WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 201 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:11.973 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B. 0:00:12.373 --> 0:00:16.173 Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, 0:00:20.413 --> 0:00:22.173 Straight down the Middle. 0:00:21.853 --> 0:00:29.853 Of Trump Sky, try to. 0:00:29.853 --> 0:00:33.973 Get inside the game from every end goal. It's Rugby 0:00:33.973 --> 0:00:37.653 Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Navier powered by News 0:00:37.693 --> 0:00:38.213 Talks EDB. 0:00:39.013 --> 0:00:41.533 Welcome in to Rugby Direct powered by Habit Held Physio 0:00:41.573 --> 0:00:45.533 book Today and Stay in the Game Rugby Direct Back. 0:00:45.613 --> 0:00:48.973 We had Super Rugby Around one and the books. Elliott 0:00:48.973 --> 0:00:54.053 Smith with me is Liam Napier, rugby writer, correspondent, co host, 0:00:54.093 --> 0:00:56.893 et cetera, et cetera, Liam, Super Rugby Round ones in 0:00:56.933 --> 0:01:01.013 the Books. Overall, how did you feel about the quality 0:01:01.013 --> 0:01:02.333 of rugby we saw over the weekend. 0:01:03.133 --> 0:01:06.053 I think it was a typical first round, Elliott. Great 0:01:06.093 --> 0:01:11.733 to have it back on our earways. Suffered somewhat from 0:01:11.733 --> 0:01:13.853 not having the best team in the competition start the round. 0:01:14.013 --> 0:01:16.573 The Hurricanes, you know, almost came out in protest with 0:01:16.653 --> 0:01:21.173 them not there right okay, but there was some quality. 0:01:21.373 --> 0:01:24.653 There was some great passages, and I think there was 0:01:25.573 --> 0:01:29.813 some clunkiness as well and some underwhelming long. 0:01:29.693 --> 0:01:30.613 Patches as well. 0:01:30.653 --> 0:01:33.693 So I expect the season to get better, but great 0:01:33.693 --> 0:01:37.173 to see some upsets. I think that's crucial for this competition. 0:01:37.573 --> 0:01:40.773 We don't want it to be highly predictable, don't want 0:01:40.813 --> 0:01:41.213 it to be. 0:01:43.173 --> 0:01:44.173 Scripted, do we. 0:01:44.373 --> 0:01:50.013 So props to the Highlanders in particular, everyone's second favorite 0:01:50.013 --> 0:01:50.773 team for the week. 0:01:52.693 --> 0:01:55.973 Not my second favorite team, but that's all right. You 0:01:56.013 --> 0:01:58.493 know everyone else could have their second favorite teams the Highlanders. 0:01:58.693 --> 0:02:03.213 Let's start the Highlanders twenty five Crusaders twenty three under 0:02:03.253 --> 0:02:06.493 the roof in Dunedin, and this was a very good 0:02:06.493 --> 0:02:10.373 performance from the Highlanders. I thought it first half took 0:02:10.373 --> 0:02:13.373 advantage of the Crusaders eras Crusaders couldn't hold onto any 0:02:13.453 --> 0:02:16.853 ball for that first period and just took their opportunities 0:02:16.893 --> 0:02:20.173 when they came. I think you've got to look at 0:02:20.333 --> 0:02:24.653 the Crusaders and go, you know, maybe you know Cody, 0:02:24.693 --> 0:02:26.453 Taylor and Wild and I know they had all blacks rice, 0:02:26.493 --> 0:02:27.893 but they looked a lot better when they were on 0:02:27.933 --> 0:02:30.373 the park, but they just Crusaders looked clunky for that 0:02:30.453 --> 0:02:33.333 first forty but the Highlanders looked like a team and 0:02:33.413 --> 0:02:35.493 maybe because they hadn't had as many all blacks through 0:02:35.533 --> 0:02:37.493 pre season, but they looked like a team ready to 0:02:37.493 --> 0:02:39.493 go for Round one. The Crusaders looked like they've been 0:02:39.493 --> 0:02:42.693 caught by surprise that super rugby had got underway. 0:02:42.773 --> 0:02:46.293 It will start with the Highlanders. I think almost need 0:02:46.333 --> 0:02:50.173 to offer an apology. Round one didn't give them a chance, 0:02:50.613 --> 0:02:53.093 and this picture thought the Crusaders would do it comfortably. 0:02:53.653 --> 0:02:57.333 And I heard this morning actually that the tab made 0:02:57.333 --> 0:03:00.573 a killing on that game. One punter put ten grand 0:03:01.333 --> 0:03:03.613 on the Crusaders. I certainly had them in a few multis, 0:03:03.693 --> 0:03:05.413 so not to that extent. 0:03:05.733 --> 0:03:07.733 Well, I think counts ten grand lighter this morning. 0:03:09.493 --> 0:03:13.133 But the context around the Highlanders, isn't it having lost 0:03:13.173 --> 0:03:18.173 the LM. Pledger, Fabian Hollands, they just seem like they're 0:03:18.173 --> 0:03:21.373 on the Rackabit and Jamie Joseph the distraction around that. 0:03:23.133 --> 0:03:23.893 Look at their roster. 0:03:24.213 --> 0:03:27.173 It doesn't have the star stuttered names of the other 0:03:27.213 --> 0:03:30.373 New Zealand franchises, but they turned up and I was 0:03:30.413 --> 0:03:35.053 really impressed with some of their non headline players. Jack Taylor, 0:03:35.053 --> 0:03:36.773 I know the line out really struggled, but he was 0:03:36.813 --> 0:03:41.093 good around the field. Lucas Casey was good, good on debut. 0:03:41.453 --> 0:03:44.293 And then when they do get that front foot platform, 0:03:44.533 --> 0:03:50.893 the outside backs in particular lethal Jacob Ratamavuki Nipkins, Caleb Tungytowe. 0:03:50.973 --> 0:03:53.213 The try that he scored just blistering pace. He is 0:03:53.253 --> 0:03:55.693 an out and out finisher. It was a real statement 0:03:57.013 --> 0:03:59.453 finished from him to beat fi Haki and one another 0:03:59.573 --> 0:04:01.933 in the corner. You know, he didn't have a lot 0:04:01.933 --> 0:04:05.653 of room to move, but pure pace and they just 0:04:05.733 --> 0:04:06.133 kept coming. 0:04:06.173 --> 0:04:06.693 The Hoighlanders. 0:04:06.773 --> 0:04:09.573 It was quite a smart tactical decision to switch the 0:04:09.573 --> 0:04:12.213 front rows to match what the Crusaders. 0:04:11.693 --> 0:04:12.653 Were doing with their bench. 0:04:13.893 --> 0:04:18.293 And it did feel like watching that game that the 0:04:18.333 --> 0:04:21.293 Crusaders would come over the top. When they was at 0:04:21.333 --> 0:04:23.973 the fifty minute mark, they introduced their bomb, scored six 0:04:24.013 --> 0:04:27.493 players as you mentioned, Will Jordan, Cody Taylor, Fletcher Newell, 0:04:28.973 --> 0:04:32.933 there was a host of others and the Crusaders just 0:04:32.973 --> 0:04:37.213 went about their methodical grinds that felt like they were 0:04:37.253 --> 0:04:38.213 going to come over the top. 0:04:39.973 --> 0:04:43.533 Was that a mistake, Well, yeah, I guess they're balancing that. 0:04:43.573 --> 0:04:46.693 All blacks restands. This is the juggling act that super 0:04:46.773 --> 0:04:50.813 rugby coaches have got to deal with, and the Crusaders 0:04:51.133 --> 0:04:53.013 you know, have probably you know the same amount of 0:04:53.013 --> 0:04:54.653 all blots or around about the same as the Chiefs. 0:04:54.733 --> 0:04:57.133 So the Chiefs went to Eden park in one, which 0:04:57.133 --> 0:04:59.253 we'll get to a minute, but you've got a delicate 0:04:59.333 --> 0:05:02.173 balancing act. But it felt like once the Crusaders had 0:05:02.173 --> 0:05:03.773 those all blacks on the park, they looked a lot 0:05:03.813 --> 0:05:06.573 better for that last half hour of the game. And 0:05:07.333 --> 0:05:09.173 as you say, rolling over the top, well, they got 0:05:09.213 --> 0:05:12.253 to the point that they were, you know, out in 0:05:12.333 --> 0:05:15.733 front and had a one point leads and we're looking 0:05:15.773 --> 0:05:17.893 perhaps the better team by that point. The Hinders had 0:05:17.893 --> 0:05:20.893 sort of fallen away a little bit in the game, 0:05:20.933 --> 0:05:23.173 but they gave away the penalty and the Highlanders cam 0:05:23.253 --> 0:05:25.893 Miller clutch enough to win it. So look, I thought 0:05:25.933 --> 0:05:28.493 the Crusaders played their best rugby between the fifty minute 0:05:28.493 --> 0:05:32.093 mark and the seventy eighth minute mark. That Penry I 0:05:32.093 --> 0:05:35.293 felt was correct, but not much that those two players 0:05:35.333 --> 0:05:37.133 could have done in terms of, you know, collecting the 0:05:37.173 --> 0:05:40.893 player coming through. But ultimately they left themselves too much 0:05:40.893 --> 0:05:42.493 work to do because at the first half they were 0:05:42.613 --> 0:05:45.853 just really really out of sorts, and as I say before, 0:05:45.853 --> 0:05:48.293 it felt like they were a team caught by surprise 0:05:48.333 --> 0:05:50.093 that Super Rugby had started on February fourteen. 0:05:50.693 --> 0:05:51.653 They had some good performers. 0:05:51.693 --> 0:05:55.893 Ethan Blackeader was everywhere from open side, but then others 0:05:56.253 --> 0:05:57.973 guys at least defying a nook who I thought was 0:05:58.093 --> 0:05:58.933 really underwhelming. 0:05:59.013 --> 0:06:01.013 We touched on it. I thought it was very underwhelming, just. 0:06:00.973 --> 0:06:07.413 His basic skills, his positional play really just a totally 0:06:07.493 --> 0:06:09.573 off performance. I don't know whether going back to the 0:06:09.613 --> 0:06:11.813 wing or switching into the midfield. We touched on it 0:06:11.893 --> 0:06:13.973 last week about being a hybrid player. He was in 0:06:14.013 --> 0:06:16.213 the ruck at times. Maybe he's got too much on 0:06:16.253 --> 0:06:16.613 his plate. 0:06:16.693 --> 0:06:18.573 Yeah, this could all be the place. He doesn't look 0:06:18.613 --> 0:06:20.693 like a wing anymore for me, And I know the 0:06:20.733 --> 0:06:22.773 Crusaders have a few injuries around the wings that were 0:06:22.813 --> 0:06:25.373 kind of forced to put him there. But he's barely 0:06:25.373 --> 0:06:27.213 played wing for and we played there a couple of 0:06:27.213 --> 0:06:29.253 times the All Blacks last year, but barely played there 0:06:29.293 --> 0:06:32.773 for the best part of three years. And he got 0:06:32.773 --> 0:06:36.253 out done for that first tribe. Poor defensive read and 0:06:36.293 --> 0:06:38.093 then a lot of drop ball as well, which was 0:06:38.213 --> 0:06:39.933 something we saw from him in the All Blacks last 0:06:40.013 --> 0:06:43.653 year as well. One handed carry. He's just not able 0:06:43.693 --> 0:06:46.933 to secure the ball. It feels like there's a really 0:06:47.013 --> 0:06:49.453 quality player there, but he's just got to sharpen up 0:06:49.453 --> 0:06:51.653 on some of those basic sets and I'm not sure 0:06:51.973 --> 0:06:54.013 that he's a great defensive reader of the game. So 0:06:55.093 --> 0:06:57.133 on the left wing he got found out for that tribe. 0:06:57.173 --> 0:06:59.453 But again, at center, you've got to be strong on defense. 0:06:59.533 --> 0:07:01.493 So I think there's a few question marks over him 0:07:01.533 --> 0:07:01.933 this season. 0:07:02.173 --> 0:07:06.613 There's no doubting his physical capabilities ball in hands at pace, 0:07:06.973 --> 0:07:10.293 incredibly difficult to stop. But you those soft skills, catch pass, 0:07:11.293 --> 0:07:13.893 defensive reads like you say, so there's some pretty big 0:07:13.933 --> 0:07:16.013 flaws to for him to. 0:07:15.973 --> 0:07:20.213 Work through there. Interesting around the turnout. 0:07:20.253 --> 0:07:22.573 I think that they got fifteen thousand then it looked 0:07:22.613 --> 0:07:24.853 like a great atmosphere. But I did read something from 0:07:25.373 --> 0:07:28.053 Dylan Cleaver's piece that he made a late decision. He's 0:07:28.093 --> 0:07:32.173 into needing to go to the game, and real backlog 0:07:32.173 --> 0:07:35.533 of people trying to get in, So maybe something for 0:07:36.173 --> 0:07:37.333 the stadium to address there. 0:07:37.453 --> 0:07:40.053 Yeah, that's classic New Zealand, doesn't it. Though. You arrive 0:07:40.213 --> 0:07:42.813 and hope, Yeah, you've got enough time without wanting to 0:07:42.853 --> 0:07:44.693 sit in the stands for too long, and then ultimately 0:07:44.853 --> 0:07:45.733 you get in the stands late. 0:07:45.773 --> 0:07:46.893 But look, good turnout. 0:07:46.933 --> 0:07:49.213 Good turnout for round one. I know the few people 0:07:49.253 --> 0:07:51.213 saying they should have done it on Saturday because it 0:07:51.213 --> 0:07:53.093 was obviously I think its O week last week, but 0:07:53.693 --> 0:07:55.853 you know, there are various other considerations. I thought fifteen 0:07:55.893 --> 0:07:58.933 thousand was pretty good and you've got another home game 0:07:58.933 --> 0:08:00.613 this week against the Chiefs, so hopefully a good turn 0:08:00.653 --> 0:08:01.133 out then too. 0:08:01.293 --> 0:08:05.333 Yeah. I think it also speaks to the rivalry. You know, 0:08:05.373 --> 0:08:07.653 the Southern Derby is still a massive fixture on the 0:08:07.733 --> 0:08:09.813 rugby calendar, and you saw what it meant to the 0:08:09.893 --> 0:08:12.973 Harner's coaching box and the players to get. 0:08:12.893 --> 0:08:14.013 Up over the Crusaders. 0:08:14.333 --> 0:08:16.773 That's certainly a match that will always be circled long 0:08:16.813 --> 0:08:20.373 on the calendar, and there was genuine passion and pride 0:08:20.613 --> 0:08:21.333 in that performance. 0:08:21.373 --> 0:08:23.573 The work I didn't have on this opening weekend is why. 0:08:23.773 --> 0:08:25.813 You know they've made a lot about the thirtieth anniversary. 0:08:25.973 --> 0:08:29.053 Why wouldn't you kick it off again with Blues and Hurricanes. 0:08:29.133 --> 0:08:31.213 Now there's probably other reasons that are not privy too, 0:08:31.333 --> 0:08:34.453 but that kicked off Super Rugby in ninety six. Why 0:08:34.493 --> 0:08:36.213 not kick it off in twenty twenty six with Blues 0:08:36.293 --> 0:08:37.213 Hurricanes again? Yeah? 0:08:37.213 --> 0:08:38.173 It would have been an easy one. 0:08:38.293 --> 0:08:41.533 Interesting to note that thirty years ago the Haunters beat 0:08:41.533 --> 0:08:44.933 the Crusaders by two points and thirty years on they 0:08:44.973 --> 0:08:45.813 beat them by two points. 0:08:45.933 --> 0:08:48.413 Uniforms as well. I think that's how in the Crusaders 0:08:48.453 --> 0:08:50.493 campaign and known only six was not one to remember. 0:08:50.653 --> 0:08:53.933 Yeah, another one for the good guys, So up the Landers. 0:08:54.013 --> 0:08:57.533 Okay, that's enough for that. Let's move on to Saturday afternoon. 0:08:57.653 --> 0:09:02.013 More on a pacifica Fiji and Drewer. Good win for 0:09:02.093 --> 0:09:05.573 Winer pacificat on the road the Drewer your latok has 0:09:05.573 --> 0:09:08.813 been a bit of a graveyard for visiting teams. We 0:09:08.853 --> 0:09:11.093 had a lot of question marks over them last week 0:09:11.133 --> 0:09:14.613 around how they were going to roll out this year. 0:09:15.373 --> 0:09:19.053 But to go over Miracle Fire lungy bags a hat 0:09:19.093 --> 0:09:22.733 trick and then they take a win over the Feeder 0:09:22.813 --> 0:09:24.213 and draw a great Round one performance. 0:09:24.613 --> 0:09:28.573 Oh, huge results, particularly given everything that surrounded Moana on 0:09:28.653 --> 0:09:30.853 and off the field, question marks about how they're going 0:09:30.893 --> 0:09:34.093 to cover Adi. I'm not going to say Miracle stepped 0:09:34.093 --> 0:09:37.413 into his shoes. That's way too early, but to really 0:09:37.533 --> 0:09:41.533 come out and deliver a follow me performance that's exactly 0:09:41.533 --> 0:09:44.733 what Wina needed. And you're right about the dur Playing 0:09:45.133 --> 0:09:47.933 in Fiji is the hardest road trip in superb we 0:09:47.973 --> 0:09:50.173 particularly at this time of year with a sweltering heap. 0:09:50.493 --> 0:09:52.813 I think prior to that game, the Duror had won 0:09:53.053 --> 0:09:56.853 fifteen of their twenty two home matches, so incredibly difficult 0:09:56.893 --> 0:10:01.133 place to go. And I don't think you'd say a 0:10:01.173 --> 0:10:04.493 statement performance from Juana. But to come off last year 0:10:05.013 --> 0:10:08.133 where you beat the Blues, you beat the Crusaders, you 0:10:08.453 --> 0:10:11.053 the cusp of the top six, and now everyone's writing 0:10:11.053 --> 0:10:14.173 them off, well, I think people were starting to rethink 0:10:14.253 --> 0:10:15.253 those predictions. 0:10:15.333 --> 0:10:17.013 Yeah, if they can do it over there, then you 0:10:17.053 --> 0:10:19.893 know they can certainly Colleck some other wins drew a 0:10:19.893 --> 0:10:24.413 big question marks over them now. I think they came 0:10:24.453 --> 0:10:26.293 back into the game after they've been blown away by 0:10:26.373 --> 0:10:28.653 Mowana early. But I think it's going to be a 0:10:28.693 --> 0:10:31.253 long season to draw based on about forty eighty minutes. 0:10:31.853 --> 0:10:34.733 Yeah, and it seems like the recurring themes that the 0:10:35.373 --> 0:10:37.333 what I did see that game. It's the same issues 0:10:37.373 --> 0:10:42.413 around basic skills, the line outs being able to convert 0:10:42.453 --> 0:10:44.453 pressure into points when they get down there. You know, 0:10:44.453 --> 0:10:48.533 they just rely on individual brilliant So big question marks 0:10:48.573 --> 0:10:49.293 over their campaign. 0:10:49.373 --> 0:10:53.133 Yeah, let's continue to Saturday Evening. Blues beaten by the 0:10:53.213 --> 0:10:59.013 Chiefs nineteen fifteen. Cortez Ratam scores the winner for the 0:10:59.093 --> 0:11:02.373 Chiefs late in the game. What did you make of 0:11:02.373 --> 0:11:02.773 that game? 0:11:03.053 --> 0:11:08.853 When not a great spectacle? I think two teams that 0:11:08.893 --> 0:11:11.653 were fairly clunky. I think the first half was was 0:11:11.693 --> 0:11:16.213 a reasonable watch, but the second half, certainly for a 0:11:16.213 --> 0:11:21.093 good twenty minutes, was was pretty tough viewing. Lots of mistakes, 0:11:21.133 --> 0:11:25.413 nothing really getting going for either team. I think for 0:11:25.453 --> 0:11:28.013 the Blues, the one big question mark I still have 0:11:28.373 --> 0:11:30.293 is are they doing enough? 0:11:30.573 --> 0:11:32.013 Are they playing enough rugby? 0:11:32.173 --> 0:11:37.933 Are they like I understand Verncotta's style as direct, confrontational, 0:11:39.133 --> 0:11:42.973 you know, squeeze tactics, go to the mall, and that 0:11:43.413 --> 0:11:45.133 doesn't seem like it's going to change. I talked to 0:11:45.173 --> 0:11:47.973 Stephen Peterfetter last week and he was adamant that there 0:11:48.053 --> 0:11:51.413 is room in that structure for Flair, for him to 0:11:52.613 --> 0:11:55.013 put his imprint on the game and have a crack. 0:11:55.093 --> 0:11:59.453 But we barely saw Caleb Clark. I think Mark Tale 0:11:59.533 --> 0:12:02.533 is a big loss. On the other edge the right wing, 0:12:03.293 --> 0:12:06.373 Sullivan was pretty good at fullback, but I just think 0:12:06.413 --> 0:12:07.933 the Blues need to need to be a bit more 0:12:08.053 --> 0:12:12.213 venture because they had ample opportunity at the back end 0:12:12.253 --> 0:12:15.213 of that game to win it, but they just they're 0:12:15.293 --> 0:12:17.773 rolling more got shut down, they gave away a couple 0:12:17.813 --> 0:12:21.533 of penalties, and then boom, one moment the Chiefs steal it. 0:12:21.613 --> 0:12:23.813 They did, and you know, they gave him a couple 0:12:23.813 --> 0:12:26.413 of penalties to open up that door. I just felt 0:12:26.813 --> 0:12:28.893 it was an awful game. Let's be honest, it was 0:12:28.893 --> 0:12:32.373 an awful game of rugby. Didn't rise to any great heights, 0:12:33.013 --> 0:12:34.693 but it did feel like one of those games where 0:12:34.693 --> 0:12:37.773 the Blues were about to basically break the game open. 0:12:38.253 --> 0:12:41.333 You know, they had the advantage, you know, by fifteen twelve, 0:12:41.373 --> 0:12:43.613 and it felt like, you know, one score away and 0:12:43.653 --> 0:12:46.373 the game's probably done. You know, some games do feel 0:12:46.413 --> 0:12:48.933 like that. They left the door open for the Chiefs, 0:12:48.933 --> 0:12:51.693 who I thought were clunky as well, but the Chiefs 0:12:51.733 --> 0:12:53.653 were just you know, good enough to take that final moment. 0:12:54.413 --> 0:12:56.253 I didn't think either team did a great job of 0:12:56.253 --> 0:12:58.453 building pressure throughout that game. It felt like it was 0:12:58.493 --> 0:13:00.973 a game of moments. You know, it was no score 0:13:00.973 --> 0:13:03.973 in the opening thirty minutes, but it felt like, you know, 0:13:04.093 --> 0:13:06.413 the was it five all at half time? It just 0:13:06.413 --> 0:13:08.893 felt like it was one moment stacked on another moment. 0:13:08.893 --> 0:13:12.013 But it wasn't building pressure. I think that was the 0:13:12.053 --> 0:13:14.493 thing for the Blues is that they you mentioned the 0:13:14.573 --> 0:13:16.693 rolling wall and everything like that, that didn't spend enough time 0:13:17.013 --> 0:13:20.173 in the Chiefs red zone to really come home with that, 0:13:21.173 --> 0:13:23.453 you know, that kind of performance to win that game. 0:13:23.533 --> 0:13:26.133 So I don't know that we learned a lot about 0:13:26.133 --> 0:13:28.573 either team in all honesty from that performance. 0:13:29.093 --> 0:13:31.133 No, And both teams have a lot of players to 0:13:31.213 --> 0:13:35.013 come back, particularly the Chiefs a whole host of all 0:13:35.013 --> 0:13:38.093 blacks who didn't feature. I think the bench probably won 0:13:38.133 --> 0:13:40.773 it for them in the end. Summer Penny Female had 0:13:40.813 --> 0:13:44.333 a great line off a really nice delayed to proviaball 0:13:45.013 --> 0:13:47.693 to go through and set up courties Ratama who also 0:13:47.773 --> 0:13:51.413 came off the bench. So I think the Chiefs will 0:13:51.453 --> 0:13:55.413 be happy obviously to come up and sneak that and 0:13:55.533 --> 0:13:58.133 to set themselves up with that firepower they have to 0:13:58.173 --> 0:14:03.453 come back. Damien McKenzie and a host of others tt. 0:14:03.493 --> 0:14:07.493 Leroy Carter and played for the development team. This another 0:14:07.493 --> 0:14:09.213 player that I'm missing as well. It was about five 0:14:09.213 --> 0:14:11.013 of them that they didn't play on Saturday nights. 0:14:11.013 --> 0:14:13.413 Some real fire power, that's most your back line. 0:14:13.453 --> 0:14:17.213 I thought Quinta Pye was really good both over the 0:14:17.253 --> 0:14:22.693 ball and bringing that physicality with his carrying to provide 0:14:22.773 --> 0:14:23.413 was excellence. 0:14:25.213 --> 0:14:26.373 I thought had a good game as well. 0:14:26.453 --> 0:14:30.093 Yeah, the Chiefs line out didn't function very well. Bradley 0:14:30.093 --> 0:14:35.253 Slater was really good your man on debut for the Blues, 0:14:36.653 --> 0:14:40.253 and Yea Zarn Sullivan and a couple of others. But 0:14:40.933 --> 0:14:42.733 the back line didn't see a great deal of ball. 0:14:42.813 --> 0:14:44.253 The back line didn't see a great deal of ball. 0:14:44.333 --> 0:14:48.133 I felt, like, you know, Peter Key, I thought on 0:14:48.173 --> 0:14:51.653 debut was solid. Trying to think back to the commentary A. J. Lamb, 0:14:51.653 --> 0:14:54.373 I didn't think we had a lot of time on ball. 0:14:54.453 --> 0:14:55.773 Clark certainly didn't. 0:14:56.253 --> 0:14:57.213 What about the two teens? 0:14:57.213 --> 0:15:00.853 That was an interesting matchup Stephne de Fetter coming back 0:15:00.853 --> 0:15:04.213 from his last real competitive game since May, and Josh 0:15:04.293 --> 0:15:07.973 Jacob a big chance to start the season with Damien 0:15:08.013 --> 0:15:13.053 mckinn is he welcoming his first child. What did you 0:15:13.093 --> 0:15:14.533 make of both their performances. 0:15:14.613 --> 0:15:17.013 I thought Jacob was pretty good by and large for 0:15:18.093 --> 0:15:20.453 controlling the team, driving them around the park, and I 0:15:20.493 --> 0:15:22.613 suspect that we might see more of Jacob at ten 0:15:22.693 --> 0:15:26.093 this season than McKenzie. Might move mackenzie back at fullback, 0:15:26.133 --> 0:15:28.933 potentially coming later in the game to ten I'm interested 0:15:28.933 --> 0:15:30.813 to see where John O Gibbs it goes with that. 0:15:30.933 --> 0:15:33.413 But I talked in the postmatch about being a big 0:15:33.453 --> 0:15:36.693 fan of Josh Jacob and wanting him to regret basically 0:15:37.133 --> 0:15:39.493 every day going to the Highlanders from twenty twenty seven. 0:15:39.773 --> 0:15:42.533 I'd give a points decision to Josh Jacob. Piafeeda you 0:15:42.613 --> 0:15:44.493 touched on hasn't played since made He looked like a 0:15:44.533 --> 0:15:46.573 player that hadn't played since May. He wull be better 0:15:46.613 --> 0:15:51.253 for that outing. I still think he didn't unlock the 0:15:51.733 --> 0:15:53.693 Blues back line as much as you would have liked. 0:15:53.973 --> 0:15:55.813 I'm not sure he's the long term answer for them 0:15:55.853 --> 0:15:58.373 at ten. I think when Boden Barrett's back, they'll go 0:15:58.453 --> 0:16:01.173 back to Boden and the next few rounds. Once he's 0:16:01.213 --> 0:16:03.493 back for that Crusaders game on the seventh, which is 0:16:03.493 --> 0:16:05.773 around the date or the date that he's he marked. 0:16:06.973 --> 0:16:08.693 So yeah, points decision to Jake for me. 0:16:09.653 --> 0:16:12.293 Yeah. I thought Peterfetter had some nice touches long balls 0:16:12.293 --> 0:16:16.853 early and he kicked one fifty twenty two, but both 0:16:17.613 --> 0:16:20.573 tens struggled off the tea early some really easy misses, 0:16:20.573 --> 0:16:23.813 so I don't think it was an authoritative performance from 0:16:23.853 --> 0:16:26.693 either of them. Maybe a sign of start in the season. 0:16:27.853 --> 0:16:29.853 But yeah, interesting to see how Boden comes back as well. 0:16:29.893 --> 0:16:34.333 Traditionally the All Blacks come back off the bench, and jeez, 0:16:34.573 --> 0:16:36.253 will Jordan set the standard there, didn't they? 0:16:36.333 --> 0:16:38.973 Yeah, he very much did say he was excellent coming 0:16:39.013 --> 0:16:41.733 off the bench of the Crusaders. I've seen some social 0:16:41.773 --> 0:16:43.933 media that they did around Jordan. We're in twenty three 0:16:44.093 --> 0:16:47.253 Michael Jordan, et cetera, So I don't think it twenty 0:16:47.293 --> 0:16:48.693 three for two much longer. 0:16:49.853 --> 0:16:53.213 Michael had a few more hops. 0:16:52.813 --> 0:16:57.933 Maybe both both quality players. Ossie Games Wartas up the 0:16:57.973 --> 0:17:00.613 Reids thirty six twelve. This is a very good performance 0:17:00.653 --> 0:17:03.173 in the war Tars. Game was in the balance up 0:17:03.253 --> 0:17:05.493 until what about twenty to go, and the Wartars just 0:17:05.493 --> 0:17:07.973 broke home and ran in some late tries. Very impressed 0:17:08.013 --> 0:17:09.933 by what they are able to do. I think they'll 0:17:10.013 --> 0:17:12.493 rise up the table a little bit this year. The 0:17:12.533 --> 0:17:17.213 Wartars some really good outside backs Max Jorgncern quality players, 0:17:17.253 --> 0:17:19.853 so I was impressed by that. And the Rumby is 0:17:19.893 --> 0:17:21.853 just too good for the Force. Fifty six to twenty four. 0:17:22.333 --> 0:17:24.373 Signs of life in the Force that we talked a 0:17:24.373 --> 0:17:26.053 bit a little bit about last week that they might 0:17:26.093 --> 0:17:28.213 be back. Well, didn't start particularly well. 0:17:28.853 --> 0:17:31.973 No, that's a drubbing at home, isn't it because traditionally 0:17:32.013 --> 0:17:34.013 they are a lot better in Perth. 0:17:34.613 --> 0:17:36.013 But big result for the Waratars. 0:17:36.013 --> 0:17:39.613 I think that is a statement performance in a derby match. 0:17:40.053 --> 0:17:44.053 They were outsiders to start that week, heavily backed. I 0:17:44.093 --> 0:17:46.173 think their neck and neck going into the game. The 0:17:46.253 --> 0:17:49.853 Red's missing a few but that is a real stake 0:17:49.893 --> 0:17:52.373 in the ground from the Watars and I think they 0:17:52.413 --> 0:17:56.453 can kick on and be genuine contenders this year. I 0:17:56.453 --> 0:18:00.213 think Sydney's not an easy place to go, so yeah, 0:18:00.253 --> 0:18:01.493 interesting to see if they can kick on. 0:18:01.613 --> 0:18:03.173 Indeed, all right, we'll take a quick break here on 0:18:03.253 --> 0:18:06.453 Rugby Direct, come back with Final four and more after this. 0:18:08.533 --> 0:18:12.253 You're back with Rugby Direct. Time now for the Final four, Liam, 0:18:12.413 --> 0:18:16.413 question for you number one. Did the Highlanders win over 0:18:16.453 --> 0:18:19.733 the Crusaders on Friday night? Locke and Jamie Joseph as 0:18:19.813 --> 0:18:21.013 the All Blacks coach. 0:18:22.133 --> 0:18:26.533 Well, the rumor was an overdriven that it's gonna it's 0:18:26.573 --> 0:18:27.693 gonna be announced this week. 0:18:28.133 --> 0:18:29.933 I was hearing it was gonna it's five o'clock Friday 0:18:29.973 --> 0:18:32.493 before the game. There was one rumor going around. 0:18:32.413 --> 0:18:34.413 It's all rubber stamp. It's good to go here. 0:18:35.053 --> 0:18:38.853 Late March early June did a pump first week before 0:18:38.853 --> 0:18:39.413 the All Black time. 0:18:39.533 --> 0:18:40.293 The breaks awave it. 0:18:40.333 --> 0:18:46.053 Look, no it didn't, but it can only help his cause. 0:18:46.653 --> 0:18:50.893 It was a big upset result. But it has one result. 0:18:52.453 --> 0:18:54.893 We're very good in this country of not viewing things 0:18:54.933 --> 0:18:59.573 in context and viewing them in pure isolation. And one 0:18:59.613 --> 0:19:01.173 win is not going to get him the All Blacks 0:19:01.213 --> 0:19:04.053 coaching job. It's the same as if they've been beaten 0:19:04.053 --> 0:19:06.093 by twenty five points was not going to rule him 0:19:06.093 --> 0:19:08.093 out of the All Blacks coaching job. That helps. 0:19:08.493 --> 0:19:13.973 It's certainly it's it's front front viewing as it's front 0:19:14.013 --> 0:19:16.653 of mind. It's there, it's ever present. They've rey had 0:19:16.693 --> 0:19:19.613 a good win in Japan in the weekends. I think 0:19:19.613 --> 0:19:24.413 they beat t Shibam. 0:19:22.973 --> 0:19:24.613 Longer and to black at his team. 0:19:24.653 --> 0:19:27.733 Yeah that's all right, so but that's out of sight, 0:19:27.773 --> 0:19:32.053 out of mind to a degree. Look, yeah it doesn't. 0:19:32.173 --> 0:19:34.413 It won't hurt his chance as well, No, won't. 0:19:35.013 --> 0:19:37.613 And look this will be taking into consideration. But again 0:19:37.853 --> 0:19:39.413 you just don't know that a round one result in 0:19:39.453 --> 0:19:41.533 Super Rugby is going to be the tipping point for 0:19:41.613 --> 0:19:45.133 the the famous five as they come to that conclusion. 0:19:45.493 --> 0:19:48.573 That's a good I like that use that the panel. 0:19:48.373 --> 0:19:52.933 The Panel six Nations. Scotland rumors of their death have 0:19:52.973 --> 0:19:57.093 been greatly exaggerated. Gregor Townsend resigning for another ten years. 0:19:57.373 --> 0:19:59.253 Better again, Gregor is back baby. 0:19:59.373 --> 0:20:02.893