Elliott Smith: Rugby Commentator on team changes for All Blacks vs Italy

The All Blacks are scheduled to play against Italy on Saturday in Wellington for a Round 2 Nations Championship test match.

Dave Rennie has announced a raft of changes for the run on team including two new rookies. 

Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator Elliott Smith told Andrew Dickens, "he's probably retained the skeleton, I guess you'd say, of the team that won this week against France in Christchurch, but also brought in some of those players you mentioned there, just to try and change things up, give them game time and see what they can do in a black jersey."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:09):
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Speaker 2 (00:16):
And we got football tomorrow. We're playing Italy. Dave Rennie's
rung the changes he's made five changes to the run
on side that beat France, Ardie Saveya captain Societ, Ruben
Love retains number ten and John Signer from Frankfort and
Josh Morby could debut off the bench. Elliott Smith is
definitely going to be doing the call and joints. So now, Hello, Eli,
Hello Andrew. I watched Rennie last night announcing the team.

(00:39):
He is giving Italy respect, which I think is smart.

Speaker 3 (00:43):
Smart. Look, Italy have had some really good successions, wins
and even just moment. They've pushed some of the top
teams over the last couple of years, although they were
pretty poor last week against Japan and Italy. But Rennie
is he quick to point out that maybe heat was
the missing a couple of his through injuries and rest
in various things, but he knows what they're capable of,

(01:06):
and someone on his coaching staff in Neil Barnes, was
coaching him for a couple of years. Quite recently coaching
the Italians alongside Kieran Crowley, so there is some respect there.
Probably retain the scoleton. I guess you'd say that the
team that once weekins from Christchitch, but also broad in
some of those players you mentioned there, just to try

(01:27):
and change things up, give them game time and see
what they can do in a black jersey.

Speaker 2 (01:31):
Yeah, and very very good. So I thought Dave was
fantastic last night. I thought the communication was brilliant. The
answer to the questions are great. He is a breath
of fresh air.

Speaker 3 (01:40):
He is. He's really enjoying what he's coming across. He speaks, actually,
he answers each question considered and thoughtfully. And look, I
think the proof will be over the next year. Here
are two in terms of his coaching. But I think
it's been a positive sign so far that you're not
left in any doubt as to where each player stands,
what his game plan is. He's been very direct on

(02:01):
that and it's a welcome change for the All Blacks
and I think for us as as well, just getting
some some clear answers, which can only be a good thing.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
Can you feel interested in the All Backs building again?
I mean they've sold out everything they sold out Italy
in Wellington. Admittedly it's a five to ten kickoff, which
is smart, but it is an interest building in rugby.

Speaker 3 (02:23):
I think it is. Look. I think that the Hurricanes,
especially in this city, you know, sold out the final
a few weeks back and had that wonderful run. Even
being here for the last few days, you can feel
that there is that Test match via certainly the case
in christ Church last week, and it was for different
reasons given it was their first Test match in four years,
first one at the new Stadium, and various other factors

(02:43):
going into it. But I think there's always interest on
the All Blacks and I think, you know sometimes that
you're painting this debate as rugby versus League. But at
the end of the day, the All Blacks are still
the All Blacks and they retain the national interest and look,
it sold out. It took a while to sell out
this Test that they've managed to do it. But you know,
I think there is a sense that people are interested

(03:05):
in how this new look All Blacks team is to go,
are invested in it, and they've done that by by
selling out a you know, on a public holiday weekend
as well, when Mini might sort of leave the cap.
I think they've done well to to fill the field
the stadium for this Italian.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Now and and the national and the New Nations Championship
too seems to be actually going off, and we can't.
We look forward to you call Elliott Smith. Of course,
News Talk's here, Be's lead Rabbi commentator.

Speaker 1 (03:29):
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