February 15, 2026 • 33 mins
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review round one of Super Rugby Pacific who shone who didn't and who has the most to work on as we head into round two of the competition.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
Of Trump Sky, try to.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Get inside the game from every end goal. It's Rugby
Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Navier powered by News
Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Welcome in to Rugby Direct powered by Habit Held Physio
book Today and Stay in the Game Rugby Direct Back.
We had Super Rugby Around one and the books. Elliott
Smith with me is Liam Napier, rugby writer, correspondent, co host,
et cetera, et cetera, Liam, Super Rugby Round ones in
the Books. Overall, how did you feel about the quality
(01:01):
of rugby we saw over the weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I think it was a typical first round, Elliott. Great
to have it back on our earways. Suffered somewhat from
not having the best team in the competition start the round.
The Hurricanes, you know, almost came out in protest with
them not there right okay, but there was some quality.
There was some great passages, and I think there was
(01:25):
some clunkiness as well and some underwhelming long.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Patches as well.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
So I expect the season to get better, but great
to see some upsets. I think that's crucial for this competition.
We don't want it to be highly predictable, don't want
it to be.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Scripted, do we.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
So props to the Highlanders in particular, everyone's second favorite
team for the week.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Not my second favorite team, but that's all right. You
know everyone else could have their second favorite teams the Highlanders.
Let's start the Highlanders twenty five Crusaders twenty three under
the roof in Dunedin, and this was a very good
performance from the Highlanders. I thought it first half took
advantage of the Crusaders eras Crusaders couldn't hold onto any
(02:13):
ball for that first period and just took their opportunities
when they came. I think you've got to look at
the Crusaders and go, you know, maybe you know Cody,
Taylor and Wild and I know they had all blacks rice,
but they looked a lot better when they were on
the park, but they just Crusaders looked clunky for that
first forty but the Highlanders looked like a team and
maybe because they hadn't had as many all blacks through
(02:35):
pre season, but they looked like a team ready to
go for Round one. The Crusaders looked like they've been
caught by surprise that super rugby had got underway.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
It will start with the Highlanders. I think almost need
to offer an apology. Round one didn't give them a chance,
and this picture thought the Crusaders would do it comfortably.
And I heard this morning actually that the tab made
a killing on that game. One punter put ten grand
on the Crusaders. I certainly had them in a few multis,
(03:03):
so not to that extent.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Well, I think counts ten grand lighter this morning.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
But the context around the Highlanders, isn't it having lost
the LM. Pledger, Fabian Hollands, they just seem like they're
on the Rackabit and Jamie Joseph the distraction around that.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Look at their roster.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
It doesn't have the star stuttered names of the other
New Zealand franchises, but they turned up and I was
really impressed with some of their non headline players. Jack Taylor,
I know the line out really struggled, but he was
good around the field. Lucas Casey was good, good on debut.
And then when they do get that front foot platform,
(03:44):
the outside backs in particular lethal Jacob Ratamavuki Nipkins, Caleb Tungytowe.
The try that he scored just blistering pace. He is
an out and out finisher. It was a real statement
finished from him to beat fi Haki and one another
in the corner. You know, he didn't have a lot
of room to move, but pure pace and they just
(04:05):
kept coming.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
The Hoighlanders.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
It was quite a smart tactical decision to switch the
front rows to match what the Crusaders.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Were doing with their bench.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And it did feel like watching that game that the
Crusaders would come over the top. When they was at
the fifty minute mark, they introduced their bomb, scored six
players as you mentioned, Will Jordan, Cody Taylor, Fletcher Newell,
there was a host of others and the Crusaders just
went about their methodical grinds that felt like they were
(04:37):
going to come over the top.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Was that a mistake, Well, yeah, I guess they're balancing that.
All blacks restands. This is the juggling act that super
rugby coaches have got to deal with, and the Crusaders
you know, have probably you know the same amount of
all blots or around about the same as the Chiefs.
So the Chiefs went to Eden park in one, which
we'll get to a minute, but you've got a delicate
balancing act. But it felt like once the Crusaders had
(05:02):
those all blacks on the park, they looked a lot
better for that last half hour of the game. And
as you say, rolling over the top, well, they got
to the point that they were, you know, out in
front and had a one point leads and we're looking
perhaps the better team by that point. The Hinders had
sort of fallen away a little bit in the game,
but they gave away the penalty and the Highlanders cam
(05:23):
Miller clutch enough to win it. So look, I thought
the Crusaders played their best rugby between the fifty minute
mark and the seventy eighth minute mark. That Penry I
felt was correct, but not much that those two players
could have done in terms of, you know, collecting the
player coming through. But ultimately they left themselves too much
work to do because at the first half they were
just really really out of sorts, and as I say before,
(05:45):
it felt like they were a team caught by surprise
that Super Rugby had started on February fourteen.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They had some good performers.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Ethan Blackeader was everywhere from open side, but then others
guys at least defying a nook who I thought was
really underwhelming.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
We touched on it. I thought it was very underwhelming, just.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
His basic skills, his positional play really just a totally
off performance. I don't know whether going back to the
wing or switching into the midfield. We touched on it
last week about being a hybrid player. He was in
the ruck at times. Maybe he's got too much on
his plate.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yeah, this could all be the place. He doesn't look
like a wing anymore for me, And I know the
Crusaders have a few injuries around the wings that were
kind of forced to put him there. But he's barely
played wing for and we played there a couple of
times the All Blacks last year, but barely played there
for the best part of three years. And he got
out done for that first tribe. Poor defensive read and
then a lot of drop ball as well, which was
(06:38):
something we saw from him in the All Blacks last
year as well. One handed carry. He's just not able
to secure the ball. It feels like there's a really
quality player there, but he's just got to sharpen up
on some of those basic sets and I'm not sure
that he's a great defensive reader of the game. So
on the left wing he got found out for that tribe.
But again, at center, you've got to be strong on defense.
(06:59):
So I think there's a few question marks over him
this season.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
There's no doubting his physical capabilities ball in hands at pace,
incredibly difficult to stop. But you those soft skills, catch pass,
defensive reads like you say, so there's some pretty big
flaws to for him to.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Work through there. Interesting around the turnout.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
I think that they got fifteen thousand then it looked
like a great atmosphere. But I did read something from
Dylan Cleaver's piece that he made a late decision. He's
into needing to go to the game, and real backlog
of people trying to get in, So maybe something for
the stadium to address there.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Yeah, that's classic New Zealand, doesn't it. Though. You arrive
and hope, Yeah, you've got enough time without wanting to
sit in the stands for too long, and then ultimately
you get in the stands late.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
But look, good turnout.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Good turnout for round one. I know the few people
saying they should have done it on Saturday because it
was obviously I think its O week last week, but
you know, there are various other considerations. I thought fifteen
thousand was pretty good and you've got another home game
this week against the Chiefs, so hopefully a good turn
out then too.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Yeah. I think it also speaks to the rivalry. You know,
the Southern Derby is still a massive fixture on the
rugby calendar, and you saw what it meant to the
Harner's coaching box and the players to get.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Up over the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
That's certainly a match that will always be circled long
on the calendar, and there was genuine passion and pride
in that performance.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
The work I didn't have on this opening weekend is why.
You know they've made a lot about the thirtieth anniversary.
Why wouldn't you kick it off again with Blues and Hurricanes.
Now there's probably other reasons that are not privy too,
but that kicked off Super Rugby in ninety six. Why
not kick it off in twenty twenty six with Blues
Hurricanes again? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
It would have been an easy one.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Interesting to note that thirty years ago the Haunters beat
the Crusaders by two points and thirty years on they
beat them by two points.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Uniforms as well. I think that's how in the Crusaders
campaign and known only six was not one to remember.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Yeah, another one for the good guys, So up the Landers.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Okay, that's enough for that. Let's move on to Saturday afternoon.
More on a pacifica Fiji and Drewer. Good win for
Winer pacificat on the road the Drewer your latok has
been a bit of a graveyard for visiting teams. We
had a lot of question marks over them last week
around how they were going to roll out this year.
(09:15):
But to go over Miracle Fire lungy bags a hat
trick and then they take a win over the Feeder
and draw a great Round one performance.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Oh, huge results, particularly given everything that surrounded Moana on
and off the field, question marks about how they're going
to cover Adi. I'm not going to say Miracle stepped
into his shoes. That's way too early, but to really
come out and deliver a follow me performance that's exactly
what Wina needed. And you're right about the dur Playing
(09:45):
in Fiji is the hardest road trip in superb we
particularly at this time of year with a sweltering heap.
I think prior to that game, the Duror had won
fifteen of their twenty two home matches, so incredibly difficult
place to go. And I don't think you'd say a
statement performance from Juana. But to come off last year
where you beat the Blues, you beat the Crusaders, you
(10:08):
the cusp of the top six, and now everyone's writing
them off, well, I think people were starting to rethink
those predictions.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, if they can do it over there, then you
know they can certainly Colleck some other wins drew a
big question marks over them now. I think they came
back into the game after they've been blown away by
Mowana early. But I think it's going to be a
long season to draw based on about forty eighty minutes.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Yeah, and it seems like the recurring themes that the
what I did see that game. It's the same issues
around basic skills, the line outs being able to convert
pressure into points when they get down there. You know,
they just rely on individual brilliant So big question marks
over their campaign.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, let's continue to Saturday Evening. Blues beaten by the
Chiefs nineteen fifteen. Cortez Ratam scores the winner for the
Chiefs late in the game. What did you make of
that game?
Speaker 3 (11:03):
When not a great spectacle? I think two teams that
were fairly clunky. I think the first half was was
a reasonable watch, but the second half, certainly for a
good twenty minutes, was was pretty tough viewing. Lots of mistakes,
nothing really getting going for either team. I think for
(11:25):
the Blues, the one big question mark I still have
is are they doing enough?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Are they playing enough rugby?
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Are they like I understand Verncotta's style as direct, confrontational,
you know, squeeze tactics, go to the mall, and that
doesn't seem like it's going to change. I talked to
Stephen Peterfetter last week and he was adamant that there
is room in that structure for Flair, for him to
(11:52):
put his imprint on the game and have a crack.
But we barely saw Caleb Clark. I think Mark Tale
is a big loss. On the other edge the right wing,
Sullivan was pretty good at fullback, but I just think
the Blues need to need to be a bit more
venture because they had ample opportunity at the back end
of that game to win it, but they just they're
(12:15):
rolling more got shut down, they gave away a couple
of penalties, and then boom, one moment the Chiefs steal it.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
They did, and you know, they gave him a couple
of penalties to open up that door. I just felt
it was an awful game. Let's be honest, it was
an awful game of rugby. Didn't rise to any great heights,
but it did feel like one of those games where
the Blues were about to basically break the game open.
You know, they had the advantage, you know, by fifteen twelve,
and it felt like, you know, one score away and
(12:43):
the game's probably done. You know, some games do feel
like that. They left the door open for the Chiefs,
who I thought were clunky as well, but the Chiefs
were just you know, good enough to take that final moment.
I didn't think either team did a great job of
building pressure throughout that game. It felt like it was
a game of moments. You know, it was no score
in the opening thirty minutes, but it felt like, you know,
(13:04):
the was it five all at half time? It just
felt like it was one moment stacked on another moment.
But it wasn't building pressure. I think that was the
thing for the Blues is that they you mentioned the
rolling wall and everything like that, that didn't spend enough time
in the Chiefs red zone to really come home with that,
you know, that kind of performance to win that game.
So I don't know that we learned a lot about
(13:26):
either team in all honesty from that performance.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
No, And both teams have a lot of players to
come back, particularly the Chiefs a whole host of all
blacks who didn't feature. I think the bench probably won
it for them in the end. Summer Penny Female had
a great line off a really nice delayed to proviaball
to go through and set up courties Ratama who also
came off the bench. So I think the Chiefs will
(13:51):
be happy obviously to come up and sneak that and
to set themselves up with that firepower they have to
come back. Damien McKenzie and a host of others tt.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Leroy Carter and played for the development team. This another
player that I'm missing as well. It was about five
of them that they didn't play on Saturday nights.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
Some real fire power, that's most your back line.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I thought Quinta Pye was really good both over the
ball and bringing that physicality with his carrying to provide
was excellence.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
I thought had a good game as well.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Yeah, the Chiefs line out didn't function very well. Bradley
Slater was really good your man on debut for the Blues,
and Yea Zarn Sullivan and a couple of others. But
the back line didn't see a great deal of ball.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The back line didn't see a great deal of ball.
I felt, like, you know, Peter Key, I thought on
debut was solid. Trying to think back to the commentary A. J. Lamb,
I didn't think we had a lot of time on ball.
Clark certainly didn't.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
What about the two teens?
Speaker 3 (14:57):
That was an interesting matchup Stephne de Fetter coming back
from his last real competitive game since May, and Josh
Jacob a big chance to start the season with Damien
mckinn is he welcoming his first child. What did you
make of both their performances.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I thought Jacob was pretty good by and large for
controlling the team, driving them around the park, and I
suspect that we might see more of Jacob at ten
this season than McKenzie. Might move mackenzie back at fullback,
potentially coming later in the game to ten I'm interested
to see where John O Gibbs it goes with that.
But I talked in the postmatch about being a big
fan of Josh Jacob and wanting him to regret basically
(15:37):
every day going to the Highlanders from twenty twenty seven.
I'd give a points decision to Josh Jacob. Piafeeda you
touched on hasn't played since made He looked like a
player that hadn't played since May. He wull be better
for that outing. I still think he didn't unlock the
Blues back line as much as you would have liked.
I'm not sure he's the long term answer for them
at ten. I think when Boden Barrett's back, they'll go
(15:58):
back to Boden and the next few rounds. Once he's
back for that Crusaders game on the seventh, which is
around the date or the date that he's he marked.
So yeah, points decision to Jake for me.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Yeah. I thought Peterfetter had some nice touches long balls
early and he kicked one fifty twenty two, but both
tens struggled off the tea early some really easy misses,
so I don't think it was an authoritative performance from
either of them. Maybe a sign of start in the season.
But yeah, interesting to see how Boden comes back as well.
(16:29):
Traditionally the All Blacks come back off the bench, and jeez,
will Jordan set the standard there, didn't they?
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Yeah, he very much did say he was excellent coming
off the bench of the Crusaders. I've seen some social
media that they did around Jordan. We're in twenty three
Michael Jordan, et cetera, So I don't think it twenty
three for two much longer.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Michael had a few more hops.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Maybe both both quality players. Ossie Games Wartas up the
Reids thirty six twelve. This is a very good performance
in the war Tars. Game was in the balance up
until what about twenty to go, and the Wartars just
broke home and ran in some late tries. Very impressed
by what they are able to do. I think they'll
rise up the table a little bit this year. The
Wartars some really good outside backs Max Jorgncern quality players,
(17:17):
so I was impressed by that. And the Rumby is
just too good for the Force. Fifty six to twenty four.
Signs of life in the Force that we talked a
bit a little bit about last week that they might
be back. Well, didn't start particularly well.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
No, that's a drubbing at home, isn't it because traditionally
they are a lot better in Perth.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
But big result for the Waratars.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
I think that is a statement performance in a derby match.
They were outsiders to start that week, heavily backed. I
think their neck and neck going into the game. The
Red's missing a few but that is a real stake
in the ground from the Watars and I think they
can kick on and be genuine contenders this year. I
(17:56):
think Sydney's not an easy place to go, so yeah,
interesting to see if they can kick on.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Indeed, all right, we'll take a quick break here on
Rugby Direct, come back with Final four and more after this.
You're back with Rugby Direct. Time now for the Final four, Liam,
question for you number one. Did the Highlanders win over
the Crusaders on Friday night? Locke and Jamie Joseph as
the All Blacks coach.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Well, the rumor was an overdriven that it's gonna it's
gonna be announced this week.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I was hearing it was gonna it's five o'clock Friday
before the game. There was one rumor going around.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
It's all rubber stamp. It's good to go here.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Late March early June did a pump first week before
the All Black time.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
The breaks awave it.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Look, no it didn't, but it can only help his cause.
It was a big upset result. But it has one result.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
We're very good in this country of not viewing things
in context and viewing them in pure isolation. And one
win is not going to get him the All Blacks
coaching job. It's the same as if they've been beaten
by twenty five points was not going to rule him
out of the All Blacks coaching job. That helps.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
It's certainly it's it's front front viewing as it's front
of mind. It's there, it's ever present. They've rey had
a good win in Japan in the weekends. I think
they beat t Shibam.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Longer and to black at his team.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Yeah that's all right, so but that's out of sight,
out of mind to a degree. Look, yeah it doesn't.
It won't hurt his chance as well, No, won't.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
And look this will be taking into consideration. But again
you just don't know that a round one result in
Super Rugby is going to be the tipping point for
the the famous five as they come to that conclusion.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
That's a good I like that use that the panel.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
The Panel six Nations. Scotland rumors of their death have
been greatly exaggerated. Gregor Townsend resigning for another ten years.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Better again, Gregor is back baby.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Yeah, that was a really good performance and England were
quite poor. I thought watched the scame yesterday morning and
didn't spect Scotland to win. Certainly didn't expect them to
win thirty one twenty. They were claudy, I thought, and
just everything that they didn't get right against Italy. They
looked polished. I thought their fords are really really good.
(20:20):
Their back line you know, to weep a lot too
excellent again and Finn Russell won that Battle of the
tens quite easily over George Ford.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Yeah, what does do Scotland invest too much in the
England performance? This is Scotland's fifth win in six games
over England. England haven't won in Edinburgh since since twenty twenty.
Great result for Scotland, particularly the bounce back from Italy.
(20:53):
But it is a one off result and it is important.
It means a lot to them. The Kelcutter Cup they
always get up for ENGLM. But does is there too
much focus for Scotland on one fiction? Does that change
the complexion of Gregor Town's ends tenure as a whole.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Quite possibly. You look at the record they've had against England,
it's very very impressive, but you've got to win consistently
elsewhere and Scotland haven't been able to do that. And
you look back to what they did last year in
the Autumn Nation Series, you know that they should have
been in the All Blacks at Murrayfield. They should have
been an Argentina the following weekend at inn at Murrayfield
and blue what are twenty one? The lead or whatever?
(21:33):
It was? So, yep, great, they've got the curl cutter cup,
very very good performance. So I thought, as I say,
Scotland were excellent, but it's no use if they are
going to go lose to Italy and Rome in a
poor game the week before. They've obviously got another game
coming up this weekend, but they need to back these
results up. And that's the story I think of Gregor
(21:54):
Town's ends tenures that they have been high and then
they've been low and haven't been able to get any consistency.
So yeah, you're exactly right. The curl Cutter Cup is great,
but it's consistency that Scottish rugby fans won't.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Yeah, let's see what happens for the remainder of the
six nations. Great win because England had won what ten
twelve games in a row, so to halt that put
some real context around maybe where England are at as well.
Great one for Scottish rugby, but you've got to kick on.
And I also just want to make the point that
it's time now to genuinely put some respect on Italian
rugby's name because they could have easily could have. They didn't, No,
(22:31):
they didn't, but seven points they came within an island
and they had a try just allowed.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I thought they tried was being dislow, was pretty dubious,
maybe out of the hands, potentially slightly forward. But you
look at it and I go, is there enough for
a TMO to INTERVENA be so adamant? Is how Holly
Davidson's change your decision. I didn't think there was enough
there to go. It has to be overturned. I thought
it was a fifty to fifty call, and personally I
(22:59):
hate the TMO. But I think those decisions shouldn't be overruled.
I think there wasn't enough. You know, it wasn't absolutely
fluid that it was a forward pass.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Yeah, I think it was probably the right call, but
it was it was in real time.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
This is my New Year's resolution. I wasn't going to
buck on at the TMO this year, but I didn't
think there was enough that to overturn it. Put it
that way.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Yeah, good, another good performance from Badly and I think
the context around with which they are viewed now needs
to change. So like that, what they're win against Scotland
last week was not a major surprise. It was an
upset sure, But to go to Dublin and push Ireland
to the brink I think shows where they're at. And
I think they're coming to New Zealand in July, and
(23:46):
that's in Wellington of all places.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
I saw el Ferguson puts us on Instagram as well.
You know it is the graveyard for the All Blacks
Mariki weekend, you know, I think.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
Look it's in there.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
What would you do if a beat the All Blacks?
Speaker 4 (24:03):
I'd probably have to sing the national anthem live on
Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Well, we'll make that happen a lot better than that
can happen if God for Italy beat the All Blacks
later in the year and Wales crumbling its France this
morning in a result that most of us still coming.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Yeah, Griham times for Welsh rugby. But I also think
that does show.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
How lethal France are and that back climb with DuPont,
Jelly Beer ramos Man, they are so good to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Stack absolutely stacks. You had a piece last week top
three in the final four around getting fans back into rugby.
You spoke to Carl Budge who was made this. You
know one of his aims is the Blues CEO around
getting fans through the gates. Look that it was a
very good opening round of Super Rugby. What fifteen ish
thousand and Dunedin.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Seventeen Eden Park.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
I know they had aim for maybe twenty didn't quite
get there, but there was the sale gp on, there
was other things on over the course of the weekend.
I guess a good start for getting those fans through
the gates. But there's to do.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Yeah, I think the challenge is outside of the kiwidobies, right.
So Chiefs Blues is a headline fixture Heihna's Crusaders probably
the biggest match of the year in Dnedain and Super Rugby,
so punters are going to come for those games. It's
when the foresaw of the drawer. Even the Brumbies who
(25:31):
are a headline Australian team, that appeal isn't there. So
I think one thing the Blues are doing well, there's
one day that with they're packaged up with the racing.
You can go to the racing and go to the Blues,
or you know, maybe you partner up with the Warriors
or another event in the city earlier kickoffs help family
(25:55):
friendly ticketing prices, or opening up the outer oval and
following things that have Aukland f C have done with
They had a big Inlands Beach in a massive slide
and all these things can sound a wee bit nef
but I think you just have to try something.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
You do and you're right though those Australian games are
a hard sell, but then you also look at it
and go well, Auckland FC players Central Coast, they play
newcast Lot home, they play and no one knows who's
in their team unless you're an A league die hard
with the greatest respect. So those shouldn't be as harder
to sell those tickets as they are. You look at
the Warriors, you know, you know, you know those players
(26:35):
more so perhaps in the NRL, but they don't find
it hard to sell. So I think we've got a
view of Australian rugby because we got such a rugby country.
There's like, oh, this is not worth going to, whereas
in football and rugby league it's a different conversation. So
I think the Blues have a harder sell to try
and get people through the gates of those games. And
it's interesting to see what car Budge is going to
(26:56):
try over the next couple of years to try and
make that happen. Afternoon kickoffs might help for you, force Drewer,
Rumby's wartors, whatever game, but they can't do that every week.
So I'm intrigued. Look, innovation is a good thing in drag.
We need more of it. I think that's super Aquisin
crying out for some of those sort of blue sky
sort of thinking.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah, I do.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I think it's it's called by just biggest challenge in
his career. He's done exceptional things for the ASP Classic.
He's worked with sale GP and a number of other things,
but coming to a traditionally conservative sport like rugby, going
to a ground like eden Park that can be very
restrictive on what they allow you to do starting the
season with a loss, and also the style of rugby
(27:40):
the Blues are playing and not necessarily a great attractive proposition.
So there's a number of challenges there. But I think
he is a very innovative person, so interested to see
what he can bring to that environment.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah. Me, the Blues Crusaders, Blues next time games against
the Crusaders much seven. The shouldn't have too many issues
getting a decent crowd for that. It's getting going to
be a little bit cooler by that point in time.
Fans have been more tuned to rugby by round four.
But it might be but you know, there's all sorts
of Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
The other challenge is Eden Park half capacity twenty thousand,
is a full mount smart stadium, so it doesn't look
the same, it doesn't feel the same from an atmosphere perspective,
and I would also probably question whether rugby has the
same die hard fans as say the Warriors do as well.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
No, I don't think they do. I mean there's not
as I don't think it's a diehard Blues fandom that
there is for the Warriors, and that's out of borne
out of different things, different socioeconomic thing. There's so many
reasons for that. But the Warriors have never wanted thing
in their entire history. The Blues have won certain things,
but they're you know, the Warriors fans still turn up
(28:51):
Rainhaale shine at Mounts Amount Stadium. Blues fans can be fickle.
There's a certain base there, but I just question, you know,
there's not the diehards, is there? Yeah? Interesting to see
where they go to. A good piece on the US
held worth reading from Liam and number four. We'll get
some Hurricanes chat in here. Even though play Ruben Love injured,
we don't know the full details as yet. I heard
(29:12):
last week he was in a moon boot around Palmston North.
The Hurricanes acknowledge that with the media release. Was still
waiting to hear how he goes, but hopefully not out
for too long because I was really keen to see
how he's going to go at ten this season.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
I'm hearing it's not serious, which is good news because
I think everyone would love to see Rygard Love and
Barrett kick off the season together. Whether that happens this
week against Moan, I'm not too sure, but I think
Ruben will be back soon. They've got Brett Cameron there,
so different type of player, but I think it would
be good to see Ruben Love getting extended run at ten,
(29:50):
both for his own stability and career progression and for
our interest.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Absolutely right MVP voting. Who'd you come up with? You
through two ones?
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Lamb, Well one person we didn't mention with the Blues before.
Just a quick shout out to Torrian Barnes debut. Most
people probably never heard of him unless you're a die hard.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Drivers. Shout out to the bus drivers.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Canonbury and Follower.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
But he hasn't cracked the top three. I'm going miracle
Fi Lungey. Pretty hard to go past three tries, so
he gets my three. Toper Vy excellent for the Blues.
A bit of controversy around his try, but that was legit.
You can dive for the trial line, just not over
a ruck and he was excellent at the line out.
Great soft skills around the field as well, and I'm
(30:41):
going one to Tavanawa. I thought typically strong over the
breakdown and with ball in hands, so a good start
to the season in his comeback.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Indeed three tries not good enough to get into my
three two ones. Tuper I gets my three points. I
thought he's excellent. That is exactly the blueprint of how
you want and all back to play in Super Rugby.
He just says to be getting better and better. He got.
He was excellent last year for the Blacks. Then he
had an injury layoff. Yeah, quality play to Lucas Casey.
(31:14):
Very impressed by him on debut, had a good Super
Rugby season, backed it up, sorry, good NB season backed
up on debut and Super Rugby similar to Barnes, has
come out of the wider training group and been thrusting.
I think those two have big futures in front of them.
On what we saw over the weekend, and one to
No Hotham with the Cisco the Thong song. Yeah, yeah, no,
(31:36):
but dount dunk du r. I don't need you're quite
evidenus thing on this podcast. I'm not one point for
not Hotham. Excellent was you know, probably the half back
of the weekend for mine from a New Zealand perspective
and a losing effort.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Yeah, probably shaded from La Christie yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Risen was good off the bench for the Chiefs as well.
They seem to like using him in that last thirty
minute role. I mean he's done it for the All
Blacks number of times, but you know he had a
bit of a line why element to that last half hour.
Scored the winning try as well, So interested to see
how much he starts the season versus zavy Row. But
watch the space. Those are our three two ones. Also
(32:20):
get involved with us on fantasy as well. Rugby Direct podcast.
I heard just before kick off I'd ethan degree to
my team the hood. He was switched to the bench,
so I made a late change. I can't remember who
actually brought it in the end, but I did make
the late change, so had I think I had a
decent all weekend. But keep joining us on their Rugby
Direct podcast as where you find us.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Yeah, great turn out, thanks for getting on board. There's
ninety teams in there. Yeah, and the winner will get
super Rugby jersey.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
So yeah, get am I what's your username? What's your
team name?
Speaker 1 (32:48):
On?
Speaker 2 (32:48):
I'm forty minute red card es, which isn't in joke
about twenty minute red cards.
Speaker 4 (32:52):
I'm really hard to decipher Fox and Fazz.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Fox and this year. So yeah, it would be good
if he had everyone's actual names alongside them. You can
sort of figure that out, but those are us too. Anyway,
get involved Rugby Direct podcast to search for us as well.
Tipping Wires will run through that on our Thursday podcast.
Later in the week we'll go through who tips well
and who didn't. But once we got the team's locked in,
we will tip for round two. And also we want
(33:16):
your feedback and your letters and your emails and any
questions you've got in the Rugby Direct mailbag Rugby Direct
at inside dot co dot NZI to get in touch
with us. We'll read out it a couple every week.
We might even do some sort of special mailbag episodes.
We run through a lot of feedback, but certainly on
Thursdays we'll have to answer a couple of questions. So
keen on any questions you might have for.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
Us two Yeah, questions, hot takes, rumors.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Yeah, we're open for it all. Rugby Directs the email
there at NZ dot co dot in z. Thanks to
Mark Kelly. We'll be back on Thursday with another edition
of Rugby Directs. Say safe out there, Powered by having
health physic. Book today and stay at the game.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
For more from news talks, b listen live on air
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Straight down the Middle.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Of Trump Sky, try to.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Get inside the game from every end goal. It's Rugby
Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Navier powered by News
Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Welcome in to Rugby Direct powered by Habit Held Physio
book Today and Stay in the Game Rugby Direct Back.
We had Super Rugby Around one and the books. Elliott
Smith with me is Liam Napier, rugby writer, correspondent, co host,
et cetera, et cetera, Liam, Super Rugby Round ones in
the Books. Overall, how did you feel about the quality
(01:01):
of rugby we saw over the weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I think it was a typical first round, Elliott. Great
to have it back on our earways. Suffered somewhat from
not having the best team in the competition start the round.
The Hurricanes, you know, almost came out in protest with
them not there right okay, but there was some quality.
There was some great passages, and I think there was
(01:25):
some clunkiness as well and some underwhelming long.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Patches as well.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
So I expect the season to get better, but great
to see some upsets. I think that's crucial for this competition.
We don't want it to be highly predictable, don't want
it to be.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Scripted, do we.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
So props to the Highlanders in particular, everyone's second favorite
team for the week.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Not my second favorite team, but that's all right. You
know everyone else could have their second favorite teams the Highlanders.
Let's start the Highlanders twenty five Crusaders twenty three under
the roof in Dunedin, and this was a very good
performance from the Highlanders. I thought it first half took
advantage of the Crusaders eras Crusaders couldn't hold onto any
(02:13):
ball for that first period and just took their opportunities
when they came. I think you've got to look at
the Crusaders and go, you know, maybe you know Cody,
Taylor and Wild and I know they had all blacks rice,
but they looked a lot better when they were on
the park, but they just Crusaders looked clunky for that
first forty but the Highlanders looked like a team and
maybe because they hadn't had as many all blacks through
(02:35):
pre season, but they looked like a team ready to
go for Round one. The Crusaders looked like they've been
caught by surprise that super rugby had got underway.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
It will start with the Highlanders. I think almost need
to offer an apology. Round one didn't give them a chance,
and this picture thought the Crusaders would do it comfortably.
And I heard this morning actually that the tab made
a killing on that game. One punter put ten grand
on the Crusaders. I certainly had them in a few multis,
(03:03):
so not to that extent.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Well, I think counts ten grand lighter this morning.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
But the context around the Highlanders, isn't it having lost
the LM. Pledger, Fabian Hollands, they just seem like they're
on the Rackabit and Jamie Joseph the distraction around that.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Look at their roster.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
It doesn't have the star stuttered names of the other
New Zealand franchises, but they turned up and I was
really impressed with some of their non headline players. Jack Taylor,
I know the line out really struggled, but he was
good around the field. Lucas Casey was good, good on debut.
And then when they do get that front foot platform,
(03:44):
the outside backs in particular lethal Jacob Ratamavuki Nipkins, Caleb Tungytowe.
The try that he scored just blistering pace. He is
an out and out finisher. It was a real statement
finished from him to beat fi Haki and one another
in the corner. You know, he didn't have a lot
of room to move, but pure pace and they just
(04:05):
kept coming.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
The Hoighlanders.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
It was quite a smart tactical decision to switch the
front rows to match what the Crusaders.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Were doing with their bench.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And it did feel like watching that game that the
Crusaders would come over the top. When they was at
the fifty minute mark, they introduced their bomb, scored six
players as you mentioned, Will Jordan, Cody Taylor, Fletcher Newell,
there was a host of others and the Crusaders just
went about their methodical grinds that felt like they were
(04:37):
going to come over the top.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Was that a mistake, Well, yeah, I guess they're balancing that.
All blacks restands. This is the juggling act that super
rugby coaches have got to deal with, and the Crusaders
you know, have probably you know the same amount of
all blots or around about the same as the Chiefs.
So the Chiefs went to Eden park in one, which
we'll get to a minute, but you've got a delicate
balancing act. But it felt like once the Crusaders had
(05:02):
those all blacks on the park, they looked a lot
better for that last half hour of the game. And
as you say, rolling over the top, well, they got
to the point that they were, you know, out in
front and had a one point leads and we're looking
perhaps the better team by that point. The Hinders had
sort of fallen away a little bit in the game,
but they gave away the penalty and the Highlanders cam
(05:23):
Miller clutch enough to win it. So look, I thought
the Crusaders played their best rugby between the fifty minute
mark and the seventy eighth minute mark. That Penry I
felt was correct, but not much that those two players
could have done in terms of, you know, collecting the
player coming through. But ultimately they left themselves too much
work to do because at the first half they were
just really really out of sorts, and as I say before,
(05:45):
it felt like they were a team caught by surprise
that Super Rugby had started on February fourteen.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They had some good performers.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Ethan Blackeader was everywhere from open side, but then others
guys at least defying a nook who I thought was
really underwhelming.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
We touched on it. I thought it was very underwhelming, just.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
His basic skills, his positional play really just a totally
off performance. I don't know whether going back to the
wing or switching into the midfield. We touched on it
last week about being a hybrid player. He was in
the ruck at times. Maybe he's got too much on
his plate.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yeah, this could all be the place. He doesn't look
like a wing anymore for me, And I know the
Crusaders have a few injuries around the wings that were
kind of forced to put him there. But he's barely
played wing for and we played there a couple of
times the All Blacks last year, but barely played there
for the best part of three years. And he got
out done for that first tribe. Poor defensive read and
then a lot of drop ball as well, which was
(06:38):
something we saw from him in the All Blacks last
year as well. One handed carry. He's just not able
to secure the ball. It feels like there's a really
quality player there, but he's just got to sharpen up
on some of those basic sets and I'm not sure
that he's a great defensive reader of the game. So
on the left wing he got found out for that tribe.
But again, at center, you've got to be strong on defense.
(06:59):
So I think there's a few question marks over him
this season.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
There's no doubting his physical capabilities ball in hands at pace,
incredibly difficult to stop. But you those soft skills, catch pass,
defensive reads like you say, so there's some pretty big
flaws to for him to.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Work through there. Interesting around the turnout.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
I think that they got fifteen thousand then it looked
like a great atmosphere. But I did read something from
Dylan Cleaver's piece that he made a late decision. He's
into needing to go to the game, and real backlog
of people trying to get in, So maybe something for
the stadium to address there.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Yeah, that's classic New Zealand, doesn't it. Though. You arrive
and hope, Yeah, you've got enough time without wanting to
sit in the stands for too long, and then ultimately
you get in the stands late.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
But look, good turnout.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Good turnout for round one. I know the few people
saying they should have done it on Saturday because it
was obviously I think its O week last week, but
you know, there are various other considerations. I thought fifteen
thousand was pretty good and you've got another home game
this week against the Chiefs, so hopefully a good turn
out then too.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Yeah. I think it also speaks to the rivalry. You know,
the Southern Derby is still a massive fixture on the
rugby calendar, and you saw what it meant to the
Harner's coaching box and the players to get.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Up over the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
That's certainly a match that will always be circled long
on the calendar, and there was genuine passion and pride
in that performance.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
The work I didn't have on this opening weekend is why.
You know they've made a lot about the thirtieth anniversary.
Why wouldn't you kick it off again with Blues and Hurricanes.
Now there's probably other reasons that are not privy too,
but that kicked off Super Rugby in ninety six. Why
not kick it off in twenty twenty six with Blues
Hurricanes again? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
It would have been an easy one.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Interesting to note that thirty years ago the Haunters beat
the Crusaders by two points and thirty years on they
beat them by two points.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Uniforms as well. I think that's how in the Crusaders
campaign and known only six was not one to remember.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Yeah, another one for the good guys, So up the Landers.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Okay, that's enough for that. Let's move on to Saturday afternoon.
More on a pacifica Fiji and Drewer. Good win for
Winer pacificat on the road the Drewer your latok has
been a bit of a graveyard for visiting teams. We
had a lot of question marks over them last week
around how they were going to roll out this year.
(09:15):
But to go over Miracle Fire lungy bags a hat
trick and then they take a win over the Feeder
and draw a great Round one performance.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Oh, huge results, particularly given everything that surrounded Moana on
and off the field, question marks about how they're going
to cover Adi. I'm not going to say Miracle stepped
into his shoes. That's way too early, but to really
come out and deliver a follow me performance that's exactly
what Wina needed. And you're right about the dur Playing
(09:45):
in Fiji is the hardest road trip in superb we
particularly at this time of year with a sweltering heap.
I think prior to that game, the Duror had won
fifteen of their twenty two home matches, so incredibly difficult
place to go. And I don't think you'd say a
statement performance from Juana. But to come off last year
where you beat the Blues, you beat the Crusaders, you
(10:08):
the cusp of the top six, and now everyone's writing
them off, well, I think people were starting to rethink
those predictions.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, if they can do it over there, then you
know they can certainly Colleck some other wins drew a
big question marks over them now. I think they came
back into the game after they've been blown away by
Mowana early. But I think it's going to be a
long season to draw based on about forty eighty minutes.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Yeah, and it seems like the recurring themes that the
what I did see that game. It's the same issues
around basic skills, the line outs being able to convert
pressure into points when they get down there. You know,
they just rely on individual brilliant So big question marks
over their campaign.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, let's continue to Saturday Evening. Blues beaten by the
Chiefs nineteen fifteen. Cortez Ratam scores the winner for the
Chiefs late in the game. What did you make of
that game?
Speaker 3 (11:03):
When not a great spectacle? I think two teams that
were fairly clunky. I think the first half was was
a reasonable watch, but the second half, certainly for a
good twenty minutes, was was pretty tough viewing. Lots of mistakes,
nothing really getting going for either team. I think for
(11:25):
the Blues, the one big question mark I still have
is are they doing enough?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Are they playing enough rugby?
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Are they like I understand Verncotta's style as direct, confrontational,
you know, squeeze tactics, go to the mall, and that
doesn't seem like it's going to change. I talked to
Stephen Peterfetter last week and he was adamant that there
is room in that structure for Flair, for him to
(11:52):
put his imprint on the game and have a crack.
But we barely saw Caleb Clark. I think Mark Tale
is a big loss. On the other edge the right wing,
Sullivan was pretty good at fullback, but I just think
the Blues need to need to be a bit more
venture because they had ample opportunity at the back end
of that game to win it, but they just they're
(12:15):
rolling more got shut down, they gave away a couple
of penalties, and then boom, one moment the Chiefs steal it.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
They did, and you know, they gave him a couple
of penalties to open up that door. I just felt
it was an awful game. Let's be honest, it was
an awful game of rugby. Didn't rise to any great heights,
but it did feel like one of those games where
the Blues were about to basically break the game open.
You know, they had the advantage, you know, by fifteen twelve,
and it felt like, you know, one score away and
(12:43):
the game's probably done. You know, some games do feel
like that. They left the door open for the Chiefs,
who I thought were clunky as well, but the Chiefs
were just you know, good enough to take that final moment.
I didn't think either team did a great job of
building pressure throughout that game. It felt like it was
a game of moments. You know, it was no score
in the opening thirty minutes, but it felt like, you know,
(13:04):
the was it five all at half time? It just
felt like it was one moment stacked on another moment.
But it wasn't building pressure. I think that was the
thing for the Blues is that they you mentioned the
rolling wall and everything like that, that didn't spend enough time
in the Chiefs red zone to really come home with that,
you know, that kind of performance to win that game.
So I don't know that we learned a lot about
(13:26):
either team in all honesty from that performance.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
No, And both teams have a lot of players to
come back, particularly the Chiefs a whole host of all
blacks who didn't feature. I think the bench probably won
it for them in the end. Summer Penny Female had
a great line off a really nice delayed to proviaball
to go through and set up courties Ratama who also
came off the bench. So I think the Chiefs will
(13:51):
be happy obviously to come up and sneak that and
to set themselves up with that firepower they have to
come back. Damien McKenzie and a host of others tt.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Leroy Carter and played for the development team. This another
player that I'm missing as well. It was about five
of them that they didn't play on Saturday nights.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
Some real fire power, that's most your back line.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I thought Quinta Pye was really good both over the
ball and bringing that physicality with his carrying to provide
was excellence.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
I thought had a good game as well.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Yeah, the Chiefs line out didn't function very well. Bradley
Slater was really good your man on debut for the Blues,
and Yea Zarn Sullivan and a couple of others. But
the back line didn't see a great deal of ball.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The back line didn't see a great deal of ball.
I felt, like, you know, Peter Key, I thought on
debut was solid. Trying to think back to the commentary A. J. Lamb,
I didn't think we had a lot of time on ball.
Clark certainly didn't.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
What about the two teens?
Speaker 3 (14:57):
That was an interesting matchup Stephne de Fetter coming back
from his last real competitive game since May, and Josh
Jacob a big chance to start the season with Damien
mckinn is he welcoming his first child. What did you
make of both their performances.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I thought Jacob was pretty good by and large for
controlling the team, driving them around the park, and I
suspect that we might see more of Jacob at ten
this season than McKenzie. Might move mackenzie back at fullback,
potentially coming later in the game to ten I'm interested
to see where John O Gibbs it goes with that.
But I talked in the postmatch about being a big
fan of Josh Jacob and wanting him to regret basically
(15:37):
every day going to the Highlanders from twenty twenty seven.
I'd give a points decision to Josh Jacob. Piafeeda you
touched on hasn't played since made He looked like a
player that hadn't played since May. He wull be better
for that outing. I still think he didn't unlock the
Blues back line as much as you would have liked.
I'm not sure he's the long term answer for them
at ten. I think when Boden Barrett's back, they'll go
(15:58):
back to Boden and the next few rounds. Once he's
back for that Crusaders game on the seventh, which is
around the date or the date that he's he marked.
So yeah, points decision to Jake for me.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Yeah. I thought Peterfetter had some nice touches long balls
early and he kicked one fifty twenty two, but both
tens struggled off the tea early some really easy misses,
so I don't think it was an authoritative performance from
either of them. Maybe a sign of start in the season.
But yeah, interesting to see how Boden comes back as well.
(16:29):
Traditionally the All Blacks come back off the bench, and jeez,
will Jordan set the standard there, didn't they?
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Yeah, he very much did say he was excellent coming
off the bench of the Crusaders. I've seen some social
media that they did around Jordan. We're in twenty three
Michael Jordan, et cetera, So I don't think it twenty
three for two much longer.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Michael had a few more hops.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Maybe both both quality players. Ossie Games Wartas up the
Reids thirty six twelve. This is a very good performance
in the war Tars. Game was in the balance up
until what about twenty to go, and the Wartars just
broke home and ran in some late tries. Very impressed
by what they are able to do. I think they'll
rise up the table a little bit this year. The
Wartars some really good outside backs Max Jorgncern quality players,
(17:17):
so I was impressed by that. And the Rumby is
just too good for the Force. Fifty six to twenty four.
Signs of life in the Force that we talked a
bit a little bit about last week that they might
be back. Well, didn't start particularly well.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
No, that's a drubbing at home, isn't it because traditionally
they are a lot better in Perth.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
But big result for the Waratars.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
I think that is a statement performance in a derby match.
They were outsiders to start that week, heavily backed. I
think their neck and neck going into the game. The
Red's missing a few but that is a real stake
in the ground from the Watars and I think they
can kick on and be genuine contenders this year. I
(17:56):
think Sydney's not an easy place to go, so yeah,
interesting to see if they can kick on.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
Indeed, all right, we'll take a quick break here on
Rugby Direct, come back with Final four and more after this.
You're back with Rugby Direct. Time now for the Final four, Liam,
question for you number one. Did the Highlanders win over
the Crusaders on Friday night? Locke and Jamie Joseph as
the All Blacks coach.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Well, the rumor was an overdriven that it's gonna it's
gonna be announced this week.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I was hearing it was gonna it's five o'clock Friday
before the game. There was one rumor going around.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
It's all rubber stamp. It's good to go here.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Late March early June did a pump first week before
the All Black time.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
The breaks awave it.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Look, no it didn't, but it can only help his cause.
It was a big upset result. But it has one result.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
We're very good in this country of not viewing things
in context and viewing them in pure isolation. And one
win is not going to get him the All Blacks
coaching job. It's the same as if they've been beaten
by twenty five points was not going to rule him
out of the All Blacks coaching job. That helps.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
It's certainly it's it's front front viewing as it's front
of mind. It's there, it's ever present. They've rey had
a good win in Japan in the weekends. I think
they beat t Shibam.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Longer and to black at his team.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Yeah that's all right, so but that's out of sight,
out of mind to a degree. Look, yeah it doesn't.
It won't hurt his chance as well, No, won't.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
And look this will be taking into consideration. But again
you just don't know that a round one result in
Super Rugby is going to be the tipping point for
the the famous five as they come to that conclusion.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
That's a good I like that use that the panel.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
The Panel six Nations. Scotland rumors of their death have
been greatly exaggerated. Gregor Townsend resigning for another ten years.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Better again, Gregor is back baby.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Yeah, that was a really good performance and England were
quite poor. I thought watched the scame yesterday morning and
didn't spect Scotland to win. Certainly didn't expect them to
win thirty one twenty. They were claudy, I thought, and
just everything that they didn't get right against Italy. They
looked polished. I thought their fords are really really good.
(20:20):
Their back line you know, to weep a lot too
excellent again and Finn Russell won that Battle of the
tens quite easily over George Ford.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Yeah, what does do Scotland invest too much in the
England performance? This is Scotland's fifth win in six games
over England. England haven't won in Edinburgh since since twenty twenty.
Great result for Scotland, particularly the bounce back from Italy.
(20:53):
But it is a one off result and it is important.
It means a lot to them. The Kelcutter Cup they
always get up for ENGLM. But does is there too
much focus for Scotland on one fiction? Does that change
the complexion of Gregor Town's ends tenure as a whole.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Quite possibly. You look at the record they've had against England,
it's very very impressive, but you've got to win consistently
elsewhere and Scotland haven't been able to do that. And
you look back to what they did last year in
the Autumn Nation Series, you know that they should have
been in the All Blacks at Murrayfield. They should have
been an Argentina the following weekend at inn at Murrayfield
and blue what are twenty one? The lead or whatever?
(21:33):
It was? So, yep, great, they've got the curl cutter cup,
very very good performance. So I thought, as I say,
Scotland were excellent, but it's no use if they are
going to go lose to Italy and Rome in a
poor game the week before. They've obviously got another game
coming up this weekend, but they need to back these
results up. And that's the story I think of Gregor
(21:54):
Town's ends tenures that they have been high and then
they've been low and haven't been able to get any consistency.
So yeah, you're exactly right. The curl Cutter Cup is great,
but it's consistency that Scottish rugby fans won't.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Yeah, let's see what happens for the remainder of the
six nations. Great win because England had won what ten
twelve games in a row, so to halt that put
some real context around maybe where England are at as well.
Great one for Scottish rugby, but you've got to kick on.
And I also just want to make the point that
it's time now to genuinely put some respect on Italian
rugby's name because they could have easily could have. They didn't, No,
(22:31):
they didn't, but seven points they came within an island
and they had a try just allowed.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I thought they tried was being dislow, was pretty dubious,
maybe out of the hands, potentially slightly forward. But you
look at it and I go, is there enough for
a TMO to INTERVENA be so adamant? Is how Holly
Davidson's change your decision. I didn't think there was enough
there to go. It has to be overturned. I thought
it was a fifty to fifty call, and personally I
(22:59):
hate the TMO. But I think those decisions shouldn't be overruled.
I think there wasn't enough. You know, it wasn't absolutely
fluid that it was a forward pass.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Yeah, I think it was probably the right call, but
it was it was in real time.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
This is my New Year's resolution. I wasn't going to
buck on at the TMO this year, but I didn't
think there was enough that to overturn it. Put it
that way.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Yeah, good, another good performance from Badly and I think
the context around with which they are viewed now needs
to change. So like that, what they're win against Scotland
last week was not a major surprise. It was an
upset sure, But to go to Dublin and push Ireland
to the brink I think shows where they're at. And
I think they're coming to New Zealand in July, and
(23:46):
that's in Wellington of all places.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
I saw el Ferguson puts us on Instagram as well.
You know it is the graveyard for the All Blacks
Mariki weekend, you know, I think.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
Look it's in there.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
What would you do if a beat the All Blacks?
Speaker 4 (24:03):
I'd probably have to sing the national anthem live on
Rugby Direct.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Well, we'll make that happen a lot better than that
can happen if God for Italy beat the All Blacks
later in the year and Wales crumbling its France this
morning in a result that most of us still coming.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Yeah, Griham times for Welsh rugby. But I also think
that does show.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
How lethal France are and that back climb with DuPont,
Jelly Beer ramos Man, they are so good to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Stack absolutely stacks. You had a piece last week top
three in the final four around getting fans back into rugby.
You spoke to Carl Budge who was made this. You
know one of his aims is the Blues CEO around
getting fans through the gates. Look that it was a
very good opening round of Super Rugby. What fifteen ish
thousand and Dunedin.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Seventeen Eden Park.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
I know they had aim for maybe twenty didn't quite
get there, but there was the sale gp on, there
was other things on over the course of the weekend.
I guess a good start for getting those fans through
the gates. But there's to do.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Yeah, I think the challenge is outside of the kiwidobies, right.
So Chiefs Blues is a headline fixture Heihna's Crusaders probably
the biggest match of the year in Dnedain and Super Rugby,
so punters are going to come for those games. It's
when the foresaw of the drawer. Even the Brumbies who
(25:31):
are a headline Australian team, that appeal isn't there. So
I think one thing the Blues are doing well, there's
one day that with they're packaged up with the racing.
You can go to the racing and go to the Blues,
or you know, maybe you partner up with the Warriors
or another event in the city earlier kickoffs help family
(25:55):
friendly ticketing prices, or opening up the outer oval and
following things that have Aukland f C have done with
They had a big Inlands Beach in a massive slide
and all these things can sound a wee bit nef
but I think you just have to try something.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
You do and you're right though those Australian games are
a hard sell, but then you also look at it
and go well, Auckland FC players Central Coast, they play
newcast Lot home, they play and no one knows who's
in their team unless you're an A league die hard
with the greatest respect. So those shouldn't be as harder
to sell those tickets as they are. You look at
the Warriors, you know, you know, you know those players
(26:35):
more so perhaps in the NRL, but they don't find
it hard to sell. So I think we've got a
view of Australian rugby because we got such a rugby country.
There's like, oh, this is not worth going to, whereas
in football and rugby league it's a different conversation. So
I think the Blues have a harder sell to try
and get people through the gates of those games. And
it's interesting to see what car Budge is going to
(26:56):
try over the next couple of years to try and
make that happen. Afternoon kickoffs might help for you, force Drewer,
Rumby's wartors, whatever game, but they can't do that every week.
So I'm intrigued. Look, innovation is a good thing in drag.
We need more of it. I think that's super Aquisin
crying out for some of those sort of blue sky
sort of thinking.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah, I do.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I think it's it's called by just biggest challenge in
his career. He's done exceptional things for the ASP Classic.
He's worked with sale GP and a number of other things,
but coming to a traditionally conservative sport like rugby, going
to a ground like eden Park that can be very
restrictive on what they allow you to do starting the
season with a loss, and also the style of rugby
(27:40):
the Blues are playing and not necessarily a great attractive proposition.
So there's a number of challenges there. But I think
he is a very innovative person, so interested to see
what he can bring to that environment.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah. Me, the Blues Crusaders, Blues next time games against
the Crusaders much seven. The shouldn't have too many issues
getting a decent crowd for that. It's getting going to
be a little bit cooler by that point in time.
Fans have been more tuned to rugby by round four.
But it might be but you know, there's all sorts
of Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
The other challenge is Eden Park half capacity twenty thousand,
is a full mount smart stadium, so it doesn't look
the same, it doesn't feel the same from an atmosphere perspective,
and I would also probably question whether rugby has the
same die hard fans as say the Warriors do as well.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
No, I don't think they do. I mean there's not
as I don't think it's a diehard Blues fandom that
there is for the Warriors, and that's out of borne
out of different things, different socioeconomic thing. There's so many
reasons for that. But the Warriors have never wanted thing
in their entire history. The Blues have won certain things,
but they're you know, the Warriors fans still turn up
(28:51):
Rainhaale shine at Mounts Amount Stadium. Blues fans can be fickle.
There's a certain base there, but I just question, you know,
there's not the diehards, is there? Yeah? Interesting to see
where they go to. A good piece on the US
held worth reading from Liam and number four. We'll get
some Hurricanes chat in here. Even though play Ruben Love injured,
we don't know the full details as yet. I heard
(29:12):
last week he was in a moon boot around Palmston North.
The Hurricanes acknowledge that with the media release. Was still
waiting to hear how he goes, but hopefully not out
for too long because I was really keen to see
how he's going to go at ten this season.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
I'm hearing it's not serious, which is good news because
I think everyone would love to see Rygard Love and
Barrett kick off the season together. Whether that happens this
week against Moan, I'm not too sure, but I think
Ruben will be back soon. They've got Brett Cameron there,
so different type of player, but I think it would
be good to see Ruben Love getting extended run at ten,
(29:50):
both for his own stability and career progression and for
our interest.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
Absolutely right MVP voting. Who'd you come up with? You
through two ones?
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Lamb, Well one person we didn't mention with the Blues before.
Just a quick shout out to Torrian Barnes debut. Most
people probably never heard of him unless you're a die hard.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Drivers. Shout out to the bus drivers.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Canonbury and Follower.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
But he hasn't cracked the top three. I'm going miracle
Fi Lungey. Pretty hard to go past three tries, so
he gets my three. Toper Vy excellent for the Blues.
A bit of controversy around his try, but that was legit.
You can dive for the trial line, just not over
a ruck and he was excellent at the line out.
Great soft skills around the field as well, and I'm
(30:41):
going one to Tavanawa. I thought typically strong over the
breakdown and with ball in hands, so a good start
to the season in his comeback.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Indeed three tries not good enough to get into my
three two ones. Tuper I gets my three points. I
thought he's excellent. That is exactly the blueprint of how
you want and all back to play in Super Rugby.
He just says to be getting better and better. He got.
He was excellent last year for the Blacks. Then he
had an injury layoff. Yeah, quality play to Lucas Casey.
(31:14):
Very impressed by him on debut, had a good Super
Rugby season, backed it up, sorry, good NB season backed
up on debut and Super Rugby similar to Barnes, has
come out of the wider training group and been thrusting.
I think those two have big futures in front of them.
On what we saw over the weekend, and one to
No Hotham with the Cisco the Thong song. Yeah, yeah, no,
(31:36):
but dount dunk du r. I don't need you're quite
evidenus thing on this podcast. I'm not one point for
not Hotham. Excellent was you know, probably the half back
of the weekend for mine from a New Zealand perspective
and a losing effort.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Yeah, probably shaded from La Christie yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Risen was good off the bench for the Chiefs as well.
They seem to like using him in that last thirty
minute role. I mean he's done it for the All
Blacks number of times, but you know he had a
bit of a line why element to that last half hour.
Scored the winning try as well, So interested to see
how much he starts the season versus zavy Row. But
watch the space. Those are our three two ones. Also
(32:20):
get involved with us on fantasy as well. Rugby Direct podcast.
I heard just before kick off I'd ethan degree to
my team the hood. He was switched to the bench,
so I made a late change. I can't remember who
actually brought it in the end, but I did make
the late change, so had I think I had a
decent all weekend. But keep joining us on their Rugby
Direct podcast as where you find us.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Yeah, great turn out, thanks for getting on board. There's
ninety teams in there. Yeah, and the winner will get
super Rugby jersey.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
So yeah, get am I what's your username? What's your
team name?
Speaker 1 (32:48):
On?
Speaker 2 (32:48):
I'm forty minute red card es, which isn't in joke
about twenty minute red cards.
Speaker 4 (32:52):
I'm really hard to decipher Fox and Fazz.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Fox and this year. So yeah, it would be good
if he had everyone's actual names alongside them. You can
sort of figure that out, but those are us too. Anyway,
get involved Rugby Direct podcast to search for us as well.
Tipping Wires will run through that on our Thursday podcast.
Later in the week we'll go through who tips well
and who didn't. But once we got the team's locked in,
we will tip for round two. And also we want
(33:16):
your feedback and your letters and your emails and any
questions you've got in the Rugby Direct mailbag Rugby Direct
at inside dot co dot NZI to get in touch
with us. We'll read out it a couple every week.
We might even do some sort of special mailbag episodes.
We run through a lot of feedback, but certainly on
Thursdays we'll have to answer a couple of questions. So
keen on any questions you might have for.
Speaker 4 (33:38):
Us two Yeah, questions, hot takes, rumors.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Yeah, we're open for it all. Rugby Directs the email
there at NZ dot co dot in z. Thanks to
Mark Kelly. We'll be back on Thursday with another edition
of Rugby Directs. Say safe out there, Powered by having
health physic. Book today and stay at the game.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
For more from news talks, b listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
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