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 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:19,253 --> 00:00:21,013 Speaker 1: Straight down the Middle. 4 00:00:20,733 --> 00:00:22,093 Speaker 2: Of Drum Dicky Sco. 5 00:00:23,813 --> 00:00:32,773 Speaker 1: Try get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby 6 00:00:32,853 --> 00:00:36,453 Speaker 1: Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News 7 00:00:36,533 --> 00:00:37,053 Speaker 1: Talks EDB. 8 00:00:37,293 --> 00:00:41,133 Speaker 2: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Excess Solutions, celebrating twenty 9 00:00:41,253 --> 00:00:45,933 Speaker 2: five years in business. Alli get Smith with me Liam Napier. 10 00:00:46,453 --> 00:00:50,613 Speaker 2: We're in Edinburgh and it's wonderful to be back here, 11 00:00:50,693 --> 00:00:53,733 Speaker 2: first time back in three years for both the All Blacksbert, 12 00:00:53,773 --> 00:00:58,733 Speaker 2: perhaps more importantly ourselves, and wonderful city to get around 13 00:00:58,773 --> 00:01:01,253 Speaker 2: first and foremost before we get into some rugby. There 14 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:05,373 Speaker 2: is a real sense of magic and just history to 15 00:01:05,853 --> 00:01:07,693 Speaker 2: when you come to Edinburgh, isn't there it is. 16 00:01:07,813 --> 00:01:11,133 Speaker 3: It's a magic place, I think, one of the real 17 00:01:11,213 --> 00:01:14,013 Speaker 3: hidden gems of Europe. Not necessarily a hidden gym, but 18 00:01:14,533 --> 00:01:17,653 Speaker 3: it's not, I guess, as well known as some of 19 00:01:17,733 --> 00:01:20,613 Speaker 3: the bigger European city is very beautiful, a lot of charm, 20 00:01:21,893 --> 00:01:26,693 Speaker 3: good people. We enjoyed a We're Hotter this week which 21 00:01:26,813 --> 00:01:31,253 Speaker 3: was beautiful, and you've enjoyed my terrible Scottish impressions. 22 00:01:31,333 --> 00:01:33,013 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was gonna say enjoyed. It would be one 23 00:01:33,093 --> 00:01:36,213 Speaker 2: word for it. At one point Lea was threatened to 24 00:01:36,293 --> 00:01:39,693 Speaker 2: do this entire podcast and there's Scottish accent, which. 25 00:01:39,493 --> 00:01:41,733 Speaker 3: Would have been a real We decided it would have 26 00:01:41,813 --> 00:01:46,653 Speaker 3: been cultural appropriation. Yes, probably bordering on racism, so we'll 27 00:01:46,693 --> 00:01:48,973 Speaker 3: sidestep that for a now. But who knows that the 28 00:01:49,813 --> 00:01:50,613 Speaker 3: podcast is young? 29 00:01:50,733 --> 00:01:55,013 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly. Hot toodied to try and sort my laryngitis out. 30 00:01:55,053 --> 00:01:58,133 Speaker 2: I think it's aryngitis. Lost my voice after the commentary 31 00:01:58,213 --> 00:02:01,893 Speaker 2: on the weekends. But that's been good and through the 32 00:02:02,333 --> 00:02:05,533 Speaker 2: many benefits of climate change, it has been actually quite warm, 33 00:02:05,693 --> 00:02:08,293 Speaker 2: tropical this week, including today, which is definitely the warm 34 00:02:08,533 --> 00:02:11,293 Speaker 2: day of the week and it's about fifteen sixteen degrees 35 00:02:11,773 --> 00:02:15,053 Speaker 2: mid afternoon on a Thursday. So yeah, it's been a 36 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:18,053 Speaker 2: great weekend for the All Blacks Leam. I guess they 37 00:02:18,133 --> 00:02:21,453 Speaker 2: go into this match at Murrayfield, you know, having never 38 00:02:21,533 --> 00:02:24,693 Speaker 2: lost to Scotland. There is the weight of history on 39 00:02:24,893 --> 00:02:27,293 Speaker 2: them in many ways, but they also haven't played Scotland 40 00:02:27,333 --> 00:02:29,693 Speaker 2: that much. They've only played them twice in the last 41 00:02:29,853 --> 00:02:33,613 Speaker 2: decade twenty twenty two and twenty seventeen. The last trip 42 00:02:33,653 --> 00:02:36,413 Speaker 2: before that was twenty fourteen, so they obviously haven't been 43 00:02:36,413 --> 00:02:39,653 Speaker 2: to New Zealand in that time either Scotland, so games 44 00:02:39,653 --> 00:02:42,893 Speaker 2: against them have been few and far between. And it 45 00:02:43,013 --> 00:02:45,413 Speaker 2: was interesting to hear before we get into the team 46 00:02:45,653 --> 00:02:48,573 Speaker 2: and the one name by Scott Robinson, Boden Barrett sort 47 00:02:48,573 --> 00:02:51,653 Speaker 2: of talk about how he had to almost explain to 48 00:02:51,773 --> 00:02:55,013 Speaker 2: some of the players perhaps what they'll expect on Saturday 49 00:02:55,013 --> 00:02:58,173 Speaker 2: afternoon local time. He's played them three times, which is 50 00:02:58,253 --> 00:03:00,173 Speaker 2: the most of anyone in the current All Blacks team. 51 00:03:00,413 --> 00:03:02,853 Speaker 2: He started against them twice. He's the only All Blacks 52 00:03:02,893 --> 00:03:05,333 Speaker 2: member to do so be his third start on the weekend. 53 00:03:05,493 --> 00:03:07,533 Speaker 2: So there's all sorts of history there, but for the 54 00:03:07,533 --> 00:03:10,093 Speaker 2: All Blacks it for a lot of these players a 55 00:03:10,173 --> 00:03:11,013 Speaker 2: sense of the unknown. 56 00:03:11,973 --> 00:03:14,813 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's right. And I was actually fortunate enough to 57 00:03:14,853 --> 00:03:17,853 Speaker 3: be there for both those games and it was real 58 00:03:18,053 --> 00:03:24,253 Speaker 3: knife edge stuff. Bill Blacks Scotland scored twenty three unanswered 59 00:03:24,293 --> 00:03:27,213 Speaker 3: points in twenty twenty two. Bill Blacks last visit to 60 00:03:27,253 --> 00:03:31,533 Speaker 3: Murrayfield and they're really on the rack and they came 61 00:03:31,613 --> 00:03:33,973 Speaker 3: over the top to win that game. M Foss wasn't 62 00:03:34,013 --> 00:03:38,573 Speaker 3: charged in and in twenty seventeen, it was even tighter 63 00:03:38,853 --> 00:03:42,133 Speaker 3: Boden Barrett's he talked about it today, but he had 64 00:03:42,173 --> 00:03:44,533 Speaker 3: to pull off a match saving tackle and the dying 65 00:03:44,613 --> 00:03:47,133 Speaker 3: stages on Stuart Hog in the corner a look like 66 00:03:47,213 --> 00:03:50,173 Speaker 3: Stuart Hog was gone for all money and Boden Barrett 67 00:03:50,253 --> 00:03:53,053 Speaker 3: just pushed them out to preserve that record that now 68 00:03:53,173 --> 00:03:58,653 Speaker 3: stands has gone on to be one hundred and twenty 69 00:03:58,693 --> 00:04:03,013 Speaker 3: years thirty two matches, which includes two draws, but it 70 00:04:03,173 --> 00:04:08,413 Speaker 3: is a record that is few and far between. I 71 00:04:08,453 --> 00:04:12,173 Speaker 3: think the All Blacks are nineteen matches unbeaten at Murrayfield, 72 00:04:12,173 --> 00:04:17,933 Speaker 3: which is the second current longest single stadium unbeaten record 73 00:04:18,293 --> 00:04:21,893 Speaker 3: to Eden Park fifty two matches. But we've seen a 74 00:04:21,933 --> 00:04:24,133 Speaker 3: lot of historic first in recent times for the All Blacks, 75 00:04:24,133 --> 00:04:27,333 Speaker 3: haven't we The first home series lost to Ireland, the 76 00:04:27,413 --> 00:04:30,333 Speaker 3: first home and away losses to Argentina, the heaviest defeat 77 00:04:30,373 --> 00:04:32,973 Speaker 3: in history to the Spring Boks. And it's a massive 78 00:04:32,973 --> 00:04:35,813 Speaker 3: occasion around Murrayfield this week, one hundred years that they 79 00:04:35,813 --> 00:04:39,453 Speaker 3: are celebrating. I'm sure there'll be something special in the 80 00:04:39,533 --> 00:04:43,213 Speaker 3: works there, so it'll be a big occasion and the 81 00:04:43,293 --> 00:04:47,613 Speaker 3: All Blacks are clearly on edge, and they paid Scotland 82 00:04:47,733 --> 00:04:50,813 Speaker 3: due respect by naming their strongest available team. 83 00:04:51,053 --> 00:04:54,453 Speaker 2: They have and so let's get into that team. Perhaps 84 00:04:55,173 --> 00:04:59,053 Speaker 2: not many surprises from the All Blacks leicestifying on Nook 85 00:04:59,093 --> 00:05:02,413 Speaker 2: who starts at center with no Jordi Barrett. Josh Loaul 86 00:05:02,453 --> 00:05:05,053 Speaker 2: comes into the second row with no Scott Barrett and 87 00:05:05,133 --> 00:05:07,733 Speaker 2: then Wallace the TV starts on the blindside flank in 88 00:05:07,813 --> 00:05:10,413 Speaker 2: place of Simon Parker. No room for him in the 89 00:05:10,493 --> 00:05:15,053 Speaker 2: twenty three are all together? Any surprises for you there 90 00:05:15,133 --> 00:05:17,133 Speaker 2: from the side of Scott Robinson's. 91 00:05:16,733 --> 00:05:19,413 Speaker 3: Name, not really. I thought there might be one tweak 92 00:05:19,533 --> 00:05:22,493 Speaker 3: at blindside flanker, but wasn't sure who that would be. 93 00:05:23,213 --> 00:05:25,853 Speaker 3: I do like the fact that Wallace TT comes into 94 00:05:25,893 --> 00:05:30,173 Speaker 3: the mix at blindside flanker. I think his favorite position 95 00:05:30,333 --> 00:05:33,373 Speaker 3: is number eight, but we've seen Peter Lukey emerge there 96 00:05:33,653 --> 00:05:37,133 Speaker 3: and Walla TT did make his mark as world right 97 00:05:37,653 --> 00:05:42,853 Speaker 3: Breakthrough Player of the Year last season. I think when 98 00:05:42,893 --> 00:05:45,293 Speaker 3: you stop and look at that blindside row, I think 99 00:05:45,533 --> 00:05:49,133 Speaker 3: Simon Parker has probably delivered largely from a defensive perspective, 100 00:05:49,173 --> 00:05:51,253 Speaker 3: but hasn't brought the ball carrying punch that the All 101 00:05:51,293 --> 00:05:54,573 Speaker 3: Blacks are looking for. He was very quiet against Ireland 102 00:05:54,613 --> 00:05:58,373 Speaker 3: in Chicago, and so tt I think delivers on the 103 00:05:58,453 --> 00:06:00,533 Speaker 3: ball carrying front, but probably has work to do on 104 00:06:00,613 --> 00:06:05,173 Speaker 3: the defensive side of the ball. So if we just 105 00:06:05,213 --> 00:06:07,733 Speaker 3: stop and look at the blindside position as a whole, 106 00:06:08,373 --> 00:06:11,773 Speaker 3: do you think the All Blacks are keeping Simon Parker 107 00:06:11,853 --> 00:06:16,213 Speaker 3: back for a tight physical test against England or is 108 00:06:16,293 --> 00:06:18,733 Speaker 3: it very much Satiti's to grab this weekend? 109 00:06:19,813 --> 00:06:22,733 Speaker 2: I think lim there there is a giment he made 110 00:06:22,813 --> 00:06:26,253 Speaker 2: that Stititi could grab the jersey this weekend. It's not 111 00:06:26,333 --> 00:06:28,373 Speaker 2: out of the realms of possibility. We saw him play 112 00:06:28,373 --> 00:06:31,053 Speaker 2: a lot there last year at blind Side when he 113 00:06:31,093 --> 00:06:33,853 Speaker 2: first came into the All Blacks in Cape Town. He 114 00:06:33,973 --> 00:06:36,493 Speaker 2: started there, he had it throughout the rest of the 115 00:06:36,573 --> 00:06:38,213 Speaker 2: year and then moved into number eight late on the 116 00:06:38,293 --> 00:06:40,653 Speaker 2: end of the year two. And then also this year, 117 00:06:41,093 --> 00:06:43,053 Speaker 2: And I've said a couple of times on this podcast 118 00:06:43,093 --> 00:06:45,773 Speaker 2: that I don't think he's quite reached the heights of 119 00:06:45,893 --> 00:06:48,653 Speaker 2: last year through those injuries and maybe came back a 120 00:06:48,693 --> 00:06:51,293 Speaker 2: little bit too early from the injuries that he did have. 121 00:06:51,693 --> 00:06:54,933 Speaker 2: So I think it's there for the taking for him. 122 00:06:55,013 --> 00:06:57,333 Speaker 2: I wouldn't rule out Simon Parker if I'm playing at Twickenham. 123 00:06:57,493 --> 00:07:00,373 Speaker 2: He brings those that skill set you mentioned, and you 124 00:07:00,413 --> 00:07:01,893 Speaker 2: know it's going to be a dogged game. You would 125 00:07:01,893 --> 00:07:04,373 Speaker 2: suspected Twickenham you're going to need that tackle. You know 126 00:07:04,773 --> 00:07:08,493 Speaker 2: someone's going to tackle whatever comes at him, so very 127 00:07:08,493 --> 00:07:12,013 Speaker 2: well switch around again next week. So look, I think 128 00:07:12,013 --> 00:07:14,693 Speaker 2: it's a big opportunity for TT because you look at 129 00:07:14,733 --> 00:07:17,973 Speaker 2: their loose Ford trio Lucky sa Vegas, the TV has 130 00:07:18,013 --> 00:07:21,613 Speaker 2: a real you know, not only the All Blacks of 131 00:07:21,653 --> 00:07:23,813 Speaker 2: the future, the loose Ford trio, but of the out 132 00:07:23,853 --> 00:07:26,173 Speaker 2: and it could be their combination for the next couple 133 00:07:26,213 --> 00:07:29,213 Speaker 2: of years. But you know, I think there's still a 134 00:07:29,333 --> 00:07:32,333 Speaker 2: question mark. I think it's a tit whether he is 135 00:07:32,373 --> 00:07:35,013 Speaker 2: at full fitness and whether he could probably use a 136 00:07:35,053 --> 00:07:37,493 Speaker 2: bit of a super ruggie preseason to get him up 137 00:07:37,493 --> 00:07:39,653 Speaker 2: to speed again. So I wouldn't rule that Parker from 138 00:07:39,933 --> 00:07:42,973 Speaker 2: being an immediate switch next week. The concern I do 139 00:07:43,253 --> 00:07:45,493 Speaker 2: have around this All Blacks team is the fact that 140 00:07:45,573 --> 00:07:49,173 Speaker 2: they have sort of robbed the bench a little bit 141 00:07:49,813 --> 00:07:51,293 Speaker 2: to bolster their starting side. 142 00:07:51,333 --> 00:07:53,933 Speaker 3: What do you say, rob Peter to pay Paul exactly right. 143 00:07:55,093 --> 00:07:58,333 Speaker 2: That's the worry I do have, because they found a 144 00:07:58,413 --> 00:08:00,453 Speaker 2: combination that worked for them really well. Last week off 145 00:08:00,493 --> 00:08:02,853 Speaker 2: the bench now firing and Nook, you played longer minutes 146 00:08:02,853 --> 00:08:04,613 Speaker 2: than you would expect of a bench player. So to 147 00:08:05,213 --> 00:08:07,453 Speaker 2: Josh Lord Wallast had to come on the first spell 148 00:08:07,533 --> 00:08:11,053 Speaker 2: for Parker when you want with Hia. So it wasn't 149 00:08:11,133 --> 00:08:14,853 Speaker 2: quite like a you know, here's the changes around the 150 00:08:15,333 --> 00:08:18,373 Speaker 2: fifty five minute mark that will roll out. But I 151 00:08:18,453 --> 00:08:20,933 Speaker 2: think they struck on something last week and then this 152 00:08:21,053 --> 00:08:23,333 Speaker 2: week they go back and change it and Saddi's into 153 00:08:23,373 --> 00:08:25,813 Speaker 2: the starting side, Karef he comes on the bench, Billy 154 00:08:25,933 --> 00:08:30,253 Speaker 2: Proctor comes in to cover midfield. So this bench to 155 00:08:30,293 --> 00:08:32,813 Speaker 2: me doesn't look as strong as it was last week. 156 00:08:32,933 --> 00:08:36,053 Speaker 2: You've still got you gonna think the front row is 157 00:08:36,213 --> 00:08:38,213 Speaker 2: very dynamic. You've got Sam Dowry who can add a 158 00:08:38,213 --> 00:08:41,053 Speaker 2: bit of punch in the second row as well. But 159 00:08:41,213 --> 00:08:45,173 Speaker 2: I would spect that just looking at the two benches 160 00:08:45,293 --> 00:08:47,853 Speaker 2: on previous weeks, you'd have to give the Chicago bench 161 00:08:47,933 --> 00:08:50,693 Speaker 2: the tech versus what we're potentially getting out of this 162 00:08:50,813 --> 00:08:52,133 Speaker 2: week's at Murrayfield. 163 00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:56,773 Speaker 3: Yeah. Absolutely, it felt like the All Blacks finally struck 164 00:08:56,853 --> 00:08:59,933 Speaker 3: gold with their bench and that's what really propelled them 165 00:09:00,413 --> 00:09:02,773 Speaker 3: over Ireland and allowed them to play the rugby that 166 00:09:03,173 --> 00:09:05,973 Speaker 3: they want to play, you know, up tempo, big ball carrying, 167 00:09:06,453 --> 00:09:09,453 Speaker 3: using the width off floating. That's the type of rugby 168 00:09:09,493 --> 00:09:11,333 Speaker 3: this All Black team is aspiring to play in it. 169 00:09:11,373 --> 00:09:13,573 Speaker 3: And that that punch really did come from the bench. 170 00:09:13,653 --> 00:09:16,413 Speaker 3: And so not only with Satisi going to the starting team, 171 00:09:16,453 --> 00:09:20,453 Speaker 3: but also fighting a Nuku. There's those were two of 172 00:09:20,573 --> 00:09:23,693 Speaker 3: your most influential players last week and they're not on 173 00:09:23,773 --> 00:09:27,493 Speaker 3: the bench. And yeah, I think, uh that the onus 174 00:09:28,293 --> 00:09:29,893 Speaker 3: is on the All Black spense to try and bring 175 00:09:30,013 --> 00:09:33,573 Speaker 3: that same punch, and it really does impress on the 176 00:09:33,613 --> 00:09:37,013 Speaker 3: All Blacks the need to start well because if they 177 00:09:37,093 --> 00:09:40,413 Speaker 3: fall behind, I don't have the same confidence in that bench. 178 00:09:40,493 --> 00:09:42,933 Speaker 3: And I look at a guy like Billy Proctor as well. 179 00:09:43,133 --> 00:09:47,213 Speaker 3: To me, that selection is a bit of a reward. 180 00:09:48,253 --> 00:09:50,453 Speaker 3: I want to you're all our next guy. I want 181 00:09:50,493 --> 00:09:54,573 Speaker 3: to keep you involved. I feel like Rikowan, he's probably 182 00:09:54,613 --> 00:09:57,533 Speaker 3: a better bench impact type player. He's a bigger body, 183 00:09:57,853 --> 00:10:01,973 Speaker 3: it's physical. Yeah, he hasn't been playing overly well, but 184 00:10:02,413 --> 00:10:05,733 Speaker 3: I don't know how much impact Billy Procter's going to 185 00:10:05,773 --> 00:10:07,773 Speaker 3: be able to bring. In Carefe as well. I think 186 00:10:07,893 --> 00:10:10,853 Speaker 3: has being found out to a certain degree there are 187 00:10:10,853 --> 00:10:14,253 Speaker 3: always question marks about his size. Those two guys could 188 00:10:14,333 --> 00:10:16,453 Speaker 3: prove me wrong. They might come on and Chrief. He 189 00:10:16,533 --> 00:10:19,453 Speaker 3: might have a massive impact at the breakdown. Proctor, could 190 00:10:20,453 --> 00:10:22,653 Speaker 3: you know, bring his skill set when that the game 191 00:10:22,733 --> 00:10:25,773 Speaker 3: opens up a little bit. But it does look like 192 00:10:26,013 --> 00:10:29,253 Speaker 3: a deep powered bench. So if Scotland can start well 193 00:10:29,493 --> 00:10:32,533 Speaker 3: and get a lead on, you know, and bride the occasion, 194 00:10:33,013 --> 00:10:35,253 Speaker 3: they could bear a red hot chance. Yeah. 195 00:10:35,573 --> 00:10:39,213 Speaker 2: As you mentioned, hundredth anniversary of murray Field being celebrated, 196 00:10:39,253 --> 00:10:41,573 Speaker 2: the All Blacks will be in white kit on the 197 00:10:41,653 --> 00:10:44,533 Speaker 2: weekends and Scotland and their home a dark blue a 198 00:10:44,613 --> 00:10:48,773 Speaker 2: commemorative a jersey they are wearing for this fixture. Just 199 00:10:48,853 --> 00:10:51,293 Speaker 2: looking at who's not so do you mention Rico Jwani there, 200 00:10:51,413 --> 00:10:53,733 Speaker 2: Luke Jacobson Sevresa going to go to the All Blacks 201 00:10:54,133 --> 00:10:57,733 Speaker 2: fifteen for the game against England A and Bath this week. 202 00:10:57,973 --> 00:11:00,133 Speaker 2: Those two players and Josh Berrow who's been with the 203 00:11:00,213 --> 00:11:02,773 Speaker 2: squad for the better part of the week also going 204 00:11:02,853 --> 00:11:05,653 Speaker 2: back to join the All Blacks fifteen. I'm a little 205 00:11:05,653 --> 00:11:07,413 Speaker 2: bit surprised they haven't seen a few more players now. 206 00:11:07,413 --> 00:11:09,333 Speaker 2: I guess you've got to have continencies around injuries. 207 00:11:09,453 --> 00:11:12,773 Speaker 3: Ruben Love is an obvious guy that has barely played 208 00:11:12,853 --> 00:11:13,253 Speaker 3: all year. 209 00:11:13,773 --> 00:11:16,773 Speaker 2: Antonine at Brown as well as you know clearly you 210 00:11:16,853 --> 00:11:19,493 Speaker 2: look at the loose the midfield combinations, he's not there 211 00:11:20,013 --> 00:11:22,133 Speaker 2: at the moment. He's well down the rung so need 212 00:11:22,213 --> 00:11:24,973 Speaker 2: some game time. A little bit surprising there that they 213 00:11:25,013 --> 00:11:27,773 Speaker 2: haven't perhaps gone and sent a people fumal players over. 214 00:11:27,973 --> 00:11:31,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, Angeline and Brown, I can kind of understand because 215 00:11:31,813 --> 00:11:33,933 Speaker 3: you're already down one midfielder, so it's a bit of 216 00:11:33,973 --> 00:11:37,773 Speaker 3: a risk. But Ruben Love, even if fin Lake Christie 217 00:11:37,773 --> 00:11:40,893 Speaker 3: to a degree, these guys aren't playing and they're going 218 00:11:40,933 --> 00:11:43,813 Speaker 3: to benefit from from playing, and you've got that team 219 00:11:44,933 --> 00:11:47,853 Speaker 3: matter of hours away on a train or a flight. 220 00:11:48,013 --> 00:11:50,893 Speaker 3: So yeah, I am surprised at that there's only a 221 00:11:50,973 --> 00:11:54,213 Speaker 3: couple there. I do just want to touch on Wallace 222 00:11:54,253 --> 00:11:57,213 Speaker 3: to Tit as well. It's not necessarily a new story, 223 00:11:57,373 --> 00:12:01,373 Speaker 3: is it, but there's some real symmetry to it coming 224 00:12:01,413 --> 00:12:04,333 Speaker 3: in to start this week in Scotland. It's a place 225 00:12:04,413 --> 00:12:08,293 Speaker 3: where his father, Simos Tit played in the early two 226 00:12:08,413 --> 00:12:14,733 Speaker 3: thousands for the Border Club, and there was Wallace retold 227 00:12:14,773 --> 00:12:18,533 Speaker 3: the story today about his mother having to return to 228 00:12:18,653 --> 00:12:22,653 Speaker 3: Samoa because her father was sick and Wallace was meant 229 00:12:22,693 --> 00:12:24,813 Speaker 3: to be born in Scotland but was born in Samoa. 230 00:12:25,293 --> 00:12:28,773 Speaker 3: They then returned to Scotland and Wallace was named after 231 00:12:28,853 --> 00:12:33,693 Speaker 3: William Wallace, of course made famous through the movie Bravehearts, 232 00:12:33,773 --> 00:12:37,613 Speaker 3: but the Scottish war leader who helped drive out the 233 00:12:37,693 --> 00:12:43,013 Speaker 3: English and gain some form of independence because he loved 234 00:12:43,253 --> 00:12:47,133 Speaker 3: Brave Hearts. So it was obviously a nice story, isn't it. 235 00:12:47,213 --> 00:12:50,173 Speaker 3: And Wallace talked about doing the tour of Edinburgh Castle 236 00:12:50,253 --> 00:12:52,733 Speaker 3: and the connection. That's his first time back here since 237 00:12:52,813 --> 00:12:56,533 Speaker 3: coming back as a young lad, so I guess he'll 238 00:12:58,053 --> 00:13:01,013 Speaker 3: be hoping to be the complete opposite of a Scottish 239 00:13:01,253 --> 00:13:02,253 Speaker 3: war hero this weekend. 240 00:13:02,373 --> 00:13:06,053 Speaker 2: Yeah, lead the All Blacks in to battle and continue 241 00:13:06,093 --> 00:13:09,733 Speaker 2: that unbeaten record as well, just on Scotland naming there, 242 00:13:09,773 --> 00:13:13,213 Speaker 2: So a couple of surprises with them. No Duhan thunder 243 00:13:13,253 --> 00:13:16,533 Speaker 2: Moeuver on the wing. A little bit of a surprise there. 244 00:13:16,573 --> 00:13:19,333 Speaker 2: They've got very good Darcy Graham on one wing, Kyle 245 00:13:19,373 --> 00:13:22,373 Speaker 2: Stain on the other. Took a lot to their captain 246 00:13:22,413 --> 00:13:26,573 Speaker 2: at second five. No Xander Fagason as well out through injury, 247 00:13:26,693 --> 00:13:28,853 Speaker 2: the same injury or one of the injuries that kept 248 00:13:28,933 --> 00:13:33,373 Speaker 2: him out of British Irrish Lions two in the midyear 249 00:13:34,373 --> 00:13:36,613 Speaker 2: series as well. It was hoped he might recover in 250 00:13:36,693 --> 00:13:39,333 Speaker 2: time for this game, but not to be Ki bourn 251 00:13:39,413 --> 00:13:42,213 Speaker 2: or New Zealand born Tom Jordan on the bench in 252 00:13:42,293 --> 00:13:46,213 Speaker 2: a six to two bench split the year as well. Look, 253 00:13:46,253 --> 00:13:49,253 Speaker 2: they've got some enterprising backs Scotland and you look at 254 00:13:49,253 --> 00:13:53,173 Speaker 2: that combination. Fin Russell at ten can do anything with 255 00:13:53,893 --> 00:13:56,733 Speaker 2: the way that he plays. So if they get the ball, 256 00:13:56,853 --> 00:14:00,133 Speaker 2: as Mike question, because I suspect you looking at the 257 00:14:00,413 --> 00:14:02,733 Speaker 2: front rows and the All Blacks pack, they should have 258 00:14:02,773 --> 00:14:05,373 Speaker 2: the better of the Scottish back But if they can 259 00:14:05,413 --> 00:14:09,013 Speaker 2: gain parity there at the very least, Scotland the likes 260 00:14:09,053 --> 00:14:12,053 Speaker 2: of Russell and tweet Alto and Darcy Graham and Kinghorn 261 00:14:12,573 --> 00:14:14,173 Speaker 2: to have a real sale on Saturday afternoon. 262 00:14:14,893 --> 00:14:16,733 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the All Blacks will definitely come for 263 00:14:16,813 --> 00:14:18,933 Speaker 3: them up front, particularly at the scrum. We saw them. 264 00:14:19,893 --> 00:14:23,613 Speaker 3: We've seen them weaponize it against most opposition probably other 265 00:14:23,693 --> 00:14:25,693 Speaker 3: than the spring Box. This year. They really started to 266 00:14:25,773 --> 00:14:27,933 Speaker 3: turn the screws and that helped them turn the tide 267 00:14:27,933 --> 00:14:31,453 Speaker 3: against Ireland last week. So that'll be a real focal 268 00:14:31,493 --> 00:14:35,253 Speaker 3: platform I think for the All Blacks. Hugh Jones a 269 00:14:35,333 --> 00:14:39,973 Speaker 3: big out for Scotland, very classy center, so a big 270 00:14:40,053 --> 00:14:43,093 Speaker 3: loss for them there. Staying on the wing, I think 271 00:14:43,573 --> 00:14:49,173 Speaker 3: he's an underrated presence. Hutchinson. Just reading Charlie Phoenix Charlie 272 00:14:49,213 --> 00:14:53,413 Speaker 3: Morgan sorry from well known English rugby you know, got 273 00:14:53,453 --> 00:14:56,453 Speaker 3: big raps on him saying he's one of the best 274 00:14:56,493 --> 00:15:00,053 Speaker 3: GameLine ball players in the English Premiership for Northampton, so 275 00:15:00,853 --> 00:15:03,693 Speaker 3: interesting to see how he goes. My question to you 276 00:15:03,933 --> 00:15:06,573 Speaker 3: is there's been a lot made and it's very true 277 00:15:06,653 --> 00:15:11,013 Speaker 3: that Scotland's very different Northern Hemisphere team, particularly a rustle 278 00:15:11,053 --> 00:15:14,013 Speaker 3: at ten. They use the ball, they attack, they're quite 279 00:15:14,773 --> 00:15:17,853 Speaker 3: innovative and dynamic. But is there a risk that that 280 00:15:18,013 --> 00:15:20,093 Speaker 3: plays into All Back's hands as well that's how they 281 00:15:20,173 --> 00:15:20,613 Speaker 3: want to play. 282 00:15:20,813 --> 00:15:23,293 Speaker 2: Quite possibly, we've seen the All Blacks really be pressured 283 00:15:23,293 --> 00:15:27,493 Speaker 2: when they put under aerial attack this year and the 284 00:15:27,573 --> 00:15:29,813 Speaker 2: fact that they that Scotland are more likely to run 285 00:15:30,093 --> 00:15:32,733 Speaker 2: at the All Blacks there's likely to be more broken 286 00:15:32,773 --> 00:15:35,133 Speaker 2: space opportunities then that could well play into the All 287 00:15:35,173 --> 00:15:37,653 Speaker 2: Black's hands. We haven't seen the All Blacks at their 288 00:15:37,693 --> 00:15:40,893 Speaker 2: best on attack probably for the last year, eighteen months 289 00:15:41,013 --> 00:15:44,733 Speaker 2: or so they've had moments. There's good moments against Ireland, 290 00:15:46,333 --> 00:15:49,333 Speaker 2: but more often than not, teams have realized that the 291 00:15:49,373 --> 00:15:52,053 Speaker 2: way to putting pressure under them is bombarding the early 292 00:15:52,453 --> 00:15:55,613 Speaker 2: aerial attack and just stunting some of those opportunities the 293 00:15:55,653 --> 00:15:57,173 Speaker 2: All Blacks have. So I could play into the All 294 00:15:57,173 --> 00:15:59,893 Speaker 2: Blacks hands if both teams are willing to run. Not 295 00:15:59,933 --> 00:16:01,413 Speaker 2: necessarily saying the All Blacks are going to be better 296 00:16:01,493 --> 00:16:03,573 Speaker 2: at it, but they will like the fact that they're 297 00:16:03,613 --> 00:16:07,413 Speaker 2: not being forced to try and catch high balls every 298 00:16:07,453 --> 00:16:11,213 Speaker 2: two seconds. So you know Scotland that methods work for 299 00:16:11,253 --> 00:16:13,653 Speaker 2: them and the Six Nations to an extent, whether it 300 00:16:13,693 --> 00:16:16,013 Speaker 2: works against the All Blacks, I think the jury's out 301 00:16:16,053 --> 00:16:16,453 Speaker 2: a little bit. 302 00:16:17,213 --> 00:16:21,933 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the occasion, the way Scotland play it 303 00:16:21,973 --> 00:16:24,653 Speaker 3: could go one or two ways. Russell's the type of 304 00:16:24,693 --> 00:16:28,493 Speaker 3: guy that can can be hot and cold as well, 305 00:16:28,573 --> 00:16:30,453 Speaker 3: can be a wee bit erratic when he's on. He's 306 00:16:30,493 --> 00:16:35,333 Speaker 3: on his running game, his short kicking game is lethal, 307 00:16:35,893 --> 00:16:40,133 Speaker 3: but he's quite nonchalant, quite hard to predict, and that 308 00:16:40,413 --> 00:16:43,373 Speaker 3: can go one or two ways. So I think he'll 309 00:16:43,413 --> 00:16:46,493 Speaker 3: be right up for this, but Scotland not at full 310 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:50,653 Speaker 3: strength and if things don't go to plan. The All 311 00:16:50,693 --> 00:16:54,653 Speaker 3: Blacks haven't been their best on counter attack, but you 312 00:16:54,773 --> 00:16:57,973 Speaker 3: think of fighting a knooker or even a levera Ricardo 313 00:16:58,293 --> 00:17:03,853 Speaker 3: swooping on some loose ball, bone barretts, little kicks and behind. 314 00:17:04,733 --> 00:17:09,533 Speaker 3: I think the way Scotland play will certainly plan into 315 00:17:09,573 --> 00:17:11,733 Speaker 3: their hands more than say in England next week, who 316 00:17:11,773 --> 00:17:14,373 Speaker 3: will be expected to kick a lot look to grind 317 00:17:14,413 --> 00:17:17,893 Speaker 3: the All Blacks frustrate them. I think Ill Blacks will 318 00:17:17,893 --> 00:17:20,053 Speaker 3: probably relish playing Scotland more than they will England. 319 00:17:20,173 --> 00:17:22,213 Speaker 2: Prediction time, what do you reckon Saturday afternoon. 320 00:17:23,213 --> 00:17:27,253 Speaker 3: I'm gonna say it goes to history and scripts. Gilbacks 321 00:17:27,293 --> 00:17:32,693 Speaker 3: will preserve the unbeaten records and they'll win by ten points. 322 00:17:33,213 --> 00:17:35,973 Speaker 2: Yeah, I have the All Blacks by twelve. I think 323 00:17:35,973 --> 00:17:37,613 Speaker 2: it'd be a close game, but I think the All 324 00:17:37,613 --> 00:17:39,773 Speaker 2: Blacks will just be a little bit too clinical, a 325 00:17:39,813 --> 00:17:41,853 Speaker 2: little bit too good, and that'll be enough for the victory. 326 00:17:41,973 --> 00:17:45,533 Speaker 2: On Saturday afternoon Sunday morning in New Zealand time, you 327 00:17:45,533 --> 00:17:47,493 Speaker 2: can hear the commentary live on News Talk ZBI, gold 328 00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:50,613 Speaker 2: Sport and iHeartRadio from four am. Chuck it under the 329 00:17:50,653 --> 00:17:54,053 Speaker 2: Polo Ford your company there and myself and liamb. We 330 00:17:54,093 --> 00:17:56,813 Speaker 2: will catch you early part of next week as we 331 00:17:57,013 --> 00:17:59,893 Speaker 2: look ahead and wrap up the Second Test, look ahead 332 00:17:59,893 --> 00:18:02,893 Speaker 2: of the Third Test in London next weekend. That has 333 00:18:02,933 --> 00:18:06,573 Speaker 2: been Rugby Direct, powered by our good friends at Excess Solutions, 334 00:18:06,613 --> 00:18:08,773 Speaker 2: celebrating twenty five years business. 335 00:18:13,133 --> 00:18:16,013 Speaker 1: For more from News talkst B, listen live on air 336 00:18:16,253 --> 00:18:18,893 Speaker 1: or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you 337 00:18:19,013 --> 00:18:21,413 Speaker 1: go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio