Entertainment
South Africa Retain Rugby Championship, What Next For New Zealand & Wild PREM Weekend
In this episode, we discuss South Africa's historic back-to-back victories in the Rugby Championship and what lies ahead for New Zealand. We also dive into the thrilling weekend of Premier League...
South Africa Retain Rugby Championship, What Next For New Zealand & Wild PREM Weekend
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Interactive Transcript
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Why are we doing this?
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The love of the game, mate.
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For the love of rugby.
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Let me introduce your host.
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Some things need discussing.
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Don't mistake being a sap for just being a realist.
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No man has played for England more times than Benyaks.
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If you're having mints or slash ball and aids before the game,
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you don't want to splash it on your nice clean white top.
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Ah, damn cold.
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With his 100 caps, all his medals, his cuddly cute face,
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and his beautifully shiny head.
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For the love of rugby.
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Enjoy.
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Ben, how are you doing?
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I'm very well-coldy.
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It's been a busy few weeks with beyond the line my new book,
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my only book, because I'm not claiming stuff Ben says.
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No, you've got a previous book here.
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I have not got a previous book.
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It's been busy. It's been fun.
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I've been meeting so many people and I've been a bit here
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there everywhere.
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But I'm very, very well, thank you, mate.
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How are you?
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I'm all right, thank you.
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I've had another weekend of rugby and it's been a great weekend.
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The rugby championship is now over, Ben.
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The rugby champ is over.
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Actually, I tell you what, I also caught up with Michael Checker
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and Julian Montoya in London the other day.
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That was very, very nice.
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So they were both on great form and met up with them in central.
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Gave Check the bar bill.
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And all as well.
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They were on good form, both of them.
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Very nice to see them.
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I hope you didn't distract Julian from his job.
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No, he was on Sparkling Water getting very focused for the spring box.
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Good, that's what I'd like to hear.
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Now he's in power as well.
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So he's got big week ahead of him.
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He was saying that he's, I mean, just can we just mention this briefly?
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Those, those chaps that do the rugby championship,
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it's like finish, then straight back into their club.
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Julian's turning up at power, obviously, top 14,
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French League, never been, never met the team or whatever,
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been there, but not right to you, met the squad yet.
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Got to turn up, learn all the plays probably tomorrow.
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Play at the weekend, carry on doing that, meet again.
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In a new language as well.
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In a new, in a different language, like unbelievable.
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The guides did not stop.
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So he was sort of filling me in about about what it looks like
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when he gets to Poe and what to expect.
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So remarkable.
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He's a man that doesn't stop, Coli.
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That's right.
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Any play we go all weekend.
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But the rugby championship is over.
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South Africa, back to back, winners.
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I want to tell you dominate the tournament this time around.
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But fair play to them.
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They did what they had to do.
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And I think it's first time ever we're back to back winners, isn't it?
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That is the first time they've done it.
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And no, you're right, Coli.
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You're doing it at Ali Ants to a conum.
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The game, obviously, there's a huge amount of South Africans
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that live in the UK.
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So for them to play that fixture,
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I know it was meant to be in home game for Argentina.
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But there's of course no end of Argentinian fans there as well.
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I thought made for great atmosphere, shame or so windy,
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but a great grain of rugby.
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And I think the rugby championship has been so good.
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I've really enjoyed it.
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There's such a massive shame.
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There's not happening now for a while.
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Because all teams, as we've seen,
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has had the ability to beat each other.
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And the Springboks rightly so, have won it, back to back,
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won it once again.
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The best team in the tournament.
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However, it has been a fantastic championship.
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Yes, it has.
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I thought the game at the weekend.
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I watched in Argentina, South Africa.
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Like Argentina, again, came out wanting to move the ball.
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Probably want to take on the South Africans physically
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or two directly.
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And so they were flinging the ball around.
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I thought that first 15 minutes, the intensity they played with
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was unmatched.
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And then the Springboks had a scrum.
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And then you saw the balance of the game change.
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And for a fair play to them, the point where the Springboks had seven men
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in their scrum, their piece, they have to twist it at nine
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and Ryan Akk moved to the wing.
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And they pushed the Argentinians off the Roan Ball.
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I thought, hmm.
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That's quite good.
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It's berserk, isn't it?
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Cold, it got up.
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You know like when you are facing that scrum,
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or if you are coaching a team that's coming against the box,
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is there any way of nullifying it?
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Is there any way of trying to get away from it?
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Is there anything you can do to try and not make it?
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So, almost emotionally demoralizing for you.
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Like if you were coaching a scrum,
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how would you set up to try and deal with the box?
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I think like you can go down to avenues.
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You can either go like trying to avoid it in regards to like quick hook of the ball
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and just get the ball in out.
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And almost like we'll say that you're pan-focus.
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They did many years ago, you know like 2015 and that kind of stuff.
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And teams could do that.
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Or you can kind of bit more go like the best.
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Let's say how good we are.
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They're the best in the world.
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We're going to focus on our scrum this week.
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I think you have to go in the latter,
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because I think you know there are teams that probably go against South Green.
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It's like we just hope the ball get the ball out of there.
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And I think that can feed into your team and sort of almost like,
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you know it's coming.
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So you might as well try and,
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we always sort of had the astute, like it didn't always work.
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I've basically taken them on and just try to match them and sort of get,
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you know, engaged, you know it's going to be big.
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You're not shying away from the contest.
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You know what I mean?
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That's what I'm trying to say.
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You have to take them on, you have to sort of try and get a result.
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And if you do, you're doing, if you don't,
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but if you sort of decide that we're going to hook the ball
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and avoid all scrums and take a look at lineups and that kind of stuff.
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You sometimes run up your own arse and get in trouble that way.
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There's always going to be scrums in the game.
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It's just a question of how you manage those moments.
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You know how sometimes you obviously see a scrum and it can like whip around.
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So say maybe one, you know,
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the tight head's been dominant, let's say.
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And it's like spun around, but with the box at times,
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it's not spun.
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It's like it's straight through the middle.
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Like again, like just explain that how, how is that possible?
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Because you don't see that with other teams.
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Is it just that much force coming, coming straight through the middle?
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Is it coming through the hooker?
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Is it coming through loose head and tight head?
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Like where's all the force coming through?
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It's coming through the entire front row.
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I mean, you look at the sort of general second rows they pick.
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They have big back rows, but they are.
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They engage hard and they stay square.
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Like you look at it.
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Some Thomas the toy.
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He's not sometimes, as you said there,
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so the loose head considers to get two inches of four momentum
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and we'll step out and try and run it round.
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And sometimes the refs give that,
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whereas the spring walk stay in the scrum and they take you on head on.
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And yeah, there was five meter goal line scrums
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where they literally just going through Argentine Hunts
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not a lot you can do in that point.
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If you're the defended team, you kind of like,
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oh, collapse it.
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Oh no, they've just run over the top.
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They've got the penalty or you should have stayed up
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and you're going backwards.
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Well, wasn't there a game?
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I swear was it Marlon Adam Jones,
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the two renowned scrummages like pride themselves.
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And they're playing Sarasins at the stoop
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and they'd been like warned.
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And the next one was going to be a penalty try and another yellow card.
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I think they already had two people in the bin.
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So I think they have like a discussion about actually
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tactically.
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I think Danny Kerr brought the message.
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Talk backwards.
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Danny Kerr brought on the message that basically it was his gestion.
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So I think the front row said,
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what do we do?
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We go and gauge harder.
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We've got just trying to make them play away.
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I think Danny Kerr just came on and said,
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like, Lads, have we ever thought about just walking backwards
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and letting them score?
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And then we weren't having a man in the bin
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and weren't being a bigger hole and it was kind of like,
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I think for a moment, they're all like,
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we should do that.
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But at the same time, they were like, we can't,
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for the just integrity of the scrum, we can't do that.
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But yeah, no, that's,
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but that's the, you know, you have those conversations
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similar to South Africa, it's kind of like,
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because there are times when,
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say you're on your goal line, you're backed up,
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the rules kind of change in there
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regardless if you can't take a scrum off a free kick.
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So at some points, you kind of like,
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teams have to investigate.
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Do we, if we get in that situation,
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do we just engage early?
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Do we do this?
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Do we pull out to some, you know, whatever you can do?
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But the box will bring you into that, that contest.
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The thing is with the spring boxes,
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any point, when the of that dominant scrum,
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I don't think people probably understand is like,
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it's like, I'll just maintain it,
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I'll probably try to run them around,
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keep the ball away from contact.
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As you're showing that first half,
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the ball was flowing, moving around everywhere,
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but you know, as soon as you knock it on,
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or soon as you make a handle in error,
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you're gonna get drawn into that scrum contest
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and then you've got like,
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the whole plan goes out the window
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and similar with it around the field of the ball,
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there's in the airs like,
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and when you get that side of scrum dominance,
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like we saw South Africa push them off their own ball,
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like, you don't wanna catch high ball,
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you don't wanna knock a high ball on,
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there's so much stuff that affects your game
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and just builds into the psyche of your game
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and you know that every contest
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is gonna be a penalty South Africa,
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then you're gonna be defending 15 phases
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and then they're gonna go back for a penalty advantage
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and then they're gonna kick it in the corner.
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And you know what I mean?
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That kind of whole thing can spiral into a team
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to play the plane.
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Yeah, absolutely can spiral
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because even like you're attacking
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and then suddenly, you're not too sure about offloading
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because it may not stick and it may lead to a scrum
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because they're knock on instead of kicking contestable
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which might be the main strategy of how you get out
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of your half.
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Suddenly you think I can't kick contestable
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because if we don't win it or we knock it on,
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like we're getting scrummed
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and then they're either kicking at the post
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or they're kicking the corner
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and they're hitting us with the mull
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which again was effective at the weekend
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for the spring box.
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I just think that, you know,
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what they've done in my eyes is they've doubled down
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on their sort of superpower once again, you know,
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they're unapologetically brilliant at scrumaging
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and mauling and those sort of contact areas
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and they've just doubled down on that.
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But what they've also added is huge amount of depth
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and they've still got that creativity.
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You know, I think Reinhardt's been terrific this tournament.
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You know, Cobas Reinhardt, age 35, just still doing bits
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but what's really smart is obviously
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they're playing him with a really young tent.
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So he can sort of help him.
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So you've got all that experience of him,
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you know, a double world cup winner, age 35,
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played around the world,
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like great international nine
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and he's sort of helping a, you know, a young tent outside him.
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Then you flip it to, you know,
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the midfield and the options they've had there
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and we've seen that
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and then you start looking at the back three threats they have
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and I don't know, I just look at the depth,
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you know, from a backline point of view
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and that doesn't include the depth that they're showing
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and the flex that they have in the forwards, Coli.
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But I mean, it's mildly impressive
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where the box are going and how they continue to,
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to sort of just dominate in many, many ways.
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I wouldn't say they're like,
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as dominant as that New Zealand team,
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like 11 to sort of 15
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because that team just really lost today
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and I think South Korea's still, you know,
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they lost a couple this season.
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But when you look at it,
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they've lost because they're experimenting
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and they're changing the team
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and basically they're just adding more depth
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two years out from the world cup.
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That's what I was just going to say is like that.
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So the New Zealand team for 11 to 15,
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almost very settled, very settled.
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Settled, like everyone was sort of peaked at the same time,
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that kind of stuff, whereas like the Springbok teams,
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almost in, it's not in transition,
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but it's building more depth behind it
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and almost like that New Zealand team just set out
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to win every game, whereas like the South Korean team,
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I think set out to build depth
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and win every game, so it's slightly different.
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But yeah, if they wanted to, I'm pretty sure
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they could just roll out the same guys
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and you know, there would be a dominant as that.
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Kiwi team.
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I feel like with the Springboks at the moment as well
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is if you were to try and pick your 33 man squad now
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for 27 World Cup, like yes, there's some obvious choices,
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but there's also some really, really difficult one
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because there is such like depth and versatility
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in terms of what they bring.
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You know, even in the front row, like Thomas De Toi,
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for instance, can play both sides, can't they?
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You know, and then you start looking at the back row
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and the options they have there, the locks that they have,
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and then you start looking at the back line,
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like I said, the midfield is the back three.
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I don't know, like it's unbelievable.
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They used, well, they used 47 players
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throughout the rugby championship.
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47 players they've used.
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Like you'll never see a team do that in the Six Nations.
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You'd never see a team do that in the Six Nations.
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Ever, never.
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What's scary is the fact that you've got like a Ryan Ackos
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85, you've got a poly who has sort of like,
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you've got Fav2Clerk in play there.
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So you've got guys that can play the traditional way.
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Then you've got your sashes of this world
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who can come in and play up tempo, speedy kind of way.
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Then you can mix them, blend them both
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and have sort of like a, you know,
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like that at the weekend.
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And then there's just so many different options available to them,
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depending on the opposition or how they want to play,
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whether they want to play ball control
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or whether they want it to move the ball around
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or they have to chase the game
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or they just want to build a lead or sit on a lead.
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There's so many different, there's like a plan A,
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plan B and a plan C.
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And they say it's all all comes from that dominant forward pack
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and you know, they can basically do what they want.
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Colin, I'd love to know your thoughts on,
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you know, like maybe the Northern Hemisphere teams
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don't necessarily rotate to the same level
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as what you see, just maybe the Southern Hemisphere teams
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or certainly what South Africa does.
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Like why is that?
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Do you think that Razi sort of earned that right
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because he's an absolutely elite coach
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and obviously has incredible success
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and they have the player pool?
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And do you think fans would be patient enough to see,
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let's say in England, rotate lots during the autumn
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or do you think there is a, there isn't a tolerance for that
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because if they don't win, then it sort of,
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everything goes out the window.
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Good question.
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I think South Africa have a, like, yes,
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Razi has an ability to experiment
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and you say they lost against Australia in the first game.
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But no one was, you know, there's no pressure on his job
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and people, you know, he knows what I mean,
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I've joined as a fan, but there was no pressure on jobs
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or anything like that.
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So which in and stand, I'm one, two, well cups.
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The depth of the players allows you to rotate,
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like if you look at probably the depth from,
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like in the centres we said before, you know,
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with the spring box.
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You look at the depth there and the guys they've got,
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that those, there's probably got four or five guys
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that would start for pretty much every other team in the world.
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Similarly, at 10, say you've got three different variants at 10,
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but there's not many teams with three tens
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or three nines that can all play in the national open,
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all experience.
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And the good thing is, again, when you're winning
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and you have that ability is like,
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you can play a Pollard with a young nine
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because he can help manage him.
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And then the young nine gets 20,
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before he knows he got 20 caps,
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you know, I mean, all Rhine act with a young 10
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and like, then here's 20 caps with 30 caps
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and they're experienced and they're just winning
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and they're part of the winning, the culture of winning.
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I don't like the culture, but like,
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the part of a team that just can win,
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similar to like, they can bring in front rowers
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that might bring in a loose ederer, you know,
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tight knowing they can always fall back on sort of who they've got.
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So, and which allows them the ability for the big games,
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I would say one thing about the river championship,
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there's not been just about for any teams,
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but South Africa, they have to beat New Zealand twice,
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you know what I mean?
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They probably have to and do that
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and that's the real tough challenge.
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Whereas you look at say, because they are so good
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and the New Zealanders, so the other teams,
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they can kind of rotate against Australia
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and rotate against Argentina.
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I've been horrible.
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Whereas like in England, set at the minute is,
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you can't rotate against France, Scotland, Ireland,
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because you're gonna lose.
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You can maybe rotate against Italy and Wales,
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but then it's a bit like, do you want to do that?
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Because that might break our momentum
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and we've only got five games together
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and so it's a different choice.
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And also, like, I think South Africa have the floor
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of their performance, because they're so settled
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in what they do with the dominant scrum, dominant more.
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Like, the guys they've got in their backline that can score.
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Like, their floor is so high that allows them to change
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and adjust and try and go even higher.
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Whereas I think other teams,
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like if you rotate a few bodies out,
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say the English team or the Irish team or the Scottish team,
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like the floor becomes a lot lower.
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You know, the performance can be a lot lower
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and that you just kind of,
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you don't really want to run that risk.
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Yeah, that's great question.
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I know it's one of the problem that we thought about,
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but, you know, I don't think that England fans
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want to watch.
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If you lose by 40 points to South Africa,
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or say you lose by 40 points to New Zealand in the autumn,
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but it's like, oh, we've rotated with Played Lode
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of 12 year olds, England fans are going to accept it.
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I think there can be some rotation in the squads,
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but you're going to do that in the games against me,
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for me, for Fiji and Japan, all those kind of games,
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you know what I mean?
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And if they play well, you can bring them into
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those bigger games.
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But there's an England fan you want to watch England,
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you play New Zealand once, you want to beat them,
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you play Australia once, you want to beat them,
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you know, once every year.
spk_0
So that's why I think it's got to be done that way.
spk_0
I'd actually like to ask the listeners,
spk_0
if they'd take a tough autumn and a tough six nations,
spk_0
if it meant we could evolve the depth and the quality
spk_0
in the long run.
spk_0
Would you be happy that as an England fan?
spk_0
And from a South Africa's point of view,
spk_0
at what stage would you like to see Razi stick with his squad?
spk_0
Is it a year out from the World Cup?
spk_0
Is it six months out from the World Cup?
spk_0
But what stage would you like to see?
spk_0
Okay, now I can see the 27 World Cup taking shape.
spk_0
So there's two questions there.
spk_0
Please leave a comment.
spk_0
Let us know your thoughts.
spk_0
We'll read out some of the best ones next week.
spk_0
One thing I'll say about that, the depth,
spk_0
it's a bit boring, but like, you can look at, say,
spk_0
would you take a tough autumn?
spk_0
But like, is it right bringing young players in,
spk_0
but you've got to build us a system and wing games?
spk_0
I think like you look at Wales, they have the World Cup.
spk_0
They've got rid of, they've got rid of you biggers.
spk_0
They've got rid of, it's been before the World Cup,
spk_0
like Tippericks as well.
spk_0
They've got rid of a lot of experience,
spk_0
and haven't been very good since,
spk_0
and you might say, oh, and four years time and five years time,
spk_0
like these guys will have 40, 50 caps and be good,
spk_0
but you know, they've probably then scarred
spk_0
from losing to many games,
spk_0
whereas I think like you look at England,
spk_0
is when you left, like Marlon,
spk_0
the South of the State on it and caught it left.
spk_0
A lot of experience there in Danny Care stayed on it.
spk_0
It was kind of like drip fed.
spk_0
Those guys drip fed out the team and young guys brought in.
spk_0
So, you know what I mean?
spk_0
It's like a sort of revolution,
spk_0
or an evolution rather than a revolution.
spk_0
I think that's what fans probably have to understand is
spk_0
it's, you can bring in young guys,
spk_0
but you might lose every game, you might win,
spk_0
but the chance I'll low.
spk_0
So actually, do you want to drip feed them in
spk_0
and it might not look revolutionary,
spk_0
but actually if you look at England team,
spk_0
say from like 2023 to the 2027,
spk_0
it might actually be quite different.
spk_0
Yeah, no again, Coli.
spk_0
And that's why you look at Ryan at 35 still playing,
spk_0
like nine, you know, with a young half back outside him.
spk_0
Now Grant Williams for me is a terrific nine,
spk_0
electric, threatening,
spk_0
and he probably is the future for 27,
spk_0
but it's just managing that as you mentioned.
spk_0
It's like you don't get rid of everyone
spk_0
and the way you deal with that.
spk_0
Just a quick word on Argentina, Coli,
spk_0
because they've only won two games,
spk_0
they finished bottom of the table,
spk_0
they beat everyone once last season.
spk_0
They also lost to England in the summer,
spk_0
the tour there in Argentina.
spk_0
Is it still good enough for them to sort of do this,
spk_0
be a little bit inconsistent at what stage,
spk_0
do Argentina become that consistent performer
spk_0
that we just haven't ever seen?
spk_0
They will want to build consistency of something
spk_0
that's what Julian said after the game straight away
spk_0
was like the near the consistency of performance
spk_0
and the results.
spk_0
But I think you actually look at the Argentina
spk_0
as Julian said beforehand,
spk_0
like after they played the Lions,
spk_0
that was a sort of rotated squad in the summer against England,
spk_0
they actually rested some players.
spk_0
Because we mentioned at the top of the show,
spk_0
like the amount of rugby those guys play
spk_0
is unbelievable.
spk_0
Like they go here, they go back to their clubs now,
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they'll be involved in the autumn,
spk_0
then they go back to their clubs.
spk_0
There's no rest week for them.
spk_0
So I'm like they've sort of got the England players have with,
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when they come back to the Premature,
spk_0
they go resting for a week.
spk_0
Now these Argentine players are going
spk_0
and they're playing till they break basically.
spk_0
And you know what I mean?
spk_0
So in some regards, they have to rotate the squad
spk_0
and have to build depth that way.
spk_0
And we said before, like the depth of the Argentina team,
spk_0
the guys playing like professional,
spk_0
but it's like semi-pro rugby and Argentina
spk_0
are in the national squad.
spk_0
And I think we said before,
spk_0
the depth from the best players in the world,
spk_0
like Julio Montoros, one of the best hookers in the world,
spk_0
down to their 30th or 35th player in their squad.
spk_0
He's like, you know, they're semi-pro players,
spk_0
they've young guys coming through.
spk_0
So like that's where I think Argentina will have ups and downs,
spk_0
but again, they also seem to peak right for the World Cups
spk_0
and that's the main thing, isn't it, really?
spk_0
And actually one thing I will say is that
spk_0
they have got a real clear identity how they play.
spk_0
And when they're on it, they are brilliant to watch,
spk_0
like Filippe Conte-Poemis, you know,
spk_0
has really got an ethos and identity
spk_0
that Argentina have.
spk_0
And they still beat the Lions in Dublin, of course, as well.
spk_0
So I'm really looking forward to seeing how they go
spk_0
in the autumn.
spk_0
Of course, that rematch with England
spk_0
is the last November game, autumn game,
spk_0
for England against Argentina on that Sunday.
spk_0
Now, Australia versus New Zealand,
spk_0
Australia 14 and New Zealand 28.
spk_0
We first of all must say congratulations to James Slipper,
spk_0
an incredible international career.
spk_0
Well done, sir, put those boots up.
spk_0
Look after yourself, have a cold bit of well-deserved,
spk_0
what an innings, what a servant to the Walla B's
spk_0
in Australia and rugby, so well done.
spk_0
But New Zealand 11 back to back wins over Australia.
spk_0
First of all, James Slipper, what a man.
spk_0
I say 150 of games for Australia.
spk_0
I actually think I played in his debut, that's how old he is.
spk_0
But you know, I think that leadership as well,
spk_0
like not easy to great play around the field,
spk_0
I think you look at the leadership
spk_0
and probably that Walla B squad like he's been captain before
spk_0
and there's a reason he starts
spk_0
or has started prematurely game for Australia recently
spk_0
and that's his ability to galvanize a team and credit to him.
spk_0
I think with, yeah, the big Australia
spk_0
losing 11 times back to back to New Zealand,
spk_0
like they want to get that monkey off their shoulder
spk_0
at some point right now and I say that is,
spk_0
they thought it had a chance to speak, it was tight.
spk_0
It was not tight, I thought it was going to be.
spk_0
I mean, not being disrespectful to Australia,
spk_0
it looked an energy game and I say a couple of those games,
spk_0
again, we said about the momentum of the game,
spk_0
like the tri that comes off Barrett's head
spk_0
when I'll make Harry Potter slides in
spk_0
and sort of just bullbubbles up and it comes off his head
spk_0
and like, then it'll score in.
spk_0
It's just like that's a, again, a seven points wing,
spk_0
it makes things different.
spk_0
It means you don't chase the game later on.
spk_0
So, you know, Australia will be frustrated,
spk_0
but at the same time, if you're Australia prefer to be
spk_0
in situation now, the way you're building
spk_0
and the way Australia's building,
spk_0
play the lines of that kind of stuff,
spk_0
then you would have been probably 12, 24 months ago.
spk_0
I really think Australia and I'm always quick
spk_0
to fire into the Aussies, but I've got to say,
spk_0
I really think that they're onto something at the moment.
spk_0
I think they're on the upward curve,
spk_0
they're building nicely towards 27.
spk_0
And actually, at the game of the weekend, Colley,
spk_0
you know, James Slipper, I thought was going to score
spk_0
with a pick and go, they then do score a try.
spk_0
It comes back for a crock roll on to knee,
spk_0
which is fine, gets disallowed,
spk_0
absolutely player safety around joints.
spk_0
So, we get a yellow card, so there's no try and yellow card.
spk_0
They also get another yellow card later on.
spk_0
So, there was a few things that didn't quite go
spk_0
and even the start of the game, right?
spk_0
Big Willie Skeleton, he goes off with a HIA,
spk_0
doesn't return, you know, he's a massive talisman for them.
spk_0
So, I felt like the Aussies actually,
spk_0
the score I didn't reflect the game,
spk_0
because I thought the Aussies actually had to deal
spk_0
with quite a bit.
spk_0
And even the first penalty that will scale on wins,
spk_0
he sort of rips the ball for holding on,
spk_0
Chuck's the non-flut and the penalty gets reversed.
spk_0
And then Damien McKenzie slots it.
spk_0
I don't know, I was a bit annoyed about that.
spk_0
Just from my point of view, I would say,
spk_0
and again, I'll put this to the fans.
spk_0
When there's a massive rivalry,
spk_0
like there is between New Zealand and South Korea,
spk_0
like there is between Australia and New Zealand,
spk_0
England Wales, England Scotland, you know,
spk_0
England France, basically any England game.
spk_0
But, you know, in the first couple of minutes,
spk_0
if there is a little bit, and I didn't think it was that much,
spk_0
like, it adds to the fact that there's a right,
spk_0
you know, there's a bit about it,
spk_0
there's a bit of edge to the game,
spk_0
there's a bit on it,
spk_0
between the players and everything.
spk_0
And it really annoyed me that penalty got reversed,
spk_0
you know, I'm not saying like,
spk_0
I just felt like it wasn't that petty,
spk_0
and just going so big,
spk_0
you just kind of just threw them on the floor,
spk_0
but it wasn't like, it wasn't anything,
spk_0
but like it's an Australian.
spk_0
Why would it...
spk_0
I'm going to stand up for Matt Carly here,
spk_0
I thought I'd do a great game.
spk_0
But in that situation, I thought you watched the Lions games
spk_0
and like there was all that sort of like,
spk_0
back and forth going on.
spk_0
And the thing is, he dealt with it straight away,
spk_0
and actually in the rest of the game,
spk_0
you didn't really see any,
spk_0
which I think sometimes,
spk_0
if you don't deal with it straight away,
spk_0
it rolls on it, rolls on it, rolls on it,
spk_0
and like referee's company,
spk_0
he had a card, he had a card,
spk_0
he had a card during it keeps going.
spk_0
And I think like,
spk_0
fair play, the referee came in,
spk_0
set his stone out straight away,
spk_0
and said, I'm not having it,
spk_0
and it kind of didn't happen, you know what I mean?
spk_0
So in terms of like the way the referee,
spk_0
like I think in that regard,
spk_0
like whether you can agree with it or not,
spk_0
but like the referee had a clear purpose of like,
spk_0
I'm not going to stand for any shite going on
spk_0
for any of the teams,
spk_0
and he dealt with it.
spk_0
Great parenting, I'd say.
spk_0
Yeah, well, no, to be fair,
spk_0
and I'm not...
spk_0
Matt Carly is actually one of the best referees in the world.
spk_0
I really believe that.
spk_0
I just thought of that occasionally.
spk_0
What's the big bit of edge?
spk_0
Let's go into the monster, let's see it.
spk_0
But what's the big bit of edge?
spk_0
Like the breakdown and stuff,
spk_0
like he was so consistent in regards to,
spk_0
like there was a load of the breakdown penalties,
spk_0
but he wants blows to roll away,
spk_0
and you know what I mean,
spk_0
the second man, Dracula,
spk_0
and you look at the other games that have been on
spk_0
throughout the whole weekend and stuff like that,
spk_0
it's like, if the referees,
spk_0
that clear, the breakdown gets cleared up,
spk_0
and you know, he wants fast ball and stuff,
spk_0
but sometimes you have to go for a bit of phase of like,
spk_0
there might be a couple of penalties and stuff,
spk_0
but if that's a way it's going to be refereed,
spk_0
it clears the game up, and like, yeah, he gets beatable,
spk_0
so it was fair play to him.
spk_0
It was interesting.
spk_0
I thought that game was, yeah,
spk_0
you want a bit of ag in the game,
spk_0
but the ref didn't, and he got his way.
spk_0
Fair play to him.
spk_0
So, Colly, I'm saying the Aussies are on the way up,
spk_0
and as I say, the school, I didn't maybe reflect that game
spk_0
with a couple of yellows, scout them going off,
spk_0
tried us aloud, etc.
spk_0
However, it then leads on nicely.
spk_0
New Zealand, of course,
spk_0
only lost the rugby championship
spk_0
by points difference to South Africa.
spk_0
They use 43 players this season,
spk_0
but where are New Zealand?
spk_0
I feel like no one's quite sure,
spk_0
like where they're at,
spk_0
they had a lot of rotation again for the weekends game.
spk_0
Like, there is a hell of a team in there,
spk_0
but I'm not quite sure,
spk_0
like what I'm seeing.
spk_0
On their day, they are as good as South Africa.
spk_0
They can compete, they've got to set forwards
spk_0
that are hard, technically brilliant.
spk_0
Like, you know, I just have to get turnovers.
spk_0
They've got a backline, like with McKenzie, Barrett's,
spk_0
Ratimer, Will Jordan, like that can fire
spk_0
and can do damage, like we've seen here,
spk_0
they go wide wide, and there's not many teams
spk_0
that can do, can play with that width that New Zealand do.
spk_0
What they're kicking themselves about,
spk_0
it's sort of about earlier, is like the consistency
spk_0
that they don't lose that game to us,
spk_0
the second game to Argentina, and it's in Argentina,
spk_0
but like, Argentina's into the Bogey team.
spk_0
They all seem to split the series with that,
spk_0
and if hadn't had done that, they'd win the championship.
spk_0
So, yeah, it's probably their consistency.
spk_0
I think when they come up to the autumn,
spk_0
when they come up to the normal hemisphere in the autumn,
spk_0
they will, you know, pick their best teams
spk_0
and they'll be ready and firing.
spk_0
But New Zealand, you probably, in some regards,
spk_0
if you're New Zealand fan,
spk_0
might be a bit frustrating
spk_0
because you want the team to dominate,
spk_0
but you actually fly a bit on the radar,
spk_0
even though you're the second team in the world
spk_0
or third ranked team in the world.
spk_0
But you know what I mean?
spk_0
Like, sort of teams are, so they go,
spk_0
no, New Zealand, what do you get?
spk_0
And naturally, they are incredibly dangerous.
spk_0
And, you know, even over two years time for the World Cup,
spk_0
they might have ironed these out
spk_0
and they don't go in as like the New Zealander,
spk_0
everyone goes, oh my God, they're going to win.
spk_0
They just bubble away under the surface
spk_0
and actually end up doing incredibly well, like they always do.
spk_0
On their day, they are red hot.
spk_0
And as you say, maybe they're flying
spk_0
under the radar a little bit at the moment,
spk_0
but they are still stacked with absolute stars.
spk_0
Can I just say one last point about the rubber championship,
spk_0
like, and with two teams and stuff.
spk_0
We'll go back to Australia, but...
spk_0
I think it was like 6,000 people there
spk_0
in Perth, watching a test match.
spk_0
I've been to Perth before with England, we both have.
spk_0
And there was more people for the,
spk_0
there things like 30,000 for the AFL game
spk_0
the week before we get there.
spk_0
And there's like 15,000 people there,
spk_0
no one really cares.
spk_0
But like, I think Australia is properly energized,
spk_0
especially after Lions and the way they've played,
spk_0
probably after your comments as well.
spk_0
But like, it's energized Australia
spk_0
and I think it's great for rugby.
spk_0
We've always had that a great Australia makes a better,
spk_0
like, global game.
spk_0
And I think hopefully Australian public
spk_0
are behind the wallabies.
spk_0
And having a great time watching the wallabies play,
spk_0
and it only just adds to the World Cup in two years time,
spk_0
which I'm starting to get excited about already.
spk_0
Because, you know, if Australia hosts a great tournament,
spk_0
then, you know what I mean?
spk_0
It could be, hey, it could be brilliant tournament,
spk_0
but be it would be great for rugby in general.
spk_0
I also, Colly, where are my manners?
spk_0
I forgot to say the great Joe Schmidt.
spk_0
And we've always said what a brilliant coach he is.
spk_0
And he has done a remarkable job at Australia,
spk_0
once again, proving what a magnificent elite coach he is.
spk_0
And he obviously now passes the team onto Les Kiss.
spk_0
Of course, he was at Queensland Reds,
spk_0
worked with him at Ireland beforehand.
spk_0
So they're going to transition over now,
spk_0
but Joe Schmidt is leaving Australia rugby,
spk_0
like I say, on the way up.
spk_0
And, you know, we tip our hat to James Slipper,
spk_0
but you also should tip our hat to the mighty Joe Schmidt,
spk_0
who, once again, has shown what a world class coach he is.
spk_0
And it'll be very interesting to see, Colly,
spk_0
where he ends up next.
spk_0
Sorry, Colly, I just got a message from Czech,
spk_0
because he wants to know we had a podcast awards the other evening,
spk_0
didn't I?
spk_0
So I met him for lunch with Julian.
spk_0
And I said that I was going to awards night that evening,
spk_0
and he just messages me saying, did I win the award?
spk_0
And I said, unfortunately not,
spk_0
how Singapore, because he's been at the F1.
spk_0
And he said, I'm sorry to hear that.
spk_0
It's been amazing here, incredible access.
spk_0
No doubt he's adding incredible access.
spk_0
That guy does not stop, mate.
spk_0
Honestly, I was in Dubai with him,
spk_0
and then I flew back to Heathrow.
spk_0
He was flying to Paris,
spk_0
then he was going to Barcelona,
spk_0
then he was going to Ibiza,
spk_0
then I met him again in London,
spk_0
and then he's off to Singapore,
spk_0
and then he's going back to Sydney.
spk_0
Mate, the guys non-stop.
spk_0
There were reports he was in Lester,
spk_0
his favourite Turkish restaurant as well, midweek.
spk_0
Yes, he was.
spk_0
He did pop up to Lester, he said.
spk_0
So there we go.
spk_0
But he was moaning that he was, yeah, he's on the go,
spk_0
mate, burning the candle, both ends.
spk_0
And I said, you better give yourself a little check up, check.
spk_0
I said, you better get yourself a fri-ver, blood test.
spk_0
He should check his vitamin D levels, I agree.
spk_0
And this episode is actually brought to you by fri-ver.
spk_0
So if you go to their website in the episode description,
spk_0
you can get 20% off your first blood test,
spk_0
just use the code loveofrugby.
spk_0
Thrive is a personalised home blood test in service,
spk_0
where it will improve your health.
spk_0
And we've partnered with fri-ver for the whole 2025,
spk_0
so we can check our changes from professional rugby players
spk_0
into professional podcasters.
spk_0
Well, Coli, because of subscription,
spk_0
of course, my testing kit arrived,
spk_0
and I did my test, I sent it away, and I have my results back.
spk_0
So I've got, if I've, during the whole process,
spk_0
of course, updates that they'd received my parcel,
spk_0
blood was getting tested, checked,
spk_0
and then let me get the results.
spk_0
And like, you make the app is so incredibly easy.
spk_0
And you can also now set, like, personal goals,
spk_0
and everything like that on it, which is pretty good,
spk_0
because it means now I can actually see what I'm deficient in,
spk_0
then set the goals, so then, well,
spk_0
a time the next test comes, I can actually see
spk_0
if I've hit those markers or have actually improved,
spk_0
and I think that is pretty awesome.
spk_0
So I've done mine, I got it back,
spk_0
and do you want to see, like, how I'm going to make
spk_0
more of a lifestyle choice, like better choices for my health,
spk_0
because I am deficient, Coli.
spk_0
You'll be sad to hear or worried to hear.
spk_0
I am, what, Ben, what are you, what are you division in?
spk_0
Follate.
spk_0
And thanks to my report, I clicked on Follate,
spk_0
saw that I was deficient on it.
spk_0
I then got a better understanding by, you know,
spk_0
look at the information that's all provided by Friva,
spk_0
to see what change I need to make in my diet,
spk_0
in my lifestyle, to make sure that marker improves
spk_0
by the next time I get it checked,
spk_0
and it's literally things like shellfish,
spk_0
beetroot oranges, eggs, beans, peas, lentils.
spk_0
It just lists it all.
spk_0
Like, the information that you can get via that app
spk_0
is unbelievable, because one thing getting the test right,
spk_0
and getting your results.
spk_0
But it's another thing actually understanding
spk_0
what the results are saying, because there's so in depth,
spk_0
but the way that you can break it down so incredibly easy
spk_0
is honestly, I don't know, I love it, mate.
spk_0
There we've obviously been partnered with Friva for a year now,
spk_0
and we've tracked our health journeys.
spk_0
Now you talked about some bad day or Friday levels low,
spk_0
but previously, what have you improved
spk_0
with using Friva?
spk_0
How's your health improved?
spk_0
What marks have you been tracking, which you got better?
spk_0
Well, let me share with you, Colox,
spk_0
there's plenty of other bits that I'm optimum at,
spk_0
and one, of course, is Vitamin D.
spk_0
Now some will say, that's because I've had a summer off.
spk_0
Others will say that's because I've been
spk_0
sunning myself on holidays, and they would be correct.
spk_0
I have been away, I have been chasing the sun,
spk_0
and my Vitamin D is absolute optimal,
spk_0
compared to what it would be, maybe the start of the year,
spk_0
of course, which makes sense in January,
spk_0
but I'm optimal.
spk_0
What's your level?
spk_0
Oh, do you want a Vitamin D off?
spk_0
Yeah, I do, yeah.
spk_0
Yeah, you actually, your Vitamin D's always high, isn't it?
spk_0
I do supplement, Ben.
spk_0
Being is the fact that I fairly pasty,
spk_0
going out in the sun for long periods of time is not ideal,
spk_0
so I do supplement my Vitamin D levels, yeah.
spk_0
Right, you ready for the Vitamin D off?
spk_0
Yes, I've opened up the app, look to my report,
spk_0
and it is 95.
spk_0
Nice.
spk_0
Well, I'm 174.
spk_0
Oh my God.
spk_0
Oh my God.
spk_0
Oh my God.
spk_0
Did you take the last blood test?
spk_0
Did you do that when you lost the dogs,
spk_0
and you'd been on a bike in the heat,
spk_0
and you were like red as hell of a thing,
spk_0
and you'd obviously absolutely optimize your Vitamin D intake.
spk_0
I know I'd supplement.
spk_0
I was supplementing daily,
spk_0
but now my levels are quite high,
spk_0
so I'm cutting back and supplementing every other day.
spk_0
Well, Coli, I enjoyed our Vitamin D off,
spk_0
and there is a new feature where you get your results,
spk_0
and you can of course compare them to other friver users,
spk_0
which is a wicked process.
spk_0
So if you'd like to make more informed choices
spk_0
about your lifestyle, give friver a go.
spk_0
You can use the link in our episode description
spk_0
and use the code Love of Rugby
spk_0
to get 20% off your first blood test.
spk_0
We're in week two of the Prem Ben,
spk_0
and it's been brilliant.
spk_0
Storm Amy may have caused a bit of a dilemma
spk_0
in some of the box kicks that have gone up in the air
spk_0
and backwards, but teams have dealt with it,
spk_0
and we saw five fantastic games this weekend,
spk_0
and I'm really excited.
spk_0
The Prem is back and buzzing.
spk_0
And I tell you what, mate, how good I'm just going
spk_0
to jump straight to it, right?
spk_0
Balfe looking very, very powerful, very, very good.
spk_0
We already know that myself and Anne Watson did
spk_0
the big Prem preview, you should still listen
spk_0
to a watch on YouTube of course,
spk_0
and we tip Balfe to come top at the end of the ladder.
spk_0
Now, although Balfe were great,
spk_0
I've got to talk about 40, and the drop goal, mate.
spk_0
Do you reckon no team now is going to kick long
spk_0
off goal line dropouts to sail?
spk_0
For those that didn't see it,
spk_0
it's basically Storm Amy's in,
spk_0
the rains lashing down, the winds there, it's horrendous.
spk_0
But after a goal line dropout, Ben Spencer bangs it,
spk_0
George Ford gets it, lines it up,
spk_0
smash the drop goal, straight down the sticks,
spk_0
runs back, starts organising the kickoff reception,
spk_0
like unbelievable.
spk_0
Like a couple of drop goals anyway,
spk_0
but just, I don't know, I feel like
spk_0
Fordy is playing some of his best rugby anyway,
spk_0
because last weekend he was terrific with his distribution
spk_0
and decision making.
spk_0
Like, and then, you know, a week later in all four conditions,
spk_0
he's still out there, like making great decisions,
spk_0
executing like, I don't know, I feel like
spk_0
the battle of the tens come the autumn,
spk_0
it's going to be absolutely fascinating.
spk_0
Now, Fin Smith hasn't played yet,
spk_0
and I suspect he'll play this weekend
spk_0
when they, when Northampton hosts Lester Tigers.
spk_0
He got him, Mark Smith should be coming back
spk_0
as well this weekend.
spk_0
Obviously Farr's no one really knows
spk_0
if he's going to be eligible for England,
spk_0
if he's going to play for England, does he want to play for England?
spk_0
He's playing a very straight bat when he gets asked about it,
spk_0
no one's really sure.
spk_0
So like, at the moment though,
spk_0
George is, how are we played in the summer
spk_0
and how we started this season so far?
spk_0
I don't know, like that bat of the 10 for me,
spk_0
it's like you've got to go with Fordy for that first game,
spk_0
and it's sort of like the Ryanak, you know, debate as well.
spk_0
Like, you've got the experience of George Ford
spk_0
with the inside of Alex Mitchell, who is, is experienced,
spk_0
but he's, you know, he's still going to be a bit more to learn,
spk_0
let's say, rather than two young halfbacks.
spk_0
So I don't know, I'm just, I can't praise the guy enough.
spk_0
Oh, yeah, he's been brilliant.
spk_0
I think, okay, I don't want to protect too far ahead,
spk_0
but you look at, say, Australia, England don't have a rest week
spk_0
going into that.
spk_0
So literally you play in the Premier League Saturday,
spk_0
and then you're into Test Week on Australia,
spk_0
that one week turn around, it's unusual for England.
spk_0
And I think, yeah, George Fordy, look at the experience,
spk_0
what he can do, how he's playing, just go straight in there,
spk_0
makes everyone around him better.
spk_0
You probably failed for the job,
spk_0
but yeah, I thought he's been outstanding.
spk_0
Again, you know, it was a tough game
spk_0
to play in those conditions.
spk_0
And, you know, Fordy managed it brilliantly.
spk_0
And he makes everyone around him better,
spk_0
which is just what you want from a tent.
spk_0
But, you know, I thought he was awesome.
spk_0
I thought you saw big olichesum on the captain in Leicester
spk_0
and basically show and go in space.
spk_0
Max Malins is try.
spk_0
I thought, you know, has it been a good week
spk_0
for the guys that have been on the pod?
spk_0
Just saying.
spk_0
Coli, I agree.
spk_0
I can see George starting that first game.
spk_0
I can see Fin Smith then starting its Fiji,
spk_0
and then it's almost a decision
spk_0
when they play New Zealand in the third game.
spk_0
It's like, give George the reins
spk_0
because only a week leading up to that first game,
spk_0
like we'll just command that week.
spk_0
Fin Smith gets it the second week against Fiji,
spk_0
and then it's almost a decision then
spk_0
on who's the better form, 10,
spk_0
or how they set up against New Zealand.
spk_0
I think Marcus Smith will be in the mix,
spk_0
but that's how I see the autumn so far.
spk_0
That's how I see it so far.
spk_0
Were you at the Leicester game?
spk_0
Because that was a hell of a comeback
spk_0
from the mighty Tigers.
spk_0
Yes, Ben, I was.
spk_0
Yeah, no, 90 and 0 down.
spk_0
Playing tough conditions and again, the first half,
spk_0
playing into the wind second half,
spk_0
it's swung round.
spk_0
And yeah, it'd been 90 and 0 down.
spk_0
Our home wasn't ideal, but then Leicester,
spk_0
that's how Fiji got a roll on.
spk_0
Radwine, all the house for quantity,
spk_0
the thing on the wing and big chairs in space,
spk_0
putting guys away.
spk_0
So yeah, no, it was a,
spk_0
I was very tense at the stand for,
spk_0
I'm gonna say 75 minutes,
spk_0
and then I was able to relax once Leicester
spk_0
actually drew ahead, but yeah, it was tense game.
spk_0
But there's two teams feeling each other out.
spk_0
There's two teams feeling each other out.
spk_0
Look at Queens, they've had a lot of turbulence
spk_0
in regards to their coaching staff for left,
spk_0
they're missing Lions,
spk_0
less stuff, we changed our coaching staff in the summer
spk_0
and England players been filtering back
spk_0
in, in the national filtering back in,
spk_0
and that kind of stuff.
spk_0
And there was some late turn of players.
spk_0
So yeah, it's two teams feature that.
spk_0
And I think to come back and win,
spk_0
less to take pride in that.
spk_0
And we think about the start of last season,
spk_0
I think we beat X to opening day way down there,
spk_0
but that was the mall at the end of the game
spk_0
where it could go to in the game.
spk_0
So you know what I mean?
spk_0
It's been fascinating, but yeah,
spk_0
no, I'm really excited for the premp.
spk_0
Well, it's a great dummy from Big Red,
spk_0
and it was a bit of the battle of the forwards,
spk_0
and it was also a hell of a break by Alex Donbrandt,
spk_0
with an awesome out-of-the-back flip pass.
spk_0
If you haven't seen it, check out Queens'
spk_0
as tripe from a kickoff is phenomenal.
spk_0
Will Porto ends up scoring it,
spk_0
Kenningham gets it from Donbrandt
spk_0
with it out-of-the-back pass,
spk_0
who then links up with Will Porto,
spk_0
scores straight from the kickoff.
spk_0
Great Queens try.
spk_0
So like, he's chucking out the back,
spk_0
Big Red's chuck and dummies, and it was all very good.
spk_0
But of course, Colin, it was the first game that you went to,
spk_0
like within your new role,
spk_0
but equally probably as a fan,
spk_0
like where did you sit,
spk_0
do you get any special treatment,
spk_0
who did you sit with?
spk_0
Do you have a beard during the game?
spk_0
Or is that not loud?
spk_0
No, I don't have a beard.
spk_0
I snuck in, sat in the middle, sort of on halfway.
spk_0
So I was crofting the first time, actually.
spk_0
Tom Croft, he'd been hosting the corporate areas,
spk_0
so sat with him, had a good chat with him, catch up.
spk_0
And then, yeah, I basically sat by myself for the second half,
spk_0
because he had to pick his kids up.
spk_0
So that's what I did.
spk_0
But I enjoyed it.
spk_0
I say it was quite, it's quite tough
spk_0
because you want a sort of chat
spk_0
at the same time you've got to watch the game and study it
spk_0
and like you're working, but you're not working.
spk_0
But yeah, I was,
spk_0
I was glad for the result, put it that way there.
spk_0
And then down the M1 Coli, down at Saris,
spk_0
dominated Bristol, to be fair,
spk_0
I know Bristol got some injuries
spk_0
and Lewis Ruseham had hobbled off.
spk_0
But great C Max Malin's back.
spk_0
Like he spoke to us, of course, at the Prem launch.
spk_0
Long term Achilles injury, was it Bristol last year?
spk_0
Come back to Saris, it's great try from him.
spk_0
Saris looked very impressive.
spk_0
And Bristol look wounded on the back
spk_0
of losing some proper rock star players,
spk_0
which they've done now in the first two weekends,
spk_0
which is not ideal.
spk_0
I did see Pat Lan come out
spk_0
and I think the comment is said something like,
spk_0
impossible to make the top four or something like that
spk_0
or top four's gone already.
spk_0
And to think that's round two
spk_0
and he's already coming out with that,
spk_0
that seems sort of crazy.
spk_0
But I think the players they have lost
spk_0
to have such a significant impact
spk_0
on the way that Bristol play.
spk_0
Look at Saris and look at what they performed
spk_0
on their Bristol wounded,
spk_0
but Saris the sort of,
spk_0
the strength, the team, the defence, winning collisions
spk_0
and then they've got the ability of, you know,
spk_0
bracket on the wing is phenomenal move as it's taken,
spk_0
as it's Malins.
spk_0
The glory comes off the bench,
spk_0
like they've got blocs that are dangerous.
spk_0
You know what I mean?
spk_0
Saris always had the fence,
spk_0
but any loose ball or anything like that.
spk_0
They've got guys that can finish.
spk_0
Yeah, Saris and they've got,
spk_0
they told you to come back into that team.
spk_0
They've got Ben Elk and back in that team.
spk_0
You know what I mean?
spk_0
They've got British Lions coming back in that team.
spk_0
So Bristol got a bit of patching up to do.
spk_0
Saris as you say with the additions to come in,
spk_0
they're looking very strong.
spk_0
I've got to say, and a stone ex,
spk_0
they always have been very, very strong.
spk_0
Then you added the wins that was in display
spk_0
and it's windy down there anywhere at the best of times.
spk_0
I don't know, they just know how to do it.
spk_0
And great to see Owen back out that I know he was up at Newcastle,
spk_0
of course, first game back at Saris there.
spk_0
Extra unbeaten after two as well.
spk_0
So they put away and dispatched Newcastle Red Bull
spk_0
and Manit Fair were both suit with a hat trick.
spk_0
I was a bit worried actually
spk_0
because I thought he'd done his hammy last week,
spk_0
but it's obviously just cramp
spk_0
or he's just amazing at healing
spk_0
because to see him back out there
spk_0
looking incredibly powerful.
spk_0
You said about the season for Winger's Colly
spk_0
and we said about it last week, but it really is.
spk_0
I'm a front row forward
spk_0
and the talent that is on the wing
spk_0
and especially with the rules in regards
spk_0
to see a lot more turnover ball and stuff,
spk_0
it's phenomenal.
spk_0
I think like you also look like the wingers
spk_0
have kind of shifted from,
spk_0
there's no real like Neumann and Dolos,
spk_0
like the power wingers anymore.
spk_0
Everyone is a athlete in space like your ad-wands,
spk_0
like we've seen in the back ends of the weekend,
spk_0
like your loose-free summits,
spk_0
like here Merleys and Iscros at Quinn's,
spk_0
like we've seen in the Gloucester game with Thorley.
spk_0
He's back in form and that kind of stuff.
spk_0
There's so many free minutes gotta come back.
spk_0
There's so much talent on the wing
spk_0
and so many great athletes
spk_0
and great rubber players that, yeah,
spk_0
it's gonna be basically who can get the ball
spk_0
to their wingers and run around the score.
spk_0
I'd say that what will give Manit Fair
spk_0
were both suit even more room is of course
spk_0
when Len Ica-Tau arrives from Australia
spk_0
because I think he's been terrific during the rugby championship.
spk_0
In fact, he's had amazing sort of 12 months
spk_0
in an Australian shirt and of course he is joining extra chiefs.
spk_0
So when he gets down there,
spk_0
he will create more room for Manit on the wing there.
spk_0
Favourite was first try.
spk_0
He didn't really need much room.
spk_0
He got it and no-
spk_0
No, just power through.
spk_0
He's got some power over the line.
spk_0
Yeah, so he really hasn't got any space.
spk_0
He makes himself.
spk_0
He is frighteningly powerful, isn't he?
spk_0
He really is.
spk_0
Now we would treat you to a hell of a game.
spk_0
I tell you what, if you're at King's home,
spk_0
my gosh, you got your money's worth
spk_0
because at half time you might have
spk_0
chewed up for a beer and thinking
spk_0
this is Bollocks, what's going on?
spk_0
They were 31 points to seven down at half time.
spk_0
Like, and if you're a Northampton fan,
spk_0
like you're at home and you probably put the kettle on
spk_0
or grabbed a beer and gone out for the afternoon
spk_0
because you think the job's done.
spk_0
Like what a crazy game of rugby that was.
spk_0
Second half was like, it was like Saints were like panicking.
spk_0
Gloucester just everything was sticking second half.
spk_0
Everything going with the momentum, yellow cards,
spk_0
injuries and like, fought their way back.
spk_0
Leeds change hands a number of time.
spk_0
Saints of course end up winning it.
spk_0
Bello puts a penalty kick over.
spk_0
But my gosh, what a match that was.
spk_0
Like pure entertainment and Saints basically nearly did
spk_0
repeat of what they did last week by blowing it.
spk_0
However, they didn't.
spk_0
They came.
spk_0
They came strong in the end and got the job done.
spk_0
What a win.
spk_0
Oh yeah, Saints say they're strokes in the first half.
spk_0
It seems like that's weak.
spk_0
They just almost scored every time such the ball
spk_0
and then basically Gloucester
spk_0
sort of scored at the end of the first half
spk_0
and got them in the grind in the second.
spk_0
I think the Swarmman and contest to which
spk_0
went Northampton a couple of inches tighted,
spk_0
which went the Swarmman and contest their yellow cards.
spk_0
Then they were down to 13 at one point.
spk_0
So there was space for Gloucester and say with Thorley
spk_0
and Ben Loeder and Will Joseph in their backline.
spk_0
They've got guys that can run and say Gloucester able
spk_0
to exploit those space and got back into the game.
spk_0
And then yeah, Northampton won it.
spk_0
So the death, but it was a level game and say it was again,
spk_0
such a sea saw, you know, you 13 and one knilled down
spk_0
and then to come back and lead the game.
spk_0
It's just the premise is brilliant.
spk_0
Right, well, we've had the Ash splash
spk_0
and now it's the Fosogbon splash.
spk_0
What did you make of the dive?
spk_0
Fair play.
spk_0
It got some height.
spk_0
I will say that it's probably a good job.
spk_0
It was on like a 4G pitch because if that's, you know,
spk_0
on grass, the ground's when it's coming after you.
spk_0
Yeah, you're leaving a massive difference.
spk_0
He is a big Cuban.
spk_0
Mate, he moves so well.
spk_0
Big athletic Cuban.
spk_0
Yes, a very athletic Cuban.
spk_0
Like I like, I love his approach to the game.
spk_0
Like great try.
spk_0
I love that he's diving over, mate.
spk_0
Like no, you know how like some people dive
spk_0
high on the end, you think, oh, I can get my arms
spk_0
underneath that as he's landing.
spk_0
You ain't doing it under him, mate,
spk_0
because he is a big, big athlete.
spk_0
And I thought he had a terrific game.
spk_0
I love the big dive.
spk_0
I've got so much time for that from a prop.
spk_0
Just adding to the celebration of celebration rope, yeah.
spk_0
Yeah, celebration ropey cold as well.
spk_0
I tell you who also needs to be brought a pint on the way home
spk_0
or pat on the shoulders or, I don't know,
spk_0
like Rory Hutchison, like what to tackle in the corner on loader.
spk_0
If you haven't seen it, it is, I mean, we're only round two
spk_0
and you've got to say it may be tackle of the season
spk_0
or try say over the season.
spk_0
Ben Loader gets it in space, right hand side,
spk_0
charging for the corner, like Rory Hutchison comes across,
spk_0
like perfect technique, absolutely smashes him into touch,
spk_0
like trisaver and like a proper bone rower.
spk_0
Yeah, that guy was very impressive.
spk_0
He's getting turnovers and all sorts of very physical
spk_0
things from him.
spk_0
I'll just explain it for a moment.
spk_0
Yeah, he was unbelievable, weren't he?
spk_0
Jackals carry in, put him in the space
spk_0
and that tackle at the end just summed up, say,
spk_0
you down to 13 blokes over at the time
spk_0
and just put your body in the line for your team to win.
spk_0
That sums up, you know, and credit that sort of,
spk_0
that one was one of them in the game
spk_0
because it's sort of just, if not, they've got to score there.
spk_0
Eight enjoys you, a massive hit like that
spk_0
when it denies the opposition.
spk_0
A, brings belief and entry to your team
spk_0
and also, you know, it just takes away a bit of Gloucester
spk_0
and say no, we're not going to roll over and they didn't
spk_0
and the credit to him, that was to say his performance
spk_0
without standing.
spk_0
Yeah, big performance because also there's a lot of youngsters
spk_0
out there for Saints.
spk_0
Now Saints have had a hell of a few days
spk_0
because not only they get the win against Gloucester
spk_0
in a cracking game, but of course, big news is
spk_0
that Finn Smith has renewed his contract
spk_0
and is staying in the Prem with Northampton Saints,
spk_0
which means he's obviously rejected R360.
spk_0
It's great news for the Prem.
spk_0
It's great news for England, great news for Northampton.
spk_0
Probably not great for everyone else,
spk_0
but like, you know, Finn Smith is what player
spk_0
and, you know, he, you go him, Mitchell, Dingwall,
spk_0
Eugene Hutchinson, Freeman, Furbank,
spk_0
Slight Home, Litchfield who plays there,
spk_0
they're incredible backline and, you know,
spk_0
he ties it all together and yeah, I think,
spk_0
interesting that, you know, I'm not gonna say,
spk_0
it's not really a story of him,
spk_0
I don't think he was ever really good at R360.
spk_0
It's interesting that he was linked to it
spk_0
and R360 linked to him, probably because he's such a big name,
spk_0
but no, it's great for Northampton and great for the Prem.
spk_0
I think it's interesting.
spk_0
Be interested in how much more deals come that way
spk_0
because I think there's a lot of guys at the guys R360 linked
spk_0
to a kind of, what you hear is the guys are out of contract,
spk_0
but as your player, if you're out of contract in the year
spk_0
and someone, you can either have a sort of a potential
spk_0
or in a year's time where you can have a contract
spk_0
put in front of you and, you know, you've got more to pay,
spk_0
you've got to do it.
spk_0
So it'll be interesting what moves forward,
spk_0
but I think you know, Finn Smith
spk_0
staying in the Prem is brilliant.
spk_0
You know, we mentioned it last week though,
spk_0
didn't we, Coli, when you've got a contract in front of you
spk_0
from your club and you've got a potential contract
spk_0
from R360, but you're not 100% sure whether leagues happening
spk_0
or everything like that.
spk_0
Like, and we mentioned this last week,
spk_0
when it's actually in front of you and it's guaranteed,
spk_0
like, what do you do?
spk_0
So, you know, Finn Smith, I'm sure,
spk_0
was sort of rumored to be linked with it,
spk_0
but he's obviously staying in the Prem, he's staying put,
spk_0
and it'll be interesting to see what other players
spk_0
maybe get announced because for me,
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that's an early announcement.
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Like, that's a really early announcement,
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like we're two weeks in, you know,
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normally you don't hear about these sort of deals done
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until sort of December January.
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You know, will other players now follow what he has done?
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Well, he hasn't done strung it, Ben.
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And speaking of dancing,
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which Chris Robo is on Saturday night.
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So, what did that?
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I can't get enough of him.
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I can't get enough of Robo.
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I hope everyone's voting for him.
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I hope they are too.
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I used to been brilliant, I think, like,
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yeah, for a big man, big rugby player.
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Like, we're constantly taught on me to be like,
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in rugby, it's all about collisions and being stiff
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and being strong and being able to do that kind of stuff.
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And to go and say, like,
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boring dancing where you've got to be,
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so elegant and move and flow, like fair play to him.
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One thing I say about Robo is,
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one of the most coachable guys around.
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So he will be following, you know,
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if this teacher says him do something,
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he will be fully 100-planned committed and improving.
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So, yeah, no, but it's, I'm loving watching him.
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Can you remember Robo, like, after games,
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how much it's spending, in fact,
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of a laptop watching, like, every breakdown,
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every moment, every involvement he had?
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You're right, Coli.
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He'll be critiquing his movements, like, no one else.
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I want to think of Will say as well,
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if this doesn't open up a dancing career for him,
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I do think he might have a job in future wildlife presenting.
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If I close my eyes and listen,
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I hear sounds potential like David Asimbra,
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just saying the way he talks,
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I think he's opening up so many avenues right now.
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Potentially.
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Right, that'll do it for today's show.
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So please like, subscribe, get involved,
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and yeah, we'll see you again on Thursday.
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We're gonna be back with a very special episode
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to mark World Mental Health Day.
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So join us for that.
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See you then.
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For the love of rugby.
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If you want to drop us a line,
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get involved with our socials.
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Just search for at Love of Rugby.
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And if you listen to all our episodes
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and need another podcast,
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go and find Joe Marley's Things People Do.
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See you next time.
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This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network,
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and I love this podcast
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