November 6, 2025 • 18 mins
On the latest Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier check in from Edinburgh to review the All Blacks side named to face Scotland on Sunday morning and their predictions for how the match will unfold
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Straight down the Middle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Of Drum Dicky Sco.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Try get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby
Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News
Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Excess Solutions, celebrating twenty
five years in business. Alli get Smith with me Liam Napier.
We're in Edinburgh and it's wonderful to be back here,
first time back in three years for both the All Blacksbert,
perhaps more importantly ourselves, and wonderful city to get around
(00:58):
first and foremost before we get into some rugby. There
is a real sense of magic and just history to
when you come to Edinburgh, isn't there it is.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
It's a magic place, I think, one of the real
hidden gems of Europe. Not necessarily a hidden gym, but
it's not, I guess, as well known as some of
the bigger European city is very beautiful, a lot of charm,
good people. We enjoyed a We're Hotter this week which
was beautiful, and you've enjoyed my terrible Scottish impressions.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Yeah, I was gonna say enjoyed. It would be one
word for it. At one point Lea was threatened to
do this entire podcast and there's Scottish accent, which.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Would have been a real We decided it would have
been cultural appropriation. Yes, probably bordering on racism, so we'll
sidestep that for a now. But who knows that the
podcast is young?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, exactly. Hot toodied to try and sort my laryngitis out.
I think it's aryngitis. Lost my voice after the commentary
on the weekends. But that's been good and through the
many benefits of climate change, it has been actually quite warm,
tropical this week, including today, which is definitely the warm
day of the week and it's about fifteen sixteen degrees
(02:11):
mid afternoon on a Thursday. So yeah, it's been a
great weekend for the All Blacks Leam. I guess they
go into this match at Murrayfield, you know, having never
lost to Scotland. There is the weight of history on
them in many ways, but they also haven't played Scotland
that much. They've only played them twice in the last
decade twenty twenty two and twenty seventeen. The last trip
(02:33):
before that was twenty fourteen, so they obviously haven't been
to New Zealand in that time either Scotland, so games
against them have been few and far between. And it
was interesting to hear before we get into the team
and the one name by Scott Robinson, Boden Barrett sort
of talk about how he had to almost explain to
some of the players perhaps what they'll expect on Saturday
(02:55):
afternoon local time. He's played them three times, which is
the most of anyone in the current All Blacks team.
He started against them twice. He's the only All Blacks
member to do so be his third start on the weekend.
So there's all sorts of history there, but for the
All Blacks it for a lot of these players a
sense of the unknown.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, that's right. And I was actually fortunate enough to
be there for both those games and it was real
knife edge stuff. Bill Blacks Scotland scored twenty three unanswered
points in twenty twenty two. Bill Blacks last visit to
Murrayfield and they're really on the rack and they came
over the top to win that game. M Foss wasn't
(03:34):
charged in and in twenty seventeen, it was even tighter
Boden Barrett's he talked about it today, but he had
to pull off a match saving tackle and the dying
stages on Stuart Hog in the corner a look like
Stuart Hog was gone for all money and Boden Barrett
just pushed them out to preserve that record that now
stands has gone on to be one hundred and twenty
(03:58):
years thirty two matches, which includes two draws, but it
is a record that is few and far between. I
think the All Blacks are nineteen matches unbeaten at Murrayfield,
which is the second current longest single stadium unbeaten record
to Eden Park fifty two matches. But we've seen a
(04:21):
lot of historic first in recent times for the All Blacks,
haven't we The first home series lost to Ireland, the
first home and away losses to Argentina, the heaviest defeat
in history to the Spring Boks. And it's a massive
occasion around Murrayfield this week, one hundred years that they
are celebrating. I'm sure there'll be something special in the
works there, so it'll be a big occasion and the
(04:43):
All Blacks are clearly on edge, and they paid Scotland
due respect by naming their strongest available team.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
They have and so let's get into that team. Perhaps
not many surprises from the All Blacks leicestifying on Nook
who starts at center with no Jordi Barrett. Josh Loaul
comes into the second row with no Scott Barrett and
then Wallace the TV starts on the blindside flank in
place of Simon Parker. No room for him in the
twenty three are all together? Any surprises for you there
(05:15):
from the side of Scott Robinson's.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Name, not really. I thought there might be one tweak
at blindside flanker, but wasn't sure who that would be.
I do like the fact that Wallace TT comes into
the mix at blindside flanker. I think his favorite position
is number eight, but we've seen Peter Lukey emerge there
and Walla TT did make his mark as world right
(05:37):
Breakthrough Player of the Year last season. I think when
you stop and look at that blindside row, I think
Simon Parker has probably delivered largely from a defensive perspective,
but hasn't brought the ball carrying punch that the All
Blacks are looking for. He was very quiet against Ireland
in Chicago, and so tt I think delivers on the
(05:58):
ball carrying front, but probably has work to do on
the defensive side of the ball. So if we just
stop and look at the blindside position as a whole,
do you think the All Blacks are keeping Simon Parker
back for a tight physical test against England or is
it very much Satiti's to grab this weekend?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
I think lim there there is a giment he made
that Stititi could grab the jersey this weekend. It's not
out of the realms of possibility. We saw him play
a lot there last year at blind Side when he
first came into the All Blacks in Cape Town. He
started there, he had it throughout the rest of the
year and then moved into number eight late on the
end of the year two. And then also this year,
(06:41):
And I've said a couple of times on this podcast
that I don't think he's quite reached the heights of
last year through those injuries and maybe came back a
little bit too early from the injuries that he did have.
So I think it's there for the taking for him.
I wouldn't rule out Simon Parker if I'm playing at Twickenham.
He brings those that skill set you mentioned, and you
know it's going to be a dogged game. You would
(07:01):
suspected Twickenham you're going to need that tackle. You know
someone's going to tackle whatever comes at him, so very
well switch around again next week. So look, I think
it's a big opportunity for TT because you look at
their loose Ford trio Lucky sa Vegas, the TV has
a real you know, not only the All Blacks of
the future, the loose Ford trio, but of the out
(07:23):
and it could be their combination for the next couple
of years. But you know, I think there's still a
question mark. I think it's a tit whether he is
at full fitness and whether he could probably use a
bit of a super ruggie preseason to get him up
to speed again. So I wouldn't rule that Parker from
being an immediate switch next week. The concern I do
have around this All Blacks team is the fact that
(07:45):
they have sort of robbed the bench a little bit
to bolster their starting side.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
What do you say, rob Peter to pay Paul exactly right.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
That's the worry I do have, because they found a
combination that worked for them really well. Last week off
the bench now firing and Nook, you played longer minutes
than you would expect of a bench player. So to
Josh Lord Wallast had to come on the first spell
for Parker when you want with Hia. So it wasn't
quite like a you know, here's the changes around the
(08:15):
fifty five minute mark that will roll out. But I
think they struck on something last week and then this
week they go back and change it and Saddi's into
the starting side, Karef he comes on the bench, Billy
Proctor comes in to cover midfield. So this bench to
me doesn't look as strong as it was last week.
You've still got you gonna think the front row is
(08:36):
very dynamic. You've got Sam Dowry who can add a
bit of punch in the second row as well. But
I would spect that just looking at the two benches
on previous weeks, you'd have to give the Chicago bench
the tech versus what we're potentially getting out of this
week's at Murrayfield.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Yeah. Absolutely, it felt like the All Blacks finally struck
gold with their bench and that's what really propelled them
over Ireland and allowed them to play the rugby that
they want to play, you know, up tempo, big ball carrying,
using the width off floating. That's the type of rugby
this All Black team is aspiring to play in it.
And that that punch really did come from the bench.
(09:13):
And so not only with Satisi going to the starting team,
but also fighting a Nuku. There's those were two of
your most influential players last week and they're not on
the bench. And yeah, I think, uh that the onus
is on the All Black spense to try and bring
that same punch, and it really does impress on the
All Blacks the need to start well because if they
(09:37):
fall behind, I don't have the same confidence in that bench.
And I look at a guy like Billy Proctor as well.
To me, that selection is a bit of a reward.
I want to you're all our next guy. I want
to keep you involved. I feel like Rikowan, he's probably
a better bench impact type player. He's a bigger body,
(09:57):
it's physical. Yeah, he hasn't been playing overly well, but
I don't know how much impact Billy Procter's going to
be able to bring. In Carefe as well. I think
has being found out to a certain degree there are
always question marks about his size. Those two guys could
prove me wrong. They might come on and Chrief. He
might have a massive impact at the breakdown. Proctor, could
(10:20):
you know, bring his skill set when that the game
opens up a little bit. But it does look like
a deep powered bench. So if Scotland can start well
and get a lead on, you know, and bride the occasion,
they could bear a red hot chance. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
As you mentioned, hundredth anniversary of murray Field being celebrated,
the All Blacks will be in white kit on the
weekends and Scotland and their home a dark blue a
commemorative a jersey they are wearing for this fixture. Just
looking at who's not so do you mention Rico Jwani there,
Luke Jacobson Sevresa going to go to the All Blacks
fifteen for the game against England A and Bath this week.
(10:57):
Those two players and Josh Berrow who's been with the
squad for the better part of the week also going
back to join the All Blacks fifteen. I'm a little
bit surprised they haven't seen a few more players now.
I guess you've got to have continencies around injuries.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Ruben Love is an obvious guy that has barely played
all year.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Antonine at Brown as well as you know clearly you
look at the loose the midfield combinations, he's not there
at the moment. He's well down the rung so need
some game time. A little bit surprising there that they
haven't perhaps gone and sent a people fumal players over.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, Angeline and Brown, I can kind of understand because
you're already down one midfielder, so it's a bit of
a risk. But Ruben Love, even if fin Lake Christie
to a degree, these guys aren't playing and they're going
to benefit from from playing, and you've got that team
matter of hours away on a train or a flight.
(11:48):
So yeah, I am surprised at that there's only a
couple there. I do just want to touch on Wallace
to Tit as well. It's not necessarily a new story,
is it, but there's some real symmetry to it coming
in to start this week in Scotland. It's a place
where his father, Simos Tit played in the early two
(12:08):
thousands for the Border Club, and there was Wallace retold
the story today about his mother having to return to
Samoa because her father was sick and Wallace was meant
to be born in Scotland but was born in Samoa.
They then returned to Scotland and Wallace was named after
(12:28):
William Wallace, of course made famous through the movie Bravehearts,
but the Scottish war leader who helped drive out the
English and gain some form of independence because he loved
Brave Hearts. So it was obviously a nice story, isn't it.
And Wallace talked about doing the tour of Edinburgh Castle
(12:50):
and the connection. That's his first time back here since
coming back as a young lad, so I guess he'll
be hoping to be the complete opposite of a Scottish
war hero this weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, lead the All Blacks in to battle and continue
that unbeaten record as well, just on Scotland naming there,
So a couple of surprises with them. No Duhan thunder
Moeuver on the wing. A little bit of a surprise there.
They've got very good Darcy Graham on one wing, Kyle
Stain on the other. Took a lot to their captain
(13:22):
at second five. No Xander Fagason as well out through injury,
the same injury or one of the injuries that kept
him out of British Irrish Lions two in the midyear
series as well. It was hoped he might recover in
time for this game, but not to be Ki bourn
or New Zealand born Tom Jordan on the bench in
a six to two bench split the year as well. Look,
(13:46):
they've got some enterprising backs Scotland and you look at
that combination. Fin Russell at ten can do anything with
the way that he plays. So if they get the ball,
as Mike question, because I suspect you looking at the
front rows and the All Blacks pack, they should have
the better of the Scottish back But if they can
gain parity there at the very least, Scotland the likes
(14:09):
of Russell and tweet Alto and Darcy Graham and Kinghorn
to have a real sale on Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Yeah, I think the All Blacks will definitely come for
them up front, particularly at the scrum. We saw them.
We've seen them weaponize it against most opposition probably other
than the spring Box. This year. They really started to
turn the screws and that helped them turn the tide
against Ireland last week. So that'll be a real focal
platform I think for the All Blacks. Hugh Jones a
(14:35):
big out for Scotland, very classy center, so a big
loss for them there. Staying on the wing, I think
he's an underrated presence. Hutchinson. Just reading Charlie Phoenix Charlie
Morgan sorry from well known English rugby you know, got
big raps on him saying he's one of the best
(14:56):
GameLine ball players in the English Premiership for Northampton, so
interesting to see how he goes. My question to you
is there's been a lot made and it's very true
that Scotland's very different Northern Hemisphere team, particularly a rustle
at ten. They use the ball, they attack, they're quite
innovative and dynamic. But is there a risk that that
(15:18):
plays into All Back's hands as well that's how they
want to play.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Quite possibly, we've seen the All Blacks really be pressured
when they put under aerial attack this year and the
fact that they that Scotland are more likely to run
at the All Blacks there's likely to be more broken
space opportunities then that could well play into the All
Black's hands. We haven't seen the All Blacks at their
best on attack probably for the last year, eighteen months
(15:41):
or so they've had moments. There's good moments against Ireland,
but more often than not, teams have realized that the
way to putting pressure under them is bombarding the early
aerial attack and just stunting some of those opportunities the
All Blacks have. So I could play into the All
Blacks hands if both teams are willing to run. Not
necessarily saying the All Blacks are going to be better
(16:01):
at it, but they will like the fact that they're
not being forced to try and catch high balls every
two seconds. So you know Scotland that methods work for
them and the Six Nations to an extent, whether it
works against the All Blacks, I think the jury's out
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, I think the occasion, the way Scotland play it
could go one or two ways. Russell's the type of
guy that can can be hot and cold as well,
can be a wee bit erratic when he's on. He's
on his running game, his short kicking game is lethal,
but he's quite nonchalant, quite hard to predict, and that
(16:40):
can go one or two ways. So I think he'll
be right up for this, but Scotland not at full
strength and if things don't go to plan. The All
Blacks haven't been their best on counter attack, but you
think of fighting a knooker or even a levera Ricardo
swooping on some loose ball, bone barretts, little kicks and behind.
(17:04):
I think the way Scotland play will certainly plan into
their hands more than say in England next week, who
will be expected to kick a lot look to grind
the All Blacks frustrate them. I think Ill Blacks will
probably relish playing Scotland more than they will England.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Prediction time, what do you reckon Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I'm gonna say it goes to history and scripts. Gilbacks
will preserve the unbeaten records and they'll win by ten points.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah, I have the All Blacks by twelve. I think
it'd be a close game, but I think the All
Blacks will just be a little bit too clinical, a
little bit too good, and that'll be enough for the victory.
On Saturday afternoon Sunday morning in New Zealand time, you
can hear the commentary live on News Talk ZBI, gold
Sport and iHeartRadio from four am. Chuck it under the
Polo Ford your company there and myself and liamb. We
(17:54):
will catch you early part of next week as we
look ahead and wrap up the Second Test, look ahead
of the Third Test in London next weekend. That has
been Rugby Direct, powered by our good friends at Excess Solutions,
celebrating twenty five years business.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
For more from News talkst B, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Straight down the Middle.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Of Drum Dicky Sco.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Try get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby
Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered by News
Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Excess Solutions, celebrating twenty
five years in business. Alli get Smith with me Liam Napier.
We're in Edinburgh and it's wonderful to be back here,
first time back in three years for both the All Blacksbert,
perhaps more importantly ourselves, and wonderful city to get around
(00:58):
first and foremost before we get into some rugby. There
is a real sense of magic and just history to
when you come to Edinburgh, isn't there it is.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
It's a magic place, I think, one of the real
hidden gems of Europe. Not necessarily a hidden gym, but
it's not, I guess, as well known as some of
the bigger European city is very beautiful, a lot of charm,
good people. We enjoyed a We're Hotter this week which
was beautiful, and you've enjoyed my terrible Scottish impressions.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Yeah, I was gonna say enjoyed. It would be one
word for it. At one point Lea was threatened to
do this entire podcast and there's Scottish accent, which.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Would have been a real We decided it would have
been cultural appropriation. Yes, probably bordering on racism, so we'll
sidestep that for a now. But who knows that the
podcast is young?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, exactly. Hot toodied to try and sort my laryngitis out.
I think it's aryngitis. Lost my voice after the commentary
on the weekends. But that's been good and through the
many benefits of climate change, it has been actually quite warm,
tropical this week, including today, which is definitely the warm
day of the week and it's about fifteen sixteen degrees
(02:11):
mid afternoon on a Thursday. So yeah, it's been a
great weekend for the All Blacks Leam. I guess they
go into this match at Murrayfield, you know, having never
lost to Scotland. There is the weight of history on
them in many ways, but they also haven't played Scotland
that much. They've only played them twice in the last
decade twenty twenty two and twenty seventeen. The last trip
(02:33):
before that was twenty fourteen, so they obviously haven't been
to New Zealand in that time either Scotland, so games
against them have been few and far between. And it
was interesting to hear before we get into the team
and the one name by Scott Robinson, Boden Barrett sort
of talk about how he had to almost explain to
some of the players perhaps what they'll expect on Saturday
(02:55):
afternoon local time. He's played them three times, which is
the most of anyone in the current All Blacks team.
He started against them twice. He's the only All Blacks
member to do so be his third start on the weekend.
So there's all sorts of history there, but for the
All Blacks it for a lot of these players a
sense of the unknown.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, that's right. And I was actually fortunate enough to
be there for both those games and it was real
knife edge stuff. Bill Blacks Scotland scored twenty three unanswered
points in twenty twenty two. Bill Blacks last visit to
Murrayfield and they're really on the rack and they came
over the top to win that game. M Foss wasn't
(03:34):
charged in and in twenty seventeen, it was even tighter
Boden Barrett's he talked about it today, but he had
to pull off a match saving tackle and the dying
stages on Stuart Hog in the corner a look like
Stuart Hog was gone for all money and Boden Barrett
just pushed them out to preserve that record that now
stands has gone on to be one hundred and twenty
(03:58):
years thirty two matches, which includes two draws, but it
is a record that is few and far between. I
think the All Blacks are nineteen matches unbeaten at Murrayfield,
which is the second current longest single stadium unbeaten record
to Eden Park fifty two matches. But we've seen a
(04:21):
lot of historic first in recent times for the All Blacks,
haven't we The first home series lost to Ireland, the
first home and away losses to Argentina, the heaviest defeat
in history to the Spring Boks. And it's a massive
occasion around Murrayfield this week, one hundred years that they
are celebrating. I'm sure there'll be something special in the
works there, so it'll be a big occasion and the
(04:43):
All Blacks are clearly on edge, and they paid Scotland
due respect by naming their strongest available team.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
They have and so let's get into that team. Perhaps
not many surprises from the All Blacks leicestifying on Nook
who starts at center with no Jordi Barrett. Josh Loaul
comes into the second row with no Scott Barrett and
then Wallace the TV starts on the blindside flank in
place of Simon Parker. No room for him in the
twenty three are all together? Any surprises for you there
(05:15):
from the side of Scott Robinson's.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Name, not really. I thought there might be one tweak
at blindside flanker, but wasn't sure who that would be.
I do like the fact that Wallace TT comes into
the mix at blindside flanker. I think his favorite position
is number eight, but we've seen Peter Lukey emerge there
and Walla TT did make his mark as world right
(05:37):
Breakthrough Player of the Year last season. I think when
you stop and look at that blindside row, I think
Simon Parker has probably delivered largely from a defensive perspective,
but hasn't brought the ball carrying punch that the All
Blacks are looking for. He was very quiet against Ireland
in Chicago, and so tt I think delivers on the
(05:58):
ball carrying front, but probably has work to do on
the defensive side of the ball. So if we just
stop and look at the blindside position as a whole,
do you think the All Blacks are keeping Simon Parker
back for a tight physical test against England or is
it very much Satiti's to grab this weekend?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
I think lim there there is a giment he made
that Stititi could grab the jersey this weekend. It's not
out of the realms of possibility. We saw him play
a lot there last year at blind Side when he
first came into the All Blacks in Cape Town. He
started there, he had it throughout the rest of the
year and then moved into number eight late on the
end of the year two. And then also this year,
(06:41):
And I've said a couple of times on this podcast
that I don't think he's quite reached the heights of
last year through those injuries and maybe came back a
little bit too early from the injuries that he did have.
So I think it's there for the taking for him.
I wouldn't rule out Simon Parker if I'm playing at Twickenham.
He brings those that skill set you mentioned, and you
know it's going to be a dogged game. You would
(07:01):
suspected Twickenham you're going to need that tackle. You know
someone's going to tackle whatever comes at him, so very
well switch around again next week. So look, I think
it's a big opportunity for TT because you look at
their loose Ford trio Lucky sa Vegas, the TV has
a real you know, not only the All Blacks of
the future, the loose Ford trio, but of the out
(07:23):
and it could be their combination for the next couple
of years. But you know, I think there's still a
question mark. I think it's a tit whether he is
at full fitness and whether he could probably use a
bit of a super ruggie preseason to get him up
to speed again. So I wouldn't rule that Parker from
being an immediate switch next week. The concern I do
have around this All Blacks team is the fact that
(07:45):
they have sort of robbed the bench a little bit
to bolster their starting side.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
What do you say, rob Peter to pay Paul exactly right.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
That's the worry I do have, because they found a
combination that worked for them really well. Last week off
the bench now firing and Nook, you played longer minutes
than you would expect of a bench player. So to
Josh Lord Wallast had to come on the first spell
for Parker when you want with Hia. So it wasn't
quite like a you know, here's the changes around the
(08:15):
fifty five minute mark that will roll out. But I
think they struck on something last week and then this
week they go back and change it and Saddi's into
the starting side, Karef he comes on the bench, Billy
Proctor comes in to cover midfield. So this bench to
me doesn't look as strong as it was last week.
You've still got you gonna think the front row is
(08:36):
very dynamic. You've got Sam Dowry who can add a
bit of punch in the second row as well. But
I would spect that just looking at the two benches
on previous weeks, you'd have to give the Chicago bench
the tech versus what we're potentially getting out of this
week's at Murrayfield.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Yeah. Absolutely, it felt like the All Blacks finally struck
gold with their bench and that's what really propelled them
over Ireland and allowed them to play the rugby that
they want to play, you know, up tempo, big ball carrying,
using the width off floating. That's the type of rugby
this All Black team is aspiring to play in it.
And that that punch really did come from the bench.
(09:13):
And so not only with Satisi going to the starting team,
but also fighting a Nuku. There's those were two of
your most influential players last week and they're not on
the bench. And yeah, I think, uh that the onus
is on the All Black spense to try and bring
that same punch, and it really does impress on the
All Blacks the need to start well because if they
(09:37):
fall behind, I don't have the same confidence in that bench.
And I look at a guy like Billy Proctor as well.
To me, that selection is a bit of a reward.
I want to you're all our next guy. I want
to keep you involved. I feel like Rikowan, he's probably
a better bench impact type player. He's a bigger body,
(09:57):
it's physical. Yeah, he hasn't been playing overly well, but
I don't know how much impact Billy Procter's going to
be able to bring. In Carefe as well. I think
has being found out to a certain degree there are
always question marks about his size. Those two guys could
prove me wrong. They might come on and Chrief. He
might have a massive impact at the breakdown. Proctor, could
(10:20):
you know, bring his skill set when that the game
opens up a little bit. But it does look like
a deep powered bench. So if Scotland can start well
and get a lead on, you know, and bride the occasion,
they could bear a red hot chance. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
As you mentioned, hundredth anniversary of murray Field being celebrated,
the All Blacks will be in white kit on the
weekends and Scotland and their home a dark blue a
commemorative a jersey they are wearing for this fixture. Just
looking at who's not so do you mention Rico Jwani there,
Luke Jacobson Sevresa going to go to the All Blacks
fifteen for the game against England A and Bath this week.
(10:57):
Those two players and Josh Berrow who's been with the
squad for the better part of the week also going
back to join the All Blacks fifteen. I'm a little
bit surprised they haven't seen a few more players now.
I guess you've got to have continencies around injuries.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Ruben Love is an obvious guy that has barely played
all year.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Antonine at Brown as well as you know clearly you
look at the loose the midfield combinations, he's not there
at the moment. He's well down the rung so need
some game time. A little bit surprising there that they
haven't perhaps gone and sent a people fumal players over.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Yeah, Angeline and Brown, I can kind of understand because
you're already down one midfielder, so it's a bit of
a risk. But Ruben Love, even if fin Lake Christie
to a degree, these guys aren't playing and they're going
to benefit from from playing, and you've got that team
matter of hours away on a train or a flight.
(11:48):
So yeah, I am surprised at that there's only a
couple there. I do just want to touch on Wallace
to Tit as well. It's not necessarily a new story,
is it, but there's some real symmetry to it coming
in to start this week in Scotland. It's a place
where his father, Simos Tit played in the early two
(12:08):
thousands for the Border Club, and there was Wallace retold
the story today about his mother having to return to
Samoa because her father was sick and Wallace was meant
to be born in Scotland but was born in Samoa.
They then returned to Scotland and Wallace was named after
(12:28):
William Wallace, of course made famous through the movie Bravehearts,
but the Scottish war leader who helped drive out the
English and gain some form of independence because he loved
Brave Hearts. So it was obviously a nice story, isn't it.
And Wallace talked about doing the tour of Edinburgh Castle
(12:50):
and the connection. That's his first time back here since
coming back as a young lad, so I guess he'll
be hoping to be the complete opposite of a Scottish
war hero this weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, lead the All Blacks in to battle and continue
that unbeaten record as well, just on Scotland naming there,
So a couple of surprises with them. No Duhan thunder
Moeuver on the wing. A little bit of a surprise there.
They've got very good Darcy Graham on one wing, Kyle
Stain on the other. Took a lot to their captain
(13:22):
at second five. No Xander Fagason as well out through injury,
the same injury or one of the injuries that kept
him out of British Irrish Lions two in the midyear
series as well. It was hoped he might recover in
time for this game, but not to be Ki bourn
or New Zealand born Tom Jordan on the bench in
a six to two bench split the year as well. Look,
(13:46):
they've got some enterprising backs Scotland and you look at
that combination. Fin Russell at ten can do anything with
the way that he plays. So if they get the ball,
as Mike question, because I suspect you looking at the
front rows and the All Blacks pack, they should have
the better of the Scottish back But if they can
gain parity there at the very least, Scotland the likes
(14:09):
of Russell and tweet Alto and Darcy Graham and Kinghorn
to have a real sale on Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Yeah, I think the All Blacks will definitely come for
them up front, particularly at the scrum. We saw them.
We've seen them weaponize it against most opposition probably other
than the spring Box. This year. They really started to
turn the screws and that helped them turn the tide
against Ireland last week. So that'll be a real focal
platform I think for the All Blacks. Hugh Jones a
(14:35):
big out for Scotland, very classy center, so a big
loss for them there. Staying on the wing, I think
he's an underrated presence. Hutchinson. Just reading Charlie Phoenix Charlie
Morgan sorry from well known English rugby you know, got
big raps on him saying he's one of the best
(14:56):
GameLine ball players in the English Premiership for Northampton, so
interesting to see how he goes. My question to you
is there's been a lot made and it's very true
that Scotland's very different Northern Hemisphere team, particularly a rustle
at ten. They use the ball, they attack, they're quite
innovative and dynamic. But is there a risk that that
(15:18):
plays into All Back's hands as well that's how they
want to play.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Quite possibly, we've seen the All Blacks really be pressured
when they put under aerial attack this year and the
fact that they that Scotland are more likely to run
at the All Blacks there's likely to be more broken
space opportunities then that could well play into the All
Black's hands. We haven't seen the All Blacks at their
best on attack probably for the last year, eighteen months
(15:41):
or so they've had moments. There's good moments against Ireland,
but more often than not, teams have realized that the
way to putting pressure under them is bombarding the early
aerial attack and just stunting some of those opportunities the
All Blacks have. So I could play into the All
Blacks hands if both teams are willing to run. Not
necessarily saying the All Blacks are going to be better
(16:01):
at it, but they will like the fact that they're
not being forced to try and catch high balls every
two seconds. So you know Scotland that methods work for
them and the Six Nations to an extent, whether it
works against the All Blacks, I think the jury's out
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, I think the occasion, the way Scotland play it
could go one or two ways. Russell's the type of
guy that can can be hot and cold as well,
can be a wee bit erratic when he's on. He's
on his running game, his short kicking game is lethal,
but he's quite nonchalant, quite hard to predict, and that
(16:40):
can go one or two ways. So I think he'll
be right up for this, but Scotland not at full
strength and if things don't go to plan. The All
Blacks haven't been their best on counter attack, but you
think of fighting a knooker or even a levera Ricardo
swooping on some loose ball, bone barretts, little kicks and behind.
(17:04):
I think the way Scotland play will certainly plan into
their hands more than say in England next week, who
will be expected to kick a lot look to grind
the All Blacks frustrate them. I think Ill Blacks will
probably relish playing Scotland more than they will England.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Prediction time, what do you reckon Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I'm gonna say it goes to history and scripts. Gilbacks
will preserve the unbeaten records and they'll win by ten points.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah, I have the All Blacks by twelve. I think
it'd be a close game, but I think the All
Blacks will just be a little bit too clinical, a
little bit too good, and that'll be enough for the victory.
On Saturday afternoon Sunday morning in New Zealand time, you
can hear the commentary live on News Talk ZBI, gold
Sport and iHeartRadio from four am. Chuck it under the
Polo Ford your company there and myself and liamb. We
(17:54):
will catch you early part of next week as we
look ahead and wrap up the Second Test, look ahead
of the Third Test in London next weekend. That has
been Rugby Direct, powered by our good friends at Excess Solutions,
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Speaker 1 (18:13):
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