July 6, 2026 • 10 mins
The Dave Rennie coaching era has started off well for the All Blacks, with the Kiwi side beating out France in Christchurch.
The All Blacks are back in Auckland for a couple of days before heading to Wellington to face Italy.
Former All Black Matt Todd joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from news Talk zed be. But what a thriller to
start a new era of.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
All Blacks rugby in four ways than what thirty four
thirty two Matt tdd as I mentioned was in commentary
with us on Saturday night. Is with us now to
reflect on the game Matt dave Renny's first test in
charge ended with a win. Beyond the result, what did
you see from the team on Saturday night that suggested
that they are headed in the right direction?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I thought some of the speed they played at, especially
if the ball in hand the ruck speed Roy guard
when he was always dangerous around the ruck. But even
if there was fords there and they weren't needed to clean,
they were picking and going or picking and passed, and
it was just didn't allow the French to get set.
So it was real intention in the speed of player
they wanted it quite like their variety in the kicking
(00:59):
game as well, kicking on the edges. One time I
sent up for a box kick canceled. It went to
the edge of an ice, down the edge and a
couple of crossfield creecks. It didn't quite come off but
the space was certainly there. Thing there was a nice variety,
and you know, this week I think they'll be looking
just execution a little bit more and a little bit more,
I guess resolute with the defense.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Just on that execution part. They were obviously told to
play at pace, to really be dynamic out there, and
having had such a short time together, was that slight
inaccuracy at times to be expected? And the second part
of that is can it be improved upon?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah? I think you know, I think they said six
trainings or something that had to give us, so you know,
you're never going to be completely on the same page.
But it looked like people knew where they were going,
and then it's just building that little relationship, those connections
on the last past the debt, are you getting your
timing off? Which you know forse led to a couple
of eras, but certainly another week to give you'd expect
(01:57):
them to be a little bit sharp, a little bit
better in those areas this week.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And what about defensively, Matt, what will be the biggest
defensive conversation this week ahead of the second test of
the year against Italy.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
I'm going to be slowing down their ruck speeds and
they can get set and then put a little bit
of line speed pressure on. There's at times just far
too I guess, disconnected and passive on the edges. I
think there's one they've got about seven passes and to
get around them, so you know, but you can't get
set if you don't control that ruck speed to start there.
(02:28):
Better in that collision area, able to control that ruck,
slow that ruckdown so they can get set and then
come forward be a bit more aggressive, but more connected
with some mind speed on those edges.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You picked out a couple of players on Saturday Night
who really impressed you. Cam Roygard was one, Sam Dowry another.
Upon reflection, anybody else who you think gave a really
good account of themselves on Saturday Night?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I think it was the number put their hand up
like Luke Jacobson did a good good job. I think
he'd done the job they asked and be physical defensively,
a lot of work great and they had some nice
skills here for that set up that will Jord's last trice.
He put his hand up for sure. You know, I
think most people would have been pretty happy with how
(03:12):
they when no one I wouldn't say you watched that
game and say anyone didn't put their hand up and
take the opportunity. So that's what you want. You want
people put in there, make the most of their opportunities
and it'll be interesting to see whether there is changes
this week or they try and build the continuity from
last weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Well, you have alluded nicely to my next question, So
what do you think they'll What do you think they'll do?
I mean there must be a temptation to build combinations
and to go with continuity, but you want to freshen things.
What do you expect that they will do in terms
of their discussions about selection for Italy?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I think there'll be a couple of key positions stats
the same like Reuben Love what I would suggest he
stays at ten, Probably a midfield combination as well the
loose forwards. It'll be interesting one where Wallace potentially comes
in and the starts or you've got Anton signa there.
When does he get his opportunity Because you'd feel that
the IRA should eat and UK the week later, as
(04:08):
that's where you're rolling at your top team, almost your
dress rehearsal for Africa. So if there is going to
be changes. You'd expect it to be this game, but
I guess they got a way up around. You want
to be better than what we were at the weekend
and be a little bit sharper. So the more change
you make, the harder that's going to be. So I
(04:29):
think for the most part it will stay the same.
But maybe there's there's one or two of the of
the debut Toms particularly, I think we'll get an opportunity.
You know, Dave Rennie, I think is pretty clear on
the game he wants to play, so he wants to
give people the opportunity to show that they can play
that game style.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Italy arrive after a defeat to Japan, that'll be stinging them,
I'm sure. Will they still be a dangerous opponent on
Saturday night, do you think, Matt, Yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
I'm surprised by that result, to be honestly, you look
at the six nations form. They bet the Scots, they
bet the Poms, so they had a good six nations.
I would have thought that it went to Japan reasonably confident,
but you know, credit to Japan, they had it reasonably
comfortable win seventeen point one. So yeah, the Irish, I
mean sorry. The Italians, well, yeah, they've shown they can
(05:19):
play good for you, they can beat quality team. You know,
how they respond from that game against Japan will be interesting.
But there certainly they are a good team. They regularly
compete against the top nations and show and they've beaten
them recently. So what the Abits can't there was underestimate them,
get ahead themselves, get maybe caught looking forward to that
Irish chest a week later, because if I heard, the
(05:42):
Italians have got the capability to make a hard not
for them.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
In terms of the way that a week works in
between games, from a coaching point of view, when would
your review, how specifically would your review and when do
you then start to look ahead what typically happens inside
a coaching group and what has passed on to the
playing group in the week between matches.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Well, I'd say yesterday as a coaching group, they would
have met up and reviewed and probably taken their big
rocks from it. What are the key areas that obviously
they did well and what are the key ones they
need to be better this week, and then the Monday
morning reviewed it with the team gone over those points
and then by the time we hit Monday afternoon you're
(06:27):
looking forward. Some of that would be the stuff you're
reviewed that you're working on that what that's going to
look like hen into the next week. But your very
much focus is now on what do we need to
do well this week? What are the areas or the
opportunities we see against the Italians? And know what is
the stuff out of the last tests that we need
(06:49):
to put a little bit of time into moving forward?
Speaker 2 (06:52):
And do you think I don't know? I mean, does
the team get named like would they know today were
the guys who were playing no today Monday that they're playing.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I think the Elbecks tend to name it Tuesday internally. So,
but you tend to get a fair idea when they're
handing out birds and they give you certain players of
a certain bib. Yeah, you know, you don't need to
be a rocket office to start to work out what
the team's starting to look like. So particularly I think
if it's a new guy coming and he'd probably you know,
have some idea that he's going to be involved where
(07:21):
we're starting off the bench, you know, he'd get a
couple of extra reps today than perhaps he did last week.
But they wouldn't they wouldn't actually find that, I don't
think till tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And as far as keeping standards high without you know,
I mean, Italy is still going to, as you've said,
present a challenge, but it's not like you're playing South
Africa or Australia or even Ireland. What's it like inside
the Crusaders, for example, when you're coming up against an
opponent that most people think you're going to be comfortably,
how do you keep the standards high?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Yeah? I think you know that the All Blacks are
probably driven by their own internal standards a lot in
particular of a new era and new regime. They've got
a pretty clear path where they want to get to.
So although they're prey happy with some areas, I think
they'd certainly enough out of that French test to keep
them on eg and keep them pretty hungry to get better.
(08:09):
And you know, it wouldn't be that hard to find
enough eclipse of Italy punishing mistakes or highlighting the streets
they're going to bring. So that is always the challenges
that week and week out consistency. But you know, having
you know, listened to Dave Rennie and whod you know
the way he's talking about they certainly had driven pretty
(08:32):
high standards in there, and they'll you know, it'll be
key this week that they're better than what they were
against the French is improvements in a number of particular areas,
and they'll be pretty hard on that and pretty direct
around that. I'd imagine.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
How do you enjoy analyzing the game as a commentator
rather than there's an assistant coach on Saturday? Did you
find yourself looking at it slightly differently all the same?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, like what it's intriguing you. You're seeing the different
pictures and what's working and what's not, and it's yeah,
I enjoyed. It's a great view up there. You know,
you're almost on top top of the field looking down,
so you get a really good view of the overall
game and where people are and what's happening off the
(09:19):
board to create stuff. So I enjoyed it, and yeah,
it was it was a good experience.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
It was great to have you there. That stadium goes good,
doesn't it. Man. There's got to be a test there
every year and you know from now until I don't
know when. It's a great venue, isn't it. For christ Jitch?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Oh, it's a great venue, and it's you know, for
the city, it's so close and easy for people to
get in, but to play in as well for a player,
you know exactly what you get in and the atmosphere
inside there, with the closeness of it and the way
it's designed is awesome. So yeah, I think surely there's
a test Therey every year, and you know, the fans
(09:55):
are shining up and the teams are responding with performances
when they play there.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Absolutely, you wont get an argument from too many people,
are one thought. Matt, thanks indeed for joining us tonight, mate,
and thanks again for joining us in our commentary on
Saturday evening. Former All Blacks loose forward Matt Todd, Crusader's
assistant coach and very astute analysts of the game. He
brought a high degree of real incisive analysis to our
commentary on Saturday night. We really enjoyed having him there.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from news Talk zed be. But what a thriller to
start a new era of.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
All Blacks rugby in four ways than what thirty four
thirty two Matt tdd as I mentioned was in commentary
with us on Saturday night. Is with us now to
reflect on the game Matt dave Renny's first test in
charge ended with a win. Beyond the result, what did
you see from the team on Saturday night that suggested
that they are headed in the right direction?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I thought some of the speed they played at, especially
if the ball in hand the ruck speed Roy guard
when he was always dangerous around the ruck. But even
if there was fords there and they weren't needed to clean,
they were picking and going or picking and passed, and
it was just didn't allow the French to get set.
So it was real intention in the speed of player
they wanted it quite like their variety in the kicking
(00:59):
game as well, kicking on the edges. One time I
sent up for a box kick canceled. It went to
the edge of an ice, down the edge and a
couple of crossfield creecks. It didn't quite come off but
the space was certainly there. Thing there was a nice variety,
and you know, this week I think they'll be looking
just execution a little bit more and a little bit more,
I guess resolute with the defense.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Just on that execution part. They were obviously told to
play at pace, to really be dynamic out there, and
having had such a short time together, was that slight
inaccuracy at times to be expected? And the second part
of that is can it be improved upon?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah? I think you know, I think they said six
trainings or something that had to give us, so you know,
you're never going to be completely on the same page.
But it looked like people knew where they were going,
and then it's just building that little relationship, those connections
on the last past the debt, are you getting your
timing off? Which you know forse led to a couple
of eras, but certainly another week to give you'd expect
(01:57):
them to be a little bit sharp, a little bit
better in those areas this week.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And what about defensively, Matt, what will be the biggest
defensive conversation this week ahead of the second test of
the year against Italy.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
I'm going to be slowing down their ruck speeds and
they can get set and then put a little bit
of line speed pressure on. There's at times just far
too I guess, disconnected and passive on the edges. I
think there's one they've got about seven passes and to
get around them, so you know, but you can't get
set if you don't control that ruck speed to start there.
(02:28):
Better in that collision area, able to control that ruck,
slow that ruckdown so they can get set and then
come forward be a bit more aggressive, but more connected
with some mind speed on those edges.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You picked out a couple of players on Saturday Night
who really impressed you. Cam Roygard was one, Sam Dowry another.
Upon reflection, anybody else who you think gave a really
good account of themselves on Saturday Night?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I think it was the number put their hand up
like Luke Jacobson did a good good job. I think
he'd done the job they asked and be physical defensively,
a lot of work great and they had some nice
skills here for that set up that will Jord's last trice.
He put his hand up for sure. You know, I
think most people would have been pretty happy with how
(03:12):
they when no one I wouldn't say you watched that
game and say anyone didn't put their hand up and
take the opportunity. So that's what you want. You want
people put in there, make the most of their opportunities
and it'll be interesting to see whether there is changes
this week or they try and build the continuity from
last weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Well, you have alluded nicely to my next question, So
what do you think they'll What do you think they'll do?
I mean there must be a temptation to build combinations
and to go with continuity, but you want to freshen things.
What do you expect that they will do in terms
of their discussions about selection for Italy?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I think there'll be a couple of key positions stats
the same like Reuben Love what I would suggest he
stays at ten, Probably a midfield combination as well the
loose forwards. It'll be interesting one where Wallace potentially comes
in and the starts or you've got Anton signa there.
When does he get his opportunity Because you'd feel that
the IRA should eat and UK the week later, as
(04:08):
that's where you're rolling at your top team, almost your
dress rehearsal for Africa. So if there is going to
be changes. You'd expect it to be this game, but
I guess they got a way up around. You want
to be better than what we were at the weekend
and be a little bit sharper. So the more change
you make, the harder that's going to be. So I
(04:29):
think for the most part it will stay the same.
But maybe there's there's one or two of the of
the debut Toms particularly, I think we'll get an opportunity.
You know, Dave Rennie, I think is pretty clear on
the game he wants to play, so he wants to
give people the opportunity to show that they can play
that game style.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Italy arrive after a defeat to Japan, that'll be stinging them,
I'm sure. Will they still be a dangerous opponent on
Saturday night, do you think, Matt, Yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
I'm surprised by that result, to be honestly, you look
at the six nations form. They bet the Scots, they
bet the Poms, so they had a good six nations.
I would have thought that it went to Japan reasonably confident,
but you know, credit to Japan, they had it reasonably
comfortable win seventeen point one. So yeah, the Irish, I
mean sorry. The Italians, well, yeah, they've shown they can
(05:19):
play good for you, they can beat quality team. You know,
how they respond from that game against Japan will be interesting.
But there certainly they are a good team. They regularly
compete against the top nations and show and they've beaten
them recently. So what the Abits can't there was underestimate them,
get ahead themselves, get maybe caught looking forward to that
Irish chest a week later, because if I heard, the
(05:42):
Italians have got the capability to make a hard not
for them.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
In terms of the way that a week works in
between games, from a coaching point of view, when would
your review, how specifically would your review and when do
you then start to look ahead what typically happens inside
a coaching group and what has passed on to the
playing group in the week between matches.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Well, I'd say yesterday as a coaching group, they would
have met up and reviewed and probably taken their big
rocks from it. What are the key areas that obviously
they did well and what are the key ones they
need to be better this week, and then the Monday
morning reviewed it with the team gone over those points
and then by the time we hit Monday afternoon you're
(06:27):
looking forward. Some of that would be the stuff you're
reviewed that you're working on that what that's going to
look like hen into the next week. But your very
much focus is now on what do we need to
do well this week? What are the areas or the
opportunities we see against the Italians? And know what is
the stuff out of the last tests that we need
(06:49):
to put a little bit of time into moving forward?
Speaker 2 (06:52):
And do you think I don't know? I mean, does
the team get named like would they know today were
the guys who were playing no today Monday that they're playing.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I think the Elbecks tend to name it Tuesday internally. So,
but you tend to get a fair idea when they're
handing out birds and they give you certain players of
a certain bib. Yeah, you know, you don't need to
be a rocket office to start to work out what
the team's starting to look like. So particularly I think
if it's a new guy coming and he'd probably you know,
have some idea that he's going to be involved where
(07:21):
we're starting off the bench, you know, he'd get a
couple of extra reps today than perhaps he did last week.
But they wouldn't they wouldn't actually find that, I don't
think till tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And as far as keeping standards high without you know,
I mean, Italy is still going to, as you've said,
present a challenge, but it's not like you're playing South
Africa or Australia or even Ireland. What's it like inside
the Crusaders, for example, when you're coming up against an
opponent that most people think you're going to be comfortably,
how do you keep the standards high?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Yeah? I think you know that the All Blacks are
probably driven by their own internal standards a lot in
particular of a new era and new regime. They've got
a pretty clear path where they want to get to.
So although they're prey happy with some areas, I think
they'd certainly enough out of that French test to keep
them on eg and keep them pretty hungry to get better.
(08:09):
And you know, it wouldn't be that hard to find
enough eclipse of Italy punishing mistakes or highlighting the streets
they're going to bring. So that is always the challenges
that week and week out consistency. But you know, having
you know, listened to Dave Rennie and whod you know
the way he's talking about they certainly had driven pretty
(08:32):
high standards in there, and they'll you know, it'll be
key this week that they're better than what they were
against the French is improvements in a number of particular areas,
and they'll be pretty hard on that and pretty direct
around that. I'd imagine.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
How do you enjoy analyzing the game as a commentator
rather than there's an assistant coach on Saturday? Did you
find yourself looking at it slightly differently all the same?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, like what it's intriguing you. You're seeing the different
pictures and what's working and what's not, and it's yeah,
I enjoyed. It's a great view up there. You know,
you're almost on top top of the field looking down,
so you get a really good view of the overall
game and where people are and what's happening off the
(09:19):
board to create stuff. So I enjoyed it, and yeah,
it was it was a good experience.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
It was great to have you there. That stadium goes good,
doesn't it. Man. There's got to be a test there
every year and you know from now until I don't
know when. It's a great venue, isn't it. For christ Jitch?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Oh, it's a great venue, and it's you know, for
the city, it's so close and easy for people to
get in, but to play in as well for a player,
you know exactly what you get in and the atmosphere
inside there, with the closeness of it and the way
it's designed is awesome. So yeah, I think surely there's
a test Therey every year, and you know, the fans
(09:55):
are shining up and the teams are responding with performances
when they play there.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Absolutely, you wont get an argument from too many people,
are one thought. Matt, thanks indeed for joining us tonight, mate,
and thanks again for joining us in our commentary on
Saturday evening. Former All Blacks loose forward Matt Todd, Crusader's
assistant coach and very astute analysts of the game. He
brought a high degree of real incisive analysis to our
commentary on Saturday night. We really enjoyed having him there.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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