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Episode 35: Super Rugby Round 18
32 Plays6 years ago
What an amazing set of results last weekend to set us up with our Super Rugby Quarter-Finals this weekend. On this weeks pod we talk about some (un)retirements around the rugby world including an US Eagle Legend and the omissions by Le Bleu for their RWC squads. We also talk about the final in the U.S.'s own domestic league, MLR, and the few kinks that need to be worked out for this young league...and the match itself of course. Of course, we review all of the weekend's action that set up our matchups for the opening round of Super Rugby playoffs.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Promotion
00:00:08
Speaker
Hey everybody, how's it going? It is the Fantasy Roby Inc. My name is Jared Dyke. I'm Ben Glauser. We are back for a big, big, big penultimate weekend, I guess, or ultimate weekend. Ultimate? It was the ultimate, but it wasn't exactly an ultimate weekend. No, it was far from ultimate. Yeah, but it was a...
00:00:24
Speaker
It was I mean there was some excitement at least but not Not not to the level that we that we were desiring no means well as we were just talking about before we got on like this this was a weekend full of Players starting to pack their bags while they were still on the field
Player Performance and Squad Selections
00:00:44
Speaker
Yeah, probably true. Like, they realized about 50, 60 minutes into the game that this was not going their way. And actually, sometimes it was 20 minutes into the game. They're like, this is not going to go our way, is it? All right. Well, let's let's be done with it. Yeah, that's the end of me. Have fun, guys. No, no, no. We're not stopping you out. I know. I'm just going to be. I'm just going to stand here. All right. Let's let's open these things up so we can get to talking. Oh, hell yeah.
00:01:18
Speaker
Just remind everybody, make sure you check us out on Google Play, Spotify, iTunes. Review us, rate us, download us, please, subscribe. Definitely subscribe. Because we need the downloads, mostly. Never mind if you listen. We're okay if you don't listen. We're even listening only halfway. Yeah, that too. All right.
00:01:47
Speaker
So some news and notes before we get into this. I may have missed some of it out there, but there's definitely some stuff we need to talk about. Francis announced our World Cup squad, and there were a couple names not on the list that of which, big one being, big one, literally, Machibestro being left off the squad, and about, I don't know, six, seven, eight hours later he says, I'm done playing International Rugby, I was just like,
00:02:16
Speaker
Wow, that was a quite domino. I wonder if those were related. I wonder if he'd already said it just hadn't publicized it or Maybe it could be a whole bunch of things. Yeah but at the same time I I Totally understand France not wanting him. He's he's he's in many ways the essence of French rugby like insanely talented and
00:02:42
Speaker
Yes. Very talented. Like just his size and the way he can move should make him a terror out there. And yet you never know which bastard is going to show up.
00:02:54
Speaker
Yeah, the one that's going to be a thug or the one that's going to be, you know, uh, a monster. Right. Or the one that's just going to have his head up his ass, like just disinterested completely. There's so many, there's so many different basteros out there that you need some consistency there. And I think he kind of fucks with because.
00:03:13
Speaker
thing is when you have somebody who's that talented people kind of defer to people like that to players like that like he can do so much more than me so if he's gonna play hard then oh yeah I'll follow him but if he's disinterested you're like oh we don't have him now I have to step up I don't really know I don't wanna yeah it fucks with the team cohesion so
00:03:35
Speaker
If France is going to change their team culture and really just try to compete for a World Cup, they might be better off without him. We'll see. Goods and bads that are falling off with him.
00:03:53
Speaker
Well, I'll jump ahead a little bit. Morgan Parra out, not surprising. He didn't have a great Six Nations. The years are catching up to him, and that's just how it is. No, Teddy Tomah. That is a very big surprise for me. He is electric when he gets the ball in hand. And it's very helpful to have a finisher when you're at the World Cup, especially when it comes to the big pool games and the knockout rounds.
00:04:20
Speaker
So I will be, I was very shocked to see you got left off that list. I was like, um, you're, you're missing somebody. You're missing somebody. Excuse me. I forgot a name. So I don't know what the, what the reason is, but, uh, yeah, I don't, I, I would not be. Maybe that'll come out soon. Yeah. Cause that's, that's, that's the biggest surprise than, than Bastero. Yeah. I'd be very, very curious as to what his reasoning is behind it. And yes, they have some decent players.
00:04:50
Speaker
But correct me if I'm wrong, didn't they have an issue with starting the right wingers at certain points in the Six Nations and getting torched with midfielders on the wing?
00:05:01
Speaker
Maybe? It sounds familiar. Sounds about right. Once or twice. Yeah. Especially by England. So, yeah. You might want him. Just the thought. Yeah. Especially if you're struggling with that whole thing. But then again, this guy might just be an absolute cowboy, which I think he kind of is. So that's just my opinion.
Transfers and Career Moves
00:05:24
Speaker
And there was a big one for our boys.
00:05:28
Speaker
This, this one is, is kind of hard to take. Yeah, that was a, that was a big, that was a shock for me. And, uh, I, I understood it because I knew why he made the move. He did mid-season to go from Cardiff to Seattle Seawolves. And Simon Manoa is calling, is hanging out the international boots. Uh, I got, I got to stand in front of this man and my God, is he huge.
00:05:54
Speaker
yeah he he was at he was at King's home and I was just like yeah I was like what's up dude and I went to shake his hand and he actually only gave me a fist bump because he broke his hand yeah I was just like oh well too long's gonna be mad about that yeah but yeah he was and he was just like and there were a bunch of
00:06:12
Speaker
Northampton fans that were near me and he saw the logo and was like oh well I just he just moved from Northampton to Toulon and he's like well I'm gonna go say hi to these guys because you know my people these these are my these are my people these guys gave me a shot he's got me these guys got me on the scene so he was respectful on that and you know just seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation as if he'd known them their whole life which was pretty cool so but I do understand that he made the move for family reasons
00:06:41
Speaker
from Cardiff back to the west coast of the U.S., which, you know, obviously it's something that's weighing heavily on him, so that's why he's decided I'm good. You know, I'd love to play in the World Cup, but I think that I'm still needed here, so let's do that. Maybe by the next one he'll have reconsidered. Yeah, I don't know. He's still young. Yeah, I don't know.
00:07:03
Speaker
But yeah, so that was a big one. Uh, the block monster as he, as he is on Twitter. Uh, that is, that is, and I saw somebody say something about a man you don't want to be hit by. I was like, no, no, no. I mean, he and laws together were just, Oh yeah. That was a terror. Yeah. That was, that's a nightmare second row, right? Yeah. And, and he, you're saying how big he is. Like he and, and old Courtney.
00:07:26
Speaker
Yeah, I know. Courtney, before you slow them down. Right. They were fighting each other for pound for pound there. They were about the same size. Yeah. Big boys. So I typically chat to Sammo. No small loss for the Eagles. In many ways. Yeah.
00:07:45
Speaker
Typically, Captain Big Samu, you're a very good person from what I understand, and you're a very good servant to the United States Rugby. You're a good eagle, and we'll miss you, buddy. I still think he's coming back. He may yet. He's not this round. He may yet. Somebody else came back. Yes.
00:08:05
Speaker
they said they sent out the pound through those doors joe marler just rolling through them it's not the bat signal like yeah we need props yeah i mean i won't fuck with you so much we we need you yeah uh so obviously mac and vinopolastas for the for the start of the world cup is at least up in the air and i'm sure inland would like to know that
00:08:28
Speaker
If he has a setback, they do have a first choice or a high end per first choice. Loose head prop at their disposal. And Joe Marlar is answering the bell. I would suspect this will be his last go around. But, you know, he's decided, all right, give it one more try and you guys can consider me done done. Cool. Cool. So good for good for Joe Marlar. I do. I do think the game is a little bit better with Joe back in the game.
00:08:56
Speaker
Right. I mean, we can't have a World Cup without, at least not at this stage of the game, without a Joe Marlar or a Haskell to keep it colorful. Like, we need some people. Let's make it our turn. We need some color in there. You're boring me. Yeah.
00:09:16
Speaker
Yeah, so Joe Marlar back in the fold for England and you know much to many people's delight and as long as he can keep his nerve I'm sure he's gonna be very productive for them when he takes the field.
00:09:30
Speaker
So a quick move that I saw, I don't know if there was anything else that you missed or that you saw that I missed. Tyro Lomax from the Highlanders is switching sides. He's going to the Hurricanes. Watching the Hurricanes this year, I can tell you, they are in desperate need of decent props and he's definitely going to fit the bill. So I will look forward to seeing him. They had their day where they had some decent props and it's going by the wayside slowly but surely here.
00:10:01
Speaker
Guy that played this weekend Pitto he was he was supposed to be a really good one, but he keeps getting hurt. So But yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing Tyrell Lomax put on the yellow jumper next season and supposed to the blue one. That'd be nice
00:10:17
Speaker
So one thing I did see on this, well, on the England side of the pond, um, is, is somewhat of a surprise only because of the direction it's going in a way. Um, but Luke Wallace. Yeah. Going to the championship. Yeah. I'm going to the championship rugby. Okay. Yeah. I did see that. Yeah. Wow. I don't know. He he's got his reasons, but I want to know what those reasons are, honestly.
00:10:42
Speaker
Right. So who the hell knows? Um, yeah, but that, I mean, maybe that'll be good for him. Maybe it's one of these, take a step backwards. Um, be a little bit of a leader and take on some responsibility and maybe that'll help him grow as a player. You can perhaps make him wait and make his way back to the, to the premiership. Perhaps, perhaps. I don't think you're, I don't think that's outside the realm of possibility. I like to look at the positives sometimes. Yeah. Every so often, every so often. Um,
Major League Rugby Analysis
00:11:13
Speaker
So there was a final that maybe not everybody knew about. Majorly Rugby had its final, the professional competition here in the US, and it was a dandy. It had a good 15 minute lull in it probably.
00:11:29
Speaker
But outside of that, it was an absolute firecracker. This thing had everything you could ask for. Just, you know, Legion, Seattle with the CLC Wolves are the defending champions. San Diego Legion finished the competition at the top spot. But as the Saracens have done to the Exeter Chiefs so many times, number two, pit number one at the end. But this was a thing right down to the wire.
00:11:57
Speaker
Right. And it came down, in my opinion, to a fascinating decision. Three minutes left. So Seattle is, I mean, they're back-to-back champs for a reason. They are extremely talented. They're very well organized, very well coached.
00:12:17
Speaker
And they controlled the game for a lot of it. Very much so, yes. San Diego worked their way back into it and were really hanging on by a thread. Yeah, they were showing some fight, that's for sure. And they were showing a little bit of control of the ball and their 10 decides with three minutes left to kick a drop goal. Peterson, yeah. Right, they were up one, drop goal to take it to four points.
00:12:42
Speaker
Which? Make it a try game. Yeah, right. And I have a big problem with that around the timing of it, most of all, because you have three minutes left. You could have easily at that point wasted a minute or two.
00:12:57
Speaker
on a you know on a couple extra phases hit some forward crashes really position yourself a little bit better um yeah that wasn't a simple drop it was not he was off to the side it was it was not a very easy oh we're doing this okay okay and the problem then isn't just that but now you're
00:13:17
Speaker
You're getting the ball back and you're deep in your own end and you're likely if as and as as it happened Seattle kicked it deep and rather than play phases at that point with less than two minutes left San Diego right away kicks the ball to touch. Yeah, they cleared clear it. It's like now you've given the ball to the other team Knowing it's their last chance like that now this is this is kind of you're kind of giving them what they need Maybe not what they want, but this is what they need to win. Yes, and they took advantage of it
00:13:46
Speaker
There was that but my big tackle on the on the on the on the far really put the seawalls deep into their territory, too That did not help but the thing the issue I have going back to that the kick though is that it's completely selfish Because no matter what win or lose somebody's gonna be like hey remember when Peterson kicked that drop Well, we thought we had it like he did it like he did something awesome, and it's like yeah, but he cost you the fucking game But it's it's like kind of
00:14:15
Speaker
I won't say definitely but he yeah that that decision probably But he had to come at a better time than when he made it right and it just it wasn't It was completely selfish because there's no downside to it. He's like yeah, I thought I was gonna win us the game Okay, well then yeah, but no like yeah read the room, dude
00:14:32
Speaker
Yeah, like they're better than you just hold on to the ball. Yeah, that's true They were I think I think when San Diego was on defense, they did have a real tough time stopping Seattle cold Yeah, and they needed to stop Seattle cold right real bad when when that drop goal went over It's like you need to get you either need to hang out this ball or you need to play defense and they hadn't been very good at stopping Seattle very well and
00:14:55
Speaker
And I'm not just going to point out that Joe Peterson here. I'm also going to look at the the legions front row. Yeah, because and not that they didn't do a good job all game. They did fine. It was there was a scrum late even before I think it was before the drop goal. It was. Yeah. And I text Jared. It might have been like the sequence leading up to the drop goal because it was like about five minutes left.
00:15:19
Speaker
And I was like, OK, you got to waste at least one scrum here. You got to waste a minute on it. And they didn't. And they didn't. They just played it right there. And it's like, no, too front row. Somebody somebody bind wrong. Somebody do something that it's like, oh, the scrum. Oh, we got to reset it. Do something as long as it's not something that the referee sees as egregious. Right. Do something that that's that's that that kills the game for a minute.
00:15:40
Speaker
Oh, we've got to reset. Oh, we've got to go talk a second. Oh, now it's 90 seconds. And next thing you know, now it's a scrum. And now that kick happens at like a minute and a half instead of three minutes. Not the last one, but I think it was the second last try that Seattle scored.
00:15:59
Speaker
I was a little shocked, and I think this is down to our video work, and I think this is something that we need to expand as a league and as a country. Didn't get a check check from some scrappy dappy dude going on in the middle of the field. Looked like Seattle player had dumped one of the Legion guys on his head. I was like, I would go back and see what started this, because if it was a Legion guy, then whatever, play on.
00:16:26
Speaker
if it was a if it was a if it was a seattle guy that was that was being the the dickhead then you probably need to go back and and award a penalty to the legion so yeah you know this tries disallowed so that's down to camera work honestly and we don't have the tmo yeah we don't have the tmo should have seen it yeah tmo should have at least said hey we we might have an incident if we have an angle we need to look at it uh so yeah that's down to that but either way also the legion the guy who was at the post just walked away he walked away from the post to go and
00:16:57
Speaker
point out the fight. And it's like, no, dude, the referees that play on play a lot. Stay there, stay there, stay there, don't move. Right, and the Seawolves just picked and went right through where he was supposed to be. So it's like, okay, that was great, good work. Yeah. So some non-rugby related, at least non-game related notes. I thought the presentation of the trophy was absolutely, like, super Jamie. Right, it was like, here you go. Super Jamie.
00:17:25
Speaker
You get these you let these guys celebrate you get like it doesn't even need to be a stage you get a sign that says mlr 20 2019 champions Get a banner banner or sign that says 2019 champions
00:17:40
Speaker
you get everybody you know behind it if you have a winner if you want to do medals do medals whatever and then you hand it to the captain who's in that you know who's in the group they raise it let the fireworks go there you go you don't just walk out while they're in mid celebration just hand it over
00:17:55
Speaker
Two seconds after the final was gone. Uh, no, no, no, no. It was some schmo in like a Fleece. It wasn't anybody like there was no like official there was it wasn't I guarantee you that was not the commissioner of the ml. Oh, no It was just somebody who like that. You're like, okay, you go do this now No, and it's a shield. It's this big like first off. They said though the previous one was like 80 pounds Yeah, yeah good fucking work there. This one's like this one's only 20. Thank god, but it's literally a shield
00:18:22
Speaker
Um, how do you drink out of it? We need a cup in this bitch. I don't know about you. Although to be fair, the pro 14 thing is like a plaque or something like that. Actually, there was a video of, um, into mass surfing on it or something like that. I was like, I was like, is that, oh my God, that's the, that's the trophy. Oh my God.
00:18:45
Speaker
and everybody in France is losing their mind right now. So that's the problem is that, again, it's the connection between USA Rugby and French Rugby and that we need to... Can we sever that, please? Yeah. Yeah. And speaking of French and USA Rugby and French Rugby and all their mannerisms, respect the kicker. Yeah. Oh, God, that was terrible. Respect the kicker. Respect the kicker. We are not France, okay?
00:19:11
Speaker
The kicker is going, this is not NFL, this is not soccer. We are not hooligans, this is a game of respect. If somebody's taking a kick, I don't care. If they're wearing your jersey or the wrong color jersey, you shut your face. End of story. End of story. It's hard enough as it is. Let them do it. Let them do it. Considering that some of these kicks are being taken from the touch line, you ain't going to do it. Whoever all these hooting and hollering are doing, shut up.
00:19:37
Speaker
And there are certain people out there that think, oh, it's OK to do it. You're a bunch of assholes. Shut up. OK. Helmets. They're the kind of people that we still need to work our way out of rugby in the US. Yeah. Let's tip them on top of their head, please, and be done with it. Good Lord.
Rugby Administration and Player Contracts
00:19:55
Speaker
So overall, entertaining game, still a organization that's very young, working out the bugs. So we found the bugs. Now let's fix them, okay? There's definitely bugs, let's fix them. But yeah, so it was an entertaining game, and that's all you can ask for when you get into that type of situation. So good on both teams. Thanks for putting on at least a very, very good match, to say the least.
00:20:26
Speaker
Continuing the French rugby theme. I got into this this week, I don't know if you saw. So top 14 teams threatening to not pay players, specifically Pacific Nation players, if they go play for their countries at the World Cup. And I was just like, that is so bullshit. That is so wrong, that makes you an awful, awful person, I'm sorry.
00:20:53
Speaker
Like you're blackmailing these guys because they know damn well that these guys need the money because they're sending it back home. Right. But to blackmail these guys into not playing for their country. Well, it's not blackmail. It's extortion. Let's say whatever. Whatever. Listen, I am not an expert in freaking criminal law. OK, whatever the fuck it is. Point being, these guys are just like Bourgeois. We know Bourgeois is a freaking piece of crap. That's not a new thing. But still, like this is a new level for him. Just the same.
00:21:20
Speaker
It's pretty gross. You know, and so I got into it and some schmuck who pretends to represent all tier two nations on Twitter said that it's not the top 14th fault. I was like, no, listen, it's not just the top 14th fault. It is world rugby. And God knows, I'll take a bite out of Brett Gosper when I can. It's not just the two of them either.
00:21:43
Speaker
And he's like well the fingers pointed the wrong way. I'm like I think the finger needs to be pointed all three, right? Okay, if you want to point the finger at it at all three Yes, I don't think it goes at any one of them I think it goes at all three, and I don't think this guy understood it, and I'm not sure if he got it You know it's it's just so disgusting for these for these owners to be like no I know we're playing you a boatload of cash that your family needs, but you can't go play for your country It's like
00:22:10
Speaker
No, you're gonna do that because you knew that there was a chance that was happening when you sign these guys. And the guy said, oh, I can't imagine this didn't come up in contracts or they didn't know about it.
00:22:25
Speaker
I'm like, no, no, no, listen. There is no way that this is getting plucked out of thin air. And that's basically what he thought it was. It wasn't an actual thing. I'm like, listen, this has been brought up twice now. And there's former players for both French and these countries, for top 14 and these countries that are coming out and saying, here we go again. Yeah.
00:22:47
Speaker
So it's not a new thing and it's not coming out of thin air. So pull your head out of your ass and pay attention to what's going on in the world. Yeah. Well, what it means is that those players are going to go play for less somewhere else. Yeah. They'll happy. Listen, they'll happy happily take 100 grand a week, 100 grand less a year a year and go play in top 14 or the permission. Right. I promise you. So there you go. That's what's going to end up happening.
00:23:14
Speaker
So I mean or even super rugby right who have no who are tape are believe me. They're taking any talent that walks in there right now, right? Yeah, half these guys could just walk onto a club. I mean they won't again the pain won't be as much but it's like Okay, if you're gonna treat me better. Yeah, some of these guys are willing to willing to take the hundred thousand dollar pound whatever Well, how much great how much are they gonna lose for missing like a month of of the season? They're supposed to be paid
00:23:38
Speaker
Right, but I mean like if they're if you're gonna play if there's a hundred thousand euro Difference for for a year. Yeah versus how much they're making now there, you know, they miss a month out of their whatever salary You know that
00:23:54
Speaker
I'm it's all in season pay so they're missing what like a fifth of you know of their their salary something like that That's the same amount. Yeah, so it's like why would they just go play less threatened, right? Yeah, I would I'd be like listen these people are nicer to me right go fuck yourself like I'm done yeah, yeah, and it's less stress to like it's just the
00:24:18
Speaker
Simple something simple as that will make people change jobs if it's only a fraction less, you know If it's a small fraction less, they'll make people jump and jump ship real fast. Trust me. So yeah shame on you top 14 Yes, Brett world rugby and Brett gospel. You got your own shit that you need to get straight to that's not news top 14 is definitely a Big culprit in this don't do not think that there is shit whatsoever at all The last bit of news
Champions Cup Speculations
00:24:46
Speaker
We watched it this morning. Champions Cup draw. Oh, no. There's a quote that comes to mind. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with me. Because I was thinking about it as the day went on. I'm like, yeah, oh, man, these opponents suck. But you know what they're saying? Well, we got the champions. We had to deal with fucking Saracens. We got the double champs. Right. So you think Munster and Racing are like,
00:25:16
Speaker
Oh, I can't wait. So it started unfolding and the Munster pool came up and I was like, Oh shit. Cause it was, I think it was two French teams, two English teams and them. I don't remember the exact. Two Irish team. It was, it was Leon, Glasgow, Ulster, Munster and Gloucester.
00:25:35
Speaker
Okay. So I'm thinking, all right, once the two French teams got put into the, um, put into, uh, or whatever it was, whatever it was, the way it started unfolding, I'm thinking, shit, we're getting monster and old, like, and then something happened, whatever. And then the second, and then the next pool happened. La Rochelle got drawn into whatever pool they got drawn to. I was like, we're getting harassing. We have, there's no other option. There's no other option. I was like,
00:26:01
Speaker
Can I couldn't be there nope I guess Northampton and Holocaust couldn't either. Nope. Nope. Only two teams always here for you. Can you can you start having double up? Yeah, I was like, oh Shit. Yeah. Yeah that just became the pull of death somebody somebody said no easy pull
00:26:20
Speaker
I'm like, I don't know about that. I think there's some easy pools out there. Let's be real about this, right? Like I'm pretty sure Lenster is gonna win their pool. Yeah, and that's not good. It's easy I mean now they're gonna walk they're gonna walk all over the Saints unfortunately, right Yeah, and a ton no
00:26:37
Speaker
You know, you know, and I saw that I remembered that Benetton got into the Champions Cup this year. And I finally felt good about seeing an Italian team in there because they are. They finally got in there on merit, not on. Oh, yeah, you're the best Italian team. Oh, that's not a great thing to be. So I'm glad to see. I was glad to see them in there. Right. That that did. I think that does everything good. Right. Yeah, personally.
00:27:05
Speaker
Pull two, though, Exeter and Glasgow. I mean, that's basically between those two. Yes. There's there's no way La Rochelle or Sale are going to touch either of them. No, probably probably not. La Rochelle, you know, they were they were the French runners up. They lost this. No, not they were. No, they got into the barrage, though, at the very least. So that's why they're in there. But and, you know, they have good seasons and then they usually follow up with shite season. So, you know, that's how that's how they work.
00:27:29
Speaker
sale Yeah, okay, whatever, you know me, you know the sale box Box I'm not sure that these guys are gonna understand how champions cup rugby exactly works. No, not not for a little bit Clamor on Clamor Ulster Quinn's bath. That's probably down at Claremont. That's like a that's probably done. That's like a I mean shit if you took either monster or Rossing and put them in there you'd be like
00:27:54
Speaker
Yeah, they're gonna win that challenge cups. Yeah, I mean, yeah, you know, Claremont will be okay. I'm just not. They're not there to me by far the weakest of the tier one teams.
00:28:11
Speaker
Yeah, and that might be true. Well, because then they were trying the tier two teams. Which one was going to be tier one for the last one? I'm thinking Exeter, Exeter, Exeter, please Exeter. And yes, thank God they got put in the tier one. Because if there's a team that I didn't want in there that's English, it's them. I could have dealt with basically anybody else but them. I was like, no, no, no, no, no. Thank God. OK.
00:28:35
Speaker
Um, so yeah, uh to lose gloster that's to lose his pool probably to lose. Yeah, right. I mean unless gloster um turn into some Yeah, if that maybe maybe they continue on their upward trend and they turn into a hell of a team They are a hell of a team, but right, you know to to take down the mighty to lose will be a different story It will but that's that's going to be a big that's going to be their one test I mean they should be they shouldn't struggle with with I mean
00:29:00
Speaker
They should, you never know about Montpellier though. Conoc they should deal with. To lose I feel like that depends honestly on to lose. If it's one of these games where they decide not to show up. Which they have had a couple of those in their day. I think Gloucester has every chance at winning that pool.
00:29:18
Speaker
Yes, if that's the case, yeah. If they go to Toulouse, go to King's home. I don't think they're going to understand what they're about to run into. Because they don't remember. They almost lost their one at Bath to start the year. If not for our friends' oops.
00:29:36
Speaker
Um, so yeah, i'm looking at i'm looking at ours i'm thinking what i'm thinking is the likeliest thing to happen Is we win both games at home against munster and rasing? We lose at least one if not both going to munster or and going to rousing right and we double up on the sprays Yeah, that's one and hopefully that'll be at least enough for uh to get into the to get into the eyes. I don't care
00:29:59
Speaker
As long as we're not the bottom team like we were a few years ago, we ended up playing Leinster at the AVUO, which was pretty difficult to say the least. We were also pretty run down at that point too. We were in trouble. So yeah, but it'll be interesting to see how this thing plays out. Champions Cup rugby, here we go. And it's going to be a little truncated too because of some stupid tournament. Some stupid tournament knocked over in September.
00:30:23
Speaker
Okay. So let's go to the other games that were played this weekend in super good and bad. Definitely a lot of bad, a lot of bad, but there was, there wasn't good, significant amounts of bad, but it really, and for me, it was.
00:30:42
Speaker
I remember looking at some of the conferences a few years ago. Four to five of the best teams in the league have to beat up on each other. Sorry, Safa's and Ozzy's. I'm talking about the Kiwi conference. Listen, you have the three-time defending champions or two-time defending champions, whatever they are, in there. Shut up. Then you have the last
00:31:07
Speaker
The last four champions from Super Heavy are from New Zealand. Yeah. Two Crusaders, the Hurricanes and the Highlanders. Yep. Yeah. Bite me. Okay. Tell me which conference is better now.
Super Rugby Conference Highlights
00:31:21
Speaker
Anyway, so I always felt it was a little weird that, you know, some of the some of the South African teams didn't have to bump into as many New Zealand teams sometimes, especially when they had more teams in this league. And I was like, that doesn't seem right. Like you get to beat up on the Australians and, you know, the other the two new teams, this is before the Jaguars had turned their shit around. And I was like, that doesn't seem right. So this is a little bit of a comma justification. Yes, I know the Highlanders don't have as many wins as the Lions. I don't care.
00:31:50
Speaker
They had to listen. They had to put it. They had to draw a game by by default because they decided to not play it. Yeah. So deal with it. All right. You still have you had ample opportunity to take it. Take that away from and you didn't. And it was. Yeah, it was one point. Right. Like get your point. Yeah, exactly. So, yeah, let's let's kick it off. Speaking of Highlanders.
00:32:14
Speaker
playing way down south in New Zealand where it gets really, really cold and they were red hot. It was good stuff.
00:32:24
Speaker
Yeah. As soon as I saw Mac Mason in there for not like for Bernard Foley, I was like, bye bye. This game's over. Sorry, Mac Mason. You're not a terrible player, but Bernard Foley is better than you. And the only way it worked has had a shot as if he was playing. Pretty much so. And even then, I don't think so, because everybody else just shit the bed completely. Yeah, really. I mean, that's the first try.
00:32:48
Speaker
is the TAS number seven is killing a kick. Oh, I think it was at Wells. I think that was back there. It was Will Miller. Miller, OK. And. Bobbled it and then Mackay said, thanks. Yeah. But it's like I don't I don't have a problem with Miller there because of bobbling it because it's like he sprinted for like 50 meters just to get to the ball first. Yeah. Because where the fuck was this? Where was the cover? Yeah. Where was the cover there? Any of the back three. Like I understand if you get one out of out of position. I kind of understand if you get two out of position.
00:33:17
Speaker
all three of the Ta's back three were out of position. And the seven gets to it? Okay, the seven got to it first. Okay, he fucked up. But he did something you could never expect him to do or really ask him to do. And so he did it and then he couldn't finish it, but okay. Being there was more than enough. And it came from an aimless kick. And they had aimless kicks all night that just didn't seem like they were going
00:33:44
Speaker
They weren't good decisions or they didn't seem like they were accurate. I was like, yeah What are you doing? Keep the ball in hand you guys need to score points you dope, right? So what are you doing? And then pretty much right after that Phipps? Just decides to not play the ball or he was cute. I kind of put his I don't know if it was he wasn't doesn't really look like he was digging for it He looked like he was kind of just waiting And all of a sudden they blow the ruck over him and started all and boom try
00:34:13
Speaker
There was just no urgency or aggression from the Waratahs, right from the start. I think I turned it off before halftime. The second half was a little lackluster. Taz didn't quite have the same bite, but they didn't need it.
00:34:34
Speaker
Nahalo obviously looked good in his final game for in in New Zealand. Oh, maybe not in New Zealand Actually, no, not in New Zealand because uh because of what happened But point being he looked good for his final game and down down in the down in his region Liam Squire
00:34:50
Speaker
Yeah, he's the all black number six now. I think yes. I think he has got to be um looked really good And he looks like he's been but he's been playing all year. So uh good on him for getting himself back into form Yeah, really piss poor showing for the war ties from it's for a team that needed to show some real bite To even have a prayer getting into the playoff and don't tell me they didn't want to get in the playoff Of course he did of course he did so but they just shit the bed early and then yeah, and they just continued to shit it Absolutely. They woke up having realized they've shit the bed and continued shooting the bed
00:35:19
Speaker
Yep Thompson got a nice try Kind of drunken run as it were coming from the sideline coming back into the middle found a gap and Took off down the middle. I think that actually ended the game. But yeah, so the Highlanders take care of business 49 to 12 Certainly put pressure on the teams that were above them and that were below Jumped a few teams on top of that. So good on them. I I was glad to see that I thought they deserved
00:35:46
Speaker
Especially for agreeing to call off that match with uh with the crusaders when that when that terrible incident occurred I think that's a little bit of karma that they did themselves in so there we go. They're in they're in
00:36:00
Speaker
other team that's in. Hey, welcome to the welcome to the playoff big guy. No longer a mush. People you were calling me a mush out there. You can suck it. That was that was just me. Yeah, this is mostly you, but you know, it's a different different story. Again, the story was a little bit of aimless kicks for from the Rebels. Quaker's started it off in the first like, I don't know, 20 minutes that turned into tries. So I know I know.
00:36:27
Speaker
I took a note, I don't know what time in the match it was, but it was like Quaid Cooper's doing very good things on offense and defense. He hit a great loop run, and then he had a really fantastic tackle on Wainui on the touch line. So no sooner I was writing that note, I was completing that note when Cooper hits that kick. The one that went right to, who was it, Stevenson? Debra Zenny. Oh, was it? No, whoever it was. Whoever it hit. One of the two.
00:36:56
Speaker
Debra's any started it right just threw the hands and pop into Kane and Yeah, well, I mean they see the thing. I think the thing is find Brad Weber and you're gonna score a track right is quick. I
00:37:12
Speaker
That little bugger is fast, and he seems to know how to distribute when he's not gonna score the try. So I like it. Yeah. Oh, what was this? Oh, the second, you know what, Stevenson had the second one, it bounced off at him. Or whatever, and he scooped it up and scored. Or whatever it was, yeah.
00:37:32
Speaker
Yeah, I think oh, you know what it was it was um, he did he it wasn't cooper's kick It was reese hodge's past that stephenson scooped up. Maybe maybe no, it was a cooper kick It was cooper kick that was charged down. Maybe it was both stephenson picks it. I think he did both Although stephenson didn't score the try off the hodge pick, uh, right? Bush here scored I think
00:37:52
Speaker
so yeah, Nankova left this game early which was initially was a oh no for the Chiefs but Manu came in and performed very well. I I know he's I think he's listed as a wing But man that boy could play just as well as Sam. So good on him is
00:38:11
Speaker
Debrasini the answer the Chiefs have been looking for all year Since Damien since Damien Mack went down. We'll find out. I mean he's He's certainly putting his hand up as it last two games. He's looked amazing. He has it's just cuz he finished does he finish? Yeah when he gets to I mean, I mean one of them was against the Crusaders So it's hard right what happens when he faces the best because he's faced the best. He's the best handsome at that. Yeah, so
00:38:36
Speaker
I am optimistic for the Chiefs sake, because it looks like they've at least found a guy that can get them back to being competitive on offense. He certainly, you know, it's hard to say that he's what they want because they want Mac. Well, yeah, different story for a different day. Right. But for what they need for the playoffs.
00:38:58
Speaker
Things are looking positive. Yeah. Well, this will be this will be fun. This will be fun now. This will definitely be fun now. I'm glad they got in because I think they're they're definitely one of the more entertaining. Yeah. That's really I mean, that's why ultimately I'm happy with the two squeakers in down there. Yeah. No matter what they're going to put up a fight. Yes, I mean, we'll see.
00:39:20
Speaker
Are you going to count out the Highlanders this coming weekend? No. So here's the thing. I was thinking, I was like, you know, the Crusaders are watching this and going, God damn it. These are the two teams I didn't want to play. They are happy with playing with the Rebels. They would have been happy playing the Stormers, the Sharks and the Lions. Yeah, they would have been happy playing any of those teams.
00:39:37
Speaker
They did not want one of the teams in their country to be the ones that they had to play off the line. That changes the game. Yes. Big time. And because all apart from the Blues, all these teams can beat them. Right. All those teams can beat them. So they were like, oh, no, not good. Not good. Yeah.
00:39:54
Speaker
So she used to take care of business big time, 59 to eight rebels are left wondering what could have been. Bad, bad, bad, bad. That was not a good way to finish. Really, I mean, apart from the one outlier, Australia didn't look good at all. You know, not at all. Reds didn't look very good. We'll get to them in a second. Warthogs has obviously put up a stinker. Rebels put up a stinker. So there's there's something going on in Australia that needs to that something needs to be gotten to the bottom of.
00:40:24
Speaker
Big time. Buenos Aires and the unfortunate Sun Wolves playing a red hot jaguars team. Jeez, and this wasn't even full, this wasn't even full-noised jaguars either. They were, they had a couple guys sitting, obviously Creevy didn't play, you know, just Cubelli, I think he either came, yeah, I think he came off the bench. It just, yeah, oh no. I mean, they made it interesting in the first half, we'll give them that.
00:40:51
Speaker
It was it was actually 14 to 10 until masa waver made his freaking dopey move Knocking the ball down and scored in the penalty try. Yeah, so that it was interesting and up until then gearhard van der heber had a very nice uh individual effort, uh chip chased picked it up put it down so uh, I mean there's talent here in the sunwills team I think I think that's a well-known thing. It's just a matter of
00:41:16
Speaker
Finding ways to use it and finding ways to take advantage of it and also being really their problem is defense Yeah, you know They got to be able to put guys on the ground and they just don't have it They don't have the organization on defense to do it right now Hopefully they can work that work on later on the offseason heading into the next super
00:41:33
Speaker
Oh they got one more. Oh they do. They got one more. They got one more. They got one more. They got one more. Their ultimate season and maybe they can give a big middle finger to the rest of the league. Nice shit burger for everyone. Yeah exactly. As Lou Brown might say.
00:41:49
Speaker
So yeah, Jaguars take care of business very easily 52 to 10 in the end They look like they're a team that I don't want to play right now That's for sure a lot, but you know, there's some teams that can there's some teams that can't I know I don't have a hundred percent if I were to be My team the Hurricanes walking into Buenos Aires right now. I wouldn't be confident with it
00:42:09
Speaker
No, they're there you can't be too can't be confident really at all. Um heading down there because they're they're a solid team Um, certainly one of the best in the in the competition. They have a lot never they're number two for a reason Yeah in in this and it's not just because they're in a um That's not because the the division that they're in. It's not their number two because they're not in the new zealand. Oh, they were it's it's um
00:42:32
Speaker
They were definitely like they they had a struggle to start. But man, they caught fire. Right. And they were tough to beat. They beat the Hurricanes in Wellington. You know, they were beating some teams that I was like, oh, hello. Right. Where'd that come from? They're a good rugby squad. So they've certainly earned it. So you can't take them lightly at all. Good on them for sure. Sebastian Conciliary. He needs to be wearing a white and sky blue striped shirt come Japan.
00:42:59
Speaker
I would assume he would be. He is looking amazing. So hopefully, hopefully he gets picked because I think it's Ledesma that's coaching him now. I would. He's been on fire. He every time he touches the ball, I think he's going to do something fun. So I hope they pick him. He's he's looking really good. I know he's not that old. I think he's fairly young. But man, the future looks good for them. That's for sure. Good on him. Yeah. Fifty to fifty to ten Jaguars.
00:43:30
Speaker
Whoo. Um, hurricanes made it interesting.
Hurricanes' Resurgence
00:43:34
Speaker
This was 24 five at halftime. Uh, oops about that. So speaking of the one time when the team could just pack it in and they decide, no, we'll give them a match.
00:43:47
Speaker
Yeah, seems like, seems like, I mean, the Blues were, they came out, Sonny Bill looked actually pretty good. It has to be said. So if he's, if he wants an All-Box shirt, he might still be up for it. He might. Not gonna lie. Yeah, of course, he's also easily the most rested on the, on the person on the field. Oh, by far. Oh, by far, yeah, he hasn't played for a while. But they, I mean, if you're gonna, if you don't want to give the ball to Sonny Bill,
00:44:15
Speaker
best to use them as a decoy at the very least yes and they did it quite well running a nice switch inside line everybody on the Hurricanes in the yellow shirt bit and Caleb Clark had all the all the room you want to scoot under the post I was like whoops it's one of those like you see it happening you're like well they beat us it's not it's not as though you can really blame your team no I was just like stupid nope nope
00:44:38
Speaker
I already done that. Oh, Sonny Bell's about to get the ball. I'm going to smash him. Oh boy. Oh, he didn't get the ball. Shit. So very, very, very good set piece off them. I think they had another one. Sonny Bell didn't score off a bit, but I think it was Tillie.
00:44:56
Speaker
But then so yeah blues did have some good looking tries to start this game. Uh, none. I got one on his way out the door I think he got named as blues player of the season actually all right players play the season I think so good on him on his way out the door as it is Yes, and it was heading to wister warriors. I believe I think that's right. Yeah, so that's uh
00:45:16
Speaker
Very very very good showing to to end it for him but the cane substitutes and Couple of the salty veterans stepped up big time dinkles started the match already surveyed and TJ Paranar came in shortly after halftime Okay, and they made they made a huge difference of course Fletcher Smith Spark plug big time big time got him going with a with try assist and then chase down truck chase down a chip kick to
00:45:44
Speaker
Put the hurricanes really really get them get the engine going and I he's like hey coach Can I play next week too? That's basically what I thought of when he's playing that Who would he give his offload to? Oh the big walk walk allure? Yeah, I was like I was like go big fella go
00:46:03
Speaker
I love seeing a number five run down the field. So yeah, he looked the thing on fire. TJ and Artie were obviously big into it. Peter Umaga Jensen. Very good. Very good. He and Tawala hook up for their first try in the first half. He gets another one after, I think it was a Fiddo offload, big proper, and gets one onto the post. He needs a little bit of polishing.
00:46:33
Speaker
But the freaking kid's good. Yeah. I mean, you just you'd expect with a name like that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And like I said, he is related to who you think he is. Yeah. Not not a bad gene pool to pull from. And and Garden Bashup actually looked pretty good in Bowden Bear instead. So, I mean, good on these guys for stepping up that, you know, and to show that, OK, if you lose any of these guys, we're here.
00:46:59
Speaker
and we're ready to play. I enjoyed seeing the younger side of the Hurricanes with the smattering of the veterans play and I think they did themselves very good by rocking up and showing some cajones and coming back from down 24-5.
00:47:14
Speaker
That's, yeah, that's, especially when it's not really, doesn't matter. Nope. And it didn't, and it, but it did to them. So that was, that was the important thing. That's big. Yeah. Ryasi looked really good as well. He's a, he's another bolter for the future lookout. That's what they need. You know, another, another. So hurricanes went 20, 29, 24, and they are going to be welcoming. Oh geez. Yeah. I know they're welcoming. They'll be welcoming an opponent to town for their quarter file next weekend.
00:47:45
Speaker
Oh, we haven't gotten there yet. Yeah, we haven't got there yet. Did you watch the Brumby's Reds at all? No. Yeah, God. I refused to watch the Reds. Might have been worth it. Might have been the right decision, I should say. Yeah. I get so frustrated watching the Reds, because it's one of those teams that they have some decent talent, but they just don't put it together. And they just look like they don't see each other between Saturday and Saturday.
00:48:14
Speaker
Right. And there was so funny you say that there were a lot of errors that the Brumby's capitalized on from the Reds. So there you go. Wow. I didn't even have to watch fucking Reds. Exactly.
00:48:28
Speaker
So, I mean, this was kind of the kicker. Scott Higginbotham comes on, I think it was, I don't remember who, he came on for somebody for an HIA. It was a mall, this couldn't have been two minutes into his freaking stepping on the field. Takes out the mall from the side, penalty try, gets put in the bin.
00:48:47
Speaker
I was like, Oh, that's a good start to your, to your, uh, appearance off the bench. Good job. And that was like, and like I said, it was an early one cause it was an HIA. Oops, Daisy. So he was, yeah, no, that was not a good start. And that kind of just summed it up right there. Uh, Laelia final actually brought his kicking boots. He might want to remember where he put these boots because he's going to need them next week. Cause he, that's not his forte. He doesn't like when he kicks for goal, it's not his.
00:49:12
Speaker
He's not that well known. He's decent, but he's not, you know, that's just not his thing. One question I have that I keep pondering as we've heard it the other week.
Australian Rugby Challenges
00:49:25
Speaker
Samukarebe, he's only 24, 25, and he's leaving Australia.
00:49:32
Speaker
Is that a red flag? It's got to be some sort of red flag. Look, it's a red flag. It's not on its own. He's not even going to Europe. He's going to Japan. That's big too. He's basically stepping down and play. It's not on its own. Is it a red flag?
00:49:52
Speaker
It's the uh It's symptomatic of a larger red flag when you have a guy like will skeleton who should be by all rights. He should be enthusiastically heading back to australia right now to Lead the fucking wallabies in because right now scrum for sure right and in the fucking loose Yeah, yeah, he'll write definitely leave them in the loose as far as like between you imagine he and like Cooper and
00:50:19
Speaker
Right. And the loose. That'd be fun. That'd be fun. That'd be extremely fun. And yet he's like, no, I'm going to stay with Saracens. Like not even, he could say, he doesn't have to say anything right now. He could have just said nothing. And instead he says, no, I'm staying with Saracens. And, you know,
00:50:40
Speaker
And Czecha's refusing to bend that rule too. Right. At some point, you got to realize that what the fuck is going on in Australia rugby? Yeah, something's up. And it's just funny because it's kind of clicking now that I'm paying more attention to player movements and things like that.
00:50:58
Speaker
When I met Michael Cheka, when he spoke at the U.S. leadership development. Fantastic guy. No doubt. Had a lot of interesting things to say, and part of it was he's like,
00:51:14
Speaker
That he's fighting a culture battle and early and it's not Something that he can do all on his own and he's like he had no he had no Illusions about the fact that it was gonna be there long after he was done coaching there he's like I'm just my job is to try to make it better as much as I can while I'm here and Leave it in a better place, right? Yep, and and try to make work it towards where it needs to be because there's too many people fighting against it Yeah
00:51:42
Speaker
Fucking people, right? And he really didn't get into any specifics about it, just to say that he was trying to relate it to because it was a coaching development summit for USA Rugby. So he was trying to put it in terms that Americans could understand about what's really important and how the values you have as a rugby club are important. But part of it is,
00:52:08
Speaker
You got to retain talent you got to want people you want people to want to be a part of your organization Absolutely, and if you're losing certain players here, you're losing certain players there or and you're just completely ignoring say the the Pacific Islands Mm-hmm
00:52:24
Speaker
He's like, why are you cutting yourself off? You're saying, you know, we're only about the people who are already here or the people who want to be here. That means that if you're not 100% invested, you're almost pushing, you're getting pushed out the door. Okay. If you're not, if you're not 110% in, you're not seen as as committed. And it's like, you got to give and take like these are human beings.
00:52:46
Speaker
No, yeah, I agree. And, you know, it's the same thing as what France is doing. Like, don't be fucking. There's no need. There's no need to be stupid. Just do what's right by people and they'll do what's right by you. Right. Speaking and I am, you know, a little candidly, like my own my own kids that I've been coaching, you know, I've been trying to establish, like,
00:53:05
Speaker
I want kids to be here, but at the same time, if there's a certain type of person that's not going to fit our personality and our team chemistry, I'm not going to say no, but at the same time, I have no problem with them walking away.
00:53:21
Speaker
is that mesh, keep the mesh there. Don't have it be a solid door. Make it a mesh. If they want to come through the mesh, great. If they don't, then fine. But as they come through that mesh, they got to understand what they're getting into. But at the same time, don't make it a door where like, all right, we got all the people in the room we want done. Because that is just dumb. That is really dumb. That I definitely don't agree with. There have been, I've been a part of lots of teams, but specifically rugby teams have been a part of
00:53:50
Speaker
More than I can count on one hand. Almost two hands. I've been in and out of some other clubs, too. Tangentially. But it's very rare that I've been with specific players and been like, you know what? I don't really care if they come back. We're struggling for numbers. But that guy, we don't need that guy.
00:54:11
Speaker
You don't, you don't see that too often, but you know, you know, the, you know, the guys that you always remember the guys, those guys and it's like, yeah, they can go. I don't give a fuck. Right. Um, and then there's guys are like, yeah, I'll trip over my mother to, to, to keep you around. Yeah, exactly. Cause you make us better than we are. So they make you, they make the team better and they make the team culture good.
00:54:31
Speaker
So yeah, so why would you intentionally force people out even if they're just because, or just because they're not. You don't want to force people out. That's the thing. That's definitely something you don't want. You want to give them the opportunity to be a part of the culture. There's no reason to shut people out.
00:54:48
Speaker
All right, back to the rugby.
Super Rugby Playoffs and Strategies
00:54:50
Speaker
So the final two matches of the weekend had a lot riding on them. One was interesting, but kind of boring, and one was, well, entertaining, but oops, not that interesting. The order that we were talking about.
00:55:13
Speaker
So as I said, kind of a snooze job up until the last 10 minutes with a few bits of entertainment here and there. Uh, rhino Smith's shin kick, whatever intercept that for the ball that was along the ground and able to run at home was
00:55:27
Speaker
you know, provided a little bit of entertainment. I'll say that, um, you know, stormers had a good habit of building phases, but the bad habit they had was they would find a way to fuck it up. So that wasn't good. Got a finish. Yeah. Um, a couple of injury notes, cut Sia and Mack, my pimpy and, um, uh, uh, vise for both teams, uh, massively affected by injury early on in the game. So that, that, that was no good.
00:55:55
Speaker
Could see a really he tried to soldier on and just and he got hurt again. I was like, oh you're done. You're so done. Yeah So here's what it came down to They hit the stormers hit a big penalty to make it a try game. Hey, it sounds like sounds familiar. Yeah to make it a try game
00:56:14
Speaker
as sharks kick off stormers kick off. And God, I think it was the lock vince sale, whoever it was, some bonehead on the stormers hit I think it was shorter or the backup halfback late.
00:56:30
Speaker
While the sharks are on their five, maybe they're 10 meters out, they have to clear their lines, or at least they're gonna have to go the distance. Instead, this bonehead gives them an easy out. They end up going up by the 50, if not beyond it. And then, yes, they work their way down there. Lucano gets the ball on the wing after, I don't know how many freaking phases and how much time of possession.
00:56:54
Speaker
Gets the ball on the wing. He's got a guy outside of him. He says nope I see exactly where I'm going cuts inside try to try time with red clock game over sharks win the game like You know and it's funny there was I looked at some of the match reviews. I'm like there's no mention of this hammerhead Yeah, healthy whatsoever like are you did you guys watch the same game? I did right cuz I'd be friggin chewing his ass out right cuz there's nothing there's nothing worse than That last minute like bone-headed play
00:57:23
Speaker
Or but you know when you're not on offense. Oh, yeah, it's like to me that's like the thrill of it where you're It's you know your tails are us when that's it. It's let's go. Let's go wide Let's do everything we need to do to get the ball to space. There's there's no reason to play. Oh, no, there's no reason to play timid It's just make the defense like throw every guy's out of the defense. We got a score. So let's go
00:57:47
Speaker
And that usually works out. Honestly, that usually works out better than most other offensive attacks. It was just like, let's go, let's attack and not worry about, we're not setting anything up, we're just attacking. And that's hard for a defense to hold out for too long unless the offense does something stupid, the attack does something stupid or makes a mistake. Just a mistake. I mean, at that point,
00:58:13
Speaker
And either shortly after that kick went into touch for from the sharks off the penalty You know, that was that was the yeah that that was red clock, right? So I was like like how stupid do you feel right now? Like this guy needs to just be like I'm so sorry guys. I'm so sorry guys. I'm sure he feels bad I know he realizes I'm sure he realizes I fucked that thing up pretty fucking good. It was it worth it to hit somebody right? Obviously late to I was like you dope
00:58:40
Speaker
what is wrong with you hammerhead so yeah sharks down the stormers last minute 12 to 9 earn themselves this was a win and in as we talked about last week sharks win their way into the quarterfinal and they are continuing on stormers go home
00:58:56
Speaker
give the Stormers a little bit of credit. They were missing some pieces big time. They had no Etsibeth. They had no Khaleesi. There was a lot that they could have had out there and they didn't. I'll give them that, but at the same time, that was a hammerhead penalty that cost them in the end. The final one of the weekend and
00:59:17
Speaker
there were a lot of new Bulls fans that were that were made on on Friday because the Highlanders and the Chiefs were both just both knew right if the Lions didn't get any points whatsoever they were both in and they were sitting there hoping and praying especially the Highlanders because they were I think they were been the one that fall off the bottom if the Lions got anything and they were just like yes so well they were definitely Bulls fans and well there
00:59:44
Speaker
They right come true right off the bat though. They were pooping themselves a little bit. Yeah. Oh my goodness. Damani Bulls just Thirteen seconds in Bulls fall it fell off like three tackles. I was like, what do you guys doing? Yeah, you guys here to play or what? And then they well then they did they respond quickly. They did respond pretty quickly Yeah, I'll even break ends up getting over after events a quick tap. Oh
01:00:05
Speaker
Yeah, so yeah, I was actually looking like when van sail was was named the starter I was like, oh no, that's that's not something I was into. Hmm. Well, it wasn't van sail it started. Um, hold on Double-check that and got into the match center. Where the hell is it? There it is. Don't check that one for me checking
01:00:25
Speaker
So am I talking out my bum or what? Who am I looking at? Bulls, Vansail, they're nine. Was it Warner? It was Warner. Okay, good. I like him. I think he's their answer there. I really do. I thought he played fine. Yeah, I think he's their answer there.
01:00:42
Speaker
digress on my previous comment. Anyway, they did respond quickly. Did you see the set piece? Yes, I was convinced. I was like, wow, that's okay. That worked. The midfield mall off the lineup. That was interesting.
01:00:57
Speaker
Apparently that was Duane Vermeulen's brainchild. Fucking lovely. I was like, oh, hello. That worked. It's a great idea. And it was something you don't, you don't, you certainly don't see that every day with the... Right. And the second that somebody's in the lines engaged that thing, it was done. It was done. I was like, oh, you guys are screwed. You guys shouldn't have engaged that thing, you idiots. You're done fucked up. And if you're gonna, cause it's like, look, if you're gonna engage that,
01:01:19
Speaker
Go low and take the because they're not it's not a mall Until yeah, and so take like at the ankle tackle the guy, right? Just tackle them. Yes, you can't you know, if you go up high now now, it's a mountain ball is released Yeah, that was um hammerhead, but I mean shit you're making that decision Yeah, and you see that many people come in because you know what you're doing is you're sacrificing your body because you know You're getting trampled
01:01:48
Speaker
Yeah, that's also true when you do that. There's a little bit of uh, I'll give you the try rather than Beautiful set based design by the Bulls for sure. Yeah, I'm starting ends up getting over the Lions drop goals
01:02:05
Speaker
Why the fuck were you doing that? Oh my God. I didn't I mean the cut see a one initially the first one I understood advantage, whatever have a pop, right? The other two one was from God knows where like out in the friggin atmosphere somewhere. Yeah. And the other one was just for shits and giggles. I was like, what the hell are you guys doing? I'll just do this. I was like, no, you just gave away possession. You hammerheads. Yeah. Oh, I couldn't believe it. I was like, what is this?
01:02:31
Speaker
You morons. Do you want the ball? I think the second one was about the time I stopped watching, because I'm like, it was 28, 13, and it wasn't that long into the match. And I'm like, well, I know exactly where this is going. I've seen this movie before. I've seen this movie before this weekend. I don't remember paying to watch the same thing again. I wanted to watch a different movie this time, so I'm going to go watch something else now.
01:03:01
Speaker
Um, I mean, so once, once the balls took over, they took over, uh, Odin dog got over nice bit of work. He get a little, he moved the ball wide, was there for the offload from specimen and scored it himself, which was very, very, very, very good. Um.
01:03:17
Speaker
Crop try take notes. Yeah, I'm not gonna even try to pronounce the name but Yeah, well so they have two very good props between him and in your Kanye very good props for for the Bulls anyway He looked good. Pollard looked like he is every bit the springbok starting 10 that should be so hopefully rest of your estimates is taking notes and paying attention and
01:03:42
Speaker
He needs to be your 10. If you want to win the World Cup, he needs to be your 10. End of story. Carl Hendricks turned a couple of defenders inside out, upside down, put it over the line and that put them out of reach of a bonus point for the Lions for good. Paul Ard and Lebok both piled on some tries afterwards. So, you know, get on that. So I didn't see, I didn't see, I saw the, I'm sure, no, I saw the first Genshi's penalty kick.
01:04:07
Speaker
Yeah, but I'm looking at this and he keeps kicking penalties 30 37 and 44 minutes into the match. Mm-hmm They'd already let up four tries against them right and you're still kicking penalty kicks
01:04:19
Speaker
That's that's the captain. I mean it's it's the brain trust. Let's put it that way because it's between the captain and him, right? But so the captain eventually has to override him and say fuck you were going online Yeah, and then said look we don't you know, this is for the playoffs. This isn't just a regular match This is you know, and this is why this is why certain teams are you know, we will you know threaten to win championships and while the Lions have made a couple finals and
01:04:48
Speaker
They've been finals participants. It's shit like that. You need to be able to turn it and say, you know what, I know you like kicking for points. But ain't happening today. Yeah. Today, why don't you hang them up and we're going to just, you know, we're ready to kick conversions because that's what we need. Put the T away. Yeah. Hide the T.
01:05:13
Speaker
Done. Yeah, so Bulls pulled off 48 to 27 and everybody down at Otago is jumping up and down. Speaking of Otago, I actually had something that I wanted to sidetrack. So one of our boys from the Free Jacks has apparently signed a contract with a team that's going to play in the Mitre 10 Cup, or at least he's training with their squad. I have to be honest though, if they think that he's going to make the Mitre 10 Cup squad,
01:05:43
Speaker
and get looks in New Zealand, you can come back.
01:05:47
Speaker
Is this a, is this a friend of ours? No, no, no, no, no, no. Just somebody I saw on their, on their page. I was just like, I was like, I can promise you if he gets a shot at the Mitre 10 team, he's probably not coming back. Let's put it that way. I mean, but that's why we do it. That's why this league exists. Right. So, you know, good on him. Anywho, digress. So you're, we'll go over the quarterfinals in a little bit.
01:06:17
Speaker
about our top pods of the year in terms of downloads and obviously we talked about which ones were our favorites. So we'll put that out there on the Twitterverse this week as we go into Pick'em and the quarterfinals and I don't think any of them are bad.
01:06:38
Speaker
I don't know about you. No, these will all be excellent matches to watch. I can't imagine that we're going to see what I saw last. I don't expect that. I think each one of these, they're almost flip a coin matches down the line. Just about. I mean, some of them you'd put a weight in one side of the coin, but still you could still see it. Still see it happening. Happening the other way.
01:07:06
Speaker
Yep. All right. So Crusaders and Highlanders. This is kind of the match we were waiting for because we didn't get a second one of these during the year. So Crusaders and Highlanders. Wow. I mean, kind of kind of karma how this came around anyway, but I'm glad we got it. And hmm.
01:07:28
Speaker
I can't pick against the defending champs. So I'm going to go with the Crusaders. I love the Highlanders. I love everything they've done. I love Joshua and how he's responded to taking that 10 shirt and he's made it his. It's his to lose from now on. I think he's put his hand up for an all black shirt on top of that.
01:07:45
Speaker
So I love the kid. Aaron Smith's obviously a very, obviously a very good scrum half. They have a nice pack. I mean, when you have Sharon Frizzell on the fucking bench and he's been in good form. Yeah, you have a pretty good pack. So I like it. But yeah, I got to pick. I got to pick the Crusaders. I think this will be close. I think Alpha by teams tend to struggle. So I think this is going to be very close. But I think this is the Crusaders match and they're going to be hosting a semifinal.
01:08:13
Speaker
And I'm gonna I'm gonna pick the Highlanders. Yeah There's something to be said for Yeah, the Crusaders got their butts kicked by the Chiefs and then responded against the rebels who were floundering clearly. Yeah
01:08:29
Speaker
And it's one of these you never as good as you look you're never as bad as you look situations There um, but I think that there's also something to be said for having to fight your way through the end of the season and and and The highlanders were playing playoff game matches all right two weeks ago. Yeah So they're already in they already have that fight or flight Gear going on. They already have their this is it's do or die, you know all the cliches all that
01:09:03
Speaker
I trust that momentum and that energy more than I trust a team that's kind of been flat, you know? They... Apart from the whip crack. The whooping they put on, yeah, but that was also, you know, you have to take into account the opponent. And it's not like the Crusaders were doing anything terribly special. They beat him with the cross-field kicks. They beat him with shit that, like, a good team won't let you beat them with.
01:09:21
Speaker
Additional playoff, get magic cliche.
01:09:30
Speaker
Yeah. Agreed. And the Highlanders have two very quality wings between the Hollow to beat the league. Josh Mackay's coming to his own as a fullback. Yeah. So good on him. Ben Smith is back, by the way. Yes. He's back. See, this is going to be
Upcoming Matches and Team Lineups
01:09:44
Speaker
a fun match. So this will be a fun match. So I'm going to actually, I'm going with the Highlanders. There you go.
01:09:48
Speaker
Don't blame me. Because it's not like the Highlanders haven't won recently, as we were just talking about. You know, it's just a new thing. I mean, Major hasn't, hasn't won it for a while, hasn't won a title since he was a player. But, you know, he's been in, he's been hanging out in England for a little while, too. So that's his, that's not his fault. All right. Let's see, we got Jaguars in chief. So the last time this was played,
01:10:14
Speaker
the Chiefs won it at the death, or nearly at the death. By the way, Ben Smith is starting. So yeah, that's a big one. Yeah, the last time these two played, Chiefs won it nearly at the death, if not at the death, with something on the outside. I think Turangi ended up getting over the line. That was not the best Jaguars team that we've seen this year, though, either, in terms of their form and their play. So we shall see.
01:10:44
Speaker
Uh, oh and the chief lineup has been published as well. Oh, um ritalik is in Nice. I I have to say I i'm liking you know We talked about him in fantasy and how it was a detriment to you But I love i'm liking our drone as there as a second row, you know, he's a very handy. Um lucy. No nankaville. He's out
01:11:06
Speaker
Yeah, which we kind of knew was probably gonna happen. Manu is in and the back three stays the same with Wainui, Alamalo, and Stevenson. So I mean Rebels are gonna see Sean Stevenson in their sleep. Yes they will. And with any luck, the Hegwater ice will as well. Oh wait, Nekavil's on the bench.
01:11:27
Speaker
Okay, I wonder I wonder if that's a Cautious thing though. Maybe they'll pull them at the last. Yeah So there's a potential for him to be dropped. Let's put that way right? Cuz sure that was unfortunate last week. Yeah But yeah, I think I think that the Chiefs can win this so I'm gonna go with them Yeah, go anything momentum. They've they've really been coming on strong the last couple of weeks agreed They've been having to compete fight for their lives and really they've they've
01:11:57
Speaker
It's one thing when a team ends the season on a high note, but the Chiefs have actually been pretty much, has been building to this. Like this is very much, I mean, some asshole was talking all shit about them at the beginning of the season. I don't know who that was. But when you flip a switch mid-season and start coming on strong to end the year, that's very different from cruising to win a division.
01:12:23
Speaker
Well, yeah felt like the jaguars were kind of doing that for a while. I feel like the Hagwaris are in the same boat that the Crusaders are but I don't think the Hagwaris are nearly as good. Yeah, Diaz Bonilla is starting at 10 for them, which to me, I like Miadi a little bit better. So That's just me. He is on the bench. So if and if they felt like the need so you don't use Oh man Wow, this is interesting
01:12:50
Speaker
You know, I wanna see a semi-final in Buenos Aires, so I am gonna pick the Jaguars. And it's not against the Chiefs. I think that's good for rugby. I think a semi-final for Super Rugby in Buenos Aires is a good thing for rugby. I'm not saying it's gonna be a walk away by any means. It's gonna be a nail biter all the way down to the end, I think. But you know, I think that's something that'd be great for rugby to see Buenos Aires host a semi-final for Super Rugby. Okay, to the Saturday games.
01:13:18
Speaker
My boys against the Bulls. Man, I am terrified of what the Bulls just did to the Lions. And Dwayne from Ulan's back, I was like, oh no, it's not what I wanted. Come on. The worst thing that would happen would be if Luke Diaga decides to frickin' roll out of his injury and be healthy. I'd be like, oh shit. That's the end. That's the end. I'm done. I quit.
01:13:40
Speaker
so yeah good season boys yeah pretty much i feel like oh this is just not adding up to us i will um i will pick my boys i will back them they're at home uh bulls have to get on the plane and come over to new zealand that is a thing it's not as big of a thing as it used to be
01:13:57
Speaker
It's still a thing though. So I am I am gonna back them and I will back all the changes that are about to be made by By plump tree for for this this one after after sitting a lot of guys last week I'm also gonna go with the canes. Yeah, unlike you I'm gonna back my friends team and get over it But I think that they're uh, yeah that the Bulls um
01:14:25
Speaker
I feel like it was, you know, that, that match last week was more the first team that to quit than anything else. Um, but yeah, I quit match. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And the lions kind of did a little bit early. Yeah. Um, which is with stupidity. Um,
01:14:43
Speaker
So I think they're gonna give him a good game. I just don't think there's any team from South Africa, not the South Africa division, but actually from South Africa that's really, I don't see them hanging with the Kiwis this year, any of those teams, aside from the Blues.
01:15:04
Speaker
Okay, and then last one which again won't disappoint Well, this is sharks and Brumby's I think this won't disappoint in that it will be a very close match It's gonna be competitive, but I think it might the the quality might drop just a touch Yeah, I think it's gonna be this is gonna be the step-down match the So
01:15:26
Speaker
I'm going to go with the home team only because someone's got to win it. Someone's got to be fodder. Bad news this. Sorry, Shaxx. So you're going to go with the Brumby's. I actually am inclined to go with the Shaxx because I think her one Bosch will be back. I hope he's back.
01:15:47
Speaker
Um, for their sake, I hope he's back. Right. Um, I think her one will, Bosch will be back and that team is a much better team run when Kerwin Bosch is at the helm as opposed to Robert Dupree. Sorry, Robert Dupree. You ain't in good form, bud. That's just how it is. Yeah. I mean, I could just see that this being another, I quit match though. Maybe. I could see that happening. Maybe. Um, and I don't think that'll be a blowout. I think it'll just be a team that just think they don't keep up. It won't be a quit at 20 and I quit at 20 minutes. It'll be an, I quit at like 60 minutes.
01:16:15
Speaker
Yeah, I expect this to be a close game at halftime and whoever controls the next 20 minutes will win. And I'm going to trust the home team when it comes to that.
01:16:24
Speaker
Yep, that is a good possibility. Okay, damn,
Season Wrap-Up and Future Plans
01:16:31
Speaker
all right. So we're winding it down here. We got what, three of these guys left? Yeah. Do a quarter, semi-final preview show and a final preview show and then a final review and adios. Yeah. That'll be it. And then we're actually taking off for a week after that. Nice.
01:16:52
Speaker
going to Canada. We're winding down the season here at TFRY. I'm definitely working on some things behind the scenes. Ben and I will talk about a few things to work on things and improve things and make things that
01:17:09
Speaker
So that more people like what we talk about, or at least like the content of what we're talking about. We can't do anything about our voices, so I'm sorry. Sorry, dude. Sorry, man. We're our personalities. Yeah, I'm a weird fish. I can't do anything about it, dude. Shit, I just borrowed that from frickin' Pod. I feel stupid.
01:17:32
Speaker
Oh well. Don't admit to it. This is worse. They stole it from you. So yeah, we will be back for our semi-final review or preview. That one. Quarterfinal review. No fantasy. We're stuck just talking about rugby stuff. Oh well. Kind of like we did this week for the most part. That's all right. So we'll be back next week. Thank you all so much for listening and we'll look forward to
01:17:58
Speaker
here and what you guys have to say later on I'll be going everybody later