May 3, 2026 • 35 mins
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect round 12 of Super Rugby.
The top three are pulling clear - but who’s best placed to grab the final three playoff spots as the race tightens?
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at b
Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, Straight.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Down the Middle of tru Guy, try to get inside
the game from Every End Goal.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Ed B Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio Book
Today and Stay in the Game. Elliott Smith with me
Liam Napier, Episode two to two of Rugby Direct. Nathan nastal
or Richie Beno, what even takes your fancy? Who would
have thought we made it to triple two? Liam Welcoman, Yeah,
there you go, big.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Nathan nest still fan Actually is my favorite cricketer, grown
up hell of an earlliens. That was, wasn't it? I
think we were there to witnessed.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
That wasn't there a witness It was the dad my
told birth party. We went to minigolf in the city
and I remember hearing it on the radio as we got
back and he was talking them around.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
What on occasions?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Absolutely, it's mini golf. I think it was called Tiger
in the Woods mini golf.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Sovery twelve birthday.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Thank you very much. Twenty four years ago. Now let's
get into the weekend that was in Super Rugby and
a busy weekend and as we always do, focus on
the New Zealand teams and work our way backwards. Blues
forty five Wina PACIFICA nineteen. This game was really in
the balance after around halftime fourteen twelve the Blues took
(01:42):
the lead into the break. Moana had played really really
well in that first thirty five is short of minutes,
but the lapses began to come early in the second spell.
Tweet A Logi scores early in the second spell and
the game is essentially done once the Blues were able
to kick away. Plenty of heart from Malwana, but heart
only gets you so far, and this is continuing to
(02:04):
be a very long and probably final season four. Then
what did you make of it?
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It was nice to see the spring box move emulated.
They line out drive more and they had another switch
move that was executed really well, so nice to see
some creativity from Wyana. It was already scrappy first half
from the Blues and then I guess the second half
largely went to scripted in it the Blues doing what
(02:32):
they do best, going through the middle, using hoskinstitute to
Patrick two Plot and others to really go through the
front door of Wayana and kick clear. I thought Stephen
Peterfetter back in the ten jersey played well, so nice
to see him back. But yeah, it's a pretty tough
situation from Wjuana. Competitive for forty minutes, but that's never
(02:55):
going to be.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Enough, No it's not. And look that there were promising signs.
I thought their attack was really direct in that first spell.
They managed to get a bit of pay out. The
Blues put a bit of pressure on at scrum time.
The set piece held up well but just all got
a little bit flaky after halftime and you can tell
the heart was in it from Wana pacifica as I said,
but they just don't have the quality across the park
(03:17):
and you've got players like Miracle Fire Lungy turning in
week in week Outspo tay Lower. I thought William Harvelli
was pretty astute at ten actually, you know, in place
of Patrick Palagreney, who I don't think it has been
as good as he was last year. But they don't
have a lot going on for them in their back line.
I think it's here to say They've got some players
that are probably past their best in terms of Super
(03:39):
rugby or probably not quite at super rugby level. But
the set piece has been an issue for them the season.
I thought they actually held up relatively well, but thom
Is sticking. One win the season was in their first game.
They have the Hurricanes at home this week. There's going
to be another tough game. Red's Rumby still to come
from memory. So look, I'm surprised if they can get
(04:00):
another win this season. I can't see where it comes from.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Yeah, I can't see it. They might be able to
stir the emotion and their last round match that that will,
for all intensive purposes be their last match ever unless
some White Night consortium is found. But it's been a
tough season for Wana, coming off the back of you know,
really revolutionary season last year on the cups of the playoffs.
(04:26):
What about the Blues, I still feel like they are
flattering to deceive the second on the table, well positioned
for a title push, but there's there's still those hugely
unconvincing performances or patches within games. We've seen them collapse
late against the Highlanders and at Super rounds and the
(04:49):
Reds they pulled those wins out of the bag. But
even against Moana, you know, play well for forty minutes,
is that going to be enough at the back end.
It's a real juxtaposition with the Blues and hard to
know quite what to make of them.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Absolutely, either their timing, they're run really well and they're
keeping a bit in reserve for the latter part out
of the season. And maybe that's not the worst thing.
I mean, the second on the ladder orbit having played
a game more than the Chiefs and they've done it
without being that convincing in a number of their fixtures
and as it stands ere they're in line with that
break between third and fourth for a home playoff in
(05:25):
week one, which is vital. But I think there are
question marks over the best makeup of the Blues team
and still hasn't been settled with what three yearsh runs
to go in the regular season. There are question marks
over I think their midfield and what the best combination
is there. We saw Zabi to Ali move into thirteen
on the weekend, petergar Kis played a bit of twelve,
a J Lamb came off the bench. I know Van
(05:47):
Kottas suggested last week into that Sullivan might get a
run in the midfield at some point the Season's keep
an eye up for that, so they may look to
move Peta Feedza back to fullback le Bdon Barrett and
play you know, I guess three playmakers in the back line.
But I think there are still question marks over that
they're wings. They've had a couple of injuries there. Caleb
Clark back on the week, kens Banks played relatively well,
(06:10):
but I think there are a lot of questions over
what the best makeup is of the Blues and that
probably extends to their front row as well, with off
the towing a FASTI engine. While they've had injuries as well,
I don't think it. I think there's also been question mark.
So but what is actually the best Blues twenty three
to try and beat the top teams in this comp
in terms of the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, absolutely, I'm not sure. I like that Sullivan to
midfield move. Getting them closer to the action is good,
more ball on hands, but it's a bit late in
the piece to be trying some sort of experiment, and
it's sort of smacks of trying to pigeonhole all your
best players on the park. I do like the Perefeta
(06:52):
Barrett combination to playmakers to contrasting playmakers does give you
an array of kicking and passing options. But I think
Sullivan's probably having his best season for a long time
for the Blues and messing with that is a risk.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, he hasn't had a lot of time. He's been
injured for a couple of seasons now and had a
lot of pressure on that regard. So yeah, I'm not
sure moving him this late in a campaign, as you say,
is optimal for the Blues. But again, they haven't really
settled on that first choice team either, so I'm intrigued
to see what they do this week for the Crusaders
(07:31):
in christ Church, and maybe they do look at Sullivan
at thirteen. Not sure how they'll go, but yeah, the
Blues is currently second on the latter two points off
the lead, but they've played a game extra then the Hurricanes,
who will get to shortly the drawer. Beating the Highlander
is twenty four to fourteen, good win for the drawer.
This was a ropye performance from the Highlanders and bar
(07:51):
Weather was pretty good. You can't blame it on the
local conditions. I don't think the Highlanders are just don't
seem to have any planned bees. They seem to be
lacking in Polish. I don't know whether it's a coaching
issue or whatever it is, or a roster issue. They've
had a lot of of you unsettled lineups this year,
(08:11):
I guess, with injuries and various other things, and obviously
haven't been out of put out hooland or pledge you
for that matter. But they look like a team that
is lacking on the finer details and came home to
roost on the weekend.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Yeah, the Highlanders have obvious roster challenges, don't they recruitment
and it is going to be great for the next
year to get the likes of the chiefs ten Jacob.
I think he'll make a world of difference. But there
is a real lack of evolution and accuracy and what
they're trying to do. Maybe they're running out a bit
(08:46):
of steam as well. It is difficult going to Fiji,
even in good conditions. That's sweltering hot. That does take
a massive toll on your legs at the back end
of games. But just as simple skills are really letting
them down at time that the accuracy, So yeah, I
think you can pretty much draw a line through the
Holders at this point of the year. I can't see
them making the playoffs. They don't. I think they've got
(09:09):
to play the Chiefs and maybe even the Canes or
one up. Yeah, and they're run home so long way
off getting to that top six. And you know they
finished Wooden Spooners last year. They could end up tenth again,
just above Moana because the Force is starting to find
(09:30):
some form as well.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Force coming home with a whit sale in this competition.
Just on that before we do get to the Force.
I don't really have anything excerant out about the hind
And I thought they were really poor, so poor and
didn't have a lot of energy, So I don't really
have a lot to say about that. But the Force
twenty seventeen over the warrit Ha's quick word on them,
Zach Lomax Win's the Battle of the former New South
Wales origin players over Joseph Akuso SUWALII. They're playing some
(09:54):
nice rugby at the moment, the Wistern Force.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
This is a pretty terrible game, YEP, but to low
quality teams. But Big went away from home for the
Force and Look, they have improved drastically this year. I
think they've recruited well. I think Summon Crons starting to
get some pay after being there a few years. You're
adding a touch of class and Zach Lomax starting to
make a difference. So look, don't write the Force off.
(10:20):
They could sneak into the playoffs. So I think they
have four games to play in their run home and
not out of the question yet. And just a word
on suiy Lee. What the hell are the Wartas doing?
He claimed the opening kickoff I think it was, and
then made single figure meters They center is not his position.
(10:42):
I saw someone on Twitter actually suggesting that the Wallabies
should look at Tom Wright at first five, which I
don't mind giving their first five stocks with suiy Lee
at fullback. That would be a real interesting experiment. But
just in terms of suiy Lee, you've got this phenomenal
attacking talent. You're not using him in the air, You're
not using him with ball in hands. What a waste
(11:03):
for a guy that's collecting such a massive paycheck too.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Absolutely. Jammie pandam colleague friend of the Pod and The
Daily Telegraph wrote a fairly withering take of that's over.
I think it was on Saturday. Not his position needs
to go back to fullback. I know they've got some
riches there around Jorganzer and they've got you know, other
players to accommodate. Said, Harvey's having a great season.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Yeah, real talent.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, but I think you still need to prioritize SULII
and because the investment Rugby Australia has made them that
needs to be a success and needs to be playing
getting more touches on the ball. So they need to
figure something out. But that they were diabolical on the
weekend and I can't put this off too much longer.
Hurricanes thirty eight, Crusaders thirty one. Look, it was a
(11:49):
great game. It was very entertaining and I think ultimately,
big picture, the Hurricanes were probably about a try if
not a little bit more better than the Crusaders on
the night. Good win for the Hurricanes. Crusaders though, I
think we'll take a little bit out of it, but
ultimately just weren't good enough. That that too tie strike
from the Hurricanes just before time game was itting, you know,
(12:10):
even keel the break bang bang twenty four ten they
go in to the sheds, could have blown out after that,
but the Crusaders did come you know home and put
some pressure on for a grand stand finish, but ultimately
right Team one Hurricanes were too good.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
I considered skipping breakfast today so I can really really
dine out on this free lunch.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Yeah sure, sure, sure, yeah, when we're going pray go
I when you speak yards closed down, I'm not sure
what kind of pool you've got to get some of
the bookings at Amano or depot wherever else the big
sort of see in the city.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Calls credit carder hammering. No. Look, it was an entertaining
game and intriguing in many aspects. I thought the Crusaders
in the first half didn't want to play any rugby.
They kicked away a lot of position and the Hurricanes
were content to largely kick back to them. And it
was only at the back end of that half where
they decided, hey, let's actually have a crack that they
(13:04):
got some pay So a lot of kicking in that
in that first twenty thirty minutes, and I think the
Crusaders won that battle. And perhaps that's an area where
other teams will look to target the Hurricanes, whether it's
under the high ball or just forcing them to play
some rugby. I thought the Crusaders defended really well, so
that was a clear strategy. Kicked the ball to the
(13:24):
Hurricanes back our defense and it worked for them early
and as you say, those that bang bang strike changed
the complexion of the game from there. I never really
felt like the Hurricanes were going to be run down.
They were always had a buffer, but a Crusaders team
heavily down on troops. They had a number of different
late changes with Brandon in or pulling out. I think
(13:45):
showed a lot of heart and they are going to
get a lot of players back in the coming weeks,
but they need them back now because it is an
incredibly tough run home if they are going to sneak
into those playoffs.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yeah, they've got the Blues this week, there gonna buy.
They've got the Chiefs and Hurricanes to come again. Both
of those are in christ Jurch. But yeah, they have
a little bit of work to do on the run home.
The Crusade I thought, yeah, as you say that, a
performance with heart from the Crusaders twenty four tend down
the break. Hurricane score next could really blow on out,
(14:16):
but they went to it for tat and the second spell.
Couple of controversial moments late in the game.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Yeah, I don't like bagging refs, but James Dolman had
a dead set shocker in that game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
It was poor.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
The breakdown was a free for all, a couple of
very dubious tries. I'm not convinced with my eyepatch on
that it was a definitive four pass, so.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
It looks like it was from where I was sitting,
but okay.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And then Dominic Gardener looked like he was short.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Probably Canes will both tries out and it's still the
same result as me exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I don't think it figured the result. But not a
great night for James Dolan.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
No, I'd have to go back and check that line out. Cool,
he made late, but it was against that he caught
it against the Hurricanes, not straight but under the rules
there was no context, and I think the Hurricanes did
throw a jumper up so that yeah, they should. I
can't remember exactly how it played out, but I think
he did get that one wrong. But I have to
go back and look at it. There was a and
the ruck from the Hurricanes at one point. Just an
(15:11):
incredibly baffling performance. From James Dolman. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Yeah, as I say, I don't think of affect the result,
but not a great officiating performance. Just on the Hurricanes,
it's been that that's been a tough stretch for them, yep.
And maybe there was a wee bit of fatigue in
that they played the what the Chiefs away from home
week Yeah, and maybe another New Zealand team even before that.
(15:37):
So tough stretch for them. They've largely escaped injury free.
This was I think it wasn't their best performance of
the year. They were they were forced to play difference
and that's good for them. I think in the second
half they got a lot of pay attacking the short side,
so they did make some tactical tweaks. But I think
(16:03):
there is more to come and they need to get
better because they were on the cusp there and they
should have put that game to bed. And when you
go back to the Chiefs performance and Hamilton, that was
another game they had not totally in control, but it
was there for the taking and they blew it late.
They didn't close it out. And so for a team
that is maturing and has been together for a long time,
(16:26):
they need to take those learning experiences and you know,
take improvements and make make amends and make sure come
playoff time where they've failed in the last four years,
that they put those into fruition.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Yeah. I think the Crusaders as well look a lot
better with Rivers Rayhana at ten than they do with
Taha Kimida.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah. I think Kimada is a much more potent attacking threa,
isn't he. He challenges the line. He's got quite a
good array of passing game, but doesn't have the same
game control.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Yeah. Rivers Rayhanna, I think is a very good game control.
We saw that last year in the playoffs when he
started with Kimmitda injured, that tight game against the Blue
semi final, then the final against the Chiefs, you know,
one score games, he was able to control it. I
thought that did look a lot better when he came
on the park at halftime and managed just to steer
things a bit more direct. I thought from the Crusaders, what.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
About Lester fining and look who's second week at open
side flanker man. He looked the part. He did a
highly involved He got a couple of crucial breakdown turnovers,
which I think is the biggest area of question in
his game. Haven't going from the midfield to the loose forwards,
just the intricacy he's around getting those movements right.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Took a line out earlier in the game.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, he's really doing it all and you'd have to
think the Crusaders persists with that now I.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Think they will. I yeah, technically there's a couple of
probably things he needs to work on on positioning, but
what it is doing and it happened the same against
the Blues last week. He is getting far more touches
with the ball. I mean know how dangerous he can
be whenever he gets the ball. And the way that
rugby is now and the way that attacking systems work,
(18:07):
I I think back lines don't get as much opportunity
to create havoc as they maybe did ten years ago.
You think of a and the kind of ball that
he would get for the Hurricanes and be all black.
So a destructive player like firing a Nuoku may not
have the out and out skill set of a You know,
Richie mccorr a is a seven or a Duplessikrifi is
(18:29):
a seven who played against on the weekend, But he
gets more touches on the ball and can bend the
defensive line. I think that's where rugby union has gone
over the last especially five years, but maybe ten years.
Is that you think of an open side ten years
ago and the way back line played ten years ago,
they're completely different now. And if this is the kind
of passage that rugby needs to go through and building
(18:50):
these players to play in a hybrid role, then I'm
all for it.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
It was a very good point around the perception of
what a center should be delivering because look at Riquewani
lest of fining a Nuku, Joseph sweet Leey, Billy Procter.
We don't see men any scything breaks and massive breakouts
attacking performances from midfielders. Quinti Pier has had his moments
(19:17):
this year, but that's largely come at twelve, sometimes at thirteen.
But the way in which defenders rush up and shut
down time and space. Midfielders are often used as decoys
or deception with the ball going behind to create more
space for the playmakers to use their outside men and
chase that space as generally on the edge rather than
(19:37):
the midfield. So you're right him less to be more
involved as working for the Crusaders, and that's because that
dynamic has shifted big time in the past what five,
maybe even ten years.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
And if you weigh it up and go, okay, it's
not going to give you what a Johnny Lee or
Tom Christy who's left the Crusaders previously who I think
now are missing this season incidentally, But he's not going
to give you that, But he's gonna give you something
else and maybe you go benefits actually outweigh the negatives there.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
Yeah, and it's about loose forwards. I think is very
much about complementary skills. You bring back an Eathan Blackadder
who does that tilis defending, and you've got Christian Leo
Wada at the back who gives you the ball carrying.
So Leicester I think fits in that makes pretty well.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
He does. Just another word on the Hurricanes, Wanna Durns
is playing some exceptional rugby. You laughed when I said
he's one of the best locks in the world. How
are you feeling now?
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I probably wouldn't go that far, but he has been
a revelation for the Hurricanes and he I think in
this competition he would be the best lock at stealing
opposition ball. He reads it really well, he gets up,
he can tests. So he's been a massive asset to
the Hurricanes, and yeah, I wish we could keep no longer.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Yeah, there's some conversations that we had there. Although when
I was looking and seeing when did he last play
for Japan back into last year, I mean, the allback's
got plenty of locks at the moment into twenty eight.
But he's playing a good rugby and he's still very young.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Yeah, but Malcolm Gelli's we had on a couple a
couple of weeks ago. He's got pockets. You know. It
could compete with Sheba surely.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Yeah, I'd have pretty deep I think, but.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
An interesting ground of super rugby as a whole. Also,
the Reds beating the Brumbies and you look at the
playoff picture now Napes Hurricanes out on top on forty,
Brumbies closing out the top six on twenty five. Then
you've got the drawer banging on the door on twenty
waratars twenty Highland is twenty in ninth force and eighteen
and then more all the way back in eleven. It's
congested and we're touched on the Crusaders and whether they
(21:33):
can still remain with those tough games they've got going.
Not a lot of runway either, so there's going to
be a real squeeze in these final weeks of the season.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Absolutely, I think that top three is locked in.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Yeah, there's just too much of a gap between.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Not necessarily in their order, but the Hurricanes, Blues and
Chiefs will be will make up that top three and
then it's reasonably contestable. I think. I think the Force,
Waratars Drawer, Brumbies, Crusaders, they're all fighting it out for
that last spot.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, and what may hurt the Crusaders for example when
I touched on the s couple of times, is they've
obviously those derbies, but the Force of Australian games and
you know doesn't seem to have any favorite. I'm think
they've got across the Tasman again, so you know though
they could you pick up some wins there the Western
Force and come home with a witsale quip.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
We'll touch more on the Crusaders and Thursday's pod.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, we've got a letter into the mail bag as
well on that, so we'll touch on that and any
feedback and letters for the mail bag. We'll get through
a few I reckon on Thursday Rugby Direct at Newstalk
zb dot co door in Zo. We can file them
our way on social media where eve a quick break
back with more after this on rag betterck You're back
with Rugby zeroik powered by Habit Health phys the time
for the final four for rugby Topics. Liam. We've had
(22:47):
the announcement the last couple of weeks Ireland to play
Japan and Newcastle as part of the new Nations Championship.
Great for the Novocastrians, I'm not sure it's great for
the integrity of the Nations Championship. You got Fiji playing
in the UK their home games, which I actually seem
pretty happy about. You know, they're going to get more
(23:07):
of a gate, they're going to get more funding as
a result of that. But the japan one, and I
know Eddie Jones spoke about this last week he was
pretty frustrated by play home games away from home. This
was always going to be a tricky part of this
competition when they announced it is the amount of traveling involved.
There's obviously squeezes coming on with the war in Iran
around travel in costs of various things, but outside of
(23:31):
a world Cup and you know COVID sort of situations.
I'm not sure that Ireland, Japan and Newcastle really gets
the blood going.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I really like this from Eddie Jones coming out and
hitting people between the eyes with no holds barred honesty.
And you know, maybe he's built a bit of a
bunker in Japan where he feels safe to fire shots.
He'd come out and said, look, the only reason we're
playing in Ireland and Australia is because Ireland have much
(24:01):
more say around the world rugby table. And I think
he's right. Yeah, and it does undermine the names Championship
and there's not a lot of positivity or around that
comp at the moment in year one. Why should Japan
have to go all the way to Australia just to
make Islands travel? Should you easier?
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Well, this is part of them being invited partners into
this competition. It's the sands Are Nations, it's the Sick Nations,
and then these two Fiji and Japan have been invited
and you know, thanks for coming from the invitation, but
you don't get much say in exactly how this is
going to play out.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Yeah, if you want to join the big boys, you
sit at the back of the queue and watch. I
can understand it from Fiji's perspective. Like you say, I
don't think their arm's been twisted to move their games.
It works for them from a financial point of view,
but it would be nice if they could have at
least one game at home playing fund of your people showcase.
(24:58):
You know, you look at the drawer and that unique
rugby Atmisphere there. I know rugby is a financial beast,
but yeah, the Japan's go to Australia doesn't make any sense.
I can't imagine that's going to be a bigger gate.
So it's purely about appeasing island.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
But reducing the travel before they go on and play
the All Blacks of Edon Park. It's just, you know,
great for the carbon footprint.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
I was sort of undermines the integrity of it, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, I think it does a little bit. It's a
globe trotting competition. You know, this has been signed off.
Surely there needs to be some concessions that go, Okay,
you actually are going to have to fly, you know,
week to week, and maybe you adjust your squads in
various things.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
Yeah, and look, I'll acknowledge that the North has a
very arduous task and playing three different games in three
different countries, or that's how it was meant to be
when they come south in July. But everyone knew that
when they signed up to it.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Yeah, and look, the travel for some hemocup teams when
they go up north is far reduced. It's a train
ride or it's a flight whatever it might short flight,
definitely different. But yeah, it just doesn't sit well with me.
Top number two Scotland. The recruitment. We talked about Riley
Higgins on the Pod last week. They've been very obvious
with what they're doing. Louie Chapman, albit of Crusader's third
string halfback, is now being targeted and signed with Edinburgh.
(26:13):
He is Scottish qualified. Is this just smart from Scotland
or what do you think of this? Look part of me? Yes,
I know they've got the heritage and you know, perhaps
people will say, well, you know New Zealand's done that
with the Islands and getting some of the talent through here,
but I don't know that this is what international rugby
(26:33):
was built for.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
No, it doesn't sit well with me. Look, I can
fully understand it from these players' perspectives and Scotland as well,
they're working within the parameters that are there. They're targeting
guys that are young. Riley Higgins is what twenty three,
Louis Chapman five, and their paths are largely blocked. Are talented,
(26:57):
but they're probably never going to be All Blacks. Riley
Higgins maybe an outside chance. He was in that the
All Blacks fifteen. Yeah, hasn't played a lot this year.
I think he is a real talent. So Scotland's this
is nothing new either. They've what Fergus Burke and a
number of different others in their ranks and they're trying
(27:21):
to bolster their talents. And yeah, there is an argument
that the All Blacks benefit greatly from the Islands, but
I think that's probably world rugby as well. When you
look at England, France, South Africa and Argentina are probably
the two most homegrown test nations. I don't know how
you prevent it. It's already what a five year residency,
(27:43):
so it's a zrea. Yeah, so it's a long stint
for these guys to become eligible. But if you go
young and you've.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Got to pass, that allows you to play straight away.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Yeah, why would you not?
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Absolutely? Yeah, the island things also overplayed. You hear it
a lot from the north, but there's also cultural factors
of play, and there's a lot of natural travel and
movement from the Islands to New Zealand. People base themselves here,
and yet I think there's an undertone there that I'm
not always comfortable with when some of the accusations come
(28:15):
from up north around that. But they certainly have also
been scenarios where players that have come and have just
been given the red carpet right here in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Yeah, I think the difference is I don't know that
New Zealand rugby as involved with Hamilton Boys going over
to Samo and bringing over a player for their first fifteen.
That's at arms length. It's very separate and those players
may progress, they may not. But you're right, there are
all sorts of pools in terms of job opportunities and
(28:47):
lifestyle that bring Auckland's the biggest Polynesian city in the world,
and that's not from a rugby perspective. That those people
come for lifestyle reasons and that does filter through into
sporting opportunities as well.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Absolutely, topic number three confirmation of the weekend in South
Africa Rugby Magazine that the RGR Rugby's greatest rivalry will
have a winner later in the year, so it won't be, say,
for example, if it's locked to wall in terms of
games one, there will be a mechanism to decide an
(29:25):
ultimate winner of the trophy, a champion of the trophy.
One do you like this? Would you rather have a draw?
And two? How shouldn't be decided?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
I wouldn't be adverse to a draw, although I think
back to the Line series of twenty seventeen that was
very bizarre, and I think if you ask the players
who were involved in that, they would have wanted. Certainly
the All Blacks died wanted some form of way they
could determine the outcome of the series, whether that was
(29:56):
extra time or a decider or however that looked. So
I think if you asked the players, they would want
some form of way to decide the series. I think
the easiest way is extra time, and then you could
look at metrics slack greatest combined score or something like that.
What do you reckon?
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Would you go golden point extra time? We got super
point at the moment and Super Rugby could be rivalry point.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
I think to decide a series, you'd have a full
ten minutes each way and whoever otherwise you probably just
predetermine a drop goal shootout.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
I'd got aggregate score over the course of the series,
and if that was so, no extra time, no extra time,
because I think extra time is it's a strong enough mechanism,
I suppose, But I think if you were deciding eight series,
then it shouldn't come down to ten minutes or twenty
minutes on the day. It should come down to, you know,
the overall series and almost a countback scenario. So i'd
(30:58):
go countback first. If it was somehow locked on one
hundred and twenty six points or whatever it might be
each then then maybe you can play extra time after that.
But I would look to do that first aggregate points
because I think that decides the series rather than the
fourth game and then going on to an extra time
period after that.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
It's probably a fair way of determining it. I really
don't like the first point scored or the first try scored,
because it's just such a naff thing in terms of
one match, let alone a whole series.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Yeah. Question four Are the war Tars the biggest myth
in rugby?
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Well other than the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
We can count through the titles if you want to
do this right now.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
That was an easy one, that wasn't it.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
The Wartars shouldn't even have a super Raby title of
Craig Gyber. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Oh there we go.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Got on the phone apologized. Are they the biggest myth?
They've got the biggest talent, Paul. Most of the overseas
players that come back from the Wallabies abroad end up
signing with the war Tars. All the league players buy
and large Lomax and a couple others accepted head for
the war Tars. And they do nothing year after year.
I think the final I think it was it last year.
(32:08):
Year before on their roster they've just done nothing.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
Yeah, I thought they were really set up this year.
They had very good recruitment. I really rate Dan McCalla
as a coach. I don't know what the issue is.
I think the Blues had issues for a long time.
Something about New Zealand's biggest city, you know, maybe that
the team culture is not the same. You have to
(32:32):
travel through traffic. Maybe the northern beaches are a problem
in Sydney, or the lifestyle is a bit enticing. You
don't have the same buy in that you do with
other teams. I don't know, but it is a continued
issue for the Waratars that year on year they have
stacks of talent and they've got a massive food pack
(32:55):
sidhave and you know what, Yeah, some of the best
talent in Australian rugby and they just can't put it together.
So yeah, there's a strong case they are the biggest
myth and rugby.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
No bigger beach is in rugby. Riize MVP voting time
to run through. Last week we did trade scores though
I went for He for three over super round. I'm
Gardner for two and Rubin Love for one. You went
for He for three, Leister Fighting and Looking for two
and Rubin Love for one. Awful leads the overall standings
by six point sixteen from cam Rugad on ten, Quinta
(33:27):
Pyre on seven. Then a whole lot of players are
in behind those three. Who get your three two ones
from the weekend that was snapes.
Speaker 4 (33:33):
We're going all forwards this week. Elliott's giving Xavier new
Mere my three. I think he's having a real breakthrough year.
Guy that's been on the cusp of the All Blacks.
He's doing it all, scrummaging, breakdown turnovers, playing big minutes.
I think he played close to eighty there recently. Two
to Patrick two Polo too big performance since his comeback
(33:54):
as captain, made a big difference to that Blues forward
pack and one to Leicester because his progression at openside
has surprised me.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Yeah, I'm going to go three for my man. Warner Dunes.
Very impressed by what he offered on the weekend. Again,
I think he has made a material difference. We can
talk about fIF and what he's been doing out wide,
but you look at Warner Dunes and that's more of
a material not in terms of tries, but just in
terms of the Hurricanes ball position, having the ball, all
(34:22):
that sort of thing, grunt work. He gets my three.
I've been very impressed by him. Two goes the way
of Callum Harkin, who I think is one of the
more underrated players in this competition. He's been very, very
good for the Canes this year. He gets my two
points and one goes the way of Anton Signa, who
I think is continuing to make every post a winner
(34:42):
and I think, you know, inviting some questions for the
all Black selectors. Enough with that.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Yeah, yeah, I don't think he's quite there yet, but
it's such a stacked, congested area. He's definitely knocking on
the door.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
His consistency is what I'm really liking about his game
that probably hasn't been there previously. I did toss up
going Lester for one, but you've got that covert so right.
That'll do us for Rugby Directed for our Monday or
early week pod, we're back on Thursday. Don't forget get
into the mail bag as well. Well. I'm through a
few quis I think on Thursday, barring any other significant
rugby news to get into. There's a few already that
have parked up. I've seen them and formulating responses and
(35:16):
my hit.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
Yeah, we're both looking forward to writing off the Crusaders
this year.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
Both Rugby Director at Newstalk, ZB, dot co, dot m
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Mark Kelly and of course we are powered by Habit healthherysio.
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Speaker 1 (35:36):
For more from News Talks, EDB Listen live on air
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Speaker 2 (00:19):
Down the Middle of tru Guy, try to get inside
the game from Every End Goal.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Ed B Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Physio Book
Today and Stay in the Game. Elliott Smith with me
Liam Napier, Episode two to two of Rugby Direct. Nathan nastal
or Richie Beno, what even takes your fancy? Who would
have thought we made it to triple two? Liam Welcoman, Yeah,
there you go, big.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Nathan nest still fan Actually is my favorite cricketer, grown
up hell of an earlliens. That was, wasn't it? I
think we were there to witnessed.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
That wasn't there a witness It was the dad my
told birth party. We went to minigolf in the city
and I remember hearing it on the radio as we got
back and he was talking them around.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
What on occasions?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Absolutely, it's mini golf. I think it was called Tiger
in the Woods mini golf.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Sovery twelve birthday.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Thank you very much. Twenty four years ago. Now let's
get into the weekend that was in Super Rugby and
a busy weekend and as we always do, focus on
the New Zealand teams and work our way backwards. Blues
forty five Wina PACIFICA nineteen. This game was really in
the balance after around halftime fourteen twelve the Blues took
(01:42):
the lead into the break. Moana had played really really
well in that first thirty five is short of minutes,
but the lapses began to come early in the second spell.
Tweet A Logi scores early in the second spell and
the game is essentially done once the Blues were able
to kick away. Plenty of heart from Malwana, but heart
only gets you so far, and this is continuing to
(02:04):
be a very long and probably final season four. Then
what did you make of it?
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It was nice to see the spring box move emulated.
They line out drive more and they had another switch
move that was executed really well, so nice to see
some creativity from Wyana. It was already scrappy first half
from the Blues and then I guess the second half
largely went to scripted in it the Blues doing what
(02:32):
they do best, going through the middle, using hoskinstitute to
Patrick two Plot and others to really go through the
front door of Wayana and kick clear. I thought Stephen
Peterfetter back in the ten jersey played well, so nice
to see him back. But yeah, it's a pretty tough
situation from Wjuana. Competitive for forty minutes, but that's never
(02:55):
going to be.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Enough, No it's not. And look that there were promising signs.
I thought their attack was really direct in that first spell.
They managed to get a bit of pay out. The
Blues put a bit of pressure on at scrum time.
The set piece held up well but just all got
a little bit flaky after halftime and you can tell
the heart was in it from Wana pacifica as I said,
but they just don't have the quality across the park
(03:17):
and you've got players like Miracle Fire Lungy turning in
week in week Outspo tay Lower. I thought William Harvelli
was pretty astute at ten actually, you know, in place
of Patrick Palagreney, who I don't think it has been
as good as he was last year. But they don't
have a lot going on for them in their back line.
I think it's here to say They've got some players
that are probably past their best in terms of Super
(03:39):
rugby or probably not quite at super rugby level. But
the set piece has been an issue for them the season.
I thought they actually held up relatively well, but thom
Is sticking. One win the season was in their first game.
They have the Hurricanes at home this week. There's going
to be another tough game. Red's Rumby still to come
from memory. So look, I'm surprised if they can get
(04:00):
another win this season. I can't see where it comes from.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Yeah, I can't see it. They might be able to
stir the emotion and their last round match that that will,
for all intensive purposes be their last match ever unless
some White Night consortium is found. But it's been a
tough season for Wana, coming off the back of you know,
really revolutionary season last year on the cups of the playoffs.
(04:26):
What about the Blues, I still feel like they are
flattering to deceive the second on the table, well positioned
for a title push, but there's there's still those hugely
unconvincing performances or patches within games. We've seen them collapse
late against the Highlanders and at Super rounds and the
(04:49):
Reds they pulled those wins out of the bag. But
even against Moana, you know, play well for forty minutes,
is that going to be enough at the back end.
It's a real juxtaposition with the Blues and hard to
know quite what to make of them.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Absolutely, either their timing, they're run really well and they're
keeping a bit in reserve for the latter part out
of the season. And maybe that's not the worst thing.
I mean, the second on the ladder orbit having played
a game more than the Chiefs and they've done it
without being that convincing in a number of their fixtures
and as it stands ere they're in line with that
break between third and fourth for a home playoff in
(05:25):
week one, which is vital. But I think there are
question marks over the best makeup of the Blues team
and still hasn't been settled with what three yearsh runs
to go in the regular season. There are question marks
over I think their midfield and what the best combination
is there. We saw Zabi to Ali move into thirteen
on the weekend, petergar Kis played a bit of twelve,
a J Lamb came off the bench. I know Van
(05:47):
Kottas suggested last week into that Sullivan might get a
run in the midfield at some point the Season's keep
an eye up for that, so they may look to
move Peta Feedza back to fullback le Bdon Barrett and
play you know, I guess three playmakers in the back line.
But I think there are still question marks over that
they're wings. They've had a couple of injuries there. Caleb
Clark back on the week, kens Banks played relatively well,
(06:10):
but I think there are a lot of questions over
what the best makeup is of the Blues and that
probably extends to their front row as well, with off
the towing a FASTI engine. While they've had injuries as well,
I don't think it. I think there's also been question mark.
So but what is actually the best Blues twenty three
to try and beat the top teams in this comp
in terms of the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, absolutely, I'm not sure. I like that Sullivan to
midfield move. Getting them closer to the action is good,
more ball on hands, but it's a bit late in
the piece to be trying some sort of experiment, and
it's sort of smacks of trying to pigeonhole all your
best players on the park. I do like the Perefeta
(06:52):
Barrett combination to playmakers to contrasting playmakers does give you
an array of kicking and passing options. But I think
Sullivan's probably having his best season for a long time
for the Blues and messing with that is a risk.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, he hasn't had a lot of time. He's been
injured for a couple of seasons now and had a
lot of pressure on that regard. So yeah, I'm not
sure moving him this late in a campaign, as you say,
is optimal for the Blues. But again, they haven't really
settled on that first choice team either, so I'm intrigued
to see what they do this week for the Crusaders
(07:31):
in christ Church, and maybe they do look at Sullivan
at thirteen. Not sure how they'll go, but yeah, the
Blues is currently second on the latter two points off
the lead, but they've played a game extra then the Hurricanes,
who will get to shortly the drawer. Beating the Highlander
is twenty four to fourteen, good win for the drawer.
This was a ropye performance from the Highlanders and bar
(07:51):
Weather was pretty good. You can't blame it on the
local conditions. I don't think the Highlanders are just don't
seem to have any planned bees. They seem to be
lacking in Polish. I don't know whether it's a coaching
issue or whatever it is, or a roster issue. They've
had a lot of of you unsettled lineups this year,
(08:11):
I guess, with injuries and various other things, and obviously
haven't been out of put out hooland or pledge you
for that matter. But they look like a team that
is lacking on the finer details and came home to
roost on the weekend.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Yeah, the Highlanders have obvious roster challenges, don't they recruitment
and it is going to be great for the next
year to get the likes of the chiefs ten Jacob.
I think he'll make a world of difference. But there
is a real lack of evolution and accuracy and what
they're trying to do. Maybe they're running out a bit
(08:46):
of steam as well. It is difficult going to Fiji,
even in good conditions. That's sweltering hot. That does take
a massive toll on your legs at the back end
of games. But just as simple skills are really letting
them down at time that the accuracy, So yeah, I
think you can pretty much draw a line through the
Holders at this point of the year. I can't see
them making the playoffs. They don't. I think they've got
(09:09):
to play the Chiefs and maybe even the Canes or
one up. Yeah, and they're run home so long way
off getting to that top six. And you know they
finished Wooden Spooners last year. They could end up tenth again,
just above Moana because the Force is starting to find
(09:30):
some form as well.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Force coming home with a whit sale in this competition.
Just on that before we do get to the Force.
I don't really have anything excerant out about the hind
And I thought they were really poor, so poor and
didn't have a lot of energy, So I don't really
have a lot to say about that. But the Force
twenty seventeen over the warrit Ha's quick word on them,
Zach Lomax Win's the Battle of the former New South
Wales origin players over Joseph Akuso SUWALII. They're playing some
(09:54):
nice rugby at the moment, the Wistern Force.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
This is a pretty terrible game, YEP, but to low
quality teams. But Big went away from home for the
Force and Look, they have improved drastically this year. I
think they've recruited well. I think Summon Crons starting to
get some pay after being there a few years. You're
adding a touch of class and Zach Lomax starting to
make a difference. So look, don't write the Force off.
(10:20):
They could sneak into the playoffs. So I think they
have four games to play in their run home and
not out of the question yet. And just a word
on suiy Lee. What the hell are the Wartas doing?
He claimed the opening kickoff I think it was, and
then made single figure meters They center is not his position.
(10:42):
I saw someone on Twitter actually suggesting that the Wallabies
should look at Tom Wright at first five, which I
don't mind giving their first five stocks with suiy Lee
at fullback. That would be a real interesting experiment. But
just in terms of suiy Lee, you've got this phenomenal
attacking talent. You're not using him in the air, You're
not using him with ball in hands. What a waste
(11:03):
for a guy that's collecting such a massive paycheck too.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Absolutely. Jammie pandam colleague friend of the Pod and The
Daily Telegraph wrote a fairly withering take of that's over.
I think it was on Saturday. Not his position needs
to go back to fullback. I know they've got some
riches there around Jorganzer and they've got you know, other
players to accommodate. Said, Harvey's having a great season.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Yeah, real talent.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, but I think you still need to prioritize SULII
and because the investment Rugby Australia has made them that
needs to be a success and needs to be playing
getting more touches on the ball. So they need to
figure something out. But that they were diabolical on the
weekend and I can't put this off too much longer.
Hurricanes thirty eight, Crusaders thirty one. Look, it was a
(11:49):
great game. It was very entertaining and I think ultimately,
big picture, the Hurricanes were probably about a try if
not a little bit more better than the Crusaders on
the night. Good win for the Hurricanes. Crusaders though, I
think we'll take a little bit out of it, but
ultimately just weren't good enough. That that too tie strike
from the Hurricanes just before time game was itting, you know,
(12:10):
even keel the break bang bang twenty four ten they
go in to the sheds, could have blown out after that,
but the Crusaders did come you know home and put
some pressure on for a grand stand finish, but ultimately
right Team one Hurricanes were too good.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
I considered skipping breakfast today so I can really really
dine out on this free lunch.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Yeah sure, sure, sure, yeah, when we're going pray go
I when you speak yards closed down, I'm not sure
what kind of pool you've got to get some of
the bookings at Amano or depot wherever else the big
sort of see in the city.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Calls credit carder hammering. No. Look, it was an entertaining
game and intriguing in many aspects. I thought the Crusaders
in the first half didn't want to play any rugby.
They kicked away a lot of position and the Hurricanes
were content to largely kick back to them. And it
was only at the back end of that half where
they decided, hey, let's actually have a crack that they
(13:04):
got some pay So a lot of kicking in that
in that first twenty thirty minutes, and I think the
Crusaders won that battle. And perhaps that's an area where
other teams will look to target the Hurricanes, whether it's
under the high ball or just forcing them to play
some rugby. I thought the Crusaders defended really well, so
that was a clear strategy. Kicked the ball to the
(13:24):
Hurricanes back our defense and it worked for them early
and as you say, those that bang bang strike changed
the complexion of the game from there. I never really
felt like the Hurricanes were going to be run down.
They were always had a buffer, but a Crusaders team
heavily down on troops. They had a number of different
late changes with Brandon in or pulling out. I think
(13:45):
showed a lot of heart and they are going to
get a lot of players back in the coming weeks,
but they need them back now because it is an
incredibly tough run home if they are going to sneak
into those playoffs.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yeah, they've got the Blues this week, there gonna buy.
They've got the Chiefs and Hurricanes to come again. Both
of those are in christ Jurch. But yeah, they have
a little bit of work to do on the run home.
The Crusade I thought, yeah, as you say that, a
performance with heart from the Crusaders twenty four tend down
the break. Hurricane score next could really blow on out,
(14:16):
but they went to it for tat and the second spell.
Couple of controversial moments late in the game.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Yeah, I don't like bagging refs, but James Dolman had
a dead set shocker in that game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
It was poor.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
The breakdown was a free for all, a couple of
very dubious tries. I'm not convinced with my eyepatch on
that it was a definitive four pass, so.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
It looks like it was from where I was sitting,
but okay.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And then Dominic Gardener looked like he was short.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Probably Canes will both tries out and it's still the
same result as me exactly.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I don't think it figured the result. But not a
great night for James Dolan.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
No, I'd have to go back and check that line out. Cool,
he made late, but it was against that he caught
it against the Hurricanes, not straight but under the rules
there was no context, and I think the Hurricanes did
throw a jumper up so that yeah, they should. I
can't remember exactly how it played out, but I think
he did get that one wrong. But I have to
go back and look at it. There was a and
the ruck from the Hurricanes at one point. Just an
(15:11):
incredibly baffling performance. From James Dolman. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Yeah, as I say, I don't think of affect the result,
but not a great officiating performance. Just on the Hurricanes,
it's been that that's been a tough stretch for them, yep.
And maybe there was a wee bit of fatigue in
that they played the what the Chiefs away from home
week Yeah, and maybe another New Zealand team even before that.
(15:37):
So tough stretch for them. They've largely escaped injury free.
This was I think it wasn't their best performance of
the year. They were they were forced to play difference
and that's good for them. I think in the second
half they got a lot of pay attacking the short side,
so they did make some tactical tweaks. But I think
(16:03):
there is more to come and they need to get
better because they were on the cusp there and they
should have put that game to bed. And when you
go back to the Chiefs performance and Hamilton, that was
another game they had not totally in control, but it
was there for the taking and they blew it late.
They didn't close it out. And so for a team
that is maturing and has been together for a long time,
(16:26):
they need to take those learning experiences and you know,
take improvements and make make amends and make sure come
playoff time where they've failed in the last four years,
that they put those into fruition.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Yeah. I think the Crusaders as well look a lot
better with Rivers Rayhana at ten than they do with
Taha Kimida.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah. I think Kimada is a much more potent attacking threa,
isn't he. He challenges the line. He's got quite a
good array of passing game, but doesn't have the same
game control.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Yeah. Rivers Rayhanna, I think is a very good game control.
We saw that last year in the playoffs when he
started with Kimmitda injured, that tight game against the Blue
semi final, then the final against the Chiefs, you know,
one score games, he was able to control it. I
thought that did look a lot better when he came
on the park at halftime and managed just to steer
things a bit more direct. I thought from the Crusaders, what.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
About Lester fining and look who's second week at open
side flanker man. He looked the part. He did a
highly involved He got a couple of crucial breakdown turnovers,
which I think is the biggest area of question in
his game. Haven't going from the midfield to the loose forwards,
just the intricacy he's around getting those movements right.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Took a line out earlier in the game.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, he's really doing it all and you'd have to
think the Crusaders persists with that now I.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Think they will. I yeah, technically there's a couple of
probably things he needs to work on on positioning, but
what it is doing and it happened the same against
the Blues last week. He is getting far more touches
with the ball. I mean know how dangerous he can
be whenever he gets the ball. And the way that
rugby is now and the way that attacking systems work,
(18:07):
I I think back lines don't get as much opportunity
to create havoc as they maybe did ten years ago.
You think of a and the kind of ball that
he would get for the Hurricanes and be all black.
So a destructive player like firing a Nuoku may not
have the out and out skill set of a You know,
Richie mccorr a is a seven or a Duplessikrifi is
(18:29):
a seven who played against on the weekend, But he
gets more touches on the ball and can bend the
defensive line. I think that's where rugby union has gone
over the last especially five years, but maybe ten years.
Is that you think of an open side ten years
ago and the way back line played ten years ago,
they're completely different now. And if this is the kind
of passage that rugby needs to go through and building
(18:50):
these players to play in a hybrid role, then I'm
all for it.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
It was a very good point around the perception of
what a center should be delivering because look at Riquewani
lest of fining a Nuku, Joseph sweet Leey, Billy Procter.
We don't see men any scything breaks and massive breakouts
attacking performances from midfielders. Quinti Pier has had his moments
(19:17):
this year, but that's largely come at twelve, sometimes at thirteen.
But the way in which defenders rush up and shut
down time and space. Midfielders are often used as decoys
or deception with the ball going behind to create more
space for the playmakers to use their outside men and
chase that space as generally on the edge rather than
(19:37):
the midfield. So you're right him less to be more
involved as working for the Crusaders, and that's because that
dynamic has shifted big time in the past what five,
maybe even ten years.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
And if you weigh it up and go, okay, it's
not going to give you what a Johnny Lee or
Tom Christy who's left the Crusaders previously who I think
now are missing this season incidentally, But he's not going
to give you that, But he's gonna give you something
else and maybe you go benefits actually outweigh the negatives there.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
Yeah, and it's about loose forwards. I think is very
much about complementary skills. You bring back an Eathan Blackadder
who does that tilis defending, and you've got Christian Leo
Wada at the back who gives you the ball carrying.
So Leicester I think fits in that makes pretty well.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
He does. Just another word on the Hurricanes, Wanna Durns
is playing some exceptional rugby. You laughed when I said
he's one of the best locks in the world. How
are you feeling now?
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I probably wouldn't go that far, but he has been
a revelation for the Hurricanes and he I think in
this competition he would be the best lock at stealing
opposition ball. He reads it really well, he gets up,
he can tests. So he's been a massive asset to
the Hurricanes, and yeah, I wish we could keep no longer.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Yeah, there's some conversations that we had there. Although when
I was looking and seeing when did he last play
for Japan back into last year, I mean, the allback's
got plenty of locks at the moment into twenty eight.
But he's playing a good rugby and he's still very young.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
Yeah, but Malcolm Gelli's we had on a couple a
couple of weeks ago. He's got pockets. You know. It
could compete with Sheba surely.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Yeah, I'd have pretty deep I think, but.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
An interesting ground of super rugby as a whole. Also,
the Reds beating the Brumbies and you look at the
playoff picture now Napes Hurricanes out on top on forty,
Brumbies closing out the top six on twenty five. Then
you've got the drawer banging on the door on twenty
waratars twenty Highland is twenty in ninth force and eighteen
and then more all the way back in eleven. It's
congested and we're touched on the Crusaders and whether they
(21:33):
can still remain with those tough games they've got going.
Not a lot of runway either, so there's going to
be a real squeeze in these final weeks of the season.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Absolutely, I think that top three is locked in.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Yeah, there's just too much of a gap between.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Not necessarily in their order, but the Hurricanes, Blues and
Chiefs will be will make up that top three and
then it's reasonably contestable. I think. I think the Force,
Waratars Drawer, Brumbies, Crusaders, they're all fighting it out for
that last spot.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, and what may hurt the Crusaders for example when
I touched on the s couple of times, is they've
obviously those derbies, but the Force of Australian games and
you know doesn't seem to have any favorite. I'm think
they've got across the Tasman again, so you know though
they could you pick up some wins there the Western
Force and come home with a witsale quip.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
We'll touch more on the Crusaders and Thursday's pod.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, we've got a letter into the mail bag as
well on that, so we'll touch on that and any
feedback and letters for the mail bag. We'll get through
a few I reckon on Thursday Rugby Direct at Newstalk
zb dot co door in Zo. We can file them
our way on social media where eve a quick break
back with more after this on rag betterck You're back
with Rugby zeroik powered by Habit Health phys the time
for the final four for rugby Topics. Liam. We've had
(22:47):
the announcement the last couple of weeks Ireland to play
Japan and Newcastle as part of the new Nations Championship.
Great for the Novocastrians, I'm not sure it's great for
the integrity of the Nations Championship. You got Fiji playing
in the UK their home games, which I actually seem
pretty happy about. You know, they're going to get more
(23:07):
of a gate, they're going to get more funding as
a result of that. But the japan one, and I
know Eddie Jones spoke about this last week he was
pretty frustrated by play home games away from home. This
was always going to be a tricky part of this
competition when they announced it is the amount of traveling involved.
There's obviously squeezes coming on with the war in Iran
around travel in costs of various things, but outside of
(23:31):
a world Cup and you know COVID sort of situations.
I'm not sure that Ireland, Japan and Newcastle really gets
the blood going.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I really like this from Eddie Jones coming out and
hitting people between the eyes with no holds barred honesty.
And you know, maybe he's built a bit of a
bunker in Japan where he feels safe to fire shots.
He'd come out and said, look, the only reason we're
playing in Ireland and Australia is because Ireland have much
(24:01):
more say around the world rugby table. And I think
he's right. Yeah, and it does undermine the names Championship
and there's not a lot of positivity or around that
comp at the moment in year one. Why should Japan
have to go all the way to Australia just to
make Islands travel? Should you easier?
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Well, this is part of them being invited partners into
this competition. It's the sands Are Nations, it's the Sick Nations,
and then these two Fiji and Japan have been invited
and you know, thanks for coming from the invitation, but
you don't get much say in exactly how this is
going to play out.
Speaker 4 (24:35):
Yeah, if you want to join the big boys, you
sit at the back of the queue and watch. I
can understand it from Fiji's perspective. Like you say, I
don't think their arm's been twisted to move their games.
It works for them from a financial point of view,
but it would be nice if they could have at
least one game at home playing fund of your people showcase.
(24:58):
You know, you look at the drawer and that unique
rugby Atmisphere there. I know rugby is a financial beast,
but yeah, the Japan's go to Australia doesn't make any sense.
I can't imagine that's going to be a bigger gate.
So it's purely about appeasing island.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
But reducing the travel before they go on and play
the All Blacks of Edon Park. It's just, you know,
great for the carbon footprint.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
I was sort of undermines the integrity of it, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, I think it does a little bit. It's a
globe trotting competition. You know, this has been signed off.
Surely there needs to be some concessions that go, Okay,
you actually are going to have to fly, you know,
week to week, and maybe you adjust your squads in
various things.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
Yeah, and look, I'll acknowledge that the North has a
very arduous task and playing three different games in three
different countries, or that's how it was meant to be
when they come south in July. But everyone knew that
when they signed up to it.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Yeah, and look, the travel for some hemocup teams when
they go up north is far reduced. It's a train
ride or it's a flight whatever it might short flight,
definitely different. But yeah, it just doesn't sit well with me.
Top number two Scotland. The recruitment. We talked about Riley
Higgins on the Pod last week. They've been very obvious
with what they're doing. Louie Chapman, albit of Crusader's third
string halfback, is now being targeted and signed with Edinburgh.
(26:13):
He is Scottish qualified. Is this just smart from Scotland
or what do you think of this? Look part of me? Yes,
I know they've got the heritage and you know, perhaps
people will say, well, you know New Zealand's done that
with the Islands and getting some of the talent through here,
but I don't know that this is what international rugby
(26:33):
was built for.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
No, it doesn't sit well with me. Look, I can
fully understand it from these players' perspectives and Scotland as well,
they're working within the parameters that are there. They're targeting
guys that are young. Riley Higgins is what twenty three,
Louis Chapman five, and their paths are largely blocked. Are talented,
(26:57):
but they're probably never going to be All Blacks. Riley
Higgins maybe an outside chance. He was in that the
All Blacks fifteen. Yeah, hasn't played a lot this year.
I think he is a real talent. So Scotland's this
is nothing new either. They've what Fergus Burke and a
number of different others in their ranks and they're trying
(27:21):
to bolster their talents. And yeah, there is an argument
that the All Blacks benefit greatly from the Islands, but
I think that's probably world rugby as well. When you
look at England, France, South Africa and Argentina are probably
the two most homegrown test nations. I don't know how
you prevent it. It's already what a five year residency,
(27:43):
so it's a zrea. Yeah, so it's a long stint
for these guys to become eligible. But if you go
young and you've.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Got to pass, that allows you to play straight away.
Speaker 4 (27:53):
Yeah, why would you not?
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Absolutely? Yeah, the island things also overplayed. You hear it
a lot from the north, but there's also cultural factors
of play, and there's a lot of natural travel and
movement from the Islands to New Zealand. People base themselves here,
and yet I think there's an undertone there that I'm
not always comfortable with when some of the accusations come
(28:15):
from up north around that. But they certainly have also
been scenarios where players that have come and have just
been given the red carpet right here in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Yeah, I think the difference is I don't know that
New Zealand rugby as involved with Hamilton Boys going over
to Samo and bringing over a player for their first fifteen.
That's at arms length. It's very separate and those players
may progress, they may not. But you're right, there are
all sorts of pools in terms of job opportunities and
(28:47):
lifestyle that bring Auckland's the biggest Polynesian city in the world,
and that's not from a rugby perspective. That those people
come for lifestyle reasons and that does filter through into
sporting opportunities as well.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Absolutely, topic number three confirmation of the weekend in South
Africa Rugby Magazine that the RGR Rugby's greatest rivalry will
have a winner later in the year, so it won't be, say,
for example, if it's locked to wall in terms of
games one, there will be a mechanism to decide an
(29:25):
ultimate winner of the trophy, a champion of the trophy.
One do you like this? Would you rather have a draw?
And two? How shouldn't be decided?
Speaker 4 (29:35):
I wouldn't be adverse to a draw, although I think
back to the Line series of twenty seventeen that was
very bizarre, and I think if you ask the players
who were involved in that, they would have wanted. Certainly
the All Blacks died wanted some form of way they
could determine the outcome of the series, whether that was
(29:56):
extra time or a decider or however that looked. So
I think if you asked the players, they would want
some form of way to decide the series. I think
the easiest way is extra time, and then you could
look at metrics slack greatest combined score or something like that.
What do you reckon?
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Would you go golden point extra time? We got super
point at the moment and Super Rugby could be rivalry point.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
I think to decide a series, you'd have a full
ten minutes each way and whoever otherwise you probably just
predetermine a drop goal shootout.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
I'd got aggregate score over the course of the series,
and if that was so, no extra time, no extra time,
because I think extra time is it's a strong enough mechanism,
I suppose, But I think if you were deciding eight series,
then it shouldn't come down to ten minutes or twenty
minutes on the day. It should come down to, you know,
the overall series and almost a countback scenario. So i'd
(30:58):
go countback first. If it was somehow locked on one
hundred and twenty six points or whatever it might be
each then then maybe you can play extra time after that.
But I would look to do that first aggregate points
because I think that decides the series rather than the
fourth game and then going on to an extra time
period after that.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
It's probably a fair way of determining it. I really
don't like the first point scored or the first try scored,
because it's just such a naff thing in terms of
one match, let alone a whole series.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Yeah. Question four Are the war Tars the biggest myth
in rugby?
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Well other than the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
We can count through the titles if you want to
do this right now.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
That was an easy one, that wasn't it.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
The Wartars shouldn't even have a super Raby title of
Craig Gyber. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Oh there we go.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Got on the phone apologized. Are they the biggest myth?
They've got the biggest talent, Paul. Most of the overseas
players that come back from the Wallabies abroad end up
signing with the war Tars. All the league players buy
and large Lomax and a couple others accepted head for
the war Tars. And they do nothing year after year.
I think the final I think it was it last year.
(32:08):
Year before on their roster they've just done nothing.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
Yeah, I thought they were really set up this year.
They had very good recruitment. I really rate Dan McCalla
as a coach. I don't know what the issue is.
I think the Blues had issues for a long time.
Something about New Zealand's biggest city, you know, maybe that
the team culture is not the same. You have to
(32:32):
travel through traffic. Maybe the northern beaches are a problem
in Sydney, or the lifestyle is a bit enticing. You
don't have the same buy in that you do with
other teams. I don't know, but it is a continued
issue for the Waratars that year on year they have
stacks of talent and they've got a massive food pack
(32:55):
sidhave and you know what, Yeah, some of the best
talent in Australian rugby and they just can't put it together.
So yeah, there's a strong case they are the biggest
myth and rugby.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
No bigger beach is in rugby. Riize MVP voting time
to run through. Last week we did trade scores though
I went for He for three over super round. I'm
Gardner for two and Rubin Love for one. You went
for He for three, Leister Fighting and Looking for two
and Rubin Love for one. Awful leads the overall standings
by six point sixteen from cam Rugad on ten, Quinta
(33:27):
Pyre on seven. Then a whole lot of players are
in behind those three. Who get your three two ones
from the weekend that was snapes.
Speaker 4 (33:33):
We're going all forwards this week. Elliott's giving Xavier new
Mere my three. I think he's having a real breakthrough year.
Guy that's been on the cusp of the All Blacks.
He's doing it all, scrummaging, breakdown turnovers, playing big minutes.
I think he played close to eighty there recently. Two
to Patrick two Polo too big performance since his comeback
(33:54):
as captain, made a big difference to that Blues forward
pack and one to Leicester because his progression at openside
has surprised me.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Yeah, I'm going to go three for my man. Warner Dunes.
Very impressed by what he offered on the weekend. Again,
I think he has made a material difference. We can
talk about fIF and what he's been doing out wide,
but you look at Warner Dunes and that's more of
a material not in terms of tries, but just in
terms of the Hurricanes ball position, having the ball, all
(34:22):
that sort of thing, grunt work. He gets my three.
I've been very impressed by him. Two goes the way
of Callum Harkin, who I think is one of the
more underrated players in this competition. He's been very, very
good for the Canes this year. He gets my two
points and one goes the way of Anton Signa, who
I think is continuing to make every post a winner
(34:42):
and I think, you know, inviting some questions for the
all Black selectors. Enough with that.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Yeah, yeah, I don't think he's quite there yet, but
it's such a stacked, congested area. He's definitely knocking on
the door.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
His consistency is what I'm really liking about his game
that probably hasn't been there previously. I did toss up
going Lester for one, but you've got that covert so right.
That'll do us for Rugby Directed for our Monday or
early week pod, we're back on Thursday. Don't forget get
into the mail bag as well. Well. I'm through a
few quis I think on Thursday, barring any other significant
rugby news to get into. There's a few already that
have parked up. I've seen them and formulating responses and
(35:16):
my hit.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
Yeah, we're both looking forward to writing off the Crusaders
this year.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
Both Rugby Director at Newstalk, ZB, dot co, dot m
Z to get in touched or on social media and
the other platforms that has been Rugby Director thanks to
Mark Kelly and of course we are powered by Habit healthherysio.
Book today and stay.
Speaker 1 (35:36):
For more from News Talks, EDB Listen live on air
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