WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 161 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:12.693 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks b follow 0:00:12.773 --> 0:00:17.013 this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio. 0:00:19.253 --> 0:00:21.013 Straight down the middle. 0:00:20.733 --> 0:00:22.373 Of dry. 0:00:23.813 --> 0:00:24.413 Try. 0:00:24.773 --> 0:00:26.013 Welcome in to Rugby Direct. 0:00:26.093 --> 0:00:28.613 John r Hen Health Technique, all your aches and pains 0:00:28.613 --> 0:00:38.773 from the sports and another alien Disappearances, Joseph Lee or 0:00:39.333 --> 0:00:42.693 Joey Marno the man that can do it All across 0:00:42.773 --> 0:00:45.213 Rugby and Rugby League Podcast. Nick Bailey, Great, have you 0:00:45.253 --> 0:00:48.133 in for Liam Napier this week? Welcome on and again, 0:00:48.453 --> 0:00:48.813 Oh what. 0:00:48.813 --> 0:00:51.413 An introduction Smith here, Thanks for that. I'm sure I'm 0:00:51.453 --> 0:00:53.333 not sure if that NS and me listeners across the 0:00:53.333 --> 0:00:56.293 podcast stable are enjoying me jumping between codes week to 0:00:56.293 --> 0:00:58.653 week from the Big League Podcast back to Rugby Direct, 0:00:58.653 --> 0:01:02.133 but I'm happy to be here and speaking of habit, health, 0:01:02.133 --> 0:01:04.613 aches and pains from sport and work, probably leisure as well. 0:01:04.653 --> 0:01:07.933 For Liam Napier, I hope he's doing okay after Nral's Magic. 0:01:07.693 --> 0:01:10.453 Ground from him for a good twenty four plus hours. 0:01:10.493 --> 0:01:13.773 So hopefully we'll report back for Judy at some point 0:01:13.773 --> 0:01:16.093 this week and be on deck for the podcast next week. 0:01:16.093 --> 0:01:16.893 I'm sure he had a great week. 0:01:16.933 --> 0:01:19.853 It looked like a great weekend over there, and I suppose, 0:01:20.013 --> 0:01:22.053 you know, if you're Super Rugby, you're trying to figure 0:01:22.053 --> 0:01:24.973 out the lessons of how you apply that to Super Round, 0:01:24.973 --> 0:01:26.653 which is obviously taking a break this year. I just 0:01:26.653 --> 0:01:28.933 don't know that you can replicate that across Super Rugby. 0:01:28.973 --> 0:01:31.253 I think they're trying to find something that's just not 0:01:31.333 --> 0:01:32.813 going to quite work. 0:01:33.693 --> 0:01:34.573 It'll be interesting to see. 0:01:34.573 --> 0:01:37.573 I heard some comments from Super Rugby chair Kevin malloy 0:01:37.653 --> 0:01:40.093 on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine just yes, they certainly 0:01:40.133 --> 0:01:42.493 is in the thinking, whether that be down my way 0:01:42.613 --> 0:01:45.373 Smith at christ Church to help open Tokaha next year. 0:01:45.373 --> 0:01:47.733 I feel like there's a lot that makes a fair 0:01:47.733 --> 0:01:50.573 amount of sense for mine or fig where they absolutely 0:01:50.573 --> 0:01:53.253 adore their rugby. Of course there's some logistical challenges here, 0:01:53.293 --> 0:01:55.533 but the NRL is certainly onto a winner there with 0:01:55.573 --> 0:01:56.053 major round. 0:01:56.053 --> 0:01:57.253 Has to be said, they certainly are. 0:01:57.293 --> 0:01:59.333 Well, let's get into the round that was in Super 0:01:59.493 --> 0:02:03.933 Rugby Pacific and the most recent game that rounded out 0:02:03.973 --> 0:02:06.373 the round, but a Sunday afternoon footy which is always 0:02:06.453 --> 0:02:09.053 a treat under the roof in Dunedam probably the best 0:02:09.093 --> 0:02:11.893 game of the round, to be honest with you, Mina 0:02:11.933 --> 0:02:16.533 Pacific at beating the Highland is thirty four twenty nine. Look, 0:02:16.693 --> 0:02:19.373 I think you look at this Muana side and they 0:02:19.693 --> 0:02:23.093 are continuing to upset the apple cart. Now, whether it's 0:02:23.133 --> 0:02:24.853 good enough to make the playoffs, we'll get onto that 0:02:25.213 --> 0:02:27.053 in a week while on the podcast. But what they're 0:02:27.053 --> 0:02:29.813 doing is showing up every week, which is what we've 0:02:29.853 --> 0:02:32.293 asked for them in recent years. And they've going down 0:02:32.333 --> 0:02:34.013 to the need in which they haven't done, you know, 0:02:34.133 --> 0:02:37.493 particularly well in previous years, and kept at it and 0:02:37.493 --> 0:02:39.013 got the win. And I thought they were the better 0:02:39.053 --> 0:02:42.453 team yesterday afternoon and deserving of that win. You've got 0:02:42.493 --> 0:02:44.173 to give a lot of credit to Artie sa Via 0:02:44.413 --> 0:02:47.933 wonderful try, you know, the double grubber, Regather scoring in 0:02:48.053 --> 0:02:50.853 the corner, but everything else that he did across the game. 0:02:51.093 --> 0:02:53.453 He has been so influential on this team this year 0:02:53.453 --> 0:02:56.573 and kept talking about it, but it's hard to understate 0:02:56.693 --> 0:02:58.853 just how valuable his presence has been to the side. 0:02:58.853 --> 0:02:59.893 What did you make of that game. 0:02:59.813 --> 0:03:02.173 Nick, eh? The South Island Slayers. 0:03:02.173 --> 0:03:04.573 Aren't they Minor Pacifica or was it last month beating 0:03:04.573 --> 0:03:07.733 the Crusaders down my way and now down a bit 0:03:07.773 --> 0:03:09.733 further down Stie High One and getting the job done 0:03:09.733 --> 0:03:10.933 over Jamie Joseph's side. 0:03:10.973 --> 0:03:13.213 Look, I thought they were deserved. 0:03:12.813 --> 0:03:15.333 Victors, and you summed it up brilliantly around the impact 0:03:15.333 --> 0:03:17.333 that Ardie sav has and I know on this podcast 0:03:17.333 --> 0:03:19.893 when Leans usually in this seat, you guys are waxing 0:03:19.973 --> 0:03:22.933 lyrical about his influence both on and off the field. 0:03:22.733 --> 0:03:25.333 But the way his body at work on both sides 0:03:25.373 --> 0:03:25.773 of the ball. 0:03:26.013 --> 0:03:29.453 He is in another stratosphere at the moment, and it 0:03:29.533 --> 0:03:31.333 was almost as if I know a lot of the 0:03:31.373 --> 0:03:34.053 headlines in the highlight moment with the Chip and Chase. 0:03:34.133 --> 0:03:36.053 You know, it's obviously he wanted that that Chip and 0:03:36.133 --> 0:03:38.173 Chase Trice somewhere on his resume after the one that 0:03:38.213 --> 0:03:41.213 got scrubbed out the week before. But that's just I 0:03:41.253 --> 0:03:45.133 guess a footnote really on his full performance, like, well, 0:03:45.133 --> 0:03:48.653 what have we got here? Eighty one meters for nineteen carries, 0:03:48.693 --> 0:03:51.733 three defenders, beat in three clean breaks are just an 0:03:51.773 --> 0:03:54.293 all round inspiration and the way he's able to then 0:03:54.373 --> 0:03:56.973 exert more out of the rest of the team just 0:03:57.053 --> 0:03:59.413 can't be understated. And I think that loose forward trio 0:03:59.573 --> 0:04:04.413 as a three with Miracle Fire, Lungey and Tupo Thayoloa, 0:04:04.453 --> 0:04:06.933 who could have easily been in a Highlands juty this 0:04:07.013 --> 0:04:08.573 season given he was playing for the Seat Up and 0:04:08.573 --> 0:04:11.573 Stags and NPC last year. They're right up there in 0:04:11.613 --> 0:04:14.173 terms of a loose forward trail in Super Rugby Pacific 0:04:14.213 --> 0:04:17.133 full stop. So look, we'll get to the Highlanders in 0:04:17.133 --> 0:04:19.533 a sec. But Moana give them a ton of credit. 0:04:20.093 --> 0:04:21.733 I love the way they go about their player. I 0:04:21.733 --> 0:04:24.733 love seeing some of their outside backs like Kyra and 0:04:24.733 --> 0:04:29.653 Thomoyflau and open space. They're just their box office appointment viewing. 0:04:30.733 --> 0:04:33.053 And they're very much now in the playoff picture. They've 0:04:33.053 --> 0:04:35.733 got a terribly difficult run home with the last three games, 0:04:35.733 --> 0:04:37.853 which we'll get to, but the fact that they're just 0:04:37.973 --> 0:04:40.253 there in the top six at the minute, in that 0:04:40.333 --> 0:04:44.533 sixth position, it's a success story for the season for sure. 0:04:44.653 --> 0:04:45.013 That's right. 0:04:45.053 --> 0:04:47.613 And they lose yesterday, they're probably out of the playoff mix, 0:04:47.653 --> 0:04:49.453 aren't they, because it's just too much work to do 0:04:49.493 --> 0:04:51.973 over the closing rounds of the competition. And you know, 0:04:52.053 --> 0:04:55.773 Jack Taylor scores with seven eight minutes to go, converted 0:04:55.773 --> 0:04:58.053 by robins and you go, yeah, this is maybe not 0:04:58.093 --> 0:05:01.453 going to be their day. But then Milani Matavel who 0:05:01.573 --> 0:05:03.093 came off for the bench and had a real impact. 0:05:03.173 --> 0:05:06.093 I thought with that charge down. Now I've gone back 0:05:06.093 --> 0:05:07.693 and watched it a couple of times, I think Robinson 0:05:07.693 --> 0:05:10.693 that time to pull out probably should have seen Mazavel 0:05:10.813 --> 0:05:13.653 in his eye line of vision and maybe pulled out 0:05:13.693 --> 0:05:15.933 of it and not kicked it or just taken the tackle. 0:05:16.453 --> 0:05:19.693 He's probably going to rue that. But great vision from 0:05:19.893 --> 0:05:22.213 the replacement half back from one just to see that 0:05:22.253 --> 0:05:26.173 opportunity coming through, got the balance and then the dive 0:05:26.213 --> 0:05:29.133 in the corner was pretty special as well, and they 0:05:29.133 --> 0:05:31.013 closed it up from there. And just that they have 0:05:31.053 --> 0:05:34.213 a sense that of a never say die attitude and 0:05:34.213 --> 0:05:37.053 it hasn't always turned into victories the seats in Mauana Pacifica, 0:05:37.093 --> 0:05:38.973 but you look back at some of the performances they 0:05:39.013 --> 0:05:41.293 probably should have been in the hound as earlier on 0:05:41.333 --> 0:05:43.173 in the comp when they were twenty one points down 0:05:43.213 --> 0:05:47.373 at halftime, they came back and stormed back against the Hurricanes. 0:05:47.373 --> 0:05:49.733 From memory, the Chiefs they are forty three seven down 0:05:49.773 --> 0:05:52.293 and maybe should have ended that game with, you know, 0:05:52.533 --> 0:05:54.453 actually a losing bonus point. They didn't get it on 0:05:54.493 --> 0:05:57.093 that occasion, but they've been the masters of the second spell, 0:05:57.133 --> 0:05:58.973 but they also just don't know when they're beaten. That's 0:05:59.013 --> 0:06:02.293 a really strong quality to have for Mowana given in 0:06:02.373 --> 0:06:05.013 recent seasons the cops and pastings and the heads have 0:06:05.133 --> 0:06:07.573 gone down completely agree. 0:06:07.333 --> 0:06:09.413 And on the other side of the the equation the 0:06:09.493 --> 0:06:12.493 Highlander is they're sort of finding ways to lose at 0:06:12.533 --> 0:06:14.653 the moment, or finding ways where they're not icing the 0:06:14.653 --> 0:06:17.973 big moments like the Tane Robinson clearance Kirk which ends 0:06:18.053 --> 0:06:20.453 up a charge down trying the corner to the replacement 0:06:20.533 --> 0:06:22.573 half back, and you've got to feel a little bit 0:06:22.613 --> 0:06:24.933 for Jamie Joseph sid They're already up against it in 0:06:25.013 --> 0:06:29.573 terms of attracting players down south to the southernmost franchise 0:06:29.613 --> 0:06:33.413 in the country. They're investing a lot in youth and 0:06:33.453 --> 0:06:36.773 trying to surround some young players with some veterans, but 0:06:36.813 --> 0:06:39.493 it just isn't quite working for them at the moment, 0:06:39.533 --> 0:06:42.373 and now they're very much a danger with their run 0:06:42.413 --> 0:06:47.373 home Hurricanes Crusaders' chiefs after the bye this week of 0:06:47.453 --> 0:06:49.853 being wooden Spooners, which when you reflect back a couple 0:06:49.893 --> 0:06:52.253 of months ago, there was all this conversation and chatter 0:06:52.333 --> 0:06:54.413 run oh the Highlanders have they turned a corner. 0:06:54.733 --> 0:06:56.333 How good's Tamathya. 0:06:55.973 --> 0:06:59.333 Tabatavanaha going at second five eighth's that's sort of forgotten 0:06:59.373 --> 0:07:02.493 about now and some real conversations to be had about 0:07:02.573 --> 0:07:05.493 the Highlanders and where they track moving forward into twenty 0:07:05.493 --> 0:07:05.973 twenty six. 0:07:06.213 --> 0:07:06.413 Yeah. 0:07:06.413 --> 0:07:09.693 Absolutely, And they seem to be falling off a cliff 0:07:09.693 --> 0:07:12.933 a little bit. I don't know what that is necessarily 0:07:12.933 --> 0:07:14.373 down to it, but they're not playing as a team. 0:07:14.413 --> 0:07:17.733 They look really clunky. You know that the bright spot 0:07:17.733 --> 0:07:19.893 in recent weeks has been the return of Jackie running 0:07:19.893 --> 0:07:22.973 away to Vockie Nepkins for them, but they just look 0:07:24.173 --> 0:07:26.933 really clunky whatever they do, whether it's a line out, 0:07:27.293 --> 0:07:30.893 set piece and just across the park, they're not playing 0:07:30.933 --> 0:07:34.493 in rhythm with each other. And they're missing, you know, 0:07:34.573 --> 0:07:36.813 a partner for Fabian hond at Locke. They seem to 0:07:37.813 --> 0:07:40.453 specialize in not picking back up locks on the bench. 0:07:40.653 --> 0:07:42.493 I'm just not sure if some of the strategy around 0:07:42.533 --> 0:07:45.333 that obviously had injuries, but they don't look like a 0:07:45.373 --> 0:07:48.133 cohesive unit at the moment, and things just seem to 0:07:48.133 --> 0:07:51.453 be unraveling a little bit for the Highlanders, and it's that. 0:07:51.453 --> 0:07:53.773 First five eighth position ultimately too. Elliott isn't it. 0:07:53.813 --> 0:07:56.813 I know they've put a fair bit of faith and 0:07:56.973 --> 0:07:59.133 the young fella the names just escaping the top of 0:07:59.173 --> 0:08:02.573 the head, Cam Miller obviously, Tane Robinson. They've kind of 0:08:02.573 --> 0:08:05.013 gone back and forth there. They've got a lot of 0:08:05.013 --> 0:08:07.493 depth all of a sudden at halfback. Have really been 0:08:07.533 --> 0:08:09.413 impressed by the emerge. It's a hasty as well as 0:08:09.453 --> 0:08:11.613 fuck a tava. They've got young Dylan Pledger over the 0:08:11.653 --> 0:08:14.413 New Zealand under twenties at the moment, but ultimately in 0:08:14.453 --> 0:08:18.013 this competition to be successful or be competitive, you really 0:08:18.053 --> 0:08:20.493 need a game driver in that ten jersey and they 0:08:20.573 --> 0:08:22.053 yet to find one at the minute. 0:08:21.733 --> 0:08:24.653 They are, but the Hurricanes back to Saturday night, seem 0:08:24.693 --> 0:08:27.293 to have found one thirty five seventeen over the Chiefs 0:08:27.293 --> 0:08:30.773 and it's not all down to Ruben Love, but boy 0:08:30.813 --> 0:08:33.533 here is making an impact in that ten jersey. And 0:08:33.893 --> 0:08:36.853 conversely for the Chiefs, I think Jacob has been playing well, 0:08:37.053 --> 0:08:39.653 but they're really missing McKenzie as that second playmaker option 0:08:39.973 --> 0:08:42.133 in that back line, whether he's playing fifteen or ten. 0:08:43.613 --> 0:08:45.653 We've just seen in the last week or two even 0:08:45.653 --> 0:08:49.333 against the Force, but especially against the Hurricanes, boy them 0:08:49.333 --> 0:08:52.493 as Damien McKenzie and the Hurricanes took full advantage. That 0:08:52.613 --> 0:08:55.813 was clearly the Hurricanes' best effort of the season. And 0:08:56.173 --> 0:08:58.653 you know we talked about leaving maybe before being on 0:08:58.693 --> 0:09:00.613 this podcast, and then what he would say, the cane 0:09:00.653 --> 0:09:03.053 train is just beginning to gather a little bit of steam. 0:09:03.133 --> 0:09:06.093 Nick Oh, is it what all of a sudden the 0:09:06.173 --> 0:09:08.613 Hurricanes are looking like that team that you don't want 0:09:08.613 --> 0:09:11.093 to face first round and the playoffs, And I know 0:09:11.173 --> 0:09:13.973 the Rugby Direct drums were beating for Ruben Love to 0:09:14.013 --> 0:09:16.733 be instored at first five eighth for quite some time. 0:09:17.293 --> 0:09:18.173 Clark laidlaw. 0:09:18.333 --> 0:09:19.813 In fact, I think the last time I came on 0:09:19.853 --> 0:09:21.853 the podcast as well, we were chatting about it too, 0:09:22.213 --> 0:09:25.013 and that was not dismissing anything that Riley Hohap is 0:09:25.493 --> 0:09:26.133 capable of. 0:09:26.213 --> 0:09:28.533 It was just looking for a bit more butt X factor. 0:09:28.573 --> 0:09:30.813 They needed to chance they're um given their ladder position, 0:09:31.133 --> 0:09:33.173 and what a master stroke it's proven to be so far. 0:09:33.293 --> 0:09:36.173 Not only that from Ruben Love and the goalkicking was 0:09:36.213 --> 0:09:39.173 really slick to but I think the emergence or the 0:09:39.173 --> 0:09:43.013 faith being put in Callum Harken at fullback speaking of 0:09:43.013 --> 0:09:47.333 those dual playmakers, has then just taken the Hurricanes attack 0:09:47.453 --> 0:09:50.253 to another level. Yes, I've also got camroy guard sniping 0:09:50.253 --> 0:09:52.693 in and around the ruck. I really like their midfield 0:09:52.693 --> 0:09:55.133 combination as well with Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor. But 0:09:55.613 --> 0:09:58.573 that ten to fifteen axis, you know, we saw the 0:09:58.653 --> 0:10:02.253 hark in fifty twenty two which was a real momentum 0:10:02.253 --> 0:10:04.813 swinger as well, just kept the foot on for the Canes. 0:10:05.333 --> 0:10:06.373 They've found something there. 0:10:06.413 --> 0:10:08.133 I know they've got Brett Cameron coming back from a 0:10:08.133 --> 0:10:09.973 set is knee injury, playing a bit of club rugby. 0:10:10.013 --> 0:10:11.293 But all of a sudden they've. 0:10:11.133 --> 0:10:14.013 Gone from some real issues around their game drivers to 0:10:14.453 --> 0:10:17.813 landing on a really slick ten to fifteen combination with 0:10:17.893 --> 0:10:21.133 their incumbent ten returning from injury come the business end 0:10:21.133 --> 0:10:22.973 of the season. But heck of a knight for the 0:10:23.013 --> 0:10:25.533 Canes could have easily gone the other way. You know, 0:10:25.573 --> 0:10:29.053 they lose their X factor player on the flanks and 0:10:29.133 --> 0:10:30.773 Kenny in the hollow to what appears to be a 0:10:30.813 --> 0:10:34.253 serious knee injury. They had a couple of moments there, 0:10:34.293 --> 0:10:37.093 you know, Billy Proctor intercept that Daniel Rohner gets his 0:10:38.053 --> 0:10:40.213 second try the night seventeen nine at half time. 0:10:40.333 --> 0:10:42.013 It's just the credits I know we're speaking a. 0:10:41.933 --> 0:10:44.973 Lot about the attack, but to hold a Chiefs team 0:10:45.013 --> 0:10:47.733 like that, irrespective of being without Damien McKenzie, but to 0:10:47.773 --> 0:10:50.133 hold them scoreless in the second half, I think that's 0:10:50.173 --> 0:10:53.533 what will impress Clark Laidlaw the most. You know, that's 0:10:53.573 --> 0:10:56.733 a that's a real sign of encouragement there for the 0:10:56.813 --> 0:11:01.373 Hurricanes as they build towards the playoffs, and they are, if. 0:11:01.253 --> 0:11:03.973 Not the hot team at the moment, certainly right up there. 0:11:04.053 --> 0:11:04.253 Yeah. 0:11:04.293 --> 0:11:06.013 I thought what was smart in that first spell is 0:11:06.053 --> 0:11:08.213 they didn't get too worried. Obviously they can see that 0:11:08.733 --> 0:11:10.973 just on half time again to set, but they keep 0:11:11.053 --> 0:11:13.213 the school board tacking over and we don't often see 0:11:13.253 --> 0:11:15.053 that in super rugby that you know, they were happy 0:11:15.093 --> 0:11:17.253 to set all for keeping the school board going up 0:11:17.293 --> 0:11:19.733 in threes. Reuben Love knocking over that early penalty goal, 0:11:19.773 --> 0:11:22.493 then they considered the first of the road to tries 0:11:22.613 --> 0:11:24.813 and then they just you know, tapped over another penalty 0:11:24.853 --> 0:11:27.493 goal a couple in quick succession, and had that nine 0:11:27.533 --> 0:11:31.533 to seven lead before that Jacob penalty and then the 0:11:31.653 --> 0:11:34.733 converted try on halftime. But what they did was just 0:11:34.813 --> 0:11:36.933 kept that pressure going on the Chiefs and we haven't 0:11:36.933 --> 0:11:39.373 often seen that in Super rugby this season. There's just 0:11:39.413 --> 0:11:41.813 a little bit of school board pressure and you know, 0:11:41.853 --> 0:11:43.893 taking your shots at goal. It's very very rare we 0:11:43.933 --> 0:11:46.333 see that and I really actually liked it from the Hurricanes. 0:11:46.653 --> 0:11:48.573 Yeah, it was very discipline, wasn't it. 0:11:48.653 --> 0:11:51.573 And as you say, just applying that school board pressure 0:11:51.573 --> 0:11:53.653 and not letting it get beyond arms reached that all 0:11:53.693 --> 0:11:56.133 of a sudden you're chancing your arm and you're chasing 0:11:56.173 --> 0:11:56.533 the game. 0:11:57.093 --> 0:11:58.213 And I thought just. 0:11:58.213 --> 0:12:01.333 Their ability to keep the ball alive as well, like 0:12:02.133 --> 0:12:05.693 they're so often they'd bend the defensive line of the Chiefs, 0:12:05.693 --> 0:12:08.813 but then it was just a late offload when a 0:12:08.813 --> 0:12:11.253 player was going down in the contact to just keep 0:12:11.413 --> 0:12:15.293 putting applying that pressure. Yeah, that back line is just 0:12:15.493 --> 0:12:20.133 full of some serious talent. And how about Baal and 0:12:20.173 --> 0:12:22.413 Sullivan A he's probably thinking I might come on for 0:12:22.413 --> 0:12:24.093 half an hour in the midfield or something like that, 0:12:24.133 --> 0:12:26.493 gets his boarding passer up very early in the piece 0:12:26.533 --> 0:12:29.293 after that Naholo injury, and look, I know he's just 0:12:29.333 --> 0:12:31.333 on the end of the chain for a couple of them. 0:12:31.453 --> 0:12:33.573 I've thought the second trol is a really strong finish, 0:12:33.653 --> 0:12:36.293 but for him to get over for all four tries. 0:12:36.333 --> 0:12:37.453 He'd be pretty happy with that too. 0:12:37.533 --> 0:12:37.693 Yeah. 0:12:37.733 --> 0:12:40.253 Look, I think he's a quality player ballin Suarvan and 0:12:41.453 --> 0:12:43.893 he obviously he's been the midfield Billy Proclet comes back, 0:12:43.893 --> 0:12:47.053 he loses that spot, but he's such a versatile player 0:12:47.053 --> 0:12:49.453 that I think he can really add to this Hurricane siding. 0:12:49.693 --> 0:12:51.613 You mentioned the top when we was talking about this game. 0:12:52.213 --> 0:12:53.693 We'll get to the Plaff makes a wee bit later 0:12:53.733 --> 0:12:55.173 in the pod. But you just do not want to 0:12:55.173 --> 0:12:56.933 play this Hurricanes team at the moment. They're going to 0:12:57.093 --> 0:12:59.293 buy They're going to freshen up over the next week 0:12:59.373 --> 0:13:01.173 or so. They've got a couple of tricky games to 0:13:01.253 --> 0:13:04.693 come before the season closes out, but they just you know, 0:13:04.773 --> 0:13:07.653 the Highlanders obviously to welcome to the Capitol, they've got 0:13:07.733 --> 0:13:10.093 to go visit the Reds in Brisbane, which should be 0:13:10.173 --> 0:13:12.013 an interesting game in the context of the clubs. And 0:13:12.013 --> 0:13:15.053 they close out against Milana. But with the momentum they're 0:13:15.093 --> 0:13:17.733 beginning to get in this competition when we get to playoffs, 0:13:17.813 --> 0:13:19.653 you don't want to be playing this Hurricanes team. 0:13:20.133 --> 0:13:20.813 Certainly don't. 0:13:21.013 --> 0:13:23.613 And you look at maybe where we project them to 0:13:23.653 --> 0:13:26.213 finish at the moment. I actually personally have them winning 0:13:26.213 --> 0:13:29.013 those three games. Certainly the Highlanders game the Reds one 0:13:29.013 --> 0:13:30.773 will be tricky, as will Mowana. It'll be interesting to 0:13:30.773 --> 0:13:33.533 see by that point final round the regular season if 0:13:33.573 --> 0:13:36.773 Moana is run is done, or if they've managed to 0:13:37.133 --> 0:13:39.093 win another one of these New Zealand Derby's on the 0:13:39.173 --> 0:13:42.973 road home. But look there at this point in time 0:13:42.973 --> 0:13:46.213 could be facing a Chiefs or a Crusaders round one 0:13:46.213 --> 0:13:48.013 of the competition. You think all the work those two 0:13:48.013 --> 0:13:50.253 teams are put in to get up there at the top, 0:13:50.293 --> 0:13:53.133 and you look down and all g whiz arguably playing 0:13:53.293 --> 0:13:55.493 the form team and the competition at the moment, which 0:13:56.213 --> 0:13:58.853 you know they're always capable on paper, aren't they. Ali 0:13:58.893 --> 0:14:01.053 At the Hurricanes, you know those players. It was just 0:14:01.093 --> 0:14:05.173 about finding that right blend, that right mix, having that confidence, 0:14:05.453 --> 0:14:07.573 and we need to give credit to it. We're talking 0:14:07.573 --> 0:14:09.253 a lot about the backs and Roy Guard and love 0:14:09.293 --> 0:14:13.973 and hearken that there loose Ford trio very impactful. I 0:14:14.013 --> 0:14:18.173 thought Tyrel Lomax was really strong again as well. So look, 0:14:18.893 --> 0:14:21.293 there's a lot of encouraging signs if you're a Hurricane. 0:14:21.053 --> 0:14:23.733 Supporter, I certainly and a bit more encouraging for the 0:14:23.733 --> 0:14:27.773 Blues forty nineteen over the Force on Friday night at 0:14:28.093 --> 0:14:29.933 Eden Park. Look, I don't think this was a vintage 0:14:29.933 --> 0:14:32.653 Blues performance by any stretch of the imagination, but they 0:14:32.693 --> 0:14:34.733 got what they needed out of it. They needed the 0:14:34.773 --> 0:14:38.333 bonus point. They got that and just got some confidence 0:14:38.453 --> 0:14:41.773 back in the in the mix after what had been 0:14:42.333 --> 0:14:44.693 a tricky few weeks, especially that poor performance against the 0:14:44.773 --> 0:14:48.773 Reds at sun Corpse Stadium the week prior, largely case 0:14:48.853 --> 0:14:51.573 of job done for the Blues. They almost threw away 0:14:51.573 --> 0:14:54.173 that bonus point at the end when Angus had the 0:14:54.173 --> 0:14:57.653 old topoken to touch and missed wild swing and the 0:14:57.693 --> 0:14:59.613 Force get the ball back and get a penery thought on, 0:14:59.933 --> 0:15:02.133 is this going to cost the Blues a bonus point? 0:15:02.133 --> 0:15:03.933 And look, in the context of that season, that could 0:15:03.933 --> 0:15:06.573 have been huge, And speaking to Simon Cron, the Force 0:15:06.653 --> 0:15:08.573 coach after the game, he's like, that would I did 0:15:08.613 --> 0:15:10.413 see it on wanting to deny the Blues the bonus 0:15:10.413 --> 0:15:13.173 point because in the race for playoff spots, every point, 0:15:13.213 --> 0:15:15.973 every competition point, is so big. But it just wasn't 0:15:16.013 --> 0:15:19.213 to be in the end. Yeah, not vintage Blues by 0:15:19.253 --> 0:15:22.573 any stretch of the imagination, but a game that could 0:15:22.573 --> 0:15:23.613 have gone Ryan again. 0:15:24.013 --> 0:15:25.773 They were leading. 0:15:25.573 --> 0:15:28.853 At halftime fourteen twelve seven. I think it was scored 0:15:28.973 --> 0:15:31.333 just after the break the Force they struggled to shut 0:15:31.333 --> 0:15:33.693 them down, but it was really the last twenty twenty 0:15:33.693 --> 0:15:36.053 five minutes where they just took charge and put the 0:15:36.053 --> 0:15:38.093 game beyond reach for the Western Force. 0:15:38.693 --> 0:15:41.413 That Angus Tart of our moment was when you look 0:15:41.413 --> 0:15:43.133 at when you look at the ladder, there is nothing 0:15:43.213 --> 0:15:45.173 separating the Blues in the Force, so that could have 0:15:45.213 --> 0:15:48.133 easily been a swing the other way if the Force 0:15:48.173 --> 0:15:50.173 had gone on to deny the Blues a bonus point there. 0:15:50.213 --> 0:15:54.053 So yeah, a huge sigh of relief for Angus Tarl. 0:15:54.173 --> 0:15:55.773 Just before we get into the Blues. I just want 0:15:55.773 --> 0:15:59.373 to mention Harry Potter. Over the last couple of weeks 0:15:59.693 --> 0:16:02.893 he is I used to just think maybe it was 0:16:02.933 --> 0:16:04.933 because of his name that his name would just be 0:16:04.973 --> 0:16:07.853 constantly brought up in commentaries, and you know, obviously it's 0:16:07.893 --> 0:16:12.853 a pretty unique name given the book and movie series. 0:16:12.893 --> 0:16:15.533 But like every time he touches the ball, something happens 0:16:15.533 --> 0:16:18.093 and around him, and they need to give him more opportunities. 0:16:18.133 --> 0:16:20.053 So just a quick shout out to Harry Potter. 0:16:20.173 --> 0:16:24.573 Completely agree he's been outstanding and he makes something happen. 0:16:24.613 --> 0:16:26.733 So he does to pop up everywhere on the park 0:16:26.773 --> 0:16:29.973 and that tray screens achieves the previous week from the restart. 0:16:30.453 --> 0:16:33.813 Incredible to show that pace. So I think he has 0:16:33.893 --> 0:16:36.893 to be in the Australian mix for the line series. 0:16:37.053 --> 0:16:38.773 The form that he's in, they could do a lot 0:16:38.813 --> 0:16:40.933 worse than selecting him on one of those wings. 0:16:41.093 --> 0:16:44.093 Spiders on at the moment. He's a serious talent. 0:16:44.133 --> 0:16:46.173 But yeah, on the Blues, it was quite interesting smoothly 0:16:46.173 --> 0:16:48.773 looking at the deepest statistics in this game, and it 0:16:48.813 --> 0:16:51.213 was almost as if the Blues maybe took a look 0:16:51.213 --> 0:16:53.613 at what the Crusaders did last week against the Highlanders 0:16:53.653 --> 0:16:57.133 in terms of backing themselves without the ball, backing their defense, 0:16:57.173 --> 0:17:00.133 backing their kicking game, and said we might try that too. 0:17:00.173 --> 0:17:03.613 You know, the Force had was it sixty one percent 0:17:03.653 --> 0:17:07.253 of possession, sixty percent of territory. Blues ended up making 0:17:07.293 --> 0:17:10.213 one hundred and ninety ten tackles to the Forces ninety three. 0:17:10.333 --> 0:17:13.373 So as you say it wasn't vintage from the Blues, 0:17:13.453 --> 0:17:14.893 they did what was required. 0:17:15.573 --> 0:17:17.133 They turned the screws late. 0:17:17.773 --> 0:17:20.853 They went back to what has been successful for them 0:17:20.893 --> 0:17:23.173 over the last eighteen or so months in terms of 0:17:23.173 --> 0:17:26.093 that direct style of play in and around the ruck 0:17:26.173 --> 0:17:29.933 and just I guess sort of constantly applying that pressure 0:17:30.013 --> 0:17:34.173 until the defense wilts and they got the bonus point ultimately, 0:17:34.253 --> 0:17:36.893 so that they've given themselves a chance. Look, they've got 0:17:37.013 --> 0:17:41.093 an interesting run home with a trip now to face 0:17:41.813 --> 0:17:45.013 the Drawer over there in Fiji, who of course beat 0:17:45.013 --> 0:17:47.293 the Reds and the Weekend Read's a pretty handy team 0:17:47.293 --> 0:17:49.653 at the minute as well. So the draw very much 0:17:49.653 --> 0:17:53.813 have an opportunity to continue their spoiling run given they're. 0:17:53.613 --> 0:17:54.693 Out of the playoff picture. 0:17:54.733 --> 0:17:57.333 But yeah, if you're a Blues fan, I don't think 0:17:57.373 --> 0:18:00.613 you can be crowing that we're back or anything like that, 0:18:00.773 --> 0:18:03.693 but a step in the right direction. It's just whether 0:18:03.813 --> 0:18:06.773