Green & Gold RugbyHappyman is back from holidays and KARL turned up despite his beloved Canes coming second on the weekend. This week we look at the Reds and the Blues in Bad Game or Bad Sign. Run through this week's game and have a decent Shout at the clouds to finish things off.
As always, we hope you enjoy.
I don't have any of that rugby.
Don't drop goal from Larkham.
Australian three or they've got the advantage.
Worst press conference. Well done boys.
Hi everyone and welcome to the team's pod for the week. I'm the happy man back from holidays. I'm here with Carl. In spite of the canes losing and Sully tonight uh, this week we'll take a look at the round. Round the teams for the to the week evening. Sully, how are you going?
I'm good mate. How are you?
Fantastic. Fantastic. Nice and calm. Week off. How good? Yeah. Carl, how are you going, brother?
Yeah, I'm good mate. I'm still sulking a little bit after that. That, um, disgusting game the the canes put up for the weekend, but, you know, hey it happens. It's it's it's the way the game goes. And that's what we live for.
Oh, mate. Mate, I was getting.
Excited. Not because of the canes. Because your canes lost, but it was upset after upset after upset. And I wasn't really expecting that team for the Reds to beat better side. I'm thinking we're on here. It's going to be one more upset. And the Reds can do the to the Crusaders. But unfortunately it didn't happen. But what a what a great competition it's been this year that you can that that can happen in any week. It's just absolutely fantastic. I mean it didn't work out for or any of our teams on the weekend, but, uh, the competition is just fantastic. I'm just loving it. Except for the losing bits. Yeah.
Look, I'm, uh, I was I was zero for three at the start of the weekend, and I tipped against my reds because I, you know, tipped with my head, not my heart. And I was seriously hoping I was going to be zero for five by the weekend. I would have been nothing but would have been absolutely stoked with that.
Yeah, the the the only reason I got over 50% is all my, um, Six Nations came through because the Super Rugby I, I was one from four, one from five or something. I missed out on that completely. Yeah. Well.
Yeah. It happens.
Such is life. We. We crack on, and, um, it'll be interesting to see how that how it flows as, as the season goes, you know, um, you know, Brumbies have got the their second game this weekend against the same, um same player. So they, they beat the they beat the draw at home in round one. And in round five they got the draw the hosting, the draw.
You know. And the Blues are in a similar position with the Chiefs this week.
Yeah. Yeah. Whereas you know um and and this is one thing I don't like about the draw. You know Blues play Chiefs twice. Brumbies play drew twice. Hardly a fair fucking um a fair draw as it.
Now I'd prefer it if it was a proper home and away competition.
And you know there's all the talk about not enough time and everything and I understand that. But you know, just imagine if they did have to keep the game going during the July tests. So you'd have you'd have coaches actually have to think tactically and you'd have selectors and people who are buying players, having to think tactically. I would be all in for that.
And squad development. Yeah, that's a developing squad. Players more.
Yeah. Yeah I'd be in for it as well. Uh, or I'd even be happy if they put it off, you know, and had a little break, had a month break and put the tests in and then came back. I'd be I'd be all in for that as well.
So I'd actually I'd almost, I.
Think if.
They kept going. Eh. But but I see where you're coming from, you know, I see you because, because you know. Yeah. But you know, the Waratahs would struggle because they'd lose half their frigging squad wouldn't they. Because they got good players because.
Well.
The.
Rugby.
Australian Waratahs.
Yeah. Well that's the thing. You know peak peak Crusaders would have lost 13 players you know. So it I look I think I think 2 in 2 rounds would be awesome. Two rounds would be awesome. And, um, I think it's time will come if the product continues to be as compelling as it is this year for the next year or so. I just think the economic argument will make it happen. Anyway, let's, let's let's crack on, shall we?
Did you did you see that thing in the weekend? Where, uh, what have been today? Where? Um, Razzi is saying that, um, he wants the Rugby Championship brought forward the same time as the Six Nations because he feels his, his players are are worse off because of the timing of the rugby championships.
Yeah. There's no interest. No interest like self interest. Yeah. Well, no, no interest like self interest. Um, yeah. Yeah. I've got a couple of views and.
He, he does, he does some fantastic coaching things and he's a smart guy. But honestly you couldn't ask for a bigger tosser in the entire running of rugby at the moment.
Would be interesting. Like a lot of his key players actually play in Japan and they're in the mid season right now, so they might find that a little bit tougher than. It's a good thought bubble for him, but it would mean that he would he would have to bring Malcolm Marx Pieter-Steph a lot of his quality players. Cheslin Kolbe all back from Japan in the middle of their season, which means they wouldn't be worth as much to the Japanese teams.
Which Japanese would kick them into touch?
Which? Which would then be a case of, well, you've got to actually pay for all your own players to be at home again, so can they afford to do that? But, um, it sounds good in theory, but there's a lot of moving parts.
I actually wonder whether the players would find reasons not to come back and play for South Africa, because they they wouldn't want to, um, they wouldn't want to jeopardize their money train that they've got in Japan.
Well.
When did the Six Nations start this year. Was it in January or February? Uh, because it's a pretty hot, hot time of year to play in in San Jose.
It's just it's just a.
Load of crap. Just a thought or two anyway. They've done two games. They had a week off, then they do a game, then they have another week off. Then they do two games. Yeah. So I think it's for four weeks ago. It would have kicked five weeks next week.
Next weekend is the the final game this weekend coming isn't it.
Yeah 100%. 100%. Yeah, yeah. Anyway, let's let's crack on with what we're here to talk about. Absolutely. Bang, bang on at the back end. Uh, again everyone, thanks for your support. Download rate, subscribe, review, do all the good things on all the platforms. Spotify. Uh, Apple. Uh, YouTube I believe we're on. So all those things, it really helps us, uh, generate the algorithm. Leave a comment. We love comments when they come through, uh, and enjoy what we do. Okay. Um, just going to kick on with we're just going to go through the teams as per normal, do a couple of little thought processes. First one is thing we've done for a couple of weeks bad game or bad sign? Uh, Karl, the red's bad game or a bad sign?
Um, I'm actually a bit conflicted with this one. I think it was more of a bad game than a bad sign, but I was really concerned that their tactics weren't working, so their decision was just to do the same tactics a little bit harder. And and that indicates it's more perhaps there is a little bit more than just a bad game there. Um, I, I, I don't think that. So I think, um, a couple of their, um, replacements because of injuries didn't help much. Um, but, you know, uh, I didn't think Harry Wilson had a good game. I didn't think the right was up to the normal standard that he plays at. He was still good. I thought a couple of their locks were too busy trying to prove how tough they are instead of just playing rugby, and that led to a lot of issues and mistakes. Um, and I hope it's just a one off game where the game got to them because they, you know, they were fired up hoping that they'd repeat what they did last year. And and I think that probably had more to do with it with anything. So for me it was bad game. But be careful because it could be a bad sign if you don't fix what went wrong.
So I have.
To disagree.
With you. I have to disagree with Carl about trying to look tough. I think Wilson and McBride and Canham and, um, and the other second row guys have gone back. Smith, Bryant, Smith all got sucked in by trying to do too much and trying to trying to be and to to try and chase the game and try and catch up to the things and losing. Um, your first fly half inside centre outside centre fullback and having a bunch of young fellows. They all tried to overplay their hand. So I think you had a bunch of guys overplaying their hand, trying to throw too many flick passes and half and trying to, to, to instead of just setting the ball up and playing another phase, trying to throw that extra pass. And it just didn't work. We saw the Crusaders are lingering in the channels for those short passes and picking them up constantly. And, uh, yeah, it was a bad game. It's a bad sign for depth for Queensland, but I think we had that many players out in the backs, especially that I'm not particularly concerned. I am concerned, but not greatly. But yeah.
Sorry, I need to clarify it too mate. Um, to be honest, the the player that I thought was really trying to act tough and show himself was blithe. And maybe, maybe that was just, you know, he with all the with all the locks that you have up here and his inability to get the game time he needs, he was probably trying to show that he deserves more game time, but I, I think he just came across as a bloody dickhead.
Yeah.
Um, and and you know. Yeah, but but, you know, you make some valid points and, and. Yeah you're right, you know, they were, they were pushing things and, and and it certainly wasn't the, the smart rugby that we've seen from Queensland in the past and, and that was and that was the bit that got me. It was like where's all the smart rugby. You guys are better than this.
Yeah. And funnily enough I thought Blythe, uh, was one of the cooler heads and wasn't throwing stupid passes and just did his job. No, he.
Wasn't.
Doing stupid passes. He was doing the stupid shit in the rucks, you know, running in from the side, fucking hitting people, trying to stand over them, trying to. Trying to be a Swinton. Um, which is. Which is just dumb.
Yeah.
Yeah. Potentially, you know, being physically dominated, I, I'm with I'm with Sally on this is. I just thought it was a bad game. Um, I've said in the past, the every, every team is going to get injuries. But when you get injuries in, in a cluster component and to to Sally's point, you know first choice teams at missing. Uh I think had a very good player and he he could be he could be something very special. Um, you know, inside centre Paisami was, um, suspended. Fluke was out. Uh, fortunately, I did put him in my fantasy because I had a bit of a glitch when I was overseas. Um, and, you know, uh, you know, missing a, you know, missing their, their fullback, who's actually probably their two, you know, second or third string fly half anyway. So it's kind of they missed that real cluster spine component, which made it really tough. And I just think the I had a look at this. I watched the game afterwards, uh, earlier this week, and I watched the, uh, and I had a look at the stats and it was actually very, very similar, like the whole game. If you looked at the statistics in the game, you wouldn't have picked it as being that different. So I think it was a case of the Saders had a few things go their way, scored a few tries opportunistically as well as through some good play. And uh, and then, you know, the Reds just over to, to your guy. Your point overplayed their hand a little bit going through.
Yeah. No, I tend to agree with that. My the only thing I'd say is that, um, this weekend could tell a story as to whether it is something that's lingering or whether it actually is just a bad game. Um, but yeah.
Yeah, I think if they play the same game this week and we're having, you know, we're looking at a similar loss, like a win or loss is neither here nor there. But if they have a similar style of loss, I think it's a bad sign. But if they. Even if they lose this weekend, but play complete, play much more composed, then you just go. It was a bad game. Yep. Um, what about the blues? What do you reckon, Carl?
Yeah, that's actually an interesting one. Um, I, I am more concerned about them thinking it's a bad sign. They, um. But it's a bad sign. Going. Going along with what? The Reds. Um, they don't seem to have the depth that allows them to bring players on. Um, if if Beauden Barrett had stayed on, they probably would have won that game. Um, but when you're, when, when you have one player that might change that game and he goes off and the game changes, that to me is a bad sign from the team because there's there's too many other things going wrong. Um, so, so I think, I think the blues are in a little bit more trouble than what, um, they're facing up to it at the moment. Um, they they don't seem to be able to. They don't seem to be able to play that physical, dominating, dominating game which they won the championship with last year. In fact, that's how the Brumbies beat them. The Brumbies beat them in the physical challenge at the ball, on the rucks and in the malls, and they weren't able to counter that. And when they weren't able to counter that, they didn't have anything else. So I see some worrying signs with the blues. I think they've got some tough games ahead of them. Uh, I don't think they're going to win this weekend. And I think that I don't think they've got the players and the systems to enable them to get over the issues they have. Plus, I think there's a few players that are relying on reputation, which is starting to fall off the rails.
Mm. Just just looking at.
I thought Vern Cotter was, was a pretty clever coach. Is he, is he like a one star type guy or.
I don't know, mate. I don't know enough about the guy because he's, you know, he's come from the northern hemisphere, where he's done quite well by all accounts. But, um, you know, one of the things that when people talk about Verne and and to be fair, it's similar with Kissin and Larkham to a certain extent is, um, if they're such good coaches, where are their trophies?
Yeah.
To be fair, to be fair to, to be fair to Verne, he's got he's got the Brenner, he's got the top 14, which is a pretty hard one to win.
Yeah.
Um, and, and you know, I mean, as much as I'm a and.
He got super.
Lucky.
Last year, so, you know.
Yeah. And as much as I'm a welded on, you know, welded on Scottish supporter, he didn't have the cattle to do anything with them. And he extracted a fair bit out of them before he, he got. Yeah. He got shunted. So um, yeah the blues are I think it's a bit of a bad sign. Blues one also there. The other thing component of of the injury curse is when you've got to pay. Everyone's got to pay that bill. But, um, this week they've got no Bud and Barrett. Everyone's going to use that as their headline. And no Ricky Riccitelli. He's been probably the form hooker of the comp. Um, that Sam Derry who was instrumental to them last year. He's out for the season and Hoskins Sotutu is suspended. So that's probably their four key players from last year and who aren't going to be playing this week.
And he's out.
Is he out. He's not showing on the list.
No he's out injured I think, um, he's still out injured. Um, I don't think he's in the team. Yeah. Um.
And you're one of your favorite yuan brothers is, uh, gone to Japan, so they've sort of lost a fair bit of that.
Was. That wasn't a loss.
I knew I could get you with that. Um, so. Yeah, that's that's where we're at. Like, it's just a, um, I think I think there is a bit of strife.
Dalton Papalii is back. Sorry. My mistake.
Yeah, yeah. Uh, um, having said that, they're only it's they've played four games for a win. They're only, you know, a game away from being in seventh even though they're in 10th. And you know, so it's the the closeness of the comp is going to keep them all together.
Yeah. Well you know.
Keep everyone with the chant.
There's five there's five teams in third place on nine points. Correct. So so it's not going to take much to change that list.
Yeah.
Yeah I got the Blues with a maximum possible points for the season at 51, which is about the second lowest possible maximum points in the out of all the teams. As long as my calculations are right. Is that looking good.
Is that winning all the next games with a bonus point. Is it.
Yep.
Wow. That's not going to win them the comp is it.
Yeah.
No. And actually Waratahs Waratahs a possible 68 because.
But they won't. They won't get maximum points, mate. They haven't hit any hard teams yet, so that's not going to happen.
That's all teams equal mate.
Yeah that's all teams winning all their games.
Yeah with a bonus point. Yeah.
That means we come last. I don't like this chart. I don't like this chart at all. Sully. You can get rid of it. It's something I hate.
We'll barely mention it later in the season if it comes to pass.
Uh, exactly.
Okay. Game games for the week. Let's, uh, let's let's scroll into those, shall we? Yeah. Uh, first game of the week is the Highlanders v the Canes at Forsyth Barr. Uh, Highlands got Highlanders have got, uh, DeGroot, Jack Taylor, Sally Martell, uh, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, P.K. Howden, Sam Withey, Nikora Broughton, uh Nathan Haskell, Tane Robinson, Josh Nareki. Uh Timoci. Taniela. Talia. Caleb. I can't get that one. Tanglewood and Saint Gilbert. Um. Canes. Nehemiah. Jacob. Devery. Uh, Mahalia. Uh. Delaney. Gallagher. Shields. Du'plessis. Kirifi. Uh. Peter. Lachie. Cam. Roy. Guard. Harry. Godfrey, the listener. Hello. Peter. Jensen. Baden. Sullivan. Uh punivai and Reuben Lovett. Fullback. Carl.
Oh, canes going to tell me, obviously.
Yeah. It's like last.
Week. I actually think.
It's in Wellington and it's in the it's the it's the first game of the. It's 7:00 in uh, Wellington time.
I, I actually know it's in Dunedin, mate.
Um.
Mate of course I thought sorry indoors.
But yeah, I think, um, I actually think the hurricanes, despite my one eyed view, actually are a better team. And they certainly when you look at the names on the on the field, they've got better names everywhere. Um, I think the hurricanes are struggling at the moment because they they don't understand the game plan. They don't understand who's leading the team, they don't understand who's directing the team, and they don't understand where they're going because they've got four captains, which has got to be one of the dumbest decisions that I've ever seen a coach make, ever. And I think that to me, you know, four captains, that just means I'm sharing the blame for the loss through five people right from the start. And you've seen it a couple of times in the game where the where the referee has, you know, he's gone and he's talked to he said, we've got you know, I want a decision here. So he goes and talks to Du Plessis. And Du Plessis says, no, I'm not making that decision because that decision is from someone else. And he talks to them and he says, no, no, no, that's someone else's decision. And and a team needs direction to move forward. And they need to have that one player who they look to and who they are going to drive them. And I think their their problem at the moment is that they don't know what the fuck they're doing. Um, they've still got the players, you know, they've got, you know, they, they basically had an all black prop who can't come on the team because they've got other better players. So I think, I think the hurricanes have got the players to win the match, but I just don't think they've got the game plan and the and the tactics and the and the go forward to actually know what the hell they're doing. And I'm going to pick them because I'll always go with my heart for the hurricanes. But I'm very wary about how this will go.
Sally.
Well, I think watching the game last week, I think the hurricanes went better. Uh, when Roy guard came on. And I'm glad he's starting this week. Um, but having said that, the hurricanes have been going great. It's a hard one for me to pick without, um, a dog in the fight.
Um, it makes it easier to make because you don't have a heart or a head driving.
Well, because I think it's going to be close. I just think it's going to it's going to be a close game. So. So, um, because the Highlands are at home, they've got good form. They're playing like a team where the hurricanes have been a bit disjointed, I think, and a bit off their game. I mean he's been going rate great. I just love watching him play. Um, yeah I'm just not sure. Uh, and and having, uh, amua and, uh, splinters.
Splinters in.
The.
Buttocks. Yeah.
I mean, and Lomax back on the bench. Yeah, it is a plus for them as well. Um, and the referee, I'm. I mean, I'm, I just don't like the way, um, maybe. Maybe referees, but I'm not saying he's a bad ref. It just doesn't. It doesn't, uh, I don't enjoy the way he referees, but that's just a personal preference. Um, I might I'm going to go with the Highlanders, I reckon. There you go. I'm off the fence.
Well done actually. Um, maybe. Maybe is pretty new. And I think he's learning, you know, that that jump up, that jump up's quite big. You know, the the jump up from the players is big. To jump up for the referees is just as big. Um, but, uh, I.
Read somewhere this is this is only his second, second start or something.
Yeah. Second start in Super Rugby. He's been doing well in NPC and he got given the job because he's a good referee. Um, I think maybe his first one. He was a bit overawed because because, you know, you would be you know, you come up there and all of a sudden it's your first game and you got the world looking at you and you're, you know, second guess decisions and things like that. So yeah. Anyway, who do you reckon.
There, Bill? Any player who takes the steps is the first thing they notice. How much faster it is? Yeah. If you're the if you're the referee making 100, you know, 100 decisions a minute. I can only imagine. It's like, you know, by the end of it you're mentally you'd be wrecked.
Yeah.
You'd be wrecked. And as much as trying to keep up with it, uh, I will take the landers. I just, I like I like the style of what they're playing. I think they're a, um, they're just a well coached side, and I think they'll they'll get better as the season goes along. Um, and, uh, at the moment. Oh.
Well, I, I just.
I just think.
With my picking, but, uh, but Bill's much better at picking than I am. So no, I'm not.
No I'm not. But having said that, look, look, let's let's being real. There are two, two New Zealand teams who haven't had their bye yet. Uh, and they're sitting third and fourth respectively. Um, canes have canes. Canes have played for, uh. sorry. The Highlanders have had their bye. The canes haven't yet. They've played four. Um. And therefore. And one. Highlanders are three and three games. Two wins. Uh, tight loss to the tight loss to the Waratahs. Um, you know, I, I'm thinking it's, you know, there's an NFL coach who says you are what your record says you are. And at the moment, their record says they're a pretty good team. They don't. The Highlanders don't have a lot, but that's about as good as their team gets. But Hurley, who played well the other day, he's out. Tarver's out. That's a tough one, I guess. Yeah.
Um, he's.
A.
Player.
And that Kneepkens is out for another four weeks, so they they're carrying a couple of losses, but, uh, the canes losses. Devin Flanders, I rate him. He's a good player. Um, they missed Cameron. Yeah. Britt. He's a good player. Billy proctor. Um, they've got some. They've got some decent cattle out. So I'm taking the the landers is just on the basis that I think their coaching is superior, and I think I've become a real fan of coaching matters.
Yeah. No, that's that's a that's a valid point too. Yeah.
Yeah. Next one along. Uh, this will be a really, really cool game. Uh, Brumbies versus the Drua uh, in Canberra on Friday 735. Brumbies have got slipper, Pollard, Tyler Frost, Lachlan Shaw who I haven't heard of, uh, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Kyle, Ryan Lonergan, Noel Sears back there to begin for them, Corey Toole, uh, David Folau, Folau, um, Lenny Dow Andy Muirhead who I really rate Tom. Tom Wright uh, is there that Declan Meredith is on the bench, which is good to see. The Drua have got a whole stack of very good players, and I'm not going to give it too much of a crack apart from to say that they look pretty strong. The they're bringing that in kind of area off the bench. He's always good for a penalty or two as is Frank Lomani. Uh, Kuruvilla is coming off the bench. So they're looking to finish strong referees. Jordan way. Uh, Sally, what do you think, puppy killers or the draw?
I'm gonna go with the Brumbies. Uh, Lachlan Shaw played last week. Man, he went pretty well. I thought, um, yeah. With with, uh, Lolesio and, um, back and Tom Hooper had a, had a Tom Hooper had a whale of a game last week. So um. Yeah I'm going to, I'm going to stick with the, uh, with the Brumbies. I think they're on a roll. They found their mojo and know how they want to play. And I think, yeah, I'm gonna stick with them. Carl. Your thoughts?
Um, I think, um, I think you're only just lost to the Chiefs, didn't they? By four points, although they were at home.
The jury have just lost just about everyone, I think.
Yeah. Um, and and I think, I think the draw with respect to what Nutter said next week, they're on the cusp of taking that next step. Um, and maybe this game will be the one that does it, because I think that the draw play a style of game that the Brumbies can get sucked into and then struggle to play. And if they do that, then I think, um, they might do alright. And and to be honest, just because both of you picked the Highlanders over my canes, I'm going to pick the draw over the Brumbies. I'm going to pick the draw to win this one. I think that I think they if they can, if they can hold the discipline, they can win this game. And I think with the current coach they've got who understands the discipline issues and has been working on that with them. Um, plus, of course they won't be traveling to the game in the back of a, uh, of, of a truck because a bus might turn up. So now I'm, I'm going to pick the jury here. I think the jury are due for an away win, and I think they're going to be pushing for this one.
Yeah, I'm going to take the Broncos. Uh, again, purely on the face of the draw, having played, they proved they can play down the street from Churchill Park, but until they can prove they can travel, I'm not going to pick them. Uh, they're, they, you know, even even when. So Churchill Park in Lautoka, even when they went to Suva, uh, when they played the Brumbies in the first round, they didn't beat them there. So they've got a fortress and then everywhere else they, they lose. And until they prove that that isn't the case, uh, I don't think they can be trusted away from home. Simple as that. So I'll take the Brumbies.
I also bit of a chicken and an egg thing on that one though, isn't it mate? Until they do it, they can't do it. Yeah.
Well you know again it's.
Yeah. No fear.
You know, as I said, I'm a Scotland supporter. You know we can win. We can beat anyone. We can beat anyone at Murrayfield. We can't play down the street from Murrayfield. So it's the draw of the same team at the moment. They just can't. Can't do it away. No they can't they. Absolutely. To be fair they were truly, truly unlucky against the, the canes and should have beaten them. Yeah. But um, you know again it's, you know they didn't close out a game away from home. So um, you know give me the Brumbies. I think they'll, they'll probably I think that Brumbies are just on the cusp of playing some very good rugby. Um, yeah, I think they're they're just about to break out into some good stuff. Um, you know, they've got, you know, they've got they've got some good players. Brumbies have got some good players who aren't in, you aren't injured and aren't in the 23 this week. So yeah, give me the Bronx. Uh, next game along is the Saders v the force at um in Christchurch. The Crusaders have got Tamati Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, uh, Antonio Sultan, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Christian lowe, Willi Karl Preston is back. Uh, Kamara tan Springer, David Havili, Braydon Ennor Jordan uh force. They got Marley pill, Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-amosa, Tom Jordan, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Rhys Prinsep, Issak Fines-leleiwasa starts at nine instead of, um, Nick, uh, helping out the halfback.
White.
Nick white, who didn't make it.
Not even in the team.
Not even in the team didn't make the trip. Max Fury, George Pullman, region Pasitoa. Let's hope he goes well, said Tomkinson. Harry Potter and Matt Greeley, uh, referees competent being Damon Murphy. Um, what do you think, Carl? I think Crusaders by 15.
15 Crusaders. I think they smash the force. The the, um. I'm glad that the force are giving. Um. Isaac finds Lily. Lily? Lily. Sorry. A game. I think that, um, he needs more game time to develop because Nick white is going to move on. He's getting older, and one of the problems we have is when you, you know, you play your old guy until they go. And the young guy then has to step up with no experience or limited experience. So I'm so I'm pretty happy and and I see the reasoning behind cron giving these guys rest. And I think that's that will be good for them and it'll be good for the team. But later on in the season or next year, not in this game. And I think the Crusaders have got a very strong team there at home, and I think that they will win by ten, 15 points easily.
So I think this is the easiest one to pick.
I think that's the same. Crusaders are going to win this without without Donaldson, without Tizzano. Um without uh, champion Krasny. Um, no. Hamish Stewart. I mean, one of like. I mean, um, what's the young fella playing 12 this week? Uh, full of force?
Um, uh, is.
Pasitoa.
George Pullman playing 13? Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Did a pretty good fist. Fist at 13 last week, but he's in it. at um 12. This week?
Um, no, he's in 13. Oh, sorry.
No. You're correct. He's. Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. Pesto's 13.
Yeah.
No. He's 12.
No, he's playing 13. He's been put into 13 this week.
No he's okay. The 15 is three. Yeah. No. Sally's correct. Get used to it. He's always correct.
Yes. I'll shut up. Sorry. I'm wrong. My mistake. That is. That is his preferred position.
I thought he was a fly off. But anyway.
Originally, originally it was a fly half. He had a really? He's had a horrible run with injuries. He's. He apparently had a horrendous, um, broken leg in club footy in Perth, uh, and has then backed it up with a knee. So apparently he's been hitting the tin pretty hard. So he's a good solid 12 now.
Anyway, um, I still don't think he's as good as Stuart, so, um.
Yeah.
So he's a step down from Stuart. So I just think there's too many hurdles that they've put in their own way, except for champion de Crespigny, who is injured. But, um, I think it's going to be too much of a hurdle for him to overcome. Same as the Reds last week.
So good start, styles. Make fights. Crusaders will go into you know they've got a very big big solid forward pack. And the the force have really struggled up front this year. Although I see that Molly's back. So they'll have a little bit more coming off the bench than they've had in the past few weeks. So but yeah.
I see peaches interest is injured as well. So they've got um champion de Crespigny and Peach both injured. And both of them have been really good players for them.
So yeah. Um.
Look, I think it's one of those games, you know, you get the young guys in, um, maybe, maybe thought it was a hard game to win. Anyway. So let's use this one to give development players some time and game time and get the experience. And to be honest, I don't have a problem with that. I think that, um, you know, if you think you're not going to win a game anyway, then yeah, let you let your young guys have a go, let them get the experience. And, and then you can, you can use that experience later. And, and it depends on how you use it and what you do with that experience going forward will be the real test. And and Kron I think is smart enough to be able to manage that and do it. So I think it's it's probably not the worst decision he's made, but I think it's not going to help them this week.
Not exactly.
I think what he's I'm pretty sure what he's done is rested all his wallaby. Um yeah. Players on the same weekend.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So so he can have them later on like next week when they play um who they play next week. I can't remember because it's uh Brumbies. Brumbies have got the Tigers next week.
It'll also it'll also be at home next week as well. So it's again next week. Yeah.
They got the.
Juror. No.
Yeah. Yeah. They got the draw at home, so. Yeah.
Yeah. The other thing is, if you look at the force, they don't have a huge injury list. But you would reasonably expect of that injured list. Um, every every one of them, bar one would be a player who you'd think is starting the season. Harry Johnson-holmes Bayley, Kuenzle, Harry Herbert, Dylan Peach, Matt Proctor, you know, and they've only got one other guy who I've never heard of who's on their injured list. So each one of you know. So they've lost, they've got 4 or 5 guys who they haven't selected and then 5 or 6 who would probably be in their starting team anyway. So it's a it's going to be a thin game. And for them and I think uh I think fifteens being hopeful. Uh it could it could get ugly. It could get ugly. Um because you know you look at the, the, the bench for the, the side is, you know, uh, haven't heard of one, uh, hooker George Bower said that Dominic Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Muir. It's a pretty solid bench. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. Next one along, gents. Now, probably my second pick for game of the week, but, uh, some might hold a different view. Certainly across the Dutch is, uh, the Chiefs v the Blues at uh, Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. The Chiefs have got, uh, Ollie Norris, Brady McAllister, George Dyer. Uh, ah. Koy Tupou, VI, Sam Parker, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson, Xavier Rhodes, Damian McKenzie's back there. Okada, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown and only Eroni Narawa Sean Stevenson as the starters. The Blues have got Jordan Lake, Kurt Eklund, uh Tonga Fassi, Patrick Tuipulotu, uh Maguire, Mcwhannell. I don't know who that is. Uh, cam. Came Kristi Jordan Papalii and John Cena. Sam Neill, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke. Uh, Zac Taylor, Ricky Martin and Corey Evans. Buck is the, uh, is the ref. Sully, are you going for the blue? The blue visor or.
No, mate. I'm going with the Chiefs. Um, Chiefs. I just think the Blues are too out of form. But they could click back in any time, I guess. But but no, I, I'm sticking with, uh, the team that's in form and, um, and playing my cards close to my chest, but no, um, Chiefs for me by 10 to 15, I'm guessing. But it'll be a tough game. And, um. Yeah. Dalton Perry is back, isn't he? He's been injured. Yeah, he could make a difference. Um. No. Chiefs. I'm sticking. Sticking to my guns. Carl.
I think.
What do you think of Ben O'Keeffe at the moment? He's gone.
I think.
I.
I think he's out of form. I think he's a good ref, but I think he's out of form.
Yeah, I I. I think he's. I think he's being asked to referee a games a little bit differently and apply the laws different to what he would normally do. And I think he's struggling to get his head around where Super Rugby want him to apply the laws this year. Um, because the Super Rugby is doing a lot of things that, that they never did. Like, like if you if you looked at most of the games last week, um, every game had players off their feet and from the side. Um, and if the, if the ball was already won, no one cared. And I think Bok wants to actually stop that, but is being asked not to, which means he's second guessing himself at times. Um, but no, he's still a good ref. I don't have a problem with him. I don't think he's. He's not going to be the decider between these games. Um, I think the Chiefs will win for two reasons. I think they've got they've got a team which is a lot more settled than the Blues. They've got players who know their game plan, they know what they want to do and they know where people are going to be. And even with Damian McKenzie running around and knowing no one, knowing what he wants, where he's going to be, including himself, I think that Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown actually can cover that really well. And the other reason I think the Chiefs will win is that I think their bench is a lot stronger. You know Finau, takahe, um, Josh Jacob, who to me is one of the form number ten in New Zealand at the moment. And I think between him and um and the hurricane guy uh McGregor is I know it's wrong name. Um, what's the hurricane Godfrey. I think him and Godfrey are the two form teams in New Zealand at the moment, and he's going to come on. So I think the chief will take this. And and in fact, I actually think the Chiefs are probably going to win this by about 10 or 10, 15 points. In fact, I'll say seven plus. Absolutely. Um, I've got, I've.
Got I've got to admit, I was surprised to see Jacob on the bench and McKenzie at ten.
I think that's because McKenzie Stevenson. Yeah, they wanted to bring Stevenson back in, and I think that's a mistake. I think, you know, Damian McKenzie is a really, really good 15 who can play ten, but he's not actually that good as a ten. Um I think it's super Super Rugby level. He's probably okay and good enough that he can play ten and and and not be too much of an issue. Um, but I think yeah, I think you'll see. Jacob. Come on. And McKenzie move to 15, which to me is a much better set up for both of them. Um, but yeah, it'll be interesting to see how it goes, but I, I can't see the Chiefs losing this, I really can't.
Yeah. I just think, um, you look at the quality that the blues have out. Um, you know that's the real issue. Beauden Barrett, Steely Dan Sullivan, Hoskins Sotutu. Um, that's some pretty Sam Darry. Like they're never going to see him again this year, but that's some cool. They're all starters in that team. Yeah, absolutely. So the the the quality the quality drop for them is is is substantial. Um, you know, Harry Plummer's a fine player, but he's not, uh, he's not Boden Barrett. Yeah. So, you know, I just don't see I just don't see a and the blues are at home. You know, I think.
I think, um, I think if, um, Beauden Barrett had stayed on last week, the Blues would have won.
Yeah. I didn't see the game, so I couldn't comment.
Yeah. No, I think absolutely they would have won because he was the one that gave them their points in the first half with his play. I thought he had one of the best games at, um, ten that I've seen him play for a long time in that game. And I think, um, he's starting to he's starting to show again. Again. He's a ten who can play 15. He's not a 15 who can play ten. And, um, that's the real difference, I think, between him and McKenzie. But, um, I thought he played very, very well. So. Yeah. Yeah. Unfortunately. And and what I found surprising last week, actually, was both Clarke and Talia, um, got the ball on the wing and had to cut back in because they couldn't outpace the defence, which is a real, you know, you're a winger. You're not meant to do that. Um, you know, you're meant to be able to outpace and position yourself so you can outpace and, you know, maybe maybe they're not getting position, maybe they're not getting the ball correct so that they're not getting in that position or something. But that that to me was quite disappointing in their game last week. Um, yeah. We'll see what happens.
Yep. Yeah. Game of.
The week.
After all of those entrees and a pair of teas. We're we're into them. We're into the main. The meat, the real. We're into the tomahawk steak. The main. The main game. The real game. Uh, Reds v the Tigers at Lang Park on 730 on Saturday. Couple of us are going to be there, so be nice to meet each other in person. Catch up, have a few beers. Mhm. Uh, Reds uh team is Fergus Faisla, Josh Canham Ryan Smith Sarah is back from injury. Fraser McRae. Harry Wilson. Uh, Tate McDermott. Tom liner. Tim Ryan. Hunter Paisami is back from suspension. Filipo Daugunu, Lockie Anderson and Jeremiah Murray. Uh, the Tars, Stars Angus Bell, di Parigi, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair, Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Lafayette Taylor, Tina Uh, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Crichton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Tristan Riley, Andrew Kellaway and unfortunately, I'm going to be shouting at the worst referee in Super Rugby, James Doleman. Uh.
Karl Drought last week mate.
Yeah I know the win streak is over. Uh, unbelievable. I only took 25 games for a non Kiwi team to beat a Kiwi team with him in charge. Well done. That's some work. Uh, Karl, tell me why my Reds are going to win this game.
Um, I'm. I'm speaking on behalf of the entire New Zealand. Who cares?
Um.
You know, planes.
Fly, planes go back every hour, mate. Feel free to jump on.
Yeah, yeah. No. Hang on. Um, it'll be interesting. I think, um, that the Thais have been able to win ugly this year, which is something that they haven't done for a long time. But in saying that this is their first test of the year, you know, of, uh, even even despite, you know, some of the games they've had. This is their first real test of the year. And, um, I think to be honest, I think they'll probably come up short. Um, they've got a good first front row. Um, they've got a couple of good backs. Although, um, I'm not sure how Teddy Wilson or. Sorry. Uh, Crichton will go. Crichton will go. Um, no. Sorry. There's Teddy Wilson. Not sure how he'll go. Um, but. And the reads to me are just a lot more settled. And, um, I'm not that concerned about Hunter Paisami. To be honest, I think he's a player who is hugely Usually overrated with this huge expectation that he was always showing heaps of potential that's never actually developed or been on the field for anyone to actually notice at any time. Um, so I don't really don't really care about him being back and not being back. And in fact, I think the team might actually be weaker with him back in it. I don't, I don't I don't think he actually offers as much as what a lot of people thinks he think he offers. Um, the big thing for the Reds this week is what game do they play and how do they step up from all the mistakes they made last week? And if they do that, then I think they'll win comfortably. But if they keep trying to play that helter skelter game and they keep trying to push things which aren't on, then I think they might struggle. Um, and with James Dallman refereeing and I and I know, I, I know a lot of you guys don't like him, um, for a lot of reasons. I'm sure. James James Doleman James Doleman is a referee who, if the ball is available, he doesn't give a shit what people does. Just get the ball out and play. And if and if one of if one of the captains or one of the teams adapts to that better than the other team, then I think that could be a deciding factor in this game. So. So to me, I think the Reds will win. I think they're at home. I think they've got enough going for them. I think after last week they've got a they've got a line in the sand that they need to put down and cover. So I think they'll probably do that. And I think Chris is smart enough coach to be able to get that out of them. Um, but but I think they need to make some changes. And if they're not careful, the Waratahs could come back at them. Um, interestingly, I think if the Waratahs win, it'll be really close. But if the Reds win, I think they'll win quite comfortably. So I'm going to say the the Reds by 12 plus Sally.
Uh now the Reds are going to win. Yeah. Um. so the red, the Reds are better. Uh, got a better back. Five in the forwards. They got a better halves. They got better centers. Um, and older heads. So, no, I think the Reds, if they keep their heads and they cut down on those silly passes, the Reds should have this just by not getting sucked into the hype of the festival of hate and doing stupid shit as we Festival of hate as what we used to call it back in the day. Because there will be high ball through the week in Queensland, there will be lunches and there will be all the old fellas coming out telling their stories. But if they can stay away from that and keep their heads. Um, the Reds will win this. But it's a game that both teams love playing and both sets of, um, former greats. So if that's what you want to call them. Foggies love hyping up And, um, yeah, it'll be a big week for a lot of people. So, uh. Enjoy, fellas. But the Reds will win.
Look, it's.
My heart is saying.
Look, um, obviously, obviously, I'm going to take the Reds. Just couldn't. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't, but, um, they. It's interesting what you said about, uh, dom and wanting speed of ball. Uh, if if that's what he wants, then the Reds, I think, benefit more from that. Uh, because they do want to play a high paced game. The AI based on, you know, based on if you looking at the ends for the Reds being Tom liner by Sammy, um. And unfortunately Liam Wright's injured his shoulder again. That's a really bad one. Uh, but I think if you look at it, timeline, it provides that direction that probably HMP didn't have last week where he wanted to play at the same tempo as Tate, McDermott and the guys outside him. So that's where it got a bit helter skelter. Um, Tomlin is not the flashiest, um, fly half in the world. Very English obviously, because that's where he grew up. Um type of fly half. So he, he provides the calm head, the direction, the big the exit, all that stuff. That probably is quite important for this team at the moment. Um, so for me, I just think the ceiling for the Reds at the moment is a little bit higher than the ceiling for the, the Waratahs. Uh, so even with my head, I think the the Reds will win this game. And I think it'll be I think it's 7 to 10. I think it's 7 to 10. It could it could blow out in a bit bit bit bigger than that I think the Reds are uh will be specials to this game.
Hey. For the Reds with Henry, Henry and Flook.
Yeah.
Henry. Henry's a 12 and flux of 13, isn't he?
That's correct. Yeah.
Yeah. And to me, that's the weakness that the Reds have got at the moment. Yeah. Um, I'm, as I've mentioned, I don't rate Hunter Paisami that much. I think he's a little bit overrated. And I didn't think he had a good game at centre last week. He. He reminded me a lot of Rico Iranian that he I yoani that he, um, he doesn't know when to pass and when not to.
Yeah.
And and which is, which is fair because you're a wing coming into the centre. So. So I think, um, that could be an issue. I like Andrew Kellaway. I thought Kellaway had an exceptional game last week. I thought it was his best game of fullback, that I've seen him play this year. And I think that with the pressure off of him from some of the bullshit that's going on, which must piss him off so much and he can actually just be there and play his game? I think he's he's actually a very good 15. Um, but yeah, I still I still think the Reds will win this game. Yeah, um I can't Kellaway.
Kellaway is the kind of player that like a Conrad Smith to use the New Zealand example, that you really notice it when he's not there.
Yeah. He's he he. The thing is he's a smart guy who makes smart decisions. Rugby. Smart rugby decisions, you know.
Doesn't, you know, doesn't mean all the metrics in terms of athleticism and all that sort of stuff, but just really good at rugby. Yeah. Um, yeah.
Talking about fullbacks, uh, I'd be much more happy if Jock Campbell was back.
Yeah. Correct that. Uh, yeah.
I am a bit of a murray's doing a job for us, but he's not a fullback. Yeah. No.
No, he's, um, he's, uh, he's a he's been he's had a spotty start, but he's been pretty much again, the if you look at last week they were pretty very inexperienced coming up against you know Havili and you know Jordan and seven separate races is not going to be an easy task when you you know, it's all right. It's all right if one guy's in there and he's young and inexperienced, but when everyone's inexperienced, you know, 10 to 15 are inexperienced and they're up against those guys, you know, who are genuine world class players, um, that's going to be a tough day at the office. If you're one one guy out there, then you can maybe be covered up and be told where to go a bit. But when everyone everyone's got the same experience level.
It'll be interesting. It'll be interesting to see where the mckellar's got the smarts to take advantage of that. Um, you know. Yeah.
Um, I'll push back. I'll push back on me a bit. I think his biggest issue is he plays the game quite physical, but he's not a big player like he's not. You know, if he he plays the game like ma'a Nonu, but he's ma'a Nonu like like he's just. He's 90 kilos Manon. He's 110. So that's kind of that's kind of the big thing. He plays physically but does everything. He's got good short game, all that sort of stuff. But when he goes to that next level at tests, he's probably just not quite big enough to maintain that, that style of play. Whereas at this level, he looks good. Um, that's my view. But Isaac Henry, step.
Up from a guy who played two games.
Correct?
Yeah. No, no, I agree that he's got he's got the he's got the knowledge. I just yeah.
Um, and I agree.
No, no. Um, not putting a slight on Dre at all, but he's at the beginning of his career and he's still. Yeah.
So yeah.
Yeah. Although I'd, I'd question a guy who's not big enough to play that game and keep playing that game. And he's not big enough. Maybe he needs to sort out how he plays.
Yeah. But again, he's you know he's he's good enough to play at you know he he plays very well at this level. Um and and and he's just, and he's, you know, to use you know, as much as I hate quoting Eddie Jones, he's not a test match animal. Um, so he's he's very good in defence and he's a good ball playing and all that stuff.
And he has developed his game. He's, he's he's bought a passing. He's bought a kick in. Yeah.
Yeah. Absolutely absolutely.
As you said my on my highlight.
Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. And and you know he was he was until his injury last year Isaac Henry was probably supplanting him in the Reds back line. Yeah. He was playing some really good footy and then did his.
Yeah I was um I was really disappointed to hear about Henry injury because I in those games he played last year, I rated him I rated him as almost the best, the best second five eight in in Australia. Um, leading up into those first few games, he was playing really well. Yeah. Again, he's not a big boy. He's not a big crash player. But he played smart rugby well.
He is a big boy. But no he.
He.
He is but yeah yeah he's he's a big boy. He's just you know um he's just he's built and he's strong and he's all those things, uh, probably not as fat through the ass as, say, a Polynesian guy, but he's strong. Big, strong guy.
Man through the ass.
Well, that's.
Just.
The way it works. Yeah.
I'm not going to take that personally because I'm Melanesian, not Polynesian. So.
Right. Yes. Um, yeah. Look, I just think the, um. Yeah, the the Reds this weekend, and it's drying in Brisbane as well. So the the storm's gone. Um, it'll be a, it'll be a hopefully a dry day, but look, just, you know, the cyclone's all gone. Um, Lang Park drains really well, so it'll be a it'll be ready to roll. Ready to roll? Um. Okay, gents. Last section shouting at clouds. Is anything bugging you at the moment, Sally? Anything you want to get off your chest.
Oh, cop me on the hop again. I should think about these things before we.
We do it every week, mate. It shouldn't.
Be.
A surprise.
I was angry last night.
I'll swing over to Karl. What do you think? What? What? Anything on your goat, Karl.
Um, I think, um, my my shouting at the clouds actually, is is is France and the French coach, they they want a good game. They all we heard about was that frigging injury to DuPont with all their whingeing and moaning. It was looked at by it was reviewed on the field.
Mm.
The TMO, the ers and the referee all looked at and said no there was nothing in there. It was an accident. It was a rugby accident which happens after the match. He then calls up and cites him. It gets looked at again and the same result comes up. And so now he's going on social media, going on and on about it. You know, you're a good team, you're a good coach, you've got a good team. But you're starting to turn into a South African coach. Stop your frigging whingeing, you bloody wanker.
And by the looks of it, it was pretty innocuous, wasn't it?
Yeah. It was. Oh, no.
Look, he fell on his leg. Absolutely. DuPont went down and his foot slid out, and the guy fell on it. You know, his foot slid out because he didn't. I don't know whether he had proper springs or those plastic things or whatever. Whatever the reason. But his foot slid out and the guy fell on it and he got injured. And it's a bad injury and I feel for the guy. You know, he's a brilliant player and I wouldn't wish that injury on anything. But the way his coach is carried on. I really hope Scotland beat him this week just because of the way he's carried on after the match. I don't think it'll happen, but God, I wish it would.
Thank you. If Scotland win by 103 points, they can still win the Six Nations.
You're saying there's a chance, boys?
There's a chance.
It should be interesting with. I actually think the game of the week is going to be Italy versus Ireland. Because I actually would not be surprised to see Italy beat Ireland this week. Italy are at home. They're a different team at home. And and Ireland, they they have so many troubles in their game at the moment. They don't know what the hell they're doing. I think Ireland probably will win, but I won't be surprised if Italy does.
Yeah.
The um. Yeah. In the, in the Six Nations I think the, the real game is Wales v England. Um because.
Wales. Yeah. And and in Wales.
Yeah. And it's in Wales. But it does just show you know when we were bagging the shit out of Australia and we're bagging this, you know, the shit out of the Welsh. Um, the difference between being good and being average, uh, is not that great. I mean, Wales have put in since Gatland's gone. You could say it's a dead cat bounce, but they put in some really good efforts and lost both games. But you know they performed completely differently. So again coaching matters. Yeah, but it's. But it's that thing of you're not that far away from being garbage, and you're not that far away from being right at the top table again.
But like drew.
Yeah, a bit like a bit like the drew. A bit like. So yeah.
Like the Kane's actually at the moment. But there you go. Yeah. Yeah yeah.
The with the DuPont one. Apparently players are being taught now um you don't clean out head on, try to clean out slightly so that you don't hit hit the head, you know. So you're going more for the you're going more for the shoulder. And that's what's happened. It's basically gone through there. Slid down the side. Someone's come in over the top. And um you know and Porter's come in behind him. DuPont was in a good position for the Jackal, but with the way it all sort of collapsed in him. Yeah, he got done. Um, yeah.
Uh, well, that's a natural progression from from the head high and people over there and not being able to take them face to face on and getting and people's people getting suspended for head I and that situation that to come from the a bit from the side. And it's a consequence of the of the actions of world Rugby.
I think um, and I think the issue for me on all this is that, you know, it's a bit like, um, with, with Dolman and his refereeing, you know, the scrums, the rucks being one, there is nothing the opposition team is going to do charging in. That's going to win them the ball. So why do it? What are you achieving. You know. Yeah. And I know it's a timing thing and I understand that. And and you see enough times when they do come in because they time it right. And they have the right bodies that you know, you saw the Crusaders push the Reds off the ball a couple of times last week in fact, saw the the Reds blow the Crusaders away because they timed it right. So when you time it right it works. But there's that second where you haven't timed it right. You're not going to win. There's nothing you're going to do that's going to get the ball back. All you're going to do is crash into someone. What are you achieving? Why would you do it? And I and I think that that's part of where the game needs to start developing, where these players need to start understanding. There's nothing I can do to win that charging in. All I'm going to do is hurt myself or hurt someone else. Stop doing it and look at the next play and get my timing better next time.
Yeah, my my view is that the there should be more responsibility placed on the cleaners to maintain their feet because you see it time and time again. You know, if a guy guy, you know, and you hear the referee say, oh, you pulled out like, you know, pulled out of the ruck, well, the cleaner should still have responsibility to maintain his feet. You see, you see particularly and it's it's not a community level. But at the higher level you see guys literally they're flying into rucks. Yeah. Completely off their feet. And if the guy jumps out of the way, what's he supposed to do? Stand there and get melted. Like if he gets out of the way, the ref goes, oh, you pulled away. It's like, well he didn't he didn't maintain his feet. He should have to maintain, which would mean he'd have to have a slower like they talk about it being an airplane takeoff. He if he if he was worried about the guy not being there when he arrived, he would actually have to approach it a little bit slower, which would mean that, you know, again, he it would make that that space a safer place.
A lot of, a lot of these issues like, like that, um, like the um, caterpillar and these other things have, um, have actually come from northern hemisphere rugby where the referees have, um, they're a lot more in the dolman. If they're, if they're ruck or the contest has been won, then all those other things don't have a material effect. So I'm not going to worry about them. You know, like, you know, a halfback walking down halfway down a caterpillar and being two feet offside, putting his hand in and pushing the ball back. So there's about four laws that he's broken Oh, and the referee view is that, well, it's not having a material effect on the game because the other team can't win it from that position. So let's just let him do it, get the ball out, because it's actually getting the ball out faster so they can start playing it. And unfortunately that's gone that that swing has gone a little bit too far. And there's a whole lot of things happening now where, you know, players should be pinged, but the referees are getting away with it. And and now it's spreading out around the world because, you know, people are seeing it happen in the northern hemisphere in the club and um, internationals up there. So they're doing it down here and you're getting the referees from up north coming down to referee the games down here. So the smart coaches are saying, well this is what he lets get away with up north. So let's do that down here. And then people down here are seeing it. And then guys are taking it into Super Rugby. And the referees there going well you know these top class referees are allowing it. So I should allow it to and and yeah it's it's changing the way the game is refereed to a certain extent. Um, which some of it I think is good. Some of it I think is bad. I, I, I like that the ball is in play more and it's getting out there and people are using it. But I think that, um, there are people who should be punished, who aren't getting punished, and they're getting away with too much. And, and to me, that's, that's something I don't like that much. Um, but.
What what do you.
Think's going through a forward's head when he's in that caterpillar and he thinks, oh, there's the ball. I could probably move that with my foot, but I might just stand here statically while the halfback does it with his hand.
He's thinking.
I'm going to have a rest. Why should I do anything?
I can do some frigging.
Work for once in his life.
There you go.
I had a think, um. I want to urge. This is my shouting at clouds. I want to urge the reds To just tell us in the injury list that everyone puts out. So ten teams every week put out an injury list and say what the injury is and an estimate of how long it is. And one team just puts out a list with nothing else on it with just some names. So if that team who is the Reds could just add a little bit more information, that'd be great. Thanks. Yeah. Because because us fans would love to.
Yeah.
Fair cool mate.
Yeah.
Mhm.
So there you go. There's a sailing at clouds. Give me long enough. Give me a couple of hours and I can think of something.
Yeah. Very good, very good.
I'm full of the joys of life at the moment, so I'm not going to even shout out anything.
Uh.
Thought I had something to share.
Oh.
We can. Hong Kong will do that to you.
Oh, mate, I thought I had something to shout out, but actually, I'll tell you what I was annoyed at. And I may have called someone a nasty word, uh, on the weekend when DuPont got injured to that point. Um, I would say that I, um, I, uh, at a bar and there was a whole stack of Irish there and a few French people, and it's all good banter. And, um, some of the Irish people actually cheered when the punt got injured and were doing the crybaby noises like, miss me with that? Like, that is, that's the biggest wankery and bullshit. And I still get pissed off at, um, uh, the New Zealanders when they when they cheered, when Quade Cooper did his knee at Eden Park and the waterfall, that sort of stuff. Missed me with that. Like, I'm all for a good, hard, physical game, but I don't want to see people. I'd never want to see a guy get hurt, and I never want to see a, um, someone cheering when that happens, you know, grow.
Up.
That that really gets my fucking.
My.
Shit going.
Like, cool, man.
Yeah. I was ready to start. I had just enough alcohol to be ready to start taking a swing like that's. So big.
Man.
Fucking Yeah, I know.
If you ever get like that, remind me so I can get the hell out of your way. Because I don't want to be hurt by you. Happy?
Yeah, perfectly fine, mate, because I cannot fight for shit. Hey. Jeez.
I'm glad you didn't get a Waratahs fan on the night. How good would that have been?
Oh, I know, I know. Um. Where does that leave us? Are we all done for the day? I think we.
Are. My friend, I think we are.
Yeah. Um, if you're still listening to this drivel, thank you very much. We appreciate it. Uh, again, download. Give us a give us a five star rating. We do need it. We want to keep growing the growing the show for what it can be. And, um, I'll see you boys next week. Bye for now.
Hey the Reds.
Good luck today, guys. Good luck on Sunday, guys.
Up the Reds.
Catch us later.
Yeah, up their ass. No, I didn't mean that.
You don't know anything about rugby.
Don't drop go from Larkham, Australian creeper.
They've got the advantage.
Worst press conference. Well done boys.
