November 30, 2024 • 14 mins
The 2024 rugby test match season came to an end this morning, following the Wallabies' 22-19 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.
Australia finished with six wins from 13 matches, including victories over England, Argentina and Wales.
Rugby reporters James Burridge and Christy Doran joined Elliott Smith to discuss Australia's season.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The test match season of rugbat for season twenty twenty
four came to a conclusion this morning at the Aviva
Stadium in Dublin, fighting.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
For a shot.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
At a potential draw, maybe a win. That's the halfway line, Frost.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Oh, it's been lost. It's been lost, and.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
With it goes the game. Australia brave to very last moment.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
They go down, but they show a ton of heart.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
They did show a ton of heart. In fact, I
thought they were probably buy an edge the better team
in that game this morning, twenty two nineteen. Ireland win
it though in Australia though, you have to say that
they are building. I know they lost to Scotland rather
comfortably last week, but you look at that tour and
go twelve months ago after that World Cup shocker, they
would have taken it. Someone that's very close to Australian rugby,
(01:12):
Christy Dorian, rugby editor for The Raw, James Burrage, BBC
rugby commentator and reporter, joining us now on news Talk ZIB. Gentlemen,
thanks so much for your time. Very good afternoon to you.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Hey, guys, yeah, good, Hey.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Let's start with the the game this morning, twenty two
to nineteen, Ireland over the Wallabes. James, I know you're
covering this one. What was your reaction to that game
at the Avivah.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
I was mighty close towards the end.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
I was really impressed with Australia's defense today. I felt
that that had been their achilles heel probably for much
of twenty twenty four. But whatever Schmid's been doing with them,
working on defense, it's really really working. And they just
look so free in the first half. They look so creative,
and they really What he has done to Australia in
(02:02):
twelve months is extraordinary and it just makes the line
own series an eight months time just it's come alive
that series now.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
You know, months ago we were worried. Everyone was worried
about that series. Not anymore, Christy.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Your reaction from an Australian perspective glass half full?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Oh definitely. You think about where the Wallabies were twelve
thirteen months ago. Eddie Jones walks.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
Out on austral and Rugby the Wallaby's are the absolute canvas,
rock bottom, and I completely agree. Joe Schmidt has totally
just brought back some confidence and I think actually returned
the Wallabies to their roots. The desire for the Wallabies
to run the ball is there, but I do agree
(02:46):
I think the defensive effort was there. This morning, Ireland
had seventy four percent of territory, fifty percent of possession
and it took him to a seventy second minute to
really flex their.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Muscle and gain an incendency in the game.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
So, Joe Schmidt, whatever you can do to keep him,
Rugby Australia add an extra five hundred k to keep
him because he has absolutely changed the game in a
space of twelve months and now the Lions is going
to be the show piece of end of rugby in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Christy, you're well connected. Is Joshmitt actually going to stay?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
My thoughts are it's less likely than more.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
I was told six seven weeks ago that he and
Mike Cron am more likely to finish up after the Lions.
That was a pretty good source. Look, I think it'll
be difficult for him to stay. You know, we know
about his family situation with his kid having epilepsies, so
I don't think this will come down to a Jogmit
wanting to walk out on the wall of it's really
(03:48):
going to be a family call.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Can he change? Can he possibly?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Can things be done to allow for a Joe Schmitt
to stay in Australia as much as possible? Possibly, But
we also know that Joe Schmitt's a guy that loves
to be integrated into the Super Rugby sides, work with
the provinces, and I don't know if you'll be able
to do everything, and that's a concern for the walliies James.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
The Northern Hemisphere side is probably a mixed bag to
end the campaign. Obviously, we know the trouble that Wales
have been through England very much a disappointing beg for
Then what if you made of the Northern Hemisphere unions
in the autumn series.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
It's it's been a pretty chastening time. Let's be honest.
I think if you're an England rugby fan you're pretty
despondent about life for a variety of reasons, whether it's
the coaches off the pitch, the style that England want
to try and play, the lack of identity. The defense
has really suffered. If you're Wales, I mean it's even worse.
(04:49):
You know, they have got so many problems. Warren Gatland
doesn't really know where he wants to stay or go,
whether that will be his choice. Nobody knows. The state
of the game in Wales is in crisis. Scotland, I
think are the other bright things.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
So to France.
Speaker 5 (05:03):
I think Scotland and France have certainly kicked on. I
think France have looked good in patches. They were looking
looking a little shaky. There was a bit of a
World Cup hangover during the Six Nations. I don't think
that's there anymore. And equally Scotland, I think Gregor towns
End has just he has got the nucleus of a
really good team with Scotland that their perennial problem has
(05:24):
been that when it comes to Six Nations they can't
back it up. So they can play one or two
good games, but they can't last a series. But that
team has now got a really strong twenty five unit
squad and their biggest challenge in twenty twenty five is
to be consistent over a period of five matches, because
that's something they've never been able to do. And if
(05:45):
they can crack that, you know the number of Scottish
players in that Lion squad would be fascinating.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
James, what's your scene to Is Warren Geitland going to
remain in front of the Welsh team for too much longer?
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Who knows? Who knows?
Speaker 5 (05:59):
It's so, you know, one press conference you think he's going.
The next press conference he looks like he wants to stay.
But I think it's you know, I mean, Warren Gatland
is not the only problem in Welsh rugby right now.
You know, they've had a horrendous financial crisis in terms
of you know, the financial cuts they've had to implement
on the squads. There's arguably too many sides now, even
(06:21):
the likes of Sam Warburton saying it's got to go
from four four teams down to three. The Welsh team itself,
the national side is very callow and Gatland, you know,
there are sometimes you watch him in the press conferences
he looks like the weight of the world is on
his shoulders and he's run out of ideas. And I
suppose the big question is when if you're going to
(06:42):
get rid of Warren Gatland, there's going to be a
cost to it.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
You know, he was signed on big, big money.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
And that's the big problem that WRU having to work out,
one of many big problems they are having to work
out if he is he the man?
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Do they think he's the man?
Speaker 5 (06:56):
But equally what crisis do they have to solve first?
I mean it's almost where do you start, because it's
this horrendous vicious circle in Welsh rugby because if they
don't sell out the card, if they don't set out
the principality, then they don't get the money. But equally,
no one's going to go and watch it if they're
going to get jobbed by fifty points every time.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Elliet, If I can just jump in here, I think
it's really interesting what James is talking about. And there's
so many similarities with the Shriane rugby with Welsh rugby
of recent years around the provinces.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
How many years? And what about the team? What about
the coaches?
Speaker 6 (07:29):
Well, you know Australian rugbyes had three coaches in three years.
You know they've had four or four coaches in five years.
Changing the coach doesn't always necessarily change the landscape. So
it's a really fascinating dilemma that that Wales have got
themselves into at the moment, but spending money unnecessarily on
paying out coaches isn't always the best.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
IDEA Christian'll stick with you.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
South Africa sweep the North, the All Blacks win two
Big Tests out of three, Australias on the up. Britt
Robinson's the World Rugby Year, that wasn't a bad month
or so for the Southern Hemisphere teams?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Well is it a surprise? It's just the same old story,
isn't it.
Speaker 6 (08:05):
Every year we hear the Six Nations sides arising they're
going to be a giant force, particularly come the World Cup.
So every world cut bar one in two thousand and
three suggests that the Southern Hemisphere reigns supreme. And I
think we just saw how strong the Rugby Championship is.
Unfortunately it doesn't have the history and it doesn't have
(08:26):
the prestige that the Six Nations carries with it, the
absolute tribalism, the amazing atmospheres.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
But what it.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
Does have and what it produces is damn good players
with a great belief and a desire and I know
how to win games. So yeah, I think what we're
seeing is just how good the All Blacks are, you know,
There's been a lot that's been said around South Africa's
departure from Super rugby and that has definitely.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Hurt probably the overall product, but it still is a
great force.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
And the Rugby Championship is just such a strong, strong
competition and tournament and it's interesting that going forward it
looks like it's only going to be played every second year,
So I just wonder what the long term ramifications are
for watering down the Rugby Championship will.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Be James Barrage BBC rugby commentator speaking from up north
in Christy Dorian, rugby editor for The Raw, giving a
Southern Hemisphere Australian perspective with us on weekly in Sports, Gentlemen,
I want to get your perspective on a New Zealand issue.
The first year of All Blacks head coach Scott Robinson.
Fourteen games down, ten wins for defeats is outsiders. What
(09:36):
have you made of that first season? James, I'll start
with you.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
I think he's done well. I think New Zealand I've
done well.
Speaker 5 (09:43):
I think they've definitely unleashed a few more stars which
we've got to see for the first time. You're missing
your first choice ten. But even you still have the
lights of Damien McKenzie coming straight off the bench and
nailing every kick and that's like a knife through the
heart for a lot of our teams because they don't
have those big match players who can come on and kick.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
And I think it's just underline.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
This autumn series is underline when the games have been
so tight, cannot have a goalkicker who misses kicks. You've
got to be able to nail them under pressure when
it really matters. But in many ways, if you're a purist,
one of the most beautiful things in the world is
seeing in New Zealand back line absolutely tear it up.
You and your back your back five are just outrageous.
(10:24):
The skill set is just something to behold. So if
you're a purist, watching the automation series as we have done,
some of the stuff needs have shaped together has been
really impressive. Ireland were well off it in that first
Test match and I didn't see that one coming. I
thought Ireland would beat them. They were lucky. You could
say against England, what width of the post? But I
feel under Robertson that there's still more to come. I
(10:45):
don't get the feeling that they've even got out a
third gear under Robertson yet, and I'm fascinated to see
where he takes the team next year.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Christy, what have you made in that first campaign?
Speaker 6 (10:55):
Oh that's the scary thing is that the All Blacks
were nowhere New Year as good as what that could be.
You know, they managed to for just short on so many.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Different games against the spring Box in.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
The middle of the year, but that is the hardest
place in the world. To go to South Africa, to
beat them on their own soil, and to have to
front up two tests in a row. I thought it
was an outstanding effort. I was surprised that. Yes, they
were pretty patchy to begin with, but I think we've
seen as well is it's very built for these Northern
(11:26):
Hemisphere sides to come together for an automation series when
the Rugby Championship sides have played ten tests in a
few months. So we've got to put it in the
context around how close you are. What the All Works
have done with great I think is and you'll see
the proof and the pudding in the next couple of years.
(11:46):
But how Scott Robinson has managed his squad I think's
been outstanding.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
He's managed to ensure.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
That there's been a bit of a bridge between some
of the old guard with Sam Kaine, TJ.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Perrin, Aara really ushering through some of this new crop.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
And well it's the TV obviously the Rookie of the
Year voted just over the last week, but he could
have easily been the number six of the year across
the globe. Outstanding and I think he's done a fantastic
job and trying circumstances and probably the toughest position to
be the All Blacks coach off the back of a
World Cup final. There's not many places you can go
(12:23):
other than down, but I think they can hold their
heads up pretty high.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
The final question, Ginder been so grateful for your time
on the British and Irish Lions tour, which we touched
on at the start of Hit of twenty twenty five.
How do you think the Home Union's are placed with
that series after what we've seen this year?
Speaker 4 (12:36):
James, I still think it's too early to say.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
I still think you've got to watch the Six Nations
and get a really good idea. You never pick a
Lions team in November or December, so much can change
over the next three or four months, whether it's injuries,
lack of form, change of form. Sometimes players come from
absolutely nowhere proper boulters.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
And I think that's the.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
Beauty of the six Nations this year, is that there's
an added edge, isn't there. There's going to be a
massive byproduct of what happens.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Over the next three or four months.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
The moment, you'd say a lot of those places are
probably going to be filled by Scottish and Irish players,
but who knows, things could change quite quickly.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
And Christie, the Wallabies, as you touched on at the start,
on the up that British and Irish Lions series is
looking a much more enticing prospect.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well, there's definitely a chance, aren't they.
Speaker 6 (13:22):
And that's great to see from a just from a
global rugby fan perspective.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
Look, Lions series typically are one by the home sides,
aren't they.
Speaker 6 (13:30):
You know it was only really in twenty thirteen that
the Wallaby's got beaten to one and that was a
pretty It wasn't a well beating wallabyside either, it was
a side in transition. So I expect them to take
at least one Test and I think the biggest challenge
for Andy Farrell is going to be deciding on who
he's ten is, because who he decides on the team
probably side on the twelve, doesn't it, you know, does
(13:52):
he trust Finn Russell to go in with a only
two Pilatu Island have got a brand new ten themselves,
Bundiaki there at twelve combinations is the really tricky thing
from Alliance perspective. Balancing act will be fascinating, but at
least the world is now don't have fifteen unanswered questions
(14:13):
around how to slot into players. This will ofby is
team actually now has about ten to twelve guys where
you can safely say they'll be taking on the lines
next year. It means Joe Schmid is one of two
steps ahead of Andy Fowrell.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Thank you very much for
your time, enjoy chatting rugby with you. Enjoy the brief
off season up north and the longer one down south.
James and Christy, thanks for your time.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Cheers, cheers, guys, they're worries.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
That is James Barrage from the BBC and Christy Dorian
joining us from the Raw in Australia. Summing up the
test match calendar that has been in season twenty twenty
four International Rugby.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The test match season of rugbat for season twenty twenty
four came to a conclusion this morning at the Aviva
Stadium in Dublin, fighting.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
For a shot.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
At a potential draw, maybe a win. That's the halfway line, Frost.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Oh, it's been lost. It's been lost, and.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
With it goes the game. Australia brave to very last moment.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
They go down, but they show a ton of heart.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
They did show a ton of heart. In fact, I
thought they were probably buy an edge the better team
in that game this morning, twenty two nineteen. Ireland win
it though in Australia though, you have to say that
they are building. I know they lost to Scotland rather
comfortably last week, but you look at that tour and
go twelve months ago after that World Cup shocker, they
would have taken it. Someone that's very close to Australian rugby,
(01:12):
Christy Dorian, rugby editor for The Raw, James Burrage, BBC
rugby commentator and reporter, joining us now on news Talk ZIB. Gentlemen,
thanks so much for your time. Very good afternoon to you.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Hey, guys, yeah, good, Hey.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Let's start with the the game this morning, twenty two
to nineteen, Ireland over the Wallabes. James, I know you're
covering this one. What was your reaction to that game
at the Avivah.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
I was mighty close towards the end.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
I was really impressed with Australia's defense today. I felt
that that had been their achilles heel probably for much
of twenty twenty four. But whatever Schmid's been doing with them,
working on defense, it's really really working. And they just
look so free in the first half. They look so creative,
and they really What he has done to Australia in
(02:02):
twelve months is extraordinary and it just makes the line
own series an eight months time just it's come alive
that series now.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
You know, months ago we were worried. Everyone was worried
about that series. Not anymore, Christy.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Your reaction from an Australian perspective glass half full?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Oh definitely. You think about where the Wallabies were twelve
thirteen months ago. Eddie Jones walks.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
Out on austral and Rugby the Wallaby's are the absolute canvas,
rock bottom, and I completely agree. Joe Schmidt has totally
just brought back some confidence and I think actually returned
the Wallabies to their roots. The desire for the Wallabies
to run the ball is there, but I do agree
(02:46):
I think the defensive effort was there. This morning, Ireland
had seventy four percent of territory, fifty percent of possession
and it took him to a seventy second minute to
really flex their.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Muscle and gain an incendency in the game.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
So, Joe Schmidt, whatever you can do to keep him,
Rugby Australia add an extra five hundred k to keep
him because he has absolutely changed the game in a
space of twelve months and now the Lions is going
to be the show piece of end of rugby in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Christy, you're well connected. Is Joshmitt actually going to stay?
Speaker 3 (03:24):
My thoughts are it's less likely than more.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
I was told six seven weeks ago that he and
Mike Cron am more likely to finish up after the Lions.
That was a pretty good source. Look, I think it'll
be difficult for him to stay. You know, we know
about his family situation with his kid having epilepsies, so
I don't think this will come down to a Jogmit
wanting to walk out on the wall of it's really
(03:48):
going to be a family call.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Can he change? Can he possibly?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Can things be done to allow for a Joe Schmitt
to stay in Australia as much as possible? Possibly, But
we also know that Joe Schmitt's a guy that loves
to be integrated into the Super Rugby sides, work with
the provinces, and I don't know if you'll be able
to do everything, and that's a concern for the walliies James.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
The Northern Hemisphere side is probably a mixed bag to
end the campaign. Obviously, we know the trouble that Wales
have been through England very much a disappointing beg for
Then what if you made of the Northern Hemisphere unions
in the autumn series.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
It's it's been a pretty chastening time. Let's be honest.
I think if you're an England rugby fan you're pretty
despondent about life for a variety of reasons, whether it's
the coaches off the pitch, the style that England want
to try and play, the lack of identity. The defense
has really suffered. If you're Wales, I mean it's even worse.
(04:49):
You know, they have got so many problems. Warren Gatland
doesn't really know where he wants to stay or go,
whether that will be his choice. Nobody knows. The state
of the game in Wales is in crisis. Scotland, I
think are the other bright things.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
So to France.
Speaker 5 (05:03):
I think Scotland and France have certainly kicked on. I
think France have looked good in patches. They were looking
looking a little shaky. There was a bit of a
World Cup hangover during the Six Nations. I don't think
that's there anymore. And equally Scotland, I think Gregor towns
End has just he has got the nucleus of a
really good team with Scotland that their perennial problem has
(05:24):
been that when it comes to Six Nations they can't
back it up. So they can play one or two
good games, but they can't last a series. But that
team has now got a really strong twenty five unit
squad and their biggest challenge in twenty twenty five is
to be consistent over a period of five matches, because
that's something they've never been able to do. And if
(05:45):
they can crack that, you know the number of Scottish
players in that Lion squad would be fascinating.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
James, what's your scene to Is Warren Geitland going to
remain in front of the Welsh team for too much longer?
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Who knows? Who knows?
Speaker 5 (05:59):
It's so, you know, one press conference you think he's going.
The next press conference he looks like he wants to stay.
But I think it's you know, I mean, Warren Gatland
is not the only problem in Welsh rugby right now.
You know, they've had a horrendous financial crisis in terms
of you know, the financial cuts they've had to implement
on the squads. There's arguably too many sides now, even
(06:21):
the likes of Sam Warburton saying it's got to go
from four four teams down to three. The Welsh team itself,
the national side is very callow and Gatland, you know,
there are sometimes you watch him in the press conferences
he looks like the weight of the world is on
his shoulders and he's run out of ideas. And I
suppose the big question is when if you're going to
(06:42):
get rid of Warren Gatland, there's going to be a
cost to it.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
You know, he was signed on big, big money.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
And that's the big problem that WRU having to work out,
one of many big problems they are having to work
out if he is he the man?
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Do they think he's the man?
Speaker 5 (06:56):
But equally what crisis do they have to solve first?
I mean it's almost where do you start, because it's
this horrendous vicious circle in Welsh rugby because if they
don't sell out the card, if they don't set out
the principality, then they don't get the money. But equally,
no one's going to go and watch it if they're
going to get jobbed by fifty points every time.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Elliet, If I can just jump in here, I think
it's really interesting what James is talking about. And there's
so many similarities with the Shriane rugby with Welsh rugby
of recent years around the provinces.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
How many years? And what about the team? What about
the coaches?
Speaker 6 (07:29):
Well, you know Australian rugbyes had three coaches in three years.
You know they've had four or four coaches in five years.
Changing the coach doesn't always necessarily change the landscape. So
it's a really fascinating dilemma that that Wales have got
themselves into at the moment, but spending money unnecessarily on
paying out coaches isn't always the best.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
IDEA Christian'll stick with you.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
South Africa sweep the North, the All Blacks win two
Big Tests out of three, Australias on the up. Britt
Robinson's the World Rugby Year, that wasn't a bad month
or so for the Southern Hemisphere teams?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Well is it a surprise? It's just the same old story,
isn't it.
Speaker 6 (08:05):
Every year we hear the Six Nations sides arising they're
going to be a giant force, particularly come the World Cup.
So every world cut bar one in two thousand and
three suggests that the Southern Hemisphere reigns supreme. And I
think we just saw how strong the Rugby Championship is.
Unfortunately it doesn't have the history and it doesn't have
(08:26):
the prestige that the Six Nations carries with it, the
absolute tribalism, the amazing atmospheres.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
But what it.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
Does have and what it produces is damn good players
with a great belief and a desire and I know
how to win games. So yeah, I think what we're
seeing is just how good the All Blacks are, you know,
There's been a lot that's been said around South Africa's
departure from Super rugby and that has definitely.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Hurt probably the overall product, but it still is a
great force.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
And the Rugby Championship is just such a strong, strong
competition and tournament and it's interesting that going forward it
looks like it's only going to be played every second year,
So I just wonder what the long term ramifications are
for watering down the Rugby Championship will.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
Be James Barrage BBC rugby commentator speaking from up north
in Christy Dorian, rugby editor for The Raw, giving a
Southern Hemisphere Australian perspective with us on weekly in Sports, Gentlemen,
I want to get your perspective on a New Zealand issue.
The first year of All Blacks head coach Scott Robinson.
Fourteen games down, ten wins for defeats is outsiders. What
(09:36):
have you made of that first season? James, I'll start
with you.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
I think he's done well. I think New Zealand I've
done well.
Speaker 5 (09:43):
I think they've definitely unleashed a few more stars which
we've got to see for the first time. You're missing
your first choice ten. But even you still have the
lights of Damien McKenzie coming straight off the bench and
nailing every kick and that's like a knife through the
heart for a lot of our teams because they don't
have those big match players who can come on and kick.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
And I think it's just underline.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
This autumn series is underline when the games have been
so tight, cannot have a goalkicker who misses kicks. You've
got to be able to nail them under pressure when
it really matters. But in many ways, if you're a purist,
one of the most beautiful things in the world is
seeing in New Zealand back line absolutely tear it up.
You and your back your back five are just outrageous.
(10:24):
The skill set is just something to behold. So if
you're a purist, watching the automation series as we have done,
some of the stuff needs have shaped together has been
really impressive. Ireland were well off it in that first
Test match and I didn't see that one coming. I
thought Ireland would beat them. They were lucky. You could
say against England, what width of the post? But I
feel under Robertson that there's still more to come. I
(10:45):
don't get the feeling that they've even got out a
third gear under Robertson yet, and I'm fascinated to see
where he takes the team next year.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Christy, what have you made in that first campaign?
Speaker 6 (10:55):
Oh that's the scary thing is that the All Blacks
were nowhere New Year as good as what that could be.
You know, they managed to for just short on so many.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Different games against the spring Box in.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
The middle of the year, but that is the hardest
place in the world. To go to South Africa, to
beat them on their own soil, and to have to
front up two tests in a row. I thought it
was an outstanding effort. I was surprised that. Yes, they
were pretty patchy to begin with, but I think we've
seen as well is it's very built for these Northern
(11:26):
Hemisphere sides to come together for an automation series when
the Rugby Championship sides have played ten tests in a
few months. So we've got to put it in the
context around how close you are. What the All Works
have done with great I think is and you'll see
the proof and the pudding in the next couple of years.
(11:46):
But how Scott Robinson has managed his squad I think's
been outstanding.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
He's managed to ensure.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
That there's been a bit of a bridge between some
of the old guard with Sam Kaine, TJ.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Perrin, Aara really ushering through some of this new crop.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
And well it's the TV obviously the Rookie of the
Year voted just over the last week, but he could
have easily been the number six of the year across
the globe. Outstanding and I think he's done a fantastic
job and trying circumstances and probably the toughest position to
be the All Blacks coach off the back of a
World Cup final. There's not many places you can go
(12:23):
other than down, but I think they can hold their
heads up pretty high.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
The final question, Ginder been so grateful for your time
on the British and Irish Lions tour, which we touched
on at the start of Hit of twenty twenty five.
How do you think the Home Union's are placed with
that series after what we've seen this year?
Speaker 4 (12:36):
James, I still think it's too early to say.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
I still think you've got to watch the Six Nations
and get a really good idea. You never pick a
Lions team in November or December, so much can change
over the next three or four months, whether it's injuries,
lack of form, change of form. Sometimes players come from
absolutely nowhere proper boulters.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
And I think that's the.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
Beauty of the six Nations this year, is that there's
an added edge, isn't there. There's going to be a
massive byproduct of what happens.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Over the next three or four months.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
The moment, you'd say a lot of those places are
probably going to be filled by Scottish and Irish players,
but who knows, things could change quite quickly.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
And Christie, the Wallabies, as you touched on at the start,
on the up that British and Irish Lions series is
looking a much more enticing prospect.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well, there's definitely a chance, aren't they.
Speaker 6 (13:22):
And that's great to see from a just from a
global rugby fan perspective.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
Look, Lions series typically are one by the home sides,
aren't they.
Speaker 6 (13:30):
You know it was only really in twenty thirteen that
the Wallaby's got beaten to one and that was a
pretty It wasn't a well beating wallabyside either, it was
a side in transition. So I expect them to take
at least one Test and I think the biggest challenge
for Andy Farrell is going to be deciding on who
he's ten is, because who he decides on the team
probably side on the twelve, doesn't it, you know, does
(13:52):
he trust Finn Russell to go in with a only
two Pilatu Island have got a brand new ten themselves,
Bundiaki there at twelve combinations is the really tricky thing
from Alliance perspective. Balancing act will be fascinating, but at
least the world is now don't have fifteen unanswered questions
(14:13):
around how to slot into players. This will ofby is
team actually now has about ten to twelve guys where
you can safely say they'll be taking on the lines
next year. It means Joe Schmid is one of two
steps ahead of Andy Fowrell.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Thank you very much for
your time, enjoy chatting rugby with you. Enjoy the brief
off season up north and the longer one down south.
James and Christy, thanks for your time.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Cheers, cheers, guys, they're worries.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
That is James Barrage from the BBC and Christy Dorian
joining us from the Raw in Australia. Summing up the
test match calendar that has been in season twenty twenty
four International Rugby.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.