1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,973 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B. 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:19,373 --> 00:00:29,493 Speaker 2: Straight down the Middle Guy, try. 4 00:00:28,733 --> 00:00:32,413 Speaker 1: To get inside the game from every end goal. It's 5 00:00:32,533 --> 00:00:36,333 Speaker 1: Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered by 6 00:00:36,373 --> 00:00:37,173 Speaker 1: News Talks EDB. 7 00:00:38,173 --> 00:00:40,933 Speaker 3: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio Book 8 00:00:40,973 --> 00:00:44,573 Speaker 3: today and stay in the game. Rugby Direct back for 9 00:00:44,813 --> 00:00:48,533 Speaker 3: another week Monday and Thursday. First edition of the Week. 10 00:00:48,933 --> 00:00:52,293 Speaker 3: Elliot Smith with me is Nick Bewley, who's kept his 11 00:00:52,373 --> 00:00:55,693 Speaker 3: phone on once again and answered the call. You know 12 00:00:55,773 --> 00:00:58,293 Speaker 3: you Liam Napier fans out there. I'm sorry, but he's 13 00:00:58,293 --> 00:01:01,133 Speaker 3: just not quite right ready to go after breaking his wrist. 14 00:01:01,213 --> 00:01:03,813 Speaker 3: So we're great grateful to have Bulls back in the 15 00:01:04,093 --> 00:01:05,133 Speaker 3: hot seat again. Welcome in. 16 00:01:05,533 --> 00:01:06,773 Speaker 4: Hey, thanks Elliott. 17 00:01:06,813 --> 00:01:09,613 Speaker 2: I understand actually lives more to do with the canes 18 00:01:09,653 --> 00:01:13,453 Speaker 2: to results than as a rest, but maybe we'll get 19 00:01:13,453 --> 00:01:14,093 Speaker 2: to that in a minute. 20 00:01:14,093 --> 00:01:16,733 Speaker 3: Absolutely, he's got a lot to pay for on Thursday 21 00:01:16,733 --> 00:01:19,133 Speaker 3: if he does come back for that episode. Let's roll 22 00:01:19,133 --> 00:01:21,493 Speaker 3: through the weekend that was and what a weekend and 23 00:01:21,933 --> 00:01:25,613 Speaker 3: in many ways before we dive into each individual game. Mules, 24 00:01:25,693 --> 00:01:28,053 Speaker 3: I think the story from New zeal perspective, at least 25 00:01:28,053 --> 00:01:30,773 Speaker 3: for me, was just the wastefulness of the New Zealand teams, 26 00:01:30,853 --> 00:01:34,333 Speaker 3: maybe apart from the Crusaders for obvious reasons, but there 27 00:01:34,373 --> 00:01:36,933 Speaker 3: was a lot of wasted opportunities I thought over the 28 00:01:36,933 --> 00:01:40,013 Speaker 3: course of the weekend, and that includes more one pacifica 29 00:01:40,093 --> 00:01:42,933 Speaker 3: on Friday night. But I thought the Highlanders, the Hurricanes, 30 00:01:43,013 --> 00:01:46,813 Speaker 3: the Chiefs, the Blues were all particularly wasteful and the 31 00:01:46,853 --> 00:01:49,853 Speaker 3: opportunities and the amount of ball they did have. What 32 00:01:49,893 --> 00:01:51,453 Speaker 3: did you take out of the weekend? 33 00:01:51,773 --> 00:01:54,613 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a great summary. Actually you look at I mean, 34 00:01:54,773 --> 00:01:56,213 Speaker 2: I've just got some notes in front of me here 35 00:01:56,253 --> 00:01:58,613 Speaker 2: around the Blues, you know, they had more line breaks. 36 00:01:59,773 --> 00:02:02,253 Speaker 2: They led what twenty seven eighteen with ten to play, 37 00:02:02,293 --> 00:02:04,973 Speaker 2: couldn't get the job done, gave away sixteen penalty, So 38 00:02:05,013 --> 00:02:10,133 Speaker 2: that ticks that wasteful element to the Chiefs fourteen al 39 00:02:10,173 --> 00:02:13,173 Speaker 2: after nine minutes, twenty one seven after twenty three minutes, 40 00:02:13,293 --> 00:02:16,333 Speaker 2: couldn't get the job done. The Canes had a good start. 41 00:02:16,373 --> 00:02:18,693 Speaker 2: They had twelve entries into the drewers twenty two. I 42 00:02:18,733 --> 00:02:21,453 Speaker 2: only came away with a couple of tries. All been 43 00:02:21,533 --> 00:02:25,853 Speaker 2: in horrific conditions. Wasteful and the Highland is thirty one 44 00:02:25,893 --> 00:02:29,013 Speaker 2: missed tackles. You're going to be hard pressed to win 45 00:02:29,053 --> 00:02:32,253 Speaker 2: any game when you miss that amount of tackles. So yeah, 46 00:02:32,253 --> 00:02:35,053 Speaker 2: I mean kudos to the Australian teams, particularly the Brumbis 47 00:02:35,413 --> 00:02:38,533 Speaker 2: and the Reds for putting away the Blues and the 48 00:02:38,653 --> 00:02:40,133 Speaker 2: Highlanders respectively. 49 00:02:40,253 --> 00:02:42,453 Speaker 4: But yeah, I would. 50 00:02:42,213 --> 00:02:45,013 Speaker 2: Have thought the Monday Morning Sessions and many of these 51 00:02:45,053 --> 00:02:47,533 Speaker 2: New Zealand Super Raypy franchises, there will be some pretty 52 00:02:47,573 --> 00:02:51,413 Speaker 2: frank discussions. I know it's round three, but about an 53 00:02:51,453 --> 00:02:56,293 Speaker 2: inability to execute and stack moments, because yeah, you feel 54 00:02:56,293 --> 00:02:58,333 Speaker 2: like these are some results that could come back to 55 00:02:58,653 --> 00:03:01,413 Speaker 2: haunt some teams. We can see already how close I 56 00:03:01,453 --> 00:03:03,933 Speaker 2: think this competition is going to be. I know probably 57 00:03:03,933 --> 00:03:06,253 Speaker 2: made similar comments twelve months ago after the starts and 58 00:03:06,293 --> 00:03:09,053 Speaker 2: some of the Australian teams made But like the Brumbies 59 00:03:09,093 --> 00:03:11,613 Speaker 2: have improved, the Waratahs have improved, there's some signs of 60 00:03:11,653 --> 00:03:14,493 Speaker 2: life there at the Reds as well. New Zealand teams 61 00:03:14,533 --> 00:03:17,733 Speaker 2: can l afford to be two sloppy early doors and 62 00:03:17,773 --> 00:03:19,933 Speaker 2: then be chasing in the later rounds of the seasons. 63 00:03:20,013 --> 00:03:22,053 Speaker 3: One percent, Well, let's start with the Brumbies Blues the 64 00:03:22,053 --> 00:03:24,373 Speaker 3: final game of the round and work our way backwards, 65 00:03:24,413 --> 00:03:27,733 Speaker 3: and as you mentioned there, the Blues had a twenty 66 00:03:27,733 --> 00:03:31,613 Speaker 3: seven eighteen lead late in the game. This was veering 67 00:03:31,693 --> 00:03:35,653 Speaker 3: into game done, job done territory for the Blues with 68 00:03:35,853 --> 00:03:38,133 Speaker 3: ten minutes to go, they just need to really shut 69 00:03:38,173 --> 00:03:41,013 Speaker 3: it down. But that stacking on moments then they you 70 00:03:41,013 --> 00:03:43,173 Speaker 3: should be able to close the game out from that 71 00:03:43,253 --> 00:03:45,533 Speaker 3: point up with ten to play. Yes, the Brumbies is 72 00:03:45,653 --> 00:03:48,733 Speaker 3: exceptionally well to come back and win with those too 73 00:03:48,813 --> 00:03:50,813 Speaker 3: late tries, But I think the Blues will be kicking 74 00:03:50,813 --> 00:03:54,693 Speaker 3: themselves for a missed opportunity in Canberra because they've played 75 00:03:54,733 --> 00:03:57,373 Speaker 3: some good rugby to that point, but they basically it's 76 00:03:57,453 --> 00:04:01,053 Speaker 3: led it undo itself over the last ten minutes You 77 00:04:01,093 --> 00:04:04,093 Speaker 3: mentioned some of those stats before. The Blues had three 78 00:04:04,213 --> 00:04:07,813 Speaker 3: hundred and sixty three post contact meters versus two hundred 79 00:04:07,853 --> 00:04:11,133 Speaker 3: and fifty two two from the Brumbies. They were more 80 00:04:11,173 --> 00:04:13,733 Speaker 3: impressive with ball in hand, I thought, than the Brumbies 81 00:04:13,733 --> 00:04:15,373 Speaker 3: for long periods of the game, but they just played 82 00:04:15,413 --> 00:04:19,213 Speaker 3: some dumb rugby in the closing stages and didn't seem 83 00:04:19,293 --> 00:04:20,653 Speaker 3: to know how to lock it down. 84 00:04:21,333 --> 00:04:24,373 Speaker 2: Yes, certainly, I mean that Stephen peifetta yellow card was 85 00:04:24,773 --> 00:04:28,013 Speaker 2: a blow as well, and perhaps that just exacerbated the 86 00:04:28,053 --> 00:04:31,373 Speaker 2: issues around the inability to close out a game, not 87 00:04:31,493 --> 00:04:34,773 Speaker 2: having the key sort of general there in the first 88 00:04:34,813 --> 00:04:37,253 Speaker 2: five position. But it was a huge momentum swing. Then 89 00:04:37,293 --> 00:04:41,413 Speaker 2: the Luke Rymer try and then that constant pressure and 90 00:04:41,493 --> 00:04:44,413 Speaker 2: type from the Brumbies finally told with Charlie Cale getting 91 00:04:44,413 --> 00:04:47,133 Speaker 2: over after the siren. But yeah, absolutely right, it's a 92 00:04:47,133 --> 00:04:49,853 Speaker 2: really hard place to go and get a result in Canberra. 93 00:04:50,013 --> 00:04:52,613 Speaker 2: That the Blues put themselves in a really good position 94 00:04:53,093 --> 00:04:56,213 Speaker 2: and it all came unstuck from that last ten and 95 00:04:56,733 --> 00:04:59,093 Speaker 2: now we're looking at a team that is one and 96 00:04:59,173 --> 00:05:04,213 Speaker 2: two and has the old foe the Crusaders, who have 97 00:05:04,293 --> 00:05:07,493 Speaker 2: all of a sudden found form up next at Eden Park. 98 00:05:07,693 --> 00:05:11,733 Speaker 2: So yeah, a head scratcher, to say the least for 99 00:05:12,133 --> 00:05:14,773 Speaker 2: the Blues and vern Codder. And I mentioned that that 100 00:05:14,853 --> 00:05:17,333 Speaker 2: penalty count again, and I know some in Blues country 101 00:05:17,373 --> 00:05:20,413 Speaker 2: will go, how on earth have they ended up conceding 102 00:05:20,533 --> 00:05:24,133 Speaker 2: double the amount of penalties sixteen to eight compared to 103 00:05:24,173 --> 00:05:24,693 Speaker 2: the Brumbies. 104 00:05:24,693 --> 00:05:25,693 Speaker 4: But at the same time, to. 105 00:05:25,693 --> 00:05:28,493 Speaker 2: You, you've got to adjust, you know, we can hear 106 00:05:28,533 --> 00:05:31,253 Speaker 2: on the communication and our radio commentaries and also on 107 00:05:31,293 --> 00:05:35,733 Speaker 2: the TV broadcast, how clear the referees by and large 108 00:05:35,813 --> 00:05:39,973 Speaker 2: are in terms of not necessarily educating, but certainly telling 109 00:05:40,013 --> 00:05:43,773 Speaker 2: the players or telling the captain why they're giving why 110 00:05:43,773 --> 00:05:45,973 Speaker 2: he keeps blowing his whistle for penalties. You've got to 111 00:05:45,973 --> 00:05:48,173 Speaker 2: make those adjustments, whether it's in and around the breakdown, 112 00:05:48,173 --> 00:05:51,613 Speaker 2: whether it's offside calls. And it just felt like the 113 00:05:51,613 --> 00:05:53,533 Speaker 2: Blues didn't take enough care there. 114 00:05:53,613 --> 00:05:56,253 Speaker 3: No, they didn't, and touring a fussy at scrum time 115 00:05:56,453 --> 00:05:59,013 Speaker 3: had a few issues as well. Just couldn't seem to 116 00:05:59,893 --> 00:06:03,693 Speaker 3: match up against rees var Neck of the Brumbies very well. 117 00:06:03,773 --> 00:06:07,533 Speaker 3: We got pinned two maybe three times over the course 118 00:06:07,733 --> 00:06:10,253 Speaker 3: of that game. Tonga Farsi switching back to the loose 119 00:06:10,293 --> 00:06:13,173 Speaker 3: head's side this week up against von Neck, you'd expect 120 00:06:13,253 --> 00:06:16,133 Speaker 3: Tonga Fasi to get the best probably of that battle 121 00:06:16,213 --> 00:06:19,053 Speaker 3: with an all Black up against a super rugby player. 122 00:06:19,093 --> 00:06:23,453 Speaker 3: But whether it was the positioning going back to Lewis 123 00:06:23,453 --> 00:06:25,493 Speaker 3: said this week after playing a couple of leagues at tighthead, 124 00:06:25,493 --> 00:06:27,853 Speaker 3: I'm not sure, but Tongue Fuszi couldn't get there and 125 00:06:27,853 --> 00:06:30,173 Speaker 3: it was probably symptomatic of the Blues issues as you 126 00:06:30,173 --> 00:06:32,613 Speaker 3: say there, they just didn't learn their lessons over the 127 00:06:32,613 --> 00:06:34,653 Speaker 3: course of the game. Per a feather comes undone with 128 00:06:34,693 --> 00:06:37,813 Speaker 3: that lake yellow for the off side, and they invited 129 00:06:37,813 --> 00:06:40,053 Speaker 3: the Brumbies back into the contest and they were good 130 00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:42,693 Speaker 3: enough to blow through that barn door. As we saw 131 00:06:42,733 --> 00:06:45,613 Speaker 3: the previous week in christ Church. Charlie Kale, what a 132 00:06:45,653 --> 00:06:49,573 Speaker 3: season he's having already for the Brumbies gets the winner 133 00:06:49,573 --> 00:06:51,773 Speaker 3: and you know, the Brumbies sitting pretty top of the 134 00:06:51,813 --> 00:06:55,613 Speaker 3: table three from three. They're playing some some really good 135 00:06:55,653 --> 00:06:58,493 Speaker 3: rugby and as you said, Nick, the Blues have an 136 00:06:58,493 --> 00:07:01,253 Speaker 3: interesting trip back across the Tasman and again we'll get 137 00:07:01,293 --> 00:07:03,613 Speaker 3: to in just a half second to face the Crusaders 138 00:07:03,653 --> 00:07:04,013 Speaker 3: this week. 139 00:07:04,933 --> 00:07:07,453 Speaker 2: Yeah, it'll be fascinating to see how they bounce back. 140 00:07:07,453 --> 00:07:10,333 Speaker 2: Obviously it's a game they always get up for. Although 141 00:07:10,413 --> 00:07:12,453 Speaker 2: you look over the course of the history you call 142 00:07:12,493 --> 00:07:16,013 Speaker 2: it a rivalry. The Crusaders have certainly dominated in recent times. 143 00:07:16,053 --> 00:07:19,213 Speaker 2: But look, I expect the response. It's still a very 144 00:07:19,213 --> 00:07:22,813 Speaker 2: good scene in the Blues one and two. But yeah, 145 00:07:23,093 --> 00:07:25,773 Speaker 2: as I mentioned before, there'll be some pretty frank discussions 146 00:07:26,013 --> 00:07:29,533 Speaker 2: and I do wonder as Boat and Barrack close was 147 00:07:29,533 --> 00:07:30,413 Speaker 2: it round four was. 148 00:07:30,333 --> 00:07:32,013 Speaker 3: That Round four was what they said. Yeah, haven't had 149 00:07:32,053 --> 00:07:34,213 Speaker 3: an update from the Blues on that, but that was 150 00:07:34,253 --> 00:07:37,333 Speaker 3: certainly the target. So we'll see whether it gets introduced 151 00:07:37,373 --> 00:07:39,373 Speaker 3: this week. And mean he hasn't played any pre season. 152 00:07:39,533 --> 00:07:42,573 Speaker 3: The Chiefs took a guess, a softly softly approach with 153 00:07:42,693 --> 00:07:46,653 Speaker 3: Damien McKinzie, who is also off and hadn't played since Novembers, 154 00:07:46,733 --> 00:07:48,213 Speaker 3: or do they wait a week get them back for 155 00:07:48,853 --> 00:07:51,813 Speaker 3: Mwana pacifica nixt Sunday. It's going to be interesting to 156 00:07:51,813 --> 00:07:54,493 Speaker 3: see what the Blues do on that front. So let's 157 00:07:54,533 --> 00:07:56,613 Speaker 3: go back to seven oh five on Saturday nights and 158 00:07:56,653 --> 00:08:00,693 Speaker 3: the Crusaders beating the Chiefs forty three thirty three. Nick. 159 00:08:00,693 --> 00:08:02,653 Speaker 3: I don't know about you, but at twenty one seven 160 00:08:02,733 --> 00:08:04,893 Speaker 3: down for the Crusaders and fourteen neel prior to that, 161 00:08:05,413 --> 00:08:07,773 Speaker 3: it felt like it was deja vous from the week 162 00:08:07,813 --> 00:08:09,613 Speaker 3: previously they were going to get blown out to the 163 00:08:09,653 --> 00:08:12,333 Speaker 3: tune of fifty. Well, as it happened, the Crusader's almost 164 00:08:12,333 --> 00:08:15,853 Speaker 3: put fifty on their home team the Chiefs this week 165 00:08:16,653 --> 00:08:20,133 Speaker 3: utterly fascinating game but one of the certainly the best 166 00:08:20,173 --> 00:08:21,893 Speaker 3: game of the season for me so far. Best game 167 00:08:21,933 --> 00:08:24,853 Speaker 3: in a few years, I think, and just a game 168 00:08:24,893 --> 00:08:27,773 Speaker 3: that turned on a dime, and boy the Crusader shows 169 00:08:27,773 --> 00:08:29,413 Speaker 3: some grit to get back into that contest. 170 00:08:29,773 --> 00:08:30,853 Speaker 4: Yes, some real character. 171 00:08:31,173 --> 00:08:33,733 Speaker 2: I was like you, Ali, you think they conceded twenty 172 00:08:33,733 --> 00:08:36,533 Speaker 2: one points in minutes seventy three to eighty the week 173 00:08:36,573 --> 00:08:39,573 Speaker 2: prior against the Brumbies and they're down fourteen neil after 174 00:08:39,653 --> 00:08:40,893 Speaker 2: nine minutes against the Chiefs. 175 00:08:40,973 --> 00:08:41,173 Speaker 4: What's that? 176 00:08:41,293 --> 00:08:43,293 Speaker 2: Thirty five nel over the space of fifteen minutes of 177 00:08:43,373 --> 00:08:46,053 Speaker 2: rugby and you're starting to think, Yeah, the floodgates are 178 00:08:46,093 --> 00:08:47,653 Speaker 2: going to open here, their heads are going to drop. 179 00:08:48,533 --> 00:08:50,173 Speaker 2: And even again after they scored I think it was 180 00:08:50,173 --> 00:08:53,253 Speaker 2: George Bell, then they concede again Tackya twenty one seven. 181 00:08:53,253 --> 00:08:55,613 Speaker 2: I'm still thinking it was a long way back. From 182 00:08:55,653 --> 00:08:59,933 Speaker 2: minutes twenty four to seventy two, the Crusaders piled on 183 00:09:00,053 --> 00:09:03,733 Speaker 2: thirty six unanswered points. It was one of the more 184 00:09:03,773 --> 00:09:09,213 Speaker 2: remarkable comebacks I've seen with that context in mind, a 185 00:09:09,253 --> 00:09:11,493 Speaker 2: lot of turnover ball which made for a really sort 186 00:09:11,493 --> 00:09:15,613 Speaker 2: of helter skelter encounter, But it was when the Crusaders 187 00:09:15,613 --> 00:09:19,893 Speaker 2: were able to get some scrums basically both their own 188 00:09:19,933 --> 00:09:22,933 Speaker 2: feeds and against that they got some serious dominance through 189 00:09:22,973 --> 00:09:26,253 Speaker 2: to Mighty Williams and Fletcher Yule. I thought it was 190 00:09:26,293 --> 00:09:28,773 Speaker 2: one of Taha Keimena's best games at ten in terms 191 00:09:28,773 --> 00:09:31,853 Speaker 2: of his decision making. And then even though the line 192 00:09:31,893 --> 00:09:36,173 Speaker 2: out remained wobbly Ropie, indeed they were still able to 193 00:09:36,453 --> 00:09:39,733 Speaker 2: string some phases to get a stacked those moments and 194 00:09:40,213 --> 00:09:42,773 Speaker 2: be clinical when those opportunities presented themselves. 195 00:09:42,813 --> 00:09:45,173 Speaker 4: So huge credit to the Crusaders. 196 00:09:45,213 --> 00:09:47,173 Speaker 2: You know that they were saying all the messages when 197 00:09:47,173 --> 00:09:49,133 Speaker 2: I went to their media sessions last week that it's 198 00:09:49,173 --> 00:09:53,133 Speaker 2: not panic stations. We've had slow starts before, but you 199 00:09:53,173 --> 00:09:56,293 Speaker 2: can't help when a team gets put have fifty points 200 00:09:56,333 --> 00:09:58,453 Speaker 2: put on them to start thinking. Gee, was maybe this 201 00:09:58,533 --> 00:10:02,933 Speaker 2: isn't a vintage Crusader's side, but they silenced a few doubters, 202 00:10:02,933 --> 00:10:06,133 Speaker 2: made me eat my words. A few shout outs to 203 00:10:06,253 --> 00:10:09,333 Speaker 2: notes I thought of Christian Willie question Leo Willy. Of 204 00:10:09,413 --> 00:10:12,293 Speaker 2: course three tries can't be sneezed at, but his general 205 00:10:12,333 --> 00:10:15,453 Speaker 2: work create he seemed very busy after a pretty quiet 206 00:10:15,533 --> 00:10:18,613 Speaker 2: opening fortnite. I thought Dominant Gardner was very busy as well. 207 00:10:18,653 --> 00:10:21,093 Speaker 2: I know last week Alliot we talked about the Battle 208 00:10:21,093 --> 00:10:23,893 Speaker 2: of the background. I looked at you know, Jacobson and 209 00:10:24,253 --> 00:10:27,293 Speaker 2: Bosch here and Titi coming off the bench and the like, 210 00:10:27,333 --> 00:10:29,453 Speaker 2: and thought that the Chiefs would have their dominance. There 211 00:10:29,733 --> 00:10:33,773 Speaker 2: wasn't the case. And Chaffee hackey. I know this is 212 00:10:33,813 --> 00:10:37,973 Speaker 2: a player that all of a sudden sort of become 213 00:10:38,693 --> 00:10:41,013 Speaker 2: an option for the All Blacks in terms of carrying 214 00:10:41,013 --> 00:10:44,933 Speaker 2: tackle bags and the like and being drafted into extended squads. 215 00:10:44,933 --> 00:10:47,093 Speaker 2: And there was a few eyebrows raised around the country. 216 00:10:47,253 --> 00:10:50,853 Speaker 2: His ability in the air is up there with the 217 00:10:50,893 --> 00:10:53,973 Speaker 2: best in the country, if not the best, and it's 218 00:10:54,053 --> 00:10:55,813 Speaker 2: such an ass yet to have at this point in 219 00:10:55,853 --> 00:10:59,013 Speaker 2: time with the laws as they are written and the 220 00:10:59,733 --> 00:11:04,053 Speaker 2: proliferation of contestable kicks, particularly box kicks. He was superb 221 00:11:04,253 --> 00:11:09,413 Speaker 2: and yeah, hall of a win for the Crusaders And yeah, 222 00:11:09,453 --> 00:11:11,653 Speaker 2: I think on that score line the ten point margin 223 00:11:11,693 --> 00:11:14,493 Speaker 2: flatters the Chiefs because those last two tries the game 224 00:11:14,573 --> 00:11:14,813 Speaker 2: was done. 225 00:11:14,893 --> 00:11:17,773 Speaker 3: The game was done, and the Crusaders were down to fourteen. 226 00:11:17,773 --> 00:11:19,613 Speaker 3: They were chasing the game a little bit. But it 227 00:11:19,653 --> 00:11:22,293 Speaker 3: was a remarkable reminded me of the game last year 228 00:11:22,293 --> 00:11:26,173 Speaker 3: between the Box and Australia and the Rugby Championship with 229 00:11:26,173 --> 00:11:27,653 Speaker 3: a box came out with a hiss and a rar, 230 00:11:27,733 --> 00:11:29,813 Speaker 3: then all of a sudden, straight it's got a little 231 00:11:29,813 --> 00:11:31,773 Speaker 3: bit of a luck and just you know, broke through 232 00:11:32,013 --> 00:11:36,053 Speaker 3: the gates and stormed the castle and claimed the victory. 233 00:11:36,053 --> 00:11:39,213 Speaker 3: It was really much like that, and I think it's 234 00:11:39,213 --> 00:11:42,133 Speaker 3: a performance that the Crusaders continues to build their season on. 235 00:11:42,453 --> 00:11:44,333 Speaker 3: You mentioned a couple of players there. I was want 236 00:11:44,333 --> 00:11:47,013 Speaker 3: to touch on tahak Emata because he's been around that 237 00:11:47,013 --> 00:11:49,293 Speaker 3: Crusader's environment for a couple of seasons, obviously had that 238 00:11:49,333 --> 00:11:53,013 Speaker 3: injury last year, and there's been points you go, I 239 00:11:53,053 --> 00:11:55,573 Speaker 3: can sort of see what they're doing here with him 240 00:11:55,573 --> 00:11:58,533 Speaker 3: and see what attracted them to signing him in the 241 00:11:58,573 --> 00:12:00,813 Speaker 3: first place, out of out of high school, et cetera. 242 00:12:01,293 --> 00:12:02,973 Speaker 3: That was the kind of game where I thought, Okay, 243 00:12:03,013 --> 00:12:05,573 Speaker 3: I can see where they're going with this guy. And 244 00:12:05,893 --> 00:12:07,213 Speaker 3: I don't know whether you you know, call it a 245 00:12:07,213 --> 00:12:09,413 Speaker 3: coming of age game, whatever it might be, but I 246 00:12:09,413 --> 00:12:12,453 Speaker 3: thought it was a very very assured performance against Josh Jacob, 247 00:12:12,573 --> 00:12:14,453 Speaker 3: who's got a lot of plaudits and has been in 248 00:12:14,493 --> 00:12:17,813 Speaker 3: that allbacks conversation. I thought, Camera, it's only one game, 249 00:12:17,813 --> 00:12:19,573 Speaker 3: but I thought that was a very very impressive and 250 00:12:20,253 --> 00:12:22,573 Speaker 3: level headed showing from a play like him. 251 00:12:23,013 --> 00:12:25,013 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think you knowed it there with being an 252 00:12:25,053 --> 00:12:28,853 Speaker 2: assured performance wasn't necessarily flashy. But you hear a lot 253 00:12:30,053 --> 00:12:32,973 Speaker 2: about this this triple threat game, you know, run, pass, kick, 254 00:12:33,333 --> 00:12:36,293 Speaker 2: and I think he just had that balance right. He 255 00:12:36,413 --> 00:12:39,213 Speaker 2: did have the platform up front, and you can say 256 00:12:39,493 --> 00:12:41,933 Speaker 2: from there, you know, first five's look a heck of 257 00:12:41,973 --> 00:12:45,213 Speaker 2: a lot better when your Ford pack's going forward. But 258 00:12:45,773 --> 00:12:49,173 Speaker 2: I just thought it was a very very masterful performance 259 00:12:49,213 --> 00:12:52,213 Speaker 2: early days and look, this is just game or start 260 00:12:52,333 --> 00:12:56,133 Speaker 2: to sorry on the back of a ACL injury last year, 261 00:12:56,173 --> 00:12:57,973 Speaker 2: I think with time in the suttle, he's only going 262 00:12:58,053 --> 00:13:01,533 Speaker 2: to get better. I know Revers Raihanna that that injury 263 00:13:01,573 --> 00:13:03,853 Speaker 2: he had that's kept him sidelin the last couple of 264 00:13:03,893 --> 00:13:06,293 Speaker 2: weeks is considered on the minor side. But I feel 265 00:13:06,293 --> 00:13:08,653 Speaker 2: like this was always the way that the cruise as 266 00:13:08,693 --> 00:13:12,493 Speaker 2: we're heading with Kimina to starting Pats Rayhanna and insurance 267 00:13:12,533 --> 00:13:15,173 Speaker 2: policy off the bench. So no big, big praise for 268 00:13:15,253 --> 00:13:18,533 Speaker 2: Taha Keimena, and I hope it's just consistency from here 269 00:13:18,573 --> 00:13:20,453 Speaker 2: on and he can continue to pull the strings for 270 00:13:20,493 --> 00:13:21,413 Speaker 2: the remainder of the season. 271 00:13:21,613 --> 00:13:23,293 Speaker 3: There has been some news on that front this morning, 272 00:13:23,413 --> 00:13:26,093 Speaker 3: or on the on the suspension potentially front this morning. 273 00:13:26,093 --> 00:13:31,973 Speaker 3: To Mighty Williams sighted, Nick, you've scrolled back through the sky, 274 00:13:31,973 --> 00:13:35,693 Speaker 3: go the footage, the Zapruda film that the you know 275 00:13:35,773 --> 00:13:38,253 Speaker 3: everything like that. You've watched all the angles. It looks 276 00:13:38,253 --> 00:13:41,133 Speaker 3: like a dangerous clear out from to Mighty Williams on 277 00:13:41,213 --> 00:13:43,453 Speaker 3: a Chiefs player. So he's the only sighting out of 278 00:13:43,453 --> 00:13:45,693 Speaker 3: that game. And it was a pretty contentious game and 279 00:13:46,053 --> 00:13:48,213 Speaker 3: pretty fiery, wasn't it. We sort of halftime the two 280 00:13:48,293 --> 00:13:50,853 Speaker 3: sides coming together in a bit of back and forth. 281 00:13:51,133 --> 00:13:55,973 Speaker 3: Jared Prophet obviously with an unusual tackle on David Harvilli 282 00:13:56,093 --> 00:13:59,413 Speaker 3: at one point. There was some tension there. But interested 283 00:13:59,413 --> 00:14:01,613 Speaker 3: to see what happens with to Mighty Williams because he 284 00:14:01,693 --> 00:14:05,053 Speaker 3: was the only sighting or the only issue to come 285 00:14:05,053 --> 00:14:07,373 Speaker 3: out of that game. From a super rugby perspective. 286 00:14:07,133 --> 00:14:10,773 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, having poured up over that footage, it doesn't 287 00:14:10,813 --> 00:14:12,693 Speaker 2: look great for Toama Ti Williams. He's a big man, 288 00:14:12,773 --> 00:14:16,653 Speaker 2: but he's got reasonably low twopo. VI's got hands on 289 00:14:16,693 --> 00:14:20,613 Speaker 2: the ball trying to jackle turn over at the breakdown. 290 00:14:21,493 --> 00:14:25,173 Speaker 2: The contact looks near that head or neck region, so 291 00:14:25,333 --> 00:14:27,973 Speaker 2: we wait to see the news there. I must admit 292 00:14:28,253 --> 00:14:32,013 Speaker 2: I'm pretty surprised that Jared Prophet hasn't been sighted. It 293 00:14:32,053 --> 00:14:33,893 Speaker 2: was well off the ball, it was after the whistle. 294 00:14:34,853 --> 00:14:38,653 Speaker 2: He put Halvillly in a reasonably compromising position there beyond 295 00:14:38,653 --> 00:14:39,373 Speaker 2: the horizontal. 296 00:14:40,973 --> 00:14:41,773 Speaker 4: One point I would. 297 00:14:41,693 --> 00:14:44,453 Speaker 2: Make though, is that really did fire up the Crusaders. 298 00:14:45,133 --> 00:14:47,573 Speaker 2: It was sort of one in all in type areas, 299 00:14:47,813 --> 00:14:50,893 Speaker 2: and even well after halftime. I think Harvely might have 300 00:14:50,893 --> 00:14:53,093 Speaker 2: seen the footage on the big screen that the replays 301 00:14:53,093 --> 00:14:55,493 Speaker 2: and the like. He you know, walked up to profit 302 00:14:55,493 --> 00:14:58,053 Speaker 2: and still was unhappy. And I think it just a 303 00:14:58,053 --> 00:14:59,893 Speaker 2: little bit of a fire there for the Crusaders that 304 00:14:59,973 --> 00:15:04,453 Speaker 2: they used in that third quarter of the match after halftime. 305 00:15:04,573 --> 00:15:08,453 Speaker 2: So don't want to wake the beer, so to speak. 306 00:15:08,373 --> 00:15:11,253 Speaker 3: Big time. Let's go to the Drawer and Hurricanes in 307 00:15:11,373 --> 00:15:15,493 Speaker 3: Lautoka mud Bath on a Saturday afternoon. The ball was 308 00:15:15,573 --> 00:15:18,893 Speaker 3: like soap and the Drawer winning twenty five twenty. The 309 00:15:18,973 --> 00:15:21,253 Speaker 3: Drewer obviously hadn't had a win to that point in 310 00:15:21,293 --> 00:15:24,173 Speaker 3: the season. We talked about this last week that there 311 00:15:24,173 --> 00:15:26,413 Speaker 3: are always a chants at home. Well, they took their 312 00:15:26,493 --> 00:15:29,053 Speaker 3: chance and were too good for again, go back to 313 00:15:29,093 --> 00:15:32,133 Speaker 3: that word wasteful Hurricane side. You know, look at the 314 00:15:32,173 --> 00:15:35,573 Speaker 3: sum of the stats, twenty five turnovers you said, I 315 00:15:35,613 --> 00:15:39,213 Speaker 3: know there was you know, conditions were poor, but the 316 00:15:39,293 --> 00:15:42,573 Speaker 3: drawer had fifteen. The Hurricanes had twenty five turnovers in 317 00:15:42,573 --> 00:15:44,093 Speaker 3: a one game. That's not going to get you too 318 00:15:44,093 --> 00:15:45,533 Speaker 3: far in a game with rugby. 319 00:15:46,133 --> 00:15:46,653 Speaker 4: No it's not. 320 00:15:47,893 --> 00:15:51,373 Speaker 2: And look they had twelve entries to the drawers twenty 321 00:15:51,453 --> 00:15:54,933 Speaker 2: two as well. But I'll suspect a lot of those turnovers, 322 00:15:54,973 --> 00:15:57,653 Speaker 2: a lot of those errors were coming when they were 323 00:15:57,653 --> 00:16:00,893 Speaker 2: in the red zone and triop andy opportunities were beckoning. 324 00:16:01,933 --> 00:16:03,733 Speaker 2: It is hard, though, Alix, to know what to take 325 00:16:03,733 --> 00:16:05,133 Speaker 2: you out of this game. I feel like this is 326 00:16:05,173 --> 00:16:09,453 Speaker 2: perfect for the drawer. They either want shapping, which they 327 00:16:09,453 --> 00:16:12,853 Speaker 2: were still taking twenty minute breaks for the heat, or 328 00:16:13,693 --> 00:16:16,693 Speaker 2: monsoon like conditions where the ball turns to soap. And 329 00:16:16,733 --> 00:16:18,933 Speaker 2: we know how skillful the Fijian players are, so this 330 00:16:19,213 --> 00:16:23,813 Speaker 2: very much leaned into the drawer in terms of an 331 00:16:23,813 --> 00:16:25,133 Speaker 2: opportunity and fair play. 332 00:16:25,773 --> 00:16:26,293 Speaker 4: They took it. 333 00:16:26,373 --> 00:16:28,533 Speaker 2: And now for the Hurricanes probably more interestingly, and I 334 00:16:28,573 --> 00:16:30,893 Speaker 2: know I sort of hammered this drum last week. It's 335 00:16:30,933 --> 00:16:35,133 Speaker 2: the game after the travel to Laotoker. I think it's 336 00:16:35,253 --> 00:16:39,093 Speaker 2: so energy sapping. It's a six day turnaround into the Warratars. 337 00:16:39,333 --> 00:16:42,093 Speaker 2: We've had the benefit of a round two buy in Sydney. 338 00:16:42,413 --> 00:16:46,573 Speaker 2: I mean this screams Waratahs when this Friday night, so 339 00:16:47,453 --> 00:16:50,893 Speaker 2: very interesting to see how the Canes bounce back and 340 00:16:50,933 --> 00:16:54,573 Speaker 2: how much rotation is in Clark laid Lord's thinking when 341 00:16:54,573 --> 00:16:55,373 Speaker 2: it comes to selection. 342 00:16:55,573 --> 00:17:00,413 Speaker 3: We saw among a mention after the game against the 343 00:17:00,453 --> 00:17:03,453 Speaker 3: Hurricanes and the Capital about their turnaround to having to 344 00:17:03,493 --> 00:17:05,773 Speaker 3: go back and mount their rotated there. Well, I think 345 00:17:05,893 --> 00:17:09,973 Speaker 3: Clark Ladler has probably got a similar comp because for 346 00:17:10,053 --> 00:17:12,373 Speaker 3: this coming weekend, because the Tars coming off and buy, 347 00:17:13,253 --> 00:17:16,533 Speaker 3: as you say, very very fresh Friday night game in Sydney. 348 00:17:16,853 --> 00:17:18,773 Speaker 3: It's really short turnaround. I know there's a bit of 349 00:17:18,853 --> 00:17:21,293 Speaker 3: chat that Dupkadifi could be back for the first time 350 00:17:21,373 --> 00:17:24,653 Speaker 3: this season, maybe Lomax and Toss. He might go across 351 00:17:24,693 --> 00:17:27,653 Speaker 3: the Tasman, but you know those are a few players 352 00:17:27,653 --> 00:17:30,293 Speaker 3: by and large. It was their first choice team that 353 00:17:30,413 --> 00:17:33,853 Speaker 3: rolled out, you know, barring injury against the drawer, and 354 00:17:34,413 --> 00:17:36,693 Speaker 3: there's going to be some sore bodies, some tired bodies. 355 00:17:36,693 --> 00:17:39,013 Speaker 3: As the head on the plane to Sydney, so interested 356 00:17:39,053 --> 00:17:41,493 Speaker 3: to see what what Clark label does there. 357 00:17:42,573 --> 00:17:46,293 Speaker 2: You know it'll be obviously again we're second of March, 358 00:17:46,293 --> 00:17:48,333 Speaker 2: so I don't want to get carried away, but it's 359 00:17:48,373 --> 00:17:50,773 Speaker 2: a it's a key little stretch here for the Canes. 360 00:17:51,493 --> 00:17:53,933 Speaker 2: Obviously they had to win and they did win the 361 00:17:54,093 --> 00:17:58,813 Speaker 2: opening game for them against Mowana. But like all these teams, 362 00:17:58,813 --> 00:18:00,813 Speaker 2: it's so congested there around the middle of the table, 363 00:18:00,853 --> 00:18:03,333 Speaker 2: these teams that are one on one, in the case 364 00:18:03,333 --> 00:18:06,453 Speaker 2: of the Canes one and two, two and one, you 365 00:18:06,573 --> 00:18:08,053 Speaker 2: just don't want to be dropping games. 366 00:18:07,813 --> 00:18:10,373 Speaker 4: That you would have. I've looked early at the schedule. 367 00:18:10,413 --> 00:18:12,373 Speaker 2: When you've done all, you're planning and gone, you know, 368 00:18:12,453 --> 00:18:14,453 Speaker 2: on the law of averages, we should be getting wins here. 369 00:18:14,613 --> 00:18:17,133 Speaker 3: Absolutely. Let's go back to Friday night to the Reds 370 00:18:17,133 --> 00:18:21,693 Speaker 3: beating the Highlanders thirty one fourteen in Brisbane. This was 371 00:18:22,293 --> 00:18:25,053 Speaker 3: a very impressive performance I thought from the Reds. You 372 00:18:25,053 --> 00:18:27,573 Speaker 3: look at the stats though, and basically they're fifty to 373 00:18:27,653 --> 00:18:31,773 Speaker 3: fifty down the middle on reflection and you know, the 374 00:18:31,813 --> 00:18:35,093 Speaker 3: possession in territory fifty to fifty ten entries into the 375 00:18:35,093 --> 00:18:37,413 Speaker 3: twenty two to nine and this goes back to my 376 00:18:37,493 --> 00:18:40,253 Speaker 3: original point once again that the Highlanders were just wasteful 377 00:18:40,253 --> 00:18:43,413 Speaker 3: with the number of opportunities that they had throughout the 378 00:18:43,453 --> 00:18:45,133 Speaker 3: course of the game. They had the same amount of 379 00:18:45,173 --> 00:18:48,253 Speaker 3: ball as the Reds, but just didn't make the most 380 00:18:48,253 --> 00:18:50,773 Speaker 3: of it. And I think this was a kind of 381 00:18:50,773 --> 00:18:52,653 Speaker 3: performance that dare I say that we may see the 382 00:18:52,693 --> 00:18:55,613 Speaker 3: Highlanders after a strong couple of showings in the first 383 00:18:55,613 --> 00:18:58,093 Speaker 3: two weeks. I mean, they've got the Force coming up 384 00:18:58,133 --> 00:19:00,773 Speaker 3: this weekend again they should win at home. But it 385 00:19:00,853 --> 00:19:02,973 Speaker 3: felt like a return to the bad old days for 386 00:19:02,973 --> 00:19:07,413 Speaker 3: the Highlanders of previous years where they just didn't show up. 387 00:19:07,453 --> 00:19:09,813 Speaker 3: And I thought it was a disappointing showing from the Hinders. 388 00:19:10,133 --> 00:19:12,733 Speaker 2: Well, this was our concern, wasn't an entering round one 389 00:19:12,973 --> 00:19:17,373 Speaker 2: where no Fabian Holland no Dylan Pledge even though he 390 00:19:17,413 --> 00:19:19,973 Speaker 2: hasn't played a Super rugby game. And you looked at 391 00:19:20,093 --> 00:19:24,013 Speaker 2: best forward arguably that one of your most exciting prospects 392 00:19:24,453 --> 00:19:29,013 Speaker 2: being absent for the season. And look, they showed us 393 00:19:29,013 --> 00:19:31,573 Speaker 2: they're certainly capable. But it's the consistency, it's the week 394 00:19:31,613 --> 00:19:35,293 Speaker 2: on week and it's and it's those game drivers again, 395 00:19:35,333 --> 00:19:39,213 Speaker 2: and I just we're talking about tahakemro before in terms 396 00:19:39,213 --> 00:19:41,773 Speaker 2: of that triple threat, I'm just not seeing enough there 397 00:19:41,773 --> 00:19:44,053 Speaker 2: from cam Miller. I know they're chopping and changing with 398 00:19:44,253 --> 00:19:48,293 Speaker 2: Linux and fuck O Tava, but it just doesn't seem 399 00:19:48,333 --> 00:19:50,293 Speaker 2: to be quite gelling at the moment. Shout out to 400 00:19:50,333 --> 00:19:53,693 Speaker 2: the Reds though we didn't get to the was it 401 00:19:53,733 --> 00:19:56,373 Speaker 2: the Leroy Carter try from deep in the Chiefs and goal? 402 00:19:56,413 --> 00:19:59,853 Speaker 2: But that try, that phrase of mcwright scored. It looked 403 00:19:59,853 --> 00:20:02,933 Speaker 2: like Josh Fluke kind of tripped over. It was like 404 00:20:03,053 --> 00:20:06,013 Speaker 2: some you know, so when you used to play PlayStation, 405 00:20:06,133 --> 00:20:07,693 Speaker 2: all of a sudden your players wouldn't catch up with 406 00:20:07,733 --> 00:20:09,693 Speaker 2: all the buttons pressing, and it didn't actually look like 407 00:20:09,693 --> 00:20:11,253 Speaker 2: he meant to kick the ball. He was sort of 408 00:20:11,253 --> 00:20:13,853 Speaker 2: falling over his own feet. Then another chip and chase. 409 00:20:13,853 --> 00:20:16,093 Speaker 2: It was yeah, there was quite a bit doing but 410 00:20:16,893 --> 00:20:20,573 Speaker 2: this Red's team and like I like Carter Gordon at ten, 411 00:20:20,893 --> 00:20:24,053 Speaker 2: I know when had a are we free spin at 412 00:20:24,133 --> 00:20:27,053 Speaker 2: rugby league didn't work out? Come back? Les Kiss obviously 413 00:20:27,653 --> 00:20:29,853 Speaker 2: familiar with rugby league. They almost seemed to play that 414 00:20:29,893 --> 00:20:33,253 Speaker 2: sort of block play style out the back to get 415 00:20:33,293 --> 00:20:37,293 Speaker 2: Carter loose. And again I think there's a there's a 416 00:20:37,293 --> 00:20:39,413 Speaker 2: team with a fair bit of upside there and in 417 00:20:39,493 --> 00:20:43,293 Speaker 2: the Reds, and again it's great to see three Australian 418 00:20:43,333 --> 00:20:47,653 Speaker 2: teams very much in the conversation from a good standpoint 419 00:20:47,653 --> 00:20:48,613 Speaker 2: in terms of their competitives. 420 00:20:48,613 --> 00:20:49,653 Speaker 3: And so I just want to pick up on that 421 00:20:49,693 --> 00:20:52,453 Speaker 3: point you made about Cam Miller and look, the Highlanders 422 00:20:52,493 --> 00:20:55,933 Speaker 3: attack looks really impotent to me. There were lies so 423 00:20:56,013 --> 00:20:58,613 Speaker 3: much on tother ta na way to get them over 424 00:20:58,653 --> 00:21:01,253 Speaker 3: the game line. If it's not happening around him, then 425 00:21:01,293 --> 00:21:04,533 Speaker 3: it's not happening at all. I think they had four 426 00:21:04,653 --> 00:21:09,133 Speaker 3: line breaks during the course of that game, and Taatavanawa 427 00:21:09,213 --> 00:21:11,813 Speaker 3: better number of defenders, but he hasn't got that out 428 00:21:11,853 --> 00:21:14,813 Speaker 3: and outpace. And when you're circling so much of your 429 00:21:14,853 --> 00:21:18,533 Speaker 3: player around him and making things happen, defense is always 430 00:21:18,533 --> 00:21:20,093 Speaker 3: going to swarm on him. I just don't think the 431 00:21:20,173 --> 00:21:23,773 Speaker 3: Hilanders are making the most of you know, defenders swarming 432 00:21:23,773 --> 00:21:26,293 Speaker 3: on Tava Tava Nawa and setting up other opportunities for 433 00:21:26,773 --> 00:21:29,053 Speaker 3: the likes of Tongue Tao and other players in that 434 00:21:29,093 --> 00:21:34,093 Speaker 3: back line. It just feels fairly one note they're attacking 435 00:21:34,133 --> 00:21:36,693 Speaker 3: play and you mentioned Miller. I'm not seeing it either 436 00:21:37,053 --> 00:21:40,133 Speaker 3: from him. He's a steady pair of hands at ten, 437 00:21:40,213 --> 00:21:43,053 Speaker 3: but it kind of felt like they were going through 438 00:21:43,053 --> 00:21:46,453 Speaker 3: the motions on Saturday night and you know, fucka Tava. 439 00:21:46,733 --> 00:21:48,853 Speaker 3: I think there was probably a game he probably needed 440 00:21:48,853 --> 00:21:51,533 Speaker 3: to start and then you can bring Lenox off the bench. 441 00:21:51,613 --> 00:21:53,653 Speaker 3: I think you needed a bit more attacking spark in 442 00:21:54,333 --> 00:21:56,533 Speaker 3: a game like that on a hard track and Brisbane 443 00:21:56,613 --> 00:21:58,653 Speaker 3: or you know, there's a bit of rain ladder on. 444 00:21:58,733 --> 00:22:01,173 Speaker 3: But it was certainly the conditions we're playing to the 445 00:22:01,253 --> 00:22:03,853 Speaker 3: fucka Tava style. So I just think a couple of 446 00:22:03,893 --> 00:22:08,573 Speaker 3: selections maybe there were wrong from Jammie Joseph. I know 447 00:22:08,573 --> 00:22:10,413 Speaker 3: you've got to rotate, but just didn't quite feel lucky 448 00:22:10,493 --> 00:22:13,413 Speaker 3: got that right. So yeah, poor loss for the Highlanders. 449 00:22:13,813 --> 00:22:16,293 Speaker 3: They had the Force on Saturday afternoon at home and 450 00:22:16,333 --> 00:22:20,373 Speaker 3: the Force bules riding high thirty five nineteen of them, 451 00:22:20,493 --> 00:22:22,653 Speaker 3: onea pacifica and pook a couple with the return of 452 00:22:22,693 --> 00:22:26,813 Speaker 3: George Bridge to New Zealand. He almost fluffed it with 453 00:22:26,813 --> 00:22:30,333 Speaker 3: that try and the d goal, but unbelievable, but he 454 00:22:30,773 --> 00:22:33,453 Speaker 3: won the war, lost the battle, won the war, George Bridge. 455 00:22:34,133 --> 00:22:36,173 Speaker 3: This was a pretty good performance, I have to say 456 00:22:36,213 --> 00:22:39,893 Speaker 3: from the Western Force against Jana side at home for 457 00:22:39,933 --> 00:22:42,373 Speaker 3: the first time the season, thirty five to seven at 458 00:22:42,413 --> 00:22:45,213 Speaker 3: one point. Final score thirty five nineteen. Good night out 459 00:22:45,253 --> 00:22:46,093 Speaker 3: for the Western Force. 460 00:22:46,613 --> 00:22:48,493 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what I was going to stress. I think 461 00:22:48,733 --> 00:22:50,933 Speaker 2: the score line looks better than what it was in 462 00:22:51,013 --> 00:22:53,213 Speaker 2: terms of a contest. This is very one sided thirty 463 00:22:53,213 --> 00:22:55,013 Speaker 2: five to seven with ten to play, and again just 464 00:22:55,013 --> 00:22:57,813 Speaker 2: a couple of tries to add a bit of credibility 465 00:22:57,853 --> 00:23:01,053 Speaker 2: to that score line. Yeah, I don't know what to 466 00:23:01,453 --> 00:23:05,213 Speaker 2: make of Molana, particularly what do we make now of 467 00:23:05,293 --> 00:23:07,053 Speaker 2: that round one win in the drawer, Like is that 468 00:23:07,213 --> 00:23:11,733 Speaker 2: just an ab anomaly or is there more to its 469 00:23:11,973 --> 00:23:16,893 Speaker 2: There's a couple of pretty yeah, pretty limp showings Canes 470 00:23:17,133 --> 00:23:19,253 Speaker 2: and now the Force, which again I would have thought 471 00:23:19,253 --> 00:23:22,333 Speaker 2: that's a game. They go, yeah, we should be putting 472 00:23:22,333 --> 00:23:24,853 Speaker 2: a wave where if we do have serious ambitions about 473 00:23:24,893 --> 00:23:27,613 Speaker 2: threatening as a playoffs team. I feel like, though, we 474 00:23:27,933 --> 00:23:30,893 Speaker 2: do need to stress that Milan have gone through some 475 00:23:31,013 --> 00:23:34,973 Speaker 2: serious turnover and of course there's no Ardie Savia this year. 476 00:23:35,253 --> 00:23:37,493 Speaker 2: It did seem to me at least, but based on 477 00:23:37,573 --> 00:23:40,733 Speaker 2: the the caliber of squad that they were able to 478 00:23:41,333 --> 00:23:43,533 Speaker 2: put together, it was going to be a tough year. 479 00:23:43,613 --> 00:23:45,973 Speaker 4: But I was expecting a little bit more. 480 00:23:46,133 --> 00:23:49,373 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that back line is not threatening enough. 481 00:23:49,413 --> 00:23:50,933 Speaker 3: We're just talk about the Highlands back line, but I 482 00:23:50,933 --> 00:23:54,773 Speaker 3: don't think it's threatening enough. Across the board. Pellegrini is 483 00:23:54,773 --> 00:23:56,573 Speaker 3: a very solid team. We sort of had a great 484 00:23:56,613 --> 00:24:00,413 Speaker 3: season last year, but take out time Muthilau near reform 485 00:24:00,453 --> 00:24:02,733 Speaker 3: myze now left that team who I think was very, 486 00:24:02,813 --> 00:24:06,173 Speaker 3: very soul on both sides of the ball. Just feels 487 00:24:06,213 --> 00:24:09,373 Speaker 3: like they haven't recruited or been able to very well. 488 00:24:09,373 --> 00:24:11,533 Speaker 3: And now they've got a really tough stretch on the 489 00:24:11,533 --> 00:24:14,533 Speaker 3: back of that pretty hefty loss to the Force. They 490 00:24:14,573 --> 00:24:17,133 Speaker 3: have four Derby's in as many weeks. 491 00:24:18,493 --> 00:24:20,653 Speaker 2: Talboy Flower as well as running around for the Chiefs 492 00:24:20,653 --> 00:24:21,493 Speaker 2: development teams. 493 00:24:21,693 --> 00:24:24,093 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, they might see him this Friday. Who knows 494 00:24:24,093 --> 00:24:26,693 Speaker 3: whether they might cross pads with Playmoy for Labbert the 495 00:24:26,773 --> 00:24:29,013 Speaker 3: Chiefs this week. They've got the Blues away next week 496 00:24:29,013 --> 00:24:31,493 Speaker 3: as well. Then they host the Crusaders at North Harbor 497 00:24:31,533 --> 00:24:34,053 Speaker 3: on the twenty first, and then they're away oh sorry, 498 00:24:34,053 --> 00:24:36,173 Speaker 3: home again against the Highlanders on the twenty seventh before 499 00:24:36,173 --> 00:24:38,973 Speaker 3: they have the Buye and which occasion after that they 500 00:24:38,973 --> 00:24:41,853 Speaker 3: have the Chiefs. So this is a really big stretch 501 00:24:41,853 --> 00:24:43,733 Speaker 3: from Mwana and to be honest, on the basis of 502 00:24:43,733 --> 00:24:45,813 Speaker 3: what we saw on Friday night, it's hard to see 503 00:24:45,853 --> 00:24:47,333 Speaker 3: them winning any of the next five. 504 00:24:47,733 --> 00:24:49,013 Speaker 2: Ye I couldn't agree more. 505 00:24:49,093 --> 00:24:51,253 Speaker 3: Right, We'll take a break, come back after this on 506 00:24:51,293 --> 00:24:53,613 Speaker 3: a rage Bead direct with our final four and a 507 00:24:53,813 --> 00:24:57,773 Speaker 3: MVP voting. You're back with rug bea direct time now 508 00:24:57,773 --> 00:24:59,853 Speaker 3: for the final four. Let's changed Tacker a little bit 509 00:25:00,013 --> 00:25:02,453 Speaker 3: and bules. Everyone's kissed and made up. At the World 510 00:25:02,533 --> 00:25:06,133 Speaker 3: Rugby State of the Game meetings, we had talk about 511 00:25:06,133 --> 00:25:08,653 Speaker 3: the calendar, which didn't seem to come to part too 512 00:25:08,733 --> 00:25:10,693 Speaker 3: much over the course of those meetings, maybe as much 513 00:25:10,693 --> 00:25:13,693 Speaker 3: as we might have expected given the discussions we had 514 00:25:13,733 --> 00:25:16,333 Speaker 3: last week on the podcast. Been last week there was 515 00:25:16,373 --> 00:25:19,293 Speaker 3: all sorts of talk about the New Zealand and Australia 516 00:25:19,373 --> 00:25:23,213 Speaker 3: wanting to completely depower the scrum and France were coming 517 00:25:23,293 --> 00:25:25,893 Speaker 3: out against it. But it sounds like, whether it's a 518 00:25:25,933 --> 00:25:29,173 Speaker 3: public face or not, everyone has just decided that so 519 00:25:29,293 --> 00:25:32,733 Speaker 3: let's kiss and makeup and France have quote unquote satisfied 520 00:25:32,773 --> 00:25:34,973 Speaker 3: with the shape of the game conference, so it sounds 521 00:25:34,973 --> 00:25:35,813 Speaker 3: like everyone's happy. 522 00:25:36,413 --> 00:25:38,973 Speaker 4: Yeah, hard to know. Hard to know, isn't it? 523 00:25:39,053 --> 00:25:39,293 Speaker 3: You know? 524 00:25:39,533 --> 00:25:41,973 Speaker 2: You see one of these stories out of France, and 525 00:25:42,013 --> 00:25:45,733 Speaker 2: that these comments coming from Mathieu Ray, now the former 526 00:25:45,733 --> 00:25:50,733 Speaker 2: international referees obviously linked up now with France Rugby as 527 00:25:50,733 --> 00:25:54,293 Speaker 2: somewhat of a consultant. But yeah, I find this all 528 00:25:54,293 --> 00:25:57,453 Speaker 2: a little bit curious in terms of do Australia and 529 00:25:57,493 --> 00:26:00,293 Speaker 2: New Zealand really want to depower the scrum? I mean, yes, 530 00:26:00,613 --> 00:26:03,093 Speaker 2: I know on occasion last year particularly the All Black 531 00:26:03,133 --> 00:26:06,013 Speaker 2: scrum went backwards against the spring Box, but well, you know, 532 00:26:06,093 --> 00:26:07,533 Speaker 2: based on the evidents I saw at the weekend with 533 00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:10,373 Speaker 2: some mighty Williams, Flitch Andill' still got some pretty handy 534 00:26:10,573 --> 00:26:13,093 Speaker 2: props going around here. I think it's all around speed 535 00:26:13,093 --> 00:26:16,453 Speaker 2: of the game and that and France saying, you know, 536 00:26:16,493 --> 00:26:19,813 Speaker 2: the top fourteen is the best domestic competition in the world, 537 00:26:19,893 --> 00:26:23,613 Speaker 2: which perhaps they do have an argument, but yeah, look, 538 00:26:24,133 --> 00:26:27,253 Speaker 2: I think with these sort of things, each each country 539 00:26:27,373 --> 00:26:29,213 Speaker 2: or each sort of region is going to have their 540 00:26:29,253 --> 00:26:33,093 Speaker 2: say and compromise has to be found. I just think 541 00:26:33,093 --> 00:26:36,533 Speaker 2: it's a little bit perhaps disingenuous to suggest that the 542 00:26:36,573 --> 00:26:38,533 Speaker 2: All Blacks want to play some sort of super touch 543 00:26:38,573 --> 00:26:40,853 Speaker 2: products just to give theirselves the best possible chance of 544 00:26:40,853 --> 00:26:41,853 Speaker 2: winning international test. 545 00:26:42,013 --> 00:26:45,853 Speaker 3: This feels to me like a discussion or a disagreement 546 00:26:45,893 --> 00:26:49,093 Speaker 3: between two bodies that don't watch each other's domestic competitions. 547 00:26:49,733 --> 00:26:51,573 Speaker 3: And so I don't think the French much. I don't 548 00:26:51,573 --> 00:26:53,573 Speaker 3: think much of around now is sitting down on a 549 00:26:53,733 --> 00:26:56,053 Speaker 3: Saturday morning or Sunday morning in Paris or wherever he 550 00:26:56,253 --> 00:26:59,773 Speaker 3: is and is tuning in to watch the Chiefs Crusaders. 551 00:26:59,813 --> 00:27:01,613 Speaker 3: And I don't think there's many in New Zealand that 552 00:27:01,733 --> 00:27:04,973 Speaker 3: probably tuning in wouldn't know where you find it the 553 00:27:05,053 --> 00:27:08,693 Speaker 3: top fourteen in New Zealand and watching bail and play 554 00:27:08,733 --> 00:27:11,093 Speaker 3: to lose or whatever it might be. So I think 555 00:27:11,453 --> 00:27:13,893 Speaker 3: there's a bit of oh, this game is being played like, 556 00:27:13,893 --> 00:27:15,933 Speaker 3: there's this game thing played like this, and in reality 557 00:27:15,973 --> 00:27:20,373 Speaker 3: it's quite different now obviously, yeah, the scrum is not 558 00:27:20,453 --> 00:27:22,173 Speaker 3: this show being deepower, but it's all about moving the 559 00:27:22,213 --> 00:27:24,693 Speaker 3: game on quicker here in New Zealand. But as you say, 560 00:27:24,693 --> 00:27:27,253 Speaker 3: the scrum is still such a vital part of the game. 561 00:27:27,293 --> 00:27:30,213 Speaker 3: But if you look back, never before in test rugby 562 00:27:30,253 --> 00:27:32,373 Speaker 3: has the scrum been a weapon to get penalties as 563 00:27:32,453 --> 00:27:35,093 Speaker 3: much as it is. You look back ten years ago 564 00:27:35,093 --> 00:27:37,333 Speaker 3: you watch international rugby, then, say at the twenty fifteen 565 00:27:37,373 --> 00:27:40,173 Speaker 3: World Cup, le ten years prior to that, you still 566 00:27:40,173 --> 00:27:43,013 Speaker 3: would be scrum penalties on occasion, but it wasn't every 567 00:27:43,053 --> 00:27:45,573 Speaker 3: scrum what every second strum. And I think that's where 568 00:27:45,733 --> 00:27:48,173 Speaker 3: Australia and New Zealand are coming from, is that basically, 569 00:27:48,253 --> 00:27:50,693 Speaker 3: if you've got a big pack, more often than not, 570 00:27:50,733 --> 00:27:53,133 Speaker 3: they're going to win scrum penalties and that changes the 571 00:27:53,253 --> 00:27:56,493 Speaker 3: nature of the game. Just because you are more powerful 572 00:27:56,733 --> 00:27:59,213 Speaker 3: doesn't mean that the opposition are infringing. And I think 573 00:27:59,253 --> 00:28:00,853 Speaker 3: that's an important distinction to make. 574 00:28:01,813 --> 00:28:05,373 Speaker 2: Oh totally, totally, and again I have never put my 575 00:28:05,373 --> 00:28:07,013 Speaker 2: head in a scrum, so I'm not going to debate 576 00:28:07,053 --> 00:28:10,773 Speaker 2: all the laws of that area of our sport. But 577 00:28:11,573 --> 00:28:15,133 Speaker 2: it seems like an interpretation issue more than anything, and 578 00:28:15,813 --> 00:28:18,773 Speaker 2: I think we just can hopefully as you started by 579 00:28:18,813 --> 00:28:21,893 Speaker 2: this section, Ali just everyone kisses and makes up the 580 00:28:21,893 --> 00:28:23,493 Speaker 2: French and known for their romance. 581 00:28:23,653 --> 00:28:27,133 Speaker 3: They are, Yeah, exactly, very very Prisian. The City of 582 00:28:27,173 --> 00:28:30,693 Speaker 3: Love topic them. But so should the game have gone ahead? 583 00:28:30,693 --> 00:28:34,573 Speaker 3: In Tokyo on Saturday afternoon, it was an interesting what 584 00:28:34,653 --> 00:28:37,213 Speaker 3: I mean, the field was absolutely cut up. There wasn't 585 00:28:37,413 --> 00:28:39,933 Speaker 3: There was huge year mud patches and everything like that. 586 00:28:40,613 --> 00:28:41,853 Speaker 3: You know, it was a bit of a laugh. Everyone 587 00:28:41,893 --> 00:28:44,333 Speaker 3: was sort of muddy, and referees with muddy at the 588 00:28:44,453 --> 00:28:47,293 Speaker 3: end of it as well. But it felt like there was, 589 00:28:47,773 --> 00:28:50,333 Speaker 3: you know, a chance, serious chance of injury, and maybe 590 00:28:50,533 --> 00:28:52,573 Speaker 3: there might have been some more serious questions asked if 591 00:28:52,573 --> 00:28:55,493 Speaker 3: there was, But where the condition is dangerous enough to 592 00:28:56,093 --> 00:28:58,773 Speaker 3: decide to postpone that game or change it or is 593 00:28:58,813 --> 00:29:00,373 Speaker 3: this just part of rugby that you've got to play 594 00:29:00,413 --> 00:29:01,973 Speaker 3: the conditions that you go to. 595 00:29:03,133 --> 00:29:06,333 Speaker 2: It's a great question. I sort of thinking about that 596 00:29:06,373 --> 00:29:10,253 Speaker 2: as he sent through the notes this morning. Alliot, I'd 597 00:29:10,253 --> 00:29:10,893 Speaker 2: want to know. 598 00:29:10,813 --> 00:29:13,493 Speaker 4: What the threshold is. 599 00:29:13,533 --> 00:29:15,573 Speaker 2: And I'm sure you know, if we've got all these 600 00:29:16,653 --> 00:29:19,213 Speaker 2: these sort of parameters in place for the heat, you know, 601 00:29:19,253 --> 00:29:22,933 Speaker 2: in terms of the temperature being X to enforce these 602 00:29:22,973 --> 00:29:26,173 Speaker 2: twenty minute water breaks, then surely there's got to be 603 00:29:26,253 --> 00:29:29,733 Speaker 2: some sort of threshold for the state of the field. 604 00:29:29,973 --> 00:29:33,413 Speaker 2: And you just hope that rather than it being a 605 00:29:33,453 --> 00:29:35,933 Speaker 2: real element of gray, that it won't take, you know, 606 00:29:35,973 --> 00:29:38,653 Speaker 2: a serious incident where you know, god, for there's a 607 00:29:38,653 --> 00:29:42,173 Speaker 2: pile up on a ruck and blokes face down and 608 00:29:42,293 --> 00:29:44,213 Speaker 2: you know, all these taking on his water and he 609 00:29:44,253 --> 00:29:47,253 Speaker 2: can't breathe and things like that. So look on the 610 00:29:47,253 --> 00:29:50,733 Speaker 2: basis of what I saw of the game, I'd say 611 00:29:51,053 --> 00:29:52,893 Speaker 2: you play, you play on, but it would have to 612 00:29:52,973 --> 00:29:58,333 Speaker 2: be getting pretty close. But you do wonder with broadcast, 613 00:29:58,453 --> 00:30:00,133 Speaker 2: where do you fit another game and all that sort 614 00:30:00,173 --> 00:30:03,693 Speaker 2: of thing, is this is going to be far too tricky, 615 00:30:03,733 --> 00:30:04,533 Speaker 2: like what so you. 616 00:30:04,773 --> 00:30:07,413 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's interesting, isn't it. Looking part of 617 00:30:07,493 --> 00:30:10,613 Speaker 3: it's almost like, yeah, you go and playing opposition conditions 618 00:30:10,613 --> 00:30:12,573 Speaker 3: and you expect that it's going to come with the territory. 619 00:30:12,573 --> 00:30:15,093 Speaker 3: But the field I think was so cut up, and 620 00:30:15,453 --> 00:30:17,653 Speaker 3: you know that we saw players not able to hold 621 00:30:17,693 --> 00:30:19,693 Speaker 3: their footing and various things like that. There's got to 622 00:30:19,733 --> 00:30:21,973 Speaker 3: be a baseline, I think, for how safe the game 623 00:30:22,013 --> 00:30:23,613 Speaker 3: will be, and I don't know that it actually met 624 00:30:23,613 --> 00:30:26,133 Speaker 3: that baseline. So I don't know what you do. You know, 625 00:30:26,493 --> 00:30:31,053 Speaker 3: it's obviously very humid, rainy, tropical in Fiji, and that 626 00:30:31,213 --> 00:30:34,293 Speaker 3: is going to cause issues to the turf. I wonder 627 00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:37,893 Speaker 3: if there's anything they can do around that, you know, 628 00:30:37,933 --> 00:30:41,213 Speaker 3: whether it's you know, you know, changes to the way 629 00:30:41,253 --> 00:30:43,173 Speaker 3: they grow the turf or whatever it might be in 630 00:30:43,213 --> 00:30:45,693 Speaker 3: the off season to prevent things like that. Some of 631 00:30:45,733 --> 00:30:48,093 Speaker 3: it's just going to be around the weather. But I 632 00:30:48,133 --> 00:30:49,813 Speaker 3: don't think it was a good look for the competition 633 00:30:50,053 --> 00:30:52,413 Speaker 3: and it didn't create a great spectacle. You know, it 634 00:30:52,533 --> 00:30:55,333 Speaker 3: was a bit of a comedy of erarors given the 635 00:30:55,373 --> 00:30:57,853 Speaker 3: way things are happening that you just expected, basically players 636 00:30:57,853 --> 00:30:59,213 Speaker 3: to not be able to hold onto the ball. 637 00:30:59,333 --> 00:31:02,733 Speaker 2: So the only the only thing I'd add is that 638 00:31:02,813 --> 00:31:05,013 Speaker 2: I hope the Canes don't come out and I don't 639 00:31:05,013 --> 00:31:07,493 Speaker 2: think they have, but use the conditions as any sort 640 00:31:07,493 --> 00:31:09,133 Speaker 2: of form of an extra because at the end of 641 00:31:09,133 --> 00:31:11,053 Speaker 2: the day, it's same for both teams absolutely. 642 00:31:11,293 --> 00:31:13,773 Speaker 3: Topic number three. Bit of signing news. Courtiers Ratsam are 643 00:31:13,773 --> 00:31:17,493 Speaker 3: signed through until twenty twenty eight the Chiefs and All Blacks. 644 00:31:17,533 --> 00:31:21,653 Speaker 3: Half back good resigning for the Chiefs in New Zealand rugby. 645 00:31:21,693 --> 00:31:23,613 Speaker 3: I think the Chiefs have missed him in the opening 646 00:31:23,693 --> 00:31:27,773 Speaker 3: few rounds or since he obviously went off on paternity 647 00:31:27,853 --> 00:31:29,373 Speaker 3: leave and it sounds like he'll be back to face 648 00:31:29,413 --> 00:31:33,293 Speaker 3: the winner pacifica of this weekend in Hamilton. But a 649 00:31:33,333 --> 00:31:34,973 Speaker 3: good signing, but I think there's a bit of pressure 650 00:31:35,013 --> 00:31:38,173 Speaker 3: coming on Courtiers Ratsiman in terms of those All Black steaks. 651 00:31:38,253 --> 00:31:41,173 Speaker 3: Now Hotham's had a good start to the season. You 652 00:31:41,213 --> 00:31:44,373 Speaker 3: know we won't see Dylan Pliger this year. But you know, 653 00:31:44,373 --> 00:31:45,853 Speaker 3: I think we need to see the best of Courtiers 654 00:31:45,933 --> 00:31:47,413 Speaker 3: Ratimus a wee bit of pressure on him as he 655 00:31:47,453 --> 00:31:49,333 Speaker 3: returns to Super Rugby this week Bills. 656 00:31:49,613 --> 00:31:53,133 Speaker 2: Yeah, I totally agree, and look it's no surprises that 657 00:31:53,253 --> 00:31:56,493 Speaker 2: Ratima has resigned just twenty four years old. A lot 658 00:31:56,493 --> 00:31:59,493 Speaker 2: of is probably his best rugby ahead of him. But 659 00:32:00,533 --> 00:32:03,893 Speaker 2: yeah he does need to, especially with a new All 660 00:32:03,933 --> 00:32:08,893 Speaker 2: Blacks coaching regime coming through, showcase his credentials. And you 661 00:32:08,973 --> 00:32:11,253 Speaker 2: know Cam Roy guards signed one until twenty twenty nine 662 00:32:11,733 --> 00:32:13,933 Speaker 2: and now I hope them Dylan Pledger both on the 663 00:32:13,973 --> 00:32:17,933 Speaker 2: books until twenty seven. There's a real strength of depth 664 00:32:17,933 --> 00:32:21,053 Speaker 2: in the halfback position. I'm sure more talent will emerge 665 00:32:21,053 --> 00:32:25,173 Speaker 2: over the next couple of years. So I wonder for 666 00:32:25,293 --> 00:32:27,613 Speaker 2: court Is like, I know how impactful he is off 667 00:32:27,613 --> 00:32:30,453 Speaker 2: the bench, but at what stage, for the bit of 668 00:32:30,453 --> 00:32:32,733 Speaker 2: minute of his career does he need to go up 669 00:32:32,813 --> 00:32:36,973 Speaker 2: to whether it's Johnny Gerbs or his management and go, 670 00:32:37,853 --> 00:32:39,933 Speaker 2: you know, to give myself the best possible chance of 671 00:32:39,973 --> 00:32:42,173 Speaker 2: playing in a World Cup as an example, I need 672 00:32:42,213 --> 00:32:44,493 Speaker 2: to be starting week and week out. Now that's no 673 00:32:44,853 --> 00:32:48,813 Speaker 2: slight on Xavier Row because I think he's a very 674 00:32:48,813 --> 00:32:52,413 Speaker 2: handy and serviceable half back as well. And it's always 675 00:32:52,453 --> 00:32:55,173 Speaker 2: team first. But it is curious to always see or 676 00:32:55,293 --> 00:32:58,933 Speaker 2: not always, but quite often the Chiefs deployed Rattima as 677 00:32:58,973 --> 00:33:02,293 Speaker 2: a bench player. And how impactful can he be from 678 00:33:02,333 --> 00:33:06,013 Speaker 2: a higher honors standpoint when he's just getting twenty five 679 00:33:06,253 --> 00:33:07,093 Speaker 2: thirty minutes a game? 680 00:33:07,133 --> 00:33:09,013 Speaker 3: That's right? Yeah, I completely agree. I think he needs 681 00:33:09,053 --> 00:33:12,133 Speaker 3: to be starting for the Chiefs in those games. Are 682 00:33:12,133 --> 00:33:14,733 Speaker 3: the big games, especially topic number four interesting one here 683 00:33:15,333 --> 00:33:17,813 Speaker 3: Brandon enormous the game on the week he Now, I 684 00:33:17,813 --> 00:33:19,453 Speaker 3: don't know. If you would have been sleep of Bules, 685 00:33:19,453 --> 00:33:22,573 Speaker 3: you would know more than I. But he was given 686 00:33:22,613 --> 00:33:25,933 Speaker 3: permission to skip the match because he had a wedding 687 00:33:26,533 --> 00:33:30,213 Speaker 3: schedules not his own. But no, no, no, no, no, no. 688 00:33:30,813 --> 00:33:33,973 Speaker 3: You'd hope he wouldn't do that around mid March, early March, 689 00:33:34,573 --> 00:33:38,133 Speaker 3: late February, but he had a wedding that he requested 690 00:33:38,173 --> 00:33:40,653 Speaker 3: to go to, and Rob Penny said, off you go. Yep, 691 00:33:40,693 --> 00:33:42,693 Speaker 3: you've been given leave. Do we like this or not? 692 00:33:42,813 --> 00:33:45,053 Speaker 3: Do you think it's something that should be allowed? 693 00:33:45,773 --> 00:33:45,893 Speaker 2: Well? 694 00:33:46,453 --> 00:33:47,133 Speaker 4: I like it. 695 00:33:47,293 --> 00:33:50,933 Speaker 2: I think there's a real maturity here in the sense 696 00:33:51,013 --> 00:33:55,173 Speaker 2: that super rugby starts in mid February. As most of 697 00:33:55,253 --> 00:33:58,333 Speaker 2: us know here in New Zealand, almost all weddings are 698 00:33:58,333 --> 00:34:04,293 Speaker 2: held during the summer or late autumn. And by my understanding, 699 00:34:04,413 --> 00:34:06,293 Speaker 2: you know, Brandon, you know this, This was in the 700 00:34:06,333 --> 00:34:09,373 Speaker 2: diary a long time ago. They planned for the and 701 00:34:09,453 --> 00:34:11,613 Speaker 2: as you say, Elliott, there is a wider discussion that 702 00:34:11,653 --> 00:34:13,893 Speaker 2: we had here as to whether Brandon in or is 703 00:34:13,933 --> 00:34:16,333 Speaker 2: cracking the twenty three for the Crusaders week and week out. 704 00:34:16,893 --> 00:34:21,613 Speaker 2: My understanding is there is another another example of this coming. 705 00:34:21,893 --> 00:34:24,253 Speaker 2: I'm not going to go into the full detail, but 706 00:34:24,293 --> 00:34:26,813 Speaker 2: we'll just wait to see. I haven't quite heard back 707 00:34:26,853 --> 00:34:29,133 Speaker 2: from a source there, but I understand there's another player 708 00:34:29,133 --> 00:34:31,893 Speaker 2: that's requested to take a game off soon to attend 709 00:34:31,893 --> 00:34:32,293 Speaker 2: a wedding. 710 00:34:32,773 --> 00:34:33,333 Speaker 4: I just like it. 711 00:34:33,373 --> 00:34:37,013 Speaker 2: From a maturity standpoint, we don't bat an eyelid when 712 00:34:37,053 --> 00:34:41,853 Speaker 2: there's paternity leave with Damien McKinsey, coma or breathment leave. 713 00:34:42,853 --> 00:34:46,453 Speaker 2: These by you know, by designer usually what once in 714 00:34:46,493 --> 00:34:47,493 Speaker 2: a lifetime events. 715 00:34:48,693 --> 00:34:50,453 Speaker 4: I want to get your hope. 716 00:34:50,773 --> 00:34:53,413 Speaker 2: Certainly that's the intention when you when you put the ring, 717 00:34:53,693 --> 00:34:58,013 Speaker 2: you hand the rings over, So look, look, I respect it. 718 00:34:58,293 --> 00:35:00,613 Speaker 2: I do think however, it is a talking point, and 719 00:35:00,613 --> 00:35:02,373 Speaker 2: then we'll probably be members of our audience that go, 720 00:35:02,613 --> 00:35:05,293 Speaker 2: you know, these guys only play fifteen games a year, 721 00:35:05,573 --> 00:35:07,293 Speaker 2: you know, get your priorities, right. 722 00:35:07,573 --> 00:35:10,493 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think it's interesting, isn't it. I think it's 723 00:35:10,533 --> 00:35:12,413 Speaker 3: easier if you get if it's saying all black and 724 00:35:12,413 --> 00:35:14,973 Speaker 3: Brandon Newill wouldn't fall under this. But maybe you can 725 00:35:14,973 --> 00:35:17,493 Speaker 3: combine it with a week of all blacks rest that Okay, 726 00:35:17,573 --> 00:35:20,093 Speaker 3: we will let you go to the wedding, but this 727 00:35:20,173 --> 00:35:22,133 Speaker 3: is going to be your all blacks rest week as well. 728 00:35:22,173 --> 00:35:25,093 Speaker 3: So maybe you can sort of two birds one stone 729 00:35:25,093 --> 00:35:28,173 Speaker 3: this scenario and allow them off there. It'll be interesting 730 00:35:28,213 --> 00:35:31,533 Speaker 3: to see whether that situation comes to pass. As you mentioned, 731 00:35:31,653 --> 00:35:35,253 Speaker 3: I seem to to call Chris Wood leaving an OEFC 732 00:35:35,413 --> 00:35:37,853 Speaker 3: Nations Cup for the All Whites because his sister had 733 00:35:37,933 --> 00:35:40,733 Speaker 3: a wedding the week or was getting married that weekend, 734 00:35:40,853 --> 00:35:43,373 Speaker 3: so he played through the round robin then missed the final. 735 00:35:44,293 --> 00:35:45,813 Speaker 3: What do you think his players think when they get 736 00:35:45,813 --> 00:35:49,413 Speaker 3: the sort of invitations from whether it's a family or 737 00:35:49,453 --> 00:35:51,453 Speaker 3: friends or whatever, and go, yep, we've set the wedding 738 00:35:51,493 --> 00:35:55,893 Speaker 3: for twenty eight to February, and you go super rugby 739 00:35:56,053 --> 00:35:59,133 Speaker 3: has started mid February for eons. I mean, you know, 740 00:35:59,213 --> 00:36:01,853 Speaker 3: weddings can't revolve around one of the guests. You just 741 00:36:01,933 --> 00:36:04,133 Speaker 3: must wanted and go oh, I couldn't have put this 742 00:36:04,173 --> 00:36:06,253 Speaker 3: two weeks prior and miss a bit of preseason. 743 00:36:06,293 --> 00:36:10,013 Speaker 2: Maybe well, look, great friend Adam Cooper is getting married 744 00:36:10,053 --> 00:36:12,973 Speaker 2: next Saturday. I'm having a miss the Crusaders Islanders broadcast. 745 00:36:13,613 --> 00:36:15,453 Speaker 2: I think a few of us are going to be 746 00:36:16,053 --> 00:36:18,333 Speaker 2: caught up at the festivities there and having a miss 747 00:36:18,373 --> 00:36:22,453 Speaker 2: work commitment. So look, it happens in all workplaces. You know, 748 00:36:22,493 --> 00:36:25,893 Speaker 2: you've got to prioritize where you can, so I'm sure 749 00:36:25,933 --> 00:36:28,213 Speaker 2: these rugby players it is an ideal. But as I stress, 750 00:36:28,813 --> 00:36:34,013 Speaker 2: you know, outside of the odd winter not winter Wonderland wedding, 751 00:36:34,053 --> 00:36:37,613 Speaker 2: but winter wedding, it's seldom that a wedding in New 752 00:36:37,693 --> 00:36:40,893 Speaker 2: Zealand isn't held on a Saturday sometime between sort of 753 00:36:40,973 --> 00:36:43,853 Speaker 2: January and March, which must be troublesome for our rugby 754 00:36:43,893 --> 00:36:45,053 Speaker 2: players and cricketers and the. 755 00:36:45,053 --> 00:36:47,253 Speaker 3: Like out there being go yeah, look we're going to 756 00:36:47,293 --> 00:36:50,733 Speaker 3: be out all unit pretty much next weekend for that wedding, 757 00:36:50,813 --> 00:36:53,053 Speaker 3: so yeah, we haven't probably got a leg to stand 758 00:36:53,053 --> 00:36:54,973 Speaker 3: on when it comes to that discussion to me to 759 00:36:54,973 --> 00:36:57,973 Speaker 3: be entirely honest, because the Ins and Me sport department 760 00:36:57,973 --> 00:36:59,933 Speaker 3: and New Talk Zby Sport department is going to be 761 00:37:00,013 --> 00:37:04,133 Speaker 3: very barren that weekend, right, MVP Voting time will bring 762 00:37:04,173 --> 00:37:06,493 Speaker 3: you the tally next week and Chicken we were at 763 00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:10,333 Speaker 3: after round four. But I'm intrigued to see where you 764 00:37:10,373 --> 00:37:13,493 Speaker 3: go with this, Mules first and foremost, in fact, do 765 00:37:13,493 --> 00:37:14,813 Speaker 3: you want to give me your votes first? 766 00:37:15,253 --> 00:37:15,453 Speaker 4: Yeah? 767 00:37:15,493 --> 00:37:20,013 Speaker 2: Sure, Well, now I know the rules around New Zealand players. Look, 768 00:37:20,613 --> 00:37:23,613 Speaker 2: you know, call me one eye because I'm the Crusaders commentator. 769 00:37:24,013 --> 00:37:26,333 Speaker 2: I just thought the way that the Crusaders responded under 770 00:37:27,733 --> 00:37:31,773 Speaker 2: least external pressure, I've gone with three Crusaders, So I thought, 771 00:37:31,813 --> 00:37:34,813 Speaker 2: Christian Leo Willie again, we just can't sneeze it scoring 772 00:37:34,853 --> 00:37:37,333 Speaker 2: hat trick of tries as number eight. But I think 773 00:37:37,333 --> 00:37:38,973 Speaker 2: it was his body of work as well and his 774 00:37:39,053 --> 00:37:43,173 Speaker 2: willingness to get as many carries and dominated the collision. 775 00:37:43,213 --> 00:37:44,213 Speaker 4: So he gets my three. 776 00:37:45,293 --> 00:37:47,253 Speaker 2: No surprise if you were listening to the early part 777 00:37:47,253 --> 00:37:49,653 Speaker 2: of the podcast and I was waxing lyrical about Schaffee 778 00:37:49,693 --> 00:37:52,373 Speaker 2: Hackey and his ability in the air, he gets my two. 779 00:37:52,453 --> 00:37:54,973 Speaker 2: I thought he was a difference maker on Saturday, and 780 00:37:55,333 --> 00:37:58,373 Speaker 2: I think I know where in March, but we need 781 00:37:58,413 --> 00:38:01,453 Speaker 2: to stop sort of being a little bit you know, pulling, 782 00:38:01,733 --> 00:38:03,653 Speaker 2: you know, not not comedic around the way that we 783 00:38:04,173 --> 00:38:06,373 Speaker 2: you know, especially on this podcast and our host that 784 00:38:06,373 --> 00:38:09,053 Speaker 2: I'm filling the chair of thanks to shave Fiki shouldn't 785 00:38:09,053 --> 00:38:09,773 Speaker 2: be anywhere near an. 786 00:38:09,653 --> 00:38:10,373 Speaker 4: All black squad. 787 00:38:11,013 --> 00:38:12,413 Speaker 3: You could be sorry, you go. 788 00:38:12,973 --> 00:38:14,013 Speaker 2: I was just going to say, I think the way 789 00:38:14,053 --> 00:38:17,733 Speaker 2: the laws are, the way that the kicking he's he's 790 00:38:17,733 --> 00:38:20,053 Speaker 2: a classy plan and I think he deserves to be 791 00:38:20,133 --> 00:38:23,533 Speaker 2: in the discussion. So he gets my two and I'm 792 00:38:23,533 --> 00:38:27,213 Speaker 2: going to go Tahakimina for my one. I thought, very controlled, 793 00:38:27,413 --> 00:38:32,093 Speaker 2: very assured, and yeah, what a sort of personal moment 794 00:38:32,173 --> 00:38:34,493 Speaker 2: for him. You know, Hamilton Boys a lot of family 795 00:38:34,533 --> 00:38:37,413 Speaker 2: and friends there against the team he would have had 796 00:38:37,533 --> 00:38:41,413 Speaker 2: aspirations are playing for, and he piles on some misery. 797 00:38:41,533 --> 00:38:44,013 Speaker 3: So one fatar I didn't know a hothem and him 798 00:38:44,013 --> 00:38:45,453 Speaker 3: go to school together as well, So it was the 799 00:38:45,973 --> 00:38:49,053 Speaker 3: two Hamilton boys just tearing up Rugby Park or if 800 00:38:49,093 --> 00:38:50,253 Speaker 3: himg Stadium on the weekend. 801 00:38:50,453 --> 00:38:53,613 Speaker 2: Yeah, Taylor Cahill as well, a year at Hamilton Boys 802 00:38:54,213 --> 00:38:56,773 Speaker 2: there's a few that have made their way down, you know, 803 00:38:57,893 --> 00:38:59,293 Speaker 2: good talent identification. 804 00:38:59,293 --> 00:39:00,173 Speaker 4: Should we just say. 805 00:39:00,013 --> 00:39:03,373 Speaker 3: Absolutely, just just on completely agree And I think the 806 00:39:03,413 --> 00:39:05,413 Speaker 3: way the international rugby's played now, it's time to be 807 00:39:05,413 --> 00:39:06,893 Speaker 3: a little pragmatter. I'm not saying you should be the 808 00:39:06,933 --> 00:39:09,693 Speaker 3: All Black starter every week, but that body type, he's 809 00:39:09,733 --> 00:39:12,813 Speaker 3: got the pace, the kicking and the aerial game that 810 00:39:12,853 --> 00:39:15,333 Speaker 3: he's got in terms of his kick receipts, I think 811 00:39:15,453 --> 00:39:18,213 Speaker 3: is a prototype that is very very hard to find 812 00:39:18,253 --> 00:39:20,853 Speaker 3: an international rugby and there should be a serious conversation 813 00:39:21,413 --> 00:39:23,733 Speaker 3: around him. So look, I think he's made every post 814 00:39:23,733 --> 00:39:25,773 Speaker 3: to winner on the weekend. I we'd love to see 815 00:39:25,773 --> 00:39:28,493 Speaker 3: that form continue and put himself right in the conversation 816 00:39:28,613 --> 00:39:31,493 Speaker 3: for the All Blacks. My three two ones, i've gone 817 00:39:31,573 --> 00:39:34,853 Speaker 3: very similar. After your Crusaders sweep, I haven't got a 818 00:39:34,853 --> 00:39:38,213 Speaker 3: full Crusaders sweep. We've gone halfway. Three to Christian Leo 819 00:39:38,253 --> 00:39:41,933 Speaker 3: Willie excellent performance and out sean some of his fellow 820 00:39:41,933 --> 00:39:45,093 Speaker 3: All Blacks loose forwards. Two to Caleb Clark and the 821 00:39:45,173 --> 00:39:47,613 Speaker 3: losing Blues performance. I thought he was very very good 822 00:39:48,573 --> 00:39:50,733 Speaker 3: and one of their true sparks, along as I probably 823 00:39:50,733 --> 00:39:54,253 Speaker 3: Aj Lamb and one goes the way of Tahakimada, I thought, 824 00:39:54,453 --> 00:39:57,293 Speaker 3: a very assured performance as I mentioned before, and one 825 00:39:57,293 --> 00:39:59,133 Speaker 3: that we've been waiting to see from him. So three 826 00:39:59,213 --> 00:40:01,453 Speaker 3: two ones are going the way of those men, but 827 00:40:01,573 --> 00:40:06,613 Speaker 3: six points overall going the way of Christian Leo Willie today, Bill, 828 00:40:06,693 --> 00:40:09,093 Speaker 3: thank you very much for your time once again. Might 829 00:40:09,133 --> 00:40:11,213 Speaker 3: see your Thursday. As I said, keep the phone on. 830 00:40:11,253 --> 00:40:13,613 Speaker 3: Who's to know with the Liam I assume he will 831 00:40:13,613 --> 00:40:15,213 Speaker 3: come back at some point, otherwise it might just be 832 00:40:15,293 --> 00:40:17,453 Speaker 3: us tour on Rugby Direct henceforth. 833 00:40:17,893 --> 00:40:18,653 Speaker 4: Good Man Elliott. 834 00:40:18,813 --> 00:40:21,733 Speaker 2: Always a pleasure and I do look forward to the 835 00:40:21,813 --> 00:40:24,253 Speaker 2: day of going back for being a listener rather than 836 00:40:24,253 --> 00:40:24,653 Speaker 2: a host. 837 00:40:24,693 --> 00:40:27,333 Speaker 4: But yeah, can't complain. It's always good to chew the fact. 838 00:40:27,413 --> 00:40:29,293 Speaker 3: Thanks you allways, and thanks to Mark Kelly as well 839 00:40:29,333 --> 00:40:31,613 Speaker 3: for his ex book production on this episode, and thanks 840 00:40:31,653 --> 00:40:35,173 Speaker 3: to having hell Physio book Today and stay in the game. 841 00:40:35,933 --> 00:40:38,893 Speaker 1: For more from News Talks B listen live on air 842 00:40:39,053 --> 00:40:41,773 Speaker 1: or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you 843 00:40:41,853 --> 00:40:44,213 Speaker 1: go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.