June 2, 2025 • 41 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the last round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season and assess the top 6 sides left standing.
We review Moana Pasifika's breakout season and look over to Japan as Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell taste further success over there.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
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Straight down the Middle of Drum Dickney Scuy Try get
inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
(00:33):
Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome, It's Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Health tankling all
your aches and paynes from sports and work.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
We have our finalists in Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Elliott Smith Liam Napier Back for another week, but really
the biggest story of the weekend the comeback. Liam Napier
returns to the rugby fields emotional time. I'm sure Liam,
how did it go? Would you come through the game?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Who was it?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Four?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Again?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The Pontsib Hustlers the great championship winning teams team. Yeah,
the range of emotions, the body is feeling all thirty
seven and a half years today. What do we do
three days on the post match probably has something to
do with that. Yeah. I had to leave it three
quarter time and go to cover the Blues. So it
(01:21):
was a real throwback to the days of playing footy
and then covering foody. But no great reunion A lot
of good times on and off the fields and reminded
me why I'm retired.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
So this is that you're done this, You're you're not
planning any further comebacks.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I'm open to calls from the Parliamentary match and the
Barbarians and you know, maybe the classics.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Well.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Also the log aweighted Media versus in ZR match, which
has been in the offing for a few years hasn't
quite happened.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
It's a lot of chats still waiting for that envelope
in the post.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Indeed, well, let's get into the weekend that was the
final round of Super Rugby's around Robin was going back
to Saturday night the Hurricanes and Mwana PACIFICAP and I
guess but going into this game there was a feeling
that maybe Mlwana had run their race, given the way
they were beaten the previous week against the Chiefs. Obviously
(02:17):
they knew that the Blues had beaten the Waratas and
they would need a bonus point when that was always
going to be tough in Wellington regardless. But unfortunately for
Mljuana it felt like they just ran out of steam
at the wrong end of the season. That big win
over the Blue is what two or three weeks ago
now felt like a final for them, and unfortunately, with
(02:37):
their playoff hopes on the line, they've failed to deliver,
which I'm sure sounds harsh, but that's the reality of it.
They just didn't quite get there in the end with
those two big games at the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I think it was always going to be massively tough,
wasn't it the run home the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes,
And it does seem like their final was against the Blues,
and look in the context of where they were and
where they've come from, that was a massive result. They
were beaten very comfortably by the Blues earlier in the year.
To get that result in Albany was huge for them,
(03:11):
and you have to think that result against the Chiefs
left some real psychological scars and they couldn't get back
up from that. But look to see twenty thousand in
the Capitol for that match as a testament to how
far Moana have come and their appeal, their value to
(03:31):
this competition. Ardie Severe's homecoming in Wellington. I think the
Canes average crowd this year something like ten thousand, so
they've doubled the Hurricanes' home crowd by going to Wellington,
so complete blowout on the field. They scored first and
then were never in that match and clearly run out
of steam, which will be just disappointing because consistency is
(03:54):
their major work on, isn't it. They've been good with
the matches. I've had some great results, but yeah, are
very deflating into the year from a performance perspective.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, we'll dig into that again in the final four.
The Hurricanes, though the train continued to roll on sixty
four points at home. A bit of a tune up
before the playoffs, obviously just getting some of their combinations
back out on the field. Brick Cameron goes into ten.
I wasn't quite sure that was the right move, but
I thought he played well. Ruben Love at fullback and
(04:25):
I think, you know, the Omega Jents and properly combination
also working well. The four packs rolling on. So in
terms of the Hurricanes, you probably couldn't have asked too
much more. In terms of a final round performance.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Yeah, they get in some some players back. Brick Cameron's
big Devin Flanders was impressive coming back. It's hard to
know how much to take out of that game, and
it is going to be very very different going to Canberra.
Arctic cold in the in the middle of winter. The
style of game that you're going to confront in Canberra
(04:57):
is kick heavy more you know, one off the ruck
type scenario, so Poles apart to what we saw in Wellington.
But the Hurricanes have built I would argue, more momentum
than any other team coming into the finals. Since that
draw in Perth, they've knocked over the Chiefs and been
really impressive, built a lot of momentum in their attack
(05:20):
in particular, and they've lost some figures as well, with
Riley Higgins who was a big influence coming back moving
out and then Peter humunger Jensen with his best performance
since he was an All Black at the weekend. So look,
get on board the cane train.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Okay, it's enough for that. Blues beating the Wartars forty
six to six. They went into this game knowing but
they had to put the best foot forward they possibly could,
whether it was a win or a bonus point win,
whatever they could to basically try and cancel O what
one I might have done later that evening and then
it didn't matter. But the Blues went out and steamrolled
the Waratars, who were I thought shocking at times. This
(06:00):
is a team that had a lot of promise this year,
had their playoffs hopes on the line, and basically came
to Eden Park and were turnstiles in the end. And look,
they were there for twenty minutes, maybe in the first spell,
but this was probably up there with the Blues best
performances of the season. I know they ran the Chiefs
close and Hamilton, the Crusaders and christ Church, but in
(06:20):
terms of comprehensive victories, hard to go past that one.
In terms of just shutting the war Tars out completely,
not allowing their triline to be breached, a sign of
where the Blues maybe could go in the playoffs. We
haven't seen a lot of it this year. But they
were more expansive, I thought, on Saturday evening than we've
seen this season yet, Talia grabbing a couple of tries,
(06:40):
Rico Yuwani playing a bit more open than what we've
seen this year. So look, the Blues have a tough
task ahead of them given where they're at, but the
title defense remains alive for at least one more week.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I ran into Paul Tito.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Straight after that game, came out of the media box
and the coaching boxes right next door, and he was
standing outside and he was stunned with how bad the
war Tars were. She said to me, like, wow, they
had everything to play for and they were that bad.
So I think the Blues, certainly the coaching team will
be keeping that result in context. But yeah, certainly I
(07:15):
agree in terms of everything ran the Blues way, but
they did. The core of their game was there. They
dominated the set piece. They scored one try through Rick
Telly with the mall, but they were They did chase
a width a lot more. Boden Barrett, I think, you know,
his goalkicking was off and he sent one out on
the fall, but he set up two triers through the
(07:35):
boot and they were far more expensive. So maybe the
Blues have found a wee bit more balance to their game.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Let's find out.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Interesting to see, but they will take a lot of
confidence from that. There was a knockout match. We were
their postmatch and we heard about how they harnessed the
emotion of guys like Harry Plummer, Mark Talia, Rick Telly,
Adrian Choate. All moving on at the end of this year,
had they lost that game, that there's a finality to that.
(08:06):
So the Blues have had a a terrible year by
their standards, very underwhelming, but they will be hopeful that
they've found form at the right time. What do you
make of I guess the swagger of guys like Riccowani
is saying postmatch in a reference to American sports NBA
(08:28):
and the MLB, you shouldn't let us get one.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I mean, it is a very American mindset, and I
guess Rico has always tended to use the American style
of trash talk and motivation. Whatever works, I guess for
a player. I guess it's probably not the traditional Newseon style.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but whatever
works for a player. If that's the kind of performance
at Rico Yuwani is going to deliver on the back
of that sort of motivation, great, if you could back
(08:56):
it up this weekend, even better. Because this hasn't been
probably Rico Yuani's been super rugby season. There has been
questions as to whether he's going to be the starting
center for the All Blacks. So if he can find
something that motivates him, you'd think just the nature of
super rugby and wanting to defend the title might be enough,
but hey, if he's going to find another element to
help him press those buttons and get his best performance
(09:17):
out of the park, I think good on him. And
we've seen that with the Johnny Sixton thing previously. That's
clearly what he feeds off. He clearly reacts well to
it and delivers his best performances on that side of it.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Yeah, I love it. Personally, Rico is not everyone's cup
of tea. But to project that confidence, to stoke the narratives,
to create interest, to put his personality out there like
that rugby needs it.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yeah, and he backs it up as well. When he
puts it out there. You know, you think of various
things he did last year leading up to that Irish Test.
You know, he didn't do a lot of media, but
he spoke to me that week leading up to it
and didn't want to fan the flames necessarily. But when
he got the result, you know, he lead the hucker
that night in Dublin. He got the result, and you
(10:02):
know he can to the win. He goes the sports,
he can continue building that narrative, I suppose.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
Well, from a punter's fan point of view.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Would you rather somebody you know, generating that and just
putting themselves out there, or somebody just chucking Yeah, the cliches,
you know, like sports about sports entertainment, So more of
it the better for me.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Entertaining game Friday Night Crusaders thirty three, Brumbies thirty one,
A game that really had it all, almost a game
with two halves to a certain extent. Crusader's up twenty
five to fourteen at halftime and then fell apart a
little bit in the second spell.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I thought that was noticeable.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
When Ethan Blackadder went off, he had a good forty minutes,
was getting some go forward for the Crusaders. He went off,
they weren't quite as good, They weren't quite as polished.
The Brumbies also began to find some rhythm in the
second spell. Rob Valatini I thought was excellent for them.
But the Crusaders really did lose their way in the
second spell, and we're perhaps lucky to win it. George
(11:02):
Bell gets the winning tricrit to him because that all
was going nowhere stopped went to the I mean there's
been a controversy as well, with the sevaries. Possible knock
on definitely.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Let's see.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
I've seen some angles, but maybe it doesn't look like
he's knocked it on.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Those red tins and glasses.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, you know, camera angles can be funny things. The
Crusaders get out of jail almost but I think a
good win for them heading into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Look, Camera is an incredibly tough place to go at
the best time of year and when there's everything on
the line like that, this was a very good win
for the Crusaders. It wasn't complete, it wasn't perfect, but
you absolutely take those and run from Canberra one. You
mentioned the George Bell try, but there was a brilliant
tackle from Scott Barrett which you could equally say won
(11:55):
them that match.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
And you know, we've I've certainly been.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Critical of Scott's Barrett's performances this year and a lot
of talk abouts whether he should retain the ALLA captaincy
with Ardie Severe that was a moment which some people
may overlook, but that was very, very pivotal.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Well, that talk about Artie being the All Blacks captain
certainly died down and over the last couple of weeks
he's not solely responsible for his team conceding one hundred
nearly one hundred and fifty points in two weeks and
only scoring nineteen. But the leadership required in those sort
of games to not blow out, you know, I think
you know, there's some questions that probably were being left
(12:33):
on the table of the last couple of weeks round that.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Yeah, he's starting to stand up at the right time
of year.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Scott Barrett's and there were others for the Crusaders as
well to Mighty Williams played I think seventy odd minutes.
You mentioned Ethan Blackheader some big. He was a big
presence at the breakdown. Christian Leo, who's been huge for
the Crusaders, did so again and notably it sounds like
the reinforcements are really on the way. Potentially Will Jordan,
(13:00):
David Hevilli and Fletcher newl So some massive ins coming
back at the right time of year.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
If Will Jordan's not there, they don't win the Super
RAGBYI i'most say they will win Super Rakby title, but
if Jordan's not fit, they will not win the Super
Brakedy title.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I agree he has such an impact on their attack
and I think David Heavili will be such a calming
figure for that back line as well. But yeah, the
Crusaders can't get Will Jordan back soon enough. And you
suspect there is probably a little bit of conflict in
the background there with the All Blacks as well a
few of the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
You're thinking, look, just.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Just take it easy to give him all the time
he needs, we need him, you know later in the
year where Rob Penny's like, I need him back. Well.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Scott Robertson of course had Sam white Lockett his disposal
in twenty twenty three, played the final, played eighteen minutes
and then I don't think compared for the All Blacks
until for a month for a month or soo. So
you know, Scott Robinson knows what that's all about. And
maybe a bit of payback potentially of sorts coming there.
And the first game off the round Chiefs Highland is
forty one twenty four. Chicks are very very good. That's
(14:00):
an early momentum that was sort of stopped a little
bit by the Quinti Pyre injury stoppage.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Fortunately he looks like he's okay.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
I had a fearly routine win for the Chiefs to
make sure they got top spot.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Yeah, it was this. The Honders have come good. They
had come good at the back end of this year,
two very close losses, but this was a wee bit
of a step back. They blew a number of chances
they were in that game and created enough, but I
think a lingering sense of frustration. I heard Ethan Degrout
(14:35):
talking postmatch with Sky Sport about his reflections on the
year and a lot of frustrations, but also a lot
of faith in what the Honders have built. And we
did see last week Tavatavanawa, Jacob Ritamvuoki Nipkins, Ethan de
Groot And there's one other big tongue in tel big, big,
(14:56):
big re signings in the context of the Honders.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
So interesting to see where they go.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
But those are key planks for them to lock in
for a team that struggles on the recruit front.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yeah, there's a few whispers doing the rounds that they
are looking at younger players and I think Jamie just
might have actually said this publicly, but the New Zealand
under twenty players could be some targets there that have
got their positions. You know, they're behind a few at
their home Super Rugby franchise or province. They could look
to those players and really that's what the first tenure
of Jamie Joseph was built on. Some players that were
(15:31):
wanted elsewhere or had their paths blocked elsewhere. Some battlers
that they threw into the mix as well for want
of a better term, and all that came into a
melting pot and worked and delivered them a Super Rugby
title in twenty fifteen. And it feels like Jamie Joseph
is trying to run that back as best as he
possibly can.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Yeah, and they have gone that way in recent years,
haven't they even prior to Joseph investing in youth the
likes of Cam Miller and Sean Withee and a number
of holand Fabian holland big time who should be an
All Black that this year fully fledged, they're not losing
too many. I think Sam Gilbert's off to I would
(16:10):
argue not a massive loss. He came off the bench
at the weekend. So the core of that team will
remain and if they can bring through a few more
than those younger guys, hopefully they can kick on next year.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Absolutely, So we have our Pluffs Set Chiefs play the Blues,
Crusaders play the Reds Brumby's Hurricanes this weekend. I mean
those six teams. Most people would have had a mix
of those six teams. Maybe you will take one two teams.
At the start of the season. I'm trying to think
I picked Blues wartized to be the Super Rugby Final.
(16:44):
I think you might have gone Blues Chiefs of memory
serves a bit earlier on in the season. But those
are the six teams we have. There's the playoff format,
which has already been derided before we've even seen it
in action. Not my favorite format, to be honest. Because
I tell me to Brumby's Hurricanes on Saturday night, both
those teams will know, they could know that they've got
(17:07):
a second chance next week, regardless of what happens. It's
whether they go to Hamilton or where they go to
christ that's if the other two games go to form,
which they may not. But I'm not sold on this
format as it is, but we'll see how it plays
out this weekend.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Well, let's just touch on that lucky highest lucky loser,
the highest ranked losing team, because I didn't know the
quirk that you inform me on Saturday night after the
Blues game that say the Chiefs, the Blues go to
Hamilton and upset the Chiefs, then as you relyvant for me,
that the Chiefs would then still host a home semi.
(17:43):
So the Chiefs, if they lose this weekend, drop one
seating place to second. What's your view on that, Well,
I think I should drop the board with the pile.
That's your second life. But you've got to do it hardway.
Now you've got to be.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Away from home. You're still in the pass, but you've
got to do away from home. So I would slide
whoever it is, whether it's the Chiefs or Crusaders, everyone
goes up. Everyone goes up, and the losing team slide
to the bottom and yep, you're still in there. But hey,
you're going to have to go to christ Church, Canberra,
well whatever it might be, and win the playoffs that way,
so I can understand why they've got a second life.
(18:18):
Not my favorite format necessarily. I think the reward for
the Crusaders and Chiefs would have been to have a
week off and get some bodies ready for a semi
final the following week and have the Rumbies played the
Blues and the Hurricanes play the Reds. But this was
very much done as a TV thing, and we'd almost
got away from that from a Super Rugby perspective, the
eight team format had gone for the quarter finals, but
(18:40):
that still lingers just a little bit that they're putting
broadcast preference above competition integrity.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
I agree that a second life is a massive advantage
and I think that's enough reward for finishing top. So
I would also like to see if the Chiefs lose
for them to go to the bottom of the pack.
Apparently it's also somewhat done so you can't get a
repeat this week of any of the match ups this weekend,
(19:10):
so that's another quirk. But all in all, I think
a second life is just such an advantage, isn't it.
So the Chiefs going to this weekend, it's not sudden
death for them, No, it's not. And they're the only
team that can have that mentality. So whether that's a
psychological advantage for the Blues maybe, who knows, but that
(19:31):
it is a massive reward for finishing first.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
And it's a weird scheduling quirk that the Brumbies and
Hurricanes game is last. Now, as I said that those
two games go to the form book, the first two
they will know that basically the winner goes somewhere, the
loser goes somewhere else. They're both still in the playoffs.
I think there was a bit of hope from the
Brumbies that they would have that game move forward. For
other reasons. I think there's an AFL game in Canberra
(19:55):
on Saturday night. They wanted to play it Saturday afternoons,
so maybe four o'clock, five o'clock local time potentially, But
for TV reasons, once again, it is going to be
the late game, and that has its own quirk in
terms of how teams are rock shit, you know theory,
if you've got a player that's fifty fifty, you're not
going to risk them. No, you might pull them out
of the line out, you know, an hour before kickoff.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
Yeah, and interesting to see what sort of turnout the
Bumbies get for that game, because I looked in the
stands on Saturday night and it was Friday night pretty barren.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Yeah, the battling I think in Canberra, and.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I understand it's freezing cold and all the rest of it.
But this is your team, you know, fighting for you know,
second place. So and this weekend is a quarterfinal. If
you're not going to turn out then then when are you?
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Well, yeah, that's right, the thriller and the chiller in
Canbra it was on the weekend, absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
That will do us the first half of Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Come back with some Final four topics after this.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Try that's sixty secondary tackle tackles.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Get up again, well afore time it's Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Lad You're back with Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health,
tackling all your aches and pains from sports and timeline
for the final four Mowana Pacificer Mister the Super Rugby Playoffs. Now,
it's obviously been an improved season, but lim I want
you to grade their season from eight to if and.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Where do they head to for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
I'm usually a very hard marker elliot.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
With none then the history of Rugby directs.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
But I am going to give them a bee because
I think you have to contextualize where they've come from.
They beat four or the five New Zealand teams and
if you said that to me at the start of
the year, I would have laughed in your face, to
be honest. Massive recruitment of Artie Severe which was hugely
inspirational for them, and I just think in the context
of them previously not having a home, attracting one hundred fans,
(22:02):
their future being questioned at every turn, both financially and
from a performance perspective of I think they really built
a culture, a platform to a launch pad, and the
end of the year can sour that and shape it
to a degree. But in terms of their well external
(22:23):
expectations at the start of this year, I think they
improved significantly and I never expected them to be in
the playoff picture and be fighting for that, so I
was largely impressed. And yeah, there's still a lot of
work to do, but if you look at their roster
as well, that easily the weakest of the They are
a six pseudo New Zealand franchise. They're based in New
(22:45):
Zealand's they pick a lot of their talent from NPC
cast offfs and the like. There's a lot of work
they can do in terms of their recruitment from the
Islands and bridging that gap, and you know, retaining top
talent Toarmoy Flal going to the Chiefs is a big blow.
Artist Severe is not going to be there next year.
He's got a sabbatical, but he will come back, So
(23:07):
big challenge now for them to leverage that and build
on it because next year they will have an element
of expectation.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
They will and they won't have Artie Savere as our understanding.
But if i'm more Wana Pacifica, I'm desperately trying to
get that deferred to twenty twenty eight or somewhere around
the I know he's only contracted till twenty twenty seven
with New Zealand Rugby and Mowana Pacifica, but if there's
some way you can get him to defer it to
twenty twenty eight, because I'm sure the All Blacks and
(23:34):
New Zealand Raby want a part of that line series
in twenty nine. Maybe is a Swan song in New Zealand.
But if you can get that deferred somehow, some way
and continue to build the blocks that you've got on
success this year of more Wana Pacifica, then I think
that's a must. Because without Ardi, that team drops back,
just regardless because he is such a player, of quality,
of inspiration of his leadership, So I think if there's
(23:57):
anyway around it, and there probably isn't, but I'm working
the phones. I'm trying to give them the phone to
Kobe or wherever he's going next year as agent and
seeing if you can sort of massage things a little
bit and try and keep him there. I give them
a minus for the season. I think you're right. No
one had any expectations on them this year. We probably
all thought that Adi Savuare was going to make this
team best as somehow we didn't think it would result
(24:19):
in wins over the Blues, over the Crusaders, of the Highlanders,
over the Hurricanes once again. So to be there on
the final day of the regular season and with a
chance of making the playoffs, I think is a good
outcome for Mowana. But those two defeats, you know, almost
conceding one hundred and fifty over the last couple of weeks,
will stick in the crawl, and you hope it sticks
in the craw because, as you alluded to earlier in
(24:40):
the podcast, it's about consistency now Fromana Pacific here and
finding ways where they can't just get up for big games,
but they get up for every game. And they lost
to the forth earlier in the season, the game they
probably should have won, they lost away to the Reds,
a game that they probably would have lost either way.
But they it took a while to get going, and
but once they did, you know, they were sort of
(25:00):
away and you hope that the building blocks are there
for them.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
In twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Shannon Frazelle and Richie Wanger in another title for Toshiba,
Brave Loopus against the Koboda Spears. Watched a bit of
this on Sunday afternoon on Rugby Pass TV, and Richie
Wong had played with a broken hand of sorts. He
was in the cryo chamber. According to our friend Rugby
gp jp on on Twitter, had to go everything through
(25:28):
everything but title success, as follows Richie wonger around, doesn't it?
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Sure does? Man? What can't the man do?
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Back to back titles in Japan and seems to be,
you know, loving life over there. He's got one more
year and of what banking close to two million bucks.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
It's not bad, does it?
Speaker 3 (25:45):
It's not bad at all?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
And you know, obviously we have reported and heard previously
that the NZR tried to get him out of that deal.
After this point he'll be back for another year though
with Tashiba. The expectation is but not confirmed that maybe
he'll return to New Zealand at some point in twenty
twenty six cheif result, it's gone a bit quiet on
that front around there now he's off contract with she
(26:08):
been quite a big part of their success. Al those
friend of mine sent me some statistics and I think
yellow cards have been a fairly regular thing for mister Frazell.
But having sealed that he's the kind of player that
New Zealand rugby could use that blindside flanker spot still
up in the air. Any whispers around as to when
we might see him back in New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
Yeah, I think it sounds like Frazel will recommit for
one more year and then highly likely that Richie and
Shen Frazel will come home and contest places in the
World Cup squad. So are we looking at July twenty
twenty six six They will both highly likely return home
(26:50):
have an eighteen month lead into the World Cup and
you know what a boost that would be for the
All Blacks and they're super rugby teams that they align with.
Who knows whether Richie goes to the Crusaders or perhaps Moana.
Frazelle always played for the Landers, so I'm sure they'd
be desperate to get him back. And as you mentioned
(27:12):
there that that blindside role. S Titi clearly stepped in
for the All Blacks last year, but all expectations are
that he.
Speaker 5 (27:19):
Will move to the back of the scrum.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
He will go to seven and then the perennial question
of who is the All Black blindside remains. We've seen
Ethan Blackadder, look Jacobson, who else? There's been plenty of
candidates there, haven't there? Yes, now is the other one
who's just started to come into the starting fold for
(27:43):
the Chiefs. Whether he retains that position for the playoffs,
we'll see. But nobody other than sa Titi has grabbed
that Jerome Kindo mantle since Frazell left. In his last
two years with the All Blacks, he was exceptional. Jason
Ryan made his frustrations clear at the World Cup when
he said more should have been done from a contracting
perspective to keep Shinn and Frazel, that he shouldn't have
(28:05):
been allowed to leave to go to Japan, so I
think the All Blacks would be desperate to get him
back and it would significantly bolster their ranks on the
back of guys like Leicester, Fining and Nuku coming back
into the mix for the Rugby Championship this year.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Yeah, it's right that one's sort of got under the
raider a little bit. He's been very very good for Toulon.
Now no one down here watches Top fourteen, so you
wouldn't know, but very very good for Toulon, and he
will be back in for the Rugby Championship presumably once
he's played a couple of games for I think he's
still Lumba Tasman in the NPC in pre season back
(28:39):
in the mixt you would think for the Rugby Championship.
This is an interally one for the weekend topic number
three on the final four penalty shootout to the side
Munster against the Sharks in the UC.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Now.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I track this down and watched a bit of it
over the weekend. I don't particularly like it. It is
in the Super Rugby rule, so if one of the
games is tied this weekend after extra time, that's what
it's going to.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Not a great way to decide a rugby game. Are
you said on this? We don't see it too often.
Thank god.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
It's not great, But I don't think anything is when
you get to that point, you know, what are you
going to do?
Speaker 5 (29:18):
Have a boundary count back?
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Yeah, don't bring that up.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
You can go back to. One of the common ones
in club rugby is actually who scored the first try
in the match, which I think is pretty irrelevant as well.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
I try to get anut one hundred or whatever.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
It's yeah, exactly, so much has happened since then. I
don't mind it.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
I think it brings an element of drama. I don't
know if it's necessarily fair, but when you've played one
hundred odd minutes, it does create, particularly for casual fans,
a lot of intrigue. I would actually quite like to
see a drop kick because I think it's the hardest
skill to execute. But that's just my own personal quirk,
(30:01):
so I don't love it, but I don't know if
there's a better method out there either.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
What I would like to do, and this is reliant
on points scored in extra time? Is it the team
that scores the first try or points in the in
the extra time period, which isn't goal on a point
wins efforts drawn at the ends of the one hundred minutes,
so the game continues, but it's on the opposition team
to try and score and get back in front. So
(30:26):
that's what I would possibly look to do. So again
contingent on points being scored in the extra time period.
We're talking, you know game this might happen once every
three four years in professional AGUAI doesn't happen too often,
and both teams are out on their feet by the end.
We saw Jaden Hendrix, so get a bit of cramp
and give the old wink to the monster supporters that
didn't go players and supporters that didn't go down too well.
(30:48):
But again not something we see too often. Having said that,
drop goals, I don't mind that severe risk could be
in the mix for the frustators.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Yeah, and there was.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
A difference on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
We didn't touch on that when we talked about the
games before the sever Roostrup goal.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
I'm sure there's a few forwards out there that would
love to stick their hand up as well, and you
know there would be surprising candidates with that skill. Artie
Severe Wallace a tez you'd back some of these guys
to pull that skill off. There's a few props out
there that love to kick goals at training and step up.
But yeah, I mean, you certainly wouldn't want to rag
(31:21):
the World Cup final and decided by it, would you.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
No, you wouldn't top number four of the war Tars
and Force were there or thereabouts. For a while there
was a lot of chatter about how many Australian teams
are in the top six but at the cutoff they've
missed the cut to use the golfing term, and the
question is did they actually improve or did they go backwards? Liam,
the Warritars in the Force, I know both teams close
to your heart.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
Yeah, I think the war Tars improved from where they were.
But look this top six format for all Super Rugby's
upsets and jeopardy and it has been a fantastic season.
But the top six are basically the top six that
we've had for the past five years or so, right,
so reasonably predictable. And yes, the Australian teams have been
(32:05):
much more competitive and spreading that talent and the wake
of the Melbourne rebulves demise has improved Super Ragby. But
it's not born out in the playoff mix.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
No, it's not the war Tars. I thought.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
Kept chopping and changing your ten, they're ten. That's never
going to be the recipe to winning a Super Rugby title.
Can't figure out how taint abd was stuck on the
sidelines for so long the season or stuck on the
bench they went around different options. Dbit was clearly their
best ten and yet refused to pick them. So you
being injured didn't certainly help at the back ends of
the season as they needed wins, but they flattered to deceive.
(32:41):
I thought the war Atars and for the roster that
they've got having picked up a few players from the Rebels,
I thought were ultimately disappointing. The Force have been pretenders
for their entire history. You know, there's a lot of
quality players in the mix at the Western Force, but
they just don't have the key elements, you know, Donaldson,
(33:01):
I thought, I had a good season at ten, but
they were lacking, you know, a big four pack, a
lot of journeyman do I say it apart from Tizano
in that full pack, So yeah, I mean there was
some promising players, but again, the Western Force and the
wartor is probably hamstruying a little bit by their four packs.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
Yeah, and it's a similar, same old, same old in
that the Australian teams were much better at home, so
the Force tough to be in Perth and the Warts
had some good victories at home and then they completely
ship the bed when they crossed the Tasman The Warts
blow on away at Eden Park and when you look
(33:44):
at that into this weekend, I'm pretty sure I'm right
and saying an Australian team has never won a playoff
game in New Zealand. So until those records and until
that gap is bridged, that that's almost like the final
frontier for super rugby, isn't it. And just what you're
saying about. An interesting side note about what we're talking about.
(34:08):
Before Riquiwane and rugby embracing at Star Power talked to
a number of people around that Blues game and their
disappointment that he wasn't there, and I think we see
that with Artie Severe and his home home coming to Wellington.
It's a big factor in bringing crowds along and putting
bums on seats, and while rugby is a team sport,
(34:29):
embracing that star power and promoting those personalities. I think
it can do a better job of that because that
does really bring people in, it does.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
Yeah, and sure Lee would have got more bums on seats.
I'm sure on Saturday afternoon it was a pretty poor
crowd at Eden Park. There were some factors. Wasn't a
great day in Auckland. That would have been Auckland left
Ce's Grand Final day potentially if they'd made it, so
people may be held off tickling there. But it was
a must win game for the Blues and it was
a pretty poor crowd. But the crowd's have been poor
(34:59):
throughout this entire season, though very good last year when
they're on that winning run and it feels like almost, oh,
we've completed that now with one super Rugby don't need
to go back next year and so they need to
figure out that, you know, the derby games are Hurricanes, Crusaders,
atrociously bad crowds, games that are usually marquee fixtures for
the Blues. So it feels like almost winning the title
(35:21):
has been the worst possible thing that could happen for
them because the crowds have stayed away and gone well,
we saw that last year.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
We don't need to see it again.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
So until they figured that out, it's going to be
a tough old cell.
Speaker 4 (35:31):
Yeah, potentially a bit of apathy there with winning the title,
but also it's been an underwhelming season for the Blues.
And when you've got other successful teams in your market
such as Aukann FC and the Warriors both going on
runs out Mount Smart Moaana Pacifica potentially offering a point
of difference across the bridge as well, the Blues are
(35:54):
looking over their shoulder.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
I think they need to do a bit more to
sell themselves.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Yeah, getting away from it and Park would be good,
but unfortunately that is our national stadium. Right tipping time. Now,
let's just recap the last round of regular season if
we possibly could, Elliot Smith five from five Chiefs, Crusaders, Blues, Canes, Reds.
You drop the ball and checking the Brumbie. Sweet the Crusaders, Bumbies.
Speaker 5 (36:18):
Leat me down.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
So there is a six Bmies. There is a six
point gap. There are six games left in the regular as.
Six games left in the season. Oh well, and so
get them all. Well, we've got to put opposite for
everyone from here on and yeah, right, let's see how
we go Crusaders reads Friday nights the Apollo Project Stadium.
Speaker 5 (36:40):
Yes, unless.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
Possibly Crusaders maybe maybe maybe the last game at the
Polo Project Stadium if they lose.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Well, the Crusaders have also never lost the home playoff game,
is there right, that's correct? Yeah, good luck doubing against them.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Okay, well, I'm going to pick the Crusaders and they
are Chiefs Blues Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (37:03):
Oh wow, I'm going to go. I'm going to go
the Blues there. Yeah, why not?
Speaker 4 (37:08):
They've got nothing to lose, the proper sudden death and
they only lost by one point an Xavier Taile conversion
that hit the post in that regular season match earlier
in there, when they've been bang average for most of
the year.
Speaker 5 (37:22):
They get up for the Chiefs, so they will get
up for this game. Not out of the question.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
Okay, I'm going to go the Chiefs and the Brumbi's
Hurricanes to Elliott.
Speaker 5 (37:30):
Get on that cane train.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
Up the horses this weekend in Canberra. Cane train is
going to come to maybe temporary or maybe possibly full,
independent on how the rest of the games go this weekend.
Let's get into MVP Middle voting time Adista viap Out
on top twenty five points, twelve points clear of Boaden
barrett Is on thirteen and then third equal Damian McKenzie
and to Morthy Taver tavernaw w. I Liam, you're three
(37:54):
two ones.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
If you'd be so kind, I'm going to purvive for three.
A herculean performance from him. Not often you see locks
striding arts spark memories of one Sam White Lock doing likewise.
Tupu scored from close range long range, So big performance
from him too. To Ta Mighty Williams, huge seventy minute
(38:15):
shift for a prop anytime that happens, impressive, he's really
coming in some good form. And one to Tavatavanawa, who's
been massive for the Landers at the back end this year.
And I see our stable mate Phil Gifford, he is
saying he is a must inclusion in the All Blacks.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
What do you think about that?
Speaker 4 (38:35):
I think he's got to go very close because he
is a point of difference his ball carrying. I think
he's got more turnovers by quite a long way than
anybody else in the comp this year.
Speaker 5 (38:46):
And while that's not a core function of.
Speaker 4 (38:51):
A midfielder, is an increasingly prevalent in the game. What's
his best position? Not too sure, but he's a guy
that you could bring off the bench and be a
bit of a game changer. And yeah, he's just he's
won out of the box. He's dynamic, powerful.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
I don't think he's got the top end pace to
be a test match winger. I don't think there's a
lot of pace out there, to be honest, from all
Blacks contender wingers. At the moment, I would have him close.
I just do worry about some of the actual core
responsibilities and duties as a midfielder and whether his distribution
(39:30):
is up to it. His kicking games pretty good by
and large. He's very good at finding spaces. Turnover obviously
he's mentioned is good. I'm just not sure on the
core core facets of actually being a midfielder and whether
he's got that. But he's a point of difference and
when the always have struggled to put together a bench
that has impact in recent times, he would add some
real impact to the bench.
Speaker 3 (39:51):
In Jusey twenty three.
Speaker 4 (39:52):
Yeah, and I think if you're an all black coach
party or realm should be upscaling players and making them better.
So some of those deficiencies that you mention, that should
be a core function of an all Black coaching team
to bring certain players improve them, right, And if you're
looking at a David Havilli and Antoine Letter Brown are
very similar players. So having something different in your squad
(40:16):
does appeal. Was having a lot of upside.
Speaker 2 (40:19):
My three two ones this week. Peter among A Jensen
gets my three back to some of that form that
we perhaps saw five years ago now when he made
his All Blacks one off All Black's appearance when he
was called in for injury for that test at Cooper's
Catch Park aka Eden Park. Tupa v gets my two
again as you mentioned, outstanding performance. Ethan black Adder gets
my one very very good for the Crusaders and that
(40:41):
opening forty and a noticeable drop off when he wasn't
out on the park in that second forty. So that's
our three to ones for another where we'll keep that
rolling through the plavs. It's not done yet. The official
Super Rugby one might be done, but this is the
actual proper one and we go right.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
Through to the final.
Speaker 5 (40:56):
That's all right, very coveted.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
You can only be an MVP if you're actually right
at the point end of season. Surely you can't win
a regular season matters for nothing. How often we hear.
Speaker 4 (41:03):
That that's right business end. Time to stand up, Come
get the medal.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
Come get the rgby Direct medal that has been rightby
Direct for another week with our friends at Habit Health
tackling all your aches and pains from sports and work.
I thanks Last and Bars English. We'll be back next
week when six become four.
Speaker 5 (41:22):
Up the Canes, up the Reds.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
That's enough.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
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.
Straight down the Middle of Drum Dickney Scuy Try get
inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
(00:33):
Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome, It's Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Health tankling all
your aches and paynes from sports and work.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
We have our finalists in Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Elliott Smith Liam Napier Back for another week, but really
the biggest story of the weekend the comeback. Liam Napier
returns to the rugby fields emotional time. I'm sure Liam,
how did it go? Would you come through the game?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Who was it?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Four?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Again?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
The Pontsib Hustlers the great championship winning teams team. Yeah,
the range of emotions, the body is feeling all thirty
seven and a half years today. What do we do
three days on the post match probably has something to
do with that. Yeah. I had to leave it three
quarter time and go to cover the Blues. So it
(01:21):
was a real throwback to the days of playing footy
and then covering foody. But no great reunion A lot
of good times on and off the fields and reminded
me why I'm retired.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
So this is that you're done this, You're you're not
planning any further comebacks.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I'm open to calls from the Parliamentary match and the
Barbarians and you know, maybe the classics.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Well.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Also the log aweighted Media versus in ZR match, which
has been in the offing for a few years hasn't
quite happened.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
It's a lot of chats still waiting for that envelope
in the post.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Indeed, well, let's get into the weekend that was the
final round of Super Rugby's around Robin was going back
to Saturday night the Hurricanes and Mwana PACIFICAP and I
guess but going into this game there was a feeling
that maybe Mlwana had run their race, given the way
they were beaten the previous week against the Chiefs. Obviously
(02:17):
they knew that the Blues had beaten the Waratas and
they would need a bonus point when that was always
going to be tough in Wellington regardless. But unfortunately for
Mljuana it felt like they just ran out of steam
at the wrong end of the season. That big win
over the Blue is what two or three weeks ago
now felt like a final for them, and unfortunately, with
(02:37):
their playoff hopes on the line, they've failed to deliver,
which I'm sure sounds harsh, but that's the reality of it.
They just didn't quite get there in the end with
those two big games at the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I think it was always going to be massively tough,
wasn't it the run home the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes,
And it does seem like their final was against the Blues,
and look in the context of where they were and
where they've come from, that was a massive result. They
were beaten very comfortably by the Blues earlier in the year.
To get that result in Albany was huge for them,
(03:11):
and you have to think that result against the Chiefs
left some real psychological scars and they couldn't get back
up from that. But look to see twenty thousand in
the Capitol for that match as a testament to how
far Moana have come and their appeal, their value to
(03:31):
this competition. Ardie Severe's homecoming in Wellington. I think the
Canes average crowd this year something like ten thousand, so
they've doubled the Hurricanes' home crowd by going to Wellington,
so complete blowout on the field. They scored first and
then were never in that match and clearly run out
of steam, which will be just disappointing because consistency is
(03:54):
their major work on, isn't it. They've been good with
the matches. I've had some great results, but yeah, are
very deflating into the year from a performance perspective.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, we'll dig into that again in the final four.
The Hurricanes, though the train continued to roll on sixty
four points at home. A bit of a tune up
before the playoffs, obviously just getting some of their combinations
back out on the field. Brick Cameron goes into ten.
I wasn't quite sure that was the right move, but
I thought he played well. Ruben Love at fullback and
(04:25):
I think, you know, the Omega Jents and properly combination
also working well. The four packs rolling on. So in
terms of the Hurricanes, you probably couldn't have asked too
much more. In terms of a final round performance.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Yeah, they get in some some players back. Brick Cameron's
big Devin Flanders was impressive coming back. It's hard to
know how much to take out of that game, and
it is going to be very very different going to Canberra.
Arctic cold in the in the middle of winter. The
style of game that you're going to confront in Canberra
(04:57):
is kick heavy more you know, one off the ruck
type scenario, so Poles apart to what we saw in Wellington.
But the Hurricanes have built I would argue, more momentum
than any other team coming into the finals. Since that
draw in Perth, they've knocked over the Chiefs and been
really impressive, built a lot of momentum in their attack
(05:20):
in particular, and they've lost some figures as well, with
Riley Higgins who was a big influence coming back moving
out and then Peter humunger Jensen with his best performance
since he was an All Black at the weekend. So look,
get on board the cane train.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Okay, it's enough for that. Blues beating the Wartars forty
six to six. They went into this game knowing but
they had to put the best foot forward they possibly could,
whether it was a win or a bonus point win,
whatever they could to basically try and cancel O what
one I might have done later that evening and then
it didn't matter. But the Blues went out and steamrolled
the Waratars, who were I thought shocking at times. This
(06:00):
is a team that had a lot of promise this year,
had their playoffs hopes on the line, and basically came
to Eden Park and were turnstiles in the end. And look,
they were there for twenty minutes, maybe in the first spell,
but this was probably up there with the Blues best
performances of the season. I know they ran the Chiefs
close and Hamilton, the Crusaders and christ Church, but in
(06:20):
terms of comprehensive victories, hard to go past that one.
In terms of just shutting the war Tars out completely,
not allowing their triline to be breached, a sign of
where the Blues maybe could go in the playoffs. We
haven't seen a lot of it this year. But they
were more expansive, I thought, on Saturday evening than we've
seen this season yet, Talia grabbing a couple of tries,
(06:40):
Rico Yuwani playing a bit more open than what we've
seen this year. So look, the Blues have a tough
task ahead of them given where they're at, but the
title defense remains alive for at least one more week.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I ran into Paul Tito.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Straight after that game, came out of the media box
and the coaching boxes right next door, and he was
standing outside and he was stunned with how bad the
war Tars were. She said to me, like, wow, they
had everything to play for and they were that bad.
So I think the Blues, certainly the coaching team will
be keeping that result in context. But yeah, certainly I
(07:15):
agree in terms of everything ran the Blues way, but
they did. The core of their game was there. They
dominated the set piece. They scored one try through Rick
Telly with the mall, but they were They did chase
a width a lot more. Boden Barrett, I think, you know,
his goalkicking was off and he sent one out on
the fall, but he set up two triers through the
(07:35):
boot and they were far more expensive. So maybe the
Blues have found a wee bit more balance to their game.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Let's find out.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Interesting to see, but they will take a lot of
confidence from that. There was a knockout match. We were
their postmatch and we heard about how they harnessed the
emotion of guys like Harry Plummer, Mark Talia, Rick Telly,
Adrian Choate. All moving on at the end of this year,
had they lost that game, that there's a finality to that.
(08:06):
So the Blues have had a a terrible year by
their standards, very underwhelming, but they will be hopeful that
they've found form at the right time. What do you
make of I guess the swagger of guys like Riccowani
is saying postmatch in a reference to American sports NBA
(08:28):
and the MLB, you shouldn't let us get one.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I mean, it is a very American mindset, and I
guess Rico has always tended to use the American style
of trash talk and motivation. Whatever works, I guess for
a player. I guess it's probably not the traditional Newseon style.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but whatever
works for a player. If that's the kind of performance
at Rico Yuwani is going to deliver on the back
of that sort of motivation, great, if you could back
(08:56):
it up this weekend, even better. Because this hasn't been
probably Rico Yuani's been super rugby season. There has been
questions as to whether he's going to be the starting
center for the All Blacks. So if he can find
something that motivates him, you'd think just the nature of
super rugby and wanting to defend the title might be enough,
but hey, if he's going to find another element to
help him press those buttons and get his best performance
(09:17):
out of the park, I think good on him. And
we've seen that with the Johnny Sixton thing previously. That's
clearly what he feeds off. He clearly reacts well to
it and delivers his best performances on that side of it.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Yeah, I love it. Personally, Rico is not everyone's cup
of tea. But to project that confidence, to stoke the narratives,
to create interest, to put his personality out there like
that rugby needs it.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yeah, and he backs it up as well. When he
puts it out there. You know, you think of various
things he did last year leading up to that Irish Test.
You know, he didn't do a lot of media, but
he spoke to me that week leading up to it
and didn't want to fan the flames necessarily. But when
he got the result, you know, he lead the hucker
that night in Dublin. He got the result, and you
(10:02):
know he can to the win. He goes the sports,
he can continue building that narrative, I suppose.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
Well, from a punter's fan point of view.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Would you rather somebody you know, generating that and just
putting themselves out there, or somebody just chucking Yeah, the cliches,
you know, like sports about sports entertainment, So more of
it the better for me.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Entertaining game Friday Night Crusaders thirty three, Brumbies thirty one,
A game that really had it all, almost a game
with two halves to a certain extent. Crusader's up twenty
five to fourteen at halftime and then fell apart a
little bit in the second spell.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I thought that was noticeable.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
When Ethan Blackadder went off, he had a good forty minutes,
was getting some go forward for the Crusaders. He went off,
they weren't quite as good, They weren't quite as polished.
The Brumbies also began to find some rhythm in the
second spell. Rob Valatini I thought was excellent for them.
But the Crusaders really did lose their way in the
second spell, and we're perhaps lucky to win it. George
(11:02):
Bell gets the winning tricrit to him because that all
was going nowhere stopped went to the I mean there's
been a controversy as well, with the sevaries. Possible knock
on definitely.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Let's see.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
I've seen some angles, but maybe it doesn't look like
he's knocked it on.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Those red tins and glasses.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, you know, camera angles can be funny things. The
Crusaders get out of jail almost but I think a
good win for them heading into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Look, Camera is an incredibly tough place to go at
the best time of year and when there's everything on
the line like that, this was a very good win
for the Crusaders. It wasn't complete, it wasn't perfect, but
you absolutely take those and run from Canberra one. You
mentioned the George Bell try, but there was a brilliant
tackle from Scott Barrett which you could equally say won
(11:55):
them that match.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
And you know, we've I've certainly been.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Critical of Scott's Barrett's performances this year and a lot
of talk abouts whether he should retain the ALLA captaincy
with Ardie Severe that was a moment which some people
may overlook, but that was very, very pivotal.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Well, that talk about Artie being the All Blacks captain
certainly died down and over the last couple of weeks
he's not solely responsible for his team conceding one hundred
nearly one hundred and fifty points in two weeks and
only scoring nineteen. But the leadership required in those sort
of games to not blow out, you know, I think
you know, there's some questions that probably were being left
(12:33):
on the table of the last couple of weeks round that.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Yeah, he's starting to stand up at the right time
of year.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Scott Barrett's and there were others for the Crusaders as
well to Mighty Williams played I think seventy odd minutes.
You mentioned Ethan Blackheader some big. He was a big
presence at the breakdown. Christian Leo, who's been huge for
the Crusaders, did so again and notably it sounds like
the reinforcements are really on the way. Potentially Will Jordan,
(13:00):
David Hevilli and Fletcher newl So some massive ins coming
back at the right time of year.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
If Will Jordan's not there, they don't win the Super
RAGBYI i'most say they will win Super Rakby title, but
if Jordan's not fit, they will not win the Super
Brakedy title.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I agree he has such an impact on their attack
and I think David Heavili will be such a calming
figure for that back line as well. But yeah, the
Crusaders can't get Will Jordan back soon enough. And you
suspect there is probably a little bit of conflict in
the background there with the All Blacks as well a
few of the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
You're thinking, look, just.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Just take it easy to give him all the time
he needs, we need him, you know later in the
year where Rob Penny's like, I need him back. Well.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Scott Robertson of course had Sam white Lockett his disposal
in twenty twenty three, played the final, played eighteen minutes
and then I don't think compared for the All Blacks
until for a month for a month or soo. So
you know, Scott Robinson knows what that's all about. And
maybe a bit of payback potentially of sorts coming there.
And the first game off the round Chiefs Highland is
forty one twenty four. Chicks are very very good. That's
(14:00):
an early momentum that was sort of stopped a little
bit by the Quinti Pyre injury stoppage.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Fortunately he looks like he's okay.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
I had a fearly routine win for the Chiefs to
make sure they got top spot.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Yeah, it was this. The Honders have come good. They
had come good at the back end of this year,
two very close losses, but this was a wee bit
of a step back. They blew a number of chances
they were in that game and created enough, but I
think a lingering sense of frustration. I heard Ethan Degrout
(14:35):
talking postmatch with Sky Sport about his reflections on the
year and a lot of frustrations, but also a lot
of faith in what the Honders have built. And we
did see last week Tavatavanawa, Jacob Ritamvuoki Nipkins, Ethan de
Groot And there's one other big tongue in tel big, big,
(14:56):
big re signings in the context of the Honders.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
So interesting to see where they go.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
But those are key planks for them to lock in
for a team that struggles on the recruit front.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yeah, there's a few whispers doing the rounds that they
are looking at younger players and I think Jamie just
might have actually said this publicly, but the New Zealand
under twenty players could be some targets there that have
got their positions. You know, they're behind a few at
their home Super Rugby franchise or province. They could look
to those players and really that's what the first tenure
of Jamie Joseph was built on. Some players that were
(15:31):
wanted elsewhere or had their paths blocked elsewhere. Some battlers
that they threw into the mix as well for want
of a better term, and all that came into a
melting pot and worked and delivered them a Super Rugby
title in twenty fifteen. And it feels like Jamie Joseph
is trying to run that back as best as he
possibly can.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Yeah, and they have gone that way in recent years,
haven't they even prior to Joseph investing in youth the
likes of Cam Miller and Sean Withee and a number
of holand Fabian holland big time who should be an
All Black that this year fully fledged, they're not losing
too many. I think Sam Gilbert's off to I would
(16:10):
argue not a massive loss. He came off the bench
at the weekend. So the core of that team will
remain and if they can bring through a few more
than those younger guys, hopefully they can kick on next year.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Absolutely, So we have our Pluffs Set Chiefs play the Blues,
Crusaders play the Reds Brumby's Hurricanes this weekend. I mean
those six teams. Most people would have had a mix
of those six teams. Maybe you will take one two teams.
At the start of the season. I'm trying to think
I picked Blues wartized to be the Super Rugby Final.
(16:44):
I think you might have gone Blues Chiefs of memory
serves a bit earlier on in the season. But those
are the six teams we have. There's the playoff format,
which has already been derided before we've even seen it
in action. Not my favorite format, to be honest. Because
I tell me to Brumby's Hurricanes on Saturday night, both
those teams will know, they could know that they've got
(17:07):
a second chance next week, regardless of what happens. It's
whether they go to Hamilton or where they go to
christ that's if the other two games go to form,
which they may not. But I'm not sold on this
format as it is, but we'll see how it plays
out this weekend.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Well, let's just touch on that lucky highest lucky loser,
the highest ranked losing team, because I didn't know the
quirk that you inform me on Saturday night after the
Blues game that say the Chiefs, the Blues go to
Hamilton and upset the Chiefs, then as you relyvant for me,
that the Chiefs would then still host a home semi.
(17:43):
So the Chiefs, if they lose this weekend, drop one
seating place to second. What's your view on that, Well,
I think I should drop the board with the pile.
That's your second life. But you've got to do it hardway.
Now you've got to be.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Away from home. You're still in the pass, but you've
got to do away from home. So I would slide
whoever it is, whether it's the Chiefs or Crusaders, everyone
goes up. Everyone goes up, and the losing team slide
to the bottom and yep, you're still in there. But hey,
you're going to have to go to christ Church, Canberra,
well whatever it might be, and win the playoffs that way,
so I can understand why they've got a second life.
(18:18):
Not my favorite format necessarily. I think the reward for
the Crusaders and Chiefs would have been to have a
week off and get some bodies ready for a semi
final the following week and have the Rumbies played the
Blues and the Hurricanes play the Reds. But this was
very much done as a TV thing, and we'd almost
got away from that from a Super Rugby perspective, the
eight team format had gone for the quarter finals, but
(18:40):
that still lingers just a little bit that they're putting
broadcast preference above competition integrity.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
I agree that a second life is a massive advantage
and I think that's enough reward for finishing top. So
I would also like to see if the Chiefs lose
for them to go to the bottom of the pack.
Apparently it's also somewhat done so you can't get a
repeat this week of any of the match ups this weekend,
(19:10):
so that's another quirk. But all in all, I think
a second life is just such an advantage, isn't it.
So the Chiefs going to this weekend, it's not sudden
death for them, No, it's not. And they're the only
team that can have that mentality. So whether that's a
psychological advantage for the Blues maybe, who knows, but that
(19:31):
it is a massive reward for finishing first.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
And it's a weird scheduling quirk that the Brumbies and
Hurricanes game is last. Now, as I said that those
two games go to the form book, the first two
they will know that basically the winner goes somewhere, the
loser goes somewhere else. They're both still in the playoffs.
I think there was a bit of hope from the
Brumbies that they would have that game move forward. For
other reasons. I think there's an AFL game in Canberra
(19:55):
on Saturday night. They wanted to play it Saturday afternoons,
so maybe four o'clock, five o'clock local time potentially, But
for TV reasons, once again, it is going to be
the late game, and that has its own quirk in
terms of how teams are rock shit, you know theory,
if you've got a player that's fifty fifty, you're not
going to risk them. No, you might pull them out
of the line out, you know, an hour before kickoff.
Speaker 4 (20:15):
Yeah, and interesting to see what sort of turnout the
Bumbies get for that game, because I looked in the
stands on Saturday night and it was Friday night pretty barren.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Yeah, the battling I think in Canberra, and.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I understand it's freezing cold and all the rest of it.
But this is your team, you know, fighting for you know,
second place. So and this weekend is a quarterfinal. If
you're not going to turn out then then when are you?
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Well, yeah, that's right, the thriller and the chiller in
Canbra it was on the weekend, absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
That will do us the first half of Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Come back with some Final four topics after this.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Try that's sixty secondary tackle tackles.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Get up again, well afore time it's Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Lad You're back with Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health,
tackling all your aches and pains from sports and timeline
for the final four Mowana Pacificer Mister the Super Rugby Playoffs. Now,
it's obviously been an improved season, but lim I want
you to grade their season from eight to if and.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Where do they head to for twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
I'm usually a very hard marker elliot.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
With none then the history of Rugby directs.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
But I am going to give them a bee because
I think you have to contextualize where they've come from.
They beat four or the five New Zealand teams and
if you said that to me at the start of
the year, I would have laughed in your face, to
be honest. Massive recruitment of Artie Severe which was hugely
inspirational for them, and I just think in the context
of them previously not having a home, attracting one hundred fans,
(22:02):
their future being questioned at every turn, both financially and
from a performance perspective of I think they really built
a culture, a platform to a launch pad, and the
end of the year can sour that and shape it
to a degree. But in terms of their well external
(22:23):
expectations at the start of this year, I think they
improved significantly and I never expected them to be in
the playoff picture and be fighting for that, so I
was largely impressed. And yeah, there's still a lot of
work to do, but if you look at their roster
as well, that easily the weakest of the They are
a six pseudo New Zealand franchise. They're based in New
(22:45):
Zealand's they pick a lot of their talent from NPC
cast offfs and the like. There's a lot of work
they can do in terms of their recruitment from the
Islands and bridging that gap, and you know, retaining top
talent Toarmoy Flal going to the Chiefs is a big blow.
Artist Severe is not going to be there next year.
He's got a sabbatical, but he will come back, So
(23:07):
big challenge now for them to leverage that and build
on it because next year they will have an element
of expectation.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
They will and they won't have Artie Savere as our understanding.
But if i'm more Wana Pacifica, I'm desperately trying to
get that deferred to twenty twenty eight or somewhere around
the I know he's only contracted till twenty twenty seven
with New Zealand Rugby and Mowana Pacifica, but if there's
some way you can get him to defer it to
twenty twenty eight, because I'm sure the All Blacks and
(23:34):
New Zealand Raby want a part of that line series
in twenty nine. Maybe is a Swan song in New Zealand.
But if you can get that deferred somehow, some way
and continue to build the blocks that you've got on
success this year of more Wana Pacifica, then I think
that's a must. Because without Ardi, that team drops back,
just regardless because he is such a player, of quality,
of inspiration of his leadership, So I think if there's
(23:57):
anyway around it, and there probably isn't, but I'm working
the phones. I'm trying to give them the phone to
Kobe or wherever he's going next year as agent and
seeing if you can sort of massage things a little
bit and try and keep him there. I give them
a minus for the season. I think you're right. No
one had any expectations on them this year. We probably
all thought that Adi Savuare was going to make this
team best as somehow we didn't think it would result
(24:19):
in wins over the Blues, over the Crusaders, of the Highlanders,
over the Hurricanes once again. So to be there on
the final day of the regular season and with a
chance of making the playoffs, I think is a good
outcome for Mowana. But those two defeats, you know, almost
conceding one hundred and fifty over the last couple of weeks,
will stick in the crawl, and you hope it sticks
in the craw because, as you alluded to earlier in
(24:40):
the podcast, it's about consistency now Fromana Pacific here and
finding ways where they can't just get up for big games,
but they get up for every game. And they lost
to the forth earlier in the season, the game they
probably should have won, they lost away to the Reds,
a game that they probably would have lost either way.
But they it took a while to get going, and
but once they did, you know, they were sort of
(25:00):
away and you hope that the building blocks are there
for them.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
In twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Shannon Frazelle and Richie Wanger in another title for Toshiba,
Brave Loopus against the Koboda Spears. Watched a bit of
this on Sunday afternoon on Rugby Pass TV, and Richie
Wong had played with a broken hand of sorts. He
was in the cryo chamber. According to our friend Rugby
gp jp on on Twitter, had to go everything through
(25:28):
everything but title success, as follows Richie wonger around, doesn't it?
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Sure does? Man? What can't the man do?
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Back to back titles in Japan and seems to be,
you know, loving life over there. He's got one more
year and of what banking close to two million bucks.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
It's not bad, does it?
Speaker 3 (25:45):
It's not bad at all?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
And you know, obviously we have reported and heard previously
that the NZR tried to get him out of that deal.
After this point he'll be back for another year though
with Tashiba. The expectation is but not confirmed that maybe
he'll return to New Zealand at some point in twenty
twenty six cheif result, it's gone a bit quiet on
that front around there now he's off contract with she
(26:08):
been quite a big part of their success. Al those
friend of mine sent me some statistics and I think
yellow cards have been a fairly regular thing for mister Frazell.
But having sealed that he's the kind of player that
New Zealand rugby could use that blindside flanker spot still
up in the air. Any whispers around as to when
we might see him back in New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
Yeah, I think it sounds like Frazel will recommit for
one more year and then highly likely that Richie and
Shen Frazel will come home and contest places in the
World Cup squad. So are we looking at July twenty
twenty six six They will both highly likely return home
(26:50):
have an eighteen month lead into the World Cup and
you know what a boost that would be for the
All Blacks and they're super rugby teams that they align with.
Who knows whether Richie goes to the Crusaders or perhaps Moana.
Frazelle always played for the Landers, so I'm sure they'd
be desperate to get him back. And as you mentioned
(27:12):
there that that blindside role. S Titi clearly stepped in
for the All Blacks last year, but all expectations are
that he.
Speaker 5 (27:19):
Will move to the back of the scrum.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
He will go to seven and then the perennial question
of who is the All Black blindside remains. We've seen
Ethan Blackadder, look Jacobson, who else? There's been plenty of
candidates there, haven't there? Yes, now is the other one
who's just started to come into the starting fold for
(27:43):
the Chiefs. Whether he retains that position for the playoffs,
we'll see. But nobody other than sa Titi has grabbed
that Jerome Kindo mantle since Frazell left. In his last
two years with the All Blacks, he was exceptional. Jason
Ryan made his frustrations clear at the World Cup when
he said more should have been done from a contracting
perspective to keep Shinn and Frazel, that he shouldn't have
(28:05):
been allowed to leave to go to Japan, so I
think the All Blacks would be desperate to get him
back and it would significantly bolster their ranks on the
back of guys like Leicester, Fining and Nuku coming back
into the mix for the Rugby Championship this year.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Yeah, it's right that one's sort of got under the
raider a little bit. He's been very very good for Toulon.
Now no one down here watches Top fourteen, so you
wouldn't know, but very very good for Toulon, and he
will be back in for the Rugby Championship presumably once
he's played a couple of games for I think he's
still Lumba Tasman in the NPC in pre season back
(28:39):
in the mixt you would think for the Rugby Championship.
This is an interally one for the weekend topic number
three on the final four penalty shootout to the side
Munster against the Sharks in the UC.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
Now.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I track this down and watched a bit of it
over the weekend. I don't particularly like it. It is
in the Super Rugby rule, so if one of the
games is tied this weekend after extra time, that's what
it's going to.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Not a great way to decide a rugby game. Are
you said on this? We don't see it too often.
Thank god.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
It's not great, But I don't think anything is when
you get to that point, you know, what are you
going to do?
Speaker 5 (29:18):
Have a boundary count back?
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Yeah, don't bring that up.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
You can go back to. One of the common ones
in club rugby is actually who scored the first try
in the match, which I think is pretty irrelevant as well.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
I try to get anut one hundred or whatever.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
It's yeah, exactly, so much has happened since then. I
don't mind it.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
I think it brings an element of drama. I don't
know if it's necessarily fair, but when you've played one
hundred odd minutes, it does create, particularly for casual fans,
a lot of intrigue. I would actually quite like to
see a drop kick because I think it's the hardest
skill to execute. But that's just my own personal quirk,
(30:01):
so I don't love it, but I don't know if
there's a better method out there either.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
What I would like to do, and this is reliant
on points scored in extra time? Is it the team
that scores the first try or points in the in
the extra time period, which isn't goal on a point
wins efforts drawn at the ends of the one hundred minutes,
so the game continues, but it's on the opposition team
to try and score and get back in front. So
(30:26):
that's what I would possibly look to do. So again
contingent on points being scored in the extra time period.
We're talking, you know game this might happen once every
three four years in professional AGUAI doesn't happen too often,
and both teams are out on their feet by the end.
We saw Jaden Hendrix, so get a bit of cramp
and give the old wink to the monster supporters that
didn't go players and supporters that didn't go down too well.
(30:48):
But again not something we see too often. Having said that,
drop goals, I don't mind that severe risk could be
in the mix for the frustators.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Yeah, and there was.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
A difference on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
We didn't touch on that when we talked about the
games before the sever Roostrup goal.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
I'm sure there's a few forwards out there that would
love to stick their hand up as well, and you
know there would be surprising candidates with that skill. Artie
Severe Wallace a tez you'd back some of these guys
to pull that skill off. There's a few props out
there that love to kick goals at training and step up.
But yeah, I mean, you certainly wouldn't want to rag
(31:21):
the World Cup final and decided by it, would you.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
No, you wouldn't top number four of the war Tars
and Force were there or thereabouts. For a while there
was a lot of chatter about how many Australian teams
are in the top six but at the cutoff they've
missed the cut to use the golfing term, and the
question is did they actually improve or did they go backwards? Liam,
the Warritars in the Force, I know both teams close
to your heart.
Speaker 4 (31:43):
Yeah, I think the war Tars improved from where they were.
But look this top six format for all Super Rugby's
upsets and jeopardy and it has been a fantastic season.
But the top six are basically the top six that
we've had for the past five years or so, right,
so reasonably predictable. And yes, the Australian teams have been
(32:05):
much more competitive and spreading that talent and the wake
of the Melbourne rebulves demise has improved Super Ragby. But
it's not born out in the playoff mix.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
No, it's not the war Tars. I thought.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
Kept chopping and changing your ten, they're ten. That's never
going to be the recipe to winning a Super Rugby title.
Can't figure out how taint abd was stuck on the
sidelines for so long the season or stuck on the
bench they went around different options. Dbit was clearly their
best ten and yet refused to pick them. So you
being injured didn't certainly help at the back ends of
the season as they needed wins, but they flattered to deceive.
(32:41):
I thought the war Atars and for the roster that
they've got having picked up a few players from the Rebels,
I thought were ultimately disappointing. The Force have been pretenders
for their entire history. You know, there's a lot of
quality players in the mix at the Western Force, but
they just don't have the key elements, you know, Donaldson,
(33:01):
I thought, I had a good season at ten, but
they were lacking, you know, a big four pack, a
lot of journeyman do I say it apart from Tizano
in that full pack, So yeah, I mean there was
some promising players, but again, the Western Force and the
wartor is probably hamstruying a little bit by their four packs.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
Yeah, and it's a similar, same old, same old in
that the Australian teams were much better at home, so
the Force tough to be in Perth and the Warts
had some good victories at home and then they completely
ship the bed when they crossed the Tasman The Warts
blow on away at Eden Park and when you look
(33:44):
at that into this weekend, I'm pretty sure I'm right
and saying an Australian team has never won a playoff
game in New Zealand. So until those records and until
that gap is bridged, that that's almost like the final
frontier for super rugby, isn't it. And just what you're
saying about. An interesting side note about what we're talking about.
(34:08):
Before Riquiwane and rugby embracing at Star Power talked to
a number of people around that Blues game and their
disappointment that he wasn't there, and I think we see
that with Artie Severe and his home home coming to Wellington.
It's a big factor in bringing crowds along and putting
bums on seats, and while rugby is a team sport,
(34:29):
embracing that star power and promoting those personalities. I think
it can do a better job of that because that
does really bring people in, it does.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
Yeah, and sure Lee would have got more bums on seats.
I'm sure on Saturday afternoon it was a pretty poor
crowd at Eden Park. There were some factors. Wasn't a
great day in Auckland. That would have been Auckland left
Ce's Grand Final day potentially if they'd made it, so
people may be held off tickling there. But it was
a must win game for the Blues and it was
a pretty poor crowd. But the crowd's have been poor
(34:59):
throughout this entire season, though very good last year when
they're on that winning run and it feels like almost, oh,
we've completed that now with one super Rugby don't need
to go back next year and so they need to
figure out that, you know, the derby games are Hurricanes, Crusaders,
atrociously bad crowds, games that are usually marquee fixtures for
the Blues. So it feels like almost winning the title
(35:21):
has been the worst possible thing that could happen for
them because the crowds have stayed away and gone well,
we saw that last year.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
We don't need to see it again.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
So until they figured that out, it's going to be
a tough old cell.
Speaker 4 (35:31):
Yeah, potentially a bit of apathy there with winning the title,
but also it's been an underwhelming season for the Blues.
And when you've got other successful teams in your market
such as Aukann FC and the Warriors both going on
runs out Mount Smart Moaana Pacifica potentially offering a point
of difference across the bridge as well, the Blues are
(35:54):
looking over their shoulder.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
I think they need to do a bit more to
sell themselves.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Yeah, getting away from it and Park would be good,
but unfortunately that is our national stadium. Right tipping time. Now,
let's just recap the last round of regular season if
we possibly could, Elliot Smith five from five Chiefs, Crusaders, Blues, Canes, Reds.
You drop the ball and checking the Brumbie. Sweet the Crusaders, Bumbies.
Speaker 5 (36:18):
Leat me down.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
So there is a six Bmies. There is a six
point gap. There are six games left in the regular as.
Six games left in the season. Oh well, and so
get them all. Well, we've got to put opposite for
everyone from here on and yeah, right, let's see how
we go Crusaders reads Friday nights the Apollo Project Stadium.
Speaker 5 (36:40):
Yes, unless.
Speaker 2 (36:44):
Possibly Crusaders maybe maybe maybe the last game at the
Polo Project Stadium if they lose.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Well, the Crusaders have also never lost the home playoff game,
is there right, that's correct? Yeah, good luck doubing against them.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Okay, well, I'm going to pick the Crusaders and they
are Chiefs Blues Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (37:03):
Oh wow, I'm going to go. I'm going to go
the Blues there. Yeah, why not?
Speaker 4 (37:08):
They've got nothing to lose, the proper sudden death and
they only lost by one point an Xavier Taile conversion
that hit the post in that regular season match earlier
in there, when they've been bang average for most of
the year.
Speaker 5 (37:22):
They get up for the Chiefs, so they will get
up for this game. Not out of the question.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
Okay, I'm going to go the Chiefs and the Brumbi's
Hurricanes to Elliott.
Speaker 5 (37:30):
Get on that cane train.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
Up the horses this weekend in Canberra. Cane train is
going to come to maybe temporary or maybe possibly full,
independent on how the rest of the games go this weekend.
Let's get into MVP Middle voting time Adista viap Out
on top twenty five points, twelve points clear of Boaden
barrett Is on thirteen and then third equal Damian McKenzie
and to Morthy Taver tavernaw w. I Liam, you're three
(37:54):
two ones.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
If you'd be so kind, I'm going to purvive for three.
A herculean performance from him. Not often you see locks
striding arts spark memories of one Sam White Lock doing likewise.
Tupu scored from close range long range, So big performance
from him too. To Ta Mighty Williams, huge seventy minute
(38:15):
shift for a prop anytime that happens, impressive, he's really
coming in some good form. And one to Tavatavanawa, who's
been massive for the Landers at the back end this year.
And I see our stable mate Phil Gifford, he is
saying he is a must inclusion in the All Blacks.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
What do you think about that?
Speaker 4 (38:35):
I think he's got to go very close because he
is a point of difference his ball carrying. I think
he's got more turnovers by quite a long way than
anybody else in the comp this year.
Speaker 5 (38:46):
And while that's not a core function of.
Speaker 4 (38:51):
A midfielder, is an increasingly prevalent in the game. What's
his best position? Not too sure, but he's a guy
that you could bring off the bench and be a
bit of a game changer. And yeah, he's just he's
won out of the box. He's dynamic, powerful.
Speaker 2 (39:09):
I don't think he's got the top end pace to
be a test match winger. I don't think there's a
lot of pace out there, to be honest, from all
Blacks contender wingers. At the moment, I would have him close.
I just do worry about some of the actual core
responsibilities and duties as a midfielder and whether his distribution
(39:30):
is up to it. His kicking games pretty good by
and large. He's very good at finding spaces. Turnover obviously
he's mentioned is good. I'm just not sure on the
core core facets of actually being a midfielder and whether
he's got that. But he's a point of difference and
when the always have struggled to put together a bench
that has impact in recent times, he would add some
real impact to the bench.
Speaker 3 (39:51):
In Jusey twenty three.
Speaker 4 (39:52):
Yeah, and I think if you're an all black coach
party or realm should be upscaling players and making them better.
So some of those deficiencies that you mention, that should
be a core function of an all Black coaching team
to bring certain players improve them, right, And if you're
looking at a David Havilli and Antoine Letter Brown are
very similar players. So having something different in your squad
(40:16):
does appeal. Was having a lot of upside.
Speaker 2 (40:19):
My three two ones this week. Peter among A Jensen
gets my three back to some of that form that
we perhaps saw five years ago now when he made
his All Blacks one off All Black's appearance when he
was called in for injury for that test at Cooper's
Catch Park aka Eden Park. Tupa v gets my two
again as you mentioned, outstanding performance. Ethan black Adder gets
my one very very good for the Crusaders and that
(40:41):
opening forty and a noticeable drop off when he wasn't
out on the park in that second forty. So that's
our three to ones for another where we'll keep that
rolling through the plavs. It's not done yet. The official
Super Rugby one might be done, but this is the
actual proper one and we go right.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
Through to the final.
Speaker 5 (40:56):
That's all right, very coveted.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
You can only be an MVP if you're actually right
at the point end of season. Surely you can't win
a regular season matters for nothing. How often we hear.
Speaker 4 (41:03):
That that's right business end. Time to stand up, Come
get the medal.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
Come get the rgby Direct medal that has been rightby
Direct for another week with our friends at Habit Health
tackling all your aches and pains from sports and work.
I thanks Last and Bars English. We'll be back next
week when six become four.
Speaker 5 (41:22):
Up the Canes, up the Reds.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
That's enough.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
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