March 31, 2025 • 34 mins
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier react to the breaking news around Damian McKenzie's re-signing and what the deal means for both himself and the All Blacks over the coming years.
We also look back at round seven of Super Rugby Pacific as Moana Pasifika pull off the upset of the season against the Crusaders, while the Hurricanes give the Waratahs a reality check and put the competition on notice.
We also delve into the thorny stadium saga in Auckland and the impact on rugby.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct
with Elliott Smith, powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, power by Habit Heath, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and work. There are
plenty of aches and pains if you're a Crusaders fan.
We will get to those in a moment. But first
and foremost, Liam Napier Elliot Smith with the podcast as always, Liam,
greetings to you.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Greeting's Elliott. Great to be here, isn't it. It's a fantastic,
beaming sunny day and the Canes are back and the
Crusaders are not.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
The sun has not risen. I just want to clarify
that point. We'll get to that in the moment. First,
some news that's come out an hour or two before
we've recorded this podcast, Big news when us you on
Rugby Perspective. Liam Damien McKenzie resigns through until twenty twenty nine.
The announcement landing this morning. This was a for me,
at least a wee bit of a surprise I knew
(01:10):
he's a contract after this season, questions about whether he's
going to stay. He's already been to Japan on playing
sabbaticals before, but he's extended and he's extended long term
another four years with New Zealand Rugby. On the verge
of turning thirty and thinking about three weeks or thereabouts,
it's a hold for New Zealand Rugby. What a he
mak of the deal?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah? Great piece of business, isn't it. We spoke to
Razor a few weeks back and put it to him
about the the fact that he was off contract and
they were clearly desperate to keep him, and like you,
I am surprised at the length of the deal. I
thought a bit of uncertainty around s Richem m Wonga
coming home where he sits in the pecking order. Last year,
(01:51):
had the first seven Tests and was sort of dropped
to the bench. Came back through injury with the Island
victory and played very well on that. I thought, if
he does resign, maybe through to the World Cup and
then look to reassess. But the fact that his long
term as a major win for Hiseana Rugby, I wouldn't
be surprised if there is another sabbatical clause within that contract.
(02:14):
Maybe claigt mcwellon looks to get him up to Munster
for a weastern or back to Japan, but to lock
in someone of McKenzie's talents, not just for the All
Blacks but the Chiefs is a huge one and he
is only going to get better at this stage of
his career, starting to mature. Such a versatile, brilliant player.
(02:36):
So yeah, great to seem stick around.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well, I did hear from one of our researchers here
at Rugby, director Towers before we came into Rugby Studio
twenty twenty eight sabbatical for Damien McKenzie, So that's been
included there. But what it means is that he'll be
in New Zealand rugby with the Chiefs twenty six twenty
seven and building to that World Cup. And I think
it's a sign from him that he wants that ting Jers,
he wants to be part of the All Black squad
(02:59):
and perhaps last year had a little bit of a wobble,
but we still wouldn't come back to them, and really
I thought have an excellent interview tour and what I
think it shows is that he's you know, he wouldn't
be staying. I don't think if Scott Robinson didn't want
him to stay. And so I think he shows he's
a big part of those plans for the All Blacks
that built towards that World Cup.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, really put a stake in the ground, has an
around where he wants to be, his intentions, his aspirations,
and look, he's always been a talents from his time
in christ Church and you know he was always earmarked
as a future All Black first five. It's just finding
(03:44):
that game management consistency that was the big thing for
him last year and we saw it at times and
not at others, but that Island test is the real
benchmark that you want to see out of Damon McKenzie.
And it is an interesting scenario about how that plays out,
not just this year but in the years to come.
I saw an interview Richie Wongo over the weekend with
(04:05):
Sky and he's come out and see he definitively wants
to play in another World Cup. So all indications are
he will come home and play for the All Blacks.
So they're going to have Boden Barrett, Damian McKenzie Richie
Wanger all competing for that jersey. As you mentioned, McKenzie
will go offshore and maybe maybe the others will as well.
(04:28):
But great to have that depth, isn't it because I
think increasingly that ten jersey is so influential in terms
of the balance of the team, the direction of the team.
So yeah, a great one to keep him around.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
You mentioned Richi and Wanger. That was my next question
because he's the I guess, the overarching figure in this
whole thing around his contract future. That's school at Sky interview.
You know, suggestions where it he's going to come back
a year earlier that couldn't be negotiated for for various reasons,
but it would be a surprise not to see him
back in the New Zealand rugby folds. So then you've
got you know, Boden Barrett and Damian McKenzie and then
(05:06):
in theory Richie Wong all signed through to beyond the
next World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, how do you fit them on all in the
same all black team? I guess you know, particularly with
Will Jordan playing so well, he's a lock at fullback.
The other options there, one of them are playing ten,
another one's on the bench. And one of them's not
in the squad.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, it's going to be fascinating to see how that
works out over the coming it.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I think it is also a reflection of McKenzie's holistic life.
He's pretty happy away from the field, reasonably new partner,
pretty well settled there and that makes a big difference
in terms of happy home life. You want to hang around,
and so that's another factor.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Indeed, looking forward to seeing how that unfolds the next week.
While let's get into Super Rugby Round seven and Saturday
nights more ONEA Pacifica forty five the Crusaders twenty nine.
This was a very good performance from one of Pacifica.
I've been paying the drum that if they play for
even close to eighty minutes they're going to be dangerous.
While they strung it together on Saturday night in christ Church,
(06:10):
thought they were excellent. They put a lot of pressure
on the Crusaders, made them force them into errors and
then just on with their own side of the ball.
Just we're confident with ball on hamdi Vias score early
a couple of really nice fifty twenty twos. But the man,
I think, I want to think the loudest, Patrick Palagrini,
he has been an absolute game changer since Mouana gave
(06:30):
him the nod to come off the bench against the Highlanders,
he began to turn that game around. They ran out
of time essentially in the end or the harmond is
held on, depending on your point of view. And since
then they've turned up for every performance. Hasn't been for
the full eighty minutes, but that was pretty close to
it on Saturday Night Big Time.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
And you mentioned that consistency because we've seen not incremental improvements,
quite significant improvements from Mina this year, but it hasn't
been for that full eighty and that's been the r
kllies here. Even the week previous against the Chiefs were
blowing off the park in the first half and then
came back well in the second, so there was no
(07:09):
real indication that they had their ability to go down
and knock over a Crusaders team who did a number
on the Blues at Eden Park. That's why this result
was a massive upset. And you mentioned those performances there,
miracle fire, Lungy, and I think what surprised me about
(07:30):
Winer's performance has actually had real success against the Crusader's
full pack went through the middle. It scored a lot
of their points, breaking the Crusaders open around the fringes,
and that's been a strength of the Crusaders. On reflection,
maybe the Crusaders will regret resting guys like Sevia Reese Chalfoon,
who's been a big performance, Christian Leo Weady, to Kimita
(07:53):
maybe not to the same degree. Cody Taylor and to
Mighty Williams came off the bench. David Heavily was a
late withdrawal, So some big names there. Maybe they took
miner lightly a little bit. Maybe there's a bit of complacency,
but wine I fully deserved that victory. It's the biggest
win in their history, only their ninth win in forty
(08:13):
eight attempts, their third one over New Zealand opposition, and
their first twice bet in the Canes, and their first
win against New Zealand opposition away from home.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah. Look, I thought it was an excellent performance from
one to PACIFICA. If we touched on the Crusaders, those
names you mentioned, they didn't help. They missed David harvillly
big time. I think the direction that he's had this
year He's been an excellent form for the Crusaders. Is
game management helping Takimita balance things out James Aconna's international
first five. But I think they just did miss the
direction that David Harvilli gets on the weekend. Levi Muer
(08:45):
I think touched the ball three times in the first
forty five minutes, making zero meters. They probably went a
little bit too wide too early the Crusaders when they
had the ball on attack and that led to errors
and then they just couldn't hold onto the ball. They
were building pression side. The twenty two then would become
a little bit lazy in terms of possision, and that
(09:06):
allowed wanted to turn things over. Think Solomon other Muddell's
fifty twenty two that came out of nowhere tuned the game,
and every time it felt like Crusaders were just inching
forward and getting some momentum, the Crusaders would make an
europe or Moan would get a turnover and get that
momentum back. So look, I think that's a win from
Moana Pacifica that puts the rest of the competition on notice.
(09:27):
Obviously a bit. The Hurricanes a few weeks ago went
backwards against the Chiefs apart from that second half performance,
but this is the kind of win that makes teams
sit up and take notice.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, and the kind of performance that solidifies a lot
of internal confidence because you need a result like that
to galvanize a team. They've had Artie Severe come along
and we've heard so much about his influence on and
off the fields. A much stronger coaching team with Tanumager
and Tom Coventry and Selelium Mapasua and others, and ask
(09:58):
here among that group Stephen Jones as well as he
still there. Yeah, so you know, it's a very much
improved coaching team. But a performance like that away from
home to go to christ Church is a difficult place
to win. So it could be the making of Moana.
And the Blues still have to play them.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Twice they do, and once at North Harbor, which is
becoming a home ground that their supporters are flopping to.
So that's going to be fascinating. Yeah, probably slightly regretting
the Type five piece of the Herald last week suggesting
that I might have been wrong to doubt Rob Penny.
Obviously it's only one week, but those signs of the
(10:39):
Crusaders last year crept back in on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
They did, And it's funny how one result can change
the complexion of a season, because the Crusaders now have
to go to Fiji where the zero and two the
toughest road trip in Super rugby, and if they drop
that potentially then you're you know, yeah, the whole complexion
of your season looks a lot different.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Hurricanes, I think a week after that back in christ
Church might be in sky stating hurt either way. So yeah,
a tough couple of weeks coming up for the Krusian is.
Let's go to Friday Night Brumby's and Highlanders Brumby thirty four,
Highlanders twenty seven. The Rumby's just did a tad too good,
too good in the key moments against the Highlanders, who
pushed them for times in that game. But I think
(11:23):
they missed an Ethan de Groot figure. The Highlanders on
the weekend and Canberra is tough playce to go. The
Brumby's just a little bit too good.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Unfortunately, Hinds. It's a very similar theme. Could have would
have should have beaten the Hurricanes a couple of points
in that in Dunedin same against the Reds in Donedan
and then they were right in this game that they
probably should have been further behind at halftime. The Brumbies
dominated that first half and the Highland is real Achilles
(11:53):
Hill at the moment as the scrum it's costing them
a lot of points field position. Tane Robinson didn't have
a great night either, a couple of restarts went out
on the fall A wee bit better in the second half,
but I think it's probably time for a change there
for the Honders. And yeah, a bit of a strange
call to to rest Ethan the group when your scrum's
under massive pressure.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Not it's not on his side, no app pedies week before,
but I just think get back and all black like
him to get you out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Yeah, and like I said, it's not on his side
of the scrum where the issues lie, but you'd have
to think he's going to make a difference. So an
odd call there from Jamie Joseph. And yeah, the Heighlanders
now go to Perth and it's must Wan territory for them.
I like elements of the Holanders game Sean with he's
(12:41):
playing really well Thomas and Munger Jensen has been a
big returnee for them in their mid midfield. But if
you if you have a de stable iver's platform like
your scrum, it is really difficult to remain competitive throughout
the match.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It's good you make the back line actually is maybe
Robinson as side, but the backs, the midfield and the
outside back's actually clicking quite nicely.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Calib tonguey tail another two tries brilliant individual brilliance and Joan.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And Artiki excellent.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
He looks old, he's always injured, but yeah, he's incredibly
dangerous when he touched the book, touches the ball, makes
good decisions. So yeah that the back line Robinson A
side is performing well.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah. Tough trip this week Friday night, the early game
the Hurricanes fifty seven Waratas twelve. I don't think anyone
expected the margin of this, but the Hurricanes were just outstanding.
I thought the warratar is extremely disappointing given the season
that they'd had to date. The only dropped the one
game heading into that week. Dad Joseph, of course will
let you come back into the mix. Expected them to
(13:47):
be a lot better. They weren't helped by a couple
of Hias and players going off, but Henders just ran
right over them. It was the Hurricanes rather ran right
over a very good performance from the Canes.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It was quite a statement performance, So hard to know
how much to take out of that, but a big
morale boosting victory for the Canes. You mentioned, I think
it was the whole back three for the Waratars disintegrated.
But look they still had a Warta Wallaby's laden forward pack,
some really big units there and the Canes did a
(14:20):
number on them up front. Bradon Yosse switched to blindside
and a real standout performance from him, and yeah, that
platform allowed the Hurricanes to play how they want to,
you know, Ruben and love Flickball scored some brilliant tries.
It was all too easy. And the war Tars their
big issue is they've won at home and I've lost
(14:43):
away and that's not sustainable.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's not good to see a lot of direction coming
from Roley har Heepper Crusaders. You're welcome everything he knows
last year and clearly putting that into the Hurricanes this year.
But yeah, just a hard one to read from an
nol'sis perspective, because the Wartars just didn't really show up.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
No, and.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
It was almost like possible. In the headliner stuff, everything
the Hurricanes touch turns to gold and the Wartar has
just had no answers and the Wartars now go play Maana,
which is a bit of a scary prospect for them.
And I think we learn a lot more about the
Hurricanes and the Blues this week.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, it's weir fascinating game this week end. Reds enforced
the other game over the course of the weekend reads
our top of the table and they have the Chiefs
top of the table one v two clash this week.
The Reds just building quite nicely the way they're going
about their business this season. They had the drop to
the Crusaders in christ Church, but they are pretty good
in that game for large periods. And you know, I
(15:46):
do like the way the Reds are just building under
Lezkis currently.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yeah, well these widely Tip doesn't need to be the
next Wallabies.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Coach andlmalt Stuart Lancaster.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Yeah, well yeah, we'll see where that goes. I suspect
it's pretty much a dune deal there with Les. But look,
top of the table clash this week Reds and Chiefs again.
Will learn a lot more about where the Reds are
out there. I think the Reds are won something like
three of the last four regular season clashes against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are one two quarter finals, so when it
(16:15):
really mattered, But it also felt like a bit of
a reality check week in for the Aussies. I know
that the Brumbies won, but they weren't overly impressive against
the Hondas. The wartar is blown off the park and
the Reds you know, struggling to beat the force. So
I feel like the weekend before there was four Aussie
(16:39):
teams in the top six and it's come back to
the pack of it.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
As indeed, let's take a break here on rugby. Don't
come back with the Sicond half of the podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
After this, call yourself a real rugby fan. This is
Rugby Direct, every try, every tackle, every big moment, it's
Rugby direct By Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
You're back with Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Heath, tackling
all your aches and pains from sport and work. Time
for the final four for rugby topics that Liam and
I debated, I set topic one stadiums in Auckland Eden
Park last week endorsed by the Auckland Council as all
the two point one plan is the plane going forward
(17:22):
is in the stadium network. What does that decision mean
for rugby in New Zealand both from a super Rugby
level NPC.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Up to the All Blacks, well, it's deflating. The All
Blacks have an amazing record at eden Park, fifty tests
unbeaten going back to nineteen ninety four, that French loss
and massive clash of the spring box there later this year.
(17:53):
But it's a great disappointment because used on a Rugby
completely backed the new design for the waterfront stadium, No
doubts that was revenue driven with the idea of having
an All Blacks hotel down there and clipping the ticket
in other ways. But Eden Park's just not a great
(18:15):
venue even from a pure viewing perspective. From an overball code,
Mount Smart is better because you're closer to the action,
you're on top of the game, and Eden Park's not
fit for purpose from a modern viewing perspective. You're never
(18:37):
going to sell it out for a super rugby game.
How many times a year are you going to set
out twice?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Maybe twice for All Backs test and maybe a six
sixty concert or whoever's shine up there. That's about it.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
And I feel like, why no, just a new precedent,
A new stadium brings punters in because they want to
experience it, they want a better atmosphere. And you know,
there's so many issues with Eden Park from an accessibility
point of view, where it is, you know, catering all
(19:08):
these sorts of things, and yeah, you can spit shine it,
you know, Polisher turd, but it's still going to be
much the same. So look the All Blacks. You know,
there's a lot of history there. But the fact New
Zealand rugby back this new stadium, I think tells you
everything you need to know about where rugby in this
country wanted to go in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Yeah, and the history argument just doesn't wash with me.
In the slide, well, look, I can't understand it. But
no one's crowling for Carras Brook. No one's crowing for
the old Lancaster Park with the new Christich Stadium on
the doorstep next year Athletic Park in Wellington. Yes, you
got great memories from these grounds, great record fifty unbeaten
to Eden Park, but at some point that record's going
(19:51):
to be broken, and what do you have at that point?
Now that record's broken, you're back to zero. And yes,
you've still got the memories of that great run and
the World Cup victory in twenty eleven and grand now
heading in the sixth for the black Caps in twenty
fifteen and all those things. But those memories don't go
away by going to a new stadium. And I think
think in this country we're just a little bit too
(20:12):
roast in to glasses looking back at history, when actually
we should be a lot more forward looking than we are,
thinking where do we want to be in ten and
fifteen years time, twenty years time, not looking back to
see how great the last ten to fifteen, twenty thirty
years were, and that hamstrings a lot of progress. I
think in this country. You look at the plans for
the waterfrontary at the Waterfront Stadium, I look, the stadium
(20:33):
is a stadium. You could redesign that however you wanted,
But I think there would have been a much better option.
Close to trainsport links, close to the downtown. There's going
to be accommodation, restaurants put in there, everything like that.
I think the Winyard point concept was great as well,
and I'm not sure why that got booted so early.
So look, real shame, real setback for sport and events,
(20:55):
I think in New Zealand. Having said that, a few
whispers going around that all might not be dead and
apparently might be a bit of sort of Bargerrett will
keep pushing on and keep going from that waterfront proposals.
So watch the space. I don't think it's completely did
as yet.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
It would have been a game changer. And look, put
it this way, there's not too many reasons that Auckland
does look to chrish Church with envy. But that stadium
is going to be one and you know what, what's
the capacity of that going to be?
Speaker 2 (21:28):
It can be thirty thousands yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Yeah, okay, so maybe not big all blacks tests, but
from an atmosphere experience, that is going to blow Eden
Park away. That stadium's going to be magic from its
location to it's designed from the roof to everything. And
that was a long time coming for christ Church as well.
And that's a real modern stadium and that there's going
(21:52):
to be a game changer and you're going to have
concerts and big events flock there. But Auckland's mister trick.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Yeah, get as lak yet Riverside very short orc from
there to the new one New Zealand Stadium, Taka looking
for to it next year, we'll be there. Topic two
in the final four. Is there anyone in the Super
Rugby Pacific competition you can definitely rule out from winning
the title? The Red's on top on twenty three down
(22:21):
to the drawer at bottom on seven, just ahead of
the Blues on points differential, So the Blues is just
a hit on points differential. Is there anyone you're willing
to rule out at this point in time, Yes, yes
there is. Who are they the force? Okay? There in
the top six the drawer?
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Okay, where you got the waratas the Morat has a fifth? Yep,
they're gone. And I don't think Moana can win the
title and the Landers you don't think?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I think. Look, I don't think Mowana will win the title,
but I think they could and if they steak in
to top six, they're going to be a dangerous team.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
I would say Mowana are more dangerous than Highlanders coming
down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Here, Yeah, I said, said the Landers are gone, so okay,
there you go. I've gone one, two, three, four, five
teams cannot win the.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Time absolute you've taken the act there. I was gonna
say the drawer because they kind of win, can't went
away from home. They're the only team I've prepared to
rule out of the stage. So I'm being a bit
more conservative than you are. You've got gang ho and
said that five of eleven teams at six weeks and
cannot win. Ye stand by that bold statement. All right,
we'll see how that goes. Speaking of seeing how that goes?
(23:27):
Topic three, how's your tip for the final? And the
first podcast of the season? Looking, can you remember how
you picked up at the Blues and Wartars to make
the final? You have to refresh my moment either. I
was hoping you might come to the party.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
I think it's the chieftain.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
You did say the Chiefs and maybe the Blues the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
I don't know what I say. I'm just saying the
Chiefs because they're the favorites.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Now someone can check the tape for us. We're you
also are looking pretty good if that was the tip
the Boys Wartars five v. Ten At this point in
the season, I suspect that may not be the final
when all said and done in June.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
No, look, I think the point is it's still open,
isn't it. And come the playoffs it could be upset Central. Yeah,
and that's a lucky loser. Could be very valid because
as Mowana has shown at the weekends and other results
throughout the season, this competition is far more competitive than
(24:17):
any in recent memory, and so when it does come
down to the top six playoff, it is going to
be an engrossing watch.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Certainly is topic four in the final four. The Orpikie
Final is still a week or so away. Fine a
round coming up this weekend. The Blues on top by
one point from Mutter two. The Blues play the Hurricanes
poward this week, so should win that final should be
at eden Park or it should be in Auckland, I
should say. I don't think they're confirmed, but it's from
the Eden Park. Interestingly, though, this was noted last week
by someone here at rapid Rick Towers that the Orpicki
(24:48):
Final has been moved to primetime, which they did flag
I think before the start of the season. But now
it's coming into focus a little bit more. It puts
the match and focus seven oh five next weekend, same
time as the Highlanders played the Druer. What are they
doing here?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Yeah, I'm not too sure about the common sense around that,
ol Packy correct me if I'm wrong. But has been
played at the two pm slot every weekend? Why change that?
Maybe the reasoning is around club rugby and wanted to
get those people along, and I can understand that. But
(25:26):
from an attendance viewership perspective, don't you want to maximize
the eyeballs and have some consistency and your competition. If
it's at seven pm, how many people are they going
to get to even park?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
That's the question. How many people are going to watch
it versus the Highland is drawer? Like, I know they're
targeting a slightly different audience in terms of that or
picky and that's great, but you also want the casual
rugby fan that's more likely to probably go with the
Highlanders drawer. If you can't play on the Saturday cause
a club rugby, why not play on the Sunday afternoon
two five. I know there's contracting commitments of various things,
(26:02):
but surely once off Sunday afternoon. I know that the
women's crossover final with Australia on the Thursday night. It
would be a short time around. But I'm all for
the promotion of women's rugby and we should be building
that up. But this seems like a misfire from my
point of view, and I'm not sure whether it's going
to pay dividends. And look, the contrary thing is if
(26:24):
they do play at Eden Park and there's not many
people there, then that's going to be a bad look.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
It's a pretty soulless place Eden Park with not many people.
You get twenty thousand there and it's still a half
bes stadium. So yeah, I would have had it at
two pm. The only thing I can think of is
around club rugby and wanting to get people along, But
I don't know if that's a significant enough factor to
change that time slot. And yeah, the Hearlanded Dura is
(26:49):
not a headline fixtion necessarily, but like you say, you
want to maximize your casual fan maybe those who haven't
tuned into the whole year and want to get along
and sample the final. So I think that two pm
slot would have been better.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Yeah, absolutely right, let's get into tipping. Good weekend for you,
Liam three or four for you. The only one you
missed was the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
Yes, should have stuck in my heart.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
So you got three or four. I missed the Crusaders
and the Force. I picked them to bit the Reds,
which they did not. So I lead overall, but you've
closed the gap. Twenty one eighteen. Let's get into this
week top of the table as we've touched on Chiefs
Reads Friday night, seven.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
O five Chiefs. Yeah, I think it should be close
and competitive.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
I think it should be, but I still beat to
the Chiefs at home. I think they'll be good enough
to win that game. The quad hitter on Saturday two
five more onea Pacific against the war Tis.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Yees Sunday, sorry, Saturday afternoon hopefully Balmie, North Harbor, north
Shore as it always is. You'd expect a good turnout
as well, wouldn't you after that performance and crush yet.
So I'm gonna tap mowana there.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Yeah, I'm gonna tap one as well. I think they'll
beat the Warrators the Drawer Crusaders four thirty five in Fiji.
How did the Crusaders end up playing in Fiji about
three years in a row and keep losing? What's going
on with a draw here.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
It seems fair to me give you tip. I'm going
to go the Duror.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah, I'm going to go the Crusaders to win that one.
Look forward to you on report on the ground, reports
from over there.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
So I'll be in my Duror strip.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Give you Crusaders much if you like. Blues Hurricanes seven
o five. Real crunch game for the Blues, but also
the Hurricanes in a way to back up what they
did against the war Retars. They're on the edge of
the Sex at the moment. The Blues are in tenth
big game for both of these two teams. The Blues
is supposed to get a few players back in this week.
Is that enough to get them past the Hurricanes. Yeah?
Speaker 3 (28:45):
It meant to be some real big names coming back
for the Blues, Boden Barretts and the Cavalry up front
as well. But look, I will tip the Canes, but
it is a very, very fifty to fifty.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I'm going to the Blues to get home in that one.
And then the Force in Perth against the Highlander is
nine thirty five. Final game with a Saturday quad hitter.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Yeah tough, wasn't it. Look I'm going to go the Landers,
but again not with any great form of confidence.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
I'm going to force to get the job done in Perth.
So a few different tips there along the way. Have
MVP Metal time quick recap of the top standings to
Monthya nawe out in front on eight. Then it's a
five way type for second Artie Savier Quintepie, Will Jordan
Duplaskrifi and Damien McKenzie and their miracle fire Lungey is
(29:32):
in seventh at the moment on four points your three,
two ones, I'll go first this week Artie Save gets
my three. Just the difference he's made to that team,
couple of tries on the weekend. Excellent player and I
think we're just seeing that the kind of leadership that
he brings to a team like more in a pacifica
(29:53):
both on or off the park, and he's been an
excellent form.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Just on that point in question. Do you think the
All Black's got it right with their with their captain
and I mean their performance is particularly in Super Rugby
currently speak to the holes a part, aren't it.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I don think Scott Barrett's having the greatest of Super
Rugby seasons. I think it's different coach captaining an All
Blacks team and the expectations around that and what you
want out of it. Scott Robertson knows new Scott Barrett well.
He installed him as captain. I think Artie Savier there
(30:30):
was some questions around his game management, I think from
a test perspective last year, and I think sometimes you
also just want Artie to be Artie and just play
the way he has, unencumbered by having to talk to referees,
having to do those sort of things. So I get
there was a groundswell for Artie Savier. I get his leader.
He's still the vice captain of this team. For me,
(30:50):
I think the decision was probably understandable you.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
I'm on the fence. I think we do need to
see a lot more from Scott Barrett, both from a
performance perspective, and I think there was a major adjustment
for him in his first year as skipper, just the
load of of it all off the field or the
commitments there. I don't think it was a role that
he with the or Blacks necessarily wanted, and it'll be
(31:18):
one that he goes into, so I think Artie would
have been better suited initially maybe Scott bat grows into overtime.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
Yeah, it's interesting as well. I don't think Scott's the
most compelling interview subject in terms of the media. But
you see some of those behind the scenes videos the
All Blacks put out, and he's a lot more vocal there,
sort of the team huddles things, talking to the team,
rocking them up. Seen a few that have released there
and you go, okay, well that's you know, there's a
there's some leadership there, there's a bit there's a bit
(31:46):
of charisma about that. So maybe the public face and
the private face that are a wee bit different from
from Scott Barrett. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
Yeah, it does. He's not captaining the Crusaders. But something
has happened in the last year or two though, hasn't it,
Because he was the best lock or close to it
in the world, you know Ebanez Tebeth and a like
as well. But he has formed, has dipped significantly.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
He looks a little tired, and I wonder whether I
con't try and I think whether he's got a sabbatical
in his contract or not. But even just a bit
of a rest. I mean, obviously he's a new All
bleaxet and he shouldn't be needing rest necessarily, But I
just wonder whether he's the kind of player that just
needs a bit of a prolonged break. Didn't play a
lot of rugby last year, but it was rehabs getting
back onto the park. In terms of super rugby, I
(32:30):
just wonder whether he just kind of needs a bit
of refresh. I don't know what it is.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, and simplify things. I think the easiest way to
lead is to lead from the front interactions and so yeah,
hopefully he can regain a bit of that as the
season progresses.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
Yeah, Patrick Palagreen, he gets my two. Talked about him earlier,
but what a signing from White at PACIFICA un hero
of a player. I don't think anyone else would have
been chasing him. But they've plucked him out from playing
for Coventry and he is making every post a winner
and the noticeable ups to it uptech since they basically
traded him with Jackson Garden, baship has been really noticeable.
(33:07):
So he gets my two. Balance Sullivan from the Hurricanes
I thought it was very good on the week and
gets my one.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Nice. Yeah. Patrick Pellegrini gets my three. Just to the
variety to his game, the fifty twenty two's, the long balls,
the support play as you mentioned second division English club
Rugby two. He mentioned postmatch that he grew up modeling
his game idolizing James O'Connor, so to playing against his idols.
(33:35):
Great story, isn't it three for him? Two to Artie
Severe and one to Braden Yosse. Very impressed with his
performance at Blindside for the King.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
Yeah, he'd had a quiet short of season to this point,
a lot of wraps on the last year and probably
hadn't got going this season. But that was a big
performance of note, wasn't it. So he gets your one
the sweet we'll tear that up and bring you the
updated table next week. I can tell you Artie Savilla
has moved to the front of the list. That'll about
do us for rugby Dick for another week. I could
(34:05):
have see our friends at Habit Health tackling all your
aches and pains from sport and work. Big buller to you,
Liam and enjoy your time in Fiji. To Let's go
to you thanks to last and Bars English. We'll see
you next time on Rugby Direct for
Speaker 1 (34:18):
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 ed B.
Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Get inside the game from every angle. It's Rugby Direct
with Elliott Smith, powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Welcome into Rugby Direct, power by Habit Heath, tackling all
your aches and pains from sport and work. There are
plenty of aches and pains if you're a Crusaders fan.
We will get to those in a moment. But first
and foremost, Liam Napier Elliot Smith with the podcast as always, Liam,
greetings to you.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Greeting's Elliott. Great to be here, isn't it. It's a fantastic,
beaming sunny day and the Canes are back and the
Crusaders are not.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
The sun has not risen. I just want to clarify
that point. We'll get to that in the moment. First,
some news that's come out an hour or two before
we've recorded this podcast, Big news when us you on
Rugby Perspective. Liam Damien McKenzie resigns through until twenty twenty nine.
The announcement landing this morning. This was a for me,
at least a wee bit of a surprise I knew
(01:10):
he's a contract after this season, questions about whether he's
going to stay. He's already been to Japan on playing
sabbaticals before, but he's extended and he's extended long term
another four years with New Zealand Rugby. On the verge
of turning thirty and thinking about three weeks or thereabouts,
it's a hold for New Zealand Rugby. What a he
mak of the deal?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Yeah? Great piece of business, isn't it. We spoke to
Razor a few weeks back and put it to him
about the the fact that he was off contract and
they were clearly desperate to keep him, and like you,
I am surprised at the length of the deal. I
thought a bit of uncertainty around s Richem m Wonga
coming home where he sits in the pecking order. Last year,
(01:51):
had the first seven Tests and was sort of dropped
to the bench. Came back through injury with the Island
victory and played very well on that. I thought, if
he does resign, maybe through to the World Cup and
then look to reassess. But the fact that his long
term as a major win for Hiseana Rugby, I wouldn't
be surprised if there is another sabbatical clause within that contract.
(02:14):
Maybe claigt mcwellon looks to get him up to Munster
for a weastern or back to Japan, but to lock
in someone of McKenzie's talents, not just for the All
Blacks but the Chiefs is a huge one and he
is only going to get better at this stage of
his career, starting to mature. Such a versatile, brilliant player.
(02:36):
So yeah, great to seem stick around.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well, I did hear from one of our researchers here
at Rugby, director Towers before we came into Rugby Studio
twenty twenty eight sabbatical for Damien McKenzie, So that's been
included there. But what it means is that he'll be
in New Zealand rugby with the Chiefs twenty six twenty
seven and building to that World Cup. And I think
it's a sign from him that he wants that ting Jers,
he wants to be part of the All Black squad
(02:59):
and perhaps last year had a little bit of a wobble,
but we still wouldn't come back to them, and really
I thought have an excellent interview tour and what I
think it shows is that he's you know, he wouldn't
be staying. I don't think if Scott Robinson didn't want
him to stay. And so I think he shows he's
a big part of those plans for the All Blacks
that built towards that World Cup.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, really put a stake in the ground, has an
around where he wants to be, his intentions, his aspirations,
and look, he's always been a talents from his time
in christ Church and you know he was always earmarked
as a future All Black first five. It's just finding
(03:44):
that game management consistency that was the big thing for
him last year and we saw it at times and
not at others, but that Island test is the real
benchmark that you want to see out of Damon McKenzie.
And it is an interesting scenario about how that plays out,
not just this year but in the years to come.
I saw an interview Richie Wongo over the weekend with
(04:05):
Sky and he's come out and see he definitively wants
to play in another World Cup. So all indications are
he will come home and play for the All Blacks.
So they're going to have Boden Barrett, Damian McKenzie Richie
Wanger all competing for that jersey. As you mentioned, McKenzie
will go offshore and maybe maybe the others will as well.
(04:28):
But great to have that depth, isn't it because I
think increasingly that ten jersey is so influential in terms
of the balance of the team, the direction of the team.
So yeah, a great one to keep him around.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
You mentioned Richi and Wanger. That was my next question
because he's the I guess, the overarching figure in this
whole thing around his contract future. That's school at Sky interview.
You know, suggestions where it he's going to come back
a year earlier that couldn't be negotiated for for various reasons,
but it would be a surprise not to see him
back in the New Zealand rugby folds. So then you've
got you know, Boden Barrett and Damian McKenzie and then
(05:06):
in theory Richie Wong all signed through to beyond the
next World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, how do you fit them on all in the
same all black team? I guess you know, particularly with
Will Jordan playing so well, he's a lock at fullback.
The other options there, one of them are playing ten,
another one's on the bench. And one of them's not
in the squad.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, it's going to be fascinating to see how that
works out over the coming it.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I think it is also a reflection of McKenzie's holistic life.
He's pretty happy away from the field, reasonably new partner,
pretty well settled there and that makes a big difference
in terms of happy home life. You want to hang around,
and so that's another factor.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Indeed, looking forward to seeing how that unfolds the next week.
While let's get into Super Rugby Round seven and Saturday
nights more ONEA Pacifica forty five the Crusaders twenty nine.
This was a very good performance from one of Pacifica.
I've been paying the drum that if they play for
even close to eighty minutes they're going to be dangerous.
While they strung it together on Saturday night in christ Church,
(06:10):
thought they were excellent. They put a lot of pressure
on the Crusaders, made them force them into errors and
then just on with their own side of the ball.
Just we're confident with ball on hamdi Vias score early
a couple of really nice fifty twenty twos. But the man,
I think, I want to think the loudest, Patrick Palagrini,
he has been an absolute game changer since Mouana gave
(06:30):
him the nod to come off the bench against the Highlanders,
he began to turn that game around. They ran out
of time essentially in the end or the harmond is
held on, depending on your point of view. And since
then they've turned up for every performance. Hasn't been for
the full eighty minutes, but that was pretty close to
it on Saturday Night Big Time.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
And you mentioned that consistency because we've seen not incremental improvements,
quite significant improvements from Mina this year, but it hasn't
been for that full eighty and that's been the r
kllies here. Even the week previous against the Chiefs were
blowing off the park in the first half and then
came back well in the second, so there was no
(07:09):
real indication that they had their ability to go down
and knock over a Crusaders team who did a number
on the Blues at Eden Park. That's why this result
was a massive upset. And you mentioned those performances there,
miracle fire, Lungy, and I think what surprised me about
(07:30):
Winer's performance has actually had real success against the Crusader's
full pack went through the middle. It scored a lot
of their points, breaking the Crusaders open around the fringes,
and that's been a strength of the Crusaders. On reflection,
maybe the Crusaders will regret resting guys like Sevia Reese Chalfoon,
who's been a big performance, Christian Leo Weady, to Kimita
(07:53):
maybe not to the same degree. Cody Taylor and to
Mighty Williams came off the bench. David Heavily was a
late withdrawal, So some big names there. Maybe they took
miner lightly a little bit. Maybe there's a bit of complacency,
but wine I fully deserved that victory. It's the biggest
win in their history, only their ninth win in forty
(08:13):
eight attempts, their third one over New Zealand opposition, and
their first twice bet in the Canes, and their first
win against New Zealand opposition away from home.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah. Look, I thought it was an excellent performance from
one to PACIFICA. If we touched on the Crusaders, those
names you mentioned, they didn't help. They missed David harvillly
big time. I think the direction that he's had this
year He's been an excellent form for the Crusaders. Is
game management helping Takimita balance things out James Aconna's international
first five. But I think they just did miss the
direction that David Harvilli gets on the weekend. Levi Muer
(08:45):
I think touched the ball three times in the first
forty five minutes, making zero meters. They probably went a
little bit too wide too early the Crusaders when they
had the ball on attack and that led to errors
and then they just couldn't hold onto the ball. They
were building pression side. The twenty two then would become
a little bit lazy in terms of possision, and that
(09:06):
allowed wanted to turn things over. Think Solomon other Muddell's
fifty twenty two that came out of nowhere tuned the game,
and every time it felt like Crusaders were just inching
forward and getting some momentum, the Crusaders would make an
europe or Moan would get a turnover and get that
momentum back. So look, I think that's a win from
Moana Pacifica that puts the rest of the competition on notice.
(09:27):
Obviously a bit. The Hurricanes a few weeks ago went
backwards against the Chiefs apart from that second half performance,
but this is the kind of win that makes teams
sit up and take notice.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, and the kind of performance that solidifies a lot
of internal confidence because you need a result like that
to galvanize a team. They've had Artie Severe come along
and we've heard so much about his influence on and
off the fields. A much stronger coaching team with Tanumager
and Tom Coventry and Selelium Mapasua and others, and ask
(09:58):
here among that group Stephen Jones as well as he
still there. Yeah, so you know, it's a very much
improved coaching team. But a performance like that away from
home to go to christ Church is a difficult place
to win. So it could be the making of Moana.
And the Blues still have to play them.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Twice they do, and once at North Harbor, which is
becoming a home ground that their supporters are flopping to.
So that's going to be fascinating. Yeah, probably slightly regretting
the Type five piece of the Herald last week suggesting
that I might have been wrong to doubt Rob Penny.
Obviously it's only one week, but those signs of the
(10:39):
Crusaders last year crept back in on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
They did, And it's funny how one result can change
the complexion of a season, because the Crusaders now have
to go to Fiji where the zero and two the
toughest road trip in Super rugby, and if they drop
that potentially then you're you know, yeah, the whole complexion
of your season looks a lot different.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Hurricanes, I think a week after that back in christ
Church might be in sky stating hurt either way. So yeah,
a tough couple of weeks coming up for the Krusian is.
Let's go to Friday Night Brumby's and Highlanders Brumby thirty four,
Highlanders twenty seven. The Rumby's just did a tad too good,
too good in the key moments against the Highlanders, who
pushed them for times in that game. But I think
(11:23):
they missed an Ethan de Groot figure. The Highlanders on
the weekend and Canberra is tough playce to go. The
Brumby's just a little bit too good.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Unfortunately, Hinds. It's a very similar theme. Could have would
have should have beaten the Hurricanes a couple of points
in that in Dunedin same against the Reds in Donedan
and then they were right in this game that they
probably should have been further behind at halftime. The Brumbies
dominated that first half and the Highland is real Achilles
(11:53):
Hill at the moment as the scrum it's costing them
a lot of points field position. Tane Robinson didn't have
a great night either, a couple of restarts went out
on the fall A wee bit better in the second half,
but I think it's probably time for a change there
for the Honders. And yeah, a bit of a strange
call to to rest Ethan the group when your scrum's
under massive pressure.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Not it's not on his side, no app pedies week before,
but I just think get back and all black like
him to get you out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Yeah, and like I said, it's not on his side
of the scrum where the issues lie, but you'd have
to think he's going to make a difference. So an
odd call there from Jamie Joseph. And yeah, the Heighlanders
now go to Perth and it's must Wan territory for them.
I like elements of the Holanders game Sean with he's
(12:41):
playing really well Thomas and Munger Jensen has been a
big returnee for them in their mid midfield. But if
you if you have a de stable iver's platform like
your scrum, it is really difficult to remain competitive throughout
the match.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It's good you make the back line actually is maybe
Robinson as side, but the backs, the midfield and the
outside back's actually clicking quite nicely.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Calib tonguey tail another two tries brilliant individual brilliance and Joan.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And Artiki excellent.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
He looks old, he's always injured, but yeah, he's incredibly
dangerous when he touched the book, touches the ball, makes
good decisions. So yeah that the back line Robinson A
side is performing well.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah. Tough trip this week Friday night, the early game
the Hurricanes fifty seven Waratas twelve. I don't think anyone
expected the margin of this, but the Hurricanes were just outstanding.
I thought the warratar is extremely disappointing given the season
that they'd had to date. The only dropped the one
game heading into that week. Dad Joseph, of course will
let you come back into the mix. Expected them to
(13:47):
be a lot better. They weren't helped by a couple
of Hias and players going off, but Henders just ran
right over them. It was the Hurricanes rather ran right
over a very good performance from the Canes.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It was quite a statement performance, So hard to know
how much to take out of that, but a big
morale boosting victory for the Canes. You mentioned, I think
it was the whole back three for the Waratars disintegrated.
But look they still had a Warta Wallaby's laden forward pack,
some really big units there and the Canes did a
(14:20):
number on them up front. Bradon Yosse switched to blindside
and a real standout performance from him, and yeah, that
platform allowed the Hurricanes to play how they want to,
you know, Ruben and love Flickball scored some brilliant tries.
It was all too easy. And the war Tars their
big issue is they've won at home and I've lost
(14:43):
away and that's not sustainable.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It's not good to see a lot of direction coming
from Roley har Heepper Crusaders. You're welcome everything he knows
last year and clearly putting that into the Hurricanes this year.
But yeah, just a hard one to read from an
nol'sis perspective, because the Wartars just didn't really show up.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
No, and.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
It was almost like possible. In the headliner stuff, everything
the Hurricanes touch turns to gold and the Wartar has
just had no answers and the Wartars now go play Maana,
which is a bit of a scary prospect for them.
And I think we learn a lot more about the
Hurricanes and the Blues this week.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, it's weir fascinating game this week end. Reds enforced
the other game over the course of the weekend reads
our top of the table and they have the Chiefs
top of the table one v two clash this week.
The Reds just building quite nicely the way they're going
about their business this season. They had the drop to
the Crusaders in christ Church, but they are pretty good
in that game for large periods. And you know, I
(15:46):
do like the way the Reds are just building under
Lezkis currently.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yeah, well these widely Tip doesn't need to be the
next Wallabies.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Coach andlmalt Stuart Lancaster.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Yeah, well yeah, we'll see where that goes. I suspect
it's pretty much a dune deal there with Les. But look,
top of the table clash this week Reds and Chiefs again.
Will learn a lot more about where the Reds are
out there. I think the Reds are won something like
three of the last four regular season clashes against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are one two quarter finals, so when it
(16:15):
really mattered, But it also felt like a bit of
a reality check week in for the Aussies. I know
that the Brumbies won, but they weren't overly impressive against
the Hondas. The wartar is blown off the park and
the Reds you know, struggling to beat the force. So
I feel like the weekend before there was four Aussie
(16:39):
teams in the top six and it's come back to
the pack of it.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
As indeed, let's take a break here on rugby. Don't
come back with the Sicond half of the podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
After this, call yourself a real rugby fan. This is
Rugby Direct, every try, every tackle, every big moment, it's
Rugby direct By Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
You're back with Rugby Direct, powered by Habit Heath, tackling
all your aches and pains from sport and work. Time
for the final four for rugby topics that Liam and
I debated, I set topic one stadiums in Auckland Eden
Park last week endorsed by the Auckland Council as all
the two point one plan is the plane going forward
(17:22):
is in the stadium network. What does that decision mean
for rugby in New Zealand both from a super Rugby
level NPC.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Up to the All Blacks, well, it's deflating. The All
Blacks have an amazing record at eden Park, fifty tests
unbeaten going back to nineteen ninety four, that French loss
and massive clash of the spring box there later this year.
(17:53):
But it's a great disappointment because used on a Rugby
completely backed the new design for the waterfront stadium, No
doubts that was revenue driven with the idea of having
an All Blacks hotel down there and clipping the ticket
in other ways. But Eden Park's just not a great
(18:15):
venue even from a pure viewing perspective. From an overball code,
Mount Smart is better because you're closer to the action,
you're on top of the game, and Eden Park's not
fit for purpose from a modern viewing perspective. You're never
(18:37):
going to sell it out for a super rugby game.
How many times a year are you going to set
out twice?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Maybe twice for All Backs test and maybe a six
sixty concert or whoever's shine up there. That's about it.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
And I feel like, why no, just a new precedent,
A new stadium brings punters in because they want to
experience it, they want a better atmosphere. And you know,
there's so many issues with Eden Park from an accessibility
point of view, where it is, you know, catering all
(19:08):
these sorts of things, and yeah, you can spit shine it,
you know, Polisher turd, but it's still going to be
much the same. So look the All Blacks. You know,
there's a lot of history there. But the fact New
Zealand rugby back this new stadium, I think tells you
everything you need to know about where rugby in this
country wanted to go in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Yeah, and the history argument just doesn't wash with me.
In the slide, well, look, I can't understand it. But
no one's crowling for Carras Brook. No one's crowing for
the old Lancaster Park with the new Christich Stadium on
the doorstep next year Athletic Park in Wellington. Yes, you
got great memories from these grounds, great record fifty unbeaten
to Eden Park, but at some point that record's going
(19:51):
to be broken, and what do you have at that point?
Now that record's broken, you're back to zero. And yes,
you've still got the memories of that great run and
the World Cup victory in twenty eleven and grand now
heading in the sixth for the black Caps in twenty
fifteen and all those things. But those memories don't go
away by going to a new stadium. And I think
think in this country we're just a little bit too
(20:12):
roast in to glasses looking back at history, when actually
we should be a lot more forward looking than we are,
thinking where do we want to be in ten and
fifteen years time, twenty years time, not looking back to
see how great the last ten to fifteen, twenty thirty
years were, and that hamstrings a lot of progress. I
think in this country. You look at the plans for
the waterfrontary at the Waterfront Stadium, I look, the stadium
(20:33):
is a stadium. You could redesign that however you wanted,
But I think there would have been a much better option.
Close to trainsport links, close to the downtown. There's going
to be accommodation, restaurants put in there, everything like that.
I think the Winyard point concept was great as well,
and I'm not sure why that got booted so early.
So look, real shame, real setback for sport and events,
(20:55):
I think in New Zealand. Having said that, a few
whispers going around that all might not be dead and
apparently might be a bit of sort of Bargerrett will
keep pushing on and keep going from that waterfront proposals.
So watch the space. I don't think it's completely did
as yet.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
It would have been a game changer. And look, put
it this way, there's not too many reasons that Auckland
does look to chrish Church with envy. But that stadium
is going to be one and you know what, what's
the capacity of that going to be?
Speaker 2 (21:28):
It can be thirty thousands yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Yeah, okay, so maybe not big all blacks tests, but
from an atmosphere experience, that is going to blow Eden
Park away. That stadium's going to be magic from its
location to it's designed from the roof to everything. And
that was a long time coming for christ Church as well.
And that's a real modern stadium and that there's going
(21:52):
to be a game changer and you're going to have
concerts and big events flock there. But Auckland's mister trick.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Yeah, get as lak yet Riverside very short orc from
there to the new one New Zealand Stadium, Taka looking
for to it next year, we'll be there. Topic two
in the final four. Is there anyone in the Super
Rugby Pacific competition you can definitely rule out from winning
the title? The Red's on top on twenty three down
(22:21):
to the drawer at bottom on seven, just ahead of
the Blues on points differential, So the Blues is just
a hit on points differential. Is there anyone you're willing
to rule out at this point in time, Yes, yes
there is. Who are they the force? Okay? There in
the top six the drawer?
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Okay, where you got the waratas the Morat has a fifth? Yep,
they're gone. And I don't think Moana can win the
title and the Landers you don't think?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I think. Look, I don't think Mowana will win the title,
but I think they could and if they steak in
to top six, they're going to be a dangerous team.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
I would say Mowana are more dangerous than Highlanders coming
down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Here, Yeah, I said, said the Landers are gone, so okay,
there you go. I've gone one, two, three, four, five
teams cannot win the.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Time absolute you've taken the act there. I was gonna
say the drawer because they kind of win, can't went
away from home. They're the only team I've prepared to
rule out of the stage. So I'm being a bit
more conservative than you are. You've got gang ho and
said that five of eleven teams at six weeks and
cannot win. Ye stand by that bold statement. All right,
we'll see how that goes. Speaking of seeing how that goes?
(23:27):
Topic three, how's your tip for the final? And the
first podcast of the season? Looking, can you remember how
you picked up at the Blues and Wartars to make
the final? You have to refresh my moment either. I
was hoping you might come to the party.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
I think it's the chieftain.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
You did say the Chiefs and maybe the Blues the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
I don't know what I say. I'm just saying the
Chiefs because they're the favorites.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Now someone can check the tape for us. We're you
also are looking pretty good if that was the tip
the Boys Wartars five v. Ten At this point in
the season, I suspect that may not be the final
when all said and done in June.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
No, look, I think the point is it's still open,
isn't it. And come the playoffs it could be upset Central. Yeah,
and that's a lucky loser. Could be very valid because
as Mowana has shown at the weekends and other results
throughout the season, this competition is far more competitive than
(24:17):
any in recent memory, and so when it does come
down to the top six playoff, it is going to
be an engrossing watch.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Certainly is topic four in the final four. The Orpikie
Final is still a week or so away. Fine a
round coming up this weekend. The Blues on top by
one point from Mutter two. The Blues play the Hurricanes
poward this week, so should win that final should be
at eden Park or it should be in Auckland, I
should say. I don't think they're confirmed, but it's from
the Eden Park. Interestingly, though, this was noted last week
by someone here at rapid Rick Towers that the Orpicki
(24:48):
Final has been moved to primetime, which they did flag
I think before the start of the season. But now
it's coming into focus a little bit more. It puts
the match and focus seven oh five next weekend, same
time as the Highlanders played the Druer. What are they
doing here?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Yeah, I'm not too sure about the common sense around that,
ol Packy correct me if I'm wrong. But has been
played at the two pm slot every weekend? Why change that?
Maybe the reasoning is around club rugby and wanted to
get those people along, and I can understand that. But
(25:26):
from an attendance viewership perspective, don't you want to maximize
the eyeballs and have some consistency and your competition. If
it's at seven pm, how many people are they going
to get to even park?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
That's the question. How many people are going to watch
it versus the Highland is drawer? Like, I know they're
targeting a slightly different audience in terms of that or
picky and that's great, but you also want the casual
rugby fan that's more likely to probably go with the
Highlanders drawer. If you can't play on the Saturday cause
a club rugby, why not play on the Sunday afternoon
two five. I know there's contracting commitments of various things,
(26:02):
but surely once off Sunday afternoon. I know that the
women's crossover final with Australia on the Thursday night. It
would be a short time around. But I'm all for
the promotion of women's rugby and we should be building
that up. But this seems like a misfire from my
point of view, and I'm not sure whether it's going
to pay dividends. And look, the contrary thing is if
(26:24):
they do play at Eden Park and there's not many
people there, then that's going to be a bad look.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
It's a pretty soulless place Eden Park with not many people.
You get twenty thousand there and it's still a half
bes stadium. So yeah, I would have had it at
two pm. The only thing I can think of is
around club rugby and wanting to get people along, But
I don't know if that's a significant enough factor to
change that time slot. And yeah, the Hearlanded Dura is
(26:49):
not a headline fixtion necessarily, but like you say, you
want to maximize your casual fan maybe those who haven't
tuned into the whole year and want to get along
and sample the final. So I think that two pm
slot would have been better.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Yeah, absolutely right, let's get into tipping. Good weekend for you,
Liam three or four for you. The only one you
missed was the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (27:10):
Yes, should have stuck in my heart.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
So you got three or four. I missed the Crusaders
and the Force. I picked them to bit the Reds,
which they did not. So I lead overall, but you've
closed the gap. Twenty one eighteen. Let's get into this
week top of the table as we've touched on Chiefs
Reads Friday night, seven.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
O five Chiefs. Yeah, I think it should be close
and competitive.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
I think it should be, but I still beat to
the Chiefs at home. I think they'll be good enough
to win that game. The quad hitter on Saturday two
five more onea Pacific against the war Tis.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Yees Sunday, sorry, Saturday afternoon hopefully Balmie, North Harbor, north
Shore as it always is. You'd expect a good turnout
as well, wouldn't you after that performance and crush yet.
So I'm gonna tap mowana there.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Yeah, I'm gonna tap one as well. I think they'll
beat the Warrators the Drawer Crusaders four thirty five in Fiji.
How did the Crusaders end up playing in Fiji about
three years in a row and keep losing? What's going
on with a draw here.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
It seems fair to me give you tip. I'm going
to go the Duror.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah, I'm going to go the Crusaders to win that one.
Look forward to you on report on the ground, reports
from over there.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
So I'll be in my Duror strip.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Give you Crusaders much if you like. Blues Hurricanes seven
o five. Real crunch game for the Blues, but also
the Hurricanes in a way to back up what they
did against the war Retars. They're on the edge of
the Sex at the moment. The Blues are in tenth
big game for both of these two teams. The Blues
is supposed to get a few players back in this week.
Is that enough to get them past the Hurricanes. Yeah?
Speaker 3 (28:45):
It meant to be some real big names coming back
for the Blues, Boden Barretts and the Cavalry up front
as well. But look, I will tip the Canes, but
it is a very, very fifty to fifty.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I'm going to the Blues to get home in that one.
And then the Force in Perth against the Highlander is
nine thirty five. Final game with a Saturday quad hitter.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Yeah tough, wasn't it. Look I'm going to go the Landers,
but again not with any great form of confidence.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
I'm going to force to get the job done in Perth.
So a few different tips there along the way. Have
MVP Metal time quick recap of the top standings to
Monthya nawe out in front on eight. Then it's a
five way type for second Artie Savier Quintepie, Will Jordan
Duplaskrifi and Damien McKenzie and their miracle fire Lungey is
(29:32):
in seventh at the moment on four points your three,
two ones, I'll go first this week Artie Save gets
my three. Just the difference he's made to that team,
couple of tries on the weekend. Excellent player and I
think we're just seeing that the kind of leadership that
he brings to a team like more in a pacifica
(29:53):
both on or off the park, and he's been an
excellent form.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Just on that point in question. Do you think the
All Black's got it right with their with their captain
and I mean their performance is particularly in Super Rugby
currently speak to the holes a part, aren't it.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I don think Scott Barrett's having the greatest of Super
Rugby seasons. I think it's different coach captaining an All
Blacks team and the expectations around that and what you
want out of it. Scott Robertson knows new Scott Barrett well.
He installed him as captain. I think Artie Savier there
(30:30):
was some questions around his game management, I think from
a test perspective last year, and I think sometimes you
also just want Artie to be Artie and just play
the way he has, unencumbered by having to talk to referees,
having to do those sort of things. So I get
there was a groundswell for Artie Savier. I get his leader.
He's still the vice captain of this team. For me,
(30:50):
I think the decision was probably understandable you.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
I'm on the fence. I think we do need to
see a lot more from Scott Barrett, both from a
performance perspective, and I think there was a major adjustment
for him in his first year as skipper, just the
load of of it all off the field or the
commitments there. I don't think it was a role that
he with the or Blacks necessarily wanted, and it'll be
(31:18):
one that he goes into, so I think Artie would
have been better suited initially maybe Scott bat grows into overtime.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
Yeah, it's interesting as well. I don't think Scott's the
most compelling interview subject in terms of the media. But
you see some of those behind the scenes videos the
All Blacks put out, and he's a lot more vocal there,
sort of the team huddles things, talking to the team,
rocking them up. Seen a few that have released there
and you go, okay, well that's you know, there's a
there's some leadership there, there's a bit there's a bit
(31:46):
of charisma about that. So maybe the public face and
the private face that are a wee bit different from
from Scott Barrett. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
Yeah, it does. He's not captaining the Crusaders. But something
has happened in the last year or two though, hasn't it,
Because he was the best lock or close to it
in the world, you know Ebanez Tebeth and a like
as well. But he has formed, has dipped significantly.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
He looks a little tired, and I wonder whether I
con't try and I think whether he's got a sabbatical
in his contract or not. But even just a bit
of a rest. I mean, obviously he's a new All
bleaxet and he shouldn't be needing rest necessarily, But I
just wonder whether he's the kind of player that just
needs a bit of a prolonged break. Didn't play a
lot of rugby last year, but it was rehabs getting
back onto the park. In terms of super rugby, I
(32:30):
just wonder whether he just kind of needs a bit
of refresh. I don't know what it is.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, and simplify things. I think the easiest way to
lead is to lead from the front interactions and so yeah,
hopefully he can regain a bit of that as the
season progresses.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
Yeah, Patrick Palagreen, he gets my two. Talked about him earlier,
but what a signing from White at PACIFICA un hero
of a player. I don't think anyone else would have
been chasing him. But they've plucked him out from playing
for Coventry and he is making every post a winner
and the noticeable ups to it uptech since they basically
traded him with Jackson Garden, baship has been really noticeable.
(33:07):
So he gets my two. Balance Sullivan from the Hurricanes
I thought it was very good on the week and
gets my one.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Nice. Yeah. Patrick Pellegrini gets my three. Just to the
variety to his game, the fifty twenty two's, the long balls,
the support play as you mentioned second division English club
Rugby two. He mentioned postmatch that he grew up modeling
his game idolizing James O'Connor, so to playing against his idols.
(33:35):
Great story, isn't it three for him? Two to Artie
Severe and one to Braden Yosse. Very impressed with his
performance at Blindside for the King.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
Yeah, he'd had a quiet short of season to this point,
a lot of wraps on the last year and probably
hadn't got going this season. But that was a big
performance of note, wasn't it. So he gets your one
the sweet we'll tear that up and bring you the
updated table next week. I can tell you Artie Savilla
has moved to the front of the list. That'll about
do us for rugby Dick for another week. I could
(34:05):
have see our friends at Habit Health tackling all your
aches and pains from sport and work. Big buller to you,
Liam and enjoy your time in Fiji. To Let's go
to you thanks to last and Bars English. We'll see
you next time on Rugby Direct for
Speaker 1 (34:18):
More from News Talks, Ed b listen live on air
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