WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 153 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:11.973 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B. 0:00:12.373 --> 0:00:17.533 Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on Iheartradiot 0:00:17.773 --> 0:00:21.973 Inside the Game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with 0:00:22.213 --> 0:00:24.533 Elliott Smith powered by News Talks EDB. 0:00:25.173 --> 0:00:28.293 Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health, tackling all 0:00:28.333 --> 0:00:31.733 your aches and pains from sports and work back for 0:00:31.773 --> 0:00:35.933 another week. After Super Rugby Round four, Elliott Smith, Liam 0:00:36.013 --> 0:00:40.413 Napier and Liam the Crusaders forced to rescue New Zealand 0:00:40.493 --> 0:00:45.173 rugby again. How many times did the Crusaders have to 0:00:45.213 --> 0:00:48.453 do it for their country? Just another time? Just add 0:00:48.453 --> 0:00:49.013 it to the list. 0:00:49.493 --> 0:00:52.093 I'm happy for you, Elliott, but please not get carried away, mate, 0:00:52.133 --> 0:00:54.413 all right, count came the fun, calm the fun. 0:00:54.613 --> 0:00:58.213 Well, how's being a last on the ladder suiting at 0:00:58.213 --> 0:00:58.813 the Hurricanes. 0:00:59.853 --> 0:01:02.733 Look, it's been tough starts of the year for the 0:01:02.773 --> 0:01:06.133 cane train fans. But we'll loyal, Elliott, We'll stick with 0:01:06.213 --> 0:01:10.253 it and we will hug back the cane trains. 0:01:10.293 --> 0:01:12.813 Like New Zealand's approach to the rail doesn't exist. 0:01:14.293 --> 0:01:15.653 Jesus boyt today, isn't he? 0:01:15.733 --> 0:01:15.933 Yeah? 0:01:15.973 --> 0:01:16.373 That's right. 0:01:16.933 --> 0:01:19.733 One winning over the Queens and Reds in best. 0:01:19.613 --> 0:01:24.333 Team in Australia. Mate, let's start there. Actually, Crusaders reads 0:01:24.573 --> 0:01:28.853 Sunday afternoon and great to see Someday afternoon forty first 0:01:28.893 --> 0:01:32.453 and foremost three thirty five kickoff right towards the last 0:01:32.453 --> 0:01:36.573 month of daylight saving sun shining down on christ Jurge 0:01:36.613 --> 0:01:40.733 and the Crusaders. They were lethal on attack, weren't so 0:01:40.773 --> 0:01:43.093 great on defense. I didn't think that's still an issue 0:01:43.093 --> 0:01:46.413 for them this season. But they showed that they can 0:01:47.013 --> 0:01:50.213 really score tries, which was an issue for them against 0:01:50.653 --> 0:01:53.733 the Chiefs. And obviously defense remains an issue, as I said, 0:01:53.733 --> 0:01:55.333 but a good one for the Crusaders. What did you 0:01:55.373 --> 0:01:55.693 make of it? 0:01:56.013 --> 0:01:56.173 Yeah? 0:01:56.173 --> 0:01:59.453 It was and Sunday afternoon forty brilliant to see, isn't it. 0:01:59.493 --> 0:02:01.693 I think the more we can have that time slot 0:02:02.093 --> 0:02:05.973 in the New Zealand backyard the better. It doesn't work 0:02:05.973 --> 0:02:09.413 for everyone, doesn't work in Hamilton, but really great day 0:02:09.413 --> 0:02:13.333 in christ Church and the Crusaders ran rampants. Will Jordan 0:02:13.693 --> 0:02:18.453 is playing out of his skin this year and his 0:02:18.573 --> 0:02:23.413 individual trial was brilliant. His injections into the line. He's 0:02:23.773 --> 0:02:26.133 untouchable at the moment. Severy Reese on the edge is 0:02:26.213 --> 0:02:31.293 creating Havoc. I think James Marshall and has given the 0:02:31.333 --> 0:02:35.773 Crusaders a real license to play what they see. They 0:02:36.133 --> 0:02:41.133 to me, are not playing overly structured. He's given that 0:02:42.133 --> 0:02:44.333 back line in particular a lot of freedom to play, 0:02:44.453 --> 0:02:47.893 and that's that they seem to be relishing that sort 0:02:47.933 --> 0:02:52.373 of style, which is interesting given their former attack coaches 0:02:53.253 --> 0:02:56.373 in recent times. I thought Ethan Blackheader was really good, 0:02:56.453 --> 0:03:00.253 some punishing defense individually which created a number of turnovers 0:03:00.293 --> 0:03:03.333 for the Crusaders to strike, and they just really made 0:03:03.373 --> 0:03:05.613 the most of conditions. The Reds were a bit off 0:03:06.093 --> 0:03:08.693 a number of errors, but I thought that was the 0:03:08.733 --> 0:03:12.293 pressure that the Crusaders put them under. So the best 0:03:12.293 --> 0:03:14.773 performance of the season for the Crusaders. 0:03:14.333 --> 0:03:17.213 Just on Will Jordan. You're right, he's been scoring and 0:03:17.613 --> 0:03:19.813 he's been playing magnificently the season. What I've been really 0:03:19.853 --> 0:03:22.653 liking is a support play and looking for his options 0:03:22.693 --> 0:03:25.853 either side, which hasn't always necessarily been a strength, but 0:03:25.933 --> 0:03:28.613 in terms of that fullback role and being a distributed 0:03:28.653 --> 0:03:30.613 but I think we're seeing more of that this season 0:03:30.653 --> 0:03:32.693 than maybe we haven't in years past. 0:03:33.293 --> 0:03:36.293 Yeah, and I also think it's just consistency of game time. 0:03:36.293 --> 0:03:38.293 It's easy to forget last year he missed the whole 0:03:38.333 --> 0:03:41.933 of super rugby right, and maybe a confidence to know 0:03:42.013 --> 0:03:44.373 that he is going to be staying in his preferred 0:03:44.373 --> 0:03:46.453 position when it comes to the All Blacks later in 0:03:46.493 --> 0:03:48.773 the year, the confidence of knowing that Razor will back 0:03:48.853 --> 0:03:52.413 him and that regards and the more he plays, the 0:03:52.413 --> 0:03:55.893 better he gets. So time on the park and you're right, 0:03:55.933 --> 0:03:58.493 he is bringing more strings to his bow, getting in 0:03:58.493 --> 0:04:03.093 the first receiver, exerting his influence. It was telling a 0:04:03.133 --> 0:04:07.053 couple of games ago when hearing James O'Connor talk about 0:04:07.813 --> 0:04:11.613 will Joe and overruling him and telling him to move out, 0:04:11.853 --> 0:04:15.173 get out of the space. I see this and those 0:04:15.173 --> 0:04:17.733 two working well together. Will Jordan really pulling rank using 0:04:17.733 --> 0:04:20.893 his voice and experience, like you say in that first 0:04:20.933 --> 0:04:24.053 receiver capacity, so really taking ownership and that's what the 0:04:24.053 --> 0:04:28.413 crusaderesn't need it with a young ten and Kimita you know, 0:04:28.453 --> 0:04:30.653 showing him the way, helping him out, not putting too 0:04:30.733 --> 0:04:34.133 much on his shoulders. So really stamping his mark on 0:04:34.133 --> 0:04:34.973 the Crusaders this year. 0:04:35.053 --> 0:04:37.693 Yeah, I wouldn't say Kimitda's goalkicking was too flash on 0:04:37.693 --> 0:04:40.173 the weekend, but I'm beginning to grow and press week 0:04:40.213 --> 0:04:42.653 to week on how he's growing. Yes, put under a 0:04:42.693 --> 0:04:44.813 lot of pressure in that last outing against the Chiefs, 0:04:45.733 --> 0:04:47.933 but I do like the way that they've just stuck 0:04:47.973 --> 0:04:49.653 with him the season. There was a bit of thought 0:04:49.653 --> 0:04:51.453 that maybe James I Quitte might start against his old 0:04:51.453 --> 0:04:54.573 team the Reds, but they've gone with Kimita and unlike 0:04:54.653 --> 0:04:56.773 last year where he was flashed back to Club Rugby 0:04:56.773 --> 0:04:59.653 and Hamilton sticking with him to this point of the season. 0:04:59.693 --> 0:05:02.253 I know we're only into Round five coming up this weekend, 0:05:02.293 --> 0:05:04.413 but they've given a bit more confidence than maybe he 0:05:04.413 --> 0:05:05.213 had last season. 0:05:05.693 --> 0:05:09.333 Yeah, backing a young guy, giving him time, that's really 0:05:09.333 --> 0:05:12.133 helping him. And I think probably James O'Connor's influence behind 0:05:12.173 --> 0:05:16.133 the scenes will be helping as well. And I also 0:05:16.213 --> 0:05:19.093 make a note of Kyle Preston's selection at halfback. I 0:05:19.133 --> 0:05:22.453 thought last year Rob Penny got a lot of selections wrong, 0:05:22.853 --> 0:05:25.173 didn't back know a hope them where this year he 0:05:25.413 --> 0:05:27.093 has promoted Kyle Preston. 0:05:28.413 --> 0:05:30.413 Above a centurion the franchise in Mitchell. 0:05:30.213 --> 0:05:34.453 Drummonde exactly and he's backing form and Preston for me, 0:05:34.533 --> 0:05:38.373 has really taken that on board. It was impressive again, 0:05:38.853 --> 0:05:41.893 So credit to Rob Penny and that coaching team for 0:05:42.293 --> 0:05:45.213 adjusting their selection tactics because I didn't think they got 0:05:45.253 --> 0:05:47.293 those things right last year, where they are getting some 0:05:47.333 --> 0:05:48.293 things right this season. 0:05:48.413 --> 0:05:51.293 The Readers, so I thought were a threats when they 0:05:51.413 --> 0:05:53.453 entered the twenty two. They just made too many years 0:05:53.693 --> 0:05:57.533 on Sunday afternoon to really push the Crusaders. Was fast scoring, 0:05:57.613 --> 0:05:59.933 especially in the first spell, and there were a couple 0:05:59.893 --> 0:06:01.613 of moments maybe it looked a bit shaky for the 0:06:01.653 --> 0:06:04.293 Crusaders and the second spell, but the Readers has kind 0:06:04.293 --> 0:06:06.293 of left themselves a little bit too much work to do. 0:06:06.933 --> 0:06:09.693 They did and been a bit hot cold this year, 0:06:09.853 --> 0:06:12.973 and those conditions should have suited them. That's a style 0:06:12.973 --> 0:06:15.493 of rugby they like to play, use the ball, attack, 0:06:15.653 --> 0:06:18.893 They've got the athletes, but yeah, they were a bit off. 0:06:18.933 --> 0:06:21.693 Taate McDermott. McDermott trying to spark things. 0:06:22.653 --> 0:06:26.733 Fraser mcwright's got a couple of turnovers, but I'm not 0:06:26.773 --> 0:06:32.533 sure about Dungunu in the midfields. They yeah, they're just 0:06:33.133 --> 0:06:35.613 we bit off this year. The Reds just on the 0:06:35.613 --> 0:06:39.413 Crusaders a bit hot cold this year. There was an 0:06:39.453 --> 0:06:42.893 impressive performance but if you look at the benchmark, you 0:06:42.893 --> 0:06:46.413 know that they lost to the Chiefs and had some 0:06:46.453 --> 0:06:49.213 struggles at other times very early doors. 0:06:49.213 --> 0:06:50.373 But how do you assess them. 0:06:50.733 --> 0:06:52.613 Well better than last year. I think they look like 0:06:52.653 --> 0:06:55.133 a team playing with a bit more confidence than last year. 0:06:55.173 --> 0:06:57.653 You mentioned the ability to attack and see what's in 0:06:57.653 --> 0:07:00.013 front of them. Last year are attacking structure felt far 0:07:00.093 --> 0:07:03.973 too rigid. They changed tens pretty much every week. They 0:07:04.213 --> 0:07:07.653 tweaked little things and you said got selections wrong. I 0:07:07.653 --> 0:07:12.413 think they looked better on the weekend with McLeod in 0:07:12.453 --> 0:07:15.853 the midfield and well we're coming off the bench late on. 0:07:15.933 --> 0:07:18.373 He scored that last try for them, so I think 0:07:18.413 --> 0:07:21.213 the selections have been better. So whether that's Rob Penny 0:07:22.013 --> 0:07:26.013 deciding to basically you go with the form as you say, 0:07:26.053 --> 0:07:28.813 and being a little less rigid than maybe we've seen 0:07:28.813 --> 0:07:31.693 in the past, I think ultimately good that Chiefs lost, 0:07:31.733 --> 0:07:33.893 you know, heavy loss to the Chiefs and the front 0:07:33.933 --> 0:07:36.733 runners for this competition stands out. But Week one went 0:07:36.773 --> 0:07:39.853 against the Hurricanes at home against the Reds, who were 0:07:39.973 --> 0:07:43.533 touted as one of the big Australian teams promising signs. 0:07:43.933 --> 0:07:45.333 Don't know where they're going to end up. At the 0:07:45.373 --> 0:07:46.613 end of the year, still with a lot of kew 0:07:46.653 --> 0:07:50.173 with Darbies to come. But you look at next weekend, 0:07:50.533 --> 0:07:53.693 you know weekend after this Blues Crusader's even Park. That's 0:07:53.733 --> 0:07:56.053 going to be a benchmark, big test for both of 0:07:56.053 --> 0:07:58.493 these two teams and where they sit in this campaign. 0:07:58.493 --> 0:07:59.093 Yeah, big time. 0:07:59.133 --> 0:08:02.133 And I guess the Crusaders are in much better shape 0:08:02.213 --> 0:08:06.453 from a squad perspective. And look, the Blues can't have 0:08:06.493 --> 0:08:08.333 too many excuses the stack with all Black. 0:08:08.613 --> 0:08:10.093 They've got a deep squad, but. 0:08:10.133 --> 0:08:15.053 They are heavily injury riddled currently and that was something 0:08:15.173 --> 0:08:17.213 that affected the Crusaders greatly last year. 0:08:18.573 --> 0:08:19.373 The scripts flip. 0:08:19.453 --> 0:08:21.813 Now they're starting to get guys back like Cody Taylor, 0:08:21.893 --> 0:08:23.533 a big in for them at this time of year 0:08:23.573 --> 0:08:28.093 where the Blues lose Bowden Barrett injury clouds over Ricky Telly, 0:08:28.973 --> 0:08:31.213 they having a reshuffle. I think the Blues will get 0:08:31.213 --> 0:08:34.853 back Stephen Peterfetta this week so but they have been 0:08:34.853 --> 0:08:38.973 missing hoskinstitute to Dalton Papae. Sam Dowry's gone for the year. 0:08:39.013 --> 0:08:41.253 So some big outs for the Blues. Where the Crusaders 0:08:41.293 --> 0:08:44.933 are in a much healthy estate and forms showing that too. 0:08:45.093 --> 0:08:48.173 Indeed, let's move back to Saturday night. Majea Pacific A 0:08:48.253 --> 0:08:53.213 forty Hurricanes thirty one. This was a cracking game Mowana 0:08:53.973 --> 0:08:56.013 just played. I think it was their best performance since 0:08:56.053 --> 0:08:57.493 they ended Super Rugby. I know they a bit the 0:08:57.573 --> 0:09:00.453 Hurricanes in twenty twenty two their first year. This was 0:09:00.493 --> 0:09:03.053 the most well rounded performance that I've seen from them. 0:09:03.453 --> 0:09:07.173 At halftime, Addie Savia doesn't come back on with hamstring tightness. 0:09:08.013 --> 0:09:10.453 You think get used to leading fourteen twelve, but it 0:09:10.453 --> 0:09:12.573 could have easily that could have been the losing of 0:09:12.613 --> 0:09:14.653 the game, Ardie Savia going off. But in a way 0:09:15.333 --> 0:09:19.133 it galvanized them and they almost did it for Ardie Savia. 0:09:19.333 --> 0:09:21.053 Not that I've heard them say that necessarily, but it 0:09:21.053 --> 0:09:23.493 felt like they did. And we saw a lot of 0:09:23.533 --> 0:09:27.733 players stand up in that second spell especially, and let's 0:09:27.733 --> 0:09:30.053 not forget it was forty points to nineteen, you know, 0:09:30.093 --> 0:09:33.253 with what twelve minutes to go roughly thereabouts, they'd blown 0:09:33.253 --> 0:09:35.733 the Hurricanes out of the water, probably ran out a 0:09:35.933 --> 0:09:37.853 bit of puff in that last ten minutes and considered 0:09:37.853 --> 0:09:39.533 a couple of tries and it got a wee bit nervy. 0:09:39.573 --> 0:09:41.893 But for me, that was Moe of his best performance 0:09:41.933 --> 0:09:45.773 and a lot of stand out players in that side 0:09:45.813 --> 0:09:47.853 that deserve accolades. What did you make of that? 0:09:48.813 --> 0:09:50.893 I think, first and foremost is great to see them 0:09:51.493 --> 0:09:53.973 wouldn't just get over the line because what was at 0:09:53.973 --> 0:09:56.653 one point lost to the force. They got blown away 0:09:56.653 --> 0:09:59.173 by the Reds and probably could have, would have should 0:09:59.173 --> 0:10:03.573 have beaten the Highlanders. So the improvements was evident from 0:10:03.653 --> 0:10:07.933 one another share but it didn't mean anything until you 0:10:07.973 --> 0:10:11.373 get that win. And there was a lot of emotion 0:10:11.453 --> 0:10:14.093 around this game, with already coming up against his former club, 0:10:14.573 --> 0:10:17.213 and just with the atmosphere my one are building at 0:10:18.573 --> 0:10:21.333 in Albany. I think they add about six thousand fans, 0:10:21.373 --> 0:10:25.093 but by all accounts it's incredibly loud, and they're doing 0:10:25.133 --> 0:10:28.693 a lot of things well that match. They allowed fans 0:10:28.693 --> 0:10:30.253 to have bryes all. 0:10:30.133 --> 0:10:31.453 Of the South Africans on the north shore. 0:10:31.533 --> 0:10:36.373 Yeah, that's all barbecues outside the ground, So really enhancing 0:10:36.413 --> 0:10:38.693 the fan experience, and we've seen that in other codes. 0:10:38.733 --> 0:10:41.893 With AUKFC doing a lot of things around their match, 0:10:41.973 --> 0:10:44.773 they experience so wine of doing things out of the box, 0:10:44.853 --> 0:10:47.493 doing a lot of things well off the field, and 0:10:47.813 --> 0:10:50.853 finally they got over the line. So really happy for them. 0:10:50.933 --> 0:10:55.613 In that regards the match itself. You mentioned Artie going 0:10:55.653 --> 0:10:58.413 off and that was such a big tick for them 0:10:58.413 --> 0:11:03.173 because he had carried them on his shoulders against the 0:11:03.213 --> 0:11:07.893 Highlanders and he was their big off field signing. But 0:11:08.013 --> 0:11:10.693 to do it without him, that will be a massive 0:11:10.773 --> 0:11:18.213 confidence boost for them. Patrick Pellegrino, massive performance for him. 0:11:18.573 --> 0:11:21.293 You know, Jackson Garden Bashett was brought in the off season, 0:11:21.333 --> 0:11:24.933 but this guy really stepped up and in a different 0:11:25.653 --> 0:11:28.373 style of rugby I think than you're used to from 0:11:28.413 --> 0:11:32.333 a ten in super rugby. His controlling influences, kicking game. 0:11:32.693 --> 0:11:36.413 I think it's brought over from Coventry and clearly that 0:11:36.533 --> 0:11:38.893 experience in the Northern Hemisphere. 0:11:39.733 --> 0:11:40.773 Has served him well. 0:11:41.613 --> 0:11:45.133 Miracle Fire Lungy three tries and he's been a big 0:11:45.533 --> 0:11:49.933 mover signed out of Samoa Club Rugby effectively in the 0:11:49.973 --> 0:11:52.893 last couple of years. So another big tick for that 0:11:52.973 --> 0:11:58.613 pathway and a real sign of that progression. So some 0:11:58.693 --> 0:12:01.893 really positive signs from one. You did mention there that 0:12:02.613 --> 0:12:05.613 in their first year they did beat the Hurricanes, so 0:12:06.093 --> 0:12:08.013 and I did look at their draw coming up. 0:12:08.013 --> 0:12:08.813 I think they play the. 0:12:10.093 --> 0:12:12.373 Chiefs in Bookakoe after the buy. 0:12:12.533 --> 0:12:13.813 And the Crusaders. 0:12:13.933 --> 0:12:15.533 So it is a tough draw and they do need 0:12:15.573 --> 0:12:17.213 to back it up and that was the message from 0:12:17.293 --> 0:12:22.013 tana Umanga and Artie. Severe but really positive science. 0:12:22.333 --> 0:12:25.853 Yeah, absolutely, And they were supposed to play in Tonga 0:12:25.893 --> 0:12:28.213 next against the Chiefs after the buy, which would have 0:12:28.213 --> 0:12:30.773 been a different complexion to that game entirely off the 0:12:30.773 --> 0:12:32.573 back of that game. They're playing now in Pooka Koe, 0:12:32.693 --> 0:12:35.973 which you know is still going to be a great 0:12:35.973 --> 0:12:38.173 home game for them, but you almost want back at 0:12:38.213 --> 0:12:40.373 the North Shore and just keep building that fan base 0:12:41.133 --> 0:12:42.973 over the next wee wile, given how strong it's been. 0:12:43.133 --> 0:12:46.013 Well, yeah, let's touch on that tongue again. Very disappointing, 0:12:46.053 --> 0:12:54.013 isn't it because Muana as a fundamental purpose of their 0:12:54.053 --> 0:12:56.773 team to have that connection back to the island nations 0:12:56.893 --> 0:12:59.853 is very important, but the reality of it is extremely 0:12:59.893 --> 0:13:04.293 difficult from a financial point of view, from an infrastructure clearly, 0:13:04.293 --> 0:13:07.853 there's big issues in some of those island nations. We've 0:13:07.853 --> 0:13:11.133 seen i think the Tonglan rugby boards cleaned out in 0:13:11.213 --> 0:13:14.573 recent times and you know there's long standing corruption issues. 0:13:15.613 --> 0:13:18.973 So really disappointing that Mona can't take that fixture back 0:13:19.053 --> 0:13:21.853 and galvanize those connections. 0:13:22.133 --> 0:13:24.133 It is a shame, and I think it was by 0:13:24.253 --> 0:13:27.013 and large down to the floodlights that they couldn't get 0:13:27.013 --> 0:13:29.213 in time. I think a couple of other issues that 0:13:29.213 --> 0:13:31.053 seemed to be the main one, and that's frustrating because 0:13:31.053 --> 0:13:33.093 they did play there last year. It's a great occasion 0:13:33.093 --> 0:13:35.413 against the Highlanders, and then not to have that game 0:13:35.453 --> 0:13:37.253 in a couple of weeks. They've looked dead to twenty 0:13:37.253 --> 0:13:41.213 twenty six. But the more connections they can build with 0:13:41.373 --> 0:13:44.373 the Islands and their home, their spiritual home, the better 0:13:44.413 --> 0:13:47.213 I think for them. All those players you mentioned were 0:13:47.213 --> 0:13:51.213 excellent again. Palegrini come one and point out Kiren Tianmoi 0:13:51.253 --> 0:13:56.813 Flou played for Tongler in twenty twenty three. Born and 0:13:56.853 --> 0:14:01.093 raised in Marlbrook. Is he an All Blacks prospect in 0:14:01.133 --> 0:14:03.733 twenty twenty six months he completes his three years stand down? 0:14:03.973 --> 0:14:05.853 Is he interested in playing for the All Blacks in 0:14:05.893 --> 0:14:08.333 three years time or does he want to continue playing 0:14:08.373 --> 0:14:10.333 for Tongy. He didn't play for them last year, didn't 0:14:10.333 --> 0:14:14.093 have much of an international program last year Tonger. Do 0:14:14.173 --> 0:14:15.893 the All Blacks look at him from twenty twenty six, 0:14:15.933 --> 0:14:17.533 still very young, only twenty one years of age and 0:14:17.573 --> 0:14:19.853 he's been excellent for MO one of this year. 0:14:21.333 --> 0:14:21.573 Yeah. 0:14:21.573 --> 0:14:24.853 Look, I think for most of those Island players, their 0:14:24.933 --> 0:14:29.813 heart is in the island, but their financial future is 0:14:29.853 --> 0:14:34.013 with the All Blacks, right, And if you think about 0:14:34.173 --> 0:14:36.773 everything that the All Blacks wrap around you and the 0:14:36.813 --> 0:14:40.173 prestige that comes with it's the doors that are open 0:14:40.213 --> 0:14:43.493 in terms of overseas opportunities and just setting yourself up 0:14:44.013 --> 0:14:48.013 from a career point of view, that's probably your aspiration, 0:14:48.253 --> 0:14:50.613 isn't it. It's the same for Tava Tavanawa by all accounts, 0:14:50.613 --> 0:14:55.293 he's turned down Fiji to pursue the quest to play 0:14:55.333 --> 0:14:57.293 for the All Blacks. We saw it with Peter gustso 0:14:57.453 --> 0:15:01.893 Koula played one or two tests and then's ineligible for Fiji. 0:15:01.933 --> 0:15:05.133 So it's quite delicate and it does spark a lot 0:15:05.173 --> 0:15:09.173 of debate about what is the best pathway and even 0:15:09.253 --> 0:15:12.333 some suggestions that you know, the All Blacks pick guys 0:15:12.333 --> 0:15:14.653 like Peter Gust to deny for you the opportunity, which 0:15:14.693 --> 0:15:17.933 I don't believe him. But if there was some way 0:15:17.933 --> 0:15:21.653 to bridge the financial gap, then maybe these guys would 0:15:21.693 --> 0:15:22.373 play for the island. 0:15:22.773 --> 0:15:24.653 And it's also not what Mowana was created for You 0:15:24.693 --> 0:15:27.293 know current time boy Flowers played for Tonga. He's got 0:15:27.293 --> 0:15:30.093 the shop window there of playing in Super Rugby. Now. 0:15:30.533 --> 0:15:31.933 I haven't spoken to the bloke, don't know if he 0:15:31.973 --> 0:15:34.293 wants to play for the All Blacks. He may continue 0:15:34.293 --> 0:15:37.093 playing for Tonga, but wouldn't surprise me if the All 0:15:37.133 --> 0:15:40.053 Blacks come knocking or are knocking and going just stand 0:15:40.053 --> 0:15:42.133 down for eighteen more months and you know the All 0:15:42.133 --> 0:15:44.853 Blacks could come knocking in twenty twenty six. Another player 0:15:44.893 --> 0:15:47.653 as well, So Misi Tupo Tailwa. Just want to give 0:15:47.733 --> 0:15:50.413 him a note because I think he's been the pick 0:15:50.453 --> 0:15:53.613 of the season from Muana. Wasn't in their training squad. 0:15:53.733 --> 0:15:55.813 I know he played for Southland in the NBC. They 0:15:55.813 --> 0:15:57.773 couldn't believe down there that he missed out on a 0:15:57.773 --> 0:15:59.893 Super Rugby contract with the Highland his first and foremost. 0:15:59.933 --> 0:16:02.333 But anyone wyna pick him up as a training member. 0:16:02.373 --> 0:16:04.533 He's now played all four of their games this season 0:16:04.813 --> 0:16:06.653 off the back of the scrum, combining really well with 0:16:06.733 --> 0:16:10.613 Ardisavia and Miracle filing. He's playing excellent. What's going on 0:16:10.693 --> 0:16:11.933 with the Hurricanes. 0:16:11.453 --> 0:16:15.773 Though, Look, I think they've got some big outs, but 0:16:17.013 --> 0:16:19.333 there's enough talent in that team that they should be 0:16:19.373 --> 0:16:23.853 performing better. It has been a very disappointing year. They're 0:16:23.973 --> 0:16:30.613 very fractured. Some of those guys coming back will make 0:16:30.653 --> 0:16:31.373 a big difference. 0:16:31.453 --> 0:16:34.613 But I think they had twelve players injured heading into 0:16:34.693 --> 0:16:36.613 that game, which is a lot. Yeah, I mean every 0:16:36.613 --> 0:16:38.453 team needs in Daland's got a lot of injuries at 0:16:38.453 --> 0:16:38.893 the month. 0:16:38.933 --> 0:16:43.053 They do, and it's hard you take that into consideration, 0:16:43.213 --> 0:16:45.693 but you still look at some of the talent that 0:16:45.813 --> 0:16:47.933 is on the park for them, guys like Peter Luckeye 0:16:47.933 --> 0:16:52.093 break through player last year to see, you know, I 0:16:52.133 --> 0:16:57.013 think obviously Cam Roygard was on the bench. But yeah, 0:16:57.053 --> 0:16:59.173 I expect more from the Hurricanes to this point, and 0:17:00.213 --> 0:17:03.253 it's not going to get any easier. So dropping games 0:17:03.293 --> 0:17:06.333 against teams like Mowana, who when you start the year 0:17:06.413 --> 0:17:09.173 you expect to beat, is really good, and at this 0:17:09.213 --> 0:17:12.293 point you'd say they're certainly not a top six finals thing. 0:17:12.493 --> 0:17:15.053 And just doing some silly shit as well, like Isaiahacer, 0:17:15.093 --> 0:17:17.293 Larry Lear weird and taking out the legs of Danny Toy. 0:17:17.333 --> 0:17:20.013 I'm surprised more didn't come with that, to be entirely 0:17:20.333 --> 0:17:23.853 honest with you, Fiji and drew it twenty eight Chiefs 0:17:23.893 --> 0:17:27.093 twenty four special after and again in Laotoka. How many 0:17:27.133 --> 0:17:30.373 of these have we been having bucketed down for the 0:17:30.373 --> 0:17:32.533 first spell, some came out in the second spell and 0:17:32.613 --> 0:17:35.853 Fiji get their noses in front and win it. Odds 0:17:35.853 --> 0:17:39.453 we game of rugby this one. But look the drawer. 0:17:39.853 --> 0:17:41.773 They're very very hard to beat in Lautoka, and the 0:17:41.813 --> 0:17:43.533 Chiefs found that out the hard. 0:17:43.333 --> 0:17:46.653 Way they did, and conditions played a big factor, and 0:17:47.133 --> 0:17:52.053 it was actually the Doer's ball control that was vastly 0:17:52.053 --> 0:17:54.893 superior to the Chiefs and won them the game. It's 0:17:54.973 --> 0:17:57.853 a couple of brilliant individual moments, a couple of lot 0:17:57.893 --> 0:18:00.533 of brain explosions from the Chiefs. They were forced to 0:18:00.613 --> 0:18:04.253 chase the game and push passes and that hurt them. 0:18:04.733 --> 0:18:08.773 But man, what an occasion, what an atmosphere it is 0:18:08.773 --> 0:18:11.053 in Lawotoka. I'd love to be at one of those 0:18:11.093 --> 0:18:13.773 fixtures and really soak it up. You would have needed 0:18:14.133 --> 0:18:17.933 your poncho and. 0:18:17.013 --> 0:18:18.653 All the umbrellas are out in the first half. 0:18:18.653 --> 0:18:20.173 I'm not sure how much of the game the crowd 0:18:20.213 --> 0:18:23.653 actually saw all the all the brollies up, but look, 0:18:24.173 --> 0:18:26.693 the Duror were the same as Mawana went. They'd been there, 0:18:26.733 --> 0:18:29.253 they'd been in the fight, lost matches late to the 0:18:29.253 --> 0:18:32.573 waratas and the like, but they are a completely different 0:18:32.573 --> 0:18:33.133 beast at home. 0:18:33.293 --> 0:18:35.853 They are one step for you, which sort of sums 0:18:35.933 --> 0:18:37.773 up to the game for me. Against the Brumbies, the 0:18:37.853 --> 0:18:40.493 Chiefs have six hundred and twelve running meters against the 0:18:40.573 --> 0:18:43.613 drawer two hundred and eighty seven, and that's down to conditions, 0:18:43.653 --> 0:18:47.093 but also just the Druid, you know, just suffocated them 0:18:47.133 --> 0:18:50.853 to an extent. Cortez Razama barely made a meter four, 0:18:50.853 --> 0:18:53.613 couldn't snipe around the ruck. You just basically shoveled it 0:18:53.613 --> 0:18:55.933 off all day long while he was out in the park. 0:18:56.173 --> 0:18:57.933 The Chiefs weren't allowed to play the game that they 0:18:58.013 --> 0:19:01.373 love to play, and we know that's the key to 0:19:01.413 --> 0:19:03.573 shutting them down. But the Drawer went out and did it. 0:19:04.133 --> 0:19:05.813 Yeah, you look at that Brumbies game. 0:19:05.853 --> 0:19:09.573 I think it was a Saturday afternoon fixture, bathed in sunshine. 0:19:10.133 --> 0:19:13.373 And you go to Laotoka though, and the Chiefs are 0:19:13.373 --> 0:19:16.613 stuck in the mud, aren't They couldn't get that go forward, 0:19:17.173 --> 0:19:20.333 Josh Jacob. Quite a tough day as packs not getting 0:19:20.333 --> 0:19:26.093 ascendency and the drawers rushing up, knocking you over really 0:19:26.093 --> 0:19:28.253 tough to the office and that go forward makes all 0:19:28.293 --> 0:19:28.773 the difference. 0:19:29.373 --> 0:19:31.253 It does. Indeed, also a story last week around the 0:19:31.293 --> 0:19:36.293 drawer and some of the way that being treated by 0:19:36.973 --> 0:19:39.373 what's the word, I guess probably for me. It strikes 0:19:39.373 --> 0:19:44.533 into external providers, some around the transportation and their hotels. 0:19:44.573 --> 0:19:47.293 Just not a great look for Super Rugby. I think 0:19:47.333 --> 0:19:48.573 by and large it seems to be down to the 0:19:48.613 --> 0:19:53.213 external providers, the accommodation, buses, etc. That are there, but 0:19:53.453 --> 0:19:55.973 just leaves us how it tastes when you're not treating, 0:19:56.333 --> 0:19:58.573 you know, visitors to your country the way they should 0:19:58.573 --> 0:19:59.013 be treated. 0:19:59.613 --> 0:19:59.773 Yeah. 0:19:59.813 --> 0:20:02.173 I don't think there was any ill will, no or 0:20:02.253 --> 0:20:04.973 intent necessary, but it's not good enough. 0:20:06.213 --> 0:20:07.013 By all accounts. 0:20:07.013 --> 0:20:10.853 Teams that travel to Fiji treated like kings, hugely popular 0:20:10.933 --> 0:20:13.933 with locals and everything's laid on you start resorts, the 0:20:13.973 --> 0:20:17.853 transportation and everything like that, and that needs to be reciprocated. 0:20:17.933 --> 0:20:18.253 I think. 0:20:18.333 --> 0:20:22.053 Yeah. That Fiji arrived about midnight and Wellington for those 0:20:22.093 --> 0:20:25.373