October 2, 2025 • 22 mins
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier are in Perth and react to the All Black and Wallabies sides named for Saturday night's Rugby Championship test in the city, as well as the latest news out of the R360 breakaway league.
Elliott and Liam also chat to All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland ahead of Saturday's match.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from Newstalks EDB. Follow this
and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, Try Try Nucket Inside the game
from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and
Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by four Klip Solutions, lifting
you and your business to a higher level, and welcome
in to Perth.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
On a stinking hot twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Degree afternoon day in Perth, Elliott Smith with me Liam Napier,
and we've got the All Blacks team and the Wallaby's
team for this weekend's second Blitterslow Cup match Rugby Championship
Test of course as well and Liam some bold calls
from the All Blacks in terms of their selection this week.
I'm sure Alliston will have seen that squad by now,
(01:09):
but what stood out to you?
Speaker 5 (01:11):
I think Scott Robinson Senior has been punctuated by conservatism
largely when it's come to selection. So I think this
selection has caught most people by surprise, particularly Quinte Pie
and Peter Luckeye. I think most people probably expected lessifying
the Nook who maybe Riekawa and he's come on the
right on the left wing with Caleb Clark injured. But
(01:35):
and the enforced injury changes make sense. But Quintepire at center, Oh,
I don't think anyone saw that coming. You mentioned to
me the fact that he's played one game at center
for the Chiefs five years ago, and so yeah, he's
been really good off the bench, strong directs, rarely got
(01:56):
the all Blacks on the front foot. He came on
last week Eden Park and played wing. But center is
another kettle of fish all together, particularly from a defensive
point of view, and particularly when you're up against the
guy like Joseph Suili.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, and I thought Billy Procter look was struggling see
him on attack, but I think we've seen him defensively wise,
he wrapped up Ikeito and saw let you really well.
Speaking to our colleague Jamie Panderm from the Daily Telegraph,
he was very impressed by what Billy Proctor was able
to do in terms of shutting those players down last week.
Now to pay who has had very little time at center,
certainly in recent years, is being asked to come and
(02:32):
do it again in a role that Proctor fulfilled well
last week. I guess on the flip side, Scott Robinson
has stuck with Proctor through a number of Test matches.
He did say that he looked a bit fatigued. He
played seven matches out of eight this year. But you
know there's one more match to go than there's a
bit of a break before the end of year tours,
so they could have stuck with him.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
They decided not to. They've gone in a different direction.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Do you think this signals perhaps the start of a
different midfield combination. We've seen Yuanni and Barrett, we've seen
now Proctor and Barrett. Potentially this is mark three of
trying to get it working under Scott Robinson.
Speaker 6 (03:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
I think it certainly shows that the All Blacks aren't
happy with their midfield. They're not getting what they want.
I think you're right that Billy's been very good defensively,
but we haven't seen enough from him on attack. He
hasn't brought that footwork, the ability to beat a man
and that notable distribution skills that we saw consistently for
the Hurricanes into the Test game. They've given him every chance.
(03:33):
I guess most people probably thought we'd see Leicester at center,
but because of Caleb Clark's injury that's come on the
left wing, so I think we will see Lester finding
a nooker at some point at center. But clearly the
All Blacks are searching for more from their midfield, aren't they.
And the All Black's attack hasn't been fluent this year.
It was probably at its best at times at Eden Park.
(03:57):
But I think Quinter Pyre's performance is there. His ability
to break tackles get over the game line. It's very powerful,
isn't it with Jordy and Quinn, But they haven't had
a line a lot of time together and I think
they will be challenged defensively.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Indeed, the interesting other selection from the run on team
that wasn't injury related as Peter Luckeye coming in at
number eight first Test start. Satiiti probably hasn't hit or
definitely I don't think he hasn't hit the heights of
what we saw last year that got him to the
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year awards and All
Blacks Player of the Year. But still a surprise to
(04:36):
me that they're gone for Luckeye. But I don't mind
them move at all. We saw him come up for
the bench last week he was able to bend a
line strong carrier. It's an opportunity for Peter Luckeye and
perhaps you know it comes a little bit of surprise,
but I mentioned to see how he goes against this
Wallaby's really big, strong pack that played really well last week.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
I think you're right in that it probably says more
about what we've seen from Wallace than what we've seen
from Peter Luckeye because Lucky played what like twenty five
twenty minutes off the bench at Eden Park and was
good last week. But I think it is a surprise
to seem injected, not only to start at at number eight,
because he's a guy that can play seven, has played
(05:16):
seven for the All Blacks. This is his first start.
I really like Peter Lucky. I don't think he was
at his best for the Hurricanes this year, but he's
one of the most dynamic, powerful ball carriers in New
Zealand rugby and I think when you take a step
back these selections. Scott robertson his thinking for this week
is maybe he's sensing sensing his squads running out of
(05:38):
juice a bit and on the back of back to
back games in Argentina back to back games against the
World champions Spring Box and then coming over to Perth
straight off the bat after Eden Park. I think we're
seeing him wanting to inject some freshness and we're seeing
that with Peter Luckeye, with Quinta Pia and a couple
(05:59):
of others. So I'm not going to sit here and
criticize him. I think it is risky because the All Blacks.
The overarching thie here is that they're trying to get
their consistency as well. They haven't put back to back
performances together, so there's a bit of upside, but there's
a lot of risk, so potentially rolling the dice. But
(06:20):
we have seen other teams, notably the Springboks, rotate throughout
this Rugby Championship, and I think the All Blacks are
potentially trying to take a bit of a leaf from
their book and find out about some players while still winning.
But it's not easy to do.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
No, it's not.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Some of those injury enforced changes as well, with Boden
Barrett dropping out, Ethan Degree dropping out, Calder Clark dropping out,
so the what's seven changes all up to the team.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
It's kind of gone under the road.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
But to Roll Lomax as well with his broken thumb,
sounds like his year may be over. Potentially he's going
to get see a specialist on Monday. So the change
but doesn't feel like change for change take necessarily. There
is a boldness to the team, but you know there
could be some answers that come in the form of
you know that to pious selection at midfield, maybe larkyet
(07:07):
number eight, that could set the All Blacks up for
that end of your tour.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Yeah, and think, as much as anything else, it's about
developing depth, developing options. You think about Peter Luckeye or
Wallace Teti could start, and Quinte Pier or Lester Faning
and Nuku could start in the midfield. They've played Billy
Procter there, Rika Wine comes back for a wee bit
of a chance off the bench. So Robertson's all about
(07:33):
this four four four, developing depth and options and creating
competition within the squad. But for me, at this point,
it's almost more important that the All Blacks win and
show some form of conviction because yeah, they want to
eat in park. Last week, but it wasn't convincing. It
was patchy. They blew a seventeen point lead in the
first half. The Wallabies came within two in the second half.
(07:56):
The Wallabies are vastly stronger, you'd argue this week with
some of the guys they're getting back there on home soil.
There's still a lot to play for the RUGBA Championship title,
so I'm a little bit surprised with that context the
amount of changes. Some of them are injury and forced.
But then again, when else do the All Blacks have
the freedom to rotate this year?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
They don't really and maybe this is the best option
that hey Bletterslow Cup safe Rugby Championship. Yes, still a possibility,
but it's probably unlikely. So while you never want to lose,
and again if they lose, it's you know, when lost,
when lost, when lost in the last six, it presents
maybe is their best option, barring maybe the Wales test
(08:38):
right at the end of the year to have a
look at some players and set themselves up for that
end of year too. You mentioned Australia, there will Skelton
back in the mix for them this week. Rob Valatini
surprisingly comes off the bench, but Hoop I thought played
very very well last week against the All Blacks and
Tain't admit at ten as well, North Harbour's finest skidding
the selection. There is this a better Wolaby's team than
(09:02):
the one last week? You just said that you think
it might be.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
On the whole, Yes, but I think the All Blacks
will target Taine at ten. I think he has some deficiencies.
He's a very attacking minded player. He will take risks.
But just like the Wallabies will send Will Skelton down
Damien McKenzie's channel, the All Blacks will do likewise detained.
So I think vastly strength and forward pack with Skelton
(09:26):
in there. He'll bring the niggle, he bring the physicality.
He will challenge the Your Blacks more, just like he
did in the British and Irish Lions series. It's a shame,
isn't it that he wasn't available for the whole of
the Rugby Championship. I think Jake Gordon coming into halfback,
you'll see the Wallaby's pepper the All Blacks back three
with high ball kicks. Slightly surprised that Nick White is
(09:47):
not involved. He's a real agitator. He's got under team's
skins in recent times but he is meant to be retired,
so they look into the future there James Slipper's last test,
Mike Cron's last test. How much does that factor into
the occasion for the Wallabies.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I think it does.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I mean James Slipper has been a consistent force in
that team for fifteen years. You know, he's been there
through some really low points for the Wallabies. He's been
there through some of the highs that they head over
the last fifteen years, you know, World Cup finals and
all that sort of thing that he's been there and
you know, I think he's what third highest all time
(10:25):
test cap number speaks to you know, what the Australians
have got out of him over eight years and real
leader captain this team at points as well. So it'll
be an emotional farewell. Don't know that it'll play too
much into proceedings necessarily, but if they weren't, then they
can obviously dedicate it to him and he goes out
(10:45):
a high in a career that has been of you know,
some real highs and some pretty unfortunate lows as well
for you know, the Wallabies during this time.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
One other thing for before we wrap up, are.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Through sixty this week supposedly got the green light to
go aheads. From a New Zealand perspective, it feels like
we're on the outside looking in on that story. It
doesn't feel like it's a really reached New Zealand too much.
Scott Robinson said today at the media conference that you
know all their best players, all the players that want
locked away. Feels like very much like an Australian England
(11:19):
story around NRL players and English rugby players potentially committing
to this venture. But it sounds like it's getting off
the ground. How do you think it's going to play internationally?
Because Will Rugby still haven't signed it off.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
I think there'll be a lot of nerves out there
from national unions, not necessarily from New Zealand's point of view.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
At this point.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
I'm hearing friends Super rugby players are perhaps interested, but
it is a big story in Australia because they're targeting
NRL players Ryan Pappenhaus and Zach Lomax. Apparently Jay Gray
from this South Sydney rabbito has been off for two
point four million. Three sixty have gone down from eight
to six teams for their original launch. But I'm hearing
(12:02):
they've got a budget per team of something like fifteen
million US, so a lot of cash to throw around.
I'm not too sure where that's coming from and where
they're going to get their players from. But look at
this point, players who go to that tournament I think
are not eligible to play test rugby. So from an
(12:22):
All Blacks point of view, I don't think they'll be
too worried, but there's certainly a watching brief and look,
if they get off the ground and they get some momentum,
I think there is a real chance that fringe All
Blacks guys not in the starting team could look to
cash out post World Cup or even pre World Cup
if they find that they're not in the mix.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, I think with New Zealand rugby we've kind of
dealt with this prior.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
Ever, you know, for rugby Australia not easier in rugby.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
For the NRL, they're a competition that is bound by
a salary cap, and so when you have clubs coming in,
organizations coming through and going we can pay you X
number of dollars, this is your absolute cap that you'll
ever get paid in the NRL, then of course it's
going to be attractive, but I think in rugby, you know,
you used to players being signed up for big money
for Japan, for France and those sort of things. For
(13:16):
Rugby Australia, look doesn't sound like they're going to give
it their seal of approval, even though or World Rugby
is also not as well, even though they said players
can be available, will be available for test windows, but
for Rugby Australia they've probably got to toe the line.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
But it could be a game changer for them.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
You know, if they can get Ryan Pappenhaus and Zach
Lomax into their selection mix for the Wallabies, they're only
playing paying assembly fees or test match fees, et cetera,
rather than having to pay the fees that are dictator
or salaries that are dictated to these players. Are three
six is looking after them. That could change the complexion
of the Wallabies overnight, if they were indeed eligible.
Speaker 5 (13:54):
I saw a clip from for War talking about Marky
Mark from the Roosters coming back to rugby union and
how they're willing to be creative. How basically that is
not going to play super rugby. Prior to playing for
the Wallabies in the twenty twenty seven home World Cup.
So what's the difference between him and a Zach Lomax,
(14:16):
who's a similar athlete, brilliant in the air, great goalkicker,
and if he's playing rugby union, why would you not
select him because you can select players from overseas. So
I think it's a very valid point. And look, the
Wallabies need the best team possible for a home World
Cup and a lot of those guys could feature very prominently.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And we've seen it before.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
We're at a home World Cup with Wendell's Sailor and
Matt Rodgers, Lottie Takiri, those guys were very much front
and center of that Wallaby's team.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
Yeah, so watch the space on that.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
But yeah, three sixty going full steam ahead, So look
forward to the Dubai Desert. Worry is against the London
Lizards coming near you. You can book a paper view now, limb.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yes, and in Challah because that's probably where the money's
coming from.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Indeed, right on that note. Earlier in the week, we
caught up with All Black's assistant coach Jason Holland to
get an idea of some of the themes and work
on that they've been looking at this week. As we
count down to Perth. So let's hear that interview now
before we wrap up.
Speaker 6 (15:25):
Yeah, that's been good obviously.
Speaker 7 (15:27):
Yeah, you finished a Test match on a Saturday Saturday
night and you get on the plane on Sunday and
as coaches sort of get the work done on the
plane over here and you enjoy up Monday morning. So
it's it's good that way, you know, just roll into.
Speaker 6 (15:39):
It and boy's been good.
Speaker 7 (15:40):
Trevored well on get out of your Sunday night and
review Monday morning and into a couple of days.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
So that's been it's been a good couple of days.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
There's a lot matter of the review after South African
Test and Wellingston.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
What was the sorting like and what to tell you?
Speaker 7 (15:54):
Yeah, I think the review was that was pretty pretty similar.
There was obviously some different themes around it. We're pretty
aware of the couple of areas we were better and
this week and then making sure that we're better again.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
Example has been we're better in the air.
Speaker 7 (16:11):
Which meant we had the ball war, which meant we
probably got more penalties, which is it's an interesting one here.
Having possession at the moment and holding on to the
ball means the other team has poor discipline, you know,
and that's where it's perceived. So when in the year
is a massive part of it was a massive part
of our review and what we're looking at. And we're
(16:35):
a little bit disappointment in some of our stuff around
the areas where Ossie out muscled us at times a
little bit. Yeah, I went both ways obviously, but yeah,
a couple they're obviously good side on the grounde I've
got good jacklers and their physical physical side, so yeah,
(16:55):
we looked at that and making sure that how we
slow them down as well when they have the ball,
got massive game line on us at times and put
us under pressure with a couple of tries as well,
a couple of tries that were too easy for what
we're like.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
So yeah, probably a couple of key things around our
review tryon.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
Yeah, the more stuff I wouldn't have been too much
all over in the forge units, but but just the
theme again of the opposition having the ball, giving away
a penalty, kicking to our corner and get the more.
You know, it's doesn't matter who you're playing, that's always
a threat. So there's always a flow on effect for
all these things, you know, well.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I think the game there's the best attacking performance over
the year so far.
Speaker 6 (17:38):
Field try.
Speaker 7 (17:42):
Yeah, I think for the longer periods we were we
had the ball for a longer times.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
We've probably talked with you boys over this year around
little spurts of good stuff. I thought the first half
against South Africa when we got pump, I thought we
were we showed some really good touches of attack, like
LeRoy's try was one of.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
The better tries of the year, I reckon.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
So yeah, we keep building on that, but just looking
to put it together for longer and keeps coming back
to us having the ball and not giving the ball
all the way, you know, and putting pressure on things
for longer.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Deliberate.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
Yeah, yeah, we're still asking the boys to make good
decisions and if the kicks on, they'll kick if they
see the run, but are probably more you know, being
really clear if we're going to kick it, we need
to have a real outcome around the kick.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
So yeah, we just want to have the possession and
be patient with it.
Speaker 7 (18:31):
If there's nothing obvious on, we're happy to go another
couple of phases before we find something.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
To his chance and then.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
Started months this year after what changes anything. Join ticks
into the line of.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
But it's different.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Yeah, it's a good observation. It's I think.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
I Well, firstly, he's been outstanding, you know, even in
the last three or four weeks been on the bench.
We can't played at fifteen a couple of weeks ago.
He's he's in a really good space to met as
far as the way we play the game won't change much.
Obviously d Mac will take every opportunity to have a
crack and as you say, take the line on a
little bit. And the way was he defend with softer
(19:17):
on the edges to what said Africa, we're we need
to we need to be at them and not off
you passing early, So that'll be a real advantage. But
I think that makes in a great place. He's led
the team really well this week and then Rubes. Room
and Rubes are working really well together as far as
the two boys that will be in the.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Ten spot this week, and they'll be good.
Speaker 7 (19:39):
So I'd say as excited, you know, as he says,
only had one start at ten, had heaps last year.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
But it's in a really good space.
Speaker 7 (19:46):
And loving the idea of us having the ball for
a long time, you know, not giving it away.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
Five games a team this year and hasn't had a
lot of times.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Yep, one hundred percent. I think. I think.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
How he quickly matured through the cane season was a
real you know, BC was there for a while, and
he came in when BC got injured, I think, and.
Speaker 6 (20:16):
Just bossed that.
Speaker 7 (20:17):
And watching him in the Canes environment, he just bossed
the whole environment, which was a great bit of maturity
from him.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
And again he's come in and had to bite this time.
Speaker 7 (20:27):
You know, it's frustrating for a young fellow and you
don't get a crack and you got a little bit
of time on the wing. But he's been running the
opposition for eight weeks now, seven seven, eight weeks and
doing a really good job of it and.
Speaker 6 (20:39):
Knows the way we want to play.
Speaker 7 (20:41):
So I suppose a short answer the year, really confident
he'll be sweet.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Guess consistency has been the catch for I will try
and find consistency and.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
This week that you know, I guess from the weeks
where you didn't win.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
I suppose that maybe you look to do differently this week.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Yeah, there's there's obviously parts of our game.
Speaker 6 (21:00):
We're building and growing.
Speaker 7 (21:01):
Like as we've talked around around around our attack, we
had a bit of chat this morning around the mental
side of it. You know, I don't think we ever,
nobody ever switches off, but just being really sharp around
our mental preparation, their preparation for the week. You know,
obviously we've won the first game and lost the second
one through this TC. So so we were sharpening for
(21:24):
us this morning to understand and think around what our
what our mindset is that we have to go and
when the bloods low again type mindset.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
You know, it's not as if.
Speaker 7 (21:35):
You know, we knock off in an area and like
the boys responded and today I thought, as I said,
we were sharp today, boys were on. So hopefully the
mental side of that means that we're readily go.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
That is Rugby Directs almost done for another week.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
We will catch you probably before we head back across
the ditch.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
One more for the ditch? Is that the right thing?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
That's it Scarborough. It's a great place. And picked up
some local slang.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Local Irish, whatever it might be, local slang, we'll call
it local slank. Never do it's a Rugby Direct out
by forklift solutions lifting you and your business to a
high level.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
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Speaker 2 (00:19):
Straight down the Middle, Try Try Nucket Inside the game
from every angle. It's Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and
Liam Napier powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by four Klip Solutions, lifting
you and your business to a higher level, and welcome
in to Perth.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
On a stinking hot twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Degree afternoon day in Perth, Elliott Smith with me Liam Napier,
and we've got the All Blacks team and the Wallaby's
team for this weekend's second Blitterslow Cup match Rugby Championship
Test of course as well and Liam some bold calls
from the All Blacks in terms of their selection this week.
I'm sure Alliston will have seen that squad by now,
(01:09):
but what stood out to you?
Speaker 5 (01:11):
I think Scott Robinson Senior has been punctuated by conservatism
largely when it's come to selection. So I think this
selection has caught most people by surprise, particularly Quinte Pie
and Peter Luckeye. I think most people probably expected lessifying
the Nook who maybe Riekawa and he's come on the
right on the left wing with Caleb Clark injured. But
(01:35):
and the enforced injury changes make sense. But Quintepire at center, Oh,
I don't think anyone saw that coming. You mentioned to
me the fact that he's played one game at center
for the Chiefs five years ago, and so yeah, he's
been really good off the bench, strong directs, rarely got
(01:56):
the all Blacks on the front foot. He came on
last week Eden Park and played wing. But center is
another kettle of fish all together, particularly from a defensive
point of view, and particularly when you're up against the
guy like Joseph Suili.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, and I thought Billy Procter look was struggling see
him on attack, but I think we've seen him defensively wise,
he wrapped up Ikeito and saw let you really well.
Speaking to our colleague Jamie Panderm from the Daily Telegraph,
he was very impressed by what Billy Proctor was able
to do in terms of shutting those players down last week.
Now to pay who has had very little time at center,
certainly in recent years, is being asked to come and
(02:32):
do it again in a role that Proctor fulfilled well
last week. I guess on the flip side, Scott Robinson
has stuck with Proctor through a number of Test matches.
He did say that he looked a bit fatigued. He
played seven matches out of eight this year. But you
know there's one more match to go than there's a
bit of a break before the end of year tours,
so they could have stuck with him.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
They decided not to. They've gone in a different direction.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Do you think this signals perhaps the start of a
different midfield combination. We've seen Yuanni and Barrett, we've seen
now Proctor and Barrett. Potentially this is mark three of
trying to get it working under Scott Robinson.
Speaker 6 (03:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
I think it certainly shows that the All Blacks aren't
happy with their midfield. They're not getting what they want.
I think you're right that Billy's been very good defensively,
but we haven't seen enough from him on attack. He
hasn't brought that footwork, the ability to beat a man
and that notable distribution skills that we saw consistently for
the Hurricanes into the Test game. They've given him every chance.
(03:33):
I guess most people probably thought we'd see Leicester at center,
but because of Caleb Clark's injury that's come on the
left wing, so I think we will see Lester finding
a nooker at some point at center. But clearly the
All Blacks are searching for more from their midfield, aren't they.
And the All Black's attack hasn't been fluent this year.
It was probably at its best at times at Eden Park.
(03:57):
But I think Quinter Pyre's performance is there. His ability
to break tackles get over the game line. It's very powerful,
isn't it with Jordy and Quinn, But they haven't had
a line a lot of time together and I think
they will be challenged defensively.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Indeed, the interesting other selection from the run on team
that wasn't injury related as Peter Luckeye coming in at
number eight first Test start. Satiiti probably hasn't hit or
definitely I don't think he hasn't hit the heights of
what we saw last year that got him to the
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year awards and All
Blacks Player of the Year. But still a surprise to
(04:36):
me that they're gone for Luckeye. But I don't mind
them move at all. We saw him come up for
the bench last week he was able to bend a
line strong carrier. It's an opportunity for Peter Luckeye and
perhaps you know it comes a little bit of surprise,
but I mentioned to see how he goes against this
Wallaby's really big, strong pack that played really well last week.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
I think you're right in that it probably says more
about what we've seen from Wallace than what we've seen
from Peter Luckeye because Lucky played what like twenty five
twenty minutes off the bench at Eden Park and was
good last week. But I think it is a surprise
to seem injected, not only to start at at number eight,
because he's a guy that can play seven, has played
(05:16):
seven for the All Blacks. This is his first start.
I really like Peter Lucky. I don't think he was
at his best for the Hurricanes this year, but he's
one of the most dynamic, powerful ball carriers in New
Zealand rugby and I think when you take a step
back these selections. Scott robertson his thinking for this week
is maybe he's sensing sensing his squads running out of
(05:38):
juice a bit and on the back of back to
back games in Argentina back to back games against the
World champions Spring Box and then coming over to Perth
straight off the bat after Eden Park. I think we're
seeing him wanting to inject some freshness and we're seeing
that with Peter Luckeye, with Quinta Pia and a couple
(05:59):
of others. So I'm not going to sit here and
criticize him. I think it is risky because the All Blacks.
The overarching thie here is that they're trying to get
their consistency as well. They haven't put back to back
performances together, so there's a bit of upside, but there's
a lot of risk, so potentially rolling the dice. But
(06:20):
we have seen other teams, notably the Springboks, rotate throughout
this Rugby Championship, and I think the All Blacks are
potentially trying to take a bit of a leaf from
their book and find out about some players while still winning.
But it's not easy to do.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
No, it's not.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Some of those injury enforced changes as well, with Boden
Barrett dropping out, Ethan Degree dropping out, Calder Clark dropping out,
so the what's seven changes all up to the team.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
It's kind of gone under the road.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
But to Roll Lomax as well with his broken thumb,
sounds like his year may be over. Potentially he's going
to get see a specialist on Monday. So the change
but doesn't feel like change for change take necessarily. There
is a boldness to the team, but you know there
could be some answers that come in the form of
you know that to pious selection at midfield, maybe larkyet
(07:07):
number eight, that could set the All Blacks up for
that end of your tour.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Yeah, and think, as much as anything else, it's about
developing depth, developing options. You think about Peter Luckeye or
Wallace Teti could start, and Quinte Pier or Lester Faning
and Nuku could start in the midfield. They've played Billy
Procter there, Rika Wine comes back for a wee bit
of a chance off the bench. So Robertson's all about
(07:33):
this four four four, developing depth and options and creating
competition within the squad. But for me, at this point,
it's almost more important that the All Blacks win and
show some form of conviction because yeah, they want to
eat in park. Last week, but it wasn't convincing. It
was patchy. They blew a seventeen point lead in the
first half. The Wallabies came within two in the second half.
(07:56):
The Wallabies are vastly stronger, you'd argue this week with
some of the guys they're getting back there on home soil.
There's still a lot to play for the RUGBA Championship title,
so I'm a little bit surprised with that context the
amount of changes. Some of them are injury and forced.
But then again, when else do the All Blacks have
the freedom to rotate this year?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
They don't really and maybe this is the best option
that hey Bletterslow Cup safe Rugby Championship. Yes, still a possibility,
but it's probably unlikely. So while you never want to lose,
and again if they lose, it's you know, when lost,
when lost, when lost in the last six, it presents
maybe is their best option, barring maybe the Wales test
(08:38):
right at the end of the year to have a
look at some players and set themselves up for that
end of year too. You mentioned Australia, there will Skelton
back in the mix for them this week. Rob Valatini
surprisingly comes off the bench, but Hoop I thought played
very very well last week against the All Blacks and
Tain't admit at ten as well, North Harbour's finest skidding
the selection. There is this a better Wolaby's team than
(09:02):
the one last week? You just said that you think
it might be.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
On the whole, Yes, but I think the All Blacks
will target Taine at ten. I think he has some deficiencies.
He's a very attacking minded player. He will take risks.
But just like the Wallabies will send Will Skelton down
Damien McKenzie's channel, the All Blacks will do likewise detained.
So I think vastly strength and forward pack with Skelton
(09:26):
in there. He'll bring the niggle, he bring the physicality.
He will challenge the Your Blacks more, just like he
did in the British and Irish Lions series. It's a shame,
isn't it that he wasn't available for the whole of
the Rugby Championship. I think Jake Gordon coming into halfback,
you'll see the Wallaby's pepper the All Blacks back three
with high ball kicks. Slightly surprised that Nick White is
(09:47):
not involved. He's a real agitator. He's got under team's
skins in recent times but he is meant to be retired,
so they look into the future there James Slipper's last test,
Mike Cron's last test. How much does that factor into
the occasion for the Wallabies.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I think it does.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I mean James Slipper has been a consistent force in
that team for fifteen years. You know, he's been there
through some really low points for the Wallabies. He's been
there through some of the highs that they head over
the last fifteen years, you know, World Cup finals and
all that sort of thing that he's been there and
you know, I think he's what third highest all time
(10:25):
test cap number speaks to you know, what the Australians
have got out of him over eight years and real
leader captain this team at points as well. So it'll
be an emotional farewell. Don't know that it'll play too
much into proceedings necessarily, but if they weren't, then they
can obviously dedicate it to him and he goes out
(10:45):
a high in a career that has been of you know,
some real highs and some pretty unfortunate lows as well
for you know, the Wallabies during this time.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
One other thing for before we wrap up, are.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Through sixty this week supposedly got the green light to
go aheads. From a New Zealand perspective, it feels like
we're on the outside looking in on that story. It
doesn't feel like it's a really reached New Zealand too much.
Scott Robinson said today at the media conference that you
know all their best players, all the players that want
locked away. Feels like very much like an Australian England
(11:19):
story around NRL players and English rugby players potentially committing
to this venture. But it sounds like it's getting off
the ground. How do you think it's going to play internationally?
Because Will Rugby still haven't signed it off.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
I think there'll be a lot of nerves out there
from national unions, not necessarily from New Zealand's point of view.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
At this point.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
I'm hearing friends Super rugby players are perhaps interested, but
it is a big story in Australia because they're targeting
NRL players Ryan Pappenhaus and Zach Lomax. Apparently Jay Gray
from this South Sydney rabbito has been off for two
point four million. Three sixty have gone down from eight
to six teams for their original launch. But I'm hearing
(12:02):
they've got a budget per team of something like fifteen
million US, so a lot of cash to throw around.
I'm not too sure where that's coming from and where
they're going to get their players from. But look at
this point, players who go to that tournament I think
are not eligible to play test rugby. So from an
(12:22):
All Blacks point of view, I don't think they'll be
too worried, but there's certainly a watching brief and look,
if they get off the ground and they get some momentum,
I think there is a real chance that fringe All
Blacks guys not in the starting team could look to
cash out post World Cup or even pre World Cup
if they find that they're not in the mix.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, I think with New Zealand rugby we've kind of
dealt with this prior.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
Ever, you know, for rugby Australia not easier in rugby.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
For the NRL, they're a competition that is bound by
a salary cap, and so when you have clubs coming in,
organizations coming through and going we can pay you X
number of dollars, this is your absolute cap that you'll
ever get paid in the NRL, then of course it's
going to be attractive, but I think in rugby, you know,
you used to players being signed up for big money
for Japan, for France and those sort of things. For
(13:16):
Rugby Australia, look doesn't sound like they're going to give
it their seal of approval, even though or World Rugby
is also not as well, even though they said players
can be available, will be available for test windows, but
for Rugby Australia they've probably got to toe the line.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
But it could be a game changer for them.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
You know, if they can get Ryan Pappenhaus and Zach
Lomax into their selection mix for the Wallabies, they're only
playing paying assembly fees or test match fees, et cetera,
rather than having to pay the fees that are dictator
or salaries that are dictated to these players. Are three
six is looking after them. That could change the complexion
of the Wallabies overnight, if they were indeed eligible.
Speaker 5 (13:54):
I saw a clip from for War talking about Marky
Mark from the Roosters coming back to rugby union and
how they're willing to be creative. How basically that is
not going to play super rugby. Prior to playing for
the Wallabies in the twenty twenty seven home World Cup.
So what's the difference between him and a Zach Lomax,
(14:16):
who's a similar athlete, brilliant in the air, great goalkicker,
and if he's playing rugby union, why would you not
select him because you can select players from overseas. So
I think it's a very valid point. And look, the
Wallabies need the best team possible for a home World
Cup and a lot of those guys could feature very prominently.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And we've seen it before.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
We're at a home World Cup with Wendell's Sailor and
Matt Rodgers, Lottie Takiri, those guys were very much front
and center of that Wallaby's team.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
Yeah, so watch the space on that.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
But yeah, three sixty going full steam ahead, So look
forward to the Dubai Desert. Worry is against the London
Lizards coming near you. You can book a paper view now, limb.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Yes, and in Challah because that's probably where the money's
coming from.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Indeed, right on that note. Earlier in the week, we
caught up with All Black's assistant coach Jason Holland to
get an idea of some of the themes and work
on that they've been looking at this week. As we
count down to Perth. So let's hear that interview now
before we wrap up.
Speaker 6 (15:25):
Yeah, that's been good obviously.
Speaker 7 (15:27):
Yeah, you finished a Test match on a Saturday Saturday
night and you get on the plane on Sunday and
as coaches sort of get the work done on the
plane over here and you enjoy up Monday morning. So
it's it's good that way, you know, just roll into.
Speaker 6 (15:39):
It and boy's been good.
Speaker 7 (15:40):
Trevored well on get out of your Sunday night and
review Monday morning and into a couple of days.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
So that's been it's been a good couple of days.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
There's a lot matter of the review after South African
Test and Wellingston.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
What was the sorting like and what to tell you?
Speaker 7 (15:54):
Yeah, I think the review was that was pretty pretty similar.
There was obviously some different themes around it. We're pretty
aware of the couple of areas we were better and
this week and then making sure that we're better again.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
Example has been we're better in the air.
Speaker 7 (16:11):
Which meant we had the ball war, which meant we
probably got more penalties, which is it's an interesting one here.
Having possession at the moment and holding on to the
ball means the other team has poor discipline, you know,
and that's where it's perceived. So when in the year
is a massive part of it was a massive part
of our review and what we're looking at. And we're
(16:35):
a little bit disappointment in some of our stuff around
the areas where Ossie out muscled us at times a
little bit. Yeah, I went both ways obviously, but yeah,
a couple they're obviously good side on the grounde I've
got good jacklers and their physical physical side, so yeah,
(16:55):
we looked at that and making sure that how we
slow them down as well when they have the ball,
got massive game line on us at times and put
us under pressure with a couple of tries as well,
a couple of tries that were too easy for what
we're like.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
So yeah, probably a couple of key things around our
review tryon.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
Yeah, the more stuff I wouldn't have been too much
all over in the forge units, but but just the
theme again of the opposition having the ball, giving away
a penalty, kicking to our corner and get the more.
You know, it's doesn't matter who you're playing, that's always
a threat. So there's always a flow on effect for
all these things, you know, well.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I think the game there's the best attacking performance over
the year so far.
Speaker 6 (17:38):
Field try.
Speaker 7 (17:42):
Yeah, I think for the longer periods we were we
had the ball for a longer times.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
We've probably talked with you boys over this year around
little spurts of good stuff. I thought the first half
against South Africa when we got pump, I thought we
were we showed some really good touches of attack, like
LeRoy's try was one of.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
The better tries of the year, I reckon.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
So yeah, we keep building on that, but just looking
to put it together for longer and keeps coming back
to us having the ball and not giving the ball
all the way, you know, and putting pressure on things
for longer.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Deliberate.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
Yeah, yeah, we're still asking the boys to make good
decisions and if the kicks on, they'll kick if they
see the run, but are probably more you know, being
really clear if we're going to kick it, we need
to have a real outcome around the kick.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
So yeah, we just want to have the possession and
be patient with it.
Speaker 7 (18:31):
If there's nothing obvious on, we're happy to go another
couple of phases before we find something.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
To his chance and then.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
Started months this year after what changes anything. Join ticks
into the line of.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
But it's different.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Yeah, it's a good observation. It's I think.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
I Well, firstly, he's been outstanding, you know, even in
the last three or four weeks been on the bench.
We can't played at fifteen a couple of weeks ago.
He's he's in a really good space to met as
far as the way we play the game won't change much.
Obviously d Mac will take every opportunity to have a
crack and as you say, take the line on a
little bit. And the way was he defend with softer
(19:17):
on the edges to what said Africa, we're we need
to we need to be at them and not off
you passing early, So that'll be a real advantage. But
I think that makes in a great place. He's led
the team really well this week and then Rubes. Room
and Rubes are working really well together as far as
the two boys that will be in the.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Ten spot this week, and they'll be good.
Speaker 7 (19:39):
So I'd say as excited, you know, as he says,
only had one start at ten, had heaps last year.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
But it's in a really good space.
Speaker 7 (19:46):
And loving the idea of us having the ball for
a long time, you know, not giving it away.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
Five games a team this year and hasn't had a
lot of times.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Yep, one hundred percent. I think. I think.
Speaker 7 (20:07):
How he quickly matured through the cane season was a
real you know, BC was there for a while, and
he came in when BC got injured, I think, and.
Speaker 6 (20:16):
Just bossed that.
Speaker 7 (20:17):
And watching him in the Canes environment, he just bossed
the whole environment, which was a great bit of maturity
from him.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
And again he's come in and had to bite this time.
Speaker 7 (20:27):
You know, it's frustrating for a young fellow and you
don't get a crack and you got a little bit
of time on the wing. But he's been running the
opposition for eight weeks now, seven seven, eight weeks and
doing a really good job of it and.
Speaker 6 (20:39):
Knows the way we want to play.
Speaker 7 (20:41):
So I suppose a short answer the year, really confident
he'll be sweet.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Guess consistency has been the catch for I will try
and find consistency and.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
This week that you know, I guess from the weeks
where you didn't win.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
I suppose that maybe you look to do differently this week.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Yeah, there's there's obviously parts of our game.
Speaker 6 (21:00):
We're building and growing.
Speaker 7 (21:01):
Like as we've talked around around around our attack, we
had a bit of chat this morning around the mental
side of it. You know, I don't think we ever,
nobody ever switches off, but just being really sharp around
our mental preparation, their preparation for the week. You know,
obviously we've won the first game and lost the second
one through this TC. So so we were sharpening for
(21:24):
us this morning to understand and think around what our
what our mindset is that we have to go and
when the bloods low again type mindset.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
You know, it's not as if.
Speaker 7 (21:35):
You know, we knock off in an area and like
the boys responded and today I thought, as I said,
we were sharp today, boys were on. So hopefully the
mental side of that means that we're readily go.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
That is Rugby Directs almost done for another week.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
We will catch you probably before we head back across
the ditch.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
One more for the ditch? Is that the right thing?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
That's it Scarborough. It's a great place. And picked up
some local slang.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Local Irish, whatever it might be, local slang, we'll call
it local slank. Never do it's a Rugby Direct out
by forklift solutions lifting you and your business to a
high level.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
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