April 29, 2026 • 28 mins
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the Christchurch Super Round – what worked, what didn’t, and whether it could help revive Super Rugby.
Plus, they preview round 12 of the competition and debate the return of the ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup – is it a winner or a risk worth taking?
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio,
Straight down the Middle of Trunk Guy, try.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
To get inside the game from every angle.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by ins in Safety, Blackwoods,
Everything Trades Need sort of, Elligan Liam Napier back a
bit later than usual with Rugby Direct podcast nape It's
good to catch up for just once this week as
we review super Round look ahead to Round twelve this
coming weekend. First and foremost, though we went dig too
(00:59):
far into the games, given a few days of already transpired,
but super Round as a whole, what did you make
of it? You were down there more for the fan experience.
I was down there a fan experience on the Friday,
working after that, but you were all three days charging
around christ Church for the reports I'm hearing.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Don't believe everything you hear, Earliott.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
It's passed on a citent text message that suggested in otherwise.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, look on that note. It was great to be
in christ Church.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Always been a big fan of the city as you know,
and look it really turned it on in then. Amazing
venue first and foremost, just a real statement venue for
New Zealand to put on the map. And it really
does highlights what the North Island, what Auckland's lacking. The
(01:50):
advantage points from the ground being able to the intimacy
of a purpose built rectangular venue, been that close to
the action, the roof, the food and drink options, and
the proximity to the city, the ten minute walk you're
back in the in the heart of it. Just ye,
(02:12):
a real amazing venue and the city was buzzing. And
I'll tell you what, mate, I had so many people
come up to me at Rockpool Bar and various other
places and speak about the pod. So it was great
to meet those people that listeners out there. So thanks
for coming up to me. I names escaped me because
(02:34):
it was around a large weekend. The cane train was
in full force around town. But yeah, what a weekend
and it must have been pretty special for you going
home and seeing a city that you know had been
waiting fifteen years for this venue come alive.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Absolutely. Look, I went to Lincaster Park or Jade Stadium,
you know many times as a kid, and obviously that
had to be demolished and go as many times to
a Polo Project stadium, but didn't have a connection to
that as much because it was temporary. But this has
been a stadium that had been long in the waiting,
and you know, you see pictures and of the construction
in the progress, everything like that, and you go, yep,
(03:10):
it's looking good. But we've all been to hotels, airbnbs
whatever that don't look like the pictures. And to get
in there last Friday morning for a tour and see it,
it was quite breathtaking actually, and oh yeah, I was
really impressed by it. Watched the game from the stands
on on Friday night. We were in rose of Section three.
(03:33):
Oh too. I think it was my family and I
cheap as those steps are pretty steep, deceptively steep, but
I don't think it's a bad seat in the house
from where I'm sitting and again working from the media
areas and the commentary boxes on Saturday and Sunday. Yeah,
it does feel world class. And you know, I love
to need and I think it's an excellent stadium, but
(03:54):
this feels, you know, like it's on the world stage.
The stadium, small footprint, there's not a lot of space
to it, but what it does, it does very very well,
and you hope it will be a wake up call
to some people around the rest of the country in
the north Land of what is possible. Yes, it was
a big budget stadium six hundred and eighty mili from memory,
but everything about it works. They stress tested it. I
(04:16):
don't think there was too many complaints over the course
of the weekend over lines of food, bathrooms, that sort
of thing. So all in all, I think a pretty
good job well done. And if we extrapolated out to
a super Round event, I thought it takes incredible amount
of boxes. They had the fan events, I think it
was Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday down at the Strip
(04:37):
on Oxford Terrace which went off. I was down there
on Friday, heaps of fans, all different jerseys, some Super
Rugby jersey, some NRL, some Test jerseys, whatever it might be.
It added to the sort of colleidoscope of the experience
and I think it was a job well done all around.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Yeah, I think it's an example of what can be
achieved with a can do attitude that when all parties
from government to local council really get on boards and
invests because I think the government put in two hundred
million and then you've got the local money and you're
always going to have detractors in a tough economic economic climate.
(05:20):
Could this money be better spent elsewhere? But even beyond
super rugby, beyond rugby, beyond sports, it's gonna put Chrish
Church right back on the map. From a music venue
point of view. You know, there were a few comments
about one end of the stadium being open, and while
it does look a bit weird, I think they can
(05:41):
increase that capacity to by ten thousand for a music
events and they'll be able to roll in the concerts
and potentially have some activations down that end. You think
of what Aukland f C have done with sampits and
big slides for kids. Maybe you could have a floating
bar or something something down down that ends being empty
(06:03):
does look a bit weird, but the venue as a
whole will pay for it pay for itself in time.
You know, there's six million back into the Christich economy
and I think they had supercars the weekend before, which
was another injection, and that's just going to continue to
roll on.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Yeah, absolutely looking and the temporary seating will begin for
the All Blacks test in July Warriors. But they only
got handed over the stadium on Monday. They didn't have
time to build the temporary seats. I think they probably
could have sold them if they had, so it'd look
a lot better when it's at full capacity and that's
in there. I wonder if they could do something a
little bit different, maybe a sort of Canterbury Sports Hall
(06:43):
of Fame or something down that end with some pictures
or whatever it might be, just to add a little
bit of variety to the whole area. But all in all,
pretty good job. And I think, you know, a major
tech and you know, I think they worked really hard
to you know, get those fan events across the line
and you know, signing sessions, get players close to the fans.
(07:04):
I think all involved did a very very good job.
The rugby on the field sort of almost took a
back seat for periods of it. Five different games in
the end, what stood out for you? I guess we
talked a little bit last week around lest of finding
a knooko at his open side, he scored a try.
You were on the big screen and on the sky
coverage looking rather unpressed by the try. But what did
(07:26):
you make of him as an open side flankert because
he's retained that for the Hurricanes game Friday night.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah, bold move and I think largely he'd have to
say it paid off. Look, he gave away one early
breakdown penalty, didn't quite get his timing right there, But
I think the key takeaway is he ripped in. He
was highly involved in all aspects ball in hand defense,
He's roaming the edges. I think later in the match
he switched out to the midfield when heavily got his
(07:55):
yellow cards. So that versatility's real value and I think
it is something we'll clearly see more of. But that
ability the hybrid player, he's got the build for it.
I think I would be reticent at this point to
certainly start him there in a Test match. But from
(08:17):
a bench perspective, he does give you options, whether it
be seven to one or just utilizing his versatility. I
think from a breakdown perspective, the nuances there will still
take them a while to get to grips with, and
it test rugby, you have a lot less time, a
lot less margin for error, but great experience for him,
(08:40):
and I think he made a great fist of it.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Yeah, did. I was impressed by him. Kept a close
eye and on him for periods of the game. He
was pretty easy to tell who he was the what
he gear on. Didn't go in for as many turnovers
maybe as I thought he might, but I thought his
breakdown was effective enough the stats. I think he had
a lot more carries that he would have out in
the midfield, and that showed the Crusaders in the way
they wanted to utilize him. So yeah, I think a
(09:05):
tick And look, this will be a big test as
well against the very good Hurricanes a Loosewood trio this weekend.
We can get into that. What else stood out for you?
The Hurricanes with a very good demolition job of an
awful Brumbie side.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Yeah, the cane chain was tooting inside and outside of
the stadium. It was a statement performance, one of many
this year. Fining off for four.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Tries his third hat trick this year. He's on fire,
isn't he. Yeah, but Reuben.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Loved the ease with which he just cut that Brumbies
defense to shreds.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Was embarrassing for the Brumbies.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Some really, really nice set plays but I'll tell you
what stood out for me from the Hurricanes were watching
them live for the first time this year, was just
the ferocity of their defense. The Brumbies found it really
hard to get through the Hurricanes, the size of their
pack in off the line, hitting with real vigor and
then attacking the breakdown. That was really start for me
(10:09):
in the way and which they're playing the game, and
probably something which gets a little bit overshadowed by their
attack and the way that they're just running rampant.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Yeah, I think the details that they probably haven't had
in previous seasons are with them this season around that
and breakdown work. It's defense, it's little things in a game,
it's a line out, you know. All those little things
are really adding up for them this season that previously
they've probably got by on having the superstars in the
back line and hoping for the best out of that.
But now they're very much getting into the nitty gritty
(10:41):
and the details of the team and it's made them
a much better outfit. So very impressed by that. Another
good outing for Reuben Love at ten as well.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, big time. He seems to be growing.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
He had far too much time and space but you've
got to take those opportunities. Yes, you've got to back yourself.
You've got to showcase that speed and then dish to
others as well. So he's growing every week and that's
what the Hurricanes need. So I think you're also seeing
the maturity of guys that have been around in that
(11:09):
squad for three, four five years. You know, Caleb Delaney,
Xavier new mir These guys aren't all Blacks, but they
on the Cusp and have been on the French for
a number of years, and they know super Ragby and
they've got a great coaching staff for the Hurricanes, and I
think that's starting to come to the four as well.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Yeah, elsewhere, Blues, Highlanders, Chiefs all won, but they're kind
of clunky in their own ways, you know. And in
the Crusaders were clunky as well in periods of that game.
But you know, Blues get the job done in super point,
but you know they should never have got to super point.
But what else did that from the weekend?
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Yeah, similar theme for the Blues.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
They collapsed against the Highlanders recently, didn't They almost blew
that game at Edon Park and then again with the
Reds they were up let them back and got taken
to super points. So I think there's some mental fragility there.
They are not closing out games, are not being ruthless,
They're going away from what's working for them at the
(12:10):
back end of games. Maybe that will change. Maybe that's complacency.
Not too sure, and yeah the Chiefs. Look, I think
it's still them and the Hurricanes. For me, I'm not
convinced about the Crusaders. They had a really tough job
of it on Friday night. I think they were always
going to kick clear and with the emotion around that
(12:32):
occasion and everything that that weekend was, but they need
some of those guys back will Jordan Scott Barrett's I
just think they are very clunky. There's still a lot
of errors in their game, and they're going to need
to lift significantly this week and in the coming weeks.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Yeah. Absolutely, the Hurricanes this week, which we'll get onto
very very shortly. So super Round is a future. Does
it go back to christ each next year?
Speaker 4 (12:59):
It has to, It has to look. You need to
reward that city, that venue for putting on such a showcase.
It's a no brain I think to go back there
next year. But beyond that I think Superkey needs to
keep an open minds. Look that weekend for me was
(13:20):
rugby's best weekend in New Zealand since the Wellington Sevens
in its pomp, and Superkey desperately needed that it needs
a market event. It needed a good news story. With
everything around Moana and the uncertainty around the draw and
the financial issues and all those things. Well, here was
a real moment in time that they can fly up
(13:41):
the flagpole.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
So celebrate it. Do it again.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
But in a New Zealand context, events can wayne and
they come the novelty can We're off that stadium is
not always going to be shiny and new, and I
know for a fact that there are others out there.
I think Dunedin would be keen to build a few
hotels first, that's their big problem, and they not only
(14:05):
four fans, but to host ten teams in Auckland's, New
Zealand's largest market doesn't have a comparable stadium. But there's
a lot that you could do around super Rugby to
attract people to the city.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yeah. I think the strengths of christ Church are that,
as you touched on earlier, you can basically you're at
the stadium, then full time blows two minutes later, you've
probably got to bear in your hand at one of
the bars around the place and as that you spil
out into the city. But to an extent is the
same in Auckland. You can go to Kingsland. It's going
to be massively packed for a super Round. But that
(14:42):
proximity works so well is that it becomes an event.
You can hold activations in the city and then there's
you can walk to the stadium from there after getting
signatures from your favorite players. So that proximity isn't the
same in every other city. But I do agree that
it is going to probably naturally wane because New Zealanders
just go to events once twice and then park it.
So you kind of and especially the fan that is
(15:03):
likely to travel in for a super Round maybe not
likely to go to christ Church three years in a row.
They might go for a couple of years then go
liketual I'm going to go and go to a Test
match this year will fly into a Test match, So
I think you need to keep it moving somewhere around
the place and maybe it goes to Australia Preps after
twenty twenty eight potentially.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Yeah maybe.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Look, Magic Round is brilliant in Brisbane. Sun Court stadiums
a fantastic venue. Cason Street has that proximity, it just works,
so super Round could work there. I think there were
seventy three thousand fans that attended one New Zealand Stadium
to Kaha over the three days. I think there were
(15:44):
thirteen fourteen thousand traveling fans and apparently six thousand of
those were from Aussie so that really does illustrate how
popular it was and how many people came from outside
the region. I think they had thirty four thousand hotel beds,
So a roaring success has to go back there. Look,
maybe it can be the new Wellington Sevens could even
(16:08):
be better. You know, maybe you promote people dressing up.
Some of my mates went along and all the horseheads.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Brilliant because the sign of respect for the horses really
missed the horses.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Yeah, I gave that one a miss. But there's all
sorts of things you can add on. But it was
an amazing start. So back to christ Church and open
up to bids beyond that.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Yeah, I think so lucky super We needs to capitalize
on this because it felt like good publicity that, as
you said, the comp desperately needs. There is a lot
of love for these teams, you know. You see the
number of jerseys that were around christ Church over the
course of the weekend, you know, vintage originals from from
you know, all the New Zealand franchises. There was a
custom merch, there was all sorts around there. There was
(16:56):
a lot of love for these teams about harnessing it
and make sure that the comp is the what it
should be. On that the New Zealand Herald and our
colleague Grigapool Publishing this morning that the ANZAC Test between
the All Blacks and Wallabies is likely to go ahead
in twenty twenty seven and this is a much change
from where it's been previously.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
Yeah, a massive shift that has come about due to
the big, wide, sweeping changes in the New Zealand Rugby
executive team. This is something that Rugby Australia have wanted
for at least two years. It was dismissed as being
too difficult, not financially viable, too much of a disruption
(17:39):
to super rugby. Some of those things might have shifted
and some of them are still very relevant.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
What's your view on.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
This potential test happening next year on ANZET weekend, particularly
given in the week Super Rugby super Round that that
was on ANXET weekend too.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Yeah, I don't particularly like it in all honesty. I
think it's Australian driven and they're desperate to find a
whole in the calendar which works for them to own it.
I get their perspective because often the bladerslow gets lost
in you know, nral AFL Finals. It's a bit later
(18:18):
than that this year, but there are elements where it
does get a little lost in the calendar. I get
it from Australian perspective, but I think it harms Super Rugby.
You know, Super Rugby's already gonna have what ten teams
next year. It's already gonna have issues, you know, getting
fan engagement. Potentially, You've just had a super Round that's
been exceptional over a long weekend in New Zealand. I
(18:40):
don't know why you would tamper with that. I think
it's a really poor decision if it does indeed go ahead.
So look again, I really understand why Australia wants it,
but I just don't think it adds it helps Super Rugby.
And I don't think it. Yeah, you know you're gonna
have what block of what eight nine weeks of Super
Rugby in your pause, then you come back what a
(19:01):
week later and you're back into it again. It just
feels a bit bitsy for me and no real reason
to it. I mean, yeah, yeah, I'm a no, but
I think yeah, it sounds like it's going to get
over the line.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
I can see the attraction particular, particularly from an Australian perspective,
like you say, in the market where rugby battles for
airtime and headlines. The NRL and AFL don't have an
elite international product that they can pitch up like this.
But Rugby League also had an ANZAC test and they
(19:34):
went away from it, yeah, because it was so disruptive.
And the key question here is in this context, does
Super Rugby really matter? What? What message are you sending
by potentially putting the competition on hiatus for at least
a week, potentially taking all Blacks and Wallabies out for
two weeks in a competition where you already rest and
(19:56):
rotate your stars, where you know some of them like
Scott Barrett and Cody Taylor and others sit out half
a comp and come back. Others are on Sabbatako overseas
Kawani and Artie Severe. You're further developing a competition that's
already in a state of flux, So there's widespread ramififications. First,
(20:18):
the other point is that it probably means going back
to a three game Bleederslow Cup series and on form.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Can you justify that? Is it going to be the
interest in it.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Straight in one of the twenty three years? Hard to
argue that there is at this point in time. And
the other thing is that yes there's no Anzac League test,
but the Anzac Day Nral is well established. Dragon's Roosters
is a marquee game there. The Storm Wilways play at
home on Anzac Day. They usually play what three games?
(20:50):
Then there's the AFL which have long established rivalries on
Anzac Day. So where are you getting the media cut
through that you desire to put your sport on show.
I just don't don't. I don't know that they're going
to get what they want out of it from Australian perspective.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Look, I don't doubt that it would be as success
in terms of.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
A crowd if you take it to Perth.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
It'll be well supported, it'll be well backed financially, but
you also have to then compensate all the likely ten superclubs.
So that's a fair chunk of change are going to
be shelling out every year. And from a fan engagement perspective,
you're asking a lot of supporters to be engaged in
Super Rugby.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Check out Chicken.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
It is very disruptive and look at this point you
could say, you know, how much interest is it going
to be every year? And a potential third dead rubber
bledslow so.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Well and he as we touched on how do you
build up interest in super run and say it's going
to be antach weekend every year when you move it
after the first weekend where it was very successful because
there was a public holiday on the Monday afterwards that
enable people to travel back and move about the city
and drink as much as they wanted or whatever it was,
because they knew they had that buffer of the Monday
that those things are sort of quite vital.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
You have to find another long weekend which is potentially
King's Birthday.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
That's not the fine round, that's probably of Super Rugby.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
Yeah, so I think it worked really well when it
was ends that weekend because it's you know, not smack
being in the middle of the year, but it's it's
not at the end, so you're you're generating interest in
your competition and there's still quite a long runway to go,
so it really was the perfect window. Yeah, I have
big questions about that concept.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
I understand why Australia wanted in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
The other point, from a New Zealand perspective, I think
around the negotiating table they're probably have to having to
make some concessions and compensations for the greatest rivalry tour, right,
that would be my assumption because you know, Australia and
Argentina have had to take a back seat during those
years from a Rugby Championship perspective, while the All Blacks
(23:01):
and spring Box cash. So maybe this is a bit
of a compensation. Thank you keep Australia on side.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Yeah, I'm not sure we need to, but that's all right,
quick break come back with more after the sub rugby
direct you're back with rugby directs. So let's look ahead
to the weekend that is upcoming in Super Rugby Pacific
Big Darby to kick things off and That's probably one thing,
just going back to super and briefly is that next
year you need to probably change the shedele up a
little bit and maybe have a Derby as the centerpiece
(23:29):
of the weekend. Whether the Crusaders if they're the home
team obviously play on a Saturday night against the New
Zealand team and it flows builds up to that, then
it comes back down again on Sunday. There are little
things you could do then and by instead of changing
up the drawer a lot.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yeah, I think you need to have at least one
Marquie match and because of the occasion, that was always
going to be the Crusaders no matter who they played,
but that's not going to be the case in the
coming year. So you do need a Markie fixture, whether
that be Blues Crusaders, another New Zealand Derby, whatever it is,
and you could have two Aussie teams playing or something.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
But you need something to hang your head on.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
You do. Okay, Well, let's get into this week. Hurricanes, Crusaders,
Hurricanes with a few changes, Crusaders even Black at a
back for the least. Fine looker again on the open side,
David Heavily playing as one hundred and fiftieth Crusader's riding
high heading to the Capitol Henry Stadium. There's a time
that they knock off the would be champions of this competition.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Lamb too, Elliott, It's so we need to know, mate.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Look, I I think that the Kanes win. I don't
think the Crusaders evoke the same fear for the Hurricanes
as they have done in previous years. I think if
there's a team that worries the Hurricanes, it's the Chiefs
and we saw that in Hamilton. And I still feel
(24:52):
like the Crusaders need to lift significantly from where they
were last weekend.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yeah, I think you're right, but I'm still gonna tip them.
Wartars forced nine thirty five. Pretty crunch game for the
Wartars after the loss last week in christ The now
four points outside the eight is stands in eighth place.
They need to get the job done against the Force,
do they.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Well, the Force did the business for me last summer.
I think they're a vastly improved team this year, so
I'm actually going to tip them to go to Sydney.
Joseph Suiley back at center. Great for the comp Good
to see he's been out since the start of the
season with a hamstring injury.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:29):
I still don't feel like center's his best position. He's
not utilized enough under the high ball and they use
them a lot as a decoy runner, and just not
impressed by the Waratars in general. So yeah, go Twiggy's force.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Yeah, I'm going to go the Tars. Sure enough from
them last week to suggest they'll get the job done.
We have the Fijian draw against the Highlanders, a really
interesting game in bar on Saturday afternoon crunch game for
both of their playoff hopes. The Highlanders twentieth or Lader
and seventh Fiji and draw on sixteen. Glenn Jackson said
after the game who he was not happy about the refereeing,
(26:02):
wasn't happy about Jordan Way being appointed to that game
with a couple of test touches on the touch line,
wasn't happy about the knock on from the Chiefs he
saw in the first spell. Interesting game. I think the
Drawer get up at home in this one.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
I think so.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I think it's meant to be stonking hot over there
as well. But the Drawer have been very competitive in
recent weeks, haven't they. Despite their away struggles, So going
back home, I think they sneaked it.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
One O pacific aout in the Blues, probably for the
last time in North Harbors Stadium. You saw Mowana beat
the Blues last year in the corresponding fixture in North
Harbor Stadium. Can they do it again?
Speaker 4 (26:42):
You never know, but it's probably not. The Blues made
a few changes, haven't they rested a few Stephen Peterfeza
coming into ten bon and Barretts and a couple of
others benched aj Lamb.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
But they should still have enough five power.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
This week for them either. But I think the thing,
You're right, I'll have too much and Reads Brumby is
interesting game for both of these teams. Five v six
in the playoff mix for super Ragby Reds at Home.
Reid's taking the Blos to super point last week. The
Brumbies are having a capitulation. At one point we thought,
you know, there were maybe competition front runners. Now they're
struggling to stay inside the six. Reads at Home. I
(27:20):
think it's gonna be too strong again.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
Yeah, I'm going the Reds and that the Brumbies have
fallen off butt of a cliff, haven't they.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
They have. Indeed, you went five from five at super Round.
I went four from five because I tip my Wonder
over the high Landers, which didn't happen. You've opened up
a five point lead overall.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Sounds familiar, Yeah it does.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Actually I think I won the whole thing last year,
had you won the year before quite comfortably. Of course
you can follow us on the fantasy as well Rugby
Direct podcast. I forgot to change my team last week
going on a third are you yeah, Chepaus, you might
win the jersey yourself. Mail bag will also open Rugby
Direct and News Talk ZB, Dakota and Z will check
that next week and get into the mail bag. But
(27:57):
that about does us for another week of Rugby Direct.
Napes back again on Monday to review the weekend that
was and the Crusaders surely ascending closer to the top two.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Well did you ever punt?
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Weekend?
Speaker 2 (28:10):
Yep? What I put on it?
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Lunch?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Yeah? Sure done?
Speaker 3 (28:13):
All right, brilliant? Yeah, yeah, we'll who I find the
fine dining restaurants?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Catch that's I think the budget honeygo so far? Mate's
good to catch up as always, thanks to Mark Kelly
and then'll do us for rugby directs for another week,
courtesy of our friends at ins Insacty Blackwoods. Everything Cradies need.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Sorders for more from News Talks B Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio,
Straight down the Middle of Trunk Guy, try.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
To get inside the game from every angle.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by ins in Safety, Blackwoods,
Everything Trades Need sort of, Elligan Liam Napier back a
bit later than usual with Rugby Direct podcast nape It's
good to catch up for just once this week as
we review super Round look ahead to Round twelve this
coming weekend. First and foremost, though we went dig too
(00:59):
far into the games, given a few days of already transpired,
but super Round as a whole, what did you make
of it? You were down there more for the fan experience.
I was down there a fan experience on the Friday,
working after that, but you were all three days charging
around christ Church for the reports I'm hearing.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Don't believe everything you hear, Earliott.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
It's passed on a citent text message that suggested in otherwise.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, look on that note. It was great to be
in christ Church.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Always been a big fan of the city as you know,
and look it really turned it on in then. Amazing
venue first and foremost, just a real statement venue for
New Zealand to put on the map. And it really
does highlights what the North Island, what Auckland's lacking. The
(01:50):
advantage points from the ground being able to the intimacy
of a purpose built rectangular venue, been that close to
the action, the roof, the food and drink options, and
the proximity to the city, the ten minute walk you're
back in the in the heart of it. Just ye,
(02:12):
a real amazing venue and the city was buzzing. And
I'll tell you what, mate, I had so many people
come up to me at Rockpool Bar and various other
places and speak about the pod. So it was great
to meet those people that listeners out there. So thanks
for coming up to me. I names escaped me because
(02:34):
it was around a large weekend. The cane train was
in full force around town. But yeah, what a weekend
and it must have been pretty special for you going
home and seeing a city that you know had been
waiting fifteen years for this venue come alive.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Absolutely. Look, I went to Lincaster Park or Jade Stadium,
you know many times as a kid, and obviously that
had to be demolished and go as many times to
a Polo Project stadium, but didn't have a connection to
that as much because it was temporary. But this has
been a stadium that had been long in the waiting,
and you know, you see pictures and of the construction
in the progress, everything like that, and you go, yep,
(03:10):
it's looking good. But we've all been to hotels, airbnbs
whatever that don't look like the pictures. And to get
in there last Friday morning for a tour and see it,
it was quite breathtaking actually, and oh yeah, I was
really impressed by it. Watched the game from the stands
on on Friday night. We were in rose of Section three.
(03:33):
Oh too. I think it was my family and I
cheap as those steps are pretty steep, deceptively steep, but
I don't think it's a bad seat in the house
from where I'm sitting and again working from the media
areas and the commentary boxes on Saturday and Sunday. Yeah,
it does feel world class. And you know, I love
to need and I think it's an excellent stadium, but
(03:54):
this feels, you know, like it's on the world stage.
The stadium, small footprint, there's not a lot of space
to it, but what it does, it does very very well,
and you hope it will be a wake up call
to some people around the rest of the country in
the north Land of what is possible. Yes, it was
a big budget stadium six hundred and eighty mili from memory,
but everything about it works. They stress tested it. I
(04:16):
don't think there was too many complaints over the course
of the weekend over lines of food, bathrooms, that sort
of thing. So all in all, I think a pretty
good job well done. And if we extrapolated out to
a super Round event, I thought it takes incredible amount
of boxes. They had the fan events, I think it
was Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday down at the Strip
(04:37):
on Oxford Terrace which went off. I was down there
on Friday, heaps of fans, all different jerseys, some Super
Rugby jersey, some NRL, some Test jerseys, whatever it might be.
It added to the sort of colleidoscope of the experience
and I think it was a job well done all around.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Yeah, I think it's an example of what can be
achieved with a can do attitude that when all parties
from government to local council really get on boards and
invests because I think the government put in two hundred
million and then you've got the local money and you're
always going to have detractors in a tough economic economic climate.
(05:20):
Could this money be better spent elsewhere? But even beyond
super rugby, beyond rugby, beyond sports, it's gonna put Chrish
Church right back on the map. From a music venue
point of view. You know, there were a few comments
about one end of the stadium being open, and while
it does look a bit weird, I think they can
(05:41):
increase that capacity to by ten thousand for a music
events and they'll be able to roll in the concerts
and potentially have some activations down that end. You think
of what Aukland f C have done with sampits and
big slides for kids. Maybe you could have a floating
bar or something something down down that ends being empty
(06:03):
does look a bit weird, but the venue as a
whole will pay for it pay for itself in time.
You know, there's six million back into the Christich economy
and I think they had supercars the weekend before, which
was another injection, and that's just going to continue to
roll on.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Yeah, absolutely looking and the temporary seating will begin for
the All Blacks test in July Warriors. But they only
got handed over the stadium on Monday. They didn't have
time to build the temporary seats. I think they probably
could have sold them if they had, so it'd look
a lot better when it's at full capacity and that's
in there. I wonder if they could do something a
little bit different, maybe a sort of Canterbury Sports Hall
(06:43):
of Fame or something down that end with some pictures
or whatever it might be, just to add a little
bit of variety to the whole area. But all in all,
pretty good job. And I think, you know, a major
tech and you know, I think they worked really hard
to you know, get those fan events across the line
and you know, signing sessions, get players close to the fans.
(07:04):
I think all involved did a very very good job.
The rugby on the field sort of almost took a
back seat for periods of it. Five different games in
the end, what stood out for you? I guess we
talked a little bit last week around lest of finding
a knooko at his open side, he scored a try.
You were on the big screen and on the sky
coverage looking rather unpressed by the try. But what did
(07:26):
you make of him as an open side flankert because
he's retained that for the Hurricanes game Friday night.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah, bold move and I think largely he'd have to
say it paid off. Look, he gave away one early
breakdown penalty, didn't quite get his timing right there, But
I think the key takeaway is he ripped in. He
was highly involved in all aspects ball in hand defense,
He's roaming the edges. I think later in the match
he switched out to the midfield when heavily got his
(07:55):
yellow cards. So that versatility's real value and I think
it is something we'll clearly see more of. But that
ability the hybrid player, he's got the build for it.
I think I would be reticent at this point to
certainly start him there in a Test match. But from
(08:17):
a bench perspective, he does give you options, whether it
be seven to one or just utilizing his versatility. I
think from a breakdown perspective, the nuances there will still
take them a while to get to grips with, and
it test rugby, you have a lot less time, a
lot less margin for error, but great experience for him,
(08:40):
and I think he made a great fist of it.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Yeah, did. I was impressed by him. Kept a close
eye and on him for periods of the game. He
was pretty easy to tell who he was the what
he gear on. Didn't go in for as many turnovers
maybe as I thought he might, but I thought his
breakdown was effective enough the stats. I think he had
a lot more carries that he would have out in
the midfield, and that showed the Crusaders in the way
they wanted to utilize him. So yeah, I think a
(09:05):
tick And look, this will be a big test as
well against the very good Hurricanes a Loosewood trio this weekend.
We can get into that. What else stood out for you?
The Hurricanes with a very good demolition job of an
awful Brumbie side.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Yeah, the cane chain was tooting inside and outside of
the stadium. It was a statement performance, one of many
this year. Fining off for four.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Tries his third hat trick this year. He's on fire,
isn't he. Yeah, but Reuben.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Loved the ease with which he just cut that Brumbies
defense to shreds.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Was embarrassing for the Brumbies.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Some really, really nice set plays but I'll tell you
what stood out for me from the Hurricanes were watching
them live for the first time this year, was just
the ferocity of their defense. The Brumbies found it really
hard to get through the Hurricanes, the size of their
pack in off the line, hitting with real vigor and
then attacking the breakdown. That was really start for me
(10:09):
in the way and which they're playing the game, and
probably something which gets a little bit overshadowed by their
attack and the way that they're just running rampant.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Yeah, I think the details that they probably haven't had
in previous seasons are with them this season around that
and breakdown work. It's defense, it's little things in a game,
it's a line out, you know. All those little things
are really adding up for them this season that previously
they've probably got by on having the superstars in the
back line and hoping for the best out of that.
But now they're very much getting into the nitty gritty
(10:41):
and the details of the team and it's made them
a much better outfit. So very impressed by that. Another
good outing for Reuben Love at ten as well.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, big time. He seems to be growing.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
He had far too much time and space but you've
got to take those opportunities. Yes, you've got to back yourself.
You've got to showcase that speed and then dish to
others as well. So he's growing every week and that's
what the Hurricanes need. So I think you're also seeing
the maturity of guys that have been around in that
(11:09):
squad for three, four five years. You know, Caleb Delaney,
Xavier new mir These guys aren't all Blacks, but they
on the Cusp and have been on the French for
a number of years, and they know super Ragby and
they've got a great coaching staff for the Hurricanes, and I
think that's starting to come to the four as well.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Yeah, elsewhere, Blues, Highlanders, Chiefs all won, but they're kind
of clunky in their own ways, you know. And in
the Crusaders were clunky as well in periods of that game.
But you know, Blues get the job done in super point,
but you know they should never have got to super point.
But what else did that from the weekend?
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Yeah, similar theme for the Blues.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
They collapsed against the Highlanders recently, didn't They almost blew
that game at Edon Park and then again with the
Reds they were up let them back and got taken
to super points. So I think there's some mental fragility there.
They are not closing out games, are not being ruthless,
They're going away from what's working for them at the
(12:10):
back end of games. Maybe that will change. Maybe that's complacency.
Not too sure, and yeah the Chiefs. Look, I think
it's still them and the Hurricanes. For me, I'm not
convinced about the Crusaders. They had a really tough job
of it on Friday night. I think they were always
going to kick clear and with the emotion around that
(12:32):
occasion and everything that that weekend was, but they need
some of those guys back will Jordan Scott Barrett's I
just think they are very clunky. There's still a lot
of errors in their game, and they're going to need
to lift significantly this week and in the coming weeks.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Yeah. Absolutely, the Hurricanes this week, which we'll get onto
very very shortly. So super Round is a future. Does
it go back to christ each next year?
Speaker 4 (12:59):
It has to, It has to look. You need to
reward that city, that venue for putting on such a showcase.
It's a no brain I think to go back there
next year. But beyond that I think Superkey needs to
keep an open minds. Look that weekend for me was
(13:20):
rugby's best weekend in New Zealand since the Wellington Sevens
in its pomp, and Superkey desperately needed that it needs
a market event. It needed a good news story. With
everything around Moana and the uncertainty around the draw and
the financial issues and all those things. Well, here was
a real moment in time that they can fly up
(13:41):
the flagpole.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
So celebrate it. Do it again.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
But in a New Zealand context, events can wayne and
they come the novelty can We're off that stadium is
not always going to be shiny and new, and I
know for a fact that there are others out there.
I think Dunedin would be keen to build a few
hotels first, that's their big problem, and they not only
(14:05):
four fans, but to host ten teams in Auckland's, New
Zealand's largest market doesn't have a comparable stadium. But there's
a lot that you could do around super Rugby to
attract people to the city.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Yeah. I think the strengths of christ Church are that,
as you touched on earlier, you can basically you're at
the stadium, then full time blows two minutes later, you've
probably got to bear in your hand at one of
the bars around the place and as that you spil
out into the city. But to an extent is the
same in Auckland. You can go to Kingsland. It's going
to be massively packed for a super Round. But that
(14:42):
proximity works so well is that it becomes an event.
You can hold activations in the city and then there's
you can walk to the stadium from there after getting
signatures from your favorite players. So that proximity isn't the
same in every other city. But I do agree that
it is going to probably naturally wane because New Zealanders
just go to events once twice and then park it.
So you kind of and especially the fan that is
(15:03):
likely to travel in for a super Round maybe not
likely to go to christ Church three years in a row.
They might go for a couple of years then go
liketual I'm going to go and go to a Test
match this year will fly into a Test match, So
I think you need to keep it moving somewhere around
the place and maybe it goes to Australia Preps after
twenty twenty eight potentially.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Yeah maybe.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Look, Magic Round is brilliant in Brisbane. Sun Court stadiums
a fantastic venue. Cason Street has that proximity, it just works,
so super Round could work there. I think there were
seventy three thousand fans that attended one New Zealand Stadium
to Kaha over the three days. I think there were
(15:44):
thirteen fourteen thousand traveling fans and apparently six thousand of
those were from Aussie so that really does illustrate how
popular it was and how many people came from outside
the region. I think they had thirty four thousand hotel beds,
So a roaring success has to go back there. Look,
maybe it can be the new Wellington Sevens could even
(16:08):
be better. You know, maybe you promote people dressing up.
Some of my mates went along and all the horseheads.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Brilliant because the sign of respect for the horses really
missed the horses.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Yeah, I gave that one a miss. But there's all
sorts of things you can add on. But it was
an amazing start. So back to christ Church and open
up to bids beyond that.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Yeah, I think so lucky super We needs to capitalize
on this because it felt like good publicity that, as
you said, the comp desperately needs. There is a lot
of love for these teams, you know. You see the
number of jerseys that were around christ Church over the
course of the weekend, you know, vintage originals from from
you know, all the New Zealand franchises. There was a
custom merch, there was all sorts around there. There was
(16:56):
a lot of love for these teams about harnessing it
and make sure that the comp is the what it
should be. On that the New Zealand Herald and our
colleague Grigapool Publishing this morning that the ANZAC Test between
the All Blacks and Wallabies is likely to go ahead
in twenty twenty seven and this is a much change
from where it's been previously.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
Yeah, a massive shift that has come about due to
the big, wide, sweeping changes in the New Zealand Rugby
executive team. This is something that Rugby Australia have wanted
for at least two years. It was dismissed as being
too difficult, not financially viable, too much of a disruption
(17:39):
to super rugby. Some of those things might have shifted
and some of them are still very relevant.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
What's your view on.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
This potential test happening next year on ANZET weekend, particularly
given in the week Super Rugby super Round that that
was on ANXET weekend too.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Yeah, I don't particularly like it in all honesty. I
think it's Australian driven and they're desperate to find a
whole in the calendar which works for them to own it.
I get their perspective because often the bladerslow gets lost
in you know, nral AFL Finals. It's a bit later
(18:18):
than that this year, but there are elements where it
does get a little lost in the calendar. I get
it from Australian perspective, but I think it harms Super Rugby.
You know, Super Rugby's already gonna have what ten teams
next year. It's already gonna have issues, you know, getting
fan engagement. Potentially, You've just had a super Round that's
been exceptional over a long weekend in New Zealand. I
(18:40):
don't know why you would tamper with that. I think
it's a really poor decision if it does indeed go ahead.
So look again, I really understand why Australia wants it,
but I just don't think it adds it helps Super Rugby.
And I don't think it. Yeah, you know you're gonna
have what block of what eight nine weeks of Super
Rugby in your pause, then you come back what a
(19:01):
week later and you're back into it again. It just
feels a bit bitsy for me and no real reason
to it. I mean, yeah, yeah, I'm a no, but
I think yeah, it sounds like it's going to get
over the line.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
I can see the attraction particular, particularly from an Australian perspective,
like you say, in the market where rugby battles for
airtime and headlines. The NRL and AFL don't have an
elite international product that they can pitch up like this.
But Rugby League also had an ANZAC test and they
(19:34):
went away from it, yeah, because it was so disruptive.
And the key question here is in this context, does
Super Rugby really matter? What? What message are you sending
by potentially putting the competition on hiatus for at least
a week, potentially taking all Blacks and Wallabies out for
two weeks in a competition where you already rest and
(19:56):
rotate your stars, where you know some of them like
Scott Barrett and Cody Taylor and others sit out half
a comp and come back. Others are on Sabbatako overseas
Kawani and Artie Severe. You're further developing a competition that's
already in a state of flux, So there's widespread ramififications. First,
(20:18):
the other point is that it probably means going back
to a three game Bleederslow Cup series and on form.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Can you justify that? Is it going to be the
interest in it.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
Straight in one of the twenty three years? Hard to
argue that there is at this point in time. And
the other thing is that yes there's no Anzac League test,
but the Anzac Day Nral is well established. Dragon's Roosters
is a marquee game there. The Storm Wilways play at
home on Anzac Day. They usually play what three games?
(20:50):
Then there's the AFL which have long established rivalries on
Anzac Day. So where are you getting the media cut
through that you desire to put your sport on show.
I just don't don't. I don't know that they're going
to get what they want out of it from Australian perspective.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Look, I don't doubt that it would be as success
in terms of.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
A crowd if you take it to Perth.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
It'll be well supported, it'll be well backed financially, but
you also have to then compensate all the likely ten superclubs.
So that's a fair chunk of change are going to
be shelling out every year. And from a fan engagement perspective,
you're asking a lot of supporters to be engaged in
Super Rugby.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Check out Chicken.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
It is very disruptive and look at this point you
could say, you know, how much interest is it going
to be every year? And a potential third dead rubber
bledslow so.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Well and he as we touched on how do you
build up interest in super run and say it's going
to be antach weekend every year when you move it
after the first weekend where it was very successful because
there was a public holiday on the Monday afterwards that
enable people to travel back and move about the city
and drink as much as they wanted or whatever it was,
because they knew they had that buffer of the Monday
that those things are sort of quite vital.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
You have to find another long weekend which is potentially
King's Birthday.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
That's not the fine round, that's probably of Super Rugby.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
Yeah, so I think it worked really well when it
was ends that weekend because it's you know, not smack
being in the middle of the year, but it's it's
not at the end, so you're you're generating interest in
your competition and there's still quite a long runway to go,
so it really was the perfect window. Yeah, I have
big questions about that concept.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
I understand why Australia wanted in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
The other point, from a New Zealand perspective, I think
around the negotiating table they're probably have to having to
make some concessions and compensations for the greatest rivalry tour, right,
that would be my assumption because you know, Australia and
Argentina have had to take a back seat during those
years from a Rugby Championship perspective, while the All Blacks
(23:01):
and spring Box cash. So maybe this is a bit
of a compensation. Thank you keep Australia on side.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Yeah, I'm not sure we need to, but that's all right,
quick break come back with more after the sub rugby
direct you're back with rugby directs. So let's look ahead
to the weekend that is upcoming in Super Rugby Pacific
Big Darby to kick things off and That's probably one thing,
just going back to super and briefly is that next
year you need to probably change the shedele up a
little bit and maybe have a Derby as the centerpiece
(23:29):
of the weekend. Whether the Crusaders if they're the home
team obviously play on a Saturday night against the New
Zealand team and it flows builds up to that, then
it comes back down again on Sunday. There are little
things you could do then and by instead of changing
up the drawer a lot.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yeah, I think you need to have at least one
Marquie match and because of the occasion, that was always
going to be the Crusaders no matter who they played,
but that's not going to be the case in the
coming year. So you do need a Markie fixture, whether
that be Blues Crusaders, another New Zealand Derby, whatever it is,
and you could have two Aussie teams playing or something.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
But you need something to hang your head on.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
You do. Okay, Well, let's get into this week. Hurricanes, Crusaders,
Hurricanes with a few changes, Crusaders even Black at a
back for the least. Fine looker again on the open side,
David Heavily playing as one hundred and fiftieth Crusader's riding
high heading to the Capitol Henry Stadium. There's a time
that they knock off the would be champions of this competition.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Lamb too, Elliott, It's so we need to know, mate.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Look, I I think that the Kanes win. I don't
think the Crusaders evoke the same fear for the Hurricanes
as they have done in previous years. I think if
there's a team that worries the Hurricanes, it's the Chiefs
and we saw that in Hamilton. And I still feel
(24:52):
like the Crusaders need to lift significantly from where they
were last weekend.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yeah, I think you're right, but I'm still gonna tip them.
Wartars forced nine thirty five. Pretty crunch game for the
Wartars after the loss last week in christ The now
four points outside the eight is stands in eighth place.
They need to get the job done against the Force,
do they.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Well, the Force did the business for me last summer.
I think they're a vastly improved team this year, so
I'm actually going to tip them to go to Sydney.
Joseph Suiley back at center. Great for the comp Good
to see he's been out since the start of the
season with a hamstring injury.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (25:29):
I still don't feel like center's his best position. He's
not utilized enough under the high ball and they use
them a lot as a decoy runner, and just not
impressed by the Waratars in general. So yeah, go Twiggy's force.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Yeah, I'm going to go the Tars. Sure enough from
them last week to suggest they'll get the job done.
We have the Fijian draw against the Highlanders, a really
interesting game in bar on Saturday afternoon crunch game for
both of their playoff hopes. The Highlanders twentieth or Lader
and seventh Fiji and draw on sixteen. Glenn Jackson said
after the game who he was not happy about the refereeing,
(26:02):
wasn't happy about Jordan Way being appointed to that game
with a couple of test touches on the touch line,
wasn't happy about the knock on from the Chiefs he
saw in the first spell. Interesting game. I think the
Drawer get up at home in this one.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
I think so.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I think it's meant to be stonking hot over there
as well. But the Drawer have been very competitive in
recent weeks, haven't they. Despite their away struggles, So going
back home, I think they sneaked it.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
One O pacific aout in the Blues, probably for the
last time in North Harbors Stadium. You saw Mowana beat
the Blues last year in the corresponding fixture in North
Harbor Stadium. Can they do it again?
Speaker 4 (26:42):
You never know, but it's probably not. The Blues made
a few changes, haven't they rested a few Stephen Peterfeza
coming into ten bon and Barretts and a couple of
others benched aj Lamb.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
But they should still have enough five power.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
This week for them either. But I think the thing,
You're right, I'll have too much and Reads Brumby is
interesting game for both of these teams. Five v six
in the playoff mix for super Ragby Reds at Home.
Reid's taking the Blos to super point last week. The
Brumbies are having a capitulation. At one point we thought,
you know, there were maybe competition front runners. Now they're
struggling to stay inside the six. Reads at Home. I
(27:20):
think it's gonna be too strong again.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
Yeah, I'm going the Reds and that the Brumbies have
fallen off butt of a cliff, haven't they.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
They have. Indeed, you went five from five at super Round.
I went four from five because I tip my Wonder
over the high Landers, which didn't happen. You've opened up
a five point lead overall.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Sounds familiar, Yeah it does.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Actually I think I won the whole thing last year,
had you won the year before quite comfortably. Of course
you can follow us on the fantasy as well Rugby
Direct podcast. I forgot to change my team last week
going on a third are you yeah, Chepaus, you might
win the jersey yourself. Mail bag will also open Rugby
Direct and News Talk ZB, Dakota and Z will check
that next week and get into the mail bag. But
(27:57):
that about does us for another week of Rugby Direct.
Napes back again on Monday to review the weekend that
was and the Crusaders surely ascending closer to the top two.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Well did you ever punt?
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Weekend?
Speaker 2 (28:10):
Yep? What I put on it?
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Lunch?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Yeah? Sure done?
Speaker 3 (28:13):
All right, brilliant? Yeah, yeah, we'll who I find the
fine dining restaurants?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Catch that's I think the budget honeygo so far? Mate's
good to catch up as always, thanks to Mark Kelly
and then'll do us for rugby directs for another week,
courtesy of our friends at ins Insacty Blackwoods. Everything Cradies need.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Sorders for more from News Talks B Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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