WEBVTT - Rugby Direct Episode 244: The team is in - Rennie’s big calls

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<v Speaker 1>You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B.

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<v Speaker 1>Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio

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<v Speaker 1>Straight down the Middle, Try try get inside the game

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<v Speaker 1>from every goal. It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and

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<v Speaker 1>Leam Napier powered by News Talks at B.

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<v Speaker 2>Welcome into Rugby Direct, powered by Excess Solutions, elevating you

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<v Speaker 2>and your business to a higher level. Two days away

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<v Speaker 2>from Test Matt Rugby once again the Nations Championship, not

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<v Speaker 2>that you'll see it on the All Black sleeve, of course.

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<v Speaker 2>Elliott Smith with me Liam Napier naps the Blacks name

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<v Speaker 2>their team to play the Irish. The drums had been

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<v Speaker 2>beating all week long for to provide the start up

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<v Speaker 2>Blindside flank. Da've Renny dropped a massive hint speaking to

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<v Speaker 2>Sky last week and then the whispers were beginning that

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<v Speaker 2>he was going to start up Blindside and sure enough

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<v Speaker 2>he is. Is that the top line for you from

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<v Speaker 2>this All Blacks team?

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah? Absolutely. It's the perennial, recurring, unsolvable theme of the

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<v Speaker 3>All Blacks going back however many years, however, many trials

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<v Speaker 3>and experiments, and it comes full circle again, doesn't it.

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<v Speaker 3>Ian Foster tried to provide on the blind Side. Scott

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<v Speaker 3>Robertson tried him there, and now Dave Reny, three weeks

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<v Speaker 3>into his tenure, picks his third Blindside flank. I'm unconvinced

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<v Speaker 3>elliotts He brings size, he is clearly a great line

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<v Speaker 3>out option, but I think he lacks pace and it

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<v Speaker 3>is quite the contrast to all the messaging that we've

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<v Speaker 3>had from Ny around speeds pace optimism, and you're sacrificing

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<v Speaker 3>a lot of mobility and speed to the breakdown by

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<v Speaker 3>supersizing your pack, not only with Tuper Vibe but also

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<v Speaker 3>Patrick Tuopelow too.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah.

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<v Speaker 2>Absolutely, and we New Zealand is searching for this body,

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<v Speaker 2>this this archetype that we're looking for just a lot

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<v Speaker 2>in on blind Side and we have not really found

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<v Speaker 2>one since drom Can. Everyone knows the story that they

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<v Speaker 2>have tried so many options over the years. You we

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<v Speaker 2>could spend probably half an hour listing that the players

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<v Speaker 2>that have gone through that six Jusisian Frazal's back in

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<v Speaker 2>New Zealand Rugby later in there. It could be another option.

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<v Speaker 3>He had maybe one year where he nailed it. There

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<v Speaker 3>was that test against the spring box. It mounts smart.

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<v Speaker 3>But it was pretty fleeting, wasn't it.

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<v Speaker 2>Totally absolutely, But there's been a clamoring to get him

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<v Speaker 2>back in New Zealand. Rugby will be later in the year,

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<v Speaker 2>but for now they're gone with two po I on

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<v Speaker 2>one hand, I think, you know, we've had Dave Any

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<v Speaker 2>say that the numbers on the back don't matter. But

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<v Speaker 2>evidently they are looking for this archetype on the blind

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<v Speaker 2>side that they have not been able to nail down,

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<v Speaker 2>and they hope that over time that tupers it's something

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<v Speaker 2>that's going to click there. But he's just so good

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<v Speaker 2>at lot and he's clearly in the top two locks

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<v Speaker 2>in the country, at least I think it is. And

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<v Speaker 2>so you're, you know, Robin Peter to pay Paul essentially

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<v Speaker 2>in your team try and band aid up the blind side.

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<v Speaker 2>I don't know that you gain much. I mean, Peter

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<v Speaker 2>Lucky started there a couple of weeks ago. I thought

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<v Speaker 2>he was okay without being you know, shooting the lights out.

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<v Speaker 2>I think there's a lot of work to do for

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<v Speaker 2>him there. But clearly with three players starting in that

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<v Speaker 2>role in his many weeks, they're back. Still haven't found

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<v Speaker 2>what they're looking for to paraphrase you.

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<v Speaker 3>Too, No they haven't. Look I My view of this

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<v Speaker 3>is it's been over complicated to a point and it's

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<v Speaker 3>partly due to Artie Severe's switch from open side to

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<v Speaker 3>number eights. Dave Rennie seems wedded to that. Maybe he

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<v Speaker 3>wants to use him on the wider channels, but I

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<v Speaker 3>would be starting Peter Luck I had eight. I think

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<v Speaker 3>he's among New Zealand's best loose forwards. He's such a

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<v Speaker 3>dynamic ball carrier. I thought he was really good and

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<v Speaker 3>that opening test. I was surprised to see him replaced.

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<v Speaker 3>So and Brennie is clearly a big fan of Luke Jacobson,

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<v Speaker 3>and I think he has been very good. But a

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<v Speaker 3>loose trio of Luckeye eight, Severe at seven and Jacobson

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<v Speaker 3>in his more traditional role of blindside does give you

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<v Speaker 3>those complimentary skill sets is not necessarily the big bodies

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<v Speaker 3>that you need. And I think via selection for me

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<v Speaker 3>and too, Polo Tu reflects the fact that the All

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<v Speaker 3>Blacks haven't got enough pay from their ball carriers. They

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<v Speaker 3>haven't been physically dominance. Italy caused them big problems at

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<v Speaker 3>the breakdown. They just went wide to wides. They didn't

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<v Speaker 3>break that defensive line. So I think Rennie's wanting more physicality,

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<v Speaker 3>more size, more power, and he clearly wants to target

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<v Speaker 3>island set piece. I think the Irish of vulnerable. They're

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<v Speaker 3>scrum and they use their line out as a massive

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<v Speaker 3>weapon as well.

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<v Speaker 2>They do. I think Sam Darry's one of the All

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<v Speaker 2>It's best over the first couple of weeks, But maybe

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<v Speaker 2>is he just not bringing that physicality that the All

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<v Speaker 2>Blacks need to get over the game line.

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<v Speaker 3>I think that's that's partly partly the reason for that.

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<v Speaker 3>But I agree, I think Sam Darry was excellent, highly involved,

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<v Speaker 3>and he did get some punch or bolen hand, very

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<v Speaker 3>good at the line out. Patrick Tuopolota's vastly more senior,

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<v Speaker 3>probably hasn't. I can't remember the He was very good

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<v Speaker 3>off the bench for the All Black center with the.

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<v Speaker 2>Role and it probably will be maybe the R I mean,

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<v Speaker 2>I don't know.

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<v Speaker 3>Maybe it won't be when Fabian Holland comes back that.

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<v Speaker 2>He slots into. But then if you're going to have

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<v Speaker 2>two per fine on the blind side, then maybe it

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<v Speaker 2>isn't the role that he slides into. So a few

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<v Speaker 2>question marks Patrick, when you consider him very good player,

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<v Speaker 2>I do wonder where the thirty minutes at the back

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<v Speaker 2>end of the game is better use of him than

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<v Speaker 2>first fifty in a Test match like this. And I

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<v Speaker 2>was looking at the stats before. It's something like he's

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<v Speaker 2>played fifty seven of about one hundred fifty four tests

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<v Speaker 2>the All Blacks have played since he debuted, So he's

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of injuries. He's he's gone from sort of

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<v Speaker 2>you know, being behind white lock and retallic early in

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<v Speaker 2>his career and getting the odd appearance and having you know,

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<v Speaker 2>has said a lot of injuries. So big opportunity for

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<v Speaker 2>him this weekend to see what he can do elsewhere

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<v Speaker 2>on that All Blacks team. Josh Molby on the left

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<v Speaker 2>wing a little bit of a surprise. Suspected to go

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<v Speaker 2>back to Cayler Clark here, but what it signals is

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<v Speaker 2>that they were really impressed from Josh Molby last week.

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<v Speaker 2>He hasn't played a great deal. It's a bit, but

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<v Speaker 2>not a great deal on the left wing.

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<v Speaker 3>So we talked today only only rarely for wak Ut

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<v Speaker 3>in the NPC. So look, it's not a major shift,

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<v Speaker 3>but it's it's ball carrying. It's which you fend with some.

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<v Speaker 2>Players more comfortable switching than others as well.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, and I think I like that selection. It is

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<v Speaker 3>a real reward for form. And Molby looked immediately comfortable.

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<v Speaker 3>Didn't the off the bench last week. His pace, anticipation,

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<v Speaker 3>skill executions. He's also a natural fullback, so quite proficient

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<v Speaker 3>in the air. And I think Ireland will certainly test

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<v Speaker 3>the all blacks there. And I think back to Caleb

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<v Speaker 3>Clark coming off the bench in South Africa and in Australia,

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<v Speaker 3>and he actually did bring a lot, so I don't mind.

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<v Speaker 3>It is you to hold yourself a little bit carrying

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<v Speaker 3>a winger. It is a bit of a luxury, I

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<v Speaker 3>think because of the versatility that a lot of players have.

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<v Speaker 3>But I have liked what Caleb Clark has brought off

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<v Speaker 3>the bench. That would have been a fine line decision. Also,

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<v Speaker 3>Tyro Lomax comes in to start at tighthead prop. I

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<v Speaker 3>have a wee bit of a question mark about Fritz

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<v Speaker 3>Nuwell on the bench. I don't view him as an

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<v Speaker 3>impact player necessarily.

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<v Speaker 2>Neither do Well. Look, he made some impacts this year.

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<v Speaker 2>There's a scorching run against mo one O Pacifika from

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<v Speaker 2>fifty sixty meters out. He's not you know, it's a

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<v Speaker 2>different side of the scrump. He's not an a Meia

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<v Speaker 2>type impact. But I think what you signal skive at

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<v Speaker 2>your original point around targeting score island and the set

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<v Speaker 2>piece is that Neils a very very good scrummer er.

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<v Speaker 2>If they can bring him on, maybe they're scrump for

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<v Speaker 2>penalties later in the contest and working them over that way.

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<v Speaker 2>If it's a little bit tight, you can you can

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<v Speaker 2>go back to your set piece and scrum.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah. I think you're right. You've got the complimentary elements there,

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<v Speaker 3>aren't you. Newle's going to be your scrum rock and

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<v Speaker 3>new Mers your mobile dynamic impact player off the bench,

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<v Speaker 3>So ticking both boxes.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah.

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<v Speaker 2>On another note, I'm a little bit surprised that they

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<v Speaker 2>didn't give Cody Taylor a spell last week. And this

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<v Speaker 2>is going back seven days, but I would have given

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<v Speaker 2>Cody one of these tests off. You know, he's played

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of rugby this year, a lot of rugby

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<v Speaker 2>over his career. I think out of the frontline all

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<v Speaker 2>Blacks getting him towards the twenty twenty seven World Cup,

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<v Speaker 2>just I think you've got to get on more up

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<v Speaker 2>to test level. Not that he's not, but you know,

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<v Speaker 2>he hasn't played a lot of Test Rugby's been in

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<v Speaker 2>and out, you know, almost going over a decade now

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<v Speaker 2>at Takiyaho, we know what he can do. But I

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<v Speaker 2>would have liked to see them play a Test match

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<v Speaker 2>together over the series. With it was this week, whether

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<v Speaker 2>it was last week, I think that's a miss trick

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<v Speaker 2>from the All Blacks.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I agree. I think last week was too conservative

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<v Speaker 3>of the selections and that was certainly one. I think

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<v Speaker 3>you could have started Takyajo and brought more off the

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<v Speaker 3>bench or vice versa, given those guys more exposure. So

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<v Speaker 3>I think that was that was certainly a missed opportunity.

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<v Speaker 3>What about no Boden Barrett, no Simon Parker, no Kyle Preston.

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<v Speaker 3>Those guys aren't gonna feature at all, and these Three

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<v Speaker 3>Nations Championship Test is at a surprise, a.

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<v Speaker 2>Long time without rugby for those three. Yeah, when they

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<v Speaker 2>get knocked out of the Super Rugby pluffs, if you're

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<v Speaker 2>Bote and Barritt and Kyle Preston, you got to week

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<v Speaker 2>two that's due middle of June. It's going to be

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<v Speaker 2>until about the seventh of August and theory until they

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<v Speaker 2>play rugby unless they go out and you know, knock

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<v Speaker 2>around in the first round of MPC potentially, but I'm

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<v Speaker 2>not sure that they will. So it's a long time

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<v Speaker 2>without rugby for these guys. They'll probably play the Stormers.

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<v Speaker 2>But yeah, I would have liked to see Kyle Preuston

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<v Speaker 2>get an opportunity at some point over these three weeks.

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<v Speaker 2>And Boden Barrett, I think the juries out whether he

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<v Speaker 2>is the right person at ten for the All Blacks,

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<v Speaker 2>but I think the jury's out on Ruben Love still

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<v Speaker 2>a bit as well. But I think maybe he could

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<v Speaker 2>have looked at him at fullback in one of these

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<v Speaker 2>weeks too. I think he's still got something to offer

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<v Speaker 2>this All Blacks team. We're slotson, I don't know. Simon

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<v Speaker 2>Parker Wills goes back to the conversation around Blindside that

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<v Speaker 2>he was another option last year. He was number eight and.

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<v Speaker 3>It was the predominant option at six. Super Bowl was injured.

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<v Speaker 3>But for the back half of the year, throughout those

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<v Speaker 3>November tests, he started all of the major tests.

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<v Speaker 2>And he didn't quite take his opportunity. So he's another

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<v Speaker 2>one that is going to be without rugby, so maybe

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<v Speaker 2>get some time for the tunny far But I mean

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<v Speaker 2>they've only got preseason then they go to South Africa,

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<v Speaker 2>so three players that won't be used I think as

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<v Speaker 2>a real question mark, and they're going to come into

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<v Speaker 2>South Africa with not a lot of rugby under the belt.

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<v Speaker 2>Speaking of Dave, Rennie said that every one in that

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<v Speaker 2>touring squad, which will be forty four strong, we'll get

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<v Speaker 2>some game time over the first week and Sixtyo benches

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<v Speaker 2>a possibility as well, so we'll see what happens there.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, no great surprise. I think he did definitively rule

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<v Speaker 3>out Richie Wog from that tour unless there's an injury.

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<v Speaker 3>So I'd heard he'd been pushing quite hard behind the

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<v Speaker 3>scenes but obviously got no rigor room from the New

0:11:32.053 --> 0:11:35.093
<v Speaker 3>Ziana Rugby board on that. Muwanga will make his comeback

0:11:35.093 --> 0:11:39.653
<v Speaker 3>with Canterbury, as will Shennon Frazel for Tasman. They'll tick

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<v Speaker 3>the provincial eligibility box and then they will need an

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<v Speaker 3>injury in the loose forwards for f Razel and fall

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<v Speaker 3>back or first five for mu Wonga to be called up,

0:11:51.213 --> 0:11:54.213
<v Speaker 3>and I would be shocked if that doesn't happen.

0:11:54.613 --> 0:11:57.093
<v Speaker 2>But for fit and AfOR who was leaving the country,

0:11:57.333 --> 0:11:59.053
<v Speaker 2>can be selected for the All Blacks.

0:11:59.493 --> 0:12:04.413
<v Speaker 3>Yeah good. I mean it's Rubik's Cube of stipulations, isn't it.

0:12:04.293 --> 0:12:04.773
<v Speaker 1>It is.

0:12:04.893 --> 0:12:08.493
<v Speaker 2>Indeed, since we chatted on Monday with Jordy Barrett, it's

0:12:08.693 --> 0:12:11.453
<v Speaker 2>not trained on Tuesday. Dave really insisting today that he

0:12:11.533 --> 0:12:13.813
<v Speaker 2>is good to go with the league niggle that he

0:12:14.013 --> 0:12:17.133
<v Speaker 2>was carrying. I was there Tuesday training. We went in

0:12:17.133 --> 0:12:19.453
<v Speaker 2>for about fifteen minutes and he was fully in a

0:12:19.493 --> 0:12:21.773
<v Speaker 2>track suit and you know it was on the park,

0:12:21.853 --> 0:12:25.013
<v Speaker 2>but wasn't taking part in the skill session and the

0:12:25.053 --> 0:12:27.733
<v Speaker 2>warm downs and everything like that. So hopefully it's good

0:12:27.733 --> 0:12:29.453
<v Speaker 2>to go. Sound like you trained fully today and was

0:12:29.493 --> 0:12:32.333
<v Speaker 2>out in the park and ready to go. Because I'm

0:12:32.333 --> 0:12:35.093
<v Speaker 2>hearing the Irish big fans of Jordi Barrett Lynn.

0:12:35.293 --> 0:12:38.893
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, massive fans obviously. Jordi went up there a year

0:12:38.893 --> 0:12:43.853
<v Speaker 3>ago now for six months and was exceptional. He's got

0:12:43.853 --> 0:12:50.293
<v Speaker 3>a great rugby brain, high IQ. He helped contribute in

0:12:50.333 --> 0:12:52.173
<v Speaker 3>a big way to that lens. The group was well

0:12:52.333 --> 0:12:55.613
<v Speaker 3>liked on and off the fields and set a high

0:12:55.613 --> 0:13:00.533
<v Speaker 3>bar that Rico Yuanni didn't reach. Evidently he was. Rico

0:13:00.573 --> 0:13:04.333
<v Speaker 3>has been called into the All Blacks, so you'd expect

0:13:04.413 --> 0:13:08.373
<v Speaker 3>him to be involved in that South African tour. But

0:13:08.413 --> 0:13:10.613
<v Speaker 3>it is a big week for Jordy Barrett here. I've

0:13:10.613 --> 0:13:12.253
<v Speaker 3>got no doubt the All Blacks would have tapped him

0:13:12.333 --> 0:13:16.213
<v Speaker 3>up this week for a bit of Intel's. It's not Leinster,

0:13:16.373 --> 0:13:19.133
<v Speaker 3>but they still provide the backbone to that national team.

0:13:19.573 --> 0:13:24.133
<v Speaker 3>He'll know some of those combinations and individuals intimately some

0:13:24.173 --> 0:13:27.013
<v Speaker 3>of their tendencies. Dave Reny will have a clear idea

0:13:27.053 --> 0:13:29.973
<v Speaker 3>about what Arlan will bring. But why would you not

0:13:30.093 --> 0:13:31.653
<v Speaker 3>utilize the inside knowledge.

0:13:31.533 --> 0:13:33.613
<v Speaker 2>Absolutely mate, the most of it. Rico you Andy might

0:13:33.613 --> 0:13:35.533
<v Speaker 2>be able to offer some as well, given he's coming

0:13:35.573 --> 0:13:37.573
<v Speaker 2>to camp as you know, maybe you'll steal the pot

0:13:37.573 --> 0:13:39.413
<v Speaker 2>a little bit. And Shavey wasn't up for media that

0:13:39.533 --> 0:13:41.493
<v Speaker 2>had been quite good just to defn Rico even though

0:13:41.493 --> 0:13:44.533
<v Speaker 2>he's not playing. The Irish team, of course named and

0:13:44.533 --> 0:13:47.973
<v Speaker 2>looked as predicted. Andy Farrell has restored what we would

0:13:48.053 --> 0:13:50.933
<v Speaker 2>term his first choice squad. Obviously Kaitlin Doris. I'm not

0:13:50.973 --> 0:13:54.533
<v Speaker 2>on this tour through injury, massive loss, massive loss a

0:13:54.533 --> 0:13:57.613
<v Speaker 2>great player, but by and large this is close to

0:13:57.933 --> 0:14:00.933
<v Speaker 2>barring a couple of selections here or there. The team

0:14:01.013 --> 0:14:03.533
<v Speaker 2>that beat the Wallabies in Week one before they rotated

0:14:03.573 --> 0:14:06.893
<v Speaker 2>for Japan and week two of the Nation's Championship and

0:14:07.693 --> 0:14:09.653
<v Speaker 2>the probably with the one change that made is tyger

0:14:09.653 --> 0:14:13.813
<v Speaker 2>Burn at blindside flanker rather than at locke. He came

0:14:13.853 --> 0:14:15.693
<v Speaker 2>off the bench in the first week captain of the

0:14:15.693 --> 0:14:18.693
<v Speaker 2>team from lock last week. When we talk about an

0:14:19.333 --> 0:14:22.893
<v Speaker 2>archetype that can swing between locke and blindside, he's probably

0:14:23.933 --> 0:14:26.453
<v Speaker 2>Peter Steph is one who can play lock if needed.

0:14:26.493 --> 0:14:30.653
<v Speaker 2>But in terms of you know, not if needed, but

0:14:30.653 --> 0:14:32.893
<v Speaker 2>someone that can play lock and blindside, he'd be the

0:14:32.893 --> 0:14:36.173
<v Speaker 2>guy tyger Burn. You know, quality players that he comes

0:14:36.253 --> 0:14:39.933
<v Speaker 2>in on blindside flank and you're fonder Flaire and Conan.

0:14:40.933 --> 0:14:44.293
<v Speaker 2>You got Gibson Park who is obviously sort of nons

0:14:44.293 --> 0:14:48.613
<v Speaker 2>in New Zealander's prendigas at ten. A couple of changes

0:14:48.613 --> 0:14:50.973
<v Speaker 2>on the wings from that first choice team. Sorry that's

0:14:50.973 --> 0:14:53.373
<v Speaker 2>the first team they played a couple of weeks back.

0:14:53.413 --> 0:14:57.213
<v Speaker 2>But this is a strong Irish team. But I just

0:14:57.333 --> 0:15:01.493
<v Speaker 2>wonder with the it's as strong as it was a

0:15:01.613 --> 0:15:04.413
<v Speaker 2>year ago, two years you know, going back, just lost,

0:15:04.533 --> 0:15:06.333
<v Speaker 2>you know, a couple of players, a bit of momentum,

0:15:06.773 --> 0:15:09.653
<v Speaker 2>still very very strong. I'm not sure they strike the

0:15:09.653 --> 0:15:11.653
<v Speaker 2>fear into the heart of the All Blacks and New

0:15:11.733 --> 0:15:14.893
<v Speaker 2>Zealanders as maybe they did twelve months ago, twenty four

0:15:14.893 --> 0:15:15.293
<v Speaker 2>months ago.

0:15:15.613 --> 0:15:19.413
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, not just New Zealanders. It's interesting talking to Irish

0:15:19.413 --> 0:15:21.933
<v Speaker 3>pundits and fans. There seems to be quite a bit

0:15:21.973 --> 0:15:26.413
<v Speaker 3>of pessimism about Ireland's prospects this week about this team,

0:15:26.973 --> 0:15:31.733
<v Speaker 3>and man, what a contrast three years makes because Ireland

0:15:31.733 --> 0:15:33.533
<v Speaker 3>and the lead up to that twenty twenty three World

0:15:33.573 --> 0:15:36.093
<v Speaker 3>Cup quarter final, they've been on a seventeen match winning

0:15:36.133 --> 0:15:40.413
<v Speaker 3>run and the fans that certainly attended that game and

0:15:40.493 --> 0:15:43.133
<v Speaker 3>around Paris that day, it was like that victory was

0:15:43.693 --> 0:15:48.653
<v Speaker 3>a foregone conclusion. So there's been massive changes to that team.

0:15:48.933 --> 0:15:53.813
<v Speaker 3>And I certainly think this Irish team is not the

0:15:53.853 --> 0:15:56.173
<v Speaker 3>team they were, and I yet to convince I think,

0:15:56.293 --> 0:15:59.493
<v Speaker 3>you know, it was really that match against the Wallabies

0:15:59.493 --> 0:16:01.973
<v Speaker 3>could have gone either way. And then I don't think

0:16:01.973 --> 0:16:04.693
<v Speaker 3>you can read too much into that Japanese game. The

0:16:05.173 --> 0:16:08.533
<v Speaker 3>notable selections for meet Jimmy O'Brien on the left wing.

0:16:09.533 --> 0:16:12.053
<v Speaker 3>I think he will use to try and target the

0:16:12.093 --> 0:16:15.493
<v Speaker 3>air and this is the biggest test of Sam printer

0:16:15.533 --> 0:16:17.773
<v Speaker 3>Gas's career. I think the All Blacks will target him,

0:16:18.373 --> 0:16:20.813
<v Speaker 3>try and pressure his kicking game, but also make work

0:16:20.893 --> 0:16:22.773
<v Speaker 3>him over defensively. And I think there will also be

0:16:22.813 --> 0:16:25.453
<v Speaker 3>true of Ruben Love down that channel. So it'll be

0:16:25.453 --> 0:16:29.093
<v Speaker 3>interesting to see how those two tens stand up. But

0:16:29.693 --> 0:16:31.773
<v Speaker 3>I don't think we'll see any great surprises in the

0:16:31.773 --> 0:16:35.053
<v Speaker 3>way Island play. I think Jameson Gibson Park will will

0:16:35.053 --> 0:16:37.093
<v Speaker 3>hoist to the heavens and they'll look to use their

0:16:37.333 --> 0:16:41.173
<v Speaker 3>their driving more, their line outs. Their short passing game

0:16:41.773 --> 0:16:44.773
<v Speaker 3>is essential to the way they play, and they'll bring

0:16:44.773 --> 0:16:47.213
<v Speaker 3>a lot of line speed on defense, which you'll Blacks

0:16:47.253 --> 0:16:51.973
<v Speaker 3>struggle with against Italy. So yeah, what do you make

0:16:52.013 --> 0:16:57.733
<v Speaker 3>of that pessimism in particular around anecdotally anyway that the

0:16:57.813 --> 0:16:59.373
<v Speaker 3>Irish fans and horrific.

0:16:59.493 --> 0:17:03.093
<v Speaker 2>Is being burned too much by the your Blacks in

0:17:03.173 --> 0:17:06.213
<v Speaker 2>twenty three, that they've gone, we're not the team we

0:17:06.213 --> 0:17:08.813
<v Speaker 2>were in twenty three. Therefore, you know we couldn't win

0:17:08.813 --> 0:17:11.013
<v Speaker 2>in twenty three. We can't do it in twenty four.

0:17:11.133 --> 0:17:12.453
<v Speaker 2>They can't do it in twenty five, can't do it

0:17:12.453 --> 0:17:14.253
<v Speaker 2>in twenty They're still a very very good rugby team,

0:17:14.253 --> 0:17:15.973
<v Speaker 2>don't get me wrong, but it doesn't feel like that

0:17:16.013 --> 0:17:19.653
<v Speaker 2>they have that same ability that they did have a

0:17:19.653 --> 0:17:20.413
<v Speaker 2>couple of years back.

0:17:20.493 --> 0:17:22.813
<v Speaker 3>No, the one thing I'll say, just listening to Andy

0:17:22.813 --> 0:17:25.893
<v Speaker 3>Farrell this week, I really like him as a coach,

0:17:25.893 --> 0:17:29.093
<v Speaker 3>as a leader. You know, most coaches have come out

0:17:29.093 --> 0:17:31.093
<v Speaker 3>here and asked about Eden Park and the record and

0:17:31.293 --> 0:17:33.653
<v Speaker 3>all that thing. It's just, oh, it's a stadium, it's

0:17:33.693 --> 0:17:37.453
<v Speaker 3>got grass. It's a bit of a non factor. Pharaoh's luck.

0:17:38.693 --> 0:17:42.733
<v Speaker 3>Seize the day, don't have any regrets, you know, let's

0:17:42.773 --> 0:17:45.973
<v Speaker 3>take it head on. I think he'd be very inspiring

0:17:46.053 --> 0:17:48.893
<v Speaker 3>coach to have, so I do like his mentality.

0:17:49.053 --> 0:17:51.453
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, absolutely, Look, he's a very good coach and it's

0:17:51.493 --> 0:17:55.213
<v Speaker 2>proven that on the world stage and was honest that.

0:17:55.293 --> 0:17:56.933
<v Speaker 2>You know, if this is the opportunity we've got, we've

0:17:56.933 --> 0:17:58.453
<v Speaker 2>got to embrace it and make the most of it.

0:17:59.373 --> 0:18:01.293
<v Speaker 2>And they go on with a chance on the weekend.

0:18:01.373 --> 0:18:05.093
<v Speaker 2>What do you predict might unfold on Saturday night.

0:18:06.213 --> 0:18:09.093
<v Speaker 3>I think it could be squeaky, could be tense. I

0:18:09.213 --> 0:18:11.253
<v Speaker 3>expect the All Blacks to win, but I don't think

0:18:11.853 --> 0:18:13.853
<v Speaker 3>there's a case to be made that Island strike the

0:18:13.893 --> 0:18:18.013
<v Speaker 3>All Blacks and opportune time. They're growing pains under any

0:18:18.053 --> 0:18:22.813
<v Speaker 3>are still evident, they're still learning their game. Developing combinations,

0:18:22.933 --> 0:18:27.693
<v Speaker 3>testing depth. I'm yet to be convinced, and that's probably

0:18:27.773 --> 0:18:30.813
<v Speaker 3>understandable given that the short time that they've had together.

0:18:31.813 --> 0:18:34.373
<v Speaker 3>But I would expect significant improvements from the All Blacks.

0:18:34.373 --> 0:18:36.653
<v Speaker 3>They expect them to win, but I don't think it

0:18:36.693 --> 0:18:37.693
<v Speaker 3>will be comfortable at all.

0:18:38.293 --> 0:18:40.333
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I'm not saying comfortable.

0:18:40.373 --> 0:18:41.813
<v Speaker 2>I think the All Blacks will win by about ten.

0:18:41.973 --> 0:18:44.333
<v Speaker 2>But let's not forget the All Blacks have not lost

0:18:44.373 --> 0:18:50.493
<v Speaker 2>to Ireland since twenty twenty two. So they won of

0:18:50.493 --> 0:18:52.133
<v Speaker 2>the World Cup in twenty three, they won in Dublin

0:18:52.213 --> 0:18:55.173
<v Speaker 2>twenty four. They one in Chicago last year under a

0:18:55.213 --> 0:18:58.013
<v Speaker 2>coach that was booted because they went on the right trajectory.

0:18:58.053 --> 0:19:01.413
<v Speaker 2>Yet they beat the Irish twice under Scott Robinson's Tutelish

0:19:01.453 --> 0:19:04.573
<v Speaker 2>didn't lose them during that period of time. So I

0:19:04.613 --> 0:19:06.333
<v Speaker 2>think it's a little bit on here that I think

0:19:06.373 --> 0:19:11.573
<v Speaker 2>the Irish moments passed and you know there's growing pains

0:19:11.613 --> 0:19:13.533
<v Speaker 2>under Rennie. But I just I still think the All

0:19:13.533 --> 0:19:15.173
<v Speaker 2>Blacks will be good enough to win on Saturday Night.

0:19:15.253 --> 0:19:18.813
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I think so. I just I have an element

0:19:18.853 --> 0:19:21.013
<v Speaker 3>of nerves because of where the All Blacks are at

0:19:21.293 --> 0:19:25.973
<v Speaker 3>in the early stages of Rennie's tenure. I think there's

0:19:26.013 --> 0:19:29.373
<v Speaker 3>a lot of progression needed and there hasn't been a

0:19:29.413 --> 0:19:30.173
<v Speaker 3>lot of time to do it.

0:19:30.613 --> 0:19:32.493
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, quite right, Well, we'll see how it gets on

0:19:33.013 --> 0:19:35.493
<v Speaker 2>Saturday night. Look forward to calling it on News Talk

0:19:35.573 --> 0:19:39.133
<v Speaker 2>ZB and iHeartRadio from ten past seven. You can follow

0:19:39.373 --> 0:19:44.133
<v Speaker 2>Lillam's analysis and pieces leading up to the match on inziherld,

0:19:44.133 --> 0:19:46.493
<v Speaker 2>dot co dot nzi there. Thanks to Mark Ali for

0:19:46.653 --> 0:19:49.053
<v Speaker 2>producing and we will see you back here in the

0:19:49.093 --> 0:19:52.013
<v Speaker 2>early part of next week as we look on what

0:19:52.053 --> 0:19:54.133
<v Speaker 2>happens on Saturday night and maybe cast it into the

0:19:54.173 --> 0:19:56.613
<v Speaker 2>South African tour as well. Look forward to seeing you.

0:20:01.133 --> 0:20:04.053
<v Speaker 1>For more from News Talk SEDB. Listen live on air

0:20:04.253 --> 0:20:06.973
<v Speaker 1>or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you

0:20:07.013 --> 0:20:09.453
<v Speaker 1>go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.