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Season 3- Episode 25- Nothing Big This Week (Premiership Round 17 & Super Rugby Aoetearoa Week 10)
32 Plays4 years ago
It's the American rugby dopes you all know and love coming at you. Not so much on pitch rugby to cover, but plenty to discuss in behind the scenes. Nothing really that big though, oops wait, Gat's might have something to say about that.
In this week's pod we cover lots of topics from the Eagles traveling over the pond to play a couple of big test matches, a few signings that are buzzing about and of course we cover the big matches from this past weekend in Europe, including the big upset on Sunday. We also cover the Free Jack's much more pleasant trip out west as Fife & Polland put on a show. Oh yeah, we did our usual Start or Sit business to. Crack a few open with us and enjoy!
Don't forget, we are putting together a 2nd Tier of Champi-Yanks League! You've heard us babble about it and if it sounds like fun to you, please hit us up via email or twitter.
Also, ask us questions via Twitter: Jarrod- jdyke8man & Ben- admrablsnackbar. Send us your thoughts for the show and questions for upcoming shows via e-mail fantasyrugbypodcast@gmail.com. Of course we welcome feedback via e-mail, twitter or by rating/reviewing the pod on Apple Podcast.
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Transcript
Introduction to Fantasy Rugby Games
00:00:08
Speaker
Hey, everybody. Welcome back. It is the Fantasy Rugby Games. My name is Jared Dyke. I'm Ben Glaser. We got some fun stuff to talk about today because we didn't have that much rugby to cover. No. And there's not really any news coming this week or anything. Nothing at all.
Streaming and Work-Life Balance
00:00:23
Speaker
Nothing at all. Nothing, nothing, nothing. No, no, no content to fill this show here.
00:00:31
Speaker
Oh man. Yeah, it'll be, yeah, I'm, I'm excited. I'm actually excited cause I usually have a client during when that stream's going to be and they can. So I was like, yes, I can watch it and not be a dirt bag. It starts at 7 AM our time, right? Yeah, I believe so. All right then. Last I counted. Okay.
Friday Shenanigans and Drinking Reflections
00:00:51
Speaker
Um, want a drink? Yeah, I do.
00:00:58
Speaker
So you want to find us on your favorite podcast apps, download rate review. You have a bottle. I do. I do. This is, um, yeah, it wasn't, it's not even a twist off. Yeah. And this is what the word from my shenanigans on Friday. Yeah.
00:01:16
Speaker
And we still have more. I was like, why did we think we were going to drink this much? Like we're not, we're not what we once was. I don't know. We obviously are now like three beers. Just have a beer.
00:01:36
Speaker
Uh, okay. Uh, grab by our friend, the fancy rope geek,
Support for Fantasy Rugby Geek
00:01:40
Speaker
a coffee. The man's going to help you guys get over the line coming up here with a lot of finals coming through, um, with FRDs and obviously the final TRM weeks are coming up as well. So get, get yourself, uh, his advice and thank him by buying him a coffee slash beer. Yes, sir. Um,
TRM Restart Weekend and Mental Health Focus
00:01:59
Speaker
Speaking of TRM, it's restart weekend this coming weekend. So this will be, this is definitely a good time to go get yourself TRM upgrade. It only helps restart rugby. And, you know, we talk a lot about the mental health aspect of this and it's needed. So these guys need it big time. So, you know, it'll save somebody, I promise. So go ahead and support that stuff right there.
Social Media Blackout Against Racism
00:02:25
Speaker
Black Lives Matter, as always on the show, there is no room for racism. I was part of the social media blackout this past weekend and boycott, and I hope the messages are getting through to somebody. I wish they were, I don't think they are. No, unfortunately, I think you're right. I think if it's dollars and cents, and that doesn't affect them necessarily.
Impact of Social Media Silence on Hate
00:02:54
Speaker
They see people see less ads, I guess, if they're doing something like that. But that's true. You know, unfortunately, I saw a couple rugby people's reactions and other European sporting people saying, hey,
00:03:09
Speaker
You know, the Twitter feed is a lot quieter without them. Like, maybe they're driving the bad stuff. It's like, no, they're not. You're just seeing more people being asked to them and you're not seeing it. Like, so I don't think I think the people who decide because I didn't post anything. I perused. I didn't post. And it's just like I don't think they're getting the right message from it.
Racism and Accountability Discussion
00:03:33
Speaker
No, this isn't that's not the way it's supposed to go. You're not supposed to be like, I don't miss them at all. It's supposed to be
00:03:39
Speaker
Yeah, let's get rid of the racism. But I don't think the hate doesn't disappear just because guys stop. People stop posting that are getting hated on. Right. Like that still isn't somebody's heart and somebody's soul. So don't don't be fooled by that shit. Yeah. I mean, instead, we get to talk. Well, see that. Oh, wait, we're not going to talk about
Matera's Signing and Personal Growth
00:03:58
Speaker
that. Oh, it's not even on the list. Matera.
00:04:01
Speaker
Oh, yeah, I completely forgot about that. Signing with the Crusaders and everybody's like and so there are people are like, oh, yes, you know, it's it's it's past. It's over. It's like you didn't really atone like you didn't do anything. No, we didn't think we grew since then. It's like, no, no, you kind of show like there's got to be some sort of a display of like serious display of contrition followed by tangible action to the contrary, not just
00:04:30
Speaker
Oh, well, that was a long time ago. That was it like that. No, no, no, that's and that's not like a misjudgment, which is I believe the words that they used. And I was like, No, that's not a misjudgment. That's a that's a decision. That is a that is 100% of the decision, something that was within him for a long time. So my why don't we consider that idea? Just saying, just saying. Well, I mean, don't I'm okay with it as long as he
00:05:00
Speaker
He used to continue to grow. Yeah. Yeah. He can't. We can't just dismiss him like we need. I think eyeballs still need to stay clamped on. And I think he needs to continue to show that he's not a complete shirt. Yeah. He's on a watch list. Right. Definitely. Definitely. I've got my stink eye on you. And let's see better. Please do. God damn dude. Enough of that.
Champions League's Positive Impact
00:05:23
Speaker
On the fun side, we are opening up a second tier of Champions League. If you are interested, please hit up Ben or I. We, you know, we had some touching things to find out this past weekend about how it's done something for some of these guys and it does something for us too, especially, you know, like those really dark winter months here. It's like, you got to cling to something during the pandemic and when it's,
Rugby as a Pandemic Escape
00:05:50
Speaker
when it's depressing out and there's not a whole lot to go out and do because it's too freaking cold out. So it did a lot of good for me to hear that some of these guys really clung to this and enjoyed it to quite an extent.
00:06:13
Speaker
It brightened their day, certainly. Even us sitting here and bantering back and forth can brighten some of these days, just baffling to me. I was thinking that beforehand. I'm like, it's not therapy, but it is in a way. It's like an hour or so at the beach or something where everything else goes away.
00:06:36
Speaker
Don't think about the rest of the universe and some of the misery that exists out there. That's the problem with this whole pandemic thing,
Returning to Rugby Post-Vaccination
00:06:45
Speaker
right? It's not, well, outside from the death of the misery. Yeah, that whole thing. The fact that all you can really do is just sit here and think about it.
00:06:56
Speaker
Right. All you can do is just sit there and turn over in your head over and over again. Right. It's really fucking annoying. Like I'm going back to, yeah, I'm going back to practice next week. We're finally at the vaccination level enough. My family anyway. Yeah, right. But even now I'm like anxious about it.
00:07:13
Speaker
Yeah, I was too. I was too when I started working with the kiddos and yeah, we you know, you swing to the side of caution and you come back when you like when you kind of get a sense of the handle of it. That's just that's the way we kind of approached it. So
00:07:29
Speaker
I'm just not used to being around people now. That's true. It's like, go away from me. No, I know how this can start to come back.
Craving Human Interaction Post-Isolation
00:07:42
Speaker
It'll be nice. I want a hug. We all just give a hug.
00:07:48
Speaker
But yes, so hit us up because obviously we'll be playing all three FRD competitions along with the two TRM competitions. Yes. Competitions. Good Lord. I can't talk. I do. I do hope one day we can get back to regular mag super rugby. That'd be cool. I'd be game for that.
00:08:07
Speaker
As we, as you're talking about player movement, we didn't mention, I didn't
Player Transfers and Injuries Update
00:08:10
Speaker
have them down because they're completely spaced on it. But Matera moving to Christchurch, a big one that dropped today. Our favorite tomato, Tomasso Allen going to Quinn's. Yeah. My first snide comment on that was to see if it was an immediate with immediate effect. Cause it was like, Oh, maybe, maybe markers got some, got, got the call. But no, it's for next year. So yeah, it is.
00:08:36
Speaker
But I mean, but the Italian clubs aren't playing anything worth a damn right now. That rainbow cup, right? Which sexton got hurt in which I was like, Oh, oops. I mean, I know you, you play, you play monster.
US Rugby Players and International Matches
00:08:50
Speaker
You want to play. Cause that's just how it is with that life. But damn, oops. They paid for it later. Um, certainly did.
00:08:57
Speaker
Uh-huh. Uh, rumor to us is going to go to, uh, to MLR on loan down to Austin, which already has a pretty stacked back line. So that's kind of terrifying. I hate the fact that both go groanies and the guiltiness are actually good this year. Like, fuck you, Gil, Chris. I don't either. Like bullshit, but I mean, it's cool to see the teams that are put together though at the very least. Oh yeah. I respect the teams that they're putting together. I just don't like the guy.
00:09:25
Speaker
Exactly. I'm totally with that. Totally with that. So, it'll be good to see Dahas on US soil.
Opportunities in Depleted Summer Matches
00:09:32
Speaker
I'm sure Gary Gold will enjoy being able to see him in person as well because Gary Gold's up here. So, speaking of, US to play England and Ireland this summer. Like it? England and Twickenham in London and Ireland at the Avastadian in Dublin. That should be really
00:09:54
Speaker
I see no downside for the US in this case, really. And the English and Irish teams are obviously going to be a little depleted because they're missing players. But I like that. Now I like the Americans' chances to not completely embarrass themselves. Exactly. Yeah. So which team do you think will be more depowered?
00:10:19
Speaker
I was going through my England team this morning, or my Lions team this morning, and I think I had slightly more Irish players than I did English, but not by much. So I think it's going to be a matter of who. Well, I mean, I still think that if, like, so it'll be Eddie, obviously making selections for England.
Evaluating England and Ireland Players
00:10:39
Speaker
So you're still going to see Billy V. You're still going to see George Ford.
00:10:44
Speaker
you know, you're still going to see a lineup on the Irish side. I'm guessing Sexton won't play. Yeah, I wouldn't stay if you're going to do. Yeah, this is not the team. I roll them out there like Ross Byrne, Billy Burns should probably both get get runs in this if I was Andy Farrell. And but then their entire front row will be.
00:11:08
Speaker
Pretty much, pretty much like, yeah. Yeah. They're going to be down to bare bones in the forward. That's cause that's where I have most of their guys missing. And so then you will probably see like Jameson Gibson Parker, Luke McGrath at nine, maybe Cooney, depending on how, how much Eddie Farrell really values this. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Did he, did he survive? I think I saw him get up the other week. Yeah.
00:11:33
Speaker
Yeah, I think so. I think he's all right. This is good for the product of the MLR and the
MLR Opportunities for US Players
00:11:44
Speaker
players that are currently playing in it. There's a lot of guys that are eligible for the US even if they've only come into the US recently because they were either born here or their parents were born here.
00:11:52
Speaker
So it's exciting for them, at the very least. I'm really excited to see something like our guy Boyle is actually US eligible. So there's stuff like that to shoot for, which is kind of cool. I'm thinking, you know, it's funny, I
00:12:12
Speaker
There's one guy that's been disappointing me this year for the MLR, and that is Hammer Size with Rugby United
Analysis of MLR Players for US Team
00:12:19
Speaker
New York. I thought he could have been, he's still a monster, but he's just not quite looking like
00:12:27
Speaker
he's a shoo-in to be in the back row like I thought he would. And that's kind of disappointing. So I was like, hmm. So hopefully there's a, we have a couple of loose forwards that play for the freejacks that are both eligible for the, for the Eagles. So we'll see. We'll see. Yeah. Somebody's coming for you. Someone's coming for your homicide. So step up your game, dude. It's all I know.
00:12:54
Speaker
Uh, we've mentioned it about a thousand times already. Big day tomorrow. What's happening tomorrow? That thing. 50 emails I've already gone out. Apparently Marlow didn't get one of them. Right. Which is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I'm not surprised. I think, especially after that, um, that little, uh, how you doing to Alan? Oh yeah, that's right. Yeah. That's, uh, I think that, that, you know, the lions are.
00:13:25
Speaker
prestigious for a reason, right? That's because they, you know, they don't take, they try not to take hammerheads like that. Um, so it's, it's try not to try. I mean, yeah, that's an old guy called last time, but he wasn't that, he wasn't as big a hammerhead. That's the other thing though. So like, and I've seen a couple arguments about some people who are like, Oh, this guy was on the tour in 2017. How could he just not even be thought of now? It's like, it's not 2017. It's not 2017. It was four years ago, man. A lot's changed in four years.
00:13:55
Speaker
Right. There's like
Lions Tour Selection Excitement and Predictions
00:13:56
Speaker
the players have regressed players have progressed, like that, you know, it doesn't, time doesn't freeze. It's just cause someone was, was, was around in 2017. Doesn't mean they should even get a look at emails. Exactly. Exactly. I agree. Um, you know, that Ben Young's got one of those emails and declined.
00:14:14
Speaker
Yeah. And the fact that he was even considered kind of raised my eyebrows like, nope, that's not, you are beat the, you are beat the spring box. He is not your nine. No, he's not. End of story. Um, surprises camp. Is anybody going to be captain besides Alan? When? Maybe tomorrow.
00:14:35
Speaker
Yeah, people are still putting his name in the hat. I think he played himself out of that, unfortunately. I think so too, but you never know. Yeah. Again, you think Ben Young's would have played himself out of the 50. Yes, true. So here's the thing. How many guys that have not played international rugby in the last two years pop up on that? That's what I'm interested in seeing.
00:14:56
Speaker
Because I think care will be on the squad. I wouldn't be shocked. Yeah, exactly. I'll put it that way. I wouldn't be shocked if care was.
Speculation on Lions Squad and Halfbacks
00:15:05
Speaker
I would be surprised if Simmons isn't. I think a lot of people will be. And I would also not be surprised if I hype him up all the time. Both of us do, Marcus Smith.
00:15:17
Speaker
I would, he's an outsider. He like, that would be fucking pumped, but not surprised. I'll be, I'll be disappointed, but not surprised if he doesn't make it. Yeah, there you go. So there, and there's, here's the thing with care, like,
00:15:34
Speaker
Outside of Garrett Davies, I can't think of nines that I really want in that squad. Like Connor Murray's probably there because you gotta be able to box kick and against this team and there's not many better than him. So- And he's large. Yeah, he's a big halfback. He is a big halfback, that's for sure. So, and you know, the two of those, those two guys there balance each other out quite well between what they do. So there's that. And then after that, like,
00:16:04
Speaker
Is it Ali Price? Probably maybe, maybe not. Who knows? Yeah. He'd be my fourth. Like he'd be fourth on my list. So it's like, if my hair doesn't make it, I hope Ali Price is third. Yeah. And it's not young. So there's that. And then, you know, the conversation around a couple other shirts, like 10.
Finn Russell's Playstyle and Team Value
00:16:20
Speaker
Nope. 10 should be almost solved at this point. At least your first two names should be bigger and Finn without a doubt. If there are anybody else, I think you're fucking out of your mind.
00:16:30
Speaker
I don't understand the Finn Russell criticizers. So if you're a Finn Russell hater, I hate using that word about that. But yeah, if you're down on Finn Russell, let me know why.
00:16:46
Speaker
He brings something completely different to the table that nobody else has. Right. And and like some of that is a little bit of insanity. And that's it is. It absolutely is. It's it totally is. And but that's what you that's what you bet on when you have been Russell. Like, right. He's yeah. And the thing is, he when he makes a mistake, he makes up for it. So like he forgets it almost immediately. He's very good at that. But like, yeah, he gets a kick wrong. He's like one of the first chasing it down. You know, he does like it's not as though he's
00:17:17
Speaker
you know, that's a liability. He might do some things that might be that that you leave your head scratching. But some of that is he's trying something that he thinks might work. Like that greatness does that. Yeah, you know, you're not kidding me. So you pick him because of what that magic moment could possibly be. That's why you pick him. Right. Because there's nobody else in the world that's going to do it. Right. Simple as that.
00:17:47
Speaker
Um, yeah. Oh, I saw it about Elliott daily. That's who it was.
Back Three Player Evaluations
00:17:51
Speaker
He was on the tour in 2017. It's like, yeah, but have you seen him? He did not play well. No, that isn't, you know, I'm seeing, I don't have him Johnny May, right? Johnny may do he's, he's banged up at best right now anyway. So yeah, no, I'll pass on him. There's so much better, there's so much better talent in the back three than him. Right. Um,
00:18:13
Speaker
Yeah. And you know, like Liam Williams played himself off the plane. He didn't play very well for the most part. No, you know, so I just, he has some good games when he was, you know, sniffing around, uh, Louis Zammatt's week, but he knew, he knew, he knew the guy to follow, but like, nah, in terms of factory, he hasn't been a bolter in years. He's been a guy who's going to, he'll kill, he's the bomb diffuser. He'll catch that high ball.
00:18:38
Speaker
Yes, absolutely. But he's not going to run it back for a try. No. Like it's just not his game anymore. I mean, it's not. Of course, yes, he may do it once every in a blue moon, but you need somebody who's going to do it regularly. I agree.
Anthony Watson's Versatility
00:18:50
Speaker
Yep. Like Adam's in LRZ for me. Like those two. Yes. Yeah. I prefer. I prefer Watson as like a backup fullback, honestly. So that's that's. Yeah. I've seen people putting him as they're starting one of the starting wings. And I'm like, look, I like you could. But I don't get me wrong. I don't. It's not like I'm.
00:19:07
Speaker
Distant on him, I like him a lot.
00:19:11
Speaker
He's not he's a backup. He's your he's he's your reserve outside back because you can you can play him in both spots, which is extremely helpful, you know, to bring him on in that. I'd rather bring somebody on than have to shift because shifting can can can cause problems. Right. Ken, not always, but Ken. So, yeah, I definitely would like him off the bench. I think he'd be valuable there. So we shall see.
Importance of Captaincy and Leadership
00:19:35
Speaker
Yeah. Anybody, but when as captain will surprise me, honestly, I agree.
00:19:39
Speaker
We talk about captains and guys that you would run through a wall for. I think he goes to the top of the list. And that's hugely important in a tour like this because you're getting everybody together. You got to be on the same page and that's a guy who will get you on the same page. Yeah, he'll get you on the same page or he'll cuss you out till you are. Right.
00:19:59
Speaker
Oh shit. Um, more disappointing news on the other side of it though. Uh, Dave vessels, you definitely would.
Dave Vessels' Departure and Coaching Opportunities
00:20:07
Speaker
Dave vessels was out at, uh, out in Melbourne for the rebels. Um, he'll finish the season, but he's going to look for a new coach. It was a disappointing season, but to not get to the playoff this year. And I think that he, he recognized that. And, um, granted there was no Dale hit Daniela Perry, but there was plenty of talent on this team to, to make that happen. You know,
00:20:28
Speaker
God, and you have a colleague, Matt Tamua, it should definitely happen. As many costs as possible.
00:20:35
Speaker
Yeah, it's disappointing, but there's, there's a vacancy now. So we'll see, we'll see who fills it. And I think whoever fills it is going to be very excited with what's in front of them with that team. Um, you know, especially once we're out of this whole pandemic bullshit and Melbourne doesn't keep getting shut down every five, every five weeks, poor guys. So that's always, that's always shitty.
Anticipation for Super Rugby Trans Tasman
00:20:59
Speaker
Um, and then right to super rugby trans Tasman starts next week. Obviously we have, we have the week of finals this coming week. Um, but yeah, next week we're going to go back to trans Tasman and see some teams playing each other that haven't played each other for a while. I'm looking. Yeah. These are teams that are going to have a proper mashup because then, you know, colors they haven't seen in a while. That'll be fun, especially the styles. I'm really interested in seeing how that, how they match up after, because the Australian teams are much improved, even obviously even the force.
00:21:28
Speaker
Um, right. And some of the, some of the New Zealand teams are kind of, uh, actually all of the New Zealand teams are, are potentially vulnerable. I mean, we've seen the crusaders have a shit here and there this season too. So, um, there's nobody perfect. Nope. So it's, you know, any of these teams could, could step up and win. So that's going to be fun to see. Yeah. It'll be very, very interesting to say the least. Let's go to the one match that
00:21:58
Speaker
Really didn't mean, well, neither one of them meant shit for shit, but let's be real about
Hurricanes' Victory Recap
00:22:03
Speaker
this. I can promise you need a team. None of these teams took it lightly, but it was a good one for my hurricanes. I enjoyed that thoroughly. Yes, that's much better, although Beno keeps still a helmet, but that's different story for a different day. Can I have, can I give a little piece of unsolicited advice to the rugby community?
00:22:26
Speaker
Don't piss off Dane Coles. No, never, never, ever. Once, maybe twice. No, no, don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. What were you thinking? You got away with it the first time he got carded. And the ironic thing is he wouldn't have gotten carded if he didn't kind of keep going at the other guy.
00:22:50
Speaker
He will eat you, dude. Right. But it's like Hunt then struck back and that was OK. So he evened him up. But it's like you wouldn't have had a card in the first place. But either way, you pissed him off. And then you call for a captain's review.
00:23:06
Speaker
because he he tripped over a guy while he's being held in a in a right it's like there's nothing there
Dane Coles' Impact and Advice
00:23:13
Speaker
man nothing there dude your guy was holding oh by the way not only that but it's a penalty on your guy yeah it was it was that was the most brilliant captain's review ever it wasn't so bad and it was like wrong it was so wrong it went a penalty the other way like and then that is the worst captain's review i've seen so far
00:23:32
Speaker
at least directly to a Dane Coles try. So there you go. Great, great work there. Yeah. And he just smiled. He didn't, he didn't get up and say anything. He just smiled and said, ah, that's right. Biatch. Oh man. That was, that was fun. But there was, there was a lot of good, this is, this is the good of the hurricanes that we saw. Um, Ruben Lubb posterized Ash Dickson sawing the cross like, no.
00:24:01
Speaker
Dickson knew he was fucked as soon as he started going. He's like, uh-oh, I am totally going the wrong direction. And Ruben Love just like, yeah, I'll take that gap. Bye. I mean, good. I'm glad to see Ruben Love like start to express himself a little bit more. He did a lot wrong, but this match he got, he kind of fixed it. He started rough in this one and then he fixed it. So good on him. And that's the sign of a professional right there. So happy for the boy.
00:24:28
Speaker
Yeah, I think you're happy for your future too, because that's good hands with him. That's brilliant. Yeah, I thought that was that second half was his best half of rugby he's played for a while. Speaking of which, of being in good hands with someone young, that number was at 11. He's okay. Are we talking racy?
00:24:48
Speaker
Sounds right. Yeah. Yeah. You know, I said, I said it when, uh, you know, Tia Tia and, um, and Ben, and Ben Vick were both gone. I was, this is, this was his opportunity and I'm glad he's finally kind of come to and taking it. So good on him. Uh, there was,
00:25:11
Speaker
There was a side of Devin Flanders I've never seen since he took it, since I started watching this year. Good idea. That was a nice little run there. And the youngsters just got it done. Jose, the backup coming on, that was really good stuff from him. So the future is bright in Wellington. I was really excited about this. Highlanders gave it a go, and this was not like a pushover like it looks like on the scoreboard. But yeah, I mean, the hurricanes were just too much in the end.
00:25:40
Speaker
So that's, that's how she goes. I was glad to see, uh, scuds back on the field for the hounders. It was sad. He wasn't for the hurricanes, but it was good to see him back. Just the same though. Cause that, that, that boy needs a break for sure. And not, not a little one cause that dude had a rough go. Glad to see him now. Um, so yes, it was, um, it was a, it was a good one for the hurricanes to close out after all week off. And then we go into the trans Tasman for,
00:26:07
Speaker
For that, Sam Gilbert was the last person I wanted to mention. I know those numbers for for hunters. Again, another one that's kind of had it rough, but got himself a line. He looks good if he can stay healthy. So another another another youthful back three player in New Zealand. Shocker. Speaking of, let's go over to the Blues and the Chiefs. This was not outside of what we expected, but she's kind of made it fun for a little bit.
00:26:37
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, that they're always going to, I mean, there's enough on the field to do that, but yeah, it was never going to last. It's always very tough. Yeah. So especially gets the pretty full noise blues team.
00:26:51
Speaker
Yeah. Look, that was kind of the, they did the job, right? They finished the game. No injuries that I know of. So job done. Exactly. Exactly. We did see a couple of youthful debut for Zarn Sullivan. There's something else there. I was like, Oh, this guy's actually quite good.
00:27:15
Speaker
and a leg on the kid, my goodness. I was like, okay, just tweak the sights on that boot just a wee bit and it's going to be bad news for a long time. It'll be okay.
00:27:26
Speaker
Yeah. So that was, that was really good from, from the, I'm glad the blues kind of just decide, you know what, we're not going down shitty like this. We're going to do it. So, uh, gun them Adrian choke out of the line and could not seem to keep that stitch fucking cleared up bloody every five seconds. I was like, what are you doing, man?
00:27:45
Speaker
Someone's got to take care of that. That's right. I was going, I was doing the, um, uh, trying to, to, to do the sheet for this game. And, um, I just looked at it and I was like, Oh, that's right. Cause it's all the, and I was like, wait, who actually went in for, like, when was the actual substitution? Not a blood sub. When was the actual, like, when was he actually? Yeah, it was like three times in and out. And it's like, that's right. Really annoying.
00:28:10
Speaker
Really annoying. Could not stop leaking. Yeah, gotta keep that thing plugged, man. So it's a happy end for, any happy ending, for the Blues and Chiefs get to move on to this weekend against the Crusaders. It'll be very, should be very interesting. And then again, like we said, TransTasman's gonna be so much fun to watch. Just lots of good footy going on here. So I'm looking forward. And we should also mention,
00:28:38
Speaker
there was a super OB history before that Blues and Chiefs match with the Blues and Chiefs women playing. And that was, that's again, more good news for the sport. Men, women, doesn't matter. That's great news for the sport. So I was very excited to hear about that. And the lights didn't go out in the second half. I fucking hell heard about that. I was like, what the
00:29:04
Speaker
Oh man. Yeah. What the hell man? And the chief's ladies took it to him. So that was also good to see. But that was what, yeah, they're like, are they going to actually fund a women's super league now? Is that like, is this? With this potential, with this investor coming through, it could. Did it show that there's enough interest in it? Cause it seemed like the stadium was pretty rocking for it. It was, it was pretty full. So that's, that's, that's awesome. Right.
00:29:32
Speaker
Yeah, we'll see. I hope so. Again, there's a lot of good and bad that come with the several like deal that's potentially coming through New Zealand. That's there's a you could do a whole podcast on that. This will be the good probably is that they could find a women's league with with the money coming in. So that would that would be nice. So if there if there's an upside to look at it, there's a lot of downside to it at this point. If there's an upside to look at it, that is one of them.
00:29:59
Speaker
So let's go over to champions cup semi-finals. You know, this was, this was, this was a bit of an arm wrestle to start, but then Toulouse started to play like Toulouse. So that was the good thing at least. Yeah. Well, you know, you start to take DuPont's pants off and that was a whole lot of moves.
00:30:30
Speaker
That was great. I found the Will Ferrell from Wedding Crashers when he's doing the hand raising. As soon as I saw that, I was like, yep, that's exactly how I feel right now.
00:30:48
Speaker
That was a whole lot of ass right there, man. Oh, shit. I was about to say it turned him on, but yeah, no, it kind of did. He kind of did. Yeah, I know. He said he's a little he's a little me one there. Don't get French people naked. Well, unless, you know, you're getting down to business because, damn, he got down to business after that. Yeah, he did.
00:31:12
Speaker
I haven't. So there's this red, rather than red, red card on March on, and I haven't seen it yet. And I can't say I've looked for it hard. Um, I didn't see it live. So I don't, I can't say I know exactly what's going on, but sounds like he's going to be in big trouble and miss potentially the rest of the season. If not, he's at least missing the final. Yikes. Yeah. Um, I didn't see it. Was that from, wait, was that from this match? No.
00:31:37
Speaker
Yeah, I have no idea. I have no idea what it is, but apparently, yeah, I think it was Warburton and Odryskov both said, yeah, that's about as red as red gets. Okay. I don't recall that, but it's been a long week.
00:31:55
Speaker
So if you're listening to this and I still haven't found it yet, please, pretty, please do a sugar on top. Can you send me the damn thing? Cause I have no idea what the hell it is. I can't find it for the life of me for whatever stupid reason. Maybe I'm just that stupid, which is a possibility. It's possible. Um, Oh, here we go. He was substitute out.
00:32:18
Speaker
Yeah, he was. Let's see if I can find it here. In any case, though, it sounds like God damn it. Nope. Guess I can't see it. Well, all right. Somebody find it for me and send me please. I will continue to do my best to find it. But yeah, so anyway, yes. Anton DuPont took over the game shocker of the day.
00:32:38
Speaker
No idea. No, no idea how he didn't win. Oh, it wasn't punish. That's the thing. It wasn't red carded. No, it wasn't. But yeah. Oh, no, I do remember that. OK. It was it was. I think he he had his he had the forearm came out and rode up to the head. OK.
00:32:57
Speaker
I don't, I didn't see it as, I didn't see it as card worthy. Um, maybe penalty worthy, maybe, but no, I think that's, that was a way overstatement that now I remember it. I saw, I saw the image of him running, going into the time. Like, Oh no, I remember them looking at that over and over again. And I was like, just rides up. Like, yeah, if it was one thing, if it went straight to the head, but it didn't, it went, you know, it was a chest level and then slid up as the tackle went on. Um, yeah.
00:33:26
Speaker
assuming I'm remembering it correctly through the beers. That whole thing. You know, to to Bordeaux's credit, this was a tough match for them with all the goings ons in their camp with COVID hitting them pretty hard, it sounds like. So to their credit, they really, really put in a shift. But until it was just was always too much for them with
00:33:52
Speaker
Intimac, and I don't think anybody's going to deny it with DuPont being the best player in the world right now. Right. And Intimac's up there too. So, yeah, it's... And Jolly Bear played very well. Yeah.
00:34:11
Speaker
Yeah, always always going to be a tough one for them. So the Colusians will move on and try and put another star onto that shirt of theirs. I think I was wrong about the hit of my March on anyway, but whatever. OK, well, there you go. Even better. Yeah, I'm trying to now I'm looking it up and I'm like, no, not now. I don't remember what that was. Damn. So let's go over to La Rochelle and Leinster and
00:34:41
Speaker
One of the shocks of the tournament, probably, honestly, you know, multiple time champion, Leinster getting upended by first time semi-finalist, La Rochelle in quite a convincing fashion. So here's, I have to bring this up because it's, you know, it's been a bug and boo of mine about the fucking penalty kicking.
00:35:09
Speaker
But to go back to what you said too, La Rochelle made your underdog here. And they played this game fucking perfectly, tactically, right? Stay in it. That's all they had to do is stay within seven points. Because you never know at the end what might happen. They just kept kicking penalties when they had to, when they got the chance for points. But that's what you do when you're the underdog, right?
00:35:34
Speaker
Leinster, I thought, went for posts too many times early. Like they already had their try early on. At that point, would he kick in for posts twice? Just go for the, yeah, go for corner. You're better than them, especially in the lineup. So, you know, LaRochelle just played this perfectly as an underdog. Speaking of playing perfectly,
00:36:01
Speaker
What about our large gentleman friend? Yeah, it was, you know, it was mixed feelings because obviously he was our guy and, you know, really happy for the guy to continue to see success. Since he's, since he's one first moved to Saracens and now moved away.
00:36:23
Speaker
This is a guy that you just gotta feel good about in terms of who he is and the work he's put in to make himself a better player. So I was ecstatic that he got himself that final try as well. I was like, yes, go big fella.
00:36:38
Speaker
And he drove Aldrit over also. He took Aldrit. He's like, you're not getting stopped. There's a lot of weight behind that one. Good luck moving you forward a little bit. Yeah, that's a big mess to freaking handle right there between him and Aldrit. Yeah, absolutely. And you saw
00:37:00
Speaker
you know, we saw a big shift put in and we didn't, we haven't mentioned him yet. Unai Antonio for Lotto Shell just put in a massive, massive shift as a prop and just, they needed him for every minute possible. And he really did, you know, the 67 minutes he was in were, you know, geez, they got their money's worth out of him for that one. So,
00:37:26
Speaker
uh he he had a hell of a shift so kudos to him i i was very impressed with the way he he competed extremely well in the scrum against um lions so yeah yep yep and that's not to say nothing you know and on the other side they had denny preso as well and and you know you know they talk about buggery and how he's
00:37:45
Speaker
He's so far down the pecking order at hooker for France, but he's still so quality. It's so damn, it's really hard to hate it. And, you know, Victor Vito just, I don't know, he's former World Cup winner. And just, yeah, that that's a lot to handle right there. So this is going to set up a tasty final. I hope it's a little bit more open than it was than the first two French matches this week, this past weekend being the exception. Oh, yeah. I was thinking that, yeah.
00:38:16
Speaker
This weekend? Yeah, even this past weekend. It was a little bit, yeah. Still no tries. Oh, no, there were two tries. Sorry, there were two tries. I was thinking that. Do Lebel and DuPont. I got over. Bordeaux just didn't never really threaten for a try. No, I'm almost wondering if that was more to do with Bordeaux than it was to do with it being an all-French team. So that's a possibility as well in my head, at least.
00:38:38
Speaker
Fair. Yeah. I was getting, I was getting sick of the, the kicking for points, except, you know, in the French matches, except in this match. Cause I was like, no, this is what I understand. I can put that on the back burner to understand this is how lower shell has to stay in it. So stay until you can push them over the edge. Right.
00:38:54
Speaker
Good on them. That was a lot. So La Rochelle and Toulouse play a Twickenham with 10,000 fans. So that'll be nice to at least get some fans. I wonder if they can get Brace to referee this one. So at least one French team might like him.
00:39:13
Speaker
Oh, God. Oh, no, please. No, no, just please. No, there's so much no there. So much. There's a big nope salad on that one right there. That's for sure.
00:39:26
Speaker
All right. Um, so the free Jackson turned to the LA Coliseum and having a much better time this past weekend. I liked this trip a lot better. I do too. I mean, let's be real. The guilty needs are nobody to fuck with, but you know, it's, um, it was a lot better, better off. Um,
00:39:46
Speaker
Poland five, what kind of bow until he got hurt really good stuff from them. We saw some, we saw, you know, it was the one thing I will say it was disappointing was told how who's it was his first start. He's still converting to Hucker like
00:40:03
Speaker
I think you really need to understand that he was a loose forward before, um, the freezer exercise, they were going to make him a hooker. And I think Seattle had intentions on making him as a hooker as well before he signed with us. So he's still learning in the whole, like, gotta throw the line out well thing as a hooker. So, um, and to his credit though, in the loose, he's very valuable, but he's just got to sort, sort out that whole line out situation thing.
00:40:28
Speaker
And look, he's not alone. No, no. Um, you can, apparently you can be a professional hooker at the highest level of play and still not be able to throw a line out very well. Seems it right. I don't know how, why that's the thing, but, um, it's not that hard. I don't get it. I don't like if you're a professional athlete, it's yeah.
00:40:48
Speaker
That's part of your job, man. Do it. Right. That's part of it. Just like, I wasn't graded it at first. So like fucking Anthony had me before practice. Like I want you to throw in 30, 30 lineouts, you know, 30 past 30 just before practice. That's it, you know? Yeah. Get some reps in, man. Right. So 60 a week outside of outside of training and fucking started nailing them. So it's not, yeah. Yeah.
00:41:13
Speaker
That'll help. Okay. You gotta get it right first, though. Yes, it's definitely a lot of mental. And Ken Roddy smashed. Was it Iglesias right from the get-go and made him have to come off. I was like, ooh, that's a lot of weight right there. He smoked him. I was like, oh, that looks like it hurt a lot. No, thank you. Hard pass on that one. Hard pass.
00:41:38
Speaker
So it was a much better result out in LA for the free jacks. And it made me a hell of a lot happy going into this weekend where they're coming back home. Elsewhere, the Guillotine smashed again, shocker of the day. They put it to glory, 47-17. Nola won, being Toronto who was on fire. I couldn't believe that score line. I was like, what? I've been rooting for Toronto in that matchup. I definitely was. Not a fan of New Orleans right now.
00:42:06
Speaker
Mm-mm, makes two of us. And then New York came back big time. I was watching part of this match, Seattle and New York, Seattle's first home match for a while. I was shocked that Seattle were playing so well, Ross and Yale was having a day. But New York's Stormback, Dylan Fawcett, was a big part of it. So I think we can put him on the tour over to Europe coming in summer. Not as the starter, but definitely as the backup. No question about that. Joti's got that job sewn up. So here we go. Let's roll.
00:42:36
Speaker
to the starts and the sets. I think I laid off. Yes, I do. Yes, I do.
00:42:45
Speaker
Crusaders and Chiefs in the final, super rugby. For the Crusaders, David Heavily, an outside back playing midfield is not ideal, but he still finds ways to get fancy value. So I'm okay with playing him, even though that's where he's playing, especially playing at 12. That's usually a little, but you're going to do that. You're playing David Heavily, trust me. He'll find it.
00:43:10
Speaker
Crusader front row, gotta play these guys. Taylor has been on fire and live with the consequences of the other props in front rows. Trust me, I think it'll pay off just fine. Of the loose forwards for the Crusaders, there's not a lot to love. Vettu Douglas is the guy that you want out of that though, so you can probably play him and feel okay with it. For the Chiefs, Peter Gus, playing pretty well for his club last few weeks.
00:43:37
Speaker
So he's probably okay. I give him a big thumbs up. Anybody in the back three for this Chiefs right now seems like he's got a shot. So I would play any of them as well, especially if D-Max at fullback, he's only going to help set them up. Yeah, he will.
00:43:53
Speaker
Brad Weber, I love him, but this is not his favorite venue Last time they went there. He had I get minus points. So that's not great Don't expect his usual numbers. You're probably gonna play him cuz it's very limited options But if you have somebody to alternate with him, like if you have both him and Aaron Smith one, fuck you to your Oh, not Aaron Smith
00:44:16
Speaker
Yeah, the guy, Tate McDermott, sorry. I don't know why it's there. I have no idea why I said it's with actually. But if you have both of those guys, you're probably playing Tate over him. Similar styles, but I think Tate is more productive this week. Oh, definitely. Across the pond, different pond, but still a pond. Reds versus Brumby's, rocking it out for their championship.
00:44:43
Speaker
Again, you're going to be starting people because you have to, but there's a lot of good stuff to have in this match. So the Reds front row, Frazier McRae, Harry Wilson, James O'Connor, Jack Campbell, Hamish Steert, and Bryce Hegarty. Yeah, I think all of them should score pretty well. For other people, you might be sweating a little bit. No, you're pretty happy.
00:45:09
Speaker
Uh, the Brum on the Brumby side there, their front row, uh, Nick Frost has been scoring pretty decently. And plus I like his name a lot. Um, Rob Valentini. Yeah.
00:45:23
Speaker
Yeah. And Sam was hurt. So he's probably going to play eight. Right. And he either, even if he was not playing eight, it's still worth it. Fucking beast. Um, uh, Lola CEO, obviously. And, and the Tom's Tom, right? Tom banks. I'm done with the Andy Muir head stuff. Right. And I agree.
00:45:41
Speaker
Put him down. Put him down. All right. Start of the week. This guy and his unit have been absolutely unstoppable this year. Even in their loan losses here, they put in a pretty damn good shift. So with big prizes on the line, I think they'll step up big time. So my start of the week for a week 11 of Super Rugby, aka the finals week, is Alex Mafi in the Red's front row.
00:46:04
Speaker
All right. I like it. I'm going with a similar concept that this guy just fucking has rocked it all year. Even when he hasn't, he's still fucking rocked it.
00:46:18
Speaker
and he's going to score a bunch of points because I think he'll get a bunch of opportunities, Will Jordan. Yeah, I contemplated him saying, sorry, Louis, too. So I'm glad we didn't end up on the same page. I felt like you were leaning in that direction because I was thinking that whole unit, George Bridge, several Reese. Yeah, that whole unit. Yeah, finding a new guy when he has to play out there. Yep. Right. But Will Jordan is going to crush it. And so, yeah, I thought you were going there.
00:46:44
Speaker
to the exact opposite. Thankfully not. Um, my city of the week, uh, last time this guy visited this opposition, he had minus points on the board, though a card did the bulk of the damage there. I'm still not feeling good about this venture into Christchurch this time. So this time around, uh, so with my, with that, my city of the week is Brad, Brad Weber. Okay. Well now you really, everybody out there, you got to know you start Brad Weber this week. Cause he's my city of the week as well. Um,
00:47:14
Speaker
Not just because of that, but also because the Crusaders are number one in the comp. Against halfbacks. Against halfbacks. That'll do it. Just not a good matchup for him and not a good venue for him. Nope. A whole lot of bad.
00:47:28
Speaker
We both say sit in, which means start him. Yeah, right. It seems to be the opposite lately. Oh shit. All right. Up to the prom Friday night, sale versus Lester, Lester fourth and fifth in TRM and FRD and points against per match, believe it or not. Um, this is going to be a black hole match. I think I'm going to be glad I'm practicing with the kiddos. This one rumors are swirling around that two, he could be back soon. Um, plug and play if he's there. Um,
00:47:54
Speaker
Cameron Neal, I like the look of him. He's eligible at Hooker and Flanker, so play him if he's starting. On the other side of the coin, Cobus Veese not doing bad in TRM, but very, very droppable in FRD. Playing lock as a lose forward. Bit. So a whole lot of bit on that one. SailorTalk2 in TRM and FRD. Points against. See previous statement about Black Hole. Phrasing.
00:48:23
Speaker
Lester, for Lester. Ellis Ganch, probably the most highly owned player for Lester right now. 1000% worth the play. Do it. Luke Wallace doesn't play every match, but when he does, he's not too expensive and he typically produces well. So I'll give him a go. Zach Henry, as much as I like the kid, Ford's back.
00:48:44
Speaker
And I don't see him getting a whole lot playing time. He's highly owned right now. So I like, nevermind, sit, ditch him, like get rid of him. He's done. So that, yeah, just get rid of the kid. I love him, but no.
00:48:57
Speaker
All right, over to the Saturday matches. Northampton versus Gloucester, which could end up being a points fest. Not sure, it depends a lot on the lineups. And which Gloucester team shows up. Otherwise it'll just be a points fest in one direction. On that note, the Saints, their front row players, the Gloucester are the worst in both formats against the front row, props and hookers, all of them. So Saints front row players. Matt Avecie would be a good look this week.
00:49:27
Speaker
Right. Me too. Um, Louis Ludlum, Taimana Harrison, whoever's at 10 for the saints. Not sure, you know, cause it could be Grayson could be bigger. A little ouchy. Yeah. I think bigger. Hello. Here's Francis and hush will be fine. The back three should be amazing. Um, pull off on the locks because Gloucester actually pretty good against locks.
00:49:48
Speaker
Hopefully a sequence playing and playing. Yeah, for Gloucester, their front row, Val or Papa Ruskin has been a big scorer. Although he just got caught. He's going to probably be banned. I didn't think about that. Singleton. Yes. Slater. Yes. Sit the flankers and eight unless it's Ben Morgan at eight because I fucking love Ben Morgan and I hope he's back soon. Yeah, we all do.
00:50:10
Speaker
Evans and Barton Saints are better against 10s, but they're still giving up points and the centers and back three. It depends on who's starting. I'm not going to. Yeah, really, it's really a crap shooting that one.
00:50:23
Speaker
I agree. Um, there's no mr. Worcester are dead last in both formats. Snack time. Um, exit for exit or Josh Hodge, despite having a week off, we still may see some rotation for the chiefs. Um, and if he's in, that's gotta be a go for him for sure. Um, another guy that might see rotation Richard capstick. Uh, also he's probably the best background or not named Sam Simmons at that club. So if he's in play, yeah. Yup. I agree.
00:50:49
Speaker
Building on the previous statement, Jack Vermeulen, by hooker by correct, Worcester aren't too bad against loose forwards. And I think he loses out in TRM. So that's a nope for me. Bench probably on TRM honestly, because he still may score you some points. Yeah.
00:51:05
Speaker
Exeter, middle of the pack in TRM and top four in FRD, who knew? Let's see if we can find somebody for Worcester worth a damn. Price for our who guard. If you tried to get Q last time out, you learned your lesson, get him in your team.
00:51:20
Speaker
That hat trick made a lot of people kick some frigging furniture, I promise you. Yeah, he was on my bench, so... Well, that's not too bad, at least. At least you mitigated that ouch. Nylon, that Exeter aren't too tough against hookers, and he's obviously Worcester's best one. Go for it if he's in the lineup on the other side of the coin. Benter, I like him when he plays, except this week. Exeter tough up the middle, and I think Lawrence takes the lion's share of the points anyway. Maybe bench for TRM, sit him anywhere else.
00:51:50
Speaker
Uh-huh. Onto Newcastle versus Irish. Could be another potential black hole match, depending on which Irish team shows up. For Newcastle, George McWiggin, maybe Logo. The Irish are OK against front rows, but then those guys can score every so often. McWiggin, yeah, I'd be more comfortable with him than Largo. Because he's been too mercurial.
00:52:19
Speaker
Greg Peterson, cause he got to wrap the Eagle, uh, sit the centers and be careful with Tom Penny. Uh, cause the Irish are pretty decent against backs. Um, the Newcastle are the worst team against forwards. So, you know, usual suspects for the Irish, the front row, um, mafia of these backs Simmons, um, either way, uh, Blair Cowan. And I'm going to go with a start for Albert Toussoui this week. He saw.
00:52:43
Speaker
recently, and he's been much improved, I'd say, as running in space of late. Of course, that has a lot to do with the fact that Curtis Rona, Ali Hassell Collins, Ben Loder, and Parton are all running amazingly in space, and that frees it up for him. But yeah, start all those guys.
00:52:58
Speaker
Yeah, there you go. Uh, path and Bristol, the big one for the, for these two teams, Bristol were made number one in points against in both formats. Bath do have some things to say about it though. In this, in this week, I would say, uh, Josh McNally, not too expensive flanker and second row eligible. Decent score Bristol aren't terrible. Again, are tough against second rows, but there's always one that's going to score you the points. I think now he's the guy, um,
00:53:21
Speaker
Touloupe Falatau has been in incredible form since he's moved to that six shirt. Bears aren't that strong against flankers, so I'd give him an absolute go. First time he's been worth his money for a while in TRM. On the other side of the coin, JJ, assuming he's healthy, I'd still avoid him. We're not fun to play against up the middle, especially if CLAP at Taos in the lineup.
00:53:42
Speaker
bath, uh, surrendering plenty second to last in both formats. It points against, this will be fun for the bears. Um, Dan Thomas or Jake Keenan, both of them are fine this week by far and they usually, they're not too expensive in TRM. So I'd give them a thumbs up at home. Same thing, not too expensive off the radar, both all these guys. So they could be good outside plays that get you that little edge. Cause we're starting to come to the business end of the, of the whole thing here too. You start,
00:54:10
Speaker
make it up ground or either either that or just freaking try and keep the ground you got one way or the other. Um, any of the Bristol props, I would not even touch with a touch right now. Uh, maybe Sinclair, but that's it. Um, bathroom really strong against, uh, props bubbles makes the front row for Bristol and FRD a playable thing.
00:54:32
Speaker
On to the final match of the week. Harley Quinn's versus Wasp's could actually be the best also. Wasp's may have sorted their shit out. Who knows? We'll find out a little bit more this week. For the Quinn's, the front row and Baldwin and Lowe for TRM should score some decent points.
00:54:53
Speaker
Um, I'm hoping Louise is back because losing Evans has been, it's going to be harsh. Um, if they don't have some, something coming back the other way. Right. But as always Dom, Brett care, Smith, yup.
00:55:08
Speaker
And then pretty much the rest of the back line. As much as Fekitoa will be an immense defender, I think there's just too much firepower for him to even contain. Yeah, especially if LeBois was the other center. Right. Yeah, it's going to be a little hard there. On the other side, Wasp's front row is a go, but I mean, you got to figure Barbary's back.
00:55:32
Speaker
At least on the bench, which is more than enough to make that that front row in an FRD worth it obviously.
00:55:44
Speaker
It'll be interesting to see what happens to them without launch berry around. Um, hopefully gas goes healthy. Yeah. So I'm just not sure about what, what to do outside of the front row. Um, on the wasps side, um, Robson, yes. Umaga may be back. We'll find out the match. We'll find out. So, uh, in, in, this is, he's more of a TRM, give him a go. Uh, I keep him relegated to the, to the bench at most in, in, uh, um,
00:56:14
Speaker
in TRM. And then Fekito has actually been scoring pretty decently. So he's moved into a give him a start and then the back three. I'm guessing that that'll feature in Kim Riggi, Odawg Woo, something like that. Yeah, they'll be around. Although fucking it would be awesome if they went Fekito and Odawg Woo at 12-13. But that's, I'm just saying. Lee Blackett, listen. Just saying.
00:56:44
Speaker
Oh, start of the week. Um, this guy has found his form once again and become a fancy asset and it's only benefited his club. He's playing one of the worst defense is fancy wise and it should make for an easy day with points galore. So he's picking Sam is too easy. Not that I'm bet beneath that my start of the week around 18 of the premise, Exeter's captain and fly app, Joe Simmons.
00:57:04
Speaker
There you go. My start and sit of the week are coming from one match. And it'll be actually opposite numbers potentially. So a little theme there. And because the defenses are night and day and the players themselves are kind of night and day as it comes to supporting regularly. My start of the week is Andy Uren versus Bath. Nice. And I'm just going to whip around real quick because my sit of the week is Ben Spencer versus Bristol.
00:57:32
Speaker
Yeah, it's a tough go for, for Ben Spencer, unfortunately, as well as he's played. Right. Yeah. Yeah. It's just, I don't see the points coming this week from that position that gets that team. Tough, tough sledding. My, my say the week actually comes from that same match. I really enjoyed this guy's rise to the rankings, but
00:57:49
Speaker
Things get messy for him this week, unfortunately. He seems a wee bit lost without his partner in crime as well. And his matchup, as I said, is awful. Again, I love him, but my say of the week for round 18 in the prime is England and Bathtide had Will Stewart. Stewart! He's not going to have his buddy. Nope. Yeah, for a while. Good while. At that. So, oopsie daisy. And since they lost that match,
00:58:15
Speaker
Then it ble, that, that Ben bleeds more into the prom because he was going to be suspended for the final if they got there, but instead it's just going to be an extra match in the prom. So that sucks. Yeah. Oops. Big time. Uh, quick look around in the champion's league.
00:58:33
Speaker
Let's see, super this past weekend. I believe I actually finally won and I'm off the basement. Yes, I did. I beat Mark. I beat Mark. Ben fortunately lost a pillow fight to Justin. Wow.
00:58:49
Speaker
This, this was something we thought was going to happen in the chat. Uh, Anton talked to George. Oof, oof, oof. Uh, that happens. Uh, and then the character man, it was, uh, was able to pick up the one against, against Duncan, um, coming up this week. Uh, let's see. I, oh, I have Anton. Maybe you'll have less guys. Uh, Carrick's playing Justin. You've got Mark and then, uh, Duncan and George are going at it.
00:59:18
Speaker
Oh, did you, and you, oh, you didn't, you didn't make it to the final. That's right. No, I didn't. We have our, we have less than a point, I think. Yeah. We have our finalists in the champions champions cup game, and also the battle for who doesn't want to be last, which is me and character. And I've got nobody, although he is less than nobody. So I at least have DuPont.
00:59:43
Speaker
There you go. That might be enough to win. Yeah. And Duncan and George are going to go at it for all the marbles in the top points. Everybody else that didn't dance beyond this round, their rankings have been determined. I'm going to calculate them in a minute. But yeah, those have already been determined. And in the prem this week, we have George going against Carrick.
01:00:08
Speaker
Duncan against Justin, Mark against Anton and you and me do battle, sir. For the dollar. Yeah. For the dollar. And also I am fucking hopefully getting into, yeah, it's that last spot. It's my spot for the last book for, um,
01:00:28
Speaker
Yeah, I think I currently have it. Justin's in the, in the fight for it myself. Um, outside shop for you, but you need a lot of help. I need a lot of help. And then, um, and then George could also potentially upend me as well. So, but if I win, I take care of business, all is good. So hopefully that's what I'm hoping for. I'm hoping I win and get help.
01:00:49
Speaker
Yeah, but Carrick is locked in as well as Anton and Mark are also locked in two places in the playoffs. So it'll be very interesting. Also, if you didn't see FRDs moved a playoff week, they bumped it back because of the matches getting switched around for the home and the attendance. Unfortunately, Won't Sucks. I really wish they would fix that. FRD being the ones that probably need to fix that. We talk them up and then they go and do that shit.
01:01:18
Speaker
What are you going to do, man? What are you going to do? So let's go to the pick M's. We didn't pick anybody different last week. So nothing changes. I'm still too, I think I'm too behind you. Yeah. I'm too behind you. Phrasing. Crusaders and chiefs. Are you going to take your chiefs? No. Yeah. I'm serious. I've been here, done that. Just business. Yeah. I'm serious. I've been here, done that. Um, other side of the, other side of the Tasman reds, Brumby's reds. Yeah. Reds.
01:01:50
Speaker
Oh, do from a sale and Lester sales. Yeah. Sales home. That's, that's the one thing that's going to save me on that one. North Hampton cluster. I'm going to take the saints. Me too.
01:02:01
Speaker
Yeah. Exeter Worcester. Okay. Nevermind. Moving on. Um, Newcastle and an Irish, uh, yeah, I'm going to take the exiles. Although I won't be surprised if Newcastle sneak up and put one this one, but yeah, I think the, if the better Irish team shows up, there's no way Newcastle keeps up. Right. So there's that, uh, bath Bristol Bristol back. Yeah.
01:02:26
Speaker
Quinn's and Was. I'm going to back the best player in this match, which is Marcus Smith. So I'm going to take Quinn's. Yeah. I mean, even if you go to the second best player, it's probably Danny care. Yeah. Okay. And if you go to the third best player, it's Dom Brant. So nevermind. There you go. Yeah. Sorry, guys. You might get a doggo at four, but yeah, maybe you see him in there.
01:02:58
Speaker
That's all I can do. I could just take argumentative argument. That's about it. I wouldn't push it.
01:03:05
Speaker
Oh, man. Yeah, this is this is like you said, this is good therapy for me, especially the kids have got me right out straight. And I enjoy the fuck out of coaching these kids. But I'm just like, a sack. I am a sack of shit when I come through the door at night. I am done. I am so spent. So this is always good therapy. And just to be able to have a laugh. How always good always good to have a crack.
01:03:29
Speaker
make sure that you download rate review. Um, we want to know where you, where you found us. Uh, but yeah, review us as well. Like send us your thoughts. Cause we want to know how to make this better. Cause guess what? We'll be back next season. We promise. So we want to know feedback and what you guys think and all that crap and we'll take it into account and so on. Um, get you TRM upgrades, buy fancy, Ruby, coffee, uh,
01:03:53
Speaker
fancy rugby podcast at gmail.com. We'll do start set sheet for the prime at the end of the week here. Um,
01:04:00
Speaker
Yeah. And tweet at Ben and I, if you have anything else to, uh, to add, uh, or just want to know the shit out of us, whatever, whatever your cup of tea is, we're all, we're here for the fun. Just the same. I enjoyed, I do enjoy the Friday morning banters with them. Oh yeah. Love that. Love the banter about everything. Even if we're wrong. Yeah. We'll give you the, because here's the thing. We're not just, we're not there to tell you what to do. We're there to make sure you're as informed as you can be when you make your choice. I try to make sure, you know, when somebody asks me who I would start, I'll give them the answer and I'll tell them why. Um,
01:04:30
Speaker
But at the same time, hey. Yeah, it's your decision still. Yeah. But the idea is to here's the information that.
01:04:38
Speaker
is going into to why we would choose certain players over others. So, right. Yeah. Sometimes then, you know, if it worked perfectly every time, you wouldn't. Oh, hell no. We are definitely not perfect. That is the day. I'm sure if you thought that and you are sorely mistaken there, my friends. It's in the end, you know, you're one Sam James interception away from why the fuck did they start saying that? Because you don't know what that's going to happen. You don't want to bank on that shit. Are you kidding?
01:05:05
Speaker
No way. You don't bank on that shit. That type of crap, man. That's not why you do it. Oh, yeah. And this guy, why wouldn't I start him? Well, because most of his points come from a couple of games when he has a big, you know, when he's coming off the bench. So you can't wreck, you know, you don't want to bank on that overall score as meaningful. So, yeah, whatever.
01:05:28
Speaker
100%. So, but we do appreciate you guys when you, when you tweet at us, cause it's, it just makes it a more fun day for us. So we do, we do enjoy, enjoy when you guys get at us. So in that case, get at us. Um, other than that, we will catch you guys next week and we will have two new super rugby champions and we'll be starting to talk about the Tasman and we'll have an idea of who's in FRD finals and all that shit as well. So thank you for reaction to the lions.
01:05:51
Speaker
Yeah, that's right. We'll have our overreaction although I could probably over I could probably overreact to every name that gets called tomorrow just about. So we'll see. But we'll find out just the same. Thanks for hanging out with us. Listen, listen over there. You with the pipe, knock it off. We'll catch you guys next week and we appreciate you guys hanging out with us. Thanks a lot. Cheers.