1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,987 Speaker 1: from Newstalk Z'B Yeah. 3 00:00:13,147 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: Rugby editor Elliot Smith, that's his voice. He called the 4 00:00:15,587 --> 00:00:17,547 Speaker 2: game for us and he joins us. Now, I know 5 00:00:17,587 --> 00:00:19,387 Speaker 2: it's a small sample size and a bit of a 6 00:00:19,427 --> 00:00:22,787 Speaker 2: low bar, Elliot, but was this the Blues best performance 7 00:00:22,867 --> 00:00:23,947 Speaker 2: of twenty twenty five? 8 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:27,587 Speaker 3: I think it was Piney. They reverted to type almost 9 00:00:27,627 --> 00:00:31,867 Speaker 3: from twenty twenty four and just played direct and roll, 10 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:34,387 Speaker 3: best sleeves up. The Fords went to work, which is 11 00:00:34,667 --> 00:00:37,547 Speaker 3: what led them to the title last year and Zan 12 00:00:37,667 --> 00:00:40,827 Speaker 3: got the job done. Didn't allow Mauana Pacific a bit 13 00:00:40,867 --> 00:00:43,427 Speaker 3: of a look and we've become conditioned to Mowana being 14 00:00:43,467 --> 00:00:45,667 Speaker 3: a second half team and finding that kick in the 15 00:00:45,707 --> 00:00:48,947 Speaker 3: second spell. But the Blues just suffocated them and didn't 16 00:00:48,947 --> 00:00:52,067 Speaker 3: allow them to play in the right areas of the ground, 17 00:00:52,147 --> 00:00:54,867 Speaker 3: didn't allow them any ball really in the first spells 18 00:00:54,907 --> 00:00:58,467 Speaker 3: two thirds possession that the Blues had after forty minutes, 19 00:00:58,507 --> 00:01:01,307 Speaker 3: So they just denied Mawana any chance to get a 20 00:01:01,307 --> 00:01:04,867 Speaker 3: foothold in the game and played, as I said, more 21 00:01:04,907 --> 00:01:07,987 Speaker 3: direct and with a bit more intent than they've probably 22 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:10,427 Speaker 3: played all seasons. So I think it has to be 23 00:01:10,467 --> 00:01:12,947 Speaker 3: their best win so far of twenty twenty five. 24 00:01:13,107 --> 00:01:15,427 Speaker 2: So they used the blueprint that was so successful for 25 00:01:15,467 --> 00:01:19,107 Speaker 2: them last season. Have they been trying to do that anyway, 26 00:01:19,227 --> 00:01:21,107 Speaker 2: but just not doing it as well? Is that what's 27 00:01:21,107 --> 00:01:21,987 Speaker 2: been happening this year? 28 00:01:22,467 --> 00:01:25,107 Speaker 3: I think so absolutely. I think they added a little 29 00:01:25,147 --> 00:01:27,067 Speaker 3: bit to the game, trying to play perhaps slightly more 30 00:01:27,067 --> 00:01:30,147 Speaker 3: expansively than what we saw last year. But in the 31 00:01:30,387 --> 00:01:32,147 Speaker 3: last few weeks they have gone a little bit more 32 00:01:32,147 --> 00:01:34,267 Speaker 3: direct as the results haven't come their way and it 33 00:01:34,427 --> 00:01:38,107 Speaker 3: just hasn't clicked. They've had a number of injuries, of course, 34 00:01:38,147 --> 00:01:40,627 Speaker 3: and now they've got some of their first choice players 35 00:01:40,667 --> 00:01:43,427 Speaker 3: back out on the park, those players that help them 36 00:01:43,587 --> 00:01:46,547 Speaker 3: to that title last year. You know, Boden Barrett didn't 37 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:49,787 Speaker 3: play last year, but he's still now getting his head 38 00:01:49,827 --> 00:01:52,307 Speaker 3: into that game plan at the Blues want to play 39 00:01:52,307 --> 00:01:54,907 Speaker 3: Hoskins a twot. They missed some game time through suspension, 40 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:59,307 Speaker 3: Golden Papalite's been injured. Some other of their fords, Rockettelli 41 00:01:59,427 --> 00:02:01,867 Speaker 3: Ekland have all been injured at certain points. So you're 42 00:02:01,867 --> 00:02:04,307 Speaker 3: getting the band back together at this point of the season, 43 00:02:04,347 --> 00:02:06,667 Speaker 3: and the band knows the tune. They want to play 44 00:02:06,907 --> 00:02:09,227 Speaker 3: and it was a very successful one last year in 45 00:02:09,267 --> 00:02:12,027 Speaker 3: the way they wanted to play. So I think we're seeing, 46 00:02:12,187 --> 00:02:15,587 Speaker 3: you know, that the pieces come together for the Blues, 47 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:18,067 Speaker 3: only you know the seat the first time they got 48 00:02:18,107 --> 00:02:21,027 Speaker 3: back to back wins so far this year, but it 49 00:02:21,067 --> 00:02:23,667 Speaker 3: feels like there's getting a semblance of the game plan 50 00:02:23,987 --> 00:02:26,227 Speaker 3: that they want to play in twenty twenty five. 51 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:29,147 Speaker 2: So the Blues led twenty four to five at halftime, 52 00:02:29,227 --> 00:02:32,307 Speaker 2: which seems like a decent lead. How acutely aware would 53 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:35,427 Speaker 2: they have been though, of Mowana's ability to mount a 54 00:02:35,507 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 2: comeback as they have in recent games. 55 00:02:37,947 --> 00:02:40,867 Speaker 3: Very much so, I think, And with the power that 56 00:02:41,147 --> 00:02:43,387 Speaker 3: Mowana had on the bench, you know, Tom Savage, who's 57 00:02:43,427 --> 00:02:45,787 Speaker 3: usually their first choice Locke was coming off the bench. 58 00:02:45,827 --> 00:02:49,827 Speaker 3: Patrick Pallagrini, who's been in such great touch for Murwana 59 00:02:49,867 --> 00:02:52,107 Speaker 3: since making his debut coming off the bench as well. 60 00:02:52,147 --> 00:02:55,907 Speaker 3: It almost felt like they were adding more firepower to 61 00:02:55,947 --> 00:02:58,947 Speaker 3: what has already been a strong bench for them this season. 62 00:02:59,027 --> 00:03:01,907 Speaker 3: But the first I thought ten fifteen minutes after the 63 00:03:01,947 --> 00:03:06,107 Speaker 3: halftime break were really crucial and just not allowing Mowana 64 00:03:06,187 --> 00:03:09,947 Speaker 3: to get a roll on. In that second spell, we 65 00:03:10,027 --> 00:03:13,507 Speaker 3: saw the Blues just hold on to possession in that 66 00:03:13,547 --> 00:03:16,867 Speaker 3: first ten minutes, deny them and then the clock becomes 67 00:03:17,667 --> 00:03:20,547 Speaker 3: an enemy for Mowana Pacifica, and they just couldn't get 68 00:03:20,547 --> 00:03:22,707 Speaker 3: really out of their twenty two anytime they had the ball. 69 00:03:23,027 --> 00:03:25,947 Speaker 3: The Blues were able to diffuse it with poor exits. 70 00:03:26,107 --> 00:03:28,467 Speaker 3: The set piece of the Blues world really really well 71 00:03:28,947 --> 00:03:32,307 Speaker 3: last night if you line out steels throughout the course 72 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:35,147 Speaker 3: of the game, and Mawada just looked clunky compared to 73 00:03:35,787 --> 00:03:38,467 Speaker 3: the way they're played in recent weeks as well. So 74 00:03:38,907 --> 00:03:41,467 Speaker 3: I thought, in terms of sticking to a game plan 75 00:03:41,547 --> 00:03:45,107 Speaker 3: and numifying the opposition's game plan, that was probably as 76 00:03:45,147 --> 00:03:48,587 Speaker 3: good as you'll get from the Blues in terms of 77 00:03:48,627 --> 00:03:51,307 Speaker 3: what we have come to expect from both the Blues 78 00:03:51,347 --> 00:03:53,947 Speaker 3: this season and wander Pacifica. They flipped it on their heads. 79 00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:57,347 Speaker 2: You mentioned Boden Barrett before back from a hand injury 80 00:03:57,387 --> 00:03:59,747 Speaker 2: and had a big say for the second straight game. 81 00:04:00,227 --> 00:04:02,267 Speaker 2: Are the Blues just a better side with him in 82 00:04:02,307 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 2: the ten jersey? 83 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:06,667 Speaker 3: I think they are in a style they want to play, 84 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:10,147 Speaker 3: and his ability to get them around the park, I 85 00:04:10,187 --> 00:04:13,747 Speaker 3: think he is, you know, clearly of the best verst 86 00:04:13,787 --> 00:04:16,827 Speaker 3: five you know in the in the country, I think 87 00:04:16,867 --> 00:04:19,547 Speaker 3: at the moment, and you know, season out in Japan 88 00:04:19,667 --> 00:04:23,027 Speaker 3: getting back into the Blues environment and playing Super rugby, 89 00:04:23,067 --> 00:04:26,147 Speaker 3: had that hand injury. Of course, it's noticeable, you know, 90 00:04:26,227 --> 00:04:30,147 Speaker 3: compared to the game against the Crusaders where he wasn't 91 00:04:30,147 --> 00:04:33,227 Speaker 3: there and they had about fifteen injuries in the ends. 92 00:04:33,787 --> 00:04:35,867 Speaker 3: Just the difference that he makes to this Blues team 93 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:39,587 Speaker 3: and this tactical kicking, just the way pauls the strings 94 00:04:39,587 --> 00:04:41,987 Speaker 3: in the back line. He is playing really really good 95 00:04:41,987 --> 00:04:45,387 Speaker 3: football for them this season. A couple of weeks ago, 96 00:04:45,427 --> 00:04:48,267 Speaker 3: obviously against the Hurricanes for penalty goals, done it the 97 00:04:48,307 --> 00:04:50,987 Speaker 3: last time he would have kicked four penalty goals in 98 00:04:51,027 --> 00:04:54,907 Speaker 3: a match, Boten Barrett. But he's becoming adaptable, I think 99 00:04:54,947 --> 00:04:57,227 Speaker 3: in the way that he's playing with his Blues style, 100 00:04:57,267 --> 00:04:59,547 Speaker 3: but also the way that he wants to play in 101 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:02,507 Speaker 3: this environment as well. So I think he suits the 102 00:05:02,507 --> 00:05:04,227 Speaker 3: way the Blues want to play. I think they're a 103 00:05:04,227 --> 00:05:07,587 Speaker 3: better team with him in the and you know, at 104 00:05:07,587 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 3: this point in the season, they're not completely out of 105 00:05:09,667 --> 00:05:12,307 Speaker 3: the playoff mixed by any stretch of the imagination. And 106 00:05:12,347 --> 00:05:14,187 Speaker 3: if he stays fit, you know, it's a big part 107 00:05:14,187 --> 00:05:16,667 Speaker 3: of potentially they're run into the playoffs as well. 108 00:05:16,907 --> 00:05:19,307 Speaker 2: Back to back wins. Then, since the BUYE and the 109 00:05:19,347 --> 00:05:21,267 Speaker 2: buy came off the back of that loss to the 110 00:05:21,267 --> 00:05:23,747 Speaker 2: Crusaders at Eden Park that both you and you and 111 00:05:23,747 --> 00:05:26,947 Speaker 2: I were at, and we've talked a lot, you and 112 00:05:27,027 --> 00:05:29,947 Speaker 2: I about how poor the Blues were that night, do 113 00:05:30,027 --> 00:05:33,387 Speaker 2: you think that performance would have compelled some pretty deep 114 00:05:33,827 --> 00:05:35,587 Speaker 2: self examination in the Blues camp. 115 00:05:36,307 --> 00:05:36,867 Speaker 3: I believe so. 116 00:05:37,027 --> 00:05:37,227 Speaker 1: Yeah. 117 00:05:37,627 --> 00:05:40,187 Speaker 3: I'm of understanding that when they came back after that 118 00:05:41,347 --> 00:05:43,467 Speaker 3: bye and then got a few players back, they had 119 00:05:43,467 --> 00:05:45,947 Speaker 3: some pretty tough conversations the Monday when they got back 120 00:05:45,987 --> 00:05:48,947 Speaker 3: into camp around the team and the way that they 121 00:05:48,947 --> 00:05:51,787 Speaker 3: wanted to play this season. They obviously have a next 122 00:05:51,827 --> 00:05:55,667 Speaker 3: man up mentality, but fifteen injuries is tricky for any 123 00:05:55,707 --> 00:05:58,347 Speaker 3: team to deal with. But what they turned out against 124 00:05:58,347 --> 00:06:02,467 Speaker 3: the Crusaders was really disappointing in any Super rug big year, 125 00:06:02,507 --> 00:06:05,147 Speaker 3: but you know, coming off a championship year bit when 126 00:06:05,187 --> 00:06:07,387 Speaker 3: the Crusaders are in their pom, you know, that's one 127 00:06:07,387 --> 00:06:11,387 Speaker 3: of the marquee games of Super Rugby and an old rivalry, 128 00:06:11,427 --> 00:06:14,947 Speaker 3: and the Blues just didn't really turn up that night, 129 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:17,667 Speaker 3: apart from perhaps the first five minutes and the last 130 00:06:17,707 --> 00:06:20,067 Speaker 3: ten or so when the game was done. So there's 131 00:06:20,067 --> 00:06:23,307 Speaker 3: been some honest conversations in cams that're reverted to what 132 00:06:23,427 --> 00:06:25,827 Speaker 3: worked from them last season. They've got some troops back 133 00:06:26,067 --> 00:06:28,027 Speaker 3: and they're looking a little bit better for it and 134 00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:31,227 Speaker 3: you know, winning Breed's confidence. A couple of wins under 135 00:06:31,227 --> 00:06:34,347 Speaker 3: the belt. They head to crist Etch next week on 136 00:06:34,387 --> 00:06:36,987 Speaker 3: Good Friday with a few more players fit that weren't 137 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:40,387 Speaker 3: there last time and look to turn the tables on 138 00:06:40,707 --> 00:06:42,747 Speaker 3: now the top of the table side and Super Rugby. 139 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:44,307 Speaker 3: The Crusaders just want. 140 00:06:44,227 --> 00:06:46,147 Speaker 2: To look at the draw that the Blues have had. 141 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:50,267 Speaker 2: Their New Zealand derby's have been really front loaded this season. Elliott, 142 00:06:50,267 --> 00:06:52,147 Speaker 2: you talk about the Crusaders this week, so that'll be 143 00:06:52,227 --> 00:06:55,147 Speaker 2: nine games eight of their first nine against the other 144 00:06:55,147 --> 00:06:58,547 Speaker 2: New Zealand sides, including Mowana Pacifica. They're remaining five games 145 00:06:58,587 --> 00:07:02,827 Speaker 2: Red's Force Drewer, Mowana Pacifica, Warritas. The draw has been 146 00:07:02,867 --> 00:07:05,427 Speaker 2: a bit tough on the Blues, hasn't it. 147 00:07:05,427 --> 00:07:08,267 Speaker 3: It has been. It's a tough one for them and 148 00:07:08,267 --> 00:07:10,867 Speaker 3: they've had to navigate that with a number of injuries. 149 00:07:10,907 --> 00:07:12,947 Speaker 3: A lot of the derby's but as you say, they've 150 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:16,627 Speaker 3: had the Chiefs twice, they've had the Crusaders once and 151 00:07:16,707 --> 00:07:20,387 Speaker 3: twice after this week in the Hurricanes as well, so 152 00:07:21,187 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 3: they do have what your term is an easier run home. 153 00:07:24,107 --> 00:07:26,547 Speaker 3: They do have to go play the Reds in Britain. 154 00:07:27,347 --> 00:07:30,027 Speaker 3: A lot of pacificate on the other side of the 155 00:07:30,987 --> 00:07:33,947 Speaker 3: bridge will be a tricky prospect as well, but they've 156 00:07:33,947 --> 00:07:36,627 Speaker 3: got some games there where I think certainly they can 157 00:07:36,667 --> 00:07:38,387 Speaker 3: target and go we can get on a little bit 158 00:07:38,427 --> 00:07:41,707 Speaker 3: of a roll here and get ourselves into the Plooves. 159 00:07:41,827 --> 00:07:44,947 Speaker 3: It might be the home advantages perhaps beyond them now 160 00:07:44,987 --> 00:07:47,587 Speaker 3: in the Ploves, but they're you know, really only a 161 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: win and you know win outside the playoffs when you 162 00:07:51,707 --> 00:07:55,587 Speaker 3: look at the table and they can really find their 163 00:07:55,587 --> 00:07:57,947 Speaker 3: momentum as they head in. So it's been a tricky 164 00:07:58,067 --> 00:08:01,587 Speaker 3: front half of the season. Then Cod has used golfing analogy. 165 00:08:02,067 --> 00:08:03,707 Speaker 3: You know that the front nine was pretty tough, but 166 00:08:03,747 --> 00:08:05,707 Speaker 3: they're on the back nine now and they've picked up 167 00:08:05,747 --> 00:08:08,027 Speaker 3: a couple of shitos and you know they'll need to 168 00:08:08,867 --> 00:08:12,587 Speaker 3: head for home and channel Rory mcelroyl up this morning 169 00:08:12,587 --> 00:08:14,707 Speaker 3: in the third round of the Masters and flush the 170 00:08:14,747 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 3: first round, which was terrible for rory and come back 171 00:08:17,347 --> 00:08:18,547 Speaker 3: strong in the second and third. 172 00:08:18,667 --> 00:08:21,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a good analogy. Just to finish you look 173 00:08:21,387 --> 00:08:23,467 Speaker 2: at the table. Everybody's played eight games now, so we 174 00:08:23,467 --> 00:08:27,787 Speaker 2: can make a genuine comparison with Without Buyers etc. Four 175 00:08:27,867 --> 00:08:31,147 Speaker 2: Australian sides, all four Australian sides in the top six, 176 00:08:31,187 --> 00:08:36,307 Speaker 2: Brumby's third, reads, fourth, wartas fifth force, sixth. When is 177 00:08:36,347 --> 00:08:39,107 Speaker 2: it time to actually say right, there are probably going 178 00:08:39,187 --> 00:08:41,227 Speaker 2: to be two or three in the top six. 179 00:08:43,227 --> 00:08:45,507 Speaker 3: Look, I think the table will still have some movement 180 00:08:45,627 --> 00:08:47,867 Speaker 3: over the coming week. So we mentioned the Blues dra 181 00:08:47,867 --> 00:08:52,267 Speaker 3: all there. They should win a few of those games. 182 00:08:52,747 --> 00:08:55,707 Speaker 3: On the face of it, they should win those games. 183 00:08:55,787 --> 00:08:59,347 Speaker 3: If we're judging previous results and judging previous seasons, the 184 00:08:59,347 --> 00:09:02,067 Speaker 3: Blues should be good enough. But we're also judging against 185 00:09:02,107 --> 00:09:05,107 Speaker 3: this season where anyone can be anyone and it's very 186 00:09:05,187 --> 00:09:08,507 Speaker 3: very hard to predict. We thought that the Brumbies win 187 00:09:08,667 --> 00:09:10,907 Speaker 3: last night in a very good performance. I thought against 188 00:09:10,947 --> 00:09:13,227 Speaker 3: the Reds and I think there's still going to be 189 00:09:13,227 --> 00:09:15,587 Speaker 3: some teams beating up on each other. So I think 190 00:09:15,627 --> 00:09:18,747 Speaker 3: there's a little bit of change coming to the table 191 00:09:19,307 --> 00:09:21,627 Speaker 3: over the next few weeks. No one's really run away 192 00:09:22,387 --> 00:09:25,507 Speaker 3: and put themselves as the runaway leaders. We saw the 193 00:09:25,547 --> 00:09:28,427 Speaker 3: Chiefs obviously lose on Friday Night as well, so it's 194 00:09:28,467 --> 00:09:31,507 Speaker 3: really congested and that means in the closing weeks of 195 00:09:31,547 --> 00:09:33,747 Speaker 3: the season that every wind is going to mean more 196 00:09:33,987 --> 00:09:35,707 Speaker 3: and it is going to change that table a little 197 00:09:35,747 --> 00:09:38,787 Speaker 3: bit further. So, look, I think there'll be probably two 198 00:09:38,827 --> 00:09:42,587 Speaker 3: teams from Australia, if not three in the playoffs. The 199 00:09:42,667 --> 00:09:44,867 Speaker 3: kerew We sides have lift themselves a bit of work 200 00:09:44,907 --> 00:09:47,827 Speaker 3: to do, but there are wins to come and points 201 00:09:47,827 --> 00:09:50,467 Speaker 3: still on the table that could shake up this table. 202 00:09:50,547 --> 00:09:53,827 Speaker 3: So look, I think right until that final round where 203 00:09:53,827 --> 00:09:56,187 Speaker 3: there's some interesting matchups, we're going to be looking at 204 00:09:56,187 --> 00:09:58,707 Speaker 3: this table and it could change very dramatically over the 205 00:09:58,707 --> 00:09:59,827 Speaker 3: closing weeks of the season. 206 00:09:59,947 --> 00:10:02,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, which is what we've always wanted. Elliott, thanks so much, 207 00:10:02,147 --> 00:10:04,987 Speaker 2: great call last night on the Blues Mina Pacific a game. 208 00:10:05,267 --> 00:10:07,227 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time this after knowing. That's our rugby 209 00:10:07,307 --> 00:10:09,547 Speaker 2: editor and lead commentator Elliott Smith. 210 00:10:10,067 --> 00:10:13,267 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 211 00:10:13,387 --> 00:10:16,667 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow 212 00:10:16,707 --> 00:10:18,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.