WEBVTT - Rugby Direct: Episode 210 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:11.973 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B. 0:00:12.373 --> 0:00:16.173 Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, 0:00:19.293 --> 0:00:21.053 Straight down the Middle. 0:00:23.813 --> 0:00:29.413 Try. 0:00:28.733 --> 0:00:32.853 Get inside the game from every end goal. It's Rugby 0:00:32.893 --> 0:00:36.573 Direct with Elliot Smith and Leam Nabier powered by News 0:00:36.573 --> 0:00:37.093 Talks EDB. 0:00:37.653 --> 0:00:40.533 Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio book 0:00:40.573 --> 0:00:44.253 today and stay in the game. You thought we were gone, 0:00:44.373 --> 0:00:47.733 we are not. We're back. Just the one rugby director 0:00:47.853 --> 0:00:50.973 this week Elliott Smith with me Leam Napier, New Zealand 0:00:51.013 --> 0:00:55.013 Rugby and New Zealand Here were Rugby writer and correspondent 0:00:55.093 --> 0:00:58.093 joins me on the pod. Nape's good to catch up again, 0:00:58.173 --> 0:00:59.933 even if it's just the once this. 0:00:59.973 --> 0:01:04.853 Week it is of miss Elliots. But no, you need 0:01:04.853 --> 0:01:07.253 a bit of time to recoup. So here we are, 0:01:07.293 --> 0:01:11.213 but later in the week to reconvene and cast the 0:01:11.293 --> 0:01:13.693 heads to see what's coming this weekend. 0:01:13.933 --> 0:01:16.653 Indeed, indeed, yes, I was away at a wedding of 0:01:16.653 --> 0:01:19.093 a good friends over the weekend and didn't see a 0:01:19.133 --> 0:01:21.533 great deal of Rugby live. To be honest, I've caught 0:01:21.613 --> 0:01:23.973 up with it a little bit from it. But broad 0:01:24.013 --> 0:01:27.613 strokes why is what stood out from you from the weekend. 0:01:28.493 --> 0:01:33.213 Caine's a pretty scratchy win over the Western Force. Couldn't 0:01:33.253 --> 0:01:36.253 really get going in that game. The Crusaders beat the 0:01:36.293 --> 0:01:40.693 Highlanders and a pretty ill disciplined performance, but they came 0:01:40.693 --> 0:01:43.093 from behind to do so. Blue is pretty good against 0:01:43.373 --> 0:01:47.053 Mwana Pacific. Anything really stand out from last weekend's Round 0:01:47.093 --> 0:01:48.733 five of Super Rugby for you, Limb. 0:01:50.053 --> 0:01:52.333 I think it's a bit of a continuation large of 0:01:52.333 --> 0:01:55.053 what we see have seen thus far Aliots, and that 0:01:55.293 --> 0:01:59.373 the competition does really feel wide open. I don't know 0:01:59.453 --> 0:02:02.733 whether you could right now pinpoint a favorite. I don't 0:02:02.773 --> 0:02:05.413 think I could. I think there's a number of teams 0:02:05.413 --> 0:02:07.293 that have proven they can beat each other on any 0:02:07.333 --> 0:02:11.773 given day. I think the New Zealand superiority is potentially 0:02:11.813 --> 0:02:14.413 coming to the four that we've seen in other years. 0:02:14.973 --> 0:02:18.053 It's a big weekend for the Australian teams. I think 0:02:18.093 --> 0:02:20.013 this weekend coming to lay down a bit of a marker. 0:02:21.013 --> 0:02:23.613 We're starting to see a bit of rotation coming and 0:02:24.773 --> 0:02:27.173 some of that bite team so. I think the Hurricanes 0:02:27.213 --> 0:02:30.173 were very scratchy because of some of that rotation. The 0:02:30.213 --> 0:02:32.893 Brumbies were caught out in Fiji and the Reds are 0:02:33.013 --> 0:02:35.813 rotating again this week, so I worry about them in Fiji, 0:02:35.853 --> 0:02:38.213 and we've seen the Hurricanes lose over there, so it's 0:02:38.213 --> 0:02:41.493 interesting that teams are choosing that game to rest some 0:02:41.533 --> 0:02:44.613 of their front line players. But look on the whole, 0:02:45.133 --> 0:02:49.133 the competition certainly feels open. I feel like the Crusaders 0:02:49.213 --> 0:02:52.533 had probably underwhelmed to this point other than that performance 0:02:52.573 --> 0:02:56.453 against the Chiefs. Yellow card Is Shoes got a bit 0:02:56.453 --> 0:02:58.573 of a rookie at ten this week. What do you 0:02:58.613 --> 0:02:59.173 know about him? 0:02:59.533 --> 0:03:01.693 Yeah, I know that he played I think once for 0:03:01.773 --> 0:03:04.573 the Auckland to Atara baseball game boat baseball team before 0:03:04.573 --> 0:03:09.173 that folded a bit of a baseball prodigy from down 0:03:09.253 --> 0:03:12.533 I believe Nelson Way and then once that sort of 0:03:12.533 --> 0:03:14.493 pathway closed to New Zealand and I had a sight 0:03:14.533 --> 0:03:18.173 set on playing Major League baseball, set his sights on 0:03:18.213 --> 0:03:20.853 playing rugby union instead and has made a good fist 0:03:20.853 --> 0:03:23.613 of it. Played for Tasman last year. But they're down 0:03:23.613 --> 0:03:27.533 to their fourth string number ten with Nokemrada again this week, 0:03:27.573 --> 0:03:30.093 with his Rayhanna out and with injured with concussion and 0:03:30.173 --> 0:03:34.133 James White gone for the season with concussion. You know 0:03:34.133 --> 0:03:37.133 they're battling to find fifteen's have gone to the wider 0:03:37.173 --> 0:03:40.493 training group. But this presents a pretty big opportunity for 0:03:40.573 --> 0:03:42.093 the young man. You know, probably didn't think he was 0:03:42.133 --> 0:03:44.373 going to get much super rugby time, if any, this year, 0:03:44.373 --> 0:03:46.853 and now all of a sudden he's starting in round 0:03:46.973 --> 0:03:48.613 six and with a little bit of a chance to 0:03:49.173 --> 0:03:52.373 make a name for himself. He played at North Harbor Stadium. 0:03:52.413 --> 0:03:56.093 I think with the tuatara, now he's going to return 0:03:56.133 --> 0:03:58.293 and be holding a rugby ball in his hand. 0:03:59.893 --> 0:04:02.733 Yeah, something of a homecoming in a roundabout way. 0:04:02.813 --> 0:04:04.773 And yeah, I guess we saw last year what can 0:04:04.813 --> 0:04:10.933 happen when opportunity knocks. Rayhanna wasn't an unknown character but 0:04:11.053 --> 0:04:14.333 certainly hadn't stamped his market on that level and came 0:04:14.373 --> 0:04:16.613 through and made a bit of a name for himself 0:04:16.613 --> 0:04:18.333 at the back end of the year for the Crusaders. 0:04:18.373 --> 0:04:20.373 So another big opportunity there. 0:04:20.493 --> 0:04:23.973 And we're seeing I guess potentially the lack of depth 0:04:24.773 --> 0:04:28.453 for New Zealand tens or the stockpiling of tens in 0:04:28.493 --> 0:04:31.653 some cases with the Highlanders digging deep into their ranks 0:04:31.653 --> 0:04:32.093 as well. 0:04:32.453 --> 0:04:34.213 And I think it's a big week for Ruben Love. 0:04:34.253 --> 0:04:36.253 You know, this is a guy that's been much hyped. 0:04:37.173 --> 0:04:41.853 He's a bit of a prodigy, great sporting talents cricket, rugby, 0:04:41.893 --> 0:04:43.893 but we haven't seen enough of them in recent times. 0:04:43.933 --> 0:04:47.013 And finally he's in the number ten jersey for the Hurricanes, 0:04:47.093 --> 0:04:50.173 so I would like to see a big performance out 0:04:50.213 --> 0:04:50.853 of him this week. 0:04:50.973 --> 0:04:52.973 Yeah, how much of a chance to lay down a 0:04:52.973 --> 0:04:54.533 bit of a marker. I know we've we've touched on 0:04:54.573 --> 0:04:56.533 it a fair bit since Dave Rennie was appointed, and 0:04:56.573 --> 0:04:59.493 he's talked about not having any loyalties, but he hasn't 0:04:59.533 --> 0:05:02.053 played a lot of ten Ruben Love. He's been anointed, 0:05:02.093 --> 0:05:04.733 as you know, maybe the next in line. But this 0:05:04.773 --> 0:05:07.053 is a big opportunity, I think, assuming he gets a 0:05:07.093 --> 0:05:10.133 real run at the ten usy to stake a claim 0:05:10.813 --> 0:05:13.413 and show that you know, he is capable of playing 0:05:13.453 --> 0:05:17.493 ten beyond super rugby level and higher honors rather than 0:05:17.533 --> 0:05:19.853 just being pigeonholed into maybe a fullback at Test level. 0:05:21.293 --> 0:05:23.013 Yeah, he does have that versatility, doesn't he? 0:05:23.173 --> 0:05:25.973 But I think it does help to have a preferred 0:05:26.013 --> 0:05:30.093 position to have time in that pososition, particularly when it 0:05:30.133 --> 0:05:30.733 comes to ten. 0:05:31.253 --> 0:05:33.773 You need time in the settle, you need to be 0:05:33.773 --> 0:05:34.253 able to. 0:05:34.373 --> 0:05:36.653 Hone your craft from a tactical point of view as 0:05:36.693 --> 0:05:38.893 much as anything else, been able to control the game, 0:05:39.293 --> 0:05:41.413 and we just haven't seen enough of Ruben Love to 0:05:41.493 --> 0:05:43.813 know whether he can do that on a consistent basis. 0:05:43.853 --> 0:05:45.773 So I think this is a big week for him. 0:05:45.813 --> 0:05:49.133 It's the Hurricane's strongest squad that they put out so 0:05:49.253 --> 0:05:52.453 far this year. They've got to see Carefi on the bench, 0:05:52.493 --> 0:05:56.253 which speaks to their depth certainly in the loose boards. 0:05:56.893 --> 0:06:01.173 So Ruben Love, you know, down the pecking order somewhat 0:06:01.173 --> 0:06:04.693 when you look at Richie Muwonga coming back and Josh 0:06:04.773 --> 0:06:08.613 Jacob having been on the Blacks fifteen tour actually had 0:06:08.653 --> 0:06:11.213 time at number ten, but I don't think he's really 0:06:11.573 --> 0:06:14.973 stamped his authority this year. And now Damien McKenzie's back. 0:06:15.293 --> 0:06:18.373 How many opportunities will Josh Jaken get at ten for 0:06:18.453 --> 0:06:21.253 the Chiefs. So it's a big season for Reuben Love, 0:06:21.293 --> 0:06:24.453 as you mentioned, with Dave Rennie coming in, because he's 0:06:24.453 --> 0:06:27.733 certainly no guarantee of featuring anymore. 0:06:27.413 --> 0:06:28.933 For the All Black sent he did last year at 0:06:28.933 --> 0:06:29.613 this point. 0:06:29.813 --> 0:06:32.013 No, he's not, so I think he's got to stake 0:06:32.013 --> 0:06:35.773 acclaim and interesting to the hinders. With Richard passitoa at 0:06:35.853 --> 0:06:38.333 ten who has impressed me in glimpses this year, but 0:06:38.773 --> 0:06:42.333 another barrel starting at ten altogether, they welcome Hugh Renton 0:06:43.013 --> 0:06:46.613 back into the mix. Caleb Tunguy Tower and the glimpses 0:06:46.653 --> 0:06:49.213 I saw of that game against the Crusaders going from 0:06:49.253 --> 0:06:52.813 strength to strength in the outside channels. You know, I'm 0:06:52.813 --> 0:06:55.653 not sure. I'm not completely sold on him just being 0:06:55.653 --> 0:06:58.333 as a Test football at Test wing the way that 0:06:58.373 --> 0:07:00.693 Test rugby is being played at the moment, but you 0:07:00.733 --> 0:07:03.293 can't deny that he's got that gift of absolute speed 0:07:03.733 --> 0:07:05.533 and we saw it again come to the Fall last week, 0:07:05.573 --> 0:07:09.253 and he'll get another opportunity against that Hurri Canees back three. 0:07:10.413 --> 0:07:11.173 Yeah, I think you're right. 0:07:11.213 --> 0:07:14.813 We need to probably see the full package from Caleb, 0:07:14.933 --> 0:07:18.213 particularly on defense and under the high ball, but there's 0:07:18.253 --> 0:07:20.773 no doubt in his finishing prowess is out and outpace 0:07:20.853 --> 0:07:24.653 on the edge. He's a lethal weapon. And I think 0:07:24.933 --> 0:07:26.453 I'm sure we'll touch on it a bit later in 0:07:26.533 --> 0:07:28.933 regards to the Six Nations and how that tournament involved, 0:07:28.933 --> 0:07:33.893 but we are starting to see Attack finally overcome the 0:07:33.973 --> 0:07:37.773 rush defense and have a lot more success at breaking 0:07:37.813 --> 0:07:40.693 that down and creating space on the art side getting 0:07:40.773 --> 0:07:44.013 the ball to the wingers, and someone like a Caleb 0:07:44.093 --> 0:07:48.293 Tongueytowel is really well placed to utilize that space with 0:07:48.373 --> 0:07:49.373 his blistering speed. 0:07:49.933 --> 0:07:53.093 Absolutely, the Chiefs welcome back Luke Jacobson, but going under 0:07:53.093 --> 0:07:56.413 the radar a little bit is another excuse me. Injury 0:07:56.453 --> 0:08:00.653 to Wallace, to Titi, the hamstring proving troublesome ones again. 0:08:00.653 --> 0:08:03.013 He missed the start of Super Rugby with a hamstring injury. 0:08:03.213 --> 0:08:04.813 He missed them more on a game before the buy 0:08:04.933 --> 0:08:08.013 with a hamstring Injury's out now for a few more 0:08:08.013 --> 0:08:11.733 weeks potentially with his hamstring injury. You know, he's had 0:08:11.773 --> 0:08:14.173 a few injuries since he's boost onto the scene and 0:08:14.453 --> 0:08:16.853 another frustrating one for Wallace a TD. How much of 0:08:16.853 --> 0:08:18.573 a blow do you think that is for the Chiefs 0:08:18.573 --> 0:08:22.253 as they go to Canberra and play against a team 0:08:22.333 --> 0:08:24.613 you know, writing a little bit of an emotional high 0:08:24.653 --> 0:08:27.013 with James Slipper breaking the Super Rugby record. 0:08:28.333 --> 0:08:30.813 Yeah, James Slipper, it feels like he's been around for 0:08:32.933 --> 0:08:38.053 as long as you and I earlier. Yeah, look it 0:08:38.093 --> 0:08:40.013 little bit of a blow for Wallace because I think 0:08:40.013 --> 0:08:42.973 we saw last year he's a guy that needs consistent 0:08:43.013 --> 0:08:45.453 game time. I think that's the case with most rugby players. 0:08:45.453 --> 0:08:48.533 But it wasn't a vintage year. We probably only saw 0:08:48.573 --> 0:08:50.613 the best of them in the final game of the 0:08:50.693 --> 0:08:55.413 year in Cardiff. And look, it's a long season, but 0:08:55.453 --> 0:08:57.693 the loose forwards are stacked and we are seeing some 0:08:57.813 --> 0:09:01.013 real early season form from some of those guys on 0:09:01.053 --> 0:09:04.573 the fringe, like a Devin Flanders is playing great rugby 0:09:04.573 --> 0:09:08.733 for the Hurricanes. He's having real success on the game line, 0:09:09.373 --> 0:09:11.333 heavily involved on both sides of the ball. 0:09:12.333 --> 0:09:13.613 So you hope Wallace. 0:09:13.293 --> 0:09:16.453 Can have a bit of an injury free run because look, 0:09:16.493 --> 0:09:18.573 I think he's a. 0:09:18.453 --> 0:09:19.613 Prodigious talent, isn't he. 0:09:19.613 --> 0:09:22.613 There's no denying that he was breakout player of the year, 0:09:22.653 --> 0:09:25.053 All Blacks Player of the Year a year and a 0:09:25.093 --> 0:09:27.733 half two years ago now. But needs to stay on 0:09:27.773 --> 0:09:29.653 the park and the Chiefs will be desperate to get 0:09:29.733 --> 0:09:32.413 him back. It's always a tough trip to Canberra, but 0:09:32.853 --> 0:09:36.053 McKenzie back at ten, Luke Jacobson returning, as you say, 0:09:37.653 --> 0:09:39.813 I'm backing them to go over there and sneak that. 0:09:40.653 --> 0:09:42.293 Yeah, I think they will. We'll get into some tipping 0:09:42.493 --> 0:09:44.853 a little bit later on in the podcast. Blues with 0:09:44.853 --> 0:09:47.773 an interesting one Peyton spencer name that's been around the 0:09:47.773 --> 0:09:49.613 Traps for a few years now. Played a bit of 0:09:49.653 --> 0:09:53.813 sevens obviously, sign of Carlos finally gets an opportunity off 0:09:53.853 --> 0:09:56.933 the bench against the Wartar is fascinated to see how 0:09:57.013 --> 0:10:00.133 he goes. The Wartars have slipped off the pace a 0:10:00.173 --> 0:10:03.093 little bit in the last few weeks, but I still 0:10:03.133 --> 0:10:04.813 have a feeling that they might be able to give 0:10:04.853 --> 0:10:06.573 the Blues a little bit of a tickle up in 0:10:06.853 --> 0:10:09.253 this game. Potentially, you think back to some of the 0:10:09.293 --> 0:10:12.133 meetings that they've had in the past. The Blues won 0:10:12.333 --> 0:10:15.493 comfortably last year, but I think it was the year 0:10:15.493 --> 0:10:19.693 before that they could only scrape past the war Tars 0:10:19.733 --> 0:10:23.133 in a close one. So I'm interested in You know, 0:10:23.253 --> 0:10:24.853 this is a big game for both teams. 0:10:26.213 --> 0:10:26.853 It is indeed. 0:10:27.293 --> 0:10:29.653 Look, I think the Warritars had their bubble burst a 0:10:29.693 --> 0:10:32.773 couple of weeks ago by the Hurricanes. But these two 0:10:32.773 --> 0:10:36.573 teams have some similarities. Both have big forward packs, both 0:10:37.013 --> 0:10:39.933 like to dominate the physical exchanges and be direct. I 0:10:39.973 --> 0:10:42.693 think the Blues have been more adventurous this year, have 0:10:42.853 --> 0:10:44.613 used the ball a lot more. I think we've seen 0:10:44.653 --> 0:10:48.773 that in the ball and the form that was seen 0:10:48.813 --> 0:10:53.173 from Caleb Clark and Cody Vai. He's been a real 0:10:53.293 --> 0:10:56.613 big movers, taking a real claim for that right wing spots. 0:10:57.293 --> 0:10:59.973 The Blues I think have named a very strong team 0:11:00.053 --> 0:11:04.133 Zarne Sullivan back, Peter r Key back. I think they've 0:11:04.173 --> 0:11:07.933 recalled Finley Christie after an injury there. So look, I 0:11:07.973 --> 0:11:11.253 think the Blues are starting to find some form. I'm 0:11:11.253 --> 0:11:13.573 not totally convinced by where they are at, but that's 0:11:13.693 --> 0:11:17.733 I'm starting to build a bit of momentum, so I'll 0:11:17.773 --> 0:11:21.453 back them to go over to Sydney. But I think 0:11:21.493 --> 0:11:23.613 it is a really big weekend for the Australian teams. 0:11:23.613 --> 0:11:26.373 If the Chiefs go over and win in Camera, if 0:11:26.413 --> 0:11:30.333 the Blues go over and win in Sydney, and if 0:11:30.373 --> 0:11:33.453 the Reds, who have rested I think Carter Gordon and 0:11:33.533 --> 0:11:38.373 maybe even Fraser mcwright's struggle in Fiji, it's starting to 0:11:38.573 --> 0:11:40.213 look like a bit of an early season hole for 0:11:40.253 --> 0:11:41.373 some of those Australian teams. 0:11:41.413 --> 0:11:43.893 It is indeed same old story. Potentially I will get 0:11:43.893 --> 0:11:46.453 in some tipping at the ends of the podcast. Let's 0:11:46.493 --> 0:11:50.373 wrap up the Six Nations, Liam and what a compelling 0:11:50.413 --> 0:11:53.933 finish to the Six Nations. It was Sunday morning, nine 0:11:53.973 --> 0:11:57.573 am New Zealand time a penalty goal after the siren 0:11:57.693 --> 0:12:01.293 to win the game, but win the championship. This was 0:12:01.573 --> 0:12:05.933 a quite incredible game of rugby union. I was delighted 0:12:05.933 --> 0:12:08.173 that I woke up, rubbed the sleep out of my 0:12:08.173 --> 0:12:13.133 eye the night after a wedding and you know, recuperated 0:12:13.173 --> 0:12:15.053 from being on the dance laugh a little bit too much, 0:12:15.093 --> 0:12:18.253 and was entertained by potentially one of the greatest test 0:12:18.293 --> 0:12:19.853 matches of all time. What did you make of it? 0:12:21.413 --> 0:12:23.773 Well, if you look at the Six Nations as a whole, Elliott, 0:12:24.613 --> 0:12:27.493 there were so many narratives that changed. 0:12:27.453 --> 0:12:28.653 Dramatically week to week. 0:12:28.733 --> 0:12:31.693 You know, if you think about us talking about not 0:12:31.733 --> 0:12:34.053 just us but ever on Gregor Town's been on thin 0:12:34.093 --> 0:12:39.733 nice islands, hitting the wall. England's were going to go 0:12:39.773 --> 0:12:43.693 and potentially win the tournaments. France lost to Edinburgh, everyone 0:12:43.773 --> 0:12:46.933 bet everyone Italy giant killing and then losing to Wales 0:12:47.013 --> 0:12:50.093 and then that dramatic finish on the final day. It 0:12:50.133 --> 0:12:51.533 is brilliant the way they set it up, with all 0:12:51.533 --> 0:12:55.013 the teams playing one after the other. You couldn't ask 0:12:55.053 --> 0:12:58.053 for anything more from that tournament. It's been talked about 0:12:58.093 --> 0:13:00.933 as the greatest Six Nations in history, and I think 0:13:00.973 --> 0:13:04.653 the brand of rugby that was played its brilliant. It's 0:13:04.693 --> 0:13:07.653 a great advertisement for the sport and hopefully we see 0:13:07.893 --> 0:13:10.613 more of that from the Northern Hemissea Hemisphere and hopefully 0:13:10.653 --> 0:13:14.373 they get on board with that captivating style of rugby. 0:13:14.613 --> 0:13:17.493 You know, you can talk about defenses optional and what 0:13:17.573 --> 0:13:20.733 have you, but from an entertainment perspective, it was magic, 0:13:20.813 --> 0:13:24.373 wasn't it. And that final Test France and England's just 0:13:24.773 --> 0:13:25.333 so many. 0:13:25.173 --> 0:13:26.613 Ebbs and flows. 0:13:26.653 --> 0:13:31.173 Henry Pollock hero to villain, was a Oli chessham with 0:13:31.333 --> 0:13:33.053 the intercept and he's gone and put it in the 0:13:33.053 --> 0:13:36.413 corner in England lose because of the sideline conversion and 0:13:37.293 --> 0:13:38.893 just so many narratives weren't there. 0:13:38.973 --> 0:13:41.613 Yeah, what was sixteen lead changes in the end thirty 0:13:41.613 --> 0:13:44.213 eight to twenty seven. France led not long after halftime 0:13:44.213 --> 0:13:46.373 and you thought, kay, well they'll kick on here and 0:13:47.133 --> 0:13:50.333 maybe even you know, reach fifty. But for England to 0:13:50.373 --> 0:13:53.973 come back and then throw it away, it had everything 0:13:54.093 --> 0:13:58.613 that game. Yeah, it's a wonderful advertisement for test rugby, 0:13:58.653 --> 0:14:02.093 but also the Six Nations and France probably worthy winners 0:14:02.613 --> 0:14:05.413 in the end, so obviously they had lost to Scotland 0:14:05.453 --> 0:14:08.133 the week prior, but over the course of the competition, 0:14:08.413 --> 0:14:11.733 opening against Ireland and a very good performance with the 0:14:11.773 --> 0:14:15.373 win there and then wrapping it up with the balls 0:14:15.413 --> 0:14:19.333 they had to through Ramos to kick that penalty right 0:14:19.373 --> 0:14:21.933 at the end. It had everything and I thought, you're 0:14:21.973 --> 0:14:24.173 just a compelling advertisement for rugby and you hope that 0:14:24.253 --> 0:14:27.053 more Test matches are like that. What do you think 0:14:27.053 --> 0:14:28.973 it means though, for the way that Test matches might 0:14:29.013 --> 0:14:30.453 be played for the rest of the year. Is that 0:14:30.573 --> 0:14:33.773 just a one off or maybe you know, some of 0:14:33.813 --> 0:14:37.533 these rule changes that we've seen over the last twenty 0:14:37.533 --> 0:14:41.573 four months, etc. Are beginning to take effects now, you know, 0:14:41.613 --> 0:14:42.413 across the globe. 0:14:44.013 --> 0:14:46.933 I think we are starting to see that. And look, 0:14:47.053 --> 0:14:49.373 you look at England and when they're capable of that 0:14:49.413 --> 0:14:51.533 style of rugby. I know they lost, but a where's 0:14:51.573 --> 0:14:54.573 that been for most of that tournament in terms of 0:14:54.573 --> 0:14:58.093 the attacking endeavor, because they've been so bland and boring 0:14:58.173 --> 0:15:02.453 and conservative. So it was great to see them chance 0:15:02.493 --> 0:15:05.173 their arm and have a real crack. But I do 0:15:05.213 --> 0:15:08.693 think we are starting to see the quest eat up 0:15:08.693 --> 0:15:15.173 the game and promotes attacking rugby come into it and hopefully. 0:15:15.773 --> 0:15:18.013 I think some of the rule changes and super Rugby 0:15:18.013 --> 0:15:20.253 have laid the platform for that. I think there's still 0:15:20.493 --> 0:15:23.213 more that we can do to go down that path. 0:15:23.253 --> 0:15:27.493 And that's not so I hate this chat about depowering 0:15:27.533 --> 0:15:30.973 scrums or getting rid of the scrums or going away 0:15:30.973 --> 0:15:35.293 from what works for South Africa or France. Rugby needs 0:15:35.333 --> 0:15:39.013 to realize it's an entertainment product and that doesn't mean 0:15:39.053 --> 0:15:42.373 they can't be contrasting styles. But I think from my 0:15:42.413 --> 0:15:45.253 perspective anyway, everyone needs to get on board and welcome 0:15:45.293 --> 0:15:50.893 these rules that promotes ball and play up tempo attacking 0:15:50.933 --> 0:15:54.093 rugby because ultimately that's what's going to bring more eyeballs 0:15:54.133 --> 0:15:54.613 to the sport. 0:15:54.893 --> 0:15:57.493 I think so too, and hopefully this is, as you said, 0:15:57.613 --> 0:15:59.693 the way things to come. And I thought the way 0:15:59.693 --> 0:16:03.933 that England attacks was clearly something that France hadn't expected. 0:16:04.213 --> 0:16:08.173 Sean Edwards interviewed after the game. Obviously he's one number 0:16:08.173 --> 0:16:10.413 of six nations now, but it felt like the chaos 0:16:10.413 --> 0:16:12.853 that England are throwing around was something that France hadn't 0:16:12.893 --> 0:16:17.933 prepared for and didn't look within their abilities to adapt 0:16:17.973 --> 0:16:20.053 to the way that they were playing. I thought really 0:16:20.093 --> 0:16:22.653 smart rugby from England, but can they do it every week? 0:16:23.173 --> 0:16:25.493 It's going to be the fascinating thing. And with the 0:16:26.013 --> 0:16:29.173 Nation's championship not too far away, you know, Steve Borthwick 0:16:29.213 --> 0:16:31.773 will keep his job from you know what we're hearing 0:16:31.773 --> 0:16:34.373 from our friends up north, you know, at least through July. 0:16:35.253 --> 0:16:37.973 But if that July campaign goes pear shape, then it 0:16:38.053 --> 0:16:40.173 could be all on again. So as we touched on 0:16:40.173 --> 0:16:42.533 at the start, there's so many little we narratives that 0:16:42.613 --> 0:16:45.613 have you know, come out of the you know, the 0:16:46.413 --> 0:16:48.813 blocks over the tours over the course of the six Nations, 0:16:48.813 --> 0:16:50.173 but then if had to go out of the back 0:16:50.173 --> 0:16:52.493 into the box over the course of the six Nations 0:16:52.533 --> 0:16:55.293 as well. But it doesn't mean that they're completely you know, 0:16:55.413 --> 0:16:57.533 off the table. You feel like there could be more 0:16:57.573 --> 0:17:00.613 to come in those regards as well. Speaking of more 0:17:00.653 --> 0:17:03.773 to come, we're on Earth of the All Blacks assistant 0:17:03.813 --> 0:17:07.853 coaches at Liam. 0:17:06.493 --> 0:17:07.373 Good question, Eliot. 0:17:07.333 --> 0:17:10.133 It was it was all signposted to happen this week, 0:17:10.213 --> 0:17:12.853 but contracts take a while to get drawn up and 0:17:13.213 --> 0:17:16.253 people take a while to agree to terms and to 0:17:16.293 --> 0:17:20.573 shake everything down. I'm hearing that Phil Healley and Neil 0:17:20.613 --> 0:17:25.493 Barnes close to signing or have signs. But and I 0:17:25.493 --> 0:17:27.693 think we'll see Tanumager in that mix as well, which 0:17:27.693 --> 0:17:30.853 has been pretty well signposted. But I think it's I'm 0:17:30.853 --> 0:17:33.493 here and it's pretty touch and go with Mike Bleir. 0:17:33.693 --> 0:17:35.333 So it's going to be very interesting to see whether 0:17:35.373 --> 0:17:39.493 all blacks land from an attacking portfolio perspective. 0:17:40.733 --> 0:17:43.133 So he may not get across the line and they 0:17:43.173 --> 0:17:45.133 may retain Scott Hansen, is what you're hearing. 0:17:46.173 --> 0:17:49.173 Potentially. I'm not definitive. 0:17:49.173 --> 0:17:52.253 Either way, but I think at this point that sounds 0:17:52.293 --> 0:17:55.773 like that'll be the last one to be finalized, and 0:17:56.493 --> 0:18:00.293 there's certainly no guarantees that Mike Blear will be involved. 0:18:01.013 --> 0:18:02.893 We touched on this a little bit last week. It's 0:18:02.933 --> 0:18:05.533 not a pay issue, is it that New Zealand Rugby 0:18:06.413 --> 0:18:10.413 are worried about. It's the fact was that Scott Hansen 0:18:10.493 --> 0:18:14.453 was well reviewed at last year's inter view Sewer from 0:18:14.453 --> 0:18:18.853 what we understand, from what you understand, and there's a 0:18:18.893 --> 0:18:22.653 sense that maybe keeping him there is better than you know, 0:18:22.653 --> 0:18:26.013 throwing the entire baby out with the bath order. 0:18:27.213 --> 0:18:30.453 Yeah, it depends on you talk to Elliott's. Some people 0:18:30.493 --> 0:18:33.253 say he reviewed well, and then I've heard stories of 0:18:34.253 --> 0:18:37.333 other players and certain people involved in that group who 0:18:37.733 --> 0:18:41.453 weren't a fan of certain aspects of Scott Hansen's coaching. 0:18:42.573 --> 0:18:44.493 He is on a four year contract on a rugby 0:18:44.613 --> 0:18:48.453 adamant that that is a non factor, that money is 0:18:48.493 --> 0:18:51.733 not part of the equation, but I think that's certainly 0:18:51.813 --> 0:18:55.453 he's on rugby pushing hard for Rennie to strongly consider 0:18:55.733 --> 0:19:01.013 retaining Scott Hansen, where I think Rennie's preference was certainly 0:19:01.093 --> 0:19:05.053 to bring in Mike Blair. So look, it's gonna be 0:19:05.053 --> 0:19:07.933 interesting to see how that coaching team shakes down in 0:19:07.973 --> 0:19:11.773 the coming week. So it was meant to be potentially 0:19:11.853 --> 0:19:15.733 back end of this week. But here we are Thursday 0:19:15.973 --> 0:19:19.893 and nothing's been finalized as yet, so it can't be 0:19:19.933 --> 0:19:20.853 too far away. 0:19:20.693 --> 0:19:24.053 No, you'd think not. We did sort of speculate that 0:19:24.093 --> 0:19:25.853 we might have some assistants to talk about this week, 0:19:25.893 --> 0:19:28.613 but not to be right, Let's do some tipping for 0:19:28.853 --> 0:19:32.413 this weekend, Liam, you lead by one after getting four 0:19:32.493 --> 0:19:34.893 or five last week. I got four or five last 0:19:34.893 --> 0:19:37.013 week as well. We were by and large the same. 0:19:37.253 --> 0:19:40.173 We both picked the Brumbies too winning Fiji, which did 0:19:40.213 --> 0:19:45.573 not happen. Highlanders Hurricanes indonedan Friday night seven o five 0:19:45.693 --> 0:19:48.213 live on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. Is this the week 0:19:48.213 --> 0:19:52.533 that the Cane train gets derailed by the southern Southern 0:19:52.573 --> 0:19:54.493 side of the Highlanders. 0:19:55.173 --> 0:20:00.973 We almost came off the tracks in Napier before Thecaine's 0:20:00.973 --> 0:20:03.893 bomb squad was unleashed and then they managed to concede 0:20:03.893 --> 0:20:06.413 too late trials and blow the bonus points. So it 0:20:06.493 --> 0:20:09.373 was a very scratchy performance last week from the Canes. 0:20:09.373 --> 0:20:13.493 But the squad this week looks really bolted on. Billy 0:20:13.533 --> 0:20:17.253 propped a back, Peter Luckye back really strong, so it 0:20:17.253 --> 0:20:18.653 will be a shock to you they're going to tip 0:20:18.693 --> 0:20:21.293 the Canes to win that. It's also my weeknd the 0:20:21.293 --> 0:20:26.253 betting Synderkit, so I do have quite a large slice 0:20:26.253 --> 0:20:30.413 of my week riding on that. So if you see 0:20:30.413 --> 0:20:33.653 my demeanor next week, it may be determined by how 0:20:33.693 --> 0:20:34.933 the cand goes. 0:20:35.133 --> 0:20:37.773 I suspect you're right. I'm going to side with you 0:20:37.813 --> 0:20:40.613 and go the Hurricanes for that game. I think they've 0:20:40.653 --> 0:20:42.293 got a better team this week. There's a couple of 0:20:42.293 --> 0:20:46.093 injuries as we've touched on to the Highlanders, so they 0:20:46.133 --> 0:20:49.413