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Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow

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Speaker 1: this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio.

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Speaker 2: Straight down the middle of DRUPAC. Try these.

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Speaker 1: Get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct

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Speaker 1: with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.

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Speaker 2: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habita Physio. Book today

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Speaker 2: and stay in the game.

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Speaker 3: Elli Gett Smith with me Liam Napier The countdown on

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Speaker 3: to Super Rugby Specifical lim This was in theory supposed

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Speaker 3: to be the first show of the year, best slide

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Speaker 3: plans and everything, and I think this is number four

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Speaker 3: of Rugby Direct for twenty twenty six. But welcome and

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Speaker 3: how excited are you for Super Rugby to kick off

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Speaker 3: lad of this week?

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Speaker 4: Heah, what a treats to have four four in the can.

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Speaker 4: It's been a big year already, isn't it. Well into

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Speaker 4: the season Super Rugby thirty free as you say, and

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Speaker 4: planning to look forward to. I think summer rugby or

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Speaker 4: always produces great spectacles. It's a week earlier this year

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Speaker 4: than last year, so some people grumble about that, but

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Speaker 4: I'm looking forward to you bring him a Valentine's Day

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Speaker 4: present this weekend.

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Speaker 5: You got anything special on mine?

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Speaker 3: Yeah? The bookings in with Into Flora, A nicely bunch

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Speaker 3: of roses coming for the Valentine's Day.

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Speaker 5: Yeah, delightful. Yeah, expect nothing less.

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Speaker 2: All right, let's get into the business of Super Rugby.

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Speaker 2: Big question first and foremost. I'm going to hit you

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Speaker 2: with Liam who will win Super Rugby twenty twenty six.

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Speaker 5: I'm a betting man.

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Speaker 4: If I am having a punt, which I haven't as yet.

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Speaker 4: I am on England to win six Nations, which was

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Speaker 4: good start. Left me very torn, but I would go

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Speaker 4: the Chiefs. I think, look there question mark there about

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Speaker 4: the coaching transition between Clayton McMillan and John o'gibbs. That've

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Speaker 4: been the nearly men of recent years, a number of lost,

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Speaker 4: blown finals, but I think they have the deepest squad

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Speaker 4: in Super Rugby. They've lost Antonina Brown temporarily to Japan

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Speaker 4: and Shan Stephenson, so interesting.

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Speaker 5: To see how they go about that.

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Speaker 4: But I just think when you look at the season

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Speaker 4: as a whole, all black rests, injuries, rotation, depth is

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Speaker 4: so important and this Chiefs squad is stacked. If you

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Speaker 4: just consider their starting team are starting twenty three potentially,

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Speaker 4: and how many all blacks and the depth there consider this,

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Speaker 4: Olin Norris, Samsoni Takyaho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupu Vai,

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Speaker 4: Simon Parker, Luke, Jacobsson, Wallace a Tzi. That's a hell

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Speaker 4: of a pack, Cortes At, Damien McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quintupaia,

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Speaker 4: Daniel Rohner who's highly underrated in my book, Ammonia, and

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Speaker 4: n and Tenny nine Ers so Torno. Then on the

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Speaker 4: bench you've got potentially Arkoy, some of Penny Female, Xavier Roe, Josh,

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Speaker 4: Jacob and Toymoi Flow and Brodie McAllister. So that's without

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Speaker 4: even going into the wider squads. So the chiefs to

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Speaker 4: me are favorites about what so you.

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Speaker 3: Yeah, I think they have to go in as favorites

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Speaker 3: as they have for the last few years because of

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Speaker 3: that depth. And you're adding a player like a time

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Speaker 3: boy for Lour. You had Simon Parker who wasn't at

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Speaker 3: all black this time last year. All those sort of

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Speaker 3: things I think vitally important. And depth is so big

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Speaker 3: and super rugby we've seen it for the last few years.

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Speaker 3: It's not necessarily the deepest team that wins, but it

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Speaker 3: certainly helps. And if you have a couple of injuries

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Speaker 3: and key positions, it's very very hard to rebuild. You

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Speaker 3: look back to twenty twenty four when cam roy Guard

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Speaker 3: got that injury. The Hurricanes were humming at that point

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Speaker 3: and after that they were never quite the same. Following

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Speaker 3: that last year took the Crusaders a little bit. They

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Speaker 3: were playing quite well, lost Taha Kimita, Rivers. Rahart originally

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Speaker 3: comes in and does very well, you know, wins a

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Speaker 3: Super Rugby title and was the player of the match

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Speaker 3: in the final, but took them a little bit to

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Speaker 3: get going as well. Twenty four the Crusaders didn't have

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Speaker 3: Will Jordan. You know, there's so you lose a couple

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Speaker 3: of players in key positions, then you're in real strife.

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Speaker 3: I think the Chiefs have got that arsenal there that

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Speaker 3: if it's one player injured, the next man up is

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Speaker 3: a very very good replacement. I don't see that depth

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Speaker 3: across all the franchises. Maybe the Crusaders are perhaps the

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Speaker 3: closest in terms of a New Zealand perspective and having

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Speaker 3: that depth. And you know, there have been the two

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Speaker 3: standard bearers for the last couple of seasons.

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Speaker 2: So I'm with you.

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Speaker 3: I'm intrigued to see how the coaching transition goes from

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Speaker 3: John o' gibbs taking over. You know, he's a different

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Speaker 3: kind of coach to Clayton McMillan. From what I hear

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Speaker 3: speaking to Wallis a Titi last week, Damian McKenzie a

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Speaker 3: couple of weeks prior to that, seems like it's been

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Speaker 3: a fairly seamless transition. I don't know that's necessarily a

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Speaker 3: good thing in some ways because he's already been part

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Speaker 3: of the setup. You know, sometimes when you haven't got

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Speaker 3: over that hurdle of making the final, you might just

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Speaker 3: need a little bit of a shake up. But the

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Speaker 3: Chiefs have gone for consistency in a way, and you know,

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Speaker 3: apart from you know, those closing moments in a final,

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Speaker 3: they're they're there or thereabouts, aren't they?

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Speaker 4: They are, But it is a big mental hurdle question

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Speaker 4: how do they get over there hump? Because there's got

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Speaker 4: to be some demons there among that playing group, among

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Speaker 4: the coaching staff that largely remains the same. Johnny Gibbs,

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Speaker 4: as you say, was there last year, looking after the Fords,

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Speaker 4: So what has he seen? What is he going to

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Speaker 4: bring to the table that's new and he doesn't have

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Speaker 4: a hugely great track record as head coach.

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Speaker 5: It's very different being assistant to head coach.

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Speaker 4: So I think you're right there does need to be

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Speaker 4: something new because the Chiefs will almost certainly be there

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Speaker 4: come finals time. How are they going to get over

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Speaker 4: that hump?

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Speaker 5: Otherwise?

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Speaker 4: I think look the Crusader's resurrection last year. They've got

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Speaker 4: claims to go back to back largely settled squads. They've

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Speaker 4: lost Christy who was a real tireless workhorse, but you'd

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Speaker 4: think Ethan Blackett will probably play, you know, one on

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Speaker 4: five games on the discrossed on the open side lot

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Speaker 4: hopefully as a better season in terms of injury. I

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Speaker 4: think David Hevilli was a really smart choice as captain.

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Speaker 4: He made a real impact on the Crusaders. The Blues

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Speaker 4: will be there or thereabouts, but I think there could

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Speaker 4: be a bit of disruption there. I think we saw

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Speaker 4: last year Vncotta didn't have the same impact he had

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Speaker 4: in year one.

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Speaker 5: They lost the close semi final in christ Church.

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Speaker 4: But interesting to see how they navigate recruiting a new

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Speaker 4: coach with Verne's transition out and what that means for

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Speaker 4: their wider coaching team as well. You've also got Biden

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Speaker 4: Barrot out to round four, Patrick two Pilot out to

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Speaker 4: round nine, Dalton Papal captaining the team. So Stephen Peter

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Speaker 4: Fetter coming back really intrigued to see how he goes.

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Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it just to touch on those two players.

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Speaker 3: Papa last year was had a rough year. Was when

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Speaker 3: the initial All backs squad then comes in then goes

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Speaker 3: missing from the All Backs later in the year as well.

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Speaker 3: I don't think he had a great rugby last year, Dalton,

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Speaker 3: but I think he's certainly capable of having you know,

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Speaker 3: more All Blacks rugby under his belt. And I think

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Speaker 3: this looms is a big year for Dalton Papa Lee

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Speaker 3: in so many ways. There's a new All Blacks coaching staff,

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Speaker 3: which will get to a bit later in the pod

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Speaker 3: with what the latest is around that. But I think

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Speaker 3: this is a big chance for Dalton Papa Lee to

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Speaker 3: stamp his claims and return to being perhaps the first

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Speaker 3: choice you know, open side in the country. Who knows

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Speaker 3: we ALREADYSRV might slot in into a new All Black setup,

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Speaker 3: but I think this is a big year for Dolton,

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Speaker 3: Papa Lee and Stephen Peter Feeder. I almost think this

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Speaker 3: is the last chance saloon. And I mean that in

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Speaker 3: the kindest possible way. Is that he's had so many

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Speaker 3: injuries through the years, He's had so much time out

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Speaker 3: of rugby. He's now what twenty eight. I think this

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Speaker 3: is make or break for Stephen Peter Fetter in terms

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Speaker 3: of nailing that All Black spot. I think a couple

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Speaker 3: of years ago he was the starting All Blacks fullback

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Speaker 3: and then he's had a number of injuries.

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Speaker 5: Since the start of Scott Robertson's reign, he was the

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Speaker 5: All Blacks fullback.

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Speaker 3: So look, if he can have a good Super Rugby season,

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Speaker 3: great and he may well get back in the All Blacks.

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Speaker 3: But I think this is probably a big opportunity for Confit.

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Speaker 3: Otherwise I think that window might have closed.

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Speaker 4: He's a forgotten man, didn't play any NPC this year,

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Speaker 4: had a number of league injuries. He's a guy that

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Speaker 4: New Zealand Raby would love to retain because let's just

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Speaker 4: say a Muanga comes back, but he might fall over

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Speaker 4: or Bowden or d Mac.

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Speaker 5: You need that depth.

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Speaker 4: We've seen that in previous history with World Cups and

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Speaker 4: first fives and how influential will they be can be.

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Speaker 4: So he's a really classy operator and I'd love to

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Speaker 4: see him have a runner and he is going to

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Speaker 4: because Boden's not back to round four, so interesting to

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Speaker 4: see how that pans out. Also, the Blues without Riquoewane,

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Speaker 4: they've got Peter Aki coming back after seven years in France.

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Speaker 4: Some footage in the preseason looks like he's strong and

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Speaker 4: playing well. So look, the Blues have a strong roster.

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Speaker 4: There's no doubting that. I don't see them winning it,

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Speaker 4: but I see them featuring. And I think the Canes

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Speaker 4: were the big movers this year and they should be.

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Speaker 3: You've been pumping those tires on the train, yeah, for

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Speaker 3: a couple of weeks. Now, what gives you so much

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Speaker 3: confidence that they're ready to go?

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Speaker 4: Well, Jordie's a massive in He's had that time in Leinster.

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Speaker 4: He is coming back from injury, so I think he

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Speaker 4: missed the back end of the All Black season, so

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Speaker 4: he should be fresh and hungry there. He's a hugely

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Speaker 4: influential presence in the fact that he does a lot

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Speaker 4: of backline directing.

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Speaker 5: He's a physical presence.

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Speaker 4: I think we'll see him play a bit of fullback

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Speaker 4: as well as second five. So intrigued to see how

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Speaker 4: that pans out. I know there were a lot of

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Speaker 4: people last year with the All Black struggling under the

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Speaker 4: high ball, clamoring for Jordi to go back to fullback.

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Speaker 4: Maybe that would certainly spark a bit of a conversation.

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Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so.

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Speaker 3: I'd like to see omit fullback at times this year

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Speaker 3: for the Hurricanes. I think with the way that rugby's

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Speaker 3: being played now, it made sense at the time for

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Speaker 3: Jordi to move into second five for the All Blacks.

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Speaker 3: I think it now makes sense for him potentially to

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Speaker 3: move back to fall back, just with the way the

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Speaker 3: high ball game operates.

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Speaker 2: So I think it should be a live conversation. Yeah.

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Speaker 4: The Hurricanes have are really like Roley Higgins, and if

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Speaker 4: he can stay fit, I think you'll see him feature

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Speaker 4: at twelve certainly at some point this year.

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Speaker 5: With Jordi at fullback.

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Speaker 4: The Hurricanes also get back Josh Morby, who's a very

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Speaker 4: solid operator.

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Speaker 3: Warner Dunes in the second row. They want big tickets

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Speaker 3: on Wanta don Well. I think he's up there with

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Speaker 3: the best locks in the world on his day, to

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Speaker 3: be honest. And that's always been a weakness of the

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Speaker 3: Hurricanes has been the Type five. And they've had some

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Speaker 3: good players come through the years. They've had the odd

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Speaker 3: you know, Hooker Moor, but they've never had them all

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Speaker 3: together at once. And you look at that Type five

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Speaker 3: now and you go, it's a pretty pretty good prospect,

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Speaker 3: you know, when you can put together maybe youngster like

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Speaker 3: a Delaaney or a Plumber alongside of Warner Dunes, who's

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Speaker 3: a captain international. Ukala Whitte is still there for the Hurricanes.

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Speaker 3: So I think it's a better Type five than what

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Speaker 3: we've seen from the the Canes in recent times.

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Speaker 5: Yeah, there's no excuses there.

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Speaker 4: The Hurricy have three all black tight head props and

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Speaker 4: they've recruited Lowaki who's a hulking prop.

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Speaker 5: They've got us all as you mentioned there.

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Speaker 4: I had a quick gown to lend mySAP Wang at

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Speaker 4: the Super Rugby launch and he was saying, look, I

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Speaker 4: think I'm done mate, I'm going to have to retire.

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Speaker 4: I've seen us suffer more running around and there's no

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Speaker 4: way I want to tackle that bloke.

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Speaker 5: So yeah, Warner Durnes is a good recruit.

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Speaker 4: I think it's interesting to see how he comes back

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Speaker 4: from Japan or adapts to Super rugby, which is certainly

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Speaker 4: going to be more physical. But he's a big line

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Speaker 4: out presence. And then you talk about someone like Cam Rugard.

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Speaker 4: If he stays on the park, he could be the

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Speaker 4: best player in the comp this year. And then I

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Speaker 4: think the Hurricanes are a lot clearer about where they

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Speaker 4: want to go at ten. Ruben Loves started there and

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Speaker 4: you've got Bret Cameron as well. A shame to lose

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Speaker 4: Harry Godfrey for the season. He had some real nice

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Speaker 4: moments at times, but he's done his ACL So look,

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Speaker 4: I think generally speaking, the Canes of all the pieces.

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Speaker 4: They've also got a view very strong coaching team. They

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Speaker 4: get Jason Holland back from the All Blacks, Corey Jane

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Speaker 4: and Jamie McIntosh are very highly regarded. Clark Lader thinks

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Speaker 4: into his third year. In his first year he took

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Speaker 4: them to top of the log and then they lost

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Speaker 4: the semi final to the Chiefs and Wellington the Hurricanes kryptonite.

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Speaker 4: I think they've lost three semifinals and four years. So

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Speaker 4: we talk about the Chiefs not getting over the final hump. Well,

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Speaker 4: the Hurricanes can't even reach the finals, so all the

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Speaker 4: pieces are there and they should be the big movers,

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Speaker 4: but there's no guarantee.

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Speaker 2: No, it's not.

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Speaker 3: They also hate a trip to Canberra in the knockout

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Speaker 3: rounds because that has been their kryptonite for the last

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Speaker 3: few years. The question I Mark I'd have over the

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Speaker 3: Hurricanes is their depth. Dupless if he's going to miss

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Speaker 3: the opening rounds through injury. We saw as I touched

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Speaker 3: on earlier, Roy Guard if he gets an injury basically

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Speaker 3: stopped them their tracks. I mean, that was the same

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Speaker 3: year that they did lose to the Chiefs and the semifinals,

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Speaker 3: but they weren't the same team after he got injured.

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Speaker 3: But after that Roygard Love combination can click at ten

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Speaker 3: and then anything's possible. I think for them this season

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Speaker 3: they're certainly big contenders. The Crusaders defending champions Rob Pennies

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Speaker 3: now into his third year at the Helm. First year

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Speaker 3: was a bit of an unmitigated disaster, but you look

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Speaker 3: back now and go, well, they lost a few key

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Speaker 3: players that year and he rebuilt them be twenty twenty

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Speaker 3: five and won the title In the end.

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Speaker 2: Can they do it again.

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Speaker 3: What do you think the chances of the Crusader's back

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Speaker 3: to back in christ shoot might.

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Speaker 5: Be Yeah, I mean, nobody wants to see that.

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Speaker 4: Thick for yourself, but of course right up there, I

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Speaker 4: think they're probably second favorites based on what they did

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Speaker 4: last year. I think David Hevilli was a very smart

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Speaker 4: choice as captain. They've lost Christie who is a real workhorse,

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Speaker 4: but look they get Leicsterifying a nooko back. What an

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Speaker 4: asset he's going to be, particularly at super rugby level.

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Speaker 4: Where do you think he features in the midfield or yeah.

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Speaker 2: I think he does.

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Speaker 3: I think they'll probably move him alongside Brandon in or

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Speaker 3: potentially or a Dallas mcleoard. I think they've got a

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Speaker 3: number of options there seven Reeses last year as well

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Speaker 3: at macas Springer. They've got a lot of depth in

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Speaker 3: the world Jordan Will Jordan. Yeah, they could move the

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Speaker 3: pieces around as they see fit. I would like to

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Speaker 3: see Lester's at either second five wall center for the

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Speaker 3: Crusaders this season. I think he's got the biggest upside

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Speaker 3: in midfield. We sat a little bit of them there

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Speaker 3: with the All Blacks last year. I think he saw

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Speaker 3: needs a little bit work on distribution a couple other things,

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Speaker 3: but he might be there also a little bit of

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Speaker 3: whisper that maybe they might look in using him a

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Speaker 3: little bit of a hybrid role, maybe potentially as well

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Speaker 3: the loose forts, which is what he did in Too Long.

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Speaker 4: For one of the big unknowns I think with the Crusaders,

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Speaker 4: everybody hated going to was Apollo stating here in the

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Speaker 4: middle of the winter, you know, horrific place to go

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Speaker 4: for a finals match. Everyone's going to look forward to

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Speaker 4: going to a pristine place under the roof. How does

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Speaker 4: that affect the Crusaders.

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Speaker 3: It's a very good question, and you might be losing

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Speaker 3: one of their strengths by moving to the stadium. I

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Speaker 3: think ultimately they had to get a new stadium because

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Speaker 3: the scaffolding lean to, you know, had well exhausted.

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Speaker 2: It's used by date.

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Speaker 3: But that does mitigate some of the Crusader's strengths, is

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Speaker 3: the ability to roll up the sleeves in the wets

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Speaker 3: or in the dewey night era of Christ Jutch. It's

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Speaker 3: still going to be cold inside the stadium, you know,

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Speaker 3: like full South Barth Stadium, It's still cold inside there.

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Speaker 3: But it does mitigate that and you take away, you know,

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Speaker 3: the atmospheric conditions. It's a bit of a leaveless So

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Speaker 3: it's going to be interesting for the Crusaders how they

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Speaker 3: adapt to that, especially with a run of derbies towards

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Speaker 3: the end of the season, because they've been back into

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Speaker 3: the derby's once the stadium opens for Super Round and April,

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Speaker 3: they've got a few derbies at home after that, so

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Speaker 3: they're going to have to adapt to those conditions and

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Speaker 3: adapt quickly. It's going to be interesting to see how

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Speaker 3: that unfolds over the course of the season.

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Speaker 5: It is.

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Speaker 4: Yeah, if you're the look I think the Blues one

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Speaker 4: team that's under Verncoda that went to christ Church with

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Speaker 4: a belief that they had the game plan to go

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Speaker 4: toe to toe with the Crusaders upfronts you know, play

333
00:16:18,733 --> 00:16:24,213
Speaker 4: that tim Man rugby, match them, physically, challenge their set piece.

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Speaker 4: But if you're the Hurricanes and the Chiefs and you're

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Speaker 4: going to a roof stadium, I think you're rubbing your

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00:16:29,653 --> 00:16:32,133
Speaker 4: hands together compared to yes, going to.

337
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Speaker 5: A cold scaffold stadium in the middle of the winter.

338
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Speaker 3: Absolutely, a couple of question marks I do have of

339
00:16:38,493 --> 00:16:40,933
Speaker 3: the Crusaders is at ten Takim. I think it's a

340
00:16:40,933 --> 00:16:42,973
Speaker 3: big year for him. I was beginning to be impressed

341
00:16:42,973 --> 00:16:44,493
Speaker 3: by him last year before he got injured in that

342
00:16:44,573 --> 00:16:47,613
Speaker 3: Chiefs game at Home Rivers. Rayhanna was a player of

343
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Speaker 3: the match in the final. But I think it's still

344
00:16:50,453 --> 00:16:52,253
Speaker 3: a question mark there. I think in the second row

345
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Speaker 3: as well, Scott Barrett out until probably around maysh for

346
00:16:57,133 --> 00:16:59,893
Speaker 3: them this year, They've got Jamie Hannah, They've got shel Foon,

347
00:16:59,973 --> 00:17:02,373
Speaker 3: They've got Liam Jack Taylor, Cahill will tuck it Now.

348
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Speaker 3: These are names that have been around, some of them

349
00:17:04,533 --> 00:17:07,013
Speaker 3: for the Crusader's environment for a few years now, but

350
00:17:07,053 --> 00:17:09,093
Speaker 3: they haven't had a lot of opportunity. Is because they've

351
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Speaker 3: been behind white Lock and Barrett.

352
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Speaker 5: And always had a degree of experience there.

353
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Speaker 2: Alongside them with them.

354
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Speaker 3: So I think that's a question mark for the Crusaders

355
00:17:16,653 --> 00:17:18,933
Speaker 3: this year is can these second row players stand up

356
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Speaker 3: and continue what has been a strength of them in

357
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Speaker 3: the set piece over the last few seasons. So that's

358
00:17:26,053 --> 00:17:27,973
Speaker 3: fascinating to me, is we I also think losing you

359
00:17:28,013 --> 00:17:29,493
Speaker 3: only more I know who is a loss this year.

360
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Speaker 3: He's got to Warrataz, They've got letter you who has

361
00:17:32,653 --> 00:17:36,573
Speaker 3: been under twenties last season. Good player, but again that's

362
00:17:36,613 --> 00:17:39,853
Speaker 3: a losing him's a big drop off as well. It's

363
00:17:39,893 --> 00:17:45,133
Speaker 3: touch on the Highlanders as well. You know the when

364
00:17:45,213 --> 00:17:48,173
Speaker 3: in the offseason I was compiling a rugby director things

365
00:17:48,253 --> 00:17:50,453
Speaker 3: we'd missed and that's quickly got turfed out the window

366
00:17:50,493 --> 00:17:53,893
Speaker 3: because we're back very quickly. But Dylan Pledge's injury was

367
00:17:54,093 --> 00:17:56,773
Speaker 3: at the top of that and I think that alone

368
00:17:56,853 --> 00:18:00,013
Speaker 3: has changed the course and the expectations of the season

369
00:18:00,053 --> 00:18:02,573
Speaker 3: for the Highlanders. And then you throw in Farbig and

370
00:18:02,613 --> 00:18:05,373
Speaker 3: Holand getting injured on Friday and we're still well waiting word.

371
00:18:05,773 --> 00:18:08,093
Speaker 3: I'm hearing various things as too. Once it's not as

372
00:18:08,093 --> 00:18:11,093
Speaker 3: big as it looked too. They were struggling to get

373
00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:13,573
Speaker 3: it back in on Friday, so that usually means surgery,

374
00:18:14,573 --> 00:18:17,333
Speaker 3: so we wait news on that. But you lose Dylan Pledger,

375
00:18:17,373 --> 00:18:19,893
Speaker 3: who was you know, one of the great players last

376
00:18:19,973 --> 00:18:22,613
Speaker 3: year in the NPC, and potentially Holland for instant that

377
00:18:22,813 --> 00:18:25,093
Speaker 3: really takes the Windo own of the Highland of Sales.

378
00:18:25,093 --> 00:18:28,013
Speaker 4: I think, oh massive, and I think wider from a

379
00:18:28,053 --> 00:18:30,333
Speaker 4: pure fan perspective, Dylan Pledger would have been one of

380
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Speaker 4: the top five players this year that you circled to

381
00:18:33,333 --> 00:18:37,933
Speaker 4: look forward to such an exciting prospects. His running game,

382
00:18:38,853 --> 00:18:41,733
Speaker 4: his control, his speeds to the base. You know, he's

383
00:18:41,733 --> 00:18:45,933
Speaker 4: probably the closest thing, closest nine to Aaron Smith, that

384
00:18:46,013 --> 00:18:49,093
Speaker 4: the New Zealand game has seen. And look, we hope

385
00:18:49,133 --> 00:18:51,933
Speaker 4: and expect he's a young man. He'll do the rearhab

386
00:18:51,933 --> 00:18:54,173
Speaker 4: and come again, but it won't be this year. So

387
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Speaker 4: huge blow for the Landers. And yeah, Fabian Holland's let's

388
00:18:59,373 --> 00:19:03,293
Speaker 4: hope it's not too serious because they just don't have

389
00:19:03,293 --> 00:19:04,293
Speaker 4: that caliber player.

390
00:19:04,533 --> 00:19:06,933
Speaker 5: They've got three all blacks Ethan de Groot.

391
00:19:06,813 --> 00:19:11,013
Speaker 4: And Tavatavanawa the other one, the other ones, so they

392
00:19:11,053 --> 00:19:13,133
Speaker 4: desperately need them and they've got a bloody tough start

393
00:19:13,173 --> 00:19:17,613
Speaker 4: to the season. I think they have the Crusader Chiefs

394
00:19:17,653 --> 00:19:21,493
Speaker 4: maybe next and then the Reds away and you've got

395
00:19:21,533 --> 00:19:25,653
Speaker 4: the Jamie Joseph unknown hanging over their season as well.

396
00:19:25,653 --> 00:19:30,053
Speaker 4: They were wooden spooners last year, and it does feel

397
00:19:30,093 --> 00:19:32,733
Speaker 4: like it's sort of set up for the Highlanders maybe

398
00:19:32,733 --> 00:19:34,213
Speaker 4: next year when they get Josh Shakim.

399
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Speaker 5: They've been crying out for.

400
00:19:36,813 --> 00:19:39,653
Speaker 4: A real established tin and I think he is going

401
00:19:39,733 --> 00:19:41,933
Speaker 4: to be that guy for them. They've still got talents

402
00:19:42,693 --> 00:19:46,533
Speaker 4: Russe Mavookie Neapkins and you know the All Blacks needs

403
00:19:46,533 --> 00:19:49,733
Speaker 4: some wingers. Caleb Tungueytowel had a breakout year last year,

404
00:19:49,773 --> 00:19:52,613
Speaker 4: so if they can get some good quality ball, they've

405
00:19:52,653 --> 00:19:55,213
Speaker 4: got talents in that back line.

406
00:19:55,933 --> 00:19:58,733
Speaker 3: But I do it does feel like a rebuild project

407
00:19:58,933 --> 00:20:01,093
Speaker 3: that still work in progress. I mean they've got Stanley

408
00:20:01,093 --> 00:20:03,733
Speaker 3: Solomon who's a very good player out of Wellington. They've

409
00:20:03,773 --> 00:20:06,453
Speaker 3: nabbed him from there. If he gets an opportunity this year,

410
00:20:06,453 --> 00:20:07,213
Speaker 3: excited to see him.

411
00:20:07,373 --> 00:20:10,213
Speaker 4: Van Hurley and Seawann will the Hurley gets injured quite

412
00:20:10,293 --> 00:20:14,013
Speaker 4: quite consistently as well, So yeah, it could be another

413
00:20:14,053 --> 00:20:14,853
Speaker 4: tough year for the Landers.

414
00:20:15,253 --> 00:20:16,693
Speaker 3: Mark I think is over that pack. They've got a

415
00:20:16,693 --> 00:20:18,653
Speaker 3: lot of excitement in the outside backs. They've got Fucker

416
00:20:18,693 --> 00:20:20,773
Speaker 3: Tava who I think is a big year for him. Potentially,

417
00:20:21,213 --> 00:20:22,893
Speaker 3: maybe he's back knocking on the door of the All

418
00:20:22,893 --> 00:20:25,893
Speaker 3: Blacks if he can have a good year. You know Pledger,

419
00:20:25,973 --> 00:20:28,133
Speaker 3: he's probably gonna behind Pledger now you know he's going

420
00:20:28,173 --> 00:20:30,493
Speaker 3: to be the first choice this year. Ten I think

421
00:20:30,573 --> 00:20:33,293
Speaker 3: is a question mark for them again. They've got new stub,

422
00:20:33,373 --> 00:20:37,293
Speaker 3: they've got Cam Miller. They've got Tan Robinson, They've got

423
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Speaker 3: Rishan passitoa who came over from Australia.

424
00:20:40,053 --> 00:20:40,933
Speaker 5: It's pretty lightweight.

425
00:20:41,013 --> 00:20:44,613
Speaker 2: It's lightweight. These are players that in theory could be good,

426
00:20:44,613 --> 00:20:45,933
Speaker 2: but they haven't had a lot of game time.

427
00:20:46,773 --> 00:20:50,373
Speaker 4: Cam Miller was he was he marked as the guy

428
00:20:50,373 --> 00:20:54,533
Speaker 4: and look, maybe a year on, I think he gets

429
00:20:54,573 --> 00:20:58,893
Speaker 4: the keys, but it's all set up for and waiting

430
00:20:58,933 --> 00:20:59,773
Speaker 4: for Jacob Okay.

431
00:20:59,813 --> 00:21:02,333
Speaker 3: Let's touch on the rest of the team's more on

432
00:21:02,413 --> 00:21:07,413
Speaker 3: a PACIFICA. Losing Ardisava, that's a big blow for them.

433
00:21:07,493 --> 00:21:09,533
Speaker 3: They're going to be captain by a miracle fire along you,

434
00:21:09,613 --> 00:21:11,333
Speaker 3: which I think is a great pick for them, But

435
00:21:11,493 --> 00:21:17,933
Speaker 3: it feels like losing Artie Savilla might take the take

436
00:21:17,973 --> 00:21:19,933
Speaker 3: more Wana. You know they're going to get him back

437
00:21:19,973 --> 00:21:21,293
Speaker 3: next year, but it just feels like that's going to

438
00:21:21,333 --> 00:21:22,413
Speaker 3: be impossible to get over.

439
00:21:22,533 --> 00:21:24,133
Speaker 2: It's an Artie Savia sizes hole.

440
00:21:25,093 --> 00:21:25,333
Speaker 5: Yeah.

441
00:21:25,333 --> 00:21:27,853
Speaker 4: Look, there's no getting away from he was super a

442
00:21:27,893 --> 00:21:30,133
Speaker 4: good player of the year last year with what three

443
00:21:30,253 --> 00:21:35,213
Speaker 4: rounds remaining, he was that good, ye, and you do

444
00:21:35,333 --> 00:21:38,013
Speaker 4: not replace the guy like that. I think Miracles a

445
00:21:38,053 --> 00:21:40,253
Speaker 4: smart choice as captain when you think about his story

446
00:21:40,333 --> 00:21:45,733
Speaker 4: coming from the Island's been plucked from relative obscurity and

447
00:21:45,773 --> 00:21:49,933
Speaker 4: coming here and thriving. It is a great story. But

448
00:21:50,213 --> 00:21:51,973
Speaker 4: he's not going to step into artie shoes. He's going

449
00:21:52,053 --> 00:21:54,453
Speaker 4: to need some support. I think they've still got a

450
00:21:54,453 --> 00:21:57,893
Speaker 4: strong coaching team with Tana and Tom Coventry. They've lost

451
00:21:57,893 --> 00:22:00,813
Speaker 4: Stephen Jones, so interesting to see whether that has an

452
00:22:00,813 --> 00:22:03,493
Speaker 4: impact on their attack my pursua as well.

453
00:22:03,693 --> 00:22:07,053
Speaker 5: They've recruited Nannie Lao Marpi. I've heard a few.

454
00:22:08,533 --> 00:22:12,653
Speaker 4: Worrying reports about the state of his knees, so interesting

455
00:22:12,693 --> 00:22:15,973
Speaker 4: to see how much rugby he plays. Look, I hope

456
00:22:15,973 --> 00:22:18,613
Speaker 4: more want to go really well and build on that momentum.

457
00:22:18,933 --> 00:22:21,093
Speaker 4: They were on the cusp for making the top six

458
00:22:21,453 --> 00:22:23,533
Speaker 4: last year. I can't see them making it this year.

459
00:22:24,173 --> 00:22:29,133
Speaker 4: And look, there are real concerns over their financial future.

460
00:22:29,253 --> 00:22:30,693
Speaker 5: Reported a lot on that last year.

461
00:22:30,693 --> 00:22:37,213
Speaker 4: I understand they've got a a it's called a information

462
00:22:37,413 --> 00:22:40,093
Speaker 4: memorandum out there at the moments, and so they're basically

463
00:22:40,133 --> 00:22:44,493
Speaker 4: seeking investments, significant millions and millions of dollars investments to

464
00:22:44,773 --> 00:22:48,093
Speaker 4: keep them afloat so off the field, major major question marks,

465
00:22:48,093 --> 00:22:50,893
Speaker 4: and I think that's probably true on but I think

466
00:22:51,173 --> 00:22:56,373
Speaker 4: they are a real unique proposition for this tournament and competition,

467
00:22:56,733 --> 00:22:58,653
Speaker 4: and a hope that they can pull it together on

468
00:22:58,693 --> 00:23:05,173
Speaker 4: the field because that does generate interest and momentum, and they've.

469
00:23:05,013 --> 00:23:06,453
Speaker 5: Got a lot of goodwill and support.

470
00:23:07,053 --> 00:23:11,013
Speaker 4: But it could be a tough year to meet the

471
00:23:11,093 --> 00:23:15,013
Speaker 4: expectations that they set for themselves last year, because nobody

472
00:23:15,053 --> 00:23:17,693
Speaker 4: really saw them going that well, knocking over the Crusaders

473
00:23:17,733 --> 00:23:18,253
Speaker 4: and the.

474
00:23:18,493 --> 00:23:20,453
Speaker 3: Like, yeah, beting the Blues and all those sort of

475
00:23:20,493 --> 00:23:22,813
Speaker 3: big moments. It's not only Savvig they've lost. They've lost

476
00:23:22,813 --> 00:23:26,253
Speaker 3: their Nissi brothers, their Reformo is not their car, Anthime Woiflour,

477
00:23:27,453 --> 00:23:30,133
Speaker 3: a couple of Hosavily Taylor too, He's gone. So this

478
00:23:30,213 --> 00:23:33,093
Speaker 3: is a even removing artists Ivy. They've lost a bit

479
00:23:33,093 --> 00:23:34,853
Speaker 3: of the nucleus that's been around for three or four

480
00:23:34,933 --> 00:23:37,573
Speaker 3: years since that team came into Super Rugby. So I

481
00:23:37,573 --> 00:23:39,933
Speaker 3: think it's gonna be a struggle this year for more

482
00:23:39,933 --> 00:23:42,813
Speaker 3: one a Pacific. Let's touch on the Australian insides. Do

483
00:23:42,853 --> 00:23:45,173
Speaker 3: you expect them to be better this year? There was

484
00:23:45,173 --> 00:23:47,733
Speaker 3: certainly an improvement last year. Are they able to take

485
00:23:47,773 --> 00:23:48,093
Speaker 3: that lead?

486
00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:48,293
Speaker 2: Well?

487
00:23:48,293 --> 00:23:50,173
Speaker 3: We see more Australian sides in the top Sex and

488
00:23:50,213 --> 00:23:51,293
Speaker 3: threatening to win the title.

489
00:23:52,013 --> 00:23:54,893
Speaker 4: I expect the Waratahs to be I think you tipped

490
00:23:54,853 --> 00:23:56,933
Speaker 4: them last year to make the final last year and

491
00:23:56,933 --> 00:24:00,293
Speaker 4: as a familiar theme, isn't it? And I spoke to

492
00:24:00,373 --> 00:24:05,253
Speaker 4: Jack Measley, the competition CEO at the launch and he admitted,

493
00:24:05,373 --> 00:24:08,253
Speaker 4: purely from a selfish point of view, from a revenue

494
00:24:08,413 --> 00:24:11,333
Speaker 4: broadcasts and eyeball's point of view, they would love the

495
00:24:11,373 --> 00:24:14,613
Speaker 4: war Tars to go well because that's the Sydney.

496
00:24:15,133 --> 00:24:18,453
Speaker 3: The Marketsburg twenty twenty seven World Cup. It's everything that

497
00:24:18,533 --> 00:24:18,853
Speaker 3: gets to.

498
00:24:18,813 --> 00:24:21,173
Speaker 4: The yeah, and I think Australian rugby has a wee

499
00:24:21,173 --> 00:24:23,733
Speaker 4: bit of momentum there with on the back of the

500
00:24:23,773 --> 00:24:26,813
Speaker 4: lines tour the World Cup coming and.

501
00:24:28,213 --> 00:24:31,173
Speaker 5: They need to continue that. So I think the Wara Tars.

502
00:24:32,613 --> 00:24:36,293
Speaker 4: They've recruited well and they've got some massive names throughout

503
00:24:36,293 --> 00:24:40,613
Speaker 4: that backlane, guys like Suwey Lee and Max Jorgenson, who's

504
00:24:40,613 --> 00:24:44,293
Speaker 4: an incredible talents. The Brumbies have consistently set the bar

505
00:24:44,453 --> 00:24:47,013
Speaker 4: for them. The Reds have had their moments, particularly against

506
00:24:47,013 --> 00:24:51,333
Speaker 4: New Zealand's teams, and Liz Kiss in his final season

507
00:24:51,413 --> 00:24:54,613
Speaker 4: before going to the Wallabies will be you know, looking

508
00:24:54,653 --> 00:24:59,173
Speaker 4: to make a final impression, so I don't see an

509
00:24:59,173 --> 00:25:02,693
Speaker 4: Australian side winning it. I probably don't see an Australian

510
00:25:02,733 --> 00:25:08,013
Speaker 4: side making the final, but I hope there's a a

511
00:25:08,933 --> 00:25:11,653
Speaker 4: and some upsets because the competition needs it.

512
00:25:11,733 --> 00:25:12,013
Speaker 2: Yeah.

513
00:25:12,173 --> 00:25:14,453
Speaker 3: I think the Australian sides do look a little bit

514
00:25:14,493 --> 00:25:16,853
Speaker 3: stronger Man for Man this year than they do last year.

515
00:25:16,853 --> 00:25:19,093
Speaker 3: The Warrior I think very very good, so elite. He's

516
00:25:19,133 --> 00:25:22,413
Speaker 3: had a super rugby season under his belt now after

517
00:25:22,413 --> 00:25:24,893
Speaker 3: being thrust into that Wallaby's tour end of twenty four.

518
00:25:25,373 --> 00:25:28,293
Speaker 3: The Reds you know, Mcwright Wilson, very good pack. The

519
00:25:28,333 --> 00:25:32,413
Speaker 3: Brumby's are always very very strongly attained EDMD this year

520
00:25:32,413 --> 00:25:34,733
Speaker 3: to their mix. The Force I think have recruited well

521
00:25:34,773 --> 00:25:38,453
Speaker 3: for you Agentina players over there. George Bridge comes back in,

522
00:25:39,813 --> 00:25:43,213
Speaker 3: but it's hard to see them going you know, you know,

523
00:25:43,253 --> 00:25:44,253
Speaker 3: making a real charge.

524
00:25:44,333 --> 00:25:45,773
Speaker 2: One of those teams.

525
00:25:45,573 --> 00:25:48,093
Speaker 4: Especially they started really well last year and fell away

526
00:25:48,173 --> 00:25:52,173
Speaker 4: quite badly. Yeah they did, so that to me speaks

527
00:25:52,213 --> 00:25:55,493
Speaker 4: to a lack of depth and they don't tend to

528
00:25:55,533 --> 00:25:56,693
Speaker 4: travel well to New Zealand.

529
00:25:56,853 --> 00:25:59,413
Speaker 5: So it'd be nice to see the narrative change.

530
00:25:59,453 --> 00:26:01,613
Speaker 3: It would be Drew is the team only team. We

531
00:26:01,653 --> 00:26:04,613
Speaker 3: haven't touched on Unknown with them, didn't have a great

532
00:26:04,653 --> 00:26:08,653
Speaker 3: lead year last year. They've got my nust at Tali,

533
00:26:08,653 --> 00:26:12,413
Speaker 3: which is probably the highest profile recruits this season. But again,

534
00:26:12,493 --> 00:26:16,493
Speaker 3: the Unknown playing at home in Fiji, there's a great

535
00:26:16,493 --> 00:26:19,173
Speaker 3: advantage for them, didn't travel particularly well last year.

536
00:26:19,453 --> 00:26:21,373
Speaker 5: No, they're away record iss horrific.

537
00:26:21,533 --> 00:26:25,573
Speaker 4: So until they address that, they're not going to feature

538
00:26:25,853 --> 00:26:29,333
Speaker 4: long into the competition. And I think it's fair to

539
00:26:29,373 --> 00:26:34,493
Speaker 4: say they've probably gone backwards since Mick the Kick moved

540
00:26:34,493 --> 00:26:37,053
Speaker 4: on from them and went to lead the national team.

541
00:26:37,413 --> 00:26:37,973
Speaker 2: I think so too.

542
00:26:38,013 --> 00:26:41,213
Speaker 3: All right, anyone else that stands out for you, any

543
00:26:41,213 --> 00:26:43,333
Speaker 3: players to watch the sear I'm excited to see a

544
00:26:43,333 --> 00:26:46,453
Speaker 3: few of those young players that have gone around the place.

545
00:26:46,573 --> 00:26:48,933
Speaker 3: Rico Simpson would like to see him get an opportunity

546
00:26:48,973 --> 00:26:51,973
Speaker 3: at the Blues. Excited to see him Tyrone Thompson at

547
00:26:52,013 --> 00:26:54,213
Speaker 3: the Chiefs for me back in rugby this year went

548
00:26:54,253 --> 00:26:57,253
Speaker 3: to the Knights and the NRAL. Last year didn't quite

549
00:26:57,333 --> 00:26:58,813
Speaker 3: work out for him, but I think he's a player

550
00:26:58,813 --> 00:27:00,853
Speaker 3: of real upside if he can get some game time.

551
00:27:01,733 --> 00:27:03,693
Speaker 3: He stands out for me. Anyone that stands out of

552
00:27:03,733 --> 00:27:04,493
Speaker 3: the top of the head for you.

553
00:27:05,013 --> 00:27:09,333
Speaker 4: Well, not up and comers necessarily, but bill Blecks need

554
00:27:09,333 --> 00:27:13,773
Speaker 4: a wing need wingers. So I think I'm really intrigued

555
00:27:13,773 --> 00:27:16,933
Speaker 4: to see who stands up out of Kleib, Toney, Towel,

556
00:27:17,573 --> 00:27:19,653
Speaker 4: Timeoi Flo, these sort of guys.

557
00:27:20,053 --> 00:27:22,293
Speaker 5: Nawa as well had a.

558
00:27:22,893 --> 00:27:28,653
Speaker 4: Brief impact with the All Blacks, suffer More needs a

559
00:27:28,653 --> 00:27:32,093
Speaker 4: big year. He looks in great physical shape and if

560
00:27:32,093 --> 00:27:34,893
Speaker 4: he can stay on the park. Looking forward to seeing

561
00:27:35,373 --> 00:27:38,293
Speaker 4: him go again. Guys like Peter Ki but interest and

562
00:27:38,373 --> 00:27:41,133
Speaker 4: see how he comes back. There's a few wraps on

563
00:27:41,533 --> 00:27:46,453
Speaker 4: Rampling yep as well. Recruit for the Blues. There's always

564
00:27:46,453 --> 00:27:50,853
Speaker 4: a few surprise packages that we aren't necessarily on the radar.

565
00:27:52,093 --> 00:27:56,693
Speaker 4: Tava Tavanaha missed most of the second half of last

566
00:27:56,773 --> 00:27:58,733
Speaker 4: year and he was right up there in terms of

567
00:27:58,773 --> 00:28:00,573
Speaker 4: Super Auby Players of the Year last year of his

568
00:28:00,973 --> 00:28:04,853
Speaker 4: turnover ability and moved to the midfield, so there's a lot.

569
00:28:04,853 --> 00:28:07,133
Speaker 4: I think there's a lot of points to prove, particularly

570
00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:11,373
Speaker 4: with a new All Black coach coming in. Maybe reputations

571
00:28:11,373 --> 00:28:16,413
Speaker 4: don't count for as much, so yeah, there's plenty of Injurgue.

572
00:28:16,013 --> 00:28:19,293
Speaker 3: All right, final question on Super Rugby, who will be

573
00:28:19,493 --> 00:28:27,253
Speaker 3: in the final come mid to late June this year, Liam.

574
00:28:25,253 --> 00:28:29,813
Speaker 5: The Chiefs and the Canes.

575
00:28:30,653 --> 00:28:34,013
Speaker 3: Interesting, it's going to require the Canes to actually win

576
00:28:34,333 --> 00:28:38,053
Speaker 3: a knockout game, so good luck to them.

577
00:28:38,133 --> 00:28:38,653
Speaker 2: I'm going to the.

578
00:28:38,653 --> 00:28:40,693
Speaker 3: Chiefs in the Crusader's very matched last year's final, but

579
00:28:40,733 --> 00:28:42,893
Speaker 3: I suspect this time around it will probably be in Hamilton.

580
00:28:43,213 --> 00:28:43,813
Speaker 5: Is that boring?

581
00:28:44,093 --> 00:28:48,533
Speaker 4: Like that's that's what most people would predict, right? Is

582
00:28:48,813 --> 00:28:52,253
Speaker 4: that bad for the competition that it's so familiar?

583
00:28:52,373 --> 00:28:56,533
Speaker 3: No, you said no, I think legacies, you know, are

584
00:28:56,533 --> 00:28:59,213
Speaker 3: good for competitions and way because everyone wants to knock

585
00:28:59,253 --> 00:29:01,093
Speaker 3: off the top team. The Crusaders one seven straight that

586
00:29:01,173 --> 00:29:06,733
Speaker 3: frustrated the Jesus out of everyone. But I, you know,

587
00:29:06,733 --> 00:29:08,773
Speaker 3: I would like to see an Australian team really rattled

588
00:29:08,773 --> 00:29:10,733
Speaker 3: the cage this year and put some pressure on the

589
00:29:10,733 --> 00:29:13,693
Speaker 3: New Zealand teams. Can't see it happening to the extent

590
00:29:13,773 --> 00:29:15,893
Speaker 3: that one of the women about the final, I thought

591
00:29:15,893 --> 00:29:18,213
Speaker 3: maybe last year, as I said, I took Blues Warritar's

592
00:29:18,213 --> 00:29:20,413
Speaker 3: final last year had been quite happened. I took the

593
00:29:20,453 --> 00:29:24,413
Speaker 3: Chief Drewer the year before, which was rather rogue. So

594
00:29:24,413 --> 00:29:26,173
Speaker 3: I'm going a bit conservative this time and going to

595
00:29:26,173 --> 00:29:28,413
Speaker 3: the Chiefs Crusaders, so watch the space.

596
00:29:28,933 --> 00:29:34,453
Speaker 4: One final question before we leave Super how much wind

597
00:29:34,533 --> 00:29:38,013
Speaker 4: is sucked out of the competition by guys like Severe

598
00:29:38,093 --> 00:29:42,653
Speaker 4: alb Rico being in Japan, or Rico and Link so

599
00:29:42,733 --> 00:29:45,813
Speaker 4: this is not a new concept necessarily, and also guys

600
00:29:45,893 --> 00:29:51,533
Speaker 4: like Scott Barrett non playing sabbatical, Boden Barretts and Cody

601
00:29:51,573 --> 00:29:53,973
Speaker 4: Taylor having late starts. And then there's also a number

602
00:29:53,973 --> 00:29:58,453
Speaker 4: of injuries which are beyond the control of a competition.

603
00:29:58,093 --> 00:30:01,093
Speaker 5: That does the seasons need to start later?

604
00:30:01,173 --> 00:30:04,653
Speaker 4: Should Super we delay the Kii Doubi's when all these

605
00:30:04,653 --> 00:30:05,453
Speaker 4: guys are missing.

606
00:30:06,013 --> 00:30:08,333
Speaker 5: You know, it's it's not idea, was it?

607
00:30:08,333 --> 00:30:10,653
Speaker 2: It's not a deal. It does take a win and

608
00:30:10,693 --> 00:30:11,253
Speaker 2: out of the sales.

609
00:30:11,293 --> 00:30:14,253
Speaker 3: We talked about the ARTISRV sized hole at more on

610
00:30:14,253 --> 00:30:18,933
Speaker 3: a Pacifica this year. But I think it's the way

611
00:30:18,933 --> 00:30:20,053
Speaker 3: of the world. Like I would like to see a

612
00:30:20,053 --> 00:30:22,733
Speaker 3: Super Rugby start start of March. I think that would

613
00:30:22,733 --> 00:30:26,573
Speaker 3: be better for everyone. If you speak to Super Rugby

614
00:30:26,613 --> 00:30:28,333
Speaker 3: that they would love to go even longer at the

615
00:30:28,373 --> 00:30:31,533
Speaker 3: back end of the year and you go past Dune

616
00:30:31,613 --> 00:30:34,453
Speaker 3: July and make it a real you know, home and

617
00:30:34,493 --> 00:30:37,853
Speaker 3: away style competition. It does take some wind out of

618
00:30:37,893 --> 00:30:40,293
Speaker 3: the sales. But I also you know, we talked about

619
00:30:40,293 --> 00:30:42,453
Speaker 3: the Chiefs thing. We didn't mention Antonine Brown not being

620
00:30:42,493 --> 00:30:44,413
Speaker 3: there and the Chiefs you mentioned they've got a whole

621
00:30:44,413 --> 00:30:47,813
Speaker 3: lot of great players coming through there, you know, the Blues.

622
00:30:47,893 --> 00:30:50,693
Speaker 3: Rique Yuani's not I don't think it's as big as

623
00:30:50,693 --> 00:30:51,733
Speaker 3: it's been made out to be.

624
00:30:51,813 --> 00:30:52,613
Speaker 2: What about you.

625
00:30:54,333 --> 00:30:56,693
Speaker 4: I think fundamentally you want all of his players on

626
00:30:56,733 --> 00:30:59,613
Speaker 4: the park all the time, and I think the all

627
00:30:59,653 --> 00:31:04,173
Speaker 4: Blacks reces I can understands from a worklow point of view,

628
00:31:04,933 --> 00:31:08,853
Speaker 4: but I think you could have a bit more structure

629
00:31:09,013 --> 00:31:12,933
Speaker 4: around the ki we doobies. I think you don't want

630
00:31:13,133 --> 00:31:17,413
Speaker 4: headline stars missing from those matches in particular, and they

631
00:31:17,413 --> 00:31:19,413
Speaker 4: do tend to be front loaded at the start of

632
00:31:19,453 --> 00:31:22,973
Speaker 4: the year and it probably does diminish their appeal.

633
00:31:23,533 --> 00:31:25,573
Speaker 2: Interesting, all right, We'll take a break, come back with

634
00:31:25,573 --> 00:31:28,333
Speaker 2: more on Rugby Direct after this powered by Habit Health Physio.

635
00:31:29,133 --> 00:31:30,653
Speaker 2: This is Rugby.

636
00:31:30,293 --> 00:31:33,253
Speaker 1: Direct, a podcast for real rugby fares.

637
00:31:36,573 --> 00:31:40,773
Speaker 2: Try try and sixty every tackle tackle Get up again.

638
00:31:44,013 --> 00:31:49,213
Speaker 3: Before it's Rugby Direct. You're back with Rugby It's Direct.

639
00:31:49,213 --> 00:31:52,693
Speaker 3: Time now for the final four. Let's pivots and go

640
00:31:52,773 --> 00:31:56,053
Speaker 3: to the big topic of the summer, biggest story of

641
00:31:56,053 --> 00:31:58,493
Speaker 3: the year, bigger than the election that I think as well,

642
00:31:58,853 --> 00:32:01,533
Speaker 3: all blacks coaching gig where are we at? Applications have

643
00:32:01,613 --> 00:32:04,213
Speaker 3: closed last week. We're just going to give it to

644
00:32:04,213 --> 00:32:08,013
Speaker 3: Steve Hanson and Egan Foster. And we're wrong about the clock?

645
00:32:08,053 --> 00:32:11,853
Speaker 4: Is it the I don't think so. Okay, Look, it

646
00:32:11,933 --> 00:32:14,813
Speaker 4: is like an election in some ways. I'm not sure

647
00:32:14,813 --> 00:32:18,133
Speaker 4: who's national and who's labor. But I have to ask Jamie,

648
00:32:18,253 --> 00:32:22,293
Speaker 4: Joseph and Dave Rennie because look, it's a two horse race.

649
00:32:23,093 --> 00:32:26,253
Speaker 4: They've applied everyone it's aware that it's down to those two.

650
00:32:26,973 --> 00:32:29,893
Speaker 4: So what coaching teams can they as symbol how they're

651
00:32:29,933 --> 00:32:34,533
Speaker 4: going to interview. And you think it shouldn't even take

652
00:32:34,573 --> 00:32:37,413
Speaker 4: too long when that's the scenario as well, well.

653
00:32:37,333 --> 00:32:39,053
Speaker 2: I think it'd be good if it doesn't take too long.

654
00:32:39,493 --> 00:32:41,533
Speaker 3: Make a decision, especially for the Highlanders, you know, make

655
00:32:41,533 --> 00:32:43,653
Speaker 3: a decision if if Joseph misses out or gets it,

656
00:32:43,933 --> 00:32:45,773
Speaker 3: then you can move on and plan for the future.

657
00:32:46,493 --> 00:32:49,893
Speaker 3: You don't want to dragging through, you know, to round

658
00:32:50,333 --> 00:32:52,893
Speaker 3: eight nineteen of especially if the Highlanders, for example, are

659
00:32:52,933 --> 00:32:54,813
Speaker 3: in the Super raggy playff mix. I don't think they

660
00:32:54,813 --> 00:32:57,453
Speaker 3: will be, but look, you don't want that being You

661
00:32:57,493 --> 00:32:59,773
Speaker 3: know in the back of your minds as a team

662
00:32:59,853 --> 00:33:03,213
Speaker 3: that the coaching is uncertain, so I suspect they'll come

663
00:33:03,213 --> 00:33:05,933
Speaker 3: to a pretty quick conclusion. It surprised me, what are

664
00:33:05,933 --> 00:33:09,013
Speaker 3: we at the moment ninth of February. I wouldn't be

665
00:33:09,013 --> 00:33:10,973
Speaker 3: surprised to see a decision this time.

666
00:33:11,173 --> 00:33:14,773
Speaker 4: In a month's time, yeah, I think even by the

667
00:33:14,853 --> 00:33:18,293
Speaker 4: end of the month, they've got the coaching panel. Dane

668
00:33:18,293 --> 00:33:24,373
Speaker 4: Cole's joining, Kevin Meer, Lamu, David Kirk and Don Tricker.

669
00:33:24,533 --> 00:33:26,413
Speaker 5: I think that's a strong coaching team.

670
00:33:26,693 --> 00:33:30,173
Speaker 4: You could argue maybe they're missing a former coach in

671
00:33:30,213 --> 00:33:36,253
Speaker 4: that mix, but there's two contenders, interview them, have a

672
00:33:36,253 --> 00:33:38,293
Speaker 4: thorough debate about it, and make a decision.

673
00:33:38,373 --> 00:33:41,733
Speaker 3: Should they be presenting their coaching staff at these like

674
00:33:41,813 --> 00:33:43,093
Speaker 3: how much is that going to matter?

675
00:33:44,053 --> 00:33:47,773
Speaker 4: I think it does matter because we saw with Scott

676
00:33:47,853 --> 00:33:52,573
Speaker 4: Robertson that his coaching team didn't work. We had a

677
00:33:52,653 --> 00:33:57,693
Speaker 4: number of exits, we had a real lack of experience a.

678
00:33:57,693 --> 00:34:00,773
Speaker 3: Floyd, but he still presented it. It just didn't work.

679
00:34:00,933 --> 00:34:03,013
Speaker 3: So he presents it and look, there was. It was

680
00:34:03,053 --> 00:34:05,413
Speaker 3: pushback saying this is not experienced enough, but they still

681
00:34:05,613 --> 00:34:07,613
Speaker 3: signed off on it and then it didn't work. So

682
00:34:08,053 --> 00:34:10,093
Speaker 3: who with Joseph or any might brings you know that

683
00:34:10,533 --> 00:34:11,413
Speaker 3: may not work either.

684
00:34:11,813 --> 00:34:16,013
Speaker 5: It's a different panel this time around. Yeah, so maybe they'll.

685
00:34:17,213 --> 00:34:20,933
Speaker 4: Maybe those floors will be hit them between the eyes

686
00:34:22,733 --> 00:34:26,293
Speaker 4: when it's the sudden and people were locked up like

687
00:34:26,333 --> 00:34:29,253
Speaker 4: Tony Brown and Joe Schmidt and Vern Cootta and others.

688
00:34:29,693 --> 00:34:32,333
Speaker 4: It's not going to be the krem dela creme of

689
00:34:32,453 --> 00:34:36,333
Speaker 4: the coaching team necessarily. I don't think Joseph and Reny

690
00:34:36,333 --> 00:34:40,933
Speaker 4: are going to work together. But I think the coaching

691
00:34:40,973 --> 00:34:44,773
Speaker 4: teams are important. But getting the right vision and the

692
00:34:44,893 --> 00:34:48,013
Speaker 4: right man is first and foremost. What it comes down to.

693
00:34:48,613 --> 00:34:51,573
Speaker 3: Watch the space opening weekend of Six Nations as we continue,

694
00:34:51,613 --> 00:34:57,293
Speaker 3: the final four is under in the books now France

695
00:34:57,373 --> 00:34:59,733
Speaker 3: island WAITANGUI day. Great to have them schedule that game

696
00:34:59,773 --> 00:35:01,733
Speaker 3: for nine am on a public holiday in New Zealand.

697
00:35:01,813 --> 00:35:04,613
Speaker 5: I saw that smashed TV records in France.

698
00:35:04,773 --> 00:35:05,573
Speaker 2: Yeah.

699
00:35:05,613 --> 00:35:07,093
Speaker 3: Look, I think that's what rugby needs to be a

700
00:35:07,133 --> 00:35:09,613
Speaker 3: bit better. AT's just as an assign it is. They

701
00:35:09,653 --> 00:35:12,773
Speaker 3: moved it to avoid the opening ceremony of the Milano

702
00:35:12,813 --> 00:35:17,013
Speaker 3: called Tina Winter Olympics. But especially in markets where rugby

703
00:35:17,053 --> 00:35:22,693
Speaker 3: is not the biggest, biggest driver, find those windows where

704
00:35:22,813 --> 00:35:26,373
Speaker 3: you can slote in games. And Thursday night game didn't

705
00:35:26,373 --> 00:35:28,333
Speaker 3: clash with any football on the weekend, didn't clash with

706
00:35:28,373 --> 00:35:31,693
Speaker 3: the opening ceremony, smashed the records. There's big interest in France.

707
00:35:31,693 --> 00:35:33,733
Speaker 3: You look at the Wallabies three or four years ago

708
00:35:33,733 --> 00:35:35,613
Speaker 3: when they played that game on Thursday night. The blood

709
00:35:35,653 --> 00:35:38,093
Speaker 3: is low, big interest levels there. So I think in

710
00:35:38,133 --> 00:35:41,133
Speaker 3: those markets, just a site, it's important to find those

711
00:35:41,133 --> 00:35:43,813
Speaker 3: little windows that work and capture the public's imagination.

712
00:35:44,093 --> 00:35:48,253
Speaker 4: Yeah, be adaptable, Yeah, pivots, be creative. We've talked about

713
00:35:48,293 --> 00:35:52,053
Speaker 4: this before around Easter and Anzac Day and how the

714
00:35:52,133 --> 00:35:55,333
Speaker 4: NRL and other sporting comps do that better than rugby.

715
00:35:55,453 --> 00:35:58,213
Speaker 4: So yeah, I think you're right in terms of that

716
00:35:58,293 --> 00:36:02,053
Speaker 4: opening weekends. Look, the All Blacks coaching team or next

717
00:36:02,053 --> 00:36:03,613
Speaker 4: to All Black coach is a two horse race, and

718
00:36:03,613 --> 00:36:05,653
Speaker 4: I think the Six Nations is a two horse race.

719
00:36:05,773 --> 00:36:10,093
Speaker 4: France and England's Scotland don't. I don't think you could

720
00:36:10,093 --> 00:36:13,293
Speaker 4: say that's a shock loss, given what's transpired in recent

721
00:36:13,333 --> 00:36:16,973
Speaker 4: times in Italy. Beat them last year as well, and

722
00:36:17,493 --> 00:36:22,813
Speaker 4: Islands real concerns thereabouts their states.

723
00:36:23,213 --> 00:36:25,293
Speaker 2: They haven't just not gone stagnant, they've gone backwards.

724
00:36:25,413 --> 00:36:28,373
Speaker 4: They are on the decline, yeah, one hundred percent, and

725
00:36:29,213 --> 00:36:30,453
Speaker 4: I saw the results.

726
00:36:30,573 --> 00:36:31,133
Speaker 5: I think it was.

727
00:36:31,093 --> 00:36:34,173
Speaker 4: England a Island ay as well, and England pumped them.

728
00:36:34,213 --> 00:36:38,373
Speaker 4: So probably concerns zir about the next generation coming through

729
00:36:38,413 --> 00:36:40,293
Speaker 4: as well. Maybe Andy Farrell doesn't have a lot of

730
00:36:40,813 --> 00:36:44,613
Speaker 4: options to turn to. And also I think maybe in

731
00:36:44,653 --> 00:36:47,093
Speaker 4: general Irish rugby has just been found out for being

732
00:36:47,133 --> 00:36:50,653
Speaker 4: a little bit formulaic. You know that that pattern structure

733
00:36:51,253 --> 00:36:55,133
Speaker 4: worked really well to a points, but it's I think

734
00:36:55,173 --> 00:36:58,333
Speaker 4: the game has moved on to a degree and it

735
00:36:58,373 --> 00:37:01,013
Speaker 4: hasn't got them over that World Cup hump either. They've

736
00:37:01,013 --> 00:37:03,453
Speaker 4: had some great success. They enjoyed time at number one,

737
00:37:03,493 --> 00:37:08,293
Speaker 4: They've won six Nations titles. Andy Farrell succeeded Joe Shma

738
00:37:08,573 --> 00:37:11,893
Speaker 4: and yeah, has enjoyed success. But they've hit the ceiling

739
00:37:11,933 --> 00:37:13,093
Speaker 4: and now they're on the decline.

740
00:37:13,213 --> 00:37:15,733
Speaker 3: That French performance, especially in the first forty five to

741
00:37:15,773 --> 00:37:18,253
Speaker 3: fifty minutes, was as good as I've seen against another

742
00:37:18,293 --> 00:37:22,533
Speaker 3: Tier one team. They played a style of rugby that

743
00:37:22,653 --> 00:37:25,413
Speaker 3: was entertaining to watch, but they were just ruthless at

744
00:37:25,413 --> 00:37:28,853
Speaker 3: the same time. You know, Blbot is an exceptional player

745
00:37:29,373 --> 00:37:31,573
Speaker 3: that any number of players this is, you know, while

746
00:37:31,613 --> 00:37:34,413
Speaker 3: they've also left out audreats from their squad.

747
00:37:34,773 --> 00:37:35,693
Speaker 5: Credit credit to Galt.

748
00:37:35,853 --> 00:37:40,213
Speaker 4: He made some massive selection decisions, going favoring more that

749
00:37:40,293 --> 00:37:44,893
Speaker 4: the Bordeaux way than to lose way of style, but

750
00:37:44,973 --> 00:37:48,213
Speaker 4: also players, and it's paying off.

751
00:37:48,333 --> 00:37:51,133
Speaker 3: Losing Winnie Antonio to retirement on the I mean, all

752
00:37:51,173 --> 00:37:54,813
Speaker 3: sorts of things. And they absolutely pummeled Ireland. England smashing Wales.

753
00:37:54,853 --> 00:37:56,013
Speaker 3: No surprises there.

754
00:37:56,213 --> 00:37:59,533
Speaker 4: No Wales. Rugby's in a very sad state. No one's

755
00:37:59,573 --> 00:38:02,133
Speaker 4: happy about that at the moments. And I don't think

756
00:38:02,133 --> 00:38:03,813
Speaker 4: you can take too much from that from an English

757
00:38:03,853 --> 00:38:04,613
Speaker 4: perspective either.

758
00:38:04,813 --> 00:38:06,533
Speaker 2: No, I think it was fairly standard.

759
00:38:06,533 --> 00:38:08,813
Speaker 3: I mean, what I did see was that the forty

760
00:38:08,853 --> 00:38:12,013
Speaker 3: eight seven I watched their game back and honestly could

761
00:38:12,013 --> 00:38:14,253
Speaker 3: have been another sixty pointer late last year. They probably

762
00:38:14,293 --> 00:38:17,253
Speaker 3: missed a couple of opportunities while it was really really poor.

763
00:38:17,293 --> 00:38:18,893
Speaker 3: And then a great win for Italy who are playing

764
00:38:18,933 --> 00:38:21,653
Speaker 3: some entertaining r He doesn't always come off, but they

765
00:38:21,693 --> 00:38:25,693
Speaker 3: are really really thrilling to watch, and in the reign

766
00:38:25,773 --> 00:38:27,893
Speaker 3: and Rome. They were too good in the end. So

767
00:38:27,973 --> 00:38:30,613
Speaker 3: a big day for you're Italian heritage.

768
00:38:30,933 --> 00:38:31,333
Speaker 5: That's right.

769
00:38:31,413 --> 00:38:34,573
Speaker 4: The blood was boiling on in the morning when I

770
00:38:34,733 --> 00:38:36,333
Speaker 4: got up and saw that the result. I didn't get

771
00:38:36,373 --> 00:38:36,853
Speaker 4: up to watch that.

772
00:38:36,973 --> 00:38:40,253
Speaker 5: It was very early. Consider this.

773
00:38:40,973 --> 00:38:43,853
Speaker 4: It'saly had won one of forty two six Nation games

774
00:38:43,893 --> 00:38:47,213
Speaker 4: before Gonzalo Corsada took over. They have won four of

775
00:38:47,333 --> 00:38:48,173
Speaker 4: eleven since.

776
00:38:49,093 --> 00:38:51,613
Speaker 3: It's remarkable and and look he looks like you look

777
00:38:51,613 --> 00:38:54,213
Speaker 3: at that performance that he got out of them against

778
00:38:54,253 --> 00:38:56,213
Speaker 3: the All Blacks end of twenty twenty four. It was

779
00:38:56,213 --> 00:38:58,853
Speaker 3: a tit All Blacks team, but they really just annoyed

780
00:38:58,853 --> 00:39:01,333
Speaker 3: the All Blacks that night and played some good rugby

781
00:39:01,333 --> 00:39:03,253
Speaker 3: at times I thought and didn't get perhaps to get

782
00:39:03,293 --> 00:39:05,733
Speaker 3: the awards. But they've found a coach there came off

783
00:39:05,773 --> 00:39:08,613
Speaker 3: the back of Kieran Crowley. They've struck gold. Think with

784
00:39:08,693 --> 00:39:13,493
Speaker 3: guisarda Scotland on the other hand, Gregor Town's end. He

785
00:39:13,573 --> 00:39:16,613
Speaker 3: was asked in the media conference afterwards. I heard the footage,

786
00:39:16,933 --> 00:39:19,493
Speaker 3: I heard the audigo and basically was asked whether you

787
00:39:19,533 --> 00:39:22,333
Speaker 3: expected to be in charge when England came to town, come

788
00:39:22,373 --> 00:39:25,453
Speaker 3: to town and at Murrayfield, this coming weekend he will

789
00:39:25,493 --> 00:39:29,053
Speaker 3: be he would suspect, but Franco Smith is poised and

790
00:39:29,133 --> 00:39:32,173
Speaker 3: ready to go. It wouldn't surprise me to see them

791
00:39:32,173 --> 00:39:34,773
Speaker 3: pulled the trigger after these Six Nations if it continues

792
00:39:34,813 --> 00:39:35,573
Speaker 3: in this vein.

793
00:39:35,693 --> 00:39:39,413
Speaker 4: Yeah, I think I can see that happening Glasgow. I

794
00:39:39,413 --> 00:39:42,973
Speaker 4: think they're currently second in Europe leading the USC. Franco

795
00:39:43,013 --> 00:39:45,613
Speaker 4: Smith's done a great job there and patients has run

796
00:39:45,653 --> 00:39:47,053
Speaker 4: out with Town's end, He's had.

797
00:39:47,613 --> 00:39:49,613
Speaker 2: General ninth Six Nations campaign.

798
00:39:50,173 --> 00:39:55,253
Speaker 4: He's he is Scotland's most successful coach, but he for

799
00:39:55,293 --> 00:39:59,373
Speaker 4: a number of years he's had generational players and scored

800
00:39:59,453 --> 00:40:04,733
Speaker 4: depth like Scotland have never had before. And when Scotland

801
00:40:04,773 --> 00:40:08,693
Speaker 4: blew that leads against the Pumas a week halfter losing

802
00:40:08,733 --> 00:40:11,893
Speaker 4: to the All Blacks and similar fashion at Murrayfield, Scotland

803
00:40:11,893 --> 00:40:15,053
Speaker 4: will booed off the park. And if that's not telling,

804
00:40:15,213 --> 00:40:17,573
Speaker 4: I don't know what is. This result comes on the

805
00:40:17,573 --> 00:40:19,893
Speaker 4: back of that. I think Scotland needed to finish at

806
00:40:20,013 --> 00:40:23,893
Speaker 4: least third or above. And look, there's already a lot

807
00:40:23,893 --> 00:40:26,773
Speaker 4: of noise around Gregor Town's end going to become director

808
00:40:26,773 --> 00:40:29,853
Speaker 4: of rugby at Newcastle after the World Cup. He's already

809
00:40:29,893 --> 00:40:33,013
Speaker 4: there in a consultancy capacity. I don't think that's a

810
00:40:33,013 --> 00:40:35,813
Speaker 4: good look trying to juggle two rolls in one when

811
00:40:36,293 --> 00:40:39,333
Speaker 4: your main gig's not going well. So I think he's

812
00:40:39,333 --> 00:40:41,293
Speaker 4: gone by the end of the six Nations and you'll

813
00:40:41,293 --> 00:40:44,573
Speaker 4: see a change at the head of Scottish Rugby.

814
00:40:44,653 --> 00:40:47,053
Speaker 3: Topic number three and the Final four Rugby World Cup

815
00:40:47,133 --> 00:40:51,333
Speaker 3: draw for twenty twenty seven was released last week has

816
00:40:51,333 --> 00:40:54,413
Speaker 3: predicted the big game to open is Australia Hong Kong, China.

817
00:40:56,453 --> 00:40:58,573
Speaker 3: I mean we had to draw in decend, but this

818
00:40:58,613 --> 00:41:01,733
Speaker 3: is the schedule, but it just sort of was laid

819
00:41:01,773 --> 00:41:05,093
Speaker 3: ba A. How thin that pool stages in terms of

820
00:41:05,173 --> 00:41:07,333
Speaker 3: must watch matches. I think World Rugby has lost a

821
00:41:07,333 --> 00:41:10,093
Speaker 3: plot here. Like, I do not know what they're thinking.

822
00:41:10,733 --> 00:41:12,973
Speaker 3: The sport does not have twenty four teams worthy of

823
00:41:13,013 --> 00:41:15,813
Speaker 3: being at a World Cup. They've gone far too early

824
00:41:15,893 --> 00:41:19,813
Speaker 3: with moving to that format. I just think this is

825
00:41:19,813 --> 00:41:21,653
Speaker 3: going to fall flat in the face and I think

826
00:41:21,653 --> 00:41:25,933
Speaker 3: there's a real risk that this tournament doesn't get the

827
00:41:25,973 --> 00:41:29,773
Speaker 3: returns that they're hoping for in Australia, So I just, yeah,

828
00:41:29,813 --> 00:41:31,533
Speaker 3: I do not know what they're thinking.

829
00:41:32,133 --> 00:41:35,093
Speaker 4: I think there's a real internal conflict in sport in

830
00:41:35,133 --> 00:41:37,213
Speaker 4: general at the moments when you look at the NRL

831
00:41:37,293 --> 00:41:44,093
Speaker 4: expanding between broadcast revenue and putting the fan first, and

832
00:41:44,213 --> 00:41:49,133
Speaker 4: the Rugby World Cup is expanding to make more broadcast revenue,

833
00:41:49,493 --> 00:41:51,973
Speaker 4: and it's going to completely suck the interest out of

834
00:41:51,973 --> 00:41:57,133
Speaker 4: that competition basically until almost the quarter final stage, and

835
00:41:57,173 --> 00:41:58,293
Speaker 4: that's a long time.

836
00:41:58,413 --> 00:42:02,733
Speaker 3: There should be some jeopardy in the opening rounds. I

837
00:42:02,813 --> 00:42:05,733
Speaker 3: just don't know what world are we think they're getting

838
00:42:05,773 --> 00:42:10,333
Speaker 3: out of having such a light group stage. You know,

839
00:42:10,333 --> 00:42:12,173
Speaker 3: you can have the Australian New Zealand game, but really

840
00:42:12,213 --> 00:42:14,493
Speaker 3: there's not even that much jippety on that fixture because

841
00:42:14,773 --> 00:42:18,613
Speaker 3: they should both pump Hong Kong, China and Chile in

842
00:42:18,653 --> 00:42:21,413
Speaker 3: that pool. We've got Ireland Scotland, you got England Wales.

843
00:42:21,453 --> 00:42:24,973
Speaker 3: But again, it works at World Cups because there should

844
00:42:24,973 --> 00:42:26,893
Speaker 3: be some jeopardy that if you lose this game, you

845
00:42:26,933 --> 00:42:29,813
Speaker 3: have a tougher path through the quarterfinals or you might

846
00:42:29,853 --> 00:42:31,573
Speaker 3: not make the quarter finals at all. And I just

847
00:42:31,573 --> 00:42:34,093
Speaker 3: don't see that from World Rugby. So I think they've

848
00:42:34,133 --> 00:42:35,493
Speaker 3: misread this big time.

849
00:42:35,373 --> 00:42:35,973
Speaker 5: Oh massively.

850
00:42:35,973 --> 00:42:37,773
Speaker 4: You look at South Africa's pool, they could put out

851
00:42:37,853 --> 00:42:41,773
Speaker 4: a fourth fifth string team and waltz through the pool stages.

852
00:42:42,453 --> 00:42:43,733
Speaker 5: Nobody wants to watch that.

853
00:42:43,693 --> 00:42:44,973
Speaker 2: No, no, no one does.

854
00:42:45,373 --> 00:42:49,213
Speaker 3: So yeah, Black Mark against World Rugby Topic four in

855
00:42:49,253 --> 00:42:52,053
Speaker 3: the final four thirty years of Super Rugby or thirtieth anniversary,

856
00:42:52,053 --> 00:42:54,773
Speaker 3: It started in nineteen ninety six, on the eve of

857
00:42:54,773 --> 00:42:55,853
Speaker 3: the twenty twenty six season.

858
00:42:55,893 --> 00:42:59,653
Speaker 2: You'll stand out memory from the last thirty years.

859
00:43:00,293 --> 00:43:02,293
Speaker 4: Well, we were at the superbrig relaunch and they had

860
00:43:02,493 --> 00:43:05,453
Speaker 4: had a bit of memorabilitiya floating around there, and they

861
00:43:05,453 --> 00:43:08,893
Speaker 4: had the stubs from the opening game and Mighty Palmas

862
00:43:08,973 --> 00:43:10,773
Speaker 4: the North and I was at that game.

863
00:43:10,813 --> 00:43:11,733
Speaker 5: I remember.

864
00:43:13,053 --> 00:43:16,533
Speaker 4: Snippets of it, but also remember the Mexican waves, full

865
00:43:16,573 --> 00:43:19,493
Speaker 4: cans flying up and a little kid being carried out because.

866
00:43:19,253 --> 00:43:21,213
Speaker 5: He got gone with a full can.

867
00:43:21,933 --> 00:43:24,893
Speaker 4: So yes, they say it's good that that times have

868
00:43:25,013 --> 00:43:29,333
Speaker 4: moved on from that, but I think the early stages

869
00:43:29,373 --> 00:43:31,973
Speaker 4: of that competition were amazing because it was just all

870
00:43:32,013 --> 00:43:35,093
Speaker 4: out attack, wasn't it. You think about Christian Cullen and

871
00:43:35,933 --> 00:43:40,013
Speaker 4: Goldie and other players just you know, linked to the field.

872
00:43:40,053 --> 00:43:42,293
Speaker 5: Try is amazing brand of rugby.

873
00:43:42,533 --> 00:43:44,973
Speaker 4: The game's changed a lot since then, so that was

874
00:43:45,053 --> 00:43:50,133
Speaker 4: magic being witnessing Mike Canes won their first title and

875
00:43:50,173 --> 00:43:55,173
Speaker 4: the freezing cold in Wellington. Wasn't a great final, but

876
00:43:55,413 --> 00:43:58,853
Speaker 4: it was a great night. So there's a couple for you.

877
00:43:58,933 --> 00:44:00,053
Speaker 2: I'm struggling to narrow it down.

878
00:44:00,053 --> 00:44:04,373
Speaker 5: Person, get out there.

879
00:44:05,213 --> 00:44:06,973
Speaker 3: Well, I'm going to say the Crusaders warri Tis two

880
00:44:06,973 --> 00:44:09,453
Speaker 3: thousand and two at Jade Stadium in Christia.

881
00:44:09,453 --> 00:44:10,853
Speaker 5: You're going to say the one they lost.

882
00:44:11,853 --> 00:44:15,813
Speaker 3: Crusaders Pumping the war Tars ninety six nineteen. I was

883
00:44:15,813 --> 00:44:18,013
Speaker 3: at the game, never seen anything like a standing ovation

884
00:44:18,053 --> 00:44:20,533
Speaker 3: at halftime there was sixty three nil up. So that's

885
00:44:20,533 --> 00:44:21,933
Speaker 3: one that lives in the memory. So I'll give you

886
00:44:21,933 --> 00:44:23,493
Speaker 3: that one. But I mean I could narrow it down

887
00:44:23,533 --> 00:44:26,773
Speaker 3: to any of the other thirteen thirteen titles. The Crusaders one.

888
00:44:26,733 --> 00:44:33,453
Speaker 4: Right, I could have said Rob Pennies fish.

889
00:44:31,373 --> 00:44:33,733
Speaker 3: Well, look at the reboard works. So it was all

890
00:44:33,773 --> 00:44:36,573
Speaker 3: worth it. The pain was worth the worth it in

891
00:44:36,613 --> 00:44:38,973
Speaker 3: the end, Like this run through some tipping. We'll keep

892
00:44:38,973 --> 00:44:41,133
Speaker 3: this going this year. Give me some tips for the

893
00:44:41,213 --> 00:44:43,653
Speaker 3: opening round. We start with Highland. Just Crusaders Friday night

894
00:44:43,733 --> 00:44:44,373
Speaker 3: in Dunedin.

895
00:44:45,093 --> 00:44:47,213
Speaker 5: Stada's doing that, Yeah, I think so, yeah.

896
00:44:47,093 --> 00:44:48,893
Speaker 2: War Tars Reds in Sydney.

897
00:44:49,613 --> 00:44:51,253
Speaker 5: It was always tight. But I'll go the Tars.

898
00:44:51,893 --> 00:44:54,933
Speaker 3: You're going to go the Tars. I will go the

899
00:44:55,013 --> 00:44:58,493
Speaker 3: Reds for an upset in that one. The Drewer hosting

900
00:44:58,533 --> 00:45:01,253
Speaker 3: winner Pacifica in Tokia Saturday afternoon.

901
00:45:02,093 --> 00:45:04,013
Speaker 5: The the Drewer at home.

902
00:45:04,813 --> 00:45:07,333
Speaker 2: Yeah, I tend to agree with you. I just have

903
00:45:07,413 --> 00:45:11,053
Speaker 2: worries about my Wanda. She Blues Chiefs Eden Park the

904
00:45:11,133 --> 00:45:12,613
Speaker 2: National Stadium.

905
00:45:12,933 --> 00:45:14,733
Speaker 4: Tough to tip. Interesting to see what sort of crowd

906
00:45:14,733 --> 00:45:18,093
Speaker 4: they get on opening weekend for that. Had to chat

907
00:45:18,133 --> 00:45:20,973
Speaker 4: to Carl Budge last week, which puts something out this

908
00:45:20,973 --> 00:45:23,253
Speaker 4: week about things he wants to do differently and how

909
00:45:23,373 --> 00:45:26,013
Speaker 4: Rugby hasn't put the fan first. So interesting to see

910
00:45:26,013 --> 00:45:28,973
Speaker 4: how body looks to bring and how restricted he is.

911
00:45:28,853 --> 00:45:29,853
Speaker 5: With with Eden Park.

912
00:45:29,973 --> 00:45:32,653
Speaker 4: They've got that over the outer over there that could

913
00:45:32,693 --> 00:45:36,813
Speaker 4: potentially do some fun things with. It's a long one

914
00:45:36,893 --> 00:45:38,613
Speaker 4: way of saying, I have no idea who's going to

915
00:45:38,653 --> 00:45:42,093
Speaker 4: win that game, but I will tip the Blues home.

916
00:45:42,173 --> 00:45:45,333
Speaker 3: Wow, okay, I'm going to check the Chiefs for a victory.

917
00:45:45,413 --> 00:45:48,453
Speaker 3: The Western Force Brumbies the game you're almost looking forward

918
00:45:48,453 --> 00:45:49,613
Speaker 3: to this weekend in Perth.

919
00:45:49,853 --> 00:45:55,453
Speaker 5: Of course, the Brumbies Force your Force. I've lost lel

920
00:45:55,533 --> 00:45:55,973
Speaker 5: mackd on with.

921
00:45:56,653 --> 00:45:59,613
Speaker 3: Yeah, but what they've gained is Steorge a Bridge, so

922
00:46:00,293 --> 00:46:03,173
Speaker 3: you know they've gained something there. I think they've named

923
00:46:03,173 --> 00:46:05,773
Speaker 3: like a six player leadership group as well. Curtley Beal

924
00:46:06,133 --> 00:46:10,133
Speaker 3: probably his last season. Our win for Coote Bill to

925
00:46:10,133 --> 00:46:14,573
Speaker 3: win another Super Rugby title right Rugby dreets Super Rugby preview.

926
00:46:14,613 --> 00:46:16,453
Speaker 2: In the books, we will catch you next week.

927
00:46:17,053 --> 00:46:19,373
Speaker 3: Thanks to Habit Health Visio book today and stay in

928
00:46:19,453 --> 00:46:20,493
Speaker 3: the game Up the Canes.

929
00:46:20,613 --> 00:46:26,573
Speaker 2: No for more from News Talks ed B.

930
00:46:26,893 --> 00:46:30,133
Speaker 1: Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows

931
00:46:30,133 --> 00:46:33,493
Speaker 1: with you wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.