WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 129 0:00:09.133 --> 0:00:12.693 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow 0:00:12.813 --> 0:00:17.693 this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio. Yet 0:00:17.893 --> 0:00:22.093 inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with 0:00:22.293 --> 0:00:24.653 Elliott Smith powered by News Talks EDB. 0:00:25.053 --> 0:00:29.253 Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Xcess Solutions, salivating you 0:00:29.293 --> 0:00:32.293 and your business to a higher level. Welcome back to 0:00:32.453 --> 0:00:35.213 another week. This week it is Test Week. Finally it 0:00:35.253 --> 0:00:39.213 has arrived. Elligott Smith with me as always Liam Napier 0:00:39.333 --> 0:00:41.973 from the New Zealand Herald and Liam feels like I've 0:00:41.973 --> 0:00:44.133 been waiting for this for quite some time and finally 0:00:44.213 --> 0:00:45.253 we are into Test week. 0:00:45.613 --> 0:00:47.173 We are great to be here, isn't it. 0:00:47.293 --> 0:00:49.773 We haven't waited quite as long as Scott robertson sixteen 0:00:49.813 --> 0:00:56.053 months on since he was officially appointed to succeed Ian Foster. 0:00:56.533 --> 0:00:59.333 But here we are Test Week. Hint Dunedin. 0:00:59.933 --> 0:01:02.533 It's going to be fresh, pretty glad there's a roof 0:01:02.573 --> 0:01:05.333 and can't wait to get stuck into some Tomatrow juice. 0:01:05.453 --> 0:01:09.733 Oh, for God's sake, m you'll be recited any access 0:01:09.933 --> 0:01:13.213 that you might have a huge order of that. I 0:01:13.213 --> 0:01:15.653 guess we'll get the team on Thursday. But let's talk 0:01:15.693 --> 0:01:19.093 through perhaps the likely twenty three for the All Blacks 0:01:19.093 --> 0:01:21.933 that we see it perhaps unfolding now. I guess the 0:01:21.933 --> 0:01:27.533 front row probably picks itself in the form of De Groot, Taylor, Lomax. 0:01:27.613 --> 0:01:28.693 Any arguments there. 0:01:28.813 --> 0:01:32.893 No provided everyone's fit and wearing to go and we 0:01:33.013 --> 0:01:33.813 assume they are. 0:01:33.813 --> 0:01:36.813 Yep locks Captain Scott. 0:01:36.573 --> 0:01:38.333 Barrett, yep, he's a lot. 0:01:38.413 --> 0:01:39.333 He's a lot, Yes he is. 0:01:40.253 --> 0:01:45.253 And if he's fits, I think Patrick twopolo two has 0:01:45.293 --> 0:01:51.013 done more than enough to start and his leadership, his experience, 0:01:51.293 --> 0:01:53.293 the way he played for the Blues this year. But 0:01:53.333 --> 0:01:55.413 I guess there is a big question mark over his knee, 0:01:55.453 --> 0:01:58.653 so if he's not fit then to go straight in there. 0:01:58.573 --> 0:02:01.613 One of the issues probably that is going to cause 0:02:02.533 --> 0:02:05.813 some headaches or some debate around the selection table. Although 0:02:05.893 --> 0:02:08.133 Scott Robertson himself is selecting the loose forwards and he 0:02:08.173 --> 0:02:11.933 has the casting vote over all selections, so maybe discussing 0:02:11.973 --> 0:02:15.653 with himself as the loose folds, which way do you 0:02:15.693 --> 0:02:18.933 see this guy? There's any number of combinations they can 0:02:19.013 --> 0:02:21.133 put out there. I guess the most obvious one is 0:02:21.213 --> 0:02:22.573 Artie Survey is going to be at the back of 0:02:22.573 --> 0:02:26.653 the scrum, but blindside and open side flanker certainly seem 0:02:26.973 --> 0:02:29.533 up for grabs, perhaps open side least so. But there's 0:02:29.573 --> 0:02:31.773 a bit of a debate around where we go with blindside. 0:02:31.773 --> 0:02:34.453 Open side should be doled in pupper lead, blindside flanker. 0:02:35.573 --> 0:02:39.133 Anyone's guess, Yeah, Look, I think if you look back 0:02:39.453 --> 0:02:44.053 to the World Cup and Shennifrazzel's exit, blindside is a 0:02:44.093 --> 0:02:45.093 massive hole to film. 0:02:46.213 --> 0:02:49.773 When we talk about the eligibility to. 0:02:49.853 --> 0:02:54.693 Discussion and Richiemonger and Seennif Frazel are front of that queue. 0:02:55.013 --> 0:02:58.933 They are guys that by and large are replaceable. Jennifrazel 0:02:59.253 --> 0:03:03.173 took a long time to find his best form, only 0:03:03.253 --> 0:03:06.333 really when Jason Rowan came on board, but he became 0:03:06.573 --> 0:03:09.733 that enforcer in the pack, the domin ball carrier, defender. 0:03:10.453 --> 0:03:12.533 Everything you want from a blind side and so the 0:03:12.693 --> 0:03:15.853 massive shoes to feel and we don't know quite where 0:03:15.853 --> 0:03:17.613 the All Blacks are going to go with it. I 0:03:17.653 --> 0:03:22.533 suspect their first choice blindside ethan blackheader hasn't played a 0:03:22.573 --> 0:03:25.293 lot of rugby this year, but you do have other 0:03:25.333 --> 0:03:30.093 options within that squad. Luke Jacobson Summer Penny Female is 0:03:30.333 --> 0:03:34.333 probably the most likeful like in terms of his physical nature. 0:03:34.813 --> 0:03:39.213 I suspect they will probably go ethan blackheader, but I'm 0:03:39.253 --> 0:03:40.453 not totally convinced on that. 0:03:40.453 --> 0:03:43.493 What I reckon, I'll probably lenank towards going with Fena 0:03:43.733 --> 0:03:47.133 for this opening test. I think he's more of a 0:03:47.173 --> 0:03:51.293 potentially like for light replacement with Shannon Frazel. He's that enforcer. 0:03:51.413 --> 0:03:54.093 He's had a very very good Super Rugby season. The 0:03:54.133 --> 0:03:56.693 one caveat to that is he's providing the lot cover 0:03:56.773 --> 0:03:59.813 in this team as well, so I wonder whether he 0:03:59.853 --> 0:04:02.533 may end up being on the bench just because of that, 0:04:02.653 --> 0:04:04.613 especially for the first couple of tests. 0:04:06.173 --> 0:04:08.293 I suspect do you really need that if you've got 0:04:08.533 --> 0:04:09.493 a specialist. 0:04:09.133 --> 0:04:12.773 Lock there, No, not necessarily, but I think it's approaps 0:04:12.813 --> 0:04:14.933 a risk your proposition. That's why I would take Female 0:04:15.093 --> 0:04:18.613 on the reserves bench and you can't do the wa 0:04:18.693 --> 0:04:21.133 ifs or play what ifs. But I think that's probably 0:04:21.133 --> 0:04:23.893 where they may lean. But personally, I think Female deserves 0:04:23.893 --> 0:04:25.773 the first crack. As you mentioned, he think blake It 0:04:25.813 --> 0:04:29.253 hasn't had a lot of game time this year. Potentially 0:04:29.253 --> 0:04:32.493 long term he is their preferred starting blind side. But 0:04:32.493 --> 0:04:35.293 I think for this test you've also got a balanced 0:04:35.293 --> 0:04:38.413 players that have had game time, and so I think 0:04:38.453 --> 0:04:40.293 that's where you go Semmerpenny feenw to start. 0:04:40.813 --> 0:04:42.773 Yeah, it's a compelling argument there. 0:04:42.813 --> 0:04:45.293 He was the hat man for the Chiefs, wasn't He 0:04:45.693 --> 0:04:50.573 pushed the boundaries and you know, love to crunch first 0:04:50.613 --> 0:04:53.133 fives and I think you need a player in your 0:04:53.133 --> 0:04:55.973 team like that to put the ships up the opposition 0:04:56.093 --> 0:04:58.773 for one of a better term, to be that enforcer 0:04:59.133 --> 0:05:02.253 in the pack. So Summer Penny brings that Ethan Blackheader 0:05:02.333 --> 0:05:05.853 is a different player. He's probably a wee bit more mobile, 0:05:06.293 --> 0:05:09.333 but a similar love for the physic, the physical nature 0:05:09.333 --> 0:05:11.413 of it. He's probably better at the breakdown over the 0:05:11.413 --> 0:05:16.213 ball because he can play open side number eight, and 0:05:16.253 --> 0:05:19.933 he's probably they're probably on a par when it comes 0:05:19.973 --> 0:05:24.053 to line out abilities. Some Apeni has played Locke, So yeah, 0:05:24.133 --> 0:05:26.973 I think we agree that it's basically between Black at 0:05:27.013 --> 0:05:30.733 it and female. Can't see them starting Luke Jacobson straight 0:05:30.773 --> 0:05:33.613 off the bat. There the other question we'll go through 0:05:33.653 --> 0:05:35.173 the rest of the team, but just want to throw 0:05:35.213 --> 0:05:38.253 something at your hair. So Ben Ill, the English number 0:05:38.253 --> 0:05:42.373 eight played, spent a lot of the second half against 0:05:42.453 --> 0:05:46.773 Japan last week for England in the back line in 0:05:46.813 --> 0:05:50.613 the midfield specifically that allow could allow England to stack 0:05:50.653 --> 0:05:54.013 their bench with Fords. Is that going to factor into 0:05:54.053 --> 0:05:55.813 the All Blacks thinking when it comes to their bench. 0:05:55.813 --> 0:05:57.653 Do they need to go like for like and match 0:05:57.693 --> 0:06:00.573 England for their number of Fords that they may stack 0:06:00.653 --> 0:06:01.093 the bench with. 0:06:01.253 --> 0:06:01.293 No. 0:06:01.413 --> 0:06:04.413 You play your own game, I think, and we still 0:06:04.933 --> 0:06:06.653 do this at the World Cup with the seven to 0:06:06.653 --> 0:06:10.573 one bench obviously was a key factor in certainly the 0:06:10.653 --> 0:06:13.813 game twicken them, but they had already cantered away with 0:06:13.853 --> 0:06:15.733 it to a certain point. Don't know if it was 0:06:15.813 --> 0:06:18.013 necessarily the tipping point in the final them having a 0:06:18.053 --> 0:06:20.373 seven to one bench in the World Cup last year, 0:06:20.413 --> 0:06:22.133 but I think you play your own game. Scott Robinson 0:06:22.173 --> 0:06:24.013 was asked about this yet now with Jason Pye talk 0:06:24.053 --> 0:06:27.213 Back on the weekend and didn't roll it out as 0:06:27.253 --> 0:06:30.693 a potential option at some point this season. But I 0:06:30.733 --> 0:06:33.013 think a bit reluctant just because of the issues it 0:06:33.053 --> 0:06:36.373 causes with the backs. And we've seen through the last 0:06:36.373 --> 0:06:38.893 fifteen to twenty years how much the All Blacks like 0:06:38.933 --> 0:06:41.373 having those fresh pair of legs from the backs come 0:06:41.413 --> 0:06:44.413 in and with McKenzie's done in the pass, Bot and 0:06:44.453 --> 0:06:48.133 Barrett running at tired opposition leagus. Now when you're bringing 0:06:48.133 --> 0:06:51.253 on a forward pack, that mitigates the tiredness from the 0:06:51.253 --> 0:06:53.293 opposition a little bit. But I still think that's a 0:06:53.373 --> 0:06:55.613 key part of the All Blacks DNA is having those 0:06:55.613 --> 0:06:57.973 fresh legs at the backs running it tired opposition in 0:06:57.973 --> 0:07:00.933 front row. So I don't know that that necessarily is 0:07:00.973 --> 0:07:03.173 going to factor in fiel Blacks thinking this week. 0:07:03.373 --> 0:07:03.973 Yeah, I agree. 0:07:04.013 --> 0:07:06.533 I think you need to stick to what you want 0:07:06.573 --> 0:07:10.933 to do, and the All Blacks traditionally they love those 0:07:10.973 --> 0:07:15.413 live wise on the bench and the versatility that backspring. 0:07:16.053 --> 0:07:18.693 If we move on to the half backs. For me, 0:07:19.253 --> 0:07:22.533 this area is very much a bit of a holding 0:07:22.573 --> 0:07:25.253 pedtern to a degree, and I'll make the same argument 0:07:25.293 --> 0:07:28.133 for fallback when we get to that. But cam Ro 0:07:28.173 --> 0:07:31.293 regard this is his era, as Aaron Smith said on 0:07:31.853 --> 0:07:35.493 the pod a number of weeks ago. Now when he's fit, 0:07:35.733 --> 0:07:38.733 he provided he comes back in the same sort of 0:07:39.293 --> 0:07:44.333 form and shape, well, this is his time for now. 0:07:44.813 --> 0:07:45.773 It's very intriguing. 0:07:45.813 --> 0:07:48.533 You could potentially go one of three ways here, TJ. 0:07:48.693 --> 0:07:53.053 Petina corta orten lay CHRISTI where do you see them 0:07:53.053 --> 0:07:53.733 going at half back? 0:07:53.813 --> 0:07:56.573 I think they'll go with TJ Pedina on the basis 0:07:57.253 --> 0:08:01.453 of his experience to this point, and you need to 0:08:01.493 --> 0:08:04.133 sprinkle that in through the team as much as you can, 0:08:04.333 --> 0:08:07.053 especially when you've had a truncated build up to the 0:08:07.093 --> 0:08:10.093 first Test of the season. Your opposition has already played 0:08:10.093 --> 0:08:12.293 a Test match in this window or in this period 0:08:12.333 --> 0:08:15.413 of time, so I think someone like TJ Petinara his 0:08:15.493 --> 0:08:18.133 experience would be valuable. You could flip that and go 0:08:18.573 --> 0:08:20.733 having him come off the bench could be vital in 0:08:20.773 --> 0:08:22.893 the last twenty twenty five minutes, but I think you'd 0:08:22.973 --> 0:08:25.733 lead out with the experience. Finlay Christie's played a number 0:08:25.733 --> 0:08:27.933 of Test matches from the bench, so i'd bring him 0:08:27.973 --> 0:08:30.013 off the bench later on Cortez Rasima, I think we'll 0:08:30.013 --> 0:08:32.333 have to wait for his debut. Completely agree though it 0:08:32.373 --> 0:08:34.653 is a holding pattern. Once cam Royguard's back, that's his 0:08:34.773 --> 0:08:37.293 jersey is number nine jersey, and we almost restart this 0:08:37.333 --> 0:08:40.093 debate again around the three half backs, not just the 0:08:40.093 --> 0:08:42.933 starting halfback. But I think once cam Royguard's back, there 0:08:42.973 --> 0:08:44.613 is a debate to be had about the best mix 0:08:44.653 --> 0:08:46.133 of three half backs in the All Blacks. 0:08:46.653 --> 0:08:48.413 Yeah, I think they'll go TJ as well to start, 0:08:48.453 --> 0:08:53.213 but in my mind, I would go Cortez Rasima on 0:08:53.293 --> 0:08:55.333 the bench. I think he would bring so much more 0:08:55.453 --> 0:08:58.453 off the bench in terms of an impact player. He's 0:08:58.533 --> 0:09:03.333 dynamic with his running game, his support play, his physical 0:09:03.973 --> 0:09:05.973 I just get him in the mix now. He's got 0:09:05.973 --> 0:09:10.133 that combination with Damian McKenzie as well. Who you likely 0:09:10.213 --> 0:09:13.133 to spend the vast majority of the game at ten? 0:09:13.613 --> 0:09:16.613 I think Finlay Chrissie. I just I don't see him 0:09:16.613 --> 0:09:20.573 being that impact player. He's a guy that could start, 0:09:20.973 --> 0:09:24.333 but he's such a conservative option to bring on to 0:09:24.373 --> 0:09:25.253 close out a game. 0:09:25.613 --> 0:09:27.173 He's a great defensive presence. 0:09:27.293 --> 0:09:29.893 He's caught quite good over the ball with turnovers a 0:09:29.973 --> 0:09:32.013 number of times for the Blues this year when he 0:09:32.053 --> 0:09:35.413 came back crucial turnovers on his own line. But if 0:09:35.413 --> 0:09:38.093 you're looking to lift the pace in tempo of the 0:09:38.093 --> 0:09:40.613 match and that last twenty, particularly under the roof in 0:09:40.693 --> 0:09:44.253 Dunedin which caters to that sort of style, Ratima is 0:09:44.253 --> 0:09:45.613 your man. So I want to see them be a 0:09:45.653 --> 0:09:48.573 bit bold there and give him his debut straight away. 0:09:48.973 --> 0:09:49.733 Let's go to ten. 0:09:50.773 --> 0:09:53.653 Damien McKenzie had no arguments here. 0:09:53.693 --> 0:09:56.773 I think Boden Barrett's short of a gallop it's between 0:09:56.773 --> 0:10:00.813 those two, and because of Will Jordan's absence and the 0:10:00.893 --> 0:10:05.053 lack of fullbacks in the team and the squads, I 0:10:05.093 --> 0:10:07.613 think it's reasonably bolted on that it's going to be 0:10:07.693 --> 0:10:09.533 McKenzie and Bear at the back. 0:10:10.653 --> 0:10:15.253 Wings was interesting to me. I think they'll probably end 0:10:15.333 --> 0:10:17.853 up going sever Reese on the left wing, mark Khalia 0:10:18.413 --> 0:10:20.893 on the right. There's other ways you could skin it. 0:10:21.293 --> 0:10:23.613 I think Martley is fairly locked in on the right wing, 0:10:24.013 --> 0:10:25.493 or at least one of the wings. You could put 0:10:25.533 --> 0:10:29.373 them on the left, but I think you could make 0:10:29.413 --> 0:10:32.693 the argument for in Monte Nadau on the right wing 0:10:32.733 --> 0:10:34.773 and moving Mark Khala across to the left. But I 0:10:34.813 --> 0:10:37.093 think for this first test they'll sever Reese on the 0:10:37.133 --> 0:10:38.733 left wing and Mark Klear on the right. 0:10:39.573 --> 0:10:41.173 I think you can, like you say, you can make 0:10:41.173 --> 0:10:42.933 an argument for all of them. They're all in form, 0:10:43.373 --> 0:10:47.373 all finishing well. Sevu, I guess is potentially short of 0:10:47.373 --> 0:10:49.413 a gallop, but I don't know if that really matters 0:10:49.533 --> 0:10:51.493 as much for a wing as it does for for 0:10:51.533 --> 0:10:56.493 a lock loose forward who need that That physical contact. 0:10:56.333 --> 0:10:59.133 Played a bit for Sumner and Christch Club Rugby in 0:10:59.133 --> 0:10:59.813 the last couple. 0:10:59.653 --> 0:11:03.853 Of weeks well, I've just start them now. Look I 0:11:03.853 --> 0:11:07.973 would I would go Mark Tala and Caleb Clark. They 0:11:08.013 --> 0:11:10.773 know each the well, interchange well. But there is a 0:11:10.853 --> 0:11:14.133 question mark about Caleb Clark and his ribs as he fits. 0:11:14.293 --> 0:11:16.493 Not too sure at this point of the week, so 0:11:16.933 --> 0:11:19.573 I think I would never issue with them starting any 0:11:19.573 --> 0:11:20.133 of those wings. 0:11:20.133 --> 0:11:21.933 But I agree Mark to Lea as. 0:11:21.853 --> 0:11:26.893 A lock midfield, Jordi Barrett vice captain at second five. 0:11:27.933 --> 0:11:28.733 Who's your center? 0:11:30.133 --> 0:11:33.933 You keep that combination first Test of the year, Rick starts. 0:11:34.173 --> 0:11:34.693 I think. 0:11:36.093 --> 0:11:40.013 There's an argument Billy Proctor knows Jordi Barrett extremely well, 0:11:40.173 --> 0:11:44.013 played together for two three years now, but I think 0:11:44.493 --> 0:11:47.013 first Test of the year, you've only had ten days 0:11:47.053 --> 0:11:50.253 to prepare. You probably want to ease some of those 0:11:50.253 --> 0:11:52.933 guys in. But it's going to be interesting to see 0:11:52.973 --> 0:11:55.733 how that plays out throughout the year. I think Billy's 0:11:55.933 --> 0:11:57.413 certainly putting a lot of pressure on. 0:11:57.733 --> 0:11:59.653 I could see an argument where they do start Billy 0:11:59.693 --> 0:12:05.733 Proctor this weekend with the Jordi Barrett combination. Ricca, you 0:12:05.773 --> 0:12:08.533 only had a solid season for the Blues, but Billy 0:12:08.573 --> 0:12:10.933 Procter and Jordi Barrat have that super rugby combination. I 0:12:10.973 --> 0:12:13.853 think there's certainly an argument who made that you could 0:12:14.293 --> 0:12:16.453 bring Billy Procter in this early, just such as this 0:12:16.573 --> 0:12:19.733 film has been for the Hurricanes and Super Rugby, I 0:12:19.733 --> 0:12:22.813 wouldn't necessarily rule them out going with that this weekend. 0:12:24.613 --> 0:12:26.893 There would also change the dynamic of how you also 0:12:26.973 --> 0:12:29.733 slicked the bench if you were to bring in Billy 0:12:29.733 --> 0:12:32.053 Procter in the midfield. I think the more likely option 0:12:32.133 --> 0:12:34.933 is Ricou Yowanni, but just wouldn't necessarily surprise me if 0:12:34.973 --> 0:12:39.213 they do go Billy Procter at center this week. Boden 0:12:39.213 --> 0:12:42.173 Barrey mentioned fall back before, so that's the run on 0:12:42.253 --> 0:12:43.933 fifteen sorted it is. 0:12:44.013 --> 0:12:45.973 Let me pose a question to you about Boden. Let's 0:12:46.013 --> 0:12:48.933 cast their heads. When Will Jordan comes back? And it's 0:12:49.213 --> 0:12:52.413 well signposted that he will be fullback. That's where he 0:12:52.453 --> 0:12:55.173 wants to play, That's where Razor wants him to play, 0:12:55.773 --> 0:12:58.133 and after spending much of his All Black career on 0:12:58.173 --> 0:13:00.773 the wing, where he has been exceptional, but that's not 0:13:00.813 --> 0:13:03.973 his chosen position. So will Jordan comes back, Let's assume 0:13:04.013 --> 0:13:07.053 he's fit, He's ready to go come August September for 0:13:07.093 --> 0:13:10.373 the All Black Seas slots in there, where's Boden Barrett's future. 0:13:10.453 --> 0:13:12.533 He's signed for four years for New Zealand Rugby as 0:13:12.573 --> 0:13:13.333 their first five. 0:13:13.493 --> 0:13:15.973 Is it at fullback? Well, I think that's that ten argument. 0:13:15.973 --> 0:13:18.853 It's still live if yes, Mackenzie will like nine per 0:13:18.893 --> 0:13:22.653 cent start this weekend, but I think let's see how 0:13:22.693 --> 0:13:25.093 he goes over these first few tests and it's got. 0:13:24.933 --> 0:13:27.053 A bit to proved. Doesn't think he's only started four 0:13:27.133 --> 0:13:28.253 or five tests at ten. 0:13:28.573 --> 0:13:30.693 Yeah, and I think the jury is still out on 0:13:30.853 --> 0:13:33.533 the ten jersey with Richie Wonger having now departed in 0:13:33.533 --> 0:13:35.733 New Zealand Rugby. Maybe he comes back at a certain 0:13:35.733 --> 0:13:37.653 point and is eligible again, but for now he's not, 0:13:37.773 --> 0:13:41.093 so it's a two horse race between McKenzie and Boden Barrett. 0:13:41.093 --> 0:13:43.133 I think that jewsey is still live. Boden will get 0:13:43.133 --> 0:13:45.173 its chances at ten at some point this year, whether 0:13:45.173 --> 0:13:48.413 it's through injury resp rotation, with Mackenzie sitting out, so 0:13:48.693 --> 0:13:52.733 he'll have a point to prove. He's spoken of his 0:13:52.853 --> 0:13:55.773 desire to play ten again rather than being a fullback, 0:13:55.853 --> 0:13:58.333 so that's part of the conversation as well, that he 0:13:58.373 --> 0:14:02.413 wants to prove himself and I guess reinvent himself a 0:14:02.493 --> 0:14:04.853 little bit again. He was pigeonholed into a fifteen for 0:14:04.853 --> 0:14:08.013 the All Blacks over the last few seasons, didn't get 0:14:08.013 --> 0:14:10.813 a lot of opportunities at ten once they moved him 0:14:10.853 --> 0:14:14.733 back to fall back. So I can certainly see that 0:14:14.893 --> 0:14:18.853 Josy being live right throughout the season and perhaps only 0:14:18.933 --> 0:14:21.493 having a definitive view on it once we get to 0:14:21.493 --> 0:14:22.773 the end of you tour and some of the big 0:14:22.773 --> 0:14:23.253 tests there. 0:14:24.213 --> 0:14:26.533 It's familiar, isn't it In terms of the Richie Muonga 0:14:26.773 --> 0:14:31.213 Boden Barretts interchange that happened for three years. I would 0:14:31.253 --> 0:14:33.413 like to see the All Blacks pick and stick to 0:14:33.453 --> 0:14:36.173 a degree. But if Boden is going to be at ten, 0:14:36.253 --> 0:14:38.093 and I don't think we've seen the best from him 0:14:38.213 --> 0:14:41.213 at ten for a number of years now, we need 0:14:41.253 --> 0:14:44.133 to see him challenge the line regularly, take the ball 0:14:44.173 --> 0:14:48.533 to the line and really engage the defense, because that's 0:14:48.573 --> 0:14:52.053 something I think we've seen fall out of his game 0:14:52.133 --> 0:14:55.213 in recent years. And he will want more than this 0:14:56.413 --> 0:15:01.253 because he is driven and clearly the All Blacks he 0:15:01.293 --> 0:15:04.173 wants to be involved. But there is an argument that 0:15:04.213 --> 0:15:08.053 he's your ideal bench guy. He can come on in 0:15:08.093 --> 0:15:12.413 the the second half or whenever and having surveyed the 0:15:12.453 --> 0:15:17.093 game at ten or fifteen, So so good Mackenzie to 0:15:17.133 --> 0:15:20.413 a degree. But I think that's a prospect that the 0:15:20.413 --> 0:15:22.133 All Blacks will be thinking long and hard about. 0:15:22.173 --> 0:15:25.173 Yeah, I think so, And I think the debate won't 0:15:25.213 --> 0:15:27.653 be settled this weekend in DNED and it will take 0:15:27.693 --> 0:15:29.773 some time to figure out where we're going. Is the 0:15:29.813 --> 0:15:32.373 All Blacks with this? Let's look at the bench because 0:15:32.373 --> 0:15:35.573 I think that's also an interesting area for the All 0:15:35.613 --> 0:15:40.213 Blacks this week. Backup hookup the suffer on more most likely? 0:15:40.213 --> 0:15:41.413 Who are your backup props? 0:15:41.853 --> 0:15:42.053 Yeah? 0:15:42.093 --> 0:15:44.693 Armor, just what a prospect to bring on the way 0:15:44.733 --> 0:15:48.733 that he's played this year. Ball in hands, he plays 0:15:48.773 --> 0:15:51.453 like a loose forwards. His line out throwing is going 0:15:51.493 --> 0:15:54.773 to be tested in this arena. Corey Flynn got a 0:15:54.813 --> 0:15:57.613 bit of work to do as a specialist throwing coach. 0:15:58.973 --> 0:16:02.093 As far as your backup props are concerned, I think 0:16:02.173 --> 0:16:06.693 Fletcher Newell is a lock and offer toing a fussy probably, 0:16:07.053 --> 0:16:11.253 but there's he looked very uncomfortable coming off for the Blues. 0:16:11.333 --> 0:16:13.493 Carried a rib injury for the at least the past 0:16:13.533 --> 0:16:16.773 two weeks, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's not there. 0:16:17.053 --> 0:16:19.613 Yeah, tend to agree on that will be interesting to 0:16:19.613 --> 0:16:21.973 see whether he's cleared to play. Didn't look great coming 0:16:21.973 --> 0:16:23.533 off the Super Rugby final, but he had a very 0:16:23.533 --> 0:16:27.133 good Super Rugby season. I think probably his best things. 0:16:27.133 --> 0:16:29.893 Only got one Test try, scored six or seven Super 0:16:29.973 --> 0:16:32.173 Ragby tries this year, so it might be a tryer're 0:16:32.213 --> 0:16:33.453 in bonanza once off I gets in. 0:16:33.413 --> 0:16:36.093 The path this year, take it to the bank. 0:16:36.213 --> 0:16:41.893 Yeah. The rest of the forwards makeup on the bench 0:16:41.973 --> 0:16:45.573 is interesting as well. So Tweet and Barrett obviously start 0:16:45.653 --> 0:16:47.133 so that it would leave a bench spots for two 0:16:47.173 --> 0:16:47.653 po VII. 0:16:48.293 --> 0:16:52.933 Yep, and my takers summer penny fee now as your 0:16:52.933 --> 0:16:56.893 bench cover where you're probably going Ethan black Ady, Yeah, 0:16:56.893 --> 0:16:59.533 so I think we're interchangeable there. 0:17:00.613 --> 0:17:04.093 Half back you were going right, I was going Christy yep. 0:17:04.213 --> 0:17:04.573 Correct. 0:17:05.093 --> 0:17:08.733 Back up backs on the bench is interesting for me 0:17:10.173 --> 0:17:12.213 because I mean I would still start Rico you wony, 0:17:12.253 --> 0:17:13.853 but I was just for the sake of the agment 0:17:13.893 --> 0:17:16.853 suggestingly proped it. But I think if you're selecting a 0:17:16.853 --> 0:17:20.053 bench Stephen Petterfeta gets one spot, I think the other 0:17:20.093 --> 0:17:22.693 one is quite interesting to go. Where do you go 0:17:22.773 --> 0:17:26.213 specialist midfield and someone like Leonnet Brown, would you debut 0:17:26.293 --> 0:17:28.493 Procter off the bench? Would you go with a winger 0:17:28.573 --> 0:17:31.453 like a em Monti nadowa Caleb Clark. That one, I 0:17:31.453 --> 0:17:33.973 think is quite an interesting selection from an all Blacks perspective. 0:17:34.373 --> 0:17:38.773 I think Lenna Brown's the obvious guy because he covers ten, sorry, 0:17:38.813 --> 0:17:39.373 twelve and. 0:17:39.413 --> 0:17:42.293 Thirteen, and a bench could do the wing as well. 0:17:42.413 --> 0:17:46.093 Yeah, and Rico, if providing he's starting, could easily shift 0:17:46.093 --> 0:17:48.653 out to the wing. So there's all bases covered there. 0:17:49.693 --> 0:17:52.973 It is rare to put a specialist wing on the 0:17:52.973 --> 0:17:55.413 bench in morning. Nadawa does have flexibility in that he 0:17:55.493 --> 0:17:59.693 can play fullback, but it would be a risk at 0:17:59.733 --> 0:18:02.413 test level, so I think and Lena Brown definitely the 0:18:02.453 --> 0:18:04.853 inside running for that position. 0:18:05.133 --> 0:18:07.293 All right, there's you're twenty three there. It is subjects 0:18:07.333 --> 0:18:09.333 to being announced on spread the world. 0:18:09.693 --> 0:18:10.213 Put it out. 0:18:10.253 --> 0:18:10.453 Now. 0:18:11.653 --> 0:18:14.973 Let's talk about England in their threats this weekend, because 0:18:14.973 --> 0:18:16.613 they've got a game under the belt that played Japan 0:18:16.773 --> 0:18:19.653 One comfortably a couple of weeks ago. Seems like Steve 0:18:19.653 --> 0:18:22.413 Borthwick is now adding elements to this English team that 0:18:22.533 --> 0:18:26.573 maybe we hadn't seen previously. You know, there's a lot 0:18:26.613 --> 0:18:30.293 of excitement around the way that you know, as you 0:18:30.333 --> 0:18:32.493 mentioned earlier, Ben Earl's playing and the balloty that he 0:18:32.493 --> 0:18:35.693 can switch into midfield. But later on in matches. What 0:18:35.693 --> 0:18:36.973 do we expect from England this week? 0:18:37.893 --> 0:18:42.133 I think England are definitely involving they There was a 0:18:42.173 --> 0:18:45.293 definitive shift with the English. Well go back to the 0:18:45.333 --> 0:18:48.573 World Cup. Bothwick is not in the saddle very long. 0:18:48.693 --> 0:18:51.493 They lose to Fiji prior to the World Cup at Twickenham, 0:18:51.613 --> 0:18:56.693 so things are looking very very grim. Everyrun's wants both 0:18:56.733 --> 0:18:59.413 work out before he's even started. The World Cup is 0:18:59.613 --> 0:19:05.213 very traditional England's conservative, pragmatic. You know ten man rugby 0:19:05.213 --> 0:19:09.173 basically George Ford's kicking drop kicks and they lose the 0:19:09.213 --> 0:19:11.493 World Cup semi final by one point to the box. 0:19:11.533 --> 0:19:14.613 So I think they did exceptionally well to get to 0:19:14.613 --> 0:19:18.773 that point, but it was very traditional England. They start 0:19:18.813 --> 0:19:21.653 the sixth Nations, introduced a few new caps. They lose 0:19:21.693 --> 0:19:25.453 to Scotland and Edinburgh and post that game from all 0:19:25.533 --> 0:19:29.293 the material of Red's and talked to some of the 0:19:29.333 --> 0:19:33.253 English journos. The players came together, senior players and had 0:19:33.253 --> 0:19:36.013 a real push to change the game plan and because 0:19:36.053 --> 0:19:39.653 it wasn't working a couple of weeks time, they beat 0:19:39.733 --> 0:19:43.493 Ireland at Twickenham and then lose away to France narrowly 0:19:43.613 --> 0:19:45.533 at the end of the Six Nations. So the definitive 0:19:45.533 --> 0:19:49.853 shift and they get results with it. And with Marcus 0:19:49.853 --> 0:19:54.053 Smith coming in at ten, he's a very dynamic playmaker, 0:19:54.173 --> 0:19:58.093 small man but quick exceptional. They brought in a couple 0:19:58.133 --> 0:20:01.453 of twenty one year old prospects Emmanuel on the wing, 0:20:01.653 --> 0:20:05.973 I think Chandler at Cunningham Smith Cunningham Smith at blindside, 0:20:06.333 --> 0:20:10.973 who actually was raised in Hamilton. So they've ejected a 0:20:10.973 --> 0:20:13.773 bit of youth and i think really embraced a lot 0:20:13.813 --> 0:20:16.733 more attacking style. Their back line is not big either, 0:20:16.773 --> 0:20:18.373