Transcript
Speaker: Hey everybody, welcome back. It is the fancy rugby game. My name is Jared Dyke. I'm Ben Glaser. Happy Labor Day to all you Americans out there and Canadians too, although you still have a really funny way. Let's be real about this. But you know, you too as well. It's a holiday over here in America.
Speaker: Yeah. It's been a pretty easy day for Ben and I both. Absolutely. I've been doing very little today. Enjoyable. I did. I did more enjoyable things earlier in the day and then, you know, more tense things later on, but that's neither here nor there. Um, let's start by drinking beers. Shall we do that first? Actually got a head start already too. So that's how that goes. Um, obviously find us on your favorite podcast app.
Speaker: Apple, Apple podcasts, Google play, Spotify, all your favorite ones. Rate us, download us, review us. That's always, that's always good. We like reviews. We don't care if they're bad ones. We just want reviews. Cause that means people actually, you know, are engaging and we'll do our best to fix what we can.
Speaker: Make sure that you get your TRM upgrades. Obviously, this is another one of those real key weeks that this is going to come in handy with all the changes and all the head spinning that's going to go on between the games midweek here and the weekend here. Right. Having the option to sort the search when you're searching players to sort under who is playing. So it'll show you who's got the green or
Speaker: or a gray dot to see if they're starting or out there on the bench. Um, it's huge, especially with the, uh, the amount of, of cheap fill -in players that are getting serious time that you're going to want to add to your team that you wouldn't normally. Yep. Totally agree. No argument out of me. Um,
Speaker: Then you want, on top of this, you want to make sure you check out our friend George, the fancy Ruby geek on his website, see what he's got, got up there for good finds and all that stuff, especially where it looks like we're going to have some people that were in quarantine come through for availability soon here. So that'll be, that'll be interesting. And he's always got, he's always got some good little detail in there that you maybe not have thought of. Definitely. Yeah. Hit him up and buy him, buy him a beer, buy him a coffee.
Speaker: And then as always, um, we support the black lives matter movement here. Um, you know, there's been a lot, there's been, uh, it's, the talk has died down in terms of like, you know, whatever controversy you want to call it. I'm sorry. I don't see a controversy. I see people trying to stand up for, you know, everybody and themselves and, you know, trying to make sure that everybody has a, an equal shake here. Cause right now let's be real. That's not how it is. Right.
Speaker: And it'll become, you know, people that'll die down, but that always pops back up because people don't agree with it. So this is true. This is true. This is why we keep bringing it up. Yeah. So yeah, we don't, we don't want it to go away just because people forget about it. So that's why we will, we'll keep opening our faces about it now and again. Okay. Um,
Speaker: Let's talk into it. We had a, we had a pretty good weekend with some fun stuff going on. Uh, North South Island battle. That was so much fun to watch. I just, I couldn't have thought a better of a better match to watch this weekend. I mean, it was like, it's a test match. It pretty much, I mean, yeah, it was, it was essentially your trial match.
Speaker: right it's a trial and it is like for you know for some of these guys it's the best players they'll ever play with against the best team they'll ever play against sometimes yeah then these may be players who play with the all -blacks like um that it's just a talented teams all around yeah absolutely a little bit of speed on display yeah and the splitting of the of the squad was very interesting obviously where you started your rugby was the key so we had some guys that
Speaker: you know, Jordy was on the other side of Bowdoin where, you know, actually they could have swapped, but you know, it's right. No, actually, no, that's not true. Um, they were, they, they would have been on the same actually. If, um, if things shook out the way people thought, you know, Brad Weber was, you know, actually started his rugby in the South and Aaron Smith started his rugby in the North. So people were just like,
Speaker: But it was great to see Weber get a chance and Finley Christie to get his shot because he earned the hell out of it this year the way he played. So I was happy he got his shake on that one for sure.
Speaker: And it's fun to see the guys like, you know, you see players who are, who play ridiculously well all through super rugby season. And then you see him in a match like this and it's, it's, it's different because now it's, it is like at that test match intensity, like Caleb Clark, you know, who knew what he was going to do right off the bat. He's taken like a 50 meter run and you're like, all right, this, this, this guy is, he's ready to play and, uh, and going the other way.
Speaker: Will Jordan kind of was...
Speaker: not terribly visible, certainly not as visible as he was at the end of the match. Oh yeah. That'll make you real visible real quick. Right. But that like that, you know, he'd shown some things, but hadn't really finished it the way he did certainly again at the end. No, I agree. And you know, it was interesting that the two captains were with the two fours. And I mean, that's, that's my starting second row. If I'm, if I'm Ian Foster had hands down, I don't see who else you pick besides those two right now.
Speaker: No, I really don't. For me, and as a Hurricanes fan, you know, Dean Coles was a little banged up so he can participate in this match. But to see Amua in there, and he acquired himself quite well on top of that, made me happy because I thought he had a tremendous season for the Hurricanes.
Speaker: Really stood out and you know when he had to play and coals was rested They didn't miss a beat. So it was I was really happy. He got his shot so he had a hell of a hell of a match in the In the north -south match too. So obviously acquitted himself well enough like that I think that may have been what would put him over the top. Mm -hmm Yeah, like if there was any question, I think you think he was uh, he answered it there. Absolutely. Yeah and by
Speaker: Tupou by you know gets his first all blacks selection Hopefully they'll be able to have some Some sort of competition that sounds like the blood slow cup is gonna be the likeliest thing that happens Which would be good to get that played at least at minimum sometime next month That'd be fantastic if you get that
Speaker: Yeah. And just kind of squint, can't escape through the names. We'll talk, we'll talk about guys that we, we thought and guys we didn't. Um, I guess we could talk a little bit more about the match actually. Um, you know, it was really funny. Uh, I loved, there was a little kick up between TJ and Cody Taylor, but you could see so many guys were fucking around with that too. You could totally see some guys were fucking around and I was laughing so hard. I was like, there's, there's two people taking this tussle seriously. Everybody else is completely playing grab ass right now.
Speaker: You know, ALB went over and gave somebody a shove and gave a big smile afterwards. I was just like, yeah, okay. Nobody here is taking this seriously besides TJ and Cody Taylor. Like calm down, all good, no big deal.
Speaker: But those are the guys who, you know, are going to like, um, a couple of years ago that they were at the NHL all -star game. It's the same, same idea. You just kind of, you know, no, no hard hits. And of course everybody knew who it was going to be. And it was Jeremy Roanick. They went and laid someone out and was like, Oh, that's Jr. That's what he does. You know, those two guys you're talking about, uh, you know, if somebody's going to be starting shit, I'm like, you know, it's probably going to be TJ. He's definitely in the middle of it. I agree. I totally agree. Yeah.
Speaker: And Cody has a seat to protect, so he's going to be a little bit on edge. Yeah, right. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. And so, I mean, a little more about the match. I mean, Rico Ioani might be your 13.
Speaker: He was fantastic. For the All Blacks, really. I mean, he didn't look like he was defen... It didn't look like you could defend him. He was super indefensible, really. Right. You know, we read a lot of things well. Too much speed there and hidden holes where they really don't look like there are any. I mean...
Speaker: Correct. That was essentially like we're saying, that's essentially an all blacks defense he's running against and he's carving them up. Yeah. What, what, what other nations defense is going to hold that back? Right. Yeah. Not too many, not too short. Very short list. Very short list. I mean, that is what I like about ultimately, you know, I'm getting ahead again, the all black selection is their scores. They're players who are going to get over the line.
Speaker: know, whoever they are, they're going to get you over the line wherever they are. And that's going to be fun to watch. I feel like they've kind of let that go in terms of in favor of like playing to a system type idea. Like we want people to be doing this at this point and know your role and do your job. And then between that and the guys who kind of improvise and
Speaker: And run through some fantastic tries with using the structures that are set. Yeah, and you know, I was listening to the great Jason Leonard a couple weeks ago on a podcast and you know, you talked about defense and you know,
Speaker: it used to be just, you know, just tackle. And then they started talking about systems and the all blacks still have a very good system. They developed it if, um, in their, they're really, you know, those high 2011, 2015, um, years with, you know, Dan Carter and McCaw and the black plague. Um, so I'm sure that that won't lack by any means whatsoever. Um, but, and you know, you, you look at some of the, some of the guys that are on this list and,
Speaker: And that we're in this game even and he's on this list, but he played a pretty good game. Sanders played himself a really good game. He did. He put his hand up for a potential future here. And so I was pretty impressed with that.
Speaker: But yeah, not too many of these guys, you know, the only guy, even like, God, who was it? TJ ran into somebody and stood him up. I think it was, it might've been Sanders or Frisell or whoever it was, it was a big dude either way. And I was like, there's not too many scrum halves that are gonna stick their shoulder into a guy and stand him up outside of him. So that's impressive in that. So yeah, they won't lack for defense. And yes, you look at the way they scored some tries this weekend.
Speaker: many very different ways. I thought that line out try was taken away was unfortunate. Sam White lot was very unhappy and he doesn't get that unhappy very often. So I don't blame him at all.
Speaker: And I think that was what that was the obstruction call or truck and trailer same thing that basically ended the That killed the Chiefs. So yeah, no, I'm fully in favor of ending that law Completely and forever cuz I mean it was the same all they didn't really peel off and no when Williams is like Oh, they defended it. Well, I was like, I don't think they defended it that well that was still moving so I was I was I thought that was a
Speaker: a poor decision on on his part there. Yeah. But, you know, they made the right decision on the other end of the field too with Bowden Bear being outside. It's just a bit. Just a little bit. Just a little bit. Cody Taylor was probably the most relieved person that he was outside, honestly. Yep. He botched that throw a little bit. Yeah, he did.
Speaker: That would be like trying to be all cute and and all it really it was only that Bowdoin was offside like Mm -hmm. If he had been if he had started back, you know, I thought it I thought it was a little ticky -tack He was only like a meter or two away. I thought it was close enough Yeah, but there seemed to be quite the unanimous decision between yeah the commentators and the referees right and if the commentators and the referee are on the same page then they're probably right The accurate call
Speaker: or everyone else is going to be like, what the fuck was that? So yeah, that happens to him again.
Speaker: Um, let's look at, um, the names and we'll talk about the surprises that are in the team. Then we'll talk about the people that aren't, aren't in the team real quick. Yeah. I know you guys. Alex Hodgman's kind of a, kind of a shock there. Um, didn't really, didn't play, I believe you played in the, in the North South game. That was kind of a shocker. I don't like Joe Moody that much. So, uh, I think you could have done without him and brought a couple other guys in.
Speaker: I think that was the, I think the plan is for him to be, you know, to help guide because he's, he's the oldest, he's the old head there. And so he's going to be the one to keep, keep the rest in line. He's going to be kind of like the,
Speaker: player, coach kind of thing. Um, and, and kind of like a lot of these guys, you know, we have two new caps, essentially Lomax has won. Um, well, Lala has 26 he's been there and towing a Fosse ad and to a new who office only had 13 as much as he feels like he's been an all black forever. But I think to a new coffee and to long, the Fosse is going to be your starting front row or your two starting props. At least if you, if you kick off against Australia today, that's probably it. I agree.
Speaker: Quentin Strange is a bit of a weird addition. I'm not sure about that one. I guess I can't tell you who else would have played over him. I would have actually taken his teammate Dunche over him at the very least. And that might have been the guy to replace him right there. Yeah, I'm not sure I agree with that. New Zealand has their pick of locks. So for Strange and Vai,
Speaker: I thought I played pretty well I thought it was a I thought I did think that was a weird one but to have two weird ones kind of uh -oh to me So we'll see I mean, this is a yeah, this is a big thing for foster. He's got to get this one, right? We'll see I mean, it's it's whatever mistakes He's made there can be more than made up for with to pull out to and white lock so it's not like the biggest mistake but so I think that's kind of where he's coming with it was you know, whenever we play those are gonna be our starters and you know stranger Vi you'll get on the bench and
Speaker: I know, I suppose. Colin Grace is a bit of a shocker. He's a youngster. So, you know, maybe that's the thinking there is to kind of bring him along with quite a few veterans in there, along with Situtu being a youngster. But, you know, you have some wily veterans between Kane, Frizzell, and Sevilla that can definitely bring some guys along. So, no, not a ton lost there per se. We'll get to that in a second.
Speaker: half backs look pretty good to me. I don't think there's a question about that. Nope. Ten's really no question. You want, he could have been included, but really no question there. It looks like we're going to have to find a new one for NR though, because he's going to be out spraying that ACL of his, which really sucked. That was a really unfortunate accident. That sucked.
Speaker: Um centers, I don't have a problem with anybody that any of the other centers though between yoani alb and and um Good you do you I love good you now with the with the mullet mullet I didn't recognize him at first, but yeah Oh wait, I understand who this is now Uh and the back three I really don't have a problem with any of them. That's that's a good selection right there My only problem with them is how do you get them all in the field?
Speaker: Yeah, no, I know. And you know, it's really unfortunate. And there's a guy that's not on this list, and we'll talk about that now. Lomape was hurt. He would have been a shoo -in for the squad, no doubt in my mind. He turned into beast mode this year. Yes. Almost thinking to handily beat the crusaders, so. Right. Well, if he's available by the time they actually play, maybe he replaces Zener.
Speaker: Yeah, that'd be probably the best decision in my mind. Let's go back to the forwards. And it's a guy that you and I both love this season. And really, it was hard to get him into the North -South game. And that doesn't necessarily disqualify, Colin Grace didn't play in the North -South game. But it was really hard to cement his place when he couldn't get on because he had Satutu, Sevilla,
Speaker: And Akira Iwani, fast. Was it Akira Iwani in this game? Good job. Lightning. Lightning. That was pretty fast for a big guy. Yeah. And good hands. Anyway, Lachlan Bakshir, unfortunately, was the odd man out on this one. And just, you know, it sounds like it really comes down to his size. And the piece you and I both read, you know, talked about how they got bullied by England and their physicality. So,
Speaker: you know, they're trying to find ways to be able to front up with in that department. And I guess, you know, just a little bit extra bulk will, will probably see bus here in the, in the near future here. We're in a black Jersey. I guess I just, I don't, I don't agree with it. I think I don't think they got bullied by England at all. I think they got run around.
Speaker: I thought England just out random and went through gaps that - Yeah, but if you look at how they got that front football, it was close in contact area where they got charged over by big guys like Courtney Laws and Natosje. True, there's that. But I don't think, just watching how they play, especially like these games.
Speaker: they can get their own front football, you know, with that kind of open, those open field moves. Like it's not,
Speaker: And they don't, they do simple stuff. Like it's, it's mostly just hands. They might run a couple of crossing patterns, um, every so often, but for the most part, all they do is hands. Like you kind of want, I would want faster guys. And it really, the spark to me is, is what Bashir does defensively. Um, he, he's a fetcher. He will get you the ball. So it's like, you know, what all attacks starts with getting the ball. And if he's going to give you a penalty every hat, like, you know, like two, maybe,
Speaker: three penalties a half guaranteed one. Um, that's a lot of work you can, you can make happen with that, that, that other players aren't going to give you. Um, and he's been a force on attack too. He scored a whole bunch of tries for the right spot.
Speaker: So I think that to me, it was the difference between him last season and then this season. Last season, he was certainly a force defensively, same as he was again this year. But this year, he's been much more of an attacking force. So I really would have liked to see him.
Speaker: Well, Plum Tree, Plum Tree, who was coaching that particular island, does like him. So it may be only one injury replacement away from seeing Lachlan Bashir in the squad. And Sam Kane may not come healthy. Yeah. He's still banged up. He didn't play in this game and he was doing the water. And I'm not talking shit about Frizzell because he's like the likely six, but
Speaker: Brazil doesn't, I don't know, he doesn't bring an extra dimension to his game when he gets in a match. Like even this North South game, he was there and you saw him run into people, but he didn't, I don't think he made a nearly an impact on the game that he should have that they would want from a starting set. And they talked about him being, needing to be able to move the ball a little bit better. So we'll see if that comes good. Right. All right. Let's go to Australia. We got,
Speaker: We've got a couple of good ones. First one was certainly, it made it interesting for us. It should have been. Yeah, it was a lot closer than it should have been. I thought this was also Gus Gardner's worst game as well. I thought that his no -try decisions a couple of times really baffled me. I was like, it was poor positioning mostly on his part, and he's usually better than that. So that's why I kind of put that down to that because I know he's much better than this.
Speaker: working him on his part. Um, didn't necessarily agree with some of the decisions that were out there, including the no try on the obstruction. Um, I think it was the, or try no try. Um, I think it was pinkest that ran, ran through a line that obstructed a defender who ended up getting his hands on him anyway. So I was like, I don't agree with that one. Right. That was, yeah, that certainly looked like a try to me. Yeah. Give it to him. Give it to him. But, um,
Speaker: the man we thought a medium between like, let's look at everything and let's be French and be like, Oh, is it we ordered to try, you know, blatant, but we're just allow it. Cause I've already awarded the try a little bit, but yeah, that should be, we should be on the same scale of, look, did, did, was there technically obstruction? Maybe.
Speaker: Not really, but an argument could be made. All right, then I'm not gonna award it. That's not - You've already awarded it. Come on, man. That's not an obvious reason to not award it. No, it wasn't. I thought that was poor. But I mean, this is another match that a force equated themselves quite well, but we know that their level is just not there yet. So in the end, the quality does overcome
Speaker: for the Rebels, but made it interesting right down to the line. I mean, good. I will see this. Hey, good on Cobus Elop to pick that ball up and score just in case. Cause the way that's Matt, that match was going that might've happened. And it did like, Oh, this is, this is a try. Try. I'm like, all right, if that's not a try, give it to the guy that picks it up and fricking put it over the line. Good on him for being just, you know, very aware of the way this message is going. I probably should do this just in case something bad happens.
Speaker: He did so loads of credit to him, you know is good Credit to the force hook already Have himself a really good season. Yes, it was a if the force aren't back yet Next year when whether they do this trans Tasman Super Rugby or whatever they end up doing if the force aren't back next season I'd say he probably
Speaker: Should belong on a squad somewhere. Yeah, he has a place there beyond the force. I hope they I think they'll keep him though. I think they have to I think they should keep if we do this if they do the the australia new zealand super rugby I think that's the that's the play keep. Yeah, you got to even them up five times each. Yeah, perfect Don't mess with it. Um You know when we talked about The man the myth the legend matt tamua and how good he's been for this rebels team, you know, he went back to 10 this week and
Speaker: put another Stormer in, you know, really, really just, it's hard to, it's hard to say who's going to play in what Jersey and we'll get to him a little bit, James O 'Connor, 10 or 12, either one of them. You got to put them both on the field. I think I don't think, I don't think you can keep either one off the field. So that's your 10 and 12 right there. If, if, if I'm, you know, Renny, so we'll see.
Speaker: Let's talk about the DHP try though. That was very good work between the three of those guys. I think you had one guy started and then, you know, the other two got two, two touches a piece. It was really good stuff. Corbetti, him, and I think it was, was it Deegan or Hodge? It doesn't matter. But yeah, just good job of staying alive by the other two of being like, all right, I might get this ball back. So I'm going to stay, stay right in touching distance of you and all three of them.
Speaker: knew what they were doing and it played off. And that was a huge try because the Rebels could have easily, if they didn't get that right away, I think they would have lost this game because - Yeah, you can go to sleep. The doubt goes into their brain. Easy to go to sleep, easy to just make a little mental mistake because you feel it's in hand or you have to trust your friend to make it. Yeah, it's out of reach. So it's like, oh yeah. So it was a really big try for the Rebels at that point.
Speaker: Yeah. I mean, they had probably two other tries that weren't really unfortunate. Um, yeah, I thought that was a little too, a little overused as a TMO in this match. Yeah. As we mentioned before. So yeah, I definitely agree with that.
Speaker: But the Rebels get it done, and they get to move on to their first ever playoff of any sort in Super Rugby since their founding not all that long ago, but still. So they'll be going to Suncorp next week to take on the Reds team.
Speaker: And good on the force for making them earn it. Really? 100%. What a season the force had. We talked about it last week about how their rugby attitude is positive because we saw up north that it can get out of hand even among seasoned veterans. And these guys
Speaker: You know, showed up kind of getting their, their butt kicked every week, but, but they showed up to play rugby. So, so good season for them. 100%. So great ground those boys.
Speaker: Let's go over to Suncorp. Uh, reds take care of the business 26, seven. And you know, it was a match that didn't meet a lot, but reds, one of the momentum going into the playoffs and I'm Brumby. I'm sure I wanted to sharpen up a few things. Uh, Brumby still have a few things to sharpen up by the way this match went. Um, yeah, everything just seemed a little off for them. Um, not like they, they, they were, they, they obviously took the game seriously and they wanted to win. Um, they didn't, they didn't cave and kind of rest up. Um,
Speaker: They went to win and it's just.
Speaker: It wasn't going to hand. It wasn't things, things were, we're, we're working. And then all of a sudden just falling apart, very, uh, kind of Worcester like of them. Yeah, not great. Um, we talked about, um, you know, I talked about before we started recording, um, uh, good on Nick Berry for just being like, all right, use the ball or, or be done with it. You know, I'm not, I'm not giving you a stupid penalty. So thank you for not making us watch her senseless reset. Really appreciate that. Really appreciate that. Um,
Speaker: hustle job from Tate McDermott, my goodness, to track down Kiranjani and make sure he didn't score that try. But did you see where he came from? A ways away. But he made a tackle on Will Miller. Right. Miller popped it up, and then it made its way to Kiranjani, right? Yeah. And fucking Tate gets up off the deck after the tackle and then tracks him down.
Speaker: Like he made that he didn't just, he wouldn't just come from nowhere. He came from making a tackle. He was on the deck before he, uh, he made his run. Um, just a world -class effort. Absolutely. Yeah. That was, that was terrific. Uh, on his part, he's definitely, you know, it's hard to say that you don't start a guy that was a wallaby beforehand in the likes of Nick white, but man, Tate McDermott's definitely put his hand up. He's definitely put his hand up and Nick white didn't play well this game.
Speaker: No, yeah, McDermott outscrum half Nick White. Yeah, a couple of really bad kicks from Nick White too. Yeah. A little bit. And you know, and it's not to say that the Reds didn't have to work on defense and they made their tackles. And that's really the difference is what it comes down to. You know, frickin' Liam Wright 17.
Speaker: You know, that guy is putting his hand up and saying, I am here. And if you need somebody to stop somebody at the line, I'm here. I got you. So great on that guy. That whole back row is just filthy. That was a really good back row that the Reds put out. I was, and it's really, it's pretty young.
Speaker: uh -huh pretty young so it's like oh that is that's tasty so it's good it's good to see the the youth coming through in the australia ranks so it really is i think i think australia rugby should be pretty happy with it what they saw especially from this group um i got one more game to play at the very least um we'll see how it goes but reds take down the brumby's 26 7 um final note this was bailey kunzel's worst game for sure since he's come into the 10 jersey so
Speaker: For the Brumby sake, I hope Alessio is ready to roll. Yeah. Final time. I'm sure they weren't going to risk him here. No, but, but he's got to get ready. Yep. Yeah. Please ready. Yeah. Let's go back. Let's come North. Shall we back to the North? Um, we had Friday, we had a couple of Friday games. Uh,
Speaker: Let's go to Worcester and Bristol at six ways. It took a little bit for Bristol to finally remember that, oh, we're Bristol and they're Worcester, but we got there in the end. Reminds me, was it the, was it the Harlequins who did the same thing to, almost the exactly the same thing to Worcester? I think it was like, I think it was like 1610 there and they just, they came back and stomped him like 37. But it was, there was a team that involved Worcester. Was that a wasp or someone? Wasp, that's what it was. Um,
Speaker: Yeah. So it's like the same idea. Um, Worcester looked the part for the first 40. Yeah. And this was one of the best lineups that they could put out too. Right. And they, they looked like they were ready to go, um, and, and make, and make it happen. Um, and then halftime came and it didn't happen. Yeah. And you know, the likes of Rod Rodrow woke up and
Speaker: Right. You know, CLEP Attao contributed what he could to this situation, which was definitely some good stuff, obviously. And some bad stuff, but some good stuff. And thank goodness the news on Harry Randall is not as bad as we thought because he went down and I was like, Oh no, that, and I, my heart broke for this kid. I love Harry Randall. I really admire the way he plays. He's young, he's youthful, and he just has so much energy, you know, it gets him in a bad way cause he, you know, gets a little overzealous and you know,
Speaker: His brain goes a million miles an hour and then he doesn't play well, but for the most part, man.
Speaker: It's kids good. So it's good. I'm glad that the news on him is not as bad as we first thought. Cause man, I love the, I love watching the kid play and you know, we all deserve to watch him play a little bit more. So I was benched up pretty well for Bristol when they needed to Earl and you're in both contributing heavily in the end. And then that no try. Oh, I know. I was like, no, don't go back too far. Damn it. Leave that alone.
Speaker: I was like, oh, shit, we're looking at this, aren't we? Yes, we are. Damn it. Oh, fuck. OK. Next. But yeah, it was it was the right call. And then I mean.
Speaker: He's just so good though. Earl is going to like, and he's going to make, I think, I think honestly he's going to make Dan Thomas better. Cause Dan Thomas is a hell of a six playing at seven. Um, he, he has some, obviously Earl does a lot more on the, on the pitch than he does as a seven. Um, but, but for the bears, this could be the best thing ever for them long -term too. Cause Earl will, we'll leave after next year. Um,
Speaker: Right. But Dan Thomas will have that much more time with him and to see, you know, have that kind of example. Correct. But Dan, was he good this match? And pretty much every match he's played so far. Just about, yeah. And then, I mean, this is the most helmeted play you could possibly make. And, you know, you get a little, here's the thing. Pia Tal was not having at it with anybody, was not having at it with the scuffle, with Kitchener. But Kitchener decided to interject himself and decide, I'm going to throw hands.
Speaker: And not only do you throw hands once while they're standing on the ground, that's a, you know, that's going to be a red card automatically. Like what is wrong with your brain where you think that this is not going to result in anything but bad news. Yeah. And he's yap into the ref afterwards. Wayne Barnes is like, I don't know. We couldn't hear what he said cause the announcers were being stupid and talking over it, but you could have heard the referee was Mike was picking up the whole conversation. Um,
Speaker: whatever Kitchener said to Barnes, Barnes said, well, that'll be going in my report as well. Like dumb, dumb ass, like every, like, yeah, he, he threw a punch that missed PA towel while they were standing at least one. And then, uh, and then definitely threw a couple on the deck. And that's just,
Speaker: And then to act, you know, to act like that. Come on, man. That is 79 minutes. Like you have 30 seconds to go. Your older brother's going to go over to your house later and fucking put a foot up your ass for that one. I promise you. I promise you older brother was less than impressed.
Speaker: That was the only interesting red card incident of the weekend. So we hope. Western 13, Bristol 36. Yeah, let's go to Northampton and exit. This was entertaining as hell too. Came right down to the end there. Northampton, how? I don't know what they got to do to get over the line. What's going on?
Speaker: Yeah, I don't know what is going on. They got a line here. They have to have a hard look at them. And I don't think it's fair to blame Cobus anymore because Henry Taylor played a hell of a match. He did. He did. Dan Bigger's foot got him into trouble a couple times. Yeah, if Bigger's sights were tweaked just a little bit better, they would have won this match. Right. But then they had to bring in the subs at some point.
Speaker: You know, it's amazing you're playing an exit or team that's so like to call it severely depowered is an understatement.
Speaker: I'm sorry. They all played really well on top of that. They did. I mean, good for them. No, no, no, no disrespect to them at all. But this is a match where just based just on paper, this should have been a Northampton win. And I mean, that's their, their A's against Exeter's B's. It's got to be frustrating. And just, and that's the, that's the mindset that Northampton are in right now.
Speaker: Yeah, I think they, yeah, they just can't get out of their own way at this point, which is really unfortunate. Um, thank you. Dave Riven's played pretty well though. Yes, he did. Good on him. You know, he's a, he's a hard worker on that team. If there's somebody that deserves a, a double from the lock position, it's definitely, he's definitely on the list. Um, yeah. Great. You know, I was, I was,
Speaker: Hutchinson played really well in the first half to the to the point where there was a I don't know if it was like late it might have been like 65th or sixth minute or so late in the match when I was like man you know this this game really turned when they took off Rory Hutchinson um among others and I was and then he got the ball again and like whoa wait a minute he's still in the match where the fuck has he been for the last like half hour
Speaker: Yeah, I want a little ghost town there. He just disappeared. He likes to go from that visible. It was like, no, he's a guy, you got to get the ball because he was tearing him up. And then they just didn't do it anymore. Yeah, on the other side, I'd love to credit to Sean Lonsdale, who
Speaker: And the two between he and the old war horse there, Armin, just tackling machines. I think they had 20 odd a piece. Kirsten had, what did he have? He had a few. He had 13. Yeah, just 13, but still, I don't think he missed.
Speaker: No, he did. He had to hit a miss or two, but still. Okay. Still pretty good. So yeah, that good on that back row for, for, you know, basically just being like, yeah, same different back row. Same result. Um, so good on them. I already played. He knows where he knows where to find it. You know, he's one of those guys. He's, he's underappreciated because of where he plays. Probably. Yeah. It's probably true. It's probably true, but exit or keep on chugging along.
Speaker: 1922 over North Hampton. Let's go to the next morning. Rough sailing for the folks at Allianz. This is not an excuse for the Saracens, they didn't show up. But I do feel like Ridley had two different interpretations for the laws, depending on the team. And that just takes away from the game, unfortunately.
Speaker: Yeah, he went a little French on almost just a wee bit and but then you know the obviously the helmeted play and you know This is not his best his best look Owen Farrell with you know Not great tackle on On Atkinson not textbook tackle. No, no, that's not how they teach those things
Speaker: Um, so it was, yeah. And you knew Farrell's like, Oh fuck, I am in so much trouble right now. I mean, he didn't even look to, he didn't even protect himself. He just went like full on like spread Eagle kind of, um,
Speaker: you know, I've, yes, send me off. Like I think you in the referees, like what happened? He's like, just have you off. Like I didn't not know, like don't even don't, don't ask my side of this. I read, just give me my card and I'll go. Yeah. And I'll leave. And you know, he, he showed a bit of class by waiting for Atkinson on the sideline before he was recovered. And then he went to his bath and made sure that the kid was okay. So.
Speaker: That's the type of person he is, but yeah, really, really bad, bad technique, bad result. So that's how it goes. If you've ever been around an old rugby club, you'll hear from the guy who's been playing for a while or back in the day, he was like, yeah, well, my first match, when I was in the premiership, so -and -so knocked me the fuck out. There's like a whole story about it. And then it's like, well, he's got his now.
Speaker: Unfortunately, it's not a good way. It's no longer as amusing as it once was because we know what the consequences are, but that's the story. He's always going to be, yeah, Owen Farrell knocked me out because he was a dick. Yep. Yeah, that was a bit dickish, Owen. So there'll be unfortunate repercussions coming down the road here. Yeah. That puts his champions cup.
Speaker: Match, yeah. Match in jeopardy. So just a real bad dude by Farrell. Yep. But two guys that acquired themselves very well and one guy that didn't, that is probably going to have an end to a season, which is, you know, kind of like pulling the plug on a bad show for a long time. Tom Willis, the younger brother of Jack and Jimmy Copper played their butts off and Bailani came off and, you know, really that's probably just,
Speaker: Call it good on him. He's he's had a rough season, you know, he started off. All right, and just hasn't gotten any better Unfortunately, so go find a nutritionist big guy and see if you can drop a shed if you right He's got it. He's got to get skinny I mean that he cut the cut the body fat down a little bit at least I don't care if the right I don't care if the the weight itself completely comes off We just got to cut that body fat down a little bit. Yeah the endurance. Yeah, so I mean and yeah, but I mean Gopert played his his balls off and
Speaker: good on him for, for keeping lost and touching distance and frustrating the shit out of the Saracens. And he, he, it worked and he, and it got them over the line in the end. And then on the other side, I felt like the Saracens could have fed daily the ball all day. All day. And it would have been fine. All day. That's all they had to do. Right from the opening whistle, they gave him the ball and he scores and it's like, okay, I have an idea. Just keep doing that. Yeah. It was working well.
Speaker: Yeah, and you know, this is obviously his old club. This was his first crack at them. So yeah, I mean, I would have fed him the ball a lot more, but unfortunately it did not happen. Right. So, Ross are able to keep pace with the playoff race and the semi -final race 18 to 28 to the loss. And, you know, we'll see what happens. Don't win on their part. Oh yeah, 100%. Let's see who have a good week. Let's go to the match of the head fans.
Speaker: at the stoop. Quinn's match. And it was a good match. 27 41 bath over Quinn's. Um,
Speaker: I mean, I mean, you know, I don't know. Can you talk a little bit more shit about some of the guys on my fancy team? Because since you start bad nothing, Murray McConaughey, he knows what the line is and he hasn't missed it very often. I think he scored five tries in four or five matches. Yeah. Oh man. He, yeah. He, uh, so he gets his, um, Marchant got his as well. Um, but yeah, just, just a great option. He's, he's,
Speaker: come back from the restart. I think he was probably a little bit banged up from the World Cup. And not that he did a lot of playing there, but still just travel all that and training can take a toll on you. So, and we all know that Eddie Jones's trainings aren't liked.
Speaker: No, they're not. They're both. Yeah. So it's, uh, he's come back and he seems to have figured out what the hell was going on. And there's less pressure on him. I think like we have to keep talking about Cameron Redpath because he keeps showing up, um, not just on the famous sheet, but, um, with big line breaks and, and good ball movement. And it's plays like that from players like a Cameron Redpath that helped McConaughey be the finisher.
Speaker: Like Elliot Daly, just give him the ball and let him run because he's a wing, not a 13. You know, McConaughey needs to get space in order to use it. And so you need a player like Cameron Redpath who's just carving up the midfield. Yeah, definitely. And letting people like McConaughey finish. Yeah, definitely an underrated signing. One that definitely went way under the radar for Bath. So good recognition by the staff over there and what this kid should do.
Speaker: you know it's like you can't it's not just a
Speaker: On the other side, I mean, there was a little bit of bad, a little bit of good. Ashton had a terrible match this game. He definitely went kind of bye -bye. Yeah, he did. Dom Grant's still angry and still running hard and still running over people. But he was a little bit like when he wasn't being visibly angry, he was kind of invisible. So I kind of thought he showed up at times, but there were maybe 20 minutes or so here or there where you're like,
Speaker: fuck did he go? Um, so that, that's gotta end. It didn't really show up on the fantasy sheet. He still got 31, but I think like most of the way through the first half he had like two points. Just about, yeah, you had a big, big storming run there that, yeah, that kind of helped. Um, and we have to talk about the intercept, prop intercept drive voice. He read it like a book too. I was like, is that Lewis boys? Oh wow. Yeah. Is he outside? He's gotta be outside.
Speaker: Nope. No. Wow. That was, that was, that was a great read. Good on him. Yeah. Yeah. It was awesome. Pretty much ends it. Like it's okay. This is over. Yeah. And that was that, that kind of put the nail on the coffin right there. Um, yeah. So Quinn's 27 bath, 41 bath continue to kind of march on. They've, they've done pretty well since the restart. So we'll see. We'll see what the end result is for them. Um,
Speaker: This was not one that felt like the score line. Lesser 31, sale 40. This was not one that felt like the score line. I think sale kind of let the foot off the gas a little bit and that's what contributed to it. I will say...
Speaker: George Ford went for the post one too many times in this game. You're playing a team that's probably going to challenge for the Premiership title and you want, you know, you, you have some salty veterans and then you have a bunch of, you know, newbies and youngsters that, you know, you want to take these guys down. You have to go for the jugular and one too many times I felt like
Speaker: Ford pointed to the post and when he's captain he's got those decisions in his hands I feel like that's what he's gonna go for cuz You know, we also know that I'm not gonna give him the Ben for the doubt either cuz I am NOT a fan of his at all right
Speaker: you know, and not necessarily for his playing style, just for his personality more. Well, that's it. The decision -making, like I want my points. I'm going to take my points. Like we're not going to go for the, for the tries. I want to, I want to get my, you know, my three penalty kicks against sale. Woo. Yeah. Right. And on the other side of them, the guy that worked well, the 10 jersey and plays for a lesser country, AJ McGinty outplayed his ass.
Speaker: Yes, he did. I was so, so happy and so impressed with AJ. And, you know, he's definitely unseated. Rob Dupree for that 10 shirt. I'm sorry. Rob Dupree was not playing that well. He had like one okay game and the rest was. So yeah, AJ has played his ass off since and loads of credit to him.
Speaker: we got his revenge try, which was what we thought would happen. And he did kind of saw that coming for a bit. And I think he would have had another one. I think somebody else could have like given him the ball and didn't. And it's like, no, give two weeks. Like you give two with the ball. Like I'm pretty sure he could have had more than just the one might've been, uh, might've been the song on a try. Oh, possibly. I can't recall. Yeah, it might've been the song. I'll try.
Speaker: Um, but yeah, it's, it was, um, yeah, you know, really unfortunate thing for, uh, sale is Acre kind of hobbling off. Didn't look great. He looked very much in a lot of pain. So I doubt we see him midweek, let alone this coming week, especially with a gap.
Speaker: Uh, for more than, uh, for most of the teams that are in the apprenticeship, uh, coming up after this. So, uh, we'll see. Tafua came on and really didn't add anything. In fact, if anything, he might've taken away from this team, made a lot of hammerhead decisions, including giving away a couple of penalties. Um,
Speaker: Yeah, not the best matches from the guys that Lester really needed to step up. Gens played his ass off, Leibenberg played his ass off. Gens was just the baby rhino that we know he is and he showed it. He remembered it and he showed it. And Leibenberg really, I thought he played his ass off, as you said, just somebody who I've gone from
Speaker: Yeah, you know what, this guy might be worthy of picking up for your fantasy team. Yeah, definitely. He's showing up. He's done pretty well and he's versatile as well. And then let's go to the match, the end of the weekend, which was pretty good as well. 36 -23, you lost her over the Irish.
Speaker: Also better than it should have been. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I mean, I mean loads of credit to, uh, one Irish and they talked about him on the broadcast. Gus Creeby has definitely brought something to this team. He didn't have before. So loads of credit to him, uh, for sure. Um, Hassell Collins found the try, the try line again. He did. I, I think I sat him down because I wasn't expecting him to, to regain that form. I only got 24, but still a try is, uh, you know, definitely a boost. Right. He needs that.
Speaker: And we got to talk about George Knott because we kind of made fun of him a little bit, but, uh, last week, I think he's been lighting up the scoreboard.
Speaker: And he's dirt cheap. He might be someone to watch out for your team. He's been playing a lot too. But he's been racking up the points the last three weeks. He's been, I think over 25 at least. He was 39 this match. So yeah, 11 tackles and five line outs. That'll help. And he didn't miss a tackle. On the other side, whether the cherry and whites, you know, it's,
Speaker: You know, you look at the middle, that middle of the lineup there, the eight to 10 combination that played pretty darn well. Barney, we talked about him. This kid's done really well since Willie Hines has gotten hurt and, you know, it's come down to him and Simpson kind of having to be the halfbacks. And really he's made them forget. He's made them all forget enough to say that Willie Hines is forgettable, but this kid's playing so well and good on him for taking his opportunity.
Speaker: Yeah. And he like, he's making, he's still making mistakes cause he's young, but he's more than making up for it by putting tries in every week. So like he's doing, he's doing goods from half things that, that show you that, yeah, he'll, those, those mistakes that he makes, maybe a bad decision here, a bad pass there, that'll get there. Cause he's, he's also thrown, you know, making more good than bad. Correct. So definitely someone that they, they should be able to rely on the rest of the way out this season and in the future. Yeah. And I think,
Speaker: Wait, yeah, I think the Irish are still trying to chase down Rhysammit. Yeah, yeah, I think we can hear the thundering, the thundersteps, yeah. Jesus, he just decided he was gonna go around everybody and nobody even had a shot at him. I was like, Rhysammit, you might wanna know, I guess you can just do that, that works too.
Speaker: Right. I'm fat weight. I got their feet to stop and I'm faster than them. I'm going to get like, there's, there's not a hole there, but I'm going to run right through that gap. Oh my God. Unbelievable speed. Yeah.
Speaker: I don't even, I can't even explain it. I can't even explain it. And I mean, you and I both do not like this guy. Fucking Austin Haley. Oh, he could still play for England. He's decided he's playing for Wales. Shut the fuck up. Like you're not gonna persuade him. Sorry. When you decide you're playing for Wales, you decided you're playing for Wales. That's the end. You don't say that because you want something else to happen.
Speaker: You know, you've decided that you're committed to that team. And, you know, he did get picked into the squad. What do you have played in the last match? I don't know. Might still, might, may yet still get picked and play in the next match when we wrap up the six nations later on this fall. So we'll see. Um, I would bet that he does. It's to be like, just to end this shittiness from England people who are like, no, he should be ours because we say so. No, no, no, no, no. You don't get to do that. That's, that's not your decision.
Speaker: I really can't wait to see him at the international level. Like he's one of those guys, we talked about the Kiwis. He's one of those guys who I want to see what he can do at the international level. You know, the guys around him, Chris Harris is quite good there and Johnny May is too, but
Speaker: Johnny May's been struggling a little bit. A little bit. He played a little bit of this match. He decided he was going to play like Johnny May and not like some schmuck. Right. And that was, that's good to see. It's good to see him figuring out how he can be useful in that, that attack. Cause
Speaker: Damn, I think the way they already use Thorli and resammit, if they can figure out May too, I mean, it's just making Atkinson and Harris that much more of a threat themselves too. It's just opening up so many gaps. Yeah, those centers are gonna definitely benefit from these guys. Let's go to the starts and the sits. Go ahead, sir.
Speaker: So for the for Bristol and Northampton Saints are Well, we talked about them just a little bit ago They're floundering and they're gonna they're running into just a fucking buzzsaw here. It's it's not this one could get not pretty Because I don't know that Northampton if we're starting to fire power that that can keep up with them Now for Bristol, you're looking at Wilmore Thacker Sinclair basically the front row is gonna
Speaker: all available to score points. Um, Joe Joyce for the costs at what isn't really worth it at two 90. Um, but if you've got him, uh, and you shouldn't, if you've got him, he could get you some points. Uh, Chris Vui at six does very well. I'm sure he'll still be the target in the line out. Uh, and then he'll just have that much more energy to run around in the loose. Um, uh, along with Ben Earl combination. Yep. Play him.
Speaker: Cialy Piatow, although he might get an early hook, Simeon Rodrodra, the Saints are giving up points to center, so those two are probably gonna put up points no matter how short or long they play. And I'm gonna go with Charles Piatow. It feels like the Saints seem to give up a lot of points to one back three player, kind of a medium range to another, and then nothing to a third. So I'm guessing it's gonna be, my guess is gonna be Piatow this week. Probably is.
Speaker: On the on the sit end Nathan Hughes and Andy urine the Saints handled 8 to 9 is pretty well So those guys aren't gonna put up their normal points Callum Sheedy is starting but he's probably not gonna play log He's played like a full 80 for the last couple of weekends Barring one I think so. I think he's or the last couple of rounds
Speaker: Not just weekends. To feed and play it against sale in that other game. So that's what's saving him, I think. So he got one thing, one game off, but I think he's going to get just about a half here. With two back three players on the reserves, I'm guessing Max Maylands is going to come in at 10 earlier in the match. Yeah, that may be a good guess. On the Northampton side. This should go pretty quick because
Speaker: It's really there. They're, they're star players. You're going to be looking at Mike Haywood has been racking up points. He should get some more. Um, Nick is equally Louis Ludlam, James Grayson, and I'm going to go with Ryan, a little fella. Um, you can't start Tommy Freeman yet because he doesn't exist on TRM.
Speaker: Um, but I don't, I don't think I would recommend them either. Uh, on the sets, both the props, Alex moon, Jamie Gibson, Sean Aydendorf, uh, both nines, uh, Tom Henry and James Taylor could probably see more time if James fucks up. So, um, I wouldn't pick up Tom James for this match.
Speaker: To killing or borrow is a paperweight as we've been talking about for several weeks Yeah, and Pierce Francis and Frazier Dingwall don't really score too many points They combined for 12 versus bath and 24 versus walks the last two times they started so I just wouldn't touch either of them Yeah Probably a fair point Okay
Speaker: Let's go over. Was and Lester, um, talked about, you know, Lester had been pretty leaky in TRM, especially obviously. And, um, the one position that they've kind of cramped down on his fly half. Um, but there's still found ways to give up points, especially if you talk about AJ McGinty this past weekend. Um, so this point that you'd be had other than that, you know, you're looking at most positions, um, kind of a green light back row. They technically don't give up a lot, but they usually find a way to give up, but at least,
Speaker: points to one, see John Ross last week. So for the loss, Si McIntyre is good. Cruiser Agree might not be healthy, but I think he'll be fine. He came off with an HIA last Monday, so I think he's okay.
Speaker: Roland's, yeah. Tommy Young, if he's healthy, yep. Really Ida Willis, but this one's probably gonna be Jack concerning. He didn't play this past weekend. Robkin's good, Umaga's good. Fakito or Goprath are fine this week in this particular round. Marcus Watson is a yes. Bassett, only if you're stuck.
Speaker: Only if you're stuck. This is a leaky team, so there might be tries all over. Okay, yeah, because Bassett already put some over on leaky teams, so that's why it might be a good opportunity for him to snuffle some more. Yep. There are a few sets. Launch and Gaskell aren't necessarily worth it, especially if Roland's in the lineup. Shields has not been that good, although this might be the team he corrects himself on. That could be.
Speaker: But I just I need to see it. Menotti and Kibericki are knows they've been bad basically since the restart, which is too bad because they both have potential especially Kibericki. Was on the other side of it. They've climbed themselves into the top four and told TRM points against including some pretty tough categories like fly half, strum half, back row, and back three. They're second against in all those. Hooker in second row, they leak points. So that might be your opportunity if you have a lesser player.
Speaker: For Lester, Genj, yes. Charlie Clare, yes. Callan Green is the only lock I would play on the Lester team. Liebenberg, like Ben and I were talking about, that's a yes. Zach Henry, if he's playing fullback, yes. If he's playing fly half, I would say no. Nadello is expensive, but your bottom, so you're going to have to roll them out there probably.
Speaker: really tough to do it right now because he's not scored that well, although he did have a nice little bit of handling work on that cross kick. Also thought he injured himself on that. I was like, no, no, no, okay, he's okay. God, not a unit. For the sets for the Tigers.
Speaker: Dan Cole way too expensive does nothing. Nope. No, Tommy young's doesn't do it for me tough It was not been that great. You know gotten a start. So no Ben Young's has been pretty bad Ford's a no And then Matt Scott who's been okay is a no this week along with his usual signing partner. Yoko Tata All right on to exit reverse Gloucester Just like the other the match before we have a kind of a little bit of a struggling
Speaker: I'd say Gloucester they're beating the teams. They should be in the but they're also getting pounded by the teams They should be playing tough. So This is gonna be no different in that respect because of the team that Gloucester are gonna have to bring So it's gonna be there a lot of their team from the Saracens match in round 16 Which if I recall correctly did not go so well for Gloucester and then but we're gonna see a full noise exit or team which is gonna
Speaker: make it that much more difficult for them. Uh, so for Exeter, um, look at Luke Cowan Dickey, uh, Gloucester are the best against locks, but you can't really sit Johnny Greer Hill. Um, the six and seven, whoever they are, I'm guessing it's going to be yours in Vermeulen. Uh, start them Sam Simmons, obviously start, uh, whoever the nine is, Jack Monder, Sam Hidalgo Klein, uh, should, should both get your points. Whoever, whoever is the starter, uh, Joe Simmons, Henry Slade, Jack, Noel, Stuart Hogg.
Speaker: Obviously, you're going to be starting them if they're playing. On the sit side, sit their props. So last year, the props for Exeter were really getting a lot of their tries the last couple of years, actually. This year, it's the locks. So sit the props. Sit Exeter is 12. And unless they start a flarity, which would just make that back line so much
Speaker: Fun to watch so i'm kind of hoping they do but doubt they will um set the 11 for for exit on the gloster side You're looking at jack singleton. Uh, they have a couple of sneaky cheap options charlie beckett josh gray geordie reid and jack clement are guys who uh, they'll they'll rack up some fantasy points in their um, yeah, they're they're
Speaker: Extremely cheap so so good options to look at if they're they're on the pitch Joe Simpson is likely to start Danny Cipriani Louie resam it Mark Atkinson Guys definitely should be should be playing For for the Gloucester sets mola polo and mall Ford Robinson. I like them both as players, but not so much as fantasy players Billy 12 trees because there's no frd Sit him outright and map and the hen and Charlie Sharples. I'm guessing Sharples will be at 15 again
Speaker: Yikes. Yeah. There you go. Oh, man. Alright. Sail versus Saracens. This is going to be tricky. Number one, you have the two top defenses in TRM. Sail are a no -fly zone right now. Top four in everything as it stands. Yikes. Yeah. They do have places that they leak points, but it's usually only like one or two guys. So, overall, they're a tough outfit to play against.
Speaker: Um, for the Saracens to start, um, by the way, the only, the only position that's not in the top three for sale is second row. Yeah. And most of them are number one. So it's really scary. It's a, it's like, uh, when you see that again, I'm like, God damn it.
Speaker: Anyway, I can't wait. I have I have like yeah, I have all these Harrison flares nope Nope, not this week. This isn't this might not this is probably not the week. This is the week to bust out Maratouji No, no, it's really not. Yeah, I mean he's so here's the fun thing the last couple weeks has been The hookers have done. Okay, and there's been one lock that's done. Well, so obviously if it's a dojo, you're gonna play him Willier jinx is okay. Are either either ones? Okay, if it's Piffletti don't even bother picking them up. Sorry. I love you Capelli, but no
Speaker: Rhodes is probably okay because they find ways to give up points to one loose forward and he seems to be the guy right now. Daily, he's on fire, so play him for the rest. I mean, Billy and Jax, that's a no. I think this will be the full noise team, again, only because they want to rest. And I could be wrong. They may play the full nice team this coming weekend and then give the whole week off. I don't know.
Speaker: depends on how Mark McCall is feeling, I suppose. Anyway, Billy and Jax are both no's, Barrington's a no, either any of the nines, no. My name is probably gonna play 10, nah. Mates good, Roddy Lewington, that whole back three unit is a pine. One of them might go off, I don't know which one it is though. And I'm not willing to roll the dice.
Speaker: Again, Saracens are another team that's tough. There's only two positions outside the top four, and only one of them's really leaking points, and that's the fly app position.
Speaker: Against Harrison so again another tough outfit to play against but there's guys that you kind of play because you do I don't know what team will see from sale So we'll just kind of go a mix and match here jail jail and Dan Dupree are okay. Yes Ross is likely sitting he's playing a lot of rugby So I'm gonna if he is fine, but I think he's gonna sit either Curry's okay in this format. Yeah Faf okay. I think you're gonna see RDP. He's okay if you have them
Speaker: Salamona maybe I don't know if we're gonna see him again. I know the guys played a lot of rugby recently So we'll see Ross Harrison. Yeah after that Ross Harrison's a no Langdon is not really interested in that likely no ochre Either James brother. No James Phelps is probably gonna play this match. I would say no kneeled who's hooker and a flanker option on both? Well cliff either center two -year runs Berg or hammer's Lee is enough. Yeah
Speaker: On to the London Irish versus Harlequins. Battle of the Stoop. Yeah. Should make it interesting. Should make it fun. More fun than the game itself. I'm guessing for the Irish front row, you're going to be seeing Modu Matu.
Speaker: Um, Alan Dell, I'm sorry. I probably butchered his name. Um, Nollie Hoskins, if they play otherwise, um, for the locks that Ben Donald is cheap, but he's productive when he plays, as I said earlier, not has been on fire the last three appearances and he's really cheap. Um, give him a look. Um, Harlequins are great against flankers, but terrible versus eights. So start the, um, Irish eight sit there, six and seven.
Speaker: Yeah, maybe me and her fits at nine Atkins likely at 10 because of the the starters playing time recently And Atkins actually played 10 versus Harrison's yes and did pretty okay So I would expect him to be the replacement for Voldemort
Speaker: In the centers, Quinn's are kind of middle in the pack. Heptema has been productive, likely needs a rest. Rona should be in play here as a potential starter. And Quinn's are also middle of the pack. He gets wings and fullbacks. Ollie has Collins is probably going to get a rest. Ben Loader and Tom Homer are your best options for points, but I'm not sure I'd recommend either. For the Quinn's, likely looking at a front row of Bada, Gray, and Collier, I'd only start Gray.
Speaker: The locks i'm guessing it's going to be louise to start him Uh note piece because he's cheap if you can pick him up. No simmons this round. Uh, probably not young either Uh, maybe kavu body. I still thinking no i'm not the back row i'm thinking it's going to be lambs, uh, lamb, uh, james chisholm and lade If it's assuming chisholm's healthy, I thought he got banged up the other week, but um, I could just be wrong. Yeah, uh
Speaker: but start any of them. Um, the, the Irish are the working worst against flankers and eights. So whoever their, their, their back row is give them a shot. Um, Linda, Hey, we're still at nine playing. If you got them, uh, Marcus Smith's probably just going to tear them up. So, uh, he's a big time start. Uh, let's see. Kay is probably better suited as a fresh legs option right now. Um, so he's a permissive for now.
Speaker: Um, Martian is likely to get the day off. So I'm, I'm not banking on the Harlequin centers and the back three are probably going to be Murley, Chiselman, Aaron Morris, uh, start Morris at full back, but, um, that's really it. Yeah. Yeah. Fair enough, man.
Speaker: All right, Bath and Worcester. As we all know, Worcester are pretty leaky. They aren't too many positions. They're not leaky again, but yeah, big one is definitely back three back row hookers, backs in general.
Speaker: So, and Bath have found ways to score points by the bucket full. Front row at L is fine. So, Avano, Judge, Stewart, Walker, Dunn, Boyce, yep, any of those are good. Stukan Yules, go ahead, McNally's good this week. Mercer or Onto Hill's good.
Speaker: Spencer Spencer or Chudley. I don't know which one's gonna be they're fine this week Metabasy red path priest either one of them's fine depending on They can all play they can all play 10 doesn't matter. They're good JJ is good this week. I don't think he'll play but if he does, yep
Speaker: You gotta play McConaughey. You know this at this point. This is probably the week that either Rocco or Watson gets on track. I don't know which one, but throw them out there and see what happens. Falatau, still a no. I haven't seen it yet. I haven't seen it yet.
Speaker: Levi Douglas, Hammerweb, don't get cute. Just stop, just stop. I know they're cheap, but just stop. Just stop, man. Bathroom middling, they're in seventh, in points against centers, fly -offs, back three and backs are actually tough.
Speaker: Although second rows are leaky as long as well scrum half We're in advance for Worcester because they have a couple of good ones at those position If he plays Waller is okay and that or cutting is actually okay as the as the as the hook I'm okay with either one of them having actually scored fairly well
Speaker: Since coming in Bresler, I don't think we didn't see Breslow this past week. Did we? No. Yeah. Yeah That's gonna be a thumbs up on that one. I'm Graham Kitchener if he's not too angry as brother He's okay. He'll Kovacic Lewis are good
Speaker: either G .J. or Cornell DiPrio at eight is awesome. I wouldn't play any scrum halves outside of Hoogard though. I know we talked about, you know, the scrum halves being leaky, but I just don't see enough from the other guys. So lots of no for Worcester against Bath Bath. It's actually kind of tough against fly -offs. So, um,
Speaker: I'm gonna go ahead and say no to either Weir or Searle, although you may be stuck, so it might not have a choice. Lawrence, Venter, Beck are all pines, Nunnai, don't be fooled. That was a blind squirrel finding a nut. Nick, David, Chris, Connell are all sitting. Yeah, the guy that called me out. I was like, really? Really? Do not recognize that this is a blind squirrel finding a nut. This is the epitome of a blind squirrel finding a nut. Come on, man. Man, what are you gonna do? Start of the round.
Speaker: I'll go with mine first. He's been able to produce the whole season, especially since the restart. He's probably playing eight this week. And Worcester are giving up many points to back rows and he's gonna have a day at the rec. My start of the week is Beth Zach Mercer.
Speaker: That's a good, that's a quality pick. So my start of the week, it would have been Callum Sheedy, because I'm going to drop some knowledge on you here. The last five weeks, the twins have given up 29 to Gareth Steenson, 34 to Marcus Smith, 27 to Josh Metabase, 22 to Voldemort, 28 to Jacob Umaga. They're giving up points to 10s. Unfortunately, Sheedy's not going
Speaker: to play very long. So instead I'm going to go with one of the people I just mentioned and Marcus Smith against the Irish because I think he's going to put up that kind of performance there. Yeah, that's not a bad second option considering the tactics behind the first.
Speaker: Yeah. Um, for me, uh, sort of, sort of the round, similar theme. Uh, he's been pouring fancy since three start barely scratching 20, uh, even against bad teams. Um, he's over 300 ,000. He's, he's a paper. Um, we'll see. Uh, he's a paperweight. Um, he's another, this is another paperweight right now. I think he's well over 300. He's definitely a very expensive paperweight. My city of the week is Bristol's eight man, Nathan Hughes.
Speaker: Oh my, that's a very good one. Not mine, but extremely good. I agree. Way expensive, super paperweight. Has had such good promise, actually not bad in FRD at times, but to Kelly Nairavoro.
Speaker: He's not really getting the job done. Um, Bristol are, are, are decent against wings. They're not great, but they're not bad. Um, I just don't see him putting up any points. So, um, it's, it's time to, to pine and then sell Nair Voro for you for your, your own good. Very likely.
Speaker: All right, so was first Bristol the lead off the weekend the weekend fixtures Talked about Bristol being a fairly tough outfit at this point fourth in both formats So it's gonna be a little tricky to kind of navigate this to do have some leakier positions with fly half and midfield it on FRD especially and back three in TRM
Speaker: So we're gonna mention a lot of the same names for wasps, but maybe some different results here. Siam McIntyre is still an okay. Whichever hooker didn't play, go ahead, it's fine. Roland's, you're gonna roll him out there if he's playing and any lock that's breathing in FRD is worth a shot. So go ahead, Tommy Young.
Speaker: Jack Willis or Tom. Robson or Velikot, whichever one didn't play. Umaga or Goprath, they're both fine. And then Marcus Watson's good to go on this one as well. We have some kind of middle of the road ones here.
Speaker: Hold on, and also, by the way, Washington Rose ago. Yeah, they've done really well, actually, since the restart. Shields is a no on TRM, but a yes in FRD, because you probably kind of locked into that. Fakitoa is a no at TRM, and yes in FRD as well. And then Pines are the likes of Jeff Tu among Ellen, Launchbury, Gaskell, Monazzi, Kiberige again, and Bassett I would pine in this one as well.
Speaker: um just because we're still a little tougher against those positions um and and on the other hand wasps are a little tougher against some of these positions uh are also tough against the in both formats here third and trm second and frd so it's going to be a little bit of a head scratcher on some of these um fly half and lose forward they're really tough against an frd so
Speaker: Yee, what are you gonna do? What are we gonna do? Especially if you're like me and you have Callum sheetie, you're probably playing the must be real TRM Single ernofoa. Yeah, keep on our burner and burner actually probably okay The lost are given points away to hookers. That's like a position you can probably bank on at homes has actually played fairly Well, and I don't think he's that expensive. So yep
Speaker: I don't think Earl's going to get a shot, but if he does, okay. Uh, same with Pyotow and Luitua. Yeah. Okay. Uh, Cook's probably an okay play only in TRM or an FRD. Excuse me. Um, also I'd stay away from Luitua and FRD. Um, Malins, Malins, yes in TRM, but no in FRD only cause he's a fly half an FRD. Um, more hands and no in TRM and a yes in FRD as well.
Speaker: Eden or any fly half not named sheety is a no O 'Connor Layua The Bristol front row has not been really good as an FRD asset Dan Thomas Nathan Hughes our nose on to Lester verse Northampton Lester front row might be a good matchup here Not so much in TRM, but FRDs I'd look at having them as a as a start if you have to
Speaker: Um, Harry Wells, I assume he's going to be playing at lock, but he's not really worth it in either format. Uh, Leibenberg and Wallace should play. Uh, I'd start them both in either format. I'm guessing this will be Jack van Poerley and Zach Henry. Uh, I, I, I'd have a thought to starting Henry in this match. Um, look for an Adolo and David Williams in the back three could be productive. Uh, maybe, uh, Potter will make an appearance as well. Um, on the other side, I'm assuming the saints go full bore because fuck, this is their chance to finally win a match in a while.
Speaker: I don't think Ezekiel is gonna be in because he's playing midweek here tomorrow But so look at fish as the as the hooker Use their front row and FRD hold off on their locks in the back row go with laws and Harrison laws, especially in in FRD And Harrison as well. I wouldn't expect too much though. So again, if you have better options, I'd look elsewhere start teller and bigger and
Speaker: Hutchins and a proctor are probably good starts in this match I wouldn't expect anything from the wings and for a bank should be a decent option in both formats Yeah, that'd be nice to see him fucking bounce back I already sold him right they have a lot of guys Northampton have a lot of guys who just need a
Speaker: They need a slump buster like last year to get them right. For sure. For sure. All right. Sail and Bath. We talked about both teams already. Sail are tough. Bath are middling again, 7th and 8th respectively, TRM and FRD. The one place that they definitely don't give up points in either format is up the middle. So be cautious of your centers and a lot of us have centers.
Speaker: Midfielders that play for sale. So keep keep an eye on that Ross Harrison is yes in this one as well as Langdon Again, ochre is not likely to play sail front rows is a thumbs up along with lewd I mean a lock worth a pulse has a pulse is worth it in FRT, but he's done pretty well I think he's pretty expensive but still he's still putting it up. So if you got him play them Ross either curry you might you're probably see one of them go ahead
Speaker: And then we have Faf, AJ, yep. RDP, if he plays in this, it's a TRM only, FRD situation. Only situation, Solomona has been on fire. Play him. JL is a loose forward playing lock, so that's a bad news for FRD people.
Speaker: Tui and Ben Renzberger are the only guys. And then either James Brother, Wilcliffe, or Hammers is a no unless you're really stuck in an FRD. If you are, you don't deserve to be in your semi -final. Sorry. Like I said, Sailor and No Fly Zone, really tough to play against in either format.
Speaker: The front row are still just, you know, those are like perma grains almost. So roll with them, all their props, Boyce, Judge, Stewart, Obano, walk in their hookers, Walker and Dunn, along with the front row and FRD. Stuking Yules are still good. Mercer, if he's gonna play, I don't know. I mean, I suspect him playing the midweek, but okay. Yeah, Underhill, I'm not really a fan of any of them right now.
Speaker: Maybe he especially gets this team actually. So he's not, he's too expensive for the points that he gets. Yeah. Um, I suspect we see Spencer. Um, again, McConaughey can't sit them. Um, priestlin frd only he's lights out in frd. So you got to play him. Uh, JJ, same thing. That's where you go. This is not the time to play or send me Soraka and do need an FRD. If you're, if you get to my final on the line, um, McNally, like I said, under Hill, Chudley, Matta Basie, red path, uh, Watson,
Speaker: Valentine now now not this not not not not this week. Sorry On to London Irish versus Worcester Excuse me Front rows for both teams should be scoring points here. So especially hookers So for the Irish, yeah, look be looking at their direction, especially the front row for your
Speaker: should be putting up points as well. Ollie Hassell Collins is likely to produce in this matchup. I'd stay away from Voldemort. Wooster contains the Tenzin Centers pretty well. And, uh, I'd stay away from Voldemort.
Speaker: Irish don't really have great tens and centers for that, that are going to really overpower that defense. So yeah, not too much on the Irish side on this one, mostly because I think they're going to be starting kind of a hodgepodge at this point. On the Worcester side, front row is very much a go, as I said before.
Speaker: Bresler and Graham, but not Andrew Kitchener should be should be good starts in this one Hill Kovacic do Priya I'm guessing That's gonna be the back row But other than that if it's not that go with them anyway go with whoever whoever is in the back row Who guard should do very well in both formats? We're might struggle in an FRD as we said
Speaker: Worcester as Worcester contains tens and centers actually so does the Irish but royally only an FRD in TRM they We are should do really well for some reason they're like at the bottom of the top of the list in the point of RD and the bottom in TRM. Mm -hmm
Speaker: So we're but so we're is it's gonna be the rare start in TRM, but sit in an FRD I'm not high on venture or Ali Lawrence at the moment So avoid them if you can even though it's a tasty matchup if Nana is at 15 Irish are soft against 15. So so give them a go there. You can you can take the bait on that one. Mm -hmm Yep. All right
Speaker: So we have, Saracens is actually, this will be interesting to see which teams roll out for both. For both, yeah. Yeah, so let's start with Exeter there. It's odd that they're so low on TRM, but they're fairly high in FRD in terms of points surrendered.
Speaker: The halfback position is one that they're usually toughest against in both formats. So just keep an eye on that for the Saracens. So Saracens starts, not gonna change a whole lot from this. Woolley and Jinx, Barrington are okay. In this case, Saracens, front row, roll them out there. Atoje, Rhodes, yep, Daly, again, only center I'd play even in FRD.
Speaker: Roddy, if we happen to see a Roddy Shagan site, do it. It'll be fine. Some back and forths on this next group. Billy is a no in TRM, but he's probably a yes in FRD because you're probably stuck with him. So just do it. Christie might see playing time in this match. We'll see. Andy Christie, he played well in TRM. He's probably a cheap buy, so go ahead. Maitland Good and Lewington are probably okay to play in outside back position in FRD.
Speaker: They probably got helped get you here in the first place. So okay, don't don't get too cute Jax Any of the scrum halves once again and Manu I would just stay away from series are tough and TRM and not as tough and
Speaker: They're middling in frd. So again kind of weird where the point differentials are points format shake out They are tough against front rows and frd format as well as outside backs. So that's just something to keep an eye on on that one Lcd or yandell are fine. You can't hear yandell. Um, you can't bench hill or gray if they play right do it either simmons. Yep
Speaker: Like Wonsdale is probably an okay play too, and TRM especially. Don't know if you want to risk your FRDC season on that, but TRM, it's a cheap play. Steen, I'm guessing if we don't see Simmons, we see Steen's and he's fine in both formats. O 'Flaherty, yep. Hogg, yep.
Speaker: Kirsten Vermeulen are probably FRD only guys in this matchup back rows are not necessarily ones that do well against the Saracens Slade FRD. He wrote in this long why why not Dolman only if he's at center in TRM He seems seems to be where he plays the best Who knew? Hepburn et al
Speaker: Pine them all the props Exeter front row again said them I don't trust either half back against the Saracens Mondo or Hidalgo Klein and somebody might get cute and try and play cuthbert in the situation and I would not Last matchup of the week. This will be TRM only because it's on Monday and FRD's servers cannot handle weekdays. So Anyway, who knew on the Gloucester end
Speaker: I don't really have who's going to be playing. So whoever their hooker is, doesn't really matter. Moray, Singleton, what have you. We'll rack up points. Whoever the locks are, as we've seen, they can throw pretty much anybody out there. Like even Clark may throw in at lock and put up a 20 burger on you, or for you, if you're smart. Ludlum and Peledry. I don't know if Peledry is ever going to get a break.
Speaker: Right this season again, but right until the wheels fall off just like Gloucester doing Stephen Varney is likely to start Yes Yeah, done pretty well. Yeah, Harris may thoroughly and Woodward are guys. Yeah, you should be looking out for as well
Speaker: Um, on the Quinn side, uh, Scott Baldwin, Matt Simmons, uh, Glenn Young, perhaps, um, those are, uh, but their locks, uh, should be, should be doing pretty well. Um, Alex Dunbar should be playing Joe Marchant, um, Mike Brown, uh, Gloucester a week against 10. So Brett Herron could be a cheap player if Smith is, is set it out. Um, Ashton may be available. Who knows? Maybe he, he does. He maybe needs a little bit of a break. Um,
Speaker: But he should be back by then. Otherwise stay away from the factory for Quinn's because Gloucester are pretty strong there. Okay. Uh, start of the round. Um, he's had a tough restart. Um, for me, he's had a tough restart, but he seems to be a fat, maybe found a corner. He's going to go on. He's pretty hot before we went into lockdown. Um, but he's had his second big ish week. Um, and Worcester are once again, chewing up bags of points like candy on Halloween. Um, my style of the round is going to be Ollie hassle Collins.
Speaker: That's a solid start there. Mine's going to be one of who's a little bit more of a grinder, but I think it's playing against a team that.
Speaker: kind of his, his, his kind of game will be favorable against. Um, so that'll be Dan Dupree a start of the week. Beth are pretty terrible against dates. And, uh, I think he could take advantage of that. He's a tough one to say no to. Um, so the week, um, he's really struggled to produce since he's come back into his club. Uh, and especially since the restart, uh, hands down the best fancy defense he's going against. Um, that's not going to help him at all. His ownership's dropped significantly, but some are still riding him.
Speaker: In both formats This is the week he gets slapped in the face. I say the week is gonna be England and bass fullback Anthony Watson So my I said of the week is in for a rough one You mentioned them. I think you you even mentioned them as guys you can't take off the off the field I am going to if at all possible take them off the field It's gonna be a whole position group And that's gonna be Beth's front row
Speaker: Um, we've talked about sale being a no fly zone. They're, they're, they're averaging what? Like one point a match or no. Yeah. That's the average or that's what the average, that's the average. Yeah. Um, yeah. Uh, so as, as amazing a front row as bath are there, they're just not going to get the points that they normally get. Um, both, both in the, the, uh, FRD end, but also the individual players in TRM are guys who, um, if there's a question, um,
Speaker: you know, take into account that that it's, they're going up against sales defense. That's true. So I would, I would move towards bat of a benching, um, Beth's front row individual players too, just cause you can't expect, you know what? Yeah. One or two might go off, but is that going to be your one or two? So we'll see. Yeah, we shall see. Okay. Um, let's try and go rapid fire with, with pick them here. Bristol, Northampton.
Speaker: Bristol. Yeah, same. Uh, wass luster wasps. Yeah. Uh, Exeter Gloucester. Exeter. Yeah. Let's see your reason not to, um, sale Saracens. Um, I'm going to pick, I'm going to pick the Saracens. I'm picking sale. Yeah.
Speaker: This is a tough one to pick. This is a tough one to pick without knowing the damn lineups. Yeah. I'm guessing the tires are going to go a little light and sale. They're going to go pretty heavy. We'll find out. Um, Quinn's Irish. Quinn's. Yeah. Uh, Bathwister. Bath. I don't care what lineup Bath puts out. They'll still be fine. Uh, Wasp Bristol.
Speaker: Again, we're not knowing the teams that they're putting out there. Um, I'm going to go with wasps. They've shown to be good when they're, they're on the, uh, even when they're, they're second sides out, Bristol, not quite so much. Yeah. Uh, geez, I'm God, I hope North Luster, North Hampton, North Hampton, please. Please. Um, sail bath ticket sale.
Speaker: I'm going to conceal. Yeah, it's tough. They've shown it to be tough either way. Irish and Wooster. I'm guessing this is going to be Wooster's full noise team, and I'll take that. Yeah. Yep. They're going to suit up for this one. Yeah. Saracen's Exeter. Oh, God. It doesn't matter. I think I'm going to go Exeter. This is a game that Saracen's
Speaker: I see Saracen's losing this one. They'll be looking forward. Either one, either way. They'll be looking ahead somehow. Nothing else to play for anyway. And Gloucester Quinn's, I'm going to take the cherries. I'm struggling to take them. The Quinn's are just not, it's not clicking right enough.
Speaker: Um, so yeah, and Gloucester, um, Louis re Samet or Ollie Thorley, or both will score a try no matter whether they start or come off the bench. So, um, yeah, Gloucester. Okay. And then down to Subaru, the semi -final reds and rebels. And I'm going to go with the reds. Yeah. Same. I really love that team. They're, they're mercurial. So, you know, the team that showed up this past weekend, we'll see if it's them again. Right. If you don't, maybe we'll see that. Maybe we won't. So yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, I think they come away with it. Yeah. Okay. Well, we included a lot. We talked about a lot. We tried not to bore the shit out of you, but I think we did okay. All right. All things considered. Tried to move fast. But it's a big week. Check your TRMs. Check your upgrade for your upgrades. Go get them. Come on, guys. It's only going to help you.
Speaker: Download, review, rate us. Basically every podcast at gmail .com. Find Ben and I on Twitter. We'll ask TFRY Tuesday and Friday, or Saturday this week. It's even that or Sunday. All right, even more fun. Until then, thanks a lot. Enjoy the rugby. There's so much to be had. Until we talk to you guys next week, have a good one. Later.
