March 2, 2025 • 37 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the latest round of Super Rugby as the Blues finally get on the board, the Chiefs continue their form and Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders play out an odd game in Albany.
We also look at the latest in broadcast negotiations for New Zealand Rugby, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan's pending departure and who should replace him and the men's Sevens programme floundering.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from news Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Inside the Game from Every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health tankling all
your aches and pains from sport and work back for
another week of Rugby Direct. And we welcome back from
the Kingdom, Liam Napier, It's a Rugby Direct.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Greetings readings, Elliot, great to be here, Great to be back.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Getting sponsorship while you're over there, aram Co coming on board.
Will we you know, live live Rugby directsclorring to it.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, it's fair to say the feelers are out a
lot of interest rugby and Saudi is on the rise,
and the oil tycoons are circling.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, Rugby Directs are not immune to that. We're more
than happy to sell our souls.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Let's refer to the weekend that was in Rugby Super
Rugby specifically and another intriguing weekend Liam. I guess, just
an overall perspective, we've had fifteen games down this comp
and there's been no real blowouts, no terrible games, so far,
which is a remarkable run really given where we're at
have been at in this competition. Just the standard and
(01:23):
the closeness of the games has been very very good.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Once again it has, and that's what this competition needs.
I think the only game at the weekend that was
more than five odd points was the Chief Sprumbies. And
it is early doors. You don't want to make too
many sweeping generalizations, but it does seem like the Australian
teams are more competitive, which is what we'd everyone had
hopes with the demise of the Rebels, and I guess
(01:49):
a real evening out of the New Zealand teams as
well with the Highland has been more competitive, the Blues
coming back to the pack, the Chiefs raising their standards
and the Hurricanes sort of struggling a wee bit.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So that's what super Bragby needs.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
We need to see type competitive games, upsets. The only
I guess negative I would say was, you know, it's
a great spectacle. This defense is a weebird option all
at times, or maybe not of a certainly test standard,
but it's been a great watch and the finishers in games.
(02:22):
These games are being decided in the last couple of minutes,
which is great for spectators.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I do wonder if the.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Scores might settle down a little bit as it gets
a bit colder into March and April. I think fatigue
and heat taking a role in the opening two or
three weeks hot it as an Australian parts in New
Zealand a for you daytime or late kickoffs sort late
afternoon kickoffs that are maybe contributing to that. It's kind
of interesting to see if that settles down. Let's go
first to Saturday night and it was the Blues thirty
three over the Hurricanes twenty nine.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
A game that was in.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
The balance for a lot of it, but you know,
the stars rise to the big occasion. Mark Talia did
just that right at the very end or ten minutes
to go and put his side back in front. But again,
this was a game that we could have seen the
Blues go oh in three. They were just as smidge
better on the night. What did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, look, I wouldn't be getting too carried away if
I was the Blues. When you look at that Hurricanes team,
they're still missing a lot of their front line stars
as a team without Jordy Barrett Ardie Severez left this
year and they have no Tarro lomax I suffer Armor,
Billy Proctor, There's a couple of others there and they
(03:30):
have had some performance stand up for them. Harry Godfrey
has really claimed that tenders Ruben loves another one that
won't come back till after the bye. But as you mentioned,
stars rise and I think it was Boden Barrett that
really sparked them at the back end of that match,
that the counter attack, and he had two influential moments
with helping get Hoskins a tutu over the line and
(03:52):
then Mark Tala skinning Riley haul Heepper. Thanks for gifting
him to the Hurricanes, by the.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Way, you're welcome. Yeah, yeah, you can have them back Crusade,
look at James. We don't.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
But look, yeah, the Hurricanes will feel like they blew
that they were up. Was it twenty twenty nine to
twenty one with ten minutes to go, and you know,
did a lot of good things after being on the
back foot with two yellow cards early. So look, there's
a lot of positives to clutch up for the Hurricanes,
but they're in a bit of an early season whole
(04:24):
they are.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I don't think the Blues were great, but they were
good enough on the night. They had a few things
go their way. There also things that go against I mean,
Hoskins are two too recarded late in the match, will
probably serve two to three weeks for that. They had
the Hia scenario late as well, where there was a
bit of confusion about whether Sam Knock was actually concussed
(04:48):
or not. They managed to sort of navigate their way
around it, but I don't think it was vintage Blues.
They talked a bit about last week about going back
to being boring, rolling up the sleeves, doing the Ford work.
I don't think we necessarily saw that on the weekend,
and it almost felt like they were reverting back to
the Blues of old, where their instinct was just flinger
it out wide and hope something happened. So we saw
(05:11):
last year the success that they've had up the middle
of the park and their forwards doing a lot of
those work that work. I don't know that we're still
seeing that, and of course game plans have to evolve.
But when the Blues talked about going back to the basics,
probably didn't see that on Saturday night.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
No, and that's their challenge this year, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
They can't do exactly what they did last year because
teams expect that they're going to counter that. And I
think we did see them actually go away from that
blueprint and it worked for them with the lakes of
Barrett and Taliah. You know what a try that was
a match winning try in the ends. We did see
(05:48):
examples where they went up the middle Patrick two polos,
who's big charge, Ricky Rickettelli's try. They really punched and
went direct, which was their game plan last year. But
it does feel like the I don't know, corp between
two worlds, not jelling, not quite finding their feats.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
So it is interesting times for the Blues, it is.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
I think they're getting enough out of midfield either. I
thought aj lamp had a very good end to last
year's Super Rugby season when he came into second five.
Ricca Juati is a test center. But I just don't
know that they're getting enough out of midfield so far
in the season with the players that they've selected. Wonder
whether maybe moving Barrett back to ten and Plumber into
(06:32):
second five could alleviate some of those issues.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah, that would still give them two genuine playmakers.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
A J. Lambs very versatile.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
You know, he could be on the bench and come
on and fulfill a number of different roles.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
I agree with.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
That, but yeah, it is interesting because the Blues, we
sort of externally expect them just to roll through and
continue on.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Everyone was chasing them.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
They did it, you know, reasonably easily last year when
you look at what happened in the final. They spoke
all through the preseason and at the start of the
year about starting again. That last year accounted for nothing
that they couldn't be complacent and they've got every reason
not to be now. But maybe stylistically they've just been
(07:18):
a bit court and figured out maybe teams are working
out how to unpick them, and that's going to be
a real challenge for their coaching stuff.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Because it was fairly unconvincing.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
It was let's move backwards to the Chiefs and Brumbies
on Saturday afternoon forty nine to thirty four the Chiefs
when what was an up and down topsy turvy whatever
you want to put in front of it contest against
the Brumbies. For me, it was fifteen all at one point,
but it just felt like the Brumbies were the ones
chasing the game. The Chiefs always just sort of had
their noses in front. I felt they similar to the
(07:51):
Crusaders a week prior. Scored two quick tries after halftime
and that put them on the front foot and the
second spell use the Brumbies responded, but just felt like
they were always sort of chasing the game. And again
they win by fifteen points and beat the Brumbies. The
Chiefs are clearly the best team in the co petition
to this point attack wise. You know Damion McKenzie a
(08:12):
worry there that he went off with a bit of
a bang late in the game. Haven't heard anything further
about that, Josh Lord going off, but they have threats
all across the park and they have set up very,
very nicely through three weeks in the competition.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
They are indeed and this is probably what I expected
from the Chiefs last year.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
And they were really inconsistent. But you look at their roster.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
It's stacked, isn't it with threats as you mentioned, and
they've clearly come into this year with a chip on
their shoulder.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
It's Clayton McMillan's last year at the Helm.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Whether they knew that at the start of the year,
not too sure, but that adds another dynamic. And yeah,
I think this game in particular is another brilliant advertisement
for afternoon rugby. Both teams really had a crack. I
thought the Brumbies played really well. I like the balance
they've got to their game. You know, they're rolling war
was really effective, but they can play as well. They
(09:05):
tested the Chiefs, but you're right that you never really
like they were going to come over the top of
the Chiefs just with those threats. A real standout performance
from quint to Paire. He's been a big mover going
back into the midfield after you know, some stints on
the wing in a tough couple of years with injury.
McKenzie's playing well, Josh Jacob really staking a claim at ten.
(09:28):
I like that dynamic of their combination. And then they've
got the pack there as well with the Chiefs. So
the other team to beat, aren't they Their record speaks
for itself. But they can hot you all over the park,
they can go through the middle, they can go wide,
they can chip them behind you. They've got balanced variation,
very dynamic. So great start to the year for the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Indeed, and it's not I can see them losing a game,
but it's hard to see. You know, they sit alone
for me at the top of the table, and there's
a whole lot of teams that are in mixed form
at the moment and could slide anywhere from second to
nights or tenth on the ladder. At this point in time,
it feels like it's a real log jam, but everyone's
chasing Chiefs and it's an interesting position for them to begin.
(10:12):
We talked a bit about I guess that the Blues
and their threats through the middle of the park not working.
But you touched on Quintepie there. What a start to
the seasons he's having. I know last year it kind
of felt like his career could have gone two ways,
and it's going the way that I think is great
for him is that, you know, after that injury in
twenty twenty two when he was basically had his leg
(10:35):
you know, ripped apart by Varci Swain, to finally get back,
you know, maybe it's taken a couple of years to
get over that injury. The confidence back, well, he was
playing with confidence at the moment and leading this Chiefs team.
I say leading, but he's leading them midfield very very well.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I thought he was underutilized by the Chiefs last year
when he did play, it was off the bench or
on the wing, and just he's a real weapon. He's
always been a physical presence. He was selected in the
All Blacks what was it two years ago? Now twenty two?
What three? And it was for that physicality that he
(11:10):
brought to the position ball carrying wise, defensively, but you
look at the subtlety and the silky skills he brought
to that performance. At the weekend he made a bust
and sent that long ball wide to Matta Ali. He's
falling and to have the precision to pull that off
(11:30):
and then the chip and chase him behind and to regathero.
That's a real breadth of skill to complement that physicality,
and that's what you want from that position.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
And it's an interesting dynamic, isn't it. The twelve position.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Jordie's not here at the moment, so while he will
come back, it certainly shines a spotlight on that position
and been a lot of attention on Ta Tavanawa with
the Highlanders moving into twelve. David Heavili, the Captaincy looks
really comfortable with him at the Crusaders, so interesting to
see how that evolves throughout there.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Certainly is Friday night the Highlanders beating mo Waa Pacific
at thirty one to twenty nine in Albany.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Weird old game. This one hard to judge.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Look, I think Miwan are a very very good team
for sixty minutes in the game. It's the last twenty
or the twenty minutes when they switch off or aren't
at the races that is a real concern. And on
Friday night it was minutes zero to ten and minutes
thirty to forty where they weren't there the rest of it.
They gave the Honders as good as they got. But
when you're ten or ten minutes out from half time
(12:35):
and you go into halftime thirty one ten down, something's
gone wrong. And that last ten minutes before the break
they've switched off and the Highlanders took advantage. And you know,
despite the fact they scored nineteen points on ans and
the second spell, it still wasn't enough. So for me,
the Highlanders deserve that win. But Mowana different story on
the night could have been then winning and winning well,
(12:57):
they've just got to find a way to play for
the full eighty minutes. It's a cliche, but you look
at their three performances so far. They've conceded fifty six
against the Reds in a game that they were in
for a wee bit and the first game against the
Force they were neck and neique for a period of time.
But just these moments of switching off or whether it's
a depth, I don't know, but that's costing them at
(13:17):
the moment.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
It is just a bit before we get to your
point there.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
And the rugby love the jerseys, the throwback, the best
jerseys on display all weekend, brilliant. I think mine had
their biggest crowd home crowd in Albany, so you know,
great occasion and there's a real sense that they're starting
to establish their presence in this competition and actually getting
a bit of a foothold after a lot of uncertainty
(13:43):
around the future and their presence. But they need some wins,
don't they. And you're rights they are improving. They are
in the contest, in the fights. There's genuine spirit there
that you can see Ardie severe. What a performance, but
they should be two and one they blew it against
(14:03):
the force. And but for those periods that you talk
about when they conceded three tries, some of them unlucky,
but you make your own luck. They've got to find
a way to finish the job. And yeah, whether it's
a mental concentration or maybe a depth, I'm not too sure.
They did come back well in the second half. Artie
(14:26):
tried to take them on their his back and do
everything he can, but he's not going to be able.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
To do that every week.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
So yeah, you feel four ton umonga because they're on
the cuspsp aren't they But they can't get over the line.
And if they don't do that soon, then that the
self doubt starts to creep in, and you know the
O sitting next to you. Your team builds pressure, builds frustration.
So they need to find a way, some way to
(14:51):
get over the line soon.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Maea's goalkicking as well, wasn't flash on the night. I
think William Hart really missed three of his conversion attempts,
two of which you would say were fairly gettable from
the positions that he kicked them from. You know, they
make a couple of those and they potentially win the
game really liked Artie Savey, who's great on the weekend
for them, talismanic performance that he's delivering. The Samisi Tupu
(15:13):
tailor as well, who was listed at open side and
then they changed things around. He is a really promising prospect.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
It was bizarre.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
He was very good for Southland last year, no one
wanted him in Super Rugby. Mawana called him up for
their wider training group and he's now been a part
of the the opening three games of the competition. So
I really like what that combination is doing. In the
loose Ford trip.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Yeah, what about the Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Is it? James Ascott the replacement halfback who came in
late for Flower. I was really impressed by him and
earlier in the year a similar sort of sniping performance.
I did sort of chuck all about, you know, some
references post game to the Highlanders and twenty fifteen and
it being their year and Jamie's clearly pumping the brakes. Look,
(16:00):
it is good to see the Highlanders be more competitive
than they have been in recent years. And success, however,
it comes, builds comp fullness, doesn't it. And this is
a young team we've spoken a lot about, you know
them bringing through prospects and having faith in youth and
sticking with that, and maybe we're starting to see the
(16:20):
fruits of some of that that made some good off
season recruits. Cut of Tonguey Tawl on the wing has
you know, really taken his chance. And that's what Jamie
Joseph historically has been about, isn't it recruiting well, giving
guys opportunities and them being grateful to take those. So
good to see the Honders really, you know, holding their
(16:42):
own and making a case that they're going to be
playoff contenders this year.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Yeah, the depth will be the issue again for the
Honders when they suffer a few injuries. And on Friday night,
you know, cam Miller, who's an up and coming ten
knocked out. Don't know, haven't heard the latest on him.
Hopefully he's obviously all right, And and Hurley ruled out
with a quad injury for Lafacatava out for a few weeks.
So they start adding up, you know, it can be tricky.
They've got the buy this week, so chance to get
(17:09):
a few players sort of freshened up a little bit,
hopefully for them. A couple of other games of the
course of the weekend involving Australian teams. WARTA has been
the drawer twenty nine to twenty four. The Reds pipping
the Force at the post in Perth on Saturday night
twenty eight twenty four. Interesting to see Leon McDonald in
the Western Force coaching box. Obviously you announced still had
the scoop on that one, but still seeing him in
(17:30):
the air the Force polo was an interesting prospect on
the weekend.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Yeah, maybe Twiggy's cash goes along the forthing.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
The Force not a bad team and that the Reds,
you know, coming over the top of the weekend. Feels like,
as we touched on at the start, those Australian teams
have lifted up a notch this year with that talent
being spread, you know, a little bit tighter across those
four teams.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Just on McDonald, what chance did they give the Australian
Rugby Union of luring him to join the Wallabies in
some capacity.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And some capacity wouldn't surprise me, I said. The hot
news now is that check is likely to go the
Wales team by the sound of it, So second stance
of the Wallabies might not be for him. Maybe mcalla
McDonald combination, another mix somewhere. I'm sure we can find.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Yeah, or his McDonald's relationship Will Schmidt if he's staying on,
and some advisory capacity you. My understanding is McDonald just
wants to go for one year to Perth and then
come back. But yeah, you never know how things transpire
and where the chips might fall.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Rugby coaching is a funny old game. We'll take a
break here on Rugby Direct. Come back with our final
four if you tipping in the MVP voting as well.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fares.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Every try try tends sixty sec. Every tackle tackle get
up again afore it's Rugby Directed.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
You're back with Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health. Time
now for our final four, four rugby topics, Liam and
I debate them both. News last week from our colleague
Gregor Paul and The New Zealand Herald that Dezone the
British broadcaster in talks and inverted commas with NZR over
the rights deal to potentially take that deal. Now no
bid has been submitted as yet, but with Sky signing
(19:25):
Cricket recently, which is still end of twenty twenty six away.
I think they've just resigned Australian cricket this morning as
we record this as well, rugby's on the table and
it's interesting to see de Zone come into the mix
around it. I guess you'll take on this news and
potentially what it would mean for the New Zealand rugby
market and media market.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
It's not surprised generally that a streaming player has come
into the market. It's only been a matter of time,
isn't it when you look at broadcast rights around the
world EPL or others, with Amazon and Netflix now delving
into that scene with boxing. Dezone seriously cashed up now
(20:10):
owned by Saudi backers. They bought was it Fox Foxtel
year in Australia, so I got a real foothold in
the Australia market and no doubt looking to further expand.
So they're a genuine player with serious money and money
does talk. I think from what I understand their bids
(20:33):
will could be linked with TVNZ so maybe some freedom
were component which would be attractive to rugby to be
have more exposure, to not be behind a paywall. Although
lots of people have Sky on New Zealand. I would
still be very surprised if Sky's not that don't come
out on top. I've got a long standing relationship. He's
(20:54):
going to know what they're going to get, and there
would be a concern I think going with a streaming
platform about accessibility in New Zealand's rugby is a trueotionally
probably older population and how does that play in rural
(21:15):
areas with connectivity. All those sorts of things are factors.
But look, I would probably liken it to rugby players
coming out and saying all league players and going I'm
going to switch codes. Competition and any bidding process is healthy,
and New Zealand Rugby is doing the right thing by
engaging others and trying to bump up Sky's price to
(21:36):
get more more heat in that market.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
How do you see it do? How's it going to
shake down?
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Well, I think Sky will retain the rights, but I
think you're very much right that the offer that they've
submitted clearly isn't to New Zealand Rugby's liking, And so
they go and have a chat with Design on the
side and see whether it can be bummed up or
drive up Sky's priced a little bit. I think Design
have designs. I spoke with the VP of Marketing on
(22:03):
Weekend Sport a couple of weeks ago, and they have
designs on the New Zealand market and having role here.
Now you know you mentioned they have bought Foxtowel. There's
nothing stopping them coming in and buying Sky. Now the
Foxtel deal hasn't officially gone through, has going through you know,
all the regulatory sort of stuff in Australia, but once
that lands, they could look over to the TASM and go,
we'll snap up Sky potentially as well. And that has
(22:26):
been speculated in the media columns as well that that
could be a prospect. So it's an interesting time for
sport and right steals and everything like that. But I
still would say that Sky would be the most likely,
remembering as well in New Zealand. Rugby have a steak
in Sky as well, so that would need to be
untangled be a major thing. But something else that would
probably needs to be untangled if the rights were to
go elsewhere. Topic number two, the Dreadful Men's seven side.
(22:49):
I wrote about this in my column last week, but
they have not made a final so far in the
World Series four tournaments in the season at top of
the table Argentina and Spain, which says a bit about
the way that sevens has gone, But I guess from
a wider perspective they missed out medals at Paris. Just
this team at the moment feels like they're holding on
(23:11):
to the players of ys to Ye. Dylan Collier has
been a great suit for New Zealand rugby, still in
the mix. Andrew new stubs similar. The big flashing light
for me is that there aren't enough players to basically
play sevens in New Zealand. Once the super rugby teams
have their pack thirty eight players times five added a
few more formwana that would probably be of interest in
(23:33):
New Zealand seven team, you're looking upwards of two hundred
plus players. Unless you really want to play sevens, you're
going to go into that fifteen system. I think that's
where we're at with the program at the moment. These
super rugby sides have expanded, leaving little for sevens on
the table and it's hard to see how you claw
that back other than some seven specialists coming through.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Yeah, it does feel like a bit of an afterthought,
doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
And the sevens.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
That sevens team's actually been used as a development pathway,
which has played that role historically as well. But I
think there was four players traverse over from that sevens
team into the NBC and progress, the Super Rugby's Lee
Ry Carter, the Hurricanes wing and a couple of others
(24:20):
as well. So and that's your your next tier talent, right,
So they're there, one mine gone, the.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
Next the NRL. Yeah, so the players that have departed.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
And then at the other end of the spectrum, you've
had some generational players and that sevens team move on
Scott Curry and the like who were real storarts of
that team.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So that team's clearly struggling to rebuild.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
But you're right that the talent pool, the lure of
sevens isn't there outside of an Olympics year. It does
feel like a bit of an afterthought and not a
priority for aspiring young men really.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
No whereas on the women's side of things, they are
absolute blockbusters and are an aspiring product aspirational team. You know,
George Miller twenty years old or just turned twenty one
one New Zealand Rug's raining Player of the Year, My
Davis Daboos and Vancouver and has a very good tournament.
But yeah, that mean sevens program, I think, isn't it
in a world of hurt at the program at the moment.
I just don't know how exactly you fixed it. Sevens
(25:21):
World Cup. Don't think there is one anymore, certainly one,
not one on the horizon, not at the Commonwealth Games anymore.
Sevens So you're basically Olympics to Olympics. So at that
point you sort of go, maybe you just pick try
and get the best possible players for the Olympics and
don't worry about the World Series. I know there's all
sorts of concerns about the World Series as well, which
you've written about. So interesting old time for sevens, isn't it?
(25:42):
Topic number three? Does Boden Barrett need to move back
to ten for the Blues?
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We touched on it there with Harry Plummer potentially going
to twelve. I think it's a live option, isn't it.
Boden was very influential at the back end of that
Blues victory in Wellington when he shifted back to ten.
Some of those some of that counter attick he sparked
didn't necessarily come from first receiver, but look, it's his
(26:09):
preferred position. I think if you asked him, that's where
he'd want to play. I think he's also happy to
fulfill the role and play fifteen and the modern player
Ruben Love, Damien McKenzie, Thomas Ramos can all play switch
seamlessly between ten and fifteen. But I think the Blues
(26:30):
at some point we'll try that. Whether it's this week,
not too sure. The Brumbies are a team that you
probably traditionally kick more against trumpin them down there are
their end of the field. Do you think Vern pulls
out leave of this week.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
I think he might.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I think injuries as well, you know obviously, and haven't
had Stephen Peterfetter as yet the seasons on. Sullivan's on
the sidelines, So that's taken out a couple of ten
or fifteen options. But I probably would have looked at
maybe a Cole Forbes at fifteen, Plumber at twelve, Barrowed
at ten sort of option. Kudas said last week that
they were wanted to do the first three rounds as is,
(27:06):
barring injury, and then reassess after that. So time is
now for reassessment, which will be interesting.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
Yeah, I like Cole Forbes.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
He brings a dynamic presence to the backfields, much more
of a running option than a tactical kicker, so could
bring some more attacking spark.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Indeed, so topic number four.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
This was news a few days ago now, Clayton McMillan
departing the Chiefs for Monster after the season, released a
year early from his New Zealand rugby contract, signed through
until twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Good move for Clayton. Yeah, it is.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I sort of always knew that Clayton Wood wouldn't stay
on with the Chiefs beyond that contract, but I think
it is a surprise it's coming year earlier. I guess
the timing of a role like Munster was too good
to turn down. And you know he's served his time
and you reach a ceiling in New Zealand in Super rugby,
(28:01):
and through no fault of the ecosystem here, he's not
can't progress in any You want to be challenged, you
want to evolve and grow and look going to a
team like Munster will be a brilliant experience. Ireland loved
their rugby. There'll be big expectation and demands on him.
He's not a big name and wild rugby. But he
(28:24):
is a proven coach here and with a great reputation
for man management building a culture, but starting again in
a place like Munster with a rich rugby heritage will
be a great challenge. And when he returns, because he
will return to news own in some capacity, he will
be a better coach for that experience. And he's really
(28:44):
setting himself up for a play at the Orblix.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
He coaching roll down the track.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Yeah, I'm sure that's the job that he that he
coverts and is keen on down the track and is
obviously not gonna happen in this cycle, so needs to
look elsewhere.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
Going to Monster.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I think Connor Murray is leaving after the season, retired
internationally and Peter Omari retiring as well, so it's a
wee bit of a rebuild. So it's an interesting spot
for Munster and Inclad to begin picking up that gig.
I think it is a good move. You're right, you
reached the ceiling in New Zealand rugby very very quickly.
He's done the Mauldy All Blacks. He's ticked that box.
I think he's involved with the All Blacks fifteen as well,
(29:18):
so obviously last year, so he's coord of sort of
done everything he can bar coach. The All Blacks will
be part of that environment, so looking abroad is a
smart move. Who takes over it?
Speaker 4 (29:28):
You know? And he whispers about Warren Gatlin returning to
the Chiefs that surely not. No, he's no longer a
beloved son, is he?
Speaker 3 (29:37):
I think ross Filippo probably would have been in the mix,
but he was moved on this year's no longer in
the ranks.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Although was that.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Time, I mean he's Muldy All Blacks coach, Wakato NPC coach.
Was that his decision, Clayton's decision.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
I think from what I understand it was they wanted
to change, which was surprising because ross Filippo was talked
about it being about being an option for the Crusaders
and it was by all accounts well liked among that
playing group and brought a lot to the forward pack.
So yeah, he's actually gone off with Adam Thompson and
he's doing some coaching clinics, so interesting to see where
(30:18):
he does pop up next. The one name I have
heard is being groomed as John o' gibbs, vastly experienced
time in France. I think he was involved with the
age grade teams in New Zealand recently, so yeah, he's
one name I have heard mentioned. I don't know how
far down the track the Chiefs are with their succession planning.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
I think I heard from something Grauffis last week, the
CEO who suggested that they've got good options internally, and
Johnny Gibbs will clearly be one of those as an
assistant coach currently of that team. Good pedigree, I mean,
doesn't sound like they're going to look outside, so that
might be the just you know, the natural progression there.
(31:00):
I mean, you look at Joe Schmidt potentially based in Topel,
you know, potentially whether that would be any interest to him. Unlikely.
Neil Barnes has been the Chiefs coaching set up before.
Maybe another name, but probably sometimes the answer is the
most obvious option, which would be Johnny Gibbs.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Yeah, just quickly, another big, big move and the coaching
scene and world rugby. I would argue, probably the biggest
news and rugby in the past week. And you know,
we tend to live in a wee bit of a
bubble in New Zealand. But Felix Jones who was the
spring box defense coach twenty three World Cup went to England,
(31:38):
had a profound impact. I would argue is one of
the best defense coaches in world rugby currently. Has gone
back to the box. Hell of a pickup for them
and only strengthens the best team in world rugby currently.
I saw some clips of him, incredibly intense guy. That
was from the Chasing the Sun doco. Just the level
(32:00):
of detail he's been up all night, scaring YouTube, barking
orders in the changing room in the final of the
twenty twenty three World Cup about the breakdown his rush
defense with England causes all Blacks so many problems in
July when Scott Robinson first took over, and I think
England's have had to not start again. But he's been
(32:23):
a big loss for them in the sixth Nations. So man,
that box team just gets better and better.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Yeah, what is he?
Speaker 2 (32:30):
The thing is the seventh assistant coach or something like that.
And these staffs, these as are out of control. But
great pack up and yeah, the whole England thing ended
quite weirdly. But you're very very good coach and good
pick up for as you said, already the best team
in the world to get a player like that, a
coach like that. Let's get into tipping now.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
Liam.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Of course you went here last week, but Nick did
right for you in the hot seat. He got four
or five missed out on. He picked the Hurricanes, which
is probably what you would have done as well. Otherwise
you picked the Honders, war Tars, Chiefs and Reds. I
picked the Blues. Missed out on the Force. I thought
the boys from Western Australia are going to get it done.
(33:12):
So four or five for both of us, nine to
fifteen through the opening three rounds. Let's go through this
week Blues, Brumbies.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
Friday Night the Blues, but could should be tight.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
Yeah, look on basis of what we're seeing from the
Blues so far and the Brumbies, it should be tight.
I think the Blues as well. The drawer welcoming the
Chiefs to I think it's lat toalk. It's definitely in
Fiji on four to thirty five Saturday afternoon. Now, maybe
the Chiefs rest a couple of players from the trip here.
McKenzie had a bang, a couple of bangs last week. Yeah,
it's conning interesting what team the Chiefs roll.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
Out Yeah, look, they've got great depth, so I'll stick
with the Chiefs. But yeah, a few dings there ends
the Dura much tougher at home, aren't they?
Speaker 2 (33:54):
They are, and that's why I'm going to tip them
this week to end the Chiefs unbeaten run well one
of Pacific are hosting the Hurricanes, already playing his old team.
Very interesting games Saturday night, but a feeling I'm sure
around this.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
Yeah, a bit of jip, it's for sure, a few,
a few facials in the rack and all those the
antics that you probably can't get away with anymore with
all the cameras. But look, the Cane is desperate for
a win, so they'll bank that one.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
I think they will too. But as a semiwana, very
very good for sixty minutes. If they can string together,
they're close to seventy. Who knows, might be a different story,
but I'm going to go the Hurricanes as well. War
Tars Force, I think so I'll leat you still out
for another week or two at least with this injury
Wartors hosting the Force. What do you reckon?
Speaker 4 (34:39):
It's been very unconvinced by the Tars. You were pumping
up their ties. It was big time.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
Now on the Force and their roster, they should be
playing a lot better.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
Look, I'll tip the Tars, but yeah, would not be surprised.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
But upseet, I think Leon another week under Leon the Force.
They'll let the win and Leon your trust. That's right,
And the Crusaders and Reds wrap up the round at
three point thirty five Sunday afternoon, Sunda afternoon.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Footy, how good? Come on my Reds reads? Please right,
we'll makey down for that? Is that right? In next
to the Reds.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Look, I'll punt the Crusaders, but I'll be cheering wholeheartedly
for the Reds.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
So I'm going to transfer you to the Crusaders poems
all right?
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Yeah, sure a Crusader three thirty five Saturday, Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (35:20):
Perfect timing, MVP Middle raining in the gardens anyway, It.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Never rains in the garden, so they and it won't
matter from next year because the one New Zealand Stadium
is going to be New Zealand's premiere sporting venal Edits
like an absolute picture. I can't wait too to go
down and visit rugby. Director Middle. This is the standings
as it stands after just two rounds. Tabata Way on
(35:45):
eight points, Damie mckinzey on five, Will Jordan and Kyle
Preston on three? Will any of those players add to
their numbers this week? Liam yours please?
Speaker 4 (35:55):
Well we spoke about Ardi three points starty.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
Pretty hard to go past herculean performance, wasn't it? So
three to Ardi, two to Quincy Payre standouts for the Chiefs,
and I'm going to give one to how God godfree,
being really impressed by his work at ten for the
Canes this year.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
I actually are threes and twos are the same this
week Ardie save three for me, excellent on the weekend
quinte pie two for me and Boden Barrett gets my
one slotted at half back right at the end as well.
Did a job there for the Blues and so the Yeah,
there we go. Damien McKinzie missus out this week.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
Next time Boden's half Maybe you think you should give
me a call some tips?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
No, no, something I think you should do? Yeah, no,
not in the slightest Liam. Great to have you back
on the podcast. We'll be back again next week on
Rugby Direct. Thanks to our friends that Habit Health Techning
all your aches and pains from sport and worker. Thanks
to Last and Bars English, and we'll be back next week.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
For more from News Talks ed B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from news Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Inside the Game from Every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health tankling all
your aches and pains from sport and work back for
another week of Rugby Direct. And we welcome back from
the Kingdom, Liam Napier, It's a Rugby Direct.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Greetings readings, Elliot, great to be here, Great to be back.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Getting sponsorship while you're over there, aram Co coming on board.
Will we you know, live live Rugby directsclorring to it.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, it's fair to say the feelers are out a
lot of interest rugby and Saudi is on the rise,
and the oil tycoons are circling.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, Rugby Directs are not immune to that. We're more
than happy to sell our souls.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Let's refer to the weekend that was in Rugby Super
Rugby specifically and another intriguing weekend Liam. I guess, just
an overall perspective, we've had fifteen games down this comp
and there's been no real blowouts, no terrible games, so far,
which is a remarkable run really given where we're at
have been at in this competition. Just the standard and
(01:23):
the closeness of the games has been very very good.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Once again it has, and that's what this competition needs.
I think the only game at the weekend that was
more than five odd points was the Chief Sprumbies. And
it is early doors. You don't want to make too
many sweeping generalizations, but it does seem like the Australian
teams are more competitive, which is what we'd everyone had
hopes with the demise of the Rebels, and I guess
(01:49):
a real evening out of the New Zealand teams as
well with the Highland has been more competitive, the Blues
coming back to the pack, the Chiefs raising their standards
and the Hurricanes sort of struggling a wee bit.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So that's what super Bragby needs.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
We need to see type competitive games, upsets. The only
I guess negative I would say was, you know, it's
a great spectacle. This defense is a weebird option all
at times, or maybe not of a certainly test standard,
but it's been a great watch and the finishers in games.
(02:22):
These games are being decided in the last couple of minutes,
which is great for spectators.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I do wonder if the.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Scores might settle down a little bit as it gets
a bit colder into March and April. I think fatigue
and heat taking a role in the opening two or
three weeks hot it as an Australian parts in New
Zealand a for you daytime or late kickoffs sort late
afternoon kickoffs that are maybe contributing to that. It's kind
of interesting to see if that settles down. Let's go
first to Saturday night and it was the Blues thirty
three over the Hurricanes twenty nine.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
A game that was in.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
The balance for a lot of it, but you know,
the stars rise to the big occasion. Mark Talia did
just that right at the very end or ten minutes
to go and put his side back in front. But again,
this was a game that we could have seen the
Blues go oh in three. They were just as smidge
better on the night. What did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, look, I wouldn't be getting too carried away if
I was the Blues. When you look at that Hurricanes team,
they're still missing a lot of their front line stars
as a team without Jordy Barrett Ardie Severez left this
year and they have no Tarro lomax I suffer Armor,
Billy Proctor, There's a couple of others there and they
(03:30):
have had some performance stand up for them. Harry Godfrey
has really claimed that tenders Ruben loves another one that
won't come back till after the bye. But as you mentioned,
stars rise and I think it was Boden Barrett that
really sparked them at the back end of that match,
that the counter attack, and he had two influential moments
with helping get Hoskins a tutu over the line and
(03:52):
then Mark Tala skinning Riley haul Heepper. Thanks for gifting
him to the Hurricanes, by the.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Way, you're welcome. Yeah, yeah, you can have them back Crusade,
look at James. We don't.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
But look, yeah, the Hurricanes will feel like they blew
that they were up. Was it twenty twenty nine to
twenty one with ten minutes to go, and you know,
did a lot of good things after being on the
back foot with two yellow cards early. So look, there's
a lot of positives to clutch up for the Hurricanes,
but they're in a bit of an early season whole
(04:24):
they are.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I don't think the Blues were great, but they were
good enough on the night. They had a few things
go their way. There also things that go against I mean,
Hoskins are two too recarded late in the match, will
probably serve two to three weeks for that. They had
the Hia scenario late as well, where there was a
bit of confusion about whether Sam Knock was actually concussed
(04:48):
or not. They managed to sort of navigate their way
around it, but I don't think it was vintage Blues.
They talked a bit about last week about going back
to being boring, rolling up the sleeves, doing the Ford work.
I don't think we necessarily saw that on the weekend,
and it almost felt like they were reverting back to
the Blues of old, where their instinct was just flinger
it out wide and hope something happened. So we saw
(05:11):
last year the success that they've had up the middle
of the park and their forwards doing a lot of
those work that work. I don't know that we're still
seeing that, and of course game plans have to evolve.
But when the Blues talked about going back to the basics,
probably didn't see that on Saturday night.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
No, and that's their challenge this year, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
They can't do exactly what they did last year because
teams expect that they're going to counter that. And I
think we did see them actually go away from that
blueprint and it worked for them with the lakes of
Barrett and Taliah. You know what a try that was
a match winning try in the ends. We did see
(05:48):
examples where they went up the middle Patrick two polos,
who's big charge, Ricky Rickettelli's try. They really punched and
went direct, which was their game plan last year. But
it does feel like the I don't know, corp between
two worlds, not jelling, not quite finding their feats.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
So it is interesting times for the Blues, it is.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
I think they're getting enough out of midfield either. I
thought aj lamp had a very good end to last
year's Super Rugby season when he came into second five.
Ricca Juati is a test center. But I just don't
know that they're getting enough out of midfield so far
in the season with the players that they've selected. Wonder
whether maybe moving Barrett back to ten and Plumber into
(06:32):
second five could alleviate some of those issues.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah, that would still give them two genuine playmakers.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
A J. Lambs very versatile.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
You know, he could be on the bench and come
on and fulfill a number of different roles.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
I agree with.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
That, but yeah, it is interesting because the Blues, we
sort of externally expect them just to roll through and
continue on.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Everyone was chasing them.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
They did it, you know, reasonably easily last year when
you look at what happened in the final. They spoke
all through the preseason and at the start of the
year about starting again. That last year accounted for nothing
that they couldn't be complacent and they've got every reason
not to be now. But maybe stylistically they've just been
(07:18):
a bit court and figured out maybe teams are working
out how to unpick them, and that's going to be
a real challenge for their coaching stuff.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Because it was fairly unconvincing.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
It was let's move backwards to the Chiefs and Brumbies
on Saturday afternoon forty nine to thirty four the Chiefs
when what was an up and down topsy turvy whatever
you want to put in front of it contest against
the Brumbies. For me, it was fifteen all at one point,
but it just felt like the Brumbies were the ones
chasing the game. The Chiefs always just sort of had
their noses in front. I felt they similar to the
(07:51):
Crusaders a week prior. Scored two quick tries after halftime
and that put them on the front foot and the
second spell use the Brumbies responded, but just felt like
they were always sort of chasing the game. And again
they win by fifteen points and beat the Brumbies. The
Chiefs are clearly the best team in the co petition
to this point attack wise. You know Damion McKenzie a
(08:12):
worry there that he went off with a bit of
a bang late in the game. Haven't heard anything further
about that, Josh Lord going off, but they have threats
all across the park and they have set up very,
very nicely through three weeks in the competition.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
They are indeed and this is probably what I expected
from the Chiefs last year.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
And they were really inconsistent. But you look at their roster.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
It's stacked, isn't it with threats as you mentioned, and
they've clearly come into this year with a chip on
their shoulder.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
It's Clayton McMillan's last year at the Helm.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Whether they knew that at the start of the year,
not too sure, but that adds another dynamic. And yeah,
I think this game in particular is another brilliant advertisement
for afternoon rugby. Both teams really had a crack. I
thought the Brumbies played really well. I like the balance
they've got to their game. You know, they're rolling war
was really effective, but they can play as well. They
(09:05):
tested the Chiefs, but you're right that you never really
like they were going to come over the top of
the Chiefs just with those threats. A real standout performance
from quint to Paire. He's been a big mover going
back into the midfield after you know, some stints on
the wing in a tough couple of years with injury.
McKenzie's playing well, Josh Jacob really staking a claim at ten.
(09:28):
I like that dynamic of their combination. And then they've
got the pack there as well with the Chiefs. So
the other team to beat, aren't they Their record speaks
for itself. But they can hot you all over the park,
they can go through the middle, they can go wide,
they can chip them behind you. They've got balanced variation,
very dynamic. So great start to the year for the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Indeed, and it's not I can see them losing a game,
but it's hard to see. You know, they sit alone
for me at the top of the table, and there's
a whole lot of teams that are in mixed form
at the moment and could slide anywhere from second to
nights or tenth on the ladder. At this point in time,
it feels like it's a real log jam, but everyone's
chasing Chiefs and it's an interesting position for them to begin.
(10:12):
We talked a bit about I guess that the Blues
and their threats through the middle of the park not working.
But you touched on Quintepie there. What a start to
the seasons he's having. I know last year it kind
of felt like his career could have gone two ways,
and it's going the way that I think is great
for him is that, you know, after that injury in
twenty twenty two when he was basically had his leg
(10:35):
you know, ripped apart by Varci Swain, to finally get back,
you know, maybe it's taken a couple of years to
get over that injury. The confidence back, well, he was
playing with confidence at the moment and leading this Chiefs team.
I say leading, but he's leading them midfield very very well.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I thought he was underutilized by the Chiefs last year
when he did play, it was off the bench or
on the wing, and just he's a real weapon. He's
always been a physical presence. He was selected in the
All Blacks what was it two years ago? Now twenty two?
What three? And it was for that physicality that he
(11:10):
brought to the position ball carrying wise, defensively, but you
look at the subtlety and the silky skills he brought
to that performance. At the weekend he made a bust
and sent that long ball wide to Matta Ali. He's
falling and to have the precision to pull that off
(11:30):
and then the chip and chase him behind and to regathero.
That's a real breadth of skill to complement that physicality,
and that's what you want from that position.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
And it's an interesting dynamic, isn't it. The twelve position.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Jordie's not here at the moment, so while he will
come back, it certainly shines a spotlight on that position
and been a lot of attention on Ta Tavanawa with
the Highlanders moving into twelve. David Heavili, the Captaincy looks
really comfortable with him at the Crusaders, so interesting to
see how that evolves throughout there.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Certainly is Friday night the Highlanders beating mo Waa Pacific
at thirty one to twenty nine in Albany.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Weird old game. This one hard to judge.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Look, I think Miwan are a very very good team
for sixty minutes in the game. It's the last twenty
or the twenty minutes when they switch off or aren't
at the races that is a real concern. And on
Friday night it was minutes zero to ten and minutes
thirty to forty where they weren't there the rest of it.
They gave the Honders as good as they got. But
when you're ten or ten minutes out from half time
(12:35):
and you go into halftime thirty one ten down, something's
gone wrong. And that last ten minutes before the break
they've switched off and the Highlanders took advantage. And you know,
despite the fact they scored nineteen points on ans and
the second spell, it still wasn't enough. So for me,
the Highlanders deserve that win. But Mowana different story on
the night could have been then winning and winning well,
(12:57):
they've just got to find a way to play for
the full eighty minutes. It's a cliche, but you look
at their three performances so far. They've conceded fifty six
against the Reds in a game that they were in
for a wee bit and the first game against the
Force they were neck and neique for a period of time.
But just these moments of switching off or whether it's
a depth, I don't know, but that's costing them at
(13:17):
the moment.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
It is just a bit before we get to your
point there.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
And the rugby love the jerseys, the throwback, the best
jerseys on display all weekend, brilliant. I think mine had
their biggest crowd home crowd in Albany, so you know,
great occasion and there's a real sense that they're starting
to establish their presence in this competition and actually getting
a bit of a foothold after a lot of uncertainty
(13:43):
around the future and their presence. But they need some wins,
don't they. And you're rights they are improving. They are
in the contest, in the fights. There's genuine spirit there
that you can see Ardie severe. What a performance, but
they should be two and one they blew it against
(14:03):
the force. And but for those periods that you talk
about when they conceded three tries, some of them unlucky,
but you make your own luck. They've got to find
a way to finish the job. And yeah, whether it's
a mental concentration or maybe a depth, I'm not too sure.
They did come back well in the second half. Artie
(14:26):
tried to take them on their his back and do
everything he can, but he's not going to be able.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
To do that every week.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
So yeah, you feel four ton umonga because they're on
the cuspsp aren't they But they can't get over the line.
And if they don't do that soon, then that the
self doubt starts to creep in, and you know the
O sitting next to you. Your team builds pressure, builds frustration.
So they need to find a way, some way to
(14:51):
get over the line soon.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Maea's goalkicking as well, wasn't flash on the night. I
think William Hart really missed three of his conversion attempts,
two of which you would say were fairly gettable from
the positions that he kicked them from. You know, they
make a couple of those and they potentially win the
game really liked Artie Savey, who's great on the weekend
for them, talismanic performance that he's delivering. The Samisi Tupu
(15:13):
tailor as well, who was listed at open side and
then they changed things around. He is a really promising prospect.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
It was bizarre.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
He was very good for Southland last year, no one
wanted him in Super Rugby. Mawana called him up for
their wider training group and he's now been a part
of the the opening three games of the competition. So
I really like what that combination is doing. In the
loose Ford trip.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Yeah, what about the Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Is it? James Ascott the replacement halfback who came in
late for Flower. I was really impressed by him and
earlier in the year a similar sort of sniping performance.
I did sort of chuck all about, you know, some
references post game to the Highlanders and twenty fifteen and
it being their year and Jamie's clearly pumping the brakes. Look,
(16:00):
it is good to see the Highlanders be more competitive
than they have been in recent years. And success, however,
it comes, builds comp fullness, doesn't it. And this is
a young team we've spoken a lot about, you know
them bringing through prospects and having faith in youth and
sticking with that, and maybe we're starting to see the
(16:20):
fruits of some of that that made some good off
season recruits. Cut of Tonguey Tawl on the wing has
you know, really taken his chance. And that's what Jamie
Joseph historically has been about, isn't it recruiting well, giving
guys opportunities and them being grateful to take those. So
good to see the Honders really, you know, holding their
(16:42):
own and making a case that they're going to be
playoff contenders this year.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Yeah, the depth will be the issue again for the
Honders when they suffer a few injuries. And on Friday night,
you know, cam Miller, who's an up and coming ten
knocked out. Don't know, haven't heard the latest on him.
Hopefully he's obviously all right, And and Hurley ruled out
with a quad injury for Lafacatava out for a few weeks.
So they start adding up, you know, it can be tricky.
They've got the buy this week, so chance to get
(17:09):
a few players sort of freshened up a little bit,
hopefully for them. A couple of other games of the
course of the weekend involving Australian teams. WARTA has been
the drawer twenty nine to twenty four. The Reds pipping
the Force at the post in Perth on Saturday night
twenty eight twenty four. Interesting to see Leon McDonald in
the Western Force coaching box. Obviously you announced still had
the scoop on that one, but still seeing him in
(17:30):
the air the Force polo was an interesting prospect on
the weekend.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Yeah, maybe Twiggy's cash goes along the forthing.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
The Force not a bad team and that the Reds,
you know, coming over the top of the weekend. Feels like,
as we touched on at the start, those Australian teams
have lifted up a notch this year with that talent
being spread, you know, a little bit tighter across those
four teams.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Just on McDonald, what chance did they give the Australian
Rugby Union of luring him to join the Wallabies in
some capacity.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
And some capacity wouldn't surprise me, I said. The hot
news now is that check is likely to go the
Wales team by the sound of it, So second stance
of the Wallabies might not be for him. Maybe mcalla
McDonald combination, another mix somewhere. I'm sure we can find.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Yeah, or his McDonald's relationship Will Schmidt if he's staying on,
and some advisory capacity you. My understanding is McDonald just
wants to go for one year to Perth and then
come back. But yeah, you never know how things transpire
and where the chips might fall.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Rugby coaching is a funny old game. We'll take a
break here on Rugby Direct. Come back with our final
four if you tipping in the MVP voting as well.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fares.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Every try try tends sixty sec. Every tackle tackle get
up again afore it's Rugby Directed.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
You're back with Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health. Time
now for our final four, four rugby topics, Liam and
I debate them both. News last week from our colleague
Gregor Paul and The New Zealand Herald that Dezone the
British broadcaster in talks and inverted commas with NZR over
the rights deal to potentially take that deal. Now no
bid has been submitted as yet, but with Sky signing
(19:25):
Cricket recently, which is still end of twenty twenty six away.
I think they've just resigned Australian cricket this morning as
we record this as well, rugby's on the table and
it's interesting to see de Zone come into the mix
around it. I guess you'll take on this news and
potentially what it would mean for the New Zealand rugby
market and media market.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
It's not surprised generally that a streaming player has come
into the market. It's only been a matter of time,
isn't it when you look at broadcast rights around the
world EPL or others, with Amazon and Netflix now delving
into that scene with boxing. Dezone seriously cashed up now
(20:10):
owned by Saudi backers. They bought was it Fox Foxtel
year in Australia, so I got a real foothold in
the Australia market and no doubt looking to further expand.
So they're a genuine player with serious money and money
does talk. I think from what I understand their bids
(20:33):
will could be linked with TVNZ so maybe some freedom
were component which would be attractive to rugby to be
have more exposure, to not be behind a paywall. Although
lots of people have Sky on New Zealand. I would
still be very surprised if Sky's not that don't come
out on top. I've got a long standing relationship. He's
(20:54):
going to know what they're going to get, and there
would be a concern I think going with a streaming
platform about accessibility in New Zealand's rugby is a trueotionally
probably older population and how does that play in rural
(21:15):
areas with connectivity. All those sorts of things are factors.
But look, I would probably liken it to rugby players
coming out and saying all league players and going I'm
going to switch codes. Competition and any bidding process is healthy,
and New Zealand Rugby is doing the right thing by
engaging others and trying to bump up Sky's price to
(21:36):
get more more heat in that market.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
How do you see it do? How's it going to
shake down?
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Well, I think Sky will retain the rights, but I
think you're very much right that the offer that they've
submitted clearly isn't to New Zealand Rugby's liking, And so
they go and have a chat with Design on the
side and see whether it can be bummed up or
drive up Sky's priced a little bit. I think Design
have designs. I spoke with the VP of Marketing on
(22:03):
Weekend Sport a couple of weeks ago, and they have
designs on the New Zealand market and having role here.
Now you know you mentioned they have bought Foxtowel. There's
nothing stopping them coming in and buying Sky. Now the
Foxtel deal hasn't officially gone through, has going through you know,
all the regulatory sort of stuff in Australia, but once
that lands, they could look over to the TASM and go,
we'll snap up Sky potentially as well. And that has
(22:26):
been speculated in the media columns as well that that
could be a prospect. So it's an interesting time for
sport and right steals and everything like that. But I
still would say that Sky would be the most likely,
remembering as well in New Zealand. Rugby have a steak
in Sky as well, so that would need to be
untangled be a major thing. But something else that would
probably needs to be untangled if the rights were to
go elsewhere. Topic number two, the Dreadful Men's seven side.
(22:49):
I wrote about this in my column last week, but
they have not made a final so far in the
World Series four tournaments in the season at top of
the table Argentina and Spain, which says a bit about
the way that sevens has gone, But I guess from
a wider perspective they missed out medals at Paris. Just
this team at the moment feels like they're holding on
(23:11):
to the players of ys to Ye. Dylan Collier has
been a great suit for New Zealand rugby, still in
the mix. Andrew new stubs similar. The big flashing light
for me is that there aren't enough players to basically
play sevens in New Zealand. Once the super rugby teams
have their pack thirty eight players times five added a
few more formwana that would probably be of interest in
(23:33):
New Zealand seven team, you're looking upwards of two hundred
plus players. Unless you really want to play sevens, you're
going to go into that fifteen system. I think that's
where we're at with the program at the moment. These
super rugby sides have expanded, leaving little for sevens on
the table and it's hard to see how you claw
that back other than some seven specialists coming through.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Yeah, it does feel like a bit of an afterthought,
doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
And the sevens.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
That sevens team's actually been used as a development pathway,
which has played that role historically as well. But I
think there was four players traverse over from that sevens
team into the NBC and progress, the Super Rugby's Lee
Ry Carter, the Hurricanes wing and a couple of others
(24:20):
as well. So and that's your your next tier talent, right,
So they're there, one mine gone, the.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
Next the NRL. Yeah, so the players that have departed.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
And then at the other end of the spectrum, you've
had some generational players and that sevens team move on
Scott Curry and the like who were real storarts of
that team.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So that team's clearly struggling to rebuild.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
But you're right that the talent pool, the lure of
sevens isn't there outside of an Olympics year. It does
feel like a bit of an afterthought and not a
priority for aspiring young men really.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
No whereas on the women's side of things, they are
absolute blockbusters and are an aspiring product aspirational team. You know,
George Miller twenty years old or just turned twenty one
one New Zealand Rug's raining Player of the Year, My
Davis Daboos and Vancouver and has a very good tournament.
But yeah, that mean sevens program, I think, isn't it
in a world of hurt at the program at the moment.
I just don't know how exactly you fixed it. Sevens
(25:21):
World Cup. Don't think there is one anymore, certainly one,
not one on the horizon, not at the Commonwealth Games anymore.
Sevens So you're basically Olympics to Olympics. So at that
point you sort of go, maybe you just pick try
and get the best possible players for the Olympics and
don't worry about the World Series. I know there's all
sorts of concerns about the World Series as well, which
you've written about. So interesting old time for sevens, isn't it?
(25:42):
Topic number three? Does Boden Barrett need to move back
to ten for the Blues?
Speaker 3 (25:47):
We touched on it there with Harry Plummer potentially going
to twelve. I think it's a live option, isn't it.
Boden was very influential at the back end of that
Blues victory in Wellington when he shifted back to ten.
Some of those some of that counter attick he sparked
didn't necessarily come from first receiver, but look, it's his
(26:09):
preferred position. I think if you asked him, that's where
he'd want to play. I think he's also happy to
fulfill the role and play fifteen and the modern player
Ruben Love, Damien McKenzie, Thomas Ramos can all play switch
seamlessly between ten and fifteen. But I think the Blues
(26:30):
at some point we'll try that. Whether it's this week,
not too sure. The Brumbies are a team that you
probably traditionally kick more against trumpin them down there are
their end of the field. Do you think Vern pulls
out leave of this week.
Speaker 4 (26:44):
I think he might.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I think injuries as well, you know obviously, and haven't
had Stephen Peterfetter as yet the seasons on. Sullivan's on
the sidelines, So that's taken out a couple of ten
or fifteen options. But I probably would have looked at
maybe a Cole Forbes at fifteen, Plumber at twelve, Barrowed
at ten sort of option. Kudas said last week that
they were wanted to do the first three rounds as is,
(27:06):
barring injury, and then reassess after that. So time is
now for reassessment, which will be interesting.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
Yeah, I like Cole Forbes.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
He brings a dynamic presence to the backfields, much more
of a running option than a tactical kicker, so could
bring some more attacking spark.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Indeed, so topic number four.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
This was news a few days ago now, Clayton McMillan
departing the Chiefs for Monster after the season, released a
year early from his New Zealand rugby contract, signed through
until twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Good move for Clayton. Yeah, it is.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I sort of always knew that Clayton Wood wouldn't stay
on with the Chiefs beyond that contract, but I think
it is a surprise it's coming year earlier. I guess
the timing of a role like Munster was too good
to turn down. And you know he's served his time
and you reach a ceiling in New Zealand in Super rugby,
(28:01):
and through no fault of the ecosystem here, he's not
can't progress in any You want to be challenged, you
want to evolve and grow and look going to a
team like Munster will be a brilliant experience. Ireland loved
their rugby. There'll be big expectation and demands on him.
He's not a big name and wild rugby. But he
(28:24):
is a proven coach here and with a great reputation
for man management building a culture, but starting again in
a place like Munster with a rich rugby heritage will
be a great challenge. And when he returns, because he
will return to news own in some capacity, he will
be a better coach for that experience. And he's really
(28:44):
setting himself up for a play at the Orblix.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
He coaching roll down the track.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Yeah, I'm sure that's the job that he that he
coverts and is keen on down the track and is
obviously not gonna happen in this cycle, so needs to
look elsewhere.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
Going to Monster.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I think Connor Murray is leaving after the season, retired
internationally and Peter Omari retiring as well, so it's a
wee bit of a rebuild. So it's an interesting spot
for Munster and Inclad to begin picking up that gig.
I think it is a good move. You're right, you
reached the ceiling in New Zealand rugby very very quickly.
He's done the Mauldy All Blacks. He's ticked that box.
I think he's involved with the All Blacks fifteen as well,
(29:18):
so obviously last year, so he's coord of sort of
done everything he can bar coach. The All Blacks will
be part of that environment, so looking abroad is a
smart move. Who takes over it?
Speaker 4 (29:28):
You know? And he whispers about Warren Gatlin returning to
the Chiefs that surely not. No, he's no longer a
beloved son, is he?
Speaker 3 (29:37):
I think ross Filippo probably would have been in the mix,
but he was moved on this year's no longer in
the ranks.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Although was that.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Time, I mean he's Muldy All Blacks coach, Wakato NPC coach.
Was that his decision, Clayton's decision.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
I think from what I understand it was they wanted
to change, which was surprising because ross Filippo was talked
about it being about being an option for the Crusaders
and it was by all accounts well liked among that
playing group and brought a lot to the forward pack.
So yeah, he's actually gone off with Adam Thompson and
he's doing some coaching clinics, so interesting to see where
(30:18):
he does pop up next. The one name I have
heard is being groomed as John o' gibbs, vastly experienced
time in France. I think he was involved with the
age grade teams in New Zealand recently, so yeah, he's
one name I have heard mentioned. I don't know how
far down the track the Chiefs are with their succession planning.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
I think I heard from something Grauffis last week, the
CEO who suggested that they've got good options internally, and
Johnny Gibbs will clearly be one of those as an
assistant coach currently of that team. Good pedigree, I mean,
doesn't sound like they're going to look outside, so that
might be the just you know, the natural progression there.
(31:00):
I mean, you look at Joe Schmidt potentially based in Topel,
you know, potentially whether that would be any interest to him. Unlikely.
Neil Barnes has been the Chiefs coaching set up before.
Maybe another name, but probably sometimes the answer is the
most obvious option, which would be Johnny Gibbs.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Yeah, just quickly, another big, big move and the coaching
scene and world rugby. I would argue, probably the biggest
news and rugby in the past week. And you know,
we tend to live in a wee bit of a
bubble in New Zealand. But Felix Jones who was the
spring box defense coach twenty three World Cup went to England,
(31:38):
had a profound impact. I would argue is one of
the best defense coaches in world rugby currently. Has gone
back to the box. Hell of a pickup for them
and only strengthens the best team in world rugby currently.
I saw some clips of him, incredibly intense guy. That
was from the Chasing the Sun doco. Just the level
(32:00):
of detail he's been up all night, scaring YouTube, barking
orders in the changing room in the final of the
twenty twenty three World Cup about the breakdown his rush
defense with England causes all Blacks so many problems in
July when Scott Robinson first took over, and I think
England's have had to not start again. But he's been
(32:23):
a big loss for them in the sixth Nations. So man,
that box team just gets better and better.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Yeah, what is he?
Speaker 2 (32:30):
The thing is the seventh assistant coach or something like that.
And these staffs, these as are out of control. But
great pack up and yeah, the whole England thing ended
quite weirdly. But you're very very good coach and good
pick up for as you said, already the best team
in the world to get a player like that, a
coach like that. Let's get into tipping now.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
Liam.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Of course you went here last week, but Nick did
right for you in the hot seat. He got four
or five missed out on. He picked the Hurricanes, which
is probably what you would have done as well. Otherwise
you picked the Honders, war Tars, Chiefs and Reds. I
picked the Blues. Missed out on the Force. I thought
the boys from Western Australia are going to get it done.
(33:12):
So four or five for both of us, nine to
fifteen through the opening three rounds. Let's go through this
week Blues, Brumbies.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
Friday Night the Blues, but could should be tight.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
Yeah, look on basis of what we're seeing from the
Blues so far and the Brumbies, it should be tight.
I think the Blues as well. The drawer welcoming the
Chiefs to I think it's lat toalk. It's definitely in
Fiji on four to thirty five Saturday afternoon. Now, maybe
the Chiefs rest a couple of players from the trip here.
McKenzie had a bang, a couple of bangs last week. Yeah,
it's conning interesting what team the Chiefs roll.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
Out Yeah, look, they've got great depth, so I'll stick
with the Chiefs. But yeah, a few dings there ends
the Dura much tougher at home, aren't they?
Speaker 2 (33:54):
They are, and that's why I'm going to tip them
this week to end the Chiefs unbeaten run well one
of Pacific are hosting the Hurricanes, already playing his old team.
Very interesting games Saturday night, but a feeling I'm sure
around this.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
Yeah, a bit of jip, it's for sure, a few,
a few facials in the rack and all those the
antics that you probably can't get away with anymore with
all the cameras. But look, the Cane is desperate for
a win, so they'll bank that one.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
I think they will too. But as a semiwana, very
very good for sixty minutes. If they can string together,
they're close to seventy. Who knows, might be a different story,
but I'm going to go the Hurricanes as well. War
Tars Force, I think so I'll leat you still out
for another week or two at least with this injury
Wartors hosting the Force. What do you reckon?
Speaker 4 (34:39):
It's been very unconvinced by the Tars. You were pumping
up their ties. It was big time.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
Now on the Force and their roster, they should be
playing a lot better.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
Look, I'll tip the Tars, but yeah, would not be surprised.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
But upseet, I think Leon another week under Leon the Force.
They'll let the win and Leon your trust. That's right,
And the Crusaders and Reds wrap up the round at
three point thirty five Sunday afternoon, Sunda afternoon.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Footy, how good? Come on my Reds reads? Please right,
we'll makey down for that? Is that right? In next
to the Reds.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Look, I'll punt the Crusaders, but I'll be cheering wholeheartedly
for the Reds.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
So I'm going to transfer you to the Crusaders poems
all right?
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Yeah, sure a Crusader three thirty five Saturday, Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (35:20):
Perfect timing, MVP Middle raining in the gardens anyway, It.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Never rains in the garden, so they and it won't
matter from next year because the one New Zealand Stadium
is going to be New Zealand's premiere sporting venal Edits
like an absolute picture. I can't wait too to go
down and visit rugby. Director Middle. This is the standings
as it stands after just two rounds. Tabata Way on
(35:45):
eight points, Damie mckinzey on five, Will Jordan and Kyle
Preston on three? Will any of those players add to
their numbers this week? Liam yours please?
Speaker 4 (35:55):
Well we spoke about Ardi three points starty.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
Pretty hard to go past herculean performance, wasn't it? So
three to Ardi, two to Quincy Payre standouts for the Chiefs,
and I'm going to give one to how God godfree,
being really impressed by his work at ten for the
Canes this year.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
I actually are threes and twos are the same this
week Ardie save three for me, excellent on the weekend
quinte pie two for me and Boden Barrett gets my
one slotted at half back right at the end as well.
Did a job there for the Blues and so the Yeah,
there we go. Damien McKinzie missus out this week.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
Next time Boden's half Maybe you think you should give
me a call some tips?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
No, no, something I think you should do? Yeah, no,
not in the slightest Liam. Great to have you back
on the podcast. We'll be back again next week on
Rugby Direct. Thanks to our friends that Habit Health Techning
all your aches and pains from sport and worker. Thanks
to Last and Bars English, and we'll be back next week.
Speaker 1 (36:58):
For more from News Talks ed B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.