1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:12,693 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow 2 00:00:12,773 --> 00:00:16,133 Speaker 1: this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:17,773 --> 00:00:20,213 Speaker 2: Inside the Game from Every Angle. 4 00:00:20,413 --> 00:00:24,493 Speaker 1: It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith, powered by News Talks EDB. 5 00:00:24,653 --> 00:00:27,253 Speaker 3: Welcome to Rugby to powered by Habit Health, tackling all 6 00:00:27,253 --> 00:00:30,093 Speaker 3: your aches and pains from sports and work back for 7 00:00:30,093 --> 00:00:34,453 Speaker 3: another week to dissect the rugby issues. Elliott Smith with 8 00:00:34,493 --> 00:00:38,413 Speaker 3: me as always, Liam Napier. Liam, Greetings, it's been another 9 00:00:38,413 --> 00:00:41,933 Speaker 3: fascinating week in the world of rugby. I suppose let's 10 00:00:42,013 --> 00:00:44,613 Speaker 3: go back to last week where by the time we 11 00:00:44,693 --> 00:00:47,253 Speaker 3: recorded our usual weekly podcast, we're about twenty four hours 12 00:00:47,253 --> 00:00:50,573 Speaker 3: out from releasing a podcast with Mark Robinson into our 13 00:00:50,613 --> 00:00:53,493 Speaker 3: CEO and Scott robertson All Black Sea Coach. Plenty of 14 00:00:53,533 --> 00:00:55,333 Speaker 3: positive reactions, so I thank you to all that have 15 00:00:55,933 --> 00:00:58,613 Speaker 3: got in touch with us on that. And yeah, it's 16 00:00:58,653 --> 00:01:01,533 Speaker 3: created a few stories around the rugby world, hasn't it has. 17 00:01:01,573 --> 00:01:05,493 Speaker 4: Indeed, anytime the All Blacks Coach goes live to the 18 00:01:05,573 --> 00:01:08,253 Speaker 4: nation so to speak, or it does an in depth 19 00:01:08,373 --> 00:01:11,853 Speaker 4: interview like that, it's widely picked up on. And yeah, 20 00:01:11,853 --> 00:01:14,093 Speaker 4: I thought it was quite candid by Razor at times. 21 00:01:15,013 --> 00:01:15,933 Speaker 2: Some hot top. 22 00:01:15,813 --> 00:01:23,293 Speaker 4: Topics covered eligibility, everything from Kalyn Ponger to NRL converts 23 00:01:24,173 --> 00:01:26,773 Speaker 4: and the like in Richie Muonga what happened in Japan. 24 00:01:26,893 --> 00:01:28,693 Speaker 2: So yeah, thanks for all your feedback. 25 00:01:28,693 --> 00:01:30,933 Speaker 4: And if you haven't had a chance to listen to 26 00:01:30,973 --> 00:01:33,333 Speaker 4: it's yea rap breads around it. 27 00:01:33,413 --> 00:01:36,333 Speaker 3: Yeah, you can view it on YouTube as well. Check 28 00:01:36,373 --> 00:01:39,053 Speaker 3: it on the old Crome cast or smart TV and 29 00:01:39,373 --> 00:01:41,213 Speaker 3: park up in the lounge and watch it that way 30 00:01:41,253 --> 00:01:44,933 Speaker 3: if you're so inclined and keen for any other guests 31 00:01:44,933 --> 00:01:47,133 Speaker 3: that you might like us to get on Rugby Direct. 32 00:01:47,213 --> 00:01:51,933 Speaker 3: Let's rip into the weekend that was, and the headline 33 00:01:51,933 --> 00:01:54,053 Speaker 3: match from a New Zealand perspective was the Blues and 34 00:01:54,093 --> 00:01:58,653 Speaker 3: Crusaders on Saturday night and it delivered plenty of tries, 35 00:01:58,693 --> 00:02:00,733 Speaker 3: It delivered a big win for the Crusaders, and it 36 00:02:00,773 --> 00:02:04,893 Speaker 3: delivered more questions about this Blues team one and five 37 00:02:05,093 --> 00:02:08,733 Speaker 3: in their title defense. No one would have picked this. 38 00:02:08,733 --> 00:02:11,293 Speaker 3: This was perhaps a fifty to fifty game heading in. 39 00:02:12,653 --> 00:02:15,773 Speaker 3: You know, the Crusaders were underdogs at the bookies, but 40 00:02:15,813 --> 00:02:19,693 Speaker 3: the Crusaders just too good on the nights and deserving 41 00:02:19,933 --> 00:02:21,973 Speaker 3: of their win. What did you make of the performance then. 42 00:02:22,693 --> 00:02:24,173 Speaker 2: I think we've split them down the middle. 43 00:02:24,373 --> 00:02:27,133 Speaker 4: If we deal with the Crusaders first and foremost, what 44 00:02:27,293 --> 00:02:31,173 Speaker 4: a transformation in the past. What is it four months 45 00:02:31,213 --> 00:02:34,893 Speaker 4: really from a disastrous season. I think they only won 46 00:02:35,053 --> 00:02:41,533 Speaker 4: four games last year, missed the playoffs. Rob Penney's coaching 47 00:02:41,613 --> 00:02:46,453 Speaker 4: job was on the line, questions about his back room staff, 48 00:02:46,813 --> 00:02:50,493 Speaker 4: players weren't happy, there were selection concerns. This year, They've 49 00:02:50,493 --> 00:02:52,573 Speaker 4: got some bodies back, but they're still missing a few. 50 00:02:52,933 --> 00:02:56,893 Speaker 4: Cody Taylor is a couple of others that Brandon n 51 00:02:57,013 --> 00:03:00,093 Speaker 4: or Scott Barret only played half of that game. At 52 00:03:00,093 --> 00:03:05,133 Speaker 4: the weekends. Ethan Blackhead is still out. So look, the Crusaders, 53 00:03:05,413 --> 00:03:08,733 Speaker 4: all credit to them. They did a number on the Blues. 54 00:03:08,773 --> 00:03:13,573 Speaker 4: This was the Blues equal biggest loss to the Crusaders 55 00:03:14,333 --> 00:03:17,173 Speaker 4: at Eden Park, and I think the Crusaders have now 56 00:03:17,173 --> 00:03:19,133 Speaker 4: won nine of the last ten at Eden Park as well, 57 00:03:19,173 --> 00:03:23,013 Speaker 4: which is quite staggering. But this was a Crusaders team 58 00:03:23,053 --> 00:03:26,133 Speaker 4: that hadn't won away from home and Rob Penny's tenure 59 00:03:26,653 --> 00:03:28,813 Speaker 4: nine games. You have to go back to the twenty 60 00:03:28,853 --> 00:03:32,573 Speaker 4: twenty three Super Aby Final to find their last away win, 61 00:03:32,653 --> 00:03:35,213 Speaker 4: so that was a big monkey off their back. What 62 00:03:35,293 --> 00:03:38,013 Speaker 4: I like about the Crusaders is they are far more 63 00:03:38,013 --> 00:03:40,613 Speaker 4: adventurous this year, and far more adventurous than they were 64 00:03:40,693 --> 00:03:41,573 Speaker 4: under Scott Robertson. 65 00:03:41,613 --> 00:03:42,053 Speaker 2: As well. 66 00:03:42,293 --> 00:03:45,253 Speaker 4: They are attacking from inside their twenty two. They are 67 00:03:45,253 --> 00:03:50,533 Speaker 4: offloading using the ball, having a real crack playing with pace. 68 00:03:50,853 --> 00:03:55,653 Speaker 4: The Blues could not slow down their quick recycle and 69 00:03:55,693 --> 00:03:59,293 Speaker 4: that really hurt them. So I was very impressed by 70 00:03:59,333 --> 00:04:01,813 Speaker 4: the Crusaders forward pack. They did a number on the 71 00:04:01,813 --> 00:04:06,693 Speaker 4: Blues lineout on this scrum the breakdown, and it really 72 00:04:06,853 --> 00:04:09,933 Speaker 4: was one rate traffic apart from the Blues scored the 73 00:04:09,933 --> 00:04:11,733 Speaker 4: opening try and then it was all the Crusaders. 74 00:04:11,973 --> 00:04:14,453 Speaker 3: And what the Crusaders thought did well after that opening 75 00:04:14,533 --> 00:04:16,773 Speaker 3: try is that they didn't allow the Blues to get 76 00:04:16,813 --> 00:04:18,173 Speaker 3: him momnt and they went back down the other end 77 00:04:18,213 --> 00:04:20,853 Speaker 3: and scored, then scored again fee hockey scores from the 78 00:04:20,933 --> 00:04:24,573 Speaker 3: twenty two, and that just put the Blues on the 79 00:04:24,613 --> 00:04:27,693 Speaker 3: back foot after they've done well to open the scoring, 80 00:04:27,773 --> 00:04:29,973 Speaker 3: get on the front foot, give themselves a bit of confidence. 81 00:04:30,013 --> 00:04:31,813 Speaker 3: The Crusaders managed to do that and that allowed them 82 00:04:31,853 --> 00:04:34,733 Speaker 3: to take control of the game from that point onwards 83 00:04:34,733 --> 00:04:37,333 Speaker 3: and went into halftime with a thirteen point lead. Extended 84 00:04:37,373 --> 00:04:40,493 Speaker 3: it after the break and never really felt like in 85 00:04:40,533 --> 00:04:43,533 Speaker 3: any danger from when they went about twenty points to 86 00:04:43,573 --> 00:04:46,493 Speaker 3: seven up. And we think back to last year what 87 00:04:46,493 --> 00:04:49,773 Speaker 3: the Blues were able to do so well. They played direct, 88 00:04:49,933 --> 00:04:53,733 Speaker 3: They used their ball runners really effectively. They used this 89 00:04:53,813 --> 00:04:56,413 Speaker 3: set piece really effectively. I know they've got a number 90 00:04:56,453 --> 00:05:00,893 Speaker 3: of injuries, but they looked ponderous at times with ball 91 00:05:00,933 --> 00:05:03,293 Speaker 3: in hand. And it wasn't until they were chasing the 92 00:05:03,333 --> 00:05:05,733 Speaker 3: game late on and the Crusaders maybe switched off a 93 00:05:05,733 --> 00:05:07,973 Speaker 3: little bit and some tied bodies out there that they 94 00:05:08,053 --> 00:05:11,893 Speaker 3: made and to be a little bit more expansive with 95 00:05:11,933 --> 00:05:14,813 Speaker 3: the game plan. It was too late for the Blues 96 00:05:14,853 --> 00:05:16,933 Speaker 3: by that point. They let the game slip. In the 97 00:05:16,933 --> 00:05:17,853 Speaker 3: first half. 98 00:05:17,853 --> 00:05:22,013 Speaker 4: They did just on the Crusaders again. The final score 99 00:05:22,053 --> 00:05:26,573 Speaker 4: line flated the Blues. Kimitta missed three conversions and the 100 00:05:26,613 --> 00:05:28,973 Speaker 4: Crusaders could have I think they lead twenty to seven 101 00:05:29,013 --> 00:05:32,493 Speaker 4: at halftime, and Will Jordan came close to scoring. I 102 00:05:32,493 --> 00:05:34,453 Speaker 4: think he dropped the ball quite close to the line. 103 00:05:34,733 --> 00:05:39,013 Speaker 4: They were breaking the Blues open at will. So many 104 00:05:39,093 --> 00:05:41,973 Speaker 4: unforced eras from the Blues and senior players were talking here, 105 00:05:42,013 --> 00:05:46,493 Speaker 4: you know, Stephen Petefetter dropping a very simple high ball. 106 00:05:46,653 --> 00:05:50,813 Speaker 4: The Crusaders score from that. Riquewani at least two drop 107 00:05:50,853 --> 00:05:53,733 Speaker 4: balls in contact and he was elevated to the captaincy 108 00:05:53,813 --> 00:05:57,773 Speaker 4: after Patrick two Polotu's withdrawal. I think for me that 109 00:05:58,013 --> 00:06:01,253 Speaker 4: the form of the crusaders is encapsulated in David Havili's 110 00:06:01,293 --> 00:06:04,333 Speaker 4: form last year. I know he had some injury concerns, 111 00:06:04,333 --> 00:06:07,173 Speaker 4: but he is now the out and out form second 112 00:06:07,293 --> 00:06:10,573 Speaker 4: five in this competation. The way he's carrying the ball 113 00:06:10,893 --> 00:06:16,013 Speaker 4: in a dominant fashion, if you watch him his talk, 114 00:06:16,093 --> 00:06:21,333 Speaker 4: his organization, he's really relishing that leadership and so his 115 00:06:21,453 --> 00:06:26,013 Speaker 4: transformation transformation has been very stark and that's reflected in 116 00:06:26,053 --> 00:06:27,573 Speaker 4: the Crusader's form. 117 00:06:27,933 --> 00:06:30,573 Speaker 3: And he's taking pressure off to Hakimitter as well, which 118 00:06:30,653 --> 00:06:32,333 Speaker 3: is big because he's a young team. We know the 119 00:06:32,373 --> 00:06:34,733 Speaker 3: woes he had last year dropped back to Waycato Club Rugby, 120 00:06:35,053 --> 00:06:38,173 Speaker 3: missing conversions and and things like that. That he's taking 121 00:06:38,333 --> 00:06:40,413 Speaker 3: that is a big concern. So he's taking a lot 122 00:06:40,453 --> 00:06:42,173 Speaker 3: of the heat off Tarkumeter in terms of the way 123 00:06:42,213 --> 00:06:42,973 Speaker 3: he's running the game. 124 00:06:43,213 --> 00:06:45,253 Speaker 4: Still a young guy, but when you cast a head 125 00:06:45,293 --> 00:06:48,653 Speaker 4: to the playoffs, you've got to be kicking your goals. 126 00:06:48,853 --> 00:06:50,133 Speaker 2: That is going to make a big difference. 127 00:06:50,173 --> 00:06:52,213 Speaker 4: So at some point there's going to be a very 128 00:06:52,493 --> 00:06:54,253 Speaker 4: tight call for a penny there does he go for 129 00:06:54,293 --> 00:06:58,413 Speaker 4: the experience and James O'Connor, you know when when if 130 00:06:58,573 --> 00:06:59,573 Speaker 4: does he make that call? 131 00:06:59,773 --> 00:07:02,093 Speaker 3: Well, he's got free hockey who can go kick. He's 132 00:07:02,093 --> 00:07:05,933 Speaker 3: got David Havilli who can goal kick. Now they are 133 00:07:05,973 --> 00:07:07,813 Speaker 3: not first choice goal kick is by any strip to 134 00:07:07,813 --> 00:07:11,253 Speaker 3: the imagine, but Ta Hakim his numbers would suggest that 135 00:07:11,333 --> 00:07:13,253 Speaker 3: he's not at that level of being a first choice 136 00:07:13,253 --> 00:07:15,933 Speaker 3: goalkicker as yet, so that I don't need to know 137 00:07:15,973 --> 00:07:17,933 Speaker 3: that they really need to change the run on team. 138 00:07:18,133 --> 00:07:19,613 Speaker 3: I just think you give the kicking team. I mean, 139 00:07:19,613 --> 00:07:21,733 Speaker 3: he's already doing plenty for the Crusaders one to give 140 00:07:21,733 --> 00:07:23,813 Speaker 3: it to David Harvilli and say this is part of 141 00:07:23,853 --> 00:07:25,133 Speaker 3: your responsibilities now. 142 00:07:25,893 --> 00:07:30,453 Speaker 4: Yeah, well it's not working for him and why does 143 00:07:30,493 --> 00:07:32,293 Speaker 4: the first five have to kick? When you mentioned that, 144 00:07:32,573 --> 00:07:34,893 Speaker 4: and just on schaefe K, I've given him a bit 145 00:07:34,933 --> 00:07:38,613 Speaker 4: of stick here, yeh. And justifiably so, I felt at 146 00:07:38,613 --> 00:07:42,613 Speaker 4: the time in terms of the All Blacks conversation, and 147 00:07:42,653 --> 00:07:44,373 Speaker 4: it was a big call for Rob Penny to bring 148 00:07:44,453 --> 00:07:46,733 Speaker 4: him back and drop Macha Springer to the bench after 149 00:07:46,773 --> 00:07:47,893 Speaker 4: he scored five tries. 150 00:07:48,253 --> 00:07:50,173 Speaker 2: But fie Hackey was excellent at the weekend. 151 00:07:50,253 --> 00:07:53,693 Speaker 4: He was highly involved, very dangerous, and every time he 152 00:07:53,733 --> 00:07:57,213 Speaker 4: touched the ball fully justified his selection. So that speaks 153 00:07:57,293 --> 00:08:00,093 Speaker 4: to the Crusader's depth. Now let's look at the Blues. 154 00:08:01,133 --> 00:08:04,133 Speaker 4: What the hell's gone wrong? This was a team that 155 00:08:04,933 --> 00:08:09,733 Speaker 4: dominated last year and they were titled favorites and now 156 00:08:09,853 --> 00:08:12,693 Speaker 4: they have been a complete flop. And the biggest concern 157 00:08:12,893 --> 00:08:16,093 Speaker 4: was we'll talk about the injuries, but last week they 158 00:08:16,173 --> 00:08:19,493 Speaker 4: really hinted that they were improving. They could have very 159 00:08:19,493 --> 00:08:23,173 Speaker 4: easily beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton but for a sideline 160 00:08:23,173 --> 00:08:29,213 Speaker 4: conversion from Xavier Taili and this was easily their worst 161 00:08:29,213 --> 00:08:30,173 Speaker 4: performance of the season. 162 00:08:30,213 --> 00:08:32,093 Speaker 2: That leaves so many question marks. 163 00:08:32,213 --> 00:08:34,413 Speaker 3: It does. It was a massive step backwards after what 164 00:08:34,413 --> 00:08:36,653 Speaker 3: they were able to do the week prior and push 165 00:08:36,693 --> 00:08:40,173 Speaker 3: the Chiefs right to the limit. And you look at 166 00:08:40,213 --> 00:08:42,293 Speaker 3: the stats postgame and they do not tell the story. 167 00:08:43,493 --> 00:08:46,173 Speaker 3: I was looking up. The possession was fifty fifty, so 168 00:08:46,293 --> 00:08:48,773 Speaker 3: charactery of fifty fifty possession, The Blues had fifty three 169 00:08:48,773 --> 00:08:52,453 Speaker 3: to forty seven running meters. The Blues had five hundred 170 00:08:52,453 --> 00:08:54,893 Speaker 3: and ninety to the Crusaders three hundred and forty. This 171 00:08:54,933 --> 00:08:56,493 Speaker 3: is a game where the stats don't tell the tale. 172 00:08:56,493 --> 00:08:59,213 Speaker 3: It's probably bolstered by the last fifteen or so minutes 173 00:08:59,213 --> 00:09:01,093 Speaker 3: where they became a bit more adventurous, had to really 174 00:09:01,173 --> 00:09:04,653 Speaker 3: chase the game and had some better running meters and 175 00:09:04,893 --> 00:09:06,573 Speaker 3: were able to hold onto the ball for perhaps a 176 00:09:06,613 --> 00:09:10,213 Speaker 3: little bit longer. But they seem to have just gone 177 00:09:10,213 --> 00:09:12,653 Speaker 3: away from everything that was working so well last year. 178 00:09:12,653 --> 00:09:15,773 Speaker 3: They don't build pressure, and that's the concerning thing for me, 179 00:09:15,853 --> 00:09:18,293 Speaker 3: is that they had a lot of position in that 180 00:09:18,373 --> 00:09:20,773 Speaker 3: game and just didn't know really what to do with it. 181 00:09:20,933 --> 00:09:23,573 Speaker 3: And whether teams have figured them out, or whether they're 182 00:09:23,573 --> 00:09:26,413 Speaker 3: not comfortable playing that style of rugby anymore, I don't 183 00:09:26,493 --> 00:09:30,933 Speaker 3: exactly know. But they barely really got into the Crusaders 184 00:09:30,973 --> 00:09:33,453 Speaker 3: twenty two and put pressure on in that game on 185 00:09:33,493 --> 00:09:36,493 Speaker 3: the weekend. They Crusaders were able to force eras, the 186 00:09:36,493 --> 00:09:39,773 Speaker 3: Blues made unforced eras, and there was one period in 187 00:09:39,773 --> 00:09:42,133 Speaker 3: the second spell where they just sort of were five 188 00:09:42,173 --> 00:09:44,613 Speaker 3: minutes five minutes inside the Crusaders half, not really going 189 00:09:44,613 --> 00:09:46,613 Speaker 3: anywhere for about two or three minutes at a time, 190 00:09:46,693 --> 00:09:49,093 Speaker 3: just passing left and right, not able to strike, not 191 00:09:49,133 --> 00:09:51,173 Speaker 3: able to find a way through. So I think the 192 00:09:51,173 --> 00:09:54,853 Speaker 3: Blues have become really ponderous this year. And yeah, there's 193 00:09:54,853 --> 00:09:56,333 Speaker 3: a number of injuries, but there's still a lot of 194 00:09:56,413 --> 00:10:01,533 Speaker 3: quality in that team, and I don't know why they 195 00:10:01,573 --> 00:10:03,693 Speaker 3: haven't been able to recapture any of that magic from 196 00:10:03,773 --> 00:10:04,213 Speaker 3: last year. 197 00:10:04,933 --> 00:10:09,653 Speaker 4: Very disjointed and directionless performance, and it is a big concern. 198 00:10:10,493 --> 00:10:13,093 Speaker 4: There were a couple of stats which does speak to 199 00:10:13,093 --> 00:10:17,493 Speaker 4: that performance. The Blues had nineteen turnovers to the Crusaders, 200 00:10:17,533 --> 00:10:20,573 Speaker 4: five six those were unforced eerers and they won five 201 00:10:20,653 --> 00:10:23,373 Speaker 4: of thirteen lineouts and the scrum was seventy five percent. 202 00:10:23,493 --> 00:10:25,973 Speaker 4: So if you look at where the Blues were strong 203 00:10:26,053 --> 00:10:28,013 Speaker 4: last year, it was in the collisions, it was the 204 00:10:28,053 --> 00:10:31,853 Speaker 4: line out, drives, the set piece, the defense, their kick strategy, 205 00:10:32,093 --> 00:10:33,973 Speaker 4: all of those things are not working for them. And 206 00:10:34,333 --> 00:10:36,253 Speaker 4: we do have to touch on their injuries. 207 00:10:36,373 --> 00:10:40,253 Speaker 3: I think fourteen. 208 00:10:38,653 --> 00:10:42,413 Speaker 4: Players out and Patrick losing Patrick, two Polo to and 209 00:10:42,453 --> 00:10:45,613 Speaker 4: Eckland just prior in the days leading up to that 210 00:10:45,653 --> 00:10:49,373 Speaker 4: game does have a massive influence on your leadership, on 211 00:10:49,413 --> 00:10:52,653 Speaker 4: your line out. And the Blues now go into the 212 00:10:52,653 --> 00:10:59,213 Speaker 4: buy and from what I'm hearing, they will get potentially Ricky, Rictelli, Eckland, 213 00:10:59,573 --> 00:11:03,533 Speaker 4: Patrick two, Polo to Zan Sullivan, Bowden, Barrett, Adrian Choate, 214 00:11:03,693 --> 00:11:10,973 Speaker 4: Anton Signer, Tafafunaki, aj Lamb potentially all coming back after 215 00:11:11,013 --> 00:11:13,813 Speaker 4: the buyer. Now there's some massive inns offer doing a 216 00:11:13,813 --> 00:11:17,333 Speaker 4: fussy knick injury doesn't sound great. Not sure what his 217 00:11:17,693 --> 00:11:22,053 Speaker 4: prognosis is, but you've got to front with who you've got, 218 00:11:22,413 --> 00:11:27,613 Speaker 4: and there's no excuses for basic errors and the lack 219 00:11:27,613 --> 00:11:30,933 Speaker 4: of direction and so yes, you can make excuses and 220 00:11:31,533 --> 00:11:35,653 Speaker 4: the injuries do play a part, but I don't think 221 00:11:35,693 --> 00:11:39,493 Speaker 4: that justifies the phenomenal slide we've seen in such a 222 00:11:39,493 --> 00:11:40,253 Speaker 4: short space time. 223 00:11:40,653 --> 00:11:43,053 Speaker 3: I agree, And the problem I've got is that at 224 00:11:43,093 --> 00:11:45,053 Speaker 3: some of the All Blacks players that are not standing 225 00:11:45,133 --> 00:11:47,253 Speaker 3: up and delivering, the ones that are still standing and 226 00:11:47,333 --> 00:11:49,693 Speaker 3: not injured, that they're not getting the best out of 227 00:11:49,853 --> 00:11:52,173 Speaker 3: Rico Jowani. I think ran for a lot of meters 228 00:11:52,173 --> 00:11:55,013 Speaker 3: on the weekend, but and he was captain, but I 229 00:11:55,013 --> 00:11:58,293 Speaker 3: think didn't have one of his better games and struggled 230 00:11:58,333 --> 00:12:02,453 Speaker 3: to get on the go forward on the weekend. Dalton 231 00:12:02,453 --> 00:12:07,173 Speaker 3: Papa Lei has been really quiet this season and I'm 232 00:12:07,213 --> 00:12:10,133 Speaker 3: not sure why that. In these occasions where you need 233 00:12:10,533 --> 00:12:12,973 Speaker 3: players to stand up, they're not. Cameron Christie has been. 234 00:12:13,053 --> 00:12:14,853 Speaker 3: On the other hand, a young player that's only in 235 00:12:14,933 --> 00:12:18,013 Speaker 3: what has theod fourth game maybe for super rugby level, 236 00:12:18,093 --> 00:12:19,933 Speaker 3: is one of those ones that a stand up. As 237 00:12:19,973 --> 00:12:22,853 Speaker 3: zeb Ta earlier, you can see the brilliance and the 238 00:12:22,893 --> 00:12:25,733 Speaker 3: possibilities that he might bring. So it's those younger players 239 00:12:25,733 --> 00:12:27,173 Speaker 3: are standing up. And I think you've got to put 240 00:12:27,173 --> 00:12:31,533 Speaker 3: some real question marks around Papalii and Yuani as leaders 241 00:12:31,533 --> 00:12:34,933 Speaker 3: in this team. They've both captained before the Blues and 242 00:12:35,253 --> 00:12:36,853 Speaker 3: they're not delivering at the moment. 243 00:12:36,813 --> 00:12:39,373 Speaker 2: And for me, that speaks to an attitude thing. 244 00:12:39,493 --> 00:12:45,133 Speaker 4: To be honest, it's very hard to quantify, but I 245 00:12:45,173 --> 00:12:46,613 Speaker 4: spoke to Stephen bit of fit to this year and 246 00:12:46,613 --> 00:12:49,213 Speaker 4: he hinted that a training attitude that wasn't the same 247 00:12:49,213 --> 00:12:51,933 Speaker 4: as last year, and speaking to others around the team, 248 00:12:51,973 --> 00:12:54,533 Speaker 4: there is a sense that there hasn't been that same hunger. 249 00:12:54,853 --> 00:12:57,773 Speaker 4: The Blues broke their eighteen year title drought last year. 250 00:12:57,773 --> 00:13:01,013 Speaker 4: They wanted it really bad and von Kotta came in 251 00:13:02,253 --> 00:13:05,133 Speaker 4: got a reaction from this team and it is very 252 00:13:05,213 --> 00:13:07,293 Speaker 4: much like do you want this? 253 00:13:08,493 --> 00:13:09,533 Speaker 2: How hungry are you? 254 00:13:09,733 --> 00:13:13,253 Speaker 4: And it's a classic case of almost second year syndrome. 255 00:13:13,373 --> 00:13:15,493 Speaker 4: Going through the motions. They made all the right noises 256 00:13:15,493 --> 00:13:18,573 Speaker 4: about not being complacent, but they're not walking the talk. 257 00:13:18,453 --> 00:13:21,653 Speaker 3: No and they had said that. You know, the players 258 00:13:21,653 --> 00:13:23,773 Speaker 3: have said that the training wasn't as intense as it 259 00:13:23,813 --> 00:13:26,173 Speaker 3: needed to be, perhaps in preseason from their own perspective, 260 00:13:26,173 --> 00:13:29,013 Speaker 3: that they they didn't bring the intensity required. And that's 261 00:13:29,053 --> 00:13:31,493 Speaker 3: the hallmarks of you know, great teams, isn't it. You 262 00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:33,853 Speaker 3: look back to some of the super rugby teams. You know, 263 00:13:33,893 --> 00:13:37,093 Speaker 3: the Crusader's going on that run between twenty seventeen and 264 00:13:37,333 --> 00:13:40,373 Speaker 3: twenty three, even the Chiefs in twenty twelve and twenty 265 00:13:40,373 --> 00:13:43,373 Speaker 3: thirteen winning back to back, the Blues you know, way 266 00:13:43,413 --> 00:13:45,853 Speaker 3: back in the nineties doing it back to bads. It's 267 00:13:45,893 --> 00:13:47,733 Speaker 3: all very well. Winning one and that's great and you 268 00:13:47,773 --> 00:13:49,853 Speaker 3: can celebrate that, and they broke the adrat there. But 269 00:13:50,773 --> 00:13:53,373 Speaker 3: the great teams back it up and they may not 270 00:13:53,413 --> 00:13:56,173 Speaker 3: go back and win the title the next year, but 271 00:13:56,213 --> 00:13:58,693 Speaker 3: they'll go very very close. And we're just not seeing 272 00:13:58,693 --> 00:14:01,053 Speaker 3: that from the Blues. You know, there's a long way 273 00:14:01,053 --> 00:14:04,653 Speaker 3: to go in this competition. They're one in five, but 274 00:14:05,293 --> 00:14:07,853 Speaker 3: you know, they get some players back, sure, but there's 275 00:14:07,853 --> 00:14:09,373 Speaker 3: still some big games to come from. They've got to 276 00:14:09,373 --> 00:14:12,093 Speaker 3: go play the Crusader's Wayne christ Church go to Suva. 277 00:14:12,173 --> 00:14:15,093 Speaker 3: They've got to a suver. They've got Hurricanes at home 278 00:14:15,133 --> 00:14:18,853 Speaker 3: in a couple of weeks. They've got Wana Pacific two 279 00:14:18,893 --> 00:14:21,293 Speaker 3: games to play now, one is bottom of the table. 280 00:14:21,373 --> 00:14:23,133 Speaker 3: But you just don't know what kind of game plan 281 00:14:23,173 --> 00:14:26,013 Speaker 3: they'll bring and how hungry they might be on the night. 282 00:14:26,093 --> 00:14:30,173 Speaker 3: So they've got a still some runway the Blues, but 283 00:14:30,253 --> 00:14:31,853 Speaker 3: not a lot really in this competition. 284 00:14:32,413 --> 00:14:34,333 Speaker 4: No times running out and you know what, this is 285 00:14:34,333 --> 00:14:35,933 Speaker 4: where we find out what the Blues are made of 286 00:14:36,053 --> 00:14:38,213 Speaker 4: and what their attitude is and how much they want it. 287 00:14:38,973 --> 00:14:41,933 Speaker 4: They've dug themselves a massive hole. And for me, the 288 00:14:41,973 --> 00:14:47,013 Speaker 4: responsibility it's player lead. The coaching team can only do 289 00:14:47,093 --> 00:14:52,333 Speaker 4: so much. Where are these players at How are they 290 00:14:52,373 --> 00:14:55,133 Speaker 4: gonna They need to catch the ball, they need to 291 00:14:55,133 --> 00:14:58,093 Speaker 4: put these things in place. The other thing we just 292 00:14:58,373 --> 00:15:01,813 Speaker 4: another step. The kicking meters, I think it was the 293 00:15:01,893 --> 00:15:05,453 Speaker 4: Crusaders kicked twenty five times and they've got eight hundred 294 00:15:05,493 --> 00:15:08,773 Speaker 4: odd meters. The Blues were nineteen odd times for three hundreds. 295 00:15:08,853 --> 00:15:13,373 Speaker 4: So little things like that have a profound effect but yeah, 296 00:15:13,693 --> 00:15:17,493 Speaker 4: the Blues there are in some adversity. How and are 297 00:15:17,533 --> 00:15:19,133 Speaker 4: they going to fight their way out of it? Because 298 00:15:19,853 --> 00:15:21,813 Speaker 4: this has been their own doing. So let's find out 299 00:15:21,853 --> 00:15:22,453 Speaker 4: what they're all about. 300 00:15:22,573 --> 00:15:24,573 Speaker 3: Indeed, they go into the buy the sweet, plenty of 301 00:15:24,613 --> 00:15:26,773 Speaker 3: things to pond it there. Let's go to the Reeds 302 00:15:26,773 --> 00:15:29,093 Speaker 3: in the hand is under the roof in Dunedin on 303 00:15:29,133 --> 00:15:34,213 Speaker 3: Saturday afternoon, the Reeds emerging twenty nine to twenty three winners. Look, 304 00:15:34,253 --> 00:15:37,013 Speaker 3: the Reds were without Fraser mcwright as they crossed the 305 00:15:37,093 --> 00:15:42,133 Speaker 3: Tasman tamd Dermott and yet they come over and take 306 00:15:42,173 --> 00:15:45,213 Speaker 3: the win. And for periods in this game it felt 307 00:15:45,253 --> 00:15:47,973 Speaker 3: like the Highlanders not necessarily have this game under control, 308 00:15:48,013 --> 00:15:50,973 Speaker 3: but they know they trailed early, came back, got themselves 309 00:15:51,013 --> 00:15:55,053 Speaker 3: into the contest and it felt like, okay, they'd set 310 00:15:55,093 --> 00:15:56,853 Speaker 3: themselves up for well, but they just made a couple 311 00:15:56,853 --> 00:16:00,693 Speaker 3: of errors. In the second spell, Ethan Degrouk goes off 312 00:16:00,733 --> 00:16:02,573 Speaker 3: for a yellow card. They can sider to try either 313 00:16:02,613 --> 00:16:06,253 Speaker 3: side of that, and all they can escape with is 314 00:16:06,293 --> 00:16:08,333 Speaker 3: a penalty goal at the end for a bonus point. 315 00:16:08,573 --> 00:16:11,453 Speaker 3: I thought this was a really disappointing second spell, in 316 00:16:11,493 --> 00:16:12,933 Speaker 3: particular from the Highlanders. 317 00:16:13,573 --> 00:16:13,933 Speaker 2: It was. 318 00:16:14,093 --> 00:16:18,293 Speaker 4: Yes, the game was there for the taking and they 319 00:16:18,293 --> 00:16:20,853 Speaker 4: started slowly and then I felt like they got their 320 00:16:20,893 --> 00:16:23,373 Speaker 4: game going, started to build, some things got on top, 321 00:16:23,773 --> 00:16:25,653 Speaker 4: and then they felt like they let it slip. You 322 00:16:25,693 --> 00:16:27,693 Speaker 4: mentioned the yellow card, and the other big factor here 323 00:16:27,733 --> 00:16:32,413 Speaker 4: was their scrum got completely dismantled, dismantled. Their replacement tight 324 00:16:32,453 --> 00:16:35,773 Speaker 4: head had some real struggles, then went off injured. The 325 00:16:35,853 --> 00:16:39,613 Speaker 4: starting tight head came back, but the Reds really their 326 00:16:40,213 --> 00:16:43,373 Speaker 4: replacement front rowers Alex Hodgman and the like did a 327 00:16:43,453 --> 00:16:47,413 Speaker 4: number on the Highlanders. Poor yellow card from the group. 328 00:16:47,533 --> 00:16:53,173 Speaker 4: That was costly as well from an all Black. So yeah, look, 329 00:16:53,213 --> 00:16:56,373 Speaker 4: there were some impressive individual performances. Was great to see 330 00:16:56,533 --> 00:16:58,733 Speaker 4: Peter umung A Jensen back in the midfield. I thought 331 00:16:58,733 --> 00:17:01,373 Speaker 4: he was added some real touches of class with his 332 00:17:01,453 --> 00:17:07,213 Speaker 4: long balls and midfield penetration. Sean Withey was good well, 333 00:17:07,253 --> 00:17:10,893 Speaker 4: at least one turnover, but yeah, the read's not at 334 00:17:10,893 --> 00:17:14,413 Speaker 4: full strength. That was there for the taking for the Honders. 335 00:17:14,973 --> 00:17:18,053 Speaker 4: I think there was the Reds first one in Dneed 336 00:17:18,373 --> 00:17:23,493 Speaker 4: in ten twelve years. So there's a bit about that team. 337 00:17:23,573 --> 00:17:25,093 Speaker 3: There is a bit about that team. We saw them 338 00:17:25,173 --> 00:17:27,813 Speaker 3: come to christ Church and get beaten there, but they 339 00:17:27,813 --> 00:17:30,293 Speaker 3: felt threatening in that game, just didn't quite get maybe 340 00:17:30,333 --> 00:17:33,053 Speaker 3: the bounce of the ball the war waritie. They go 341 00:17:33,093 --> 00:17:35,693 Speaker 3: over to Needen, which is as you said and historically 342 00:17:35,733 --> 00:17:38,013 Speaker 3: has been a tricky trip for them. They're well in 343 00:17:38,093 --> 00:17:41,813 Speaker 3: Sconced now in that top three alongside the Chiefs and Crusaders. 344 00:17:41,933 --> 00:17:43,773 Speaker 3: You know, they're building quite nicely and they've got an 345 00:17:43,813 --> 00:17:45,493 Speaker 3: interesting all run. They've got the Chiefs in a couple 346 00:17:45,533 --> 00:17:48,693 Speaker 3: of weeks in Hamilton, which is gonna be a real 347 00:17:49,013 --> 00:17:50,853 Speaker 3: litmus test for them because. 348 00:17:50,573 --> 00:17:52,213 Speaker 2: I've had a bit of success against the Chiefs. 349 00:17:52,253 --> 00:17:56,253 Speaker 3: They have exactly and they deliver it in Hamilton in 350 00:17:56,293 --> 00:17:58,653 Speaker 3: a couple of weeks time. Because it feels like they're building, 351 00:18:00,013 --> 00:18:01,773 Speaker 3: you know, and there's all sorts of things going on 352 00:18:01,773 --> 00:18:04,133 Speaker 3: in the background around Les Kiss and his likelihood that 353 00:18:04,173 --> 00:18:06,173 Speaker 3: he's probably going to be the next Wallabies coach after 354 00:18:06,253 --> 00:18:10,013 Speaker 3: Joe Schmidt. But what I like about them is their 355 00:18:10,013 --> 00:18:12,693 Speaker 3: depth and we've seen that again you know, Frasmik right out. 356 00:18:12,693 --> 00:18:15,613 Speaker 3: But they've got a really strong loose for trio and 357 00:18:15,653 --> 00:18:17,613 Speaker 3: the Highlanders just couldn't kick with it. And it feels 358 00:18:17,613 --> 00:18:21,213 Speaker 3: like this is a hot and cold sort of Highlanders team. 359 00:18:21,453 --> 00:18:25,013 Speaker 3: At the moment, they are better than last year, but 360 00:18:25,293 --> 00:18:27,413 Speaker 3: whether they can push for you know, those top spots 361 00:18:27,453 --> 00:18:28,813 Speaker 3: when it comes to the playoffs, it's going to be 362 00:18:28,973 --> 00:18:29,613 Speaker 3: a real question. 363 00:18:30,133 --> 00:18:32,293 Speaker 4: Yeah, it feels like they're on the fringe, doesn't it. 364 00:18:32,333 --> 00:18:35,813 Speaker 4: They can pull out a performance. But the hot cold 365 00:18:35,853 --> 00:18:37,653 Speaker 4: is a good analogy because even if you go back 366 00:18:37,693 --> 00:18:40,813 Speaker 4: to that performance against Wina Pacifica where they just scrape through, 367 00:18:41,693 --> 00:18:44,933 Speaker 4: you know, very lucky to get through that. So there's 368 00:18:44,973 --> 00:18:46,373 Speaker 4: still a bit of growing for that team. 369 00:18:46,573 --> 00:18:48,733 Speaker 3: There is in d Let's go back to the weekend 370 00:18:48,773 --> 00:18:50,813 Speaker 3: this for night, to the game that started the weekend, 371 00:18:50,893 --> 00:18:54,893 Speaker 3: the Chiefs fifty one of PACIFICA thirty five in Pocaki. 372 00:18:54,973 --> 00:18:58,453 Speaker 3: This was a very odd game of rugby to one 373 00:18:58,533 --> 00:19:02,253 Speaker 3: watch to commentate. Was forty three to seven at half time. 374 00:19:02,733 --> 00:19:05,373 Speaker 3: And the Chiefs are cruising and playing some of the 375 00:19:05,413 --> 00:19:07,853 Speaker 3: best rugby this season. One are playing some of their worst. 376 00:19:07,853 --> 00:19:09,573 Speaker 3: We've seen how good they can be against the Canes 377 00:19:09,573 --> 00:19:11,053 Speaker 3: and the Herders, or seeing how bad they can be 378 00:19:11,133 --> 00:19:13,373 Speaker 3: though at times, and how they can switch off. Well, 379 00:19:13,373 --> 00:19:16,373 Speaker 3: they didn't switch on until minute forty on the weekend, 380 00:19:16,813 --> 00:19:19,333 Speaker 3: but when they switched on, they were hard to contain. 381 00:19:20,013 --> 00:19:22,773 Speaker 3: Really hard to get a read on what this game 382 00:19:22,853 --> 00:19:25,013 Speaker 3: meant and what we got out of it, the key 383 00:19:25,053 --> 00:19:28,293 Speaker 3: point probably being the halftime break and also tinn of 384 00:19:28,373 --> 00:19:30,773 Speaker 3: Umonger changing. I think five players at the break and 385 00:19:30,813 --> 00:19:31,933 Speaker 3: bring on some fresh legs. 386 00:19:32,653 --> 00:19:36,493 Speaker 4: Read a nice line from Aaron Goyle saying Pokakoe Stadium 387 00:19:36,693 --> 00:19:38,893 Speaker 4: someone needed to check the slope on it because there's 388 00:19:38,893 --> 00:19:40,893 Speaker 4: seventy five points scored at one end. 389 00:19:40,773 --> 00:19:46,413 Speaker 3: Of the the Old Lord's but at Cricket Ground. 390 00:19:46,173 --> 00:19:47,293 Speaker 2: It's quite staggering, isn't it. 391 00:19:47,333 --> 00:19:49,893 Speaker 4: I guess Look, I think you're the Chiefs and you're 392 00:19:49,973 --> 00:19:51,853 Speaker 4: up by forty odd points at halftime. There is an 393 00:19:51,893 --> 00:19:55,853 Speaker 4: element of clocking off mentally and parking the bus. Wine 394 00:19:56,213 --> 00:19:59,893 Speaker 4: will be very disappointed with the way they started their game. 395 00:19:59,973 --> 00:20:02,613 Speaker 2: The Chiefs. Weren't you a full strength to provide? 396 00:20:02,693 --> 00:20:06,933 Speaker 4: Pulled out just before the game, missing Ardie as well, 397 00:20:07,373 --> 00:20:09,333 Speaker 4: and they got a lot of off their bench. Maybe 398 00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:12,613 Speaker 4: they look to change things up from a selection perspective there. 399 00:20:13,333 --> 00:20:16,693 Speaker 4: But yeah, very very strange game. I know punters were 400 00:20:16,733 --> 00:20:20,773 Speaker 4: sweeten the on the Chiefs thirteen plus down the stretch there. 401 00:20:21,293 --> 00:20:22,853 Speaker 4: I don't know how much he can take out of 402 00:20:22,853 --> 00:20:23,213 Speaker 4: that game. 403 00:20:23,413 --> 00:20:24,653 Speaker 2: For either team. Wana. 404 00:20:25,613 --> 00:20:27,053 Speaker 4: You know, a lot of work to do on how 405 00:20:27,053 --> 00:20:30,053 Speaker 4: they start games and Chiefs will be disappointed to concede 406 00:20:30,053 --> 00:20:30,773 Speaker 4: that many points. 407 00:20:30,893 --> 00:20:32,293 Speaker 2: Damian McKenzie very good again. 408 00:20:32,333 --> 00:20:36,133 Speaker 3: He was very good again. But I just think Clayton 409 00:20:36,173 --> 00:20:38,613 Speaker 3: McMillan won't have been a happy man. Halftime interview on 410 00:20:38,693 --> 00:20:41,973 Speaker 3: sky TV says, you know, he basically to paraphrase, we 411 00:20:42,013 --> 00:20:44,373 Speaker 3: need to go out and complete the job. Well they didn't, 412 00:20:44,453 --> 00:20:46,613 Speaker 3: and it would have been a very tense bus ride back, 413 00:20:46,653 --> 00:20:49,373 Speaker 3: I'm sure on Friday night from Hamilton to Pookey. That's right, 414 00:20:49,413 --> 00:20:50,173 Speaker 3: Bookie to Hamilton. 415 00:20:50,773 --> 00:20:53,613 Speaker 4: Yeah, and look, the Chiefs are title favorites, but they 416 00:20:53,613 --> 00:20:55,973 Speaker 4: do look a bit fallible. They were pushed to the 417 00:20:55,973 --> 00:20:58,333 Speaker 4: brink by the Blues. I only turned up for one 418 00:20:58,453 --> 00:21:04,653 Speaker 4: half against the against Mona lost the week prior to 419 00:21:04,693 --> 00:21:07,693 Speaker 4: the Blues, so yeah, there's a few holes you could 420 00:21:07,693 --> 00:21:08,333 Speaker 4: put punch there. 421 00:21:08,373 --> 00:21:10,253 Speaker 3: Yeah. Their best performance was that Crusader's game where they 422 00:21:10,253 --> 00:21:12,733 Speaker 3: nearly put fifty on on that night, and they've been 423 00:21:12,773 --> 00:21:15,373 Speaker 3: a bit up and down since, but they are collecting 424 00:21:15,893 --> 00:21:17,533 Speaker 3: the wins. Anything stand out from the other two games 425 00:21:17,533 --> 00:21:20,013 Speaker 3: of the weekend Warratars Brumbies twenty eight twenty three and 426 00:21:20,373 --> 00:21:24,013 Speaker 3: the four fifty two fifteen over the poor old Druler 427 00:21:24,133 --> 00:21:26,613 Speaker 3: in Sunday night footy or Sunday afternoon for they in Perth. 428 00:21:26,813 --> 00:21:30,333 Speaker 4: Yeah, surprised by the margin in Perth. The Duror always 429 00:21:30,333 --> 00:21:33,013 Speaker 4: struggle away from home, but they pushed the Brumbies in Canberra. 430 00:21:33,573 --> 00:21:36,933 Speaker 4: Look I saw parts of that Wartars Brumbies game. It 431 00:21:36,973 --> 00:21:40,053 Speaker 4: was a great finish and one thing to note there. 432 00:21:39,973 --> 00:21:41,453 Speaker 2: Is the Waratars heads. 433 00:21:41,973 --> 00:21:44,213 Speaker 4: I think twenty odd thousand at that game, which is 434 00:21:44,253 --> 00:21:47,053 Speaker 4: a record attendance for them in the last couple of years. 435 00:21:47,573 --> 00:21:49,453 Speaker 4: And I think there is a bit of buzz building 436 00:21:50,533 --> 00:21:54,013 Speaker 4: around Australian rugby. They've got the lines there next year, 437 00:21:55,133 --> 00:21:58,373 Speaker 4: so starting to slowly rebuild and put Ozzie rugby back 438 00:21:58,413 --> 00:22:00,573 Speaker 4: on the map. These teams are a lot more competitive 439 00:22:00,613 --> 00:22:02,973 Speaker 4: this year and I think Sydney is a bit of 440 00:22:03,013 --> 00:22:06,653 Speaker 4: a gauge of that twenty thousand that compares really well 441 00:22:06,693 --> 00:22:08,813 Speaker 4: to the NRL crowds that they've seen this year. So 442 00:22:09,733 --> 00:22:12,173 Speaker 4: positive rumblings in Australian rugby, which is good to see. 443 00:22:12,213 --> 00:22:14,853 Speaker 3: Yeah, we love to see that absolutely and more on 444 00:22:14,893 --> 00:22:17,853 Speaker 3: the Aussie teams. After this here on Rugby Direct will 445 00:22:17,893 --> 00:22:20,373 Speaker 3: come back take a break, second half of Rugby Direct 446 00:22:20,373 --> 00:22:21,533 Speaker 3: after this. 447 00:22:21,533 --> 00:22:25,613 Speaker 1: This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fares. 448 00:22:31,213 --> 00:22:33,533 Speaker 1: Rugby Direct, Howard Buddies Talk SIV. 449 00:22:34,173 --> 00:22:36,253 Speaker 3: You're back with Rugby Direct. Time now for our final 450 00:22:36,293 --> 00:22:39,653 Speaker 3: four or Liam. There are four Australian teams in the 451 00:22:39,693 --> 00:22:43,213 Speaker 3: Super Rugby Top six at the moment. How many will 452 00:22:43,213 --> 00:22:45,053 Speaker 3: make the playoffs? So they're all in their The Chiefs 453 00:22:45,053 --> 00:22:48,893 Speaker 3: are on top on twenty two points, Crusaders on nineteen, 454 00:22:48,933 --> 00:22:52,253 Speaker 3: Reds on nineteen, Wartars on seventeen, Brumby's on fifteen, Force 455 00:22:52,333 --> 00:22:55,693 Speaker 3: on fourteen. That's the top six. Highland is eleven, Hurricanes nine, 456 00:22:55,733 --> 00:22:59,573 Speaker 3: Blues seven drew a seven more on a Pacificer on six. 457 00:22:59,773 --> 00:23:03,133 Speaker 3: At this point in the season, will all four of 458 00:23:03,173 --> 00:23:05,173 Speaker 3: those teams make the top six? 459 00:23:05,413 --> 00:23:05,813 Speaker 2: No? 460 00:23:05,813 --> 00:23:11,053 Speaker 4: No, they won't. The Force won't. I'm torn on two 461 00:23:11,173 --> 00:23:14,053 Speaker 4: or three, but I can't. We don't fit fence here 462 00:23:14,053 --> 00:23:17,973 Speaker 4: at Rugby Derex. So I'm going to say two of 463 00:23:18,053 --> 00:23:21,853 Speaker 4: them make it, and the Blues and Hurricanes both sneaking. 464 00:23:22,813 --> 00:23:27,053 Speaker 3: Okay, I tend to agree. The Force have got a 465 00:23:27,253 --> 00:23:30,333 Speaker 3: tricky back half of the season. They got the Reds 466 00:23:30,333 --> 00:23:33,413 Speaker 3: this week, then they welcome the Highlanders and Hurricanes at 467 00:23:33,413 --> 00:23:37,133 Speaker 3: home in consecutive weeks. Then they're away to the Force 468 00:23:37,173 --> 00:23:39,373 Speaker 3: on as Sorry to the Chiefs on anzac Dan Todonga. 469 00:23:40,173 --> 00:23:42,893 Speaker 3: Then there to Auckland and playing the Blues, who at 470 00:23:42,893 --> 00:23:44,773 Speaker 3: that point in the season, who knows they'll be hungry. 471 00:23:44,773 --> 00:23:47,973 Speaker 3: And then the Brumbies drew it and war Atars to finish. 472 00:23:48,053 --> 00:23:50,533 Speaker 3: So that's a tricky run includes a trip to Suva 473 00:23:51,173 --> 00:23:53,213 Speaker 3: for them as well. So I suspect you're right around 474 00:23:53,253 --> 00:23:55,773 Speaker 3: the Force dropping out. Who did you say that your 475 00:23:55,773 --> 00:23:56,733 Speaker 3: two teams is going to make it? 476 00:23:56,813 --> 00:24:00,933 Speaker 4: So I said two. Yeah, it's tough, isn't it. So 477 00:24:00,973 --> 00:24:04,853 Speaker 4: we've got the Reds, Wartars and Brumbies. It's really tough 478 00:24:04,853 --> 00:24:07,093 Speaker 4: to draw a line through one of them. I'm going 479 00:24:07,173 --> 00:24:11,053 Speaker 4: to say the Warriors miss out. 480 00:24:12,373 --> 00:24:14,413 Speaker 3: I tend to agree because they've got a number of 481 00:24:14,493 --> 00:24:17,093 Speaker 3: New Zealand teams and not just to put the New 482 00:24:17,173 --> 00:24:19,173 Speaker 3: Zealand teams up in lights, but there's a tricky drawer. 483 00:24:19,893 --> 00:24:22,133 Speaker 2: Yeah seven, I think the Blues and Knees sneak in. 484 00:24:22,253 --> 00:24:25,213 Speaker 4: But look, it's very it's going to be a great 485 00:24:25,213 --> 00:24:27,253 Speaker 4: finish to the season and there's. 486 00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:28,813 Speaker 2: Going to be a lot of jeopardy around around there. 487 00:24:28,973 --> 00:24:31,293 Speaker 3: Well at the Blues, you know seven points on the 488 00:24:31,333 --> 00:24:35,693 Speaker 3: letter stands there one went outside the playoffs. They do 489 00:24:35,773 --> 00:24:39,653 Speaker 3: have the buy, but other teams have the ball. It'll 490 00:24:39,693 --> 00:24:43,133 Speaker 3: even itself out. That flows really nicely onto topic number two. 491 00:24:43,693 --> 00:24:45,653 Speaker 3: Are you willing to draw a line through the Blues 492 00:24:46,093 --> 00:24:52,853 Speaker 3: winning the title this year one in five outside the 493 00:24:52,853 --> 00:24:54,373 Speaker 3: playofs at the moment on seven points? 494 00:24:55,013 --> 00:24:56,293 Speaker 2: No, no, no, I'm not. 495 00:24:56,653 --> 00:25:01,453 Speaker 4: But it's a long long road to hoe because they 496 00:25:01,493 --> 00:25:04,493 Speaker 4: will be away from home for should they sneak into 497 00:25:04,493 --> 00:25:06,933 Speaker 4: the playoffs, there's two questions here. One is do they 498 00:25:06,933 --> 00:25:10,933 Speaker 4: make the playoffs and then they still title contenders? As 499 00:25:10,933 --> 00:25:13,053 Speaker 4: it stands right now, you would say, no, they're not 500 00:25:13,173 --> 00:25:16,413 Speaker 4: title contenders. I think they make the playoffs and if 501 00:25:16,453 --> 00:25:19,213 Speaker 4: they're healthy, they could knock over anyone on their day, 502 00:25:19,253 --> 00:25:22,093 Speaker 4: and we saw that a week ago in Hamilton where 503 00:25:22,133 --> 00:25:24,653 Speaker 4: they pushed the title favorites to the brink. 504 00:25:24,733 --> 00:25:25,253 Speaker 3: Yeah. 505 00:25:25,453 --> 00:25:28,893 Speaker 4: So look, they desperately need some bodies back, and they 506 00:25:28,933 --> 00:25:33,013 Speaker 4: desperately need the reset and the buy, and we're gonna 507 00:25:33,413 --> 00:25:36,013 Speaker 4: it's almost it's not quite make or break territory for 508 00:25:36,053 --> 00:25:40,053 Speaker 4: the Blues, but with the Hurricanes next up, these are 509 00:25:40,213 --> 00:25:42,973 Speaker 4: very very important matches. So no, I'm not willing to 510 00:25:43,493 --> 00:25:46,773 Speaker 4: draw a line through them as title contenders, but it's 511 00:25:47,493 --> 00:25:48,173 Speaker 4: very touch and go. 512 00:25:48,333 --> 00:25:50,613 Speaker 3: They've got a trip to christ shoots to come yep 513 00:25:50,693 --> 00:25:54,613 Speaker 3: and SUV and SUV and Queensland and Brisbane. Yeah. Yeah, 514 00:25:55,133 --> 00:25:56,653 Speaker 3: there's not much regal, right, I know that. So the 515 00:25:56,773 --> 00:25:58,573 Speaker 3: one went out of the playoffs, but there really isn't 516 00:25:58,653 --> 00:26:01,173 Speaker 3: much regular room excuse me left for the Blues. 517 00:26:01,173 --> 00:26:04,253 Speaker 4: Well, they can probably drop what are they one and five? 518 00:26:04,293 --> 00:26:10,493 Speaker 4: They could probably drop two ab three most and it 519 00:26:10,533 --> 00:26:12,333 Speaker 4: also depends on how other teams go as well. And 520 00:26:12,333 --> 00:26:14,013 Speaker 4: that's just getting to the top six. You don't really 521 00:26:14,053 --> 00:26:16,053 Speaker 4: want to be going to Hamilton a week one. No, 522 00:26:17,333 --> 00:26:20,053 Speaker 4: that's that's tough. Yeah, one v six, two v five 523 00:26:20,133 --> 00:26:23,853 Speaker 4: three p four Yeah, what about you. I don't think 524 00:26:23,853 --> 00:26:26,133 Speaker 4: they can win the title. I think they can still 525 00:26:26,173 --> 00:26:29,853 Speaker 4: make the playoffs, absolutely. I have seen enough from the 526 00:26:29,893 --> 00:26:33,693 Speaker 4: Chiefs too are clear favorites Crusaders and Reds tucked in 527 00:26:33,733 --> 00:26:35,533 Speaker 4: behind to suguesce that there are better teams at this 528 00:26:35,533 --> 00:26:39,213 Speaker 4: point in time. And you're right, having to go from 529 00:26:39,253 --> 00:26:42,493 Speaker 4: deep mark it down twenty fourth to March. I don't 530 00:26:42,533 --> 00:26:44,533 Speaker 4: think they can win the title again this year. The 531 00:26:44,853 --> 00:26:47,453 Speaker 4: only thing I'm hanging on to here is if you 532 00:26:47,493 --> 00:26:49,613 Speaker 4: get bow in the back at ten, you put Peter 533 00:26:49,693 --> 00:26:52,533 Speaker 4: Fittis to fall back. You know, you welcome some of 534 00:26:52,573 --> 00:26:58,133 Speaker 4: these Patrick Ricky big names, but it just hasn't happened 535 00:26:58,133 --> 00:26:58,413 Speaker 4: for them. 536 00:26:58,453 --> 00:26:59,893 Speaker 3: So and they've had a lot of those names in 537 00:26:59,933 --> 00:27:02,173 Speaker 3: the opening rounds. You know, maybe not in the positions 538 00:27:02,173 --> 00:27:04,373 Speaker 3: that they would necessarily have put them, but they've had 539 00:27:04,373 --> 00:27:05,933 Speaker 3: a lot of those players that you know, these aren't 540 00:27:05,933 --> 00:27:07,653 Speaker 3: players that have been out for the entire season. These 541 00:27:07,653 --> 00:27:09,413 Speaker 3: are players out for two or three weeks. 542 00:27:09,853 --> 00:27:10,053 Speaker 2: YEP. 543 00:27:10,693 --> 00:27:13,453 Speaker 3: Topic number three A good story from our friend Joe Pearson. 544 00:27:13,893 --> 00:27:16,813 Speaker 3: Last week. Current time way Flour goes on record saying 545 00:27:16,813 --> 00:27:18,693 Speaker 3: that he is wanting to play for the All Blacks. 546 00:27:18,693 --> 00:27:20,733 Speaker 3: He played for Tonger at the twenty twenty three World Cup, 547 00:27:20,853 --> 00:27:22,853 Speaker 3: so it wouldn't be eligible until the back end of 548 00:27:22,853 --> 00:27:26,853 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six, a long way to go. And he 549 00:27:27,013 --> 00:27:29,493 Speaker 3: certainly signs some really good signs that he's a promising 550 00:27:29,493 --> 00:27:33,413 Speaker 3: footballer and has some real quality about him. But having 551 00:27:33,413 --> 00:27:36,693 Speaker 3: played for Tonga, was this what the rule was brought 552 00:27:36,733 --> 00:27:39,893 Speaker 3: in for? And would you support it? If you know? 553 00:27:40,013 --> 00:27:41,693 Speaker 3: Sc Robertson comes knocking next year. 554 00:27:43,493 --> 00:27:44,493 Speaker 2: It's no idea, was it. 555 00:27:44,933 --> 00:27:48,453 Speaker 4: You want players to play for their heritage, and the 556 00:27:48,493 --> 00:27:51,773 Speaker 4: fact he has played for Tonga you would hope that 557 00:27:51,773 --> 00:27:55,493 Speaker 4: that would continue. But we have discussed the iniquities in 558 00:27:55,613 --> 00:28:01,173 Speaker 4: test rugby, and I think for most Pacific Islanders, I 559 00:28:01,213 --> 00:28:03,853 Speaker 4: don't want to generalize here speak for individuals, but there 560 00:28:03,933 --> 00:28:07,973 Speaker 4: is an elevated prestige that comes with the all blacks. 561 00:28:07,973 --> 00:28:10,813 Speaker 4: A certainly opens a lot more doors to securing your 562 00:28:10,853 --> 00:28:15,493 Speaker 4: financial future. So by all means individuals can do as 563 00:28:15,493 --> 00:28:19,333 Speaker 4: they choose. But in an ideal world where you could 564 00:28:20,693 --> 00:28:24,333 Speaker 4: make everything equitable, these guys play for their home nations. 565 00:28:26,653 --> 00:28:28,733 Speaker 3: The rule is in the rule Boox. You know, I 566 00:28:28,733 --> 00:28:31,053 Speaker 3: wouldn't have too much of a problem with it necessarily. 567 00:28:31,653 --> 00:28:34,693 Speaker 3: It's happened, you know, Frank Buntz in the nineties. I 568 00:28:34,693 --> 00:28:36,973 Speaker 3: think a Lumbit had admired did it as well. When 569 00:28:37,013 --> 00:28:42,133 Speaker 3: the rules are a bit more loosened than they are now. 570 00:28:42,373 --> 00:28:44,653 Speaker 3: And even these rules have been loosened from what they 571 00:28:44,693 --> 00:28:48,853 Speaker 3: were previously, it's not ideal. I still think having completed 572 00:28:48,853 --> 00:28:52,493 Speaker 3: a three year standdown, you're entitled to go play for 573 00:28:52,493 --> 00:28:54,173 Speaker 3: who you want. And yeah, I don't know that you 574 00:28:54,293 --> 00:28:56,813 Speaker 3: go from you can only go from tier one down 575 00:28:56,853 --> 00:28:59,213 Speaker 3: to tear two. I don't think you can lock that 576 00:28:59,333 --> 00:29:01,813 Speaker 3: in going from Ted. You know, you couldn't say you 577 00:29:01,813 --> 00:29:04,413 Speaker 3: can only go down, you can't go up. So it's 578 00:29:04,493 --> 00:29:06,173 Speaker 3: not what the rule was brought in for. But he's 579 00:29:06,173 --> 00:29:07,693 Speaker 3: a special case in many ways. 580 00:29:08,053 --> 00:29:08,253 Speaker 2: Yeah. 581 00:29:08,413 --> 00:29:12,493 Speaker 4: The other question is around Moana's purpose, right, So is 582 00:29:12,533 --> 00:29:14,453 Speaker 4: it just a vehicle for the All Blacks to cherry 583 00:29:14,453 --> 00:29:19,333 Speaker 4: pick their best players or are they really benefiting Tonga 584 00:29:19,413 --> 00:29:19,933 Speaker 4: and some more? 585 00:29:20,053 --> 00:29:21,613 Speaker 3: Well, look at their rules, don't they that they're allowed 586 00:29:21,613 --> 00:29:26,493 Speaker 3: three All Blacks? But then they've got a number of 587 00:29:26,493 --> 00:29:28,173 Speaker 3: other plays who are eligible for the All Blacks and 588 00:29:28,213 --> 00:29:30,933 Speaker 3: are eligible for multiple countries. Levi Moore, who's no longer 589 00:29:30,973 --> 00:29:33,893 Speaker 3: with them, played for He's think eligible for four countries. 590 00:29:35,653 --> 00:29:37,093 Speaker 3: It was another examle We've go a number of players 591 00:29:37,093 --> 00:29:39,493 Speaker 3: who are eligible for the All Blacks but have Pacific 592 00:29:39,493 --> 00:29:43,053 Speaker 3: Island heritage. And I think that's the thing around what 593 00:29:43,133 --> 00:29:45,813 Speaker 3: makes New Zealand so unique and special is that we 594 00:29:45,893 --> 00:29:48,293 Speaker 3: have that strong connection to the Pacific and people are 595 00:29:48,293 --> 00:29:51,573 Speaker 3: proud of multiple heritages, and because we are still so 596 00:29:51,653 --> 00:29:54,093 Speaker 3: close to them in terms of geographical nature, it is 597 00:29:54,173 --> 00:29:57,733 Speaker 3: possible to go and play for them and have these 598 00:29:58,133 --> 00:30:01,293 Speaker 3: mixed that mixed heritage that makes New Zealand great and 599 00:30:01,773 --> 00:30:04,213 Speaker 3: makes wite A Pacific great and makes these teams great. 600 00:30:04,253 --> 00:30:05,733 Speaker 3: So I don't think you can cap it and go, well, 601 00:30:05,733 --> 00:30:07,733 Speaker 3: you can't be eligible for the All Blacks because then 602 00:30:07,773 --> 00:30:09,173 Speaker 3: they're losing a lot of players. 603 00:30:09,493 --> 00:30:12,493 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a vexed conversation, isn't it. Because you have 604 00:30:12,573 --> 00:30:16,853 Speaker 4: other players like Miracle Vai Lungy who was plucked from 605 00:30:17,093 --> 00:30:20,213 Speaker 4: samo On Club Rugby essentially and has come in and 606 00:30:20,453 --> 00:30:25,093 Speaker 4: been a roaring successful Muana and he will go back 607 00:30:25,133 --> 00:30:28,453 Speaker 4: and strengthen Samoa and there are other examples of that. 608 00:30:28,533 --> 00:30:34,013 Speaker 4: So Miana is strengthening those island nations. It's just there 609 00:30:34,093 --> 00:30:38,493 Speaker 4: is something that doesn't feel quite right about Miana being 610 00:30:38,613 --> 00:30:40,373 Speaker 4: used as a vehicle for the All Blacks. 611 00:30:40,733 --> 00:30:44,893 Speaker 3: Topic number four. Ian Foster back in international rugby coaching. 612 00:30:44,893 --> 00:30:48,093 Speaker 3: He's going to coach the Australian New Zealand Invitational team 613 00:30:48,173 --> 00:30:49,813 Speaker 3: that will play the British and Irish lines a week 614 00:30:49,813 --> 00:30:51,333 Speaker 3: out from the first Test, so they're probably going to 615 00:30:51,373 --> 00:30:54,533 Speaker 3: play shadow test team in Adelaide. That was announced last 616 00:30:54,533 --> 00:30:55,933 Speaker 3: week that Ian Foster is going to be back in 617 00:30:55,933 --> 00:30:56,413 Speaker 3: the reins. 618 00:30:56,973 --> 00:30:57,893 Speaker 2: Yea a chet to him, didn't you. 619 00:30:57,933 --> 00:30:59,173 Speaker 3: He did have a chat with him, jumped on too 620 00:30:59,213 --> 00:31:01,053 Speaker 3: zoom and had a chat that was Fuzzy Bear. It 621 00:31:01,093 --> 00:31:04,413 Speaker 3: was good. He's looking forward to picking. I think primarily 622 00:31:05,293 --> 00:31:07,093 Speaker 3: the New Zealand based players will get will mostly be 623 00:31:07,173 --> 00:31:10,693 Speaker 3: Japanese players, maybe players he's got connections to previously. 624 00:31:10,773 --> 00:31:12,453 Speaker 2: Him and Steve Hanson might be out of a job 625 00:31:13,973 --> 00:31:17,013 Speaker 2: come the end of the season. There Toyota teams. 626 00:31:16,693 --> 00:31:18,173 Speaker 3: Not going to flatter I or they're lost on the 627 00:31:18,213 --> 00:31:21,653 Speaker 3: weekend as well. I mean, who ideally is going to 628 00:31:21,653 --> 00:31:25,693 Speaker 3: form the basis of this Australian New Zealand team, Probably 629 00:31:25,693 --> 00:31:28,613 Speaker 3: around the vicinity of sixty to seventy percent Australians by 630 00:31:28,613 --> 00:31:29,893 Speaker 3: the sound of it, and they'll be wide to Wallaby 631 00:31:29,933 --> 00:31:32,973 Speaker 3: squad members you would expect maybe Michael Hooper comes back 632 00:31:33,013 --> 00:31:35,693 Speaker 3: for it. But who would you have there is dream 633 00:31:35,733 --> 00:31:36,653 Speaker 3: New Zealand targets. 634 00:31:37,173 --> 00:31:40,373 Speaker 4: Well, Fuzzy dropped a few big names, didn't he. Aaron Smith, 635 00:31:40,653 --> 00:31:43,293 Speaker 4: Richie mo Wonger, Nathan Cleary. 636 00:31:43,453 --> 00:31:46,813 Speaker 3: That was I'm not sure the Panthers were releasing from 637 00:31:46,853 --> 00:31:48,733 Speaker 3: around whatever it is of the nral To. 638 00:31:48,773 --> 00:31:50,293 Speaker 4: I'd be shocked to see that happen. It would be 639 00:31:50,293 --> 00:31:52,453 Speaker 4: great to see Joe Marnhu in that team. I think 640 00:31:52,453 --> 00:31:55,573 Speaker 4: there'd be a lot of interest in that, particularly in Australia. 641 00:31:56,733 --> 00:31:58,853 Speaker 4: I think there would be a desire from Aaron Smith 642 00:31:58,853 --> 00:32:01,933 Speaker 4: and Richie Warner to play in that fixture. They can't 643 00:32:01,933 --> 00:32:06,013 Speaker 4: play international rugby as it stands, and they are still 644 00:32:06,053 --> 00:32:12,653 Speaker 4: competing still in particular, still still got it. And the 645 00:32:12,693 --> 00:32:16,293 Speaker 4: big question for me is there's there's going to be 646 00:32:16,493 --> 00:32:18,693 Speaker 4: need that there will need to be some big sums 647 00:32:18,693 --> 00:32:21,573 Speaker 4: of insurance because these guys rich and along is on 648 00:32:21,653 --> 00:32:26,653 Speaker 4: upwards of two million a season with Tshiba and his 649 00:32:28,093 --> 00:32:30,413 Speaker 4: Someone's going to need to ensure him. 650 00:32:30,813 --> 00:32:33,573 Speaker 3: How does it work when South African players go back 651 00:32:33,613 --> 00:32:36,453 Speaker 3: and play for their country from Japanese they must be ensured, 652 00:32:36,533 --> 00:32:37,133 Speaker 3: I would guess. 653 00:32:38,413 --> 00:32:40,933 Speaker 4: Yeah, I guess they have to release them, don't they 654 00:32:40,973 --> 00:32:41,893 Speaker 4: because it's a regulation. 655 00:32:42,013 --> 00:32:44,893 Speaker 3: They don't have to release these players because it's an 656 00:32:44,893 --> 00:32:45,733 Speaker 3: invitational teams. 657 00:32:45,813 --> 00:32:47,893 Speaker 4: Yeah, And I guess when they signed them it would 658 00:32:47,893 --> 00:32:50,213 Speaker 4: be on the proviso that they're not playing international rugby. 659 00:32:50,293 --> 00:32:52,653 Speaker 4: So I think there would need to be a deal broken. 660 00:32:53,693 --> 00:32:58,653 Speaker 4: From a spectacle point of view, great, the more quality 661 00:32:59,133 --> 00:33:01,893 Speaker 4: former international players you can have in that team, the better. 662 00:33:03,933 --> 00:33:09,413 Speaker 4: When this ficture was announced, people talked about all Blacks 663 00:33:09,453 --> 00:33:11,213 Speaker 4: being involved, and that was never going to happen because 664 00:33:11,213 --> 00:33:14,653 Speaker 4: it clashes with the All Backs playing France. And so 665 00:33:14,853 --> 00:33:18,853 Speaker 4: then you're looking at second tier, well not second to 666 00:33:18,853 --> 00:33:22,213 Speaker 4: you're looking at super rugby players potentially who but even 667 00:33:22,253 --> 00:33:25,013 Speaker 4: then are they going to be released from MPC teams 668 00:33:25,653 --> 00:33:26,173 Speaker 4: at that time? 669 00:33:26,253 --> 00:33:27,933 Speaker 3: Well, July and then it's two weeks out, three weeks 670 00:33:27,933 --> 00:33:30,013 Speaker 3: out from the start of the NPC, you know, pre 671 00:33:30,093 --> 00:33:31,173 Speaker 3: seasons and full swing there. 672 00:33:31,253 --> 00:33:34,173 Speaker 4: Yeah, maybe you could get a Shan Stephenson who's possibly 673 00:33:35,173 --> 00:33:36,093 Speaker 4: going back to Japan. 674 00:33:37,013 --> 00:33:39,333 Speaker 3: Well, you might lean up Foster, might lean on some 675 00:33:39,413 --> 00:33:41,213 Speaker 3: of those connections, you know with all Blacks that he 676 00:33:41,333 --> 00:33:43,573 Speaker 3: had that are no longer being selected by the All 677 00:33:43,573 --> 00:33:45,013 Speaker 3: Black like Christie for example. 678 00:33:45,093 --> 00:33:47,053 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's going to be a barbarians type team, is it? 679 00:33:47,093 --> 00:33:49,453 Speaker 4: And I think they'll play that way. So it should 680 00:33:49,453 --> 00:33:52,053 Speaker 4: be a hell of a spectacle. And it would be 681 00:33:52,053 --> 00:33:54,173 Speaker 4: great to see Aaron Smith and Richard Wonger link up 682 00:33:54,173 --> 00:33:56,853 Speaker 4: because from a viewing point of view, we don't get 683 00:33:56,853 --> 00:33:57,933 Speaker 4: to watch Japanese rugby. 684 00:33:58,013 --> 00:34:00,293 Speaker 3: Nobody has the rights to I think it's on rugby passon. 685 00:34:00,293 --> 00:34:03,333 Speaker 3: You get one game a week and it's their peckers 686 00:34:03,333 --> 00:34:04,173 Speaker 3: to who you see. 687 00:34:04,413 --> 00:34:07,613 Speaker 4: So it's a very interesting plot line to see who 688 00:34:08,013 --> 00:34:10,533 Speaker 4: who in Foster can ken Dragon. 689 00:34:11,173 --> 00:34:13,453 Speaker 3: The Penrith Panthers play the paramount of Eels that weekend. 690 00:34:14,213 --> 00:34:17,373 Speaker 3: They probably don't need clearing to get past the Eels. 691 00:34:17,653 --> 00:34:21,573 Speaker 3: So maybe maybe Fozzy can get on the phone to 692 00:34:21,813 --> 00:34:23,733 Speaker 3: Ivan and just work out some sort of deal. 693 00:34:23,973 --> 00:34:25,373 Speaker 2: Yeah, Brad Thorne's not coaching. 694 00:34:26,053 --> 00:34:29,933 Speaker 3: It's still right, all right, let's get into our tepic Liam, 695 00:34:29,973 --> 00:34:32,653 Speaker 3: shocking weekend for you. Thanks one of five. You picked 696 00:34:32,653 --> 00:34:35,413 Speaker 3: the Chiefs correctly, everything else wrong, remembering that we picked 697 00:34:36,293 --> 00:34:38,733 Speaker 3: everything diametrically opposite last week. 698 00:34:38,813 --> 00:34:41,053 Speaker 2: Yes, I'm just trying to give you a chance this year. 699 00:34:41,293 --> 00:34:41,973 Speaker 2: I appreciate it. 700 00:34:41,973 --> 00:34:45,173 Speaker 3: Too many beatdowns, Yeah, reads Crusader's task Force, Thank you 701 00:34:45,333 --> 00:34:47,293 Speaker 3: very much. Four or five. I have the lead by 702 00:34:47,653 --> 00:34:52,093 Speaker 3: four nineteen versus fifteen. Who do you picked this week? 703 00:34:52,133 --> 00:34:55,773 Speaker 3: In our first four game round? Liam? And it starts 704 00:34:55,813 --> 00:34:58,453 Speaker 3: on Friday night? Hurricanes, Waratars Love and gold Sport and 705 00:34:58,533 --> 00:34:59,213 Speaker 3: iHeart Radio. 706 00:34:59,533 --> 00:35:01,853 Speaker 2: Well, no, everyone's missed the Hurricanes. 707 00:35:01,933 --> 00:35:04,333 Speaker 4: So great to have the cane train back and I'll 708 00:35:04,413 --> 00:35:06,933 Speaker 4: be steamrolling the Waratas and Wellington. 709 00:35:07,013 --> 00:35:09,453 Speaker 3: I can't see the Wartars winning that one, despite the 710 00:35:09,453 --> 00:35:12,933 Speaker 3: fact they did get over the Brumbies. Rumbies into the Highlanders. 711 00:35:13,653 --> 00:35:15,133 Speaker 3: Hard place to go on Camber, isn't it. 712 00:35:15,573 --> 00:35:18,053 Speaker 2: Yes, tough one, but Brumbies for me. 713 00:35:18,413 --> 00:35:20,813 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm going to pick the same on that front. Crusaders, 714 00:35:20,893 --> 00:35:22,813 Speaker 3: Mona pacifica christ. 715 00:35:24,013 --> 00:35:26,253 Speaker 4: I am feeling a strong connection to Moana this year, 716 00:35:26,373 --> 00:35:29,013 Speaker 4: but look from a tipping point of view, going to 717 00:35:29,093 --> 00:35:29,973 Speaker 4: have to. 718 00:35:29,773 --> 00:35:32,333 Speaker 3: Well, I can't go against Okay, we're all the same. 719 00:35:32,413 --> 00:35:33,373 Speaker 3: Red's Force will. 720 00:35:33,253 --> 00:35:34,493 Speaker 2: Be cheering hard for Moana. 721 00:35:34,773 --> 00:35:39,413 Speaker 3: Just for the record, please don't Red's Force Brisbane reads. 722 00:35:40,053 --> 00:35:43,093 Speaker 4: Yeah, the Force, It's not going to get you much 723 00:35:43,093 --> 00:35:44,133 Speaker 4: in the multi force. 724 00:35:44,733 --> 00:35:49,693 Speaker 3: Well, okay, all right, upset time blow Dollie and the 725 00:35:49,733 --> 00:35:51,613 Speaker 3: boys are going you look at the way they played 726 00:35:51,613 --> 00:35:51,933 Speaker 3: against the. 727 00:35:51,933 --> 00:35:54,093 Speaker 2: Drawer last night and Lea McDonald do you trust that's right? 728 00:35:54,333 --> 00:35:58,133 Speaker 3: Absolutely? Always have always Well Rugby Direct m VP Metal 729 00:35:58,253 --> 00:36:02,893 Speaker 3: voting time. Let's go rook at the table Actually na 730 00:36:02,973 --> 00:36:05,813 Speaker 3: way out on top. On eight there is a five 731 00:36:05,893 --> 00:36:10,293 Speaker 3: way tie for second. Ardie save Quinti, Pie Will, Jordan Duplessy, 732 00:36:10,333 --> 00:36:16,533 Speaker 3: Confi and Damian McKenzie and what make that seventh alone 733 00:36:16,533 --> 00:36:18,973 Speaker 3: in seventh's miracle Fi Lungey. So there's your top three 734 00:36:19,093 --> 00:36:21,613 Speaker 3: ish as it stands my top three this week, I'm 735 00:36:21,653 --> 00:36:23,733 Speaker 3: going first, Liam, you are any more? And Nonu the 736 00:36:23,733 --> 00:36:26,253 Speaker 3: Crusaders hooker. Thought he was excellent on the weekend, remembering 737 00:36:26,333 --> 00:36:29,613 Speaker 3: that he is the third choice hooker for the Crusaders 738 00:36:30,133 --> 00:36:32,853 Speaker 3: with George boll out, Cody Taylor ruled out during the week, 739 00:36:33,453 --> 00:36:37,373 Speaker 3: Brody Mcalster left in the off season. He's taken his 740 00:36:37,373 --> 00:36:39,653 Speaker 3: opportunity and taking it really well. So he gets my 741 00:36:39,733 --> 00:36:43,493 Speaker 3: three points. David HARVILLI gets my two thought he was 742 00:36:43,533 --> 00:36:46,573 Speaker 3: really positive as we've touched on before. And Gideon Rampling 743 00:36:46,693 --> 00:36:49,693 Speaker 3: from the Chiefs, who I thought was electric in midfield, 744 00:36:49,773 --> 00:36:52,773 Speaker 3: especially that first half, gets my one point. 745 00:36:52,773 --> 00:36:56,613 Speaker 4: This week we'll got the same one and two just 746 00:36:56,693 --> 00:37:00,973 Speaker 4: on the Crusader's hooker. Another one that you've recruited from 747 00:37:00,973 --> 00:37:05,933 Speaker 4: outside your region. Smart recruit good counties, boy, so recruit 748 00:37:06,453 --> 00:37:08,453 Speaker 4: maybe produce some of your own for a change in well. 749 00:37:08,493 --> 00:37:11,213 Speaker 3: You know, James Mullens from the Kanbury region has gone 750 00:37:11,253 --> 00:37:13,893 Speaker 3: up to Auckland, so it's all about sharing it around. 751 00:37:13,773 --> 00:37:14,893 Speaker 2: Nice Auckland products. 752 00:37:15,253 --> 00:37:17,773 Speaker 4: There's been many of them over the years, Non Berryman 753 00:37:19,053 --> 00:37:22,693 Speaker 4: RP norm and in one point I'm giving to Peter 754 00:37:22,733 --> 00:37:25,373 Speaker 4: Humung and Jensen great scend back on the park and 755 00:37:25,733 --> 00:37:26,813 Speaker 4: long way that continue. 756 00:37:26,893 --> 00:37:29,173 Speaker 3: So we've got the same two and three, same big 757 00:37:29,213 --> 00:37:31,533 Speaker 3: weekend for the Crusaders. That special from you to see 758 00:37:31,573 --> 00:37:32,213 Speaker 3: that limb. 759 00:37:32,173 --> 00:37:34,693 Speaker 2: Ah yes credit weird credits too, you. 760 00:37:34,653 --> 00:37:37,733 Speaker 3: Know, yeah, absolutely right. That'll do us for another week 761 00:37:37,773 --> 00:37:39,733 Speaker 3: of Rugby direct. I thanks to Larson Bars English for 762 00:37:39,813 --> 00:37:41,973 Speaker 3: putting us together, and thanks of course to Abbit Health 763 00:37:42,013 --> 00:37:44,933 Speaker 3: tackling all your aches and pains from sport and work. 764 00:37:48,973 --> 00:37:50,373 Speaker 2: For more from News Talks ed B. 765 00:37:50,693 --> 00:37:53,933 Speaker 1: Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows 766 00:37:53,933 --> 00:37:57,293 Speaker 1: with you wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio