April 27, 2025 • 42 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier wrap the week in Super Rugby and ask the vital questions, like whether the 'Cane Train' is back on the tracks with a win over the Brumbies in Canberra, whether the Blues have run their race in 2025 and can anyone stop a Chiefs-Crusaders final.
We also delve into Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return to the Black Ferns and whether she can be the catalyst for World Cup success.
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.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the middle.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Of dry Dick score by try.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct
with Elliot Smith and Leam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Health, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and work. Elligant Smith
and Liam Napier back for another week to dissect Super
Rugby Pacific Round eleven and a number of other rugby
related matters from the world of the game. Liam, Greetings
and welcome back to the podcast.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
Cheer, good to see Elliott's in. Isn't it great to
be back on the Cane train?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Back baby?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Would you say that? Would you say that? Let's get
into that first thing. Are the Canes back?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
They are? They are in a big way.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Look, I've got a tough draw, tough run home, but
the cavalry has arrived. Billy propped a massive performance. Riley
Higgins back in the midfield as well. Came Royguard, playing
exceptionally well, kinning a Hola on the wing.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Carefe.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Most of these players have been there for most of
the season. Billy Propped is the one that hasn't and
Riley Higgins. It's a big upgrade in the midfield. But
you mentioned he's been playing well, don't be wrong, but
his number of players you mentioned there have been playing
for the So what's been going wrong to this point?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well, look, sometimes there's just a couple of pieces of
puzzle missing Elliott and they've come back the winning. Canberra
very very tough place to win. See Carefree mentioned postmatch
he's never he had never won there in his career,
so I think that's a real stake in the ground
performance from the Hurricanes going away on tour, coming together
and they did a lot of stuff around the ANZACs
(02:01):
and Canberra went to a service and laid some reefs.
Maybe that's brought them together being away. I've got the
Chiefs this so big ask, but they're back.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Well. If they can win this week, it certainly shakes
up the competition, doesn't it. If they can get a
bit of a roll on heading into the ploffs, and
you know, the Cane train could be quite hard to stop,
but it's been so stop start this season. You know,
the drawer against the Force the week prior the two
losses to the Blues inexplicably really, you know, the losses
(02:31):
to the Crusaders. So it's been a stop start season.
But you know they if they do get a Billy
propped back, rebon Love looks more comfortable in ten second
game into that run, they look like they could do
something in the back end of this season.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Yeah, I think it's not make or break for them
as it is for the Blues. They're not completely a
must win territory yet. And look, the Chiefs looked pretty
formidable and dispatching the force. They get Wallace, a tz
back who comes off the bench for nine minute was
it nine minute? Roughly nine carries sixty meters what are
(03:08):
a turn? So not a must win, but it would
be if they were to beat the Chiefs. They put
the competition on notice. But isn't it I'm not putting
it totally down to Billy Proctor, but it is amazing
how one person can have a massive influence on the team,
whether it was whether it's Artie Severe or Moyana or.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Will Jordan for the Crusaders.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
You know, Billy Proctor is that sort of talesman and
that the Hurricans. He came off the bench last week,
but the Hurricanes have clearly really missed him this season,
both his leadership and just a special touches. And it
did remind me and frustrate me about last year the
lack of opportunities that the All Blacks gave Billy Proctor.
(03:55):
Didn't see him for the whole of the Rugby Championship
and then he returned or he didn't became.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
He didn't go on the end of your tour, essentially.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Because he had his first him and his partner welcome's
first child, which is you know fair enough, absolutely you
prioritize that. But yeah, it was a wasted opportunity for
the All Blacks and the weekend was a reminder of
just how classy he can be.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Absolutely, and I thought painted a pretty good picture in
terms of his distribution but also his running game. And
you know, the question being asked clack laid law and
they didn't really know about this Archilles injury to Billy Procer.
It could have been a lot longer and they're getting
different opinions on it. And he is back now and
he forms a really pervotful part of what they can
do this season and you already saw it. I thought
(04:41):
with nai Pu playing probably the best he's looked in
a Can's jersey for quite some time, just having Billy
Procter inside him on the weekend, it's.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
A very good point because not all centers make their
outsides look that good, and it's a criticism of Rico
his thro This.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Was a game as well where it felt like it
was in the balance for a lot of Perier and
it could have swung the way of the Brumbies, and
it kind of I don't know, I felt watching it
that the Brumbies going to get a couple of consecutive
scores and take charge of the game. It never quite happened,
but that's what's happened previously in Canberra, whereas the Brumbies, sorry,
the Hurricanes have looked good to a point and then
the Brumbies have taken charge of the game, kept waiting
(05:19):
for that to happen. Just didn't happen on the weekend,
and that's credit to the way that the Hurricanes played.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
I thought it is and it's a big shift because
you mentioned those Blues performances and I think that Hurricanes
team doesn't lose to the Blues, but the two close
losses could haunt them this year. They were games they
could have should have won. But this was different. They
actually came home over the top of the Brumbies. The
Brumbies scored I think in a seventy second minute to
(05:48):
get within six points, but the Hurricanes were well clear
by that point.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So the second half.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Rather than fading off as they did in those Blues
performances and blowing the chance to ice the game, this
time they stepped up and to winning Canberra. You'd hope
that would give them a lot of confidence in a
season that has been very underwhelming.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
It has been Saturday night earlier than that full South
Bar Stadium, the Crusader's forty three over the Highlanders ten.
Second week in a row the Honders have been torched
by the tune or forty ish to ten. But unlike
Glass we fell out. This game was done and dusted.
Earlier last week they went in at halftime thirteen ten down.
This time they went in what twenty one nil down
(06:31):
and just not really at the races. I know they
had a lot of position before halftime, but things aren't
clicking for the Holanders. They had injuries of course and
lost to a couple of their locks, but Crusaders, even
without Taha Kimitta, were able to get a bit of
a roll on, put some pressure on and the homeland
is wilted. And from the Highlanders team that beat the
Blues early in the season, they have gone backwards and
(06:54):
it's hard to make a convincing case for them to
make the playoffs, even though they are only five points
outside of the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
No, I think.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
As long as a month ago said the Landers are done,
and they've got worse since then. And yeah they've had
some injury challenges, but you would expect more, particularly at
home against your local rivals. This is a traditional fixture
that if you're going to get up for any game,
(07:22):
it is this game. We've seen hard as teams of
previous iterations be down and out and struggling, and yet
rise for the Crusaders, not always knock them off, but
be very competitive. But as you said, they weren't even
there from twenty one zeril down. The game's gone and
it has been a stark reminder of where they're at
(07:46):
the past two weeks. Pump by the Chiefs, Pumped by
the Crusaders. The two best teams on in the competition.
So while this was a real statement performance from the Crusaders,
it was a real reality check for Hardness fans.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
Yeah, what have we learned from a Crusader's perspective, I
guess that they are in the top two in the
competition swept them. As I guess from a Crusader specific
you've probably learned a little bit more about rivers Raehanna,
who was on the bench and had to play seventy
five minutes with Taha Kimita suffering what appeared to be
a relatively serious knee injury. So in the context of
the whole competition, you get what is your third string
(08:23):
first five out there for some minutes. Will Jordan played well,
Taylor and Moore and on who's forming into a really
nice one two punch in terms of hookers. But it
was just a case of job done for the Crusaders.
I don't know we learned too much more about them
from that performance on the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Weekend, not necessarily.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
I think we learned or it was reconfirmed that their
attack is very lethal this year. The way that their
back door plays, the way they're moving the ball to
space and executing has been exceptional this season and that's
been the massive shift for me. Whether it's James Marshall
or Brad Moore, whoever has taken charge of that attack
(09:03):
has done a great job and empowering those players to
play what they are seeing and taking the opportunities. And yeah,
just the accuracy of the passing, the timing, the execution
has been really good. The conditions were there for it
when you play under the roof, So they are going
to have to play a different style of rugby coming
into winter, but.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
That's right. The set piece is strong.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
So look, this is completely different Crusader's side this year,
isn't it? They are on form. That was another real
statement performance just on tame Let's He was almost certainly
out this week and potentially longer term. What do you
want to do there? Do you go Rivers Rayhanna and
(09:47):
back Caam after last week or do you promote James
O'Connor or the experience?
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Well I think you go and this the next game
is against the Chiefs. They've got to buy this week
and they've got the Chiefs so top of the table
clash could have big implications in terms of home top
seeding for the playoffs as it stands anyway, but I
think I'll probably go Rayhanna and then Connor to close
out the last many minutes of the game. We saw
I kind of start against my wad of PACIFICA. That's
(10:12):
the one start he's head. They lost that game, Not
saying it was solely that, but I like the finishing
role that he's had on the park. It was crucial
a couple of weeks ago with that late penalty against
the Blues. When he came on against the Chiefs a
few weeks back when they got belted, the game was
kind of gone ready by that point and O'Connor didn't
have a great night. But I still think Rayhunter, you
(10:32):
probably comes straight into the starting lineup and you keep
O'Connor in that role which has become accustomed to as
a finisher.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Yeah, I agree, but it is I think it's a
bit of a backflip from you, isn't it, Because and
there has been a clamoring among Crusader supporters to start
O'Connor over Ta Kimera. Ha's quelled a little bit, and
some of that's down to Taha's goal kicking. But yeah,
it's interesting how that dynamic can shift and It probably
(11:02):
would be different as well, had the Crusade has not
been so dominant, had that front foot platform wasn't under
a great deal of pressure. He played well, but certainly
everything was flowing for the Crusaders, right, So on a
wet night against the Chiefs, you're not necessarily getting all
the forward parody that you want. Difficult conditions, you've got
(11:23):
to take control. There's probably still some questions about his
ability to command and direct a game that's tight, intense, right.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Absolutely, But I still think you learn a bit more
about him by putting him in that ten jersey against
a team like the Chiefs than by him coming off
the bench of last twenty minutes when the game might
be in the balance. So it's an interesting dynamic for
Rob Penny to consider James O'Connor.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
A bit of talk about him this season, isn't there,
you know, in terms of his goal kicking, his influence
off the bench with the Crusaders, the match winning penalty.
What about his future do you? I guess first and
foremost you expect them to be named in the Wallabies
squad for the Lions tour.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
If I'm Joe Schmid, I'm naming him I'm not saying
he's playing every Test match, but I think he can
add a real role in this setup. And we don't
know whether I know a lot of CEO's going to
play givenees now off to Japan. Tom Liner I thought
was really good on the weekend. Ben Donaldson's another player
knocking on the door for the Force. They do have
some options at ten, but to me, I think you
(12:33):
look at James O'Connor and the experience that he can
add in a Lion series and go, why wouldn't we
want this part of our setup? Why wouldn't we select
this bloke? And you know, he's a different player to
the one that was in the Wallabies, you know what,
fifteen years ago now and he's playing some smart rugby
and I think a few of the Wallabies. You take
(12:54):
all of that and put it into the mix with
you know, line series and what he's learned from the
Crusaders and put him in there.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Absolutely, I'd have him in that squad.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
Yeah, and it's not just you're not solely picking them
as a ten. You could have him on the bench
covering wing fallback and yeah, exactly. He's a guy that
will come on and make sound decisions. I think you've
got to draw a line through comparisons to his personality
(13:23):
and character earlier in his career.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
All men.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Go through changes, mature, grow up, and he did that
in the Spotlight, right, And there was a long time ago.
You're talking eight odd years. He's a completely different person now.
So I would one hundred percent have him in that squad.
And what you could do is put him out in
the Anzact team as well that they combines, not Inzact team,
(13:49):
that combine what is an Anzact team. Yeah, put him
out even you know, whether he's behind mye or starting
or whatever, whatever it may be, give a taste of
it and then bring him into the lines Tour squad.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Yeah, I think he has to be. That's the way
that he's playing at the moment. Mawana Pacific a beating
the draw of thirty four fifteen. Mauana started really strongly,
sort of switched off for a period in the second spell.
Artie Savia was denied probably the try of the season
with his kick and chase, but Wana back to winning
ways after a couple of weeks off and back to
(14:23):
North Harbor Stadium, and they are a really tough team
to play at that grounds the drawer learned they are.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Isn't it great to see the turnout there for that
game when you think back to Moana playing at Mount
Smart with literally barely one hundred people, And this was
I think they called it the Carver Bowl bat or
something like that. I saw some vision of Arti being
handed some Carver post match. So very special and yeah,
(14:54):
great performance from Winer to get back to winning ways.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
What a chip and chase it was from Artie.
Speaker 5 (15:01):
I don't know if you take too much out of it,
because the dru have been very poor this year and
not a great traveling team. Again, we were inconsistent within
the match, but it was an important match for them
to win for their self confidence to get you know, yeah,
just restore a bit of belief in that team after
(15:22):
a tough couple of weeks when they knocked over the Crusaders.
So yeah, important and let's hope that they can just
stay at North Harbor.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Really yeah, I know that, you know, they had to
move a game from Toma to Pokakoi, but if you
want to build a home stadium, you need to play
there as much as possible. And I think the traveling
scenario of them has ended. You know, it was frustrating
for them. I'm sure they played in Hamilton home game
last year, they played elsewhere. Sure, let's take one game
(15:52):
a year to the Islands. But I think if you're
going to make North Harbor Stadium your home, then you
play there as much as possible.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
And it's become a wee bit of a fortress for them.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
And they're now what two points outside the top six
as it stands, Blues thirty five to twenty one users
to the Reds on the weekend. You know, they grinted
it out against the Crusaders and lost that one obviously,
but they are just hot and cold at the moment.
(16:23):
The Blues and Friday night they were particularly cold. I
thought that was really poor from them.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
This is a dire performance, Elliott. I know they had
in the first half. They got over the line four
or five times and when denied, and there was one
instance in particular where the TMO came in and it
went well back. This might have been in the second
half year host constitution knock on the TMO should not
be coming in and going that far back.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I thought we got rid of the team. Ot We'll
not got rid but I thought we got to the
point where it's two phases. Now they've extended out who
is making these decisions.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, it was ridiculous.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
You literally had five minutes of rugby yah to go
back for that unnecessary.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
But yeah, look, I think there needs to be lined.
It needs to be two faces. The only way I'd
have a TMO interference in the game is try no try.
You can still have the bunker, but it has to
be spotted on field by the on field referee and
there it's got too much power. It's got ridiculous, and
we're seeing in a rugby league now as well the
bunker's tracking things from two sets ago and sending players
(17:26):
off for ten minutes. We've allowed technology to take too
much control of the game and it needs to be
pulled right right back.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I think there's a place for it for foul play
and for deciding tries at the time, but you have
to have a hard and faster all about how many
phases you can go back, because it just becomes fascical
to let teams play on to have all this other
action that's meaning meaningless.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Where the adsav try ruled out one of the tries
of the season. I'm not saying you should allow a
try just because it looks spectacular, but a knock on
you prior to that on the other side of the field.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, And there's just got to be some culpability with
the officials at the time. You know that Hoskins two
to knock on should have been picked up in real
time and it wasn't. Well, then that's picked up in
the referee review and I said, you should have spotted that.
You know, the human era is part of part of
teams individuals when it's at the try line. Sure have
(18:25):
let the TMO look at it there, but don't go
back five minutes or twenty phases.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
It just gets you.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
Bruing the contest in the pursuit of perfection, which you
were never going to get. Support needs to be at
the contest of entertainment product, not the legalities of knock ons.
Was to try perfect in the lead up? You know,
I just think we're searching for something that we're never
going to get in the sport, the Blues are searching
for something that they don't seem to be close to
be getting at the moment. And where do you think
(18:54):
is going wrong? In particular, I don't think they're getting
enough out of their forwards at the moment in terms
of set peace. I think they're lacking a bit in
terms of having a real enforcer or a ball carrier,
likes of a kid Yuanni, who copped a fair bit
of stick while he was here. But I think Angel's
Signa tries hard and I think you never get a
bad performance out of Anton's Signa. But you're missing something there.
(19:17):
Tolden Papaliti was missing on the weekend as well. Hoskinstitute
is finally a little bit of form, but it just
feels like they're not getting enough out of numbers six,
seven and eight at the moment.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Yeah, the Blues have got a lot to address because,
as you mentioned, the hot cold and could have easily
come away with much more in christ Church.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
The previous week they had.
Speaker 5 (19:36):
Another performance, another loss, close loss to the Chiefs and Hamilton.
So look, on their day they can very easily beat
the best teams in this competition, and that they're with
the roster that they have, they should be. But what
a fall from grace this has been. Because this is
a team that won the championship last year, have the
same coaching team arguably a better squad with Boden Barrett
(20:00):
coming back, and yet they've fallen off cliff.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
This performance was die that.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Yes, they got over the line four or five times
in that first half, couldn't convert, but the line out capitulated.
They lost four shambles, four throws and there's just no
real excuse for that. There was indecision under the high ball,
so many turnovers, ill discipline. Mark t Leah, what was
(20:28):
he thinking with that tackle? Sure, like by all means,
put a great hat on, but don't lift him. Well
he's gonna go for three weeks now you have to shift.
That could be the end of his Blues career. Yeah,
it probably won't, but yeah, that really cost the Blues,
I think, and fatigue as much as anything else. Down
to one man short for twenty minutes. Look, I think
(20:49):
the score line flattered them in the end to a degree.
They got a couple of late tries. I think the
red scored five tries to three. And this is a
Reds team that's down on troops. Yeah, they're coming off
the Buyer, so they're fresh, but they prior to that
they lost to the Brumbies and the Chiefs, so not
(21:09):
Reds team that's at their peak and form. So really
bad loss for the Blues in the context of this
season being on the line as well. So how much
are the heads really in this Well.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I don't seem to be there mentally. They seem to
be very fragile, which was last year though winning games
you know late on. I think it was a game
against the Warrators they came back and won quite late.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
There were other.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
Fixtures as well where they were sort of the mentality
monsters of the competition. They would win games late, the
wood games win maybe they shouldn't, and then they could
also steamroll you. And we've just seen none of that
from the Blues this year. And yes, while they've got
a softish run a home and that would have probably
included the Reds pride of the weekend, there's no guarantees that. Yeah,
you probably said the bet the Force next week, but
(21:53):
then they're over to the drawer and that games at night. Yes,
they probably favorites here, but tough place to play Mwana Pacifica.
They'll have their towels up at albany. I know they've
got Bell beat in a few weeks ago, but they
are going to have to probably run the table here.
I know they're only five points outside the playoffs, but
they're probably gonna have to win every game from here
on inwards to make a dend in this competition.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Yep, they do, and they're probably gonna they're gonna have
to do a bit more than they've done, I think,
because this limited game plan worked really well for them
last year and they've gone back to it and it
worked for them against Mouana and they got out of
jail against the Hurricanes, and they were worked in christ
(22:35):
Church where it was bucketing down with rain, so the
conditions suited that sort of up the guts, you know,
very rolling more one off carries very limited game plan,
but it was it's not gonna be enough, No it's not.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
And it was incredibly limited, I thought on the weekend
fim like Christie starting at half back, I think had
one run for no meters. Just ponderous at times, I thought.
And then when Sam Not comes on, you're tiring defenses
everything like that. But he makes a few snipes around
the edges, scores a try. I think he beat a
couple of defenders, ran for twenty five odd meters. He
(23:14):
added a spark. Tolfa Funaki did that last year. I
think they need to make a change at half back.
They should have Boden Barrett back starting this week after
illness last week, but they're not. I mean, I criticized
the loose Fortrair before, but again they need quick ball
and they're just not getting it either out to their
back line.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Yeah, I mean, you put Boden Barrett back in that team.
You bring back Dalton Papale and Caleb Clark from injury.
But you know, Harry Plumber won took the Blues to
a championship last year and all teams suffer injury, So yeah,
you can clutch for excuses, but the Blues should be
much better than that. That was one of the worst
performances of the year with their season on the line,
(23:55):
and yeah, it's just been that sort of season.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
It has been.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
The Chiefs continue to be top of the table, fifty
six to twenty two over the Force. Look, the Force
were fifteen all at one stage, but similar to the
Highlands previous week, once the Chiefs warm up very very
hard to stop, they went with six or two bench.
We saw Cecidi come on for ten minutes at the
end court is Rantom and moved to the wing. Antonine
(24:19):
Brown suffered a hand or alm injury, so that's a
worry for the Chiefs. But when they got into their
work they were hard to stop and the fourth squad
had a couple of nice tries, but ultimately they don't
have it what it takes to match it.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
With the Chiefs.
Speaker 5 (24:35):
No, they don't, And it's sort of going to script,
isn't it. It felt like, always felt like that would
be a blowout. First of all, great to see the
Chiefs take a game to Mount Monganui bay Oval. I
thought the whole set up around that in terms of
the temporary stands. It's not an easy thing to do
(24:55):
to make a rugby ground at a cricket oval, so
you traditionally a long way from the ground, and I
think I would like to see that more, whether that
be the Blues going to I don't know Northlands that
they do once a year, but the Hurricanes could go
to Napier more often. You know these big stadiums are empty.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Well, the Crusaders haven't played in Nelson for years, and
think about how big Tasman's been as part of their success.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
In recent massive yeah, the players.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Yeah yeah, maybe maybe they should deflect like the like Taranaki.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
We'll keep them, thank you very much. Hard to know,
read too much into that. Chiefs just too good, but
great to see washed the TV back out there ahead
of schedule. I heard a few whispers last week that
he was this is before the team was named, that
it was maybe three weeks away, and then all of
a sudden he gets named in the team. You know,
picks up the ball and runs with it essentially with
that ten minutes on the park and I'm sure it'll
probably come off the bench again against the Hurricanes this week.
(25:51):
But boy, you know, he's back and it's great to
see him out there.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
It is.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
He is an absolute weapon for his own rugby. He
was one of the best, if not the best players
in the world last year and still very much in
the infancy of his career. But his power, his pace
for a big man is footwork just exceptional.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Also, Ammonia Nadaua.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
Has hit some real form for the Chiefs and really
staking our claim I think for that All Blacks right
wing spot. Samasoni Takyaho and his one hundredth game for
the Chiefs I thought was impressive.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Olin Norris huge.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah, wasn't he a magnificent.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Off the bench? Was that after five ten minutes he
was everywhere. Quinta Pia was good as well. And Antonina
Brown's absence so yes, Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
I thought it was Josh j Adens performs at ten
as well.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
Yeah, and Damien mckinn's's absence easier to look good and
that match than I think his last start was in
Laotoka or in Fiji when it was driving rain and
the Chiefs lose that game.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
So yeah.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Good to see a very very promising young ten comeback
and stamp is authority there as well.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Certainly is let's sacer break. Here on Rugby Direct, powered
by our friends that habit, health, tackling or your aches
and pains from sport and work.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
This is Rugby Direct podcast for real rugby fans. Every
try drive.
Speaker 4 (27:14):
Had sixty six, every tackle tack tackles, get up again,
take him.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Before five times.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's Rugby Direct.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
Time now for our final four on Rugby Direct. Four
rugby topics Liam and myself to bake them. Topic number one,
will you draw a line under the blues or through
the blues?
Speaker 3 (27:35):
I should say.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
I'm going to preface this, so the Blues will make
the playoffs, okay, but they will not win the title.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
You reckon They'll sneak in.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
Yeah. Yeah, it is a very winnable run home.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
So I think they will make the playoffs, but they
don't have what it takes to win the title this year.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
If they played the Chief Sal Crusaders in the opening week,
could you see them winning that?
Speaker 5 (28:01):
Yeah, I wouldn't rule them out of that, but I
don't think they have the capacity to win back to
back big games, big five final schemes.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
I don't think they do either. I think I'll make
the plant. I'm similar to you. I think I'll make
the playoffs, but I can't see them winning this title.
I think the Tottle defense is done. They run their race.
Topic Number two is it time to re sign Rob
Henney at the Crusaders. Now, I know a bit of
reporting last week, so you said they put it back
to the end of the season, but boys some time
for Rock and Rob to be given a couple more years.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Rob the great.
Speaker 5 (28:32):
Yeah, Well, let's dive into this a bit because you
and I were highly critical of Rob last year and
we said that the Crusaders should have punted him. That's,
you know, a lot of what happened last year, and
there were in terms of what flowed out of that,
there was a lot of criticism about his selections and
(28:54):
his coaching, and I know things didn't go right, but
there were clearly a lot of issues that they have addressed.
So expand this question out. Did the Crusaders do the
right thing by not punting him?
Speaker 4 (29:07):
I think that did. Yeah, I think they did that.
They've clearly learned from their lessons and I think that's
ultimately all you could possibly ask is that they did
some things wrong last year. The coaching perhaps was not
what the team needed, and this year, whether it results
in a title, whether it results in an early playoffecks
(29:28):
or whatever might have been, seem to have learned that
lessons and they've gone back to what they know as
Crusades players have found a rhythm there. And I thought
it was an interesting point piece from Gregor Paul on
The Hero on the Weekend talking about the difference between
the Blues and this Crusaders team, and the Blues winning
that title but not knowing how to kick on with it.
The Crusaders obviously being very poor last year, but finding
(29:49):
a way back into it. And that's the difference between
a championship winning club and a dynasty winning club. And
I think they made the right decision in the end
to keep him. Credit to them, and he's probably earned
a renewal of some sort, whether it results in a
title this year. I think he's worthy of at least
another season at the Helm.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
Yeah, it's interesting America, isn't I think they've clearly learned
from their lessons. I think Brad Moore coming back has
brought quite a bit of coaching experience. You know, Bradmore
had a really tough time with the All Blacks. He
was punted from there, but he has been around, He
went to Scotland and I think he has helped their
(30:29):
attack coming back. Look, are we very surprised if the
Crusaders don't keep them for some length of time. I'm
still on the fence about whether he's a brilliant coach,
but look on the basis of what they've done this year,
I think you'd have to probably extend them for another year.
It gives you a bit of time and they need
(30:51):
a succession plane He's not They're not going to sign
them for another four years, but you could give him
another year and start working through what that looks like.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Beyond that, well, Tomody Alison was the succession plan that
seems like a feely open secret and never quite came
to pass. Because now he's permanent member of the All Blacks.
There are coaches out there. Maybe you can tempt someone
to come home again. It wasn't that long ago that
you know, you're talking about maybe Leo maczagle back to
the Crusaders or you know, someone like that and so
worthy of an extension, but maybe not a long term one.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Yeah, and it is hard to sit here now and
say who would take over from him. You've got guys
like Ross Philippo and the Wings. Maybe Brad Moore has
designs on that. Joe Schmitt's going to be potentially out
of a gig but maybe still involved with the Wallabies.
We've led less Kiss expected to be announced as their
head coach of this week, so there's no really made
(31:49):
guy to just slot in there. And the way they
performed this year, he deserves an extension. And yeah, I'm
sure you run outside of christ which will be hoping
that twenty twenty four revives itself.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Nope, well maybe outside of you know, the promised lamb.
Sure and to bot number three women wicklif back for
the Black Ferns backflipping. I suppose on her retirement, is
she capable of leading them to the World Cup title
single handedly?
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Not single handedly?
Speaker 5 (32:19):
No, no, but it is a Phillip massive coup to
get her back. She's an inspirational figure on and off
the fields, but no, she can't do it alone. And
one of the big things with this World Cup will
be obviously the forward play of England.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
So they've gone on it.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
They are on another massive unbeaten run and the kicking
game in particular. And it is interesting when you think
back to the way the Black Ferns won their title
last time. It was really attack, it's all costs at
gay Eband and it was just offloads pace. You know,
that was Wayne Smith's blueprints. So can do the Black
(33:03):
Ferns have the ability to find because they're not going
to have that same blueprint with one and Smith not involved,
and they.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Do.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
They have the ability to play England, not at their
own game, but to find that balance between getting enough
Ford parody, stopping England's more and then having the ability
to kick and then bring in your attack.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
That is the question.
Speaker 4 (33:28):
Look, I wasn't all that impressed from what I saw
from England during the Women's six Nations. They beat France
by a point on the weekend to win the crown.
John Mitchell making a few changes to basically try and
build some depth as well, So hard to read too
much into it from a World Cup perspective. There was
a bit of chopping and changing, but I wasn't really
overly impressed by England during that campaign. Having said that
(33:49):
they go on as the heavy gust to favorites, but
Portia Willi and Wickliff her ultimate power with ball in hand,
the lines that she runs. You add in Georgia Miller
to that forward pack. You added you know, Sacy Waker,
Racy Poldy Lane, You add in some of these new
players that are impressed and all picky, like Brax and
Sorrens and McGee Tolp for basin. It changes the complexion
(34:09):
of what was a fairly pedestrian black Ferns seen last year.
I mean, it shouldn't necessarily take these players coming in
to do that, but you can elevate it there and
I think they can make a difference. You're right, pusha
wooden will Cliff isn't going to do it alone. But
if you were able to pick one player to make
a difference, it would be her.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Oh shit, yeah, and she's a phenomenal athlete. Yeah, she's
at the back end of her career, but she is
a Lomu esque type player in terms of her individual
ability to run through or around or get a turnover
to lift her teammates. And yeah, I really do hope
(34:48):
the Black Ferns still retain the essence of what they
had for three years ago in terms of their basic
skill sets because I still think that that is superior
to what other nations have to offer, the ability to
offload and keep the ball alive. But yeah, they will
need to strike that balance.
Speaker 4 (35:08):
Topic done before Chiefs Crusaders final. Are you prepared to
say and lock that in or can you say there's
the cane train.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Main trains coming out of.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Fifth mate, they're fifteen points off of the top two.
Sure they can't make an impact in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Look, no, I am going to lock that in.
Speaker 4 (35:27):
I thought the Brumbies before the weekend, if they've beating
the Hurricanes, they're knocking right on the door of that
top three. They have the Crusaders at home still to come.
But the Brumbies were Look, they played the part on
the weekend, but losing that game just you know, it
opens the door to those other teams and probably makes
me less confident that the Brumbies can play a role
in stopping one of those two teams in their march
(35:49):
to the final.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
Yeah. I can't see the Brumbies doing that.
Speaker 5 (35:52):
The Chiefs and Crusaders do look by far and away
the two best teams in the comp. I do think
on their day the Blues and the Hurricanes in a
one off finals match have the potential to upset their
apple carts. But at this point I would say and
Crusaders final.
Speaker 4 (36:09):
The Reads potentially as well, but I if they're at home.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
Yes, A weighed not so much against the New Zealand side.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Yeah, I still think on the balance of power.
Speaker 5 (36:20):
For all that we've seen this year in terms of
the Kiwi teams prior to the Hurricanes win, struggling not
getting a win in Australia, what was that? This was
it the sixth attempt, so we had five four losses
I think it was, and one draw from New Zealand
teams in Australia, so it has been a graveyard this
(36:42):
season prior to the Hurricanes. So yeah, you don't want
to be going to Australia, particularly because then you've got
to come home the following week if you wine. But
on the balance of power, I think the Australian teams
are a couple of rings are rung down, so Chiefs
and Crusaders for me. But yeah, don't discount the Cane
train or all the Blues in a one off finals match.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Right tipping time, we both had four correct tips of
five on the weekend. Difference was I picked the Reds,
you picked the Blues. I picked the Brumbies, you picked
the Canes. So other than that we were on the
same But I still lead by six points and that's
great news. Blues force Friday night footy at Eden Park,
May the force be with you.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
May the force be with those trying to get punters.
So to be diabolic on Friday could be challenging. Moana
It's Mount Smash. Yeah, look the Blues won that, but
there will be very few people where to witness.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
I don't think it's gonna be one of those ones
that you tell your grandkids about that. You're in the
stands for Drew It against the Reds two way five
Saturday afternoon Drew at home.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Interesting one, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Yes? Is it Lowa Tokyo.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
Pass?
Speaker 2 (37:53):
I guess I think the Reds win the.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
HTFC Bank Stadium. That's some super reads.
Speaker 4 (38:00):
Uh Drew hurricanes cheaps the time for the cane train
back on supposedly on the tracks.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Does it get derailed this week at skyt Stadium.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
Too, Elliott, That's all you need to get on the case.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
I'm going to the Chiefs Brumbi's Wartas interesting game for
the both of these teams. The Wartars now on the
outside looking in of the top six. They need to win,
but they're heading to Canberra.
Speaker 5 (38:25):
I'm going to go with the Brumbies. I think being
humbled at home will hurt and they'll bounce back.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:30):
I think the Brumbies as well. Highland is Mowana pacifica.
This one under the roof in Dunedin on a Sunday
afternoon at three thirty five.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
It's great see Sunday afternoon foot, isn't it is? This
is a really relime game. You know what I'm going minor.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
I'm going to get the Highlanders at home to bounce back,
but not with a lot of confidence. Rugby Derek Meddal
voting time three two ones. Aardie Saviller out on top
with thirteen, Boden Barrett twelve and a three way tie
for third to more Dove, Niway, Patrick Palegrini in quinte
pie limb you three two ones.
Speaker 5 (39:09):
Yes, Elliott, Well with the cane train back, there will
be no shock to you that Billy Proctor takes my
three exceptional performance from a future all Black center Kenning
a holo of two his best performance for the best
performance here bumping, thumping.
Speaker 3 (39:25):
Hear to go the queen sweep here Hurrican.
Speaker 5 (39:27):
I was very tempted to put Cam Morrigan in there,
but look props to the prop Olin Norris, absolute weapon
off the bench for the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
So he gets my one right.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Some ballots required to this conversation will Jordan's three points.
Billy propped at two points. He was very good as
we're discussed, and one to look Jacobson, who I thought
played exceptionally well. He seems to be developing a bit
more of his carrying game as well. We've seen that
on the weekend. I yeah, really liking the way that
he's playing and leading this Chiefs team as well. So
(40:00):
he gets my one point this week.
Speaker 5 (40:02):
Yeah, your Crusader's hookers. Both of them were very good too.
Cody Taylor was exceptional.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
Quick question then before we wrap up, three All Black
sookers in the All Black squad?
Speaker 3 (40:11):
Who are they?
Speaker 2 (40:13):
Well, mine's a wee bit boring.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
I'm going Taylor, SAMASONI, Takyajo, and us for Armore, even
though our Moore has been really off his game this
year and struggle with injuries and hasn't played a lot.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
But those are my three still.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
Taylor, Takyaho, Why not two the Bolt the boulta twenty
one year old by I think I really liked what
Armor did for the All Blacks this year, but he
hasn't got the form at the moment for the Hurricanes.
He may find that over the closing stages once his
team gets a bit more confidence. If this Cane train
is rolling as you seem to think it will be,
(40:48):
but as it stands, I think that's those are the
three that I go with. I think Takio is coming
back into it after a long time out of the game,
finding his Form now played his one hundredth on the
weekend and so I'd give him the not over um more.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
Yeah, I mean on Form, that's a fair call.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Who has been exceptional for the Crusaders this year and
had a lot more game time than what he would
have expected to and taken that and run with it.
He is another in that mold of a dynamic, destructive
ball carrier and I think more he did step up
in a big way for the All Black Slash year.
(41:28):
But there probably are still concerns around his line out
throwing under pressure. But I would be surprised if they
went away from those three.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
Indeed. Well that wraps it up for Rugby Direct for
another week, Limb, you're away.
Speaker 5 (41:40):
Next week I am going to check on the rival
code a little bit of five tackle kick in Brisbane.
So yes, I'll be soaking up the what they call
it the brown Snake in Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
That's the river, oh right.
Speaker 5 (41:56):
Somewhere else floating up there to sun Corp four x
something like that.
Speaker 4 (42:01):
Yeah, all right, Well we'll catch you in a couple
of weeks on Rugby Director, Liam And thanks to Lars
and Bars English for time that's sort together. Thanks as
well to habit heath, tackling all your aches and pains from.
Speaker 3 (42:11):
Support and work.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the middle.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Of dry Dick score by try.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct
with Elliot Smith and Leam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Health, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and work. Elligant Smith
and Liam Napier back for another week to dissect Super
Rugby Pacific Round eleven and a number of other rugby
related matters from the world of the game. Liam, Greetings
and welcome back to the podcast.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
Cheer, good to see Elliott's in. Isn't it great to
be back on the Cane train?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Back baby?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Would you say that? Would you say that? Let's get
into that first thing. Are the Canes back?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
They are? They are in a big way.
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Look, I've got a tough draw, tough run home, but
the cavalry has arrived. Billy propped a massive performance. Riley
Higgins back in the midfield as well. Came Royguard, playing
exceptionally well, kinning a Hola on the wing.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Carefe.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Most of these players have been there for most of
the season. Billy Propped is the one that hasn't and
Riley Higgins. It's a big upgrade in the midfield. But
you mentioned he's been playing well, don't be wrong, but
his number of players you mentioned there have been playing
for the So what's been going wrong to this point?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well, look, sometimes there's just a couple of pieces of
puzzle missing Elliott and they've come back the winning. Canberra
very very tough place to win. See Carefree mentioned postmatch
he's never he had never won there in his career,
so I think that's a real stake in the ground
performance from the Hurricanes going away on tour, coming together
and they did a lot of stuff around the ANZACs
(02:01):
and Canberra went to a service and laid some reefs.
Maybe that's brought them together being away. I've got the
Chiefs this so big ask, but they're back.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Well. If they can win this week, it certainly shakes
up the competition, doesn't it. If they can get a
bit of a roll on heading into the ploffs, and
you know, the Cane train could be quite hard to stop,
but it's been so stop start this season. You know,
the drawer against the Force the week prior the two
losses to the Blues inexplicably really, you know, the losses
(02:31):
to the Crusaders. So it's been a stop start season.
But you know they if they do get a Billy
propped back, rebon Love looks more comfortable in ten second
game into that run, they look like they could do
something in the back end of this season.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Yeah, I think it's not make or break for them
as it is for the Blues. They're not completely a
must win territory yet. And look, the Chiefs looked pretty
formidable and dispatching the force. They get Wallace, a tz
back who comes off the bench for nine minute was
it nine minute? Roughly nine carries sixty meters what are
(03:08):
a turn? So not a must win, but it would
be if they were to beat the Chiefs. They put
the competition on notice. But isn't it I'm not putting
it totally down to Billy Proctor, but it is amazing
how one person can have a massive influence on the team,
whether it was whether it's Artie Severe or Moyana or.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Will Jordan for the Crusaders.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
You know, Billy Proctor is that sort of talesman and
that the Hurricans. He came off the bench last week,
but the Hurricanes have clearly really missed him this season,
both his leadership and just a special touches. And it
did remind me and frustrate me about last year the
lack of opportunities that the All Blacks gave Billy Proctor.
(03:55):
Didn't see him for the whole of the Rugby Championship
and then he returned or he didn't became.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
He didn't go on the end of your tour, essentially.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Because he had his first him and his partner welcome's
first child, which is you know fair enough, absolutely you
prioritize that. But yeah, it was a wasted opportunity for
the All Blacks and the weekend was a reminder of
just how classy he can be.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Absolutely, and I thought painted a pretty good picture in
terms of his distribution but also his running game. And
you know, the question being asked clack laid law and
they didn't really know about this Archilles injury to Billy Procer.
It could have been a lot longer and they're getting
different opinions on it. And he is back now and
he forms a really pervotful part of what they can
do this season and you already saw it. I thought
(04:41):
with nai Pu playing probably the best he's looked in
a Can's jersey for quite some time, just having Billy
Procter inside him on the weekend, it's.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
A very good point because not all centers make their
outsides look that good, and it's a criticism of Rico
his thro This.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Was a game as well where it felt like it
was in the balance for a lot of Perier and
it could have swung the way of the Brumbies, and
it kind of I don't know, I felt watching it
that the Brumbies going to get a couple of consecutive
scores and take charge of the game. It never quite happened,
but that's what's happened previously in Canberra, whereas the Brumbies, sorry,
the Hurricanes have looked good to a point and then
the Brumbies have taken charge of the game, kept waiting
(05:19):
for that to happen. Just didn't happen on the weekend,
and that's credit to the way that the Hurricanes played.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
I thought it is and it's a big shift because
you mentioned those Blues performances and I think that Hurricanes
team doesn't lose to the Blues, but the two close
losses could haunt them this year. They were games they
could have should have won. But this was different. They
actually came home over the top of the Brumbies. The
Brumbies scored I think in a seventy second minute to
(05:48):
get within six points, but the Hurricanes were well clear
by that point.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So the second half.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Rather than fading off as they did in those Blues
performances and blowing the chance to ice the game, this
time they stepped up and to winning Canberra. You'd hope
that would give them a lot of confidence in a
season that has been very underwhelming.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
It has been Saturday night earlier than that full South
Bar Stadium, the Crusader's forty three over the Highlanders ten.
Second week in a row the Honders have been torched
by the tune or forty ish to ten. But unlike
Glass we fell out. This game was done and dusted.
Earlier last week they went in at halftime thirteen ten down.
This time they went in what twenty one nil down
(06:31):
and just not really at the races. I know they
had a lot of position before halftime, but things aren't
clicking for the Holanders. They had injuries of course and
lost to a couple of their locks, but Crusaders, even
without Taha Kimitta, were able to get a bit of
a roll on, put some pressure on and the homeland
is wilted. And from the Highlanders team that beat the
Blues early in the season, they have gone backwards and
(06:54):
it's hard to make a convincing case for them to
make the playoffs, even though they are only five points
outside of the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
No, I think.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
As long as a month ago said the Landers are done,
and they've got worse since then. And yeah they've had
some injury challenges, but you would expect more, particularly at
home against your local rivals. This is a traditional fixture
that if you're going to get up for any game,
(07:22):
it is this game. We've seen hard as teams of
previous iterations be down and out and struggling, and yet
rise for the Crusaders, not always knock them off, but
be very competitive. But as you said, they weren't even
there from twenty one zeril down. The game's gone and
it has been a stark reminder of where they're at
(07:46):
the past two weeks. Pump by the Chiefs, Pumped by
the Crusaders. The two best teams on in the competition.
So while this was a real statement performance from the Crusaders,
it was a real reality check for Hardness fans.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
Yeah, what have we learned from a Crusader's perspective, I
guess that they are in the top two in the
competition swept them. As I guess from a Crusader specific
you've probably learned a little bit more about rivers Raehanna,
who was on the bench and had to play seventy
five minutes with Taha Kimita suffering what appeared to be
a relatively serious knee injury. So in the context of
the whole competition, you get what is your third string
(08:23):
first five out there for some minutes. Will Jordan played well,
Taylor and Moore and on who's forming into a really
nice one two punch in terms of hookers. But it
was just a case of job done for the Crusaders.
I don't know we learned too much more about them
from that performance on the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Weekend, not necessarily.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
I think we learned or it was reconfirmed that their
attack is very lethal this year. The way that their
back door plays, the way they're moving the ball to
space and executing has been exceptional this season and that's
been the massive shift for me. Whether it's James Marshall
or Brad Moore, whoever has taken charge of that attack
(09:03):
has done a great job and empowering those players to
play what they are seeing and taking the opportunities. And yeah,
just the accuracy of the passing, the timing, the execution
has been really good. The conditions were there for it
when you play under the roof, So they are going
to have to play a different style of rugby coming
into winter, but.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
That's right. The set piece is strong.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
So look, this is completely different Crusader's side this year,
isn't it? They are on form. That was another real
statement performance just on tame Let's He was almost certainly
out this week and potentially longer term. What do you
want to do there? Do you go Rivers Rayhanna and
(09:47):
back Caam after last week or do you promote James
O'Connor or the experience?
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Well I think you go and this the next game
is against the Chiefs. They've got to buy this week
and they've got the Chiefs so top of the table
clash could have big implications in terms of home top
seeding for the playoffs as it stands anyway, but I
think I'll probably go Rayhanna and then Connor to close
out the last many minutes of the game. We saw
I kind of start against my wad of PACIFICA. That's
(10:12):
the one start he's head. They lost that game, Not
saying it was solely that, but I like the finishing
role that he's had on the park. It was crucial
a couple of weeks ago with that late penalty against
the Blues. When he came on against the Chiefs a
few weeks back when they got belted, the game was
kind of gone ready by that point and O'Connor didn't
have a great night. But I still think Rayhunter, you
(10:32):
probably comes straight into the starting lineup and you keep
O'Connor in that role which has become accustomed to as
a finisher.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Yeah, I agree, but it is I think it's a
bit of a backflip from you, isn't it, Because and
there has been a clamoring among Crusader supporters to start
O'Connor over Ta Kimera. Ha's quelled a little bit, and
some of that's down to Taha's goal kicking. But yeah,
it's interesting how that dynamic can shift and It probably
(11:02):
would be different as well, had the Crusade has not
been so dominant, had that front foot platform wasn't under
a great deal of pressure. He played well, but certainly
everything was flowing for the Crusaders, right, So on a
wet night against the Chiefs, you're not necessarily getting all
the forward parody that you want. Difficult conditions, you've got
(11:23):
to take control. There's probably still some questions about his
ability to command and direct a game that's tight, intense, right.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Absolutely, But I still think you learn a bit more
about him by putting him in that ten jersey against
a team like the Chiefs than by him coming off
the bench of last twenty minutes when the game might
be in the balance. So it's an interesting dynamic for
Rob Penny to consider James O'Connor.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
A bit of talk about him this season, isn't there,
you know, in terms of his goal kicking, his influence
off the bench with the Crusaders, the match winning penalty.
What about his future do you? I guess first and
foremost you expect them to be named in the Wallabies
squad for the Lions tour.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
If I'm Joe Schmid, I'm naming him I'm not saying
he's playing every Test match, but I think he can
add a real role in this setup. And we don't
know whether I know a lot of CEO's going to
play givenees now off to Japan. Tom Liner I thought
was really good on the weekend. Ben Donaldson's another player
knocking on the door for the Force. They do have
some options at ten, but to me, I think you
(12:33):
look at James O'Connor and the experience that he can
add in a Lion series and go, why wouldn't we
want this part of our setup? Why wouldn't we select
this bloke? And you know, he's a different player to
the one that was in the Wallabies, you know what,
fifteen years ago now and he's playing some smart rugby
and I think a few of the Wallabies. You take
(12:54):
all of that and put it into the mix with
you know, line series and what he's learned from the
Crusaders and put him in there.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Absolutely, I'd have him in that squad.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
Yeah, and it's not just you're not solely picking them
as a ten. You could have him on the bench
covering wing fallback and yeah, exactly. He's a guy that
will come on and make sound decisions. I think you've
got to draw a line through comparisons to his personality
(13:23):
and character earlier in his career.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
All men.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Go through changes, mature, grow up, and he did that
in the Spotlight, right, And there was a long time ago.
You're talking eight odd years. He's a completely different person now.
So I would one hundred percent have him in that squad.
And what you could do is put him out in
the Anzact team as well that they combines, not Inzact team,
(13:49):
that combine what is an Anzact team. Yeah, put him
out even you know, whether he's behind mye or starting
or whatever, whatever it may be, give a taste of
it and then bring him into the lines Tour squad.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
Yeah, I think he has to be. That's the way
that he's playing at the moment. Mawana Pacific a beating
the draw of thirty four fifteen. Mauana started really strongly,
sort of switched off for a period in the second spell.
Artie Savia was denied probably the try of the season
with his kick and chase, but Wana back to winning
ways after a couple of weeks off and back to
(14:23):
North Harbor Stadium, and they are a really tough team
to play at that grounds the drawer learned they are.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Isn't it great to see the turnout there for that
game when you think back to Moana playing at Mount
Smart with literally barely one hundred people, And this was
I think they called it the Carver Bowl bat or
something like that. I saw some vision of Arti being
handed some Carver post match. So very special and yeah,
(14:54):
great performance from Winer to get back to winning ways.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
What a chip and chase it was from Artie.
Speaker 5 (15:01):
I don't know if you take too much out of it,
because the dru have been very poor this year and
not a great traveling team. Again, we were inconsistent within
the match, but it was an important match for them
to win for their self confidence to get you know, yeah,
just restore a bit of belief in that team after
(15:22):
a tough couple of weeks when they knocked over the Crusaders.
So yeah, important and let's hope that they can just
stay at North Harbor.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Really yeah, I know that, you know, they had to
move a game from Toma to Pokakoi, but if you
want to build a home stadium, you need to play
there as much as possible. And I think the traveling
scenario of them has ended. You know, it was frustrating
for them. I'm sure they played in Hamilton home game
last year, they played elsewhere. Sure, let's take one game
(15:52):
a year to the Islands. But I think if you're
going to make North Harbor Stadium your home, then you
play there as much as possible.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
And it's become a wee bit of a fortress for them.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
And they're now what two points outside the top six
as it stands, Blues thirty five to twenty one users
to the Reds on the weekend. You know, they grinted
it out against the Crusaders and lost that one obviously,
but they are just hot and cold at the moment.
(16:23):
The Blues and Friday night they were particularly cold. I
thought that was really poor from them.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
This is a dire performance, Elliott. I know they had
in the first half. They got over the line four
or five times and when denied, and there was one
instance in particular where the TMO came in and it
went well back. This might have been in the second
half year host constitution knock on the TMO should not
be coming in and going that far back.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I thought we got rid of the team. Ot We'll
not got rid but I thought we got to the
point where it's two phases. Now they've extended out who
is making these decisions.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, it was ridiculous.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
You literally had five minutes of rugby yah to go
back for that unnecessary.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
But yeah, look, I think there needs to be lined.
It needs to be two faces. The only way I'd
have a TMO interference in the game is try no try.
You can still have the bunker, but it has to
be spotted on field by the on field referee and
there it's got too much power. It's got ridiculous, and
we're seeing in a rugby league now as well the
bunker's tracking things from two sets ago and sending players
(17:26):
off for ten minutes. We've allowed technology to take too
much control of the game and it needs to be
pulled right right back.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
I think there's a place for it for foul play
and for deciding tries at the time, but you have
to have a hard and faster all about how many
phases you can go back, because it just becomes fascical
to let teams play on to have all this other
action that's meaning meaningless.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Where the adsav try ruled out one of the tries
of the season. I'm not saying you should allow a
try just because it looks spectacular, but a knock on
you prior to that on the other side of the field.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, And there's just got to be some culpability with
the officials at the time. You know that Hoskins two
to knock on should have been picked up in real
time and it wasn't. Well, then that's picked up in
the referee review and I said, you should have spotted that.
You know, the human era is part of part of
teams individuals when it's at the try line. Sure have
(18:25):
let the TMO look at it there, but don't go
back five minutes or twenty phases.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
It just gets you.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
Bruing the contest in the pursuit of perfection, which you
were never going to get. Support needs to be at
the contest of entertainment product, not the legalities of knock ons.
Was to try perfect in the lead up? You know,
I just think we're searching for something that we're never
going to get in the sport, the Blues are searching
for something that they don't seem to be close to
be getting at the moment. And where do you think
(18:54):
is going wrong? In particular, I don't think they're getting
enough out of their forwards at the moment in terms
of set peace. I think they're lacking a bit in
terms of having a real enforcer or a ball carrier,
likes of a kid Yuanni, who copped a fair bit
of stick while he was here. But I think Angel's
Signa tries hard and I think you never get a
bad performance out of Anton's Signa. But you're missing something there.
(19:17):
Tolden Papaliti was missing on the weekend as well. Hoskinstitute
is finally a little bit of form, but it just
feels like they're not getting enough out of numbers six,
seven and eight at the moment.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Yeah, the Blues have got a lot to address because,
as you mentioned, the hot cold and could have easily
come away with much more in christ Church.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
The previous week they had.
Speaker 5 (19:36):
Another performance, another loss, close loss to the Chiefs and Hamilton.
So look, on their day they can very easily beat
the best teams in this competition, and that they're with
the roster that they have, they should be. But what
a fall from grace this has been. Because this is
a team that won the championship last year, have the
same coaching team arguably a better squad with Boden Barrett
(20:00):
coming back, and yet they've fallen off cliff.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
This performance was die that.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Yes, they got over the line four or five times
in that first half, couldn't convert, but the line out capitulated.
They lost four shambles, four throws and there's just no
real excuse for that. There was indecision under the high ball,
so many turnovers, ill discipline. Mark t Leah, what was
(20:28):
he thinking with that tackle? Sure, like by all means,
put a great hat on, but don't lift him. Well
he's gonna go for three weeks now you have to shift.
That could be the end of his Blues career. Yeah,
it probably won't, but yeah, that really cost the Blues,
I think, and fatigue as much as anything else. Down
to one man short for twenty minutes. Look, I think
(20:49):
the score line flattered them in the end to a degree.
They got a couple of late tries. I think the
red scored five tries to three. And this is a
Reds team that's down on troops. Yeah, they're coming off
the Buyer, so they're fresh, but they prior to that
they lost to the Brumbies and the Chiefs, so not
(21:09):
Reds team that's at their peak and form. So really
bad loss for the Blues in the context of this
season being on the line as well. So how much
are the heads really in this Well.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I don't seem to be there mentally. They seem to
be very fragile, which was last year though winning games
you know late on. I think it was a game
against the Warrators they came back and won quite late.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
There were other.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
Fixtures as well where they were sort of the mentality
monsters of the competition. They would win games late, the
wood games win maybe they shouldn't, and then they could
also steamroll you. And we've just seen none of that
from the Blues this year. And yes, while they've got
a softish run a home and that would have probably
included the Reds pride of the weekend, there's no guarantees that. Yeah,
you probably said the bet the Force next week, but
(21:53):
then they're over to the drawer and that games at night. Yes,
they probably favorites here, but tough place to play Mwana Pacifica.
They'll have their towels up at albany. I know they've
got Bell beat in a few weeks ago, but they
are going to have to probably run the table here.
I know they're only five points outside the playoffs, but
they're probably gonna have to win every game from here
on inwards to make a dend in this competition.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Yep, they do, and they're probably gonna they're gonna have
to do a bit more than they've done, I think,
because this limited game plan worked really well for them
last year and they've gone back to it and it
worked for them against Mouana and they got out of
jail against the Hurricanes, and they were worked in christ
(22:35):
Church where it was bucketing down with rain, so the
conditions suited that sort of up the guts, you know,
very rolling more one off carries very limited game plan,
but it was it's not gonna be enough, No it's not.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
And it was incredibly limited, I thought on the weekend
fim like Christie starting at half back, I think had
one run for no meters. Just ponderous at times, I thought.
And then when Sam Not comes on, you're tiring defenses
everything like that. But he makes a few snipes around
the edges, scores a try. I think he beat a
couple of defenders, ran for twenty five odd meters. He
(23:14):
added a spark. Tolfa Funaki did that last year. I
think they need to make a change at half back.
They should have Boden Barrett back starting this week after
illness last week, but they're not. I mean, I criticized
the loose Fortrair before, but again they need quick ball
and they're just not getting it either out to their
back line.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Yeah, I mean, you put Boden Barrett back in that team.
You bring back Dalton Papale and Caleb Clark from injury.
But you know, Harry Plumber won took the Blues to
a championship last year and all teams suffer injury, So yeah,
you can clutch for excuses, but the Blues should be
much better than that. That was one of the worst
performances of the year with their season on the line,
(23:55):
and yeah, it's just been that sort of season.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
It has been.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
The Chiefs continue to be top of the table, fifty
six to twenty two over the Force. Look, the Force
were fifteen all at one stage, but similar to the
Highlands previous week, once the Chiefs warm up very very
hard to stop, they went with six or two bench.
We saw Cecidi come on for ten minutes at the
end court is Rantom and moved to the wing. Antonine
(24:19):
Brown suffered a hand or alm injury, so that's a
worry for the Chiefs. But when they got into their
work they were hard to stop and the fourth squad
had a couple of nice tries, but ultimately they don't
have it what it takes to match it.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
With the Chiefs.
Speaker 5 (24:35):
No, they don't, And it's sort of going to script,
isn't it. It felt like, always felt like that would
be a blowout. First of all, great to see the
Chiefs take a game to Mount Monganui bay Oval. I
thought the whole set up around that in terms of
the temporary stands. It's not an easy thing to do
(24:55):
to make a rugby ground at a cricket oval, so
you traditionally a long way from the ground, and I
think I would like to see that more, whether that
be the Blues going to I don't know Northlands that
they do once a year, but the Hurricanes could go
to Napier more often. You know these big stadiums are empty.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Well, the Crusaders haven't played in Nelson for years, and
think about how big Tasman's been as part of their success.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
In recent massive yeah, the players.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Yeah yeah, maybe maybe they should deflect like the like Taranaki.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
We'll keep them, thank you very much. Hard to know,
read too much into that. Chiefs just too good, but
great to see washed the TV back out there ahead
of schedule. I heard a few whispers last week that
he was this is before the team was named, that
it was maybe three weeks away, and then all of
a sudden he gets named in the team. You know,
picks up the ball and runs with it essentially with
that ten minutes on the park and I'm sure it'll
probably come off the bench again against the Hurricanes this week.
(25:51):
But boy, you know, he's back and it's great to
see him out there.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
It is.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
He is an absolute weapon for his own rugby. He
was one of the best, if not the best players
in the world last year and still very much in
the infancy of his career. But his power, his pace
for a big man is footwork just exceptional.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Also, Ammonia Nadaua.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
Has hit some real form for the Chiefs and really
staking our claim I think for that All Blacks right
wing spot. Samasoni Takyaho and his one hundredth game for
the Chiefs I thought was impressive.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Olin Norris huge.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah, wasn't he a magnificent.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Off the bench? Was that after five ten minutes he
was everywhere. Quinta Pia was good as well. And Antonina
Brown's absence so yes, Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
I thought it was Josh j Adens performs at ten
as well.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
Yeah, and Damien mckinn's's absence easier to look good and
that match than I think his last start was in
Laotoka or in Fiji when it was driving rain and
the Chiefs lose that game.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
So yeah.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Good to see a very very promising young ten comeback
and stamp is authority there as well.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Certainly is let's sacer break. Here on Rugby Direct, powered
by our friends that habit, health, tackling or your aches
and pains from sport and work.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
This is Rugby Direct podcast for real rugby fans. Every
try drive.
Speaker 4 (27:14):
Had sixty six, every tackle tack tackles, get up again,
take him.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Before five times.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
It's Rugby Direct.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
Time now for our final four on Rugby Direct. Four
rugby topics Liam and myself to bake them. Topic number one,
will you draw a line under the blues or through
the blues?
Speaker 3 (27:35):
I should say.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
I'm going to preface this, so the Blues will make
the playoffs, okay, but they will not win the title.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
You reckon They'll sneak in.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
Yeah. Yeah, it is a very winnable run home.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
So I think they will make the playoffs, but they
don't have what it takes to win the title this year.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
If they played the Chief Sal Crusaders in the opening week,
could you see them winning that?
Speaker 5 (28:01):
Yeah, I wouldn't rule them out of that, but I
don't think they have the capacity to win back to
back big games, big five final schemes.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
I don't think they do either. I think I'll make
the plant. I'm similar to you. I think I'll make
the playoffs, but I can't see them winning this title.
I think the Tottle defense is done. They run their race.
Topic Number two is it time to re sign Rob
Henney at the Crusaders. Now, I know a bit of
reporting last week, so you said they put it back
to the end of the season, but boys some time
for Rock and Rob to be given a couple more years.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Rob the great.
Speaker 5 (28:32):
Yeah, Well, let's dive into this a bit because you
and I were highly critical of Rob last year and
we said that the Crusaders should have punted him. That's,
you know, a lot of what happened last year, and
there were in terms of what flowed out of that,
there was a lot of criticism about his selections and
(28:54):
his coaching, and I know things didn't go right, but
there were clearly a lot of issues that they have addressed.
So expand this question out. Did the Crusaders do the
right thing by not punting him?
Speaker 4 (29:07):
I think that did. Yeah, I think they did that.
They've clearly learned from their lessons and I think that's
ultimately all you could possibly ask is that they did
some things wrong last year. The coaching perhaps was not
what the team needed, and this year, whether it results
in a title, whether it results in an early playoffecks
(29:28):
or whatever might have been, seem to have learned that
lessons and they've gone back to what they know as
Crusades players have found a rhythm there. And I thought
it was an interesting point piece from Gregor Paul on
The Hero on the Weekend talking about the difference between
the Blues and this Crusaders team, and the Blues winning
that title but not knowing how to kick on with it.
The Crusaders obviously being very poor last year, but finding
(29:49):
a way back into it. And that's the difference between
a championship winning club and a dynasty winning club. And
I think they made the right decision in the end
to keep him. Credit to them, and he's probably earned
a renewal of some sort, whether it results in a
title this year. I think he's worthy of at least
another season at the Helm.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
Yeah, it's interesting America, isn't I think they've clearly learned
from their lessons. I think Brad Moore coming back has
brought quite a bit of coaching experience. You know, Bradmore
had a really tough time with the All Blacks. He
was punted from there, but he has been around, He
went to Scotland and I think he has helped their
(30:29):
attack coming back. Look, are we very surprised if the
Crusaders don't keep them for some length of time. I'm
still on the fence about whether he's a brilliant coach,
but look on the basis of what they've done this year,
I think you'd have to probably extend them for another year.
It gives you a bit of time and they need
(30:51):
a succession plane He's not They're not going to sign
them for another four years, but you could give him
another year and start working through what that looks like.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Beyond that, well, Tomody Alison was the succession plan that
seems like a feely open secret and never quite came
to pass. Because now he's permanent member of the All Blacks.
There are coaches out there. Maybe you can tempt someone
to come home again. It wasn't that long ago that
you know, you're talking about maybe Leo maczagle back to
the Crusaders or you know, someone like that and so
worthy of an extension, but maybe not a long term one.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Yeah, and it is hard to sit here now and
say who would take over from him. You've got guys
like Ross Philippo and the Wings. Maybe Brad Moore has
designs on that. Joe Schmitt's going to be potentially out
of a gig but maybe still involved with the Wallabies.
We've led less Kiss expected to be announced as their
head coach of this week, so there's no really made
(31:49):
guy to just slot in there. And the way they
performed this year, he deserves an extension. And yeah, I'm
sure you run outside of christ which will be hoping
that twenty twenty four revives itself.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Nope, well maybe outside of you know, the promised lamb.
Sure and to bot number three women wicklif back for
the Black Ferns backflipping. I suppose on her retirement, is
she capable of leading them to the World Cup title
single handedly?
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Not single handedly?
Speaker 5 (32:19):
No, no, but it is a Phillip massive coup to
get her back. She's an inspirational figure on and off
the fields, but no, she can't do it alone. And
one of the big things with this World Cup will
be obviously the forward play of England.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
So they've gone on it.
Speaker 5 (32:39):
They are on another massive unbeaten run and the kicking
game in particular. And it is interesting when you think
back to the way the Black Ferns won their title
last time. It was really attack, it's all costs at
gay Eband and it was just offloads pace. You know,
that was Wayne Smith's blueprints. So can do the Black
(33:03):
Ferns have the ability to find because they're not going
to have that same blueprint with one and Smith not involved,
and they.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Do.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
They have the ability to play England, not at their
own game, but to find that balance between getting enough
Ford parody, stopping England's more and then having the ability
to kick and then bring in your attack.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
That is the question.
Speaker 4 (33:28):
Look, I wasn't all that impressed from what I saw
from England during the Women's six Nations. They beat France
by a point on the weekend to win the crown.
John Mitchell making a few changes to basically try and
build some depth as well, So hard to read too
much into it from a World Cup perspective. There was
a bit of chopping and changing, but I wasn't really
overly impressed by England during that campaign. Having said that
(33:49):
they go on as the heavy gust to favorites, but
Portia Willi and Wickliff her ultimate power with ball in hand,
the lines that she runs. You add in Georgia Miller
to that forward pack. You added you know, Sacy Waker,
Racy Poldy Lane, You add in some of these new
players that are impressed and all picky, like Brax and
Sorrens and McGee Tolp for basin. It changes the complexion
(34:09):
of what was a fairly pedestrian black Ferns seen last year.
I mean, it shouldn't necessarily take these players coming in
to do that, but you can elevate it there and
I think they can make a difference. You're right, pusha
wooden will Cliff isn't going to do it alone. But
if you were able to pick one player to make
a difference, it would be her.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Oh shit, yeah, and she's a phenomenal athlete. Yeah, she's
at the back end of her career, but she is
a Lomu esque type player in terms of her individual
ability to run through or around or get a turnover
to lift her teammates. And yeah, I really do hope
(34:48):
the Black Ferns still retain the essence of what they
had for three years ago in terms of their basic
skill sets because I still think that that is superior
to what other nations have to offer, the ability to
offload and keep the ball alive. But yeah, they will
need to strike that balance.
Speaker 4 (35:08):
Topic done before Chiefs Crusaders final. Are you prepared to
say and lock that in or can you say there's
the cane train.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Main trains coming out of.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Fifth mate, they're fifteen points off of the top two.
Sure they can't make an impact in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Look, no, I am going to lock that in.
Speaker 4 (35:27):
I thought the Brumbies before the weekend, if they've beating
the Hurricanes, they're knocking right on the door of that
top three. They have the Crusaders at home still to come.
But the Brumbies were Look, they played the part on
the weekend, but losing that game just you know, it
opens the door to those other teams and probably makes
me less confident that the Brumbies can play a role
in stopping one of those two teams in their march
(35:49):
to the final.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
Yeah. I can't see the Brumbies doing that.
Speaker 5 (35:52):
The Chiefs and Crusaders do look by far and away
the two best teams in the comp. I do think
on their day the Blues and the Hurricanes in a
one off finals match have the potential to upset their
apple carts. But at this point I would say and
Crusaders final.
Speaker 4 (36:09):
The Reads potentially as well, but I if they're at home.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
Yes, A weighed not so much against the New Zealand side.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Yeah, I still think on the balance of power.
Speaker 5 (36:20):
For all that we've seen this year in terms of
the Kiwi teams prior to the Hurricanes win, struggling not
getting a win in Australia, what was that? This was
it the sixth attempt, so we had five four losses
I think it was, and one draw from New Zealand
teams in Australia, so it has been a graveyard this
(36:42):
season prior to the Hurricanes. So yeah, you don't want
to be going to Australia, particularly because then you've got
to come home the following week if you wine. But
on the balance of power, I think the Australian teams
are a couple of rings are rung down, so Chiefs
and Crusaders for me. But yeah, don't discount the Cane
train or all the Blues in a one off finals match.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Right tipping time, we both had four correct tips of
five on the weekend. Difference was I picked the Reds,
you picked the Blues. I picked the Brumbies, you picked
the Canes. So other than that we were on the
same But I still lead by six points and that's
great news. Blues force Friday night footy at Eden Park,
May the force be with you.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
May the force be with those trying to get punters.
So to be diabolic on Friday could be challenging. Moana
It's Mount Smash. Yeah, look the Blues won that, but
there will be very few people where to witness.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
I don't think it's gonna be one of those ones
that you tell your grandkids about that. You're in the
stands for Drew It against the Reds two way five
Saturday afternoon Drew at home.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
Interesting one, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Yes? Is it Lowa Tokyo.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
Pass?
Speaker 2 (37:53):
I guess I think the Reds win the.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
HTFC Bank Stadium. That's some super reads.
Speaker 4 (38:00):
Uh Drew hurricanes cheaps the time for the cane train
back on supposedly on the tracks.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Does it get derailed this week at skyt Stadium.
Speaker 5 (38:10):
Too, Elliott, That's all you need to get on the case.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
I'm going to the Chiefs Brumbi's Wartas interesting game for
the both of these teams. The Wartars now on the
outside looking in of the top six. They need to win,
but they're heading to Canberra.
Speaker 5 (38:25):
I'm going to go with the Brumbies. I think being
humbled at home will hurt and they'll bounce back.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:30):
I think the Brumbies as well. Highland is Mowana pacifica.
This one under the roof in Dunedin on a Sunday
afternoon at three thirty five.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
It's great see Sunday afternoon foot, isn't it is? This
is a really relime game. You know what I'm going minor.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
I'm going to get the Highlanders at home to bounce back,
but not with a lot of confidence. Rugby Derek Meddal
voting time three two ones. Aardie Saviller out on top
with thirteen, Boden Barrett twelve and a three way tie
for third to more Dove, Niway, Patrick Palegrini in quinte
pie limb you three two ones.
Speaker 5 (39:09):
Yes, Elliott, Well with the cane train back, there will
be no shock to you that Billy Proctor takes my
three exceptional performance from a future all Black center Kenning
a holo of two his best performance for the best
performance here bumping, thumping.
Speaker 3 (39:25):
Hear to go the queen sweep here Hurrican.
Speaker 5 (39:27):
I was very tempted to put Cam Morrigan in there,
but look props to the prop Olin Norris, absolute weapon
off the bench for the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
So he gets my one right.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Some ballots required to this conversation will Jordan's three points.
Billy propped at two points. He was very good as
we're discussed, and one to look Jacobson, who I thought
played exceptionally well. He seems to be developing a bit
more of his carrying game as well. We've seen that
on the weekend. I yeah, really liking the way that
he's playing and leading this Chiefs team as well. So
(40:00):
he gets my one point this week.
Speaker 5 (40:02):
Yeah, your Crusader's hookers. Both of them were very good too.
Cody Taylor was exceptional.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
Quick question then before we wrap up, three All Black
sookers in the All Black squad?
Speaker 3 (40:11):
Who are they?
Speaker 2 (40:13):
Well, mine's a wee bit boring.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
I'm going Taylor, SAMASONI, Takyajo, and us for Armore, even
though our Moore has been really off his game this
year and struggle with injuries and hasn't played a lot.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
But those are my three still.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
Taylor, Takyaho, Why not two the Bolt the boulta twenty
one year old by I think I really liked what
Armor did for the All Blacks this year, but he
hasn't got the form at the moment for the Hurricanes.
He may find that over the closing stages once his
team gets a bit more confidence. If this Cane train
is rolling as you seem to think it will be,
(40:48):
but as it stands, I think that's those are the
three that I go with. I think Takio is coming
back into it after a long time out of the game,
finding his Form now played his one hundredth on the
weekend and so I'd give him the not over um more.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
Yeah, I mean on Form, that's a fair call.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Who has been exceptional for the Crusaders this year and
had a lot more game time than what he would
have expected to and taken that and run with it.
He is another in that mold of a dynamic, destructive
ball carrier and I think more he did step up
in a big way for the All Black Slash year.
(41:28):
But there probably are still concerns around his line out
throwing under pressure. But I would be surprised if they
went away from those three.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
Indeed. Well that wraps it up for Rugby Direct for
another week, Limb, you're away.
Speaker 5 (41:40):
Next week I am going to check on the rival
code a little bit of five tackle kick in Brisbane.
So yes, I'll be soaking up the what they call
it the brown Snake in Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
That's the river, oh right.
Speaker 5 (41:56):
Somewhere else floating up there to sun Corp four x
something like that.
Speaker 4 (42:01):
Yeah, all right, Well we'll catch you in a couple
of weeks on Rugby Director, Liam And thanks to Lars
and Bars English for time that's sort together. Thanks as
well to habit heath, tackling all your aches and pains from.
Speaker 3 (42:11):
Support and work.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts 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.