July 5, 2026 • 28 mins
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dissect the All Blacks' winning start to the Dave Rennie era after their victory over France in Christchurch.
What impressed most? Where are the areas for improvement?
Plus, the lads cast an eye around the rugby world to break down the biggest results, standout performers and key talking points from a blockbuster weekend of international action.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, try.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
T 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 Access Solutions, elevating you
and your personers to a high live back at the
start of a new test week. But importantly, Ponder reflects
on the first All Blacks tests.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Of the year. Elliott Smith still in christ.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Juilliam Napier now back in Auckland reading snaps.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Welcome into Rugby Directors.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Always great to be back, Elliott. First Test week in
the books, and it was a hell of a test match,
wasn't it?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Assuming what it was, entertainment was very, very high.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Give me your top line thoughts on what you made
of that All Blacks performance.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think straight off the bats, we've got to pay
tribute to both teams.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
I think it was a brilliant spectacle under the roof.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
As you'd say in New Zealand's new National Stadium, it's
hell of hell of avenue.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
Nine tries.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Your Black scored five France four very little kicking in
that game. That was a big takeaway. Both teams wanted
to play. France kept a wee bit more in the
second half and had some success with it, but I
think just a great advertisement for rugby. It really was
a captivating spectacle that went right down to the finish.
(01:49):
Probably my biggest takeaway Elliott, first and foremost is that
French team missing eight of their top players. If you
take the eight best players or eight finalists from Super
Rugby out of the All Blacks, I think they really struggle.
So it was a real illustration of the strength in
depth that French rugby has to push the or Blacks
(02:11):
to the brink missing that many players, and for the
All Blacks, I think, look, it was a good start,
not a great start, typical lack of cohesion first test
russ but the intent to play that the clear plan.
I think everyone was on the same page. It didn't
always stick and there's some big work ons defensively, but
(02:34):
from an attacking perspective perspective, really like what I saw.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah, I did as well.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
I think the first half from the Orblax was probably
better than the second half I thought. On the verge
of halftime when they went ahead and scored that try
nineteen thirteen up at halftime, it kind of felt like
they were maybe poised to break the game open. But
in the first spell I was really impressed with speed
to ruck. It slightly slowed down as you would expect
(03:01):
it around after halftime as bodies get more fatigued, but
that speed to ruck in the first spell was lightning quick.
And then the ball of the ruck was you know,
three point three seconds roughly, which is, you know, much
quicker than super rugby. So the All Blacks played at
a lightning speed so to France, and their numbers were
comparable in that regard. But I felt the All Blacks
(03:22):
were getting on top just before halftime, and a weird
throwback to last year, it just kind of didn't click
in the early stages of the second spell, and France
were able to hang around. But to go back to
your original point, the attacking shape I thought from the
All Blacks was better than what we have seen for
most of the last two years. It felt like they
(03:44):
were singing off the same hymn sheet. They knew which
way they wanted to attack. There was they went sucked
into playing pick tennis at long periods of time. So
from that perspective, I think you've got to give plaudits
to Mike Blair in the way that his attacking system,
which will obviously grow, has beat it in in the
(04:06):
five six sessions that they've had on the grass.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Yeah, look, I think we have to temper this a
wee bit, the sort of excitement around the attack, given
it's one match, and I think the French probably didn't
bring the same line speed that would see from other
nations around the world.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
But it was encouraging, wasn't it. And I think.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Your point there about the fact everyone sort of knew
what they were trying to achieve, and that seems like
a big step forward.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
It seems like a really basic thing.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
But the Robertson Rain, for me, there was so much
reliance that seemed from the outside anyway, about individual brilliant
sparking your black's attack. That's when they really produced something.
But there was some brilliant moments in this match from
the All Blacks. You think about Peter Luckey's try so
(04:56):
slick and one of cam royguards as well. Will Jordan
finished a couple of brilliant moments and look the skill
execution needs to improve. Maybe that's a results of the
speed to ruck the ball being so quick and just
trying to play, trying to be ambitious at all times.
(05:18):
So there was some real clunkiness, a lot of passes
going aground, a lot of drop ball. I think the
All Blacks kind of at least scored another two to
three tries, so could of France. To be fair, they
had that one try for their center ruled out and
who knows, it could have been the winning and losing
of the game right there.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Your Black sneak home by a couple of points.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
But it does feel like there's been a bit of
a sea change in how the All Blacks will attack.
That was one of their big work ons and look,
it does seem like Mike Blair and Dave Rennie have
made a big first impression in that regard.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
But it's still massive improvements to come, aren't There?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
There are?
Speaker 3 (06:02):
But I think from a first performance you've got to
take some positives out of that. And I think back
to the game again England in twenty twenty four, where
the All Blacks scraped home and got the win. Yes,
but they didn't didn't play that well didn't look like
they've been major changes to the previous year. Twenty twenty
there was a draw against Australia. It was eighteen or
(06:24):
sixteen or something like that in Wellington, and they showed flashes,
I think in that game in Wellington. But if you
market against the last two head coaches that have started
their reign, I think Rennie's probably just interesting head a
little bit in terms of what we saw from and
opening eighty minutes. And again, you're right, this is only
week one and there is a lot of rugby to
be played this year and next. But I think the optimism,
(06:48):
to use that word again, is reflected in the fact
that we can see perhaps a bigger picture emerging from
the all blacks around. They want to use the ball
in hand, they have an attacking structure that can work
with it. They obviously develop a lot of their game
plan around what cam Roiguard can do. So I think
that what's the reason for the optimism that perhaps we've
(07:11):
seen host match that maybe wouldn't have been seen or
wasn't seen certainly after the last couple of opening games
sort of respected head coaches.
Speaker 5 (07:21):
Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
I've seen a bit of commentary about you know, after
Scott Robertson's first outings as All Black Kids coach, that
there was quite a lot of criticism and maybe that's
not reflected in a similar result for Dave Rennie. But
I think it's the nature of the performance. And then
you throw in the nature of the selections, and conservatism
(07:47):
held Scott Robinson back in a big way, particularly from
a selection point of view. You look at that team
that Dave Rennie put out, Ruben Love at number ten.
He's introducing rockies at the back end of that game
when the matches on the line, Xaviy new Mayor Jamie
Hannah and fen and for the games and the balance
when those guys come on, I'm not sure Robertson would
(08:09):
probably have the courage to throw them in. Deil Blacks
had some late changes as well, with Patrick Twopolot pulling out.
So looking at your six choice lock with no Fabian
Hollands and Scott Barrett and touprovi ruled out, You've still
got guys like Lester Fining and Nook you to come
back and a real attacking weapon off the bench. And
(08:29):
then if we move on from their attack, a little
bit the defense can improve massively. There was some big
gaping holes, some really soft tries conceded. Dave Renny seems
to think that that can improve with a lot more
line speed and more reps together. I have some reservations
about whether they can make those shifts that quickly, But
(08:51):
if the All Blacks can vastly improve their defense, get
some more turnover possession, spark their counter attack, and get
those players back, I think there's some real big progressions
that they can still make.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, I think so. It's as well and look at defense.
Is the one gleare thing that you'd take out of
that game that they con seeded thirty two points at home,
And if you can see thirty two points at home
more often than not, there's a significant chance that you
are going to lose. And they need to be better
than that, certainly this week and again against Island the
following week, because you can see thirty two points in
(09:28):
your backyard and teams will probably end up winning most
of those games.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And I think the.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Key is and rugby is sort of changing a little bit,
is just where you are in the park, and that
the twenty two entries are such a big thing now
in rugby buy and large, if you get into a
twenty two, you've got to make the most of it,
and teams are making the most of it. The All
Blacks and France both had nine entries into their opposition
twenty two, and the All Blacks managed to obviously win
(09:55):
the game in the end, so they come out on
the right side of the scoreboard. But I think the
key is and you can obviously develop defensive systems as
much as possible to do this, but you've got to
keep team out of you you're twenty two. That's when
we saw the French were dangerous. They get a bit
of a roll on one, this tackle leads to two
(10:15):
very very quickly, and all of a sudden year, five
to three one meter away you're scoring a try. So
I think that's a key for tana Umager and his
portfolio was finding ways to restrict access to the twenty
two as best as you can, and the All Black
should be better in that regarding it, And it's probably
one of those things, as you said, that sounds easy
(10:35):
in theory, but when you're actually defending against it's probably
a little bit harder. What did you make of the
loose Ford trail. We talked a bit about it on Thursday.
Some surprise selections that they made wire you on board
with those selections by the end of the game.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think by and large the game together pretty well
for something that was unconventional, certainly from numbers on the
back point of view. Peter Luckeye Startner's first first class
game at number six, I thought he was excellent. I
was quite surprised to see him actually replaced midway through
the second half of Wallace easy. I thought Arlie Severe
had some good moments. He got one one turnover which
(11:13):
directly led to turnover penalty directly led to Will Jordan's
opening try.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
I think it was Captain c Wise.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I think he largely took the right decisions, turned down
all the shots that go until the Blacks were protecting
a one point buffer late in the second half, and
then took the penalty and they went by two points.
So he'd have to say a big tick in that regard.
And Luke Jacobson, I think he had a very good
game conceded. I think it was two penalties in the
(11:44):
first half and maybe one rope pass, but really grew
as the game went on.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Put on some big.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
Hits, gave that slip offload for Will Jordan and I
think contributed in a big way to the speed of
rock for the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Cleaned a lot of bodies there.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
So you'd have to say a big tick for Luke
Jacobson at open sides. And you know, we've talked a
lot about him not really stepping up previously under many
All Black coaches.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
He's had many opportunity these.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
One good test doesn't make a summer, but that was
a real big step forward, I thought for him, and
I think he relished the new regime.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah it did.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
And maybe I think I mentioned it last week, maybe
this is giving him the role to play is actually
the key, whereas previously he has been restricted in terms
of starts, the kind of games he started, the impact
he's been able to make off the bench. So I
thought it was a really promising performance from Luke Jacobson.
Is so much sold on the idea of sort of
you know, any loose Ford will do in terms of
(12:42):
putting numbers on their backs. But you know, maybe slightly
coming around on the basis of the weekend. Ruben Love
at ten look yellow card in the first ninety seconds
two minutes. Wherever it was probably wasn't the way that
he wanted to start the Test, but I thought he
did really well at shaking that off and just moving
on to the next thing once he was out on
the park and I had some good moments. Didn't overplay
(13:02):
his hand, which I think was really crucial for Ruben Love.
You know, you don't want to be doing everything in
a Test match like that, and I don't think he
felt like he needed to. I think he obviously trusted
what roy Gard was doing at half back and then
why wouldn't you? And then Enjordy barried a couple of
moments as well. There's a couple of eras and kicked
from memory in the twenty two, but by and large
(13:25):
you've got to give Ruben Love, I think a real
tick for that performance.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
It was a horror start, wasn't it The best part
of eighty seconds and you've got a yellow card, you
go off, you're sitting there, you have to wait to
see whether it's going to be upgraded to a red.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
So there had been a fifth you nerves earlier.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
I think I saw a picture of Dave Runny and
the coaches box with his head in his hands after
the All Blacks concede and then copy yellow card. Really
was a horrific start, but they both recovered really well.
I thought the All Blacks managed that period well. They
got down the other ends and then Ruby and Love
came back. And I think the big thing was not
only did he shake that off, but just his ability
(14:03):
to back himself and challenge the line and take a
gap when it's on users'd go through. That was really
really promising to see. It wasn't perfect, like you said,
there were a few errant kicks and option taking that
he'd want to have again, but for a first start
at first five and his at TESTLA match level and
(14:24):
his sixth Test, I thought it was a really promising
performance with a lot of growth to come. And look,
Jelliber was excellent as well. He really sparked and inspired
the French team. So two tens on display. It was
a great spectacle in that regard.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Also liked.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
I thought Stam Dowry was outstanding. He was everywhere at
the line out, ball carrying, defending and obviously cam Roy guards.
So yeah, some big individual performances from the All Blacks
as well.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yeah, there were a lot of standouts and obviously we've
touched one a few things that they can improve on.
Question for you Lem before were perhaps wrap it up
our thoughts on the Test match. But can they play
like this when they're not under the roof? I guess
is the question. The ruck spy was sensational on the weekend.
I think Dave Rennie mentioned lightning quick ball. The stat
(15:21):
that he looks at and he ses very stats focus
is around eighty five percent or thereabout. It's maybe just
a touch lower. Can they play with that when they're
not under the roof. They're looking at the forecast for
the Capital this weekend and I know Mike Blee mentioned
it yesterday, not too bad partly clay with a chance
of a shower and southeaster is dying out in the
(15:42):
Wellington Hive six hive nine Love six, so it's not
gonna be too wet. But can they play like this
when they're not in conditions that they know.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Are going to be pre game?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
In short, you s Elliott, if as you'd witnessed with
our championship winning Hurricanes this season, they did it and
good the bad and the ugly weather, it's a skill execution.
It's yourself at sticking to the game plan, I think, look,
you have to adapt. If it's driving rain and gale
(16:14):
force wins, then maybe you do adapts. But in the
wind in particular, we saw the Hurricanes in the final
keep the ball on hand more and that really worked
for them, and.
Speaker 5 (16:24):
It didn't for the Chiefs.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
So look, I don't think you'll get the same speed
of ruck that you'll get under the roof and chrish Church,
hard and fast pitch, pristine conditions. I'll be surprised to
see that ruck speed replicated and Wellington and most other
venues around the world. But in terms of the attacking intent,
the ambition, the desire to play at pace, whether that
(16:47):
be quick throws, quick taps, I think, yeah, you can
do that elsewhere.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Anything else you want to add on the thoughts on
the test match before we move into the Final four.
At the end of the episode, look pains to point
out they did only win by two points, and they
scraped home in the end and set up at Grandstand finished.
But one thing that stood out right at the end
was the fact they had just confidently shut the game
down and they weren't willing to give the French an
(17:14):
opportunity I thought that was really good game management, and
they're closing ninety seconds two minutes and showed, you know,
perhaps of pragmatism that maybe we haven't seen for a
wee while, that the All Blacks are like, right, well,
we're not going to give the French any sniff here.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
We're just going to completely shut them down.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
And I thought that was, you know, something I took
away from the match, going, Okay, this team is aware.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Perhaps how to manage and close the game out.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Absolutely, they did it well. It was pretty nervous, tense stuff,
wasn't it. Fronts who were having a real crack at
the counter ruck and got pretty close on at least
one occasion. But the All Blacks managed to do it
for the best part of two minutes. And there's actually
a lot of inexperience on the field at that time too.
When you think about Reuben Love. Of course, here's at Artema,
(18:00):
I suffer, Armor, Xavier Numa, Jamie Hannah, even Wallace and tc.
These guys haven't played a lot of tears, so for
them to live and breathe and come out the other
side of a test match like that is a great
learning experience.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
It is indeed, quick break back with the final four
after this on Rugby directs, you back with a Rugby
direct time now for the final four and certain Liam
hope you've seen some of these because I flowed to
the wrong run sheets, so some of these might be
catching you on the fly. But it's all right, rich
number one, right, the All Blacks performance out of ten
for me.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Look, it's a starting point Outlett, so I'm a harsh
mark so I'm going to go six. I think they
can get a lot better. But as we touched on,
I like a lot of elements of that performance. So
the ceiling on this team is a long way off,
but it was a starting point.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
I scratch you one at that, but you take the
win and move on you do.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Indeed, I'm going to go six and a half.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
I'm not as harsh a marker as you, as we've
established over the course of history on this podcast. But yeah,
broom for improvement, but some positive signs. Topic number two,
The verdicts on the rest of the weekends. Haven't seen
all the games that have caught the highlights of most
of them. What stood out Australia Island watched the full game,
(19:21):
but that wants to return to the office here in
christ Church and that was another barn burner of a
game and Australia, perhaps a little unlucky not to emerge
with the victory, stood out from the rest of the
nation's championship.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I think Australia butchered that match. To be honest, Ben
Donaldson not putting the loss on him alone, but he
missed too late kicks difficult ones at that but you
know he wanted that penalty at the finish from a
good probably fifty meters on the angle.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
Harry Wilson was weighing up where they go for the corner.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
You know, it's easy to say in hindsight, but he'd
probably go that option again. I thought Australia had the
better of that game. Ireland missing a number of players,
so they'll take the one and run. But there was
a record crowd I think at Alian's in Sydney for
that match, and the Wallabies will be desperately disappointed. It
(20:17):
doesn't get any easier for them the French this week
and they'll be bolstered by those top fourteen finalists. So
the Wallabies were pretty caen to get some momentum. Look
the spring box easily subduing beating down England's at Alice Park.
That was a real return to the spring box of
(20:38):
old from a style point of view, lot of box kicking,
very conservative from an attacking point of view, but they
did score seven tries so it worked for them. But
from a stylistic point of view, you wouldn't been able
to tell that Tony Brown was involved there.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
Big win for Scotland and Argentina.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
As well, A very high scoring match. Pretty underwhelming crowd
in Quarteraba for that, but yeah, I think a really
notable win for Scotland away from home.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
What about you?
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Yeah, I was impressed by elements of the weekends Japan
and against Italy. Japan I thought were pretty good. But
Italy were, you know, with a Night Awards this weekend
in the Capitol, really really disappointing. I thought they were
looked unglued on attack and didn't seem to have any
cohesive plan through the game. It was really labored. They
(21:31):
lost the ball I think about twenty five times to
seven turn the ball over and their defense I thought
was sluggish as well.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So I think with a.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Night Awards this weekend, they have to step up massively
for the trip to Wellington. It could be a very
very long afternoon for the Italians in the capital. Similar
to you South Africa and England. Great start from South
Africa seventeen nilapa after twelve minutes, England felt like they
were waiting for individuals to do something else. Kine takes
that quick tap before halftime and gets them a try
(22:03):
and then they get another one before the break. But
I thought England would largely pressive. They lost the penalty
count convincingly. Yeah, I just don't see enough firepower in
that England team, or at least enough harnessing of it
from Steve Borthwick to give them give me any thought
that they are on the right track, you know, with
(22:25):
the World Cup next year. I think they have gone
off track completely and perhaps it was only saved by
the fact that they pushed France right to the brink
in that last game of the Six Nations and FIGI
Wales caught my eye as well.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Wales.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
You know, it's been a really rough two or three years,
if not longer for them.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
They looked a lot more organized.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
I thought that I'd seen in recent time a lot
the way they closed out the game, there was some
smart moments from the MFG. Disciplined look a small step
forward for Wales, but I think there is some some
positive signs there as they continue to build under Steve Tandy.
So all in all, I thought it was a really
really good weekend. I think the jury is still out
(23:05):
on the nation's championship, but by and large us an
entertaining weekend of rugby.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Mates.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Look, I'm coming around to this format, Eliot. I like
the fact that there's different opposition each week. It'll be
costing organized as a bomb to fly all these teams
to different countries every week.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
But I like the new flavor.
Speaker 4 (23:27):
I like new opposition each week, so it'd be interesting
to see how long and how it pans out. But
I think we're also seeing largely a shift and a
style of rugby, quite high scoring games, quite up tempo
attack first, but the spring box also showing that it
can be done the old scoreway.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
I can indeed question number three in the final four
what changes would you look at potentially for this weekends
and apes.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It's a bit of a catch twenty two is always Elliott.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I think you'd like to see that all black teams
stay together get much better cohesion, finish a lot of
the chances that they blew in christ Church. But in
terms of this July series, if you're going to make changes,
this is the test to do it on. Eden Park
was always going to be the biggest match of this
July window. So I think you will see some changes,
(24:15):
but maybe maybe not too many. Maybe in the front
row you could look to promote Tyrel Lomax and Xavier
new mayor maybe bring in Samasoni, Takyajor, some of these
guys who didn't get an opportunity at the weekends. I
would like to see more of fining a northwol particularly
at Test level. He was very nervous viewing at halftime.
(24:37):
He had maybe ten to fifteen minutes off the bench.
So maybe not a raft of changes.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
But a few tweaks, give a few more Hurricanes a
start perhaps.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Yeah, perhaps, Yeah, that's not rule anything out. Yeah, I
would probably look at keeping the bulk of that team together.
I think Rubin Love needs to start again at ten.
Maybe you look at changing the half back and keeping
Woiguard frushtrating him twenty minutes off the bench, all though
he's played a fear bit of rugby towards the back end.
(25:11):
I think there was a comment around how much the
Hurricanes have played recently, so maybe you look at giving
them potentially obviously some game time in front of their
home fans. You've got to balance that out. But look,
I think maybe Signa comes into the loose forward treer.
Potentially you could look at Fineanng Andofo on one wing,
and maybe Clark does start on the other and keep
(25:31):
his spot. Jordan might go to fullback, but I'd be
loath to tamper too much with that team. I think
that you know, Davin, you'll probably try and achieve a balance.
I guess the question as well, Liam is around Ardie
Savia and there's a lot of talk earlier in the
year and even not that long ago around him. Maybe,
you know, having a eighteen months continuously of rugby, do
(25:53):
they look at maybe him coming off the bench or
not playing at all this week? Would that be a
risk given he's only had one teast as full time captain.
What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 5 (26:03):
Yeah, I think there's a very live option. Eliott.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
I think it's a good point about him playing continuously,
and he also looked pretty beat up postmatch in christ
Church actually had a bit of a scare in the
warm up, didn't He took a blow and on his
groan which made his one of his legs numb, but
came through that. But yeah, look pretty beat up as
(26:26):
you would expect, very very.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Tough physical test match.
Speaker 4 (26:28):
But I think if you were going to spell him,
this is a decent opportunity to do it.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
You're not going to have a lot of time between
the July.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
Series and South Africa, and we all know how massive
that's going to be from a physical and mental perspective.
Maybe later in the year you look at spelling him
from one of the bleeder's loads. Not too sure, but
it wouldn't shock me to see him spelled. And then
you could look at maybe a Cody Taylor or Jordi
Barrett assuming the captaincy, And yeah, i'd really like to
(26:58):
see Signa get a crack in that loose forward trio
as well.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Absolutely a team out on Thursday round four o'clock. We'll
have another podcast for you that's at night. Final question
which I don't really have an answer for. I have
gone right to the top of New Zealand Rugby's communications department,
so I listen to me, emailed me yesterday and said,
why would the All Blacks not wearing those Nations championship
badges that we saw on the other team. So this
(27:23):
is a final four question without an answer. I don't
have a question answer to that question as at quarter
past ten on Monday morning, but I have put it
forwards Liam.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Have you got any theories behind that?
Speaker 5 (27:34):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Look, the All Blacks jersey's pretty sacred and they only
tend to give it up for millions of dollars. So
unless unless the Nation's Championships coming to the party with
a brown paper bag or some big cash one for
I don't think your Blacks are gonna slap something on
the jersey too easily, so that would be my assumption.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Anyway, it's probably a pretty good assumption. Tim.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Thank you for your question. If I hear back by Thursday,
I will let you know. I'm intrigued to know the
answer myself. That will do us though. For our early
week edition of a Rugby to Direct, Thanks Naples naps
As always look forward to seeing you in the Capitol
and soaking that up from a bit later in the
week in.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
A great city of Wellington.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
Elliott hopefully that white beat Fredder standard has been reinstalled.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Well yeah, it wasn't open on the morning of the
Super Rugby Finals, so yeah, question marks remain. We'll do
some investigative journalism and see whether it's going to be
there on Saturday. We'll catch it in thanks to Mark
Kelly producing and this has been right bedrec colored by
Access Solutions elevating you and your business to a higher level.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, try.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
T 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 Access Solutions, elevating you
and your personers to a high live back at the
start of a new test week. But importantly, Ponder reflects
on the first All Blacks tests.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Of the year. Elliott Smith still in christ.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Juilliam Napier now back in Auckland reading snaps.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Welcome into Rugby Directors.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Always great to be back, Elliott. First Test week in
the books, and it was a hell of a test match,
wasn't it?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Assuming what it was, entertainment was very, very high.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Give me your top line thoughts on what you made
of that All Blacks performance.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think straight off the bats, we've got to pay
tribute to both teams.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
I think it was a brilliant spectacle under the roof.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
As you'd say in New Zealand's new National Stadium, it's
hell of hell of avenue.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
Nine tries.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Your Black scored five France four very little kicking in
that game. That was a big takeaway. Both teams wanted
to play. France kept a wee bit more in the
second half and had some success with it, but I
think just a great advertisement for rugby. It really was
a captivating spectacle that went right down to the finish.
(01:49):
Probably my biggest takeaway Elliott, first and foremost is that
French team missing eight of their top players. If you
take the eight best players or eight finalists from Super
Rugby out of the All Blacks, I think they really struggle.
So it was a real illustration of the strength in
depth that French rugby has to push the or Blacks
(02:11):
to the brink missing that many players, and for the
All Blacks, I think, look, it was a good start,
not a great start, typical lack of cohesion first test
russ but the intent to play that the clear plan.
I think everyone was on the same page. It didn't
always stick and there's some big work ons defensively, but
(02:34):
from an attacking perspective perspective, really like what I saw.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah, I did as well.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
I think the first half from the Orblax was probably
better than the second half I thought. On the verge
of halftime when they went ahead and scored that try
nineteen thirteen up at halftime, it kind of felt like
they were maybe poised to break the game open. But
in the first spell I was really impressed with speed
to ruck. It slightly slowed down as you would expect
(03:01):
it around after halftime as bodies get more fatigued, but
that speed to ruck in the first spell was lightning quick.
And then the ball of the ruck was you know,
three point three seconds roughly, which is, you know, much
quicker than super rugby. So the All Blacks played at
a lightning speed so to France, and their numbers were
comparable in that regard. But I felt the All Blacks
(03:22):
were getting on top just before halftime, and a weird
throwback to last year, it just kind of didn't click
in the early stages of the second spell, and France
were able to hang around. But to go back to
your original point, the attacking shape I thought from the
All Blacks was better than what we have seen for
most of the last two years. It felt like they
(03:44):
were singing off the same hymn sheet. They knew which
way they wanted to attack. There was they went sucked
into playing pick tennis at long periods of time. So
from that perspective, I think you've got to give plaudits
to Mike Blair in the way that his attacking system,
which will obviously grow, has beat it in in the
(04:06):
five six sessions that they've had on the grass.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Yeah, look, I think we have to temper this a
wee bit, the sort of excitement around the attack, given
it's one match, and I think the French probably didn't
bring the same line speed that would see from other
nations around the world.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
But it was encouraging, wasn't it. And I think.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Your point there about the fact everyone sort of knew
what they were trying to achieve, and that seems like
a big step forward.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
It seems like a really basic thing.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
But the Robertson Rain, for me, there was so much
reliance that seemed from the outside anyway, about individual brilliant
sparking your black's attack. That's when they really produced something.
But there was some brilliant moments in this match from
the All Blacks. You think about Peter Luckey's try so
(04:56):
slick and one of cam royguards as well. Will Jordan
finished a couple of brilliant moments and look the skill
execution needs to improve. Maybe that's a results of the
speed to ruck the ball being so quick and just
trying to play, trying to be ambitious at all times.
(05:18):
So there was some real clunkiness, a lot of passes
going aground, a lot of drop ball. I think the
All Blacks kind of at least scored another two to
three tries, so could of France. To be fair, they
had that one try for their center ruled out and
who knows, it could have been the winning and losing
of the game right there.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Your Black sneak home by a couple of points.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
But it does feel like there's been a bit of
a sea change in how the All Blacks will attack.
That was one of their big work ons and look,
it does seem like Mike Blair and Dave Rennie have
made a big first impression in that regard.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
But it's still massive improvements to come, aren't There?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
There are?
Speaker 3 (06:02):
But I think from a first performance you've got to
take some positives out of that. And I think back
to the game again England in twenty twenty four, where
the All Blacks scraped home and got the win. Yes,
but they didn't didn't play that well didn't look like
they've been major changes to the previous year. Twenty twenty
there was a draw against Australia. It was eighteen or
(06:24):
sixteen or something like that in Wellington, and they showed flashes,
I think in that game in Wellington. But if you
market against the last two head coaches that have started
their reign, I think Rennie's probably just interesting head a
little bit in terms of what we saw from and
opening eighty minutes. And again, you're right, this is only
week one and there is a lot of rugby to
be played this year and next. But I think the optimism,
(06:48):
to use that word again, is reflected in the fact
that we can see perhaps a bigger picture emerging from
the all blacks around. They want to use the ball
in hand, they have an attacking structure that can work
with it. They obviously develop a lot of their game
plan around what cam Roiguard can do. So I think
that what's the reason for the optimism that perhaps we've
(07:11):
seen host match that maybe wouldn't have been seen or
wasn't seen certainly after the last couple of opening games
sort of respected head coaches.
Speaker 5 (07:21):
Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
I've seen a bit of commentary about you know, after
Scott Robertson's first outings as All Black Kids coach, that
there was quite a lot of criticism and maybe that's
not reflected in a similar result for Dave Rennie. But
I think it's the nature of the performance. And then
you throw in the nature of the selections, and conservatism
(07:47):
held Scott Robinson back in a big way, particularly from
a selection point of view. You look at that team
that Dave Rennie put out, Ruben Love at number ten.
He's introducing rockies at the back end of that game
when the matches on the line, Xaviy new Mayor Jamie
Hannah and fen and for the games and the balance
when those guys come on, I'm not sure Robertson would
(08:09):
probably have the courage to throw them in. Deil Blacks
had some late changes as well, with Patrick Twopolot pulling out.
So looking at your six choice lock with no Fabian
Hollands and Scott Barrett and touprovi ruled out, You've still
got guys like Lester Fining and Nook you to come
back and a real attacking weapon off the bench. And
(08:29):
then if we move on from their attack, a little
bit the defense can improve massively. There was some big
gaping holes, some really soft tries conceded. Dave Renny seems
to think that that can improve with a lot more
line speed and more reps together. I have some reservations
about whether they can make those shifts that quickly, But
(08:51):
if the All Blacks can vastly improve their defense, get
some more turnover possession, spark their counter attack, and get
those players back, I think there's some real big progressions
that they can still make.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, I think so. It's as well and look at defense.
Is the one gleare thing that you'd take out of
that game that they con seeded thirty two points at home,
And if you can see thirty two points at home
more often than not, there's a significant chance that you
are going to lose. And they need to be better
than that, certainly this week and again against Island the
following week, because you can see thirty two points in
(09:28):
your backyard and teams will probably end up winning most
of those games.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And I think the.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Key is and rugby is sort of changing a little bit,
is just where you are in the park, and that
the twenty two entries are such a big thing now
in rugby buy and large, if you get into a
twenty two, you've got to make the most of it,
and teams are making the most of it. The All
Blacks and France both had nine entries into their opposition
twenty two, and the All Blacks managed to obviously win
(09:55):
the game in the end, so they come out on
the right side of the scoreboard. But I think the
key is and you can obviously develop defensive systems as
much as possible to do this, but you've got to
keep team out of you you're twenty two. That's when
we saw the French were dangerous. They get a bit
of a roll on one, this tackle leads to two
(10:15):
very very quickly, and all of a sudden year, five
to three one meter away you're scoring a try. So
I think that's a key for tana Umager and his
portfolio was finding ways to restrict access to the twenty
two as best as you can, and the All Black
should be better in that regarding it, And it's probably
one of those things, as you said, that sounds easy
(10:35):
in theory, but when you're actually defending against it's probably
a little bit harder. What did you make of the
loose Ford trail. We talked a bit about it on Thursday.
Some surprise selections that they made wire you on board
with those selections by the end of the game.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
I think by and large the game together pretty well
for something that was unconventional, certainly from numbers on the
back point of view. Peter Luckeye Startner's first first class
game at number six, I thought he was excellent. I
was quite surprised to see him actually replaced midway through
the second half of Wallace easy. I thought Arlie Severe
had some good moments. He got one one turnover which
(11:13):
directly led to turnover penalty directly led to Will Jordan's
opening try.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
I think it was Captain c Wise.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I think he largely took the right decisions, turned down
all the shots that go until the Blacks were protecting
a one point buffer late in the second half, and
then took the penalty and they went by two points.
So he'd have to say a big tick in that regard.
And Luke Jacobson, I think he had a very good
game conceded. I think it was two penalties in the
(11:44):
first half and maybe one rope pass, but really grew
as the game went on.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Put on some big.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
Hits, gave that slip offload for Will Jordan and I
think contributed in a big way to the speed of
rock for the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Cleaned a lot of bodies there.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
So you'd have to say a big tick for Luke
Jacobson at open sides. And you know, we've talked a
lot about him not really stepping up previously under many
All Black coaches.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
He's had many opportunity these.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
One good test doesn't make a summer, but that was
a real big step forward, I thought for him, and
I think he relished the new regime.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah it did.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
And maybe I think I mentioned it last week, maybe
this is giving him the role to play is actually
the key, whereas previously he has been restricted in terms
of starts, the kind of games he started, the impact
he's been able to make off the bench. So I
thought it was a really promising performance from Luke Jacobson.
Is so much sold on the idea of sort of
you know, any loose Ford will do in terms of
(12:42):
putting numbers on their backs. But you know, maybe slightly
coming around on the basis of the weekend. Ruben Love
at ten look yellow card in the first ninety seconds
two minutes. Wherever it was probably wasn't the way that
he wanted to start the Test, but I thought he
did really well at shaking that off and just moving
on to the next thing once he was out on
the park and I had some good moments. Didn't overplay
(13:02):
his hand, which I think was really crucial for Ruben Love.
You know, you don't want to be doing everything in
a Test match like that, and I don't think he
felt like he needed to. I think he obviously trusted
what roy Gard was doing at half back and then
why wouldn't you? And then Enjordy barried a couple of
moments as well. There's a couple of eras and kicked
from memory in the twenty two, but by and large
(13:25):
you've got to give Ruben Love, I think a real
tick for that performance.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
It was a horror start, wasn't it The best part
of eighty seconds and you've got a yellow card, you
go off, you're sitting there, you have to wait to
see whether it's going to be upgraded to a red.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
So there had been a fifth you nerves earlier.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
I think I saw a picture of Dave Runny and
the coaches box with his head in his hands after
the All Blacks concede and then copy yellow card. Really
was a horrific start, but they both recovered really well.
I thought the All Blacks managed that period well. They
got down the other ends and then Ruby and Love
came back. And I think the big thing was not
only did he shake that off, but just his ability
(14:03):
to back himself and challenge the line and take a
gap when it's on users'd go through. That was really
really promising to see. It wasn't perfect, like you said,
there were a few errant kicks and option taking that
he'd want to have again, but for a first start
at first five and his at TESTLA match level and
(14:24):
his sixth Test, I thought it was a really promising
performance with a lot of growth to come. And look,
Jelliber was excellent as well. He really sparked and inspired
the French team. So two tens on display. It was
a great spectacle in that regard.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Also liked.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
I thought Stam Dowry was outstanding. He was everywhere at
the line out, ball carrying, defending and obviously cam Roy guards.
So yeah, some big individual performances from the All Blacks
as well.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yeah, there were a lot of standouts and obviously we've
touched one a few things that they can improve on.
Question for you Lem before were perhaps wrap it up
our thoughts on the Test match. But can they play
like this when they're not under the roof? I guess
is the question. The ruck spy was sensational on the weekend.
I think Dave Rennie mentioned lightning quick ball. The stat
(15:21):
that he looks at and he ses very stats focus
is around eighty five percent or thereabout. It's maybe just
a touch lower. Can they play with that when they're
not under the roof. They're looking at the forecast for
the Capital this weekend and I know Mike Blee mentioned
it yesterday, not too bad partly clay with a chance
of a shower and southeaster is dying out in the
(15:42):
Wellington Hive six hive nine Love six, so it's not
gonna be too wet. But can they play like this
when they're not in conditions that they know.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Are going to be pre game?
Speaker 4 (15:53):
In short, you s Elliott, if as you'd witnessed with
our championship winning Hurricanes this season, they did it and
good the bad and the ugly weather, it's a skill execution.
It's yourself at sticking to the game plan, I think, look,
you have to adapt. If it's driving rain and gale
(16:14):
force wins, then maybe you do adapts. But in the
wind in particular, we saw the Hurricanes in the final
keep the ball on hand more and that really worked
for them, and.
Speaker 5 (16:24):
It didn't for the Chiefs.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
So look, I don't think you'll get the same speed
of ruck that you'll get under the roof and chrish Church,
hard and fast pitch, pristine conditions. I'll be surprised to
see that ruck speed replicated and Wellington and most other
venues around the world. But in terms of the attacking intent,
the ambition, the desire to play at pace, whether that
(16:47):
be quick throws, quick taps, I think, yeah, you can
do that elsewhere.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Anything else you want to add on the thoughts on
the test match before we move into the Final four.
At the end of the episode, look pains to point
out they did only win by two points, and they
scraped home in the end and set up at Grandstand finished.
But one thing that stood out right at the end
was the fact they had just confidently shut the game
down and they weren't willing to give the French an
(17:14):
opportunity I thought that was really good game management, and
they're closing ninety seconds two minutes and showed, you know,
perhaps of pragmatism that maybe we haven't seen for a
wee while, that the All Blacks are like, right, well,
we're not going to give the French any sniff here.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
We're just going to completely shut them down.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
And I thought that was, you know, something I took
away from the match, going, Okay, this team is aware.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Perhaps how to manage and close the game out.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Absolutely, they did it well. It was pretty nervous, tense stuff,
wasn't it. Fronts who were having a real crack at
the counter ruck and got pretty close on at least
one occasion. But the All Blacks managed to do it
for the best part of two minutes. And there's actually
a lot of inexperience on the field at that time too.
When you think about Reuben Love. Of course, here's at Artema,
(18:00):
I suffer, Armor, Xavier Numa, Jamie Hannah, even Wallace and tc.
These guys haven't played a lot of tears, so for
them to live and breathe and come out the other
side of a test match like that is a great
learning experience.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
It is indeed, quick break back with the final four
after this on Rugby directs, you back with a Rugby
direct time now for the final four and certain Liam
hope you've seen some of these because I flowed to
the wrong run sheets, so some of these might be
catching you on the fly. But it's all right, rich
number one, right, the All Blacks performance out of ten
for me.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Look, it's a starting point Outlett, so I'm a harsh
mark so I'm going to go six. I think they
can get a lot better. But as we touched on,
I like a lot of elements of that performance. So
the ceiling on this team is a long way off,
but it was a starting point.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
I scratch you one at that, but you take the
win and move on you do.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Indeed, I'm going to go six and a half.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
I'm not as harsh a marker as you, as we've
established over the course of history on this podcast. But yeah,
broom for improvement, but some positive signs. Topic number two,
The verdicts on the rest of the weekends. Haven't seen
all the games that have caught the highlights of most
of them. What stood out Australia Island watched the full game,
(19:21):
but that wants to return to the office here in
christ Church and that was another barn burner of a
game and Australia, perhaps a little unlucky not to emerge
with the victory, stood out from the rest of the
nation's championship.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
I think Australia butchered that match. To be honest, Ben
Donaldson not putting the loss on him alone, but he
missed too late kicks difficult ones at that but you
know he wanted that penalty at the finish from a
good probably fifty meters on the angle.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
Harry Wilson was weighing up where they go for the corner.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
You know, it's easy to say in hindsight, but he'd
probably go that option again. I thought Australia had the
better of that game. Ireland missing a number of players,
so they'll take the one and run. But there was
a record crowd I think at Alian's in Sydney for
that match, and the Wallabies will be desperately disappointed. It
(20:17):
doesn't get any easier for them the French this week
and they'll be bolstered by those top fourteen finalists. So
the Wallabies were pretty caen to get some momentum. Look
the spring box easily subduing beating down England's at Alice Park.
That was a real return to the spring box of
(20:38):
old from a style point of view, lot of box kicking,
very conservative from an attacking point of view, but they
did score seven tries so it worked for them. But
from a stylistic point of view, you wouldn't been able
to tell that Tony Brown was involved there.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
Big win for Scotland and Argentina.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
As well, A very high scoring match. Pretty underwhelming crowd
in Quarteraba for that, but yeah, I think a really
notable win for Scotland away from home.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
What about you?
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Yeah, I was impressed by elements of the weekends Japan
and against Italy. Japan I thought were pretty good. But
Italy were, you know, with a Night Awards this weekend
in the Capitol, really really disappointing. I thought they were
looked unglued on attack and didn't seem to have any
cohesive plan through the game. It was really labored. They
(21:31):
lost the ball I think about twenty five times to
seven turn the ball over and their defense I thought
was sluggish as well.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So I think with a.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Night Awards this weekend, they have to step up massively
for the trip to Wellington. It could be a very
very long afternoon for the Italians in the capital. Similar
to you South Africa and England. Great start from South
Africa seventeen nilapa after twelve minutes, England felt like they
were waiting for individuals to do something else. Kine takes
that quick tap before halftime and gets them a try
(22:03):
and then they get another one before the break. But
I thought England would largely pressive. They lost the penalty
count convincingly. Yeah, I just don't see enough firepower in
that England team, or at least enough harnessing of it
from Steve Borthwick to give them give me any thought
that they are on the right track, you know, with
(22:25):
the World Cup next year. I think they have gone
off track completely and perhaps it was only saved by
the fact that they pushed France right to the brink
in that last game of the Six Nations and FIGI
Wales caught my eye as well.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Wales.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
You know, it's been a really rough two or three years,
if not longer for them.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
They looked a lot more organized.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
I thought that I'd seen in recent time a lot
the way they closed out the game, there was some
smart moments from the MFG. Disciplined look a small step
forward for Wales, but I think there is some some
positive signs there as they continue to build under Steve Tandy.
So all in all, I thought it was a really
really good weekend. I think the jury is still out
(23:05):
on the nation's championship, but by and large us an
entertaining weekend of rugby.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Mates.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Look, I'm coming around to this format, Eliot. I like
the fact that there's different opposition each week. It'll be
costing organized as a bomb to fly all these teams
to different countries every week.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
But I like the new flavor.
Speaker 4 (23:27):
I like new opposition each week, so it'd be interesting
to see how long and how it pans out. But
I think we're also seeing largely a shift and a
style of rugby, quite high scoring games, quite up tempo
attack first, but the spring box also showing that it
can be done the old scoreway.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
I can indeed question number three in the final four
what changes would you look at potentially for this weekends
and apes.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
It's a bit of a catch twenty two is always Elliott.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I think you'd like to see that all black teams
stay together get much better cohesion, finish a lot of
the chances that they blew in christ Church. But in
terms of this July series, if you're going to make changes,
this is the test to do it on. Eden Park
was always going to be the biggest match of this
July window. So I think you will see some changes,
(24:15):
but maybe maybe not too many. Maybe in the front
row you could look to promote Tyrel Lomax and Xavier
new mayor maybe bring in Samasoni, Takyajor, some of these
guys who didn't get an opportunity at the weekends. I
would like to see more of fining a northwol particularly
at Test level. He was very nervous viewing at halftime.
(24:37):
He had maybe ten to fifteen minutes off the bench.
So maybe not a raft of changes.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
But a few tweaks, give a few more Hurricanes a
start perhaps.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
Yeah, perhaps, Yeah, that's not rule anything out. Yeah, I
would probably look at keeping the bulk of that team together.
I think Rubin Love needs to start again at ten.
Maybe you look at changing the half back and keeping
Woiguard frushtrating him twenty minutes off the bench, all though
he's played a fear bit of rugby towards the back end.
(25:11):
I think there was a comment around how much the
Hurricanes have played recently, so maybe you look at giving
them potentially obviously some game time in front of their
home fans. You've got to balance that out. But look,
I think maybe Signa comes into the loose forward treer.
Potentially you could look at Fineanng Andofo on one wing,
and maybe Clark does start on the other and keep
(25:31):
his spot. Jordan might go to fullback, but I'd be
loath to tamper too much with that team. I think
that you know, Davin, you'll probably try and achieve a balance.
I guess the question as well, Liam is around Ardie
Savia and there's a lot of talk earlier in the
year and even not that long ago around him. Maybe,
you know, having a eighteen months continuously of rugby, do
(25:53):
they look at maybe him coming off the bench or
not playing at all this week? Would that be a
risk given he's only had one teast as full time captain.
What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 5 (26:03):
Yeah, I think there's a very live option. Eliott.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
I think it's a good point about him playing continuously,
and he also looked pretty beat up postmatch in christ
Church actually had a bit of a scare in the
warm up, didn't He took a blow and on his
groan which made his one of his legs numb, but
came through that. But yeah, look pretty beat up as
(26:26):
you would expect, very very.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Tough physical test match.
Speaker 4 (26:28):
But I think if you were going to spell him,
this is a decent opportunity to do it.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
You're not going to have a lot of time between
the July.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
Series and South Africa, and we all know how massive
that's going to be from a physical and mental perspective.
Maybe later in the year you look at spelling him
from one of the bleeder's loads. Not too sure, but
it wouldn't shock me to see him spelled. And then
you could look at maybe a Cody Taylor or Jordi
Barrett assuming the captaincy, And yeah, i'd really like to
(26:58):
see Signa get a crack in that loose forward trio
as well.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Absolutely a team out on Thursday round four o'clock. We'll
have another podcast for you that's at night. Final question
which I don't really have an answer for. I have
gone right to the top of New Zealand Rugby's communications department,
so I listen to me, emailed me yesterday and said,
why would the All Blacks not wearing those Nations championship
badges that we saw on the other team. So this
(27:23):
is a final four question without an answer. I don't
have a question answer to that question as at quarter
past ten on Monday morning, but I have put it
forwards Liam.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Have you got any theories behind that?
Speaker 5 (27:34):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Look, the All Blacks jersey's pretty sacred and they only
tend to give it up for millions of dollars. So
unless unless the Nation's Championships coming to the party with
a brown paper bag or some big cash one for
I don't think your Blacks are gonna slap something on
the jersey too easily, so that would be my assumption.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Anyway, it's probably a pretty good assumption. Tim.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Thank you for your question. If I hear back by Thursday,
I will let you know. I'm intrigued to know the
answer myself. That will do us though. For our early
week edition of a Rugby to Direct, Thanks Naples naps
As always look forward to seeing you in the Capitol
and soaking that up from a bit later in the
week in.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
A great city of Wellington.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
Elliott hopefully that white beat Fredder standard has been reinstalled.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Well yeah, it wasn't open on the morning of the
Super Rugby Finals, so yeah, question marks remain. We'll do
some investigative journalism and see whether it's going to be
there on Saturday. We'll catch it in thanks to Mark
Kelly producing and this has been right bedrec colored by
Access Solutions elevating you and your business to a higher level.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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