May 10, 2026 • 32 mins
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down all the biggest talking points from Round 13.
Another All Black is set to head offshore at season’s end, NZ Rugby digs in on its stance around Mo’unga and Frizell returning via the NPC, and the pressure mounts on Moana Pasifika — is there still time to turn it around?
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B.
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Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, Try.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Try to get inside the game from every end goal.
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Book Today
and Stay in the Game. Always good to catch up
after a weekend of super rugby, Leam Napier joins me
as always napes so great to reconvene the podcast as
the crunch really does come on for those super rugby
plow spots.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
It does.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Indeed, there was a busy weekend thoroughly entertaining and planning
to get stuck into this week.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
As we always do.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Let's work our way backwards from the most recent game
of the weekend, at least from a New Zealand inspective,
and the Hurricanes beating Mwana pacifica fifty points to seventeen
four tries to Josh Molby. It wasn't overly clinical, I
didn't think from the Hurricanes, especially the ten minutes either
side of halftime. But they got the job done and
(01:24):
relatively easy, and they look what we've seen I think
napes over the last couple of weeks Mowana against the
Blues is they have periods of fight in them, but
they just don't have the quality or the ability to
play a full eighty minutes this season. And unfortunately another
point to fifty point hiding for them this season, which
is becoming unfortunately quite regular.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
Yes, indeed, pretty difficult situation from Wana, isn't it? And
you can just imagine the mental emotional tell that a
lot of those players are going through. But look from
a Hurricanes' perspective, I think they'd be pretty happy with that.
They made some mass changes. There was no Reuben Love,
Jordy Barrett was off playing professional golf tournament professional in Tartanaki.
(02:10):
No Cam royguard, Peter Larkeye my suffer more so. They
benched basically a whole host of frontline starters and then
you bring Kenny in a whole after bench so further
bolster your depth there and score a host of tries.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
I thought Billy Proctor was exceptional.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
Josh Moreby really benefited from some classy touches from Billy
in the midfields.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
So job done for the Hurricanes. Bonus point one.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
I thought it might be a bit tighter given the conditions.
It was pissing down in Albany on Saturday nights, and
just the fact the Hurricanes made those rafter changes. But
job done for them and they retain top spot.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
They do, and yeah, I did like the way they
played throughout. I did think though there was a chance
with I think it was twee tamas squad on a
half hour mark and then Mona. We camped down the
in the ten minutes before halftime. If they get to
nineteen twelve before halftime, then they could be in with
a shout and after half time they were still down
what nineteen to five? They scored first, they dominated position
(03:13):
for that ten minutes after halftime, but moreby goes down
the other end in scores and effectively that ended the
game as a contest. The Muwana side just don't have
enough quality. As I touched on before, I was looking
at the stats, and stats don't tell the full story
because they can get skewed with periods late in the game.
But both teams had ten entries into the opposition twenty two.
(03:33):
The Hurricanes took five points away from every entry and
then Mulana on the other hand, only took one point seven.
You know, they tried a few things with the old
starting the mall or the midfield line out that we've seen.
There's a lot of innovation there, but ultimately they just
can't string together the pressure as the top teams can
in this competition.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
No, and they do have some boards that will be
picked up beyond the season. Miracle Fi Lung you think's
probably going to go to Japan, and a number of
others will be on the radar as well. But you've
touched on it previously. Their back line is lacking. I
guess star quality will have ely. He's had his moments,
(04:16):
but you know, it was pretty telling to see Kenny
a Holo push him off with these You've got Solomon
al Mulla playing center, which is I haven't seen him
play a lot of center prior to this year.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Augustine Pulu's at half back.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
And you know, you'd have to think that retirement's pretty
imminent for him beyond this year. So it's it's just
that that back line where they do lack a touch
of finishing class or impetus, and recruitment has been challenging
for them as well.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It has been I mentioned Billy Procter as well. I
thought he was excellent. I think it was three triasis
he had on the night and d I say it
was only Muana pacifica.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
But I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I feel like we haven't seen the beast of him
at Test level as year. He's played a lot of
tests now over the last couple of years. We haven't
seen him at his absolute peak that we've seen in
Super rugby. But you know, I think with a different
coaching set up, maybe here's a chance that we see
the best of Billy Proctor potentially this year, at least,
I hope so.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Yes, Likewise, I think there could be a second coming.
I think on form it's going to be really hard
to go past the Jordi Barrett Quinta pie starting midfield,
but there's room for Billy Proctor. He's a different type
of player. He's probably the best distributing midfielder in New
Zealand currently, just his array of passing, his vision, his
(05:36):
ability to get the ball to the edges, over around
in any way possible. And you really did see Josh
Morby benefit from that on the weekends. But there's been
countless other examples this year. The one question with Billy
I think is just his physicality and maybe size and
contact that test level. But he does have great feet,
he's a very good defender and he sets up his outside.
(05:58):
So yeah, hopefully he does get another crack under Dave Rennie.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Let's move backwards again to the Highlanders thirty one the
war Tars twenty six in the need in the Highland
is keeping your ploy off hopes alive despite a red
card in that contest to JOHNA. Nadeki and the Super
Rugby Review Committee looking at that. But look, the Highlanders
were impressive for the opening what twenty minutes. Also they
are out to twenty eight seven and a half time
(06:23):
and then let the Wartors back in the contest and
probably closer than it really should have been. But if
you're Jamie Joseph, you go okay, at least we've got
a snuff of making the playoffs over these closing weeks
of the competition.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Yeah, I think if you're the Honders, you take take
that win and run. But wasn't convincing, wasn't it? Helep
tonguey taw how good was he early? Absolutely rubber stamping
his all blackboarding pass. You'd have to think he's missed
a few matches this year with injury, but when he's played,
he's been front and center for the Hondas. And this
(06:58):
wasn't just you know, club rugby players. He's brushing off
some of them, superstar Australian Test players. He's busting through
been four or five defenders. So the Highlanders were on
fire early and then it was a wild old comeback
and you thought, wow, are they going to surrender this?
They barely scored a point in the second half. I
(07:20):
think Ken Miller's penalty might have even been there. They're
only late points. But the war tales you touched on
them last week. We posed it in the final four Elliotts.
Would we say the biggest enigma or the myth? The
biggest myths in rugby? And you look at Dan mckellor
in that coaching box and it looks like an unsolvable
(07:41):
Rubik's cube.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
He looked highly stressed, highly frustrated.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Some of that defending was bloody awful in the opening
twenty minutes and then they come back. They play some
great rugby, but they've got some superstars in that team
and they should be playing a whole lot better.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
They should be, And I don't know whether it's a
coaching issue or what it is. I've always though McKellen
was actually a pretty handy coach, but the message doesn't
seem to be ginning through. And if the message isn't
getting through, then it is a coaching problem. And I
wonder where they need to go back. And you know
Michael Chicker, he's been linked within URL jobs. Maybe you
go back to the well and go Michael Checker in
(08:15):
a World Cup you're in twenty seven, can you conjure
something up with some of these players to get them
to where they need to be for a World Cup
but also get them to you know, super rugy playoffs again.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Yeah, Look, it was good to see some more of
Joseph sweet Lee since coming back from injury. He's been
really started with ball in hand. But they've got others
Max Jilgensen, Sid Harvey and Holloway Callaway.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Sorry.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
So there's so.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Many names within that back line and then you go
to the four pack Charlie Gamble and others. So they
should be performing a lot better. I'm not sure what
the issue is and I'm like you, I rate there mckellor.
But we just haven't seen the best of the Wartas
this year or what for a good decade now at least,
so nobody can solve that issue.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
But the Highlander is a wee at hot cold.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I thought it was telling too that the warts comeback
started to happen once the Handas replaced their front row.
I think the Hounders have the most scrumpy. He's in
super rguys this year, Ethan. The group Angus Tarval and
Jack Taylor has been going really good for them at
Hooker as well, and then they've got Lavenini, so some
real power in that front row and they use their
(09:29):
scrum as a weapon. But when they replaced the front row,
that certainly coincided with the Waratas launching their comeback. So
props aren't going to play eighty minutes, but they need
to find a way of getting a bit more from
their replacements.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yeah, the depth of shoes and another one for the Highlanders,
so they played obviously Joona Natiki, who got red carded
at center. Jamie Joseph said pregame that they're losing a
couple of centers next year, so they wanted to look
towards Nardiki potentially there as an option. So the Highlanders
now Elam got to twenty four points. They have two
games left in the regular season, with the final round
by those against the Chiefs this week and the Hurricanes.
(10:07):
My question is do they actually any more points this
season and can they make the playoffs from twenty four points.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
Look, I wouldn't rule them again the losing bonus point,
but I can't see them winning either of those games.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
On form.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
They just look a step below the four other New
Zealand franchises and you're probably playing the two best teams
on form in New Zealand's so a bloody tough run
home and yeah, you need a minor miracle I think
to make the playoffs from there.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Yeah, absolutely, I'm with you on that one.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Let's talk the Chiefs and the Reds. Thirty won twenty one,
the Chiefs two goods on the nights. Although we'll touch
on this horrific refereeing performance. I think it has to
be said the Reds should have had a try on halftime.
It was looked at once by the TMO, then moved on.
It was clear on the TV that there had been
a grounding. The players went off for halftime that was
(11:00):
incredibly baffling. There was one of them knock ons and
the lead up poor night out have we said for
the officiating team, I'm not sure would have made a
difference to the final result. I think the Chiefs were
a touch above the Reds. But I's kissed you've got
calls for complaint out of that performance.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
It was telling, wasn't it to hear the some court
crowd baying for blood throughout that match. They were getting
stuck into the officials, and I think rightly so. At
times it was a really baffling officiating performance and I
think we've seen that probably too much this year and
super aguely. The standard of refereeing across the board I
don't think has been of a great standards. So yeah,
(11:41):
pretty frustrating I think for most people involved. But look
that spectacle itself. I really enjoyed it. I think it
was probably the match of the weekend. Huge physicality, a
lot of ball movement, a lot of pressure exerted, some
brilliant moments, Harry Watson's flickball for on the outside, a
brilliant pass from him. The Chiefs were put under a
(12:02):
huge pressure and they had to show some real resilience
to come back. Brisbane's not an easy place to go.
The Reds have had a lot of success against the
Chiefs in recent times. I thought Josh Lord was really
good early before he was replaced to Pouvai and a
couple of others.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Quincy Pye was in the thick of everything.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
So an important away win for the Chiefs, but you
know there's some potential vulnerabilities there as well.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
They weren't entirely convincing.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
No they weren't, but I think they got the job
done on those You know that reads away trip is
a tricky one in Super rugby, and I think for
the Chiefs, you know now that you've got three derbies
to finish the season, two of them at home the
Highlanders and Blues either side of going to christ Church
and facing the Crusaders next week. So their travelers at
least done and they should be odds on, you would
(12:51):
think for a top two spot as we go through
the playoffs. And you know, it feels like we haven't
seen the best of the Chiefs and I we've touched
on this a couple of times that you know, they
beat the Hurricanes a few weeks back, but it kind
of feels and you know, previous seasons have peaked highly
and then you know, parted out in the playoffs. But
maybe they're holding a bit in reserve because it feels
(13:12):
like they've got more to give and maybe that'll come
in the closing weeks of the season.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Yeah, they've still got a few players to potentially come
back as well. I'm only na Lee Rocarda and the likes.
It was interesting, I think to see them when the
crunch came on, they really went back to their forward pack.
SIMMASONI takeya host scoring two tries from Wolves, so that's
a real testament, I think to the way John o'
gibbs likes to play. He's a forwards coach by nature.
(13:41):
Wallace to Titi after missing much of this year potentially
coming into some form, I thought he was highly involved.
He scored that telling final try which was sort of
all too easy going straight up the middle after the scrum.
So look, the Chiefs have got phenomenal depth, don't They
Probably the most stacked squad in Super rugby on the whole.
(14:03):
But yeah, come the back ends in the finals, they
have faulded a lot and we haven't seen the Vesta
this year. You're right, so maybe they'll put it all
together come playoff time.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Well, speaking of a team that is building towards a
playss very nicely lean a. Crusaders thirty six the Blues
twenty look really good performance I thought from the Crusaders,
apart from that ten minutes before halftime where they'd been dominating,
probably should have had a third try and then inexplicably
let the Blues lead by halftime. But other than that,
(14:35):
it was a very good Crusaders performance and lead again
by the man wearing seven on his back at Lester
fying a Nookho. What did you make of the Crusaders
thirty six over the Blues twenty.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, lots to take out of this, I think Elliott.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
First of all, great to see another sellout, wasn't it
after Super Round the first time back in that stadium
and deceeed the fans flop down there and pack it
out again. Was a wonderful sight, and I think that
will be the case for the remainder of the regular season.
Don't think the Crusaders will sneak in to a home playoff,
(15:11):
it can't be ruled out, but look, yeah, leicsterfying a
knockou unreal, wasn't it a set up?
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Three tries?
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I think one of them Jamie Hannah, was very clearly
offside from his chip kick. But look, this guy's doing
it all. He spent most of the first half at
open side flanker getting turnovers and then was it that
when Dallas McLeod went off injured he switched to the midfield.
But he just seems to have a roaming license to
go anywhere he wants on the field, do anything he wants,
(15:40):
whether it be carrying, cleaning, turnovers, kicking, offloading. It was
a phenomenal one man performance. But I think probably the
overarching theme for me was the way in which the
Crusaders went to work on the Blues forward pack. That's
their strength, That's what vern Koda has prided himself on
(16:00):
with this Blues team, and I thought the Crusaders largely
did a number on them and made them backpedal for
much of that game.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
They did.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
I'd have to get can check that because I know
obviously it was cleared by the TMO that off side
you mentioned, but I think he was put back on site.
I do need to recheck the old rugby rules book
around that, but I think he was actually put back
on site. I may be wrong on that one haven't
done the referring course in quite some time. But remind
me a little bit of what they did with Addie
sav last year at Mona Pacifiga, and he was popping
(16:28):
up all areas of the park and allowed to rhyme,
had a license to Rome was able to basically take
the game on his string. And it feels like almost
what role Penny has allowed Leicester fighting anooku to do here,
especially with will Jordan out as well. He's basically, you know,
their attackers revolving around what leaks to fying a knooku
was doing.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Yeah. Absolutely, and look what a prospect it is for
the All Blacks as well.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
I think at this point you'd be looking at Leicester
on the bench and that just gives you so much
versatility and so many options in terms of what you
can do with that bench. You could potentially bring Leicester
on the and the loose forwards or in the midfields.
So I think it's a great advertisement for Dave Renie
to sit up and take notes, and I'm sure he's
(17:13):
doing that.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
What about the Blues Elliott.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
I thought that was a really, really bad loss, particularly
late in the game when they had a number of
different opportunities following the cards. They just didn't really fire
a shot apart from that period's second period in the
first half, as you mentioned, And I think probably questions
need to be asked about the selections as well. Leaving
(17:36):
Boden Barrett and from Lay Christie on the bench. I
thought Sam Knock was good in patches, but perhaps better
coming off the bench when you're looking at lifting the
tempoe late in the game. And while Boden Barrett hasn't
been at his best this year, and Stephen Peterfefer played
well and has come back the week before, Barrett was
very instrumental in that earlier season victory over the Crusaders
(18:00):
at Eden Park. So I thought those selections backfired. The Blues,
not helped by losing Dalton Papale early to broken Jaw pretent.
Actually that may end his Blues campaign, but the Blues
on the whole, I thought that was quite a humbling
defeat for them.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Yeah, agreed, Look, yeah, I think those elections were a
little bit odd. Obviously had a short turn around from
the week previously. Again, small onea pacifica and they've got now,
you know, eight day turnaround to playing the Hurricanes this week,
top of the table game, pretty crucial one for them
as well. But I couldn't quite figure that out. I
(18:34):
think they should have started Boat and Barrot at ten,
should have started Christie at half back, and Signa is
you know, was the hot hand. He did come on
obviously very early in the game with the Golden Papa
Lee injury, and I thought Rambling, you know, had an
improved game from when we've seen him previously. But I
would go with the players and form, and you're asking
a lot of these players that haven't had a lot
(18:57):
of rugby and knock and parafeed to have not had
a lot of rugby to go out and beat the Crusaders,
and I thought they did, look, you know, a bit
short of a gallop against this Crusaders team. And I
also just think that the Blues have become rather predictable.
You know, they won the title on the back of
the style in twenty twenty four. They were ruthless with
their forwards and the way they played. They plotted their
(19:19):
way around the park with the European style of rugby,
but I think they've been figured out over the last
couple of years. They're obviously still a very very good
team and they're going to win more games than they lose.
But I just feel like the New Zealand teams have
figured out how to play them and they can shut
down and nuther five their strengths.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Yeah, I think they do look very one dimensional, and
you've got a guy like Caleb Clark who you need
to utilize with ball in hands. He had one run
late in the game and he also ran down Johnny McNichol,
but didn't see a lot of ball otherwise, and Kate
Banks I can't really remember seeing him were ball on
(19:58):
hand at all. Aj Lamb had that one breakouts from
a counter Attech try that came from a turnover there
that the Blues line. But attacking wise, I think they're
really struggling to find that spark. Discipline didn't help them
at times. I think there was a late obstruction penalty
with the clock ticking down and then needing to chase
(20:20):
the game. Regular infringements there, But they don't seem to
be playing a lot of second phase footy, a lot
of off the cuff. It does seem to structured and
a bit predictable that you say.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Yeah, Curtis McDonald will go for a skate, you would
suspect as well on the back of that's dangerous tackle
wasn't good on Petifetsa. I think he just lost his
steps in the run up. But you can't do that
and he'll suspect. We've gone for around three weeks and
Joan and Nadiki from the highnd is game likely to
go probably for a similar period as well.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
Yeah, unfortunate incidence. I think Nardiki probably more mitigating factors.
He could have been lower, but the ball carrier was
dipping slightly. But the other incident with Peter Feta, I
think you've just got to be better than that. You've
got a check the man in the air and if
you're not getting off the ground and contesting it. I
think his eyes were for the ball. But it's very clumsy,
(21:15):
extremely dangerous, and yeah, you've just got to do better
than that.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Yeah, it was clumsy, as I say, a thing. You
just lost his steps and then couldn't pull out.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Man, you've got to be better than that.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
And it was a clear red Well we'll take a
break here and rugby direct come back to the Final
four after this. You're back now with Rugby Direct. Time
now for the Final four. Ligam, You've got an article
that's gone live on the New Zealand Herald revealing that
Stephen Petfetta is heading to Japan after this season. How
big of a loss is this for both the Blues
and New Zealand rugby?
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Do you think?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
I think it's a big loss Elliott's and unfortunately Peter
Fetter will probably be remembered as a guy that never
quite fulfilled his potential. I think he's an extremely gifted playmaker,
always got time on the ball, good feet, good passing
game and has matured over the years, but missed the
bulk of last year and much of this year with
(22:08):
those problematic calf injuries. And he's probably looking at the
the All Blacks picking order thinking well, Boden Barrett and
Damian McKenzie there, Richie mulong is coming back, Ruben loves
playing well. Am I really going to get a looking
I should probably take the cash and run now. So
he's ending up to Japan to join his old coach
Leo on McDonald's and I think it will be a
(22:28):
massive loss for the Blues because who knows. I think
the future is uncertain for Boden Barrett beyond next year.
And Peterfetz is a guy that's been around for ten
years and you know that's easy to forget and you
don't accumulate that experience overnight.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
So well what have you made of his career? And
I guess what do you make of moved to Japan?
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Yeah, I think he'll be remembered as you're right apply
that a nearly man of tess rugby. You know, he
promised so much and yet injuries have always got in
the way. With Steven Peterfeedder. It feels like he's played
a run of games, then had another setback and just
hasn't been able to get a clear run of game time.
And it's easy to forget. He was the first choice
(23:10):
starting fullback when Scott Robinson's tenor started, you know, way
back in twenty twenty four, which seems a long time
ago now, but he was the starting fullback, albeit with
Will Jordan injured. He was the guy that started at fifteen.
But he's never quite been able to lock down a
test spot. He's promised plenty and perhaps through not a
lot of fault of his own just hasn't been able
(23:31):
to stay on the park with a really poor injury run,
so lok he'll be lost to the Blues and New
Zealand Rugby joining the Canon Eagles and Yokohama under Leon McDonald,
which is obviously an interesting move for him. Topic number two.
New Zealand Rugby holding firm on needing Richie Wonger and
Shannon Frazil to play n PC first. Not a huge
surprise this, but new CEO Steve Lancaster underlining that with
(23:54):
that colleague Jason Pine on the weekends. We've talked before
about this. I think it's a rule that could easily
be abolished and probably should be.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
What do you make of it?
Speaker 5 (24:06):
Yeah, I think New Zand Rugby has a history of
bending rules to suit the situation, and numerous all black
coaches have pushed for this as far back I think
as Matt Todd's some what six years ago now. There's
examples around Sonnyville Williams and some others that I can't
(24:26):
quite remember as well. So look, I think the fact
that they've signed to play in New Zealand's should be enough.
It does seem a bit unnecessary to go on this
greatest rivalry tour that's only going to happen, you know,
once every eight years in terms of going to South
Africa in that capacity, and for those guys to not
be available, and I think ultimately one way or another,
(24:51):
Richie Muwonga will get there. It could be an injury
to a lock and they'll bring him over or something
like that. There's not a world in which I can't
see Richie Wong are coming at some stage on that tour.
But maybe if you allow them to walk straight back
in to an all black environment, it perhaps sets some
sort of precedent. But then is it really that different
(25:14):
to guys going away on sabbaticorn coming back and joining
the All Blacks. Maybe you open the door to other
players going for three years and coming back for one year.
So it's a pretty vexed, messy situation that whole eligibility realm,
isn't it It is?
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I feel like they're tangling themselves, are knots. This isn't
the world rugby rules. This is in New Zealand rugby rule.
It's easy to go as soon as you set for
New Zealand and your contractors have started whatever it date.
It is July one, whatever it might be, you're eligible
to play for our representative teams. You know, we've seen
players go play NROLW then come back. We've seen all
sorts of exs up you know, with the Blackfan sevens,
(25:49):
we've seen all sorts of examples. Yet they're tangling themselves
with up in knots now the fact that Muwanga or
Frazel has to go play you have to go play NPC. Well,
Dave Renny wouldn't select players out of the NPC. You know,
it's such a big leap from the NPC up into
Test rugby. I don't know why we're making them go
play NPC before they've played, before they can play Test rugby.
(26:10):
To me, that just doesn't make any sense. And it's
a rule that they could easily change the ended board.
Topic three. The New Zealand under twenties finished second at
the Under twenty Rugby Championship, not the Under twenty World Championship,
but the Under twenty Rugby Championship. Look, I feel the
underwhelming campaign until they got to their last game against
South Africa liam And drew that game, ultimately well off
(26:31):
the pace though in terms of the overall standings and
a bit of work to do before the World Championships.
I admit I didn't see a great deal of the campaign,
only watched a lot of highlights, But it feels like
some standout players, but some players that you know, hard
to see them developing into the Super Rugby test you know,
or test players off the back of what I've seen, Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Think, first and foremost earlier, it's great that this tournament
is continuing. It's a very important development tool to match
what the North has in terms of their six nations
and leading into the Global Under twenties World Cup.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
But yeah, not a great campaign.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
I think they lost to the Poombas who are pretty
hot cold as well, sort of afflicting their test sides.
They haven't managed to solve that adherence passion elements. But
from what I'm hearing around that under twenty team, not
great feedback in terms of talent that will feed and
Super Agby teams and beyond. So perhaps some depth questions
(27:35):
there and the talent pathway maybe not quite what it
used to be.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Yeah, I think it's hard to judge as well.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
You know, some years you just don't get the players
coming through, and then some years You've got plenty of
players coming through and this is ultimately, you know, and
they still the World Championship to come, but you know,
this is ultimately the last time they will play together
as a cohort of age group players before they go
into playing against the big boys. And everyone doesn't matter
what year you came from. So I'm always, you know,
(28:02):
reluctant to judge at the under twenties, but I think
there is a lot of work that Don Trick and
Coke can do one once he gets his feet under
the desk. And topic number four, it's the continuing issue
of Mwana Pacifica kind of lower putting their heads above
and going we've got the money to save Majana Pacifica,
saying they haven't been engaged with and throwing all sorts
of questions out there.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
What do you reckon? Liam? Is there enough time to
save Mowana Pacifica.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
I don't think so earlier, as sad as that is, and.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
If there is going to be a White Night savior,
I don't think it's going to become a lower their bids.
Their consortium was looked at pretty in depthfully last time
one or at the beginning of the inception when they
were looking at bringing Moana into the competition. Come and
Lower were are very vocal backers and wanting to be involved,
(28:55):
and it didn't work out for them then, and I
think many of the questions about their suitability to run
a sustainable franchise still remains. So if somebody or some
consorting is going to emerge and needs to be somebody
beyond Come of Lower from what I'm hearing.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Yeah, there's a group potentially with Tana Umager, although he
was reluctant to comment too much about that last week
that he might be involved with. But it feels like
times ticking pretty quickly. The winner I've got to buy
this week, then two games to come against the Reds
and Brumbies. But a fear was like, you know, Barrio miracle,
those will be their last two games, doesn't it?
Speaker 5 (29:33):
It does?
Speaker 4 (29:33):
And look that's Buddy said on our whole host of fronts.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Maybe Tana, with his standing in the Pacific community and
Michael Jones and others can can pull off some form
of minor miracle.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
But it does.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
Yeah, it's very late in the piece and people are
going to want some security very soon in terms of finalizing.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Next year's straw and beyond and one.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
I just have a lot of challenges, don't they, in
terms of their home base and everything that goes with
it and their link back to the Islands. Has been
talk about Tonga and Sarwhill potentially coming in from a
government perspective to help fund the team, but even then
there's there's probably questions around there's a suitability the infrastructure
over there, how that works, and there's been a lot
(30:20):
of examples of corruption when it comes to Pacific rugby
as well, so a lot of hurdles for minor to
jump in a short space of time.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
There certainly is.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Let's move on to our MVP voting our three to
two ones out in front for he finning on an
all four on sixteen points, cam Ruegat on teen, Quinn
to Pier on seven, then a whole host of other
players in behind.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Liam hit me with your three two ones if you'd
be so kind.
Speaker 5 (30:47):
Well, Elliott, I'm going to reward two crusaders this week.
Wow show, I'm a fair man. I can't get past
Lester ken you for three phenomenal performance from him. I'm
going to Caleb Tounguytow almost single handedly won that game
for the Hondas in the wash up, and I'm going
one to Jamie Hannah. I think he's a very underrated
(31:07):
presence in the middle of that Crusader's pack, very good
at the line, out, restarts, prominent around the fields.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
I thought he was very good against the Blues.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Well three two Crusaders, That are you three? I haven't
even done that unremarkable listifying a knooker gets my three
as well. I can't add any more to what you've
seen what we said earlier in the podcast, just exceptional.
Billy Proctor gets my two three try assists. Poor old
Josh Moreby is going to get no points after scoring
four tries because I'm getting Wells to t t one
out of the Chiefs when over the Reds. So I'm sorry, Josh,
(31:42):
but maybe five tries might have got you a point.
You know we're hard markersn'th we Liam?
Speaker 4 (31:48):
We are.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
Indeed, this a real dagger blow to Josh, but you
know we're open to next week. Keep showing your stuff.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Absolutely, see if you can get five against the Blues
these your target this week, that'll do.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
It's almost a rugby director.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
But you can of course get in touch with the
podcast Rugby Direct at news Talks here b dot co
dot z it and we'd encourage you as well. We're
going to have the new New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve
Lancaster joining us on our Thursday pod. Would be keen
for your questions as well to put to Steve Lancaster,
so get them through to us on Rugby Direct at
Newstalk ZIB dot co dot in z. But that does
(32:23):
us Napes, thanks for company. As always, we'll catch you
later in the week.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Yeah, look forward to it because Save the Bossman and
what I'm Under the Girl.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Absolutely, that'll do us. Rugby Director for a Monday. Thanks
to Mark Kelly. Thanks to having help Fizzio book Today
and say in the Game.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, Try.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Try to get inside the game from every end goal.
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Habit Health Book Today
and Stay in the Game. Always good to catch up
after a weekend of super rugby, Leam Napier joins me
as always napes so great to reconvene the podcast as
the crunch really does come on for those super rugby
plow spots.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
It does.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Indeed, there was a busy weekend thoroughly entertaining and planning
to get stuck into this week.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
As we always do.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Let's work our way backwards from the most recent game
of the weekend, at least from a New Zealand inspective,
and the Hurricanes beating Mwana pacifica fifty points to seventeen
four tries to Josh Molby. It wasn't overly clinical, I
didn't think from the Hurricanes, especially the ten minutes either
side of halftime. But they got the job done and
(01:24):
relatively easy, and they look what we've seen I think
napes over the last couple of weeks Mowana against the
Blues is they have periods of fight in them, but
they just don't have the quality or the ability to
play a full eighty minutes this season. And unfortunately another
point to fifty point hiding for them this season, which
is becoming unfortunately quite regular.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
Yes, indeed, pretty difficult situation from Wana, isn't it? And
you can just imagine the mental emotional tell that a
lot of those players are going through. But look from
a Hurricanes' perspective, I think they'd be pretty happy with that.
They made some mass changes. There was no Reuben Love,
Jordy Barrett was off playing professional golf tournament professional in Tartanaki.
(02:10):
No Cam royguard, Peter Larkeye my suffer more so. They
benched basically a whole host of frontline starters and then
you bring Kenny in a whole after bench so further
bolster your depth there and score a host of tries.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
I thought Billy Proctor was exceptional.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
Josh Moreby really benefited from some classy touches from Billy
in the midfields.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
So job done for the Hurricanes. Bonus point one.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
I thought it might be a bit tighter given the conditions.
It was pissing down in Albany on Saturday nights, and
just the fact the Hurricanes made those rafter changes. But
job done for them and they retain top spot.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
They do, and yeah, I did like the way they
played throughout. I did think though there was a chance
with I think it was twee tamas squad on a
half hour mark and then Mona. We camped down the
in the ten minutes before halftime. If they get to
nineteen twelve before halftime, then they could be in with
a shout and after half time they were still down
what nineteen to five? They scored first, they dominated position
(03:13):
for that ten minutes after halftime, but moreby goes down
the other end in scores and effectively that ended the
game as a contest. The Muwana side just don't have
enough quality. As I touched on before, I was looking
at the stats, and stats don't tell the full story
because they can get skewed with periods late in the game.
But both teams had ten entries into the opposition twenty two.
(03:33):
The Hurricanes took five points away from every entry and
then Mulana on the other hand, only took one point seven.
You know, they tried a few things with the old
starting the mall or the midfield line out that we've seen.
There's a lot of innovation there, but ultimately they just
can't string together the pressure as the top teams can
in this competition.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
No, and they do have some boards that will be
picked up beyond the season. Miracle Fi Lung you think's
probably going to go to Japan, and a number of
others will be on the radar as well. But you've
touched on it previously. Their back line is lacking. I
guess star quality will have ely. He's had his moments,
(04:16):
but you know, it was pretty telling to see Kenny
a Holo push him off with these You've got Solomon
al Mulla playing center, which is I haven't seen him
play a lot of center prior to this year.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Augustine Pulu's at half back.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
And you know, you'd have to think that retirement's pretty
imminent for him beyond this year. So it's it's just
that that back line where they do lack a touch
of finishing class or impetus, and recruitment has been challenging
for them as well.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It has been I mentioned Billy Procter as well. I
thought he was excellent. I think it was three triasis
he had on the night and d I say it
was only Muana pacifica.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
But I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I feel like we haven't seen the beast of him
at Test level as year. He's played a lot of
tests now over the last couple of years. We haven't
seen him at his absolute peak that we've seen in
Super rugby. But you know, I think with a different
coaching set up, maybe here's a chance that we see
the best of Billy Proctor potentially this year, at least,
I hope so.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Yes, Likewise, I think there could be a second coming.
I think on form it's going to be really hard
to go past the Jordi Barrett Quinta pie starting midfield,
but there's room for Billy Proctor. He's a different type
of player. He's probably the best distributing midfielder in New
Zealand currently, just his array of passing, his vision, his
(05:36):
ability to get the ball to the edges, over around
in any way possible. And you really did see Josh
Morby benefit from that on the weekends. But there's been
countless other examples this year. The one question with Billy
I think is just his physicality and maybe size and
contact that test level. But he does have great feet,
he's a very good defender and he sets up his outside.
(05:58):
So yeah, hopefully he does get another crack under Dave Rennie.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Let's move backwards again to the Highlanders thirty one the
war Tars twenty six in the need in the Highland
is keeping your ploy off hopes alive despite a red
card in that contest to JOHNA. Nadeki and the Super
Rugby Review Committee looking at that. But look, the Highlanders
were impressive for the opening what twenty minutes. Also they
are out to twenty eight seven and a half time
(06:23):
and then let the Wartors back in the contest and
probably closer than it really should have been. But if
you're Jamie Joseph, you go okay, at least we've got
a snuff of making the playoffs over these closing weeks
of the competition.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Yeah, I think if you're the Honders, you take take
that win and run. But wasn't convincing, wasn't it? Helep
tonguey taw how good was he early? Absolutely rubber stamping
his all blackboarding pass. You'd have to think he's missed
a few matches this year with injury, but when he's played,
he's been front and center for the Hondas. And this
(06:58):
wasn't just you know, club rugby players. He's brushing off
some of them, superstar Australian Test players. He's busting through
been four or five defenders. So the Highlanders were on
fire early and then it was a wild old comeback
and you thought, wow, are they going to surrender this?
They barely scored a point in the second half. I
(07:20):
think Ken Miller's penalty might have even been there. They're
only late points. But the war tales you touched on
them last week. We posed it in the final four Elliotts.
Would we say the biggest enigma or the myth? The
biggest myths in rugby? And you look at Dan mckellor
in that coaching box and it looks like an unsolvable
(07:41):
Rubik's cube.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
He looked highly stressed, highly frustrated.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Some of that defending was bloody awful in the opening
twenty minutes and then they come back. They play some
great rugby, but they've got some superstars in that team
and they should be playing a whole lot better.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
They should be, And I don't know whether it's a
coaching issue or what it is. I've always though McKellen
was actually a pretty handy coach, but the message doesn't
seem to be ginning through. And if the message isn't
getting through, then it is a coaching problem. And I
wonder where they need to go back. And you know
Michael Chicker, he's been linked within URL jobs. Maybe you
go back to the well and go Michael Checker in
(08:15):
a World Cup you're in twenty seven, can you conjure
something up with some of these players to get them
to where they need to be for a World Cup
but also get them to you know, super rugy playoffs again.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Yeah, Look, it was good to see some more of
Joseph sweet Lee since coming back from injury. He's been
really started with ball in hand. But they've got others
Max Jilgensen, Sid Harvey and Holloway Callaway.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Sorry.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
So there's so.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Many names within that back line and then you go
to the four pack Charlie Gamble and others. So they
should be performing a lot better. I'm not sure what
the issue is and I'm like you, I rate there mckellor.
But we just haven't seen the best of the Wartas
this year or what for a good decade now at least,
so nobody can solve that issue.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
But the Highlander is a wee at hot cold.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I thought it was telling too that the warts comeback
started to happen once the Handas replaced their front row.
I think the Hounders have the most scrumpy. He's in
super rguys this year, Ethan. The group Angus Tarval and
Jack Taylor has been going really good for them at
Hooker as well, and then they've got Lavenini, so some
real power in that front row and they use their
(09:29):
scrum as a weapon. But when they replaced the front row,
that certainly coincided with the Waratas launching their comeback. So
props aren't going to play eighty minutes, but they need
to find a way of getting a bit more from
their replacements.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yeah, the depth of shoes and another one for the Highlanders,
so they played obviously Joona Natiki, who got red carded
at center. Jamie Joseph said pregame that they're losing a
couple of centers next year, so they wanted to look
towards Nardiki potentially there as an option. So the Highlanders
now Elam got to twenty four points. They have two
games left in the regular season, with the final round
by those against the Chiefs this week and the Hurricanes.
(10:07):
My question is do they actually any more points this
season and can they make the playoffs from twenty four points.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
Look, I wouldn't rule them again the losing bonus point,
but I can't see them winning either of those games.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
On form.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
They just look a step below the four other New
Zealand franchises and you're probably playing the two best teams
on form in New Zealand's so a bloody tough run
home and yeah, you need a minor miracle I think
to make the playoffs from there.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Yeah, absolutely, I'm with you on that one.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Let's talk the Chiefs and the Reds. Thirty won twenty one,
the Chiefs two goods on the nights. Although we'll touch
on this horrific refereeing performance. I think it has to
be said the Reds should have had a try on halftime.
It was looked at once by the TMO, then moved on.
It was clear on the TV that there had been
a grounding. The players went off for halftime that was
(11:00):
incredibly baffling. There was one of them knock ons and
the lead up poor night out have we said for
the officiating team, I'm not sure would have made a
difference to the final result. I think the Chiefs were
a touch above the Reds. But I's kissed you've got
calls for complaint out of that performance.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
It was telling, wasn't it to hear the some court
crowd baying for blood throughout that match. They were getting
stuck into the officials, and I think rightly so. At
times it was a really baffling officiating performance and I
think we've seen that probably too much this year and
super aguely. The standard of refereeing across the board I
don't think has been of a great standards. So yeah,
(11:41):
pretty frustrating I think for most people involved. But look
that spectacle itself. I really enjoyed it. I think it
was probably the match of the weekend. Huge physicality, a
lot of ball movement, a lot of pressure exerted, some
brilliant moments, Harry Watson's flickball for on the outside, a
brilliant pass from him. The Chiefs were put under a
(12:02):
huge pressure and they had to show some real resilience
to come back. Brisbane's not an easy place to go.
The Reds have had a lot of success against the
Chiefs in recent times. I thought Josh Lord was really
good early before he was replaced to Pouvai and a
couple of others.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Quincy Pye was in the thick of everything.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
So an important away win for the Chiefs, but you
know there's some potential vulnerabilities there as well.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
They weren't entirely convincing.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
No they weren't, but I think they got the job
done on those You know that reads away trip is
a tricky one in Super rugby, and I think for
the Chiefs, you know now that you've got three derbies
to finish the season, two of them at home the
Highlanders and Blues either side of going to christ Church
and facing the Crusaders next week. So their travelers at
least done and they should be odds on, you would
(12:51):
think for a top two spot as we go through
the playoffs. And you know, it feels like we haven't
seen the best of the Chiefs and I we've touched
on this a couple of times that you know, they
beat the Hurricanes a few weeks back, but it kind
of feels and you know, previous seasons have peaked highly
and then you know, parted out in the playoffs. But
maybe they're holding a bit in reserve because it feels
(13:12):
like they've got more to give and maybe that'll come
in the closing weeks of the season.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Yeah, they've still got a few players to potentially come
back as well. I'm only na Lee Rocarda and the likes.
It was interesting, I think to see them when the
crunch came on, they really went back to their forward pack.
SIMMASONI takeya host scoring two tries from Wolves, so that's
a real testament, I think to the way John o'
gibbs likes to play. He's a forwards coach by nature.
(13:41):
Wallace to Titi after missing much of this year potentially
coming into some form, I thought he was highly involved.
He scored that telling final try which was sort of
all too easy going straight up the middle after the scrum.
So look, the Chiefs have got phenomenal depth, don't They
Probably the most stacked squad in Super rugby on the whole.
(14:03):
But yeah, come the back ends in the finals, they
have faulded a lot and we haven't seen the Vesta
this year. You're right, so maybe they'll put it all
together come playoff time.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Well, speaking of a team that is building towards a
playss very nicely lean a. Crusaders thirty six the Blues
twenty look really good performance I thought from the Crusaders,
apart from that ten minutes before halftime where they'd been dominating,
probably should have had a third try and then inexplicably
let the Blues lead by halftime. But other than that,
(14:35):
it was a very good Crusaders performance and lead again
by the man wearing seven on his back at Lester
fying a Nookho. What did you make of the Crusaders
thirty six over the Blues twenty.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, lots to take out of this, I think Elliott.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
First of all, great to see another sellout, wasn't it
after Super Round the first time back in that stadium
and deceeed the fans flop down there and pack it
out again. Was a wonderful sight, and I think that
will be the case for the remainder of the regular season.
Don't think the Crusaders will sneak in to a home playoff,
(15:11):
it can't be ruled out, but look, yeah, leicsterfying a
knockou unreal, wasn't it a set up?
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Three tries?
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I think one of them Jamie Hannah, was very clearly
offside from his chip kick. But look, this guy's doing
it all. He spent most of the first half at
open side flanker getting turnovers and then was it that
when Dallas McLeod went off injured he switched to the midfield.
But he just seems to have a roaming license to
go anywhere he wants on the field, do anything he wants,
(15:40):
whether it be carrying, cleaning, turnovers, kicking, offloading. It was
a phenomenal one man performance. But I think probably the
overarching theme for me was the way in which the
Crusaders went to work on the Blues forward pack. That's
their strength, That's what vern Koda has prided himself on
(16:00):
with this Blues team, and I thought the Crusaders largely
did a number on them and made them backpedal for
much of that game.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
They did.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
I'd have to get can check that because I know
obviously it was cleared by the TMO that off side
you mentioned, but I think he was put back on site.
I do need to recheck the old rugby rules book
around that, but I think he was actually put back
on site. I may be wrong on that one haven't
done the referring course in quite some time. But remind
me a little bit of what they did with Addie
sav last year at Mona Pacifiga, and he was popping
(16:28):
up all areas of the park and allowed to rhyme,
had a license to Rome was able to basically take
the game on his string. And it feels like almost
what role Penny has allowed Leicester fighting anooku to do here,
especially with will Jordan out as well. He's basically, you know,
their attackers revolving around what leaks to fying a knooku
was doing.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Yeah. Absolutely, and look what a prospect it is for
the All Blacks as well.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
I think at this point you'd be looking at Leicester
on the bench and that just gives you so much
versatility and so many options in terms of what you
can do with that bench. You could potentially bring Leicester
on the and the loose forwards or in the midfields.
So I think it's a great advertisement for Dave Renie
to sit up and take notes, and I'm sure he's
(17:13):
doing that.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
What about the Blues Elliott.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
I thought that was a really, really bad loss, particularly
late in the game when they had a number of
different opportunities following the cards. They just didn't really fire
a shot apart from that period's second period in the
first half, as you mentioned, And I think probably questions
need to be asked about the selections as well. Leaving
(17:36):
Boden Barrett and from Lay Christie on the bench. I
thought Sam Knock was good in patches, but perhaps better
coming off the bench when you're looking at lifting the
tempoe late in the game. And while Boden Barrett hasn't
been at his best this year, and Stephen Peterfefer played
well and has come back the week before, Barrett was
very instrumental in that earlier season victory over the Crusaders
(18:00):
at Eden Park. So I thought those selections backfired. The Blues,
not helped by losing Dalton Papale early to broken Jaw pretent.
Actually that may end his Blues campaign, but the Blues
on the whole, I thought that was quite a humbling
defeat for them.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Yeah, agreed, Look, yeah, I think those elections were a
little bit odd. Obviously had a short turn around from
the week previously. Again, small onea pacifica and they've got now,
you know, eight day turnaround to playing the Hurricanes this week,
top of the table game, pretty crucial one for them
as well. But I couldn't quite figure that out. I
(18:34):
think they should have started Boat and Barrot at ten,
should have started Christie at half back, and Signa is
you know, was the hot hand. He did come on
obviously very early in the game with the Golden Papa
Lee injury, and I thought Rambling, you know, had an
improved game from when we've seen him previously. But I
would go with the players and form, and you're asking
a lot of these players that haven't had a lot
(18:57):
of rugby and knock and parafeed to have not had
a lot of rugby to go out and beat the Crusaders,
and I thought they did, look, you know, a bit
short of a gallop against this Crusaders team. And I
also just think that the Blues have become rather predictable.
You know, they won the title on the back of
the style in twenty twenty four. They were ruthless with
their forwards and the way they played. They plotted their
(19:19):
way around the park with the European style of rugby,
but I think they've been figured out over the last
couple of years. They're obviously still a very very good
team and they're going to win more games than they lose.
But I just feel like the New Zealand teams have
figured out how to play them and they can shut
down and nuther five their strengths.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Yeah, I think they do look very one dimensional, and
you've got a guy like Caleb Clark who you need
to utilize with ball in hands. He had one run
late in the game and he also ran down Johnny McNichol,
but didn't see a lot of ball otherwise, and Kate
Banks I can't really remember seeing him were ball on
(19:58):
hand at all. Aj Lamb had that one breakouts from
a counter Attech try that came from a turnover there
that the Blues line. But attacking wise, I think they're
really struggling to find that spark. Discipline didn't help them
at times. I think there was a late obstruction penalty
with the clock ticking down and then needing to chase
(20:20):
the game. Regular infringements there, But they don't seem to
be playing a lot of second phase footy, a lot
of off the cuff. It does seem to structured and
a bit predictable that you say.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Yeah, Curtis McDonald will go for a skate, you would
suspect as well on the back of that's dangerous tackle
wasn't good on Petifetsa. I think he just lost his
steps in the run up. But you can't do that
and he'll suspect. We've gone for around three weeks and
Joan and Nadiki from the highnd is game likely to
go probably for a similar period as well.
Speaker 5 (20:52):
Yeah, unfortunate incidence. I think Nardiki probably more mitigating factors.
He could have been lower, but the ball carrier was
dipping slightly. But the other incident with Peter Feta, I
think you've just got to be better than that. You've
got a check the man in the air and if
you're not getting off the ground and contesting it. I
think his eyes were for the ball. But it's very clumsy,
(21:15):
extremely dangerous, and yeah, you've just got to do better
than that.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Yeah, it was clumsy, as I say, a thing. You
just lost his steps and then couldn't pull out.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Man, you've got to be better than that.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
And it was a clear red Well we'll take a
break here and rugby direct come back to the Final
four after this. You're back now with Rugby Direct. Time
now for the Final four. Ligam, You've got an article
that's gone live on the New Zealand Herald revealing that
Stephen Petfetta is heading to Japan after this season. How
big of a loss is this for both the Blues
and New Zealand rugby?
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Do you think?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
I think it's a big loss Elliott's and unfortunately Peter
Fetter will probably be remembered as a guy that never
quite fulfilled his potential. I think he's an extremely gifted playmaker,
always got time on the ball, good feet, good passing
game and has matured over the years, but missed the
bulk of last year and much of this year with
(22:08):
those problematic calf injuries. And he's probably looking at the
the All Blacks picking order thinking well, Boden Barrett and
Damian McKenzie there, Richie mulong is coming back, Ruben loves
playing well. Am I really going to get a looking
I should probably take the cash and run now. So
he's ending up to Japan to join his old coach
Leo on McDonald's and I think it will be a
(22:28):
massive loss for the Blues because who knows. I think
the future is uncertain for Boden Barrett beyond next year.
And Peterfetz is a guy that's been around for ten
years and you know that's easy to forget and you
don't accumulate that experience overnight.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
So well what have you made of his career? And
I guess what do you make of moved to Japan?
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Yeah, I think he'll be remembered as you're right apply
that a nearly man of tess rugby. You know, he
promised so much and yet injuries have always got in
the way. With Steven Peterfeedder. It feels like he's played
a run of games, then had another setback and just
hasn't been able to get a clear run of game time.
And it's easy to forget. He was the first choice
(23:10):
starting fullback when Scott Robinson's tenor started, you know, way
back in twenty twenty four, which seems a long time
ago now, but he was the starting fullback, albeit with
Will Jordan injured. He was the guy that started at fifteen.
But he's never quite been able to lock down a
test spot. He's promised plenty and perhaps through not a
lot of fault of his own just hasn't been able
(23:31):
to stay on the park with a really poor injury run,
so lok he'll be lost to the Blues and New
Zealand Rugby joining the Canon Eagles and Yokohama under Leon McDonald,
which is obviously an interesting move for him. Topic number two.
New Zealand Rugby holding firm on needing Richie Wonger and
Shannon Frazil to play n PC first. Not a huge
surprise this, but new CEO Steve Lancaster underlining that with
(23:54):
that colleague Jason Pine on the weekends. We've talked before
about this. I think it's a rule that could easily
be abolished and probably should be.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
What do you make of it?
Speaker 5 (24:06):
Yeah, I think New Zand Rugby has a history of
bending rules to suit the situation, and numerous all black
coaches have pushed for this as far back I think
as Matt Todd's some what six years ago now. There's
examples around Sonnyville Williams and some others that I can't
(24:26):
quite remember as well. So look, I think the fact
that they've signed to play in New Zealand's should be enough.
It does seem a bit unnecessary to go on this
greatest rivalry tour that's only going to happen, you know,
once every eight years in terms of going to South
Africa in that capacity, and for those guys to not
be available, and I think ultimately one way or another,
(24:51):
Richie Muwonga will get there. It could be an injury
to a lock and they'll bring him over or something
like that. There's not a world in which I can't
see Richie Wong are coming at some stage on that tour.
But maybe if you allow them to walk straight back
in to an all black environment, it perhaps sets some
sort of precedent. But then is it really that different
(25:14):
to guys going away on sabbaticorn coming back and joining
the All Blacks. Maybe you open the door to other
players going for three years and coming back for one year.
So it's a pretty vexed, messy situation that whole eligibility realm,
isn't it It is?
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I feel like they're tangling themselves, are knots. This isn't
the world rugby rules. This is in New Zealand rugby rule.
It's easy to go as soon as you set for
New Zealand and your contractors have started whatever it date.
It is July one, whatever it might be, you're eligible
to play for our representative teams. You know, we've seen
players go play NROLW then come back. We've seen all
sorts of exs up you know, with the Blackfan sevens,
(25:49):
we've seen all sorts of examples. Yet they're tangling themselves
with up in knots now the fact that Muwanga or
Frazel has to go play you have to go play NPC. Well,
Dave Renny wouldn't select players out of the NPC. You know,
it's such a big leap from the NPC up into
Test rugby. I don't know why we're making them go
play NPC before they've played, before they can play Test rugby.
(26:10):
To me, that just doesn't make any sense. And it's
a rule that they could easily change the ended board.
Topic three. The New Zealand under twenties finished second at
the Under twenty Rugby Championship, not the Under twenty World Championship,
but the Under twenty Rugby Championship. Look, I feel the
underwhelming campaign until they got to their last game against
South Africa liam And drew that game, ultimately well off
(26:31):
the pace though in terms of the overall standings and
a bit of work to do before the World Championships.
I admit I didn't see a great deal of the campaign,
only watched a lot of highlights, But it feels like
some standout players, but some players that you know, hard
to see them developing into the Super Rugby test you know,
or test players off the back of what I've seen, Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Think, first and foremost earlier, it's great that this tournament
is continuing. It's a very important development tool to match
what the North has in terms of their six nations
and leading into the Global Under twenties World Cup.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
But yeah, not a great campaign.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
I think they lost to the Poombas who are pretty
hot cold as well, sort of afflicting their test sides.
They haven't managed to solve that adherence passion elements. But
from what I'm hearing around that under twenty team, not
great feedback in terms of talent that will feed and
Super Agby teams and beyond. So perhaps some depth questions
(27:35):
there and the talent pathway maybe not quite what it
used to be.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Yeah, I think it's hard to judge as well.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
You know, some years you just don't get the players
coming through, and then some years You've got plenty of
players coming through and this is ultimately, you know, and
they still the World Championship to come, but you know,
this is ultimately the last time they will play together
as a cohort of age group players before they go
into playing against the big boys. And everyone doesn't matter
what year you came from. So I'm always, you know,
(28:02):
reluctant to judge at the under twenties, but I think
there is a lot of work that Don Trick and
Coke can do one once he gets his feet under
the desk. And topic number four, it's the continuing issue
of Mwana Pacifica kind of lower putting their heads above
and going we've got the money to save Majana Pacifica,
saying they haven't been engaged with and throwing all sorts
of questions out there.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
What do you reckon? Liam? Is there enough time to
save Mowana Pacifica.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
I don't think so earlier, as sad as that is, and.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
If there is going to be a White Night savior,
I don't think it's going to become a lower their bids.
Their consortium was looked at pretty in depthfully last time
one or at the beginning of the inception when they
were looking at bringing Moana into the competition. Come and
Lower were are very vocal backers and wanting to be involved,
(28:55):
and it didn't work out for them then, and I
think many of the questions about their suitability to run
a sustainable franchise still remains. So if somebody or some
consorting is going to emerge and needs to be somebody
beyond Come of Lower from what I'm hearing.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Yeah, there's a group potentially with Tana Umager, although he
was reluctant to comment too much about that last week
that he might be involved with. But it feels like
times ticking pretty quickly. The winner I've got to buy
this week, then two games to come against the Reds
and Brumbies. But a fear was like, you know, Barrio miracle,
those will be their last two games, doesn't it?
Speaker 5 (29:33):
It does?
Speaker 4 (29:33):
And look that's Buddy said on our whole host of fronts.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Maybe Tana, with his standing in the Pacific community and
Michael Jones and others can can pull off some form
of minor miracle.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
But it does.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
Yeah, it's very late in the piece and people are
going to want some security very soon in terms of finalizing.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Next year's straw and beyond and one.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
I just have a lot of challenges, don't they, in
terms of their home base and everything that goes with
it and their link back to the Islands. Has been
talk about Tonga and Sarwhill potentially coming in from a
government perspective to help fund the team, but even then
there's there's probably questions around there's a suitability the infrastructure
over there, how that works, and there's been a lot
(30:20):
of examples of corruption when it comes to Pacific rugby
as well, so a lot of hurdles for minor to
jump in a short space of time.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
There certainly is.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Let's move on to our MVP voting our three to
two ones out in front for he finning on an
all four on sixteen points, cam Ruegat on teen, Quinn
to Pier on seven, then a whole host of other
players in behind.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Liam hit me with your three two ones if you'd
be so kind.
Speaker 5 (30:47):
Well, Elliott, I'm going to reward two crusaders this week.
Wow show, I'm a fair man. I can't get past
Lester ken you for three phenomenal performance from him. I'm
going to Caleb Tounguytow almost single handedly won that game
for the Hondas in the wash up, and I'm going
one to Jamie Hannah. I think he's a very underrated
(31:07):
presence in the middle of that Crusader's pack, very good
at the line, out, restarts, prominent around the fields.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
I thought he was very good against the Blues.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Well three two Crusaders, That are you three? I haven't
even done that unremarkable listifying a knooker gets my three
as well. I can't add any more to what you've
seen what we said earlier in the podcast, just exceptional.
Billy Proctor gets my two three try assists. Poor old
Josh Moreby is going to get no points after scoring
four tries because I'm getting Wells to t t one
out of the Chiefs when over the Reds. So I'm sorry, Josh,
(31:42):
but maybe five tries might have got you a point.
You know we're hard markersn'th we Liam?
Speaker 4 (31:48):
We are.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
Indeed, this a real dagger blow to Josh, but you
know we're open to next week. Keep showing your stuff.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Absolutely, see if you can get five against the Blues
these your target this week, that'll do.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
It's almost a rugby director.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
But you can of course get in touch with the
podcast Rugby Direct at news Talks here b dot co
dot z it and we'd encourage you as well. We're
going to have the new New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve
Lancaster joining us on our Thursday pod. Would be keen
for your questions as well to put to Steve Lancaster,
so get them through to us on Rugby Direct at
Newstalk ZIB dot co dot in z. But that does
(32:23):
us Napes, thanks for company. As always, we'll catch you
later in the week.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Yeah, look forward to it because Save the Bossman and
what I'm Under the Girl.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Absolutely, that'll do us. Rugby Director for a Monday. Thanks
to Mark Kelly. Thanks to having help Fizzio book Today
and say in the Game.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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