October 23, 2024 • 36 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith dials in from Tokyo to run through with Liam Napier the All Blacks team named for Saturday's test against Japan in Yokohama and what it means for the rest of the tour.
We also preview the NPC final, discuss Rugby Sevens being given the heave-ho from the pared-back 2026 Commonwealth Games and big moves in the commercial arm of NZ Rugby.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
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Inside the Game from Every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
Elliott Smith, powered by Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, par By fourklib Solutions lifting you
and your business to a higher level. Commichewa from Japan.
Rugby Direct back for another week. That is test week
for the All Blacks once again, and we are recording
Liam and Apre welcome into you. A couple of hours
after the All Blacks have named their team to play
(00:46):
Japan in Yokohama on Saturday afternoon New Zealand time or
Saturday evening New Zealand time, and early in the week
as well. So one surprise is the team was named
so early. Another surprise Pranctice being some of the selections
in the team has things and your reaction to the team.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Plus I come to Elliott's son, Hajimimus Matashiwa, Liam dess.
I hope you've settled into your Tokyo digs and had
some raman and maybe a bit of saki later.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
It's to help you drift off to sleep.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
But look first, off on the tour on a five
match score for the All Blacks and you'd expect them
to do it reasonably comfortably.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
But yeah, there's plenty of talking points in this team.
Speaker 5 (01:30):
I think largely expected in that it was always going
to be a second string team, wasn't it, with an
advanced party going to London for next week's Test against
England at Twickenham, But perhaps more experience than what you
would have thought, with guys like Sam Kane going starting
(01:52):
and Patrick two blow to captain. So it's not a
baby Black's team, is it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
No, it certainly isn't a lot of experience in that team,
alongside some players that clearly haven't had opportunities this year
or for one reason or another injuries or falling out
of favors, and a Penny Feene now falls into that category.
Cam Roy Garden and sim Perfetta have obviously battled injuries
(02:21):
this year as well and have been shorter on opportunities
in the Black jersey, and some like Billy Proctor who
impressed in that game against England, against Fiji and San
Diego but hasn't had an opportunity since it's a chance
for I guess players to put their best foot forward,
knowing that you know, perhaps they sit on the outside
of the first team at the moment, but just to
(02:42):
keep themselves on the selectors minds and in front of
the and someone like a Penny Fee Now, I don't
think necessarily put too much of a foot wrong. Earlier
in the season, perhaps wasn't necessarily what they were after
and didn't have the impact that he wanted. But this
is a chance for him to just to remind the
All Black selectors and remind the fans that he is
(03:03):
still there and ensure what he can do.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Yeah, I think as he's against you as a big opportunity,
isn't it. Without wanting to be just suspectful to Japan,
They've obviously never been the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
They did push them very close in Tokyo.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
I think it was last time out when Brodie Retallick
memory serves me correct, got a late red card or
maybe a second yellow and the All Blacks rund a
massive pressure. And so maybe that's in the back of
their minds. But in terms of this team and who
has the most again, I'm looking with the Hurricanes lens
(03:41):
at which will shock you. Guys like Cam Royguard coming
back for his first starts, Peter Luckey and Ruben Love
set to make their debuts off the bench. You mentioned
Billy Procter there not cited in the Rugby Championship, and
that was a real missed opportunity, I think, And as
much as this week's team will intrigue and give guys opportunity,
(04:05):
I'm also reading into what it means for next week.
I think sever Reice and Mark Tala probably contesting one
wing spot with Caleb Clark rested.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
You would.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I'm very happy to see Wallace to Tsi get his
first start at number eight. I'm not entirely sure about
whether that points to something that we'll see more of
in this tour. Perhaps the All Blacks are very short,
aren't they in the loose forward department with Dalton, Papa Lee,
Ethan Blackader and who's the other one's one of the
(04:40):
injuries Jacobson. Jacobson all at home, so they don't have
a lot of options at blindside. So it does a
big chance for a guy like some of a penny
female to impress. But I think it also points to
the fact that maybe Boden may be probably likely Boden
Barrett has usurped Damien McKenzie and he's likely to start
at number ten against England and am I reading too
(05:02):
much into this?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
No? I think it's the way I'm reading it as well.
Around that selection that I think Boden Barrett will probably
be one of those players that heads up to England's
early and by virtue of that, I would suggest it
means he is going to get a start next weekend
at Twickenham. Now that could change, but on the basis
(05:24):
of that, I think they're not. They're pretty much showing
their cards a little bit. I think about likely for
Damien McKenzie to play both of these first two chests.
It wouldn't surprise me to see mckenzy maybe start against
France in a couple of weeks time. But I suspect
that Boden Barrett will now start against England and Ireland's
on the basis of that blur there's like Cup performance
(05:46):
in Wellington. You know, at least we're reading too much
into it. It feels like there has been a sort
of changing between those two in terms of the picking
order at number ten for the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Yeah, it does indeed, and I think There's a number
of elements for that. You've got Boden's steady hands and
I think the All Blacks attack looked its best in
that game in Wellington. Mackenzie was very good off the bench.
It allows Will Jordan to play fullback. He's not in
(06:19):
this team this week, so you'd expect him to slot
in at fallback as well.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I just it's a calming presence, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Boden, he didn't he wasn't sensational, he wasn't sublime, but
the things he did he did largely with authority, with calmness.
And I think Scott Robinson is a massive fan of
the Barrats in general. Obviously made Scott captain a big
fan of Boden as well. And Jordie who isn't in
(06:48):
this team, but I'm not sure where exactly he's at
with his injury. He was targeting this Japan games, so
maybe he's not quite ready to go just yet. But
I think you're right that Boden has usurped Mackenzie in
the in the pecking order. Interesting to see Stephen Peter
Fetter it's another go at fullback. He hasn't played for
(07:11):
the All Blacks since that England series, so an opportunity
for him. But in general, you could go through this
team and say you could pretty much pick the England
starting team with you know we're shooting one week your
heads here, but you know Ethan de Groot not there
at Lucy, Cody, Taylor, Tyra Lomas, Scott.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Barrett to Provie.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
So there are a few contestable areas, but by and large,
I think you're right that the All Blacks have revealed
their cards to a degree with those three big tests
to come and keeping their their starters are ice.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
You didn't get a chance to ask about Jordi today
at the media conference here in Tokyo, but never to
find out some details, but suspected to be one of
those players getting north a wee bit earlier on than
some of those players that are just playing on the weekend.
I did just want to mention August as well. In
terms of this All Blacks pack, it is huge. It
(08:09):
is a huge pack. To Mighty Williams and Tossi either
side of the scrum, that's what one hundred and fifty
one hundred and forty ish each, so it's a lot
of weight there in the middle of the stuff that
on Miller's you know no, you know small player himself
a lot too female SITSI. It's a huge pack that
the All Blacks have named this week, I think got
(08:32):
to be the biggest in their history, and probably a
statement of intent around how they expect to play against
Japan this week and how they want to play against
Japan this week.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah, that's interesting, isn't it?
Speaker 5 (08:44):
And it is interesting because from what I can see
from afar anyway, it looks extremely hot and humid, So
naming a big pack that will test them aerobically, you know,
they haven't had a lot of time to acclimatize. I
mean the bench is pretty stacked as well. But a
massive pack and a big challenge for Japan, who are
(09:06):
traditionally undersized, are they and they play the game traditionally
again with at a real clip, so it'd be interesting
to see how they come out under Adie Jones.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
What is your expectation for Japan?
Speaker 5 (09:18):
I know in their last match of the Pacific Nations
Cup they were beaten soundly by Fiji. So what is
your expectation for how competitive Japan are? Do you give
them a realistic chance of pushing the All Blacks here.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
To note it really is, you know Fiji what them
that game in the Pacific Nations Cup. I thought they
played Japan played ratherly well against some more of the
week prior, so that they weren't that great. I than't
think against the United States in the Pacific Nations Cup.
So I think they're relatively shaky and up and down
(09:56):
this Japan team under Eddie Jones, and I don't think
we've seen quite yet how they're going to build towards
twenty twenty seven. And it's certainly what E Jones is
talking about is the build towards twenty twenty seventh. They
lost to Georgia earlier in the year, lost comfortable bit
at Italy, bounced back to beat Canada, who are a
bit of a basket case internationally in the men's game
(10:18):
at the moment. So they're hot and cold at the
moment under Eddie Jones. We do know though that Eddie
Jones loves playing the All Blacks, and we'll find it
a style to try and contest them. But I just
don't see this Japanese team. He's tried a few players
gone young, with a lot of players being able to
push the All Blacks as much as they did in
(10:39):
twenty twenty two, which is a really close run thing
on that afternoon in Tokyo. I just don't see that
happening again.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
No, I think you're right.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I think there's a case to be made that Japan
has gone backwards under Eddie Jones.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
And you know he's talking about a new era.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
He's very good at talking, but we need to see
some stuff, some substance with that. I think there'll be
seventy old thousand people there this weekend, so it'll be
a great atmosphere. The All Blacks are hugely popular in Japan,
aren't now your picture of the large media contingents, and
they certainly their popularity has grown with the players going
(11:17):
over the irregularly to play in the in the top league.
So it'll be a great occasion. But I don't think
Japan realistically should push this all black team. It's you
know they've got this all black team has a lot
of points in them if they can get it right.
And as you mentioned that big, they're strong, the fast,
The style of rugby that they're trying to play will
(11:38):
really test Japan. I just want to touch people. Throw
one question at you here in terms of the loose forwards.
How contestable is that? And we've seen and Wallace at
TC in particular as the wild card. Here is he
playing for the number eight position for the remainder of
the tour? Or will Alardi come back in because we
(11:58):
spoke before about the lack of fit loose forwards. But
Wallace could potentially stay at eight, You could put Arty
to seven and then you could potentially use a Shupoo
Vai or even a Scott Barrett at six against England,
or you could just keep Sam Kine going at ten.
So how do you see the composition of that loose
forward trio?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Is our players playing for places this weekend?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I think so? I think, and that that has come
about because of some of those injuries as well. You know,
Ethan Blackheader would be right in the mix of being
a starter or a bench player if not for the
horrid run of injuries that he continues to have. It
seems that, you know, unfortunately for Ethan a week doesn't
(12:44):
send to go by with him having another injury. It's
sort of two steps four, one step back every time
he gets back on the park, because inevitably he's injured
it's must incredibly frustrating for a player of his talents,
the adult and Papa let he hadn't seen much of
him in the back ends of the international season to
this point, but he would have got an opportunity, I'm sure,
(13:04):
here in Tokyo, on a chance to stake his claim.
Luke jacobsonly so with those three players ripped out of
contention for at least this week and hearing varying things
as to their availability for the rest of the tour,
from the fact none of them might make the rest
of the tour, or that one of the two of
them might be in a position to link up with
(13:24):
the All Blacks Men in their heads to London next week,
I think that has created a little bit of a
sense of the unknown, in a sense that positions are
up for grabs and it could be a bit of
a shake up, maybe earlier than expected. I want a
few points to someone like Sam Caine playing this week
getting knowledge that yes, they are low on open side
(13:45):
options in the squad as it stands in London and
it's right here in Tokyo. But if potentially I could
see as you see the RDSRV at seven next week,
what was the TV of Eights Fee now on the
blind or maybe a two po y or Scott Barrett
next week with the aerial skills in the lineup, giving
(14:06):
the All Blacks an extra lineup option could be a
So I think with those injuries there, that's created a
little bit of a sense of well, now there's spots
up for grabs that maybe worn't and the one player
wouldn't rule out of this necessarily either. And I know
he's only coming off the bench this week for a debut,
is Peter Luckeye because he for me, seems like a
players that could rise up the ranks and that's All
(14:28):
Black's environment fairly quickly once he gets an opportunity.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Yeah, I totally agree. I think I would have had
Peter Luckeye on the squad from the get go. He's
only there because of those injuries, and I agree. I
think he's a young guy with a very mature head
on his shoulders.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Like Wallace at TT.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
I think he could come come in and really stamp
his authority very quickly. He plays like he's been around
for a long time. He's one of the most dynamic
ball carriers already in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Rugby.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
He's capable at seven and eight, so he gives you
versatility off the bench and I think, yeah, he could
really rise up the ranks quickly. Just in terms of
those injuries. Luke Jacobson was a broken thumb, I wouldn't
expect to see him on this tour, and Dalton Papole
and Ethan Blackheader. I really don't see those guys traveling
(15:23):
from New Zealand to London in the next week and
being thrust into a Test. So maybe they come into
contention later in the tour, but I think it is
very much a case of those players that are featuring
or are in the All Black squad right now will
be available for England. The only other guy I think
(15:46):
or discussion point here is cam royguards can he play
his way into the starting number nine Jersey. This will
be his first test since.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
The World Cup.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
He's had very little rugby, I think about one hundred
minutes for County's. Monaco Cortiz Ratima has stolen the march
in his absence. He's been very good and his starting
appearances for the All Blacks. How contestable? Do you see
that number nine Jersey, particularly just in the short term.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I think very contestable and I think we might see
a few different combinations over the course of this tour. Obviously,
this week your Blacks have just gone with Cambroygg because
he needs the game time. It was well flagged by
Scots and last week ow TJ pen and AA some
Eventually now I think Corti is an ultimate will start
next week at Twickenham, and I think the bench spot
(16:39):
is now open as well, whether it's Cambroyguard or TJ. Pedanara.
And for me, assuming Cambroygard comes through this game against Japan,
he's the kind of player that I would look to
to be starting one of those big two tests Ireland
in France. I don't think he'll start against England next week,
just with the travel factor everything else involved in that,
but I think, you know, Irelands could be a potential
(17:01):
for him there. I think his ability around the ruck
is left boot could be a real weapon against the
Irish and that one on one match up against DuPont
against France, I think he could really impress in that
game there as well. So for me, I think ken
Royguard's ascension will continue over the course of this tour.
(17:22):
I don't think you're playing against England next week, but
it would not surprise me to see him play at
least one of the two big tests after that against
it either Island or France. I think he's that good
and will continue to back up the all blacks ranks
as he was doing last year and as he was
doing in Super Rugby this year before he got that injury.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Yeah, I agree, I think of courses it after my
starts against England, but I would have can Roy guard
on the bench. I think a lethal prospect to bring
on the last half an hour twenty minutes with his
running game, and by the end of the tour I
can very much see him moving into that starting position.
So there is a lot to play for across the border,
(18:03):
isn't it. We've covered a lot there. This is an
experimental team. There's a lot of players that need game time,
that need opportunities. But as much as it points to
this weekend, it also very much points to the starting
team that we will see at Twickenham the following week.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Indeed, just on that loose spoord tree, I think they're
all keeping the sex worm for Oli Mephis He's going
to be something special. Oli mephis. I know he started
on the wing on the weekend, but the fact that
he can play flankers or depitly and win. He was
very good in a losing performance for wake Cards. That kid.
(18:43):
He's got a big future ahead of the first year
out of high school. A big fan of what he
might be able to do in the coming years at
Super and All Black sul Well.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Let's say he's nineteen years old, isn't he And how
many Well, there's probably a few to be fair, but
flankers you can put on the wing that can pull
out a chip and chase and score a trial like
that in a semi final context. I think from memory
he scored was it under twenties? He scored four tries
playing open side against Australia, so he's been on the radar.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
It's interesting to see where his future does end up.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Because he was defending on the line against Wellington and
just got driven backwards. It was one of the Wellington
forwards that that bowled over. So if he is going
to be a loose forward, if he is going to
play open side, he needs to put on a bit
of size. But he's only nineteen and what a skill
set he's got pace, you know, skills off the boots,
(19:41):
anticipation vision, so it's really interesting to see where he
does end up.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
But what a future that kid has.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Indeed he does. Won't be playing the NBC final this
weekend though, that is your Wellington against.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Our Wellington is very special actually that you could see
a title defense in your first year supporting Wellington, so
very special times for us on Rugby Direct for.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
That against Plenty, who really ratcheted up the pressure on
the Canterbury side after halftime in that semi final on
the weekends. And deserving finalists, I think both of them.
Tacky had the elements of this season but fell away
after wutting the shield. Tasman similarly after giving up the shield.
You know. I think Wellington and Bay of Plenty deserving
(20:31):
of their spots in this Saturday afternoon society.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Very much so. And it will be a magnificent final.
Speaker 5 (20:38):
I think it's Bay Plenty's first big dance and Mark
Kelly's making the pilgrimage the Bay mascots all the way
from from Auckland to Wellington via bus or overnight bus
or train or some some crazy methods, so it'll be
a very special occasion for him and Wellington.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
Yeah, they've had to scrap and fight.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
That was an incredibly tight, physical, tense semi final against Wakato.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Some real stand up performances.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
Do see Carefi was huge in the last quarter, big turnovers,
big hits, really stood up as skipper for Wellington. So
hoping for a big turnout in the Capitol and the
Lions can roar and go back.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
To back.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Inzeed. So you're packing the lines, I will not.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
With a huge degree of confidence. I think they have
been building nicely.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
I think they'll turn down penalty shots and really look
to put the lines under some heat. But yeah, the
head and the heart say Wellington get it done this weekend.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Who you got?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
I wouldn't get paid plenty to be contrary, and I
was a very impressed. But the way they turned the
heat up on canbree in the second half of that game.
It was tip for tat in the first spell and
then they have plenty came out and absolutely just destroyed
the Red and Blacks in the second spell. I thought
they were superbly leads around the park. The loose falls
(22:07):
were I thought, shout out to Willis for the hollow
and a morning at hour and just on the morning
that our obviously missing out on the All Blacks, but
he's played a lot of NPC this season at center.
Just adding another string to his blog plates Bowie, you
can play center, right wing, fullback now and that's a
(22:28):
skill set that you know, if you need someone to
come off the bench and a tear smatch, very very
versatile sort of player. And I think that you know,
it's a you know, where he goes over the next
couple of years is going to be interesting in terms
of his you know, bid for higher honors well.
Speaker 5 (22:46):
And also it speaks to the value of game time
because I'm only our heads all of maybe ten minutes.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
In July.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
He had a very disruptive so Brugby campaign with the Chiefs.
But he's gone back to Bay Plenty and really hit
form and like say, it's been at center. But everything
you've seen from him he could replicate on the wing,
very skillful across the board, comfortable in the wings, center,
fallback and making a real difference for the Plenty And
(23:16):
so yeah, I would like to see him in that
All Black environment again and given a better crack, But
I guess it just shows shows the depth there and
Willis Hola Hollow, former Welsh International Super Rugby champion with
the Hurricanes and currently without a Super Rugby gig, so
surely someone snaps him up as well.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Absolutely. Before we wrap up the first half of the podcast,
the pools out for next year's Women's Rugby World Cup
in England and by Joe, New Zealand's managed to find
Ireland the side that took them up and the Wigs
ving not so long ago in their pool along with Japan,
Japan and Spain. Excuse me, So that's a tricky task
(23:58):
for the Black fans as they try and emerge out
of there, especially as top seed. You know, the draw
gods haven't been too favorable to the Black funds.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
No Ireland is something of the new giant killers of
the women's game out't they tipped up the Black fans
for the first time. And the w x V tournaments
and as you say, I think it's the top two
teams go through from the pool, but you don't want
to be finishing second and confronting England and the and
the knockouts straight off the bats. So very tricky pool
(24:30):
and as we touched on I think last week there's
a lot of work in front of the black ferns
over the next ten months to get ready for that
World Cup.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
Defense certainly is right.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
We'll take a break here and Ruki's are rigged with
our friends at Fourkliff Solutions. Back with the second half
of the podcast after this.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Every try drive had sixty second, every tackle tack, tackles,
get up again, every well take you before times. It's
Rugby Direct. Ladies tal back with Rugby Direct time out
for the final four to four Rugby topics that Lee
and I chew over from the last seven days in
(25:16):
the world of Rugby. Topic number one. This is a
surprise logging on this want of checking the emails and
saying this Craig Fenton out as the boss of New
Zealand Rugby Commercials. Liam. Your reaction, I know you've been
on the story today. What's behind and what does it mean?
Speaker 5 (25:38):
Was a surprise and also big news. I guess the
context for our listeners here. New Zealand Rugby Commercial Co.
Is a separate entity that was set up following the
private equity deal with US fund manager Silver Lake, basically
to manage all of New Zealand rugby's income and revenue
(25:58):
and to drive funding for the game. So an incredibly
important role, one of the most important in New Zealand rugby.
Crag Fenton was hired late last year. He's only been
in the gig nine months. He came with much fanfare,
had twenty five years experience overseas.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Worked for Google and had done the media rounds.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
Recently, from what I gather, Elliott, it's really deteriorated over
the past. The riding's been on the wall for the
last month. Craig Fenton had a number of falling out
with senior New Zealand Rugby executives and now he's gone.
I think they apparently. I had heard that they called
(26:44):
in consultants to try and work through things and couldn't
couldn't do that. So a very big replacement, very big void,
and a very important appointment to make because this comes
at a time when New z ond Ruby needs to
renegotiate their broadcast deal with Sky and Craig Fencin would
(27:04):
have been a big part of that. And as you
know that that broadcast steel likely to suffer a reduction
on the one hundred million that's a bumper deal that
they had with Sky Television previously. So yeah, very precarious
sort of position that news on a rega now finds
himself in.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Indeed, and I think it's fair to say that INNS
r C hasn't quite you know, had its straps in
terms of what they wanted from it in New Zealand.
Ended r plus has been on the in the market
for about a year now. They've had some content and
they pulled away from that a little bit, went to
YouTube to distribute some of that, which is a model
(27:45):
in itself and you can get advertising revenue there of
course as well, but that marked a little bit of
a change from the initial viewing. It just feels like,
you know, they haven't quite figured out where they want
to go with trying to monetize and build on the
Silver Lake investments. I know that it's released, were trumpeting
(28:08):
about ends in r plus and the number of views
it had, but I just it hasn't really cemented itself,
I don't think in the market. And so there's some
big questions for whoever replaces Craig fen Tin where they
come on early part of next.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Year sure as yeah, and.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
A big job isn't it, because that broadcast there will
basically make or break the game here. You know, you've
got so many mouths to feed, from the NPC provinces
to Super Rugby to the players. And there's a new
collective employment agreement with the players, there's a new funding
arrangement with the provinces to agree all coming to a
(28:49):
head in the next sort of year or so. So
if that pop does reduce, you're going to have a
lot of frustrated and people crying out for funds.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Indeed's topic two in the final four listenings are breaking
a few hours ago that SEVENS has been x from
the renewed peer back what if you want to call
it Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in twenty twenty six. This
is a real blow for rugby. SEVENS for mine, it
(29:24):
kind of was a bridge between the Olympics and World
Cup level. But you know, not much they can really
do about it from what I understand. No, and.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
It's an interesting scenario, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
Altt Because if you broadened this conversation out, SEVENS is
a bit of a crossroads. It's struggling on the World
Series since World Rugby took it over losing a lot
of money. The World Cup of Sevens is a bit
of a non event. The pinnacle event now, of course,
is the Olympics that used to be the Commonwealth Games.
(30:02):
If you think historically, you go back to the early
nineties and some of the men's seems that news and sense,
you know that the biggest names in the sport, even
in more recent times guys like Ben Smith and Manu
and Liam Messim and Sonny Ball Williams going to the
sevens to try and you know, chase metals and the
(30:25):
women's of course have been the standard bearers across the board.
So from an athlete perspective, it is a major blow.
Just I'll run through the sports there are in the
Commonwealth Games this year and it's a very small, pearedback
event after Glasgow picked it up following Melbourne saying we
can't afford it, we don't want it. So there's athletics, swimming,
(30:46):
artistic gymnastics, track, cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and
three on three basketball, so very small, but sevens does
not make the cut.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
With all your respected judo, I'm not sure how that
is in the month game sports, three on three basketball,
don't know that's a common Wealth sport. I mean, clearly
they're doing it to pay back to the numbers I
would guess in the athletes Diligi or whatever it is
numbers on site, because some of those simply aren't common
Wealth sports and it's probably time to wind up the
(31:27):
common Wealth Games. Great that guys goes come in to
stave it, but if you're going to take out sevens
and also hockey, you know, which is an traditional Commonwealth
game sport, you know, nipples managed to survive the Cup
squash isn't there. So I just it seems more about
trying to make it cost effective than actually a good
(31:47):
sporting product. I agree sevens at a crossroads, and I
think one of the big issues is that its glow strotting,
and that's one of its you know, great strengths to
an extent, but it also means that you know players
just you know, you're not in the right time zone
for New Zealand. You know, the likes of Mikaela Blythe
and all those players from the New Zealand seven Sin
(32:10):
Sierrah Henny and Georgia Miller and whoever else, Rissi Poli,
all those players are virgin on household names, but they're
being seen because they play in largely European or American
time zones that are unfriendly to New Zealand. There's no
tournament in New Zealand anymore. This goes to the men
as well, So I just think that, you know, perhaps
(32:33):
it needs to be centralized and cut back a little
bit more or made to being more friendly time zones
as soon as that World seven circuit, because otherwise it's
just it's going to really struggle to continue, I think.
But yeah, it's an interesting topic. Topic number three as
wouldn't Boss signs with the Blues? Good pick up for
the Blues for super Rugi or Picky is it?
Speaker 5 (32:55):
What one of the greatest women's rugby players in history.
She's thirty three and her father played till fifty five
and she reckons she'll give that a crack as well,
but yeah, good, great pickup. She's going to Japan for
three months and then coming back, so a real boost
for Super Ruby Alpaki for some foremost to have Porscha
(33:16):
coming back, and the motivation for that was to play
with her niece at the Blue.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
She lives in Bay Plenty.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
She's played previously for Chief's Manoi, so switching allegiance. But
she is a northern Northern woman, proud and very excited
about this sort of homecoming. Interesting to see where she plays,
you know, joked about a potential positional switch to open
side flanker. But with her niece being a winger and
(33:46):
via Coolo being there as well, superstar of the of
the Black Ferns, you know, who knows where we might
see Porscha pop up next season.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Yeah, very exciting. Yeah, maybe she could go again to
the World Cup with the fifteens in a different spot.
That could be a possibility. And topic number four, how
many of these five tests are the end of the
year tour will be all Blacks win liam out of five?
How many are they?
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Well, they will beat Japan, they will beat England, they
will lose to Ireland, they will beat Italy.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
And they will beat France.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
There you go, so you reckon they win four or five.
Speaker 5 (34:34):
That's very that's very optimistic now think about it. But yeah,
I'm going to back them to do that very tough tour.
I can see them potentially losing to France as well,
but I think they get over England at twicken them,
but I can't see them get past Island.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
I think they might lose to France, but get past Ireland,
I don't know. Something just tells me that they might
be up for that game again against the Irish. I mean,
it's such a tough schedules in the England, Island, France
back to back to back in three weeks. It really
is difficult. I am going to go that they win
four or five as well, but I'm just going to
(35:11):
say that they lose to France after beating England and Ireland.
So if they went for a five, that's a pretty
good return.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
That's a great return.
Speaker 5 (35:21):
I think given that schedule, those three big tests in
fifteen days, Island did them no favors. By She's dealing
that on a Friday night in Dublin, six days after England.
So that's a brutal turnaround and there will be injuries,
they'll have to change their squads. So we're really going
to find out where this all black team is that they.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Sent me are well, we'll find out where they're at
after a big testing Instjapan in Yokohama on Saturday afternoon
local time ten to seven is ze on time log
on and you still send big old Sporttheart Radio all
the build up and reaction on insi hero dot co
lot Insied as well with Ligam. We will touch base
again from London next week and yourself for a good week,
lad and I'll try to keep off the family checking
(36:07):
on over here.
Speaker 5 (36:09):
As get stuck into the check in the Rahman the
sushi and you enjoy the call, have have a great gift.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
We'll see as soon that has been rightby direct with
four Cliff Solutions, lifting you and your business so higher
living
Speaker 1 (36:27):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on Iheartradiot.
Inside the Game from Every angle. It's Rugby Direct with
Elliott Smith, powered by Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, par By fourklib Solutions lifting you
and your business to a higher level. Commichewa from Japan.
Rugby Direct back for another week. That is test week
for the All Blacks once again, and we are recording
Liam and Apre welcome into you. A couple of hours
after the All Blacks have named their team to play
(00:46):
Japan in Yokohama on Saturday afternoon New Zealand time or
Saturday evening New Zealand time, and early in the week
as well. So one surprise is the team was named
so early. Another surprise Pranctice being some of the selections
in the team has things and your reaction to the team.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Plus I come to Elliott's son, Hajimimus Matashiwa, Liam dess.
I hope you've settled into your Tokyo digs and had
some raman and maybe a bit of saki later.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
It's to help you drift off to sleep.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
But look first, off on the tour on a five
match score for the All Blacks and you'd expect them
to do it reasonably comfortably.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
But yeah, there's plenty of talking points in this team.
Speaker 5 (01:30):
I think largely expected in that it was always going
to be a second string team, wasn't it, with an
advanced party going to London for next week's Test against
England at Twickenham, But perhaps more experience than what you
would have thought, with guys like Sam Kane going starting
(01:52):
and Patrick two blow to captain. So it's not a
baby Black's team, is it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
No, it certainly isn't a lot of experience in that team,
alongside some players that clearly haven't had opportunities this year
or for one reason or another injuries or falling out
of favors, and a Penny Feene now falls into that category.
Cam Roy Garden and sim Perfetta have obviously battled injuries
(02:21):
this year as well and have been shorter on opportunities
in the Black jersey, and some like Billy Proctor who
impressed in that game against England, against Fiji and San
Diego but hasn't had an opportunity since it's a chance
for I guess players to put their best foot forward,
knowing that you know, perhaps they sit on the outside
of the first team at the moment, but just to
(02:42):
keep themselves on the selectors minds and in front of
the and someone like a Penny Fee Now, I don't
think necessarily put too much of a foot wrong. Earlier
in the season, perhaps wasn't necessarily what they were after
and didn't have the impact that he wanted. But this
is a chance for him to just to remind the
All Black selectors and remind the fans that he is
(03:03):
still there and ensure what he can do.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Yeah, I think as he's against you as a big opportunity,
isn't it. Without wanting to be just suspectful to Japan,
They've obviously never been the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
They did push them very close in Tokyo.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
I think it was last time out when Brodie Retallick
memory serves me correct, got a late red card or
maybe a second yellow and the All Blacks rund a
massive pressure. And so maybe that's in the back of
their minds. But in terms of this team and who
has the most again, I'm looking with the Hurricanes lens
(03:41):
at which will shock you. Guys like Cam Royguard coming
back for his first starts, Peter Luckey and Ruben Love
set to make their debuts off the bench. You mentioned
Billy Procter there not cited in the Rugby Championship, and
that was a real missed opportunity, I think, And as
much as this week's team will intrigue and give guys opportunity,
(04:05):
I'm also reading into what it means for next week.
I think sever Reice and Mark Tala probably contesting one
wing spot with Caleb Clark rested.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
You would.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I'm very happy to see Wallace to Tsi get his
first start at number eight. I'm not entirely sure about
whether that points to something that we'll see more of
in this tour. Perhaps the All Blacks are very short,
aren't they in the loose forward department with Dalton, Papa Lee,
Ethan Blackader and who's the other one's one of the
(04:40):
injuries Jacobson. Jacobson all at home, so they don't have
a lot of options at blindside. So it does a
big chance for a guy like some of a penny
female to impress. But I think it also points to
the fact that maybe Boden may be probably likely Boden
Barrett has usurped Damien McKenzie and he's likely to start
at number ten against England and am I reading too
(05:02):
much into this?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
No? I think it's the way I'm reading it as well.
Around that selection that I think Boden Barrett will probably
be one of those players that heads up to England's
early and by virtue of that, I would suggest it
means he is going to get a start next weekend
at Twickenham. Now that could change, but on the basis
(05:24):
of that, I think they're not. They're pretty much showing
their cards a little bit. I think about likely for
Damien McKenzie to play both of these first two chests.
It wouldn't surprise me to see mckenzy maybe start against
France in a couple of weeks time. But I suspect
that Boden Barrett will now start against England and Ireland's
on the basis of that blur there's like Cup performance
(05:46):
in Wellington. You know, at least we're reading too much
into it. It feels like there has been a sort
of changing between those two in terms of the picking
order at number ten for the All Blacks.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Yeah, it does indeed, and I think There's a number
of elements for that. You've got Boden's steady hands and
I think the All Blacks attack looked its best in
that game in Wellington. Mackenzie was very good off the bench.
It allows Will Jordan to play fullback. He's not in
(06:19):
this team this week, so you'd expect him to slot
in at fallback as well.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I just it's a calming presence, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Boden, he didn't he wasn't sensational, he wasn't sublime, but
the things he did he did largely with authority, with calmness.
And I think Scott Robinson is a massive fan of
the Barrats in general. Obviously made Scott captain a big
fan of Boden as well. And Jordie who isn't in
(06:48):
this team, but I'm not sure where exactly he's at
with his injury. He was targeting this Japan games, so
maybe he's not quite ready to go just yet. But
I think you're right that Boden has usurped Mackenzie in
the in the pecking order. Interesting to see Stephen Peter
Fetter it's another go at fullback. He hasn't played for
(07:11):
the All Blacks since that England series, so an opportunity
for him. But in general, you could go through this
team and say you could pretty much pick the England
starting team with you know we're shooting one week your
heads here, but you know Ethan de Groot not there
at Lucy, Cody, Taylor, Tyra Lomas, Scott.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Barrett to Provie.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
So there are a few contestable areas, but by and large,
I think you're right that the All Blacks have revealed
their cards to a degree with those three big tests
to come and keeping their their starters are ice.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
You didn't get a chance to ask about Jordi today
at the media conference here in Tokyo, but never to
find out some details, but suspected to be one of
those players getting north a wee bit earlier on than
some of those players that are just playing on the weekend.
I did just want to mention August as well. In
terms of this All Blacks pack, it is huge. It
(08:09):
is a huge pack. To Mighty Williams and Tossi either
side of the scrum, that's what one hundred and fifty
one hundred and forty ish each, so it's a lot
of weight there in the middle of the stuff that
on Miller's you know no, you know small player himself
a lot too female SITSI. It's a huge pack that
the All Blacks have named this week, I think got
(08:32):
to be the biggest in their history, and probably a
statement of intent around how they expect to play against
Japan this week and how they want to play against
Japan this week.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah, that's interesting, isn't it?
Speaker 5 (08:44):
And it is interesting because from what I can see
from afar anyway, it looks extremely hot and humid, So
naming a big pack that will test them aerobically, you know,
they haven't had a lot of time to acclimatize. I
mean the bench is pretty stacked as well. But a
massive pack and a big challenge for Japan, who are
(09:06):
traditionally undersized, are they and they play the game traditionally
again with at a real clip, so it'd be interesting
to see how they come out under Adie Jones.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
What is your expectation for Japan?
Speaker 5 (09:18):
I know in their last match of the Pacific Nations
Cup they were beaten soundly by Fiji. So what is
your expectation for how competitive Japan are? Do you give
them a realistic chance of pushing the All Blacks here.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
To note it really is, you know Fiji what them
that game in the Pacific Nations Cup. I thought they
played Japan played ratherly well against some more of the
week prior, so that they weren't that great. I than't
think against the United States in the Pacific Nations Cup.
So I think they're relatively shaky and up and down
(09:56):
this Japan team under Eddie Jones, and I don't think
we've seen quite yet how they're going to build towards
twenty twenty seven. And it's certainly what E Jones is
talking about is the build towards twenty twenty seventh. They
lost to Georgia earlier in the year, lost comfortable bit
at Italy, bounced back to beat Canada, who are a
bit of a basket case internationally in the men's game
(10:18):
at the moment. So they're hot and cold at the
moment under Eddie Jones. We do know though that Eddie
Jones loves playing the All Blacks, and we'll find it
a style to try and contest them. But I just
don't see this Japanese team. He's tried a few players
gone young, with a lot of players being able to
push the All Blacks as much as they did in
(10:39):
twenty twenty two, which is a really close run thing
on that afternoon in Tokyo. I just don't see that
happening again.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
No, I think you're right.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
I think there's a case to be made that Japan
has gone backwards under Eddie Jones.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
And you know he's talking about a new era.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
He's very good at talking, but we need to see
some stuff, some substance with that. I think there'll be
seventy old thousand people there this weekend, so it'll be
a great atmosphere. The All Blacks are hugely popular in Japan,
aren't now your picture of the large media contingents, and
they certainly their popularity has grown with the players going
(11:17):
over the irregularly to play in the in the top league.
So it'll be a great occasion. But I don't think
Japan realistically should push this all black team. It's you
know they've got this all black team has a lot
of points in them if they can get it right.
And as you mentioned that big, they're strong, the fast,
The style of rugby that they're trying to play will
(11:38):
really test Japan. I just want to touch people. Throw
one question at you here in terms of the loose forwards.
How contestable is that? And we've seen and Wallace at
TC in particular as the wild card. Here is he
playing for the number eight position for the remainder of
the tour? Or will Alardi come back in because we
(11:58):
spoke before about the lack of fit loose forwards. But
Wallace could potentially stay at eight, You could put Arty
to seven and then you could potentially use a Shupoo
Vai or even a Scott Barrett at six against England,
or you could just keep Sam Kine going at ten.
So how do you see the composition of that loose
forward trio?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Is our players playing for places this weekend?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I think so? I think, and that that has come
about because of some of those injuries as well. You know,
Ethan Blackheader would be right in the mix of being
a starter or a bench player if not for the
horrid run of injuries that he continues to have. It
seems that, you know, unfortunately for Ethan a week doesn't
(12:44):
send to go by with him having another injury. It's
sort of two steps four, one step back every time
he gets back on the park, because inevitably he's injured
it's must incredibly frustrating for a player of his talents,
the adult and Papa let he hadn't seen much of
him in the back ends of the international season to
this point, but he would have got an opportunity, I'm sure,
(13:04):
here in Tokyo, on a chance to stake his claim.
Luke jacobsonly so with those three players ripped out of
contention for at least this week and hearing varying things
as to their availability for the rest of the tour,
from the fact none of them might make the rest
of the tour, or that one of the two of
them might be in a position to link up with
(13:24):
the All Blacks Men in their heads to London next week,
I think that has created a little bit of a
sense of the unknown, in a sense that positions are
up for grabs and it could be a bit of
a shake up, maybe earlier than expected. I want a
few points to someone like Sam Caine playing this week
getting knowledge that yes, they are low on open side
(13:45):
options in the squad as it stands in London and
it's right here in Tokyo. But if potentially I could
see as you see the RDSRV at seven next week,
what was the TV of Eights Fee now on the
blind or maybe a two po y or Scott Barrett
next week with the aerial skills in the lineup, giving
(14:06):
the All Blacks an extra lineup option could be a
So I think with those injuries there, that's created a
little bit of a sense of well, now there's spots
up for grabs that maybe worn't and the one player
wouldn't rule out of this necessarily either. And I know
he's only coming off the bench this week for a debut,
is Peter Luckeye because he for me, seems like a
players that could rise up the ranks and that's All
(14:28):
Black's environment fairly quickly once he gets an opportunity.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Yeah, I totally agree. I think I would have had
Peter Luckeye on the squad from the get go. He's
only there because of those injuries, and I agree. I
think he's a young guy with a very mature head
on his shoulders.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Like Wallace at TT.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
I think he could come come in and really stamp
his authority very quickly. He plays like he's been around
for a long time. He's one of the most dynamic
ball carriers already in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Rugby.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
He's capable at seven and eight, so he gives you
versatility off the bench and I think, yeah, he could
really rise up the ranks quickly. Just in terms of
those injuries. Luke Jacobson was a broken thumb, I wouldn't
expect to see him on this tour, and Dalton Papole
and Ethan Blackheader. I really don't see those guys traveling
(15:23):
from New Zealand to London in the next week and
being thrust into a Test. So maybe they come into
contention later in the tour, but I think it is
very much a case of those players that are featuring
or are in the All Black squad right now will
be available for England. The only other guy I think
(15:46):
or discussion point here is cam royguards can he play
his way into the starting number nine Jersey. This will
be his first test since.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
The World Cup.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
He's had very little rugby, I think about one hundred
minutes for County's. Monaco Cortiz Ratima has stolen the march
in his absence. He's been very good and his starting
appearances for the All Blacks. How contestable? Do you see
that number nine Jersey, particularly just in the short term.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I think very contestable and I think we might see
a few different combinations over the course of this tour. Obviously,
this week your Blacks have just gone with Cambroygg because
he needs the game time. It was well flagged by
Scots and last week ow TJ pen and AA some
Eventually now I think Corti is an ultimate will start
next week at Twickenham, and I think the bench spot
(16:39):
is now open as well, whether it's Cambroyguard or TJ. Pedanara.
And for me, assuming Cambroygard comes through this game against Japan,
he's the kind of player that I would look to
to be starting one of those big two tests Ireland
in France. I don't think he'll start against England next week,
just with the travel factor everything else involved in that,
but I think, you know, Irelands could be a potential
(17:01):
for him there. I think his ability around the ruck
is left boot could be a real weapon against the
Irish and that one on one match up against DuPont
against France, I think he could really impress in that
game there as well. So for me, I think ken
Royguard's ascension will continue over the course of this tour.
(17:22):
I don't think you're playing against England next week, but
it would not surprise me to see him play at
least one of the two big tests after that against
it either Island or France. I think he's that good
and will continue to back up the all blacks ranks
as he was doing last year and as he was
doing in Super Rugby this year before he got that injury.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Yeah, I agree, I think of courses it after my
starts against England, but I would have can Roy guard
on the bench. I think a lethal prospect to bring
on the last half an hour twenty minutes with his
running game, and by the end of the tour I
can very much see him moving into that starting position.
So there is a lot to play for across the border,
(18:03):
isn't it. We've covered a lot there. This is an
experimental team. There's a lot of players that need game time,
that need opportunities. But as much as it points to
this weekend, it also very much points to the starting
team that we will see at Twickenham the following week.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Indeed, just on that loose spoord tree, I think they're
all keeping the sex worm for Oli Mephis He's going
to be something special. Oli mephis. I know he started
on the wing on the weekend, but the fact that
he can play flankers or depitly and win. He was
very good in a losing performance for wake Cards. That kid.
(18:43):
He's got a big future ahead of the first year
out of high school. A big fan of what he
might be able to do in the coming years at
Super and All Black sul Well.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Let's say he's nineteen years old, isn't he And how
many Well, there's probably a few to be fair, but
flankers you can put on the wing that can pull
out a chip and chase and score a trial like
that in a semi final context. I think from memory
he scored was it under twenties? He scored four tries
playing open side against Australia, so he's been on the radar.
Speaker 4 (19:16):
It's interesting to see where his future does end up.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Because he was defending on the line against Wellington and
just got driven backwards. It was one of the Wellington
forwards that that bowled over. So if he is going
to be a loose forward, if he is going to
play open side, he needs to put on a bit
of size. But he's only nineteen and what a skill
set he's got pace, you know, skills off the boots,
(19:41):
anticipation vision, so it's really interesting to see where he
does end up.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
But what a future that kid has.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Indeed he does. Won't be playing the NBC final this
weekend though, that is your Wellington against.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Our Wellington is very special actually that you could see
a title defense in your first year supporting Wellington, so
very special times for us on Rugby Direct for.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
That against Plenty, who really ratcheted up the pressure on
the Canterbury side after halftime in that semi final on
the weekends. And deserving finalists, I think both of them.
Tacky had the elements of this season but fell away
after wutting the shield. Tasman similarly after giving up the shield.
You know. I think Wellington and Bay of Plenty deserving
(20:31):
of their spots in this Saturday afternoon society.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Very much so. And it will be a magnificent final.
Speaker 5 (20:38):
I think it's Bay Plenty's first big dance and Mark
Kelly's making the pilgrimage the Bay mascots all the way
from from Auckland to Wellington via bus or overnight bus
or train or some some crazy methods, so it'll be
a very special occasion for him and Wellington.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
Yeah, they've had to scrap and fight.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
That was an incredibly tight, physical, tense semi final against Wakato.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Some real stand up performances.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
Do see Carefi was huge in the last quarter, big turnovers,
big hits, really stood up as skipper for Wellington. So
hoping for a big turnout in the Capitol and the
Lions can roar and go back.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
To back.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Inzeed. So you're packing the lines, I will not.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
With a huge degree of confidence. I think they have
been building nicely.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
I think they'll turn down penalty shots and really look
to put the lines under some heat. But yeah, the
head and the heart say Wellington get it done this weekend.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Who you got?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
I wouldn't get paid plenty to be contrary, and I
was a very impressed. But the way they turned the
heat up on canbree in the second half of that game.
It was tip for tat in the first spell and
then they have plenty came out and absolutely just destroyed
the Red and Blacks in the second spell. I thought
they were superbly leads around the park. The loose falls
(22:07):
were I thought, shout out to Willis for the hollow
and a morning at hour and just on the morning
that our obviously missing out on the All Blacks, but
he's played a lot of NPC this season at center.
Just adding another string to his blog plates Bowie, you
can play center, right wing, fullback now and that's a
(22:28):
skill set that you know, if you need someone to
come off the bench and a tear smatch, very very
versatile sort of player. And I think that you know,
it's a you know, where he goes over the next
couple of years is going to be interesting in terms
of his you know, bid for higher honors well.
Speaker 5 (22:46):
And also it speaks to the value of game time
because I'm only our heads all of maybe ten minutes.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
In July.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
He had a very disruptive so Brugby campaign with the Chiefs.
But he's gone back to Bay Plenty and really hit
form and like say, it's been at center. But everything
you've seen from him he could replicate on the wing,
very skillful across the board, comfortable in the wings, center,
fallback and making a real difference for the Plenty And
(23:16):
so yeah, I would like to see him in that
All Black environment again and given a better crack, But
I guess it just shows shows the depth there and
Willis Hola Hollow, former Welsh International Super Rugby champion with
the Hurricanes and currently without a Super Rugby gig, so
surely someone snaps him up as well.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Absolutely. Before we wrap up the first half of the podcast,
the pools out for next year's Women's Rugby World Cup
in England and by Joe, New Zealand's managed to find
Ireland the side that took them up and the Wigs
ving not so long ago in their pool along with Japan,
Japan and Spain. Excuse me, So that's a tricky task
(23:58):
for the Black fans as they try and emerge out
of there, especially as top seed. You know, the draw
gods haven't been too favorable to the Black funds.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
No Ireland is something of the new giant killers of
the women's game out't they tipped up the Black fans
for the first time. And the w x V tournaments
and as you say, I think it's the top two
teams go through from the pool, but you don't want
to be finishing second and confronting England and the and
the knockouts straight off the bats. So very tricky pool
(24:30):
and as we touched on I think last week there's
a lot of work in front of the black ferns
over the next ten months to get ready for that
World Cup.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
Defense certainly is right.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
We'll take a break here and Ruki's are rigged with
our friends at Fourkliff Solutions. Back with the second half
of the podcast after this.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
This is Rugby Direct, a podcast for real rugby fans.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Every try drive had sixty second, every tackle tack, tackles,
get up again, every well take you before times. It's
Rugby Direct. Ladies tal back with Rugby Direct time out
for the final four to four Rugby topics that Lee
and I chew over from the last seven days in
(25:16):
the world of Rugby. Topic number one. This is a
surprise logging on this want of checking the emails and
saying this Craig Fenton out as the boss of New
Zealand Rugby Commercials. Liam. Your reaction, I know you've been
on the story today. What's behind and what does it mean?
Speaker 5 (25:38):
Was a surprise and also big news. I guess the
context for our listeners here. New Zealand Rugby Commercial Co.
Is a separate entity that was set up following the
private equity deal with US fund manager Silver Lake, basically
to manage all of New Zealand rugby's income and revenue
(25:58):
and to drive funding for the game. So an incredibly
important role, one of the most important in New Zealand rugby.
Crag Fenton was hired late last year. He's only been
in the gig nine months. He came with much fanfare,
had twenty five years experience overseas.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Worked for Google and had done the media rounds.
Speaker 5 (26:22):
Recently, from what I gather, Elliott, it's really deteriorated over
the past. The riding's been on the wall for the
last month. Craig Fenton had a number of falling out
with senior New Zealand Rugby executives and now he's gone.
I think they apparently. I had heard that they called
(26:44):
in consultants to try and work through things and couldn't
couldn't do that. So a very big replacement, very big void,
and a very important appointment to make because this comes
at a time when New z ond Ruby needs to
renegotiate their broadcast deal with Sky and Craig Fencin would
(27:04):
have been a big part of that. And as you
know that that broadcast steel likely to suffer a reduction
on the one hundred million that's a bumper deal that
they had with Sky Television previously. So yeah, very precarious
sort of position that news on a rega now finds
himself in.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Indeed, and I think it's fair to say that INNS
r C hasn't quite you know, had its straps in
terms of what they wanted from it in New Zealand.
Ended r plus has been on the in the market
for about a year now. They've had some content and
they pulled away from that a little bit, went to
YouTube to distribute some of that, which is a model
(27:45):
in itself and you can get advertising revenue there of
course as well, but that marked a little bit of
a change from the initial viewing. It just feels like,
you know, they haven't quite figured out where they want
to go with trying to monetize and build on the
Silver Lake investments. I know that it's released, were trumpeting
(28:08):
about ends in r plus and the number of views
it had, but I just it hasn't really cemented itself,
I don't think in the market. And so there's some
big questions for whoever replaces Craig fen Tin where they
come on early part of next.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Year sure as yeah, and.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
A big job isn't it, because that broadcast there will
basically make or break the game here. You know, you've
got so many mouths to feed, from the NPC provinces
to Super Rugby to the players. And there's a new
collective employment agreement with the players, there's a new funding
arrangement with the provinces to agree all coming to a
(28:49):
head in the next sort of year or so. So
if that pop does reduce, you're going to have a
lot of frustrated and people crying out for funds.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Indeed's topic two in the final four listenings are breaking
a few hours ago that SEVENS has been x from
the renewed peer back what if you want to call
it Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in twenty twenty six. This
is a real blow for rugby. SEVENS for mine, it
(29:24):
kind of was a bridge between the Olympics and World
Cup level. But you know, not much they can really
do about it from what I understand. No, and.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
It's an interesting scenario, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
Altt Because if you broadened this conversation out, SEVENS is
a bit of a crossroads. It's struggling on the World
Series since World Rugby took it over losing a lot
of money. The World Cup of Sevens is a bit
of a non event. The pinnacle event now, of course,
is the Olympics that used to be the Commonwealth Games.
(30:02):
If you think historically, you go back to the early
nineties and some of the men's seems that news and sense,
you know that the biggest names in the sport, even
in more recent times guys like Ben Smith and Manu
and Liam Messim and Sonny Ball Williams going to the
sevens to try and you know, chase metals and the
(30:25):
women's of course have been the standard bearers across the board.
So from an athlete perspective, it is a major blow.
Just I'll run through the sports there are in the
Commonwealth Games this year and it's a very small, pearedback
event after Glasgow picked it up following Melbourne saying we
can't afford it, we don't want it. So there's athletics, swimming,
(30:46):
artistic gymnastics, track, cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and
three on three basketball, so very small, but sevens does
not make the cut.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
With all your respected judo, I'm not sure how that
is in the month game sports, three on three basketball,
don't know that's a common Wealth sport. I mean, clearly
they're doing it to pay back to the numbers I
would guess in the athletes Diligi or whatever it is
numbers on site, because some of those simply aren't common
Wealth sports and it's probably time to wind up the
(31:27):
common Wealth Games. Great that guys goes come in to
stave it, but if you're going to take out sevens
and also hockey, you know, which is an traditional Commonwealth
game sport, you know, nipples managed to survive the Cup
squash isn't there. So I just it seems more about
trying to make it cost effective than actually a good
(31:47):
sporting product. I agree sevens at a crossroads, and I
think one of the big issues is that its glow strotting,
and that's one of its you know, great strengths to
an extent, but it also means that you know players
just you know, you're not in the right time zone
for New Zealand. You know, the likes of Mikaela Blythe
and all those players from the New Zealand seven Sin
(32:10):
Sierrah Henny and Georgia Miller and whoever else, Rissi Poli,
all those players are virgin on household names, but they're
being seen because they play in largely European or American
time zones that are unfriendly to New Zealand. There's no
tournament in New Zealand anymore. This goes to the men
as well, So I just think that, you know, perhaps
(32:33):
it needs to be centralized and cut back a little
bit more or made to being more friendly time zones
as soon as that World seven circuit, because otherwise it's
just it's going to really struggle to continue, I think.
But yeah, it's an interesting topic. Topic number three as
wouldn't Boss signs with the Blues? Good pick up for
the Blues for super Rugi or Picky is it?
Speaker 5 (32:55):
What one of the greatest women's rugby players in history.
She's thirty three and her father played till fifty five
and she reckons she'll give that a crack as well,
but yeah, good, great pickup. She's going to Japan for
three months and then coming back, so a real boost
for Super Ruby Alpaki for some foremost to have Porscha
(33:16):
coming back, and the motivation for that was to play
with her niece at the Blue.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
She lives in Bay Plenty.
Speaker 5 (33:22):
She's played previously for Chief's Manoi, so switching allegiance. But
she is a northern Northern woman, proud and very excited
about this sort of homecoming. Interesting to see where she plays,
you know, joked about a potential positional switch to open
side flanker. But with her niece being a winger and
(33:46):
via Coolo being there as well, superstar of the of
the Black Ferns, you know, who knows where we might
see Porscha pop up next season.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Yeah, very exciting. Yeah, maybe she could go again to
the World Cup with the fifteens in a different spot.
That could be a possibility. And topic number four, how
many of these five tests are the end of the
year tour will be all Blacks win liam out of five?
How many are they?
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Well, they will beat Japan, they will beat England, they
will lose to Ireland, they will beat Italy.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
And they will beat France.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
There you go, so you reckon they win four or five.
Speaker 5 (34:34):
That's very that's very optimistic now think about it. But yeah,
I'm going to back them to do that very tough tour.
I can see them potentially losing to France as well,
but I think they get over England at twicken them,
but I can't see them get past Island.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
I think they might lose to France, but get past Ireland,
I don't know. Something just tells me that they might
be up for that game again against the Irish. I mean,
it's such a tough schedules in the England, Island, France
back to back to back in three weeks. It really
is difficult. I am going to go that they win
four or five as well, but I'm just going to
(35:11):
say that they lose to France after beating England and Ireland.
So if they went for a five, that's a pretty
good return.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
That's a great return.
Speaker 5 (35:21):
I think given that schedule, those three big tests in
fifteen days, Island did them no favors. By She's dealing
that on a Friday night in Dublin, six days after England.
So that's a brutal turnaround and there will be injuries,
they'll have to change their squads. So we're really going
to find out where this all black team is that they.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Sent me are well, we'll find out where they're at
after a big testing Instjapan in Yokohama on Saturday afternoon
local time ten to seven is ze on time log
on and you still send big old Sporttheart Radio all
the build up and reaction on insi hero dot co
lot Insied as well with Ligam. We will touch base
again from London next week and yourself for a good week,
lad and I'll try to keep off the family checking
(36:07):
on over here.
Speaker 5 (36:09):
As get stuck into the check in the Rahman the
sushi and you enjoy the call, have have a great gift.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
We'll see as soon that has been rightby direct with
four Cliff Solutions, lifting you and your business so higher
living
Speaker 1 (36:27):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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