May 14, 2026 • 15 mins
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to Dave Rennie fronting the media for the first time since he took charge of the All Blacks.
They also unpack the surprise return of Sir Graham Henry as a selector, and look ahead to a crucial round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio,
Straight Down the Middle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Of Trucks Guy, try Peat.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
To get inside the game from Every end Goal. It's
Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Leam Navier powered by
News Talks at B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, powered by INSI and Safety Blackwood Safety.
They're in boots and all and so are we back
for edition number three of the week, Liam Napier, I
think we're setting new Rugby Direct records this week, third
podcast of the Week. Welcome in as always.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, big o week, Elliott, I have to ask the
paymasters for a pay rise of this right.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Absolutely if you haven't caught up with it. Steve Lancaster
joined us for an extended sit down interview yesterday on
Rugby Director. At least if you're hearing it today, it
was yesterday. If it was a few days ago, we'll
get into our thoughts on that in a moment. But
Dave Rennie also fronting media this week for the first
time since the day of his appointment, and a lot
(01:20):
of we nuggets throughout there, and obviously Sir Graham Henry
headlining that as a return as All Black selector. What
did you make of that? First and foremost? And also
what Dave Rennie said to the media Tuesday morning.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, I think first and foremost is good to have
Dave back in the country, isn't it. He's visiting the
Hurricanes today on Thursday and attending the Chiefs Highlanders on
Friday nights while his Cobe team, who topped the league
in Japan currently await their finals campaign. And look, I
(01:57):
thought it was another real clear and concise prest appearance
for Dave. There are a few nuggets of gold, both
on and off the record about his philosophy on the game.
Bringing back Ted, I think it's a good move, just
purely from the fact of having an independent selector outside
the group. This is nothing new as that we've seen
(02:18):
it with Brian Lahore, even Colin Meads when Brian Lahall
was coaching. Grant Fox did it for Steve Hansen. These
are guys that are steeped in experience and watch a
lot of rugby and I just think somebody from outside
the group to challenge.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
To throw a grenade is quite valuable. So that's a
good move.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
And then yes, some interesting nuggets around what his plan
and desire was for Richie Muwonga. He wanted to bring
him to South Africa, won't get that initially unless is
an injury, and would still like to select Brodie Rettallic
for the World Cup. So so plenty to digest.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Wasn't there?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
There certainly was, Like I like the Graham Henry appointment
as well. I think an indepoindent, independent voice is vital.
I think they've got lost in the last the Scott
Robson tenure. Having someone from outside. There's going to be
in here and biases from the people inside camp, and
you know, that's just natural. You're dealing with these players
day in day out, or you're watching them and you develop,
(03:17):
you know, you know, thinking around some of these players,
and I think it's good to have someone outside contesting
and pushing back and ultimately hopefully hopefully land on having
the you know, the best thirty four players in the
country selected in a squad for a series and then
twenty three for it for a match day. So ultimately,
I think a really good move. And it does take
a certain kind of person as well to be that
(03:39):
independent selected. They need to watch a lot of rugby.
They also probably don't you know, they need to have,
you know, sort of been out of the game a
little bit, will not have the aspirations to be the
head coach. It kind of takes an interesting sort of
figure to do that sort of role, so I'm sure
Graham Henry will do a great job. You mentioned Brady
Ritalick as well. Look, the door still seems a jar
(04:02):
for him to potentially play at the World Cup. We
heard from Dave Rennie that Scott Robertson made an approach
twelve months pre and Rennie sort of had a crack again.
But the travel is now a factor for Brodie Retallick
young family. He enjoys his time in Corby and basically
spends what one night on the bullet training them back
home again, so he's not really away from family too
(04:24):
much and that seems to be a big factor for him.
Maybe a World Cup campaign in Australia could be a possibility,
but I just would caution as well that we don't
want Brodie Retalic to become the Richie Wonger of Dave
Rennie's campaign like it was with Scott Robertson, with his
players cropping up a lot of times. Hopefully that line's
now been drawn under it. Hey, look, if he comes
(04:46):
back next year, so be it. But let's just draw
a line under it for the time being and not
make it a key focal point of his coaching tenure
in the first year.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
It's a good point, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
It was a clouds that hung over Scott Robinson's tenure
and I guess the message it sends well. Firstly with
Richie was that Razor was never comfortable with his options
at ten and similarly with Dave pining for retallic it
says he's not comfortable with his locking options and when
(05:18):
you look around to provide as probably New Zigan's leading lock. Currently,
you've got Scott Barrett to come back. Does he retain
the captaincy? Probably not, but that might help him regain
the form that made him an elite world class lock.
Patrick two plotus still there and you've got Fabian Holland
to come back from injury. It sounds like he's on
(05:39):
track for South Africa, so it's not like there's a
dearth of locking options. Reni story regards Brody as the
world's best lock. He topped the top league in Japan
for trice scoring this season with seventeen, so clearly doing
a lots and he'll continue to push for that behind
the scenes. But you're right, we don't want it to
(06:00):
be something that comes up continuously and sort of undermines
those who are already in the squad. You've got to
work with what you've got ultimately and who is available.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Just one tibet. I guess on the Rennie.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Philosophy Rugby philosophy, it was interesting, wasn't it that he
sort of shared with us his desire around the bigger
back in the game, go again philosophy, and this sort
of ties into, I guess, the hallmark of Rennie's style
around being brutal at the breakdown, real physicality, real commitment,
(06:37):
and work ethic. He's always selected players on work ethic
and character and this bigger philosophy. He talked about Artie
Severe as an example when he was first at Kobe,
and I think it was twenty three twenty four his
sabbatico over there, and players analyzed and if they don't
get back in the game, if they don't show the
required work rate to get back on their feet and
(06:59):
be available, then they were summoned to meet Rennie on
a Tuesday, and they had to do a former fitness drill,
hitting a tackle pad, rolling away, getting back up on
their feet, and doing it again until they met that
threshold for work rate. So he's one of the world's
best players been put through his paces, and since he's
gone back to cob Ardie Severe, he hasn't had to
(07:22):
see Renny again. But it does just speak to his
philosophy on the game and that no player is exempt
from these standards and just what he's looking for from
a work grate point where I found that really interesting.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Elliott, Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You can read sort of an expanded version of that
on the New Zealand Heralds under Greg Paul's premium column yesterday,
and I think it does outline the kind of player
that he's after, and maybe if we talk about that,
just a shift potentially around players with heavy work rates
more so than Bell's whistles, and you know, perhaps he
(07:58):
looks for a different kind of player and maybe that
tends to think that perhaps a Anton Signer type of
player could be what they're looking for, potentially the loose
forwards maybe than someone that does something brilliant a couple
of times a game. I don't know, but it just
felt like maybe they're looking for workhorses potentially more than
Choponi's is the wrong word, but you know it plays
(08:21):
flashy sort of players.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah, possibly, I think certainly you touch on the need
for consistent efforts rather than one flashy offload and then
going out of the game going missing and not hidden rucks,
not doing the unseen work that's that ultimately sets the
platform and generates the quick ball that that's the all
(08:45):
Blacks and most teams desire. And also any sort of
spoke we both on and off the record about leadership.
Didn't he not specifically about who's going to be as captain.
He's Adam and he hasn't decided that yet, but it
did sound like he's going to reshape the leadership team.
I think there was ten players in the leadership group
under Scott Robertson, and it sounds like for any that's
(09:08):
probably too many. He maybe wants to bring that back
a bit and select players that really want to lead.
And they've already had a leadership summit where they called
on Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kevin Milama and Steven Adams
and Gilbert and Oka gave those people some questions and
there was a big discussion with the leadership team from
(09:28):
last year. So leadership is a clear focus overall for
Renie as well. So I think these are all positive steps.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, I think that are too. And look, we're no
closer to knowing who the next All Blacks captain is.
Obviously Scott Barrett hasn't got out on the field this year.
There's no confirmation. Of course, there was a bit of
speculation Artie sav Man at play in July, so it's
going to be interesting to see what Dave Rennie does
with at least as national captain and whether that changes
(09:55):
some of his thinking around the rest of the year
as well.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
NAPS.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
You also obviously had Steve Lancaster and for an interview.
I thought it was a good wide ranging chat around
a number of issues in the game, and I he's
got a bit to get his head around, given he's
now got the top job. But for the listeners they
haven't heard that. I thought it was a good chat,
a good chance to sort of dig a little bit
deeper into some of his philosophies around rugby and New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, absolutely, he's only just got his feet under the
desk and got plenty on his plate.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
But I thought he spoke well.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
I thought as well Worth for listen, he didn't shy
away from any of the hard questions and we covered
a range of topics. So definitely wrap the ears around
it and you hit us with any feedback, and I'm
sure we'll catch up with him later in the year again.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, look forward to it. Right, let's get into the
upcoming weekend of Super Rugby, real crunch time for a
couple of these teams that need wins on the outside
looking in of the top six, the Chiefs and Honders.
On Friday night, the Chiefs deciding to put McKenzie back
to fullback Josh Jacobs at ten, quint to Pie basically
(11:00):
gets a week off. Do you see any opportunity for
the Highlanders to come up to Hamilton and leave with
four competition points if not five for.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
Them, Well, it's not out of the question, Elliott.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
But in short, no, I don't see them upsetting their
apple cut there. The Chiefs going back to Hamilton, they'll
love that. And while quenter Pie has been rested, they've
got pretty good depth on the whole a good chance
for Jacob. I don't think the Chiefs will persist with
that throughout their run to the playoffs, but look, if
(11:33):
he puts in a commanding performance, maybe they'll give Johnny
Gibbs something to think about.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Yeah, I think so. I'm going to go to the
Chiefs as well, but they've obviously got a number of
outside back injuries too, which was probably played a part.
But they also need to keep developing Jacob, who incidentally
gives course going to the Highlanders next year. So chance
to Jamie Joseph to get a look at him playing
ten as well. The Fiji and draw hosting the war Atars.
Big game for the Waratars, who probably are going to
(12:00):
Mister Plows but certainly need to win this to keep
their hopes alive. The drawer hosting this one who gets
the chocolates?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I think the juror at home has been hugely underwhelming.
Great comeback I guess and Dunedin last week, but wasn't enough.
I don't think a patchy performance like that is going
to be enough in Fiji and the challenging climate that
it is over there.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Blues Hurricanes. Perhaps the match of around from the New
Zealand perspective. The Blues bringing back in Bone Barrett to
ten and on Signa to their run on side six
two bench as well, the Hurricanes restoring a lot of
those players that missed last week, but no Josh Morby
who is apparently being rested after four tries last week.
(12:45):
The Hurricanes heads Eden Parking and Grave the wind Napes.
This is a bit of a silly question for you,
but answer it anyway.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Look, I'll tip them to Elliott, but a little bit
nervous about this one. I think this is where we
see how big of an out and influenced cam Rorigard
is on the Hurricanes, and no Dup see Carrifi as well,
which weekends the loose for depth somewhat. But I think
it's as really intriguing to see kinnin a holo and
(13:15):
fining and all four combined on the wings to absolutely
lethal options. So I think the Hurricanes will be doing
all they can to get them as much ball as possible.
In the Blues, I think they'll that six to two
bench you mentioned, They'll continue their theme of being fairy direct,
but the Hurricanes pack has really stood up to that
test this year, so I'll stick with them to get
(13:35):
the chocolates.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
I'm going to get the Blues because they need the win.
Lost to the Crusaders last weekend. We're actually quite poor,
I thought for parts of that. They need to win.
I'm thinking return high and possibly their last home game
of the season. I think they get up for it
and beat the Hurricanes. I'm saying that also because I
need to close the gap and sipping, so they're going
(13:57):
to get wider. I'm going to close the gap. I'm
also incidentally picking the Wartads to beat the Drawer and
the Force Reds to round out a full game week in.
This is in perftly, you know, the Forcer on the
outside looking in obviously o the playoffs, but they've been
in some really good form al though I lost to
the Brumbies last week.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yeah, it's fairly disappointed by the Force Earliot having got
on their bandwagon, they dropped their bundle in Canberra and
they've lost their starting halfback for the season to an
Aco Andrea. He was fairly influential so and I was
pretty impressed by what the Reds dished up against the Chiefs.
Fairly unlucky, I thought in Brisbane. So I'll change tech
and go with the Reeds.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The Force at Home so the only one we've gone
same with this week as the Chiefs over the Highlanders.
You have a seven point lead over me in the
standings as well as it stands. That'll do us for
our third podcast of the week, Napes Thinkers. Thank you
as always and we'll catch you early part of next
week for a wrap up.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Look forward to it Mate Me Direct.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
For another week. We will see early part of next
week with another episode. Thanks to Mark Kelly for producing
and our thanks to endz in Safety Blackwood Safety. They're
in boots and all
Speaker 1 (15:13):
For more from News Talk Set B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio,
Straight Down the Middle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Of Trucks Guy, try Peat.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
To get inside the game from Every end Goal. It's
Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Leam Navier powered by
News Talks at B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, powered by INSI and Safety Blackwood Safety.
They're in boots and all and so are we back
for edition number three of the week, Liam Napier, I
think we're setting new Rugby Direct records this week, third
podcast of the Week. Welcome in as always.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, big o week, Elliott, I have to ask the
paymasters for a pay rise of this right.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Absolutely if you haven't caught up with it. Steve Lancaster
joined us for an extended sit down interview yesterday on
Rugby Director. At least if you're hearing it today, it
was yesterday. If it was a few days ago, we'll
get into our thoughts on that in a moment. But
Dave Rennie also fronting media this week for the first
time since the day of his appointment, and a lot
(01:20):
of we nuggets throughout there, and obviously Sir Graham Henry
headlining that as a return as All Black selector. What
did you make of that? First and foremost? And also
what Dave Rennie said to the media Tuesday morning.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, I think first and foremost is good to have
Dave back in the country, isn't it. He's visiting the
Hurricanes today on Thursday and attending the Chiefs Highlanders on
Friday nights while his Cobe team, who topped the league
in Japan currently await their finals campaign. And look, I
(01:57):
thought it was another real clear and concise prest appearance
for Dave. There are a few nuggets of gold, both
on and off the record about his philosophy on the game.
Bringing back Ted, I think it's a good move, just
purely from the fact of having an independent selector outside
the group. This is nothing new as that we've seen
(02:18):
it with Brian Lahore, even Colin Meads when Brian Lahall
was coaching. Grant Fox did it for Steve Hansen. These
are guys that are steeped in experience and watch a
lot of rugby and I just think somebody from outside
the group to challenge.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
To throw a grenade is quite valuable. So that's a
good move.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
And then yes, some interesting nuggets around what his plan
and desire was for Richie Muwonga. He wanted to bring
him to South Africa, won't get that initially unless is
an injury, and would still like to select Brodie Rettallic
for the World Cup. So so plenty to digest.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Wasn't there?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
There certainly was, Like I like the Graham Henry appointment
as well. I think an indepoindent, independent voice is vital.
I think they've got lost in the last the Scott
Robson tenure. Having someone from outside. There's going to be
in here and biases from the people inside camp, and
you know, that's just natural. You're dealing with these players
day in day out, or you're watching them and you develop,
(03:17):
you know, you know, thinking around some of these players,
and I think it's good to have someone outside contesting
and pushing back and ultimately hopefully hopefully land on having
the you know, the best thirty four players in the
country selected in a squad for a series and then
twenty three for it for a match day. So ultimately,
I think a really good move. And it does take
a certain kind of person as well to be that
(03:39):
independent selected. They need to watch a lot of rugby.
They also probably don't you know, they need to have,
you know, sort of been out of the game a
little bit, will not have the aspirations to be the
head coach. It kind of takes an interesting sort of
figure to do that sort of role, so I'm sure
Graham Henry will do a great job. You mentioned Brady
Ritalick as well. Look, the door still seems a jar
(04:02):
for him to potentially play at the World Cup. We
heard from Dave Rennie that Scott Robertson made an approach
twelve months pre and Rennie sort of had a crack again.
But the travel is now a factor for Brodie Retallick
young family. He enjoys his time in Corby and basically
spends what one night on the bullet training them back
home again, so he's not really away from family too
(04:24):
much and that seems to be a big factor for him.
Maybe a World Cup campaign in Australia could be a possibility,
but I just would caution as well that we don't
want Brodie Retalic to become the Richie Wonger of Dave
Rennie's campaign like it was with Scott Robertson, with his
players cropping up a lot of times. Hopefully that line's
now been drawn under it. Hey, look, if he comes
(04:46):
back next year, so be it. But let's just draw
a line under it for the time being and not
make it a key focal point of his coaching tenure
in the first year.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
It's a good point, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
It was a clouds that hung over Scott Robinson's tenure
and I guess the message it sends well. Firstly with
Richie was that Razor was never comfortable with his options
at ten and similarly with Dave pining for retallic it
says he's not comfortable with his locking options and when
(05:18):
you look around to provide as probably New Zigan's leading lock. Currently,
you've got Scott Barrett to come back. Does he retain
the captaincy? Probably not, but that might help him regain
the form that made him an elite world class lock.
Patrick two plotus still there and you've got Fabian Holland
to come back from injury. It sounds like he's on
(05:39):
track for South Africa, so it's not like there's a
dearth of locking options. Reni story regards Brody as the
world's best lock. He topped the top league in Japan
for trice scoring this season with seventeen, so clearly doing
a lots and he'll continue to push for that behind
the scenes. But you're right, we don't want it to
(06:00):
be something that comes up continuously and sort of undermines
those who are already in the squad. You've got to
work with what you've got ultimately and who is available.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Just one tibet. I guess on the Rennie.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Philosophy Rugby philosophy, it was interesting, wasn't it that he
sort of shared with us his desire around the bigger
back in the game, go again philosophy, and this sort
of ties into, I guess, the hallmark of Rennie's style
around being brutal at the breakdown, real physicality, real commitment,
(06:37):
and work ethic. He's always selected players on work ethic
and character and this bigger philosophy. He talked about Artie
Severe as an example when he was first at Kobe,
and I think it was twenty three twenty four his
sabbatico over there, and players analyzed and if they don't
get back in the game, if they don't show the
required work rate to get back on their feet and
(06:59):
be available, then they were summoned to meet Rennie on
a Tuesday, and they had to do a former fitness drill,
hitting a tackle pad, rolling away, getting back up on
their feet, and doing it again until they met that
threshold for work rate. So he's one of the world's
best players been put through his paces, and since he's
gone back to cob Ardie Severe, he hasn't had to
(07:22):
see Renny again. But it does just speak to his
philosophy on the game and that no player is exempt
from these standards and just what he's looking for from
a work grate point where I found that really interesting.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Elliott, Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You can read sort of an expanded version of that
on the New Zealand Heralds under Greg Paul's premium column yesterday,
and I think it does outline the kind of player
that he's after, and maybe if we talk about that,
just a shift potentially around players with heavy work rates
more so than Bell's whistles, and you know, perhaps he
(07:58):
looks for a different kind of player and maybe that
tends to think that perhaps a Anton Signer type of
player could be what they're looking for, potentially the loose
forwards maybe than someone that does something brilliant a couple
of times a game. I don't know, but it just
felt like maybe they're looking for workhorses potentially more than
Choponi's is the wrong word, but you know it plays
(08:21):
flashy sort of players.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah, possibly, I think certainly you touch on the need
for consistent efforts rather than one flashy offload and then
going out of the game going missing and not hidden rucks,
not doing the unseen work that's that ultimately sets the
platform and generates the quick ball that that's the all
(08:45):
Blacks and most teams desire. And also any sort of
spoke we both on and off the record about leadership.
Didn't he not specifically about who's going to be as captain.
He's Adam and he hasn't decided that yet, but it
did sound like he's going to reshape the leadership team.
I think there was ten players in the leadership group
under Scott Robertson, and it sounds like for any that's
(09:08):
probably too many. He maybe wants to bring that back
a bit and select players that really want to lead.
And they've already had a leadership summit where they called
on Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kevin Milama and Steven Adams
and Gilbert and Oka gave those people some questions and
there was a big discussion with the leadership team from
(09:28):
last year. So leadership is a clear focus overall for
Renie as well. So I think these are all positive steps.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, I think that are too. And look, we're no
closer to knowing who the next All Blacks captain is.
Obviously Scott Barrett hasn't got out on the field this year.
There's no confirmation. Of course, there was a bit of
speculation Artie sav Man at play in July, so it's
going to be interesting to see what Dave Rennie does
with at least as national captain and whether that changes
(09:55):
some of his thinking around the rest of the year
as well.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
NAPS.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
You also obviously had Steve Lancaster and for an interview.
I thought it was a good wide ranging chat around
a number of issues in the game, and I he's
got a bit to get his head around, given he's
now got the top job. But for the listeners they
haven't heard that. I thought it was a good chat,
a good chance to sort of dig a little bit
deeper into some of his philosophies around rugby and New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, absolutely, he's only just got his feet under the
desk and got plenty on his plate.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
But I thought he spoke well.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
I thought as well Worth for listen, he didn't shy
away from any of the hard questions and we covered
a range of topics. So definitely wrap the ears around
it and you hit us with any feedback, and I'm
sure we'll catch up with him later in the year again.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, look forward to it. Right, let's get into the
upcoming weekend of Super Rugby, real crunch time for a
couple of these teams that need wins on the outside
looking in of the top six, the Chiefs and Honders.
On Friday night, the Chiefs deciding to put McKenzie back
to fullback Josh Jacobs at ten, quint to Pie basically
(11:00):
gets a week off. Do you see any opportunity for
the Highlanders to come up to Hamilton and leave with
four competition points if not five for.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
Them, Well, it's not out of the question, Elliott.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
But in short, no, I don't see them upsetting their
apple cut there. The Chiefs going back to Hamilton, they'll
love that. And while quenter Pie has been rested, they've
got pretty good depth on the whole a good chance
for Jacob. I don't think the Chiefs will persist with
that throughout their run to the playoffs, but look, if
(11:33):
he puts in a commanding performance, maybe they'll give Johnny
Gibbs something to think about.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Yeah, I think so. I'm going to go to the
Chiefs as well, but they've obviously got a number of
outside back injuries too, which was probably played a part.
But they also need to keep developing Jacob, who incidentally
gives course going to the Highlanders next year. So chance
to Jamie Joseph to get a look at him playing
ten as well. The Fiji and draw hosting the war Atars.
Big game for the Waratars, who probably are going to
(12:00):
Mister Plows but certainly need to win this to keep
their hopes alive. The drawer hosting this one who gets
the chocolates?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I think the juror at home has been hugely underwhelming.
Great comeback I guess and Dunedin last week, but wasn't enough.
I don't think a patchy performance like that is going
to be enough in Fiji and the challenging climate that
it is over there.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Blues Hurricanes. Perhaps the match of around from the New
Zealand perspective. The Blues bringing back in Bone Barrett to
ten and on Signa to their run on side six
two bench as well, the Hurricanes restoring a lot of
those players that missed last week, but no Josh Morby
who is apparently being rested after four tries last week.
(12:45):
The Hurricanes heads Eden Parking and Grave the wind Napes.
This is a bit of a silly question for you,
but answer it anyway.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Look, I'll tip them to Elliott, but a little bit
nervous about this one. I think this is where we
see how big of an out and influenced cam Rorigard
is on the Hurricanes, and no Dup see Carrifi as well,
which weekends the loose for depth somewhat. But I think
it's as really intriguing to see kinnin a holo and
(13:15):
fining and all four combined on the wings to absolutely
lethal options. So I think the Hurricanes will be doing
all they can to get them as much ball as possible.
In the Blues, I think they'll that six to two
bench you mentioned, They'll continue their theme of being fairy direct,
but the Hurricanes pack has really stood up to that
test this year, so I'll stick with them to get
(13:35):
the chocolates.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
I'm going to get the Blues because they need the win.
Lost to the Crusaders last weekend. We're actually quite poor,
I thought for parts of that. They need to win.
I'm thinking return high and possibly their last home game
of the season. I think they get up for it
and beat the Hurricanes. I'm saying that also because I
need to close the gap and sipping, so they're going
(13:57):
to get wider. I'm going to close the gap. I'm
also incidentally picking the Wartads to beat the Drawer and
the Force Reds to round out a full game week in.
This is in perftly, you know, the Forcer on the
outside looking in obviously o the playoffs, but they've been
in some really good form al though I lost to
the Brumbies last week.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yeah, it's fairly disappointed by the Force Earliot having got
on their bandwagon, they dropped their bundle in Canberra and
they've lost their starting halfback for the season to an
Aco Andrea. He was fairly influential so and I was
pretty impressed by what the Reds dished up against the Chiefs.
Fairly unlucky, I thought in Brisbane. So I'll change tech
and go with the Reeds.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The Force at Home so the only one we've gone
same with this week as the Chiefs over the Highlanders.
You have a seven point lead over me in the
standings as well as it stands. That'll do us for
our third podcast of the week, Napes Thinkers. Thank you
as always and we'll catch you early part of next
week for a wrap up.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Look forward to it Mate Me Direct.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
For another week. We will see early part of next
week with another episode. Thanks to Mark Kelly for producing
and our thanks to endz in Safety Blackwood Safety. They're
in boots and all
Speaker 1 (15:13):
For more from News Talk Set B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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