --> 00:16:40,573 Speaker 4: A very valuable lineouts weapon till he's growing into his 314 00:16:40,613 --> 00:16:43,813 Speaker 4: body starting to fill out, but he's not that ball 315 00:16:43,813 --> 00:16:46,053 Speaker 4: carrying presence that too plow to us and I don't 316 00:16:46,053 --> 00:16:50,133 Speaker 4: know if anyone rivals him. So they're not going to 317 00:16:50,133 --> 00:16:52,813 Speaker 4: be able to replace him at all, really, are there? No? 318 00:16:52,893 --> 00:16:54,693 Speaker 3: Not. It's a big challenge for this week for the 319 00:16:54,693 --> 00:16:57,213 Speaker 3: Blues against the Brumbies because you think back two years 320 00:16:57,213 --> 00:17:00,213 Speaker 3: ago they almost lost to them at Eden Park. The 321 00:17:00,253 --> 00:17:03,093 Speaker 3: week before they lost to the Crusaders in the final, 322 00:17:04,213 --> 00:17:08,333 Speaker 3: and we haven't really seen the Blues deliver that player 323 00:17:08,573 --> 00:17:11,893 Speaker 3: performance yet against you know a team. You know. Last 324 00:17:11,933 --> 00:17:15,453 Speaker 3: year they comforty won the first round, got into the semifinals, 325 00:17:15,493 --> 00:17:18,733 Speaker 3: were absolutely dealt to by the Crusaders. Previous year they 326 00:17:19,253 --> 00:17:21,573 Speaker 3: got past the Brumbies in the semi final, they lost 327 00:17:21,573 --> 00:17:23,093 Speaker 3: to the Crusaders. Now, the big bad wolf from the 328 00:17:23,093 --> 00:17:26,013 Speaker 3: Crusaders aren't there this year, but I think there's still 329 00:17:26,053 --> 00:17:28,013 Speaker 3: a question mark over the Blues and their ability to 330 00:17:28,053 --> 00:17:29,853 Speaker 3: deliver it in knockout teams. Yes, a lot's changed and 331 00:17:29,893 --> 00:17:32,333 Speaker 3: coaches have changed and coming gone, but I still think 332 00:17:32,373 --> 00:17:34,813 Speaker 3: that bulk of those players were there in twenty three, 333 00:17:34,933 --> 00:17:39,333 Speaker 3: twenty two, not counting Super Rugby trans Tasman because it 334 00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:42,213 Speaker 3: doesn't count. But I think there's still a bit of 335 00:17:42,213 --> 00:17:44,213 Speaker 3: a point to prove for the Blues and Playoff Rugby. 336 00:17:44,453 --> 00:17:47,413 Speaker 5: There is there is, there's a lot for them to prove. 337 00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:51,933 Speaker 4: There's the weight of history and expectation, and those past 338 00:17:52,173 --> 00:17:56,413 Speaker 4: finals failings will weigh on a lot of these players 339 00:17:56,613 --> 00:17:58,373 Speaker 4: who have been there through that run. 340 00:17:58,693 --> 00:18:00,733 Speaker 5: The only thing I would say is I. 341 00:18:00,653 --> 00:18:05,173 Speaker 4: Think the Brumbies are a very different team away from Canberra. 342 00:18:05,533 --> 00:18:06,973 Speaker 5: I think they are quite limited. 343 00:18:07,373 --> 00:18:11,813 Speaker 4: They struggled to away the Highlanders, and if the Blues 344 00:18:11,893 --> 00:18:14,293 Speaker 4: are firmly in the box seat, because if you were 345 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:18,053 Speaker 4: picking a semi final opponent, you're sure as hell wouldn't 346 00:18:18,053 --> 00:18:19,373 Speaker 4: pick the Chiefs over the Brumbies. 347 00:18:19,413 --> 00:18:22,693 Speaker 3: No quite right, Well, let's get into that Brumbies Highlanders game, 348 00:18:22,973 --> 00:18:27,173 Speaker 3: because for a point the Highlanders were on top. I 349 00:18:27,213 --> 00:18:29,573 Speaker 3: thought in that game there were sixteen to ten up 350 00:18:30,333 --> 00:18:34,653 Speaker 3: just before halftime and then one trouble before halftime, a 351 00:18:34,693 --> 00:18:38,613 Speaker 3: couple shortly after halftime, including a magic try from Andy 352 00:18:38,693 --> 00:18:42,413 Speaker 3: Mulehead which was outstanding, and the game was gone. And 353 00:18:42,893 --> 00:18:47,453 Speaker 3: that is the Highlanders in a nutshell. They can hang 354 00:18:47,493 --> 00:18:50,013 Speaker 3: with teams some long periods of time, but they just don't, 355 00:18:50,053 --> 00:18:53,693 Speaker 3: i think, have the points in them to really put 356 00:18:53,693 --> 00:18:59,253 Speaker 3: pressure on you know, the top four teams in this competition. 357 00:19:00,333 --> 00:19:02,653 Speaker 5: It was a very underwhelming second half, wasn't it. From 358 00:19:02,653 --> 00:19:03,093 Speaker 5: the Hunters. 359 00:19:03,133 --> 00:19:05,893 Speaker 4: They competed well, They were right in the fight and 360 00:19:06,133 --> 00:19:08,573 Speaker 4: they made the most of their chances in that first enough. 361 00:19:09,413 --> 00:19:10,933 Speaker 5: You know, credit to the Brumbies defense. 362 00:19:11,533 --> 00:19:15,293 Speaker 4: They defended very well, but it did feel like Behinda's 363 00:19:15,333 --> 00:19:19,133 Speaker 4: attack was limited. They they lack some real game breakers. 364 00:19:19,933 --> 00:19:24,173 Speaker 4: It seemed very predictable one out running. They didn't really 365 00:19:25,333 --> 00:19:28,373 Speaker 4: challenge that the Brumbies on any sort of you know, 366 00:19:28,413 --> 00:19:30,213 Speaker 4: down the short side switch moves. 367 00:19:30,573 --> 00:19:32,133 Speaker 5: They tried a couple of grubbers. 368 00:19:31,733 --> 00:19:33,853 Speaker 4: And chips and behind that didn't really come off, but 369 00:19:34,373 --> 00:19:38,533 Speaker 4: it just all looked a bit pedestrian and when they 370 00:19:38,573 --> 00:19:41,453 Speaker 4: really needed something, they didn't know quite where to turn. 371 00:19:42,813 --> 00:19:44,733 Speaker 4: And you know, to be fair, look at the squad 372 00:19:46,053 --> 00:19:49,493 Speaker 4: to a degree, what can you expect out of that team? 373 00:19:50,013 --> 00:19:51,573 Speaker 4: It was always going to be a huge ass going 374 00:19:51,613 --> 00:19:56,133 Speaker 4: to camera, but yeah, it was. They did fold very 375 00:19:56,173 --> 00:20:00,413 Speaker 4: quickly and it was a pretty tough watch that second half. 376 00:20:00,493 --> 00:20:03,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, they just yeah, you're right, they folded and they 377 00:20:03,213 --> 00:20:06,933 Speaker 3: were there right in the game and created Bumbies. They 378 00:20:07,093 --> 00:20:10,773 Speaker 3: clearly went up a notch and after halftime I thought 379 00:20:10,893 --> 00:20:14,013 Speaker 3: they boss the game very very well. But it just 380 00:20:14,053 --> 00:20:16,653 Speaker 3: felt a Herd has had no answer for that, and 381 00:20:16,733 --> 00:20:20,373 Speaker 3: that's a strategic weakness there that they couldn't respond to 382 00:20:20,533 --> 00:20:22,133 Speaker 3: to the kind of pressure that the Brumbies role to 383 00:20:22,133 --> 00:20:22,573 Speaker 3: put on them. 384 00:20:22,933 --> 00:20:25,133 Speaker 4: Yeah, and the bench again, when you when you talk 385 00:20:25,213 --> 00:20:28,213 Speaker 4: depth and squad quality, they didn't get a lot of 386 00:20:28,213 --> 00:20:31,013 Speaker 4: payoff the bench, so you know, guys like Billy Harmon 387 00:20:31,013 --> 00:20:32,853 Speaker 4: are going to be a big loss trying to replace 388 00:20:32,933 --> 00:20:36,173 Speaker 4: those sort of those sort of figures. Recruitment becomes massive 389 00:20:36,173 --> 00:20:38,573 Speaker 4: for the haidas can they pick up a few guys 390 00:20:38,653 --> 00:20:40,613 Speaker 4: that are on the fringe of other New Zealand teams 391 00:20:40,653 --> 00:20:43,933 Speaker 4: and polish a few gyms and get some real X 392 00:20:43,973 --> 00:20:47,573 Speaker 4: factor into that team. Losing you know, someone like Tavia 393 00:20:47,653 --> 00:20:52,453 Speaker 4: Tavanaa has been huge for them from a game breaking perspective, 394 00:20:52,573 --> 00:20:54,733 Speaker 4: but they need a few more they do. 395 00:20:54,973 --> 00:20:57,053 Speaker 3: Right, Let's take a break here on rugby direct get 396 00:20:57,093 --> 00:21:00,333 Speaker 3: back into the final four after this. 397 00:21:00,333 --> 00:21:10,213 Speaker 2: This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans, 398 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:11,293 Speaker 2: Cower Babies Talk. 399 00:21:12,413 --> 00:21:15,613 Speaker 3: You're back with Rugby Direct, powered by Habits, Health, tackling 400 00:21:15,693 --> 00:21:18,013 Speaker 3: ors and pain from sport and work. Let's get into 401 00:21:18,173 --> 00:21:21,013 Speaker 3: our final four on the podcast. We alluded it to 402 00:21:21,173 --> 00:21:23,133 Speaker 3: alluded to it in the first half of the podcast, 403 00:21:23,373 --> 00:21:26,093 Speaker 3: the news that Patrick typot out for six to seven 404 00:21:26,173 --> 00:21:30,693 Speaker 3: weeks which rules him out of the All Blacks two 405 00:21:30,733 --> 00:21:34,413 Speaker 3: Tests against England, one against fi g Now I think 406 00:21:34,453 --> 00:21:35,973 Speaker 3: we can all agree that he would have been the 407 00:21:36,013 --> 00:21:39,173 Speaker 3: starter for the two tests against England alongside Scott Barrett. 408 00:21:39,213 --> 00:21:41,693 Speaker 3: Scott Barrett also didn't finish the Super Rugby season fit, 409 00:21:41,813 --> 00:21:45,253 Speaker 3: so with that in mind, let's assume Scott Barrett is 410 00:21:45,293 --> 00:21:47,733 Speaker 3: fit though for the tests against England. But who are 411 00:21:47,733 --> 00:21:52,093 Speaker 3: your four locks for that two test years against England, 412 00:21:52,093 --> 00:21:53,813 Speaker 3: one against fijim or. 413 00:21:53,733 --> 00:21:59,293 Speaker 4: Two pervised A lot low, pun intended and he went 414 00:21:59,413 --> 00:22:03,933 Speaker 4: up significant gear last weekend for the Chiefs, So Scott 415 00:22:04,013 --> 00:22:07,213 Speaker 4: Robson will be pleased to see that. But it's fair 416 00:22:07,213 --> 00:22:10,213 Speaker 4: to say probably broke out cold sweat with Patrick two 417 00:22:10,253 --> 00:22:13,973 Speaker 4: blowto went down because the State of New Zealand Rugby's 418 00:22:13,973 --> 00:22:17,693 Speaker 4: depth at Locke is not good Fabian Hollands is I 419 00:22:17,733 --> 00:22:19,893 Speaker 4: think we're degree of bolter on all black, but he's 420 00:22:20,093 --> 00:22:20,813 Speaker 4: not eligible. 421 00:22:21,093 --> 00:22:24,533 Speaker 3: Yeah, get do you try and go and get a 422 00:22:24,573 --> 00:22:25,493 Speaker 3: dispensation on that? 423 00:22:25,493 --> 00:22:27,293 Speaker 5: Well they did that with Filal, didn't they And it 424 00:22:27,333 --> 00:22:28,613 Speaker 5: was a similar case. 425 00:22:28,893 --> 00:22:30,973 Speaker 3: The school years, which are the hold up there. I 426 00:22:31,013 --> 00:22:33,533 Speaker 3: don't know why they don't count. I've never quite been 427 00:22:33,533 --> 00:22:37,133 Speaker 3: able to figure out why schooling news don't count for residency, 428 00:22:37,613 --> 00:22:39,853 Speaker 3: especially if you are a permanent, if you're if you've 429 00:22:39,853 --> 00:22:42,693 Speaker 3: gone to school in that country for a number of years. 430 00:22:42,693 --> 00:22:45,293 Speaker 3: I don't get why they don't count. So yes, you 431 00:22:45,373 --> 00:22:46,853 Speaker 3: just skip Billbom on the phone and. 432 00:22:46,853 --> 00:22:49,253 Speaker 4: Another will rug big quirk, But yeah, maybe they go 433 00:22:49,333 --> 00:22:52,493 Speaker 4: down that route for later in the year. Perhaps you 434 00:22:52,613 --> 00:22:55,533 Speaker 4: certainly want him and the max name Fabian. He looks 435 00:22:55,573 --> 00:22:59,213 Speaker 4: like he's starting to really come of age, but as 436 00:22:59,213 --> 00:23:03,533 Speaker 4: it stands, he's not eligible. Do you send a SOS 437 00:23:03,653 --> 00:23:09,333 Speaker 4: to Sam Whitelocke, who would need dispensation having just finished 438 00:23:09,773 --> 00:23:12,573 Speaker 4: playing well as his career, scored at a trial with his 439 00:23:13,013 --> 00:23:17,653 Speaker 4: last touch of the ball for Poe in France. Maybe 440 00:23:17,693 --> 00:23:22,133 Speaker 4: maybe not, but let's just talk about who's available. Sam 441 00:23:22,253 --> 00:23:26,573 Speaker 4: Darry for me leads the queue he's been sidelined for 442 00:23:26,613 --> 00:23:29,973 Speaker 4: I think two weeks with concussion, but he's a guy 443 00:23:30,133 --> 00:23:31,573 Speaker 4: that's growing into his body. 444 00:23:32,853 --> 00:23:33,693 Speaker 5: If he runs fit. 445 00:23:34,493 --> 00:23:38,533 Speaker 4: He's probably not quite there yet, but for me is 446 00:23:38,853 --> 00:23:41,533 Speaker 4: the next best guy he could. 447 00:23:41,613 --> 00:23:42,253 Speaker 5: Do a role. 448 00:23:42,533 --> 00:23:45,373 Speaker 4: He's physically probably not where he needs to be, but 449 00:23:45,573 --> 00:23:51,333 Speaker 4: getting pretty close. He's a line our assets and yeah, 450 00:23:51,333 --> 00:23:55,013 Speaker 4: he's performing well. I say a walker Lea Weddy has 451 00:23:55,053 --> 00:23:58,213 Speaker 4: done perform well in patches I think for the Hurricanes 452 00:23:58,253 --> 00:24:01,493 Speaker 4: this year and he's been around for five six years 453 00:24:01,493 --> 00:24:05,493 Speaker 4: of super rugby. Quentin Stranger is another one. Josh Lord 454 00:24:06,813 --> 00:24:10,133 Speaker 4: would be there. He's played a couple of tests. I 455 00:24:10,133 --> 00:24:13,533 Speaker 4: think back to he started against the Pumas in Argentina 456 00:24:13,693 --> 00:24:16,653 Speaker 4: and perform really well in that game. He's got the size, 457 00:24:16,733 --> 00:24:20,533 Speaker 4: the physical attributes, but he's only played three games and 458 00:24:20,773 --> 00:24:23,213 Speaker 4: barely cited him. So is he fit? Is he available 459 00:24:23,373 --> 00:24:26,253 Speaker 4: at this stage? Would say probably not so long for me. 460 00:24:26,813 --> 00:24:30,573 Speaker 4: I would go Sam Darry as a third guy, and 461 00:24:30,613 --> 00:24:35,413 Speaker 4: I'd actually go Monarchy Selby Rickett purely for his physical 462 00:24:36,053 --> 00:24:39,653 Speaker 4: attributes I think ball carrying, defense, but he can't even 463 00:24:39,653 --> 00:24:44,053 Speaker 4: make the Chiefs twenty three at this stage. So Cooy 464 00:24:44,133 --> 00:24:45,973 Speaker 4: is another one who I haven't mentioned, So for me, 465 00:24:46,053 --> 00:24:49,893 Speaker 4: I'm going Sam Darry Monarchy, Selby Rickett, who you got yep. 466 00:24:49,973 --> 00:24:51,973 Speaker 3: So let's say Barred and Tubo Vai are going to 467 00:24:51,973 --> 00:24:55,453 Speaker 3: be there. I actually am going to go and Iell Koya. 468 00:24:55,613 --> 00:24:57,773 Speaker 3: Like his body of worker, like what he's able to 469 00:24:57,813 --> 00:25:01,853 Speaker 3: do both aerially but also in the grub work and carrying. 470 00:25:01,893 --> 00:25:04,573 Speaker 3: I think he's a very very good player for the Chiefs, 471 00:25:05,253 --> 00:25:07,613 Speaker 3: so I would have him there, and I think I 472 00:25:07,653 --> 00:25:12,613 Speaker 3: would probably. I think I've got Caleb Delaney in all 473 00:25:12,653 --> 00:25:17,533 Speaker 3: honesty over over the Walker Lear Weddy W'd be tossing 474 00:25:17,573 --> 00:25:19,813 Speaker 3: up between them. So Sam Dearry just misses out for me. 475 00:25:20,253 --> 00:25:23,173 Speaker 3: I think I still want to see a bit more 476 00:25:23,173 --> 00:25:25,973 Speaker 3: from from Sam Dewry. I think he can get there, 477 00:25:25,973 --> 00:25:28,613 Speaker 3: but I don't think he's quite there years so y 478 00:25:28,733 --> 00:25:31,613 Speaker 3: I go, I Coley and in Caleb Delaney, I was. 479 00:25:31,733 --> 00:25:34,053 Speaker 4: I'm very pleased that you've taken off your cannibury eye 480 00:25:34,053 --> 00:25:39,013 Speaker 4: pitch because I can see Scott Robertson picking quintin strange. 481 00:25:39,053 --> 00:25:40,973 Speaker 5: He's a guy that's been on the CUSP. 482 00:25:40,693 --> 00:25:44,333 Speaker 4: In previous years, but for me, he's been very underwhelming 483 00:25:44,453 --> 00:25:48,493 Speaker 4: this season, and you know, can Tebbs love can Tebbs. 484 00:25:49,013 --> 00:25:53,733 Speaker 3: He's a he's a Marco's playmate. He's yeah, he's made 485 00:25:53,733 --> 00:25:56,773 Speaker 3: too many errors for me quintin strange this year. He 486 00:25:56,853 --> 00:25:59,173 Speaker 3: is the obvious one against the Brumbies, But even in 487 00:25:59,253 --> 00:26:01,933 Speaker 3: that last game against my Wida Pacific, I thought he 488 00:26:01,933 --> 00:26:03,653 Speaker 3: had ridig game into the blues a weit part of that, 489 00:26:03,693 --> 00:26:05,733 Speaker 3: but mine Pacific. He's made a couple of eras that 490 00:26:06,653 --> 00:26:09,613 Speaker 3: I just you know aren't test standard. But the fact 491 00:26:09,653 --> 00:26:11,853 Speaker 3: that we've come up with about six different players there 492 00:26:12,373 --> 00:26:14,973 Speaker 3: and selected a couple suggest that that is wide open. 493 00:26:15,253 --> 00:26:20,453 Speaker 3: And I don't know which way Scott Robinson's probably going 494 00:26:20,533 --> 00:26:20,733 Speaker 3: to go. 495 00:26:20,973 --> 00:26:22,293 Speaker 5: Neither of them are really compelling. 496 00:26:22,413 --> 00:26:25,173 Speaker 3: No, they're not compelling, And that point do you go 497 00:26:25,293 --> 00:26:27,853 Speaker 3: back and go, okay, say, and you sort of turned 498 00:26:27,933 --> 00:26:30,333 Speaker 3: us down or whether that was overlying the first place, 499 00:26:30,333 --> 00:26:31,933 Speaker 3: I don't know the whole SOS sort of thing. But 500 00:26:32,013 --> 00:26:34,693 Speaker 3: do you go give us two tests against England at 501 00:26:34,733 --> 00:26:36,693 Speaker 3: home and then we'll let you go into retirement. 502 00:26:36,893 --> 00:26:40,213 Speaker 4: The only other scenario we haven't talked about is do 503 00:26:40,253 --> 00:26:42,893 Speaker 4: you get creative and look at a guy like Summer 504 00:26:42,933 --> 00:26:46,573 Speaker 4: Penny female who's not tall enough to be a starting 505 00:26:46,653 --> 00:26:50,253 Speaker 4: test Lock, but has started a lot for the Chiefs 506 00:26:50,413 --> 00:26:55,173 Speaker 4: and has that versatility. So does Scott Robertson look at 507 00:26:54,533 --> 00:26:59,293 Speaker 4: the versatility of his loose forwards and look to get 508 00:26:59,333 --> 00:27:02,253 Speaker 4: a bit creative and pack a guy that can cover 509 00:27:02,733 --> 00:27:04,973 Speaker 4: rather than be an out and out Lock and some 510 00:27:05,093 --> 00:27:07,173 Speaker 4: pick someone who's maybe not ready yet. 511 00:27:07,173 --> 00:27:10,253 Speaker 3: Quite possibly sent Cameron saw four out of the Blues 512 00:27:10,293 --> 00:27:14,893 Speaker 3: as well cover both Locke and second and flanker as well. 513 00:27:15,253 --> 00:27:18,013 Speaker 3: Maybe another player like him here. He's obviously gone through 514 00:27:18,013 --> 00:27:21,213 Speaker 3: his health issues at the moments, but he's been another 515 00:27:21,213 --> 00:27:23,093 Speaker 3: player for the Blues over the last couple of seasons. 516 00:27:23,133 --> 00:27:25,693 Speaker 3: But looking at all those names as you go, there 517 00:27:25,773 --> 00:27:28,133 Speaker 3: is a real depth issue at lock in New Zealand currently. 518 00:27:28,293 --> 00:27:31,733 Speaker 5: Yeah, big time and let's be real about this. 519 00:27:31,813 --> 00:27:35,853 Speaker 4: England are extremely proficient, one of the best in the 520 00:27:35,893 --> 00:27:38,573 Speaker 4: world teams from a set piece perspective. There line out 521 00:27:38,693 --> 00:27:43,613 Speaker 4: they're more they're scrum. But let's not underestimate the power 522 00:27:43,653 --> 00:27:46,013 Speaker 4: that Locke generates. 523 00:27:45,293 --> 00:27:49,213 Speaker 5: In a scrum as well. So it's only one example. 524 00:27:49,213 --> 00:27:51,973 Speaker 4: But when the Albat's got too cute and started Juram 525 00:27:52,053 --> 00:27:55,333 Speaker 4: Caino at Locke, they lost for the first time against 526 00:27:55,373 --> 00:27:59,373 Speaker 4: Island in Chicago, So it is a very specialist role 527 00:27:59,413 --> 00:28:00,613 Speaker 4: and you do need to get it right. 528 00:28:01,093 --> 00:28:03,973 Speaker 3: Yep. There are some players coming through as well. I 529 00:28:04,013 --> 00:28:07,413 Speaker 3: mean you just mentioned Sam Derry. You know, Fabian Hind 530 00:28:07,413 --> 00:28:10,853 Speaker 3: when he's eligible. Jamie Henner out of the Crusaders at 531 00:28:10,893 --> 00:28:13,733 Speaker 3: Gallagher is another one. There are players coming through, but 532 00:28:13,773 --> 00:28:16,013 Speaker 3: are clearly not there at this point in time. 533 00:28:16,573 --> 00:28:21,373 Speaker 4: Yeah, whispers that Robinson does like Jamie Hannah. So I 534 00:28:21,373 --> 00:28:25,373 Speaker 4: wouldn't rule out a complete bolter. But we will wait 535 00:28:25,373 --> 00:28:28,413 Speaker 4: and see. We will next week. Incidentally, we will reselect 536 00:28:28,453 --> 00:28:30,653 Speaker 4: those squads that we did a few weeks back and 537 00:28:30,853 --> 00:28:32,893 Speaker 4: see when we land. Knowing that there is going to 538 00:28:32,893 --> 00:28:34,853 Speaker 4: be a thirty two man squad, I think we slip 539 00:28:34,973 --> 00:28:37,773 Speaker 4: at thirty three if I recall rightly. So someone's going 540 00:28:37,813 --> 00:28:42,213 Speaker 4: to go. We'll see who. Question Number two Kira Yoani 541 00:28:42,213 --> 00:28:46,053 Speaker 4: announcing that he is off after the season to go 542 00:28:46,093 --> 00:28:49,453 Speaker 4: play in Japan. Now a bit of confusion online used today, 543 00:28:49,493 --> 00:28:52,773 Speaker 4: sueducing that a Kira was eligible for Japan because he 544 00:28:52,853 --> 00:28:54,573 Speaker 4: was born in Tokyo, and now appears that he was 545 00:28:54,613 --> 00:28:57,133 Speaker 4: not born in Tokyo, which has been a popular, well 546 00:28:57,173 --> 00:28:58,933 Speaker 4: now myth spread for a number of years. 547 00:28:59,013 --> 00:29:00,013 Speaker 5: Don't trust Wikipedia. 548 00:29:00,013 --> 00:29:03,613 Speaker 3: He no All Blacks dot Com apparently, which also says that, 549 00:29:03,653 --> 00:29:06,653 Speaker 3: but how much of a loss is it for the 550 00:29:06,653 --> 00:29:08,853 Speaker 3: Blues and New Zealand Rugby loser a kid of you 551 00:29:08,933 --> 00:29:10,213 Speaker 3: on what. 552 00:29:10,373 --> 00:29:10,813 Speaker 5: Is a loss? 553 00:29:10,853 --> 00:29:15,493 Speaker 4: Yeah, Akira is an exceptional athlete and has been a 554 00:29:15,533 --> 00:29:19,813 Speaker 4: proven performer for the Blues. I guess he has also 555 00:29:19,933 --> 00:29:25,413 Speaker 4: been struggled to consistently produce his best and fulfill his 556 00:29:26,893 --> 00:29:31,133 Speaker 4: physical gifts, I think is a good way to describe it. 557 00:29:31,173 --> 00:29:35,173 Speaker 4: But he has matured in recent years and I think 558 00:29:35,213 --> 00:29:38,013 Speaker 4: he is a big loss for the Blues, although they 559 00:29:38,013 --> 00:29:40,893 Speaker 4: do have a lot of depth throughout their loose forwards. 560 00:29:41,293 --> 00:29:46,173 Speaker 4: You know, Adrian Choates and Anton signa but very different profile, 561 00:29:46,213 --> 00:29:48,613 Speaker 4: aren't they of athlete? I think at this stage of 562 00:29:48,653 --> 00:29:51,213 Speaker 4: his career it makes a lot of sense. He's not 563 00:29:52,493 --> 00:29:55,773 Speaker 4: banging down the All Black store and he's just had 564 00:29:55,773 --> 00:29:58,453 Speaker 4: a young kids going to Japan to set himself up. 565 00:29:58,733 --> 00:30:00,293 Speaker 4: It's a move at the stage that makes a lot 566 00:30:00,293 --> 00:30:03,453 Speaker 4: of sense. But he is a real asset for the Blues. 567 00:30:03,573 --> 00:30:03,853 Speaker 4: He is. 568 00:30:03,973 --> 00:30:06,453 Speaker 3: Yeah. I just always felt like he was poised and 569 00:30:06,573 --> 00:30:09,493 Speaker 3: ready to really take his go into another level. And 570 00:30:09,533 --> 00:30:13,053 Speaker 3: I don't know that we ever saw that from him 571 00:30:13,093 --> 00:30:15,573 Speaker 3: at both All Black level and Blues certainly we saw 572 00:30:15,573 --> 00:30:17,933 Speaker 3: it from in a number of times, but the All 573 00:30:17,933 --> 00:30:20,213 Speaker 3: Blacks level, it just never felt like he quite arrived 574 00:30:20,213 --> 00:30:23,853 Speaker 3: at test level like he promised, like he was we 575 00:30:23,853 --> 00:30:26,693 Speaker 3: thought he was capable of. So that's always the you know, 576 00:30:26,853 --> 00:30:29,893 Speaker 3: the unfortunate thing that he perhaps didn't realize his test potential. 577 00:30:31,453 --> 00:30:33,653 Speaker 3: But there's a variety of reasons potentially for that, and 578 00:30:33,933 --> 00:30:36,293 Speaker 3: maybe he'll find it another team. 579 00:30:36,773 --> 00:30:38,973 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think he looked really good at times against 580 00:30:39,133 --> 00:30:42,853 Speaker 4: teams like Australia where he could get to the edge 581 00:30:43,173 --> 00:30:47,813 Speaker 4: and use his ball playing capabilities and you know, time 582 00:30:47,853 --> 00:30:51,093 Speaker 4: and space. But if you can't compare him as like 583 00:30:51,133 --> 00:30:53,933 Speaker 4: for like, for what Shannon Frazel did against the likes 584 00:30:53,933 --> 00:30:56,413 Speaker 4: of the spring Box, that's what you want. That's the 585 00:30:56,453 --> 00:30:58,373 Speaker 4: prototype for the All Blacks what they want out of 586 00:30:58,373 --> 00:31:01,453 Speaker 4: their six and a Kira probably never delivered that on 587 00:31:01,493 --> 00:31:02,613 Speaker 4: a consistent basis. 588 00:31:03,133 --> 00:31:05,453 Speaker 3: All right grade the Highland is Super Rugby season out 589 00:31:05,453 --> 00:31:05,733 Speaker 3: of ten. 590 00:31:07,253 --> 00:31:11,173 Speaker 4: Look, it's a pass mark for making the finals. So 591 00:31:11,173 --> 00:31:14,293 Speaker 4: I'm going to say they hadn't done that certainly last year, 592 00:31:14,893 --> 00:31:17,853 Speaker 4: so they improved, but I'd struggle to go any higher 593 00:31:17,853 --> 00:31:19,293 Speaker 4: than a five to be honest. 594 00:31:19,773 --> 00:31:22,933 Speaker 3: Tough market to sex because, as we mentioned, that roster 595 00:31:24,573 --> 00:31:28,733 Speaker 3: didn't look like it was playoff material necessarily. There's a 596 00:31:28,773 --> 00:31:32,133 Speaker 3: lot of promising players in that Highlanders team Fabe Holland 597 00:31:32,173 --> 00:31:35,693 Speaker 3: for one Cambiller, they got a couple of really good 598 00:31:35,693 --> 00:31:39,853 Speaker 3: hookers as well, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell, which who looked promising. Sure, 599 00:31:39,893 --> 00:31:41,893 Speaker 3: and whether he's a real problem within yep, so there 600 00:31:41,933 --> 00:31:45,493 Speaker 3: was some promising. Jacob after Vookie Nipkins was a goodbye. 601 00:31:45,653 --> 00:31:47,773 Speaker 3: I'm giving them a sex out of ten. It's probably 602 00:31:47,773 --> 00:31:51,093 Speaker 3: fair generous marking. Maybe I don't know. And topic number 603 00:31:51,093 --> 00:31:55,693 Speaker 3: four super uggy plus formats abound. What's the right step 604 00:31:55,693 --> 00:31:57,693 Speaker 3: for next season? Now? I know once you finished recording 605 00:31:57,733 --> 00:32:01,453 Speaker 3: last week, Liam, you're working the phones and you came 606 00:32:01,533 --> 00:32:04,733 Speaker 3: up with a few word on the street that we're 607 00:32:04,733 --> 00:32:07,133 Speaker 3: looking at maybe a sixteen playoff for next season, or 608 00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:12,253 Speaker 3: even Team Plow from an eleven team competition. Now that 609 00:32:12,293 --> 00:32:15,893 Speaker 3: would be slightly ridiculous, but so six teams, top two 610 00:32:15,893 --> 00:32:19,293 Speaker 3: would get the week off three B six four plaz five, 611 00:32:19,413 --> 00:32:24,413 Speaker 3: Top seven top team gets the week off two plays seven, 612 00:32:24,533 --> 00:32:28,733 Speaker 3: three plays fire six four plays five. What's your favorite? 613 00:32:29,093 --> 00:32:33,173 Speaker 4: Yeah, So the seventeen formats the NFL for our American 614 00:32:33,213 --> 00:32:38,173 Speaker 4: sport followers out there. But and I guess the quirk 615 00:32:38,253 --> 00:32:43,853 Speaker 4: here is Super Rugby Commission wants the top six, but 616 00:32:45,373 --> 00:32:48,533 Speaker 4: they are a figurehead organization to a degree, with New 617 00:32:48,613 --> 00:32:51,573 Speaker 4: Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia still having the final say 618 00:32:51,733 --> 00:32:55,213 Speaker 4: on these things around the what goes in the competition, 619 00:32:55,773 --> 00:33:00,653 Speaker 4: So look, I would expect. I heard Evan Lee at 620 00:33:00,653 --> 00:33:03,093 Speaker 4: a Hurricanes media session I think yesterday came out and 621 00:33:03,373 --> 00:33:05,853 Speaker 4: supported the sixteen format. I think by and large most 622 00:33:05,893 --> 00:33:11,573 Speaker 4: people want that because it bring a more elite caveat 623 00:33:11,613 --> 00:33:13,053 Speaker 4: to the playoffs. 624 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:14,653 Speaker 5: Which is desperately needed, isn't it. Let's be honest. 625 00:33:14,893 --> 00:33:17,573 Speaker 4: The Rebels made it this year having lost their last 626 00:33:17,613 --> 00:33:19,773 Speaker 4: six games of the season, which is just absurd. 627 00:33:20,973 --> 00:33:21,773 Speaker 5: It needs to be. 628 00:33:23,733 --> 00:33:27,013 Speaker 4: You know, you need to reward the teams that finished 629 00:33:27,053 --> 00:33:29,893 Speaker 4: top first and foremost, so the six team does that 630 00:33:30,093 --> 00:33:32,653 Speaker 4: gives the first two teams the week off, and I 631 00:33:32,693 --> 00:33:36,893 Speaker 4: think six from eleven is fine. Seven from eleven it's 632 00:33:36,973 --> 00:33:39,453 Speaker 4: pretty similar to eight from twelve, isn't it? Like? You 633 00:33:39,533 --> 00:33:42,413 Speaker 4: need to make this an elite professional competition and the 634 00:33:42,613 --> 00:33:44,453 Speaker 4: current player format does not do that. 635 00:33:44,493 --> 00:33:47,813 Speaker 3: I don't think it does. Yeah, I don't even think 636 00:33:47,813 --> 00:33:50,333 Speaker 3: the top six does that. To be honest, I think 637 00:33:50,813 --> 00:33:54,293 Speaker 3: we're currently in the spot where when you've got a 638 00:33:54,293 --> 00:33:56,853 Speaker 3: top eight of twelve making it most of the regular season, 639 00:33:57,053 --> 00:33:59,493 Speaker 3: do I say it is a waste of time because 640 00:34:00,213 --> 00:34:02,493 Speaker 3: most of the four teams are dropping out. You're limiting 641 00:34:02,493 --> 00:34:05,133 Speaker 3: four teams at the end. It doesn't really get to 642 00:34:05,173 --> 00:34:06,533 Speaker 3: the point to end until write to the end of 643 00:34:06,573 --> 00:34:09,293 Speaker 3: The Crusaders are ride in it until the last minute 644 00:34:09,333 --> 00:34:11,333 Speaker 3: of the season, when really they had no right to be. 645 00:34:11,533 --> 00:34:14,533 Speaker 4: When we saw that this weekend just gone with the Dura, 646 00:34:14,733 --> 00:34:19,973 Speaker 4: the Rebels, you know the Reds, you know the Dura and. 647 00:34:21,493 --> 00:34:23,813 Speaker 5: Rebels they can and fodder. 648 00:34:23,893 --> 00:34:25,373 Speaker 3: Yeah, well see, could you go back to a top 649 00:34:25,413 --> 00:34:27,173 Speaker 3: four that was the originally as a Super twelve, it 650 00:34:27,213 --> 00:34:29,293 Speaker 3: was the top four. Maybe you have teams that are 651 00:34:29,293 --> 00:34:31,333 Speaker 3: out of it weeks, but you know, weeks before the playoffs. 652 00:34:31,333 --> 00:34:32,813 Speaker 3: But that is elite. 653 00:34:32,973 --> 00:34:33,973 Speaker 5: Well one hundred percent. 654 00:34:34,013 --> 00:34:36,293 Speaker 4: And the only reason we have a bloated playoff format 655 00:34:36,373 --> 00:34:40,853 Speaker 4: is because broadcasters want more matches. Teams want more playoff 656 00:34:40,893 --> 00:34:44,373 Speaker 4: games because they are the make or break of their 657 00:34:44,373 --> 00:34:48,973 Speaker 4: balance sheets for the years, and they want to try 658 00:34:49,013 --> 00:34:51,453 Speaker 4: and guarantee an Australian presence in the playoff. Those are 659 00:34:51,493 --> 00:34:55,573 Speaker 4: the only three residents and it does severely compromise your 660 00:34:55,613 --> 00:34:59,933 Speaker 4: ability to market your competition as as being a genuine 661 00:34:59,973 --> 00:35:01,133 Speaker 4: elite level. 662 00:35:01,093 --> 00:35:05,733 Speaker 3: Bring back the conferences right, let's get into our tipping competition. 663 00:35:07,853 --> 00:35:10,133 Speaker 3: My on the Reds in the Highland has failed to 664 00:35:10,133 --> 00:35:12,333 Speaker 3: come through. Liam, you went four to four, so you're 665 00:35:12,413 --> 00:35:15,773 Speaker 3: letting sixty three forty five. That gap is just far 666 00:35:15,853 --> 00:35:16,253 Speaker 3: too big. 667 00:35:16,573 --> 00:35:20,613 Speaker 4: Quite frankly, if only my tab balance was reflective of this. 668 00:35:21,213 --> 00:35:24,693 Speaker 3: Blues Brombi's Friday Night Live on Gold Sword and iHeart Radio. 669 00:35:26,293 --> 00:35:28,733 Speaker 4: I was gonna say, Blues Mona, that's not correct, is it. 670 00:35:29,133 --> 00:35:30,813 Speaker 4: Look I think the Blues get that done and I 671 00:35:30,853 --> 00:35:32,933 Speaker 4: think they will probably get it done pretty comfortably. 672 00:35:32,933 --> 00:35:36,773 Speaker 3: And then Hurricanes Chiefs four thirty five Saturday afternoon. 673 00:35:37,573 --> 00:35:39,493 Speaker 5: Well, there's two reasons they're going to tip this way. 674 00:35:39,773 --> 00:35:42,533 Speaker 4: One is because of their respective quarter final performances and 675 00:35:42,573 --> 00:35:45,453 Speaker 4: two because when I doubt the Hurricanes, they win. 676 00:35:45,533 --> 00:35:47,653 Speaker 5: So I'm going to tip the chief to the Chiefs. 677 00:35:48,373 --> 00:35:51,253 Speaker 3: I'm going to Hurricanes. Mate, that's ridiculous. I've been played. 678 00:35:51,333 --> 00:35:55,213 Speaker 3: McMillan did say it's going to turn profit. Yeah, he 679 00:35:55,253 --> 00:35:58,773 Speaker 3: did say after the round robin game end of Super 680 00:35:58,813 --> 00:36:01,533 Speaker 3: Rugby that you'd see everyone back there in three weeks 681 00:36:01,533 --> 00:36:05,413 Speaker 3: for the Blues and Chiefs final Eden Park. Yeah, maybe 682 00:36:05,813 --> 00:36:08,813 Speaker 3: maybe it will happen. Sadly, the Chiefs drawer final can 683 00:36:08,853 --> 00:36:13,373 Speaker 3: no longer happen. MVP voting Hoskins to Tutu on eighteen points, 684 00:36:13,413 --> 00:36:15,733 Speaker 3: Billy Procter on nine, Cam Meller, Fletcher Newell and a 685 00:36:15,773 --> 00:36:20,013 Speaker 3: Suffer are more all on seven. Who gets your points 686 00:36:20,013 --> 00:36:20,453 Speaker 3: this weekly? 687 00:36:21,293 --> 00:36:24,133 Speaker 4: Angeline and Brown produced his best performance of the season 688 00:36:24,213 --> 00:36:28,053 Speaker 4: for the Chiefs, so he gets my three. Dalton Papolli 689 00:36:28,213 --> 00:36:32,613 Speaker 4: really stepped up in Patrick Tuopolochu's absence, both both sides 690 00:36:32,613 --> 00:36:33,013 Speaker 4: of the ball. 691 00:36:33,013 --> 00:36:35,533 Speaker 5: He was huge, So two for him, and I. 692 00:36:35,613 --> 00:36:39,053 Speaker 4: Was quite impressed with Jordi Barrett's just as real intent 693 00:36:39,133 --> 00:36:42,893 Speaker 4: on defense and ball in hands put a lot of aggression, 694 00:36:43,013 --> 00:36:44,173 Speaker 4: So he gets my one. 695 00:36:44,253 --> 00:36:46,653 Speaker 3: I'm going three for Dolton papal two to Anton and 696 00:36:46,853 --> 00:36:51,013 Speaker 3: Brown one to a B. I thought all three really 697 00:36:51,013 --> 00:36:53,813 Speaker 3: stood out, and look at those players there not home 698 00:36:53,813 --> 00:36:55,253 Speaker 3: seeing the team's rise to the crop was saying that 699 00:36:55,333 --> 00:36:57,253 Speaker 3: the All Blacks rise to the top in terms of 700 00:36:57,733 --> 00:36:59,933 Speaker 3: they're playing that big playoff rugby that we want to see, 701 00:36:59,933 --> 00:37:00,213 Speaker 3: aren't we. 702 00:37:00,493 --> 00:37:03,853 Speaker 4: That's right, know how no to step up, how to 703 00:37:03,893 --> 00:37:05,933 Speaker 4: step up when it matters most? And I think you'll 704 00:37:05,933 --> 00:37:07,253 Speaker 4: see that over the coming weeks as well. 705 00:37:07,293 --> 00:37:09,693 Speaker 3: Yeah, and speaking of will step up when it matters most? 706 00:37:09,693 --> 00:37:12,733 Speaker 3: Next week, that's right, Bring it home big podcast next 707 00:37:12,773 --> 00:37:15,093 Speaker 3: week ahead of the final, a couple of special guests 708 00:37:15,333 --> 00:37:18,893 Speaker 3: in the offering potentially, and we're also gonna redraft and 709 00:37:19,013 --> 00:37:21,373 Speaker 3: refigure out those all black squads that are gonna be 710 00:37:21,453 --> 00:37:23,133 Speaker 3: named on the twenty fourth of June. 711 00:37:23,773 --> 00:37:26,093 Speaker 5: The players, you can sense the nerves. 712 00:37:25,813 --> 00:37:28,293 Speaker 3: Now, yeah, I mean you know there's one they want 713 00:37:28,293 --> 00:37:29,933 Speaker 3: to make Scott Robertson squad, but so they want to 714 00:37:29,933 --> 00:37:30,733 Speaker 3: make the Rugby. 715 00:37:30,453 --> 00:37:33,773 Speaker 4: Direct squad point the end of the year. It really 716 00:37:33,813 --> 00:37:35,093 Speaker 4: is bring your best form. 717 00:37:34,813 --> 00:37:37,453 Speaker 3: All right Rugby directs once again with Habit Heath, tackling 718 00:37:37,453 --> 00:37:39,493 Speaker 3: all your aches and pains from sport and work. Book 719 00:37:39,533 --> 00:37:41,213 Speaker 3: online at habit dot health to see a physio and 720 00:37:41,213 --> 00:37:43,133 Speaker 3: get back in the game faster. We will see you 721 00:37:43,213 --> 00:37:46,213 Speaker 3: next Monday and thanks to Lasting Bars English shares. 722 00:37:45,973 --> 00:37:53,373 Speaker 1: Always for more from News Talks b listen live on 723 00:37:53,453 --> 00:37:56,453 Speaker 1: air or online and keep our shows with you Wherever 724 00:37:56,493 --> 00:37:59,053 Speaker 1: you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.