June 10, 2024 • 37 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier assess the four Super Rugby quarter-finals from the weekend and say farewell to the Rebels (for good) and the Highlanders, Drua and Reds for this season.
We also look ahead to the semis and assess what Patrick Tuipulotu's injury means for the All Blacks this year, as well as reflect on the departure of Akira Ioane to Japan after this season.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from news Talks EDB. Follow
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Inside the Game from every angle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by Habit Health, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and workbook online at
habit dot Health to see a physio and get back
in the game fast. We have our semi finalists in
Super Rugby Elliott Smith, Liam Apierre back with you as
always on Rugby Direct. Not upsets from the semi quarterfinal weekends.
(00:46):
But I think what we saw of the weekend was
the cream rising to the top in Super Rugby and
some of the pretenders got left behind, by which I
mean the Reds, who I thought we're going to really
come over and try and check the tray against the Chiefs,
but they just were blown off the park early by
the Chiefs. But look, I don't know if it was
(01:08):
overly intriguing quarter final weekend, but what we saw, as
I said Leam, was the quality rising to the top.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I think it was a bit of an indictment on
the playoffs wasn't it just the predictability of it, the
blowout nature. The closest margin was sixteen points in the
Highlander's Brumbies match, and like you say, all the other
matches were done insides, you know, twenty minutes to a degree,
(01:35):
and yeah, you did see the cream rising. And when
you look at the Chiefs in particular, had staggered through
the year largely or underwhelmed and really turned it on
now when it mattered most. So look, I think it
does highlight the folly of the playoff format, which you
know we'll come to later in the pods. But yeah,
(01:57):
pretty underwhelming, very hard to get overly enthused about the quarterfinals.
And it is a bit of a frustration because when
you look at a wider context of quarterfinals and tournament rugby,
it's actually often the best rugby that you see because
as the tournaments progress, things to get tighter and more tense,
(02:19):
and you've got four of you should have eight of
the best teams theoretically in the tournament competing. So you
look back to last year's World Cut for an example,
while that was exposed the folly of the draw doing
that far out that stage of the tournament produced the
best rugby and that's what super rugby needs to aspire to.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
It certainly does. See let's get into that first game
Chiefs Reds Friday night, because this one last week appeared
to me not necessarily a toss up, but certainly you
could see the Reds really pushing the Chiefs and maybe
if things went that way, getting a victory. But they
were blind off the park early. The game was done
pretty early on disappointing from the Reds. But at the
same time I thought it was a very good performance
(02:59):
from the Chiefs. And I saw a headline yesterday saying
have we been sleeping on the Chiefs? I don't think
that was accurate. The Chiefs have been sleeping on the
comp now they've got into the position where they're in
the final four and ready potentially to cause some habit.
But I thought that was easily the best performance of
the season and the peaking perhaps at the right time.
We just hadn't seen it through the round robin stages.
(03:20):
It's what been waiting all year for from the chief
isn't it. At the start of the year, you looked
at this squad on paper, the best squad in the competition.
They had continuity largely that yes they'd lost Retallic and
Webber and you know sam Kin, but they had strength
and depth. They had continuity of their coaching team that
you know, sometimes you have to lose a final to
(03:41):
win one. They were largely the best team in Super
rugby last year. The bulk of that squad comes back,
you know, guys like McKenzie and Shawn Stephenson. From a
playmaking perspective, they finally are starting to produce that's a
really lethal playmaking combination.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
And they were really settled. You know, they've got guys monarchy.
Selby Rickett can't even make the match day twenty three,
so that speaks to their depth. But they had underwhelmed
for whatever reason this year, very patchy form struggled to
nail down their starting squads. You know, they're bringing quint
(04:22):
to Pyra off the bench. Another guy is bolted on
all black and you know years gone by, so this
is what we've been waiting for.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
And yeah, it does look like.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
You know, maybe I don't know if you go as
far as that's been a cunning plan from claim McMillan.
I'm sure he wanted them to perform better, but they
really really impressed when it mattered, didn't.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
They They did, And look they've been feeling inside the
Chiefs that they peaked to early last year and didn't
quite get the playoff run right. Well, maybe they'll do
it this year coming from fourth and get it through
that way. Obviously begame to come against the Hurricanes this weekend,
but we'll touch on that very shortly. I guess the
thing about the Chiefs is that can they back it
(05:07):
up is the question, and they haven't done that all season.
They haven't really started mowing down teams. They haven't really
gone on a run this season. It's been hot and
it's been cold, and we haven't seen that so far
this year. So the challenge is where the Clayton McMillan
and the coaching staff can get them up for another
game this week and another game if they call high
(05:28):
the week after and go bang bang bang. Not saying
it can't happen, but we haven't seen that evidence from
the Chiefs. So it's all very well blitzing the Reds, who,
as I said, we're disappointing, but you've got to back
it up this week. Just on the Reds, as I said,
that game wasn't necessarily a toss up, but it was
one where you could see the Reds maybe pushing the
Chiefs to the limit. That don't against a lot of
(05:48):
key sides this season, including being the Chiefs in the
regular season. But they just didn't didn't really turn up
in Hamilton. It's very disappointing, very disappointing.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
And have been impressed by the Reds and less Kiss
and what they've done this year. But I don't know,
maybe it's a mental thing coming to New Zealand's Australian
teams and playoffs, so I think now seventeen and oh
in Super Rugby history and they were just stunned early
and couldn't recover the pace intensity that the Chiefs brought
(06:19):
to that contest. You know, yes, the Reds came back
in the second half, but the game's gone by then
and yeah, you might as well pack your bags and
head home. So that should have been the most was
the most highly anticipated four v five quarter final, and
the Reds didn't really come to the party at all.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
No, they didn't. Let's move on for Saturday afternoon, the
Hurricanes and the Rebels. The Hurricanes winning this one comfortably
in the end. It was a bit of an arm
wrestle for the first half hour or thereabouts, but they
just managed to break the back of the Rebels late
in the first spell set up the victory which they
went on with in the second half. Wasn't the best
Hurricanes performance of the season, but play footy. They got
(06:58):
the job done and got it done comfortably. Perhaps I've
been too harsh to a critic that they did struggle
to put the Rebels away for a wee bit, but
I guess there was a bit of a motion around
the Rebels performance and their first and last playoff game.
But job done from the Hurricanes and that we've got
a rise to another level this week into Chiefs. What
do you make of it?
Speaker 4 (07:18):
I thought the Hurricanes made really hard work of it,
and you know, maybe it's discrediting the Rebels, and like
you say that there was a lot of emotion around
that been their their final game, and you know, playing
for that sort of cause can be inspirational. But there
was a lot of eras execute basic execution eras from
(07:41):
the Hurricanes. Britt Cameron kicking out on the fall at
various points, They're handling their their moves that had been
so set moves that in the back line that had
been so slick this year. I thought they really missed
Ruben love absence at the back. Harry Godfrey was good,
but Ruben Love has been exceptional this year. His injection
(08:03):
into the back line was missed. So yeah, I felt
like the Hurricanes were often it was only the second
half really when they pore on the bench. Guys like
Duslee Carefi made a big difference the impact there, and
finally they started to really break through the defense. Jordi Barrett,
I suffer our more. Brandon You'll see like some of
(08:25):
these guys starting to break and bend the line. So
they got there eventually, but I wasn't overly impressed by it.
And when you do compare it to the Chiefs and
to a lesser extent, the Blues felt like those teams
were going up a notch and maybe the Hurricanes came
back one, so there is a bit of work ahead
of them.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I think this week, Yeah, Bega against the Chiefs. I
come Saturday afternoon. I guess the Rebels. We saw glimpses
from them in that game on the weekend, and we
saw in the stands and after the game as well,
plenty of emotion that they're run in Super Rugby has
come to end, which we obviously suspected it would in
that game against the Hurricanes. So end of veneera for
(09:05):
Australian rugby and for some of those Rebels players, And obviously,
you know, some of them will find other teams, some
of them won't, and it's a sort of tricky moment
for for rugby and Australia. But ultimately it was always
going to be a tricky ask for them coming to
the Capitol.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Yeah, I guess on the whole it's sad for the Rebels,
isn't it. You don't want players, administrators, coaching staff, there's
so many people that are involved in the organization like
that to go through that experience.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
But reality's hits.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Australia does not have the financial or player depth resource
to sustain five teams and unfortunately the Rebels Rebels have
copped the brunt of that.
Speaker 5 (09:48):
But it was very very evident, wasn't it.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
In the in the coaching box and the postmatch interviews
looked like there was you know a lot of tears
and I'm sure a lot of heartfelt messages and speeches
behind closed doors as well. So yeah, very sad and
I guess interesting to see where all those players to
end up. Ultimately, it should strengthen the Australian rugby by
(10:14):
distributing the players better. Maybe the Force don't have to
call in so many you know, aging veterans.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
New Zealanders, that's right.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
And you know the Wartars were a basket case this year.
They could do with, you know, bolstering again.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
And I don't know.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I look at a guy like Carter Gordon and he's
just gone backwards in a massive way. And that's not
an indictment on the rebels. I think that's an indictment
on what Eddie Jones did and rushing a guy, throwing
him in the deep end, not backing him. And Australian
rugby has been guilty of that of ruining players from
a player development perspective. So hopefully somebody can get hold
(10:53):
of guys like Carter Gordon and really build them up again,
because he has a talent, but he looks he looked
a wee bit lost at times.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yeah, it was a bit of chat that he might
end up at the war Tars, I think, or maybe
the NRL. So you hope he's not lost it to
Rugby Union. A kind of player like we've seen he
potentially can be. Saturday night saw the Blues and the
Drawer and a comfortable win for the Blues in the end,
taking a victory. We've talked a lot on this pod
(11:22):
about the Drawer and their troubles traveling, and the Blues
just did what they needed to do in the first half.
Wobbly maybe opening second when the Drawer got on the board,
but by and large, Blues will be relatively happy with that.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, they will. They shut the dur out.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I thought they were very technically astute that the blueprint
by now as well set with the Dura that you
don't allow them time and space, you don't play into
their style of rugby, and the.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
Blues were on top that.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
They crushed the Duris scrum in particular, and Harry Plummer
pulled the strings, plugged the corners.
Speaker 5 (11:59):
They played terator.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I think it was something like eighty percent territory to
the Blues in the first half, so they're completely dominant.
The game was done by half time and then the
Blues clocked off, and that can happen when you build
up a lead. We probably saw a wee bit of
that from the Chiefs as well. But on the whole,
the Blues their home record. I think the sixteen won
(12:22):
their last sixteen games at Eden Park. The Crusaders are
the only team to beat them at Eden Park in
the past four years. And on the flip side, the Dura,
I think they've now lost their last sixteen away matches.
So you're not going to be a genuine force and
super rugby if you can't address those roadbos. And it
does speak to I guess how good they are in Laotoka,
(12:46):
but you have to be able to win away from home,
just somehow, some way. They need to find the inability
to do that.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah, it's the big task for Glen Jackson ahead next year,
isn't it. The Blues actually below get the bit more
definitely the Blues. That the drawer got base to twenty
two five in the second spell and then they took
a penalty shot at goal was bizarre. When they were
trying to put the Blues under pressure. I mean there
was a chance to try and get into the corners
and put the Blues under some real heat. They missed
the penalty go and that was probably the game right there.
(13:16):
I don't get that tacnic in the slightest.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
It didn't make any sense. I don't know what you
get out of a penalty and they missed it. Anyone
missed it. But yeah, I couldn't work that out myself
at the time. Why what notion is that I didn't
get it? Trying to achieve I guess if we go
a bit broader on the Blues. The big talking point
out of that was Patrick two polo too left the
fields midway first half knee injury. Never look comfortable, always,
(13:44):
you know, fears for how long he would be out for.
It's proven to be six seven weeks, which will not
only remove him from Super Rugby but also the All
Blacks campaign in July to Tesseainst, England and Fiji. If
there was one position that the All Blacks did not
need an injury, and it was lock. But from a
Blues perspective, how big a loss is Patrick two polo too.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
I think it's a huge loss, both in terms of
his locking ability and his playing ability, but also his leadership.
He's talismanic for the Blues, dolden bubbly. He has done
a good job in previous season standing in for put Patrick.
But Patrick has that quiet, stoic leadership that I think
some of those Blues players and really resonates with him.
(14:28):
I think he's added a lot since he's come back,
and you know, on a permanent basis this season, I think, yeah,
I think it's a real blow for the Blues because
you look at the experience that they've got in the
second row and Sam Dowry has been around for a
few seasons now, but there's a lot of inexperienced at
super rugby level there. And when you get into play
(14:49):
footy and we've seen, you know, go back two years
with their lineout absolutely melted against the Crusaders in a
knockout game. When you don't have senior heads there that
can steady the ship, things can go a right particularly quickly. Now.
James Thompson came off the bench and did an outstanding job.
I thought on the weekend slotted him really really well.
Mcquonnoll's hopefully back this week from the concussion protocols. Josh
(15:13):
Berry has been very very good this season, but you
wouldn't say any a yet in the class of Patrick
twy Belotto. So when you're putting two players there that
are relatively experienced in a knockout game against the Brumby's
who set pieces as one of their real strengths. I
think that is a real worry for them. And you know,
(15:35):
I think the Blues are still going is relatively comfortable
favorites for this game, but I think it is a
big loss for them.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
It's a good point you make about playoffs because playoffs
finals are a different beast and no one knows that
more than the Blues. The past two years they've come
a cropper in the semi finals in the final and
you do need that leadership and experience and composure and
that's when it's most vital. And the other point is
(16:02):
too Below too has been one of the blues best
ball carriers this year. You go back to that Crusader's
loss and and he's steaming onto the ball, making ten
to fifteen meters at a time. And now that Blues
pack doesn't lack ball carriers. Akirajuana offer toing a fuss,
They've Dalton, Popo Lee, you know, the list goes on there.
But Patrick has been one of their best and the
(16:22):
Blues full pack is their strength, and so it is
a big loss from that perspective as well, and I
don't see them being able to replace that.
Speaker 5 (16:31):
You know, Sam Darry is.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
A very valuable lineouts weapon till he's growing into his
body starting to fill out, but he's not that ball
carrying presence that too plow to us and I don't
know if anyone rivals him. So they're not going to
be able to replace him at all, really, are there? No?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Not. It's a big challenge for this week for the
Blues against the Brumbies because you think back two years
ago they almost lost to them at Eden Park. The
week before they lost to the Crusaders in the final,
and we haven't really seen the Blues deliver that player
performance yet against you know a team. You know. Last
year they comforty won the first round, got into the semifinals,
(17:15):
were absolutely dealt to by the Crusaders. Previous year they
got past the Brumbies in the semi final, they lost
to the Crusaders. Now, the big bad wolf from the
Crusaders aren't there this year, but I think there's still
a question mark over the Blues and their ability to
deliver it in knockout teams. Yes, a lot's changed and
coaches have changed and coming gone, but I still think
that bulk of those players were there in twenty three,
twenty two, not counting Super Rugby trans Tasman because it
(17:39):
doesn't count. But I think there's still a bit of
a point to prove for the Blues and Playoff Rugby.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
There is there is, there's a lot for them to prove.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
There's the weight of history and expectation, and those past
finals failings will weigh on a lot of these players
who have been there through that run.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
The only thing I would say is I.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Think the Brumbies are a very different team away from Canberra.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
I think they are quite limited.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
They struggled to away the Highlanders, and if the Blues
are firmly in the box seat, because if you were
picking a semi final opponent, you're sure as hell wouldn't
pick the Chiefs over the Brumbies.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
No quite right, Well, let's get into that Brumbies Highlanders game,
because for a point the Highlanders were on top. I
thought in that game there were sixteen to ten up
just before halftime and then one trouble before halftime, a
couple shortly after halftime, including a magic try from Andy
Mulehead which was outstanding, and the game was gone. And
(18:42):
that is the Highlanders in a nutshell. They can hang
with teams some long periods of time, but they just don't,
i think, have the points in them to really put
pressure on you know, the top four teams in this competition.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
It was a very underwhelming second half, wasn't it. From
the Hunters.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
They competed well, They were right in the fight and
they made the most of their chances in that first enough.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
You know, credit to the Brumbies defense.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
They defended very well, but it did feel like Behinda's
attack was limited. They they lack some real game breakers.
It seemed very predictable one out running. They didn't really
challenge that the Brumbies on any sort of you know,
down the short side switch moves.
Speaker 5 (19:30):
They tried a couple of grubbers.
Speaker 4 (19:31):
And chips and behind that didn't really come off, but
it just all looked a bit pedestrian and when they
really needed something, they didn't know quite where to turn.
And you know, to be fair, look at the squad
to a degree, what can you expect out of that team?
It was always going to be a huge ass going
to camera, but yeah, it was. They did fold very
(19:56):
quickly and it was a pretty tough watch that second half.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yeah, they just yeah, you're right, they folded and they
were there right in the game and created Bumbies. They
clearly went up a notch and after halftime I thought
they boss the game very very well. But it just
felt a Herd has had no answer for that, and
that's a strategic weakness there that they couldn't respond to
(20:20):
to the kind of pressure that the Brumbies role to
put on them.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Yeah, and the bench again, when you when you talk
depth and squad quality, they didn't get a lot of
payoff the bench, so you know, guys like Billy Harmon
are going to be a big loss trying to replace
those sort of those sort of figures. Recruitment becomes massive
for the haidas can they pick up a few guys
that are on the fringe of other New Zealand teams
and polish a few gyms and get some real X
(20:43):
factor into that team. Losing you know, someone like Tavia
Tavanaa has been huge for them from a game breaking perspective,
but they need a few more they do.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Right, Let's take a break here on rugby direct get
back into the final four after this.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans,
Cower Babies Talk.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
You're back with Rugby Direct, powered by Habits, Health, tackling
ors and pain from sport and work. Let's get into
our final four on the podcast. We alluded it to
alluded to it in the first half of the podcast,
the news that Patrick typot out for six to seven
weeks which rules him out of the All Blacks two
Tests against England, one against fi g Now I think
(21:34):
we can all agree that he would have been the
starter for the two tests against England alongside Scott Barrett.
Scott Barrett also didn't finish the Super Rugby season fit,
so with that in mind, let's assume Scott Barrett is
fit though for the tests against England. But who are
your four locks for that two test years against England,
one against fijim or.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Two pervised A lot low, pun intended and he went
up significant gear last weekend for the Chiefs, So Scott
Robson will be pleased to see that. But it's fair
to say probably broke out cold sweat with Patrick two
blowto went down because the State of New Zealand Rugby's
(22:13):
depth at Locke is not good Fabian Hollands is I
think we're degree of bolter on all black, but he's
not eligible.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Yeah, get do you try and go and get a
dispensation on that?
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Well they did that with Filal, didn't they And it
was a similar case.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
The school years, which are the hold up there. I
don't know why they don't count. I've never quite been
able to figure out why schooling news don't count for residency,
especially if you are a permanent, if you're if you've
gone to school in that country for a number of years.
I don't get why they don't count. So yes, you
just skip Billbom on the phone and.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
Another will rug big quirk, But yeah, maybe they go
down that route for later in the year. Perhaps you
certainly want him and the max name Fabian. He looks
like he's starting to really come of age, but as
it stands, he's not eligible. Do you send a SOS
to Sam Whitelocke, who would need dispensation having just finished
(23:09):
playing well as his career, scored at a trial with his
last touch of the ball for Poe in France. Maybe
maybe not, but let's just talk about who's available. Sam
Darry for me leads the queue he's been sidelined for
I think two weeks with concussion, but he's a guy
(23:30):
that's growing into his body.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
If he runs fit.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
He's probably not quite there yet, but for me is
the next best guy he could.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Do a role.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
He's physically probably not where he needs to be, but
getting pretty close. He's a line our assets and yeah,
he's performing well. I say a walker Lea Weddy has
done perform well in patches I think for the Hurricanes
this year and he's been around for five six years
of super rugby. Quentin Stranger is another one. Josh Lord
(24:06):
would be there. He's played a couple of tests. I
think back to he started against the Pumas in Argentina
and perform really well in that game. He's got the size,
the physical attributes, but he's only played three games and
barely cited him. So is he fit? Is he available
at this stage? Would say probably not so long for me.
I would go Sam Darry as a third guy, and
(24:30):
I'd actually go Monarchy Selby Rickett purely for his physical
attributes I think ball carrying, defense, but he can't even
make the Chiefs twenty three at this stage. So Cooy
is another one who I haven't mentioned, So for me,
I'm going Sam Darry Monarchy, Selby Rickett, who you got yep.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
So let's say Barred and Tubo Vai are going to
be there. I actually am going to go and Iell Koya.
Like his body of worker, like what he's able to
do both aerially but also in the grub work and carrying.
I think he's a very very good player for the Chiefs,
so I would have him there, and I think I
would probably. I think I've got Caleb Delaney in all
(25:12):
honesty over over the Walker Lear Weddy W'd be tossing
up between them. So Sam Dearry just misses out for me.
I think I still want to see a bit more
from from Sam Dewry. I think he can get there,
but I don't think he's quite there years so y
I go, I Coley and in Caleb Delaney, I was.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
I'm very pleased that you've taken off your cannibury eye
pitch because I can see Scott Robertson picking quintin strange.
Speaker 5 (25:39):
He's a guy that's been on the CUSP.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
In previous years, but for me, he's been very underwhelming
this season, and you know, can Tebbs love can Tebbs.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
He's a he's a Marco's playmate. He's yeah, he's made
too many errors for me quintin strange this year. He
is the obvious one against the Brumbies, But even in
that last game against my Wida Pacific, I thought he
had ridig game into the blues a weit part of that,
but mine Pacific. He's made a couple of eras that
I just you know aren't test standard. But the fact
(26:09):
that we've come up with about six different players there
and selected a couple suggest that that is wide open.
And I don't know which way Scott Robinson's probably going
to go.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
Neither of them are really compelling.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
No, they're not compelling, And that point do you go
back and go, okay, say, and you sort of turned
us down or whether that was overlying the first place,
I don't know the whole SOS sort of thing. But
do you go give us two tests against England at
home and then we'll let you go into retirement.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
The only other scenario we haven't talked about is do
you get creative and look at a guy like Summer
Penny female who's not tall enough to be a starting
test Lock, but has started a lot for the Chiefs
and has that versatility. So does Scott Robertson look at
the versatility of his loose forwards and look to get
(26:59):
a bit creative and pack a guy that can cover
rather than be an out and out Lock and some
pick someone who's maybe not ready yet.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Quite possibly sent Cameron saw four out of the Blues
as well cover both Locke and second and flanker as well.
Maybe another player like him here. He's obviously gone through
his health issues at the moments, but he's been another
player for the Blues over the last couple of seasons.
But looking at all those names as you go, there
is a real depth issue at lock in New Zealand currently.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Yeah, big time and let's be real about this.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
England are extremely proficient, one of the best in the
world teams from a set piece perspective. There line out
they're more they're scrum. But let's not underestimate the power
that Locke generates.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
In a scrum as well. So it's only one example.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
But when the Albat's got too cute and started Juram
Caino at Locke, they lost for the first time against
Island in Chicago, So it is a very specialist role
and you do need to get it right.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Yep. There are some players coming through as well. I
mean you just mentioned Sam Derry. You know, Fabian Hind
when he's eligible. Jamie Henner out of the Crusaders at
Gallagher is another one. There are players coming through, but
are clearly not there at this point in time.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
Yeah, whispers that Robinson does like Jamie Hannah. So I
wouldn't rule out a complete bolter. But we will wait
and see. We will next week. Incidentally, we will reselect
those squads that we did a few weeks back and
see when we land. Knowing that there is going to
be a thirty two man squad, I think we slip
at thirty three if I recall rightly. So someone's going
(28:37):
to go. We'll see who. Question Number two Kira Yoani
announcing that he is off after the season to go
play in Japan. Now a bit of confusion online used today,
sueducing that a Kira was eligible for Japan because he
was born in Tokyo, and now appears that he was
not born in Tokyo, which has been a popular, well
now myth spread for a number of years.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
Don't trust Wikipedia.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
He no All Blacks dot Com apparently, which also says that,
but how much of a loss is it for the
Blues and New Zealand Rugby loser a kid of you
on what.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Is a loss?
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Yeah, Akira is an exceptional athlete and has been a
proven performer for the Blues. I guess he has also
been struggled to consistently produce his best and fulfill his
physical gifts, I think is a good way to describe it.
(29:31):
But he has matured in recent years and I think
he is a big loss for the Blues, although they
do have a lot of depth throughout their loose forwards.
You know, Adrian Choates and Anton signa but very different profile,
aren't they of athlete? I think at this stage of
his career it makes a lot of sense. He's not
(29:52):
banging down the All Black store and he's just had
a young kids going to Japan to set himself up.
It's a move at the stage that makes a lot
of sense. But he is a real asset for the Blues.
He is.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Yeah. I just always felt like he was poised and
ready to really take his go into another level. And
I don't know that we ever saw that from him
at both All Black level and Blues certainly we saw
it from in a number of times, but the All
Blacks level, it just never felt like he quite arrived
at test level like he promised, like he was we
thought he was capable of. So that's always the you know,
(30:26):
the unfortunate thing that he perhaps didn't realize his test potential.
But there's a variety of reasons potentially for that, and
maybe he'll find it another team.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
Yeah, I think he looked really good at times against
teams like Australia where he could get to the edge
and use his ball playing capabilities and you know, time
and space. But if you can't compare him as like
for like, for what Shannon Frazel did against the likes
of the spring Box, that's what you want. That's the
prototype for the All Blacks what they want out of
(30:58):
their six and a Kira probably never delivered that on
a consistent basis.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
All right grade the Highland is Super Rugby season out
of ten.
Speaker 4 (31:07):
Look, it's a pass mark for making the finals. So
I'm going to say they hadn't done that certainly last year,
so they improved, but I'd struggle to go any higher
than a five to be honest.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
Tough market to sex because, as we mentioned, that roster
didn't look like it was playoff material necessarily. There's a
lot of promising players in that Highlanders team Fabe Holland
for one Cambiller, they got a couple of really good
hookers as well, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell, which who looked promising. Sure,
(31:39):
and whether he's a real problem within yep, so there
was some promising. Jacob after Vookie Nipkins was a goodbye.
I'm giving them a sex out of ten. It's probably
fair generous marking. Maybe I don't know. And topic number
four super uggy plus formats abound. What's the right step
for next season? Now? I know once you finished recording
last week, Liam, you're working the phones and you came
(32:01):
up with a few word on the street that we're
looking at maybe a sixteen playoff for next season, or
even Team Plow from an eleven team competition. Now that
would be slightly ridiculous, but so six teams, top two
would get the week off three B six four plaz five,
Top seven top team gets the week off two plays seven,
(32:24):
three plays fire six four plays five. What's your favorite?
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Yeah, So the seventeen formats the NFL for our American
sport followers out there. But and I guess the quirk
here is Super Rugby Commission wants the top six, but
they are a figurehead organization to a degree, with New
Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia still having the final say
(32:51):
on these things around the what goes in the competition,
So look, I would expect. I heard Evan Lee at
a Hurricanes media session I think yesterday came out and
supported the sixteen format. I think by and large most
people want that because it bring a more elite caveat
to the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
Which is desperately needed, isn't it. Let's be honest.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
The Rebels made it this year having lost their last
six games of the season, which is just absurd.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
It needs to be.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
You know, you need to reward the teams that finished
top first and foremost, so the six team does that
gives the first two teams the week off, and I
think six from eleven is fine. Seven from eleven it's
pretty similar to eight from twelve, isn't it? Like? You
need to make this an elite professional competition and the
current player format does not do that.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I don't think it does. Yeah, I don't even think
the top six does that. To be honest, I think
we're currently in the spot where when you've got a
top eight of twelve making it most of the regular season,
do I say it is a waste of time because
most of the four teams are dropping out. You're limiting
four teams at the end. It doesn't really get to
(34:05):
the point to end until write to the end of
The Crusaders are ride in it until the last minute
of the season, when really they had no right to be.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
When we saw that this weekend just gone with the Dura,
the Rebels, you know the Reds, you know the Dura and.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
Rebels they can and fodder.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Yeah, well see, could you go back to a top
four that was the originally as a Super twelve, it
was the top four. Maybe you have teams that are
out of it weeks, but you know, weeks before the playoffs.
But that is elite.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Well one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
And the only reason we have a bloated playoff format
is because broadcasters want more matches. Teams want more playoff
games because they are the make or break of their
balance sheets for the years, and they want to try
and guarantee an Australian presence in the playoff. Those are
the only three residents and it does severely compromise your
(34:55):
ability to market your competition as as being a genuine
elite level.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
Bring back the conferences right, let's get into our tipping competition.
My on the Reds in the Highland has failed to
come through. Liam, you went four to four, so you're
letting sixty three forty five. That gap is just far
too big.
Speaker 4 (35:16):
Quite frankly, if only my tab balance was reflective of this.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Blues Brombi's Friday Night Live on Gold Sword and iHeart Radio.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
I was gonna say, Blues Mona, that's not correct, is it.
Look I think the Blues get that done and I
think they will probably get it done pretty comfortably.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
And then Hurricanes Chiefs four thirty five Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Well, there's two reasons they're going to tip this way.
Speaker 4 (35:39):
One is because of their respective quarter final performances and
two because when I doubt the Hurricanes, they win.
Speaker 5 (35:45):
So I'm going to tip the chief to the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (35:48):
I'm going to Hurricanes. Mate, that's ridiculous. I've been played.
McMillan did say it's going to turn profit. Yeah, he
did say after the round robin game end of Super
Rugby that you'd see everyone back there in three weeks
for the Blues and Chiefs final Eden Park. Yeah, maybe
maybe it will happen. Sadly, the Chiefs drawer final can
(36:08):
no longer happen. MVP voting Hoskins to Tutu on eighteen points,
Billy Procter on nine, Cam Meller, Fletcher Newell and a
Suffer are more all on seven. Who gets your points
this weekly?
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Angeline and Brown produced his best performance of the season
for the Chiefs, so he gets my three. Dalton Papolli
really stepped up in Patrick Tuopolochu's absence, both both sides
of the ball.
Speaker 5 (36:33):
He was huge, So two for him, and I.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Was quite impressed with Jordi Barrett's just as real intent
on defense and ball in hands put a lot of aggression,
So he gets my one.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
I'm going three for Dolton papal two to Anton and
Brown one to a B. I thought all three really
stood out, and look at those players there not home
seeing the team's rise to the crop was saying that
the All Blacks rise to the top in terms of
they're playing that big playoff rugby that we want to see,
aren't we.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
That's right, know how no to step up, how to
step up when it matters most? And I think you'll
see that over the coming weeks as well.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
Yeah, and speaking of will step up when it matters most?
Next week, that's right, Bring it home big podcast next
week ahead of the final, a couple of special guests
in the offering potentially, and we're also gonna redraft and
refigure out those all black squads that are gonna be
named on the twenty fourth of June.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
The players, you can sense the nerves.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Now, yeah, I mean you know there's one they want
to make Scott Robertson squad, but so they want to
make the Rugby.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Direct squad point the end of the year. It really
is bring your best form.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
All right Rugby directs once again with Habit Heath, tackling
all your aches and pains from sport and work. Book
online at habit dot health to see a physio and
get back in the game faster. We will see you
next Monday and thanks to Lasting Bars English shares.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Always for more from News Talks 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 EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on Iheartradiot.
Inside the Game from every angle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith, powered by news Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Welcome into Rugby Directs powered by Habit Health, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and workbook online at
habit dot Health to see a physio and get back
in the game fast. We have our semi finalists in
Super Rugby Elliott Smith, Liam Apierre back with you as
always on Rugby Direct. Not upsets from the semi quarterfinal weekends.
(00:46):
But I think what we saw of the weekend was
the cream rising to the top in Super Rugby and
some of the pretenders got left behind, by which I
mean the Reds, who I thought we're going to really
come over and try and check the tray against the Chiefs,
but they just were blown off the park early by
the Chiefs. But look, I don't know if it was
(01:08):
overly intriguing quarter final weekend, but what we saw, as
I said Leam, was the quality rising to the top.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I think it was a bit of an indictment on
the playoffs wasn't it just the predictability of it, the
blowout nature. The closest margin was sixteen points in the
Highlander's Brumbies match, and like you say, all the other
matches were done insides, you know, twenty minutes to a degree,
(01:35):
and yeah, you did see the cream rising. And when
you look at the Chiefs in particular, had staggered through
the year largely or underwhelmed and really turned it on
now when it mattered most. So look, I think it
does highlight the folly of the playoff format, which you
know we'll come to later in the pods. But yeah,
(01:57):
pretty underwhelming, very hard to get overly enthused about the quarterfinals.
And it is a bit of a frustration because when
you look at a wider context of quarterfinals and tournament rugby,
it's actually often the best rugby that you see because
as the tournaments progress, things to get tighter and more tense,
(02:19):
and you've got four of you should have eight of
the best teams theoretically in the tournament competing. So you
look back to last year's World Cut for an example,
while that was exposed the folly of the draw doing
that far out that stage of the tournament produced the
best rugby and that's what super rugby needs to aspire to.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
It certainly does. See let's get into that first game
Chiefs Reds Friday night, because this one last week appeared
to me not necessarily a toss up, but certainly you
could see the Reds really pushing the Chiefs and maybe
if things went that way, getting a victory. But they
were blind off the park early. The game was done
pretty early on disappointing from the Reds. But at the
same time I thought it was a very good performance
(02:59):
from the Chiefs. And I saw a headline yesterday saying
have we been sleeping on the Chiefs? I don't think
that was accurate. The Chiefs have been sleeping on the
comp now they've got into the position where they're in
the final four and ready potentially to cause some habit.
But I thought that was easily the best performance of
the season and the peaking perhaps at the right time.
We just hadn't seen it through the round robin stages.
(03:20):
It's what been waiting all year for from the chief
isn't it. At the start of the year, you looked
at this squad on paper, the best squad in the competition.
They had continuity largely that yes they'd lost Retallic and
Webber and you know sam Kin, but they had strength
and depth. They had continuity of their coaching team that
you know, sometimes you have to lose a final to
(03:41):
win one. They were largely the best team in Super
rugby last year. The bulk of that squad comes back,
you know, guys like McKenzie and Shawn Stephenson. From a
playmaking perspective, they finally are starting to produce that's a
really lethal playmaking combination.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
And they were really settled. You know, they've got guys monarchy.
Selby Rickett can't even make the match day twenty three,
so that speaks to their depth. But they had underwhelmed
for whatever reason this year, very patchy form struggled to
nail down their starting squads. You know, they're bringing quint
(04:22):
to Pyra off the bench. Another guy is bolted on
all black and you know years gone by, so this
is what we've been waiting for.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
And yeah, it does look like.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
You know, maybe I don't know if you go as
far as that's been a cunning plan from claim McMillan.
I'm sure he wanted them to perform better, but they
really really impressed when it mattered, didn't.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
They They did, And look they've been feeling inside the
Chiefs that they peaked to early last year and didn't
quite get the playoff run right. Well, maybe they'll do
it this year coming from fourth and get it through
that way. Obviously begame to come against the Hurricanes this weekend,
but we'll touch on that very shortly. I guess the
thing about the Chiefs is that can they back it
(05:07):
up is the question, and they haven't done that all season.
They haven't really started mowing down teams. They haven't really
gone on a run this season. It's been hot and
it's been cold, and we haven't seen that so far
this year. So the challenge is where the Clayton McMillan
and the coaching staff can get them up for another
game this week and another game if they call high
(05:28):
the week after and go bang bang bang. Not saying
it can't happen, but we haven't seen that evidence from
the Chiefs. So it's all very well blitzing the Reds, who,
as I said, we're disappointing, but you've got to back
it up this week. Just on the Reds, as I said,
that game wasn't necessarily a toss up, but it was
one where you could see the Reds maybe pushing the
Chiefs to the limit. That don't against a lot of
(05:48):
key sides this season, including being the Chiefs in the
regular season. But they just didn't didn't really turn up
in Hamilton. It's very disappointing, very disappointing.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
And have been impressed by the Reds and less Kiss
and what they've done this year. But I don't know,
maybe it's a mental thing coming to New Zealand's Australian
teams and playoffs, so I think now seventeen and oh
in Super Rugby history and they were just stunned early
and couldn't recover the pace intensity that the Chiefs brought
(06:19):
to that contest. You know, yes, the Reds came back
in the second half, but the game's gone by then
and yeah, you might as well pack your bags and
head home. So that should have been the most was
the most highly anticipated four v five quarter final, and
the Reds didn't really come to the party at all.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
No, they didn't. Let's move on for Saturday afternoon, the
Hurricanes and the Rebels. The Hurricanes winning this one comfortably
in the end. It was a bit of an arm
wrestle for the first half hour or thereabouts, but they
just managed to break the back of the Rebels late
in the first spell set up the victory which they
went on with in the second half. Wasn't the best
Hurricanes performance of the season, but play footy. They got
(06:58):
the job done and got it done comfortably. Perhaps I've
been too harsh to a critic that they did struggle
to put the Rebels away for a wee bit, but
I guess there was a bit of a motion around
the Rebels performance and their first and last playoff game.
But job done from the Hurricanes and that we've got
a rise to another level this week into Chiefs. What
do you make of it?
Speaker 4 (07:18):
I thought the Hurricanes made really hard work of it,
and you know, maybe it's discrediting the Rebels, and like
you say that there was a lot of emotion around
that been their their final game, and you know, playing
for that sort of cause can be inspirational. But there
was a lot of eras execute basic execution eras from
(07:41):
the Hurricanes. Britt Cameron kicking out on the fall at
various points, They're handling their their moves that had been
so set moves that in the back line that had
been so slick this year. I thought they really missed
Ruben love absence at the back. Harry Godfrey was good,
but Ruben Love has been exceptional this year. His injection
(08:03):
into the back line was missed. So yeah, I felt
like the Hurricanes were often it was only the second
half really when they pore on the bench. Guys like
Duslee Carefi made a big difference the impact there, and
finally they started to really break through the defense. Jordi Barrett,
I suffer our more. Brandon You'll see like some of
(08:25):
these guys starting to break and bend the line. So
they got there eventually, but I wasn't overly impressed by it.
And when you do compare it to the Chiefs and
to a lesser extent, the Blues felt like those teams
were going up a notch and maybe the Hurricanes came
back one, so there is a bit of work ahead
of them.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I think this week, Yeah, Bega against the Chiefs. I
come Saturday afternoon. I guess the Rebels. We saw glimpses
from them in that game on the weekend, and we
saw in the stands and after the game as well,
plenty of emotion that they're run in Super Rugby has
come to end, which we obviously suspected it would in
that game against the Hurricanes. So end of veneera for
(09:05):
Australian rugby and for some of those Rebels players, And obviously,
you know, some of them will find other teams, some
of them won't, and it's a sort of tricky moment
for for rugby and Australia. But ultimately it was always
going to be a tricky ask for them coming to
the Capitol.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Yeah, I guess on the whole it's sad for the Rebels,
isn't it. You don't want players, administrators, coaching staff, there's
so many people that are involved in the organization like
that to go through that experience.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
But reality's hits.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Australia does not have the financial or player depth resource
to sustain five teams and unfortunately the Rebels Rebels have
copped the brunt of that.
Speaker 5 (09:48):
But it was very very evident, wasn't it.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
In the in the coaching box and the postmatch interviews
looked like there was you know a lot of tears
and I'm sure a lot of heartfelt messages and speeches
behind closed doors as well. So yeah, very sad and
I guess interesting to see where all those players to
end up. Ultimately, it should strengthen the Australian rugby by
(10:14):
distributing the players better. Maybe the Force don't have to
call in so many you know, aging veterans.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
New Zealanders, that's right.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
And you know the Wartars were a basket case this year.
They could do with, you know, bolstering again.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
And I don't know.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I look at a guy like Carter Gordon and he's
just gone backwards in a massive way. And that's not
an indictment on the rebels. I think that's an indictment
on what Eddie Jones did and rushing a guy, throwing
him in the deep end, not backing him. And Australian
rugby has been guilty of that of ruining players from
a player development perspective. So hopefully somebody can get hold
(10:53):
of guys like Carter Gordon and really build them up again,
because he has a talent, but he looks he looked
a wee bit lost at times.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yeah, it was a bit of chat that he might
end up at the war Tars, I think, or maybe
the NRL. So you hope he's not lost it to
Rugby Union. A kind of player like we've seen he
potentially can be. Saturday night saw the Blues and the
Drawer and a comfortable win for the Blues in the end,
taking a victory. We've talked a lot on this pod
(11:22):
about the Drawer and their troubles traveling, and the Blues
just did what they needed to do in the first half.
Wobbly maybe opening second when the Drawer got on the board,
but by and large, Blues will be relatively happy with that.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, they will. They shut the dur out.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I thought they were very technically astute that the blueprint
by now as well set with the Dura that you
don't allow them time and space, you don't play into
their style of rugby, and the.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
Blues were on top that.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
They crushed the Duris scrum in particular, and Harry Plummer
pulled the strings, plugged the corners.
Speaker 5 (11:59):
They played terator.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I think it was something like eighty percent territory to
the Blues in the first half, so they're completely dominant.
The game was done by half time and then the
Blues clocked off, and that can happen when you build
up a lead. We probably saw a wee bit of
that from the Chiefs as well. But on the whole,
the Blues their home record. I think the sixteen won
(12:22):
their last sixteen games at Eden Park. The Crusaders are
the only team to beat them at Eden Park in
the past four years. And on the flip side, the Dura,
I think they've now lost their last sixteen away matches.
So you're not going to be a genuine force and
super rugby if you can't address those roadbos. And it
does speak to I guess how good they are in Laotoka,
(12:46):
but you have to be able to win away from home,
just somehow, some way. They need to find the inability
to do that.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah, it's the big task for Glen Jackson ahead next year,
isn't it. The Blues actually below get the bit more
definitely the Blues. That the drawer got base to twenty
two five in the second spell and then they took
a penalty shot at goal was bizarre. When they were
trying to put the Blues under pressure. I mean there
was a chance to try and get into the corners
and put the Blues under some real heat. They missed
the penalty go and that was probably the game right there.
(13:16):
I don't get that tacnic in the slightest.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
It didn't make any sense. I don't know what you
get out of a penalty and they missed it. Anyone
missed it. But yeah, I couldn't work that out myself
at the time. Why what notion is that I didn't
get it? Trying to achieve I guess if we go
a bit broader on the Blues. The big talking point
out of that was Patrick two polo too left the
fields midway first half knee injury. Never look comfortable, always,
(13:44):
you know, fears for how long he would be out for.
It's proven to be six seven weeks, which will not
only remove him from Super Rugby but also the All
Blacks campaign in July to Tesseainst, England and Fiji. If
there was one position that the All Blacks did not
need an injury, and it was lock. But from a
Blues perspective, how big a loss is Patrick two polo too.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
I think it's a huge loss, both in terms of
his locking ability and his playing ability, but also his leadership.
He's talismanic for the Blues, dolden bubbly. He has done
a good job in previous season standing in for put Patrick.
But Patrick has that quiet, stoic leadership that I think
some of those Blues players and really resonates with him.
(14:28):
I think he's added a lot since he's come back,
and you know, on a permanent basis this season, I think, yeah,
I think it's a real blow for the Blues because
you look at the experience that they've got in the
second row and Sam Dowry has been around for a
few seasons now, but there's a lot of inexperienced at
super rugby level there. And when you get into play
(14:49):
footy and we've seen, you know, go back two years
with their lineout absolutely melted against the Crusaders in a
knockout game. When you don't have senior heads there that
can steady the ship, things can go a right particularly quickly. Now.
James Thompson came off the bench and did an outstanding job.
I thought on the weekend slotted him really really well.
Mcquonnoll's hopefully back this week from the concussion protocols. Josh
(15:13):
Berry has been very very good this season, but you
wouldn't say any a yet in the class of Patrick
twy Belotto. So when you're putting two players there that
are relatively experienced in a knockout game against the Brumby's
who set pieces as one of their real strengths. I
think that is a real worry for them. And you know,
(15:35):
I think the Blues are still going is relatively comfortable
favorites for this game, but I think it is a
big loss for them.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
It's a good point you make about playoffs because playoffs
finals are a different beast and no one knows that
more than the Blues. The past two years they've come
a cropper in the semi finals in the final and
you do need that leadership and experience and composure and
that's when it's most vital. And the other point is
(16:02):
too Below too has been one of the blues best
ball carriers this year. You go back to that Crusader's
loss and and he's steaming onto the ball, making ten
to fifteen meters at a time. And now that Blues
pack doesn't lack ball carriers. Akirajuana offer toing a fuss,
They've Dalton, Popo Lee, you know, the list goes on there.
But Patrick has been one of their best and the
(16:22):
Blues full pack is their strength, and so it is
a big loss from that perspective as well, and I
don't see them being able to replace that.
Speaker 5 (16:31):
You know, Sam Darry is.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
A very valuable lineouts weapon till he's growing into his
body starting to fill out, but he's not that ball
carrying presence that too plow to us and I don't
know if anyone rivals him. So they're not going to
be able to replace him at all, really, are there? No?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Not. It's a big challenge for this week for the
Blues against the Brumbies because you think back two years
ago they almost lost to them at Eden Park. The
week before they lost to the Crusaders in the final,
and we haven't really seen the Blues deliver that player
performance yet against you know a team. You know. Last
year they comforty won the first round, got into the semifinals,
(17:15):
were absolutely dealt to by the Crusaders. Previous year they
got past the Brumbies in the semi final, they lost
to the Crusaders. Now, the big bad wolf from the
Crusaders aren't there this year, but I think there's still
a question mark over the Blues and their ability to
deliver it in knockout teams. Yes, a lot's changed and
coaches have changed and coming gone, but I still think
that bulk of those players were there in twenty three,
twenty two, not counting Super Rugby trans Tasman because it
(17:39):
doesn't count. But I think there's still a bit of
a point to prove for the Blues and Playoff Rugby.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
There is there is, there's a lot for them to prove.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
There's the weight of history and expectation, and those past
finals failings will weigh on a lot of these players
who have been there through that run.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
The only thing I would say is I.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Think the Brumbies are a very different team away from Canberra.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
I think they are quite limited.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
They struggled to away the Highlanders, and if the Blues
are firmly in the box seat, because if you were
picking a semi final opponent, you're sure as hell wouldn't
pick the Chiefs over the Brumbies.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
No quite right, Well, let's get into that Brumbies Highlanders game,
because for a point the Highlanders were on top. I
thought in that game there were sixteen to ten up
just before halftime and then one trouble before halftime, a
couple shortly after halftime, including a magic try from Andy
Mulehead which was outstanding, and the game was gone. And
(18:42):
that is the Highlanders in a nutshell. They can hang
with teams some long periods of time, but they just don't,
i think, have the points in them to really put
pressure on you know, the top four teams in this competition.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
It was a very underwhelming second half, wasn't it. From
the Hunters.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
They competed well, They were right in the fight and
they made the most of their chances in that first enough.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
You know, credit to the Brumbies defense.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
They defended very well, but it did feel like Behinda's
attack was limited. They they lack some real game breakers.
It seemed very predictable one out running. They didn't really
challenge that the Brumbies on any sort of you know,
down the short side switch moves.
Speaker 5 (19:30):
They tried a couple of grubbers.
Speaker 4 (19:31):
And chips and behind that didn't really come off, but
it just all looked a bit pedestrian and when they
really needed something, they didn't know quite where to turn.
And you know, to be fair, look at the squad
to a degree, what can you expect out of that team?
It was always going to be a huge ass going
to camera, but yeah, it was. They did fold very
(19:56):
quickly and it was a pretty tough watch that second half.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yeah, they just yeah, you're right, they folded and they
were there right in the game and created Bumbies. They
clearly went up a notch and after halftime I thought
they boss the game very very well. But it just
felt a Herd has had no answer for that, and
that's a strategic weakness there that they couldn't respond to
(20:20):
to the kind of pressure that the Brumbies role to
put on them.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
Yeah, and the bench again, when you when you talk
depth and squad quality, they didn't get a lot of
payoff the bench, so you know, guys like Billy Harmon
are going to be a big loss trying to replace
those sort of those sort of figures. Recruitment becomes massive
for the haidas can they pick up a few guys
that are on the fringe of other New Zealand teams
and polish a few gyms and get some real X
(20:43):
factor into that team. Losing you know, someone like Tavia
Tavanaa has been huge for them from a game breaking perspective,
but they need a few more they do.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Right, Let's take a break here on rugby direct get
back into the final four after this.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans,
Cower Babies Talk.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
You're back with Rugby Direct, powered by Habits, Health, tackling
ors and pain from sport and work. Let's get into
our final four on the podcast. We alluded it to
alluded to it in the first half of the podcast,
the news that Patrick typot out for six to seven
weeks which rules him out of the All Blacks two
Tests against England, one against fi g Now I think
(21:34):
we can all agree that he would have been the
starter for the two tests against England alongside Scott Barrett.
Scott Barrett also didn't finish the Super Rugby season fit,
so with that in mind, let's assume Scott Barrett is
fit though for the tests against England. But who are
your four locks for that two test years against England,
one against fijim or.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Two pervised A lot low, pun intended and he went
up significant gear last weekend for the Chiefs, So Scott
Robson will be pleased to see that. But it's fair
to say probably broke out cold sweat with Patrick two
blowto went down because the State of New Zealand Rugby's
(22:13):
depth at Locke is not good Fabian Hollands is I
think we're degree of bolter on all black, but he's
not eligible.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Yeah, get do you try and go and get a
dispensation on that?
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Well they did that with Filal, didn't they And it
was a similar case.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
The school years, which are the hold up there. I
don't know why they don't count. I've never quite been
able to figure out why schooling news don't count for residency,
especially if you are a permanent, if you're if you've
gone to school in that country for a number of years.
I don't get why they don't count. So yes, you
just skip Billbom on the phone and.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
Another will rug big quirk, But yeah, maybe they go
down that route for later in the year. Perhaps you
certainly want him and the max name Fabian. He looks
like he's starting to really come of age, but as
it stands, he's not eligible. Do you send a SOS
to Sam Whitelocke, who would need dispensation having just finished
(23:09):
playing well as his career, scored at a trial with his
last touch of the ball for Poe in France. Maybe
maybe not, but let's just talk about who's available. Sam
Darry for me leads the queue he's been sidelined for
I think two weeks with concussion, but he's a guy
(23:30):
that's growing into his body.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
If he runs fit.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
He's probably not quite there yet, but for me is
the next best guy he could.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Do a role.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
He's physically probably not where he needs to be, but
getting pretty close. He's a line our assets and yeah,
he's performing well. I say a walker Lea Weddy has
done perform well in patches I think for the Hurricanes
this year and he's been around for five six years
of super rugby. Quentin Stranger is another one. Josh Lord
(24:06):
would be there. He's played a couple of tests. I
think back to he started against the Pumas in Argentina
and perform really well in that game. He's got the size,
the physical attributes, but he's only played three games and
barely cited him. So is he fit? Is he available
at this stage? Would say probably not so long for me.
I would go Sam Darry as a third guy, and
(24:30):
I'd actually go Monarchy Selby Rickett purely for his physical
attributes I think ball carrying, defense, but he can't even
make the Chiefs twenty three at this stage. So Cooy
is another one who I haven't mentioned, So for me,
I'm going Sam Darry Monarchy, Selby Rickett, who you got yep.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
So let's say Barred and Tubo Vai are going to
be there. I actually am going to go and Iell Koya.
Like his body of worker, like what he's able to
do both aerially but also in the grub work and carrying.
I think he's a very very good player for the Chiefs,
so I would have him there, and I think I
would probably. I think I've got Caleb Delaney in all
(25:12):
honesty over over the Walker Lear Weddy W'd be tossing
up between them. So Sam Dearry just misses out for me.
I think I still want to see a bit more
from from Sam Dewry. I think he can get there,
but I don't think he's quite there years so y
I go, I Coley and in Caleb Delaney, I was.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
I'm very pleased that you've taken off your cannibury eye
pitch because I can see Scott Robertson picking quintin strange.
Speaker 5 (25:39):
He's a guy that's been on the CUSP.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
In previous years, but for me, he's been very underwhelming
this season, and you know, can Tebbs love can Tebbs.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
He's a he's a Marco's playmate. He's yeah, he's made
too many errors for me quintin strange this year. He
is the obvious one against the Brumbies, But even in
that last game against my Wida Pacific, I thought he
had ridig game into the blues a weit part of that,
but mine Pacific. He's made a couple of eras that
I just you know aren't test standard. But the fact
(26:09):
that we've come up with about six different players there
and selected a couple suggest that that is wide open.
And I don't know which way Scott Robinson's probably going
to go.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
Neither of them are really compelling.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
No, they're not compelling, And that point do you go
back and go, okay, say, and you sort of turned
us down or whether that was overlying the first place,
I don't know the whole SOS sort of thing. But
do you go give us two tests against England at
home and then we'll let you go into retirement.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
The only other scenario we haven't talked about is do
you get creative and look at a guy like Summer
Penny female who's not tall enough to be a starting
test Lock, but has started a lot for the Chiefs
and has that versatility. So does Scott Robertson look at
the versatility of his loose forwards and look to get
(26:59):
a bit creative and pack a guy that can cover
rather than be an out and out Lock and some
pick someone who's maybe not ready yet.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Quite possibly sent Cameron saw four out of the Blues
as well cover both Locke and second and flanker as well.
Maybe another player like him here. He's obviously gone through
his health issues at the moments, but he's been another
player for the Blues over the last couple of seasons.
But looking at all those names as you go, there
is a real depth issue at lock in New Zealand currently.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Yeah, big time and let's be real about this.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
England are extremely proficient, one of the best in the
world teams from a set piece perspective. There line out
they're more they're scrum. But let's not underestimate the power
that Locke generates.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
In a scrum as well. So it's only one example.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
But when the Albat's got too cute and started Juram
Caino at Locke, they lost for the first time against
Island in Chicago, So it is a very specialist role
and you do need to get it right.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Yep. There are some players coming through as well. I
mean you just mentioned Sam Derry. You know, Fabian Hind
when he's eligible. Jamie Henner out of the Crusaders at
Gallagher is another one. There are players coming through, but
are clearly not there at this point in time.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
Yeah, whispers that Robinson does like Jamie Hannah. So I
wouldn't rule out a complete bolter. But we will wait
and see. We will next week. Incidentally, we will reselect
those squads that we did a few weeks back and
see when we land. Knowing that there is going to
be a thirty two man squad, I think we slip
at thirty three if I recall rightly. So someone's going
(28:37):
to go. We'll see who. Question Number two Kira Yoani
announcing that he is off after the season to go
play in Japan. Now a bit of confusion online used today,
sueducing that a Kira was eligible for Japan because he
was born in Tokyo, and now appears that he was
not born in Tokyo, which has been a popular, well
now myth spread for a number of years.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
Don't trust Wikipedia.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
He no All Blacks dot Com apparently, which also says that,
but how much of a loss is it for the
Blues and New Zealand Rugby loser a kid of you
on what.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
Is a loss?
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Yeah, Akira is an exceptional athlete and has been a
proven performer for the Blues. I guess he has also
been struggled to consistently produce his best and fulfill his
physical gifts, I think is a good way to describe it.
(29:31):
But he has matured in recent years and I think
he is a big loss for the Blues, although they
do have a lot of depth throughout their loose forwards.
You know, Adrian Choates and Anton signa but very different profile,
aren't they of athlete? I think at this stage of
his career it makes a lot of sense. He's not
(29:52):
banging down the All Black store and he's just had
a young kids going to Japan to set himself up.
It's a move at the stage that makes a lot
of sense. But he is a real asset for the Blues.
He is.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Yeah. I just always felt like he was poised and
ready to really take his go into another level. And
I don't know that we ever saw that from him
at both All Black level and Blues certainly we saw
it from in a number of times, but the All
Blacks level, it just never felt like he quite arrived
at test level like he promised, like he was we
thought he was capable of. So that's always the you know,
(30:26):
the unfortunate thing that he perhaps didn't realize his test potential.
But there's a variety of reasons potentially for that, and
maybe he'll find it another team.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
Yeah, I think he looked really good at times against
teams like Australia where he could get to the edge
and use his ball playing capabilities and you know, time
and space. But if you can't compare him as like
for like, for what Shannon Frazel did against the likes
of the spring Box, that's what you want. That's the
prototype for the All Blacks what they want out of
(30:58):
their six and a Kira probably never delivered that on
a consistent basis.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
All right grade the Highland is Super Rugby season out
of ten.
Speaker 4 (31:07):
Look, it's a pass mark for making the finals. So
I'm going to say they hadn't done that certainly last year,
so they improved, but I'd struggle to go any higher
than a five to be honest.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
Tough market to sex because, as we mentioned, that roster
didn't look like it was playoff material necessarily. There's a
lot of promising players in that Highlanders team Fabe Holland
for one Cambiller, they got a couple of really good
hookers as well, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell, which who looked promising. Sure,
(31:39):
and whether he's a real problem within yep, so there
was some promising. Jacob after Vookie Nipkins was a goodbye.
I'm giving them a sex out of ten. It's probably
fair generous marking. Maybe I don't know. And topic number
four super uggy plus formats abound. What's the right step
for next season? Now? I know once you finished recording
last week, Liam, you're working the phones and you came
(32:01):
up with a few word on the street that we're
looking at maybe a sixteen playoff for next season, or
even Team Plow from an eleven team competition. Now that
would be slightly ridiculous, but so six teams, top two
would get the week off three B six four plaz five,
Top seven top team gets the week off two plays seven,
(32:24):
three plays fire six four plays five. What's your favorite?
Speaker 4 (32:29):
Yeah, So the seventeen formats the NFL for our American
sport followers out there. But and I guess the quirk
here is Super Rugby Commission wants the top six, but
they are a figurehead organization to a degree, with New
Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia still having the final say
(32:51):
on these things around the what goes in the competition,
So look, I would expect. I heard Evan Lee at
a Hurricanes media session I think yesterday came out and
supported the sixteen format. I think by and large most
people want that because it bring a more elite caveat
to the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
Which is desperately needed, isn't it. Let's be honest.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
The Rebels made it this year having lost their last
six games of the season, which is just absurd.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
It needs to be.
Speaker 4 (33:23):
You know, you need to reward the teams that finished
top first and foremost, so the six team does that
gives the first two teams the week off, and I
think six from eleven is fine. Seven from eleven it's
pretty similar to eight from twelve, isn't it? Like? You
need to make this an elite professional competition and the
current player format does not do that.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I don't think it does. Yeah, I don't even think
the top six does that. To be honest, I think
we're currently in the spot where when you've got a
top eight of twelve making it most of the regular season,
do I say it is a waste of time because
most of the four teams are dropping out. You're limiting
four teams at the end. It doesn't really get to
(34:05):
the point to end until write to the end of
The Crusaders are ride in it until the last minute
of the season, when really they had no right to be.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
When we saw that this weekend just gone with the Dura,
the Rebels, you know the Reds, you know the Dura and.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
Rebels they can and fodder.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Yeah, well see, could you go back to a top
four that was the originally as a Super twelve, it
was the top four. Maybe you have teams that are
out of it weeks, but you know, weeks before the playoffs.
But that is elite.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Well one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
And the only reason we have a bloated playoff format
is because broadcasters want more matches. Teams want more playoff
games because they are the make or break of their
balance sheets for the years, and they want to try
and guarantee an Australian presence in the playoff. Those are
the only three residents and it does severely compromise your
(34:55):
ability to market your competition as as being a genuine
elite level.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
Bring back the conferences right, let's get into our tipping competition.
My on the Reds in the Highland has failed to
come through. Liam, you went four to four, so you're
letting sixty three forty five. That gap is just far
too big.
Speaker 4 (35:16):
Quite frankly, if only my tab balance was reflective of this.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Blues Brombi's Friday Night Live on Gold Sword and iHeart Radio.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
I was gonna say, Blues Mona, that's not correct, is it.
Look I think the Blues get that done and I
think they will probably get it done pretty comfortably.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
And then Hurricanes Chiefs four thirty five Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Well, there's two reasons they're going to tip this way.
Speaker 4 (35:39):
One is because of their respective quarter final performances and
two because when I doubt the Hurricanes, they win.
Speaker 5 (35:45):
So I'm going to tip the chief to the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (35:48):
I'm going to Hurricanes. Mate, that's ridiculous. I've been played.
McMillan did say it's going to turn profit. Yeah, he
did say after the round robin game end of Super
Rugby that you'd see everyone back there in three weeks
for the Blues and Chiefs final Eden Park. Yeah, maybe
maybe it will happen. Sadly, the Chiefs drawer final can
(36:08):
no longer happen. MVP voting Hoskins to Tutu on eighteen points,
Billy Procter on nine, Cam Meller, Fletcher Newell and a
Suffer are more all on seven. Who gets your points
this weekly?
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Angeline and Brown produced his best performance of the season
for the Chiefs, so he gets my three. Dalton Papolli
really stepped up in Patrick Tuopolochu's absence, both both sides
of the ball.
Speaker 5 (36:33):
He was huge, So two for him, and I.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Was quite impressed with Jordi Barrett's just as real intent
on defense and ball in hands put a lot of aggression,
So he gets my one.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
I'm going three for Dolton papal two to Anton and
Brown one to a B. I thought all three really
stood out, and look at those players there not home
seeing the team's rise to the crop was saying that
the All Blacks rise to the top in terms of
they're playing that big playoff rugby that we want to see,
aren't we.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
That's right, know how no to step up, how to
step up when it matters most? And I think you'll
see that over the coming weeks as well.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
Yeah, and speaking of will step up when it matters most?
Next week, that's right, Bring it home big podcast next
week ahead of the final, a couple of special guests
in the offering potentially, and we're also gonna redraft and
refigure out those all black squads that are gonna be
named on the twenty fourth of June.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
The players, you can sense the nerves.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Now, yeah, I mean you know there's one they want
to make Scott Robertson squad, but so they want to
make the Rugby.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Direct squad point the end of the year. It really
is bring your best form.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
All right Rugby directs once again with Habit Heath, tackling
all your aches and pains from sport and work. Book
online at habit dot health to see a physio and
get back in the game faster. We will see you
next Monday and thanks to Lasting Bars English shares.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Always for more from News Talks 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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