Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk zedb SO.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
At five point thirty tomorrow afternoon at the TOPAI christ
Church Convention Center, Scott Robertson will unveil his first squad
as All Blacks head coach. It'll be a thirty two
man roster to play England in two test matches Dunedin
and then Auckland July six and thirteen, and then Fiji
in San Diego on the twentieth of July. Just to
let you know, next Saturday, Weekend Sport will broadcast live
(00:34):
from inside the All Blacks camp at the New Zealand
Institute of Sport out and Upper Hut, where we'll spend
an hour with Scott Robertson from one o'clock next Saturday
as we build towards the first test matches of his tenure.
But for today, we've assembled an all star panel to
kick around the ins and outs of this first All
Black squad of twenty twenty fourth sixty one game All
(00:57):
Blacks loose forward and test player in all three loose
forward positions. Mike Brewer as with us today, Mike.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Afternoon, I spectal a good pointed.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Well, we were past twelve o'clock now, Mike, So yeah,
I think we can safely say good afternoon and seventy
one game all Blacks winger fifty tries in those seventy
one games. Now. Skysport commentator and analyst Jeff Wilson, how doing,
Jeff brewis up?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
How are you going?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
I'm great, Paint, I'm great. I've tried out.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yes, well, it was certainly about wet last night. Actually,
could we start there, Jeff? Did anyone play their way
into or out of the squad in the final last night?
Speaker 4 (01:38):
I don't know if they've played their way until we're
out of I think what it has made is maybe
some of the conversations a little bit harder, you know,
and there'll be key positions and positions that we are,
I suppose heavily blessed, particularly in the loose forwards and
particularly in the outside backs in this country, where you
know there'll be some conversations around Okay, now, how do
(01:59):
you know the old four under three, five and six
and five seven and the six I just don't go.
In the end, it's going to be I think some
really good player, as we always know, they're going to
miss out on this all black squad and as a
matter of how Scott Robertson wants to play. But last night, look,
I think if you're a voice player, it was edmondageous
that you had a dominating performance and you've got a
(02:19):
chance to show everything you were capable of at a
night that wasn't very good at eating Park.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
All right, Mike, for you, before we dig down into
some of those positional areas, how much stock do you
think Scott Robertson will put in the last three weekends?
And the way certain players performed in big knockout games.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I'm sort of feeling a little bit different, did you.
I think Hoskins confirmed his his selection a game being
part of that dominant pack, but he's done everything all
the year. That consistency has been there. I've always been
a big fan of Hoskins right from the upset. I
(02:57):
thought he's a really similar player to Shannon forz out
and in my opinion, they didn't give through Shannon enough
opportunity and enough time when you compared to what the
bapector's game, a player like a fussy offer of fussy
the time to mature. They didn't give it to Shennon.
I think it's time they do give it to Hoskins
(03:18):
because we need we need players with exector to get
a dominant all back team back, and Hoskins has got
xcept zen Brook type player. And if you can put
Aardi Severe at seven and Hoskins a two too eight,
and you know there's accepting two three swords. The other player,
I think his way into it, which is probably a
(03:39):
Boult and you might laugh. I think Sam Darry's going
to players way into this team.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, I think, yeah, I think I think you might
be right, especially with obviously white Lock and Rotallic having
departed and some other issues around injury, et cetera. Just
before we come into some specifics and the Ford Pack
just on the outside backs Jeff Caleb Clark is he'll
all out for you.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
I think he's in, but it will be at the
expensive of maybe a player with some versatility. And I
was always at there when I got to the you know,
when I write down my list of players, there's probably
are you going to go with a guy who's an
out and out work, which is what Caleb Parker's or
are you going to have the likes of a David Harvelik,
who is that player who can cover so many positions
that you get the set that Scott Robertson and his
(04:24):
coaching staff know and we'll see great benefit and what
he can bring. But then all of a sudden you
get someone like last night and probably over the course
of the Super Ruggy campaign that's been really consistent. And
you know, I think it's interesting because I already had
oscinstitute to win my squad. I think there was in
no doubt for me that he had to get the
opportunity at the at at an all black level, at
least get in front of Scott Robertson and see what
(04:45):
he can possibly do. So for Caleb, you know, I
think what he has done is I think he may
have may have confirmed the spot. But you know, I
think last night you saw if you get him involved
in the game and he involves himself in the game,
how damaging he can be. But like you say, it's
it's it's just a philosophy thing now with these these
all black coaches, and you know, the one thing I
(05:06):
I see with plenty of expector, it's funny you mentioned
Sam Derry. I had him already in the squad as well.
You know, I just think, you know, even with Patrick
to a plot to recovering what Darry's done in this time,
this this year and the Blues has been impressive.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, I've got Darry in there as well with obviously
Scott Barrett, Patrick, twy Polota and two poor Vis I
had Darry is the fourth lock as well. Back to
the loose forwards, Mike, your area of particular expertise. We
know you've got Hoskins tutor in the Ardie Savia as well,
and position position wise we can we can kick that
around as well. But black head of female, You're say, Jacobson, Larkeye, Papaali,
(05:42):
Sa Titi, who are you leaving in? Sorry, who you're
putting in? Who you're leaving at?
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Ethan Blackmuner, I think is a type of six that
they needed, and uncompromising type of six and eaton even
though he sort of struggles with a bit of resilience,
you know, Sara as Andrew wise, I think they'll they'll,
they'll sleet them few again. I agree with you Dalton.
Papa Lee I think sort of forced his way in
(06:11):
ahead of those younger players and the sixt one I've
gone as Jakinson.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Yeah, well covers all three, doesn't he, like you used
to How valuable is that going to be? Mike and
a you know, and I guess it's a it's a
slightly smaller squad than what they've taken to the Rugby Championship.
So the ability of Jacobson to cover all three does
that kind of get him in?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Yeah, because I think if they sort of go off
Oscar through any reason, why then and they want to
play audio at eight, then they'll need to have, you know,
Dalton and Jacobson. There's back up seven. So just about
balance things sort of when I was going through all
the squads, all the players, he's allowed to be pick
(06:50):
to account the like to whip Richie Monger in there,
because I think we're pretty light and light in a
couple of positions, a lot lighter than with everything. But
I think that's my.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Sixth Jeff first five Stephen Stephen Peifeta going to make
the squad.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah, I think he should. You know, I think it's
been a really challenging year for Stephen, just through injury
and the nature of the way that Harry Plummer took
up the responsibilities at TIM while he was out and
then when they lost Sullivan, it just it meant that
the flexibility they had at fullback, they needed someone. And
last night Peter Feeder was really really good. Like I
think you can underestimate that responsibility and conditions like that
(07:30):
of how you cover and manage the backfield. He did
it brilliantly. He was never caught out a position, his
hands were really solid, his kicking game was accurate. And
here's a guy I think that actually a very very
accomplished him when he gets to play there. He just
hasn't had a lot of time. So for me, I
think he's a guy we have to continue to invest
and I think there's a lot more than people have
(07:52):
had the opportunity to see. So I'd like to think
he's going to make that squad and say, this is
a really interesting squad to thact because you know, all
of a sudden, over the last couple of weeks, some
guys have been out of sight, out of mind, and
you know, how do you find away for some players
to make a squad when they haven't been put under
the test and of a final or a semi final,
(08:13):
they've been sort of waiting in the wings. So like
I say, a lot of this comes down to how
Scott Robinson wants to play. But I've got Peter Fetter
in there because you know, I think he's still got
so much more potential. But what we saw last night
was a really balanced and composed performance and that's what
I like about him.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I like you both about the half backs. Let's stay
with you, Jeff, who are your three half backs?
Speaker 5 (08:34):
Look?
Speaker 4 (08:35):
I think this is you know, in terms of guys
who have been consistent, They've played a lot of minutes
and you've got experience if you look at those sort
of things. The last month of Finlay Christie has been
really good. Since he's come back from injury. You know,
he's been as consistent as he always is, has got
better every week. It was really good again last night
and challenging conditions, just like what he brings. We know
(08:55):
we need to have more experience in and around the squad,
and TJ. Peternarra has done that for the Hurricanes. There's
a couple of young guys who are floating around it,
but I think the best of those is Cortiratama. You know,
I want to have a look at him, and you know,
now there's a couple of guys and now I hope
him and who are probably you know, going to have
to look at other opportunities where they try and force
(09:16):
their way in. But I think for me that the
top three have sort of cleared themselves out and in
Christy Pernara and you've got something to work with and
a balance in the types of game they can play,
and you know, and of course they'll be clearly waiting
for the return of cam Roy Gad whenever that might
be in the future, but that there's a long way off.
(09:37):
So for me, those three have stood out.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Do you agree with that, Mike?
Speaker 5 (09:41):
Those those three, I think a lot of it will
depend on the selector's attitude towards age in the in
the next World Cup.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
So that's where you know, players like Boden Barrett, j
Peronada that there's a question mark over them, you know,
do they keep them from the experience or do they
blood the young boy, young young player, he's going to
be a good player, Like Noah Holsten, we'll go fuck
it over another go up to his injury. So that's
the question that only they know. But we just got
(10:16):
selecting the right executly the same team Goldie. I actually
even veteran as my first choice fallback at the moment
with all the injuries.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
You hope you got a fullback. Gody.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
I've got answer a question your opposed because I think
everyone and even Razors admitted this, and Liam McDonough when
we spoke to him last week on the breakdown, said
the same thing. They've got their team sort of selected.
Ninety percent of it picks itself. It really does, you
know you're only talking about sort of two or three
guys in around that third hooker, that third half back.
(10:50):
These are alviously common conversations when it starts selecting us side. Look,
Razer at the start of the season said he's probably
got eighty percent of a team packed because that's it's
you know, there's guys who had vast experience. So the
reason I've gone around about way is I think, you know,
as long as Boden Barrits come through his game and
he comes back in the camp the way he was
playing last year with the same type of confidence, and
(11:10):
I'm comfortable this the first campaign. And say first campaign,
there's two tests against England and the third Test against
pig at Bowden Bart at fullback because I thought last year,
I thought he played really, really well. As long as
he's healthy and fit, you know, I think, and I
think there's still in plenty of leagues left in him.
If you watch him play, He's not the same player
he was five six years ago in terms of some
(11:34):
of that explosive stuff. But I think in terms of
his game, manage an experiment, experience, and I think under
ray that. I think he'll he'll understand what it is
as he's trying to achieve. At the moment, I've got voted,
But I mean, of course we're all waiting as well.
We've got another guy with the name of Will Jordan,
who you know, we're picking at some part through the
season maybe the Rugby Championship might become available again. And
(11:55):
if he does, then you know, he's the guy that
we're hoping is going to get into that fifteen jersey
because it's the type of rugby I think we would
like to play.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Yeah, and Dana Raiser obviously played him a lot there. Sorry, Mike,
you go ahead.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Did you decide how to Ruben? I've found room.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I've found room for Reuben Love, you know, once against
a really hard decision because I know exactly what David
harleyally can bring. But he just he just hasn't played
enough rugby in a settled position this year. But now
he's coming in with some sort of confidence because I
think he is a really confidence plan. I found it
really hard to leave him out and I wouldn't be
(12:33):
surprised if he is there at the expense of you know,
maybe a Reuben Love. It's it's a great it's a
great debate. I just I came to where Ruben Ceiling
could be and what he's going to develop into. I
love his confidence, you know, so I've managed to find
room for him.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Sorry, Mike, you carry on. You guys have the conversation.
I'll just sit back and listen.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
You go, Mike any has any curtain used to say, Goldie,
He's got gas.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
He's got gas, and gas is one of those things
you've just got to have. You know, you're one hundred
percent right.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Hookers, who's the third howkout We've got? Obviously Cody Taylor.
I think Moo has done enough. No summer Sny Talkia
haul Mike. Who's the third hooker in the squad?
Speaker 3 (13:14):
I think the Blues hooker played his way in the
game last night.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Rickettelly, Rickettelly.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Who else could you pick area of them?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Nobody?
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Well, I guess the others are. You could look at
Kurt Eklund's but he's come mainly off the bench. George Bell,
I think he's got a bit of work to do. Goldie,
you go with Ricottelly, Goldie.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Yeah, I mean I think you have to, you know,
like I mean, Bell's been certainly a guy that've had
their their eye on. But once again, you saw the
market difference the moment Cody Taylor has come back into
the frame, and I agree. When you get to these
choices around this third player, you start maybe considering the future.
But you know, I think is still looking at the future.
(13:56):
I think you can feel really comfortable. Here's a guy
that can be around in the environment for a long
period of time. So who's the third guy? Well, it's
a bit like the TJ. Peternada for me, have a
bit of insurance up your sleep. You know, a guy
who has consistently done his job and coll role and
fundamental stuff for the Blues exceptionally well. And if you
want to, is there an X factor about Ricky Ricattelly, No,
(14:19):
there's not an ex factor. But there's a great workman, accuracy,
a determination, a fight about him that you've got love
and I like having that guy in the environment. You know,
we had it for how many years, probably the last
four or five years in Dane Coles. In terms of that,
you know what, I can trust him. You get that
sense with Ricketelly and look, I know after I spoke
(14:40):
to up the game last night. Look he had a
smile on his face. He's had one heck of a
season and he should be really proud of you achievement
and by doing what he's done, he said, you know what,
I won't let you down.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
I love players like that, Captain, Mike, who's the captain?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Only one choice here, I think with Scott Robertson as
you coach?
Speaker 2 (15:03):
All right, so Scott Barrett for you, then same for you, Jeff.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
It's a really interesting conversation. Look, I can understand why
Scott Barrett would be the obvious choice. Look, I've sort
of been I've been beating the drums a little bit
around Cody Taylor. You know, I really like where he's
got his game to. I really like when he came
back to the Crusaders, he took brains and responsibilities and
showed some real scrap and fight. And but Scott Barris startup,
(15:29):
you know as a fantastic job when he's had control
of that team down in christ just the Crusaders on
the fantastic run the successes. But you know that would
be the obvious. But you know, I'd like to think
Tody Taylor's in the conversation. I just I just get
the sense he's getting to that time in his career
now where you know, after he said I reckon a
(15:50):
fantastic return to the game, but last year was you know,
world class. So there's something about him. But at the moment,
you know, everyone's expecting it to be Scott Barrett, and
you know, I would maybe be surprised that it's not no.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Chance he goes out.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Mike, I think you want to do it the Scott
Robertson way to start off with, and I think there's
always opportunity for you know what we've seen with Scott
Barrin over the last couple of years as he's left
a little bit of resilience, not quite as bad as me.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
But good, honestly, Bruiser, great, honestly, you could have just
done with it. You could have just done with the
vat you had a bit of bit more. I know
it was just self preservation. You had none of that.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
No, but that's what it was about today.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Indeed, indeed, all right, I want to finish, want to
finish with with our starting fifteen for the first test
of the year thirteen days from now. I'm not sure
there are too many contestable positions and let's but we'll
go through it on a bit by bit. Uh did
you say that again?
Speaker 4 (16:59):
You know?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
Did Goldie just run with three centers?
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Did I run with just three centers? No? I didn't.
I I was very light on wings, to be honest
with you. And that's where I think the great thing
about Rico Yuani is he's he can be. He's probably
the easiest one. He can he can quite easily slide
out to fland the wing of field Blacks needed to be.
(17:24):
But you know, I think the combination of Joanne and
Barrett is as well and truly formed and not in
ten Anzelina. Brown's had one hell of the season, he
really has, and he's that real viable option. And you
know that the big thing is around you know, I
was by only looked at uh, Clark and Taliah and
(17:45):
na those three in regards to the wings that are
going to get their opportunity. So it was it was
sort of a five to four five four. No, Si,
he didn't make my side, didn't he? Well, I just
I had to make a decision about out and ow wings.
You know, that's the know how many how many could
(18:07):
you put that fits in? You know? I think the
really important thing for me here is is that this
is for the footst three tests, not the Rugay Championship squad.
So you know, I think, you know, Scott Robinson, Scott Room,
you know, to make some changes and shifts if you
really need to be. But that's where it got hard.
Like you say, there's some really good players've missed out
that I've got Billy Procter in my mix. I really
(18:28):
have had such a good season at center for the Hurricane.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Okay, yeah, I've gone I've gone four in midfield as well.
Have you have? You only gone three midfielders.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
Mike, No, I actually got for heavily right.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
So Billy, Billy Procter's not in your squad, Brosion.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
I think he's going to be one of those players
that in my Daves look like Brett Pope is just
so many other good players in this position. I just
think you'll miss out.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
I think potry comes up for every select some conversations
I ever had with you.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
But anyway, fantastic.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
I'd advise your beer.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Right, let's get let's get our let's get our fifteens.
Let's get our fifteens done when our listeners are queuing
up to have their say. So let's get our fifteens
out for the first Test against England and Dunedin. Front
front row, brother and what's your front row?
Speaker 4 (19:23):
The group?
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Paler Lomas same Goldie.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Uh, Williams, Taylor Lomax.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Interesting, all right, your locks, Jeff.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
It's it's Barrett and by Mike Patrick Patrick and hit A.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah, he's okay, right, loose forwards, what's your loose forward trio?
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Mike lect s there and Soltutu.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
All right, so you've got Savia on the open side
for you, Jeff.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Fee now on the blind side, Savilla and Papa in
the open.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Okay, half back, first five combo Mike.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
Philly, Christian McKenzie, Yes for me.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Midfield the midfield to it feels like Barrett and Yoannie,
have you both got that, yep, Yes, indeed, all right,
Jeff back three.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
I've got Talia on the left and on the right,
and I've got Bone and Bart at fullback.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
What have you gone with, Mike.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
I've gone Bone a fullback to on the right, but
I'm stuck with silly Reese on the left.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yeah, I've done that too. I've got I've got Recent,
I've got Reese on the left wing. But Jeff hasn't
even got him in the squad.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Yes I don't. But I haven't got eating Blacketter in
the squad either. Yeah, you know, lots of the Yeah,
I mean it's a really hard one. I've gone for Jacinson,
uh female, lark eyed, populi and severe in my loose
portrayow there's no room for Jacobson. So you know, like
I said, there's there's you know, there's marginal cause in
(21:11):
so many positions between one or two guys.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
You know.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
All I know is there New zeal on a side
is going to be a heck of aside when he
gets an opportunity later on the air on.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Any concerned with the boys he now is. I think
he's a fantastic player. But the all back selectors and
knowing Scotty, I think there's a real question mark over
his discipline and the amount of penalties he gives away,
and some of the penalties he's given away, you know
in this season, particularly in the in the playoffs, is
(21:41):
just allowed that all Clanteen to just piggyback up the
field and do what they do. So I think that's
that's an issue that he's, you know, he's got to
address because I think he's a he's a bit like
Shannon Brazil, but too many penalties.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
We tellongs you're getting on staying on the field.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Mhmm.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
You know, he's you know, it's just one of those things.
I just think it's as like said, I'm I'm fascinated
to see tomorrow, I really am, you know, because we'll
get a real sense of what exactly is he's looking for.
It'll be those four or five guys that we couldn't
quite decide on or we weren't sure about. We'll get
a strong sense from raising tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Excellent guys, Thanks so much for joining us. Mike always
enjoy chatting. Thanks for our taking the time, mate, Cheers, Bunny,
all the best and Jeff, thanks to you mate. We'll
look forward to live coverage of the first of it
all Black Squad five thirty tomorrow Sky Sport one and
Sky Sport Now you'll be involved in that. Thanks for
taking the time to have a chat this afternoon, mate, mate,
(22:43):
all the best, Mate, Jeff Wilson, Mike Brewer there with
their thoughts and some fairly interesting thoughts too. You'll have
some too, No doubt your chance to play selector now?
Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Who makes the
thirty two man list to be revealed tomorrow? Any bolters, Well,
let's define bolter here. Somebody who nobody had picked, a
(23:05):
name we haven't even talked about. The only I think
the only position we didn't really talk about in that
chat was the props. We covered off most of the
other positions. For example, Billy Proctor, if he makes the
squad tomorrow, is not a bolter. I think he's been
talked about all year as somebody who may well be
there and I think has deserved his place. A bolter
(23:26):
is a guy like Dallas McCleod. Remember when Dallas McLeod
was picked last year, he was a bolter because nobody
had him. Nobody picked him. I've written down my thirty two.
I've got five new all blacks, but can to hear
yours players who have caught your eyes, especially especially those
who haven't worn the black jersey before.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
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