Transcript
Speaker: Hey everybody, how's it going? Welcome back. It is the fantasy rugby angst. My name is Jared Dyke. I'm Ben Glauser. And did you miss us all? I know we weren't here last week for you, but we had a massive pile of stuff to address last week. We ran our own tournament and that whole thing kind of just clogged up the works. Yeah. Real rugby got in the way of our fantasy rugby. Yeah.
Speaker: Oopsie, that's all right. Those of you that are in America, happy Fourth of July, happy Independence Day. Yes, sorry, if you're not from this country, I don't care. But yeah, so yeah, lots to talk about, obviously, plenty of super roby that we've missed. And also, you know, well, cup squads have come out and all kinds of fun stuff. So it's actually morning here in the US. So we are not we're not complete alcoholic. So we're not drinking yet. We're just sucking down our iced coffees over here.
Speaker: But I'm gonna have a good old puff of American freedom soon. Yeah, there you go Something to that something to the effect I suppose Everybody be sure that you are subscribed to us on iTunes Google Play Spotify All that good stuff. We've reached 500 downloads. Thank you. Thank you to everybody that's downloaded the show Even if you haven't listened to it that much, that's okay. At least you're downloading it
Speaker: Thank you for being a part of this. Yeah, that's all and that's all we asked for. Well, we'll recap like all the fun numbers next week when we when we sign off for a little while. So let's get into World Cup and World Cup training squads and rugby championship squads for the big the big countries. I mean, we we could talk about the US, but half the people out there are going to be like, who the fuck is that?
Speaker: And everyone else, and we in the US are going to be like, why would we talk about a team that's just going to play for pool play? And then we'll say goodbye. Yeah. Hopefully we could nick third. Who knows? But that would be the best thing we could ask for probably.
Speaker: Um, but yeah, so a lot of the squads have either announced training squads for the world cup or squads to play in the rugby championship series, which will be very, very brief this year. Cause obviously tournament in September kind of puts the, puts the clog on that one. So we have, um,
Speaker: The Kiwis just announced, the Aussies just announced their squad. English just announced their squad. South Africans announced their squad recently as well. Wales and France and Ireland and Scotland have kind of known their squads for at least a few weeks. Then announced much bigger squads on top of that with the exception of a few.
Speaker: So let's start with, let's start with the guys that just announced, which was this morning. Um, England, uh, I've announced their squad, uh, big out. I mean, big, we'll tell, I mean, let's talk about the omission. I mean, Alex good, not, not found. Where's Waldo? Yeah. What the fuck? I mean, we, I mean, we kind of expected, I think it's more of a surprise to me that Cipriani made it than that. Goodie did not.
Speaker: Yeah, just because it's the same. It's the same thing. It's Eddie's got a bug up his ass about these two guys, right? Nobody really knows why I would hope that they know why but God, who knows if they had a conversation?
Speaker: Yeah, but it is it's it's stunning. Just like if you're gonna bring one, why not bring both? Or is it there's this one of these like, I got I gotcha one. What do you want from me? Come on, man. So yeah, no, no goodie. Chris Ashton is taking taking a break to be with the fam, which understandable. Very understandable. And they can they can they can do all right without him.
Speaker: And they'll know they can always, you know, it's not like he can't come back into the squad right into the summer. And he's very capable of pulling that off. So I wouldn't worry about too much if everybody's worried about him not being in the squad. But I like a lot of the young kids that they're they're bringing along. Yep. Kind of. And I think I get the feeling that that barbarians match put a couple of guys over the top.
Speaker: Yeah. Well, obviously Joe Marlar's in the squad. But yeah, you're right. You're probably watching that match. Murray McConaughey is in the squad. I'm really surprised there's no house Tom Brant. That is shocking as well. He had a great game. I realize that a lot of the guys that played in that game are guys of the future.
Speaker: you know there's no Nathan Hughes right now he's banked up I believe so I mean I guess maybe he's banking on them coming at him coming in at some point maybe I mean he so let's put put this way looking at the squad there is no other out -and -out eight -man besides Billy Poonapola
Speaker: That's it true Like you could yes, you could play Mark Wilson there, right? You could play Brad Shields there. Those are less than ideal situations though like very much less than ideal situations they played Mark Wilson there in the fall because both Hughes and Vonapola were hurt and they didn't really have another option at the moment now you have an option of possibly bringing in the dominator and putting him in there and
Speaker: So that that's that's a little concerning Willie Hines that's named to the squad only because I didn't I had no idea He would be eligible for England. Yeah residency. Yeah, this is like this is the last time that it's gonna be a short residency Once this World Cup occurs, it's gonna take you beyond a World Cup to become a resident of a country So right, but it's just shocking to me that he didn't have a cap for for South Africa somewhere along the way. I
Speaker: Yeah, got me. You'd think that, you know, for a match here or there, maybe in TRC, that they would... They would have thrown him in. Yeah, put him in the squad. So, hey, I'm fine with it. I mean, England spoils, right? Right.
Speaker: Who else did I see that I thought was good? It's nice to see Charlie Ewells. Yeah, although that's a little bit of shit because he's not he's not so much of a name But no, but he's very good player. He is very good
Speaker: Dan Cole yeah I was I was surprised at first to see mostly cuz he was the first name yeah but at the same time he's probably not gonna make the squad yeah he's not he's not Dan Cole of four years ago five years ago now probably so
Speaker: I think he's just there to provide some veteran leadership and prepare the next guys for what they're about to face. Right. And if new Watson gets in after, you know, good to see proving his fitness in the last, last month or so of the premiership, and I thought he looked
Speaker: He looked pretty, I did think he looked pretty darn good. We know what he can do. So it's not like, you know, it's outside there. I think Eddie Jones was looking to make sure, all right, are you fit or are you going to fall apart? Right. So he's good. A couple of guys on the injury list that are that will be at Penny Hill, George Cruz, McAvoy, Napola and Jack Knoll all racing to get fit. But that's why they've obviously brought in a few extra bodies to recover there. Pierce Francis, who I think is somebody that people don't talk about enough.
Speaker: I think he's very good. I think he's I think he fits the mold of a almost a perfect center where you can He'll hit your heart and run hard lines make his tackles, but he can also distribute Yeah, and he's got and he's got a little bit of wheels not not nearly to the level of a winger But you know, I mean darn good. Yeah, but it's not like to a laggy who who's like the battering rambling ball Yeah, he can't he's not gonna outrun anybody
Speaker: No, but he's he's just going to run you over. Right. That's all he does. So, yeah, a few things that we have that nobody's surprised that there are names that are missing from here, obviously, but a couple of surprise names as well for England. And as we expected with the the squads to the. To the squad that was announced, I believe it was, I believe they named it yesterday, Australia.
Speaker: Obviously, you know, no surprise that Big Willie isn't in there. It's, it's a shame, but it's no surprise. Right. Not a surprise, just a mistake. Yeah. So whatever, whatever it was that Australia wanted to get out of that. Uh, and I thought that he had come to a, an agree, I thought, well, I thought he had come to an agreement with them. Yeah. Well, it sounds like they, uh, they had a change of either had a change of heart or it wasn't, it wasn't to be.
Speaker: or the latin leader yeah maybe maybe maybe maybe that is a short list it's yeah it is and this is always the sole story obviously have to play the TRC so they're right they are preparing to put out some bodies out there um the the the the the shock and I know he wasn't
Speaker: Here's the thing. And it's two names, one not on it, one on it. And it's going to be talked about basically until one of them steps up on the field in the TRC. Laelia Fano and no Quaid Cooper. So Laelia Fano in and Quaid Cooper out. I was just looking for Quaid. I hadn't reviewed the list too much.
Speaker: Now, Lili Afano is obviously a great story with leukemia and coming back from that and putting in a hell of a shift, especially this season. But for me, when you outweigh pros and cons,
Speaker: Lilio Final doesn't do anything terribly, but he also doesn't do anything great in my book. And I know Kway Cooper has that key to unlock a defense. And when you need something special out there, I think he can do a little bit more than Lilio Final. But I understand that, you know, Czech is probably looking for something that's not a liability. Right. It's got to be we don't we do know that Kway Cooper has a has his moments where he goes to sleep. So
Speaker: I mean, if you took the average Quaid Cooper from this past season, you'd have a pretty good player. The problem is, it was like the first
Speaker: Five or six games. Yeah, it was amazing right and then he was kind of average and then the last five or six games He was not fantastic downright, but so That it's kind of not too much of a surprise But at the same time I would have expected it's not too much of a surprise that he wouldn't make it to the the squad It's a surprise that he's not in the camp Yeah, he's not at least in the training squad leading up to the camp
Speaker: Right. You would think so. So again, somebody that could be added later down the road, who knows? Although I think traditionally Michael Checker has kind of been firm on what he gets from the TRC to carry over to the workup squad. So we'll see. Nick White makes the squad for Australia, which is awesome because. Yeah.
Speaker: He got released from his last year of his contract, so he could sign with a squad after this season in Exeter so we can be eligible for this World Cup squad, which I think is awesome. I'm glad he's gotten in there. He came out of the Premiership final a little banged up, so it sounds like he's been able to recover, which is awesome.
Speaker: Again, we, we like him and we were, we were very, we were very satisfied with his performances. And then obviously Michael Cheka was too, certainly drove on that, that Exeter team to get to the final and, you know, give them, give themselves a chance at the final. Obviously it didn't work out in the end, but that's, that is what it is.
Speaker: Another name that I don't see on here, which is a little unfortunate is Bryce Hagerty. And I know the Reds were garbage is here. They were not. They were not great. But he was good. He was probably the best player on that team. Yeah. I see a lot of Reds on here.
Speaker: Not him, so I'm very shocked. Yeah. Unless Cheka sees something we don't, and say Hagerty isn't the one setting things up. He's the one just taking advantage of the work of other people. He's just the fast guy that they, you know.
Speaker: I don't think that's accurate because he was playing ten he he could play both you play 20 play 15 I mean, I'm just thinking because he was the outside back in the in the hum. Oh, yeah In the fantasy draft. Yeah, right, which is weird But because it was started full still right he's but he still had himself a grid season and he's still that that verse I mean
Speaker: What would you what's the number one thing you need going into something like a World Cup is versatility? Oh, yeah, you need somebody who can do a lot of different things and a couple different things minimum Yeah, right and you know we saw currently bill playing a little bit of fullback But we also saw that that currently bill is not an international level fullback probably not so there's no versatility there
Speaker: I just don't know what they're going to write and he would be in Hageri would be somebody I would definitely paying as them potentially using as a fullback to right replace he who shall not be named I do like hey I know Haley petty can can do it I wonder if they're gonna experiment with maybe Tamua
Speaker: there Tom Banks is a good fullback, but he's He's yet to prove it at this level. We'll see I will be very interested to watch a little bit of Him playing fullback for Australia throughout this. Mm -hmm this this this brief championship and see what comes out of that Hmm
Speaker: Other names that I'm looking at. Joe Powell gets in. That's great. Young Scrum half from the Brumbies. Right. That's awesome. Cause he's, uh, it was either going to be him or Tate McDermott for that, uh, that's kind of that, that halfback role. Um, no Nick Phipps. Um, I wonder if he's carrying an injury.
Speaker: that yeah but at the same time if you have Nick White back yeah to me you have Genia and White you're all right yeah no I'm Phipps I think his time has passed yeah to be perfectly honest and that's extremely blunt of me to say but he's not Phipps I mean let's not pretend that Phipps was ever like
Speaker: you know, some sort, like that untouchable player. Oh, definitely not. He was a good Scrum Gaff, obviously very good. But I don't think his form is... Wasn't amazing. Right. No. And again, if you have Genya and White, you're probably okay. You're going to be all right for a tournament like this. Yes. Because either one of them can play 80 if you need them to, but they can also switch off here and there. They'll both do some good things on the field as well.
Speaker: Uh, so let's go, let's go across the Tasman speaking of scrum halves and only needing a few, but damn, damn. Yeah. Um, paranoia, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber all make the all black squad. He'll be all right there. I think as it, I mean, as anticipated, you know, with the third choice expecting going into the super rugby season, the third choice was expected to be tarangi, but Robert took that right away from him and said, no, no mine. Yeah. So.
Speaker: Wow. And then to me, there's two shockers in the, I mean, we just moving on quickly to the, I'm going to pass through the flyhaves because they're just the same thing. Well, I mean, we talked, we spoke of who would be that extra first, as they call it, first five eight. Yeah. Josh Ioani. Yep. And there he is. So I mean, played outstanding this year. Yeah. And, you know, having to replace Lima Superwaga, who was a cult hero and
Speaker: at the Highlanders, so. And he did very well. He did himself justice, that's for sure. And then, obviously, Barrett and Milonga. Yes, not bad. Not bad. Not bad. But then we get to the centers, and there's two surprises for me, two major surprises for me. One a player who's not there, and the other a player who is there. I can probably venture a guess at which one is which. Right. Would you do the honors? So I'm guessing the one that's not there that you're surprised is Nanu.
Speaker: No, actually not surprised by that. Okay, not as surprised by that and then but the player that's there Sonny Bell Yeah, that's that's the big surprise and the player I'm surprised who isn't there is karate
Speaker: Well, he's so he has been he's been he's on he's hurt. I think he broke his hand. OK, so but that's you know, I think they said mentioned something about him not being on this in the squad only for that reason. OK, so that's that might be one of those things that yes, he is in Steve Hanson's brain. OK, he's just not going to throw him out there, obviously, with a broken hand. Then that would rather save him. Then that makes sense. Then yes, Nanu is my surprise. Outside of that. Yeah.
Speaker: I um I and I and I I've been ringing the bell for him For a while now and it's sad. He didn't get on this one. The other Yohani Akira. Yeah, no, no Kiri Yohani. I don't understand what they're They don't this guy played every game for the Blues this year. Mm -hmm And that's a guy that he was they were gonna sit him once and he said you that's not happening. I
Speaker: and somebody ended up getting her anyway, so he's like, ha ha, I win. So, I don't know what he's gonna do. Liam Squire has said himself he's not ready to be in international rugby, so that's why he's not on the list. Steve Hanson appreciated that and said, okay, I'm glad you told me, so I don't have to waste my time pondering over which one do I take and all that good stuff. So, I mean, good on Liam Squire for mentioning that.
Speaker: know David Havili if you if you were I mean Ben Smith can play is gonna play fullback probably for this team come their first kickoff in Japan yeah but
Speaker: He would have been a hell of a backup to bring along without Damian Mack around. True. So, I, Braden Inor had a great season, obviously. George Bridge had a good season. He was a little banged up. Yeah, he had a good season, but he's not, you know. I thought Havelia was definitely better than him. Bridge, right. Bridge wasn't, certainly wasn't the player he was last year. No, not to the same level. By no means.
Speaker: Yeah, kind of Sevu overtook him there. Right. And Enor did. I mean, it was shit. Both of them had... Both of them, Sevu and Enor were in the top five of tries in... Yeah. Pretty crazy. In Super Rugby. Yeah. And Bridge wasn't even on the... And Bridge was like scoring ridiculous tries last year. Last year, yes. But then again, so was Lamb. So they both kind of took a step backwards. Yep. Very much so. Lamb obviously not on the list.
Speaker: Yeah. Oh, shoot. So there's a question for you. What's up? Will, do you think Lamb will ever get a shot? I don't know. And then follow up question that if not, what's keeping him in New Zealand? Great question. Great question. Because I mean, you look at that, you look at those wings there. Mm hmm.
Speaker: And at least the, yeah, the, the, the back three players, all of them, right. You know, and our bridge, Yohani, several Reese, those are, these aren't guys that are going away anytime soon. No. And if, if lamb can't compete them out now, um,
Speaker: Yeah, well, I mean why is he gonna stay in New Zealand? I don't know. I mean he's still he's a recently found entity So I'm sure teams have started to track him right and you know possibly try and woo them away from woo him away from From the hurricanes, but you know, it's again. It's still a semi recent Occurrence, so yeah, we'll see what happens. We'll see what goes on with that
Speaker: I forgot to put them, I forgot to put them on our sheet, but hookers, one surprise, Amua from the Hurricanes, their backup, overtakes Rick Atelier as the fourth hooker on Steve Hansen's radar. Coleman Coles, Taylor, no surprise. All fantastic hookers. We'll talk more about the big two in that list later on.
Speaker: But yeah, one guy I had been ringing the bell for big time this year and I'm glad to see him in there. It would have been a shame to see him out there, not in there, not in Alamape. Frickin' my goodness. That man is a monster. I mean, between him and Leonard Brown. I thought he, another one, I thought he was kind of off the radar and I was like, why is this guy not been in this team lately? Holy crap, this guy played unbelievable this year. He has magical feet and he's got good hands and the dude just doesn't,
Speaker: He doesn't go down on the first tackle. Right. He doesn't. He either bowls you over or he makes you miss. Yeah. Like, good Lord. But between, you know, we talked about Sonny Bill, but between Goodhue, Lamape, and Leonard Brown, just those three. Those three and four, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, and Sonny Bill, now it's like, OK, well, now I kind of get Sonny Bill in there because he provides a different element than any other thing. Oh, yeah, because the other three are very, not that Sonny Bill can't do anything special, but those other three are very versatile in their play, although Jack Goodhue's got to get rid of that hairdo. Good Lord.
Speaker: But yeah, Sonny bill is he's at this point in his career He's more of the straight hard runner with obviously the offloads Yeah, so that's I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in with the other three guys
Speaker: He's gonna give me shit you think you know sunny bill with a line break then an offload to either I'm up here Leonard Brown or hell go to you, too Yeah, you can say good night. Yeah, that's that's going in the bank hmm, so it'll be I I suspect that there'll be certain guys that Get more playing time in this in this tournament than others, but that's okay Let's go to the to the final to the other TRC team. I
Speaker: There's this this four of them, but there's only three of them that have a list right now Argentina well Argentina will put their list together what like the night before it starts Yeah The spring box
Speaker: Yeah Loads, yeah loads of series all over the place and in the spring box team or former series. Yeah, Scott Britz Vincent cock both both of them are are in that one That's I think that's great. Mm -hmm obviously being these guys are coming from all over to remember that yeah, you know, they're coming from all over the universe because
Speaker: Although I will say that South Africa got a small victory in their new structure with Malcolm Marks staying put. So I'll give him that. They've said Khaleesi's probably going to be kind of taking it easy this tournament because he's
Speaker: Still a little banged up. Yeah. Um, which is that's I i'm fully in favor of that As long as he's ready for the like the goal is to get him ready for the world cup. Absolutely and and Yeah, and he's he's a captain but that doesn't mean he has to play in in tournaments where he's going to risk his world cup No, you don't like this. This rugby championship is probably going to be very much like a like a b -side. Yeah
Speaker: There's going to be a lot of guys getting time to keep form, but then being like anytime there's even an inkling of an issue, whoop, off. Hershel Yanchis makes the spring box, which I think is awesome, the Stormer's Scrum half that stormed onto the scene big time this year. And really, he was definitely one of the spark plugs to get the Stormer's into a position to potentially get the playoff. They didn't get there, obviously.
Speaker: good on them and good on this kid for stepping up and showing that he's got something. Kobus Reinak. He's in, he's in. And I thought it was gonna be a shame if he missed out. So I think it's amazing that he got in. And believe me, they're not gonna go wrong with that.
Speaker: Yeah, you got two two seasoned veterans that can take care of business and Uh a young kid that needs to learn how to play international rugby, but I think he's gonna be just fine. He's got two two fantastic examples to learn from
Speaker: and a guy that lit up the the european circuit this year uh chezlan kobe yeah uh obviously uh talu's came out on the good end of the french french tournament this year so that's great um and he was definitely a big spark plug to to that team so great good on him to get in there uh ludiyaga's on this team which is indicates that he's over his i think he was a shoulder or not he had messed up so that's that's good for him
Speaker: I'm sure Razi Erasmus is very excited to have him back. They have got a stack of second rows. It has to be said between him, Ezebeth, Mostart, Snaiman. Who else did I miss here? But yeah, just those names. Ori, that's the one. There's another one in there that I missed.
Speaker: Yeah, that's a stack of second rowers and a couple of those guys could slide out to six if need be so right That's uh, I mean if you want a low pack, right if you want to go big I mean, that's I mean, that's what south africa loves to do anyway. Yeah, they're kind of good So when they need to go big they can yeah, but when they also but when they want to go fast they can yes Yeah, they I like this versatility in the south africa squad
Speaker: Yeah guys like low and yeah Smith and stuff to Peter stuff to story both both the toys are in there Yeah, but pure stuff to story in particular both both Bulls props go Boca and Kanya make it in which is good because they started or played every game that the Bulls so I think that's a testament to props that can do that and not
Speaker: Not managed to wiggle themselves. I have a game even so Even if it was just for a half still that's great. Mm -hmm. The Aisles wonders cult Brits continues to show the show. Yeah I'm not retired yet, right? Like we were talking about, you know the guys from like five. Yeah, like the Dan Cole from five years ago, right?
Speaker: Shock Brits is pretty much the Shock Brits from five years ago. He's the same person basically. What the hell? Yeah, that's great. I thought, I can't believe he's still ticking. It's amazing. Did you mention, I totally missed it if you mentioned it, but Maastricht, okay. Yeah, he was on that list a second hours.
Speaker: Yeah, he's I can't wait to see him with the uh, I mean all I know is if you want to go against the lineup That's probably the wrong one to go against. Mm -hmm Because they got basically anybody most of those guys can go up and get it Smith can jump as well as well as renewing as well. So that's a scary scary line I know police he will jump when need be too. So
Speaker: Was I was really kind of discounting South Africa Up until this list comes out You forget the guys that are eligible for the team because they're all over the place, right? And now it's now I'm like, oh man, this is uh, I forgot That's gonna be a good fucking squad right there. You can get everybody on the same page. I
Speaker: And then think about if they had been able to hang on to Paula Willemsa, who now plays for the French. We did discuss the French team already, so we won't spend too much time on it. Obviously, the big omission for me is no Teddy Tomah. We talked about that before.
Speaker: Intimac is in there, which is great. I think he needs to be in every lineup of some sort. We're almost same thing. If they want to put some tries on the board, they need to keep those two guys at least in the squad, if not in the starting lineup, because those two guys can just make magic.
Speaker: Yeah, so yeah, we won't spend any more time on the French. We talked about their issues. Let's go to the defending Six Nations champions and Grand Slam champions, the Welsh.
Speaker: uh a big squad name for the welsh uh this you know obviously they they have a it'll be brought down yeah it'll be it'll be pared down quite a bit by the time i mean i think you can only bring 31 technically maybe with some injury cover but yeah
Speaker: Tilip a foul a towel still in the team. I don't understand how I really don't He's not played a lot in the last year. Yeah, and I know yes, he is very good But clearly he's got issues with staying healthy, right? Like Do you really do you really want to bring that as part of your 31 and have an unreplaceable guy break in?
Speaker: No, but they might this might again just be same thing. They're they're they're seeing what he how he's doing They're seeing how he fits in because maybe what if they decide, you know what? We're gonna see if we can get you healthy for just this couple keep you healthy for this couple of weeks Yeah, use it when we need you sit you when we don't
Speaker: Oh, boy. It depends on what other guys show. Right. But they've got a lot of options. Yes, they do. So it's not a. Their back row is not one to be trifled with. No. He means whatsoever. What they like to tip Rick and Moriarty and. Naveedee. Naveedee. Oh, yeah. Good god. Yeah. Terrifying thought. Yeah. That boy can tackle. That's for sure.
Speaker: And he can carry. He can rugby a little bit. Yeah, just a bit. Sticks out like a sore thumb too. What part of Wales is he flipping? I think they said his dad's like Iranian or something like that. I was like, that explains a lot. But yes, Jonah Holmes gets back into the squad, which is good.
Speaker: the Lester Tiger. He kind of got banged up and then kind of just kind of faded, which was unfortunate, but it is what it is.
Speaker: Ken Owens obviously is gonna be a huge leader for them. Alan Jones in his last goal round. Oh yeah, I can't wait to see Alan win it. He's like, if he brings what he brought, if he brings to the World Cup what he brought to Six Nations, look the fuck out, everyone else. I mean, just looking across this list of how many do we have? Two, four, six, we got eight teams here. The New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, England, Wales, France, South Africa, and Scotland.
Speaker: And so if I was going to rank them and then go down towards the bottom, I was thinking, I was honestly coming into this thinking South Africa would be there. Now at this point, you got to see, you know, I think the bottom two of this group are France and Ireland. Yeah. Wales is going to, Wales is going to rock up England. I mean, I'm sorry, Scotland. I just don't know. They're like, they're there. They're an unknown entity. But Wales here, man.
Speaker: This is a hell of a squad. This is going to be, I think, for me anyway, one of the more anticipated World Cups.
Speaker: It's going to be extremely competitive because you have, you have some tier two teams that are starting to close the gap as well. And that's, that's a, that's a big thing for competition wise. So that's good. Um, yeah, it's going to be, it's going to be pretty big. Um, let's go, let's go to Island. Yeah. Uh, big, big team named obviously, but with good, with good reason. Um, I have.
Speaker: I don't think I have anybody that's, the only omissions are the two guys that are hurt that stayed out to me, and that's O 'Brien and Levy. If there's another name on there that I'm missing, then that's fine.
Speaker: I think, I think Ireland's biggest problem is going to be if Rory Best needs to come off the field. What are they going to do? Because Sean Cronin's struggled with the line out. And, you know, again, we're talking about teams that have bloody good line outs to throw to. Right. Ireland definitely do. So if you if you're going to have a. Have an issue with that, maybe don't.
Speaker: I don't know how you missed some of those guys, honestly. Scandal is solid, but not overwhelming. So yeah, I think that'll be one of their big issues that they need to address, obviously, once the World Cup's over. But certainly, you know, when Rory Bass needs to come off the field, if he needs to come off the field, he might be somebody you have to drag off the field.
Speaker: And I'm shocked, you know, if I said this two years ago, somebody would have punched me and they would have been absolutely right to, but I'm saying it now, which is, I think it's time to start moving, making this Joey Carberry's team.
Speaker: Yeah you're gonna you're gonna see I mean they're gonna they're gonna run sexton it's just obviously they're gonna run sexton but we know if if you watch six nations and you watch certainly champions cup you know how to contain sexton right how to just and when you contain sexton the way that the teams did in those competitions
Speaker: You contain the backs because everything comes through sexton And if he's just going to take it to the line and get crushed and then get pissy and moaning about it Um that that means that that ireland is completely a forwards team Yeah, there might be it's got to get out to you know, it's great bundy aki fucking love stockdale
Speaker: Love him. Love him. Yeah, but if they're not gonna get the ball because you know sexton is uh, It's trying to get kicked out of him Then what what the fuck good are they? Yeah, we'll see how that goes I'm wondering how much you know if it's gonna be like, uh, you know sexton starts gets a half or something like that do what you can but We gotta see what happens
Speaker: We'll see. We gotta go. There's and the three names that are kind of listed together actually on this list here. Bern, Carberry, and Cardi. Those are going to probably be three names you see a lot after this World Cup. So, yes, Sexton is the incumbent and nobody's done anything to shake him away from it. It's kind of that, you know, that
Speaker: The boxing scorecard, you know, if you're going to unseat the champion, you got to really beat them. But I think that comes. So now we're getting into the it's better to get rid of or to move on from a player a year too early than a year too late. Sometimes, yes. And and this is a this isn't just six nations. This is right. It's really tough to do that in a world cup. It's that's a
Speaker: It's a hard decision that that is exponentially that decision becomes exponentially harder When you're not talking about a yearly championship you talk about a World Cup that happens once only four years And you these guys only get some of these guys only get one shot at it right so We'll see we'll see what Joe Schmidt goes with I I believe in Joe Schmidt I think he's got his head on straight, but we'll see like I said, I think you'll see Sexton, but I
Speaker: I can't wait to second -guess his decisions. That's everybody else's fault. Right. And I say that out of love because that's a tough decision to make in either way. It is, it is, it is, indeed. Oh, yeah. Carberry's going to start. What are you doing? Wait, weren't you just saying, I don't care what I was saying? Shh. Don't ask questions.
Speaker: Let's go to the other lonely boys there. Scotland, again, unknown entities all over the place, but guys that we know, names that we just know for sure. Definitely some other names that you're just like, hmm.
Speaker: Like like Blade Thompson eligible for Scotland after Getting his residency. Yeah, or maybe in earth like grandmother or something like that. I don't know It seems to be what some teams for yeah, but on 23 and me fine. Yeah, so my dad I
Speaker: I mean, this team's gonna go as Finn Russell goes. That's pretty much where it is and it's unfortunate to play it all on one shoulder. He is an amazing player and he is a little magician. He brings it out of nowhere between he and hog. It's basically gonna be on them to get the offense going. The forwards have proven that they can at least hang with some of these teams, but it's gonna be on the back line to be able to produce something.
Speaker: They obviously produced some really good stuff in that final game. It's wicking them especially in that second half. Yeah Yeah guys like Chris Harris and Sam Johnson and you know and Russell and hog just playing some great stuff. Mm -hmm. No No, yeah, I ended up being banged up for that one. Yeah, that's right They didn't have see him skinner for a bunch of that for much of that championship either and I think he's
Speaker: Not talked about player not talked about enough by any means. No, I think he needs to get a little bit more chat love Yep, and speaking of a guy who who needs a little bit more love I think although I'm not sure if I'm gonna give it to him. It's a Duncan Taylor Good to see him healthy. Yeah, I'm glad he's healthy. That's the number one. I'm just not sure he's gonna make the squad He may not he may not yeah look at this list
Speaker: He's probably somewhere on the outside. I'm so glad to see Rory Hutchinson in there. He had a great season for Northampton and just he was definitely a huge reason that they got into the Premiership playoffs. I'm really happy to see this kid in there. He is gonna be something special and I hope the...
Speaker: I hope the Scottish fans are ready to see him for a long time because he ain't old. He's very young. There's guys who are like, I'm not sure if he's making the squad. Hutchinson's making the squad. He better freaking make the squad or I'm questioning things. And I think he's got it as long as he keeps up this level of play. Even something resembling this level of play.
Speaker: Blasted onto the scene and did some amazing things. Yes, it's not as though he needs to like if he falls off a little bit He's still gonna be incredibly valuable. Yeah, so even if he doesn't keep up the insane level of play he had this year He I think just the the tools that he has and the abilities and decision -making that he's shown He'll be around agreed
Speaker: All right. So we'll see how those squads like I could see honestly, I could see any of these squads except Ireland winning. Yeah, and I feel bad for saying that about Ireland, but I just think any of these, these other any of the other seven teams, except maybe France
Speaker: Because they're French and they wouldn't play the right way against them. Like I've always said, in tournaments France are good for one performance, they'll pitter around and make some games really ugly, but then they'll find a way to put on one show to get themselves at least to somewhere semi -respectable.
Speaker: Ireland needs a big step up, I think. Yeah, they're going to need players. Scotland need all their big boys need to play very, very well. Scotland could, if they had their 23 play the best game that each of them had in them, they can beat any of these players or any of these teams. Yeah, but that's always their bug. But can they get all 23 guys clicking as one? Right. We'll see. And France can do that.
Speaker: Um, I'm just not sure based on how they play viral in the can. Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. Again, fair. Nothing personal. Fair enough. All right. Um, a little bit of player movement. Uh, Mark Wilson goes to sale. Um, we thought wasp originally, but so sale have bolstered their forward pack more. Uh, Mark Wilson only all alone. Um,
Speaker: More, more Falcons being rated, uh, very Nicky Gonova going to Quinn's for a year. Uh, I think that's a terrifying thought because they have Nathan at all on the other wing already. And assuming that Earl is able to at least start the season, he kind of fell out with a bit of a nasty injury.
Speaker: uh still pretty terrifying and then um the the quins go back to the to the shop at new castle and find cavabotti and get him into their second row so shopping at new castle seems to be at least yeah and it's good you know it's it's it's not good for for new castle their chances in the in the champions i i think that we've
Speaker: I think they should be fine though. I think they'll be fine. I don't see I don't see them having a huge issue honestly I think
Speaker: I think the fact that they've gotten some of these guys out on loan is probably the best thing that they could ask for to keep them at high level, premiership stuff, but not have them leave the team outright. Mark Wilson was a Newcastle guy through and through. He was never going to leave that club outright. So that's a, yeah, the loan makes sense there. He should be in the premiership. Right.
Speaker: Yeah, that's the only player movement I had off the top of my head. So there's been a... You mentioned both Ganavo and Kavu body. I heard Kavu body I did. Yeah. So there's been a tournament going on here in the States, which we're happy that they're even doing it over here, which is awesome for rugby in general. But it's been disappointing in a lot of ways.
Speaker: Starting with I mean starting with just the rugby in general for some teams But you know obviously there's a massive amount of issues that have been also been brought up Oh, yeah by you know the the public and people just like I think people I think people don't realize how stupid we are here sometimes But because now they're figuring it out
Speaker: Yeah, this is also a world rugby issue, though. Yeah, I agree. But I'm guessing. So what we're talking about here is the women's super series, which there's five teams, the five best teams in the world, England, USA, Canada, New Zealand, France, not in that order. I would put England and New Zealand at the top. Yeah, near the top of that list.
Speaker: Canada in the bit that third place I would say definitely and then France and England France in the US We'll see who's four and five right there But they so they brought all these teams out to California For a couple weeks The first matches were on on June 28 a couple days ago about a week ago right and the final round will be on on July 14th and that'll be when the Kiwis play England and
Speaker: And France plays USA for fourth place and The facilities have been shit and that's really a big thing like that There's no real changing room. The players are getting like tents and there's like a porta John and it's like As a world rugby thing does not occur
Speaker: Right. These are not acceptable facilities for for team and the field itself is Garbage is garbage. They I don't know what the hell they were thinking Choosing the location but they did but that they chose but obviously the USA rugby and world rugby kind of kind of shit the bed there We bit they're good at that, right? There's so there's but there's been there's been issues there. Yep
Speaker: Well, as for the rugby, it's going to be interesting because a lot of New Zealand players have recently retired. That's why the Barbarians side, the women's Barbarians side was very Kiwi heavy. Yeah. So they're playing a lot of their young girls, but they're looking very good too.
Speaker: Um surprise surprise England brought their their their smash him upside that they always bring so I can't wait for that match Um, so and with the u .s team, uh, there's good news and there's bad news The good news is they actually look like rugby players and they play like rugby players So they're doing they're doing rugby things, which is great. It used to be very different. There was a lot of uh, just kind of
Speaker: run them over, bash through, and maybe one pass off the breakdown and smash. One pass off the breakdown, smash. Now they're actually getting into actual rugby fundamentals and learning how to play the game. Very good start.
Speaker: They can't, the problem that I have now is they can't do the things that like coaches put in, like that are coach dependent. They can't execute a line out. And I saw the whole, these scores, so we look at England 35, USA 5.
Speaker: That seems like they got their butt kicked, but in reality a lot of that was because, you know, one of the times, so the US couldn't hit a line -up to save their fucking lives. Early in the match, US earn a penalty, earn a card right on the England's five -meter line.
Speaker: and decide to kick for a line out with the pack, you know, have we got an extra extra pack player. Let's kick a line. Fine. We'll kick to the corner. Get a line out. They lose the line out because they fucking suck at it. And they did like some crazy, stupid, complex line out and they couldn't get the throw in on accurately because of who the hell knows if they lifted right or whatnot. And either way, just and then they lose it. And then ultimately, England comes down and scores.
Speaker: with their card. And it's like, if you just were capable of doing a simple line out, or if you were capable of making the right decision and saying, you know, we'll go with a scrum instead of a line out on the five meter line, like you can maybe walk it in instead of if you're going to maul it in, why don't you're walking in with your scrum? Yeah, same idea. Absolutely. And it's just and doing some sort of stupid complex line out. They did another one against New Zealand on their own five meter line. They did like a four man line out.
Speaker: And it's just like, what are you? Why? Why? It's not. It's so it's not that they're not good. These scores are aren't a reflection of the players. It's really a reflection of the coaching where they're just they're doing things that don't make sense from, you know, you get an all star team from all around the country. Maybe having a complex line out is fucking stupid. Just have it. Yeah. No lift here, here, here. And that's it. No. When you have a bunch of people. No. Unless you have a.
Speaker: Unless you have a long training camp to get ready complex lines are just silly right and they don't even like it's yeah No, that's again goes back to the problem with with American coaching where we you know, we stress Oh, do you have any cool line out tricks? No, no
Speaker: Can you execute your lineup first? How about how we work on getting the throw and the lift. Step one, complete your lineup. Let's work on that. Do it consistently and then we'll talk. Right. Then we'll talk about doing something fun. You have to be competent before you can be playing around with shit. Agreed.
Speaker: So it's little things like that that are just the difference between, you know, a team like England is fucking good. And so to hold them to 35 is actually pretty impressive. Same thing with, with, uh, New Zealand can do that. That's for sure. Holding them to 33.
Speaker: Yeah, you're not gonna hold a sub 50 not bad. Okay, that's pretty good That means you can played some defense, but you would have even the score should be like a 20 to 17 Yeah, let's put let's put it over the line. Shall we right? It's different when you're when you're scoring points instead of getting held to five points and those that's that's all just the coaching Yeah, and I trust gold
Speaker: I think he'll do a good job in the long run. I think maybe he, uh, expected his expectations for this, this team in this setting, uh, were a little too high. I think he needs, and he needs to reset and say, all right, we got to simplify a little bit. He's not coaching the women too. No, I'm sorry. Um, I can't remember the coaches. I just went right to gold default brain. Right.
Speaker: We see, oh, Kane. Yeah. Rob Kane. I think he'll, he'll get them all right in the right place. Um, but they, they have a couple of assistant coaches who are just not. Not with it.
Speaker: No, because I know a couple of them and they're not really. Right. They know certain things, like the couple of them they have that were from the smash, smash, smash. So I'm sure that's what they're they're coaching, unfortunately, rather than quality. Yeah. Evasive skills play. Yep. All that good stuff.
Speaker: So um, so I think I think cane will get his staff right in the long run. I think he's he's quality Yeah, um, he'll just have to cycle through some of these uh Or bring bring them along like like two of i'm just looking at two of them and i'm not to call them out personally But but kate daley and jamie burke great eagles
Speaker: But to be a great eagle doesn't mean you're a great rugby player. No, that's never. Being a great player in any sport doesn't always equal you. You're going to be a great coach. That, too. So there's a lot going on there that I think... Daly's all right. Don't get me wrong. I think she's the one who runs the program down at Penn State. So she knows what she's doing a little bit. Learned a lot from the great Pete Steinberg.
Speaker: And so she kind of knows what she's doing, but at the same time, I'm not sure what outside of Pete, what kind of coaching she got and, and, uh, you know, how much she's helping just seeing some of the, well, hopefully it, uh, it shakes out. Yeah. So, um, there's, there's, there's a lot of good base to work on, but the standards have to be higher. Always, always, always.
Speaker: Alright, we had other rugby matches this past weekend. Won't dwell on too long because we should probably focus on the one that's coming up very soon here. But especially since one was just so poor, the Jaguars, Brumby's semi -final, I saw a headline that said, Brumby saved their worst for last. I was like, ooh, that's a hit. But it's not
Speaker: that far from the truth, that's the sad part. Like, oh man, they did not rock up at all. Good Lord. What was, and I, and I have to say, I, I questioned in the, in the previous weekend, I questioned the Jaguars crowd and whether or not they were fair weather because there were points where they didn't get into it and they just kind of were sitting on their hands and then they got, got into it. This game, they were right into it. I think in the, in the quarterfinal for the, for the headquarters, it took them a while to get like, they got into it by pleading with the ref.
Speaker: Yeah, like they started they started uh, um, really getting into glenn jackson's head Just some of the calls because this it was calls They didn't like they were they were fine calls, but they didn't like them because obviously they were they weren't against against them. Yeah Um, so and the haguars themselves didn't play that well. That's just like the kind of the crowd started to to
Speaker: Yeah, the crowd did just enough to to influence Glenn Jackson to to get in the game and I I wasn't expecting much from this game to be honest either because I like what the headquarters are doing Yeah, but there's they're they just don't seem to be like
Speaker: I think I got fortunate with their matchups. Let's put it this way. Yeah, they probably did. Because the Chiefs were never going. They're not a threat to win at all. The lineup was awful. The lineup was awful that week. Yeah. The Scrum was better. I'm actually surprised the Jaguars Scrum has gotten hosed the last two weeks the way it has. So we'll see. If they didn't have the lineup going the way it is, it would be in trouble. I will say that.
Speaker: They have a lot of work to do this week. But I'm just not, I'm not, I wasn't really that thrilled with either of the games there. No. And they, and I mean, again, Brumby's just didn't get off the plane. Right. Well, the Brumby, I mean, I think the Brumby's were perfectly happy to have won their quarterfinal and they were like, all right, we're good. Thanks.
Speaker: So there's your semi -final participants. Get their drinking ribbon. That's about all you got there. So yeah, the Jaguars get into their first final ever, which I think that itself is pretty cool to have them get into a final for Super Rugby. I think it speaks loudly. Talk about growing the game. This is kind of one of those ways that you want to grow the game here. This is not something I think that's been forced. I think this was a right selection. Obviously, they've proven that.
Speaker: And they're showing that they've definitely got something going on down there in Argentina. So I think that's that's really good stuff for them but unfortunately the files not gonna be played born Osiris because oh Man what I mean, obviously it's you know, if you had to tip the scales at which one of these two semi -finals was the better one clearly the one that occurred in Christ Church and
Speaker: was way better because wow what a game oh my goodness that and you know as a Hurricanes fan I was I was happy that we were able to rock up and I knew we had something in us tonight was we were just one we were well really if you want to rewind it we were probably about 10 minutes away from beating them we what we didn't wake up for about 10 minutes right it cost us
Speaker: and the first half was was unfortunate for the hurricanes um in that they spent so much time in their own end put a lot of defense i played a lot of defense and and they they were the crusaders did a very good job of of putting them in a box and say and that box being their own 22
Speaker: They did a good job just keeping them in there. And they put the hurricanes in spots where they really didn't have the opportunity to attack across phases. They had to get themselves in a position to kick and try to change field position. And then the Crusaders were like, okay, thanks for changing field position. We're going to just change it again. Let's do it again. We'll do it again. Because one of these times we're just going to accidentally fall over the line. I got one of them. Yeah.
Speaker: And that's, that's what they did in the first half. Oh man. Yeah. Frigging. I mean, good pickup from Sabo Reese on the kick, obviously. Right. Put it over. But yeah, that was just, that was a lot of defensive hurricanes played. I said it before and I'll say it again, the right guys stood up and put their hand up for this team that needed to in order for them to have a good game.
Speaker: And I mean, it's the names that you expect to ring through your ears. Dane Coles, Artie Sevilla, TJ Paranara, Boden Barrett, Lamape, Jordy Barrett, Ben Lamb, all put their hands up in this game and we're like, no way. We are not going down like this. And that to me was the most impressive, because if I'm not mistaken,
Speaker: So you look at these, we've, we've been talking for, for weeks about this, uh, but teams like the crusaders, they are the most dangerous between minutes 40 and minutes 60. Yeah. And you know, who won those, those 20 minutes, the hurricanes by a lot.
Speaker: Yeah, they were they were definitely on top. And so that like to do that right to rock back up and say, no, we're going to we're going to we're going to make this a game. And not only that, but we're going to beat you at your own game on your own time. And they were and they were seeing the hurricanes were very much OK with open free flowing. That's what they wanted this year.
Speaker: Obviously they had some pack issues that occurred that couldn't be helped, especially with Sam Lausie going down, that was a huge one. But they were very willing to play open rugby and they started to figure that one out in the second half for sure.
Speaker: Ben lamb I will say this Ben lamb exposed something of several reefs that I think Steve Hanson needs to be very very worried about if he's if he's gonna Choose him in a World Cup game and that several reefs has a hard time playing defense. Yes. He yes, he's a try scoring machine There's no doubt. There's a spot for a finisher on any team. What's right? Whoever you are, but you got like I feel like for Steve Hanson He just sets the standard a little higher and as a winner you have to be able to tackle and
Speaker: And I'm not saying that Rico Ioannoni does an amazing job with his tackling, but what I'm telling you is if you let one guy just skate by you two, three times in a game, people are going to look at that and say, oh, we can pick on him. And Ben Lamb was abusing him at points and abused him so badly for a try.
Speaker: Dan Coles is an angry man. I said it before I say it again. That dude is angry. And he's doing a, I mean, he, in this game, if anybody was ever questioning whether or not he was the best hooker in the world, I think in this game, he just showed it and said, nope, mine. Mine. And that's his two jersey in a black shirt for sure. So I think that's great. Obviously the hall blacks are excited about that.
Speaker: TJ Paranar is also a very emotional guy and he played his brains out. He had an amazing match. So obviously it came down to, we talked about the 10 minutes at the beginning, the last two minutes at the end, the Sam Whitelock no call was obviously huge. And without even that, I didn't think TJ's knock was a knock.
Speaker: No, he was pulling it backwards the whole time. I thought, I also don't think Nick Berry did a very good job, to be honest. I don't know why he's going to the World Cup. Jaco Piper is going to be the referee this weekend. Again, another guy that I've questioned basically since this competition started. I initially was like, oh, OK, that's not bad.
Speaker: and then i realized wait a minute that is bad because the crusaders i felt like the crusaders got away with fucking everything in the first half yeah probably did and then in the second half it was very much it was much more even in that and by even i mean he gave the he got let the hurricanes get away with quite a bit and then and then so i was it's just
Speaker: That that last call there to to call the knock rather than white lock putting his hand through the ruck Yes, clearly and actually I wasn't so disappointed at at the referee on the field as the tmo Who when they show the replay has got it? That's a that was a scoring opportunity like if I like I realized the the setting of The you know what just happened? Mm -hmm
Speaker: So it's not gonna be one of these oh the scoring opportunity here's a penalty and a card if anything I would say you know what we're gonna just call a scrum We're gonna call a knock -on. I thought might be a knock -on white lock Yeah, that's like really what I thought was just call it that and say we're done. Yeah But instead it kind of just kills the because it's like look that the Hurricanes deserve one more opportunity to to win this game rather than
Speaker: Yeah, the the the Crusaders the game's over we'll have the strum and then the kick to touch and that's game See and the thing is with karate off the field I actually would have backed Lomape to go one -on -one with anybody in there in that midfield, right? And at least get halfway over the game Get a half break and then get them on the front foot and then turn and then put it over the line Yeah, and really and you know Unfortunately, well and we'll talk about it a little bit But you know, I think that would have been a better final for the sake of the of the game itself Yes, and and what we're gonna watch
Speaker: But you know, yeah, it is what it is. Um, and we have to go back because we can't not mention the two kicks. We kind of did. You did. You talked about a little bit the karate cross kick. Yep. Um, to several Reese, which was fantastic. Yeah. Just a good spot. And you're not expecting karate to kick like that. Definitely not. So definitely not. Um, so well done to see that option. And then, um, we got to talk about the, the wrong foot, Bowdoin Barrett. Oh, yes. That was gorgeous.
Speaker: So and you know and I feel like Bowdoin Barrett's been getting hammered on for because Mwanga's been in great form. Yeah, but to be fair I don't think Bowdoin Barrett has the same things to work with that Rishi Mwanga does and I'm not saying that they're the hurricanes don't have good players, but I just feel like I Mean if you look at the two standard pairings that that they have outside of them just those two things right there in particular
Speaker: Lamape a beast Proctor Amaga Jensen Not either one of them not crazy about they put Jordy Barrett there sometimes but that's not his favorite position now So yeah, and then you look at the other side and the two guys that started a lot of games for this team could you and karate? Mm -hmm. They could easily be the all black Smithfield. It could be
Speaker: It still could be that could easily be the all -blocks midfield. Yeah, so, you know, that's a little bit different and you know Yes, he has tj. I mean to be fair. I love tj, but his service isn't always great No, um, you know britain hall is obviously very much below tj parnar, but still I I just feel like welcome barrick got hammered on Well, because I still think he's going to be your 10 when you win world player of the year Um, two three times in a row, right? You're there's expectations that you maintain that level of play. Yeah, so like we were talking about with hutchinson, um
Speaker: Yeah, you know Bowdoin Barrett's leveled off. I you know he's not I wouldn't say he's fallen off. You mean Sexton
Speaker: No, I mean Barrett. No, before. You said Hutchinson. No, I meant Hutchinson as far as like, he's still a great player. Oh, for the same thing. But if he falls off, he's still going to be very good. Oh, OK. OK, now it's here you go. The difference is when you're a world player of the year, people are like, oh, keep getting better. Keep getting better. And it's like, no. This is what I can do. It's got to be hard to not level off. Right. And then, yes, to come back to the Sexton thing, you know how to beat Sexton. That book is written now.
Speaker: with Barrett, he can, even with, you kind of know how to contain Barrett, he's been pretty well contained. You have to contain him, you're not going to beat him. Right. So it comes across as, oh, Barrett's, you know, he's not, he's not, you know, leading the league in tries again. He's doing different things. Yeah. And he's, he's working with his teammates to making them better.
Speaker: Right. So I still think you'll be your 10. You can still do some fucking amazing things. Yeah. Like chip it over the top. The chip with his wrong foot. And come on. Like he accelerated. Like he was jogging it. I think he thought he kicked it too far. I think he misjudged it off his foot. Yeah. And then realized, wait a minute. Wrong -footed stuff, you know. Yeah. I can still catch this. And then like accelerate it right onto it. Just got the hands on it. Either he did that or he was baiting the defense into thinking that he kicked it far. And whatever. It worked out great. Yeah.
Speaker: So yeah, it's the Crusaders in the final. The final is going to be in Christchurch. Oh, and we'll get into the pick here. A lot's being made about should this final be played in neutral sight. And I think, you know, when you compare the two competitions and the best competitions we can, or the best comparison we can have between two competitions in two different areas, is the Champions Cup and Super Rugby.
Speaker: and Europe's not nearly as big as the travel that these guys are having to endure, especially considering that the majority of the travel's in Western Europe. It's not even throughout the rest of Europe. It's throughout Western Europe, with the exception of Italy, and that's not even that far east, so. Right, so it's not comparable. You need to have this city, because if you want fans at the games, it's gonna be, you know, if you set the final in Johannesburg this year,
Speaker: Good luck getting these fans there. Yes, you're going to have some fans there. You are not going to fill whatever building you're playing. Right. Okay. And I know that Crusaders, the Crusaders Stadium, Christ Church City and whatever it is, is not super big and it doesn't have a lot.
Speaker: They'll pack it and it'll be a good atmosphere, right? So something like what would be I think a more if we want to get into to that level of You know played at a neutral site, which I I somewhat agree with what I would say is play it at an alternative site within the home country of the so say instead of playing in Christchurch
Speaker: Yeah, play like Eden Park. Eden Park, right? So it's not an entire home game for the Crusaders, but at the same time, only one team really travels. I think that's reasonable. I think that's very reasonable.
Speaker: So I think I would like to see it that way. I think that gets difficult when you get into, to say if the Hegwaris were, were the home team here, but I think the garbage team is big enough where you could find another, another venue. Yeah, they've got a few of them. All right. So the final.
Speaker: Now, I've mentioned it before, I think this would have been a better, more competitive game if it was the Hurricanes going to Buenos Aires. I think you would have had a slobber knocker at the very least. This would have been a freaking hard match to play in. It would have. I don't think this is going to be the same level of that. I think the Jags traveling, I know they know how to travel,
Speaker: But it's not like they're not traveling to the sharks. They're not traveling to the stormers. They're traveling to the fucking crusaders. Right. And the crusaders have done been here before. They've seen this movie before. They know what's going on. A Cinderella miracle story, if it were to occur. Jax ain't winning. Yeah, it would be it would be up there with some all time
Speaker: All time upsets Oh wins all time. This is gonna be
Speaker: I think you're what you were going to end up seeing is is very much a replay of the semi -final uh the the the canes crusader semi -final except with a a much weaker uh visiting side because Crusaders are going to pin pin the jags back in their own end all for just camp out on their doorstep yeah probably put a few over and to go back and camp out again
Speaker: And I think they walk to a win with this one. I think it's going to turn into a little bit of a track meet. I think it'll be competitive in the first half in that 20 minutes that you mentioned earlier. That's where the Crusaders decide to put the foot on the throw and say, ours. I would not be surprised if the Crusaders do not have 20 points at halftime.
Speaker: and then put up 20 points in the first 20 minutes at the second half. I could see that very easily happening. Bonus. Who's going to be your player of the match? I think it's going to be Sevarice. Ooh, okay. I think he's going to have, I mean, just the way he's playing out of his mind. I'm not sure the the Hegwaris can
Speaker: can do enough to stop him. Yeah, probably not. I'm going to go the other way, and I'm going to say Cody Taylor. Fair. And I know the Crusaders' backs are obviously what everybody talks about. You look at that back line, you can't help but drool. But still, Cody Taylor is, really, he's still probably a top five hooker in the universe. He's just playing on the wrong bloody team.
Speaker: It'll be interesting because yeah, there's a lot of a lot of the forwards to kind of are interchangeable on the on the Crusaders because yeah kind of what they do right well And you know and the reason that I picked Cody Taylor out also is because the last two games the Jags have won What's gone? What's happened is they've been managed to just ruin lineouts. Yeah, although I will say dank holes actually threw very well this This past year and but they look they made two pretty good hookers in Nathan Harrison fall off hanging It looked really really silly
Speaker: Yeah, so I will I will say that I think that's why Cody Taylor is a huge part of this game In terms of that, but it's not is that like so where I'm getting is that you're not gonna see like I don't expect to see a Matt Todd or even a Kieran Reed Be a man of the match. No, probably not just cuz they're they're very good But they don't do the things that will get you the man of the match. No, that's like that. That's what you most awesome Healy starts picking it
Speaker: That's the other question is who's actually picking? I don't know. And are they, you know, are they going to pick the, so I'm obviously going with the flashy option. I think I could see, you know, I could see, and then it doesn't matter that, you know, the bunch of the forwards for, uh, for the Crusaders had, had great fucking matches and probably actually won the game. Yeah. It'll matter that, Oh, he scored three tries. So that must be, has to be something like that. That's how it goes.
Speaker: Yeah, so it depends on you know, we get if we get a cowboy or uh Or a rugger. Yeah, we'll see find out Um so other other news and notes, um, we've been invited to an experts league in for the rugby world cup fantasy So that'll be fun. Um, our friend the the fancy rugby geek is going to put together a league and he invited us along to have some fun. So this will be
Speaker: So look out for us come fall. That'll be really cool. That'll be very interesting. I think that'll be fun to banter with those types of guys, especially guys that are into it as much as we are. Yeah. So that'll be fun. And then next week is going to be our final episode. We'll have to come up with something fun to do.
Speaker: Yeah. But yeah, I've been saying I'll put up the Twitter poll. I will. I'm going to put up a Twitter poll for your favorite episode. And we'll show the results. We already talked about our favorite episodes this year. Again, we got the 500 downloads. I can talk about the countries that we're in next week and all that stuff. It's always cool to see what new countries and what strange countries show up on our. It's like risk. Yeah. We've conquered this one.
Speaker: But yeah, so next week will be a final week, and then we'll take a nice break, and we'll probably come back a week before the premiership kicks off again, and we'll talk about all things rugby, all things fantasy rugby. We will have some fun conversations to have about draft rugby.
Speaker: because of all the players, and even TRM, Roguemag, with all the players that are going to be out and who's going to be worth picking. Oh yeah. That's going to be a fun thing to kind of cut open and see what's going on with that. But until next week, make sure that you're downloading, loading us, and you're subscribed to us. Share with your friends and make sure that you email us if you have any questions. Hey, send an email for the last show. Why not? fancyroguepodcast .gmail .com.
Speaker: We will be back next week, hopefully in a less awkward manner. And everybody kick back, enjoy the final this weekend. And those of you that are in the United States, happy birthday America. And we will catch you guys next week. Have a good one. Cheers. See ya.
