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Season 6- Episode 26- What Team is Going to Show Up? (Premiership Round 16 & Super Rugby Round 10)
42 Plays6 months ago
Hey, look at us doing things two weeks in a row. On this episode with those American rugby knuckleheads, it's a look back at the final weekend of Women's 6 Nations and how things went down in Cardiff, Belfast and Bordeaux. Then we hit the Prem as the run in continues to unfold and we get clarity on who is going to push it to the final week and who is just playing for places in Champions Cup (or not). It's back to a full slate of Super Rugby games, although maybe some of them didn't need to be played? And who the heck are the Reds? Not sure even they know thus far this season. Finally, it's a hop over to Carson, California as the Free Jacks hammer the LA franchise, with two proper looseheads mind you. It's all this and so much more banter so kick back with a drink and join us!
Check out the TFRY Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyRugbyYanks
Ask us questions via Twitter: Jarrod- jdyke8man & Ben- admrablsnackbar, and #AskTFRY.
Send us your thoughts for the show and questions for upcoming shows via e-mail [email protected]. Of course, we welcome feedback via e-mail, twitter or by rating/reviewing the pod on Apple Podcast
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Promotion
00:00:03
Speaker
It is. The Fantasy Robias. My name is Jared Dyke. I wanted to say it's stupid and let's move on, but then you kept going. I'm Ben Glauser. I don't like any way anybody handled that. A collusion.
00:00:26
Speaker
Hey everybody. Welcome back. It is the fancy rugby Yanks. My name is Jared Dyke. I'm Ben Glauser. Hey, we've put, we're putting a couple of together, uh, together a couple of weeks in a row here. That's what we call a winning streak. They call that a winning streak. That's you that aren't, that haven't seen major league. Shame on you. Well, let's bust these things. All right. Find us on your favorite podcast app, share a download rate review. Feedback. Always welcome to her usual.
Cider Tasting and Community Support
00:00:54
Speaker
Trying a new storm along tonight.
00:00:56
Speaker
called Boston Heirloom. It sounds interesting. I'm guessing. It's 6.9%. That sounds heavy. It'll be. Especially for you. You're lightweight. Yeah, I am a lightweight now. Make sure that you are buying our good friend George, the fantasy where we kick a coffee or beer, especially if you did well in your six nation, women's six nations, which obviously he was giving all the fantasy goods out on the official site. So yeah, buy that man a coffee or beer, however you see fit.
00:01:25
Speaker
Support the man and we got busy weekends coming up as well. So give them in support while you can. Yeah, I didn't see how I did. Although Ellie Kildun did not help me out much. No, she didn't do as well as I was hoping. But whatever I came, I rose up. I was 11th in our league. So hooray. I think I passed you. Yeah, you did by one by all by one point.
Societal Concerns and University Protests
00:01:48
Speaker
Not by much, but yeah, you're right there Yes, just you have many of those Yeah Make sure nope, that's not the one there is a distribution here on this podcast should they be in sports or in life? recent happenings around the US are concerning Like arrests in college campuses and
00:02:16
Speaker
It's so, we just have this warped reality here in other countries, too, other developed nations do as well, where if it's done in China, say, then this is the one I could think of, because I just saw it recently. And they arrest students and police them, and it's like, how terrible? Clearly, the government's up to something. And we do it.
00:02:44
Speaker
And we think it's nothing. No, that's how it's supposed to happen. It's like, no, no, there's something up here. Can we open our eyes a little bit here, guys? To me, first off, this is problematic on a couple of levels, obviously. First off being that
00:03:06
Speaker
You know, I do obviously our democracy here is I mean, it's for me, I feel like it's been gone. I don't think it's really it's in parallel anymore. I think we're pretty much done with our trouble. We're in danger. But like, it's just put it this way.
00:03:31
Speaker
And this is what fucks with me the most. The kids are using tactics that they learned from active shooter drills to protect themselves from the police while they protest children being murdered overseas.
00:03:47
Speaker
Like if anything screams failed state to anybody. And so then, but then like, also this is happening in New York city and at Columbia university where these, you know, these are, these are wealthy kids, right? These aren't like, you know, it's not the same as like a state school to be perfectly blunt. It's just an Ivy league school. These kids are the kids of wealthy and potentially powerful people. Um,
00:04:16
Speaker
And they're treating him this way and they feel like justified doing it. And it's like, how can you say, oh, well, you have to vote for Biden or you have to vote for the Democrats because the Republicans would be worse when you're the one who's doing the things you're claiming the other side would do? It's just like, no matter how we vote, this is what we get. We have this police state. We have this fascist autocracy. It just, that's what doesn't bode well. It's that we can't vote ourselves out of this.
00:04:46
Speaker
No, we can't. We really can't. And so please help us. We are in danger. So, yeah, it's just but like the whole point of that, like we have school shootings are so bad that not only will our government not do anything about them, but they'll just train kids how to fight back. And then the kids are using that training on the police who are coming to, you know, who won't go into a school to stop an active shooter.
00:05:13
Speaker
they will go into a school to stop an active peaceful protest. Right, like a sit-in. What's threatening about that? The University of Columbia still has up on their website their praising of the 1968 anti-Vietnam sit-in. It's like, kids are doing the same thing now, but you're praising them. It's like,
00:05:39
Speaker
There's a lot of in America everyone supports is against every war except the current war and In favor of every civil rights movement except the current civil rights movement It's one of those in ten years all these people will be like, oh, no, those kids were right. I was with them all along No, fuck you were fuck you were
00:05:58
Speaker
And they know. So yeah, like we we've got so many problems that we can't address and it's it's not good. This is what I've been trying to avoid from our no discrimination firm. But like I think after last night, it was. Tip of the iceberg at this point, too, which is the sad part. Right. That's just the surface shit. This is bad as this all sounds. That's just the surface. That is. Yeah, that is only the beginning. Right. Really shit. Yeah. Really, really shit. Not good. No.
00:06:30
Speaker
Like, if we were a premiership club, we would be Newcastle.
Rugby Updates and Personal Notes
00:06:35
Speaker
At best. At best. We might be Worcester. That's true. Or Wasp, yeah. Anyway, let's, Patreon, that's the word I was thinking of. Yeah. Make sure that you grab ours. The sheets will be out soonish. I'm going to try to get the analytics done tomorrow. I'm not going to make any promises, though, for Super Rugby. I apologize for that.
00:06:56
Speaker
Yeah, we both have busy weekends, but yeah, in any case, like my rugby season's
Women's Six Nations Review
00:07:02
Speaker
over now. So this was like the last weekend where I now I'd like, that's the thing. My rugby season ended. I need like some chill time. So, and you know, a little bit of actual, you know, spending time with the baby now, a little bit more, a couple more hours a week. It's really nice. Yeah, that'd be good too.
00:07:19
Speaker
But in any case, it's useful and it's fun. So grab it while you can. Right. The stats will not have changed that much based on this weekend. So no, that's why I'm also not too in a rush. Yeah. If we miss two weeks, then we're in trouble. Right. Yeah. No, it'll be done next week. Cause then it's just really fucking hard to get done. Yeah. And then it's like, then you're, then we're up against it and then we're really screwed. Yeah.
00:07:44
Speaker
Okay. Let's go to the women's six nations final weekend, super Saturday. Uh, we'll start at the principality real quick. Wales finally get one, one over the line. So they're not completely, you know, in shit as it were, but they needed that. That's it. Oh, you, did you see the coaching box? Yeah. I was like, Jesus, this was a final of them. I mean, they still, by the way, they still got the wooden spoon, but at least they want to get one to match in the campaign. Right.
00:08:15
Speaker
But it was no one likes getting blanked. No, nobody likes getting blanked at all. I. This might be blasphemy. I thought like George was pretty bad most of this tournament, and I didn't think she was a whole lot better this day. And well, I I like her. I just don't think she's performed well in these colors, but I and I struggle to say this because it's hard to say it.
00:08:44
Speaker
Uh, respectfully, but at the same time, she's a professional professional athlete. She's a national, you know, a player on the national starter on the national team. She's not in shape. Yeah, certainly. No, I feel it's, that's the problem though. I feel bad saying that because there's like, you know,
00:09:05
Speaker
implications of that because she's a woman in a way. But at the same time, I say that about some of the men too. So like say it about Harry Randall, he's and he's been better lately. But you know, there's been plenty of times where he's stuck in some fitness. Yeah. And yeah, she's just like, she struggles to get herself she can't play at the speed for that long a time. No. And that's problematic. Yeah, it is. So but that's the but the thing is, that's fixable.
00:09:34
Speaker
That's her biggest problem, and I think it is Okay, let's get to work on it. Yeah, it's extremely fixable I
00:09:45
Speaker
And I also don't love, and we'll talk about it in a second. I don't love Georgia Evans playing at number eight. I felt like it should have been butchers or calendar playing number eight for sure. Cause if we're talking about good ball carriers on the team, Evans is not in that conversation. No. And I like her, believe me, I like her, but like she's not in that conversation in terms of the better ball carriers on that team. Right.
00:10:08
Speaker
Like just rearrange a little bit, have her at six. Yep. And she's a devastating sick. Like that's like, that also weirds me out when people play, the coaches play people out of position like that in a way, like I'm not sure. I'm not sure what's your, what's your, not sure what they were going for, but they got it. The, the non-try that was called by Evans though, we'll call back against Evans.
00:10:31
Speaker
I get people's annoyance by it, but she had already started to blow the whistle and like blow the play dead. And there's something psychologically when you see the referee about to blow the whistle, you just stop. So while it should have been advantage to Wales and Georgia Evans try should have counted.
00:10:51
Speaker
that's not how it worked. It didn't matter that much because they got it over, they got it over about two minutes later. I think it was like two, I think it was a two week below two try. Um, so not that big a deal, but like, yeah, just if it's another day, then that's, that is different. And I get it. I get it. I get it. Um, you just get, you know, fortunate that it didn't kill them. Yeah. It didn't, it didn't affect the game to the extent that it could have. Right. The,
00:11:21
Speaker
You know, I was really disappointed for Italy in Dinka and I thought she was, there were one too many moments and not that many, but one too many for her sake where she was a little indecisive and that was
00:11:36
Speaker
costly. In that 13 channel, you can't be indecisive. You have to just decide I'm putting my foot down and going or I'm here. We're just going to get rid of it. That's the problem. She's a wing. And so throwing her in at centers, some can do it. Like you look at Tommy Freeman and yeah, not a problem. But that's the thing. What makes him great as a wing is that he will just run through a motherfucker.
00:12:02
Speaker
But that's not Dinka's game. She's a burning on the corner and a finisher. And that doesn't always translate to 13. And I think that's more of an experience thing. Yeah. And it'll come for her. And also maybe try it for the Wales game. I get that. But no.
00:12:28
Speaker
They did, I will say in terms of watching them, it was way more fun to watch the Italians when they attacked than it was to watch the Welsh when they attacked. I give them a ton of credit for that. It wasn't going to be that challenging for the sake of that.
00:12:46
Speaker
Yeah. And, you know, we know Redoni, she's absolutely fantastic. And there's a lot of great things about this Italian team. And hopefully they do get the qualification to our World Cup 25 because they belong there without a doubt. And they, and again, there's a lot of youth, you know,
00:13:06
Speaker
We saw, is she a guy? She will not make it to 2025, I don't think, unfortunately. Great job on her. But I think this is going to be her last campaign, I would bet.
00:13:19
Speaker
would not be surprised. Yeah. So, uh, even still there was, it was an entertaining first, first match of the weekend. And it only got, it actually didn't get better right away when they went to the King span in Ireland. It was actually pretty bad to start. And they were, the commentary actually made a pretty hard point of that. Like it wasn't good right away. And I know the ball was slippery, but
00:13:45
Speaker
Damn, they could have done a lot better in some of these aspects in this game. Certainly to start off the half. I'm just happy that Babe and Parsons finally got loose. Yeah, I know. She's a little bit, right? Yeah, she seemed to have been just waiting to get loose here. Yeah, it's been when's it going to happen? When's it going to happen? When's it going to happen? Okay, fine. Yeah, it happened. Finally got there. Finally got there. Little disruption to
00:14:13
Speaker
Scotland, unfortunately, with skeleton dropping late, and then masson getting badly hurt. Like what? 10 minutes in? Yeah, she came off at 11 minutes. Yeah. Yeah. Some bit of disruption, which can obviously throw things off, especially at nine. They've had so many injuries too. Like they're, they're literally walking wounded.
00:14:36
Speaker
Um, and they had, and they, they had, they lost Lloyd and Raleigh, went to suspension one, went to play sevens. So that's unfortunate as well. Yeah. So just missing. Wasn't awesome for their sake. No, um, kind of sucks, but you know, then.
00:14:54
Speaker
there's still, you know, a lot of good to look forward to from the Scotland team. But at the end, though, it did get the, you know, a lot of the backups got some valuable experience. And I'm trying to put some sort of positive spin on it, because they're going to need them in helping to build depth.
00:15:12
Speaker
Like was it Louise McMillan? I'm not sure how much she expected to play this tournament. Um, she played 56 minutes this match. I think that's probably played a ton. Yeah. Um, I can check her man count in one second here. Yeah. But like, you know, she wasn't really slated to play this much, but until, um, you know, some injuries to, to a couple of the, the, the players ahead of her. So good. Get her some, get her some minutes. That'll help down the line. You know, not, not so much of a, you know, it's cold comfort,
00:15:42
Speaker
I guess Scotland are used to. They should be used to that.
00:15:55
Speaker
There's a lot, there's a lot to like about the way Scotland did this tournament, but at the same time, I can understand that anyway, that might be a little frustrated with how it ended, but it's still, it's still pretty good stuff with a lot of pieces still getting the rust banged off as it were. Yeah. Speaking of the rust banged off, uh, Clemelonia is back. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Good for her. Like, yeah, she, she played a little bit, but no, this was her like, fuck this.
00:16:26
Speaker
I'm falling out. Yeah. And how about the steal by morning hand to end the game at the line out? Huge from the captain. Huge from the captain. Right.
00:16:41
Speaker
And that actually gets Ireland into not only WXV1, it also gets them into the World Cup, I believe, as well, which they missed the last one. Yes, they did. That is a big... And they were talking about the coaching staff. That was the coaching staff's target. We have to qualify for the World Cup.
00:17:00
Speaker
Yeah, you do. Trust me. We know something about missing out on that thing. Yeah. No World Cup is a World Cup without Ireland around. It doesn't matter what, what competition it is. So, um, good on them. And there, you know, there's still this, this is massive steps forward and, um, we'll see in 2025, I think they're gonna, um, you know, they're going to be a factor. Mm-hmm.
00:17:26
Speaker
Yeah. Cause I think they're taking steps. They're taking big steps forward. So just keep that mo going. There's a, there's a lot to like about the way they they've done this, this period as well. Um, obviously beating whales was a big one for them to start with. And then this one as well. Yep. Really good stuff. And then over to Bordeaux, France can't break this hoodoo like
00:17:55
Speaker
I feel annoyed for the French, honestly. Nobody cracked this England team the way they did. I will say that. There was no team that brought the Thunder quite like the France team did against this England team thus far, this competition. For their sake, it's really disheartening to see them play probably the best so far against anybody.
00:18:23
Speaker
against England and just fall so far short. Not just like one try, like 14 points and it's kind of dodgy.
00:18:35
Speaker
No, it wasn't even 14. Sorry. It was freaking 21. Nevermind. Nevermind. Even worse. 14 at half. But that's great. You score 14 points against England in the first half. This England team, not bad. But the problem is they gave up 35. Right. And that's just too much to come back from. 21 points at half. This freaking machine, this wagon that England have. Yeah.
00:19:03
Speaker
It's unreal. I don't know what else to say about it. This is like not much. There's just some great players. And it's not just that they're great players, but the way they play together, they'll just carve you up. Yep.
00:19:20
Speaker
They'll power over you when they get you off balance a little bit, but when you're set, they'll run around you. It's not fair. Depth doesn't even describe the word at this point because you think about the players that we're used to seeing in this England squad that weren't really prominent in this tournament and that the names became household names.
00:19:47
Speaker
this tournament, make Jones and heard as the center combination. I can tell you, none of us had that in our book, in our book going forward. Like, you know, the back three is lethal. We knew about them. That's not news. Mohan coming back into form has been great. But then like, you have Boderman and Muir who probably weren't both the starting props that we thought that we'd see. We definitely thought we'd see burn, but she got hurt. Yeah.
00:20:12
Speaker
We're used to seeing Poppy Cleo at number eight and Matthews and Co. I think they mix it around a little bit, but still. Wouldn't you wouldn't know that they didn't even miss a beat, right? And Kabeya was a little bit of a question mark coming in. It was one of those like I think we mentioned her maybe in passing during like some of the previous stuff, and she was like. One of their featured back row play like forward. Yep, absolutely.
00:20:40
Speaker
Um, and you know, we've, and yeah, like you mentioned mod mirror, like, but, and we've been hearing about her for a few years now. That's not like, but this is it. This was like almost like her coming out party for the six nations. Like, no, no, no, I'm that this is my job. And it doesn't matter which side of the scrum I'm going to be in it.
00:21:00
Speaker
Clearly Scary and Botterman was like She was a monster. She's a monster all tournament too. But you know, yeah, especially lately like the late in the you know last couple matches. She's just been I Mean obviously, you know the stuff that we used to see from her when she was at Saris Playing against over match players That's what she's doing now, but it's on a whole new level it does There's it is and we
00:21:28
Speaker
There was still, you know, Zoe Aldecroft on the field as well, by the way. You know, what role play that you never know. Yeah, right. So and I think it's fair to say that Packer wasn't needed as much as she normally would be. Right. They didn't rely on her nearly as much. No, no. So it's yeah. And this is all because England have made professionalization a thing and they did it a while ago. They didn't do it, you know,
00:21:59
Speaker
last year or yesterday, they did it a little while ago at this point and they've, you know, they have probably the best women's league in the world, which obviously helps and it attracts the best players from around the world. Case in point with some of the US girls playing there, a lot of the Scotland players play there, a lot of the Wales girls play there. So, you know, it's, yeah, a ton of the Ireland women play there.
00:22:25
Speaker
So it only, sadly, it only helps the English women, right? It's the best league, but it only, it really only reinforces their, their, you know, I think it's helping the others, but it's not. Not nearly enough yet. It'll get there. No, it'll get there. Hopefully we can see other leagues to pop up, you know, super rugby and super picky and super W have been helpful. Um, go Charlie Jacobi. Um,
00:22:54
Speaker
But they're just not there yet. And we haven't talked about it yet. We'll have to find a gap maybe next week, where we talk about WUR over here. And hopefully that'll bring some goods 10, 12 years down the road here. Yeah. Let's hope. Let's hope.
Saracens vs Bath Match Analysis
00:23:14
Speaker
OK. Let's jump to the prem. We'll go right to Friday night. Bath and series.
00:23:27
Speaker
You know, it was one of those matches where I'm like, I don't love being a fan of either of these teams, but also at the same time, I am still a serious man. So yes, I wanted to fucking win this goddamn thing. Right. And honestly, by whatever means necessary. But I still wish a lot of Davies wasn't playing nine. Yeah. And I don't think you will.
00:23:50
Speaker
So here's the thing. I thought this was the perfect use of Davies and this style. They played much less of an attacking style. I thought they should have played more guys. I always think that. But it was much more defensive, put the ball in the air, play field position, which I thought was actually smart because, again, Finn's not there and you're on the road. You want to take the crowd out of it. You want to keep them
00:24:18
Speaker
a little bored if you can, you know, little on their butts, maybe yawning a little bit.
00:24:26
Speaker
I'd say they were probably yelling. And then you take your opportunities when you get them. And I thought that Saris did that perfectly. Every time they got in position, they put some points up and then mostly just played around the midfielder a little bit in their end. And we're okay to do that because their defense is just outstanding. And honestly, Orlando Bailey is not going to beat you if you don't let him.
00:24:52
Speaker
Yeah. He may, if you go to sleep, but. Right. They're like, okay, try to beat us. And he really couldn't. No. As emphasized by, what was it? Yeah, the two, well, no, red paths. Red path was a mall try, right? Yes. Yeah. So two mall tries, essentially, or just a toy, I think just was a flop over. It was a flop over.
00:25:16
Speaker
Yeah, that's that's what you had. Then whereas the Saris parton back on it shaking. Oh, that's awesome. That was good. That was very good for how lackadaisical this mass or lackluster this match was. That was very good. Right. So it proves that you can you can pull it out in moments, which is great. But I
00:25:45
Speaker
Yeah, I think this is also the type of rugby that can get Saracens into trouble sometimes. Right. I'm hoping that this was tactical just for this match. Again, you're away, you're at the wreck. You're just trying to, you know, play a little bit of stall ball and you don't want to get the, you don't want to take the crowd out of it and just, just win, you know, choke them out. Right. Anaconda rugby. A little bit.
00:26:10
Speaker
Yeah. And just, and it's like they're shaking. Try just thinking about it. Like when you put the ball in the air in the 22, it can be very nervy. Oh boy, is this going to get caught? And obviously there was nobody home. So that's why it was done. But every once in a while you're just like, why is that ball in the air? Okay. Nevermind. It's okay. It's all good. It's all good. One of those. No, no, no, no. I know Theo's not out there this time. So who the hell is, Oh yeah. Right. Right. Right. Right. So I,
00:26:39
Speaker
Yeah. It's a long road ahead for the series. I'm shocked that Maro got sighted though. Yeah, it was dismissed. Yeah. But it's like, what? That was clearly not contact directly to the head. It was glancing. It was glancing. It's yellow. Why would we even bring him in? Some people are dumb. Yeah. People are dumb.
00:27:06
Speaker
And we can we can wave bye bye to Billy anytime now. Yeah, I'm I'm good with that. Especially if he's going to go to Spain and get in trouble. Yeah, no, no, thanks. Why don't you stay there? No, thank you, sir. You can. Yeah, you can say that you can stay there, dude. All good. Nobody wants you back here. Nobody wants you. All right. Saturday.
Leicester Tigers' Disappointments
00:27:28
Speaker
Where should we start? Let's start with the at Wilford Road, because
00:27:35
Speaker
That was. I'll be blunt. Tigers deserve this. They didn't do enough to get themselves out in front when they should have no regardless of brownies cards, right? Like.
00:27:53
Speaker
Yeah, no, they didn't do enough. No. Plain and simple. Especially with Carly as a referee, you got to know she's got to be sticky with some of these things too. Just get points on the board and I can't recall anything fantastic that Lester did that got points on the board. I know. Hasselhoff made some... He even had some sweet tries. Right. Which that's good to see. Well, how'd they get there? But again, yeah. Yeah, that's true.
00:28:20
Speaker
Yeah, it's one of those things like, how did you get down there? Oh, okay. Kind of meh. Got it. But then you let Max LaHeeffe beat you.
00:28:36
Speaker
There's nobody more surprised by his by either of his tries than the next way How'd this happen no way yeah, and then you lose at the death I mean oh
00:28:53
Speaker
Oh man, and it's heartbreaking and you gotta feel a little bit because we've all been there. Yeah, that's one of those where I think everybody in the stadium left silently and just went for a walk by themselves. Probably. Over a thousand people just dispersing and walking the streets questioning themselves. Just a bit. Just a little bit. That's a rough one. That's a tear your heart out one.
00:29:18
Speaker
You know, I guess the the good news is well, let me let me make sure I mean look at the I don't have the table up Pulling up now Yeah, I mean that could that actually kind of took him out of contention immoral it really did like I don't know how to get over I don't know how to get through everyone else. That's the only no because you were you could have been at 44 points and Bristol would have been at 40 at 45
00:29:46
Speaker
So you're still, you know, two wins away from, um, no, you can't, they, they cannot, well, unless they get two bonus points and blah, blah, blah. It's two bonus point wins. That's, I don't see that happening. No, no, no, no, I don't either. Um, cause they play, hold on. Let me see. I'm going to do this real quick. Cause Lester play sail away in Exeter.
00:30:13
Speaker
and Exeter at home. I mean, they could get to, they could get to, I don't think they're going to win that sale. But then you need, you somehow need Quinn's and Bear's to get zero points. And Quinn's play, where are you? They're playing at Exeter. They're playing at Exeter, so yeah, they're probably going to win.
00:30:35
Speaker
Um, and Bristol play saris. So that's a, that's potential for, for to get some of the, some of this back, but then, and then Quinn's play Bristol last week. So that's gone. And one of those teams is going to win. So right. Or even if they tie, it's two points. It's too much. So, so yeah, they're, they're gone. They're done. And here's the thing.
00:30:59
Speaker
Lester actually might not even get champions cup if they finish eighth, because if the lost her wins challenge cup, that eighth spot goes to them. Right. Not the eighth, the eighth finish tough. Uh, one, one person we should not dismiss besides Maxwell Heath. Cause that was hilarious. Um, how good was Harry Thacker when he came on? G it's almost like some club that was also involved in this match should not have let him walk.
00:31:30
Speaker
Yeah, probably not. What are you doing? But anyway, yeah, he was amazing. As soon as he came on, there was there was like him and all gray are just kind of unfair. Yeah, it's a great combo. And it's weird. You look across the way and Montoya has been like beastly for a while, but now he's been kind of quiet. I think he got one over. No, he didn't get one over. No, he didn't. He got one last week, but it's like
00:31:57
Speaker
He's really only scoring off those malls. And he's not doing that nearly enough this year. So his production has gone way down. Charlie Clare at some point looked like he could be kind of decent and loose, but it's not happening. Right. And they've lost Nick Dolly. Right. He was going back to Australia. And then you just look along across the way and Al Grey and Thacker are just like, every time you turned up, Thacker coming in with fresh legs against tired defenders, not fair. Oh, that was.
00:32:26
Speaker
Man, that was annoying and good. That was annoying and good. I was like, oh my God, this guy's everywhere right now. Right. Him and Theo Dan are like the most fun to watch. Wearing that two shirt. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Or the 16 shirt, really. I mean, Theo Dan was amazing this past game too. Yes, he was. Same as Stack or so.
00:32:49
Speaker
Yes, yes he was. Yeah. Say what you will about the brown cards. If he doesn't do the really dumb one first, then I know it was kind of in the last 10 minutes, so it's not a red, it's a yellow, and maybe you can find a way to survive.
00:33:09
Speaker
But either way, like, don't, and also don't, don't take shit out on fucking players. They're trying. I know. I know it's frustrating. I get it. Been there. Trust me. I hate some of the Saracens players that we have. Fucking annoys the hell out of me, but you don't, you don't, no need to throw threats out there. No need to be a shithead. Just chill with it. It happens, you know, like it does happen. And trust me, Browning being the professional is ain't trying to get red.
00:33:37
Speaker
No. They're in a stressful situation and they fuck up sometimes. That's the point. Pressure creates that kind of shit. It does. It's not like we're talking about certain players that we're just walking yellow cards either. There's a difference between those types of players and a guy like Mike Brown. Right.
00:33:59
Speaker
who just put himself into two bad situations. Yeah, very bad. He should have known better for the second one. 100%. Actually, for the first one too. What are you going to do? Anywho. Let's go this way. Anybody else? Are you entertained? Great match. We can't avoid the commentary on the referee and potential bias and all that.
Harlequins vs Northampton Saints Controversy
00:34:24
Speaker
Yeah, considering how many yellow cards you dished out to Quinn's, I don't think there's, you know, in the end, I don't think there's much of an argument to be made, except for the fact that that was clearly a yellow. The ball was not lifted. The player on the deck had the ball in his hands off the ground. So there was no ball was lifted because there was no ball to lift. It wasn't on the deck.
00:34:54
Speaker
kind of a poor justification after the fact, certainly. But at the same time, Saints, you're good enough. Go win the game. Yeah. There's no there's no excuse. You had you had enough man advantages. Win the game. Yeah, I'm
00:35:14
Speaker
I think that, I think that's one thing. Dawson will kick himself as, as the whole thing, you know, goes throughout like two. They had, yeah, they had three yellow cards. Yeah. And they were, you know, right off the bat and then one midway through the first half and then one, you know, almost to the middle of the second. Take advantage. You've got the, you've got the horsepower. Um, unquestionably, even,
00:35:42
Speaker
with some guys getting changed out and sad. They still had the frickin' engines to make this thing happen should they have wanted to. So shame on them for not just getting it done. But at the same time, twins knew they needed this. And this was one of those games where it's like, listen, we don't get this done. We are so doomed. We are in so much trouble. And that's it, really, is the team that really needed the win got it.
00:36:11
Speaker
to be blunt, did not need to win. Didn't so. Although it makes it does make the run in just a little bit more interesting because a little bit now. They're within five of Bath. Saints are. Mm hmm. So then they play them for last week of the season. Yes, they do. You go to the rec. So depending on.
00:36:39
Speaker
results. We'll see if that, if bath gets it done, if Northampton gets it done and Northampton might be coming off a bit of a hangover this week. So it makes the running very interesting now that we're at this point. So I'm, you know, I'm hopeful that Sarah skins can just do the job and then let the pieces fall where they may. But I'm also hopeful that maybe somehow we squeak into that first. It's possible. Although saints play Gloucester next at home.
00:37:09
Speaker
Yeah, that's that's a get right game. You know, they don't even have to play their their top starters for that probably. Yeah, they'll get that done. Yeah. So they can they can have a little bit of a rest after, you know, assuming they win this weekend.
00:37:24
Speaker
Yeah, assuming that's a big assumption, but still we'll see Big job to do that's the other thing is how much were they looking looking ahead to this weekend, too? There's a big what's going on a lot of ins a lot of outs a lot of what have you since I haven't been to this point for a Number of years at this point and the Quinn's of oh, but you know, actually that's not fair because the Quinn's are in the same boat And they've never been to this. Oh true. So that's true. Yeah, I
00:37:50
Speaker
Yeah, but I think, again, it's more down to the desperation of the team. Yeah. That was wearing the quads because that was definitely what just drove it over the line for me. Sunday, where do we want to start? Newcastle or?
Sale Sharks and Gloucester Performances
00:38:09
Speaker
Let's just briefly touch on that because there's not much to say. No.
00:38:14
Speaker
First off, sail, if you really have eyes on that top four. And I know you're away, but you're the least possible away of any team going to the tune. That's true. I'd like to see better than that. It was a solid thumping.
00:38:38
Speaker
but not what I was expecting, not what I would expect. They really should have just run them off the field first half and it was 14-7. It was not, and it was squeaky bum time towards the end, right? They scored two, yeah, they scored two in the last 10 minutes. Yeah. That's not- So it was interesting up until the last 10 minutes, which anytime it gets interesting,
00:39:02
Speaker
in those last 10 minutes against Newcastle, you probably didn't do a very good job in the first 70. Right. Cause this is not a Newcastle team that has what I would call depth. So no, Meyer and Pepper in the forwards. Right. And Pepper came off at 63 minutes. So it was right around that time that the game got away from them. I liked the back three for Newcastle and that's probably it.
00:39:32
Speaker
Yeah. I like the young kid, Red Shaw. He looks pretty good. Yup. Me too. And that's it. So that's it. And I just did, there wasn't much to me to be like woo about with the sale. I know this should have been a, a run them off. Like I said, run them off the pitch early and what they know was a squeaking away late getting away with it. It was, it was squeaky mom time until they, they pulled it away. So yeah.
00:39:58
Speaker
No, it's less than ideal, I'd say. So they'll have to be a wee sharper if they really want to get a part of this running. And we'll see what the results say. Otherwise, they may have no say by the last week. Let's see what they do next. Sale host Lester should be a dub.
00:40:22
Speaker
And then they traveled to Saracens last week. So that's going to be a job because Saris are going to be gunning for a home semi, maybe the top semi, but I don't think the top matters at this point because it's a neutral site.
00:40:37
Speaker
Right. You want the home semi. You want the home semi. You want the better match up. Although what the fuck is the better match up in this case. And this one, I haven't got a fucking clue. So yeah, really doesn't matter. So just get the home semi. And sale be desperate to make it, but at the same time, yeah, I don't know. I'm not feeling it.
00:41:04
Speaker
for them. I don't think they can play, like I just don't think, you know, as we've, as I've said, I don't think they can play the style of rugby that can get them there. So. Yeah. And maybe they can, but they just haven't. They haven't. Yeah. Speaking of which, same thing. The next one's kind of the same thing, like Gloucester. When was, have we seen the, um, the shed this ineffective and across an entire season?
00:41:34
Speaker
No. They've been quiet since Finn Shustom. Pretty much. Which was pretty early in the season. Yeah, it was. It was after the World Cup, but still. Yeah, it's not been good for them. And they really should have showed up better against this exit team. They have the horses, but I think they're just... I feel like Gloucester is playing out the string. I think they're ready to pack it in.
00:42:03
Speaker
and go home. Yeah. They want to understand challenge cup and win that. Yeah. Yeah. Right. They're focusing on that. That's their season right there. Right. And then, you know, getting their golf clubs ready. Yeah. As a Flyers fan, I'm very familiar with this end of season stuff. Oh, yeah. Mm. Fucking. Whatever. Yeah. That's who I, I was not, you know, not terribly impressed with them. I mean, um,
00:42:31
Speaker
Henry Slade looked good in this game, which kind of tells you what, how well and how intensely Gloucester were defending. Yep. Which is not good. Right. Let's go, super. Crusader's Rebels. OK, never mind. We don't need to go that either. Yeah, that was bad. Johnny McNichol had 102 meters against this team.
00:42:58
Speaker
Like that was bad. Leo Willie, who was not really a world beater by any means whatsoever, had two scores in this game. And I realized they weren't amazing, but still like just trying to, you know, make sure you go, what the hell did you do? Yeah. Yeah. And you only played 51 minutes, so he could have gone for a third if they let him. Oh yeah.
00:43:28
Speaker
I will say that there is something to Scott Barrett coming back to the lineup, but not that bad. No, no, not, not. Yeah. I mean, you know, but then again, it's, it's, the Christina's eventually going to get it right. And you know, it is a new coaching staff trying to figure out how to push the right buttons, how to do all this, you know, get the things going right. And this was it. So, I mean, I don't know. I don't know what's up with rebels on this one. I mean, I have no answer for that.
00:43:58
Speaker
Like I saw the score line and I was like, huh? Yeah, that's not a team that they put out there that should be getting milled. Yeah, no donuts here. Donuts. Let's go to Sydney. Don't need to spend much time on that Crusaders match. You guys figured it out. Stevenson left the game, unfortunately. That sucked. That does suck.
00:44:22
Speaker
Not optimal, but they've got, you know, their back three is so fucking stout. They have some pretty good fill-ins too. So it's not going to be that bad off. Right. Not too concerned. And yeah, I don't think the war ties, you know, the war ties are not, you know, I picked them to win. I'm pretty sure. I think. And I just, I thought maybe they'd rock up a little bit, but they decided they did not know.
00:44:51
Speaker
No, they, I mean, first half, good. Well, yeah, when they had cards. Definitely made life hard on them, but second half, just. Right. Yeah. With that, when, when Nana Satoro goes off and then as soon as he comes back on, Vaie goes off. Yeah. You're going to struggle a little bit in that.
00:45:05
Speaker
Yep. Absolutely. In that timeframe and even a little bit afterwards. So.
Super Rugby and MLR Highlights
00:45:10
Speaker
Yeah. You guys are going to be tired. Right. But then, you know, as soon as they're back to full strength, it's like, no, no, no. Yeah. No, I would got one on either side of halftime. Like, yeah. And that little like, I just got to touch it down like very easily, like no pressure whatsoever. Just I'm going to put this right here. Yeah.
00:45:28
Speaker
And while it's the TT, I am very pleased. Nice find. He's very pleased. Nice find. He gives that background some nice balance. Right. They've lost a lot with Petey Gus. And he's bringing it back. Yep, very helpful. So I'm happy with that.
00:45:54
Speaker
and wearing the same shirt on the other side. Why the fuck is Ned Hanigan playing number eight for you? I didn't say that was a good idea. Was he playing or did they just list him as wearing a number eight? Because I don't think I saw him.
00:46:10
Speaker
That's like, and I think they had Gleason on the bench. Like, what the fuck are you doing? I don't know. No, no, no, no, no. That's the thing. Like, they didn't really structure this team to win this game either. So, weird. Ned Hanigan, number eight. Oh my God. And everyone, anyone that's listened to us for longer than five seconds knows I really don't like Ned Hanigan as a player in general. Right. Let's go to Drew and Moana. Moana made it interesting for after a little bit.
00:46:38
Speaker
Surprised for your bump time near the end? Yeah, a little surprised for your bump time, but it never seemed in doubt to me, to be honest. I felt like Fiji had control and then just kind of was like, they went to sleep towards the end. Just a little bit. A little bit. A little bit, a little bit.
00:46:56
Speaker
Um, you know, let in what two in the last 10 minutes or so. Yeah. It was his tattoo and who's the last one? Or is it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So it's like, yeah, that's the thing drew a need to, to, you know, if this wasn't honestly, if this wasn't Moana, if this was any other team, um, I think drew a,
00:47:27
Speaker
keep them out, but I think the drawers were like, oh, Moana, we can just kind of chill. They're not coming back. Yeah, they almost bit him in the ass, but almost. Not that almost.
00:47:42
Speaker
Did William have really leave this for the HIA or something? Cause I saw him walk off and I didn't see what it was for. I mean, he's starting this week, so I don't know. All right. Couldn't have been that bad either way. I don't, I don't recall. Um, okay. And 10 yellow Recurro is, um, what's that word?
00:48:02
Speaker
Good. Good. Good. Yeah. Just what for sure. And he is another fucking good back three player between him and the tomato and momo and freaking dress essay. And yeah. And there.
00:48:20
Speaker
Stir in the drink that pass was that was that was he the one who assisted on the? Those were arrows first try. Yes, it was just like that Yeah, I'm gonna break through the line run a little bit like do a little dummy switch and then pop to the inside like Mm-hmm the two of them. Yeah, Massey and rakuro that like beat like three players who had two on one in succession and
00:48:43
Speaker
And then Recurro beat guy one-on-one to finish it like just dirty. Just treating him like a rug. Yeah. Fun rugby. As opposed to... G.I.O is not a happy hunting ground for the Hurricanes and I had a feeling this might happen. And they didn't play horribly, but they didn't play well.
00:49:09
Speaker
So that being the kind of the big thing. And yeah, don't, you can't walk into, you know, Brumby's territory and think that playing sub par is going to do it because it's not, you know, it's, it was a, it was a bad game. It was a bad game all around and like, you know, the Miami dolphins get to crack their, their champagne. No, nobody's gone undefeated this year. Something like that. Um, yeah. Like no, nobody,
00:49:36
Speaker
So credit the Brumby's defense, but also like look at the lack of like, I want to say creativity on the, on the hurricane side, because Ruben Love had 91 meters carried in law that came from receiving kicks. Nobody else had about 30. Nobody else had about 30. Like Nohalo just couldn't find space. Ryasi couldn't find space. Umaga Jensen Barrett couldn't find space. Um, you know,
00:50:05
Speaker
They brought on Sullivan. He couldn't find any space. There was no space to be found, but also they weren't doing a job of opening up the space either. One and the other. Do you think that's on camera at all? I think it's just lack of focus, honestly, because there were some boneheaded stuff, things that were going on.
00:50:29
Speaker
what in the actual fuck did we do that for? And just moments where you're just like, how'd he get loose and how'd that happen? And I asked myself that way too many times watching this game. So again, it's, yeah. Creative Brummies, they took it, they took their chances and they played defense well and they put in a good shift and there's no question about it.
00:50:49
Speaker
But man, like hurricanes are going to watch this. They probably looked at this tape and said, shit, how did I screw that up? Well, how did I screw that up? Fuck, I really cocked that up, didn't I? I mean, this is one to like, you know, sometimes you throw the tape away. This one you keep for for the knockout stages just in case you keep that in their back pocket in case, you know, this is this isn't a potential matchup. Yep. Somewhere down the line here. Somewhere down the line. So hold on to that.
00:51:18
Speaker
They did hold on to first though, so good enough. Right. Do we need to spend a lot of time on these floors? No. I didn't spend a... I had this on in the background while I was watching something else, and I am so glad I did because it was nothing. I saw the final square and I'm like, I'm not watching this.
00:51:37
Speaker
I didn't watch it. That was time well spread for you, sir. Yeah. Like I said, with the tournament on set, it wasn't just a whatever. And then Sunday, I had to watch all the premiership matches that I missed. And I always had to get through some of the other stuff. I had to
00:51:57
Speaker
You had a triage and you had to kind of delegate and be like, this one's good, this one's good, this one's shit, never mind. Did not watch Crusaders Rebels, did not watch this one. No, it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it. Neither of them. Reds Blues was worth it though. That's worth the price of admission. That was a fucking great game. Okay, who are the Reds?
00:52:21
Speaker
They can they be can they just be something that I can like wrap my head around and just accept Who this team is are they good are they bad dude like you know They're pushing one of the best teams in the comp. They're getting you know, they're beating the Chiefs
00:52:43
Speaker
Um, on the road, I think that was, and then they just, and then they just like, I guess the force. Yeah. I mean, will the real Queensland Reds please stand up because I, I want to see who you are. Cause actually that's the scary, that's the scary thing is they're, they're the six seed like right now. Um, then they could move up, but it's just like,
00:53:10
Speaker
They're going to they could be a handful for someone at the top in the in the knockouts. I don't I don't want to be that three or four because that's probably where that's probably going to end up matching these guys right where the Chiefs are going to be. So Tim Ryan while like his third try was a peach.
00:53:27
Speaker
like jumped in, jumped in field, hurling over a player or two, then turned Funaki inside out and finished it. I was like, with a die on that. I was like, you know, wow, this guy's good. He's 20. I mean, come on, that's pretty standard stuff, Jared. The Reds did think they thought they started this thing hot, but with that pretty valid try and he just really bottled it like,
00:53:57
Speaker
That was a gimme and he totally cocked it. That's the margin. Indeed it is. A lot of stuff happened between then and the final. Oh man, that final try. What a heartbreaker.
00:54:14
Speaker
Number one, don't let Hoskins to to lose. That should be like the biggest thing. Like, apart from Mark Talia, that's one of the things that's like in your brain, like, get this guy on the ground double team if you have to. Don't let him loose and they did. But like,
00:54:33
Speaker
They have. That's the that's the thing with the blues, though. They have so many weapons. But, you know, if it's not him, it's Papa Lee, even saying they're in the loose is good to pull out to getting over to. But like. Yeah, and then he's been good of, you know, card aside. Yeah.
00:54:54
Speaker
But also when you let Sam Knox score the winner. Yep, that's again back to my original question. What's with this reds team that you're letting Sam? I know I realize it's it's more than just that, but still don't care.
00:55:13
Speaker
Sam Knox scoring to beat you. Fuck that. They got, they got Mike Wright back this week, didn't they? He didn't play this week. No, this coming week. Oh, this coming week. I think he's back. Yes, he's back. He's back. They still got to wait another couple of weeks for Tate, but. Yeah. Yeah. They got, they at least got, they got one piece back, which will be helpful. We'll see how that game goes. That's going to be interesting. Yeah, Mike Wright's back. So.
00:55:41
Speaker
But yeah, I agree. It's like, what do we do? Can you guys figure out what you're going to do with your season? Like for fuck's sake, I'm sure, you know, I'm sure Les Kiss would like that. Ain't nobody knows, ain't nobody know shit right now. Right. That was a, that was a great match. And sorry for if you're a Reds fan though, cause that was just so much fun to watch. I was like, this is awesome to watch.
00:56:08
Speaker
Yeah, I wish more. I wish the other matches were all like this. Right. Reds and Lester fans. Can you imagine being a Reds and a Lester fan? There's somebody out there. There's there's a non zero number of people out there who are supporters of both the Reds and Lester. And for them, my heart goes out to you guys. Yeah. Tough existence for you guys. Sorry.
00:56:35
Speaker
Sorry, sorry, not sorry, but you know, sorry. Yeah, it's your turn in the barrel. Yeah, more or less. Oh, shit. Let's go to LA. LA.
00:56:50
Speaker
And on Sunday night, the free jacks played very well. And there's a common theme that goes on when they play well. And it's usually because fucking Holla and DeWitt are the loose heads and not fucking Kyle. So there's that.
00:57:07
Speaker
Yeah. And, you know, I really, I haven't seen any news on it, but I obviously hope Reese McDonald is okay. Yeah. He didn't look to be in too bad spirits on the sideline. We'll find out when the laps come out. And that was just a baller try though. So for those who didn't see it. Was that the fullback wipe that was back there?
00:57:27
Speaker
I think so. What are you doing? So, come on, man. Someone's got to give him a shout, but at the same time, what are you doing? Rhys kicks, I think Rhys kicked it himself too. He did. He chased the shit out of it too. And it dribbles into the in goal area and almost goes dead. It stops like six inches from the dead ball line. And yeah, the LA fullback,
00:57:57
Speaker
kind of just lollygags back there. And I think he tried to step it, put a foot in touch and pick it up. I think he was trying to do that, like the old school and it hasn't been the rule like for like five years rolling for that to happen anyway. So, right. I think he was trying to make it dead. And so we went to pick it up and instead Reese ran it down and smacked it down before he could touch it. Um, and put, put his hand on it. Try, try.
00:58:23
Speaker
Um, and then hurt his, I think his elbow in the process. It didn't look like his shoulder. Um, and, uh, yeah, so just, um, fantastic tribe, but, uh, you know, it's kind of sucks to lose him. Um, hopefully he's back soon.
00:58:42
Speaker
This team, though, is so much fun. And then Morgan Putarangi with his own similar chai. Oh, man. This guy is looking great. He's going to make me wonder who gets replaced here because I don't think we can take him out of the lineup if Balcon is in it, too. Right.
00:58:59
Speaker
It's going to be interesting. I bet you this week, but at the same time, then you make him, you know, make one of them the reserve. Right. No, I think this week you'll see. I bet you McDonald doesn't play for whatever reason. It's not long term injury. You'll see him. You'll see Wilson and you'll see what kind of was going to play fullback. Yeah, that's exactly what I was going to say. Yeah. And this set of Baker. Love him. Yeah. Love him. Love him.
00:59:27
Speaker
And he's going to be huge now with Vienken riding out for the year. Yeah.
00:59:32
Speaker
And the other guy that's going to be very big is the guy on the other side of this crime is Mitch Jacobson. Like you saw how good he was in the final last year. And he's, he's been out for quite a while, but the last few matches he's been back and you can see the impact he has. He, you know, he's been able to drag some guys along that probably don't belong on the field at moments. And he, he is, he is a very good leader too. Like along with him and Larson, it's, it's great to have guys like that that can just.
00:59:57
Speaker
Provide leadership and set good examples and say this is how we're gonna do it This is what needs to be done and you know Listen, I will put my body in line if you do too and we're gonna get this through this whole thing together So I'm glad I'm really glad we have Mitch Jacobson back big time
01:00:14
Speaker
big, big, big. And then the center combination is just lethal. It doesn't matter which three we put in or which two of the three we put in. Right. It does not matter. It matters not even a little bit. Those guys have been great. But the important thing now is the free jacks are six points clear, a second place. They're firmly in the driver's seat. Pretty much have a playoff spot wrapped up.
01:00:41
Speaker
I don't think getting close at least is catching up to him. Yup. Getting close each week. Uh, and then the whip around. Cybercat smash Legion Legion are, may not be the team people are hoping they were this year. Time with that. Yep. Same. Uh, sharks lost to the jackals. You know, those two teams are struggling this year. Um, Anthem lost again to Noah. I mean, they're just not good. And then Utah beat DC, which.
01:01:11
Speaker
He was telling me that that game in early on the year might have been a wee bit of a fluke. Yeah. Just saying. Yeah. Just saying. Well, you know, there was there was some butt fuckery with the ref. So that and Scott Green. Yeah.
01:01:24
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. OGC was allowed to just walk up the field basically every time they had the ball. So yeah. Yeah. Yup. Yup. Didn't really have to play much. Yeah. And this weekend Freejax hosts the hounds. So that should... Yummy. That's going to be a huge match in a lot of ways. Yeah. Spread out. It could be like we make this gap bigger or it could be the hounds close it.
01:01:51
Speaker
We'll see. We shall see. We will see live. Yes. That is the plan. That is the plan. Okay, cool.
01:02:04
Speaker
That's going to do it for this one. We're going to head over to Fantasy Cornerland. If you're going to join us over there, then we'd be happy to see you over there. If not, enjoy the big, big, big rugby that's going on in Europe this weekend. And we will catch you guys all next week. We appreciate you all for listening to us. Have a good weekend, everyone. Have a good and hopefully see you at the game too. Later. Cheers.
01:02:28
Speaker
This has been the fantasy like the Yankees podcast.
01:02:34
Speaker
If you'd like to ask a question or leave us general feedback, email us at fantasyrugbypodcastatgmail.com. Too far, you guy, by the way. Yeah, exactly. The ticky tackiness kind of absolutely pisses me off. Be sure you check out our Patreon at patreon.com slash thefantasyrugbyings. Yeah.