WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 166 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:12.853 You're listening to a podcast from Newstalks EDB. Follow this 0:00:13.053 --> 0:00:20.053 and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, Strake down 0:00:20.293 --> 0:00:20.893 the Middle of. 0:00:20.933 --> 0:00:32.493 Drup, Dicky Scy Try these packet. 0:00:29.093 --> 0:00:33.373 Inside the Game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with 0:00:33.533 --> 0:00:37.053 Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB. 0:00:37.373 --> 0:00:40.013 Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Heath, tackling all 0:00:40.053 --> 0:00:43.133 your aches and pains from sports and work back for 0:00:43.173 --> 0:00:46.813 another week Elliott Smith and Liam Napier. Plenty to get 0:00:46.893 --> 0:00:49.933 stuck into. But first, some breaking news that has come 0:00:50.133 --> 0:00:53.453 just before we kicked off our recording of Rugby Directs, 0:00:53.493 --> 0:00:56.813 and that is New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson 0:00:56.893 --> 0:01:00.173 to stand down at the ends of twenty twenty five. Liam, 0:01:00.213 --> 0:01:03.693 your initial reaction to this newser There had had been 0:01:03.733 --> 0:01:06.453 a few rumors in recent weeks that this was a 0:01:06.533 --> 0:01:09.173 possibility and now it has been firmed that he's leaving 0:01:09.213 --> 0:01:09.893 at the end of the year. 0:01:10.813 --> 0:01:13.693 Yeah, big news is and Elliott the head of our 0:01:13.773 --> 0:01:16.253 national sport moving on at the end of the year. 0:01:16.373 --> 0:01:21.133 Has it's been a tumultuous six year tenure. I think 0:01:21.213 --> 0:01:25.853 it's fair to say Mark Robinson coming in following Steve 0:01:25.973 --> 0:01:29.773 Cheue two very different characters. Cho was a very dictatorial, 0:01:30.733 --> 0:01:35.413 authoritative figure and Mark Robinson a different type of leader. 0:01:36.093 --> 0:01:37.973 He hasn't had it easy, but it has. 0:01:37.893 --> 0:01:41.373 Been a There's been a lot of upheaval, hasn't There 0:01:41.973 --> 0:01:49.373 COVID unprecedented pandemic, all the closures and the Super Rugby 0:01:49.493 --> 0:01:54.213 upheaval that came out of that Silver Lake, the private 0:01:54.253 --> 0:01:58.293 equity deal that's still in the balance about whether that 0:01:58.533 --> 0:02:01.453 was a good move for the New Zealand game, and 0:02:01.613 --> 0:02:09.053 of course the public fallout around Ian Foster and Robertson 0:02:09.173 --> 0:02:12.493 that the appointment of the All Blacks coach, again unprecedented 0:02:12.973 --> 0:02:16.293 coming during in the lead up to the twenty twenty 0:02:16.333 --> 0:02:20.173 three World Cup. So some very big ticket items on 0:02:20.333 --> 0:02:26.053 Mark Robinson's tenure. And I think there you mentioned the 0:02:26.093 --> 0:02:28.893 whispers the rumors there. The riding had been on the 0:02:29.013 --> 0:02:31.653 wall from the back end of last year when you 0:02:31.733 --> 0:02:35.053 had a new New Zealand Rugby board coming, David Kirk 0:02:35.093 --> 0:02:39.293 the new chairman, and everyone expected at some point he 0:02:39.373 --> 0:02:44.093 would essentially push for change. We've also had the New 0:02:44.173 --> 0:02:48.493 Zealand Rugby commercial co boss move on, Craig Fenton, and 0:02:48.613 --> 0:02:50.613 I think there was always going to be a come 0:02:50.693 --> 0:02:54.053 to Jesus moment where New Zealand Rugby wanted one group 0:02:54.253 --> 0:02:58.733 CEO across those both those boards. So the commercial entity 0:02:58.733 --> 0:03:01.053 of New Zealand Rugby and the rugby arm of the 0:03:01.133 --> 0:03:04.013 New Zealand Rugby board and who that's going to be, 0:03:04.413 --> 0:03:07.333 not too sure. What do you make of I guess 0:03:07.453 --> 0:03:10.893 your initial reaction of the news and I guess your 0:03:11.373 --> 0:03:15.093 reflections of he's not gone yet, but of his time 0:03:15.173 --> 0:03:16.853 on Mark Robinson's time in the hot seat. 0:03:17.053 --> 0:03:19.733 Yeah, I mean it hasn't come easy for Robinson. I 0:03:19.813 --> 0:03:24.773 think compared to Steve Chu probably navigated a few less 0:03:24.893 --> 0:03:30.093 challenges in the global game potentially, and that was exacerbated 0:03:30.133 --> 0:03:33.773 by COVID nineteen. I mean Mark Robinson started the gig 0:03:33.853 --> 0:03:36.133 in January of twenty twenty. The world was a completely 0:03:36.173 --> 0:03:39.213 different place back then to where it is now. And 0:03:39.613 --> 0:03:41.253 it feels like the game is still sort of getting 0:03:41.293 --> 0:03:43.533 back on its feet a little bit after COVID, both 0:03:43.573 --> 0:03:47.133 at super rugby level and an international level. The Silver 0:03:47.213 --> 0:03:50.413 Lake deal, as you said, very much jury out still 0:03:50.453 --> 0:03:54.373 as to whether that was a good idea and whether 0:03:55.213 --> 0:03:57.373 New Zeale Rabya is seeing the benefits of what was 0:03:57.413 --> 0:04:00.333 supposedly promised by silver Lake as a result of them 0:04:00.333 --> 0:04:03.693 pumping that money into elements of the New Zealand game. 0:04:03.813 --> 0:04:07.973 So he's seen a period of change and I think 0:04:08.413 --> 0:04:10.773 the timing's probably right to have someone new come in 0:04:10.933 --> 0:04:14.813 and accelerate that change, or even decelerate the change and 0:04:15.053 --> 0:04:17.693 changed up a bit and look for different ways to 0:04:17.973 --> 0:04:21.013 do things in the national game. I think, yeah, the 0:04:21.093 --> 0:04:24.373 jury is probably out over his legacy is tenure. You know, 0:04:24.613 --> 0:04:27.533 the pull away from South Africa is probably going to 0:04:27.573 --> 0:04:30.173 be something that's attached to him. I know a lot 0:04:30.173 --> 0:04:32.293 of New Zealand rugby fans view that period of Super 0:04:32.373 --> 0:04:36.333 Rugby with South Africa with roast into glasses. It feels 0:04:36.373 --> 0:04:38.213 like this year Super Pacific might have got to the 0:04:38.253 --> 0:04:42.693 point where they envisioned it being when they first split 0:04:42.773 --> 0:04:47.373 away from the South Africans. So ultimately, I think a 0:04:47.453 --> 0:04:52.493 mixed period of legacy. And you know he's judged on 0:04:52.573 --> 0:04:54.253 not only the on field results but also the off 0:04:54.293 --> 0:04:56.413 field results, and I think on that point you probably 0:04:56.453 --> 0:04:59.413 have to say very much a mixed tenure from Mark Robinson. 0:05:00.333 --> 0:05:02.493 Yeah, and that would be reflected if you went out 0:05:02.613 --> 0:05:05.853 to the heart blends of rugby and talked to the 0:05:05.893 --> 0:05:09.893 provincial unions. If you talk to people about the way 0:05:09.893 --> 0:05:13.493 in which Silverlac deal played out, about the all black 0:05:13.773 --> 0:05:17.053 coaching appointment, and a lot of those situations are lose 0:05:17.173 --> 0:05:21.693 lose from a public facing point of view, But at 0:05:21.813 --> 0:05:25.013 times I think there could have been more strong, decisive 0:05:25.133 --> 0:05:28.493 leadership of New Zealand game and I think that's what 0:05:28.573 --> 0:05:33.693 they'll be seeking going forward with a replacement in time. 0:05:34.773 --> 0:05:37.013 Just on your point about South Africa, I think there 0:05:37.053 --> 0:05:39.373 has been an element of history being rewritten there. I 0:05:39.413 --> 0:05:43.253 think South Africa always we're going to go that way. 0:05:43.693 --> 0:05:47.893 COVID accelerated it, maybe it wasn't handled that well. And 0:05:48.733 --> 0:05:51.413 even the friction, the tension with Australia about how many 0:05:51.613 --> 0:05:55.373 teams I've had, well we've seen now that clearly they 0:05:55.413 --> 0:06:00.093 couldn't afford or sustain five teams. So history does shine 0:06:00.493 --> 0:06:04.213 a different light on things. I think Super Rugby is 0:06:04.293 --> 0:06:06.373 more sustainable in its current format and. 0:06:08.453 --> 0:06:09.133 US would be nice to. 0:06:09.173 --> 0:06:13.213 Have South Africa involved, But like you say, a bit 0:06:13.253 --> 0:06:15.973 of rose into glasses there in some respects, and I 0:06:16.013 --> 0:06:18.253 think they were always going to break away and go north. 0:06:18.453 --> 0:06:19.853 He's going to leave at the end of the year. 0:06:19.893 --> 0:06:22.133 There's still a few things to be signed off before 0:06:22.373 --> 0:06:26.053 he does depart. A new broadcast deal, the Women's Rugby 0:06:26.093 --> 0:06:28.853 World Cup in England is still to take place. We 0:06:28.973 --> 0:06:32.093 haven't had rugby's greatest rivalry. These tours against Africa are 0:06:32.133 --> 0:06:35.333 basically they're in the schedule, but it hasn't been officially 0:06:35.373 --> 0:06:37.813 announced that. The Club World Cup hasn't been officially announced, 0:06:37.893 --> 0:06:40.973 the Nation's Cup schedule etc. Hasn't been officially announced. So 0:06:41.013 --> 0:06:43.173 there's a fair bit of work to do before he 0:06:43.293 --> 0:06:44.893 leaves the post at the end of the year, where 0:06:44.893 --> 0:06:46.413 he apparently he's going to go join his family in 0:06:46.453 --> 0:06:50.813 Australia who are based in Queensland. So very understandable for 0:06:50.893 --> 0:06:52.453 from those reasons, but a bit of work to do, 0:06:53.533 --> 0:06:56.493 I guess, you know some part of it and from 0:06:56.493 --> 0:06:59.013 what I unerstand very well respected Mark Robinson around the 0:06:59.053 --> 0:07:02.973 international boards, the international game, bring back tours, there's going 0:07:03.013 --> 0:07:04.573 to be something that he can probably point to as 0:07:04.613 --> 0:07:05.413 part of his legacy. 0:07:06.093 --> 0:07:09.133 Yeah, it's some really big ticket items mentioned there. The 0:07:09.213 --> 0:07:13.773 tours concept will be hugely popular once every four years 0:07:14.013 --> 0:07:18.973 and the boom I guess in the Woman's game and 0:07:20.333 --> 0:07:24.773 the Black Ferns will Cup this year and it sounds 0:07:24.933 --> 0:07:28.333 like plans are in the works to really finalize a 0:07:28.453 --> 0:07:33.653 strong calendar for the women's game in this country going forward. 0:07:33.733 --> 0:07:37.413 So yeah, there are some positive steps taken there. And 0:07:37.533 --> 0:07:39.013 as you mentioned, he is going to go join his 0:07:39.173 --> 0:07:43.853 family in Queensland. He's got three kids, understand all you 0:07:43.933 --> 0:07:46.973 want to link up there. But the big one there 0:07:47.253 --> 0:07:51.253 is the broadcast steel. It sounds like Sky is offering 0:07:51.293 --> 0:07:54.173 around eighty five million, which is a significant reduction on 0:07:54.333 --> 0:07:55.053 previous years. 0:07:55.693 --> 0:07:57.093 New Zealand Rugby has. 0:07:57.573 --> 0:08:00.573 Signed a number of different sponsorship deals in recent times 0:08:01.293 --> 0:08:04.693 to plug potentially plug some of those holes. But that 0:08:04.933 --> 0:08:08.653 is going to be really fundamental to funding every level 0:08:08.693 --> 0:08:10.853 of the game. How that broadcast steal plays out. 0:08:11.053 --> 0:08:13.813 Anyone stand out as a possible contender to take over 0:08:13.933 --> 0:08:15.733 this job or is it going to be very much 0:08:15.773 --> 0:08:17.813 an open such I. 0:08:17.893 --> 0:08:23.613 Think it will be open slather to a degree. I 0:08:23.693 --> 0:08:27.453 see it being a one, one group CEO, so you 0:08:27.533 --> 0:08:31.053 will have I think you still have people at the 0:08:31.133 --> 0:08:33.253 head of a commercial code board or in a New 0:08:33.333 --> 0:08:37.973 Zealand Rugby board. But then there's an overarching helicopter figure 0:08:38.333 --> 0:08:40.773 almost like a Director of Rugby type role, but in 0:08:40.893 --> 0:08:47.093 a managerial position, somebody with strong business background but still 0:08:47.253 --> 0:08:53.053 knows the rugby scene. So I don't think there's anyone 0:08:53.173 --> 0:08:57.373 internally that jumps out, but it is going to be 0:08:57.413 --> 0:09:01.453 a massive appointments and I think people like David Kirk 0:09:01.693 --> 0:09:04.773 will have a big say in who that might be. 0:09:05.093 --> 0:09:07.893 Indeed, watch the space say some breaking news out this morning, 0:09:07.933 --> 0:09:10.693 can follow all the reaction on ZID, Herald, dot co 0:09:10.973 --> 0:09:13.013 dot nz. Of course, let's get into the weekend that 0:09:13.213 --> 0:09:16.253 was in Super Rugby and boy this took a turn, 0:09:16.293 --> 0:09:19.213 didn't it. This weekend of Super Rugby qualifying finals, so 0:09:19.333 --> 0:09:21.733 much of that last game being a dead rubber. We'll 0:09:21.773 --> 0:09:24.453 get to what caused that in a moment or two, 0:09:24.573 --> 0:09:27.173 but first and foremost, the Brumbies. Let's start backwards. Brumbies 0:09:27.173 --> 0:09:30.533 beating the Hurricanes thirty five twenty eight, the cane train 0:09:30.933 --> 0:09:35.533 that had been gathering momentum. It's a bit like New 0:09:35.613 --> 0:09:39.933 Zealand's approach to rail. It's come to a grinding halt 0:09:42.133 --> 0:09:45.053 and the Hurricane to be disappointed with this. Look the 0:09:45.053 --> 0:09:46.653 Brumbies with a better team. I think on the night 0:09:47.133 --> 0:09:52.653 the Hurricanes were with them, they led fourteen seven, but 0:09:52.933 --> 0:09:54.933 something switched around the half hour mark, and it felt 0:09:54.973 --> 0:09:56.853 like even before they went behind the school, they began 0:09:56.933 --> 0:09:58.533 chasing the game. The Brumbies just began to get on 0:09:58.613 --> 0:10:02.213 top of the armory so and didn't relent. And boy, 0:10:02.293 --> 0:10:05.013 it was a game with fine margins and the Hurricanes 0:10:05.013 --> 0:10:07.933 are probably disappointed with their discipline. Also, the air account 0:10:07.933 --> 0:10:08.333 through that game. 0:10:09.213 --> 0:10:11.653 Yeah, our friendship was is in jeopardy. 0:10:11.693 --> 0:10:16.533 Actually, I was driving back from the tron and receive 0:10:16.613 --> 0:10:19.613 a gift, a gift in the student night chat group 0:10:19.773 --> 0:10:22.613 that Thomas the tank Engine's coming off the track. 0:10:22.693 --> 0:10:24.893 So it was not well received. It's fair to say 0:10:25.893 --> 0:10:26.813 I think we'd have enjoyed that. 0:10:27.573 --> 0:10:30.773 No, No, I did not what it was the key 0:10:31.053 --> 0:10:33.733 And then obviously you're you've you've you've seen the game, 0:10:33.813 --> 0:10:37.973 and the Hurricanes we frustrated. Perhaps they didn't put their 0:10:37.973 --> 0:10:39.933 best performance out and what turned out to be a 0:10:39.973 --> 0:10:40.493 knockout game. 0:10:40.773 --> 0:10:41.653 Yeah, I devastated. 0:10:41.693 --> 0:10:45.773 You could see Billy Proctor sitting on the posts post 0:10:46.573 --> 0:10:54.333 final whistle carrefee very emotional post match, and that's just 0:10:54.453 --> 0:10:57.453 deflating because, as you mentioned, the Canes had built a 0:10:57.533 --> 0:11:01.853 lot of momentum from being in a real hole and 0:11:02.173 --> 0:11:05.813 getting guys like Billy Proctor back were massive for them 0:11:06.293 --> 0:11:09.013 and they had their draw and Perth knocked over the 0:11:10.013 --> 0:11:14.133 Brumbies and the Chiefs and really did that. They came 0:11:14.213 --> 0:11:16.853 into the finals probably as the form team and to 0:11:17.013 --> 0:11:19.693 go to camera it's an incredibly tough place to win. 0:11:19.853 --> 0:11:24.973 But defensively they let themselves down. The mall defense cost them. 0:11:25.333 --> 0:11:28.733 They considered one really nice set try to Tom Wright, 0:11:29.293 --> 0:11:31.293 but it just always felt like they were chasing the 0:11:31.373 --> 0:11:36.973 game and yeah they could score points, still created a lot, 0:11:37.573 --> 0:11:42.453 but defensively they were exposed. And yeah, they'll reflect on 0:11:42.533 --> 0:11:46.693 that harshly because they set themselves up for a real 0:11:46.773 --> 0:11:51.693 tilt and flopped. I think, you know, they'll be really 0:11:51.733 --> 0:11:54.293 disappointed with the level that they got to because they 0:11:54.333 --> 0:11:55.933 were much better in previous weeks. 0:11:56.133 --> 0:11:57.973 They were and this has been a bit of a 0:11:58.013 --> 0:12:00.653 graveyard for them. Canberra in terms of ending their Super 0:12:00.733 --> 0:12:04.653 Rugby season on a couple of occasions, whether their mindset 0:12:04.773 --> 0:12:09.133 changed given it was a knockout game rather than seating 0:12:09.373 --> 0:12:15.173 game for them, potentially, but it just felt like they 0:12:15.213 --> 0:12:18.373 didn't get enough probably out of ten. I didn't think 0:12:18.493 --> 0:12:22.853 on the weekend Britt Cameron that they moved him back 0:12:22.893 --> 0:12:25.213 into teen with Ruben Love at fullback. Probably didn't get 0:12:25.253 --> 0:12:29.093 enough how of brick Cameron and I thought Flanders and 0:12:29.133 --> 0:12:32.893 duple coref He tried all nine and so did Larkeye, 0:12:33.373 --> 0:12:35.093 but they were beaten I thought by the while other 0:12:35.173 --> 0:12:39.813 Brumbies loose for Valentin, he had another outstanding night. You 0:12:39.893 --> 0:12:42.453 know there's other loose for partners I thought were excellent 0:12:42.493 --> 0:12:44.653 as well, and probably just been into the punch. We 0:12:44.693 --> 0:12:46.933 didn't see Kreefy over the ball as much as we've 0:12:46.933 --> 0:12:49.773 seen him in other games this season. We'll put him 0:12:49.773 --> 0:12:53.773 those big hats and just didn't probably get the ascendency 0:12:53.853 --> 0:12:54.213 up front. 0:12:54.773 --> 0:12:57.213 You look credit to the Brumbies as well. They are 0:12:57.253 --> 0:12:59.533 a good team and tough to beat in camera. And 0:13:01.053 --> 0:13:03.693 this match was in stark contrast, wasn't it to the 0:13:03.733 --> 0:13:06.333 other semi final. It was open, it was quite expensive, 0:13:06.413 --> 0:13:10.133 it was high scoring and Canes just couldn't quite stick 0:13:10.773 --> 0:13:12.093 with the Brumbies. 0:13:12.453 --> 0:13:13.693 It was very tip for tat. 0:13:14.133 --> 0:13:17.493 But yeah, just a couple of really bad defensive lapses 0:13:18.693 --> 0:13:22.773 proved costly. And you're right, I didn't think they got 0:13:23.133 --> 0:13:25.933 enough out of ten. There was some punch at times, 0:13:26.053 --> 0:13:29.893 but little moments that made breaks and you know, bread 0:13:29.973 --> 0:13:32.693 shields go through and just funnels the ball and then 0:13:32.933 --> 0:13:35.173 little occasions like that where they couldn't quite make it stick. 0:13:35.293 --> 0:13:40.653 So it's another early exit for the Canes, probably reflective 0:13:40.693 --> 0:13:43.533 of where they are at in the New Zealand pecking order. 0:13:43.613 --> 0:13:47.293 But having built that momentum into the finals they did. 0:13:48.853 --> 0:13:52.213 It was very familiar of building up hope and then 0:13:53.453 --> 0:13:57.293 letting the balloon down. So tough to take all. 0:13:57.213 --> 0:13:59.973 Right, Let's move back to the Blues twenty Chiefs nineteen 0:14:00.013 --> 0:14:03.293 Blues winning it after the siren in Hamilton. Liam, as 0:14:03.333 --> 0:14:05.173 you mentioned you were there, I wouldn't say you had 0:14:05.173 --> 0:14:07.933 a great seat for it, but given what I've seen 0:14:07.933 --> 0:14:11.453 out of that media box, thanks Chet. Yeah, really good 0:14:12.533 --> 0:14:19.293 thinks the media really appreciates it. Blues though stubborn nineteen 0:14:19.373 --> 0:14:22.373 six down. I mean they were out of it really 0:14:22.413 --> 0:14:23.893 at half time, but they went out of it. They 0:14:23.893 --> 0:14:25.333 should have been at it at half time. The Chiefs 0:14:25.373 --> 0:14:27.693 had so much ball, so much position in territory in 0:14:27.773 --> 0:14:30.853 that first spell, and yet we're only leading what nine 0:14:30.853 --> 0:14:33.613 to three at the break, and if Boden Barrett their 0:14:33.653 --> 0:14:35.533 ball sits up or he can slide onto it and 0:14:35.893 --> 0:14:38.093 score the try, then the Blues would have been a 0:14:38.173 --> 0:14:40.973 hit against the run of play at halftime, but it 0:14:41.053 --> 0:14:42.573 felt like the Chiefs a game of that a sentence 0:14:42.653 --> 0:14:45.573 after the break. Nineteen six games should probably have been 0:14:45.613 --> 0:14:47.173 locked away in a tight tuss all like that. But 0:14:47.293 --> 0:14:48.933 as I said, the Blues a stubborn. They refuse to 0:14:48.933 --> 0:14:51.493 give up. And it took all Lady three minutes, but 0:14:51.933 --> 0:14:56.613 they keep this season alive. Very impressive performance. To keep 0:14:56.653 --> 0:14:57.253 this season going. 0:14:57.573 --> 0:14:59.893 You want to results, I think first of all, I 0:14:59.893 --> 0:15:03.813 want to touch on the Chiefs because bizarre tactics. They 0:15:03.973 --> 0:15:08.653 played into the Blues hands by being so conservative by 0:15:09.453 --> 0:15:13.053 crashing it one off the ruck, and even Verncotta postmatch 0:15:13.093 --> 0:15:15.453 said those tactics surprise the Blues. 0:15:16.933 --> 0:15:17.853 Really did, felt like. 0:15:18.253 --> 0:15:20.133 I feel like the Chiefs went into their shells a 0:15:20.173 --> 0:15:23.773 bit and it did still work for them to a degree. 0:15:23.933 --> 0:15:28.893 They blew I think five chances in the Blues red 0:15:29.013 --> 0:15:31.853 zone in that first half dominated all position. They pretty 0:15:31.933 --> 0:15:34.293 much set up camp and the Blues twenty two. There 0:15:34.373 --> 0:15:36.693 was the quartz at Artema bounce of the ball that 0:15:36.773 --> 0:15:39.173 didn't go his way, but there was I think it 0:15:39.293 --> 0:15:43.373 was a Daniel Rona when Caleb Clark threw that brain 0:15:43.493 --> 0:15:49.653 explosion of a quick throwing a couple of penalties, botched opportunities, 0:15:49.733 --> 0:15:51.973 so the Chiefs could have been up a couple of 0:15:52.053 --> 0:15:57.013 tries at halftime. The Blues actually looked more dangerous when 0:15:57.253 --> 0:16:00.733 they had ball in hand. They lose Ricky Ricottelli and 0:16:00.813 --> 0:16:02.733 the Chiefs don't really punish them for that. And then 0:16:02.773 --> 0:16:06.933 as you mentioned there, the Bowden Barrett brilliance and could 0:16:06.973 --> 0:16:09.093 have easily scored the Blues could. 0:16:08.973 --> 0:16:09.933 Have been up at halftime. 0:16:11.613 --> 0:16:13.413 And before we go into the rest of it, just 0:16:13.533 --> 0:16:17.493 on that boden Bar completely outplayed Damien McKenzie in a. 0:16:20.453 --> 0:16:21.133 Match that matters. 0:16:21.213 --> 0:16:23.133 You know that this was a head to hea battle 0:16:23.493 --> 0:16:29.173 and McKenzie was virtually other than goalkicking non existent. Boden Bar, 0:16:29.213 --> 0:16:33.213 a very influential with his tactical kicking, would have should 0:16:33.253 --> 0:16:36.133 have scored that try. Named Man of the match. So 0:16:38.293 --> 0:16:40.613 really wiped the floor and McKenzie on his home patch. 0:16:40.733 --> 0:16:44.213 Yeah, how much she ascribe to McKenzie's performance, the tactics 0:16:44.253 --> 0:16:47.173 that you mentioned the change in that that it was 0:16:47.213 --> 0:16:49.533 a very un chief slight performance from what we've seen. 0:16:49.613 --> 0:16:51.253 Did they just go well, it's plat footy, we need 0:16:51.293 --> 0:16:53.653 to play this way rather than doing what's worked for them. 0:16:53.773 --> 0:16:54.533 The entire season. 0:16:55.333 --> 0:16:57.973 Yeah, I just had a thought here, I'm just going 0:16:58.053 --> 0:17:00.213 to blow my own trumpet, because a couple of weeks ago, 0:17:00.253 --> 0:17:02.613 do you remember me saying the one team in Super 0:17:02.693 --> 0:17:04.093 Rugby that could beat the Chiefs. 0:17:04.213 --> 0:17:06.093 This was after they pumped Winer was the Blues. 0:17:06.173 --> 0:17:07.853 As you did say that, yep, yeah, it's not even 0:17:07.853 --> 0:17:08.293 the Hurricane. 0:17:08.653 --> 0:17:12.253 Yeah, he did mention that, and that's because the Blues 0:17:12.293 --> 0:17:15.453 forward pack and in their tactics it's built for finals rugby, 0:17:15.533 --> 0:17:19.013 isn't it. And they've had tight tussles with the Chiefs 0:17:19.053 --> 0:17:22.453 and Crusaders this year. But yeah, I just felt the 0:17:22.533 --> 0:17:24.613 Chiefs that they had all that strike. I don't know 0:17:24.653 --> 0:17:28.133 whether losing Antonina Brown and Quincy Pye changed their tactics somewhat. 0:17:28.133 --> 0:17:30.413 They didn't win a confidence to use their back line, 0:17:30.773 --> 0:17:34.773 but it was just so conservative and as you mentioned, 0:17:35.013 --> 0:17:37.973 they're up thirteen points. It should have been shut the gate, 0:17:38.173 --> 0:17:41.573 closed the game out, But the Blues incredibly resilient, aren't 0:17:41.573 --> 0:17:45.213 They just to keep coming back, keep fighting, and it 0:17:45.333 --> 0:17:47.533 was a real role reversal in that second half. They 0:17:47.613 --> 0:17:49.373 set up camp in the Blues twenty two and it 0:17:49.453 --> 0:17:53.453 did feel inevitable even when Hoskinsitutu denied that try. 0:17:54.133 --> 0:17:54.733 It was penalty. 0:17:54.933 --> 0:17:56.533 Clark denied that try for and knocking it off. 0:17:56.653 --> 0:18:00.293 Yeah, it was penalty after penalty and just wave after 0:18:00.373 --> 0:18:04.293 wave of the Blues raiding the Chiefs line and what 0:18:04.453 --> 0:18:07.213 a moment for Josh Berry to come off the bench 0:18:07.973 --> 0:18:11.053 bus through. I think it was Arcoy's tackle, reach out 0:18:11.093 --> 0:18:14.973 and score for young promising Locke, such an unlikely hero 0:18:15.653 --> 0:18:18.693 right next to the post. And it was earlier in 0:18:18.773 --> 0:18:22.453 the year March maybe when the Blues went down there 0:18:22.733 --> 0:18:27.173 scored Xavier Taile, twenty year old kids hits the post 0:18:27.213 --> 0:18:29.493 with a conversion. This time it's right next to the 0:18:29.533 --> 0:18:32.213 posts and Boden Barrett throws the ball over and the 0:18:32.293 --> 0:18:36.733 Blues steal it, and Ricco Ajani remains the chief protagonist, 0:18:36.893 --> 0:18:40.773 shushing the crowd and hamming it up. So the Blues 0:18:42.133 --> 0:18:44.933 probably the most hated team and Super Rugby, but they're 0:18:44.973 --> 0:18:45.573 doing the business. 0:18:45.653 --> 0:18:49.053 That's right. It's promotion for the game and if they 0:18:49.093 --> 0:18:51.773 want to build that narrative around them, think great. I 0:18:51.813 --> 0:18:54.493 think that's good for the game. And Rico Juani's done 0:18:54.533 --> 0:18:58.253 a very very good job at doing so great to 0:18:58.293 --> 0:19:00.733 see Cameron so far as all the images of Cameron 0:19:00.813 --> 0:19:04.573 so far in hospital chearing his team on teep A 0:19:04.613 --> 0:19:07.013 lot too mentioned the postgame their thoughts obviously with Cameron 0:19:07.093 --> 0:19:09.573 so far as everyone's are as he goes through this 0:19:09.893 --> 0:19:14.773 tough health battle. But the Blues, now, you know, they're 0:19:14.773 --> 0:19:16.493 going with their tails up to this game in christ yet. 0:19:16.533 --> 0:19:18.173 We'll get to the Crusader's reads at a moment. But 0:19:20.013 --> 0:19:22.533 the Crusader's never lost a home game. Van Koda mentioned, well, 0:19:22.533 --> 0:19:24.213 they've got to lose some time, he said, he. 0:19:24.293 --> 0:19:27.613 Was asked about that, not yet his immediate response, and look. 0:19:27.493 --> 0:19:28.973 They came very close to doing so. But for a 0:19:29.053 --> 0:19:32.933 James a Quanta penalty earlier in the season. The Crusaders 0:19:33.533 --> 0:19:35.773 will go in probably his favorites. But boy, the Blues 0:19:35.813 --> 0:19:37.933 will hid down there with their tails up. The things 0:19:37.933 --> 0:19:40.333 that potentially could count against them. That six day turned 0:19:40.333 --> 0:19:44.653 around for what was a very physical game. But when 0:19:44.653 --> 0:19:48.213 you got that adrenaline and that momentum going, that may 0:19:48.293 --> 0:19:49.053 not matter too much. 0:19:49.773 --> 0:19:52.093 It does feel like the Blues have nothing to lose, 0:19:52.213 --> 0:19:56.613 you know, the defending champions, but they just snuck into 0:19:56.613 --> 0:19:57.213 the playoffs. 0:19:57.853 --> 0:19:58.413 It's been a. 0:19:59.893 --> 0:20:03.213 Rubbish year really, from when you look at this squad 0:20:03.333 --> 0:20:05.293 and where they came from and how dominant they were 0:20:05.693 --> 0:20:07.813 to win that first title in twenty one years last 0:20:07.893 --> 0:20:12.013 year and then yeah they scrape into the playoffs, everyone's 0:20:12.053 --> 0:20:15.413 writing them off, nobody really gives them a chance. And 0:20:15.493 --> 0:20:18.693 it's a similar theme this week really with as you 0:20:18.773 --> 0:20:22.773 mentioned that the record down there in christ Church, most 0:20:22.813 --> 0:20:26.493 people will be tipping the Crusaders, and so the Blues 0:20:26.733 --> 0:20:30.813 maintain their underdog villain status or whatever you want to 0:20:30.893 --> 0:20:34.853 call it, go down there and ye harness their internal 0:20:34.973 --> 0:20:38.213 confidence and with the game that is built for finals rugby. 0:20:38.413 --> 0:20:43.453 So what a match up to arch rivals. I would 0:20:43.573 --> 0:20:46.333 like to see two selection changes from the Blues. I 0:20:46.773 --> 0:20:49.493 know you don't change your warning formula, but I thought 0:20:49.533 --> 0:20:54.093 Finlay Christie was relatively poor again drop the ball at 0:20:54.133 --> 0:20:57.173 the base, there was a thinking one kick charge and 0:20:57.373 --> 0:21:00.733 his kicking was a bit off. Tough of fol Nachi. 0:21:01.133 --> 0:21:03.013 I would bring him back into the mix, even off 0:21:03.053 --> 0:21:06.773 the bench, and zarh Sullivan for me, should be at 0:21:06.813 --> 0:21:13.173 fullback from when you're playing that combative direct game and 0:21:13.533 --> 0:21:18.253 you want to play territory just having his massive boot. 0:21:18.853 --> 0:21:19.813 I looked at Corey Evans. 0:21:19.893 --> 0:21:21.733 He put up a couple of high kicks and went 0:21:21.813 --> 0:21:25.813 to contest them very bravely, but didn't regather them. And 0:21:26.213 --> 0:21:28.773 a couple of clearance kicks only made you know, ten 0:21:28.813 --> 0:21:31.133 to twenty meters you put zar in the pocket, you're 0:21:31.133 --> 0:21:34.853 looking at another forty. So those were two tweaks I 0:21:35.013 --> 0:21:37.093 think the Blue should look at, but I'm not sure 0:21:37.133 --> 0:21:37.413 they will. 0:21:37.413 --> 0:21:39.773 All soun Sullivan and Steph Pittferer become two of the 0:21:39.853 --> 0:21:41.253 forgotten men of New Zealand rugby. 0:21:41.733 --> 0:21:44.213 Well, parafest is injured, Yeah, but isn't he back? 0:21:44.293 --> 0:21:46.093 He's back? Doesn't he fit again? Or very close to 0:21:46.093 --> 0:21:46.413 being fit? 0:21:46.693 --> 0:21:47.253 Pretty close? 0:21:48.693 --> 0:21:52.693 And again with the All Blacks looming, you know, not 0:21:52.813 --> 0:21:55.213 much of a chance to show the WIRs. Let's go 0:21:55.253 --> 0:21:58.053 into that Crusader's Reds game on Friday night. The Crusaders 0:21:59.173 --> 0:22:01.813 just went to work. Really, the Reds failed to fire 0:22:01.853 --> 0:22:05.893 a shot until the game was beyond them, and the 0:22:06.013 --> 0:22:09.493