1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,973 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B. 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, 3 00:00:20,893 --> 00:00:22,653 Speaker 1: Straight down the Middle. 4 00:00:22,573 --> 00:00:24,573 Speaker 2: Try. 5 00:00:30,333 --> 00:00:34,453 Speaker 1: Get inside the game from every end goal. It's Rugby 6 00:00:34,493 --> 00:00:38,133 Speaker 1: Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered by News 7 00:00:38,173 --> 00:00:38,693 Speaker 1: Talks EDB. 8 00:00:39,413 --> 00:00:42,173 Speaker 2: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio book 9 00:00:42,213 --> 00:00:45,973 Speaker 2: today and stay in the game. Elliott Smith with me, 10 00:00:46,613 --> 00:00:50,493 Speaker 2: Liam Napier napes. We have our finalists in Super Rugby. 11 00:00:50,533 --> 00:00:52,733 Speaker 2: Good to catch up as always we do. 12 00:00:52,773 --> 00:00:55,613 Speaker 3: Indeed, Elliott's and I don't think there's any denying that 13 00:00:55,653 --> 00:00:59,173 Speaker 3: they are the two best teams in Super Rugby. I 14 00:00:59,213 --> 00:01:02,453 Speaker 3: think the two best teams largely are all year on form. 15 00:01:02,853 --> 00:01:05,293 Speaker 3: So it should be a great final. And it's great 16 00:01:05,333 --> 00:01:08,413 Speaker 3: to officially have you on the Cane train and about that. 17 00:01:08,413 --> 00:01:10,773 Speaker 2: I'll be calling the final on Saturday. And we incredibly 18 00:01:10,853 --> 00:01:14,253 Speaker 2: neutral fifty to fifty, So no Caine train, no Chiefs 19 00:01:14,293 --> 00:01:17,213 Speaker 2: train for me. Look, we will discuss the Chiefs Crusaders 20 00:01:17,253 --> 00:01:19,213 Speaker 2: game if we get time at the end of the pod, 21 00:01:20,333 --> 00:01:23,893 Speaker 2: but first and foremost, the Hurricanes fifty seven over the 22 00:01:23,933 --> 00:01:27,613 Speaker 2: Blues twenty one. For a time in this game, Liam, 23 00:01:27,693 --> 00:01:29,573 Speaker 2: it felt like the Blues were hanging in there, but 24 00:01:29,733 --> 00:01:33,853 Speaker 2: as soon as the floodgates opened, boy did they open, 25 00:01:34,013 --> 00:01:38,573 Speaker 2: and the Hurricanes just took their opportunity and ran with it. 26 00:01:38,653 --> 00:01:41,693 Speaker 2: This was not the best first forty from the Hurricanes, 27 00:01:41,693 --> 00:01:44,213 Speaker 2: but boy, that second forty was something to behold. What 28 00:01:44,213 --> 00:01:44,893 Speaker 2: did you make of it? 29 00:01:46,053 --> 00:01:47,413 Speaker 4: It was an interesting match, wasn't it. 30 00:01:47,413 --> 00:01:50,253 Speaker 3: I think the Blues were a lot more competitive, certainly 31 00:01:50,293 --> 00:01:54,253 Speaker 3: than I expected, and probably most people. I thought the 32 00:01:54,333 --> 00:02:00,453 Speaker 3: Hurricanes were decidedly nervy early on a lot of uncharacteristic 33 00:02:00,493 --> 00:02:03,973 Speaker 3: erarors that we haven't really seen from them this year, 34 00:02:04,013 --> 00:02:06,973 Speaker 3: and I do put that down to this being a 35 00:02:06,973 --> 00:02:11,853 Speaker 3: massive match and maybe the weight of expectation or the occasion. 36 00:02:12,813 --> 00:02:14,893 Speaker 3: You know, there was a wonky line out, a few 37 00:02:14,973 --> 00:02:19,253 Speaker 3: drop balls. I think they looked a bit hesitance at 38 00:02:19,293 --> 00:02:23,133 Speaker 3: times that the Blues defended really well, but like you say, 39 00:02:23,213 --> 00:02:27,173 Speaker 3: eventually class prevailed and the Hurricanes attack clicked in to 40 00:02:27,613 --> 00:02:32,533 Speaker 3: gear again. But it wasn't entirely convincing, and they certainly 41 00:02:32,533 --> 00:02:35,053 Speaker 3: have a lot of things I want to improve heading 42 00:02:35,093 --> 00:02:35,853 Speaker 3: into that final. 43 00:02:35,973 --> 00:02:38,813 Speaker 2: Yeah, they will, but by and large, you know, it 44 00:02:38,853 --> 00:02:41,253 Speaker 2: was a bit clunky at times. But I think Clark 45 00:02:41,333 --> 00:02:43,133 Speaker 2: Ladler has also got to be pretty happy. Men, this 46 00:02:43,213 --> 00:02:45,693 Speaker 2: is a semi final, it's Blues. Everyone was sort of 47 00:02:45,693 --> 00:02:49,053 Speaker 2: saying last week, Look, wouldn't it be funny if the 48 00:02:49,053 --> 00:02:51,253 Speaker 2: Blues went down and you know, shook up the Apple 49 00:02:51,253 --> 00:02:54,453 Speaker 2: card and these playoffs and took a victory. So all 50 00:02:54,453 --> 00:02:57,013 Speaker 2: the pressure, you know, it is with the Hurricanes and 51 00:02:57,693 --> 00:03:00,213 Speaker 2: they haven't always responded well to that in the past. 52 00:03:00,293 --> 00:03:02,973 Speaker 2: But after we blip in the opening thirty minutes, I 53 00:03:03,013 --> 00:03:05,093 Speaker 2: think they've got to pretty happy with the way things rolled, 54 00:03:05,133 --> 00:03:07,613 Speaker 2: and also knowing that a lot of their key players 55 00:03:07,653 --> 00:03:11,453 Speaker 2: can probably a lot better than they did on Saturday. 56 00:03:11,653 --> 00:03:14,453 Speaker 2: I think you look at someone like a Ruben Love 57 00:03:14,453 --> 00:03:19,173 Speaker 2: prehaps wasn't as convincing in the opening forty as we 58 00:03:19,253 --> 00:03:21,573 Speaker 2: know he can be stamping his authority on the game. 59 00:03:21,573 --> 00:03:25,293 Speaker 2: Maybe a little bit of pressure the year. So look, 60 00:03:25,333 --> 00:03:27,173 Speaker 2: there are definitely things they can improve on, but I 61 00:03:27,213 --> 00:03:30,613 Speaker 2: think ultimately that's a win through to the final done, 62 00:03:30,653 --> 00:03:33,893 Speaker 2: and they could bring some players off earlier than maybe 63 00:03:33,893 --> 00:03:36,133 Speaker 2: they would have been able to or expecting to be 64 00:03:36,213 --> 00:03:39,293 Speaker 2: able to bring them off. So from a game management perspective, 65 00:03:39,453 --> 00:03:41,253 Speaker 2: I think the Hurricanes will be relatively happy. 66 00:03:42,253 --> 00:03:46,253 Speaker 3: Yeah, they will love well, they start behind the April 67 00:03:46,293 --> 00:03:49,373 Speaker 3: a little bit because they have one less day recovery 68 00:03:49,413 --> 00:03:53,533 Speaker 3: time preparation than the Chiefs with the Friday Saturday finals, 69 00:03:53,573 --> 00:03:54,773 Speaker 3: so they'll need to get that right. 70 00:03:54,853 --> 00:03:56,933 Speaker 4: But yeah, I agree. 71 00:03:56,933 --> 00:03:59,893 Speaker 3: I think I wasn't Reuben Love's best performance of the year, 72 00:03:59,893 --> 00:04:01,693 Speaker 3: and so there's a lot that he'll take out of 73 00:04:03,053 --> 00:04:05,773 Speaker 3: going into that match and as execution and that sort 74 00:04:05,773 --> 00:04:08,533 Speaker 3: of thing. But you're right as well that the Hurricanes, 75 00:04:09,333 --> 00:04:12,613 Speaker 3: you know, they felt that pressure early. They were in 76 00:04:12,693 --> 00:04:16,053 Speaker 3: a real contest, in a semi final and in front 77 00:04:16,053 --> 00:04:17,973 Speaker 3: of the biggest crowd of the season, all those sorts 78 00:04:17,973 --> 00:04:20,253 Speaker 3: of things with the final on the line, and they 79 00:04:20,293 --> 00:04:24,573 Speaker 3: responded eventually, so that's a big tick for them. They 80 00:04:24,653 --> 00:04:28,453 Speaker 3: still had some big individual performances stuff for Armor really 81 00:04:29,573 --> 00:04:32,653 Speaker 3: just damaging ball carrying around the field. To think he 82 00:04:32,733 --> 00:04:37,093 Speaker 3: has returns to the best form we've seen from him 83 00:04:37,813 --> 00:04:40,413 Speaker 3: since he probably burst onto the scene to see Carrifi 84 00:04:40,733 --> 00:04:44,253 Speaker 3: a couple of massive turnovers, Josh Morby standing. 85 00:04:44,013 --> 00:04:45,053 Speaker 4: Up again on the edge. 86 00:04:45,453 --> 00:04:49,613 Speaker 3: So while there were there is a need for vast 87 00:04:49,613 --> 00:04:53,773 Speaker 3: improvements across the board, I think the Hurricanes standing up 88 00:04:53,813 --> 00:04:57,573 Speaker 3: and another guy, Xavier Numa, is having a massive season, 89 00:04:57,613 --> 00:04:59,733 Speaker 3: isn't he. I think he's well in the frame for 90 00:04:59,933 --> 00:05:06,173 Speaker 3: Dave Rennie's All Blacks, particularly with Mighty Williams being out 91 00:05:06,173 --> 00:05:07,293 Speaker 3: of the picture currently. 92 00:05:07,533 --> 00:05:09,893 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so too. Look, I think you we're 93 00:05:09,893 --> 00:05:12,013 Speaker 2: probably sounding a little bit harsh on the Hurricanes, but 94 00:05:12,053 --> 00:05:13,773 Speaker 2: they've set the standards pretty high and they still put 95 00:05:13,773 --> 00:05:16,773 Speaker 2: fifty seven on the Blues in the end, so I 96 00:05:16,813 --> 00:05:19,773 Speaker 2: think they've got to be relatively happy with that. Do 97 00:05:19,773 --> 00:05:22,213 Speaker 2: you think it was good preparation though for the final? 98 00:05:24,373 --> 00:05:26,333 Speaker 3: Well you could probably say the same about the Chiefs yep, 99 00:05:27,693 --> 00:05:31,693 Speaker 3: although that match was probably more competitive for longer in 100 00:05:31,733 --> 00:05:35,453 Speaker 3: the second half. But yeah, I think any sort of 101 00:05:35,493 --> 00:05:38,133 Speaker 3: semi final stage, it's not just the match itself, it's 102 00:05:38,133 --> 00:05:42,733 Speaker 3: the whole week going through that, living with the extra edge, 103 00:05:42,773 --> 00:05:47,493 Speaker 3: the expectation, the extra messages that come from family and friends, 104 00:05:47,653 --> 00:05:50,573 Speaker 3: and the pressure that you put on yourself. So they've 105 00:05:50,613 --> 00:05:53,333 Speaker 3: got to think that they were tested as well early 106 00:05:53,373 --> 00:05:55,373 Speaker 3: on and they did have to respond. So yeah, I 107 00:05:55,413 --> 00:05:59,613 Speaker 3: think it was good preparation for the final, and it 108 00:05:59,653 --> 00:06:01,613 Speaker 3: is a real continuation of what we've seen from the 109 00:06:01,653 --> 00:06:04,973 Speaker 3: Hurricanes this year. I've scored the most tries in a 110 00:06:05,053 --> 00:06:08,733 Speaker 3: single season in history, I think they've put ACKed up 111 00:06:08,733 --> 00:06:12,533 Speaker 3: fifty points something like seven times this year. That's another record. 112 00:06:13,053 --> 00:06:15,933 Speaker 3: Fenn Young and awfs yet to break that record. It 113 00:06:15,973 --> 00:06:18,413 Speaker 3: didn't get one on the weekends, but it is a 114 00:06:18,493 --> 00:06:21,613 Speaker 3: Hurricanes attack that set them apartner year as well as 115 00:06:21,613 --> 00:06:25,773 Speaker 3: their defense, and there you know their big improvement from 116 00:06:25,813 --> 00:06:30,453 Speaker 3: their forward pack. But that attack has proved incredibly difficult 117 00:06:30,533 --> 00:06:34,333 Speaker 3: to contain and it's probably only really the Chiefs in 118 00:06:34,413 --> 00:06:38,813 Speaker 3: Hamilton earlier this year that managed to squeeze them enough 119 00:06:39,213 --> 00:06:42,093 Speaker 3: and put enough pressure on them to contain their attack. 120 00:06:42,213 --> 00:06:45,493 Speaker 3: So a very interesting sort of landscape casting ahead to 121 00:06:45,533 --> 00:06:45,933 Speaker 3: the final. 122 00:06:46,133 --> 00:06:48,733 Speaker 2: Indeed, we'll talk a bit more about the Blues in 123 00:06:48,773 --> 00:06:52,893 Speaker 2: the final four in terms of a season, But what 124 00:06:52,933 --> 00:06:54,773 Speaker 2: did you make of I guess their performance on the 125 00:06:54,773 --> 00:06:58,453 Speaker 2: weekend wasn't helped by a couple of those early hia's 126 00:06:58,773 --> 00:07:03,733 Speaker 2: Aj Lamb Caleb Clark going off. It's becoming recurring Bizarro 127 00:07:03,933 --> 00:07:06,693 Speaker 2: sort of feeling in rugby now where players sort of 128 00:07:06,733 --> 00:07:08,693 Speaker 2: look back forward as they go off with the old 129 00:07:08,813 --> 00:07:13,733 Speaker 2: mouthguards pinging and then subsequently failed their hias during the game. 130 00:07:13,853 --> 00:07:16,613 Speaker 2: So that's becoming a recurring theme. Both Aj Lamb and 131 00:07:16,613 --> 00:07:18,853 Speaker 2: Caleb Clark confused as to why they were going off 132 00:07:18,893 --> 00:07:23,413 Speaker 2: and then I ultimately failed, Hias. But what did you 133 00:07:23,453 --> 00:07:25,533 Speaker 2: make of the Blues performance in that game? Did they 134 00:07:25,693 --> 00:07:27,533 Speaker 2: hold on as basically as long as they could have? 135 00:07:28,613 --> 00:07:30,333 Speaker 2: And as that's the point they've sort of got to 136 00:07:30,933 --> 00:07:33,333 Speaker 2: with their performances recently, Yeah. 137 00:07:33,133 --> 00:07:34,253 Speaker 4: I think it's a good way to put it. 138 00:07:34,293 --> 00:07:37,813 Speaker 3: Look, I didn't have great expectations for the Blues four 139 00:07:37,853 --> 00:07:42,013 Speaker 3: straight losses five now to end the year. They were 140 00:07:42,853 --> 00:07:49,213 Speaker 3: clearly at least one, maybe two rungs below the Crusader's 141 00:07:49,293 --> 00:07:53,733 Speaker 3: Chiefs and Hurricanes because they lost all those derby matches 142 00:07:53,853 --> 00:07:55,973 Speaker 3: and they had some glaring issues with their set piece. 143 00:07:56,933 --> 00:07:59,573 Speaker 4: So I was really surprised how competitive they were early. 144 00:07:59,973 --> 00:08:02,133 Speaker 3: And then, as you say, they lost a couple of 145 00:08:02,253 --> 00:08:04,693 Speaker 3: key guys. Aj Lamb's been among their best this year, 146 00:08:05,493 --> 00:08:07,173 Speaker 3: so that was a setback for them. 147 00:08:08,013 --> 00:08:09,933 Speaker 4: And then they folded pretty meekly, didn't they. 148 00:08:10,373 --> 00:08:15,693 Speaker 3: When the Hurricanes got their tails up. There wasn't a 149 00:08:15,733 --> 00:08:18,613 Speaker 3: lot of resistance from the Blues, and that's again a 150 00:08:18,653 --> 00:08:20,933 Speaker 3: continuation of what we've seen from them. I know they 151 00:08:21,013 --> 00:08:24,373 Speaker 3: put a lot of work into their defense. They considered 152 00:08:24,413 --> 00:08:27,093 Speaker 3: an average of forty seven points in their last four 153 00:08:27,133 --> 00:08:30,573 Speaker 3: games leading into that semi final. Well, that proved true 154 00:08:30,613 --> 00:08:32,413 Speaker 3: again and they blew that out of the water by 155 00:08:32,453 --> 00:08:35,013 Speaker 3: the finish of that match. I thought, I do have 156 00:08:36,213 --> 00:08:38,133 Speaker 3: quite high hopes for the future of the Blues. 157 00:08:38,173 --> 00:08:40,013 Speaker 4: Guys like Torrian Barnes. 158 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:42,613 Speaker 3: I thought he really came to the foe and even 159 00:08:42,653 --> 00:08:46,333 Speaker 3: Peyton Spencer off the bench some nice touches from him. 160 00:08:46,413 --> 00:08:49,853 Speaker 3: So if he can grow those guys, and obviously a 161 00:08:49,893 --> 00:08:53,453 Speaker 3: new coaching regime coming in, there is some talent there, 162 00:08:53,573 --> 00:08:57,493 Speaker 3: but on the whole, very underwhelming from the Blues given 163 00:08:57,893 --> 00:09:00,093 Speaker 3: the caliber and the strength of that roster. 164 00:09:00,413 --> 00:09:05,173 Speaker 2: Yeah, I expected better from the Blues this season and ultimately, yep, 165 00:09:05,333 --> 00:09:07,653 Speaker 2: the record books will say they were knocked out in 166 00:09:07,693 --> 00:09:10,453 Speaker 2: the semi finals, but I think we know that they 167 00:09:11,293 --> 00:09:14,373 Speaker 2: really weren't a top fourteen this year. They flotted to 168 00:09:14,413 --> 00:09:16,533 Speaker 2: deceive on a number of occasions. They had a couple 169 00:09:16,733 --> 00:09:19,253 Speaker 2: of good wins in the bank this year, but then 170 00:09:19,373 --> 00:09:22,653 Speaker 2: just completely fell apart. And we'll wrap up this season 171 00:09:22,653 --> 00:09:25,053 Speaker 2: a little bit in the final four, but just ultimately 172 00:09:25,053 --> 00:09:28,973 Speaker 2: a very very flat end to their campaign. Let's move 173 00:09:28,973 --> 00:09:32,013 Speaker 2: on to the other semi final and the Chiefs beating 174 00:09:32,053 --> 00:09:36,013 Speaker 2: the Crusaders forty nine to twelve. This was a pummeling, 175 00:09:36,093 --> 00:09:40,933 Speaker 2: a first half absolute onslaught from the Chiefs. They gobbled 176 00:09:41,013 --> 00:09:44,293 Speaker 2: up every Crusader's mistake, and there were plenty of them, 177 00:09:44,373 --> 00:09:46,853 Speaker 2: and basically turned every one of those, especially in the 178 00:09:46,893 --> 00:09:52,573 Speaker 2: first half, into a scoring opportunity from the outset. You know, 179 00:09:52,933 --> 00:09:54,933 Speaker 2: it felt like it was pretty ominous when they got 180 00:09:54,933 --> 00:09:56,613 Speaker 2: out to even a seven nil lead. It felt like 181 00:09:56,653 --> 00:09:58,733 Speaker 2: the Chiefs were highly up for this and they just 182 00:09:58,773 --> 00:10:02,053 Speaker 2: didn't allow the Crusaders a foothold into the game until 183 00:10:02,093 --> 00:10:04,573 Speaker 2: it was far, far, far, far far too late. 184 00:10:06,253 --> 00:10:06,893 Speaker 4: This was bizarre. 185 00:10:06,933 --> 00:10:11,013 Speaker 3: It wasn't it ending that things everyone expected given the history, 186 00:10:11,053 --> 00:10:14,773 Speaker 3: given the quality of the two teams, are tights contests 187 00:10:14,813 --> 00:10:18,453 Speaker 3: that might go through to the eightieth minutes. It did 188 00:10:18,693 --> 00:10:23,293 Speaker 3: really seem like a coin flip type game. The context 189 00:10:23,333 --> 00:10:26,253 Speaker 3: around this the Crusaders coming in having won five straight 190 00:10:26,533 --> 00:10:30,373 Speaker 3: finals matches against the Chiefs three straight regular season wins, 191 00:10:30,413 --> 00:10:31,373 Speaker 3: so it really did. 192 00:10:31,213 --> 00:10:32,493 Speaker 4: Appear like they had their number. 193 00:10:32,893 --> 00:10:34,813 Speaker 3: The Crusaders coming in, I think they had won four 194 00:10:34,853 --> 00:10:37,453 Speaker 3: in a row, so built some real confidence and momentum 195 00:10:37,973 --> 00:10:42,613 Speaker 3: going to Hamilton, shouldn't fear them, And then wow, what 196 00:10:43,133 --> 00:10:46,213 Speaker 3: are a thirty minute forty minute performance from the Chiefs, 197 00:10:46,333 --> 00:10:51,413 Speaker 3: just the combination of their ball carrying, their speed of 198 00:10:51,413 --> 00:10:55,573 Speaker 3: their ruck, their attacking execution, turnovers at the breakdown, set 199 00:10:55,573 --> 00:11:01,733 Speaker 3: piece dominance, and look, they really did expose the Crusaders defense. 200 00:11:01,773 --> 00:11:05,453 Speaker 3: There was some terrible reads, some terrible individual efforts, But 201 00:11:06,693 --> 00:11:10,093 Speaker 3: I think it is really difficult to contain a team 202 00:11:10,173 --> 00:11:11,773 Speaker 3: like the Chiefs when they're on the front foot, when 203 00:11:11,773 --> 00:11:14,613 Speaker 3: they've got that sort of platform, when they're seeing eyes 204 00:11:14,653 --> 00:11:17,293 Speaker 3: up for the when you've got guys like Quinta Pire 205 00:11:17,373 --> 00:11:20,013 Speaker 3: running rampant and that four pack just steam rolling forward. 206 00:11:20,093 --> 00:11:24,133 Speaker 3: So look, the game was done by halftime and everything 207 00:11:24,173 --> 00:11:26,853 Speaker 3: beyond that was sort of circumstantial. But even then, when 208 00:11:26,893 --> 00:11:31,413 Speaker 3: the Crusaders had opportunities, they couldn't finish. So a pretty 209 00:11:31,413 --> 00:11:34,013 Speaker 3: stark defeat for the Crusaders in. 210 00:11:34,053 --> 00:11:35,493 Speaker 4: The end of the Rod Penny era. 211 00:11:36,813 --> 00:11:39,973 Speaker 3: I really really was surprised by, not necessarily the fact 212 00:11:39,973 --> 00:11:41,653 Speaker 3: that the Chiefs won. I did tip them, but I 213 00:11:41,653 --> 00:11:44,813 Speaker 3: wasn't overly confident, but the nature of that performance and 214 00:11:44,853 --> 00:11:48,093 Speaker 3: that the one sided nature of it was very surprising. 215 00:11:48,213 --> 00:11:51,653 Speaker 2: It was, And yeah, the Crusaders will be highly disappointed 216 00:11:51,653 --> 00:11:54,173 Speaker 2: because they were never at the races in it, and 217 00:11:54,973 --> 00:11:58,173 Speaker 2: you know, basically they made their own bed. The Chiefs 218 00:11:58,173 --> 00:12:01,093 Speaker 2: are exceptional, but the Crusaders didn't help the scenario because 219 00:12:01,093 --> 00:12:04,213 Speaker 2: they were utterly awful with their ball handling at times, 220 00:12:04,293 --> 00:12:08,053 Speaker 2: as you mentioned, defensive reads look like at one point 221 00:12:08,053 --> 00:12:10,053 Speaker 2: it just I felt like they basically never played together 222 00:12:10,133 --> 00:12:12,253 Speaker 2: a lot of these players, which is utterly bizarre given 223 00:12:12,733 --> 00:12:14,733 Speaker 2: the Crusaders have had a few injuries this year and 224 00:12:14,973 --> 00:12:18,213 Speaker 2: slotted and players regularly throughout and move pieces around the 225 00:12:18,253 --> 00:12:21,453 Speaker 2: back line. But you wonder whether perhaps some of those 226 00:12:21,493 --> 00:12:24,213 Speaker 2: recent wins that the home stadium bounce might have papered 227 00:12:24,213 --> 00:12:27,893 Speaker 2: over some of the cracks in this team. Potentially, but 228 00:12:27,893 --> 00:12:31,213 Speaker 2: they're utterly exposed by a very very good Chiefs performance 229 00:12:31,413 --> 00:12:34,853 Speaker 2: and those things you mentioned there, the speed to break 230 00:12:34,893 --> 00:12:39,733 Speaker 2: down the carries. It was really really hard for any 231 00:12:39,733 --> 00:12:41,373 Speaker 2: team I think to stop them. And that was as 232 00:12:41,413 --> 00:12:44,573 Speaker 2: good as first forty as I can remember a team playing, 233 00:12:44,973 --> 00:12:48,373 Speaker 2: I think to the Brumbies against the Crusaders in the 234 00:12:48,373 --> 00:12:50,893 Speaker 2: two thousand and four final where they got out to 235 00:12:50,933 --> 00:12:53,333 Speaker 2: I think a thirty three nil lead. Very very early 236 00:12:53,853 --> 00:12:57,613 Speaker 2: Crusader has been the Warratars and twenty two and two 237 00:12:57,733 --> 00:12:59,613 Speaker 2: they got up to sixty three mil a half time. 238 00:13:00,053 --> 00:13:01,693 Speaker 2: Those are two that spring to mind. I'm sure there 239 00:13:01,693 --> 00:13:03,973 Speaker 2: are plenty of others. But it was a pretty electric 240 00:13:04,093 --> 00:13:08,053 Speaker 2: first forty minutes for the Chiefs. And we've talked a 241 00:13:08,053 --> 00:13:10,333 Speaker 2: bit on this podcast this year about maybe the Chiefs 242 00:13:10,373 --> 00:13:13,053 Speaker 2: just sort of flying under the radar a little bit 243 00:13:13,093 --> 00:13:15,733 Speaker 2: for whatever reason, there being plenty of wins, but maybe 244 00:13:15,853 --> 00:13:19,493 Speaker 2: just haven't caught the attention in the media in the landscape. 245 00:13:19,493 --> 00:13:21,653 Speaker 2: But that was a performance that makes you set up 246 00:13:21,693 --> 00:13:24,133 Speaker 2: and take notice and lines up a pretty good final 247 00:13:24,173 --> 00:13:24,653 Speaker 2: this weekend. 248 00:13:26,013 --> 00:13:26,693 Speaker 4: It sure does. 249 00:13:26,773 --> 00:13:30,453 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you're right, the Chiefs, you have flown under 250 00:13:30,453 --> 00:13:31,333 Speaker 3: the radar a little bit. 251 00:13:31,973 --> 00:13:33,293 Speaker 4: They haven't set the world of lights. 252 00:13:33,453 --> 00:13:37,453 Speaker 3: And the Hurricanes have captured hearts and minds, haven't they 253 00:13:37,453 --> 00:13:39,733 Speaker 3: with the way that they've played, storming to the top 254 00:13:39,773 --> 00:13:43,333 Speaker 3: of the table and doing it in such captivating fashion. 255 00:13:43,453 --> 00:13:48,373 Speaker 4: But look, the Chiefs have got such great depth as well. 256 00:13:48,173 --> 00:13:50,853 Speaker 3: And even with a few injury concerns around guys like 257 00:13:50,973 --> 00:13:55,933 Speaker 3: Luke Jacobson and Isaac Hutchinson and Quinte Pier, they'll be 258 00:13:55,973 --> 00:13:59,213 Speaker 3: desperate to keep those guys on the part, particularly Quinta pie. 259 00:13:59,253 --> 00:14:02,693 Speaker 3: I think that was another statement performance. Early on, he 260 00:14:02,853 --> 00:14:05,973 Speaker 3: just steamrolled over the top of David Heavili. He threw 261 00:14:06,013 --> 00:14:09,253 Speaker 3: the long wall for time, wifle out the first of 262 00:14:09,293 --> 00:14:14,573 Speaker 3: his brace, but then across the board just Somersony Takyajo 263 00:14:15,093 --> 00:14:19,973 Speaker 3: to provide. The Chiefs just have incredible power athletes, and 264 00:14:20,013 --> 00:14:23,133 Speaker 3: they're starting to use them really well. And when they're 265 00:14:23,133 --> 00:14:25,133 Speaker 3: on the front foot and you give Damien McKenzie that 266 00:14:25,173 --> 00:14:28,213 Speaker 3: time and space, gee, it's hard to stop. So I 267 00:14:28,253 --> 00:14:33,413 Speaker 3: agree that's one of the best attacking performances we've seen, 268 00:14:33,893 --> 00:14:37,333 Speaker 3: certainly this year and beyond. The Hurricanes have put together 269 00:14:37,413 --> 00:14:43,133 Speaker 3: patches of that fluidity. But to do it against the 270 00:14:43,133 --> 00:14:46,053 Speaker 3: Crusaders in a semi final, given the history and everything 271 00:14:46,093 --> 00:14:48,893 Speaker 3: around it, the Chiefs will take a lot out of that, 272 00:14:49,133 --> 00:14:50,573 Speaker 3: as they had to Wellington this weekend. 273 00:14:50,573 --> 00:14:52,293 Speaker 2: It's funny. I was looking at the stats and then 274 00:14:52,453 --> 00:14:54,413 Speaker 2: this is a point I've made previously, but the stats 275 00:14:54,453 --> 00:14:56,933 Speaker 2: don't always tell the full story, especially at full time, 276 00:14:57,173 --> 00:15:00,013 Speaker 2: because the sort of evened up a little bit by then. 277 00:15:00,093 --> 00:15:02,613 Speaker 2: If you look through them, Crusaders made more meters, they 278 00:15:02,653 --> 00:15:06,773 Speaker 2: had more carries, they beat more defenders, they conceded fewer penalties, 279 00:15:07,733 --> 00:15:10,373 Speaker 2: they missed few tackles, than the Chiefs. None of that 280 00:15:10,413 --> 00:15:12,893 Speaker 2: tells the story of the kind of performance that the 281 00:15:12,973 --> 00:15:17,013 Speaker 2: Chiefs laid out on the weekend. And you pick up 282 00:15:17,013 --> 00:15:19,133 Speaker 2: a stats book or whatever, you read that and you go, okay, 283 00:15:19,133 --> 00:15:20,893 Speaker 2: well this must be a close game. Then you look 284 00:15:20,893 --> 00:15:23,453 Speaker 2: at the top and it's forty nine to twelve. You 285 00:15:23,493 --> 00:15:26,613 Speaker 2: know that that shows just what the Chiefs were capable 286 00:15:26,613 --> 00:15:29,173 Speaker 2: of when they're on form. Now they'll have to bring 287 00:15:29,213 --> 00:15:33,253 Speaker 2: it to Wellington, which is an entirely different conversation. Wellington 288 00:15:33,293 --> 00:15:35,053 Speaker 2: you would hope would be sold out for that final. 289 00:15:35,093 --> 00:15:39,173 Speaker 2: You'd expect so, and you know that's a whole different 290 00:15:39,213 --> 00:15:41,573 Speaker 2: kettle of fish. But you know, the Highlanders did it 291 00:15:41,613 --> 00:15:46,933 Speaker 2: well eleven years ago now, So just just you know, 292 00:15:47,133 --> 00:15:48,533 Speaker 2: just sort of laying it out there that you know, 293 00:15:48,573 --> 00:15:52,133 Speaker 2: it's not impossible to win Wellington in a Super Rugby final. 294 00:15:52,933 --> 00:15:55,893 Speaker 3: No, no, it's not, Elliott. Thanks for conjuring those memories. 295 00:15:56,053 --> 00:15:58,853 Speaker 3: I'm sure Hurricans fans will thank you for it. I 296 00:15:58,973 --> 00:16:01,973 Speaker 3: like to think it's a different Hurricanes team. But look, 297 00:16:01,973 --> 00:16:04,453 Speaker 3: you're right, And but the big question for the Chiefs 298 00:16:04,533 --> 00:16:08,613 Speaker 3: is you know, they've I guess painted themselves to agree 299 00:16:08,893 --> 00:16:11,693 Speaker 3: as chokers in a final there's probably no getting away 300 00:16:11,693 --> 00:16:15,693 Speaker 3: from it. They've lost the last three finals, four of 301 00:16:15,773 --> 00:16:18,533 Speaker 3: the last five. This is their fourth final in a 302 00:16:18,653 --> 00:16:22,333 Speaker 3: row and getting to that big stage as a mark 303 00:16:22,373 --> 00:16:26,453 Speaker 3: of their consistency, but not getting over that final hump 304 00:16:26,893 --> 00:16:30,093 Speaker 3: has been a massive must be a massive mental burden 305 00:16:30,453 --> 00:16:33,813 Speaker 3: for a team that they've lost all those finals to 306 00:16:33,853 --> 00:16:38,773 Speaker 3: the Crusaders, to be fair, but guys like Damian McKenzie 307 00:16:38,773 --> 00:16:41,413 Speaker 3: that was one hundred and fiftieth Super Rugby match of 308 00:16:41,413 --> 00:16:43,333 Speaker 3: the weekend and he's never won a Super title. So 309 00:16:44,013 --> 00:16:46,853 Speaker 3: how much does that scenario weigh on the chief Shoulders 310 00:16:46,893 --> 00:16:48,133 Speaker 3: leading into this Well. 311 00:16:47,773 --> 00:16:50,213 Speaker 2: I think it has to weigh on them because this 312 00:16:50,293 --> 00:16:52,493 Speaker 2: is a record that is going to be brought up 313 00:16:52,813 --> 00:16:55,253 Speaker 2: throughout the week that they haven't been able to clinch 314 00:16:55,293 --> 00:16:57,453 Speaker 2: it in the finals. And I'm sure the Hurricane, yeah, 315 00:16:57,453 --> 00:17:00,533 Speaker 2: this is a different Chiefs team. They're coached by Johnny Gibbs, 316 00:17:00,653 --> 00:17:04,773 Speaker 2: last three with Clayton McMillan, but the Hurricanes is going 317 00:17:04,813 --> 00:17:06,773 Speaker 2: to be I'm sure looking at last year's final just 318 00:17:06,773 --> 00:17:09,653 Speaker 2: to see what the Crusaders did well, what the Blues 319 00:17:09,653 --> 00:17:12,293 Speaker 2: did well in twenty four just to put you know, 320 00:17:12,333 --> 00:17:14,773 Speaker 2: the likes of McKenzie under pressure? What were they able 321 00:17:14,813 --> 00:17:17,933 Speaker 2: to do in that game. I'm sure that Clark Laidlaw 322 00:17:18,013 --> 00:17:20,053 Speaker 2: or someone on his staff as analysts will be looking 323 00:17:20,053 --> 00:17:22,973 Speaker 2: at those things, going what happens when you put players 324 00:17:23,013 --> 00:17:27,133 Speaker 2: like that under pressure and big matches, you know, playing 325 00:17:27,173 --> 00:17:29,613 Speaker 2: away from home again. They obviously played at home in 326 00:17:29,653 --> 00:17:32,813 Speaker 2: twenty three and that didn't help them, But that's another 327 00:17:32,853 --> 00:17:34,893 Speaker 2: thing they have to deal with. But I think if 328 00:17:34,893 --> 00:17:37,373 Speaker 2: you're the Hurricanes, you lean into that and maybe put 329 00:17:37,373 --> 00:17:40,773 Speaker 2: the pressure on them, because you know, the Hurricanes do 330 00:17:40,893 --> 00:17:43,533 Speaker 2: go in his favorites. But there is that chokers tag 331 00:17:43,573 --> 00:17:48,453 Speaker 2: that follows the Chiefs around and jeez, if they lose 332 00:17:48,493 --> 00:17:50,333 Speaker 2: four finals, then what happens? Then? 333 00:17:51,213 --> 00:17:54,493 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly, But it is a similar scenario for both teams. 334 00:17:54,533 --> 00:17:55,213 Speaker 4: It was an Oliott. 335 00:17:55,253 --> 00:17:57,533 Speaker 3: The Hurricanes haven't won a title in ten years. The 336 00:17:57,613 --> 00:18:00,613 Speaker 3: Chiefs haven't won a title in twelve years, So both 337 00:18:00,613 --> 00:18:03,733 Speaker 3: of those both are going to be desperate. And when 338 00:18:03,733 --> 00:18:09,613 Speaker 3: you have such a dearth of success, it does builds pressure, anticipation, 339 00:18:09,853 --> 00:18:14,813 Speaker 3: tension to finally break through and deliver that for yourselves, 340 00:18:14,893 --> 00:18:19,373 Speaker 3: for your supporters, for your family and everyone surrounding the team. 341 00:18:19,453 --> 00:18:23,613 Speaker 3: So I think there is the weight of expectation on 342 00:18:23,653 --> 00:18:26,893 Speaker 3: both teams. The Hurricanes have targeted the stage for the 343 00:18:26,893 --> 00:18:30,053 Speaker 3: best part of three four years. They've kept that squad 344 00:18:30,093 --> 00:18:33,773 Speaker 3: together with Clark laid Law bringing through a lot of 345 00:18:33,773 --> 00:18:39,373 Speaker 3: those guys, keeping them together, building that team. For me, 346 00:18:39,973 --> 00:18:45,133 Speaker 3: when I look at those two teams, I think the Hurricanes, sorry, 347 00:18:45,533 --> 00:18:49,373 Speaker 3: probably have the stronger coaching stuff. You've got Jason Hollin, 348 00:18:49,413 --> 00:18:50,933 Speaker 3: who's going to go up to the Blues and bear 349 00:18:50,973 --> 00:18:53,053 Speaker 3: head coach next year, and I think he's a real 350 00:18:53,173 --> 00:18:57,253 Speaker 3: secret weapon in that team in terms of the creativeness 351 00:18:57,333 --> 00:19:00,773 Speaker 3: we've seen on attack. And also Brent Evans, I think 352 00:19:00,813 --> 00:19:04,173 Speaker 3: he's highly underrated. Some of the specials that he comes 353 00:19:04,253 --> 00:19:06,733 Speaker 3: up with around the lineouts. We saw that carry through 354 00:19:06,773 --> 00:19:09,333 Speaker 3: to the All Blacks last year. So I think if 355 00:19:09,413 --> 00:19:12,133 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes can find a couple of little moments of magic, 356 00:19:12,773 --> 00:19:16,733 Speaker 3: that might be enough. I really do rate that coaching 357 00:19:16,773 --> 00:19:21,333 Speaker 3: team with Jamie McIntosh and Corey Jane and amongst that 358 00:19:21,453 --> 00:19:22,053 Speaker 3: crew as well. 359 00:19:22,373 --> 00:19:24,093 Speaker 2: Yeah, they've obviously been caught up to the All Blacks 360 00:19:24,093 --> 00:19:26,413 Speaker 2: fifteen as well a couple of those members in recent 361 00:19:26,453 --> 00:19:29,213 Speaker 2: times as well. So the our coaches are firmly on 362 00:19:29,293 --> 00:19:32,053 Speaker 2: the rise in our game. We'll obviously preview that final 363 00:19:32,093 --> 00:19:35,533 Speaker 2: a little bit more on our Thursday edition, but we'll 364 00:19:35,573 --> 00:19:38,013 Speaker 2: take a quick break here on Rugby Direct. Comeback with 365 00:19:38,573 --> 00:19:41,813 Speaker 2: some Final four thoughts after this. You're back with Rugby 366 00:19:41,893 --> 00:19:45,133 Speaker 2: Direct time now for the final four to four rugby topics. 367 00:19:45,453 --> 00:19:47,613 Speaker 2: There's a bit of similarity but a symmetry between these 368 00:19:47,613 --> 00:19:51,333 Speaker 2: four topics. Quick one, First up, legam rank the Blues 369 00:19:51,573 --> 00:19:53,213 Speaker 2: season out of ten for. 370 00:19:53,213 --> 00:19:57,133 Speaker 3: Me, well, it's a bloody difficult Elliott, given my history 371 00:19:57,133 --> 00:20:00,893 Speaker 3: have been a tough market. And look, they finished fourth, 372 00:20:01,013 --> 00:20:05,093 Speaker 3: but that's probably a reflection of Super Rugby as a whole, 373 00:20:05,613 --> 00:20:10,813 Speaker 3: an eleven team competition. Finishing fourth, making the semi finals, 374 00:20:10,853 --> 00:20:15,813 Speaker 3: when you lose four straight games, look, I'll probably have 375 00:20:15,813 --> 00:20:19,493 Speaker 3: to give him a pass. I would say five at best. 376 00:20:19,733 --> 00:20:23,293 Speaker 3: Just they really did tank and free fall and ship 377 00:20:23,453 --> 00:20:25,373 Speaker 3: the bed at the back end of the year. And 378 00:20:25,413 --> 00:20:28,373 Speaker 3: then that's the lasting impression they left. And the impression 379 00:20:28,413 --> 00:20:31,453 Speaker 3: I get is something actually went wrong within that team. 380 00:20:31,493 --> 00:20:33,933 Speaker 3: I don't know that for a fact, but I don't 381 00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:38,013 Speaker 3: think any team spirals like they did. That's completely on 382 00:20:38,053 --> 00:20:41,253 Speaker 3: the same page when everything's going right, when everything's clicking. 383 00:20:42,333 --> 00:20:44,813 Speaker 3: I don't know whether the departures of so many players 384 00:20:44,813 --> 00:20:48,573 Speaker 3: and coaches had a big impact. But I just feel 385 00:20:48,613 --> 00:20:51,693 Speaker 3: like something is not right and something went wrong towards 386 00:20:51,693 --> 00:20:52,853 Speaker 3: the back end of the year for the Blues. 387 00:20:52,973 --> 00:20:56,293 Speaker 2: Yeah, it felt like it felt completely apart and they 388 00:20:56,453 --> 00:21:00,453 Speaker 2: missed Olden Papaali. I mean, his career in New Zealand 389 00:21:00,493 --> 00:21:03,133 Speaker 2: rugby is finished for the time being. I don't think 390 00:21:03,133 --> 00:21:05,413 Speaker 2: he's playing NPC from memory, I'm pretty sure he's going 391 00:21:05,453 --> 00:21:10,213 Speaker 2: over to France now. So he was hoping to be 392 00:21:10,253 --> 00:21:12,493 Speaker 2: back maybe for a final if they made it that 393 00:21:12,573 --> 00:21:16,093 Speaker 2: far from that drawer fracture. Ultimately not to be. But 394 00:21:16,413 --> 00:21:19,533 Speaker 2: I'm similar to you. I give them a five out 395 00:21:19,573 --> 00:21:22,013 Speaker 2: of ten for that season, just the way CA read 396 00:21:22,053 --> 00:21:25,573 Speaker 2: out of control and you know that brings to an 397 00:21:25,693 --> 00:21:29,573 Speaker 2: end as well. You know the coaching tenure of Vern Cotter. 398 00:21:29,733 --> 00:21:31,933 Speaker 2: So topic two in the Final four is what will 399 00:21:32,013 --> 00:21:35,453 Speaker 2: Vern Cootter's legacy at the Blues b Liam. 400 00:21:36,893 --> 00:21:40,533 Speaker 3: I think it's eched in stone two points. When any 401 00:21:40,613 --> 00:21:43,493 Speaker 3: any coach that comes in and in his first year 402 00:21:43,533 --> 00:21:46,413 Speaker 3: delivers a title the Blues first and twenty one years, 403 00:21:47,093 --> 00:21:48,533 Speaker 3: you can't take that away from him. 404 00:21:48,853 --> 00:21:52,853 Speaker 4: The impact he made there will be everlasting. 405 00:21:53,053 --> 00:21:56,213 Speaker 3: When people talk about Vern Cootter's coaching tenure in the Blues. 406 00:21:56,253 --> 00:21:58,013 Speaker 3: Ten years from now, they'll say, well, he was a 407 00:21:58,053 --> 00:22:02,413 Speaker 3: title winning coach and he broke that droughts, But it 408 00:22:02,493 --> 00:22:07,213 Speaker 3: did feel like one of those short term impacts you 409 00:22:07,333 --> 00:22:10,653 Speaker 3: come and have a real impact, I think, particularly on 410 00:22:10,973 --> 00:22:12,093 Speaker 3: the mental side of the game. 411 00:22:12,133 --> 00:22:13,213 Speaker 4: He toughened the Blues up. 412 00:22:13,333 --> 00:22:18,613 Speaker 3: He brought in that very direct, confrontational, conservative to a degree, 413 00:22:18,733 --> 00:22:22,693 Speaker 3: French top fourteen style, certainly when he was coaching up 414 00:22:22,693 --> 00:22:26,173 Speaker 3: their European elements super rugby that they hadn't seen. But 415 00:22:26,733 --> 00:22:31,053 Speaker 3: from then on I think things didn't evolve enough, both 416 00:22:31,053 --> 00:22:36,173 Speaker 3: from an individual skill and a game plan perspective. I 417 00:22:36,213 --> 00:22:38,013 Speaker 3: think we needed to see more from the Blues on 418 00:22:38,053 --> 00:22:41,893 Speaker 3: attack in particular, and then to finish your tenure of 419 00:22:41,973 --> 00:22:47,053 Speaker 3: five straight losses and pretty lucky in the grand scheme 420 00:22:47,093 --> 00:22:51,693 Speaker 3: of things to make the semi finals, so very disappointing finish. 421 00:22:51,853 --> 00:22:54,693 Speaker 3: But I think when people reflect in time, they'll still 422 00:22:54,693 --> 00:22:56,293 Speaker 3: call them a title winning coach, won't. 423 00:22:56,093 --> 00:22:58,853 Speaker 2: They They will, absolutely, and then that's in the record books. 424 00:22:59,213 --> 00:23:02,853 Speaker 2: But I tend to agree that they didn't evolve into 425 00:23:03,173 --> 00:23:06,413 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six nearly well enough. 426 00:23:06,493 --> 00:23:08,773 Speaker 2: The game plan was strong in twenty ti twenty four. 427 00:23:08,813 --> 00:23:10,933 Speaker 2: It caught a lot of teams by surprise. It was 428 00:23:10,973 --> 00:23:15,053 Speaker 2: simple things for dominant carried you know, strongly, done well 429 00:23:15,613 --> 00:23:21,893 Speaker 2: and ultimately it began to become predictable, especially this year. 430 00:23:21,933 --> 00:23:25,013 Speaker 2: But it began become predictable in twenty twenty five. They 431 00:23:25,053 --> 00:23:28,493 Speaker 2: didn't have the players they were executing it as well 432 00:23:28,533 --> 00:23:30,813 Speaker 2: as as well enough as they did in the first year. 433 00:23:32,093 --> 00:23:34,733 Speaker 2: So I think there has to be some question marks there. 434 00:23:34,813 --> 00:23:37,893 Speaker 2: Just the lack of evolution in their game plan became 435 00:23:37,973 --> 00:23:39,253 Speaker 2: as I said, very predictable. 436 00:23:39,293 --> 00:23:40,933 Speaker 3: So this is a. 437 00:23:40,933 --> 00:23:43,493 Speaker 2: Chance for it for Jason Holland and you know Timadi 438 00:23:43,493 --> 00:23:46,693 Speaker 2: Allison's coming in next year and maybe whoever else to 439 00:23:46,933 --> 00:23:50,213 Speaker 2: reshape things a little bit with the Blues. They're going 440 00:23:50,253 --> 00:23:52,933 Speaker 2: to have a different roster next year. They'll get Rico 441 00:23:52,973 --> 00:23:56,173 Speaker 2: Yuani back, but they will lose Papaali, they lose to 442 00:23:56,173 --> 00:23:59,293 Speaker 2: to to try nothing else. Off the top of my head, 443 00:23:59,293 --> 00:24:03,453 Speaker 2: that's going aj lamb. Yeah, So this is gonna be 444 00:24:03,453 --> 00:24:08,853 Speaker 2: a markedly different Blues roster next year. And doesn't sound 445 00:24:08,893 --> 00:24:11,493 Speaker 2: like there's too many big whispers around players that might come. 446 00:24:11,533 --> 00:24:13,853 Speaker 2: I mean, the question mark is around you know, something 447 00:24:13,893 --> 00:24:16,653 Speaker 2: like an Ardie Savia, potentially Liam that's gone a bit 448 00:24:16,733 --> 00:24:18,733 Speaker 2: quiet over the whole thing with more uner Pacific or 449 00:24:18,813 --> 00:24:21,933 Speaker 2: being rescued by Winston Peters or whatever the hell was 450 00:24:21,933 --> 00:24:25,013 Speaker 2: going on there. So I guess wait and see Blues 451 00:24:25,093 --> 00:24:28,573 Speaker 2: possibly a goer for him next year and that instantly 452 00:24:28,613 --> 00:24:33,013 Speaker 2: elevates the Blues into the title mix. But other than that, 453 00:24:33,053 --> 00:24:35,533 Speaker 2: doesn't sound like too many big inns coming back for 454 00:24:35,573 --> 00:24:38,453 Speaker 2: them next year, coming new to the franchise next year. 455 00:24:39,133 --> 00:24:42,253 Speaker 3: No, not necessarily, but they do. I think that this 456 00:24:42,293 --> 00:24:44,613 Speaker 3: is the time that the Blues do need to evolve 457 00:24:44,653 --> 00:24:46,933 Speaker 3: and promote new talent. And when you look at guys 458 00:24:46,973 --> 00:24:51,413 Speaker 3: like Torian Barnes, Malokai, Rampling, even eli Odin Ryan, he 459 00:24:51,453 --> 00:24:55,013 Speaker 3: was a real late season star. I think has impact 460 00:24:55,173 --> 00:24:58,613 Speaker 3: off the bench shows he's got a big feature, And 461 00:24:59,013 --> 00:25:01,093 Speaker 3: I think this needs to be a change in what 462 00:25:01,133 --> 00:25:03,453 Speaker 3: we've seen from the approach and the Blues. You need 463 00:25:03,493 --> 00:25:07,533 Speaker 3: to be unlocking guys like Caleb Clark and getting them 464 00:25:07,573 --> 00:25:10,213 Speaker 3: more ball and just having a bit more of a crack. 465 00:25:10,293 --> 00:25:12,453 Speaker 4: I think I will suit their style of athlete. 466 00:25:13,613 --> 00:25:18,053 Speaker 3: Maybe the Blues pick up Cam Miller with Stephen Peter 467 00:25:18,133 --> 00:25:21,133 Speaker 3: Fetter going Boden Barrett's still going to be there, need 468 00:25:21,173 --> 00:25:23,333 Speaker 3: to try and get the best out of him and 469 00:25:23,373 --> 00:25:26,533 Speaker 3: what will probably be his final season of Super rugby 470 00:25:26,773 --> 00:25:30,053 Speaker 3: in New Zealand, you suspect before he probably cashes out 471 00:25:30,093 --> 00:25:33,533 Speaker 3: post the World Cup. So I think it's the Blues 472 00:25:33,573 --> 00:25:35,653 Speaker 3: need to reset and they're definitely going to get one 473 00:25:35,693 --> 00:25:39,173 Speaker 3: with von Kotta, Craig McGrath their defense coach, and Greg 474 00:25:39,213 --> 00:25:41,493 Speaker 3: Feek as well moving on, plus the host of players 475 00:25:41,493 --> 00:25:44,253 Speaker 3: that you spoke of there, so it will be very 476 00:25:44,293 --> 00:25:45,693 Speaker 3: much a new lock side next year. 477 00:25:45,893 --> 00:25:48,853 Speaker 2: Indeed, well similar questions to question one, but right the 478 00:25:48,893 --> 00:25:52,053 Speaker 2: Crusader season out of ten Familiam. 479 00:25:51,853 --> 00:25:54,573 Speaker 3: It's more difficult, Elliott. I think they finished nine and seven. 480 00:25:55,573 --> 00:25:58,213 Speaker 3: I think I'm right saying they only beat one Australian 481 00:25:58,213 --> 00:26:01,973 Speaker 3: team which probably really costs them in terms of where 482 00:26:01,973 --> 00:26:05,733 Speaker 3: they finished and sent them to Hamilton ultimately for a 483 00:26:05,813 --> 00:26:08,173 Speaker 3: quarter final. So it was a bit of a check 484 00:26:08,453 --> 00:26:11,493 Speaker 3: hide season, I think. And look, they weren't helped by injuries. 485 00:26:11,493 --> 00:26:13,733 Speaker 3: They didn't have Scott Barrett at all, didn't have a 486 00:26:13,733 --> 00:26:16,253 Speaker 3: lot of use of Will Jordan, so there were a 487 00:26:16,333 --> 00:26:21,253 Speaker 3: number of challenges and setbacks along the way, but they 488 00:26:21,493 --> 00:26:24,213 Speaker 3: look the quality of their roster, they would have still 489 00:26:24,333 --> 00:26:27,373 Speaker 3: expected to probably reach the final, if not defend the title. 490 00:26:28,013 --> 00:26:29,733 Speaker 3: I'm going to give them a seven. I think on 491 00:26:30,053 --> 00:26:34,893 Speaker 3: the whole they did really well to summon some late 492 00:26:34,933 --> 00:26:38,173 Speaker 3: season form and what was an incredibly tough run home 493 00:26:38,173 --> 00:26:40,413 Speaker 3: against his own opposition, win four in a row to 494 00:26:40,413 --> 00:26:44,253 Speaker 3: reach the semi finals. But that tour of Australia in 495 00:26:44,253 --> 00:26:46,653 Speaker 3: the middle of the year, dropping back to back games too, 496 00:26:46,693 --> 00:26:49,653 Speaker 3: I think it was the Reds and the Force, and 497 00:26:50,133 --> 00:26:52,493 Speaker 3: like you pointed out earlier, I think perhaps some of 498 00:26:52,493 --> 00:26:56,013 Speaker 3: those wins under the roof with the sell out crowds 499 00:26:56,053 --> 00:26:59,733 Speaker 3: papered over a few cracks and I think they'll benefit 500 00:26:59,773 --> 00:27:01,093 Speaker 3: from a change of regime as well. 501 00:27:01,413 --> 00:27:03,853 Speaker 2: Jeez, seven out of ten for me as well. Liam, 502 00:27:04,693 --> 00:27:07,533 Speaker 2: I've channeled you are tough marking, but seven I think 503 00:27:07,573 --> 00:27:10,053 Speaker 2: seems fair. You know, they win at least one of 504 00:27:10,093 --> 00:27:15,053 Speaker 2: those games or two against those Australian oppositions. Opposition rather, 505 00:27:15,333 --> 00:27:19,053 Speaker 2: they're closer to maybe a top two finish. You know, 506 00:27:19,093 --> 00:27:20,933 Speaker 2: the Chiefs are ten points a heat ultimately on the 507 00:27:21,213 --> 00:27:23,293 Speaker 2: end of season ladder, but they win a couple of 508 00:27:23,333 --> 00:27:26,693 Speaker 2: those Who knows, maybe you get a bit of a 509 00:27:26,733 --> 00:27:29,893 Speaker 2: push towards finishing, you know, with with with top two 510 00:27:29,933 --> 00:27:32,293 Speaker 2: in mind, that makes a big difference playing at home 511 00:27:32,813 --> 00:27:35,533 Speaker 2: the extra week potentially, but you're going to mark them 512 00:27:35,573 --> 00:27:38,213 Speaker 2: down four losses like that. They obviously lost to the 513 00:27:38,293 --> 00:27:43,013 Speaker 2: Highlanders Week one, which was you know, when you look 514 00:27:43,013 --> 00:27:44,933 Speaker 2: at where the Highlanders finished this season a bit of 515 00:27:44,973 --> 00:27:48,613 Speaker 2: a slump. They had that lost to the Brumbies where 516 00:27:48,613 --> 00:27:51,813 Speaker 2: they shipped fifty at the Old Stadium as well, which 517 00:27:51,893 --> 00:27:54,853 Speaker 2: was an ugly defeat. So there was a lot of ugliness. 518 00:27:54,853 --> 00:27:58,053 Speaker 2: But ultimately they almost you know, obviously they lost convincingly 519 00:27:58,093 --> 00:28:00,893 Speaker 2: and deservedly on Friday, but they almost rallied to get 520 00:28:00,933 --> 00:28:02,853 Speaker 2: to the point where they were, you know, fifty to 521 00:28:02,893 --> 00:28:06,093 Speaker 2: fifty contenders to make a final in that game against 522 00:28:06,133 --> 00:28:08,773 Speaker 2: the Chiefs. Ultimately didn't pan out like that, but yeah, 523 00:28:08,773 --> 00:28:10,213 Speaker 2: I give him a seven out of ten as well. 524 00:28:10,253 --> 00:28:13,373 Speaker 2: And that leads into topic four. What will Rob Penny's 525 00:28:13,493 --> 00:28:15,053 Speaker 2: legacy at the Crusaders be? 526 00:28:16,293 --> 00:28:20,253 Speaker 4: Wow, what a wild right, Elliott. One of the worst 527 00:28:20,253 --> 00:28:22,093 Speaker 4: seasons in history for the Crusaders. 528 00:28:22,333 --> 00:28:27,013 Speaker 3: You know, anytime they missed the playoffs, it's like the 529 00:28:27,013 --> 00:28:31,893 Speaker 3: wolves are caving in because it's tradition, isn't it the 530 00:28:31,933 --> 00:28:34,613 Speaker 3: Crusaders are there come the business end of the year. 531 00:28:34,693 --> 00:28:38,813 Speaker 3: So his first season was right off and he almost 532 00:28:38,813 --> 00:28:41,293 Speaker 3: lost his job, or certainly that was the expectation from 533 00:28:41,293 --> 00:28:41,773 Speaker 3: the outside. 534 00:28:41,773 --> 00:28:42,853 Speaker 4: The Crusaders stuck. 535 00:28:42,653 --> 00:28:46,093 Speaker 3: With him, they bounced back to win a title, and 536 00:28:46,133 --> 00:28:49,893 Speaker 3: then this season was probably had a bit of everything. 537 00:28:49,893 --> 00:28:52,133 Speaker 4: It was symptomatic. I think of his tenure on the whole. 538 00:28:52,613 --> 00:28:55,173 Speaker 3: Look, I think my assessment of Rob is that the 539 00:28:55,253 --> 00:28:57,293 Speaker 3: game's probably moved on a little bit. 540 00:28:57,173 --> 00:28:59,413 Speaker 4: From his. 541 00:29:01,213 --> 00:29:04,613 Speaker 3: Areas of expertise in terms of when he was maybe 542 00:29:04,653 --> 00:29:07,253 Speaker 3: at as pomp as a coach. I think they probably 543 00:29:07,293 --> 00:29:11,453 Speaker 3: need some freshopery and a change of regime. But again, 544 00:29:12,013 --> 00:29:15,373 Speaker 3: when people sit back in ten years, they'll call him 545 00:29:15,413 --> 00:29:18,293 Speaker 3: a title winning coach, and he had to show a 546 00:29:18,333 --> 00:29:21,573 Speaker 3: lot of backbone and resilience to probably fight for his 547 00:29:21,693 --> 00:29:25,173 Speaker 3: job internally and then respond the following year. But to 548 00:29:25,213 --> 00:29:28,453 Speaker 3: finish with the heaviest loss in history to the Chiefs 549 00:29:28,493 --> 00:29:30,453 Speaker 3: and getting a really smacked on the nose in the 550 00:29:30,453 --> 00:29:31,133 Speaker 3: semi final. 551 00:29:33,493 --> 00:29:34,853 Speaker 4: That's the last impression, isn't it. 552 00:29:34,973 --> 00:29:37,333 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is, and it's funnily I think the style 553 00:29:37,373 --> 00:29:39,773 Speaker 2: of rugby the Crusader's played was probably stepped backwards from 554 00:29:39,813 --> 00:29:42,653 Speaker 2: the Scott Robertson era they played under Rob Penny. I 555 00:29:42,653 --> 00:29:45,573 Speaker 2: think you're right that maybe the game plan and the 556 00:29:45,573 --> 00:29:51,293 Speaker 2: style of rugby plays has maybe passed him by. And yeah, 557 00:29:51,493 --> 00:29:53,533 Speaker 2: I just think they didn't probably evolve this year and 558 00:29:54,053 --> 00:29:56,613 Speaker 2: injuries could tell that a little bit. But similar to 559 00:29:56,653 --> 00:29:59,333 Speaker 2: the Blues, their prips didn't just evolve as much this 560 00:29:59,413 --> 00:30:02,333 Speaker 2: year as they needed to to make themselves into real contenders. 561 00:30:02,373 --> 00:30:06,573 Speaker 2: And the Crusaders team had a habit of dropping games 562 00:30:07,333 --> 00:30:10,813 Speaker 2: that they wouldn't have dropped in the previous Scott Robertson era, 563 00:30:11,813 --> 00:30:14,533 Speaker 2: and that crept into things over the last couple of years. 564 00:30:14,773 --> 00:30:16,133 Speaker 2: You know, I'll special off the back of that twenty 565 00:30:16,133 --> 00:30:20,413 Speaker 2: twenty four season, which was utterly poor, but then you know, 566 00:30:20,453 --> 00:30:22,973 Speaker 2: you sit back and go. They summoned everything last year 567 00:30:23,053 --> 00:30:26,213 Speaker 2: to win that final at home against a very very 568 00:30:26,213 --> 00:30:29,133 Speaker 2: good Chief side. So there was something that Rob Aenny 569 00:30:29,173 --> 00:30:32,333 Speaker 2: and delivered a title. But I think probably a change 570 00:30:32,373 --> 00:30:35,893 Speaker 2: is good for this Crusaders team, and Scott Hansen's going 571 00:30:35,893 --> 00:30:38,653 Speaker 2: to inherit a team with a few changes as well. 572 00:30:39,053 --> 00:30:42,213 Speaker 2: Sevy Reese, the all time leading tri scorer in Super rugby, 573 00:30:42,533 --> 00:30:47,453 Speaker 2: to partying, there's obviously midfield changes with in or leaving 574 00:30:47,533 --> 00:30:50,973 Speaker 2: as well. Dallas McLeod have been backbones of the Crusaders 575 00:30:51,013 --> 00:30:54,373 Speaker 2: for a number of years now. Ethan Blackadder hasn't resigned 576 00:30:54,413 --> 00:30:58,373 Speaker 2: for twenty twenty seven to my knowledge as yet. There's 577 00:30:58,373 --> 00:31:00,973 Speaker 2: probably a couple of others that I'm missing as well. 578 00:31:01,013 --> 00:31:02,893 Speaker 2: So there will be some changes. There always is, but 579 00:31:03,573 --> 00:31:05,293 Speaker 2: when you're a new coach there's going to be some 580 00:31:05,413 --> 00:31:08,813 Speaker 2: big decisions to make. Having said that, there are some 581 00:31:08,853 --> 00:31:11,693 Speaker 2: promising players in the pipeline for the Crusaders. I think 582 00:31:11,693 --> 00:31:14,613 Speaker 2: Cooper Roberts in the midfield is a really promising. Olie 583 00:31:14,613 --> 00:31:18,653 Speaker 2: Mathers in the loose forwards, you know, has been talked 584 00:31:18,653 --> 00:31:20,093 Speaker 2: about a little bit. We haven't seen a lot of 585 00:31:20,133 --> 00:31:24,093 Speaker 2: him at super rugby level as yet. There are some 586 00:31:24,133 --> 00:31:27,253 Speaker 2: other players through the under twenties potentially looking at the Crusaders. 587 00:31:27,293 --> 00:31:30,253 Speaker 2: So there's some promising signs there. But you know, Scott 588 00:31:30,253 --> 00:31:32,053 Speaker 2: Hansen's going to have to evolve the game when he 589 00:31:32,093 --> 00:31:34,333 Speaker 2: gets under the desk in a couple of months time. 590 00:31:35,373 --> 00:31:37,133 Speaker 3: He is, indeed, and then you look at guys like 591 00:31:37,213 --> 00:31:41,253 Speaker 3: Cody Taylor, Scott Barrett's there's probably a couple of others 592 00:31:41,613 --> 00:31:43,973 Speaker 3: in the mix there. What are their futures posts next 593 00:31:44,013 --> 00:31:45,933 Speaker 3: year post the World Cup? Do they finish up? 594 00:31:45,973 --> 00:31:48,693 Speaker 4: Do they move on? So there will be a need 595 00:31:48,773 --> 00:31:49,653 Speaker 4: to evolve that team. 596 00:31:49,893 --> 00:31:52,013 Speaker 3: One thing I've been thinking on Elliot with the Crusaders 597 00:31:52,093 --> 00:31:56,613 Speaker 3: is when Scott Robertson moved on, it felt like certainly 598 00:31:56,613 --> 00:32:00,133 Speaker 3: all the noises, certainly behind the scenes, were that Tommody 599 00:32:00,133 --> 00:32:04,853 Speaker 3: Allison has been groomed as his likely successor. Now the 600 00:32:04,853 --> 00:32:07,413 Speaker 3: way things panned out with somebody moving to the All 601 00:32:07,453 --> 00:32:10,773 Speaker 3: Blacks and then be moved on from Neil Blacks ultimately 602 00:32:10,813 --> 00:32:15,573 Speaker 3: with Dave Rennie coming in and now coaching the Moldy 603 00:32:15,573 --> 00:32:17,973 Speaker 3: all Blacks and it's goin to join Jason Holland at 604 00:32:18,013 --> 00:32:22,253 Speaker 3: the Blues. But my question to you is what changed 605 00:32:22,293 --> 00:32:24,973 Speaker 3: do you think and ultimately do you think somebody Allison 606 00:32:25,013 --> 00:32:27,293 Speaker 3: would be a better prospect to lead the Crusaders and 607 00:32:27,333 --> 00:32:30,613 Speaker 3: Scott Hansen or do you think they've got that decision right. 608 00:32:31,733 --> 00:32:36,253 Speaker 2: I think ultimately they've probably landed on it right. I 609 00:32:36,253 --> 00:32:39,053 Speaker 2: think Tamasi is a great coach in waiting, and everyone 610 00:32:39,133 --> 00:32:42,053 Speaker 2: you hear from and speak to him says that. But 611 00:32:42,173 --> 00:32:43,733 Speaker 2: I think it's also a sign that he's going to 612 00:32:43,773 --> 00:32:46,693 Speaker 2: be an assistant at the Blues rather than the head coach. 613 00:32:46,733 --> 00:32:48,373 Speaker 2: There was no mention of him being the head coach 614 00:32:48,373 --> 00:32:50,853 Speaker 2: at the Blues. That was always Jason Holland being in 615 00:32:50,893 --> 00:32:52,733 Speaker 2: the mix, and there are other obviously names tapped up 616 00:32:52,733 --> 00:32:55,093 Speaker 2: as well. Mentioned in the early stages of that recruitment 617 00:32:55,173 --> 00:32:57,613 Speaker 2: process he's going to coach the Maldi All Blacks and 618 00:32:57,653 --> 00:33:00,373 Speaker 2: I think ultimately that's probably where he can get his 619 00:33:01,133 --> 00:33:04,733 Speaker 2: hands dirty and coach. He coached a team with some 620 00:33:04,733 --> 00:33:07,853 Speaker 2: pretty big games against essentially a Japanese test team to 621 00:33:07,893 --> 00:33:09,893 Speaker 2: come and then a few weeks, but I think there's 622 00:33:09,893 --> 00:33:11,413 Speaker 2: still a bit of water to go under the bridge. 623 00:33:11,413 --> 00:33:14,533 Speaker 2: I don't know that really he was ready to be 624 00:33:14,573 --> 00:33:17,213 Speaker 2: a head coach. Maybe if it had a couple of 625 00:33:17,293 --> 00:33:20,933 Speaker 2: years under Rob Penny in a Super Rugby week in, 626 00:33:21,613 --> 00:33:23,813 Speaker 2: wee can week out environment, then maybe he's a little 627 00:33:23,813 --> 00:33:26,453 Speaker 2: bit readier now. But he was in a test environment 628 00:33:26,613 --> 00:33:31,493 Speaker 2: with a very specific role. So I think that's why 629 00:33:31,533 --> 00:33:33,413 Speaker 2: I think he still remains an assistant for now. 630 00:33:33,453 --> 00:33:37,573 Speaker 4: What say you, yeah, I think I probably agree on 631 00:33:37,613 --> 00:33:37,893 Speaker 4: the whole. 632 00:33:37,933 --> 00:33:42,773 Speaker 3: I don't know if he was ready for a Super 633 00:33:42,853 --> 00:33:46,853 Speaker 3: Rugby head coaching role, and probably elevated too quickly in 634 00:33:46,893 --> 00:33:49,613 Speaker 3: terms of the All Blacks and the defensive brief he 635 00:33:49,653 --> 00:33:52,693 Speaker 3: had there. But I think he will be a very 636 00:33:52,693 --> 00:33:56,493 Speaker 3: good head coach in time, and I think he probably 637 00:33:56,533 --> 00:33:59,013 Speaker 3: has a high ceiling, I think than Scott Hansen. But 638 00:33:59,853 --> 00:34:02,813 Speaker 3: I think Scott Hansen in that Crusades environment, knows it well, 639 00:34:03,213 --> 00:34:05,653 Speaker 3: knows the player as well, and we'll probably have a 640 00:34:05,693 --> 00:34:07,573 Speaker 3: clear vision of where he wants to go with it. 641 00:34:07,653 --> 00:34:11,493 Speaker 3: So I think I think he'll get an instant lift 642 00:34:11,693 --> 00:34:13,413 Speaker 3: out of that team from where they were under Rod 643 00:34:13,453 --> 00:34:14,133 Speaker 3: Penny as well. 644 00:34:14,253 --> 00:34:17,693 Speaker 2: Indeed's right, that's them done for twenty twenty six. We 645 00:34:17,733 --> 00:34:21,253 Speaker 2: have two teams standing. We have some MVP voting to do, though, 646 00:34:21,733 --> 00:34:25,813 Speaker 2: Liam for all maintaining his leads out on sixteen can 647 00:34:25,893 --> 00:34:28,613 Speaker 2: real regard though closing the gap to thirteen, Lester defying 648 00:34:28,653 --> 00:34:31,893 Speaker 2: a Nuku Lucas, Casey Warner Durns and Christian Lego Willie 649 00:34:32,253 --> 00:34:35,453 Speaker 2: all on nine and third equal. Who gets your three 650 00:34:35,493 --> 00:34:36,493 Speaker 2: two ones this week? 651 00:34:37,573 --> 00:34:39,693 Speaker 4: I'm going to go Armer for three. Elliott. 652 00:34:39,693 --> 00:34:42,773 Speaker 3: I think he's having an outstanding season and just with 653 00:34:42,893 --> 00:34:45,093 Speaker 3: ball in hands, he could be a real weapon for 654 00:34:45,093 --> 00:34:45,653 Speaker 3: the All Blacks. 655 00:34:45,653 --> 00:34:48,573 Speaker 4: So I'm going two to QUINTI, Pier didn't play the whole. 656 00:34:48,413 --> 00:34:51,533 Speaker 3: Game, but he was a massive part of that rampant 657 00:34:51,573 --> 00:34:55,093 Speaker 3: front foot platform that the Chiefs started early. And I'm 658 00:34:55,093 --> 00:34:57,573 Speaker 3: going to go one to Damien McKenzie. I thought he 659 00:34:57,693 --> 00:35:01,133 Speaker 3: thrived in the time in space. Paul the Strings hasn't 660 00:35:01,133 --> 00:35:05,253 Speaker 3: always performed on that stage, but stepped up for the Chiefs. 661 00:35:05,533 --> 00:35:06,093 Speaker 4: A few others. 662 00:35:06,093 --> 00:35:08,453 Speaker 3: I thought cam Roy gave was really good again the 663 00:35:08,493 --> 00:35:12,293 Speaker 3: Hurricanes and it's probably the biggest weapon that could be 664 00:35:12,333 --> 00:35:14,693 Speaker 3: on the park and the SUPERBI Final as well. 665 00:35:14,973 --> 00:35:17,853 Speaker 2: I've got Peter Lucky for three. I thought he was 666 00:35:17,893 --> 00:35:22,693 Speaker 2: excellent on on Saturday Night. I thought he really stood 667 00:35:22,773 --> 00:35:26,213 Speaker 2: up delivered what the Hurricanes needed out of him. So 668 00:35:26,253 --> 00:35:31,613 Speaker 2: he gets my three suffer Amoa gets my sue. Similar 669 00:35:31,653 --> 00:35:34,173 Speaker 2: to comments to you, I'm really intrigued to see how 670 00:35:34,213 --> 00:35:37,173 Speaker 2: the All Blacks use him this year, whether he is 671 00:35:38,373 --> 00:35:40,093 Speaker 2: in the mix for that top spot. I don't know, 672 00:35:40,173 --> 00:35:43,013 Speaker 2: as you mentionings what Dave Rennie does with Tokeyoho Moa 673 00:35:43,573 --> 00:35:47,253 Speaker 2: and Cody Taylor and how he balances what he needs 674 00:35:47,253 --> 00:35:48,933 Speaker 2: out of those three players, what he wants out of 675 00:35:48,973 --> 00:35:51,733 Speaker 2: those three players. That's a fascinating discussion. But ol Mower 676 00:35:51,773 --> 00:35:54,093 Speaker 2: seems to be getting right back into his work, which 677 00:35:54,133 --> 00:35:56,813 Speaker 2: is really really good, and Isaac Hudgerson gets my one. 678 00:35:57,333 --> 00:36:00,413 Speaker 2: This kid continues to really impress me the way that 679 00:36:00,493 --> 00:36:05,013 Speaker 2: he's playing, And honestly, maybe that's South African too. Might 680 00:36:05,013 --> 00:36:07,733 Speaker 2: be a way where he can come into the All 681 00:36:07,733 --> 00:36:09,893 Speaker 2: Blacks and Vine, because I think he is growing weak 682 00:36:09,933 --> 00:36:14,093 Speaker 2: to week and I'm continuing to be impressed by him. 683 00:36:14,093 --> 00:36:15,653 Speaker 2: So he gets my one this week. 684 00:36:15,733 --> 00:36:19,253 Speaker 3: Names how did how did you manage to let him 685 00:36:19,253 --> 00:36:21,253 Speaker 3: slip through grass come into the school? 686 00:36:21,253 --> 00:36:28,413 Speaker 4: I know school? He's obedient, Yes, said, that's headed north. 687 00:36:28,373 --> 00:36:30,853 Speaker 2: Well Antonina Brown, Brodie Rettelic. Has been a history of 688 00:36:30,853 --> 00:36:33,093 Speaker 2: them going to the chiefs that have slipped out from 689 00:36:33,213 --> 00:36:38,733 Speaker 2: from underneath the eyes of the Crusader's academy. Yeah, look 690 00:36:38,733 --> 00:36:41,213 Speaker 2: at it looks like a big loss. Those things are 691 00:36:41,253 --> 00:36:42,613 Speaker 2: sort of a moment in time, aren't they. 692 00:36:43,133 --> 00:36:43,333 Speaker 3: You know? 693 00:36:43,333 --> 00:36:45,533 Speaker 2: The crusaders maybe go, We've got plenty of outside backs. 694 00:36:45,533 --> 00:36:47,933 Speaker 2: We can't offer him a contract at this point in time, 695 00:36:47,973 --> 00:36:50,053 Speaker 2: where we can only offer you widing training group, whatever 696 00:36:50,093 --> 00:36:52,853 Speaker 2: it might be. And then he comes up to the 697 00:36:53,093 --> 00:36:55,013 Speaker 2: Chiefs and it is an absolute rocket for them and 698 00:36:55,173 --> 00:36:57,533 Speaker 2: is playing some great rugby, so sometimes you back the 699 00:36:57,573 --> 00:37:00,813 Speaker 2: wrong horse, we don't back them at all, and that 700 00:37:00,893 --> 00:37:03,413 Speaker 2: might be the case with the Crusaders. Yeah there, but 701 00:37:03,573 --> 00:37:07,613 Speaker 2: I'm very impressed with what he's doing. And finally Liam, 702 00:37:07,653 --> 00:37:09,973 Speaker 2: on Tuesday, we're going to go through our all Black 703 00:37:10,013 --> 00:37:13,293 Speaker 2: squad of thirty four for what we think or what 704 00:37:13,333 --> 00:37:17,133 Speaker 2: we suggest Dave Rennie should name on Monday, which will 705 00:37:17,133 --> 00:37:20,333 Speaker 2: be post of course that Super Rugby Final, so we'll 706 00:37:20,373 --> 00:37:22,573 Speaker 2: go through those thirty four. We've already had a crack 707 00:37:22,613 --> 00:37:24,733 Speaker 2: at it in the latest edition of the Rugby News 708 00:37:24,733 --> 00:37:28,013 Speaker 2: magazine along with Tony Johnson and Campbell Burns, the editor 709 00:37:28,053 --> 00:37:30,693 Speaker 2: of Rugby News, so there's a bit of a preview there. 710 00:37:30,733 --> 00:37:33,413 Speaker 2: But we'll get our sleep this cap on as well 711 00:37:33,453 --> 00:37:35,453 Speaker 2: on Apps in the coming days and see where we land. 712 00:37:35,973 --> 00:37:38,613 Speaker 3: Well indeed, and I guess a few big injury outs 713 00:37:38,653 --> 00:37:41,453 Speaker 3: and still some question marks over guys like Wallace to 714 00:37:41,533 --> 00:37:45,253 Speaker 3: Tit and others, so yeah, it could be some fresh 715 00:37:45,253 --> 00:37:47,813 Speaker 3: blood coming into Dave Renie's first team of the year. 716 00:37:47,893 --> 00:37:50,333 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And if you've got a thought ahead of that 717 00:37:50,413 --> 00:37:52,173 Speaker 2: all Black squad naming for free to get in touch 718 00:37:52,493 --> 00:37:54,933 Speaker 2: to the Rugby Direct mail bag. You can get in 719 00:37:54,973 --> 00:37:57,693 Speaker 2: touch at Rugby Direct, at Newstalk ZB dot code in ZI. 720 00:37:57,773 --> 00:38:00,253 Speaker 2: We might go through a couple of those on Thursday, 721 00:38:00,333 --> 00:38:02,893 Speaker 2: but that'll do us for another week. Another episode. Rather 722 00:38:02,893 --> 00:38:05,493 Speaker 2: than Rugby Direct, you can tell the four aim starts 723 00:38:05,493 --> 00:38:08,573 Speaker 2: to getting to me. That'll do us smart. He has 724 00:38:08,613 --> 00:38:11,053 Speaker 2: been our producer and we're powered by a Habit health physio. 725 00:38:11,133 --> 00:38:13,293 Speaker 2: Book today and stay in the 726 00:38:13,413 --> 00:38:18,133 Speaker 1: Game for more from news Talks at b Listen live 727 00:38:18,333 --> 00:38:21,053 Speaker 1: on air or online, and keep our shows with you 728 00:38:21,133 --> 00:38:24,133 Speaker 1: wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio