Tony Johnson: Rugby Commentator on this weekend's Super Rugby Qualifying Finals

Rugby commentator Tony Johnson joined Ryan Bridge to discussthethree upcoming qualifying finalsgames this weekend.

The first match taking place tonight sees the Crusaders take on the Reds. The odds seem to be stacked against the Reds, as an Australian team is still yet to win a Super Rugby playoff game against a Kiwi team on Kiwi soil.

The Chiefs and the Blues are also due to face off this weekend. Johnson told Ryan Bridge that the Chiefs will be out for revenge after their crushing defeat in last year’s finals.

The Hurricanes are taking a trip over the ditch to face the Brumbies. Johnson said that the Hurricanes’excellent form could win it for them – but it won’t be easy.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's the Super Rugby quarter finals this weekend, starting with

(00:02):
the Crusaders and Reds. Tonight the Hurricanes are in Canberra
taking on the Brumbies, and then we have a repeat
of the nail byer match last year from the Blues
and the Chiefs on Saturday. Rugby commentator Tony Johnson with
me this morning.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Hey Tony, morning, Ryan.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
Good to have you on the show as always. First
of all, the you know this lucky loser, the new format.
Why are we doing this?

Speaker 2 (00:23):
Well, yeah, it's not really quarter finals this year, they
called qualifying finals. They had to cut it back. They
couldn't have eight teams in last year because eight remember
we've only got eleven teams this year, that would have
been ridiculous, so they've gone for six. I don't think
they've got it quite right, but it's probably better to
have six and you have a lucky loser, which means
the highest ranked of the teams beaten this weekend gets

(00:46):
to fight again. And of course if that's the Chiefs,
the top qualifiers, they'd still get a home semi final
next week. So look, as I say, I don't think
it's a flawless way of doing it, but it's a
step in the right direction. I'm sure they'll probably re
fine it for next year.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
All right, who are your favorites this weekend?

Speaker 2 (01:03):
Tony? Okay? Well, first of all, the two New Zealand
teams playing at home. Chiefs they play the Blues. Now
it's a rerun of last year's final in which the
Blues absolutely crushed the Chiefs, so they'll be up for revenge.
They are in a better place to do it this
year probably. Blues have struggled a bit, but they played
their best game of the season last year against last

(01:24):
week against the Warritas. Chiefs all the way through have
looked the team to beat. So that's tomorrow night in Hamilton,
a big one tonight. Crusaders they take on the Reds.
The problem with the Reds is that they've got the
way to history against them. Nineteen times Australian teams have
come to New Zealand over the thirty years of Super Rugby.

(01:47):
They've played nineteen playoff games in New Zealand and haven't
won one of them. And the Crusaders that get will
Jordan Fletcher new All back for that one. And then
there's the game between the Brumbies and the Hurricans, and
that's the tough one. The Hurricans have to try and
win in Canberra, where the Brumbies don't lose many unfortunately

(02:09):
for them. After last week a very controversial game, the
Brumbies were beaten by the Crusaders, a refereeing decision that's
got everyone up in arms, and so the crowd, which
can be pretty fair at times, they're going to be
riding all over the referee from start to finish. And
of course the Hurricans, they have been an outstanding form.
I think they are a chance to win it, but

(02:30):
it won't be easy. So I think three pretty juicy
looking games we've got lined up this weekend.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
Yeah, not a bad way to go. Not a bad
weekend the head and who do you think is going
to take out the whole competition?

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Can you make a call yet?

Speaker 1 (02:40):
The Chiefs? You said the Chiefs are looking pretty good,
have been all season.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, I'd still have them as slight favorites. But the
thing about this super Raguly this year, Ryan has just
been so unpredictable. Teams have really found it difficult to
win more than three or four games in a row
and there's been a lot of upsets, and so I
don't think you can put any thing down for certain.
I wouldn't be telling anyone to put any money anywhere

(03:04):
at the moment because there's always room for an upset.
But I still I do think the Chiefs, particularly if
they can maintain home advantage, then I think they are
definitely the team to beat, and I'd probably favor a
Chiefs Crusader's Final, But you know that depends on the
Hurricanes because they have been an outstanding form. They've been
so good to watch. They've been playing a dynamic brand

(03:26):
of rugby. If they can upset the Brundies tomorrow night,
then that carries that on the Any trouble is is
that the way the thing's been done with Thug if
that's the lucky loser game, you'll get to that game
and it won't matter who wins or who loses, which
is a bit of a shame on, as I say,
I think they've got that wrong. But now I'm still
at the stage leaning towards a Chief Crusader's Final. Chief

(03:49):
slight favorites, but I think anything can happen from this
point and that's the beauty of it.

Speaker 1 (03:53):
Tony appreciate your time this morning. Thanks as always Tony Johnson,
rugby commentator.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
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