The new Scott Robertson-led All Blacks era begins in Dunedin this evening when New Zealand meets England for the first of two tests.
Former New Zealand Super Rugby player Thomas Waldrom played five times for England, and joined Adam Cooper to analyse what both teams will be focussing on in the first test.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, well, let's look at this game a little
bit closer now, and Thomas Ordram is a former Hurricanes
number eight, former Wellington Lion, but also played five caps
for England, so he certainly got a bit of perspective
as to how both these teams will be preparing for
this Test series, but particularly this first one tonight. Thomas
is with us. Morning to you, Thomas, well, you love
(00:22):
and All Blacks England's clash every time they come around,
wouldn't you.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yes, definitely in the household and everyone that you know
us always asking who who you're supporting? Am I standard answers?
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Just rugby on the day always a good answer. Twenty
twenty four so far than Thomas. England obviously a full
six Nations campaign included a win over Ireland, of course,
and more recently they were in action against Japan. Obviously,
the All Blacks only been together for just over a week.
First big game of Scott Robertson's new coaching tenure. How
will these leadens either boost or hinder both teams?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
That's an interesting one because we've got England sort at
the end of the season and All Black sort of
at the start. So it's always I think it's going
to be a very tight battle and things like that,
so they'll have lots of points to approve for each other.
So the All Blacks sort of their first game, they
want to probably go out and win, and then it's
probably the England side on the other hand that they
want to probably go up to all backs because they've
(01:21):
probably done knowing there and stuff like that. So I
think it's going to be a very fascinating matchup.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And I know England coach Steve Borthwick's been credited with
trying to evolve the traditional forwards oriented style of English
rugby and play, you know, more fifteen man kind of game.
Do you think that's important for them post last year's
World Cup, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Definitely, And that's the thing that I know Japanels were
all hot for them and stuff like that. And they
come over to the Gena and it's probably a twenty
degree drop, but they'll be at the need and undercover
so they don't have to worry about the weather. They'll
probably probably the next week's plain, but at least they
can go down there praydice what they've been doing because
it's going to be dry, no wind, and probably yeah,
and look to attack probably a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
It's been about ten years since England were last in
New Zealand as a touring team. Thomas, can you tell
us from your experience being in that English camp just
how much emphasis and passion comes out when they're preparing
to face the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, I think it's a lot of it. It's an
for a lot of the guys that come over. They're
probably a young to the squad and he comes to
New Zealand and rugby's just everywhere, but it's done a
number one sport. We're are sort of battling with football
over in England and even Australia, what the League and
AFL in different areas where New Zealand's just purely rugby
and they do do understand where you're in Auckland and
(02:34):
there's probably ten clubs within fifteen twenty k radius of
each other and they just don't experience that sort of
stuff over in the UK. So yeah, they will just
experience that rugby and everyone's passionate and everyone will know
who they are because they watch a lot of the Premiership,
a lot of Heineken Cups, so they'll be surprised that
people actually know who they are and things like that.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
And looking at the England side, the squad named what
are the strengths they'll bring to this series the two
test series.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Oh that's then they probably have been together probably a
bit longer than the All Blacks, So I think their
combinations from probably the half back factory, loose forwards, all
those combinations of they've probably been working really hard together
and they've been together for a while. But that's yeah.
And then the other hand, the All Blacks the fresh
and they want to approval point. They want to go
out and the sow new zone, the super rugby technicue
(03:24):
style you want to they want to probably entertain the
crowd and stuff like that. Where they're English, they've got
a set game plan. You're probably looking for scrum penalties.
They probably that's that's where they're probably going to get
fresh at the most hip piece to scrum the line out,
driving drive in for penalties and pushing the All Blacks
back and sort of the rush defense trying to stop
them get in their game going. So it's going to
(03:45):
be quite a fascinating watch, especially for me because of
being through both styles and what each team's trying to do.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, and just quickly on styles, How quickly do you
expect Scott Robertson to inject some of his own flare
and flavor into how we see the All Blacks play
for these first couple of tests of the year. Knowing that,
of course more than half the starting team were regular
starters last year too.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah, I think you'll know from very early on, and
the coaches that he's got involved as well. I think
that they want to he want to utilize them. From
what I've heard, he's a very people person and he
wants you there and he wants your input. So I think, yeah,
that will be interesting to see what they bring like.
No one knows yet, but I'm hoping it is a
different style or play someone that maybe a little bit
(04:32):
different and gets to one a bit excited about it.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
All right, Former Hurricane and former England international Thomas Walter.
And with us looking at tonight's first All Blacks England
tests down there and Dunedin and Thomas yourself is a
former number eight, tell us your expectation of this trio.
The All Blacks have named to start tonight Penny Female Dalton,
Popaliti and of course the return of of Ardie Savitz
in New Zealand. They're combining in the trio. What do
(04:56):
you make of that?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, and that's I think. But because that's why I
think I think got the right mix there. You always
look back in the past of what was a good
all black team and it goes down to that the
loose trio with you've got probably there's a probably seven
and he's going to get over the ball. You've got
to stick that once your team is going to look
up and have a bit of fear in his eyes.
(05:19):
And then and then Ardi it's probably the glue that's
going to bring all their stuff together. So it's very
exciting prospects. Only the thing that worries me is probably
only had one sort of club game and hasn't paid
much audio. I know, I know, and personally he'll do
a lot of extras and get himself ready, but the
game time is where there's probably the most important part.
(05:40):
And then on the club side you've got England where
they with Underhill and top of that that the guys
are on the ground, they're going to be challenging them
so much as a breakdown they probably that they haven't
had before.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, I was gonna ask about Ardie and of course
Boden Barrett both spending time in Japan through the early
part of this year. But you're right, game time it
is going to be the biggest head scratcher as to
how they'll perform Stephen Petefetter, of course getting the not
over Bowden to start at fullback. Do you expect them
both to take a bit of time adapting back into
too high level New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Used to know, I think because they've probably pride mysels
on and that's been a true professional is getting up
to speed and stuff like that, and that's I think
they've probably done a lot of work behind both laws
and I think yeah, and I think for a forward
it's probably a little bit easier, and that's got to
you've got to start building the game time and I
think by the probably a long season of test matches
(06:38):
coming up very soon for them, so he's probably idea
of slowly building a couple of those guys up anyway.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Yeah, and you've been in the Gold Sport and ZB
commentary box all through the year at Sky Stadium, Thomas
and a bird's eye view of t J. Pettinada and
his return Yeah, what have you made of his year
back from his two knee injuries and how ready is
he for his first test to nearly two years think?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, next thing you see the injury of roy Guards
and the whole sort of nation was really because because
it was such a talent that that World Cup. But
then yeah, but then you have an experienced guy like
TJ that what have turned up massively and the way
he went about his work. He just got on with
it and I think you get challenged in different ways
(07:24):
and brings out different parts. He here and c J
definitely did it this year as well, especially start of
the season and to get an opportunity that I think
you want opportunity and it's up to you if you're
going to take your both hands, and it's up to him.
Now he's got the opportunity that you sort of strive for.
It'll be interesting how he goes on.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And what about the chatter around your circles Thomas as
the new era, a new coach, some new players, triggered
a fair bit of excitement around the country regarding the
All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah, and that probably that they've been waiting for quite
a long time as well. I think getting told you
the All Blacks coach, but then you have to put
out a World Cup cycle just to get your hands
on these players. And I think everyone's sort of interesting.
I think because of the way they probably perspadeus went
without them there things out there. I think that probably
(08:11):
is difficult to see what what's going to happen? Can
he what stuff he's going to air? Things like that,
but noone is excited to see what's going.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
To happen, all right, Thomas, before you go, won't let
you go without a score prediction under the roof, So
a bit of running rugby probably from both teams. What
do you reckon tonight?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (08:28):
First one?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
It might be a draw?
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That's always a safe fit, all right, Thomas. Hey, I
always appreciate your insights, mate, takes for your time this morning,
and joy the game tonight, No jez, thank you go
well Thomas. Thomas waldrim there yep. Not wanting to put
thoughts on the line either way, but fair enough of fact.
Obviously the All Blacks in England last time they played
(08:50):
was a draw and twickle them twenty twenty two, so
you never know. For more from news talks, there'd be
listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
All right, well, let's look at this game a little
bit closer now, and Thomas Ordram is a former Hurricanes
number eight, former Wellington Lion, but also played five caps
for England, so he certainly got a bit of perspective
as to how both these teams will be preparing for
this Test series, but particularly this first one tonight. Thomas
is with us. Morning to you, Thomas, well, you love
(00:22):
and All Blacks England's clash every time they come around,
wouldn't you.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yes, definitely in the household and everyone that you know
us always asking who who you're supporting? Am I standard answers?
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Just rugby on the day always a good answer. Twenty
twenty four so far than Thomas. England obviously a full
six Nations campaign included a win over Ireland, of course,
and more recently they were in action against Japan. Obviously,
the All Blacks only been together for just over a week.
First big game of Scott Robertson's new coaching tenure. How
will these leadens either boost or hinder both teams?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
That's an interesting one because we've got England sort at
the end of the season and All Black sort of
at the start. So it's always I think it's going
to be a very tight battle and things like that,
so they'll have lots of points to approve for each other.
So the All Blacks sort of their first game, they
want to probably go out and win, and then it's
probably the England side on the other hand that they
want to probably go up to all backs because they've
(01:21):
probably done knowing there and stuff like that. So I
think it's going to be a very fascinating matchup.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And I know England coach Steve Borthwick's been credited with
trying to evolve the traditional forwards oriented style of English
rugby and play, you know, more fifteen man kind of game.
Do you think that's important for them post last year's
World Cup, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Definitely, And that's the thing that I know Japanels were
all hot for them and stuff like that. And they
come over to the Gena and it's probably a twenty
degree drop, but they'll be at the need and undercover
so they don't have to worry about the weather. They'll
probably probably the next week's plain, but at least they
can go down there praydice what they've been doing because
it's going to be dry, no wind, and probably yeah,
and look to attack probably a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
It's been about ten years since England were last in
New Zealand as a touring team. Thomas, can you tell
us from your experience being in that English camp just
how much emphasis and passion comes out when they're preparing
to face the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, I think it's a lot of it. It's an
for a lot of the guys that come over. They're
probably a young to the squad and he comes to
New Zealand and rugby's just everywhere, but it's done a
number one sport. We're are sort of battling with football
over in England and even Australia, what the League and
AFL in different areas where New Zealand's just purely rugby
and they do do understand where you're in Auckland and
(02:34):
there's probably ten clubs within fifteen twenty k radius of
each other and they just don't experience that sort of
stuff over in the UK. So yeah, they will just
experience that rugby and everyone's passionate and everyone will know
who they are because they watch a lot of the Premiership,
a lot of Heineken Cups, so they'll be surprised that
people actually know who they are and things like that.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
And looking at the England side, the squad named what
are the strengths they'll bring to this series the two
test series.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Oh that's then they probably have been together probably a
bit longer than the All Blacks, So I think their
combinations from probably the half back factory, loose forwards, all
those combinations of they've probably been working really hard together
and they've been together for a while. But that's yeah.
And then the other hand, the All Blacks the fresh
and they want to approval point. They want to go
out and the sow new zone, the super rugby technicue
(03:24):
style you want to they want to probably entertain the
crowd and stuff like that. Where they're English, they've got
a set game plan. You're probably looking for scrum penalties.
They probably that's that's where they're probably going to get
fresh at the most hip piece to scrum the line out,
driving drive in for penalties and pushing the All Blacks
back and sort of the rush defense trying to stop
them get in their game going. So it's going to
(03:45):
be quite a fascinating watch, especially for me because of
being through both styles and what each team's trying to do.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, and just quickly on styles, How quickly do you
expect Scott Robertson to inject some of his own flare
and flavor into how we see the All Blacks play
for these first couple of tests of the year. Knowing that,
of course more than half the starting team were regular
starters last year too.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah, I think you'll know from very early on, and
the coaches that he's got involved as well. I think
that they want to he want to utilize them. From
what I've heard, he's a very people person and he
wants you there and he wants your input. So I think, yeah,
that will be interesting to see what they bring like.
No one knows yet, but I'm hoping it is a
different style or play someone that maybe a little bit
(04:32):
different and gets to one a bit excited about it.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
All right, Former Hurricane and former England international Thomas Walter.
And with us looking at tonight's first All Blacks England
tests down there and Dunedin and Thomas yourself is a
former number eight, tell us your expectation of this trio.
The All Blacks have named to start tonight Penny Female Dalton,
Popaliti and of course the return of of Ardie Savitz
in New Zealand. They're combining in the trio. What do
(04:56):
you make of that?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, and that's I think. But because that's why I
think I think got the right mix there. You always
look back in the past of what was a good
all black team and it goes down to that the
loose trio with you've got probably there's a probably seven
and he's going to get over the ball. You've got
to stick that once your team is going to look
up and have a bit of fear in his eyes.
(05:19):
And then and then Ardi it's probably the glue that's
going to bring all their stuff together. So it's very
exciting prospects. Only the thing that worries me is probably
only had one sort of club game and hasn't paid
much audio. I know, I know, and personally he'll do
a lot of extras and get himself ready, but the
game time is where there's probably the most important part.
(05:40):
And then on the club side you've got England where
they with Underhill and top of that that the guys
are on the ground, they're going to be challenging them
so much as a breakdown they probably that they haven't
had before.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, I was gonna ask about Ardie and of course
Boden Barrett both spending time in Japan through the early
part of this year. But you're right, game time it
is going to be the biggest head scratcher as to
how they'll perform Stephen Petefetter, of course getting the not
over Bowden to start at fullback. Do you expect them
both to take a bit of time adapting back into
too high level New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Used to know, I think because they've probably pride mysels
on and that's been a true professional is getting up
to speed and stuff like that, and that's I think
they've probably done a lot of work behind both laws
and I think yeah, and I think for a forward
it's probably a little bit easier, and that's got to
you've got to start building the game time and I
think by the probably a long season of test matches
(06:38):
coming up very soon for them, so he's probably idea
of slowly building a couple of those guys up anyway.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Yeah, and you've been in the Gold Sport and ZB
commentary box all through the year at Sky Stadium, Thomas
and a bird's eye view of t J. Pettinada and
his return Yeah, what have you made of his year
back from his two knee injuries and how ready is
he for his first test to nearly two years think?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, next thing you see the injury of roy Guards
and the whole sort of nation was really because because
it was such a talent that that World Cup. But
then yeah, but then you have an experienced guy like
TJ that what have turned up massively and the way
he went about his work. He just got on with
it and I think you get challenged in different ways
(07:24):
and brings out different parts. He here and c J
definitely did it this year as well, especially start of
the season and to get an opportunity that I think
you want opportunity and it's up to you if you're
going to take your both hands, and it's up to him.
Now he's got the opportunity that you sort of strive for.
It'll be interesting how he goes on.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And what about the chatter around your circles Thomas as
the new era, a new coach, some new players, triggered
a fair bit of excitement around the country regarding the
All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah, and that probably that they've been waiting for quite
a long time as well. I think getting told you
the All Blacks coach, but then you have to put
out a World Cup cycle just to get your hands
on these players. And I think everyone's sort of interesting.
I think because of the way they probably perspadeus went
without them there things out there. I think that probably
(08:11):
is difficult to see what what's going to happen? Can
he what stuff he's going to air? Things like that,
but noone is excited to see what's going.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
To happen, all right, Thomas, before you go, won't let
you go without a score prediction under the roof, So
a bit of running rugby probably from both teams. What
do you reckon tonight?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (08:28):
First one?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
It might be a draw?
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That's always a safe fit, all right, Thomas. Hey, I
always appreciate your insights, mate, takes for your time this morning,
and joy the game tonight, No jez, thank you go
well Thomas. Thomas waldrim there yep. Not wanting to put
thoughts on the line either way, but fair enough of fact.
Obviously the All Blacks in England last time they played
(08:50):
was a draw and twickle them twenty twenty two, so
you never know. For more from news talks, there'd be
listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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