Wyatt Crockett: former All Black on Dave Rennie's first side as new All Blacks coach

Coach Dave Rennie has unveiled his first major All Blacks squad ahead of the team's upcoming test against France.

Former All Black Wyatt Crockett joined Elliott Smith to discuss.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Standing by on the other line here on News Talk
ZB is former All Blacks prop White Crockett seventy five
games teventy five tests for the All Blacks. White, thanks
so much for your time here on News Talk ZB.
This evening great to be on.

Speaker 3 (00:27):
Thanks very much for having me.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
What did you make of the twenty three names by
Dave Rennie today?

Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, look, I think it's looks like a great team.
There's definitely probably not enough Crusaders in the in the
lineup with only I think there's only three in there.
But look, I think they've rewarded some players that have
played exceptionally well over the last few months during Super
and I can't really argue. Yeah, it looks like a good,

(00:59):
really solid team front row. They've gone with the tried
and tested versus that that Hurricanes Hurricanes front row that
has done so well over the last few months. So
I actually like the fact that they've gone towards experience
for the first test, when you know the guys have
only been to you for such a short period of time,
how how important is that when you get that short
window and regardless of having a new coaching set up

(01:21):
or whatever it might be, it's still ten days regardless
of who's coaching. How important to just make sure those
those experienced players are still in the right spots. Yeah,
I think it's really, you know, a smart move from
Dave Rennie. Like you know, becoming an All Black and
coming to that environment for the first time, it's you know,

(01:41):
like it it takes a bit of getting used to
and you know, it's a different level international rugby to
Super rugby. So selecting a group mainly that have that
have played test match rugby, that have you know that
I've experienced that that won't be overalled by the occasion
and and yes it's a new coaching set up and

(02:04):
all the rest of it, but they've they know what
it's like to come together with a whole bunch of
players from other other Super rugby teams, know how to
gel and they've got those combinations from previous years. I
think it's a really good call. And you know, I'm
sure he would have been tempted to start a couple
of the other guys that have played incredibly well during

(02:25):
Super some of the new guys, but yeah, I think
we're rewarding, well sorry looking looking to have that continuity
of guys that have been there and done it before
as a smart move for that first test.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
And I guess he's you know, stuck with the combinations
as well, even with the players that maybe haven't played
that much. You look at on Mua and Numiga and
Lomac's poised to come off the bench or played so
much rugby together for the Hurricanes. Yeah, it did right,
and you know you see that in the back line
in the nineteen twelve but also that front row combination.

Speaker 3 (02:55):
It's that is important, you know, like understanding you know,
as a as a Lucy had known what they not
knowing what your hook is doing and and and it's
same with the tight he'd understanding that combination, just just
subtle things like how the hooker grips and you know,
promoting the LuSE head and all those sorts of things.
Is it's going to be important if you've done it

(03:17):
with a group during the season, it makes life a
lot easier coming to that test.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
Bitch environment White Crockett with our son used talk zb
this evening from all blanks promp of course, why what
did you make of the loose Ford trio selected by
Dave Rennie. Today we've got Peter Lackeye at Sex who's
never played a Test match there, Luke Jacobson at Open Site,
which I don't think many would have expected, an Artie
sa Via captain at number A. What were your thoughts

(03:44):
on that and how will they play together?

Speaker 3 (03:45):
Yeah? Well, obviously we've seen Lucky at Ate quite a bit,
you know, just the way the way it you know,
looks to me as they've they've selected on having a
group that's that's quick, that's a quick number loose wor tree.
Not as much fight as probably what you'd expect and

(04:06):
what when what we're used to as an all black
loose Ford trio. But I think that, you know, they're
probably a clear signal that they're really going to try
and keep this game quick and and and if if
selected accordingly with a with a loose for trayer, that
will be that'll be great around the park, good dynamic
and and good over.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
The ball as well.

Speaker 2 (04:27):
And just finally what what Willa's a t t off
the bench as well? You know, he hasn't had a
lot of rugby recently with his with his injury, but
is he the kind of impact that the All Blacks
have been searching for in that last twenty thirty minutes
of a Test match.

Speaker 3 (04:42):
I'm a massive fan of Wallace. I think, you know,
he's just such a dynamic player. But for me, he
stands out as a as a real leader of the future.
And yeah, I think they're selecting on just, you know,
just a quality guy that is going to be a
massive part of this team going forward on you know,
I just I think he's just such a fantastic player,

(05:06):
but he's also just got that real respect and and
call it be about him that you know, I think
you know David a little bit and understanding his sort
of athos. I think, you know, someone like Wallace will be,
you know, someone that's really front of mine long term,
long term future. And obviously he's just he's a quality player.

(05:28):
Whenever he's out on the park, he does a great job.

Speaker 2 (05:30):
So yeah, appreciate it's white nice to catch up with
you and get your thoughts on the team. Go well
and have a great weekend to join the Test.

Speaker 3 (05:39):
Thanks very much. I can't wait to watch your first
Test of the Year's bloody exciting and you know it's
a new it's a new group, new coaching setup, and
like all the rest of New Zealand, can't wait to
see them go out there and smash the French.

Speaker 1 (05:53):
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