April 19, 2026 • 32 mins
On this week’s episode of Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier rip into a massive Round 10.
The Hurricanes’ title charge takes a serious hit after a stumbling loss to the Chiefs, the Black Ferns flex their muscle with a statement win over Canada, and there’s no shortage of other talking points across the rugby landscape.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, Straight
down the Middle, try get inside the game from every angle.
(00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by habit Helphysio. Book today
and stay in the game. Back for another week of
rugby discussion and Super Rugby in the books for another
week has always joining me, Liam Napier, Welcome in. Nate's
good to have you back on the pods. And look,
maybe this was the round that Super Rugby needed, a
few upsets along the way, a few twists in the
(01:00):
tail after a week of turmoil with Mawada Pacifica last
week perhaps, as I say, just the tonic for Super Rugby.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, it was much needed, wasn't Ali. We were bemoaning
the lack of jeopardy, the lack of upsets, the lack
of intrigue, and look, I think last weekend had had
all that, didn't it? A few surprise results, one match
in particular that was very engrossing. So yeah, good to
see it's come to the fore and deliver what we've
been asking for and hopefully a lot more of it
(01:32):
to come.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
You were talking obviously about the Brumbies and Drawer, which
we'll get to in a moment, but first and foremost,
as we always do, work our way backwards and the
Force beating the Crusaders in Perth to start the round.
The Crusaders were nineteen nil up at one stage in
this game. They had a young team over their very experience.
They were missing a lot of players. They debuted two
(01:54):
players off the bench. But at nineteen nil up, regardless
of who you've got in your team, you should do
better than what they did and only scoring seven points
for the rest of the facture, they just went off
the boil in this game. And it's hard to figure
out why. You look at a lot of the stats
and they bossed the Force in those stats, but they
just went cold. And occasionally see teams do that, but
(02:17):
it's something that Crusaders could ill afford. And this tour
of Australia at now oh and two as they come
back with their tail between the legs to open this
new stadium on Friday night. But they're a better strife,
aren't they? What did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yeah, I hate to bring this up, Elliott, but I
did tip the Force. It's not just out of spite.
I didn't like the look of that Crusaders team. You
mentioned they were young, but I thought they took a
few unnecessary risks with Noah Hopeam on the bench and
you know a couple of others. I know they've been
hit really hard by injury and perhaps trying to keep
a bit and reserve, as you say, for opening weekends
(02:53):
in christ Church. But yeah, like you point out as well,
nineteen a lup. No team should lose from there. And look,
I think we need to give a bit of credit
to the Force. They are much more competitive this year.
Is that Glomax has made a real impression. He was
great in the year, and credit to them for the
way they came back. But yeah, the Crusaders are in
(03:14):
a bit of a hole. I think they're five and
four only had one result of note this year being
the Chiefs and Hamilton very patchy and a bit of
pressure building and you know they need they need the
cavalry to come back pretty quickly.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
They do. And yeah, oh and two on this tour
of Australia, look some some good performances, but again not
good enough, and you did tip them. You mentioned this
could be a game that the Crusaders lose, and indeed
they did, and it's so interesting for Rob Penny. Now,
obviously they've got some players to come back, but Will
Jordan is still around a month away, maybe slightly shorter
(03:49):
than that. But we saw in Durosa that Scott Robertson's
regime that when players are all out of this Crusader's side,
you know, be next man up. And they blooded a
whole lot of players. I think one of the titles
they won, they'd used about fifty players, including John R. Foller.
In the calendar year. That doesn't seem the case anymore.
When the Crusaders lose a couple of players, they're in
real strife. So it's a lot for them to contemplate
(04:11):
on a tricky plane or long plane ride back to
New Zealand to open this new stadium with their top
six hopes really in the balance. And we'll get to
this on you know, later in the week, but Crusaders
Wartars this week under the roof takes on extra significance
in terms of six playing seven.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
A does indeeds, Yeah, the top six looks to be
achievable to a degree, but it's a tough run home
for the Crusaders. They've got to play the Hurricanes twice
and yeah, the Wartars are no pushovers. They'll go to
a cross church with a wee bit of confidence. The Crusaders.
They do have some guys standing up for them. I
thought lesterfying A Nooku was strong in the midfields, and
(04:52):
Dominic Gardner and a couple of others. But just inconsistent,
isn't it, both within matches and week to week. So
I think there's some real concerns there. And yeah, some
big concerns Elliott that they'll need a big local presence
this weekend to right the ship.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Well, the good news a Scribe is playing at halftime,
so all is all is okay in the world and
it will be reset seven thirty five on Friday night.
We don't touch too much on the games that don't
involve New Zealand teams, but it is probably worth mentioning
the Drewer beating the Brumbies first away win in three
and a half years for the Fiji and Drewer. You know,
(05:29):
we've often talked on this podcast about how they don't
travel particularly well. Well, they travel beautifully to Canberra and
one at one of the hardest places to win in
Super Rugby. Excellent performance from the drawer and again just
squeezes that you spot for the final playoff spots too.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah it was a massive shock, wasn't it. Really bizarre
season for the Brumbies beaten a host of New Zealand teams,
losing at home to the Waratas and the Durer So
not too sure what's happening there, but credit to the Duror.
Yeah they're away recorded is terrible, but that's got to
be right up there with one of the most significant
wins in their history. I saw at a commentary from
(06:08):
them post match about you know how the Brumbies have
former champions, so to go to their home patch and
knock them over there as massive scale.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Former champ I mean, that's going back a very long way.
But yes, so I taped points. Speaking of former champions,
both the Chiefs and Hurricanes have won titles, but not
for many a year. But they met seven oh five
in Hamilton on Saturday night and we got treated to
a super point thriller between these two sides. Chiefs winning
in extra time twenty two to seventeen. This lived up
(06:39):
to the billing. It wasn't, you know, one of the
greatest games of rugby. But it was tight, it was tense,
and the Chiefs came out on top and just put
a little bit of a blow on the Hurricanes who
have been on that streak and only dropping one game
this season. Big win for the Chiefs and the Hurricanes
just take a little bit of a step backwards in
their run towards the top seeding. And obviously the Chiefs
(06:59):
have taken top spot, although they played an extra game
than the Hurricanes. But this was battle of two New
Zealand super rugby heavyweights, not much between them, and it
took a little bit of moment of magic from Wallace
a Titi to get the game done, and often that's
what it takes, you know, a moment of brilliance, and
the Chiefs managed to find one in extra time.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
I thoroughly enjoyed this match, Elliot. I thought, like you say,
it wasn't necessarily the most spectacular spectacle of flee, free
flowing tries and whatnot, but I think it's the closest
we've seen this year to test match rugby to Finals rugby,
and we'll see more of this as the competition progresses.
Ferocious physicality, particularly at the breakdown, both teams going hammer
(07:42):
and tong at each other. I thought the Hurricanes largely
bossed the game, particularly their loose for trio you head
Peter Luckeye to see Carefi and some of their front
rowers even exam Via new Maya more standing up. But
the second half I think they kicked away too much,
balled Hurricanes with the wind at their back, and then
(08:04):
just a bit of a moment of madness from Joe Rover.
That's offloads. I'll advise you up by seven points, pretty
much in control at that point in the Chiefs twenty
two didn't need to throw that pass. The Chiefs go
the length, brilliance offload from Leroy Carter and then it's
(08:25):
all locked up and a bit of luck, I think
for the Chiefs. So I don't think there's much between
those two teams, but a thoroughly enjoyable match. Simon Parker
was huge for the Chiefs. Luke Jacobson gets to celebrate
his hundredth games, so there's a favorite emotion around that
for the Chiefs, and I really do think that was
a preview of what we'll see later in the year
(08:46):
in terms of a Grand Final.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Yeah, I think so as well, on the basis of
what we saw there, and I think, you know, the
Hurricanes won't be too disheartened necessarily, but I do have
a couple of questions about, you know, the way that
they played in that performance. It felt like they kind
of went away from their strengths a little bit. And look,
I know there'd been full carts rain and it didn't
(09:08):
really arrive until later in the contest, but it felt
like they were maybe playing a style of game that
they played for the forecast and not adapted to it necessarily.
And that's been something we've seen from the Hurricanes in
the past that maybe they haven't quite adapted to different
styles of rugby or the conditions that have been presented
to them. You look at the way they played against
(09:29):
the Blues the previous week, and perhaps the Blues allowed
them to do so and perhaps the Chiefs didn't, but
it was a lot more expansive, you know, when the
Blues were playing against the Blues rather than what we
saw against the Chiefs. Thought the Hurricanes struggled for post
contact meters against the Chiefs, and again that's because the
Chiefs were able to tighten things up a little bit.
(09:50):
But it didn't feel like they played to their strengths.
And we've seen finnhing A northfol have some great games
this season and the Hurricanes be able to use their
edges really really well. Didn't feel like maybe they were
able to unlock those players as well as we've seen
in previous weeks.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Yeah, I'd agree with that. I think they checked down
that second half. It was like they had been instructed
to play territory, to kick deep whenever the opportunity was
on and probably went into their shelves a wee bit
too much and saying that it was that laid offloads
that really did turn the tides. But there were some
big moments in that match. When they Damien McKenzie. I
(10:28):
thought the Hurricanes probably potentially a bit hard done by
not to get a late penalty. You don't want the
game to swing on that, but that was one moment.
Then there was the charge down and wallaceon TC, credit
to him for racing onto that perhaps a wee bit
of luck. And then tell me, Eliott, what the hell
were the Hurricanes doing replacing Cam Rougat an extra time.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
That's a very good point. I find that incredibly baffling.
And look, the one knock I'd probably have on Clark
laid Law at this point in his coaching tenure is
that his selections sometimes are a little bizarre and sometimes
his tactical replacements aren't quite right. Now we'll get into
this ladder in the pod, but he's plumped for Johnny
Rover on a number of occasions this year. Riley Higgins
(11:08):
was the talk of the town eighteen months ago and
he's now leaving to go to Scotland. Can't get a
game for the Hurricanes. I think is a better player
than john Ay Rover, doesn't cover as many positions, but
he's been out on the cold so far this year.
But to go back to your point, the Hurricanes had
just had five or six minutes of a pause between
full time in the match and restarting. Now you don't
(11:31):
know how long Golden Point is going to go for,
but it's a maximum of ten minutes. Now. Surely camroy
Guard in his fitless levels and his quality of player
is a player that you need out there for that
final ten minutes. He can make things happen he's capable
for his boot of turning games on a head, is
sniping runs around the base of the ruck edieotata and Ari.
The drop off is huge to him, and I thought
(11:53):
it wasn't necessarily the winning and losing of the game.
But Boyd didn't help the Hurricanes subbing him off at
that point in time.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
No, completely baffling substitution for me, Alet. I can't work
out or fathom the logic behind that. As you say
that he had a rest, and you only have to look
at Ken Roygard's reaction when he's walking off the field.
He was pissed off. He did not want to leave
the field. And look, you're taking, perhaps barring McKenzie, the
most influential player off the park at the most important
(12:21):
time in the game. So I really struggled to grasp
what the logic was around there.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah, look, I'm sure Clark Ladler is maybe looking at
stats or whatever, all the GPS numbers that have got
access to in the coach's box, and maybe there was
a drop But again, you back roy Guard to come
up with a big play in a moment like that.
His combination with love is really growing nicely. I thought
McKinsey probably outplayed Love on the night, but Love had
probably played out well definitely had outplayed Boden Barrett the
(12:48):
week prior in the Capitol, so that combination there. Look,
Royguard is such a quality player. And again if we
extrapolate this out a little bit in terms of Test
matches this year, if he's out there and got the
game in his hand at seventy eight seventy nine minutes,
you know he's capable of playing eighty minutes. Can rogard?
It's fitness levels are exceptional. Don't sub players for the
(13:09):
sake of it?
Speaker 3 (13:10):
No, exactly right. And look, yeah, the Hurricanes have got
a tough run and they're going to have to rotate
a bit in the coming weeks and that'll compromise performance.
But you're that deep in a match, just leave them
out there to finish the job. I don't know if
that's the winning and the losing of the game, but
he could have come up with a play, and particularly
his boots in those situations with time ticking down, his
(13:34):
ability to alleviate pressure and put the ball on a spot,
his running game, who knows what he could have come
up with.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
That's right, If we touch on the Chiefs. Really good
win for them in the context of the overall season.
They come up with a big result that you know,
they lost the Crusaders at home, that had a couple
of results where they you know, in Australia where they
didn't look at their best, but they seem to be
finding their mojo this season and that was a really
(14:00):
good win, big win in the context of their season,
and with some bodies back now you're looking go they
could be building into you know, championship contenders, which they
always were of course, but we hadn't probably seen their best.
But that's a performance that'll they'll carry in their pocket
for the rest of the campaign. They've got such depth obviously.
While the Ted comes off the bench and has that
(14:21):
winning moment, you know he'll be back on the starting side,
I'm sure as well in the coming weeks. But to
provide to do it without him on the weekend, you know,
I think John A. Gibbs can have a big smile
on his face with what they've been able to do.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
There absolutely the most significant win of John O's short tenure.
And look, I think the Chiefs were on the rack
at times in that game and their ability to hang,
tough defense, scramble and then counter punch ultimately at the
death and score that try says a lot about that team.
You mentioned their depth there and they can do it
(14:58):
all over the park and in the midfield as well.
They've still got a couple of bodies to come back,
so yeah, they've they've been there or there about seventh
there for the best part of four or five years, mads,
so maybe there are timing their run a little bit
better this year. I think home advantage does make a difference.
Luke Jacobson as a very influential respective figure within that
Chief side, so I've got no doubt that that played
(15:20):
a factor, and then their resilience in their spirit in
that game. But I do think we will see those
two teams come the business end of the year. Lockcorn's again.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yeah, Look, the Chiefs have the drawer this week in
christ Church, then the Reds away, Highlanders at home, Crusaders
away and Blues at home to finish. So similar to
the Holanders, they've got tricky drawers, especially the last couple
of weeks potentially if the Crusaders are fighting for a
playoff spot in the context of their season. But again
I think there's another twist in the tail in terms
(15:51):
of who finishes top this year in Super Rugby. Let's
go back to Friday Night, War Tars twenty nine, Mowana
Pacific at fourteen. You know, Mowana had their moments in
this game, but the war Retar is just a fraction
too good. Obviously, Mauana playing a little bit of a
motion given their news last week, but you know, the
Wartar is just able to find a couple of moments
(16:13):
that would you give them the victory. I didn't think
it was a vintage war Tars performance, but they just
did enough in the end.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Yeah, that's right. Miana. Pretty spirited, weren't they, But ultimately
spirit only carries you so far, and you needed that
execution difficult conditions at times. I don't think the war
Tars were overly special, but an important home win for them. Yeah.
A big challenge from Wana, isn't it, given the context
(16:41):
of their existence and everything that had happened in that week.
They've got five more matches this year, so they're going
to have to stick tight and try and salvage what
they can.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Have you heard anything in the last few days since
we recorded last week around their future if you sort
of checked your own bank balance and contemplated whether you
could afford taking them on or.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Yeah, I thought about selling, you know, one of my
five properties in the Aukland market. Just the bail and
bail them out. But I'm going to take a trip
to Hawaiian steads. There's there are ongoing whispers about that
potential Melbourne consortium Melbourne option with the lack of rugby
(17:23):
in with the rebels, but I can't see it coming
to fruition at this point. There's potential of the Australian
government getting involved at some points, but at this point
it just seems highly unlikely, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It does. Yeah, It's just it's going to take a
miracle for more one or to remain existing at least
in the current form. But interesting super Rugby being very
very signed around it, although they're going to have to
face some questions later in the week once super run
does roll around and the opening game of the round
forty seven forty the Blues beating the Highlanders. Now the
Blues are on track for comfortable when at one point
(18:02):
they just couldn't quite the jam. The door closed on
the Highlanders, they just left it open for a fraction
too long. I think, well, at times this was a
very good Blues performance and at times it was probably
symbolic of the areas they need to improve if they're
going to be a contender this year. Ultimately, they did win,
but they were lucky not to take it or be
taken too Golden point, extra time or super point as
(18:25):
it is known these days. A bounce back when following
the defeat to the Hurricanes last week, but there's some
gaping issues for this team in terms of the defense
and a few other things. What did you make of
that game?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
It's quite symptomatic of the Blue season, I think on
the whole quite Jeko and hides good and patches limited
in others. And then you'd have to say some real
major concerns around the mentality, the ruthlessness, the ability to
close out games. They really left the door open for
the Hounds and clocked off, and I think Dalden Papoli
said as much postmatch, saying that they clocked off, gave
(19:01):
up almost towards the death and lot credit to the Highlanders.
I thought they were, you know, shod a lot of
spirit and fight and had a number of standout performances
Adam Lennox halfback, shifting out to the wing and showcasing
his versatility, and you know, they were really good for it.
But from a Blues perspective, what they did initially, they
(19:23):
did really well going up the middle. They made it
look easy with Hoskins, Tutu, Patrick, Tuo, Polo too in Dalton,
Papolle coming back really bolted that four pack that got
dominated the week before by the hurricane. So three massive
inns and they really did go through the front door
of the Hondas and built that comfortable lead, and then
they just became really erratic, really sloppy, even Boden Barrett
(19:46):
throwing some wild passes that led to tries. So I
think Vern Cotdda would be steaming one. He doesn't suffer
fools and he doesn't mince's words, so I think there
would be a few harsh lessons and some pretty telling
comments from Vern come this week for the Blues Yees Stern.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Vern won't be entirely pleased with the way they played
that game. Yeah, forty seven forty they should never have
got that close to the fact that Hoylanders could have
tried force golden point extra time. The game looked over
a couple of times. Some discipline big issues for them.
Aj Lamb goes off yellow carded Zan Sullivan with the
(20:27):
high shot, which incidentally has not been followed up by
the judiciary. Over the last couple of days, Jamie Joseph
had a few issues. He didn't say it was a
red card, but said if it's not a red card,
then what is was his wording in the most postmaged
media conference. So that hasn't been picked up by the judiciary.
But they're probably going to have to be without Caleb
Tonguey tow for obviously this week, but maybe a little
(20:50):
bit longer if there's further damage on the Hinders are
hoping for an update in the next week. While about that,
that's a sol performance from the Highlanders and you know
they're right in the mix for this top six, especially
with the Crusaders losing on the weekend. They have the
Miner Pacifica in christ Hretch this week, they're away to
the Drill the following week, then they had the Waratahs,
(21:10):
Chiefs and Hurricanes to finish. Now the Prota needs to
win at least one of their last two, but if
they can pick up a couple more wins that they're
definitely not out of the conversation for the playoffs, and
if they can keep some bodies fit, you know, maybe
they're not out of the question. One player I was
impressed with and he might come into the reckoning for
my three two ones. But later Anton Signa for the
Blues I thought had a storming game, a couple of tries,
(21:32):
but he picked off a couple of lineouts as well turnovers. Again, look,
he's been around the traps for a few seasons now,
but again I think he's really coming of age now,
especially this season for the Blues, and is playing a
key hand for them.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
It was a real standout performance, wasn't it from Anton Signa?
And you mentioned there has been around a while as
he had to bide his time playing out of position
off the bench, and he has just resigned with the
Blues through to the end of next year. And I
had a few conversations last week around you know, the
Blues potential of looking to pick up Artie Severe and
(22:08):
the point was made to me that, you know, Anton
Seigna has been has been airmarked as a future captain
in the Blues, and so you know, there are intricacies
around in different dynamics around potentially bringing Ardi and all
those sort of spin offs as well. So ans On
in a week of that speculation, really standing up and
doing it all as you say, line outs, tries, carries, turnovers,
(22:31):
and you'd think that he's only going to continue to
mature as well.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Do you think he's in the conversation for the All Blacks?
And I mentioned you know they're going to take this
big squad to South Africa later in the year. We
don't know what Devin Flanders has been excellent as well
for the Hurricanes is doing. Is he in that mix
for the All Blacks?
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I would say probably not just yet. You have to
maybe all Blacks fifteen But the loose forwards is just
such a stacked area, isn't it. And he's probably going
head to head with someone like a do see Carifi
from an open sub perspective, I don't think he's big
enough to play blindside at Test rugby or number eight,
(23:10):
which he has shown his versatility for the Blues, but
look that performance. If he can continue to deliver that form,
he's certainly right in the conversation.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Yeah, I think the Blues are named him three Man
of the Match awards in a row Anton signa, so
he's been pretty impressive. That will do us for our
wrap of the round here and Super Rugby back with
more after this on Rugby Direct. Final four time on
Rugby Directs. For Rugby Topics, myself and Liam debates them
topic number one. The Black Ferns Starne Canada. Are they
(23:41):
back at the top table? Napes? I commentated this one
for Gold Sport and iHeartRadio on Saturday. There was a
bit of waiting around to kick off was delayed two
hours fifty five minutes to be exact, but boy it
was worth the wait. This was I failed a statement
performance from the Black Ferns. We obviously talked about them
playing USA last week and you know, again the USA
(24:02):
aren't strong in terms of women's fifteens. Canada certainly are,
having beaten them at the World Cup semi final last year,
and to go out and win in the nature that
the Black Friends did, I thought was a very very
good performance, especially given they were down at halftime, had
to come back all the delays that had gone into it.
But there's a little bit to like about the Black
(24:22):
Fans as early days. But Whitney Hansen Stampa cer Mark
on this team quickly.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
She is, yeah, and like you say, early days. And
we talked about the rush that was evidence in week
one against the USA, and perhaps those delays had an
effect on their first half performance, but boy, they came
out and really put it to Canada in that second half,
and you'd have to think there was a bit of
feeling in that given what transpired at the World Cup.
(24:49):
And it's important to remember the context that this Black
Fern's team still significantly down on star power. They were
Georgia Miller and a host of others out of action
with the sevens team as well, so plenty of five
powers to come back, and you'd have to say, even
at this early stage that they are back.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Yeah. I'm really liking the direct style that they're playing with.
We saw it last week. They last year at the
World Cup that kind of waited on some of their
senior players to do things. Hate Demant carrying a lot
on her shoulders, but we're looking for you know, Woodman
or Sorenson McGee to spark things and Vakula and look,
those are quality players and you can expect them to
(25:25):
do things in a game but it felt like that
was their game plan was basically hope that one of
their stars would turn up and have a moment of brilliance.
Now it looks like they're playing to a style that
they can all work with, and you know, it feels
more detail oriented. So promising signs ahead for the Black
Friends who played the US player Australia on the Sunshine
Coast this week, and incidentally mentioned the Black Friends sevens
(25:47):
who have claimed another title in Hong Kong with some
of those key players, they are on fire. Topic number two,
What are the stories of the weekends, not just in
rugby but in football as well. We had a lightning
delay in Sydney on Friday night and the Muna game
we had the lightning delay two hours fifty five minutes
for tornadoes and lightning Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday. Now
(26:10):
my question to you, Liam is this the right caller
is over bearing to delay these games because it feels
like a relatively new thing that we're pausing or delaying
games because of the atmospheric conditions.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Yeah, I was thinking that myself that I don't remember
this happening previously. The first time in recent memory was
the Line series certainly from a big profile point of view.
So you know what, why is it such a new issue.
I guess there's conservatism around the water. If somebody does
get struck, then organizers are liable. But it does feel
(26:47):
a bit over zealous the length of the delays, the
disruption that has been caused. And I'd love to know
why it's just coming in the past, what five years
or so, because plenty of games would have been played
in those conditions throughout history.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yeah, it feels like, obviously no one wants to see,
you know, anyone struck by lightning, spectators is people work
at the ground, players, whatever it might be. But I
do wonder if it is slightly too conservative, and you know,
you can plan the rain obviously, but it feels like,
you know, lightning, yep, that's unsafe and everyone's told to
hunker down. But it does feel like we're verging on
(27:25):
a little bit too conservative in terms of not playing
some of these games and then pausing them, especially for
the long delays, like I can understand initially, but get
it back out there as soon as it's passed, not
wadding half an hour. Topic number three Riley Higgins. We
touched on this earlier to leave New Zealand Rugby for Scotland.
He's only twenty three years of age. He is eligible
for Scotland, so I can slot straight in. Although they've
(27:46):
got a very good midfield, don't they at the moment
with that combination with Hui Pelottu. But big loss I
think for New Zealand rugby, and it kind of feels
like he didn't get really a start as chance after
a couple of injuries at the Hurricanes. How disappointed are
you by this?
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Yeah? Massive blow. I think, look, Ridley Higgins, he's not
the biggest guy going around from him, but feel perspective,
but he is very very skillful, great feet, good passing repertoire,
and I think he was rarely starting to come on
the national radar in the last couple of years, not
helped by those injuries. And I'm very surprised at the
(28:22):
lack of game time he has received in the Hurricanes.
And the other point to note here earlier is he's
going to be one of potentially up to ten players
I think that will leave the Hurricanes this year, which
heightens the pressure I think on them to break that
championship drought. The decade long championship drout that. You've also
got Devin Flanders, who's there's a lot of talk about
(28:47):
big money coming for him in Japan. Both Locks are
leaving Isaya Walker lea Werde is going to Italy. Warner
Durns only on a one year contract, so he goes
back to Japan. I think there's others potentially Xavier new Mair.
You've got Jason Hollins leaving from the coach coaching crew
going to the Blues.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
And.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Of course Finn Enough for Ken in a Holo. There's
been talking about him as well. So there's when you
start putting those pieces together. Some of them aren't necessarily
the big headline names, but super rugby is often about
how deep your squad is and if you're losing that
many players, it is going to have an effect at
some point. Because it's a long season, you need to rotate.
(29:28):
So Riley Higgins big loss and he could potentially be
one of many.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
Might you have to make account this year? Liam, to
make account?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Luck you've got you on the train mate, Wow, something
like that.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Although let's think back twenty fifteen. You know you made
the final, lost it that year with non news Smith.
A few others that left after that campaign. A year later,
you and Theory come back and win it without those guys,
so maybe all hopes is not lost for twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
That's right. I think Willis, Hulor Hollow and others were
right in the mix there. So yeah, great to have
your positivity on board the cane train.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Always positive. Topic number four in the final four. Is
it time to draw a line through the Crusaders for
this season?
Speaker 3 (30:10):
Absolutely yeah, I'm happy to look. I think they'll sneak it.
I think they'll sneak into the playoffs and you put
those big names back in there, Will Jordan and Cody Taylor,
Scott Barrett, They're going to have a massive influence. So
if they're in the playoff mix, you're not going to
write them off. But they're going to have to do
it the hard way. So I'm happy at this point
(30:32):
to say the Crusaders do not win the title this year.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Okay, we'll mark that down twenty th of April. I
don't think they'll win it, but again, it's interesting if
they make the playoffs and it's a one v six
an hour ago against the Hurricanes, look Out on Restadium,
look Out on the stadium because they're on.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
The train now, mate, No, welcome on board.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
I'm on the Crusaders horses. We'll be trotting our way
down to the Capitol for that one.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
You're going, you're going to the butchers or where the
horses glor rotting free in the in the yard or something.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah. After the devastatingly taken away from us,
let's get into MVP voting for the week for Young
and Alpho leads our MVP standings and the Rugby Derick
Medal on eleven, Camroy guards on ten. Quinter Pie has seven.
Who gets your MVP votes? Liam? Do you have space
(31:24):
for Eddie and Aari or you left him out this week?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
No, he's a surprising admission, actually stock ad mission. I'm
going to go Simon Parker. I've been quite critical of
him at times, but I thought this was a huge
performance right across the park, at the line outs, at
the breakdown, ball in hands, he was a real physical presence,
really stood up for the Chiefs. So I'm giving him
my three. I'm going to go two Tanton Signa and
(31:49):
I'm going to go one to more. I thought that
was his best performance of the year really damaging with
ball in hand and certainly looked like he enjoyed scoring
that try to Yeah, he did absolutely.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I'm going to go Anton's signa for three. I thought
he was excellent. Peter Lucky gets my two and what
was the td on virtue of, you know, big gameplay
standing up and converting it gets my one. So there
you go, three two ones for another week. We'll throw
that in the melting pot and see where it all lands.
But it's a tight race in the Rugby Direct metal.
(32:21):
You can of course get in touch with the pod
on Rugby Direct at News Talk, ZB dot co, do
and Z. We're back later in the week. Thanks again, Nates,
so look forward to catching up again in a couple
of days time.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
In the Thursday.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Mate, We'll do Rugby Direct powered by habit hel Physio.
Book today and stay in the game.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
For more from News Talks EDB. 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 Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio, Straight
down the Middle, try get inside the game from every angle.
(00:32):
It's Rugby Direct with Elliot Smith and Liam Napier powered
by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by habit Helphysio. Book today
and stay in the game. Back for another week of
rugby discussion and Super Rugby in the books for another
week has always joining me, Liam Napier, Welcome in. Nate's
good to have you back on the pods. And look,
maybe this was the round that Super Rugby needed, a
few upsets along the way, a few twists in the
(01:00):
tail after a week of turmoil with Mawada Pacifica last
week perhaps, as I say, just the tonic for Super Rugby.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah, it was much needed, wasn't Ali. We were bemoaning
the lack of jeopardy, the lack of upsets, the lack
of intrigue, and look, I think last weekend had had
all that, didn't it? A few surprise results, one match
in particular that was very engrossing. So yeah, good to
see it's come to the fore and deliver what we've
been asking for and hopefully a lot more of it
(01:32):
to come.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
You were talking obviously about the Brumbies and Drawer, which
we'll get to in a moment, but first and foremost,
as we always do, work our way backwards and the
Force beating the Crusaders in Perth to start the round.
The Crusaders were nineteen nil up at one stage in
this game. They had a young team over their very experience.
They were missing a lot of players. They debuted two
(01:54):
players off the bench. But at nineteen nil up, regardless
of who you've got in your team, you should do
better than what they did and only scoring seven points
for the rest of the facture, they just went off
the boil in this game. And it's hard to figure
out why. You look at a lot of the stats
and they bossed the Force in those stats, but they
just went cold. And occasionally see teams do that, but
(02:17):
it's something that Crusaders could ill afford. And this tour
of Australia at now oh and two as they come
back with their tail between the legs to open this
new stadium on Friday night. But they're a better strife,
aren't they? What did you make of it?
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yeah, I hate to bring this up, Elliott, but I
did tip the Force. It's not just out of spite.
I didn't like the look of that Crusaders team. You
mentioned they were young, but I thought they took a
few unnecessary risks with Noah Hopeam on the bench and
you know a couple of others. I know they've been
hit really hard by injury and perhaps trying to keep
a bit and reserve, as you say, for opening weekends
(02:53):
in christ Church. But yeah, like you point out as well,
nineteen a lup. No team should lose from there. And look,
I think we need to give a bit of credit
to the Force. They are much more competitive this year.
Is that Glomax has made a real impression. He was
great in the year, and credit to them for the
way they came back. But yeah, the Crusaders are in
(03:14):
a bit of a hole. I think they're five and
four only had one result of note this year being
the Chiefs and Hamilton very patchy and a bit of
pressure building and you know they need they need the
cavalry to come back pretty quickly.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
They do. And yeah, oh and two on this tour
of Australia, look some some good performances, but again not
good enough, and you did tip them. You mentioned this
could be a game that the Crusaders lose, and indeed
they did, and it's so interesting for Rob Penny. Now,
obviously they've got some players to come back, but Will
Jordan is still around a month away, maybe slightly shorter
(03:49):
than that. But we saw in Durosa that Scott Robertson's
regime that when players are all out of this Crusader's side,
you know, be next man up. And they blooded a
whole lot of players. I think one of the titles
they won, they'd used about fifty players, including John R. Foller.
In the calendar year. That doesn't seem the case anymore.
When the Crusaders lose a couple of players, they're in
real strife. So it's a lot for them to contemplate
(04:11):
on a tricky plane or long plane ride back to
New Zealand to open this new stadium with their top
six hopes really in the balance. And we'll get to
this on you know, later in the week, but Crusaders
Wartars this week under the roof takes on extra significance
in terms of six playing seven.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
A does indeeds, Yeah, the top six looks to be
achievable to a degree, but it's a tough run home
for the Crusaders. They've got to play the Hurricanes twice
and yeah, the Wartars are no pushovers. They'll go to
a cross church with a wee bit of confidence. The Crusaders.
They do have some guys standing up for them. I
thought lesterfying A Nooku was strong in the midfields, and
(04:52):
Dominic Gardner and a couple of others. But just inconsistent,
isn't it, both within matches and week to week. So
I think there's some real concerns there. And yeah, some
big concerns Elliott that they'll need a big local presence
this weekend to right the ship.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Well, the good news a Scribe is playing at halftime,
so all is all is okay in the world and
it will be reset seven thirty five on Friday night.
We don't touch too much on the games that don't
involve New Zealand teams, but it is probably worth mentioning
the Drewer beating the Brumbies first away win in three
and a half years for the Fiji and Drewer. You know,
(05:29):
we've often talked on this podcast about how they don't
travel particularly well. Well, they travel beautifully to Canberra and
one at one of the hardest places to win in
Super Rugby. Excellent performance from the drawer and again just
squeezes that you spot for the final playoff spots too.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah it was a massive shock, wasn't it. Really bizarre
season for the Brumbies beaten a host of New Zealand teams,
losing at home to the Waratas and the Durer So
not too sure what's happening there, but credit to the Duror.
Yeah they're away recorded is terrible, but that's got to
be right up there with one of the most significant
wins in their history. I saw at a commentary from
(06:08):
them post match about you know how the Brumbies have
former champions, so to go to their home patch and
knock them over there as massive scale.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Former champ I mean, that's going back a very long way.
But yes, so I taped points. Speaking of former champions,
both the Chiefs and Hurricanes have won titles, but not
for many a year. But they met seven oh five
in Hamilton on Saturday night and we got treated to
a super point thriller between these two sides. Chiefs winning
in extra time twenty two to seventeen. This lived up
(06:39):
to the billing. It wasn't, you know, one of the
greatest games of rugby. But it was tight, it was tense,
and the Chiefs came out on top and just put
a little bit of a blow on the Hurricanes who
have been on that streak and only dropping one game
this season. Big win for the Chiefs and the Hurricanes
just take a little bit of a step backwards in
their run towards the top seeding. And obviously the Chiefs
(06:59):
have taken top spot, although they played an extra game
than the Hurricanes. But this was battle of two New
Zealand super rugby heavyweights, not much between them, and it
took a little bit of moment of magic from Wallace
a Titi to get the game done, and often that's
what it takes, you know, a moment of brilliance, and
the Chiefs managed to find one in extra time.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
I thoroughly enjoyed this match, Elliot. I thought, like you say,
it wasn't necessarily the most spectacular spectacle of flee, free
flowing tries and whatnot, but I think it's the closest
we've seen this year to test match rugby to Finals rugby,
and we'll see more of this as the competition progresses.
Ferocious physicality, particularly at the breakdown, both teams going hammer
(07:42):
and tong at each other. I thought the Hurricanes largely
bossed the game, particularly their loose for trio you head
Peter Luckeye to see Carefi and some of their front
rowers even exam Via new Maya more standing up. But
the second half I think they kicked away too much,
balled Hurricanes with the wind at their back, and then
(08:04):
just a bit of a moment of madness from Joe Rover.
That's offloads. I'll advise you up by seven points, pretty
much in control at that point in the Chiefs twenty
two didn't need to throw that pass. The Chiefs go
the length, brilliance offload from Leroy Carter and then it's
(08:25):
all locked up and a bit of luck, I think
for the Chiefs. So I don't think there's much between
those two teams, but a thoroughly enjoyable match. Simon Parker
was huge for the Chiefs. Luke Jacobson gets to celebrate
his hundredth games, so there's a favorite emotion around that
for the Chiefs, and I really do think that was
a preview of what we'll see later in the year
(08:46):
in terms of a Grand Final.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Yeah, I think so as well, on the basis of
what we saw there, and I think, you know, the
Hurricanes won't be too disheartened necessarily, but I do have
a couple of questions about, you know, the way that
they played in that performance. It felt like they kind
of went away from their strengths a little bit. And look,
I know there'd been full carts rain and it didn't
(09:08):
really arrive until later in the contest, but it felt
like they were maybe playing a style of game that
they played for the forecast and not adapted to it necessarily.
And that's been something we've seen from the Hurricanes in
the past that maybe they haven't quite adapted to different
styles of rugby or the conditions that have been presented
to them. You look at the way they played against
(09:29):
the Blues the previous week, and perhaps the Blues allowed
them to do so and perhaps the Chiefs didn't, but
it was a lot more expansive, you know, when the
Blues were playing against the Blues rather than what we
saw against the Chiefs. Thought the Hurricanes struggled for post
contact meters against the Chiefs, and again that's because the
Chiefs were able to tighten things up a little bit.
(09:50):
But it didn't feel like they played to their strengths.
And we've seen finnhing A northfol have some great games
this season and the Hurricanes be able to use their
edges really really well. Didn't feel like maybe they were
able to unlock those players as well as we've seen
in previous weeks.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Yeah, I'd agree with that. I think they checked down
that second half. It was like they had been instructed
to play territory, to kick deep whenever the opportunity was
on and probably went into their shelves a wee bit
too much and saying that it was that laid offloads
that really did turn the tides. But there were some
big moments in that match. When they Damien McKenzie. I
(10:28):
thought the Hurricanes probably potentially a bit hard done by
not to get a late penalty. You don't want the
game to swing on that, but that was one moment.
Then there was the charge down and wallaceon TC, credit
to him for racing onto that perhaps a wee bit
of luck. And then tell me, Eliott, what the hell
were the Hurricanes doing replacing Cam Rougat an extra time.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
That's a very good point. I find that incredibly baffling.
And look, the one knock I'd probably have on Clark
laid Law at this point in his coaching tenure is
that his selections sometimes are a little bizarre and sometimes
his tactical replacements aren't quite right. Now we'll get into
this ladder in the pod, but he's plumped for Johnny
Rover on a number of occasions this year. Riley Higgins
(11:08):
was the talk of the town eighteen months ago and
he's now leaving to go to Scotland. Can't get a
game for the Hurricanes. I think is a better player
than john Ay Rover, doesn't cover as many positions, but
he's been out on the cold so far this year.
But to go back to your point, the Hurricanes had
just had five or six minutes of a pause between
full time in the match and restarting. Now you don't
(11:31):
know how long Golden Point is going to go for,
but it's a maximum of ten minutes. Now. Surely camroy
Guard in his fitless levels and his quality of player
is a player that you need out there for that
final ten minutes. He can make things happen he's capable
for his boot of turning games on a head, is
sniping runs around the base of the ruck edieotata and Ari.
The drop off is huge to him, and I thought
(11:53):
it wasn't necessarily the winning and losing of the game.
But Boyd didn't help the Hurricanes subbing him off at
that point in time.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
No, completely baffling substitution for me, Alet. I can't work
out or fathom the logic behind that. As you say
that he had a rest, and you only have to look
at Ken Roygard's reaction when he's walking off the field.
He was pissed off. He did not want to leave
the field. And look, you're taking, perhaps barring McKenzie, the
most influential player off the park at the most important
(12:21):
time in the game. So I really struggled to grasp
what the logic was around there.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah, look, I'm sure Clark Ladler is maybe looking at
stats or whatever, all the GPS numbers that have got
access to in the coach's box, and maybe there was
a drop But again, you back roy Guard to come
up with a big play in a moment like that.
His combination with love is really growing nicely. I thought
McKinsey probably outplayed Love on the night, but Love had
probably played out well definitely had outplayed Boden Barrett the
(12:48):
week prior in the Capitol, so that combination there. Look,
Royguard is such a quality player. And again if we
extrapolate this out a little bit in terms of Test
matches this year, if he's out there and got the
game in his hand at seventy eight seventy nine minutes,
you know he's capable of playing eighty minutes. Can rogard?
It's fitness levels are exceptional. Don't sub players for the
(13:09):
sake of it?
Speaker 3 (13:10):
No, exactly right. And look, yeah, the Hurricanes have got
a tough run and they're going to have to rotate
a bit in the coming weeks and that'll compromise performance.
But you're that deep in a match, just leave them
out there to finish the job. I don't know if
that's the winning and the losing of the game, but
he could have come up with a play, and particularly
his boots in those situations with time ticking down, his
(13:34):
ability to alleviate pressure and put the ball on a spot,
his running game, who knows what he could have come
up with.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
That's right, If we touch on the Chiefs. Really good
win for them in the context of the overall season.
They come up with a big result that you know,
they lost the Crusaders at home, that had a couple
of results where they you know, in Australia where they
didn't look at their best, but they seem to be
finding their mojo this season and that was a really
(14:00):
good win, big win in the context of their season,
and with some bodies back now you're looking go they
could be building into you know, championship contenders, which they
always were of course, but we hadn't probably seen their best.
But that's a performance that'll they'll carry in their pocket
for the rest of the campaign. They've got such depth obviously.
While the Ted comes off the bench and has that
(14:21):
winning moment, you know he'll be back on the starting side,
I'm sure as well in the coming weeks. But to
provide to do it without him on the weekend, you know,
I think John A. Gibbs can have a big smile
on his face with what they've been able to do.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
There absolutely the most significant win of John O's short tenure.
And look, I think the Chiefs were on the rack
at times in that game and their ability to hang,
tough defense, scramble and then counter punch ultimately at the
death and score that try says a lot about that team.
You mentioned their depth there and they can do it
(14:58):
all over the park and in the midfield as well.
They've still got a couple of bodies to come back,
so yeah, they've they've been there or there about seventh
there for the best part of four or five years, mads,
so maybe there are timing their run a little bit
better this year. I think home advantage does make a difference.
Luke Jacobson as a very influential respective figure within that
Chief side, so I've got no doubt that that played
(15:20):
a factor, and then their resilience in their spirit in
that game. But I do think we will see those
two teams come the business end of the year. Lockcorn's again.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Yeah, Look, the Chiefs have the drawer this week in
christ Church, then the Reds away, Highlanders at home, Crusaders
away and Blues at home to finish. So similar to
the Holanders, they've got tricky drawers, especially the last couple
of weeks potentially if the Crusaders are fighting for a
playoff spot in the context of their season. But again
I think there's another twist in the tail in terms
(15:51):
of who finishes top this year in Super Rugby. Let's
go back to Friday Night, War Tars twenty nine, Mowana
Pacific at fourteen. You know, Mowana had their moments in
this game, but the war Retar is just a fraction
too good. Obviously, Mauana playing a little bit of a
motion given their news last week, but you know, the
Wartar is just able to find a couple of moments
(16:13):
that would you give them the victory. I didn't think
it was a vintage war Tars performance, but they just
did enough in the end.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Yeah, that's right. Miana. Pretty spirited, weren't they, But ultimately
spirit only carries you so far, and you needed that
execution difficult conditions at times. I don't think the war
Tars were overly special, but an important home win for them. Yeah.
A big challenge from Wana, isn't it, given the context
(16:41):
of their existence and everything that had happened in that week.
They've got five more matches this year, so they're going
to have to stick tight and try and salvage what
they can.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Have you heard anything in the last few days since
we recorded last week around their future if you sort
of checked your own bank balance and contemplated whether you
could afford taking them on or.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Yeah, I thought about selling, you know, one of my
five properties in the Aukland market. Just the bail and
bail them out. But I'm going to take a trip
to Hawaiian steads. There's there are ongoing whispers about that
potential Melbourne consortium Melbourne option with the lack of rugby
(17:23):
in with the rebels, but I can't see it coming
to fruition at this point. There's potential of the Australian
government getting involved at some points, but at this point
it just seems highly unlikely, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It does. Yeah, It's just it's going to take a
miracle for more one or to remain existing at least
in the current form. But interesting super Rugby being very
very signed around it, although they're going to have to
face some questions later in the week once super run
does roll around and the opening game of the round
forty seven forty the Blues beating the Highlanders. Now the
Blues are on track for comfortable when at one point
(18:02):
they just couldn't quite the jam. The door closed on
the Highlanders, they just left it open for a fraction
too long. I think, well, at times this was a
very good Blues performance and at times it was probably
symbolic of the areas they need to improve if they're
going to be a contender this year. Ultimately, they did win,
but they were lucky not to take it or be
taken too Golden point, extra time or super point as
(18:25):
it is known these days. A bounce back when following
the defeat to the Hurricanes last week, but there's some
gaping issues for this team in terms of the defense
and a few other things. What did you make of
that game?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
It's quite symptomatic of the Blue season, I think on
the whole quite Jeko and hides good and patches limited
in others. And then you'd have to say some real
major concerns around the mentality, the ruthlessness, the ability to
close out games. They really left the door open for
the Hounds and clocked off, and I think Dalden Papoli
said as much postmatch, saying that they clocked off, gave
(19:01):
up almost towards the death and lot credit to the Highlanders.
I thought they were, you know, shod a lot of
spirit and fight and had a number of standout performances
Adam Lennox halfback, shifting out to the wing and showcasing
his versatility, and you know, they were really good for it.
But from a Blues perspective, what they did initially, they
(19:23):
did really well going up the middle. They made it
look easy with Hoskins, Tutu, Patrick, Tuo, Polo too in Dalton,
Papolle coming back really bolted that four pack that got
dominated the week before by the hurricane. So three massive
inns and they really did go through the front door
of the Hondas and built that comfortable lead, and then
they just became really erratic, really sloppy, even Boden Barrett
(19:46):
throwing some wild passes that led to tries. So I
think Vern Cotdda would be steaming one. He doesn't suffer
fools and he doesn't mince's words, so I think there
would be a few harsh lessons and some pretty telling
comments from Vern come this week for the Blues Yees Stern.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Vern won't be entirely pleased with the way they played
that game. Yeah, forty seven forty they should never have
got that close to the fact that Hoylanders could have
tried force golden point extra time. The game looked over
a couple of times. Some discipline big issues for them.
Aj Lamb goes off yellow carded Zan Sullivan with the
(20:27):
high shot, which incidentally has not been followed up by
the judiciary. Over the last couple of days, Jamie Joseph
had a few issues. He didn't say it was a
red card, but said if it's not a red card,
then what is was his wording in the most postmaged
media conference. So that hasn't been picked up by the judiciary.
But they're probably going to have to be without Caleb
Tonguey tow for obviously this week, but maybe a little
(20:50):
bit longer if there's further damage on the Hinders are
hoping for an update in the next week. While about that,
that's a sol performance from the Highlanders and you know
they're right in the mix for this top six, especially
with the Crusaders losing on the weekend. They have the
Miner Pacifica in christ Hretch this week, they're away to
the Drill the following week, then they had the Waratahs,
(21:10):
Chiefs and Hurricanes to finish. Now the Prota needs to
win at least one of their last two, but if
they can pick up a couple more wins that they're
definitely not out of the conversation for the playoffs, and
if they can keep some bodies fit, you know, maybe
they're not out of the question. One player I was
impressed with and he might come into the reckoning for
my three two ones. But later Anton Signa for the
Blues I thought had a storming game, a couple of tries,
(21:32):
but he picked off a couple of lineouts as well turnovers. Again, look,
he's been around the traps for a few seasons now,
but again I think he's really coming of age now,
especially this season for the Blues, and is playing a
key hand for them.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
It was a real standout performance, wasn't it from Anton Signa?
And you mentioned there has been around a while as
he had to bide his time playing out of position
off the bench, and he has just resigned with the
Blues through to the end of next year. And I
had a few conversations last week around you know, the
Blues potential of looking to pick up Artie Severe and
(22:08):
the point was made to me that, you know, Anton
Seigna has been has been airmarked as a future captain
in the Blues, and so you know, there are intricacies
around in different dynamics around potentially bringing Ardi and all
those sort of spin offs as well. So ans On
in a week of that speculation, really standing up and
doing it all as you say, line outs, tries, carries, turnovers,
(22:31):
and you'd think that he's only going to continue to
mature as well.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Do you think he's in the conversation for the All Blacks?
And I mentioned you know they're going to take this
big squad to South Africa later in the year. We
don't know what Devin Flanders has been excellent as well
for the Hurricanes is doing. Is he in that mix
for the All Blacks?
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I would say probably not just yet. You have to
maybe all Blacks fifteen But the loose forwards is just
such a stacked area, isn't it. And he's probably going
head to head with someone like a do see Carifi
from an open sub perspective, I don't think he's big
enough to play blindside at Test rugby or number eight,
(23:10):
which he has shown his versatility for the Blues, but
look that performance. If he can continue to deliver that form,
he's certainly right in the conversation.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Yeah, I think the Blues are named him three Man
of the Match awards in a row Anton signa, so
he's been pretty impressive. That will do us for our
wrap of the round here and Super Rugby back with
more after this on Rugby Direct. Final four time on
Rugby Directs. For Rugby Topics, myself and Liam debates them
topic number one. The Black Ferns Starne Canada. Are they
(23:41):
back at the top table? Napes? I commentated this one
for Gold Sport and iHeartRadio on Saturday. There was a
bit of waiting around to kick off was delayed two
hours fifty five minutes to be exact, but boy it
was worth the wait. This was I failed a statement
performance from the Black Ferns. We obviously talked about them
playing USA last week and you know, again the USA
(24:02):
aren't strong in terms of women's fifteens. Canada certainly are,
having beaten them at the World Cup semi final last year,
and to go out and win in the nature that
the Black Friends did, I thought was a very very
good performance, especially given they were down at halftime, had
to come back all the delays that had gone into it.
But there's a little bit to like about the Black
(24:22):
Fans as early days. But Whitney Hansen Stampa cer Mark
on this team quickly.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
She is, yeah, and like you say, early days. And
we talked about the rush that was evidence in week
one against the USA, and perhaps those delays had an
effect on their first half performance, but boy, they came
out and really put it to Canada in that second half,
and you'd have to think there was a bit of
feeling in that given what transpired at the World Cup.
(24:49):
And it's important to remember the context that this Black
Fern's team still significantly down on star power. They were
Georgia Miller and a host of others out of action
with the sevens team as well, so plenty of five
powers to come back, and you'd have to say, even
at this early stage that they are back.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Yeah. I'm really liking the direct style that they're playing with.
We saw it last week. They last year at the
World Cup that kind of waited on some of their
senior players to do things. Hate Demant carrying a lot
on her shoulders, but we're looking for you know, Woodman
or Sorenson McGee to spark things and Vakula and look,
those are quality players and you can expect them to
(25:25):
do things in a game but it felt like that
was their game plan was basically hope that one of
their stars would turn up and have a moment of brilliance.
Now it looks like they're playing to a style that
they can all work with, and you know, it feels
more detail oriented. So promising signs ahead for the Black
Friends who played the US player Australia on the Sunshine
Coast this week, and incidentally mentioned the Black Friends sevens
(25:47):
who have claimed another title in Hong Kong with some
of those key players, they are on fire. Topic number two,
What are the stories of the weekends, not just in
rugby but in football as well. We had a lightning
delay in Sydney on Friday night and the Muna game
we had the lightning delay two hours fifty five minutes
for tornadoes and lightning Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday. Now
(26:10):
my question to you, Liam is this the right caller
is over bearing to delay these games because it feels
like a relatively new thing that we're pausing or delaying
games because of the atmospheric conditions.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Yeah, I was thinking that myself that I don't remember
this happening previously. The first time in recent memory was
the Line series certainly from a big profile point of view.
So you know what, why is it such a new issue.
I guess there's conservatism around the water. If somebody does
get struck, then organizers are liable. But it does feel
(26:47):
a bit over zealous the length of the delays, the
disruption that has been caused. And I'd love to know
why it's just coming in the past, what five years
or so, because plenty of games would have been played
in those conditions throughout history.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yeah, it feels like, obviously no one wants to see,
you know, anyone struck by lightning, spectators is people work
at the ground, players, whatever it might be. But I
do wonder if it is slightly too conservative, and you know,
you can plan the rain obviously, but it feels like,
you know, lightning, yep, that's unsafe and everyone's told to
hunker down. But it does feel like we're verging on
(27:25):
a little bit too conservative in terms of not playing
some of these games and then pausing them, especially for
the long delays, like I can understand initially, but get
it back out there as soon as it's passed, not
wadding half an hour. Topic number three Riley Higgins. We
touched on this earlier to leave New Zealand Rugby for Scotland.
He's only twenty three years of age. He is eligible
for Scotland, so I can slot straight in. Although they've
(27:46):
got a very good midfield, don't they at the moment
with that combination with Hui Pelottu. But big loss I
think for New Zealand rugby, and it kind of feels
like he didn't get really a start as chance after
a couple of injuries at the Hurricanes. How disappointed are
you by this?
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Yeah? Massive blow. I think, look, Ridley Higgins, he's not
the biggest guy going around from him, but feel perspective,
but he is very very skillful, great feet, good passing repertoire,
and I think he was rarely starting to come on
the national radar in the last couple of years, not
helped by those injuries. And I'm very surprised at the
(28:22):
lack of game time he has received in the Hurricanes.
And the other point to note here earlier is he's
going to be one of potentially up to ten players
I think that will leave the Hurricanes this year, which
heightens the pressure I think on them to break that
championship drought. The decade long championship drout that. You've also
got Devin Flanders, who's there's a lot of talk about
(28:47):
big money coming for him in Japan. Both Locks are
leaving Isaya Walker lea Werde is going to Italy. Warner
Durns only on a one year contract, so he goes
back to Japan. I think there's others potentially Xavier new Mair.
You've got Jason Hollins leaving from the coach coaching crew
going to the Blues.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
And.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Of course Finn Enough for Ken in a Holo. There's
been talking about him as well. So there's when you
start putting those pieces together. Some of them aren't necessarily
the big headline names, but super rugby is often about
how deep your squad is and if you're losing that
many players, it is going to have an effect at
some point. Because it's a long season, you need to rotate.
(29:28):
So Riley Higgins big loss and he could potentially be
one of many.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
Might you have to make account this year? Liam, to
make account?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Luck you've got you on the train mate, Wow, something
like that.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Although let's think back twenty fifteen. You know you made
the final, lost it that year with non news Smith.
A few others that left after that campaign. A year later,
you and Theory come back and win it without those guys,
so maybe all hopes is not lost for twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
That's right. I think Willis, Hulor Hollow and others were
right in the mix there. So yeah, great to have
your positivity on board the cane train.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Always positive. Topic number four in the final four. Is
it time to draw a line through the Crusaders for
this season?
Speaker 3 (30:10):
Absolutely yeah, I'm happy to look. I think they'll sneak it.
I think they'll sneak into the playoffs and you put
those big names back in there, Will Jordan and Cody Taylor,
Scott Barrett, They're going to have a massive influence. So
if they're in the playoff mix, you're not going to
write them off. But they're going to have to do
it the hard way. So I'm happy at this point
(30:32):
to say the Crusaders do not win the title this year.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Okay, we'll mark that down twenty th of April. I
don't think they'll win it, but again, it's interesting if
they make the playoffs and it's a one v six
an hour ago against the Hurricanes, look Out on Restadium,
look Out on the stadium because they're on.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
The train now, mate, No, welcome on board.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
I'm on the Crusaders horses. We'll be trotting our way
down to the Capitol for that one.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
You're going, you're going to the butchers or where the
horses glor rotting free in the in the yard or something.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah. After the devastatingly taken away from us,
let's get into MVP voting for the week for Young
and Alpho leads our MVP standings and the Rugby Derick
Medal on eleven, Camroy guards on ten. Quinter Pie has seven.
Who gets your MVP votes? Liam? Do you have space
(31:24):
for Eddie and Aari or you left him out this week?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
No, he's a surprising admission, actually stock ad mission. I'm
going to go Simon Parker. I've been quite critical of
him at times, but I thought this was a huge
performance right across the park, at the line outs, at
the breakdown, ball in hands, he was a real physical presence,
really stood up for the Chiefs. So I'm giving him
my three. I'm going to go two Tanton Signa and
(31:49):
I'm going to go one to more. I thought that
was his best performance of the year really damaging with
ball in hand and certainly looked like he enjoyed scoring
that try to Yeah, he did absolutely.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I'm going to go Anton's signa for three. I thought
he was excellent. Peter Lucky gets my two and what
was the td on virtue of, you know, big gameplay
standing up and converting it gets my one. So there
you go, three two ones for another week. We'll throw
that in the melting pot and see where it all lands.
But it's a tight race in the Rugby Direct metal.
(32:21):
You can of course get in touch with the pod
on Rugby Direct at News Talk, ZB dot co, do
and Z. We're back later in the week. Thanks again, Nates,
so look forward to catching up again in a couple
of days time.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
In the Thursday.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Mate, We'll do Rugby Direct powered by habit hel Physio.
Book today and stay in the game.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
For more from News Talks EDB. Listen live on air
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