July 9, 2026 • 17 mins
On the latest episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier break down the All Blacks' five changes for Saturday's test against Italy and ask the big question: has Dave Rennie gone too far with his selections?
The boys also look ahead to the second test of 2026, discussing what the changes mean for the All Blacks and what fans can expect when they take the field this weekend.
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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, Try get inside the game from
(00:31):
every end goal. It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and
Liam Nabier, powered by News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome to Rugby Direct powered by Access Solutions, elevating you
and your business to.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
A higher level. We are in.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Test Manchester City, Wellington, Napes and we're in my hotel room.
We need to record another edition of Rugby Direct on
a Thursday evening, which is becoming a regular thing. First
and foremost, I'm listening would have seen the team by now?
What did you make of that solution?
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Great to be here in the capitol. First and foremost
isn't that we survived?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Were you fluent today?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
What?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
It's a bit more ropy than yesterday.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
The All Blacks needed to do a couple of loops.
I think I went up to the carpety coast and
had to come back again. So yeah, I hope they
will hope for a smoothie ride this weekend. Look in
terms of the All Black selections, I can't still shake
the sense that it's a bit conservative that's not disrespect
to Italy. I just probably expected Dave Renny to go
(01:33):
away bit further and maybe that's a bit harsh. Maybe
that's my perspective on things. But they have made a
number of changes. I think it's eleven in the squad
five and the starting team, and I can understand where
they're coming from around building cohesion and combinations and getting
more clarity at this stage of the year under a
(01:54):
new management team. But there's just a few more elements.
I would have liked to have seen Anton signer, Josh
Moreby given a crack from the outset, Kyle Preston on
the bench. I don't particularly like the complexion of the bench,
but I can't understand the rationale. With a big tour
of South Africa and you're going to have those midweek games,
(02:15):
You're going to have a lot of time to give
players opportunities, aren't.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
You You are indeed, yeah, I tend to think the
same vibe. I probably would have started Signa at blindside
this week. I think you can have a testing starting
test open side of Jacobson and Signa together Artie Savighert
at eight. I would have liked to see moreby in
the back three Finago would have been interesting to see
(02:41):
if he would have played a role. Didn't get coursed
have asked to Dave any earlier, but is this cald
Clark been moved out of the team.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Or is it horses for courses.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
There's a few unanswered questions I suppose around it, but yeah,
I would have liked to see it. Just another step
taken forward from the all blacks around some of those selections.
And you know, Dave Rennie was quick to point out
that Cortez Ratama only had five six minutes or similar
off the bench in christ Church, which is true, but
again that's no reason why he couldn't start Preston this week.
(03:13):
We'll start righting or even and move Preston off the
bench and then you bring Royguard back in for the
Irish Test. I think though that could have been a
live option potentially. I do get the sense that they
are wanting, though, to give Reuben Love the best possible
start to twelve before they begin to tinker and move
players around him. And that's why again we're probably looking
at a Barrett at twelve and Royguard at nine rubbed
(03:36):
and some of those other combinations. So I tend to
agree that I probably would have gone a step further
than maybe Dave Rennie has. But I also think there's
a bit to like about this team as well. Love
gets another crack at ten. We also see Billy Proctor
out as thirteen. I'm still not sold on quint to
pirate at thirteen. I think there were a couple of
defensive moments last week where he was out of position.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
I think that first try from memory was one.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Of them, whereas Billy Proctor very involved and his defense
is one of his real assets in a test match. So,
all in all, an interesting team, and it should been theory,
be good enough to beat Italy Italy comfortably in all honesty.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah, I think so. And look, I can understand the
rationale around a quartet of Hurricanes in the back line.
Cameray Gard rubin Love is, as you say, retaining that
combination giving Love the best possible opportunity with Jeready Barrett
outside him, and then also with Leea Ricarda coming onto
the wing. I think if you look at players with
(04:40):
the most of the game here, you're looking at Lea
Ocara on the left wing, Billy Propter at center, Wallace
a Titi at six. I think if we draw down
into those three guys, who has the most of the
game for you.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I don't know that Walla City has the most again
because I think he is a vital part of the
All Blacks twenty three. I think Lucky was good last
week and the Titi is as good. I think they'll
probably form a combination this year where basically they might
end up starting fifty percent of the Test roughly by
and large and something the other will come off the bench.
I think Leroy card is an interesting one. Probably didn't
(05:17):
have the best back end of last year on their
end of year tour.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Faded, didn't he end and then didn't play a lot
of Super Ruguay this year, only came in at the back.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
End injury wise. I am intrigued to see whether the
Rennie views him as an asset off the bench in
terms of what he can play, whether he sees him
as potentially a Test thirteen. He's played but there for
the Chiefs. He's played half back. He's obviously capable on
both wings, were seen at to Test level. So to me,
he's the you know, the pocket knife you put on
(05:46):
the bench potentially, if you're looking at maybe a six two,
but that's another step forward. But I think he's got
a bit to gain this weekend. And similarly, Billy Proctor.
I'm a big fan of Billy Proctor. We haven't seen
the best of him in an All Blacks Jersey as yet,
and Quinti Pie player is super rugby. I don't know
how you fit them all into a back line, but
I'm still, as I said before, not convinced that Quinta
Pie's best position at thirteen.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Billy's a very different prospect, isn't it. He's the best
distributing center that New Zealand has, I think, and we
saw that in Super Rugby. Josh Morby and fing ngon
Or four scored seventeen tries single season record each and
that's the reflection of what's happening inside them and the
pace and the width that the Hurricanes provided also, so
(06:33):
I think he's got the most Again. One of the
other big questions around this, I thought this week was
an ideal time to rest art a severe and it
was very interesting to hear Dave Rennie talk about the
prospect of Artie having a late start to South African tour.
That's come as a bit of a surprise. I thought,
(06:54):
if it wasn't this week, then maybe you look at
the Bleeders lows he's the new captain. How was sort
of put in the cart before the horse a little bit,
But that seems far from ideal to bring Savia. But later,
even though the All Blacks start with a match against
the Stormers in Cape.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Town, yeah there is a break.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
It's similar to line series in the fact that the
first Test isn't until the twenty first of August, so
current there's New Zealand or South African time, but regardless,
it's sort of that weekend, so there's a few tour
games to get through and so you could possibly have
him missed the first couple come in the week before,
(07:36):
maybe plays that last tour match before the All Blacks
first Test, and you know is there and that that
basically gives them sort of essentially close to three weeks
off between next week's Test against Ireland, which I'm sure
they're not going to rest them for, and you know,
the tour game there. So maybe that's a possibility. But
I tend to agree with the original point that this
(07:56):
was probably set up quite nicely for Artie sa Viga
to have a week off. I get they're betting in
new combinations, the new leadership, everything around that, but you
could have had them either coming off the bench or
you know, none of the twenty three entirely.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
He looked pretty battered and beat up last week. He
took a knock on the warm up, played through that
and then was beaten and bloodied. So he's played for
eighteen months. He is going to need a rest at
some point. I can see the rationale around that South
African window and maybe stepping out of the environment entirely.
But I thought this was an opportunity to go with
other people in the loose Ford trio. Another big takeaway
(08:33):
today there's four players I think a right that will
not feature in the first two weeks of Rennie's tenure.
Boden Barrett, Kyle Preston helped me out here, Simon Parker
and Patrick two Plotu and Rennie said today not necessarily,
as he held bent on playing everyone in his thirty
(08:53):
four man squad in this three test series. I thought
that that was very interesting. Most coaches would want to
give everyone game time, but maybe that is a reflection
of what's to come in South Africa. But you'd have
to think of like Boden Barrett would be absolutely being
down the door ittching for an opportunity looking over his shoulder.
Ye would be fascinating. If he's not used at all
(09:16):
in July.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Well absolutely, Look and this is two medi conferences or
two weekly media conferences in the row now that Dave
Rynny has been quick time to line just how valuable
Boden Barrett has been in this environment even though he's
not playing.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Last week he said it.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Before the first Test, he said it again today that
he was carving them up a couple of points and
their training today obviously he's acting as the ten for
Italy and the reposed training session. So I think he
gets an opportunity potentially next week. Maybe they look at
fullback for him starting in Edden Park, maybe comes off
the bench.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
They having gone with.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
A specialist playmaker on the bench in the first couple
of weeks, so that may be going slightly against the grain,
but I would be surprised if we don't see Boden
Barrett next week. Been battling a lot of injuries, I
mean that's the story unfortunately of his career is that
he's never quite been fully fitt. He's an absolute warrior
and a great player, but he's he's battling injuries, but
(10:09):
I think is a vital player. And then yeah, I
would have liked to see Preston this week. Absolutely. He
may get a chance next week. Depending on how long
Ratama gets this week, they may be more comfortable to
go We'll put Preston on the bench next week rather
than Royguard and Parker. Hard to know. He may be
the one unlucky one that doesn't doesn't quite get an
opportunity in this series.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yeah, the other one just now think about Xavier new Mair,
George Bowers come on to the bench. They've gone with
Ethan de Grue and Tyrolomax because they respect highly Atalys
Scrum personally. I would have liked to have seen new
Mare go again. I thought he was very impressive off
the bench. He's that all court modern day prop and
(10:52):
I think he brings a lot more than a George Bauer.
So he's a final line decision. Yeah, but I think
new Mire is the future and you need to be
progressing those guys, so I would have gone that.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
I suspect they'll revert back to the mix they had
last week for next week would be my thought that
loom Max probably drops back to the bench on Will
comes back in on the bench and maybe Naw me
on the bench as well. They're all hurricanes, but that
me again the newill comes back into the starting side.
Lonax hasn't had a lot of rugby really since September
(11:24):
of last year. He's been in and out, you know,
thumb injuries and various other bits he's had to have repaired.
So I can understand him hopefully getting fifty to fifty
five minutes under his belt on the again. Here's a
fun fact for you. This Saturday were the first time
that Luke Jacobson has started back to back All Blacks
tests in his career.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, I think that's the reflection of his career at
test level, isn't it. That's he's been selected by successive
All Black coaches but never sees that chance to say
I'm I'm a must have selection. And Dave Rennie today
and I think he's right. I'd agree with him. Last
week was Luke Jacobson's best test. He got a couple
(12:05):
of early penalties, but has worked great his defense front
on defense, his ability to clean bodies and provide that
quick rock ball, the slick off fload for Will Jordan's try. Look,
I wasn't a big fan of his selection and I
think he proved me and a number of other people
are wrong and he's been rewarded again with another.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Start he has men and look, I've still on this
podcast that you can never you know, I've always wanted
him to succeed the Test level, but never quite seen it.
But maybe we are beginning, and this early days, but
you know, if he can back it up again this week,
And as I said, I went through the stats before
he's played back to back weeks off the bench or
starting one week off the bench next week, but this
is the first time he's getting back to back starts
(12:47):
and maybe better lat than ever. It might be that
the kick start he needs to his Test career. So
that's the All Blacks twenty three. They should do a
job on this Italian team. Look on the davern he
was quick to point out the heat in Japan last week,
and it can be oppressive at.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
This time of the year. We've seen that.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
But Italy were really poor and really disappointing given the
moments they've had in the six Nations over the last
couple of seasons. I know they're missing Angkapuzzo who's back home,
and a couple of other players that weren't selected but
just didn't quite get going. And it's hard to see
twelve hour flights in New Zealand being the tonic they
need to everything for everything clicking them to.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Get Yeah, look at Italy's first test in New Zealand.
Since two thousand and nine, they have made a couple
of key changes at fullback, left wing and blindside flankers,
so it's a stronger team by the back end of
their year. They haven't got everyone in their squad, leaving
a couple behinds. It's going to be a tall order.
I would expect the All Blacks to put fifty plus
(13:48):
on this Italy team, particularly given the strength of the
All Black team, the combinations, the directives around prioritizing cohesion
over maybe fast tracking some of those rookies. I think
we see this All Black team taking another step up,
particularly on attack, and they need to make some big
shifts on defense as well. What about the Wellington who
(14:10):
doo h? Was it three from their last ten? I
think the last match here was that record defeats to
the box Does that play any part, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Don't think it plays a part, But the more it
gets talked about, the more it is sort of in
the back of the mind. And there's no reason for
them to have been this bad and willing obviously it's
from Boxer are a very very good team, but it's
become almost comical how they found ways to lose and
conspire to play really badly in the Capitol. And you know,
I'm sure I listeners caught up with us as well
(14:40):
that they only arrived into Wellington today. Maybe that was
a factor in trying to change up some of the momentum.
This decision was made by the previous all Blacks coaching regime.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Maybe they did this to.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Basically try and shake off the Capital who do Whatever
it might have been, I can't see it happening on Saturday.
I think they should be far too good for this
Italian team. But it is quite a funny sideshow to
have this still going on, because really some of them,
you know, they shouldn't have lost half of them, if
not more.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
It's funny they had prior to this run that she
had a great record in Wellington. I think it's a
bit of a non factor, particularly for Italy, and with
Dave Renny coming in as well. He's from Wellington coaching,
started coaching the Alpert Cults was a teacher and a publican,
won a provincial title with Wellington in two thousand, knows
(15:33):
this region well, so I think he feels entirely comfortable.
And I really don't even think the All Blacks will
touch on that this week.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
No, I don't think so either. I think it'll be
left to the side of the discussion. So the All
Blacks Italy on Saturday afternoon two plus five sold out
crowds got there in the end with the locals and yeah,
great to see and hopefully the occasion matches it because
the last time there was a high profile rugby game
(16:01):
played in the Capitol, you know, we got ourselves entertained.
Maybe not if you're a Chiefs fan, but it was
assumably great occasion. So hopefully more of the same on
Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Yeah, we'll keep an eye out for trains and maybe
you can do some tooting. And you are on the
Hurricanes bandwagon now, so.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
The only bandwagon I want, that white bait wagon that's
on the Viaduct, which we do need to go check
out instantly on Saturday morning at some point.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Yes, indeed, I can't wait for that.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
That indeed, we'll do us. Rugby Director.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Quick update on the nation's championship Juicy Patch Saga. I
had a response from New Zealand Rugby and I was
told that they aren't required to wear them the badge,
so they're not wearing it at this point in time,
So there you go. I think they're the only ones
that didn't.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
So yeah, fair enough in that infancy, isn't it It is?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Indeed yeh see guys, and there's no sponsor attached to
this competition. You I think cut always are just pulling
back until they're you know, back on solid ground and
not getting entangled. And other developments worldwide put it that way,
they will do us for Rugby Direct. We're back early
part of next week with the reaction to this Italy game.
(17:10):
We built up to Ireland as well thanks to Mark Kelly.
We're powered by Excess Solutions, elevating you and your business
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Speaker 1 (17:18):
For more from News Talks ed 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, Try get inside the game from
(00:31):
every end goal. It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and
Liam Nabier, powered by News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome to Rugby Direct powered by Access Solutions, elevating you
and your business to.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
A higher level. We are in.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Test Manchester City, Wellington, Napes and we're in my hotel room.
We need to record another edition of Rugby Direct on
a Thursday evening, which is becoming a regular thing. First
and foremost, I'm listening would have seen the team by now?
What did you make of that solution?
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Great to be here in the capitol. First and foremost
isn't that we survived?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Were you fluent today?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
What?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
It's a bit more ropy than yesterday.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
The All Blacks needed to do a couple of loops.
I think I went up to the carpety coast and
had to come back again. So yeah, I hope they
will hope for a smoothie ride this weekend. Look in
terms of the All Black selections, I can't still shake
the sense that it's a bit conservative that's not disrespect
to Italy. I just probably expected Dave Renny to go
(01:33):
away bit further and maybe that's a bit harsh. Maybe
that's my perspective on things. But they have made a
number of changes. I think it's eleven in the squad
five and the starting team, and I can understand where
they're coming from around building cohesion and combinations and getting
more clarity at this stage of the year under a
(01:54):
new management team. But there's just a few more elements.
I would have liked to have seen Anton signer, Josh
Moreby given a crack from the outset, Kyle Preston on
the bench. I don't particularly like the complexion of the bench,
but I can't understand the rationale. With a big tour
of South Africa and you're going to have those midweek games,
(02:15):
You're going to have a lot of time to give
players opportunities, aren't.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
You You are indeed, yeah, I tend to think the
same vibe. I probably would have started Signa at blindside
this week. I think you can have a testing starting
test open side of Jacobson and Signa together Artie Savighert
at eight. I would have liked to see moreby in
the back three Finago would have been interesting to see
(02:41):
if he would have played a role. Didn't get coursed
have asked to Dave any earlier, but is this cald
Clark been moved out of the team.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Or is it horses for courses.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
There's a few unanswered questions I suppose around it, but yeah,
I would have liked to see it. Just another step
taken forward from the all blacks around some of those selections.
And you know, Dave Rennie was quick to point out
that Cortez Ratama only had five six minutes or similar
off the bench in christ Church, which is true, but
again that's no reason why he couldn't start Preston this week.
(03:13):
We'll start righting or even and move Preston off the
bench and then you bring Royguard back in for the
Irish Test. I think though that could have been a
live option potentially. I do get the sense that they
are wanting, though, to give Reuben Love the best possible
start to twelve before they begin to tinker and move
players around him. And that's why again we're probably looking
at a Barrett at twelve and Royguard at nine rubbed
(03:36):
and some of those other combinations. So I tend to
agree that I probably would have gone a step further
than maybe Dave Rennie has. But I also think there's
a bit to like about this team as well. Love
gets another crack at ten. We also see Billy Proctor
out as thirteen. I'm still not sold on quint to
pirate at thirteen. I think there were a couple of
defensive moments last week where he was out of position.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
I think that first try from memory was one.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Of them, whereas Billy Proctor very involved and his defense
is one of his real assets in a test match. So,
all in all, an interesting team, and it should been theory,
be good enough to beat Italy Italy comfortably in all honesty.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah, I think so. And look, I can understand the
rationale around a quartet of Hurricanes in the back line.
Cameray Gard rubin Love is, as you say, retaining that
combination giving Love the best possible opportunity with Jeready Barrett
outside him, and then also with Leea Ricarda coming onto
the wing. I think if you look at players with
(04:40):
the most of the game here, you're looking at Lea
Ocara on the left wing, Billy Propter at center, Wallace
a Titi at six. I think if we draw down
into those three guys, who has the most of the
game for you.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I don't know that Walla City has the most again
because I think he is a vital part of the
All Blacks twenty three. I think Lucky was good last
week and the Titi is as good. I think they'll
probably form a combination this year where basically they might
end up starting fifty percent of the Test roughly by
and large and something the other will come off the bench.
I think Leroy card is an interesting one. Probably didn't
(05:17):
have the best back end of last year on their
end of year tour.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Faded, didn't he end and then didn't play a lot
of Super Ruguay this year, only came in at the back.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
End injury wise. I am intrigued to see whether the
Rennie views him as an asset off the bench in
terms of what he can play, whether he sees him
as potentially a Test thirteen. He's played but there for
the Chiefs. He's played half back. He's obviously capable on
both wings, were seen at to Test level. So to me,
he's the you know, the pocket knife you put on
(05:46):
the bench potentially, if you're looking at maybe a six two,
but that's another step forward. But I think he's got
a bit to gain this weekend. And similarly, Billy Proctor.
I'm a big fan of Billy Proctor. We haven't seen
the best of him in an All Blacks Jersey as yet,
and Quinti Pie player is super rugby. I don't know
how you fit them all into a back line, but
I'm still, as I said before, not convinced that Quinta
Pie's best position at thirteen.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Billy's a very different prospect, isn't it. He's the best
distributing center that New Zealand has, I think, and we
saw that in Super Rugby. Josh Morby and fing ngon
Or four scored seventeen tries single season record each and
that's the reflection of what's happening inside them and the
pace and the width that the Hurricanes provided also, so
(06:33):
I think he's got the most Again. One of the
other big questions around this, I thought this week was
an ideal time to rest art a severe and it
was very interesting to hear Dave Rennie talk about the
prospect of Artie having a late start to South African tour.
That's come as a bit of a surprise. I thought,
(06:54):
if it wasn't this week, then maybe you look at
the Bleeders lows he's the new captain. How was sort
of put in the cart before the horse a little bit,
But that seems far from ideal to bring Savia. But later,
even though the All Blacks start with a match against
the Stormers in Cape.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Town, yeah there is a break.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
It's similar to line series in the fact that the
first Test isn't until the twenty first of August, so
current there's New Zealand or South African time, but regardless,
it's sort of that weekend, so there's a few tour
games to get through and so you could possibly have
him missed the first couple come in the week before,
(07:36):
maybe plays that last tour match before the All Blacks
first Test, and you know is there and that that
basically gives them sort of essentially close to three weeks
off between next week's Test against Ireland, which I'm sure
they're not going to rest them for, and you know,
the tour game there. So maybe that's a possibility. But
I tend to agree with the original point that this
(07:56):
was probably set up quite nicely for Artie sa Viga
to have a week off. I get they're betting in
new combinations, the new leadership, everything around that, but you
could have had them either coming off the bench or
you know, none of the twenty three entirely.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
He looked pretty battered and beat up last week. He
took a knock on the warm up, played through that
and then was beaten and bloodied. So he's played for
eighteen months. He is going to need a rest at
some point. I can see the rationale around that South
African window and maybe stepping out of the environment entirely.
But I thought this was an opportunity to go with
other people in the loose Ford trio. Another big takeaway
(08:33):
today there's four players I think a right that will
not feature in the first two weeks of Rennie's tenure.
Boden Barrett, Kyle Preston helped me out here, Simon Parker
and Patrick two Plotu and Rennie said today not necessarily,
as he held bent on playing everyone in his thirty
(08:53):
four man squad in this three test series. I thought
that that was very interesting. Most coaches would want to
give everyone game time, but maybe that is a reflection
of what's to come in South Africa. But you'd have
to think of like Boden Barrett would be absolutely being
down the door ittching for an opportunity looking over his shoulder.
Ye would be fascinating. If he's not used at all
(09:16):
in July.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Well absolutely, Look and this is two medi conferences or
two weekly media conferences in the row now that Dave
Rynny has been quick time to line just how valuable
Boden Barrett has been in this environment even though he's
not playing.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Last week he said it.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Before the first Test, he said it again today that
he was carving them up a couple of points and
their training today obviously he's acting as the ten for
Italy and the reposed training session. So I think he
gets an opportunity potentially next week. Maybe they look at
fullback for him starting in Edden Park, maybe comes off
the bench.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
They having gone with.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
A specialist playmaker on the bench in the first couple
of weeks, so that may be going slightly against the grain,
but I would be surprised if we don't see Boden
Barrett next week. Been battling a lot of injuries, I
mean that's the story unfortunately of his career is that
he's never quite been fully fitt. He's an absolute warrior
and a great player, but he's he's battling injuries, but
(10:09):
I think is a vital player. And then yeah, I
would have liked to see Preston this week. Absolutely. He
may get a chance next week. Depending on how long
Ratama gets this week, they may be more comfortable to
go We'll put Preston on the bench next week rather
than Royguard and Parker. Hard to know. He may be
the one unlucky one that doesn't doesn't quite get an
opportunity in this series.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yeah, the other one just now think about Xavier new Mair,
George Bowers come on to the bench. They've gone with
Ethan de Grue and Tyrolomax because they respect highly Atalys
Scrum personally. I would have liked to have seen new
Mare go again. I thought he was very impressive off
the bench. He's that all court modern day prop and
(10:52):
I think he brings a lot more than a George Bauer.
So he's a final line decision. Yeah, but I think
new Mire is the future and you need to be
progressing those guys, so I would have gone that.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
I suspect they'll revert back to the mix they had
last week for next week would be my thought that
loom Max probably drops back to the bench on Will
comes back in on the bench and maybe Naw me
on the bench as well. They're all hurricanes, but that
me again the newill comes back into the starting side.
Lonax hasn't had a lot of rugby really since September
(11:24):
of last year. He's been in and out, you know,
thumb injuries and various other bits he's had to have repaired.
So I can understand him hopefully getting fifty to fifty
five minutes under his belt on the again. Here's a
fun fact for you. This Saturday were the first time
that Luke Jacobson has started back to back All Blacks
tests in his career.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, I think that's the reflection of his career at
test level, isn't it. That's he's been selected by successive
All Black coaches but never sees that chance to say
I'm I'm a must have selection. And Dave Rennie today
and I think he's right. I'd agree with him. Last
week was Luke Jacobson's best test. He got a couple
(12:05):
of early penalties, but has worked great his defense front
on defense, his ability to clean bodies and provide that
quick rock ball, the slick off fload for Will Jordan's try. Look,
I wasn't a big fan of his selection and I
think he proved me and a number of other people
are wrong and he's been rewarded again with another.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Start he has men and look, I've still on this
podcast that you can never you know, I've always wanted
him to succeed the Test level, but never quite seen it.
But maybe we are beginning, and this early days, but
you know, if he can back it up again this week,
And as I said, I went through the stats before
he's played back to back weeks off the bench or
starting one week off the bench next week, but this
is the first time he's getting back to back starts
(12:47):
and maybe better lat than ever. It might be that
the kick start he needs to his Test career. So
that's the All Blacks twenty three. They should do a
job on this Italian team. Look on the davern he
was quick to point out the heat in Japan last week,
and it can be oppressive at.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
This time of the year. We've seen that.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
But Italy were really poor and really disappointing given the
moments they've had in the six Nations over the last
couple of seasons. I know they're missing Angkapuzzo who's back home,
and a couple of other players that weren't selected but
just didn't quite get going. And it's hard to see
twelve hour flights in New Zealand being the tonic they
need to everything for everything clicking them to.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Get Yeah, look at Italy's first test in New Zealand.
Since two thousand and nine, they have made a couple
of key changes at fullback, left wing and blindside flankers,
so it's a stronger team by the back end of
their year. They haven't got everyone in their squad, leaving
a couple behinds. It's going to be a tall order.
I would expect the All Blacks to put fifty plus
(13:48):
on this Italy team, particularly given the strength of the
All Black team, the combinations, the directives around prioritizing cohesion
over maybe fast tracking some of those rookies. I think
we see this All Black team taking another step up,
particularly on attack, and they need to make some big
shifts on defense as well. What about the Wellington who
(14:10):
doo h? Was it three from their last ten? I
think the last match here was that record defeats to
the box Does that play any part, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Don't think it plays a part, But the more it
gets talked about, the more it is sort of in
the back of the mind. And there's no reason for
them to have been this bad and willing obviously it's
from Boxer are a very very good team, but it's
become almost comical how they found ways to lose and
conspire to play really badly in the Capitol. And you know,
I'm sure I listeners caught up with us as well
(14:40):
that they only arrived into Wellington today. Maybe that was
a factor in trying to change up some of the momentum.
This decision was made by the previous all Blacks coaching regime.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Maybe they did this to.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Basically try and shake off the Capital who do Whatever
it might have been, I can't see it happening on Saturday.
I think they should be far too good for this
Italian team. But it is quite a funny sideshow to
have this still going on, because really some of them,
you know, they shouldn't have lost half of them, if
not more.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
It's funny they had prior to this run that she
had a great record in Wellington. I think it's a
bit of a non factor, particularly for Italy, and with
Dave Renny coming in as well. He's from Wellington coaching,
started coaching the Alpert Cults was a teacher and a publican,
won a provincial title with Wellington in two thousand, knows
(15:33):
this region well, so I think he feels entirely comfortable.
And I really don't even think the All Blacks will
touch on that this week.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
No, I don't think so either. I think it'll be
left to the side of the discussion. So the All
Blacks Italy on Saturday afternoon two plus five sold out
crowds got there in the end with the locals and yeah,
great to see and hopefully the occasion matches it because
the last time there was a high profile rugby game
(16:01):
played in the Capitol, you know, we got ourselves entertained.
Maybe not if you're a Chiefs fan, but it was
assumably great occasion. So hopefully more of the same on
Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Yeah, we'll keep an eye out for trains and maybe
you can do some tooting. And you are on the
Hurricanes bandwagon now, so.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
The only bandwagon I want, that white bait wagon that's
on the Viaduct, which we do need to go check
out instantly on Saturday morning at some point.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Yes, indeed, I can't wait for that.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
That indeed, we'll do us. Rugby Director.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Quick update on the nation's championship Juicy Patch Saga. I
had a response from New Zealand Rugby and I was
told that they aren't required to wear them the badge,
so they're not wearing it at this point in time,
So there you go. I think they're the only ones
that didn't.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
So yeah, fair enough in that infancy, isn't it It is?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Indeed yeh see guys, and there's no sponsor attached to
this competition. You I think cut always are just pulling
back until they're you know, back on solid ground and
not getting entangled. And other developments worldwide put it that way,
they will do us for Rugby Direct. We're back early
part of next week with the reaction to this Italy game.
(17:10):
We built up to Ireland as well thanks to Mark Kelly.
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Speaker 1 (17:18):
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