WEBVTT - Rugby Direct: Episode 209 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:11.973 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B. 0:00:12.373 --> 0:00:17.013 Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 0:00:19.413 --> 0:00:21.173 Straight down the Middle. 0:00:23.933 --> 0:00:32.453 Try to get inside the game from every goal. It's 0:00:32.573 --> 0:00:36.373 Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Leam Navier powered by 0:00:36.413 --> 0:00:37.213 News Talks ed B. 0:00:37.653 --> 0:00:40.333 Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by Habit Heath Buysio book 0:00:40.373 --> 0:00:43.093 today and stay in the game. We are back for 0:00:43.173 --> 0:00:45.973 our MIDWEK edition of Rugby Direct. Elligant Smith with me 0:00:46.173 --> 0:00:51.413 as always Liam Napier. Greetings Liam, Rugby world never slows down. 0:00:51.453 --> 0:00:52.893 Welcome back to the pod. 0:00:53.893 --> 0:00:57.253 Great to be helliotts and no, it doesn't, particularly when 0:00:57.293 --> 0:00:59.813 you're in the midst of appointing a new All Blacks 0:00:59.893 --> 0:01:03.093 coaching team. There's always going to be sparks and flurries 0:01:03.173 --> 0:01:06.093 and news of points in. It's what we're having over 0:01:06.133 --> 0:01:07.453 the last few weeks, isn't it. 0:01:07.533 --> 0:01:09.053 Yeah, there certainly. Well, there was a couple of media 0:01:09.093 --> 0:01:12.333 autlet's yesterday reporting that tana Umanga is in line to 0:01:12.373 --> 0:01:15.853 become an assistant coach with the All Blacks. We did 0:01:15.933 --> 0:01:18.013 bring up his name, I think on the Monday Pod 0:01:18.053 --> 0:01:21.413 potentially and know he's been mentioned elsewhere on the breakdown, 0:01:21.453 --> 0:01:24.773 et cetera. Too. What's the latest. What are you hearing 0:01:25.013 --> 0:01:28.133 around the potential of tana umang A joining that day 0:01:28.173 --> 0:01:29.253 for Renny coaching stuff? 0:01:30.533 --> 0:01:33.293 Well, I think there where they smoked this fire Elliott 0:01:33.333 --> 0:01:37.573 with these things. But at this stage, no assistants have 0:01:37.693 --> 0:01:42.053 been offered coaching contracts, so it's certainly not a dune 0:01:42.093 --> 0:01:45.733 deal with anyone. No firm decisions have been made. I 0:01:45.733 --> 0:01:49.053 think Rennie's still doing his due diligence about because it's 0:01:49.093 --> 0:01:51.973 not just technically and tactically, is it. It's about an 0:01:51.973 --> 0:01:56.373 any coaching team who can work with whom, what personalities 0:01:56.413 --> 0:02:00.413 are involved, What New Zealand Rugby wants, what Rennie wants. 0:02:00.493 --> 0:02:02.693 So there's a lot of moving parts involved in this. 0:02:02.853 --> 0:02:06.253 But look, in regards to tana umager, I did have 0:02:06.293 --> 0:02:08.293 a bit of correspondence with them, just back and forth 0:02:08.373 --> 0:02:12.573 over a text message, and he was civically nonchalant, saying, 0:02:13.253 --> 0:02:16.133 you know, he doesn't comment on speculation, but he's slated 0:02:16.213 --> 0:02:20.653 to be considered. So look, he's firmly in the mix 0:02:20.773 --> 0:02:23.213 and Dave Rennie wants him to be his defense coach, 0:02:23.333 --> 0:02:25.693 which would effectively replace Tamody Ellison. 0:02:26.613 --> 0:02:27.333 So if we just there. 0:02:27.413 --> 0:02:30.853 With that in isolation, how do you think tana Umonger 0:02:30.893 --> 0:02:33.333 would go as an all black defense coach. 0:02:33.453 --> 0:02:35.733 Well, I think that would be the role for him 0:02:35.813 --> 0:02:38.973 his sister. Sorry, his head coaching time at the Blues 0:02:39.093 --> 0:02:42.573 didn't really work out. He was shuffled out of the 0:02:42.893 --> 0:02:46.013 early Remember Leo McDonald came on board back end of 0:02:46.013 --> 0:02:49.093 twenty eighteen and took over for twenty nineteen when tana 0:02:49.213 --> 0:02:51.733 Umanga was supposed to be head coaching. But it was 0:02:51.773 --> 0:02:54.293 then over the next couple of years that they he 0:02:54.333 --> 0:02:57.293 sort of found his niche with the Blues for a 0:02:57.293 --> 0:02:59.933 couple of seasons. Their defense is pretty strong. He developed 0:02:59.973 --> 0:03:02.853 some good systems and then left I think was at 0:03:02.853 --> 0:03:06.613 twenty twenty one. Ended up becoming Mawana coach down the track, 0:03:06.653 --> 0:03:09.693 but it felt like maybe as an assistant that was 0:03:09.733 --> 0:03:12.533 a role he was perhaps better suited to than being 0:03:12.653 --> 0:03:14.253 an out and out head coach, and he wouldn't be 0:03:14.293 --> 0:03:16.333 alone in that. There's been a number of coaches that 0:03:16.333 --> 0:03:19.533 are better place to narrow their focus down on one 0:03:19.613 --> 0:03:22.213 element of the game and not have to worry about 0:03:22.253 --> 0:03:25.773 the full package and essentially being the CEO of the team, 0:03:25.773 --> 0:03:27.653 but really zero in on one thing. I think that's 0:03:27.693 --> 0:03:31.613 where tana Umonger's strength has ultimately been found. So Dave 0:03:31.693 --> 0:03:34.253 Rennie of course coached tana umung a way back win 0:03:34.373 --> 0:03:37.773 for Wellington and the early two thousands, so there is 0:03:37.813 --> 0:03:39.973 a history between those two as well. But I think 0:03:40.053 --> 0:03:43.413 ultimately you can't judge t Umo on his head coaching 0:03:43.493 --> 0:03:47.173 role necessarily. I think his defense is, you know, something 0:03:47.173 --> 0:03:49.693 that the Blues prided themselves on when they were at 0:03:49.893 --> 0:03:52.333 when he was at the team as the defense coach. 0:03:52.373 --> 0:03:54.893 So look, I think it's a if it happens, a 0:03:54.933 --> 0:03:55.973 fairly astute appointment. 0:03:57.013 --> 0:03:58.853 Yeah, I agree, I think it's a great way to 0:03:58.893 --> 0:03:59.173 put it. 0:03:59.853 --> 0:04:02.293 I think there's a couple of elements to explore with 0:04:02.373 --> 0:04:05.253 tana and you mentioned as Blues coaching tenure there, but 0:04:05.573 --> 0:04:09.493 he's also had He's vastly experienced as a coach and 0:04:09.813 --> 0:04:12.133 maybe it's because of what he achieved as a player 0:04:12.533 --> 0:04:14.213 that that gets a wee bit lost. But he's been 0:04:14.213 --> 0:04:17.293 coaching for fifteen years now. He did five years in 0:04:17.333 --> 0:04:21.173 France or Toulon, he did some time at the Chiefs 0:04:22.293 --> 0:04:24.893 and he did really well with Connie's Monaco. They won 0:04:24.933 --> 0:04:28.853 the Roan Fallly Shield. Obviously, the Blues and then Mouana 0:04:29.013 --> 0:04:32.773 and obviously Arti had a massive impact and influence on 0:04:32.813 --> 0:04:36.573 that team, but Tana was a huge factor in Ardi 0:04:36.733 --> 0:04:40.573 going to Moana in the first place, but also Moana 0:04:40.653 --> 0:04:45.053 last year. Remember, outside of Arti, I'll challenge you to 0:04:45.133 --> 0:04:47.253 name many players in that team that any Super Ragby 0:04:47.253 --> 0:04:50.053 team would have been chasing. And yet they knocked over 0:04:50.773 --> 0:04:53.413 every New Zealand Super Ragby team I think by the 0:04:53.533 --> 0:04:59.293 Chiefs when were one when within the playoffs. So from 0:04:59.293 --> 0:05:02.493 a head coaching perspective of a team that had a 0:05:02.533 --> 0:05:05.453 real lack of star power and depth, did bloody well 0:05:05.493 --> 0:05:09.773 on that occasion. And then of course there's this Pacifica 0:05:09.853 --> 0:05:12.613 element that's forming around the All Blacks, isn't there. Dave Renny, 0:05:12.693 --> 0:05:15.973 the first All Blacks head coach of Pacifica Heritage, his 0:05:16.613 --> 0:05:22.053 mother from Raratonga tana Umaga, the first All Blacks captain 0:05:22.093 --> 0:05:28.053 of Pacifica heritage in history, has a great way of 0:05:28.173 --> 0:05:31.853 connecting and bringing through that culture and I think that's 0:05:31.853 --> 0:05:35.693 probably something that was lacking within that All Black camp 0:05:36.173 --> 0:05:38.813 under Raiser. And if you look at the demographic of 0:05:39.133 --> 0:05:42.293 not just the All Blacks but Super rugby teams NRL teams. 0:05:43.293 --> 0:05:49.493 Increasingly those are populated by players with Pacifica and Maldi heritage. 0:05:49.493 --> 0:05:53.373 So I think it is in a stoote move and 0:05:53.413 --> 0:05:56.453 I think it is probably nigh on time that we 0:05:56.493 --> 0:06:00.733 see more representation from Pacifica and Maldi in an All 0:06:00.733 --> 0:06:02.813 Blacks coaching team, and I think that could only only 0:06:02.853 --> 0:06:05.813 help the team, particularly when you're looking at effectively a 0:06:05.813 --> 0:06:07.213 cultural rebuild for this team. 0:06:07.293 --> 0:06:10.733 Isn't it is? And among A former captain, brings a 0:06:10.733 --> 0:06:13.413 lot of Mana, but it can't just be about Mana alone. 0:06:13.453 --> 0:06:15.053 It can't just be about what he's going to bring 0:06:15.093 --> 0:06:17.333 to the culture. It's got to be on the defense. 0:06:18.413 --> 0:06:20.533 And to be honest, that's probably an area that they 0:06:20.533 --> 0:06:24.493 haven't really solidified the All Blacks in the last few years, 0:06:24.813 --> 0:06:26.893 is that that defensive role. There's been a lot of 0:06:26.973 --> 0:06:31.133 weak tries conceded. You know, Timothy Allison maybe was a 0:06:31.173 --> 0:06:33.813 bit too far early in his coaching career for him 0:06:33.853 --> 0:06:36.693 to take on that role and bring the changes in 0:06:36.733 --> 0:06:39.453 the All Blacks environment. Scott McLeod did it until twenty 0:06:39.453 --> 0:06:42.293 twenty three as well, but he took over from Wayne Smith. 0:06:42.333 --> 0:06:45.693 So the bandon has been passed around and no one's 0:06:45.773 --> 0:06:48.573 really sort of taken it and charged toward it. Towards it, 0:06:48.613 --> 0:06:51.053 so there's, you know, the possibility that he might be 0:06:51.133 --> 0:06:53.333 able to make some quick shifts in this department if 0:06:53.373 --> 0:06:54.053 he is appointed. 0:06:55.173 --> 0:06:57.573 Yeah, and like you say, there needs to be because 0:06:58.213 --> 0:07:02.293 I think somebody Elson we've discussed will be a good 0:07:02.293 --> 0:07:04.453 coach in time. But as you say, I think was 0:07:04.813 --> 0:07:08.533 probably promoted to a position of influence too, So I 0:07:08.573 --> 0:07:11.973 think he started as a contact coach within the All 0:07:11.973 --> 0:07:15.533 Blacks but was quickly elevated to the defense brief when 0:07:15.573 --> 0:07:21.293 Scott Hansen assumed a switch from defense to attack and look, 0:07:21.333 --> 0:07:23.773 defense is so prevalent in modern day rugby, whether it 0:07:23.773 --> 0:07:28.453 be rush defense or umbrella style, you know, shutting down 0:07:28.493 --> 0:07:31.733 time and space and playmakers. That's evolved massively in recent times. 0:07:31.733 --> 0:07:35.733 You've seen the league influence coming with David Kidwell and 0:07:36.173 --> 0:07:39.293 Shawn Edwards going to France and others, so it's a 0:07:39.373 --> 0:07:42.693 very important brief. There are others that have done well 0:07:42.693 --> 0:07:45.173 within New Zealand rugby. I think Craig McGrath and the 0:07:45.213 --> 0:07:48.413 Blues is quite highly regarded and abroad other keywis like 0:07:48.453 --> 0:07:52.653 Jared Payne in Australia, Laurie Fisher is as. 0:07:52.533 --> 0:07:53.573 Well regarded as well. 0:07:53.693 --> 0:07:56.653 So it's an important area that the All Blacks need 0:07:56.693 --> 0:08:01.773 to get right. And maybe Tanna's the guy, maybe he's not, 0:08:01.933 --> 0:08:04.973 but I think he would be an upgrade on somebody Allison. 0:08:05.213 --> 0:08:07.853 So there's tracks with what we sort of put out 0:08:07.853 --> 0:08:11.133 there on Monday in the podcast that Jason Ryan would 0:08:11.173 --> 0:08:14.893 be the only survivor of the previous coaching raging to 0:08:15.173 --> 0:08:17.853 retain a job. Assuming that goes ahead and anything changes 0:08:17.853 --> 0:08:18.173 from this. 0:08:18.133 --> 0:08:21.133 Point potentially, Yeah, I think there's a bit of a 0:08:21.133 --> 0:08:24.293 standoff brewing between an early standoff between he's on on 0:08:24.373 --> 0:08:28.813 rugby and Dave Rennie around the attack. Brief now, I 0:08:28.893 --> 0:08:32.253 expect Dave Rennie to take on a large role with 0:08:32.333 --> 0:08:32.813 that attack. 0:08:32.893 --> 0:08:33.253 That's his. 0:08:35.333 --> 0:08:39.693 Trademark, is I guess from it from a coaching perspective, 0:08:39.733 --> 0:08:41.533 He's very strong an attack and I think that was 0:08:41.573 --> 0:08:45.373 a reason he was preferred over Joseph. But Scott Hansen 0:08:45.493 --> 0:08:48.293 is on a four year contract and we know he 0:08:48.293 --> 0:08:54.013 held quite strong influence and responsibilities within Scott Robinson's team. 0:08:54.053 --> 0:08:56.813 He was his two IC, he did a lot of 0:08:56.813 --> 0:09:00.933 the on ground coaching. Him and Jason Ryan are both 0:09:00.973 --> 0:09:04.213 on four year contracts, so having paid out Scott Robertson. 0:09:04.253 --> 0:09:07.613 I think New Zealand Rugby is potentially keen for Scott 0:09:07.653 --> 0:09:10.133 Hansen to be tained because then that would avoid them 0:09:10.133 --> 0:09:11.373 having to pay him out. 0:09:11.493 --> 0:09:12.253 And of course. 0:09:12.093 --> 0:09:15.733 Rennie wants Mike Blair, who's done a great job with 0:09:15.813 --> 0:09:18.933 Kobe in recent years, the former Scotland halfback, to help 0:09:19.093 --> 0:09:21.333 come in and run the attack, but he's one on. 0:09:21.493 --> 0:09:26.653 Rugby have traditionally not hired or recruited foreign coach for 0:09:26.693 --> 0:09:28.453 the All Blacks, so I think there's a bit of 0:09:28.453 --> 0:09:30.453 a standoff browing there. It's gonna be interesting to see 0:09:30.493 --> 0:09:32.213 how that transplires hate Daisen. 0:09:32.213 --> 0:09:33.733 We've already got a standoff napes. 0:09:35.373 --> 0:09:39.013 Yeah, these things never go quite so smoothly. But if 0:09:39.053 --> 0:09:41.733 you think back to Razor, how do you think it 0:09:41.773 --> 0:09:46.293 should play out? Raizorhead car Blanche that that didn't really 0:09:46.413 --> 0:09:47.933 unfolds too well? 0:09:48.773 --> 0:09:50.133 How do you think this should play out? 0:09:50.213 --> 0:09:53.813 Yeah? I think it's an interesting one, isn't it. Dave 0:09:53.853 --> 0:09:55.573 Rennie should have his say on who he wants to 0:09:55.613 --> 0:09:59.493 be his assistants, and I don't know that putting to 0:09:59.653 --> 0:10:02.973 people together in an arranged marriage like potentially they may 0:10:03.293 --> 0:10:05.813 have de forced to work with Scott Hansen is going 0:10:05.853 --> 0:10:08.053 to be for the betterment of the All Blacks. I 0:10:08.053 --> 0:10:11.373 think if they want this team to be set up 0:10:11.413 --> 0:10:14.373 for winning the World Cup, they mentioned trajectory, Well, if 0:10:14.453 --> 0:10:16.613 Dave Rennie doesn't believe that Scott Hanson is part of 0:10:16.613 --> 0:10:19.333 that trajectory to get through to the World Cup, then 0:10:19.373 --> 0:10:21.773 I think ultimately he's got to walk the plank. And 0:10:21.773 --> 0:10:23.333 if they've got to pay him out then then so 0:10:23.453 --> 0:10:26.213 be it. I think this is a special case here, 0:10:26.333 --> 0:10:28.133 and look, you don't want the head coach to have 0:10:28.173 --> 0:10:32.813 the ultimate savior needs to be some element of New 0:10:32.893 --> 0:10:36.093 Zealand rugby giving sign off and agreeing with who he 0:10:36.093 --> 0:10:39.173 puts forward. But also you know he's been thrust and 0:10:39.213 --> 0:10:42.693 potentially made to work with someone that may not gel together. 0:10:42.773 --> 0:10:44.573 So it's a tricky one. But I've got a sign 0:10:44.613 --> 0:10:45.893 with probably Dave Rennie on this one. 0:10:47.053 --> 0:10:48.653 Yeah, I think you should be able to work people 0:10:48.693 --> 0:10:51.533 he knows and trusts, and I think we saw last 0:10:51.613 --> 0:10:54.893 year of the All Black's attack struggle consistently struggle with 0:10:54.973 --> 0:10:56.373 Scott Hanson in that role. 0:10:57.613 --> 0:11:00.013 So for me, it's a pretty black and white choice. 0:11:00.053 --> 0:11:02.093 Yeah, stump up the cash, you pay him out, but 0:11:03.253 --> 0:11:05.053 you know it is a business, but also the all 0:11:05.093 --> 0:11:07.853 black springing that revenue. So you've got to give Dave 0:11:07.893 --> 0:11:11.533 Rennie the beer chance to get that right. There's pros 0:11:11.533 --> 0:11:14.213 and cons to every situation. Scott Hansen would be in 0:11:14.253 --> 0:11:17.213 New Zealand, so he would be around to go around 0:11:17.213 --> 0:11:19.933 the Super Rugby teams and deliver messages and whatnot. But 0:11:20.053 --> 0:11:24.173 Mike Blair and Dave Renny are together in Japan, so 0:11:24.333 --> 0:11:27.093 while they would be coaching Kobe, I'm sure they'd find 0:11:27.133 --> 0:11:29.693 time outside of that to discuss where they'd go with 0:11:29.693 --> 0:11:33.213 your Blacks attack. They'd be living and breathing with each 0:11:33.253 --> 0:11:36.933 other on a daily weekly basis, so I think that's 0:11:36.973 --> 0:11:38.493 certainly the preference. 0:11:38.853 --> 0:11:41.773 Indeed, let's move on news. A couple of days ago, 0:11:42.853 --> 0:11:47.533 Crusaders quote unquote scrap at training between a couple of 0:11:47.533 --> 0:11:50.933 players Will Tucker one of their locks and Proprecersial Psychs 0:11:50.933 --> 0:11:57.813 Martin a little bit captured on iPhone camera footage. Has 0:11:57.813 --> 0:12:00.893 this been blown up all out of proportion? Liam rob 0:12:00.893 --> 0:12:04.653 Penny didn't seem to really give a shit, And I 0:12:04.693 --> 0:12:06.533 know there's been a bit of consternation out of the 0:12:06.533 --> 0:12:10.133 Crusaders around the way it's been reported, But ultimately this 0:12:10.213 --> 0:12:11.893 seems to like a storm and a tea cup. They 0:12:11.893 --> 0:12:15.733 show probably more aggression at training on Tuesday, though, than 0:12:15.813 --> 0:12:18.573 they showed in the entire eighty minutes on Saturday night 0:12:18.613 --> 0:12:19.213 at Eden Park. 0:12:20.453 --> 0:12:23.893 That's nothing that Rugby Direct hasn't seen before. There's bricks 0:12:23.933 --> 0:12:25.813 of broken limbs, of broken arms. 0:12:26.013 --> 0:12:28.813 Yes, that's right. This just comes when you're in a 0:12:28.813 --> 0:12:29.653 closed space together. 0:12:31.293 --> 0:12:34.573 Oh look, I think yes, you had it coming. 0:12:34.613 --> 0:12:37.173 To be fair, it's been brewing for a while, all 0:12:37.213 --> 0:12:39.933 that Crusader's rubbish you spout had to get something in. 0:12:41.533 --> 0:12:43.653 Yeah. I'm still nursing back from that broken arm, thank 0:12:43.653 --> 0:12:44.293 you very much. 0:12:44.653 --> 0:12:47.053 Yeah, no, look, I'm all for it. 0:12:47.173 --> 0:12:49.093 I think there's nothing wrong with a bit of heat 0:12:49.093 --> 0:12:51.013 at training, particularly after a loss. There should be a 0:12:51.013 --> 0:12:53.413 bit of tension, but a frustration. If that boils over, 0:12:54.773 --> 0:12:57.773 then so be it. Rugby is a contact sport. You 0:12:57.813 --> 0:13:01.253 live on the edge sometimes and I don't have a 0:13:01.293 --> 0:13:03.093 problem with it at all. I thought Rob Penny actually 0:13:03.093 --> 0:13:06.453 spoke to it quite well. We said nothing to see here, 0:13:06.853 --> 0:13:10.453 just a couple of men fired up, and they should 0:13:10.493 --> 0:13:14.253 be after what happened to Eden Park. So maybe you'll 0:13:14.253 --> 0:13:16.373 get a reaction from the Crusaders. This week and maybe 0:13:16.453 --> 0:13:19.773 that's a reflection of what's going on in their camp. 0:13:20.733 --> 0:13:23.293 And we saw this with the Wartars and pre season, 0:13:23.293 --> 0:13:27.333 didn't we And that was a much more serious situation 0:13:27.493 --> 0:13:31.013 because there was injuries and I think a fine or 0:13:31.053 --> 0:13:32.493 a suspension handed out in the. 0:13:32.493 --> 0:13:34.813 End, Yeah there was. Yeah, that was a pretty ugly 0:13:34.853 --> 0:13:37.053 one and the end nothing like that down at Ruggy 0:13:37.053 --> 0:13:39.213 Park in christ Church. I can assure you quick look 0:13:39.253 --> 0:13:41.493 at the team news before we get into the mail bag. 0:13:42.613 --> 0:13:44.853 Not a lot to report this week, necessarily, but good 0:13:44.853 --> 0:13:47.213 to see Ruben Love on the Hurricanes bench for the 0:13:47.293 --> 0:13:49.773 game against the Force in Napier Friday night. 0:13:50.853 --> 0:13:51.533 It is indeed. 0:13:51.813 --> 0:13:54.933 And look, Callum Hawkins done a great job certainly against 0:13:54.973 --> 0:13:58.693 the Waratars last week. He stepped up a nice crossfield 0:13:58.773 --> 0:14:04.053 kick and various other moments. But Ruben Loved be good 0:14:04.053 --> 0:14:06.013 to see him back at ten because he actually did 0:14:06.053 --> 0:14:08.973 have quite a profound influence to the back end of 0:14:09.053 --> 0:14:10.933 last year for the Hurricanes at ten. We haven't seen 0:14:11.013 --> 0:14:14.213 enough of them at ten or in any capacity really. 0:14:14.213 --> 0:14:17.533 He's been put on ice from a test rugby perspective, 0:14:17.573 --> 0:14:20.773 so he's a young man who needs game time, needs consistency, 0:14:20.853 --> 0:14:22.733 needs to be in the shop window for Dave Renni 0:14:23.293 --> 0:14:26.293 and to build some momentum and confidence. So good to 0:14:26.333 --> 0:14:30.293 see him back. And I think throughout that Hurricanes team 0:14:30.733 --> 0:14:34.133 and some of the other sides that the Chiefs, there's 0:14:34.133 --> 0:14:36.373 been a bit of rotation and that you can see 0:14:36.413 --> 0:14:40.173 the depth coming through for some teams and not for others. 0:14:40.853 --> 0:14:43.373 Indeed, you can, yep looking forward to that match and 0:14:43.413 --> 0:14:46.933 seeing Reubin Love trot out over on Friday nights in 0:14:47.013 --> 0:14:51.213 Napier Quick break come Back mail Bag after this, you're 0:14:51.253 --> 0:14:53.813 back with Rugby Director, powered by a habit Heath Hysio. 0:14:53.853 --> 0:14:57.093 Book today and stay in the game. Time now to 0:14:57.133 --> 0:14:59.213 check the Rugby Director mail Bag. You can get in 0:14:59.253 --> 0:15:01.773 touch with us at Rugby Director and us talk zb 0:15:01.933 --> 0:15:06.933 dot co dot NZ. Producer Mark is the overseer of 0:15:06.973 --> 0:15:08.733 the mail bag and he's got a come bule of 0:15:09.573 --> 0:15:12.933 male messages that he wants to read today and we'll 0:15:13.013 --> 0:15:14.293 react to them. 0:15:14.413 --> 0:15:19.093 Take it away, Killer, Yes, thank you earlier, hopefully see 0:15:19.093 --> 0:15:22.133 you soon. Liam. Just don't at the same one zoom 0:15:22.813 --> 0:15:24.933 we miss yet but this one comes all the way 0:15:24.933 --> 0:15:29.093 from Australia. Floyd. He says he's enjoying the podcast, particularly 0:15:29.133 --> 0:15:30.733 now he gets two episodes a week, and what a 0:15:30.773 --> 0:15:33.533 truth that is. He's very happy about the Reny decision, 0:15:34.053 --> 0:15:36.373 looking forward to seeing the makeup of his assistants, and 0:15:36.453 --> 0:15:38.893 he doesn't really he's got no problem with Mike Blair 0:15:39.013 --> 0:15:41.693 being a part of the team. But this one his question, 0:15:41.853 --> 0:15:44.373 he said, it may be stupid to ask in the 0:15:44.413 --> 0:15:47.693 content on the context of context, but why do we 0:15:47.773 --> 0:15:53.013 keep seeing so many injuries, particularly in pregame warmups this 0:15:53.053 --> 0:15:56.013 week with a hamstring as a case in point. These 0:15:56.053 --> 0:15:58.893 guys sees, These guys are professional athletes. I would have 0:15:58.933 --> 0:16:02.053 thought their physical conditioning it would be so easily and 0:16:02.133 --> 0:16:04.853 frequently compromised. What is he missing? 0:16:05.133 --> 0:16:07.893 It's an interesting one, isn't it. Here? We see a 0:16:07.893 --> 0:16:10.933 lot of and sometimes you see teams, certain teams have 0:16:10.973 --> 0:16:13.773 a number of sort of tissue damage, soft tissue damage. 0:16:13.773 --> 0:16:16.293 In a year, there'll be a number of those sort 0:16:16.293 --> 0:16:19.373 of injuries, calf strains, et cetera. And that occasionally points 0:16:19.413 --> 0:16:21.853 to being overtrained during the week and you get to 0:16:21.933 --> 0:16:24.573 game down you're not quite ready to go. We've seen 0:16:25.213 --> 0:16:28.093 teams go through horror runs. Try thing off the top 0:16:28.093 --> 0:16:30.173 of my head, but you know, acls and various other 0:16:30.213 --> 0:16:33.813 things that are just almost pure dumb luck in a way. 0:16:33.893 --> 0:16:36.213 So I don't know what's initially down to it. They'll 0:16:36.213 --> 0:16:38.653 probably go back and go maybe because there's everything so 0:16:39.093 --> 0:16:41.093 data driven these days, isn't it, Lee, And they could 0:16:41.093 --> 0:16:43.293 probably go back and go. Jeez, on Thursday, we probably 0:16:43.613 --> 0:16:45.573 maxed them out to one hundred and ten percent when 0:16:45.613 --> 0:16:47.293 maybe we could have gone a little bit lighter and 0:16:47.333 --> 0:16:50.693 maybe that injury doesn't happen. Sometimes it is down to, 0:16:51.133 --> 0:16:53.733 you know, you slip over and you roll an ankle 0:16:53.813 --> 0:16:56.053 or you do your hamstring in. But sometimes it is 0:16:56.493 --> 0:16:58.733 down to a little bit of overtraining and naps. I'm 0:16:58.773 --> 0:17:02.453 sure we know coaches that have overtrained their charges from 0:17:02.453 --> 0:17:03.013 time to time. 0:17:04.173 --> 0:17:04.333 Yeah. 0:17:04.373 --> 0:17:06.973 I think there's a lot more rugby these days increasingly, 0:17:07.133 --> 0:17:10.213 so that's part of it. But the more rugby you play, 0:17:10.293 --> 0:17:12.093 the more training you have to go through, the more 0:17:12.133 --> 0:17:14.493 strain you put on your body. They're probably a bit 0:17:14.493 --> 0:17:17.773 more precautionary these days. And then you've got some athletes 0:17:17.813 --> 0:17:20.293 that are more prone to injuries than others. Stephen Peterifetter 0:17:20.813 --> 0:17:24.133 one example. He was pulled late from the Blues game 0:17:24.213 --> 0:17:27.773 last week with that calf injury that kept them out 0:17:27.773 --> 0:17:30.373 for most of last year coming back, and we've seen 0:17:30.453 --> 0:17:31.893 Nathan Blackheader and the like. 0:17:32.693 --> 0:17:34.733 There's some players that are just really prone to it. 0:17:34.773 --> 0:17:37.373 But I think we are seeing movement in that area 0:17:37.413 --> 0:17:40.773 as well, because I think it was the English Premiership 0:17:40.933 --> 0:17:46.613 or somewhere up north are actually looking to put restrictions 0:17:46.693 --> 0:17:49.853 on the amount of contact that teams can put players 0:17:49.893 --> 0:17:56.733 through any given week, but also during the preseason, allowing 0:17:56.773 --> 0:18:01.053 them to have proper breaks and certain conditioning before they 0:18:01.053 --> 0:18:04.573 can actually return to contact. So I think that's something 0:18:04.653 --> 0:18:06.853 that the NFL and the like you have brought in 0:18:06.853 --> 0:18:08.653 in recent years, and I think it's something we're going 0:18:08.653 --> 0:18:10.213 to see in rugby increasingly as well. 0:18:10.373 --> 0:18:12.413 Indeed, Floyd, thank you very much for your message. Next 0:18:12.413 --> 0:18:12.853 one Killer. 0:18:13.573 --> 0:18:16.533 Yes, this is from Tim. I found the messaging out 0:18:16.573 --> 0:18:19.973 from at Rennie's opening press conference really interesting and he 0:18:20.053 --> 0:18:22.213 wanted to throw a question our way in that same 0:18:22.253 --> 0:18:23.973 press so he mentioned that players will have to earn 0:18:24.013 --> 0:18:26.333 the right to wear the jersey and he will have 0:18:26.453 --> 0:18:30.013 no loyalties. Yet he openly raised the idea of bringing 0:18:30.053 --> 0:18:34.373 back Brody Rettallic from Japan. Brittallic. Obviously, he was coached 0:18:34.493 --> 0:18:37.613 multiple stages of his career by Rennie, coming through before 0:18:37.613 --> 0:18:39.493 the All Blacks at the Chiefs now A game in Japan. 0:18:40.453 --> 0:18:43.093 Also interesting when you look at the other overlaps. Rennie 0:18:43.133 --> 0:18:47.133 currently coaches Artie Severe, who looks to be sort of 0:18:47.173 --> 0:18:49.813 the favorite to be the next captain, and his comments 0:18:49.853 --> 0:18:53.933 on Scott Barrett were notably lukewarm. Also, Anton Lena Brown 0:18:54.053 --> 0:18:56.493 is in that Japanese team, a player who's form had 0:18:56.493 --> 0:18:59.333 seen him drifting a bit out of All Blacks contention. 0:19:00.213 --> 0:19:03.533 So with the no loyalties lines sounds strong. There are 0:19:03.533 --> 0:19:06.413 clearly players he already knows very well. His bigger question 0:19:06.533 --> 0:19:08.573 this one, though, is about the criticism we heard from 0:19:08.653 --> 0:19:11.693 last year around players not earning the jersey in the 0:19:11.813 --> 0:19:16.213 idea of Crusader's bias in selection, we exactly were those 0:19:16.253 --> 0:19:19.773 players that people felt hadn't earned their spots in that team. 0:19:19.893 --> 0:19:21.493 Liam, you want to take this one first from Tim? 0:19:22.453 --> 0:19:22.653 Yeah? 0:19:22.693 --> 0:19:25.653 Sure, I think the obvious one that springs to mind 0:19:25.733 --> 0:19:30.173 is savy Reese. There's a real feeling that Bill Black 0:19:30.173 --> 0:19:32.253 should have moved on from him a lot earlier and 0:19:32.293 --> 0:19:36.333 invested in guys like Caleb Toungueytow and others should have 0:19:36.373 --> 0:19:40.533 been given a crack sooner, I think. But look as 0:19:40.533 --> 0:19:42.613 far as the Crusader's bias goes, I don't know if 0:19:42.613 --> 0:19:45.373 I buy into that. You look at guys like David 0:19:45.373 --> 0:19:51.053 Hevili and Ethan Blackheader, they were prominent figures and that 0:19:51.093 --> 0:19:53.293 Crusaders set up when when Razor was there and he 0:19:53.773 --> 0:19:55.893 went away from them, So I think you have to 0:19:55.893 --> 0:20:00.813 give him credit for he was very clear in his 0:20:00.893 --> 0:20:06.493 mind about distancing himself from those ties to the Crusaders. 0:20:06.533 --> 0:20:09.133 When it came to selection, I think you had a 0:20:09.213 --> 0:20:13.413 number of Blues players that were had umbradge with their 0:20:13.413 --> 0:20:18.413 non selections Dalton, Papa Lee, Riquwani slopping down the ranks 0:20:18.533 --> 0:20:23.253 and Hoskins, Attutu and others. So I think that's probably 0:20:23.293 --> 0:20:26.133 where a lot a lot of that potential bias or 0:20:26.133 --> 0:20:27.653 perception of bias stems from. 0:20:27.853 --> 0:20:29.853 Yeah, by the end of it, there were probably more 0:20:29.933 --> 0:20:33.493 Chiefs and the All Blacks set up than there were Crusaders. 0:20:33.813 --> 0:20:36.333 Every member of the loose Ford tree, I think, apart 0:20:36.333 --> 0:20:41.053 from Kayleb Boshier got a goonsig at some point, you know, 0:20:41.333 --> 0:20:43.413 Leroy Carter came in and we're not saying that they 0:20:43.493 --> 0:20:45.293 went worthy, but there was certainly a lot more, probably 0:20:45.373 --> 0:20:47.973