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Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.

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Speaker 1: Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on Iheartradiot

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Speaker 1: Inside the Game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with

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Speaker 1: Elliott Smith powered by News Talks EDB.

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Speaker 2: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health, tackling all

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Speaker 2: your aches and pains from sports and work back for

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Speaker 2: another week. After Super Rugby Round four, Elliott Smith, Liam

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Speaker 2: Napier and Liam the Crusaders forced to rescue New Zealand

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Speaker 2: rugby again. How many times did the Crusaders have to

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Speaker 2: do it for their country? Just another time? Just add

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Speaker 2: it to the list.

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Speaker 3: I'm happy for you, Elliott, but please not get carried away, mate,

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Speaker 3: all right, count came the fun, calm the fun.

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Speaker 2: Well, how's being a last on the ladder suiting at

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Speaker 2: the Hurricanes.

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Speaker 3: Look, it's been tough starts of the year for the

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Speaker 3: cane train fans. But we'll loyal, Elliott, We'll stick with

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Speaker 3: it and we will hug back the cane trains.

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Speaker 2: Like New Zealand's approach to the rail doesn't exist.

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Speaker 4: Jesus boyt today, isn't he?

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Speaker 3: Yeah?

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Speaker 2: That's right.

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Speaker 4: One winning over the Queens and Reds in best.

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Speaker 2: Team in Australia. Mate, let's start there. Actually, Crusaders reads

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Speaker 2: Sunday afternoon and great to see Someday afternoon forty first

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Speaker 2: and foremost three thirty five kickoff right towards the last

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Speaker 2: month of daylight saving sun shining down on christ Jurge

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Speaker 2: and the Crusaders. They were lethal on attack, weren't so

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Speaker 2: great on defense. I didn't think that's still an issue

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Speaker 2: for them this season. But they showed that they can

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Speaker 2: really score tries, which was an issue for them against

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Speaker 2: the Chiefs. And obviously defense remains an issue, as I said,

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Speaker 2: but a good one for the Crusaders. What did you

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Speaker 2: make of it?

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Speaker 5: Yeah?

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Speaker 3: It was and Sunday afternoon forty brilliant to see, isn't it.

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Speaker 3: I think the more we can have that time slot

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Speaker 3: in the New Zealand backyard the better. It doesn't work

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Speaker 3: for everyone, doesn't work in Hamilton, but really great day

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Speaker 3: in christ Church and the Crusaders ran rampants. Will Jordan

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Speaker 3: is playing out of his skin this year and his

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Speaker 3: individual trial was brilliant. His injections into the line. He's

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Speaker 3: untouchable at the moment. Severy Reese on the edge is

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Speaker 3: creating Havoc. I think James Marshall and has given the

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Speaker 3: Crusaders a real license to play what they see. They

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Speaker 3: to me, are not playing overly structured. He's given that

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Speaker 3: back line in particular a lot of freedom to play,

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Speaker 3: and that's that they seem to be relishing that sort

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Speaker 3: of style, which is interesting given their former attack coaches

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Speaker 3: in recent times. I thought Ethan Blackheader was really good,

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Speaker 3: some punishing defense individually which created a number of turnovers

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Speaker 3: for the Crusaders to strike, and they just really made

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Speaker 3: the most of conditions. The Reds were a bit off

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Speaker 3: a number of errors, but I thought that was the

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Speaker 3: pressure that the Crusaders put them under. So the best

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Speaker 3: performance of the season for the Crusaders.

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Speaker 2: Just on Will Jordan. You're right, he's been scoring and

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Speaker 2: he's been playing magnificently the season. What I've been really

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Speaker 2: liking is a support play and looking for his options

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Speaker 2: either side, which hasn't always necessarily been a strength, but

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Speaker 2: in terms of that fullback role and being a distributed

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Speaker 2: but I think we're seeing more of that this season

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Speaker 2: than maybe we haven't in years past.

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Speaker 3: Yeah, and I also think it's just consistency of game time.

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Speaker 3: It's easy to forget last year he missed the whole

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Speaker 3: of super rugby right, and maybe a confidence to know

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Speaker 3: that he is going to be staying in his preferred

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Speaker 3: position when it comes to the All Blacks later in

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Speaker 3: the year, the confidence of knowing that Razor will back

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Speaker 3: him and that regards and the more he plays, the

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Speaker 3: better he gets. So time on the park and you're right,

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Speaker 3: he is bringing more strings to his bow, getting in

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Speaker 3: the first receiver, exerting his influence. It was telling a

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Speaker 3: couple of games ago when hearing James O'Connor talk about

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Speaker 3: will Joe and overruling him and telling him to move out,

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Speaker 3: get out of the space. I see this and those

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Speaker 3: two working well together. Will Jordan really pulling rank using

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Speaker 3: his voice and experience, like you say in that first

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Speaker 3: receiver capacity, so really taking ownership and that's what the

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Speaker 3: crusaderesn't need it with a young ten and Kimita you know,

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Speaker 3: showing him the way, helping him out, not putting too

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Speaker 3: much on his shoulders. So really stamping his mark on

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Speaker 3: the Crusaders this year.

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Speaker 2: Yeah, I wouldn't say Kimitda's goalkicking was too flash on

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Speaker 2: the weekend, but I'm beginning to grow and press week

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Speaker 2: to week on how he's growing. Yes, put under a

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Speaker 2: lot of pressure in that last outing against the Chiefs,

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Speaker 2: but I do like the way that they've just stuck

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Speaker 2: with him the season. There was a bit of thought

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Speaker 2: that maybe James I Quitte might start against his old

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Speaker 2: team the Reds, but they've gone with Kimita and unlike

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Speaker 2: last year where he was flashed back to Club Rugby

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Speaker 2: and Hamilton sticking with him to this point of the season.

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Speaker 2: I know we're only into Round five coming up this weekend,

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Speaker 2: but they've given a bit more confidence than maybe he

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Speaker 2: had last season.

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Speaker 3: Yeah, backing a young guy, giving him time, that's really

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Speaker 3: helping him. And I think probably James O'Connor's influence behind

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Speaker 3: the scenes will be helping as well. And I also

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Speaker 3: make a note of Kyle Preston's selection at halfback. I

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Speaker 3: thought last year Rob Penny got a lot of selections wrong,

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Speaker 3: didn't back know a hope them where this year he

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Speaker 3: has promoted Kyle Preston.

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Speaker 2: Above a centurion the franchise in Mitchell.

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Speaker 3: Drummonde exactly and he's backing form and Preston for me,

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Speaker 3: has really taken that on board. It was impressive again,

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Speaker 3: So credit to Rob Penny and that coaching team for

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Speaker 3: adjusting their selection tactics because I didn't think they got

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Speaker 3: those things right last year, where they are getting some

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Speaker 3: things right this season.

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Speaker 2: The Readers, so I thought were a threats when they

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Speaker 2: entered the twenty two. They just made too many years

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Speaker 2: on Sunday afternoon to really push the Crusaders. Was fast scoring,

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Speaker 2: especially in the first spell, and there were a couple

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Speaker 2: of moments maybe it looked a bit shaky for the

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Speaker 2: Crusaders and the second spell, but the Readers has kind

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Speaker 2: of left themselves a little bit too much work to do.

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Speaker 3: They did and been a bit hot cold this year,

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Speaker 3: and those conditions should have suited them. That's a style

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Speaker 3: of rugby they like to play, use the ball, attack,

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Speaker 3: They've got the athletes, but yeah, they were a bit off.

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Speaker 4: Taate McDermott. McDermott trying to spark things.

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Speaker 3: Fraser mcwright's got a couple of turnovers, but I'm not

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Speaker 3: sure about Dungunu in the midfields. They yeah, they're just

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Speaker 3: we bit off this year. The Reds just on the

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Speaker 3: Crusaders a bit hot cold this year. There was an

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Speaker 3: impressive performance but if you look at the benchmark, you

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Speaker 3: know that they lost to the Chiefs and had some

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Speaker 3: struggles at other times very early doors.

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Speaker 4: But how do you assess them.

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Speaker 2: Well better than last year. I think they look like

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Speaker 2: a team playing with a bit more confidence than last year.

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Speaker 2: You mentioned the ability to attack and see what's in

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Speaker 2: front of them. Last year are attacking structure felt far

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Speaker 2: too rigid. They changed tens pretty much every week. They

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Speaker 2: tweaked little things and you said got selections wrong. I

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Speaker 2: think they looked better on the weekend with McLeod in

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Speaker 2: the midfield and well we're coming off the bench late on.

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Speaker 2: He scored that last try for them, so I think

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Speaker 2: the selections have been better. So whether that's Rob Penny

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Speaker 2: deciding to basically you go with the form as you say,

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Speaker 2: and being a little less rigid than maybe we've seen

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Speaker 2: in the past, I think ultimately good that Chiefs lost,

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Speaker 2: you know, heavy loss to the Chiefs and the front

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Speaker 2: runners for this competition stands out. But Week one went

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Speaker 2: against the Hurricanes at home against the Reds, who were

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Speaker 2: touted as one of the big Australian teams promising signs.

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Speaker 2: Don't know where they're going to end up. At the

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Speaker 2: end of the year, still with a lot of kew

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Speaker 2: with Darbies to come. But you look at next weekend,

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Speaker 2: you know weekend after this Blues Crusader's even Park. That's

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Speaker 2: going to be a benchmark, big test for both of

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Speaker 2: these two teams and where they sit in this campaign.

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Speaker 4: Yeah, big time.

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Speaker 3: And I guess the Crusaders are in much better shape

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Speaker 3: from a squad perspective. And look, the Blues can't have

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Speaker 3: too many excuses the stack with all Black.

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Speaker 4: They've got a deep squad, but.

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Speaker 3: They are heavily injury riddled currently and that was something

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Speaker 3: that affected the Crusaders greatly last year.

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Speaker 4: The scripts flip.

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Speaker 3: Now they're starting to get guys back like Cody Taylor,

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Speaker 3: a big in for them at this time of year

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Speaker 3: where the Blues lose Bowden Barrett injury clouds over Ricky Telly,

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Speaker 3: they having a reshuffle. I think the Blues will get

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Speaker 3: back Stephen Peterfetta this week so but they have been

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Speaker 3: missing hoskinstitute to Dalton Papae. Sam Dowry's gone for the year.

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Speaker 3: So some big outs for the Blues. Where the Crusaders

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Speaker 3: are in a much healthy estate and forms showing that too.

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Speaker 2: Indeed, let's move back to Saturday night. Majea Pacific A

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Speaker 2: forty Hurricanes thirty one. This was a cracking game Mowana

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Speaker 2: just played. I think it was their best performance since

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Speaker 2: they ended Super Rugby. I know they a bit the

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Speaker 2: Hurricanes in twenty twenty two their first year. This was

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Speaker 2: the most well rounded performance that I've seen from them.

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Speaker 2: At halftime, Addie Savia doesn't come back on with hamstring tightness.

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Speaker 2: You think get used to leading fourteen twelve, but it

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Speaker 2: could have easily that could have been the losing of

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Speaker 2: the game, Ardie Savia going off. But in a way

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Speaker 2: it galvanized them and they almost did it for Ardie Savia.

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Speaker 2: Not that I've heard them say that necessarily, but it

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Speaker 2: felt like they did. And we saw a lot of

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Speaker 2: players stand up in that second spell especially, and let's

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Speaker 2: not forget it was forty points to nineteen, you know,

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Speaker 2: with what twelve minutes to go roughly thereabouts, they'd blown

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Speaker 2: the Hurricanes out of the water, probably ran out a

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Speaker 2: bit of puff in that last ten minutes and considered

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Speaker 2: a couple of tries and it got a wee bit nervy.

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Speaker 2: But for me, that was Moe of his best performance

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Speaker 2: and a lot of stand out players in that side

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Speaker 2: that deserve accolades. What did you make of that?

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Speaker 3: I think, first and foremost is great to see them

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Speaker 3: wouldn't just get over the line because what was at

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Speaker 3: one point lost to the force. They got blown away

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Speaker 3: by the Reds and probably could have, would have should

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Speaker 3: have beaten the Highlanders. So the improvements was evident from

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Speaker 3: one another share but it didn't mean anything until you

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Speaker 3: get that win. And there was a lot of emotion

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Speaker 3: around this game, with already coming up against his former club,

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Speaker 3: and just with the atmosphere my one are building at

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Speaker 3: in Albany. I think they add about six thousand fans,

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Speaker 3: but by all accounts it's incredibly loud, and they're doing

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Speaker 3: a lot of things well that match. They allowed fans

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Speaker 3: to have bryes all.

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Speaker 2: Of the South Africans on the north shore.

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Speaker 3: Yeah, that's all barbecues outside the ground, So really enhancing

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Speaker 3: the fan experience, and we've seen that in other codes.

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Speaker 3: With AUKFC doing a lot of things around their match,

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Speaker 3: they experience so wine of doing things out of the box,

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Speaker 3: doing a lot of things well off the field, and

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Speaker 3: finally they got over the line. So really happy for them.

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Speaker 3: In that regards the match itself. You mentioned Artie going

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Speaker 3: off and that was such a big tick for them

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Speaker 3: because he had carried them on his shoulders against the

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Speaker 3: Highlanders and he was their big off field signing. But

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Speaker 3: to do it without him, that will be a massive

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Speaker 3: confidence boost for them. Patrick Pellegrino, massive performance for him.

218
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Speaker 3: You know, Jackson Garden Bashett was brought in the off season,

219
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Speaker 3: but this guy really stepped up and in a different

220
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Speaker 3: style of rugby I think than you're used to from

221
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Speaker 3: a ten in super rugby. His controlling influences, kicking game.

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Speaker 3: I think it's brought over from Coventry and clearly that

223
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Speaker 3: experience in the Northern Hemisphere.

224
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Speaker 4: Has served him well.

225
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Speaker 3: Miracle Fire Lungy three tries and he's been a big

226
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Speaker 3: mover signed out of Samoa Club Rugby effectively in the

227
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Speaker 3: last couple of years. So another big tick for that

228
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Speaker 3: pathway and a real sign of that progression. So some

229
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Speaker 3: really positive signs from one. You did mention there that

230
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Speaker 3: in their first year they did beat the Hurricanes, so

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Speaker 3: and I did look at their draw coming up.

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Speaker 4: I think they play the.

233
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Speaker 2: Chiefs in Bookakoe after the buy.

234
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Speaker 4: And the Crusaders.

235
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Speaker 3: So it is a tough draw and they do need

236
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Speaker 3: to back it up and that was the message from

237
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Speaker 3: tana Umanga and Artie. Severe but really positive science.

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Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, And they were supposed to play in Tonga

239
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Speaker 2: next against the Chiefs after the buy, which would have

240
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Speaker 2: been a different complexion to that game entirely off the

241
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Speaker 2: back of that game. They're playing now in Pooka Koe,

242
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Speaker 2: which you know is still going to be a great

243
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Speaker 2: home game for them, but you almost want back at

244
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Speaker 2: the North Shore and just keep building that fan base

245
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Speaker 2: over the next wee wile, given how strong it's been.

246
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Speaker 3: Well, yeah, let's touch on that tongue again. Very disappointing,

247
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Speaker 3: isn't it because Muana as a fundamental purpose of their

248
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Speaker 3: team to have that connection back to the island nations

249
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Speaker 3: is very important, but the reality of it is extremely

250
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Speaker 3: difficult from a financial point of view, from an infrastructure clearly,

251
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Speaker 3: there's big issues in some of those island nations. We've

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Speaker 3: seen i think the Tonglan rugby boards cleaned out in

253
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Speaker 3: recent times and you know there's long standing corruption issues.

254
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Speaker 3: So really disappointing that Mona can't take that fixture back

255
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Speaker 3: and galvanize those connections.

256
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Speaker 2: It is a shame, and I think it was by

257
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Speaker 2: and large down to the floodlights that they couldn't get

258
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Speaker 2: in time. I think a couple of other issues that

259
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Speaker 2: seemed to be the main one, and that's frustrating because

260
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Speaker 2: they did play there last year. It's a great occasion

261
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Speaker 2: against the Highlanders, and then not to have that game

262
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Speaker 2: in a couple of weeks. They've looked dead to twenty

263
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Speaker 2: twenty six. But the more connections they can build with

264
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Speaker 2: the Islands and their home, their spiritual home, the better

265
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Speaker 2: I think for them. All those players you mentioned were

266
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Speaker 2: excellent again. Palegrini come one and point out Kiren Tianmoi

267
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Speaker 2: Flou played for Tongler in twenty twenty three. Born and

268
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Speaker 2: raised in Marlbrook. Is he an All Blacks prospect in

269
00:14:01,133 --> 00:14:03,733
Speaker 2: twenty twenty six months he completes his three years stand down?

270
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Speaker 2: Is he interested in playing for the All Blacks in

271
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Speaker 2: three years time or does he want to continue playing

272
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Speaker 2: for Tongy. He didn't play for them last year, didn't

273
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Speaker 2: have much of an international program last year Tonger. Do

274
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Speaker 2: the All Blacks look at him from twenty twenty six,

275
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Speaker 2: still very young, only twenty one years of age and

276
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Speaker 2: he's been excellent for MO one of this year.

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Speaker 5: Yeah.

278
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Speaker 3: Look, I think for most of those Island players, their

279
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Speaker 3: heart is in the island, but their financial future is

280
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Speaker 3: with the All Blacks, right, And if you think about

281
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Speaker 3: everything that the All Blacks wrap around you and the

282
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Speaker 3: prestige that comes with it's the doors that are open

283
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Speaker 3: in terms of overseas opportunities and just setting yourself up

284
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Speaker 3: from a career point of view, that's probably your aspiration,

285
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Speaker 3: isn't it. It's the same for Tava Tavanawa by all accounts,

286
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Speaker 3: he's turned down Fiji to pursue the quest to play

287
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Speaker 3: for the All Blacks. We saw it with Peter gustso

288
00:14:57,453 --> 00:15:01,893
Speaker 3: Koula played one or two tests and then's ineligible for Fiji.

289
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Speaker 3: So it's quite delicate and it does spark a lot

290
00:15:05,173 --> 00:15:09,173
Speaker 3: of debate about what is the best pathway and even

291
00:15:09,253 --> 00:15:12,333
Speaker 3: some suggestions that you know, the All Blacks pick guys

292
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Speaker 3: like Peter Gust to deny for you the opportunity, which

293
00:15:14,693 --> 00:15:17,933
Speaker 3: I don't believe him. But if there was some way

294
00:15:17,933 --> 00:15:21,653
Speaker 3: to bridge the financial gap, then maybe these guys would

295
00:15:21,693 --> 00:15:22,373
Speaker 3: play for the island.

296
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Speaker 2: And it's also not what Mowana was created for You

297
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Speaker 2: know current time boy Flowers played for Tonga. He's got

298
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Speaker 2: the shop window there of playing in Super Rugby. Now.

299
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Speaker 2: I haven't spoken to the bloke, don't know if he

300
00:15:31,973 --> 00:15:34,293
Speaker 2: wants to play for the All Blacks. He may continue

301
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Speaker 2: playing for Tonga, but wouldn't surprise me if the All

302
00:15:37,133 --> 00:15:40,053
Speaker 2: Blacks come knocking or are knocking and going just stand

303
00:15:40,053 --> 00:15:42,133
Speaker 2: down for eighteen more months and you know the All

304
00:15:42,133 --> 00:15:44,853
Speaker 2: Blacks could come knocking in twenty twenty six. Another player

305
00:15:44,893 --> 00:15:47,653
Speaker 2: as well, So Misi Tupo Tailwa. Just want to give

306
00:15:47,733 --> 00:15:50,413
Speaker 2: him a note because I think he's been the pick

307
00:15:50,453 --> 00:15:53,613
Speaker 2: of the season from Muana. Wasn't in their training squad.

308
00:15:53,733 --> 00:15:55,813
Speaker 2: I know he played for Southland in the NBC. They

309
00:15:55,813 --> 00:15:57,773
Speaker 2: couldn't believe down there that he missed out on a

310
00:15:57,773 --> 00:15:59,893
Speaker 2: Super Rugby contract with the Highland his first and foremost.

311
00:15:59,933 --> 00:16:02,333
Speaker 2: But anyone wyna pick him up as a training member.

312
00:16:02,373 --> 00:16:04,533
Speaker 2: He's now played all four of their games this season

313
00:16:04,813 --> 00:16:06,653
Speaker 2: off the back of the scrum, combining really well with

314
00:16:06,733 --> 00:16:10,613
Speaker 2: Ardisavia and Miracle filing. He's playing excellent. What's going on

315
00:16:10,693 --> 00:16:11,933
Speaker 2: with the Hurricanes.

316
00:16:11,453 --> 00:16:15,773
Speaker 3: Though, Look, I think they've got some big outs, but

317
00:16:17,013 --> 00:16:19,333
Speaker 3: there's enough talent in that team that they should be

318
00:16:19,373 --> 00:16:23,853
Speaker 3: performing better. It has been a very disappointing year. They're

319
00:16:23,973 --> 00:16:30,613
Speaker 3: very fractured. Some of those guys coming back will make

320
00:16:30,653 --> 00:16:31,373
Speaker 3: a big difference.

321
00:16:31,453 --> 00:16:34,613
Speaker 2: But I think they had twelve players injured heading into

322
00:16:34,693 --> 00:16:36,613
Speaker 2: that game, which is a lot. Yeah, I mean every

323
00:16:36,613 --> 00:16:38,453
Speaker 2: team needs in Daland's got a lot of injuries at

324
00:16:38,453 --> 00:16:38,893
Speaker 2: the month.

325
00:16:38,933 --> 00:16:43,053
Speaker 3: They do, and it's hard you take that into consideration,

326
00:16:43,213 --> 00:16:45,693
Speaker 3: but you still look at some of the talent that

327
00:16:45,813 --> 00:16:47,933
Speaker 3: is on the park for them, guys like Peter Luckeye

328
00:16:47,933 --> 00:16:52,093
Speaker 3: break through player last year to see, you know, I

329
00:16:52,133 --> 00:16:57,013
Speaker 3: think obviously Cam Roygard was on the bench. But yeah,

330
00:16:57,053 --> 00:16:59,173
Speaker 3: I expect more from the Hurricanes to this point, and

331
00:17:00,213 --> 00:17:03,253
Speaker 3: it's not going to get any easier. So dropping games

332
00:17:03,293 --> 00:17:06,333
Speaker 3: against teams like Mowana, who when you start the year

333
00:17:06,413 --> 00:17:09,173
Speaker 3: you expect to beat, is really good, and at this

334
00:17:09,213 --> 00:17:12,293
Speaker 3: point you'd say they're certainly not a top six finals thing.

335
00:17:12,493 --> 00:17:15,053
Speaker 2: And just doing some silly shit as well, like Isaiahacer,

336
00:17:15,093 --> 00:17:17,293
Speaker 2: Larry Lear weird and taking out the legs of Danny Toy.

337
00:17:17,333 --> 00:17:20,013
Speaker 2: I'm surprised more didn't come with that, to be entirely

338
00:17:20,333 --> 00:17:23,853
Speaker 2: honest with you, Fiji and drew it twenty eight Chiefs

339
00:17:23,893 --> 00:17:27,093
Speaker 2: twenty four special after and again in Laotoka. How many

340
00:17:27,133 --> 00:17:30,373
Speaker 2: of these have we been having bucketed down for the

341
00:17:30,373 --> 00:17:32,533
Speaker 2: first spell, some came out in the second spell and

342
00:17:32,613 --> 00:17:35,853
Speaker 2: Fiji get their noses in front and win it. Odds

343
00:17:35,853 --> 00:17:39,453
Speaker 2: we game of rugby this one. But look the drawer.

344
00:17:39,853 --> 00:17:41,773
Speaker 2: They're very very hard to beat in Lautoka, and the

345
00:17:41,813 --> 00:17:43,533
Speaker 2: Chiefs found that out the hard.

346
00:17:43,333 --> 00:17:46,653
Speaker 3: Way they did, and conditions played a big factor, and

347
00:17:47,133 --> 00:17:52,053
Speaker 3: it was actually the Doer's ball control that was vastly

348
00:17:52,053 --> 00:17:54,893
Speaker 3: superior to the Chiefs and won them the game. It's

349
00:17:54,973 --> 00:17:57,853
Speaker 3: a couple of brilliant individual moments, a couple of lot

350
00:17:57,893 --> 00:18:00,533
Speaker 3: of brain explosions from the Chiefs. They were forced to

351
00:18:00,613 --> 00:18:04,253
Speaker 3: chase the game and push passes and that hurt them.

352
00:18:04,733 --> 00:18:08,773
Speaker 3: But man, what an occasion, what an atmosphere it is

353
00:18:08,773 --> 00:18:11,053
Speaker 3: in Lawotoka. I'd love to be at one of those

354
00:18:11,093 --> 00:18:13,773
Speaker 3: fixtures and really soak it up. You would have needed

355
00:18:14,133 --> 00:18:17,933
Speaker 3: your poncho and.

356
00:18:17,013 --> 00:18:18,653
Speaker 4: All the umbrellas are out in the first half.

357
00:18:18,653 --> 00:18:20,173
Speaker 3: I'm not sure how much of the game the crowd

358
00:18:20,213 --> 00:18:23,653
Speaker 3: actually saw all the all the brollies up, but look,

359
00:18:24,173 --> 00:18:26,693
Speaker 3: the Duror were the same as Mawana went. They'd been there,

360
00:18:26,733 --> 00:18:29,253
Speaker 3: they'd been in the fight, lost matches late to the

361
00:18:29,253 --> 00:18:32,573
Speaker 3: waratas and the like, but they are a completely different

362
00:18:32,573 --> 00:18:33,133
Speaker 3: beast at home.

363
00:18:33,293 --> 00:18:35,853
Speaker 2: They are one step for you, which sort of sums

364
00:18:35,933 --> 00:18:37,773
Speaker 2: up to the game for me. Against the Brumbies, the

365
00:18:37,853 --> 00:18:40,493
Speaker 2: Chiefs have six hundred and twelve running meters against the

366
00:18:40,573 --> 00:18:43,613
Speaker 2: drawer two hundred and eighty seven, and that's down to conditions,

367
00:18:43,653 --> 00:18:47,093
Speaker 2: but also just the Druid, you know, just suffocated them

368
00:18:47,133 --> 00:18:50,853
Speaker 2: to an extent. Cortez Razama barely made a meter four,

369
00:18:50,853 --> 00:18:53,613
Speaker 2: couldn't snipe around the ruck. You just basically shoveled it

370
00:18:53,613 --> 00:18:55,933
Speaker 2: off all day long while he was out in the park.

371
00:18:56,173 --> 00:18:57,933
Speaker 2: The Chiefs weren't allowed to play the game that they

372
00:18:58,013 --> 00:19:01,373
Speaker 2: love to play, and we know that's the key to

373
00:19:01,413 --> 00:19:03,573
Speaker 2: shutting them down. But the Drawer went out and did it.

374
00:19:04,133 --> 00:19:05,813
Speaker 4: Yeah, you look at that Brumbies game.

375
00:19:05,853 --> 00:19:09,573
Speaker 3: I think it was a Saturday afternoon fixture, bathed in sunshine.

376
00:19:10,133 --> 00:19:13,373
Speaker 3: And you go to Laotoka though, and the Chiefs are

377
00:19:13,373 --> 00:19:16,613
Speaker 3: stuck in the mud, aren't They couldn't get that go forward,

378
00:19:17,173 --> 00:19:20,333
Speaker 3: Josh Jacob. Quite a tough day as packs not getting

379
00:19:20,333 --> 00:19:26,093
Speaker 3: ascendency and the drawers rushing up, knocking you over really

380
00:19:26,093 --> 00:19:28,253
Speaker 3: tough to the office and that go forward makes all

381
00:19:28,293 --> 00:19:28,773
Speaker 3: the difference.

382
00:19:29,373 --> 00:19:31,253
Speaker 2: It does. Indeed, also a story last week around the

383
00:19:31,293 --> 00:19:36,293
Speaker 2: drawer and some of the way that being treated by

384
00:19:36,973 --> 00:19:39,373
Speaker 2: what's the word, I guess probably for me. It strikes

385
00:19:39,373 --> 00:19:44,533
Speaker 2: into external providers, some around the transportation and their hotels.

386
00:19:44,573 --> 00:19:47,293
Speaker 2: Just not a great look for Super Rugby. I think

387
00:19:47,333 --> 00:19:48,573
Speaker 2: by and large it seems to be down to the

388
00:19:48,613 --> 00:19:53,213
Speaker 2: external providers, the accommodation, buses, etc. That are there, but

389
00:19:53,453 --> 00:19:55,973
Speaker 2: just leaves us how it tastes when you're not treating,

390
00:19:56,333 --> 00:19:58,573
Speaker 2: you know, visitors to your country the way they should

391
00:19:58,573 --> 00:19:59,013
Speaker 2: be treated.

392
00:19:59,613 --> 00:19:59,773
Speaker 5: Yeah.

393
00:19:59,813 --> 00:20:02,173
Speaker 3: I don't think there was any ill will, no or

394
00:20:02,253 --> 00:20:04,973
Speaker 3: intent necessary, but it's not good enough.

395
00:20:06,213 --> 00:20:07,013
Speaker 4: By all accounts.

396
00:20:07,013 --> 00:20:10,853
Speaker 3: Teams that travel to Fiji treated like kings, hugely popular

397
00:20:10,933 --> 00:20:13,933
Speaker 3: with locals and everything's laid on you start resorts, the

398
00:20:13,973 --> 00:20:17,853
Speaker 3: transportation and everything like that, and that needs to be reciprocated.

399
00:20:17,933 --> 00:20:18,253
Speaker 4: I think.

400
00:20:18,333 --> 00:20:22,053
Speaker 3: Yeah. That Fiji arrived about midnight and Wellington for those

401
00:20:22,093 --> 00:20:25,373
Speaker 3: who don't know the story, their bus was three hours late.

402
00:20:25,493 --> 00:20:27,373
Speaker 3: They ended up traveling in the back of a truck

403
00:20:27,493 --> 00:20:30,453
Speaker 3: to Napier. On the day of the game. The Hurricanes

404
00:20:30,493 --> 00:20:33,773
Speaker 3: had a late checkout from their hotel and Fiji did not,

405
00:20:34,293 --> 00:20:38,613
Speaker 3: so they're sleeping in the hotel lobby and just really

406
00:20:39,213 --> 00:20:42,573
Speaker 3: compromise preparation for the game, and they go on to

407
00:20:42,613 --> 00:20:45,173
Speaker 3: lose the match late by a couple of points or

408
00:20:45,293 --> 00:20:48,853
Speaker 3: was at one point one last try at the end.

409
00:20:48,893 --> 00:20:51,533
Speaker 3: So those sort of things can make a difference and

410
00:20:54,533 --> 00:20:58,053
Speaker 3: it needs to be equal opportunities for everyone and it

411
00:20:58,053 --> 00:21:00,333
Speaker 3: needs to be rectified to make sure that doesn't happen again.

412
00:21:00,413 --> 00:21:04,773
Speaker 2: Absolutely. Speaking of not happening again, the Brumbies peak the

413
00:21:04,773 --> 00:21:10,173
Speaker 2: Blues twenty one twenty at Eden Park. Very odd game.

414
00:21:10,413 --> 00:21:13,093
Speaker 2: I mean it is as simple as Boden Bowrett goes

415
00:21:13,133 --> 00:21:15,573
Speaker 2: off at halftime and that was the winning and losing

416
00:21:15,573 --> 00:21:16,453
Speaker 2: of the game for the Blues.

417
00:21:17,893 --> 00:21:22,533
Speaker 3: Potentially, yeah, it shouldn't be one player should not have

418
00:21:23,373 --> 00:21:28,813
Speaker 3: that much influence, but he was the real spark, lifeblood

419
00:21:28,853 --> 00:21:30,813
Speaker 3: of the Blues in that first half, scored a brilliant

420
00:21:30,813 --> 00:21:34,053
Speaker 3: individual try, coming into ten for the first time this

421
00:21:34,173 --> 00:21:37,253
Speaker 3: year for the Blues. Did make a real impact. And

422
00:21:37,293 --> 00:21:38,933
Speaker 3: then he goes off and the Blues don't score a

423
00:21:38,933 --> 00:21:42,213
Speaker 3: second half point stagger.

424
00:21:42,493 --> 00:21:45,773
Speaker 2: It was just like the more the longer they second

425
00:21:45,813 --> 00:21:48,493
Speaker 2: half went on, the more it's sort of bigger belief

426
00:21:48,493 --> 00:21:50,493
Speaker 2: that the Blues were playing this bad and just went

427
00:21:50,613 --> 00:21:52,213
Speaker 2: able to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

428
00:21:52,253 --> 00:21:54,813
Speaker 2: That was, you know, in their hands. They scored before halftime,

429
00:21:54,893 --> 00:21:57,453
Speaker 2: made it twenty points to ten at the break from memory,

430
00:21:58,013 --> 00:22:00,373
Speaker 2: and then just sort of froze in the second spell.

431
00:22:00,493 --> 00:22:03,133
Speaker 2: Poor decision making, playing at the wrong areas of the field,

432
00:22:03,653 --> 00:22:06,773
Speaker 2: and they're almost just begging the Brumbies to take it

433
00:22:06,813 --> 00:22:07,453
Speaker 2: by the end of it.

434
00:22:07,693 --> 00:22:11,133
Speaker 3: Yeah, that's it wasn't wasn't as if the Brumbies grabbed

435
00:22:11,133 --> 00:22:14,093
Speaker 3: it by the scruff or really dominated.

436
00:22:14,213 --> 00:22:17,813
Speaker 4: It was the Blues killing themselves.

437
00:22:18,493 --> 00:22:23,053
Speaker 3: And for me, the big stark realities were how badly

438
00:22:23,093 --> 00:22:28,733
Speaker 3: their set piece disorientated. And that's vern Cod's blueprint, isn't it.

439
00:22:28,773 --> 00:22:32,013
Speaker 3: You know, the set piece, the for domination. That's what

440
00:22:32,053 --> 00:22:33,733
Speaker 3: won the Blues the title last year. And here the

441
00:22:33,733 --> 00:22:38,173
Speaker 3: Blues were their lineout's buckling late. They considered the scrum

442
00:22:38,253 --> 00:22:42,013
Speaker 3: penalty at the death, which cost them the result. So

443
00:22:42,773 --> 00:22:46,053
Speaker 3: some massive work ons there. And at this point for

444
00:22:46,093 --> 00:22:50,813
Speaker 3: the Blues, it's not complacency because you're losing and you're

445
00:22:50,853 --> 00:22:53,533
Speaker 3: getting both barrels from Verlin Cotta behind closed doors. There

446
00:22:53,613 --> 00:22:57,373
Speaker 3: is no hint of complacency at this point, So how

447
00:22:57,413 --> 00:22:58,533
Speaker 3: do they turn this around?

448
00:22:59,213 --> 00:23:00,853
Speaker 2: Well, we'll dig into it more in the final four,

449
00:23:00,893 --> 00:23:03,973
Speaker 2: but I think they got it right by putting Bone

450
00:23:03,973 --> 00:23:05,813
Speaker 2: and Barret at ten on the weekend. Now he's going

451
00:23:05,853 --> 00:23:07,413
Speaker 2: to be out for we don't know who. Haven't had

452
00:23:07,413 --> 00:23:10,013
Speaker 2: a confirmation, but we're probably guess around six to eight

453
00:23:10,053 --> 00:23:14,013
Speaker 2: weeks usually for an injury like that, So they had

454
00:23:14,013 --> 00:23:15,813
Speaker 2: it right there. For me, I think they need to

455
00:23:15,813 --> 00:23:17,853
Speaker 2: put pera Feder at ten if he's coming back this week,

456
00:23:17,853 --> 00:23:20,653
Speaker 2: as you hinted at and earlier on the podcast, I

457
00:23:20,733 --> 00:23:22,293
Speaker 2: think he's got to start at ten. He is an

458
00:23:22,293 --> 00:23:25,213
Speaker 2: all Blacks ten. He's all Blacks playmaker. He's been in

459
00:23:25,213 --> 00:23:27,573
Speaker 2: that all Black squad so to his Harry Plumber, but

460
00:23:27,853 --> 00:23:29,813
Speaker 2: not as much. I think you need to give him

461
00:23:29,853 --> 00:23:33,293
Speaker 2: the keys to this team, and that is the way

462
00:23:33,333 --> 00:23:37,893
Speaker 2: I can see there being a little bit more direction

463
00:23:38,093 --> 00:23:41,853
Speaker 2: around it. We talked about last week, and I correspondent Dave,

464
00:23:42,133 --> 00:23:44,133
Speaker 2: who listened to the podcast messas just on Twitter and

465
00:23:44,173 --> 00:23:45,853
Speaker 2: said some stats to sort of back up. We talked

466
00:23:45,853 --> 00:23:48,933
Speaker 2: about the Blues midfield last week, and some of the

467
00:23:49,013 --> 00:23:52,173
Speaker 2: stats aren't available until sort of Wednesday Thursday. But in

468
00:23:52,253 --> 00:23:55,293
Speaker 2: terms of defenders beaten, I think combined it was about

469
00:23:55,373 --> 00:23:59,853
Speaker 2: eight for Rico Yowani and aj Lambon midfield, and Damie

470
00:23:59,933 --> 00:24:02,773
Speaker 2: McKenzie's beaten about eighteen on his own. So they're just

471
00:24:02,813 --> 00:24:06,613
Speaker 2: not breaking the line as easily as they were last year.

472
00:24:07,893 --> 00:24:09,693
Speaker 2: So I think there's issues with that back line, but

473
00:24:09,693 --> 00:24:12,453
Speaker 2: it's ultimately down to the Fords and they're just not

474
00:24:12,453 --> 00:24:15,573
Speaker 2: getting the ascendancy that they were used to last year.

475
00:24:15,573 --> 00:24:18,413
Speaker 2: There's been some changes, you know, Kerry Juannie Love my

476
00:24:18,413 --> 00:24:20,573
Speaker 2: Haen is gone, but they just don't seem like the

477
00:24:20,613 --> 00:24:22,093
Speaker 2: team they were last year.

478
00:24:22,493 --> 00:24:24,373
Speaker 3: No, they don't, and you can point to the injuries,

479
00:24:24,373 --> 00:24:27,333
Speaker 3: but I would I'll put the heat on the coaching staff,

480
00:24:27,373 --> 00:24:30,093
Speaker 3: to be honest. You've got Vern Cotter, You've got Paul Tito,

481
00:24:30,293 --> 00:24:34,893
Speaker 3: Greg Feek, this is a very well renowned coaching team.

482
00:24:35,293 --> 00:24:40,053
Speaker 3: Jason O'Halloran as an attack coach, and how do you

483
00:24:40,093 --> 00:24:44,773
Speaker 3: go from a championship winning team to really struggling week

484
00:24:44,773 --> 00:24:47,773
Speaker 3: to week. You know that you've got to put some

485
00:24:47,933 --> 00:24:49,773
Speaker 3: heat on that on that coaching team, I think at

486
00:24:49,773 --> 00:24:53,453
Speaker 3: this point to turn things around. You look at other

487
00:24:53,493 --> 00:24:56,413
Speaker 3: teams in this competition they don't have the same depth,

488
00:24:56,773 --> 00:24:58,613
Speaker 3: they don't have the same number of all blacks.

489
00:24:59,053 --> 00:25:01,813
Speaker 4: So yeah, pressures starting the build it is.

490
00:25:01,813 --> 00:25:04,013
Speaker 2: Indeed, we'll have some more thoughts on that after a

491
00:25:04,093 --> 00:25:07,013
Speaker 2: quick break here on Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health.

492
00:25:07,733 --> 00:25:12,253
Speaker 1: This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans.

493
00:25:17,253 --> 00:25:21,253
Speaker 2: Try try ten sixty sec every tackle to get up again.

494
00:25:24,173 --> 00:25:25,453
Speaker 2: I take him afore time.

495
00:25:25,533 --> 00:25:27,453
Speaker 4: It's Rugby Direct, ladies.

496
00:25:29,213 --> 00:25:31,573
Speaker 2: You're back with the final four on Rugby Direct. Full

497
00:25:31,653 --> 00:25:35,493
Speaker 2: rugby topics that we race on through and debates. Topic

498
00:25:35,573 --> 00:25:38,053
Speaker 2: number one, Let's go to the Six Nations limb. Should

499
00:25:38,053 --> 00:25:40,733
Speaker 2: Tiger Burn have been charged or carded for the folding

500
00:25:40,733 --> 00:25:44,133
Speaker 2: of Antoine DuPont's leg in that French Island game.

501
00:25:45,013 --> 00:25:45,773
Speaker 4: I'm going to go no.

502
00:25:46,293 --> 00:25:50,373
Speaker 3: I don't think there was intent or an intense not

503
00:25:50,453 --> 00:25:54,333
Speaker 3: The only category is we've seen players red carded for

504
00:25:54,453 --> 00:25:58,733
Speaker 3: accidental head clashes and the like. But I think it

505
00:25:58,893 --> 00:26:05,333
Speaker 3: was an accidents, a mishap, and look, you can go

506
00:26:05,373 --> 00:26:09,693
Speaker 3: on Twitter and there'll be all sorts of outrage. Irelands

507
00:26:09,933 --> 00:26:14,253
Speaker 3: had probably taken South Africa's places as France's most hated team,

508
00:26:14,573 --> 00:26:18,053
Speaker 3: but look, that wasn't the winning and losing of that game.

509
00:26:18,093 --> 00:26:19,813
Speaker 3: France still went on to win it, But in terms

510
00:26:19,853 --> 00:26:22,893
Speaker 3: of that incident, I don't believe it was worth a card.

511
00:26:23,133 --> 00:26:23,293
Speaker 1: No.

512
00:26:23,453 --> 00:26:27,693
Speaker 2: I think Ingus Gardner and co riffed it relatively well.

513
00:26:28,133 --> 00:26:32,453
Speaker 2: Rugby incident, I mean, Faby and Guilty cited that incident

514
00:26:32,733 --> 00:26:35,853
Speaker 2: and the World Rugby Discipline officers said, there's nothing to

515
00:26:35,893 --> 00:26:38,213
Speaker 2: see here. I don't know that Antoine DuPont was in

516
00:26:38,213 --> 00:26:40,093
Speaker 2: the best position, not that it was his faults, but

517
00:26:40,293 --> 00:26:42,253
Speaker 2: I don't think he's in the best position in that

518
00:26:42,413 --> 00:26:46,693
Speaker 2: ruck and Tiger Burn comes sort of falling over it

519
00:26:46,853 --> 00:26:49,813
Speaker 2: a rugby It was a rugby incident, and just sometimes

520
00:26:49,813 --> 00:26:50,373
Speaker 2: that happens in.

521
00:26:50,333 --> 00:26:54,773
Speaker 3: Rugby, it does, and very unfortunate, and when it happens

522
00:26:54,853 --> 00:26:59,133
Speaker 3: to the world's regarded best player in the world, it's

523
00:26:59,293 --> 00:27:00,213
Speaker 3: very high profile.

524
00:27:01,613 --> 00:27:02,933
Speaker 4: Yeah, just just on that game.

525
00:27:03,333 --> 00:27:06,813
Speaker 3: Magnificent win for France, real statement performance, need for speed,

526
00:27:08,413 --> 00:27:10,933
Speaker 3: and I think it does confirm that Ireland needs some

527
00:27:11,013 --> 00:27:14,533
Speaker 3: regeneration as well. Who wins the six nations going into

528
00:27:14,653 --> 00:27:19,093
Speaker 3: the final round France, England's have a real shot at

529
00:27:19,093 --> 00:27:21,573
Speaker 3: it and Islands.

530
00:27:21,773 --> 00:27:24,533
Speaker 2: France will beat Scotland at home. I think it'll come

531
00:27:24,533 --> 00:27:25,933
Speaker 2: down obviously the last game, but I.

532
00:27:25,973 --> 00:27:28,493
Speaker 3: Think they to guarantee that they need a bonus point.

533
00:27:29,413 --> 00:27:31,773
Speaker 3: Well because England play Wales.

534
00:27:32,533 --> 00:27:37,293
Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, I mean I wasn't that impressed with England

535
00:27:37,293 --> 00:27:42,413
Speaker 2: against Italy. I think France when they'll beat Scotland at home, Yeah, yeah,

536
00:27:42,453 --> 00:27:42,813
Speaker 2: I think so.

537
00:27:43,173 --> 00:27:45,733
Speaker 3: And that's a real reflection of where things set up

538
00:27:45,773 --> 00:27:49,373
Speaker 3: north with it, and maybe we need to pig things

539
00:27:49,413 --> 00:27:51,613
Speaker 3: back about France's B team coming here.

540
00:27:52,893 --> 00:27:55,093
Speaker 2: Well no, well, yes to no. I mean that was

541
00:27:55,133 --> 00:27:58,253
Speaker 2: their eighteen that beat Ireland. How many of those players

542
00:27:58,293 --> 00:28:00,533
Speaker 2: are going to be down here. Yeah, no, fair point,

543
00:28:01,213 --> 00:28:02,733
Speaker 2: and we didn't see the B team on the weekend.

544
00:28:02,813 --> 00:28:05,093
Speaker 3: That was by far and away their strongest team they

545
00:28:05,133 --> 00:28:07,493
Speaker 3: put out this year as well. They got a fair

546
00:28:07,573 --> 00:28:11,773
Speaker 3: few players back. Look, yeah, I was just been stoking

547
00:28:11,853 --> 00:28:15,173
Speaker 3: the flames here, but you know I.

548
00:28:15,573 --> 00:28:17,813
Speaker 2: Have read an interesting column on the Hero about that yesterday.

549
00:28:17,973 --> 00:28:21,853
Speaker 2: Yes two, we didn't touch on us before, but Liam

550
00:28:23,013 --> 00:28:26,453
Speaker 2: one win, three losses. Is it time to panic about

551
00:28:26,493 --> 00:28:32,453
Speaker 2: the Blues? Not just yet, but I think it is.

552
00:28:33,573 --> 00:28:35,613
Speaker 2: You go sorry, it can really get away from you.

553
00:28:37,773 --> 00:28:40,133
Speaker 3: I think the Blues, if they can get into the finals,

554
00:28:40,173 --> 00:28:44,933
Speaker 3: will still be difficult prospect, but losing becomes a habit

555
00:28:45,253 --> 00:28:48,333
Speaker 3: and there does look to be something really missed this year,

556
00:28:48,453 --> 00:28:51,213
Speaker 3: and going down to play the Chiefs and Hamilton this weekend,

557
00:28:51,573 --> 00:28:53,533
Speaker 3: it is very hard to see the Blues winning that

558
00:28:54,213 --> 00:28:54,653
Speaker 3: it is.

559
00:28:55,013 --> 00:28:56,853
Speaker 2: And then you look at their drawer and they've got

560
00:28:57,213 --> 00:29:01,293
Speaker 2: the Crusaders next weekend which they could win, but again

561
00:29:01,333 --> 00:29:03,533
Speaker 2: it's in New Zealand Derby. Those are tough games. They

562
00:29:03,573 --> 00:29:06,533
Speaker 2: have the buye after that, then they have the Hurricanes

563
00:29:06,573 --> 00:29:08,693
Speaker 2: at home, they have Mwana at home, they have the

564
00:29:08,693 --> 00:29:12,173
Speaker 2: Crusaders away. They've got if you include mo Wada Pacifica

565
00:29:12,333 --> 00:29:14,533
Speaker 2: as a New Zealand derby and the way they're playing,

566
00:29:15,013 --> 00:29:19,493
Speaker 2: that's five straight New Zealand Derby's or games against New

567
00:29:19,573 --> 00:29:22,773
Speaker 2: Zealand opposition based opposition to come. That's a tough draw.

568
00:29:23,293 --> 00:29:26,053
Speaker 4: Bloody tough. And look, the Chiefs will be.

569
00:29:27,693 --> 00:29:31,693
Speaker 3: Hurting after their loss in Fiji coming back home. They've

570
00:29:31,693 --> 00:29:34,173
Speaker 3: beaten the Blues once this year already at Eden Park.

571
00:29:35,013 --> 00:29:38,253
Speaker 3: That local derby means a lot to them and that

572
00:29:38,413 --> 00:29:40,893
Speaker 3: is an incredibly tough run. The Blues need some bodies back.

573
00:29:40,933 --> 00:29:44,613
Speaker 3: That buyer can't come soon enough. But yeah, they really

574
00:29:44,693 --> 00:29:45,533
Speaker 3: need to stop the rock.

575
00:29:45,973 --> 00:29:46,173
Speaker 4: Well.

576
00:29:46,173 --> 00:29:48,453
Speaker 2: On the other side of things, their men might be

577
00:29:48,853 --> 00:29:51,813
Speaker 2: playing poorly, but the women playing great. Can anyone stop

578
00:29:51,853 --> 00:29:55,693
Speaker 2: their Blues? Women winning or picky? If I asked this

579
00:29:55,853 --> 00:29:58,173
Speaker 2: question this time last week after the belt in the Hurricanes,

580
00:29:58,173 --> 00:29:59,973
Speaker 2: I would have said no. But having looked at it

581
00:30:00,013 --> 00:30:02,733
Speaker 2: on the weekend, they just sneak past the Chiefs. So

582
00:30:03,293 --> 00:30:05,733
Speaker 2: they had belted by sixty points in pre season with

583
00:30:05,813 --> 00:30:07,813
Speaker 2: the lap Porsche of women Wickliffe try on the weekend

584
00:30:07,853 --> 00:30:11,053
Speaker 2: at even par Master two just building quite nicely. So

585
00:30:11,733 --> 00:30:14,373
Speaker 2: for me it's a two horse race in Blues and

586
00:30:14,413 --> 00:30:18,493
Speaker 2: Matter two Chiefs and behind Hurricanes. Don't look overly flash

587
00:30:18,533 --> 00:30:18,773
Speaker 2: at all.

588
00:30:19,333 --> 00:30:21,653
Speaker 3: No, and look, if you had put the house on

589
00:30:21,693 --> 00:30:25,053
Speaker 3: it right now, you'd say the Blues. But finals footyn

590
00:30:25,293 --> 00:30:27,533
Speaker 3: can do funny things to teams. And you mentioned the

591
00:30:27,573 --> 00:30:30,133
Speaker 3: Matter two that they are building nicely, And yeah, the

592
00:30:30,173 --> 00:30:33,173
Speaker 3: Chiefs pushed the Blues to the brink, so I don't

593
00:30:33,213 --> 00:30:35,893
Speaker 3: think it's a foregone conclusion just yet.

594
00:30:35,973 --> 00:30:39,453
Speaker 2: Yeah. No, it's an interesting old competition this weekend, and sorry,

595
00:30:39,493 --> 00:30:42,613
Speaker 2: this season and this weekends' interesting as well. And topic

596
00:30:42,693 --> 00:30:47,213
Speaker 2: number four Russi Erasmus stoked some more flames, as he

597
00:30:47,453 --> 00:30:51,573
Speaker 2: likes to do last week by suggesting the rugby championship

598
00:30:51,613 --> 00:30:54,293
Speaker 2: should be aligned with the six Nations windows so played

599
00:30:54,293 --> 00:30:57,853
Speaker 2: in February March. This isn't entirely new because if you

600
00:30:57,973 --> 00:31:01,573
Speaker 2: acall friend of the podcast, Hamish mcclennan suggested this film.

601
00:31:01,573 --> 00:31:04,853
Speaker 2: He spoke to him last year year before, formerly the

602
00:31:04,893 --> 00:31:07,013
Speaker 2: Australian Rugby year. He was in that position at the

603
00:31:07,013 --> 00:31:10,093
Speaker 2: time and I believe there was a retraction that had

604
00:31:10,093 --> 00:31:12,893
Speaker 2: to be issued by SANSA as a result of that.

605
00:31:13,973 --> 00:31:15,533
Speaker 2: Do you like the idea? Would it work?

606
00:31:16,933 --> 00:31:17,133
Speaker 5: No?

607
00:31:17,253 --> 00:31:20,853
Speaker 3: I don't like it. I like summer being summer and

608
00:31:21,813 --> 00:31:24,733
Speaker 3: rugby is a winter sport. And this isn't just a

609
00:31:24,733 --> 00:31:27,773
Speaker 3: New Zealand pushback. I think Australia doesn't want it in

610
00:31:27,773 --> 00:31:31,973
Speaker 3: that window either, And to be frank, the Springboks don't

611
00:31:31,973 --> 00:31:36,653
Speaker 3: need any help they I can totally see it from

612
00:31:36,733 --> 00:31:40,093
Speaker 3: Russy's perspective. Their players play all year round with their

613
00:31:40,093 --> 00:31:42,933
Speaker 3: club teams based up north. It is a relentless schedule.

614
00:31:43,853 --> 00:31:47,693
Speaker 3: But we don't need to be bending over backwards just

615
00:31:47,693 --> 00:31:49,813
Speaker 3: to look after the spring Box.

616
00:31:50,133 --> 00:31:52,733
Speaker 4: So I understand where he's coming from.

617
00:31:52,893 --> 00:31:54,973
Speaker 3: By all means, throw the idea out there, but it

618
00:31:54,973 --> 00:31:57,773
Speaker 3: has been discussed, as you mentioned in recent times. I

619
00:31:57,773 --> 00:32:00,973
Speaker 3: think the Rugby Championships and its current cycle is locked

620
00:32:01,053 --> 00:32:02,253
Speaker 3: until twenty.

621
00:32:02,733 --> 00:32:05,813
Speaker 2: Well remember the taking a break from it twenty six

622
00:32:07,213 --> 00:32:11,493
Speaker 2: with the Rugby his greatest rivalry tour. So but the

623
00:32:11,493 --> 00:32:12,973
Speaker 2: next it's up in the year a little bit.

624
00:32:13,013 --> 00:32:15,133
Speaker 3: But yes, the next broadcast will lock it in for

625
00:32:15,213 --> 00:32:17,173
Speaker 3: the next six years in the current window.

626
00:32:18,133 --> 00:32:19,533
Speaker 4: So look, I can't see it moving.

627
00:32:19,733 --> 00:32:23,373
Speaker 2: No, no, indeed, let's get into some tipping, and great

628
00:32:23,413 --> 00:32:26,453
Speaker 2: news for fans of mine out there. I've sneaked ahead

629
00:32:26,453 --> 00:32:29,773
Speaker 2: of you after a big two from five weekend.

630
00:32:30,013 --> 00:32:31,693
Speaker 4: Great weekend on the punch.

631
00:32:32,093 --> 00:32:36,933
Speaker 2: Liam one from five. You picked the Blues Cheese, the Canes,

632
00:32:37,613 --> 00:32:43,253
Speaker 2: tick Reds and red you did, and I got the

633
00:32:44,333 --> 00:32:47,773
Speaker 2: Drewer and the Crusaders correct. So wasn't a great weekend

634
00:32:47,893 --> 00:32:50,573
Speaker 2: for either of us. But I lead eleven to ten.

635
00:32:50,853 --> 00:32:52,573
Speaker 2: This after twenty games.

636
00:32:52,173 --> 00:32:54,493
Speaker 4: Just quickly. That's great for the compo, isn't it?

637
00:32:54,533 --> 00:32:58,893
Speaker 2: Absolutely the fact that fifty percent of these games roughly

638
00:32:59,213 --> 00:33:02,453
Speaker 2: have been results that we didn't expect, didn't tip.

639
00:33:02,533 --> 00:33:04,013
Speaker 4: It was a real giant killing weekend.

640
00:33:04,093 --> 00:33:05,653
Speaker 2: Yeah, and you look at the latter as well, it's

641
00:33:05,693 --> 00:33:08,293
Speaker 2: so congested and you know the Crusader went from bott

642
00:33:08,533 --> 00:33:11,533
Speaker 2: to fourth on the weekend. That's how tight it is

643
00:33:11,613 --> 00:33:13,813
Speaker 2: at the moment. And you know the Hurricanes bottom. If

644
00:33:13,813 --> 00:33:16,013
Speaker 2: they beat the Highlanders this weekend, they'll leap right up

645
00:33:16,053 --> 00:33:18,413
Speaker 2: as well. And yeah, we keep talking about it, but

646
00:33:18,653 --> 00:33:20,653
Speaker 2: the Super Raby comp before we get into tipping, is

647
00:33:20,693 --> 00:33:22,653
Speaker 2: just absolutely out the gate this season.

648
00:33:23,173 --> 00:33:27,653
Speaker 3: It is stylistically and just just genuine upsets. You're tuning

649
00:33:27,653 --> 00:33:29,853
Speaker 3: and you do not know who's going to win. That's

650
00:33:29,973 --> 00:33:32,293
Speaker 3: that's what we've been crying out for in the past

651
00:33:32,333 --> 00:33:32,733
Speaker 3: few years.

652
00:33:32,853 --> 00:33:36,373
Speaker 2: Yeah, it is Highland is Hurricanes Friday nights. Gold's what

653
00:33:36,493 --> 00:33:39,493
Speaker 2: iHeart radio under the roof in Dneede and seven o five.

654
00:33:41,453 --> 00:33:42,533
Speaker 2: This is fascinating, isn't it.

655
00:33:42,573 --> 00:33:44,853
Speaker 3: This is a real you know what, I'm going to

656
00:33:44,893 --> 00:33:47,733
Speaker 3: tip the Landers in that one. A. I think the

657
00:33:47,813 --> 00:33:50,813
Speaker 3: Hurricanes are struggling. They got Ruben and Love back at

658
00:33:50,813 --> 00:33:54,053
Speaker 3: the weekends, but yeah, I think they're in a bit

659
00:33:54,093 --> 00:33:55,813
Speaker 3: of a hole and I think the Highland is coming

660
00:33:55,813 --> 00:33:59,413
Speaker 3: off the by they could get a few players back,

661
00:34:00,773 --> 00:34:03,413
Speaker 3: So yeah, Jamie Joseph, have them prime to go under

662
00:34:03,413 --> 00:34:04,013
Speaker 3: the roof.

663
00:34:03,973 --> 00:34:06,813
Speaker 2: Cheap as I'm picking the Hurricanes and you're not unbelievable.

664
00:34:07,413 --> 00:34:11,653
Speaker 2: Brumb's versus the drawer in Canberra. Can the drawer continue

665
00:34:11,693 --> 00:34:15,773
Speaker 2: there winning ways after beating the Chiefs in Lautoka by

666
00:34:15,813 --> 00:34:17,853
Speaker 2: going to Canberra. It'll be a cold night in Canberra.

667
00:34:17,853 --> 00:34:19,333
Speaker 2: I don't know the forecast, but at the word.

668
00:34:19,213 --> 00:34:23,213
Speaker 3: Cold slight contrast to Lauatoka, isn't it. No, the drawer

669
00:34:23,973 --> 00:34:25,973
Speaker 3: unfortunately a bit of a different beast away from home

670
00:34:26,173 --> 00:34:26,893
Speaker 3: and the Brumbies.

671
00:34:27,053 --> 00:34:28,973
Speaker 2: No. I think Brumbies will return home after that one

672
00:34:29,013 --> 00:34:31,253
Speaker 2: over the Blues at Eton Park and grab that one

673
00:34:31,253 --> 00:34:33,733
Speaker 2: as well. Crusaders Force four to thirty five Saturday afternoon.

674
00:34:34,453 --> 00:34:36,813
Speaker 2: Disappointed by the Force on the weekends against the Waratahs.

675
00:34:36,853 --> 00:34:38,653
Speaker 2: I tipped them and they didn't really show up.

676
00:34:38,813 --> 00:34:40,133
Speaker 3: Yeah, I thought there might be a chance of an

677
00:34:40,213 --> 00:34:43,293
Speaker 3: upset there. Note the Stators get that done comfortably.

678
00:34:43,533 --> 00:34:47,053
Speaker 2: Crusade on. Great to have you on board, Chiefs and Blues.

679
00:34:47,133 --> 00:34:50,893
Speaker 2: This is a fascinating game in so many ways on

680
00:34:50,973 --> 00:34:54,733
Speaker 2: Saturday night in Hamilton. Make or break for the Blues

681
00:34:54,853 --> 00:34:58,293
Speaker 2: in terms of their season, Probably not, but just it's

682
00:34:58,333 --> 00:35:01,693
Speaker 2: a big focal point. I suppose. Man, it's not the

683
00:35:01,773 --> 00:35:04,253
Speaker 2: right to them, but just this is going to suggest

684
00:35:04,293 --> 00:35:06,173
Speaker 2: which way this season's probably going to go. They lose

685
00:35:06,333 --> 00:35:08,813
Speaker 2: they're still in the playoff mix, but to see them

686
00:35:08,813 --> 00:35:10,253
Speaker 2: winning the comp from that point.

687
00:35:10,573 --> 00:35:12,573
Speaker 3: Yeah, look, I think the Chiefs were that, but I

688
00:35:12,653 --> 00:35:16,253
Speaker 3: will side with you on Stephen Peter Fetter likely to

689
00:35:16,293 --> 00:35:18,773
Speaker 3: return this week. I would be making him ten. I

690
00:35:18,813 --> 00:35:21,933
Speaker 3: really like the way he challenges the line creates for others,

691
00:35:23,093 --> 00:35:26,213
Speaker 3: and you know they've got more options at fallback. Cole

692
00:35:26,253 --> 00:35:28,533
Speaker 3: Forbes not a great night under the high ball, but

693
00:35:29,253 --> 00:35:32,013
Speaker 3: he could come again. It's not the way I think

694
00:35:32,013 --> 00:35:35,613
Speaker 3: they'll go, but they could be forced into that position

695
00:35:35,653 --> 00:35:36,213
Speaker 3: in the coming week.

696
00:35:36,253 --> 00:35:37,453
Speaker 4: So Chiefs to win for.

697
00:35:37,453 --> 00:35:40,333
Speaker 2: Me and stay against State mat against mate sort of.

698
00:35:40,533 --> 00:35:44,053
Speaker 2: Reds Wartarz at sun Corpse Stadium rounds us out on

699
00:35:44,093 --> 00:35:44,733
Speaker 2: Saturday night.

700
00:35:45,253 --> 00:35:47,133
Speaker 3: Yeah, it's another real flip of the coin, isn't it.

701
00:35:47,653 --> 00:35:50,613
Speaker 3: I'm going to go the Reds without any form of confidence.

702
00:35:51,413 --> 00:35:53,773
Speaker 3: Good win for the Wartars over the Force. But I've

703
00:35:53,813 --> 00:35:54,893
Speaker 3: been a bit patchy this year.

704
00:35:55,253 --> 00:35:58,053
Speaker 2: I'm going to Wartorze to remain unbeaten, the competition's only

705
00:35:58,133 --> 00:36:03,093
Speaker 2: unbeaten team. Well, you would stoke in their flames, Yeah, exactly,

706
00:36:03,253 --> 00:36:07,893
Speaker 2: and they're doing it without Suweli, which is very impressive.

707
00:36:08,493 --> 00:36:14,693
Speaker 2: The Rugby Directs Medal two onested coverted medal, leading the

708
00:36:14,733 --> 00:36:17,933
Speaker 2: points at the stage to Morthy Taanawa with eight, Ardie

709
00:36:17,973 --> 00:36:23,533
Speaker 2: sav six and Quintepie six and in fourth is Damien McKenzie.

710
00:36:24,853 --> 00:36:27,973
Speaker 3: I'm going to go Will Jordan for three smashing it

711
00:36:27,973 --> 00:36:31,933
Speaker 3: out of the park, Miracle Fire Lungey for two three tries,

712
00:36:32,693 --> 00:36:34,573
Speaker 3: big performance from him, and I'm going to give one

713
00:36:34,613 --> 00:36:36,853
Speaker 3: to Ethan Blackhead on the defensive side of the ball.

714
00:36:37,013 --> 00:36:38,853
Speaker 2: Yeah, he was excellent, I thought on the weekend. I'm

715
00:36:38,853 --> 00:36:43,933
Speaker 2: giving my three to Patrick Palagrini from Morana Pacifica potentially

716
00:36:43,973 --> 00:36:47,093
Speaker 2: the bye of the season, with aud your respect to

717
00:36:47,173 --> 00:36:51,253
Speaker 2: Jackson Guarded Baship. He looks a cut above Garden Baship.

718
00:36:51,253 --> 00:36:53,013
Speaker 2: The way he's played on the weekend and the last

719
00:36:53,053 --> 00:36:54,413
Speaker 2: and even when he came off the bench against the

720
00:36:54,453 --> 00:36:56,653
Speaker 2: Highland has tuned that game around the thirty one to

721
00:36:56,653 --> 00:36:59,373
Speaker 2: ten down. He looks like an excellent prospect that has

722
00:36:59,413 --> 00:37:03,213
Speaker 2: somehow seemingly gone under the radar. I'm giving two to

723
00:37:03,293 --> 00:37:06,093
Speaker 2: Miracle Fire Lungey as well. I thought he was very

724
00:37:06,173 --> 00:37:08,933
Speaker 2: very good in that game, and I'm going to give

725
00:37:09,013 --> 00:37:11,933
Speaker 2: one to sev Reese as well. Tossed up between him

726
00:37:11,933 --> 00:37:14,413
Speaker 2: and Will Jordan, but you know we've got your three,

727
00:37:14,493 --> 00:37:21,093
Speaker 2: so I'm better give sevu something Rugby Howard Buddies talks

728
00:37:21,093 --> 00:37:25,333
Speaker 2: itv MVP voting done on Rugby Direct before we go.

729
00:37:25,453 --> 00:37:28,573
Speaker 2: Jack Measley, chief executive of Super Rugby, has been good

730
00:37:28,653 --> 00:37:31,693
Speaker 2: enough to check in with us a month into the competition,

731
00:37:32,373 --> 00:37:36,413
Speaker 2: and this competition is absolutely humming. Along Jack Measley, thanks

732
00:37:36,453 --> 00:37:38,333
Speaker 2: to your time on Rugby Direct. You must be delighted

733
00:37:38,373 --> 00:37:41,293
Speaker 2: about how the first month of Super Ruggy Pacific twenty

734
00:37:41,333 --> 00:37:42,333
Speaker 2: twenty five is gone.

735
00:37:42,413 --> 00:37:45,453
Speaker 5: Absolutely delighted early and great to talk to you. Yeah,

736
00:37:45,613 --> 00:37:49,613
Speaker 5: and fantastic to be in New Zealand and get to

737
00:37:49,653 --> 00:37:52,093
Speaker 5: some of the games and witness witness some of the upsets.

738
00:37:52,093 --> 00:37:54,173
Speaker 5: So I was lucky enough to be out of Eden

739
00:37:54,253 --> 00:37:56,733
Speaker 5: Park and also also up and now we need to

740
00:37:56,733 --> 00:38:00,693
Speaker 5: watch more Pacific get the better of the Canes and yeah, great.

741
00:38:00,493 --> 00:38:02,733
Speaker 2: To see everyone's trying to put their finger on it.

742
00:38:02,773 --> 00:38:04,853
Speaker 2: But it surely can't be as simple as just that.

743
00:38:04,893 --> 00:38:08,253
Speaker 2: The rebels going, You're down to eleven teams, the competition,

744
00:38:08,453 --> 00:38:11,373
Speaker 2: the talent spreads a bit wider. It can't be that simple, surely.

745
00:38:12,453 --> 00:38:14,373
Speaker 5: No, I don't think so. I mean, I think there's

746
00:38:14,413 --> 00:38:18,533
Speaker 5: a whole host of factors that have gone into it.

747
00:38:18,693 --> 00:38:21,853
Speaker 5: You know, Rugby Australia have been working incredibly hard over

748
00:38:21,893 --> 00:38:24,293
Speaker 5: the pastor of eighteen months and I think it's made

749
00:38:24,333 --> 00:38:28,253
Speaker 5: some really great nerves. You got the rebels happening there.

750
00:38:28,253 --> 00:38:31,773
Speaker 5: Obviously wider specific have done a hell a lot of

751
00:38:31,773 --> 00:38:36,093
Speaker 5: the work on their organization and you know, are really

752
00:38:36,173 --> 00:38:39,933
Speaker 5: seeing some great results. You add that to some new

753
00:38:40,013 --> 00:38:43,893
Speaker 5: rules and the match officials adding a bit of pace

754
00:38:43,893 --> 00:38:46,813
Speaker 5: in the game early in the season, with a bit

755
00:38:46,853 --> 00:38:49,093
Speaker 5: of heat. You know, I think all of those things

756
00:38:49,093 --> 00:38:52,733
Speaker 5: are coming together to create to create sort of the

757
00:38:52,773 --> 00:38:54,053
Speaker 5: outcomes that we're seeing.

758
00:38:54,813 --> 00:38:56,973
Speaker 2: I guess you look at the scoring as well, very

759
00:38:57,053 --> 00:38:59,933
Speaker 2: very high scoring, which is reminiscent of perhaps the early

760
00:39:00,013 --> 00:39:03,573
Speaker 2: days in Super rugby. Is that early season, you know,

761
00:39:04,293 --> 00:39:07,133
Speaker 2: cobwebs being blown out or is it some of those

762
00:39:07,133 --> 00:39:09,453
Speaker 2: tweaks that have been made to some of the rules

763
00:39:09,493 --> 00:39:12,693
Speaker 2: and over the last couple of years sort of now telling.

764
00:39:13,693 --> 00:39:16,653
Speaker 5: Yeah, well, I think it's still a record year so

765
00:39:16,813 --> 00:39:20,813
Speaker 5: far after after four rounds of sixty three average points

766
00:39:20,813 --> 00:39:26,173
Speaker 5: per game, so record in Super rugby history. I think

767
00:39:26,213 --> 00:39:28,573
Speaker 5: it's a lot to do with the coming into the game,

768
00:39:29,493 --> 00:39:32,253
Speaker 5: you know, through the new rules, probably due to a

769
00:39:32,253 --> 00:39:37,573
Speaker 5: bit of early season conditioning, match officials again doing a

770
00:39:37,573 --> 00:39:41,213
Speaker 5: good job at moving the game forward. And then yeah,

771
00:39:41,333 --> 00:39:43,893
Speaker 5: I think with that fatigue, you know, we're seeing defenses

772
00:39:43,893 --> 00:39:49,173
Speaker 5: get stretched and and and some great trials out at

773
00:39:49,253 --> 00:39:52,573
Speaker 5: the Crusaders burst the Reds game down in christ Church

774
00:39:52,653 --> 00:39:56,813
Speaker 5: on Sunday, both teams were just absolutely out on their

775
00:39:56,813 --> 00:40:00,053
Speaker 5: feet towards the end of the game and really noticeable.

776
00:40:00,053 --> 00:40:03,333
Speaker 2: I don't I guess we talked at the launch in

777
00:40:03,413 --> 00:40:06,973
Speaker 2: Sydney and obviously all the work that you and Sue

778
00:40:07,053 --> 00:40:09,013
Speaker 2: Rugby had done, you know, it's up to the players

779
00:40:09,013 --> 00:40:12,453
Speaker 2: and the teams by that point to pick the ball

780
00:40:12,533 --> 00:40:15,053
Speaker 2: up and run with it, excuse the pun and they

781
00:40:15,093 --> 00:40:17,213
Speaker 2: have in the opening rounds and the tightness of the

782
00:40:17,253 --> 00:40:21,893
Speaker 2: competition has been incredible. This must be good for TV numbers,

783
00:40:21,933 --> 00:40:24,653
Speaker 2: crowd numbers, et cetera as you look to build over

784
00:40:24,693 --> 00:40:27,333
Speaker 2: the next couple of months heading into the playoffs.

785
00:40:28,293 --> 00:40:30,573
Speaker 5: Yeah. I think you're right, Eliot. I mean you can

786
00:40:30,613 --> 00:40:33,373
Speaker 5: see the players and the coaches. I think they're as

787
00:40:33,413 --> 00:40:35,893
Speaker 5: excited as we all are about what we're seeing. And

788
00:40:35,933 --> 00:40:38,293
Speaker 5: I think that's probably adding to what we're seeing on

789
00:40:38,333 --> 00:40:43,653
Speaker 5: the park. It's being played with great intent and you know,

790
00:40:43,893 --> 00:40:46,013
Speaker 5: just a bit of fever around. Yeah, and it is,

791
00:40:46,213 --> 00:40:50,013
Speaker 5: it is, it's really helping with the results. It was

792
00:40:50,053 --> 00:40:53,053
Speaker 5: great to see Sky publish some really great results for

793
00:40:53,253 --> 00:40:57,413
Speaker 5: Super Ruggly specific after the first three rounds twelve percent

794
00:40:57,493 --> 00:40:59,453
Speaker 5: up on the first three rounds on last year, which

795
00:40:59,453 --> 00:41:03,373
Speaker 5: we know, which we know grew year on year. And

796
00:41:03,533 --> 00:41:05,573
Speaker 5: you know in stadium too, you know, we know we've

797
00:41:05,613 --> 00:41:08,893
Speaker 5: got we've got some opportunities to continue to work on that,

798
00:41:08,933 --> 00:41:11,733
Speaker 5: but we're seeing good growth there as well. So really

799
00:41:11,773 --> 00:41:15,733
Speaker 5: pleasing that people are switching on and switching on, you know,

800
00:41:15,893 --> 00:41:18,613
Speaker 5: for longer. Right, So those close games mean that people

801
00:41:18,653 --> 00:41:21,053
Speaker 5: stay in the game. And then you know, with fantasy

802
00:41:21,093 --> 00:41:23,853
Speaker 5: and with unexpected results, people want to watch more than

803
00:41:24,293 --> 00:41:26,813
Speaker 5: just their team, and that's that seems to be playing out.

804
00:41:27,333 --> 00:41:29,573
Speaker 2: I know you've been around the country and New Zealand

805
00:41:29,613 --> 00:41:32,173
Speaker 2: speaking to the CEOs and visiting the teams. What have

806
00:41:32,253 --> 00:41:34,813
Speaker 2: they told you about the way the competition's going this year?

807
00:41:34,853 --> 00:41:36,253
Speaker 2: The feedback you've been getting.

808
00:41:38,493 --> 00:41:41,893
Speaker 5: Really good. I think the cees managed to wear two hats.

809
00:41:41,933 --> 00:41:44,133
Speaker 5: They want they want the best for the competition and

810
00:41:44,213 --> 00:41:46,973
Speaker 5: clearly they want the best of their for their clubs.

811
00:41:48,013 --> 00:41:50,613
Speaker 5: Sometimes that doesn't that doesn't always align, but I think

812
00:41:50,613 --> 00:41:54,013
Speaker 5: they're really pleased with how it's going. You know, I

813
00:41:54,053 --> 00:41:56,653
Speaker 5: was sitting next to Andrew Ware at the Blues game

814
00:41:56,693 --> 00:41:59,413
Speaker 5: on Friday night and a full time he did say

815
00:41:59,453 --> 00:42:01,373
Speaker 5: to me, he goes, Jack, don't tell me that was

816
00:42:01,413 --> 00:42:06,133
Speaker 5: good for the competition. I think deep down he would

817
00:42:06,173 --> 00:42:07,773
Speaker 5: have loved to see the Blues wom but he knows

818
00:42:07,813 --> 00:42:11,093
Speaker 5: that the Brumbies making breaking that twelve of you hudo

819
00:42:11,493 --> 00:42:17,053
Speaker 5: is absolutely a great result for the competition. Yeah. So see,

820
00:42:17,173 --> 00:42:19,933
Speaker 5: he's been really supportive and I think really happy with

821
00:42:20,333 --> 00:42:21,693
Speaker 5: how it's coming. After four round.

822
00:42:21,853 --> 00:42:24,533
Speaker 2: Jack Measley with us on Rugby Directs, so grateful for

823
00:42:24,573 --> 00:42:27,333
Speaker 2: him checking in and updating us on how the competition

824
00:42:27,413 --> 00:42:30,533
Speaker 2: is tracking, how the Super Rugby teams are feeling about it.

825
00:42:30,573 --> 00:42:32,693
Speaker 2: The Blues perhaps not so happy as we heard about

826
00:42:32,733 --> 00:42:35,773
Speaker 2: Andrew or then Liam. That about does us for another

827
00:42:35,813 --> 00:42:38,013
Speaker 2: week of Rugby Direct. It's been another busy old week

828
00:42:38,293 --> 00:42:39,333
Speaker 2: and super ruggy, isn't.

829
00:42:39,213 --> 00:42:43,053
Speaker 3: It has hold tight and it's the tipping improves.

830
00:42:43,613 --> 00:42:46,093
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah for you. Maybe I'm out in front, I'm

831
00:42:46,373 --> 00:42:49,253
Speaker 2: one point ahead and you know, if you try and

832
00:42:49,293 --> 00:42:51,533
Speaker 2: catch me, if you can you're right there, train. That's right,

833
00:42:52,173 --> 00:42:54,453
Speaker 2: it's a bit in the cane train. Let's wrap things

834
00:42:54,533 --> 00:42:57,893
Speaker 2: up on Rugby Directs. Thanks to Andy Duff for producing

835
00:42:57,933 --> 00:42:59,973
Speaker 2: this one. We're back next week. Could see our friends

836
00:42:59,973 --> 00:43:02,173
Speaker 2: with habit health tackling, or your aches and pains from

837
00:43:02,173 --> 00:43:02,853
Speaker 2: sporting work.

838
00:43:07,853 --> 00:43:10,493
Speaker 1: For more from News Talks at b Listen live on

839
00:43:10,613 --> 00:43:13,573
Speaker 1: air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever

840
00:43:13,613 --> 00:43:16,173
Speaker 1: you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio