WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 152 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:11.973 You're listening to a podcast from news Talks ed B. 0:00:12.373 --> 0:00:16.173 Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 0:00:17.773 --> 0:00:21.973 Inside the Game from Every angle. It's Rugby Direct with 0:00:22.213 --> 0:00:24.493 Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB. 0:00:24.733 --> 0:00:27.253 Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health tankling all 0:00:27.253 --> 0:00:30.373 your aches and pains from sport and work back for 0:00:30.533 --> 0:00:33.733 another week of Rugby Direct. And we welcome back from 0:00:33.813 --> 0:00:36.693 the Kingdom, Liam Napier, It's a Rugby Direct. 0:00:36.733 --> 0:00:39.893 Greetings readings, Elliot, great to be here, Great to be back. 0:00:40.773 --> 0:00:43.653 Getting sponsorship while you're over there, aram Co coming on board. 0:00:43.693 --> 0:00:46.613 Will we you know, live live Rugby directsclorring to it. 0:00:46.693 --> 0:00:48.373 Yeah, it's fair to say the feelers are out a 0:00:48.413 --> 0:00:51.813 lot of interest rugby and Saudi is on the rise, 0:00:51.933 --> 0:00:54.613 and the oil tycoons are circling. 0:00:54.973 --> 0:00:57.093 Yeah, Rugby Directs are not immune to that. We're more 0:00:57.133 --> 0:00:59.213 than happy to sell our souls. 0:00:59.933 --> 0:01:00.173 Right. 0:01:00.253 --> 0:01:03.733 Let's refer to the weekend that was in Rugby Super 0:01:03.813 --> 0:01:08.253 Rugby specifically and another intriguing weekend Liam. I guess, just 0:01:08.453 --> 0:01:11.773 an overall perspective, we've had fifteen games down this comp 0:01:12.333 --> 0:01:16.213 and there's been no real blowouts, no terrible games, so far, 0:01:16.693 --> 0:01:19.253 which is a remarkable run really given where we're at 0:01:19.573 --> 0:01:23.333 have been at in this competition. Just the standard and 0:01:23.413 --> 0:01:25.453 the closeness of the games has been very very good. 0:01:25.493 --> 0:01:28.693 Once again it has, and that's what this competition needs. 0:01:28.733 --> 0:01:30.613 I think the only game at the weekend that was 0:01:32.173 --> 0:01:36.293 more than five odd points was the Chief Sprumbies. And 0:01:36.933 --> 0:01:38.893 it is early doors. You don't want to make too 0:01:38.933 --> 0:01:42.293 many sweeping generalizations, but it does seem like the Australian 0:01:42.293 --> 0:01:45.453 teams are more competitive, which is what we'd everyone had 0:01:45.493 --> 0:01:49.013 hopes with the demise of the Rebels, and I guess 0:01:49.053 --> 0:01:51.213 a real evening out of the New Zealand teams as 0:01:51.253 --> 0:01:54.173 well with the Highland has been more competitive, the Blues 0:01:54.213 --> 0:01:57.253 coming back to the pack, the Chiefs raising their standards 0:01:57.293 --> 0:01:59.213 and the Hurricanes sort of struggling a wee bit. 0:01:59.373 --> 0:02:02.013 So that's what super Bragby needs. 0:02:02.053 --> 0:02:06.893 We need to see type competitive games, upsets. The only 0:02:07.453 --> 0:02:10.173 I guess negative I would say was, you know, it's 0:02:10.173 --> 0:02:12.933 a great spectacle. This defense is a weebird option all 0:02:12.933 --> 0:02:15.853 at times, or maybe not of a certainly test standard, 0:02:15.893 --> 0:02:21.853 but it's been a great watch and the finishers in games. 0:02:22.613 --> 0:02:24.933 These games are being decided in the last couple of minutes, 0:02:24.973 --> 0:02:26.933 which is great for spectators. 0:02:27.013 --> 0:02:27.773 I do wonder if the. 0:02:29.573 --> 0:02:31.373 Scores might settle down a little bit as it gets 0:02:31.413 --> 0:02:33.533 a bit colder into March and April. I think fatigue 0:02:33.533 --> 0:02:35.853 and heat taking a role in the opening two or 0:02:35.853 --> 0:02:38.493 three weeks hot it as an Australian parts in New 0:02:38.573 --> 0:02:41.413 Zealand a for you daytime or late kickoffs sort late 0:02:41.453 --> 0:02:43.973 afternoon kickoffs that are maybe contributing to that. It's kind 0:02:44.013 --> 0:02:46.493 of interesting to see if that settles down. Let's go 0:02:46.533 --> 0:02:48.693 first to Saturday night and it was the Blues thirty 0:02:48.693 --> 0:02:51.053 three over the Hurricanes twenty nine. 0:02:51.293 --> 0:02:52.413 A game that was in. 0:02:52.373 --> 0:02:54.973 The balance for a lot of it, but you know, 0:02:55.013 --> 0:02:57.853 the stars rise to the big occasion. Mark Talia did 0:02:58.093 --> 0:03:00.613 just that right at the very end or ten minutes 0:03:00.653 --> 0:03:03.533 to go and put his side back in front. But again, 0:03:03.573 --> 0:03:05.053 this was a game that we could have seen the 0:03:05.053 --> 0:03:08.013 Blues go oh in three. They were just as smidge 0:03:08.013 --> 0:03:09.693 better on the night. What did you make of it? 0:03:10.093 --> 0:03:11.893 Yeah, look, I wouldn't be getting too carried away if 0:03:11.893 --> 0:03:14.333 I was the Blues. When you look at that Hurricanes team, 0:03:14.333 --> 0:03:16.933 they're still missing a lot of their front line stars 0:03:16.973 --> 0:03:19.933 as a team without Jordy Barrett Ardie Severez left this 0:03:20.093 --> 0:03:24.453 year and they have no Tarro lomax I suffer Armor, 0:03:25.053 --> 0:03:30.293 Billy Proctor, There's a couple of others there and they 0:03:30.293 --> 0:03:32.653 have had some performance stand up for them. Harry Godfrey 0:03:32.733 --> 0:03:36.053 has really claimed that tenders Ruben loves another one that 0:03:36.093 --> 0:03:39.853 won't come back till after the bye. But as you mentioned, 0:03:39.933 --> 0:03:42.613 stars rise and I think it was Boden Barrett that 0:03:42.613 --> 0:03:44.333 really sparked them at the back end of that match, 0:03:44.493 --> 0:03:48.813 that the counter attack, and he had two influential moments 0:03:48.933 --> 0:03:52.093 with helping get Hoskins a tutu over the line and 0:03:52.133 --> 0:03:56.413 then Mark Tala skinning Riley haul Heepper. Thanks for gifting 0:03:56.453 --> 0:03:57.453 him to the Hurricanes, by the. 0:03:57.413 --> 0:04:00.333 Way, you're welcome. Yeah, yeah, you can have them back Crusade, 0:04:00.573 --> 0:04:01.773 look at James. We don't. 0:04:02.933 --> 0:04:05.613 But look, yeah, the Hurricanes will feel like they blew 0:04:05.613 --> 0:04:07.613 that they were up. Was it twenty twenty nine to 0:04:07.653 --> 0:04:12.893 twenty one with ten minutes to go, and you know, 0:04:13.413 --> 0:04:15.733 did a lot of good things after being on the 0:04:15.733 --> 0:04:19.493 back foot with two yellow cards early. So look, there's 0:04:19.493 --> 0:04:21.933 a lot of positives to clutch up for the Hurricanes, 0:04:21.973 --> 0:04:24.533 but they're in a bit of an early season whole 0:04:24.813 --> 0:04:25.213 they are. 0:04:26.053 --> 0:04:28.213 I don't think the Blues were great, but they were 0:04:28.253 --> 0:04:31.813 good enough on the night. They had a few things 0:04:32.173 --> 0:04:35.293 go their way. There also things that go against I mean, 0:04:35.413 --> 0:04:37.933 Hoskins are two too recarded late in the match, will 0:04:37.933 --> 0:04:41.293 probably serve two to three weeks for that. They had 0:04:41.333 --> 0:04:44.573 the Hia scenario late as well, where there was a 0:04:44.573 --> 0:04:48.253 bit of confusion about whether Sam Knock was actually concussed 0:04:48.893 --> 0:04:52.573 or not. They managed to sort of navigate their way 0:04:53.213 --> 0:04:55.493 around it, but I don't think it was vintage Blues. 0:04:55.533 --> 0:04:57.493 They talked a bit about last week about going back 0:04:57.533 --> 0:04:59.733 to being boring, rolling up the sleeves, doing the Ford work. 0:04:59.773 --> 0:05:02.413 I don't think we necessarily saw that on the weekend, 0:05:02.533 --> 0:05:04.573 and it almost felt like they were reverting back to 0:05:05.373 --> 0:05:08.613 the Blues of old, where their instinct was just flinger 0:05:08.613 --> 0:05:11.453 it out wide and hope something happened. So we saw 0:05:11.533 --> 0:05:13.453 last year the success that they've had up the middle 0:05:13.453 --> 0:05:15.413 of the park and their forwards doing a lot of 0:05:15.413 --> 0:05:18.333 those work that work. I don't know that we're still 0:05:18.373 --> 0:05:21.133 seeing that, and of course game plans have to evolve. 0:05:21.173 --> 0:05:23.573 But when the Blues talked about going back to the basics, 0:05:23.733 --> 0:05:25.533 probably didn't see that on Saturday night. 0:05:25.853 --> 0:05:28.573 No, and that's their challenge this year, isn't it. 0:05:28.613 --> 0:05:31.933 They can't do exactly what they did last year because 0:05:32.613 --> 0:05:37.613 teams expect that they're going to counter that. And I 0:05:37.653 --> 0:05:39.693 think we did see them actually go away from that 0:05:39.693 --> 0:05:41.653 blueprint and it worked for them with the lakes of 0:05:41.733 --> 0:05:45.093 Barrett and Taliah. You know what a try that was 0:05:46.293 --> 0:05:48.853 a match winning try in the ends. We did see 0:05:48.893 --> 0:05:51.053 examples where they went up the middle Patrick two polos, 0:05:51.053 --> 0:05:56.893 who's big charge, Ricky Rickettelli's try. They really punched and 0:05:56.933 --> 0:05:59.773 went direct, which was their game plan last year. But 0:05:59.813 --> 0:06:02.533 it does feel like the I don't know, corp between 0:06:02.573 --> 0:06:07.853 two worlds, not jelling, not quite finding their feats. 0:06:08.573 --> 0:06:11.373 So it is interesting times for the Blues, it is. 0:06:11.533 --> 0:06:14.053 I think they're getting enough out of midfield either. I 0:06:14.093 --> 0:06:15.813 thought aj lamp had a very good end to last 0:06:15.893 --> 0:06:18.253 year's Super Rugby season when he came into second five. 0:06:19.093 --> 0:06:21.853 Ricca Juati is a test center. But I just don't 0:06:21.893 --> 0:06:24.653 know that they're getting enough out of midfield so far 0:06:24.733 --> 0:06:29.053 in the season with the players that they've selected. Wonder 0:06:29.213 --> 0:06:32.373 whether maybe moving Barrett back to ten and Plumber into 0:06:32.413 --> 0:06:34.773 second five could alleviate some of those issues. 0:06:35.373 --> 0:06:39.093 Yeah, that would still give them two genuine playmakers. 0:06:39.253 --> 0:06:40.933 A J. Lambs very versatile. 0:06:42.053 --> 0:06:43.733 You know, he could be on the bench and come 0:06:43.773 --> 0:06:46.093 on and fulfill a number of different roles. 0:06:46.573 --> 0:06:47.253 I agree with. 0:06:47.213 --> 0:06:52.173 That, but yeah, it is interesting because the Blues, we 0:06:52.293 --> 0:06:55.773 sort of externally expect them just to roll through and 0:06:55.813 --> 0:06:56.413 continue on. 0:06:56.533 --> 0:06:57.653 Everyone was chasing them. 0:06:58.013 --> 0:07:01.293 They did it, you know, reasonably easily last year when 0:07:01.333 --> 0:07:05.053 you look at what happened in the final. They spoke 0:07:05.133 --> 0:07:07.413 all through the preseason and at the start of the 0:07:07.493 --> 0:07:10.493 year about starting again. That last year accounted for nothing 0:07:10.533 --> 0:07:13.893 that they couldn't be complacent and they've got every reason 0:07:13.973 --> 0:07:18.493 not to be now. But maybe stylistically they've just been 0:07:18.533 --> 0:07:22.533 a bit court and figured out maybe teams are working 0:07:22.573 --> 0:07:25.493 out how to unpick them, and that's going to be 0:07:25.493 --> 0:07:27.093 a real challenge for their coaching stuff. 0:07:27.453 --> 0:07:29.733 Because it was fairly unconvincing. 0:07:30.053 --> 0:07:32.813 It was let's move backwards to the Chiefs and Brumbies 0:07:32.853 --> 0:07:35.293 on Saturday afternoon forty nine to thirty four the Chiefs 0:07:35.573 --> 0:07:38.013 when what was an up and down topsy turvy whatever 0:07:38.293 --> 0:07:40.653 you want to put in front of it contest against 0:07:40.693 --> 0:07:43.613 the Brumbies. For me, it was fifteen all at one point, 0:07:43.653 --> 0:07:45.573 but it just felt like the Brumbies were the ones 0:07:45.653 --> 0:07:49.093 chasing the game. The Chiefs always just sort of had 0:07:49.093 --> 0:07:51.333 their noses in front. I felt they similar to the 0:07:51.333 --> 0:07:55.613 Crusaders a week prior. Scored two quick tries after halftime 0:07:55.693 --> 0:07:57.333 and that put them on the front foot and the 0:07:57.373 --> 0:08:00.653 second spell use the Brumbies responded, but just felt like 0:08:00.693 --> 0:08:02.373 they were always sort of chasing the game. And again 0:08:02.613 --> 0:08:06.733 they win by fifteen points and beat the Brumbies. The 0:08:06.813 --> 0:08:08.733 Chiefs are clearly the best team in the co petition 0:08:08.813 --> 0:08:11.933 to this point attack wise. You know Damion McKenzie a 0:08:12.013 --> 0:08:13.693 worry there that he went off with a bit of 0:08:13.693 --> 0:08:16.253 a bang late in the game. Haven't heard anything further 0:08:16.333 --> 0:08:20.013 about that, Josh Lord going off, but they have threats 0:08:20.093 --> 0:08:23.053 all across the park and they have set up very, 0:08:23.093 --> 0:08:24.973 very nicely through three weeks in the competition. 0:08:25.373 --> 0:08:28.293 They are indeed and this is probably what I expected 0:08:28.293 --> 0:08:29.573 from the Chiefs last year. 0:08:29.413 --> 0:08:32.333 And they were really inconsistent. But you look at their roster. 0:08:33.333 --> 0:08:36.613 It's stacked, isn't it with threats as you mentioned, and 0:08:36.733 --> 0:08:38.773 they've clearly come into this year with a chip on 0:08:38.813 --> 0:08:39.333 their shoulder. 0:08:39.773 --> 0:08:41.853 It's Clayton McMillan's last year at the Helm. 0:08:42.453 --> 0:08:44.053 Whether they knew that at the start of the year, 0:08:44.253 --> 0:08:48.733 not too sure, but that adds another dynamic. And yeah, 0:08:48.773 --> 0:08:53.013 I think this game in particular is another brilliant advertisement 0:08:53.053 --> 0:08:56.413 for afternoon rugby. Both teams really had a crack. I 0:08:56.453 --> 0:08:59.293 thought the Brumbies played really well. I like the balance 0:08:59.293 --> 0:09:01.693 they've got to their game. You know, they're rolling war 0:09:01.813 --> 0:09:05.293 was really effective, but they can play as well. They 0:09:05.333 --> 0:09:08.133 tested the Chiefs, but you're right that you never really 0:09:08.813 --> 0:09:10.293 like they were going to come over the top of 0:09:10.293 --> 0:09:14.453 the Chiefs just with those threats. A real standout performance 0:09:14.453 --> 0:09:18.453 from quint to Paire. He's been a big mover going 0:09:18.493 --> 0:09:21.053 back into the midfield after you know, some stints on 0:09:21.093 --> 0:09:23.893 the wing in a tough couple of years with injury. 0:09:24.453 --> 0:09:28.293 McKenzie's playing well, Josh Jacob really staking a claim at ten. 0:09:28.333 --> 0:09:31.533 I like that dynamic of their combination. And then they've 0:09:31.533 --> 0:09:33.853 got the pack there as well with the Chiefs. So 0:09:34.853 --> 0:09:37.653 the other team to beat, aren't they Their record speaks 0:09:37.653 --> 0:09:40.653 for itself. But they can hot you all over the park, 0:09:40.773 --> 0:09:42.693 they can go through the middle, they can go wide, 0:09:43.133 --> 0:09:45.733 they can chip them behind you. They've got balanced variation, 0:09:46.253 --> 0:09:50.133 very dynamic. So great start to the year for the Chiefs. 0:09:50.213 --> 0:09:53.533 Indeed, and it's not I can see them losing a game, 0:09:53.573 --> 0:09:55.573 but it's hard to see. You know, they sit alone 0:09:55.613 --> 0:09:56.973 for me at the top of the table, and there's 0:09:56.973 --> 0:10:00.413 a whole lot of teams that are in mixed form 0:10:00.533 --> 0:10:03.213 at the moment and could slide anywhere from second to 0:10:03.693 --> 0:10:05.453 nights or tenth on the ladder. At this point in time, 0:10:05.493 --> 0:10:07.973 it feels like it's a real log jam, but everyone's 0:10:08.013 --> 0:10:11.613 chasing Chiefs and it's an interesting position for them to begin. 0:10:12.133 --> 0:10:14.733 We talked a bit about I guess that the Blues 0:10:14.773 --> 0:10:17.173 and their threats through the middle of the park not working. 0:10:17.173 --> 0:10:19.733 But you touched on Quintepie there. What a start to 0:10:19.773 --> 0:10:22.893 the seasons he's having. I know last year it kind 0:10:22.893 --> 0:10:26.373 of felt like his career could have gone two ways, 0:10:26.493 --> 0:10:28.893 and it's going the way that I think is great 0:10:28.893 --> 0:10:31.053 for him is that, you know, after that injury in 0:10:31.093 --> 0:10:35.293 twenty twenty two when he was basically had his leg 0:10:35.693 --> 0:10:40.373 you know, ripped apart by Varci Swain, to finally get back, 0:10:40.373 --> 0:10:41.693 you know, maybe it's taken a couple of years to 0:10:41.693 --> 0:10:43.653 get over that injury. The confidence back, well, he was 0:10:43.653 --> 0:10:45.893 playing with confidence at the moment and leading this Chiefs team. 0:10:46.053 --> 0:10:48.493 I say leading, but he's leading them midfield very very well. 0:10:48.813 --> 0:10:51.333 I thought he was underutilized by the Chiefs last year 0:10:51.333 --> 0:10:54.413 when he did play, it was off the bench or 0:10:54.413 --> 0:10:59.173 on the wing, and just he's a real weapon. He's 0:10:59.173 --> 0:11:01.973 always been a physical presence. He was selected in the 0:11:01.973 --> 0:11:04.933 All Blacks what was it two years ago? Now twenty two? 0:11:05.373 --> 0:11:10.013 What three? And it was for that physicality that he 0:11:10.093 --> 0:11:14.333 brought to the position ball carrying wise, defensively, but you 0:11:14.373 --> 0:11:17.533 look at the subtlety and the silky skills he brought 0:11:17.533 --> 0:11:20.493 to that performance. At the weekend he made a bust 0:11:20.613 --> 0:11:27.013 and sent that long ball wide to Matta Ali. He's 0:11:27.053 --> 0:11:30.213 falling and to have the precision to pull that off 0:11:30.213 --> 0:11:33.453 and then the chip and chase him behind and to regathero. 0:11:33.893 --> 0:11:37.133 That's a real breadth of skill to complement that physicality, 0:11:37.373 --> 0:11:40.453 and that's what you want from that position. 0:11:40.933 --> 0:11:44.133 And it's an interesting dynamic, isn't it. The twelve position. 0:11:44.453 --> 0:11:47.653 Jordie's not here at the moment, so while he will 0:11:47.693 --> 0:11:50.893 come back, it certainly shines a spotlight on that position 0:11:50.933 --> 0:11:53.933 and been a lot of attention on Ta Tavanawa with 0:11:54.013 --> 0:11:57.693 the Highlanders moving into twelve. David Heavili, the Captaincy looks 0:11:57.693 --> 0:12:01.893 really comfortable with him at the Crusaders, so interesting to 0:12:01.933 --> 0:12:03.533 see how that evolves throughout there. 0:12:03.773 --> 0:12:07.453 Certainly is Friday night the Highlanders beating mo Waa Pacific 0:12:07.493 --> 0:12:10.013 at thirty one to twenty nine in Albany. 0:12:10.213 --> 0:12:13.333 Weird old game. This one hard to judge. 0:12:13.373 --> 0:12:16.013 Look, I think Miwan are a very very good team 0:12:16.053 --> 0:12:18.573 for sixty minutes in the game. It's the last twenty 0:12:18.693 --> 0:12:21.413 or the twenty minutes when they switch off or aren't 0:12:21.413 --> 0:12:23.453 at the races that is a real concern. And on 0:12:23.493 --> 0:12:26.493 Friday night it was minutes zero to ten and minutes 0:12:26.573 --> 0:12:29.773 thirty to forty where they weren't there the rest of it. 0:12:29.853 --> 0:12:31.813 They gave the Honders as good as they got. But 0:12:32.333 --> 0:12:35.213 when you're ten or ten minutes out from half time 0:12:35.253 --> 0:12:38.213 and you go into halftime thirty one ten down, something's 0:12:38.293 --> 0:12:40.653 gone wrong. And that last ten minutes before the break 0:12:40.653 --> 0:12:44.333 they've switched off and the Highlanders took advantage. And you know, 0:12:44.413 --> 0:12:46.333 despite the fact they scored nineteen points on ans and 0:12:46.373 --> 0:12:48.973 the second spell, it still wasn't enough. So for me, 0:12:49.413 --> 0:12:55.093 the Highlanders deserve that win. But Mowana different story on 0:12:55.133 --> 0:12:57.533 the night could have been then winning and winning well, 0:12:57.533 --> 0:12:58.773 they've just got to find a way to play for 0:12:58.813 --> 0:13:01.493 the full eighty minutes. It's a cliche, but you look 0:13:01.493 --> 0:13:04.293 at their three performances so far. They've conceded fifty six 0:13:04.333 --> 0:13:06.853 against the Reds in a game that they were in 0:13:06.893 --> 0:13:09.653 for a wee bit and the first game against the 0:13:09.653 --> 0:13:11.853 Force they were neck and neique for a period of time. 0:13:11.933 --> 0:13:15.173 But just these moments of switching off or whether it's 0:13:15.173 --> 0:13:17.973 a depth, I don't know, but that's costing them at 0:13:17.973 --> 0:13:18.293 the moment. 0:13:18.973 --> 0:13:21.453 It is just a bit before we get to your 0:13:21.493 --> 0:13:21.893 point there. 0:13:21.893 --> 0:13:26.373 And the rugby love the jerseys, the throwback, the best 0:13:26.453 --> 0:13:29.453 jerseys on display all weekend, brilliant. I think mine had 0:13:29.493 --> 0:13:34.253 their biggest crowd home crowd in Albany, so you know, 0:13:34.293 --> 0:13:38.413 great occasion and there's a real sense that they're starting 0:13:38.453 --> 0:13:41.453 to establish their presence in this competition and actually getting 0:13:41.453 --> 0:13:43.653 a bit of a foothold after a lot of uncertainty 0:13:43.693 --> 0:13:47.773 around the future and their presence. But they need some wins, 0:13:47.813 --> 0:13:52.613 don't they. And you're rights they are improving. They are 0:13:52.613 --> 0:13:55.893 in the contest, in the fights. There's genuine spirit there 0:13:55.893 --> 0:13:59.733 that you can see Ardie severe. What a performance, but 0:13:59.773 --> 0:14:03.853 they should be two and one they blew it against 0:14:03.893 --> 0:14:08.333 the force. And but for those periods that you talk 0:14:08.453 --> 0:14:12.013 about when they conceded three tries, some of them unlucky, 0:14:12.613 --> 0:14:15.413 but you make your own luck. They've got to find 0:14:15.413 --> 0:14:18.253 a way to finish the job. And yeah, whether it's 0:14:18.253 --> 0:14:22.453 a mental concentration or maybe a depth, I'm not too sure. 0:14:22.493 --> 0:14:25.893 They did come back well in the second half. Artie 0:14:26.013 --> 0:14:28.013 tried to take them on their his back and do 0:14:28.053 --> 0:14:29.933 everything he can, but he's not going to be able. 0:14:29.813 --> 0:14:30.653 To do that every week. 0:14:30.773 --> 0:14:36.253 So yeah, you feel four ton umonga because they're on 0:14:36.293 --> 0:14:38.573 the cuspsp aren't they But they can't get over the line. 0:14:38.613 --> 0:14:41.613 And if they don't do that soon, then that the 0:14:41.733 --> 0:14:44.933 self doubt starts to creep in, and you know the 0:14:45.093 --> 0:14:49.293 O sitting next to you. Your team builds pressure, builds frustration. 0:14:49.533 --> 0:14:51.693 So they need to find a way, some way to 0:14:51.693 --> 0:14:52.533 get over the line soon. 0:14:52.773 --> 0:14:54.853 Maea's goalkicking as well, wasn't flash on the night. I 0:14:54.853 --> 0:14:58.053 think William Hart really missed three of his conversion attempts, 0:14:58.133 --> 0:15:00.333 two of which you would say were fairly gettable from 0:15:00.453 --> 0:15:02.853 the positions that he kicked them from. You know, they 0:15:02.893 --> 0:15:05.133 make a couple of those and they potentially win the 0:15:05.173 --> 0:15:08.013 game really liked Artie Savey, who's great on the weekend 0:15:08.053 --> 0:15:13.573 for them, talismanic performance that he's delivering. The Samisi Tupu 0:15:13.693 --> 0:15:17.853 tailor as well, who was listed at open side and 0:15:17.853 --> 0:15:21.573 then they changed things around. He is a really promising prospect. 0:15:21.653 --> 0:15:22.213 It was bizarre. 0:15:22.293 --> 0:15:24.813 He was very good for Southland last year, no one 0:15:24.853 --> 0:15:27.053 wanted him in Super Rugby. Mawana called him up for 0:15:27.053 --> 0:15:29.293 their wider training group and he's now been a part 0:15:29.293 --> 0:15:31.293 of the the opening three games of the competition. So 0:15:31.333 --> 0:15:33.453 I really like what that combination is doing. In the 0:15:33.493 --> 0:15:34.173 loose Ford trip. 0:15:34.653 --> 0:15:36.693 Yeah, what about the Highlanders? 0:15:37.733 --> 0:15:41.933 Is it? James Ascott the replacement halfback who came in 0:15:42.013 --> 0:15:44.893 late for Flower. I was really impressed by him and 0:15:45.173 --> 0:15:48.493 earlier in the year a similar sort of sniping performance. 0:15:50.373 --> 0:15:52.333 I did sort of chuck all about, you know, some 0:15:52.373 --> 0:15:55.653 references post game to the Highlanders and twenty fifteen and 0:15:55.693 --> 0:15:59.973 it being their year and Jamie's clearly pumping the brakes. Look, 0:16:00.013 --> 0:16:04.133 it is good to see the Highlanders be more competitive 0:16:04.213 --> 0:16:07.333 than they have been in recent years. And success, however, 0:16:07.373 --> 0:16:09.533 it comes, builds comp fullness, doesn't it. And this is 0:16:09.533 --> 0:16:12.413 a young team we've spoken a lot about, you know 0:16:12.493 --> 0:16:17.053 them bringing through prospects and having faith in youth and 0:16:17.653 --> 0:16:20.453 sticking with that, and maybe we're starting to see the 0:16:20.453 --> 0:16:22.813 fruits of some of that that made some good off 0:16:22.853 --> 0:16:26.973 season recruits. Cut of Tonguey Tawl on the wing has 0:16:27.053 --> 0:16:29.333 you know, really taken his chance. And that's what Jamie 0:16:29.413 --> 0:16:33.573 Joseph historically has been about, isn't it recruiting well, giving 0:16:33.573 --> 0:16:38.013 guys opportunities and them being grateful to take those. So 0:16:39.053 --> 0:16:42.853 good to see the Honders really, you know, holding their 0:16:42.853 --> 0:16:46.373 own and making a case that they're going to be 0:16:47.333 --> 0:16:48.493 playoff contenders this year. 0:16:48.613 --> 0:16:50.093 Yeah, the depth will be the issue again for the 0:16:50.133 --> 0:16:52.773 Honders when they suffer a few injuries. And on Friday night, 0:16:52.853 --> 0:16:54.853 you know, cam Miller, who's an up and coming ten 0:16:55.133 --> 0:16:57.133 knocked out. Don't know, haven't heard the latest on him. 0:16:57.133 --> 0:17:00.173 Hopefully he's obviously all right, And and Hurley ruled out 0:17:00.213 --> 0:17:03.453 with a quad injury for Lafacatava out for a few weeks. 0:17:03.493 --> 0:17:06.653 So they start adding up, you know, it can be tricky. 0:17:07.213 --> 0:17:09.373 They've got the buy this week, so chance to get 0:17:09.373 --> 0:17:11.013 a few players sort of freshened up a little bit, 0:17:11.053 --> 0:17:13.453 hopefully for them. A couple of other games of the 0:17:13.493 --> 0:17:17.573 course of the weekend involving Australian teams. WARTA has been 0:17:17.613 --> 0:17:19.733 the drawer twenty nine to twenty four. The Reds pipping 0:17:19.733 --> 0:17:22.333 the Force at the post in Perth on Saturday night 0:17:22.373 --> 0:17:25.013 twenty eight twenty four. Interesting to see Leon McDonald in 0:17:25.053 --> 0:17:28.293 the Western Force coaching box. Obviously you announced still had 0:17:28.293 --> 0:17:30.493 the scoop on that one, but still seeing him in 0:17:30.533 --> 0:17:33.413 the air the Force polo was an interesting prospect on 0:17:33.453 --> 0:17:33.893 the weekend. 0:17:34.613 --> 0:17:39.413 Yeah, maybe Twiggy's cash goes along the forthing. 0:17:39.453 --> 0:17:41.973 The Force not a bad team and that the Reds, 0:17:42.013 --> 0:17:45.533 you know, coming over the top of the weekend. Feels like, 0:17:45.733 --> 0:17:47.693 as we touched on at the start, those Australian teams 0:17:47.693 --> 0:17:50.253 have lifted up a notch this year with that talent 0:17:50.293 --> 0:17:53.453 being spread, you know, a little bit tighter across those 0:17:53.453 --> 0:17:54.213 four teams. 0:17:54.453 --> 0:17:59.533 Just on McDonald, what chance did they give the Australian 0:17:59.573 --> 0:18:02.253 Rugby Union of luring him to join the Wallabies in 0:18:02.293 --> 0:18:03.533 some capacity. 0:18:03.053 --> 0:18:05.493 And some capacity wouldn't surprise me, I said. The hot 0:18:05.613 --> 0:18:07.853 news now is that check is likely to go the 0:18:07.893 --> 0:18:11.173 Wales team by the sound of it, So second stance 0:18:11.173 --> 0:18:13.293 of the Wallabies might not be for him. Maybe mcalla 0:18:13.733 --> 0:18:17.013 McDonald combination, another mix somewhere. I'm sure we can find. 0:18:17.173 --> 0:18:20.693 Yeah, or his McDonald's relationship Will Schmidt if he's staying on, 0:18:20.733 --> 0:18:24.493 and some advisory capacity you. My understanding is McDonald just 0:18:24.493 --> 0:18:26.493 wants to go for one year to Perth and then 0:18:26.533 --> 0:18:31.493 come back. But yeah, you never know how things transpire 0:18:31.573 --> 0:18:34.093 and where the chips might fall. 0:18:34.173 --> 0:18:36.173 Rugby coaching is a funny old game. We'll take a 0:18:36.173 --> 0:18:38.093 break here on Rugby Direct. Come back with our final 0:18:38.093 --> 0:18:41.013 four if you tipping in the MVP voting as well. 0:18:41.573 --> 0:18:46.693 This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fares. 0:18:49.253 --> 0:18:53.173 Every try try tends sixty sec. Every tackle tackle get 0:18:53.213 --> 0:18:59.333 up again afore it's Rugby Directed. 0:19:00.813 --> 0:19:03.333 You're back with Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health. Time 0:19:03.333 --> 0:19:05.333 now for our final four, four rugby topics, Liam and 0:19:05.333 --> 0:19:08.333 I debate them both. News last week from our colleague 0:19:08.333 --> 0:19:11.373 Gregor Paul and The New Zealand Herald that Dezone the 0:19:11.453 --> 0:19:16.933 British broadcaster in talks and inverted commas with NZR over 0:19:16.933 --> 0:19:20.653 the rights deal to potentially take that deal. Now no 0:19:20.733 --> 0:19:25.253 bid has been submitted as yet, but with Sky signing 0:19:25.293 --> 0:19:29.213 Cricket recently, which is still end of twenty twenty six away. 0:19:30.293 --> 0:19:32.613 I think they've just resigned Australian cricket this morning as 0:19:32.613 --> 0:19:35.533 we record this as well, rugby's on the table and 0:19:36.733 --> 0:19:38.973 it's interesting to see de Zone come into the mix 0:19:39.693 --> 0:19:41.813 around it. I guess you'll take on this news and 0:19:41.853 --> 0:19:44.053 potentially what it would mean for the New Zealand rugby 0:19:44.053 --> 0:19:45.053 market and media market. 0:19:46.213 --> 0:19:50.573 It's not surprised generally that a streaming player has come 0:19:50.613 --> 0:19:53.013 into the market. It's only been a matter of time, 0:19:53.093 --> 0:19:56.133 isn't it when you look at broadcast rights around the 0:19:56.173 --> 0:20:02.693 world EPL or others, with Amazon and Netflix now delving 0:20:02.733 --> 0:20:10.853 into that scene with boxing. Dezone seriously cashed up now 0:20:10.973 --> 0:20:15.573 owned by Saudi backers. They bought was it Fox Foxtel 0:20:15.693 --> 0:20:19.213 year in Australia, so I got a real foothold in 0:20:19.213 --> 0:20:23.453 the Australia market and no doubt looking to further expand. 0:20:23.573 --> 0:20:27.933 So they're a genuine player with serious money and money 0:20:27.933 --> 0:20:32.973 does talk. I think from what I understand their bids 0:20:33.053 --> 0:20:36.213 will could be linked with TVNZ so maybe some freedom 0:20:36.213 --> 0:20:39.533 were component which would be attractive to rugby to be 0:20:40.493 --> 0:20:44.533