Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News talks'd Be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We're joined now by a former All Black prop, mister Craig.
Get down, Okay, Craig, how are you?
Speaker 3 (00:18):
I'm keeping real well? Thank you?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good? Right this weekend, I suppose the first question before
we even look at the team naming, and it's only
just come out a few hours ago, what about the
match itself? How important is this and this dreaded fortress
and this we can't be beaten at Eden Park? Is
that still relevant? Do you think we talked about this
last night?
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Absolutely, it's relevant. I mean, what's what All Black wants
to be in? The team that loses the first time?
And god knows how long ninety four it was singing
on the bench. Yeah, no, it's every Every player will
have that at the back of their minds. Eaton Park
is our fortress and they're pulling on your black jersey
if you know so, it's still a lot of pride there.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Right, Let's look at the team, the people that are
pulling on the jersey. You look right across the board.
Did anything stand out to you in the naming of
that team? Anything of concern? Anything you disagree with or
something you celebrate.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
No, look, honestly that it's got to be our best team, right,
this is where they when his headspace has got to be.
And at the moment I looked through the front row
Ethan the group, Cody Taylor and tyler A Lomax. There's
our strongest front row and that's that's you know, who
I would have expected to be there. So that gives
me an indication on what comes in behind them is
what Dave really's penciled down as the strongest team that
(01:35):
can put out there.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
And how do you feel about the guys coming off
the bench playing there? I won't say second best because
that's aren't fair because these aren't good rugby players. They're
just not the people they want to at the ground
running with. These are the guys the sparkplugs if you
are there to make up in the end, and they're
hardly shy and retiring. I mean, Armo are coming in
in the two jumper and there's a there's an argument
possibly maybe that maybe he should have maybe possibly even
(01:58):
got the start because he's been played so vibrant and
he really is someone to look toward.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Oh look absolutely, but you you're replacing with Cody.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
Taylor just comes with so much experience and leadership, and
you know, a team like Ireland, you want that leadership
out there from the kickoff right and you know, you
look for the inspiration and it's usually the experienced players
that lead the way. So now I'm happy with more
coming off the bench because he's a great impact player
and you know, at the time, just after half time
when we need them, I'm sure that impact will be added.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
An interesting point in this one is and he's We
talked to Ian Jones yesterday on the show Cameo and
he's like, Okay, maybe he comes on at six and
maybe that gives more room for Lucy's to coming off
the bench. And of course that's what's transpired. It's a
gut reaction to Tupuu coming in that I say problematic
(02:49):
position because no one's really still yet grabbed that since
I don't know how long.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Yeah, I think it's it's about size.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
When I look at the you know you've got Patrick
there and then two by Y and Lord, there's some
seriously big men in that all that pack, and I
think they want to take this thing out of Ireland.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Early on you know, and again.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Absorbed the power they're going to throw at the abs,
And I think it's it's a physical battle that we
want to we want to take on first and then
I guess, you know, we'll evolve into what it involves into.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
But yeah, that's what that's just to me.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Let's talk about vulnerability in the side.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
If we don't want this to happen, but if we
lose a lock early doors and suddenly we've only got
one floating around? Is that problematic long term? Can you
see a way they can seal that issue if it
were to happen early days which a kind of trust
in our guys, and it's not going to happen, but
it does represent the possibility of maybe maybe a hole
(03:46):
or a hack up.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Played locket four.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
I went on and played lock after five different locks,
you know, we all everyone fell down. But now there's
I mean, why I can move from sixth into lock
you know, And I'm sure if you know, if needed,
you know, you'd probably look at maybe putting Jacobson into there.
But the injuries are going to happen and they're going
(04:14):
to have to adapt to what does happen. So it's
your roll the dice, don't.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
You consistency as far as that's a Rugby league term
spine when you look at the key players in there,
and I think that most of us are pretty happy
that Roy guard and love outside of him and the
absolute weapon that is Jordy in the midfield. Not sure
about Damian McKenzie, that's another story. But having those three
(04:38):
guys maintain their positions and carry on that that's hugely important,
especially when you look at South Africa.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
Yeah, I think, you know, Roy keep carrying on the
way he's playing, He's going to be touted and it
is one of the best nines in the world. He's
done a great job since he's you know, he's sort
of come on board.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Jordi.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Barrett goes from strength to strengths. He didn't mention Bill Jordan,
who's just in his position.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Now on the wing. You know, hat trick last week.
What can he do this week? He's just going to
strength to strength. Damie McKenzie, he's an enigma and when
he turns up, my god, he's well class. So I'm
I'm sure even Park's going to bring it out of him.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Well, this is the thing, and people are tired of
hearing this from me, and I appreciate it. I get it.
I like Damian McKenzie is a player off the bench
because he brings some crazy, chaotic fizz. I don't like
him starting at fifteen, Will Jordan scored a lot of
tries on the wing. I like him at fifteen. He's
the best fallback in the world, and I got a
lot more trust than him to keep a steady hand.
(05:39):
And Damie McKenzie can do what he does off the
bench because to me, that's where he plays best.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Surely, Well that's the debate, doesn't it. I mean.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
You could argue that this is the same argument that
you know Will Jordan on the wing he is a finisher,
he absolutely You just know the ball gets anywhere near
Will Jordan's, something magical is going to happen.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah. Yeah, Damie McKenzie.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
For all you know, the critics out there, I still
got confidence of the guy. I think he's he's a
special player. Go hell of lot talent. Never underestimate him.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Now, there's been conversation as well about the best position
for Jordy Barrett. Are there any arguments with you about
where he stands? Because you can say the world leader
where he plays.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
Yeah, Look, honestly, I think he's found his calling at
twelve twelve jersey.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I wouldn't mix with that, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
You know, actually Japire is he benefit from having Barrett
in there, and he's one that you know, sort of
to keep his jersey. He's he's got his opportunity. I
suppose there'll be another number of players lining up and behind,
but that want that that thirteen jersey.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
But I think Jordy is as a class twelve.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
We didn't talk about the other two. Lucy, it's all
about Tovey, but we've got he's a player in Jacobson
that he's a bag full of elbows and knees. He
just wouldn't want to tackle that black guy. He's so abrasive.
And I think that not shocked hardcore rugby fans, but
a few people from their eyebrows and go, wow, this
(07:08):
is actually a good move from Ready to bring him
into this position unexpected, I'd suggest.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Yeah, I think a lot of people that you don't
actually appreciate physicality until you're in the opposition and you're
planning against the guy and you realize just what physical
presence he brings to the game.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
You know, he may not be doing all the flashy
stuff that like the severe wood and all the rest
of it, but he's a big man and when he hurts,
he hurts. So it's yeah, Savie playing in the boot.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
He's got to have a rest eventually, doesn't he? Surely?
But maybe this game against Ireland is not the time
to rest Ardie. But will he need a cup of
tea and lie down before they place South Africa?
Speaker 4 (07:46):
No, no, no, no, no, There's plenty of time for that.
When you're retired. You can know he just had it's
a baticle and he's been over in Japan for a while.
I mean, I'm sure that's not a rest. But at
the end of the day, you change your environment, you know,
your rise to the challenges and it's just keeping fresh.
I'm sure he's battle hardened and already knows that you
know the fortress of Eden Park and how special of
(08:08):
us too, and leaving the team out.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
This is not the game to restudy Sovie.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
And when you look at the opposition, you look across
the white stripe, you've got an Irish team. Where do
they sit right now? We thought that maybe they maybe
mug Us was not giving them as much respect as
we should. That's a crazy thought, right, They're still going
to be very clear and present, aren't they.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
The days of not giving on Island respect well and
truly gone. Now Island are up there as in the
top four teams in the world, if not in the
top three.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, so that's it's going to be a huge clash
for us.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Do you know much about Sean Chansen?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
No?
Speaker 2 (08:49):
This has got to be the best story in rugby, right,
played for North Otago, decided to leave, never got to
the MPC, never got to Super rugby, tore off to
the other side of the world, played a bit of
rugby for Leinster, ended up at Connaught. It's his second test.
He debuted last week for Ireland and scored a try
(09:09):
and he's back playing again. How good of a story
is that from Norfolk targo to international rugby.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Well it sounds like someone coming from Wahiki Island doing
the same thing at Halfspeck, you know, there's it seems
to be that the graveyard of all these players that
go off from New Zealand, they seem to reinvigsprate themselves
or will come back to life in Ireland.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
And I don't know what what what they do over there.
Maybe it's the ginness, but it certainly brings out the
best of the lucky.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
I'd certainly enjoy it. And Craig, just one last thought,
you mentioned what you want to see the physicality of
this game first and foremost. It says it all horses
for courses. But he's pricked a very very good team
and you expect that will counter what the Irish will bring.
Will there be much change in the way they play
the game, what their their format will be. For one
(09:55):
of a better phrase, I.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
Think it's absorbing the physical challenge up, you know, from
from the kickoff and then and then evolving into the
game of what they're the game plan they want to play,
letting learning the back, give them some space and have
their free run because there's some certain some fight now there.
And when you look at you know, the likes of
a Caleb Clark sitting on the bench, you know, coming
off the bench, just you know, sort of magic he
can add as well. It's it's certainly a very good
(10:20):
All Black pack and of every confidence that you know
that I rise to the occasion.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Good work former All Black prop mister Craig down. They're
still running D three tape, which is good to hear.
You're selling game for employment. The only way you get
that is by setting out your own company quite frankly
but well done.
Speaker 4 (10:35):
Or when you when you get to fifty six years old,
as you'd know with you know, knee reconstruction, Darcy, and
you want to hold it together, just give me your address,
butte and I'll make sure you get those products.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
You're a star, dad, fellow fifty six old, never thought
about it. Cheers, brother no Way.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
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