WEBVTT - Rugby Direct - Episode 178

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

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<v Speaker 1>Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.

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<v Speaker 2>Straight down the Middle, Try Dickey scud.

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<v Speaker 1>Try get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby

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<v Speaker 1>Direct with Elliot Smith and Lea Napier, powered by News

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<v Speaker 1>Talks ed B.

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<v Speaker 3>Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Access Solutions, elevating you

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<v Speaker 3>and your business to a higher level. We tease that

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<v Speaker 3>we might be back, and we have delivered two days

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<v Speaker 3>out from the All Blacks Test match against South Africa.

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<v Speaker 3>This big match has been on the horizon for quite

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<v Speaker 3>some time. Liam, It's as we record this, just over

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<v Speaker 3>forty eight hours away and we have the All Blacks

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<v Speaker 3>team for Saturday night's game. Were you surprised by the

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<v Speaker 3>twenty three that coach Scot Robertson's named.

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<v Speaker 2>No on the whole?

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<v Speaker 4>There was a bit of oil floating around the traps elsewhere,

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<v Speaker 4>but look, this is largely the team we discussed at

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<v Speaker 4>the start of the week and what I expected. I

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<v Speaker 4>thought they would bring in Ammonia Darraua for sever Reese.

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<v Speaker 4>We talked about Fabian Holland being fatigued and to provi

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<v Speaker 4>playing his best rugby at Locke for the All Blacks

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<v Speaker 4>last year, and the All Blacks have always seen Simon

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<v Speaker 4>Parker as a six rather than an eight. It was

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<v Speaker 4>more about giving him that exposure last week. And look,

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<v Speaker 4>the All Blacks were never going to push the panic button.

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<v Speaker 4>Their backs are pressed to the war and they are

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<v Speaker 4>really up against it, aren't They were the Eden park

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<v Speaker 4>record the Springboks coming to town. But I never really

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<v Speaker 4>got the sense from Scott Robertson's public utterances or just

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<v Speaker 4>the general All.

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<v Speaker 2>Blacks ethos that they were always.

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<v Speaker 4>Back, faith first and foremost back players to respec on

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<v Speaker 4>before making mass changes.

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<v Speaker 2>What about you.

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<v Speaker 3>I don't know that it's pushing the panic part it necessarily,

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<v Speaker 3>but they've invested a lot into two po I at

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<v Speaker 3>blindside flanker this year across the two tests in Dunedin

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<v Speaker 3>and Wellington. Didn't play in Hamilton, off the top of

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<v Speaker 3>my head, then played the two in Argentina at blindside Flanka.

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<v Speaker 3>Now that wouldn't have happened. If Simon Parker was fit

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<v Speaker 3>at the start of the year. He would have got

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<v Speaker 3>an opportunity in some of that French series. Whether it's

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<v Speaker 3>all some whatever, but it feels like for the biggest

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<v Speaker 3>Test match of the year. They've now diverted course, and

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<v Speaker 3>to an extent it is understandable, but I would have

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<v Speaker 3>almost liked them to stay the course. Now you mentioned

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<v Speaker 3>Farban Holland, I think he did look a little bit

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<v Speaker 3>fatigued him. And this is the young kid started five

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<v Speaker 3>Test matches on the trot and played eighteen I think

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<v Speaker 3>all bar one, so he has looked fatigued. And I

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<v Speaker 3>wonder if Patrick toy but lotso not being fed has

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<v Speaker 3>also played a part in some of these selections as well.

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<v Speaker 3>But it almost feels like they're rushing Simon Parker in

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<v Speaker 3>on the blind side. People might say that differently, but

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<v Speaker 3>I think you've invested to per v. I would have

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<v Speaker 3>stuck with him on the blind side for this Test match.

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<v Speaker 4>It's a fair concern. Look, Simon Parker's played one Test.

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<v Speaker 4>He's absolutely unproven at test level. I think I was

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<v Speaker 4>probably a wee bit harsh on him on reflection that

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<v Speaker 4>test he got through quite a power of work on

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<v Speaker 4>defense in an all black pack that was largely beaten

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<v Speaker 4>to the punch. But he's got everything to prove and

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<v Speaker 4>I think it was Matt Pears, the super support commentator

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<v Speaker 4>at the Press Currence today with Scott Robertson, talked about

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<v Speaker 4>the spring box saying or their mantra being there's a

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<v Speaker 4>test debut and then there's a debut against the All Blacks,

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<v Speaker 4>and that's a very real concept in the physicality the

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<v Speaker 4>collisions that Simon Parker and a number of this All

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<v Speaker 4>Black team will confront this weekend.

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<v Speaker 2>Look for me to Pervi isn't a six.

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<v Speaker 4>I think he lacks the pace and he was probably

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<v Speaker 4>exposed a wee bit there against the pumas he brings

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<v Speaker 4>and upside. But if you just compare his performances last

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<v Speaker 4>year when he really was one of the All Blacks

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<v Speaker 4>best from Locke Scorps and also talked about today him

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<v Speaker 4>being one of the best scrummaging locks. I just I

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<v Speaker 4>do like the balance of the loose forderer and the

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<v Speaker 4>second row. But you're right, maybe they have diverted the

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<v Speaker 4>plan because why invest so much into provi Oni to

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<v Speaker 4>make that change for this game.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, it feels like maybe they should have stuck with

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<v Speaker 3>it at least this week. Clearly they've seen something in

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<v Speaker 3>Simon Parker that from that first test when he got

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<v Speaker 3>through a lot of work a lot of tackles. I

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<v Speaker 3>think he had the second most meters from the All Blacks.

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<v Speaker 3>I mean that wasn't hard on that night, given though

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<v Speaker 3>weren't getting a lot of go forward. But big opportunity

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<v Speaker 3>for him, I guess you can frame it that way,

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<v Speaker 3>and a chance for him to take on that six

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<v Speaker 3>year old Wallace. Titi comes back in at number eight.

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<v Speaker 3>Artie Saviga has one hundredth on the open side flank.

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<v Speaker 3>Big moment for Arti this week, as if this Test

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<v Speaker 3>could be any bigger. You know, Artie bring up the

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<v Speaker 3>one hundredth Test match, one hundred and second game overall.

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<v Speaker 3>He's meant a lot to the All Blacks for nigh

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<v Speaker 3>on a decade now and he can still deliver. You know.

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<v Speaker 3>His consistency is one of his hallmarks, isn't it.

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<v Speaker 2>Well, it's funny, isn't it.

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<v Speaker 4>I guess because of the normality, the magnitude of this

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<v Speaker 4>occasion and everything else that goes with the Eden Park,

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<v Speaker 4>the World Champions coming to town, Ardie's hundredth has very

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<v Speaker 4>much flown under the raidar. He spoke to us to

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<v Speaker 4>a big media pack today and I think he looked

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<v Speaker 4>away bit uncomfortable, doesn't necessarily want the spotlight on him

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<v Speaker 4>right now. You know, pre match the focus will certainly

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<v Speaker 4>be on getting the victory this weekends. But if you

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<v Speaker 4>reflect on Ardie, there's a few things.

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<v Speaker 2>That stand out.

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<v Speaker 4>One is his size in the land of Giants in

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<v Speaker 4>the forward pack. He's not big, is he, but he

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<v Speaker 4>consistently punches above his weight and has done from a

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<v Speaker 4>young age. I think he had to prove himself and

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<v Speaker 4>come out of the shadow of Julian and prove himself

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<v Speaker 4>from a size perspective. And we see now his leg

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<v Speaker 4>drive and he's grown into a real leader, hasn't he?

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<v Speaker 4>Through Wine and PACIFICA and he's led the All Blacks

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<v Speaker 4>in Scott Robertson's absence. So yeah, massive occasion for him

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<v Speaker 4>this weekends, and that historically tends to bring out the

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<v Speaker 4>best in him.

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<v Speaker 3>It does, absolutely and he loves an occasion. We look

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<v Speaker 3>at the performances he had from one of Pacific out

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<v Speaker 3>this year and those big games Blues and North Harbor Stadium.

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<v Speaker 3>A lot made of that game and the lead up

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<v Speaker 3>basically put the team on his shoulders and got them

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<v Speaker 3>the victory. So if he can deliver a performance like

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<v Speaker 3>that comes Saturday night, and then the All Blacks will

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<v Speaker 3>be well on the way to getting this victory. A

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<v Speaker 3>couple of changes to the back line as well, from

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<v Speaker 3>the Christie starts at half back. Cortez Rata ruled out

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<v Speaker 3>with that ribb injury he suffered in Argentina and Nadawa

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<v Speaker 3>on the right wing, your thoughts on both of those,

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<v Speaker 3>I guess for phin Lake Christie next man up mentality,

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<v Speaker 3>I mean he remarkable to think five six weeks ago,

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<v Speaker 3>maybe a bit longer when the squad was named in

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<v Speaker 3>Taranaki for the French series, that Phinlay Christie would be

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<v Speaker 3>starting against the spring Box. But it's transpired that way,

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<v Speaker 3>and I know the comparison was made to Stephen Donald today,

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<v Speaker 3>fourth choice player in a big moment, big match, a

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<v Speaker 3>chance for him to really deliver and show what he's

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<v Speaker 3>capable of doing.

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<v Speaker 4>Yeah. Look, if there's one era of concern for the

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<v Speaker 4>orblexis halfback, isn't it you lose?

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<v Speaker 2>I think if you lose.

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<v Speaker 4>Three players in any position, can Roy Gardnahothem, Cortez Artima,

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<v Speaker 4>You're going to be in a hole anywhere. Scott Robertson's

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<v Speaker 4>trying to build this four four four, Well here we

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<v Speaker 4>are she's getting an early taste of it, Finlay, Christie

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<v Speaker 4>has never quite delivered for me on the test stage.

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<v Speaker 4>He can get a little bit. He doesn't get overawed

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<v Speaker 4>by an occasion, but he can get rattled his decision

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<v Speaker 4>making a little bit at times. But as Scott Robinson

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<v Speaker 4>said today, he's got an established combination to a degree

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<v Speaker 4>with Boden Barrett and he's fairly unflappable character. But yeah,

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<v Speaker 4>with Christie starting and Coyle Preston on debut on the bench,

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<v Speaker 4>that is an area of concern for the All Blacks

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<v Speaker 4>and Ammonia Naraua. Look, I'm happy he's getting a chance,

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<v Speaker 4>but it's a rare chance and the All Blacks to

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<v Speaker 4>this point have lacked faith in them, haven't they.

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<v Speaker 2>I think this is his third test, second start.

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<v Speaker 4>He only started earlier this year in Wellington against the

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<v Speaker 4>French after Caleb Clark pulled out late in the week

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<v Speaker 4>with an injury. So he's almost been a bit of

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<v Speaker 4>a stopgap measure when they've had to go to him

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<v Speaker 4>rather than when they've wanted to. So it is a

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<v Speaker 4>huge occasion to throw a guy in when there's so

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<v Speaker 4>much focus on that aerial assault that will come his

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<v Speaker 4>way well.

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<v Speaker 3>A lot of focus on Rico Yuani today as well,

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<v Speaker 3>and I thought Scot Robison chose his words relatively carefully

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<v Speaker 3>around what he expects and needs from him this weekend. Robertson,

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<v Speaker 3>I can't have the clip to play you at the moment,

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<v Speaker 3>but he was quite short in terms of that opportunity

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<v Speaker 3>and the expectation that is now in Riko Youwanne and

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<v Speaker 3>it feels like it is must deliver time for Riko Yuanni.

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<v Speaker 3>This is his home ground, his SETI expectations on him

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<v Speaker 3>to really deliver it. They decided to chop one of

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<v Speaker 3>the wings and sever Reese putting in morning another. He's

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<v Speaker 3>regod under the high ball. Riko Euan has clung onto

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<v Speaker 3>his jusey, but the message seems to be implied that

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<v Speaker 3>it's time to deliver, so.

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<v Speaker 2>It's a stay of execution. It feels that way, doesn't it.

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<v Speaker 4>Because you've got Caleb Clark bloking and you have Les

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<v Speaker 4>defying a Nuku, two ready made options. Clark's your best

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<v Speaker 4>aerial winger, has performed really well against South Africa. He'll

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<v Speaker 4>go away and play for Auckland this weekend and by

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<v Speaker 4>all accounts be available for the All Blacks next week

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<v Speaker 4>in the rematch in Wellington, so Rico's on notice and

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<v Speaker 4>his back to the future switch from center to the

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<v Speaker 4>wing has been unconvincing across the board, from chasing kicks

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<v Speaker 4>to be involved with ball in hands. He has the

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<v Speaker 4>physical attributes, but it just hasn't clicked. And you don't

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<v Speaker 4>often see center's wings go to center and then back

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<v Speaker 4>to the wing, do you.

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<v Speaker 3>You don't, especially at the All Blacks, the age that

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<v Speaker 3>the age out of that profile. I know you've written

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<v Speaker 3>about it before, but late in their careers wings tend

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<v Speaker 3>to not you know, produce for the All Blacks in

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<v Speaker 3>terms of tries and therefore that's their currency. It's like

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<v Speaker 3>batsmen and runs in cricket. That's their currency of scoring

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<v Speaker 3>tries by and large, and often they exit around that

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<v Speaker 3>twenty seven to twenty eight age. Looking at the bench

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<v Speaker 3>as well, not too many surprises here. We've got to

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<v Speaker 3>mighty Williams coming off the bench again this week, or

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<v Speaker 3>a Lomax makes his return off the bench. A couple

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<v Speaker 3>of great players to bring on in the last thirty

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<v Speaker 3>thirty five minutes of the Test match as well. Fabing

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<v Speaker 3>and Holland drops to the bench to see Kadifi Carle

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<v Speaker 3>Preston for a day boone, then Quintepia, Damian mckint to

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<v Speaker 3>the Backs. Not too many surprises in that all Blacks bench.

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<v Speaker 2>No, the Backs perhaps lack a wee bit of firepower.

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<v Speaker 2>I think.

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<v Speaker 4>I'm sure Scott Robinson was tempted to bring Lester fighting

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<v Speaker 4>a nooku back in. You would have gone as far

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<v Speaker 4>as potentially starting him. You know that the argument you

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<v Speaker 4>made was he's available, pick him, and that's very valid.

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<v Speaker 4>I think if you weigh a two pire against fighting

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<v Speaker 4>a nook who, there is more upside in a lister.

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<v Speaker 4>But he only joined the camp on Sunday nights, so

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<v Speaker 4>maybe he will come into the mixed next weekend. In

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<v Speaker 4>terms of the Fords, it really is meet and fire

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<v Speaker 4>will fire to mighty Williams, SAMERSONI Takyaho, who is in

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<v Speaker 4>great form apart from his line out milkdown against the Pumas,

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<v Speaker 4>which is probably not his fault alone. Entirole Lomax. When

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<v Speaker 4>you talk about the box bomb squad, that is a

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<v Speaker 4>real beefy front row to bring on, isn't.

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<v Speaker 3>It certainly is. And Kyle Price for a debut after

0:12:09.773 --> 0:12:11.853
<v Speaker 3>earning making a super rugby deboot at the start of

0:12:11.893 --> 0:12:14.933
<v Speaker 3>the year. Quite a remarkable story. We don't have the

0:12:14.973 --> 0:12:17.933
<v Speaker 3>Box team at time of recording. We're standing by for that,

0:12:18.053 --> 0:12:21.413
<v Speaker 3>but Liam, give us a prediction, how is this going

0:12:21.413 --> 0:12:22.373
<v Speaker 3>to play out Saturday night?

0:12:23.293 --> 0:12:25.373
<v Speaker 4>Well, it's going to be a magic occasion. You know,

0:12:25.413 --> 0:12:28.693
<v Speaker 4>we're both very fortunate to be there to witness it.

0:12:28.693 --> 0:12:31.293
<v Speaker 4>It'll be a moment that will stand in time one

0:12:31.333 --> 0:12:34.893
<v Speaker 4>way or the other. I think there could be could

0:12:34.933 --> 0:12:37.773
<v Speaker 4>well be a bit of controversy. Who's the referee again,

0:12:37.813 --> 0:12:39.293
<v Speaker 4>Old Dixon?

0:12:38.933 --> 0:12:41.613
<v Speaker 2>Dixon? Which evokes a few nerves.

0:12:41.933 --> 0:12:45.533
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, yeah, what do I say about Car? I would

0:12:45.533 --> 0:12:47.853
<v Speaker 3>just keep my powder dry until after the game. But

0:12:48.093 --> 0:12:50.533
<v Speaker 3>I think I've made a thoughts clear before on this

0:12:50.573 --> 0:12:54.333
<v Speaker 3>podcast about yes, Carl Dixon is an international referee recording.

0:12:54.493 --> 0:12:56.493
<v Speaker 4>I think I think there are a few nerves around

0:12:56.533 --> 0:12:59.173
<v Speaker 4>about how that's going to play out. Look, I'm going

0:12:59.213 --> 0:13:01.813
<v Speaker 4>to stick with the prediction I've made all week that

0:13:01.813 --> 0:13:03.693
<v Speaker 4>the All Blacks are going to rebound and win by

0:13:03.693 --> 0:13:08.133
<v Speaker 4>three points. That's not an overly confident one. But I

0:13:08.133 --> 0:13:11.293
<v Speaker 4>think this spring Box team, I won't go as far

0:13:11.373 --> 0:13:12.973
<v Speaker 4>as say they're not the team they were, but they're

0:13:12.973 --> 0:13:18.333
<v Speaker 4>certainly not performing to their potential. They've been in recent

0:13:18.413 --> 0:13:20.373
<v Speaker 4>times have been knocked over by the Pumas as the

0:13:20.413 --> 0:13:22.773
<v Speaker 4>All Blacks were. They lost at home to the Wallabies

0:13:22.813 --> 0:13:26.413
<v Speaker 4>and were exposed when the Wallabies brought fatigue into the

0:13:26.413 --> 0:13:28.373
<v Speaker 4>game and used a good short kicking game. So I

0:13:28.413 --> 0:13:31.853
<v Speaker 4>think there is a real blueprint there. I think Wayne

0:13:31.853 --> 0:13:35.093
<v Speaker 4>Smith coming into camp this week is very timely.

0:13:36.173 --> 0:13:38.973
<v Speaker 3>And so Graham Henry as well popping in on chas right.

0:13:39.013 --> 0:13:40.133
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I don't know what.

0:13:40.493 --> 0:13:44.133
<v Speaker 4>I don't know whether the box, given what played out

0:13:44.133 --> 0:13:47.373
<v Speaker 4>in South Africa, are going to have the confidence to

0:13:47.453 --> 0:13:51.933
<v Speaker 4>play enough rugby because if they do it's a real risk.

0:13:52.533 --> 0:13:56.053
<v Speaker 4>So my gut is that they'll stick largely to their

0:13:56.053 --> 0:13:58.733
<v Speaker 4>strengths and I don't know if that'll that'll be enough.

0:13:58.933 --> 0:14:00.333
<v Speaker 3>I think they'll stick to their strengths as well. Like

0:14:00.533 --> 0:14:02.293
<v Speaker 3>I started the week with All Blacks by four, I've

0:14:02.333 --> 0:14:04.013
<v Speaker 3>gone back to All Blacks by three and now I'm

0:14:04.053 --> 0:14:07.093
<v Speaker 3>sitting it All Blacks by two forty eight hours out.

0:14:07.173 --> 0:14:09.693
<v Speaker 3>So I said, no, I'm going I'm going to draw

0:14:09.773 --> 0:14:13.053
<v Speaker 3>by Saturday I think, which was ninety four at Eden

0:14:13.133 --> 0:14:16.093
<v Speaker 3>Park as well. Look, it should be a fantastic test match,

0:14:16.133 --> 0:14:19.613
<v Speaker 3>looking forward to it and let's hope it delivers to

0:14:19.653 --> 0:14:21.533
<v Speaker 3>the hype that has been built around it, because it

0:14:21.573 --> 0:14:25.613
<v Speaker 3>feels like this has been Lions Test three and twenty seventeen,

0:14:25.693 --> 0:14:28.333
<v Speaker 3>even World Cup finalist in twenty eleven in terms of

0:14:28.373 --> 0:14:30.653
<v Speaker 3>the attention that has been zeroed in on this game.

0:14:31.253 --> 0:14:34.853
<v Speaker 2>Let's hope it delivered. Saturday night, Yes, Strappan can't wait Absolutely.

0:14:34.493 --> 0:14:37.213
<v Speaker 3>Live commentary on News Talks ABI Gold Sport iHeart Radio

0:14:37.253 --> 0:14:39.813
<v Speaker 3>seven oh five on Saturday, and you can follow live

0:14:39.853 --> 0:14:41.893
<v Speaker 3>blogs and all the analysis on the New Zealand Hero

0:14:42.013 --> 0:14:45.133
<v Speaker 3>website as well. Until next time. This has been Rugby

0:14:45.293 --> 0:14:47.573
<v Speaker 3>Direct powered by Excess Solutions.

0:14:51.173 --> 0:14:54.133
<v Speaker 1>For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air

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