Tony Johnson: Rugby Commentator previews the All Blacks v Scotland clash

The All Blacks’ Grand Slam tour continues this weekend. 

They’re up against Scotland at Murrayfield after a solid victory over Ireland in the first leg. 

Scotland will be looking to claim the victory for the first time against the All Blacks, particularly since they’re marking the 100 years at the stadium.  

Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that while there is a lot of excitement, it has been tempered with the exclusion of a few really good players from the Scottish team. 

He says that while the team is still likely to be a threat, they probably won’t be as big of one due to those defections. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The All Blacks continue their Grand Slam Tour this weekend.
They're up against Scotland at Murrayfield, kicking off four ten
Sunday our time. They haven't lost to the Scotts in
one hundred and seventeen years. Doesn't mean this mon't be
the first time. Tony Johnson's Rugby commentated with us this morning, Tony.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Good morning, boring Jesse.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
How important is the Murrayfield Anniversary?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Sorry? Sorry, god, I've got the wrong place, Ryan, Sorry.

Speaker 1 (00:22):
Mate, Okay, no worries.

Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm curious. I've been doing so many different interviews since
I've been over here and I'm still got gent leg
made my thousand apologies Tony.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
It's no problem.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
You can call me whatever you like. I know I'm
going to definitely call you right. You can call me
anything you like now I've done that. What a great
way to start today.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
How you're up at all hours? How important is the
Murrayfield Anniversary to the Scots?

Speaker 2 (00:48):
Well, it's very important. I'm making a big thing of it,
and there's a real buzz around Edinburgh. I've been here
just a couple of days, but boy there's some excitement.
Although having said that, it's a bit tempered. Now the
Scotland team has been named today and they're missing a
couple of really good players. Douhann Pandermerva there, big South

(01:10):
African born left winger, is not there and the front
rowers Xander Vegason is out as well. So everyone was
thinking this is going to be a real threat to Scott,
and I still think they will be, but not quite
as much as was initially anticipated because of those defections.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
What's happening with the Barretts is Scott's going to be
back on the field. What's going on?

Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, okay, so Jordie has gone back to New Zealand.
He had a knee and a high ankle strain, so
that happened very early on in the game in Chicago,
so unfortunately for him, he's gone back to his end.
Scott got a very deep laceration in his lower leg,
but that's healing really well and so they think he'll
be back for the Test at Quicken Him next week

(01:55):
and they'll need him for that too. And meanwhile, Body
who had a pretty tough time of it, took a
couple of big knocks in the game in Chicago, but
he's bounced back really well. From that. In fact, he shopped,
he's telling us on the day off yesterday shot one
of his best ever round of golf at one of
the flash courses here, so he's obviously and good Nick.

(02:15):
So yeah, at the moment, it's a very rare thing
that there's only one Barratt going to begin your back
team this weekend.

Speaker 1 (02:20):
Very weird indeed, but we look forward to seeing the game. Tony,
appreciate your time this morning. That's Tony Johnson.

Speaker 3 (02:27):
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