The Breakdown, May 28, 2023

thanks little kicks even though jordan looked for it and got it new jordan oh that's pretty sensational trying to announce that i quit the crusaders on the new zenobi until 2027. yeah it's great to have a little security and be able to look down and I hope to continue growing as a player here in New Zealand. I think for me obviously the team's goal is a World Cup this year and quitting until I'm 27 offers me the opportunity to go to another one, but I think in particular the journey that All the backs have been on in the last two or three years , there have been some challenges during the process, so to be part of a team that can maybe come out on the other side of that and really build on some of the successes that we've had excites me, it's a big one, obviously, the Crusaders too, it's absolutely magical like an Eterna kotoka tour good evening welcome to the

breakdown

exclusive news today on Jordan has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for the next four years.

Wayne Smith is not retired yet. Join the All Blacks camp, we'll talk about that a bit later and a magical weekend for John R Ford who is now a Crusaders man, can you believe it? Jeff Wilson Sir John Kerwin Mills Molina, welcome back to the collapse that you were privileged to. to sit down with Will Jordan to explain this news to him how was that what you got out of the conversation four years is what I got out of the conversations that's what I'm talking about the fact not just for this Rugby World Cup for the next Rugby World Cups for John Kirwan and look, it's easy to forget because we haven't seen much of Will Jordan in the last 12 months Mills JK Kirsty, but this guy is a game changer, he's a game changer, he makes any team better and with Ya We've seen it this season just after two performances with the Crusaders, how impactful he can be.

This is great news. If you add her to what Senator Rico Yawani was, I will tell you what we have to do now. We give him the keys to the car and we have to take them out and play every game in a completely black shirt. We connected them with Damian McKenzie, we connected Richimawanga, Bowden Barrett and Mark Taylor because we know how good he has been. and suddenly we can beat the teams and beat them with our attacking gay Mills because that's how we win the World Cups, what position, even if it's swing or back, I don't care, he has to be on the field, someone who is here starting, everything goes backwards.

Wow, what I love about this is what he said. You know he went out and obviously he has some setbacks due to injuries, but he's back and it's almost like he didn't have those injuries. You know, the way he's been playing is fantastic. It's probably you. I know it also affected his decision to continue, not just for the next four years and not just two, what did you ask? Answer the question, yes I was going to get in trouble for that all the time as the All Blacks starting fullback, no I am. I'm not ready to pick my starting 15, thanks JK, thanks, how old is he?

Young, young, yeah, that's what I like. I think I really like the contracts that are coming out. I think we have very interesting guys staying here. what I call All Blacks with average experience um look I think Bode isn't playing right now if I was picking the top 15 tomorrow you would have to play Jordan he's back on the field and it's exciting um the Cup is coming up of the world, I think. I'm sure it's between him and Bowden, but right now Boden's not playing, you have to say it, you know, if you have to pick today's, then I have Bone Bear as a starter, a fullback that I have and I have, uh, will.

Jordan and warming up and I have Mark Talia on the other, there are my three defensemen, but what we have to do is keep saying that you don't want to play with people out of position, no, and I'm not going to play with him out of position. He can well and truly do the job, but the most important thing for me is that he understands that these guys need to get touches, not two, three, four touches in games, they have to touch the ball 10 times. We saw Maxilla at the weekend, I can't see what. he did it, didn't he touch it how many times, yes how many times and he scored four tries and that's why he's out Musashi Power Player of the weekend four tries in 80 minutes Mills, you've done it before this guy is sensational, Well, did he do this?

It seems easy, three defenders, I mean start on your feet, it's true that a couple of guys got too high, but his ability to get up in the air as well and Chase kicks, this is what I love, you know, he feels where they are and He really gets into a place. good position to get some height and see this year makes things seem silly the footsteps of him, poor guys, see you later, he says oh no oh. I spoke to someone at the Blues and they said he can stop and restart as quickly as anyone can. the team and you can see that when that was happening, I mean, there was a bit of comedy at times about what was happening, but here its acceleration.

I think what I said last night was that he surprised me last November, Goldie, we're up north. hemisphere following them I expected to see Talia as a slightly fast man what I saw was actually this powerful athlete and I think when you see him his speed is deceptive, the ability to stop on a dime is deceptive but also a strength and I think Ha worked hard on that so for me it's the full package at the moment, it's about games like that and the conditions are when you notice the guys and how powerful they are because your draw in the League is really important when you're in the wings because you don't want to get knocked back he showed his power and um man that's standing starting the speed and the ability to not fall behind yeah you've scored four tries in a game for the blues you've scored eight tries in one game , haven't you directed JK to the Philly Shield?

You were losing after three or four minutes, although you got knocked down. Yeah, thanks for reminding me, guys. I remember it because I remember the commentator at that time. This could be the biggest surprise and I ran for this. The story of the shield and what happened you guys earned my 100 and something like this before it was my attempt. They also scored five in one game. Jeff, uh, Fiji at Albany Stadium, in fact, funnily enough at the time, Mark Ellis has the record of six tries in a Test match he got it in 1995. I was at that game in the stands shouting at the lads that I didn't They passed the ball to the ball or to the coaches who replaced me and I didn't get another touch in the last 20 minutes in any way, yeah, yeah, okay, okay, I'll forgive you, no problem, well, back to Mark Talia, you said you'd pick him on the left wing, rightly so, you're All Blacks at the moment, yeah, so how?

Do all these guys fit into the picture? So if you say he is on the right wing, where do you play? Jordan, where do you play bold and Barrett? Where does Damien McKenzie fit into the mix? What are your three defenses that look pretty tough? difficult positions to choose, yes, and that's what I mean. Actually, I'm not. I mean, I'd still love to see Bowden at fullback as well. I think Jordan definitely, regardless of where his name comes up first, but I would. I love seeing Bowden Barrett in the back, Tilia on the other wing, um, I have no doubt that we have guys who are world champions, that's how we're going to play, you know, how are we going to play with the men? our talent and I have no doubt that we have the talent, that's how we're going to play this game.

I'll ask you this, even though we can't. I don't think we can beat South Africa at their game we can't beat Ireland because of the way they play we don't play like other teams we don't play like France we have to have our own style and how we win games and I just look at the group and say I know What I think is that we have to be brave, we have to have the ability and the will to play with the ball and, as I said, we have to put the ball in the hands of our guys who can open a game. who can keep the ball alive and you give them a license to play, the freedom to play, if we do that we will maximize their talent and take it away from the opposition because I think if we try to defend our way to a Rugby World Cup.

I don't think we'll win, yeah, I think I'm a bit worried about fitness too and I don't think it's anyone's fault. I just think it's a very anaerobic game when you see guys after seven or eight. The racks really do explode, so it's probably too late to do it. I am concerned about the predictability of our capsules. Last night I watched the Hurricanes go through 12 phases of pretty predictable defense just getting up and hitting them until the hit ball was knocked out, so you know. For me, I don't disagree. Shall we look a little more at the type of broad play?

I know we have to earn the right on offense. I mean, if you saw the European Cup final which was brutal in the second half, the French had some great power forwards, so the best thing to do with them is control them, but I'm sure we have to be sure that the current coaching staff has kept some of those things up their sleeve and we're I'll bring them up when you think why you talked about a good question, Kirsty and I'll ask it so that Barrett and Jordan Talia right now are fit, you know they're probably you put Jordan in there because Barrett isn't playing, you could add someone else.

There for Anuku they probably can't get through right now, are they going to take him? take experts in their position or are we going to continue hiring guys who can cover a couple of positions and I think that is something that the national team has, do you have doubts? So who has doubts about not being an expert in their position? Well, for me it's probably what you're going to do in the first five, so you pick Moana, yeah, she's an expert in the first five, the first five for the Olympics, how many times okay, she's also a defender expert, but see, we are not going to accept. him as one of the first five, we are going to take them as fullback, then you take muanga and you take Mackenzie, you don't believe in McKenzie, so I think it's comfortable, we have so much versatility, but that doesn't mean that they are not experts in their positions.

I don't have a problem with that, I mean he's just a specialist, so maybe he's not especially a specialist. I mean, let's define Nuku is a prime example for me, now there are rumors that he is going to France, that should. It doesn't affect his selection for the All Blacks this year when someone shows it because he, ultimately, he's playing, he's available. I do not need it. I can put them both on the team, but we can, I can't, at least we can, you can. 100 we can there's plenty of room there's versatile milk here we go I've seen what's going to get a mention but sorry yeah but he's in the Center that's the versatility we're talking about but in the skies there's also room for he.

There are several guys, well, he's not going to take any forwards, man, I like him, that's exactly why we like him, that's why they invented the seven, so I like that saying, I look at this, I want guys that can keep the ball alive, that they can, that they can keep the ball. the ball in play Talia does that finds the Nuku does that Jordan will do that that does that David Howe actually does that the skills set in it answers the mixed question again what do you mean we got there? I think someone has to miss who has to miss so I don't know, I don't know, I'm asking Goldie, look right now, there are several players who have been in the all-black jersey and you'd have to honestly say Caleb Clark right now.

Is he playing better than the other players we've talked about? He has to prove that I know he has signed, no problem, but he also has a list of finals this season. If Caleb Clark and Foreign play the same type of rugby, you understand why not? He doesn't play the same game, I don't think if you look at the two players and the composition or the team, the whanganuku goes because Caleb only plays on the wing, so you're not worried about him going to France, no, I think you picked the best player, you picked the best player, that's a question, it doesn't matter if he goes abroad or not.

You know, if you look back and say Dan Carter is going abroad after the Rugby World Cup, well, you'd still pick him. This is a similar situation where if he is the best player, you choose him and always ask us to be professional. Be professional. He is a contracted player for New Zealand Rugby. I said if both are the same. I said do you think both are the same. From a selection point of view, if you think a player is much better, but if two players are the same, you are thinking he is okay, different players, are they the same for you at the moment?

JK Caleb Clark and Leicester Whanganaku. I think Lester is playing better. there's your answer, uh, you can continue debating this, but the rugby championship team, when we were kids, will be 36 players, so three more than the Rugby World Cup team, we look at it and think what are they? the positions where I'll potentially take an extra man in Mills for you, what is it? Where do you need to see some extras? Well, I think the fixtures are our biggest problem right now, you know, given the injuries the Crusaders have to deal with. six um, you know, six,six accessories, I've gone with four, four, on, um, on the locks because I think we reinforced that kind of Lucy's Department, you have a couple of um, blackout for me, it still works, I know he's been injured, I think he Goes, but I'll go back to the props.

I think there is a low mix with the Ross Williams Ainsley group. I think it's been a big turnaround this year for the Highlanders, you know, for a team that has been struggling. The scrum has been pretty outstanding and then you have things like horrible tours at a fussy Moody's, we think he could be back eight weeks, it's quite a long time, obviously, Angus, those guys will probably fight for me, we'll fight to the end. the last place in the sixth, three prostitutes. I'm sure all of you will agree with the three prostitutes and then wait, oh, you know, I put that in parentheses.

They can't have a squat parenthesis when naming a team. Well, you know. Coles has been away for a long time, so he would have had Elmore last night. I think these lines probably let him down and that's where I'm like ah man so I'm a little iffy right now. Right now, for me, definitely, the starting line thing is a real challenge for me when you look at the starting lines that are failing and not quite working, there are so many pieces of the puzzle here, it's calling, it's what It's jumping, it's not the responsibility and I.

I think they lost their way and he suffered for it because all of a sudden I think a patient was almost sick and guessing his own pitches and he's actually watching it, they've got him covered and that happened in Dunedin, but I understand. that Goldie but the selectors will leave, can we trust him under pressure and do they have to answer yes or no? Can you trust Dane Coles in prison? Yeah, can we trust her more right now and I don't know if you think that way, but later? There was a massive Christmas last night and they'll have to ask themselves.

Those tough, loose Christian forwards are another thing, right? Kirsty, massively, our Gillette face-off for today is the boss's number eight against the blues. Number eight Hoskins vs. Luke Jacobson, can you take? These two players, Jeff, you have the man with all the style against the worker, look at Luke Jacobson's stats over 80 minutes. Yes, I can because they're both playing and they're both acting and I'm going to choose. players that are playing I'm pushing both of them and right now Ethan Blacketta I haven't seen him on the field and I haven't seen him doing and dominating like he has in the past, this guy is coming out and showing some really nice touches and at the moment our options at number eight are a little bit limited, they are limited, it's Ali Salvia, it's going to be Hoskins or this one and it's a lot better than people think, the versatility for me, Mills JK, is an area where you're.

I have gone with many players, although JK continues. I took them. I took it as a Jacobson seven, so adi is not right, so he is on number eight of him. There is the number eight. The number eight. Jacobson Dan, who is your blind side, Barrett. We have Barrett as a six, which opens up the discussion about blocking because I think against the big teams in France you're really going to look at Barrett, yeah right, and you're seeing someone like Akita come in late when he's tired. and he can bring the X Factor part of him as a kid who only did enough since he came back to outdo Shannon Frizzell we're not, we're not talking, we're talking about the 36, we're not talking. about getting off to a good start, so I wrote to Barrett, yes I'm with you, I wrote about that at six, here's another suggestion for you to dress up for the weekend and Scott Robertson call Don R4, who is an all black winner. a Rugby World Cup and a Super Rugby Centurion with the blues made his debut for the Crusaders over the weekend here's how it happened John A lot of people didn't think they'd see you playing rugby in New Zealand let alone for the Crusaders.

Did you get a little stick in this game? Oh no, because I didn't tell anyone. I wasn't really sure what was going on. I was like they called me late, obviously, I had to get my release from France and then come. here and I don't think I had to fix it last night so now I was happy to be back you know when they see it or you want to come play and it was hard not to say it. Say no, you know the main love comes back to New Zealand and it was a big night for me when you got the late call to play today.

Was there a moment of disbelief? Oh, to be honest, I was a little hungover because we finished our season in France and I woke up and I had like 10 missed calls and I thought, what have I done? stay in New Zealand no, no, this is me, you know, I'll be back in New Zealand for the rest of the year and then hopefully I'll run for the iTunes cups or qualify, but you know it's nice to be back for sure and Did you know that today was your 496th first class game? That leaves you speechless. Oh yes, it all blows my mind.

You know what I mean when they said it was starting. That blew my mind when they said I had to play 50. That blew my mind. um, you know, it's fun, you know what I mean and I'm glad the guys took care of me. It's been a fantastic two days and I hope you have a good rest of the season. We really want to see you. I'm still playing here on New Zealand soil, no, thank you very much, there has been great applause. 50 minutes for a guy who literally landed from France on Thursday with no boots and no size 15 at Rebel Sport for two Blues men.

Do you feel a little sick watching it? In red and black, that shirt doesn't fit well, it doesn't fit well, his former teammates are going to beat him up a lot, I tell them yes, I'm on a WhatsApp with a lot of exploit. These guys are now exploiting, but we are very happy for him. It's an incredible story. I love a good story. That's why I wrote it as a team because I'm a romantic. I love a story like that. I think it's beautiful. and well with them like 39, he looks incredibly good, he wants to finish here in New Zealand.

I think you know how to talk about doing it, so that's cool, it was amazing, it was great. I mean, any time someone can come and do that, the fact that they did it. I don't have to train during the week perfect also you probably know the game. I can't because they asked him to go out and do a job and he is a professional he clearly took care of it. He turned left, what is that? He turned left on the plane. oh, you always feel good, yeah, yeah, you're not going to get on that plane if you're a little bit hung up like you said you were and he's got a game in front of him, but I mean, I think it's a very good indication of how important It's keeping track of the players, yeah, and if the whanganuku list goes to France, we'll follow him for the next two years, watch him play and let's, you know, appreciate what he's got.

I don't have a problem with him, no we're not saying we get him back, yeah the only thing that makes this McKenzie thing is you hate explaining it to me three times, like the difference between a gap year and leaving. For two years, the problem is that no one has transitioned back. Is Damian from Europe? No, no, I'm from Europe, not from Europe. They get there, get big bucks and think I'm going to go back to the New Zealand risk. But the game costs half a million euros. The game is shown. I think Europe's skin is a little bit closer to the way we've been playing because I think in the past it's been totally different.

You know, it was a physical exam. The weather has dictated things. there in terms of um, you know your tomorrow and you're being more physical in the crisis, whereas they've come to the party now and they're not exposing themselves well. I'm talking about the cash back, I'm not talking about the car I'm not really talking about, let's make it bigger too, dude, who's going to win and this is all rumors, you know, north of 500,000 euros, three times I want to get here, yes, it's going to be quite difficult. he'll be 26 27 and he'll be gone, you know, I've got another six or seven years of that amount of money that's set aside for life, it's pretty hard to come back, isn't it?

If we change the ceiling in two years and the fact if we see his value, we have to keep track of what he is doing and if he ends up being the guy who can turn the tide and be that player for the All Blacks, that's when you pay the money, you bring it back and he Maybe at that moment I don't think he feels more comfortable, right? So the onus is on the commercial side of New Zealand Rugby to make sure we're generating funds to be able to raise the ceiling. and that is your goal now, which must surely be the way forward.

A genuine question about Bryce Haim. He is a player who traveled to Europe and has returned as a better player. Is 36 JK coming to the All Blacks? Is he in the conversation? they're talking about this nursing home what he calls himself is this space for someone like this oh well look I think so, if you think about the style of play, it goes back to what Goldie said, the style of play. We want it to be incredibly big. The man passing the Vantage line has a little kicking game, as you can see there, what a Goldies, so look at his age, it will be a beautiful romantic story, the reality, I don't know if there will be room for him if we lose a midfielder, if if we lost an answer, Leonard Brown or RICO, just you, I wouldn't have a problem with this guy coming in and doing a job for us, that kick was the smartest play of the game because the game was still on the line, that's fourth down . for Mark Talia but forget about all that there were only a couple of minutes left in the game it was seven points away the blues were still playing rugby they had made two eras and conceded a try that put them in the corner whether it went or not, that It was the smartest thing done all day, this is an experience, it is IQ, that is, understanding the consequences of making good decisions in a game.

I was very impressed, we should be impressed, he is fit, he is strong, he is a big and powerful love and we often go. about success, the successful kids that go overseas are all black and they come back, these guys are Camilla Bryce, him, why not, why is that success, you know, the guys come back from there and play like him. I think we should, we really should. You know, he waits for that and sees if the guys come in. Milani no, no, he's not back either, he hasn't had a chance, but I think there's a core group of guys who could easily come back and play Super Rugby. which is great to see someone we don't have to worry about going overseas just yet, anyway that's the exclusive news on whether Jordan will be staying here with New Zealand Rugby, the All Blacks, the Crusaders and Tasman for the next few Four years, Jeff.

I went to Christchurch earlier in the week and met them. I think for me there's always been a big thing around us trying to maximize your kind of talent or ability. I love being able to go out on a Friday or Saturday and be able to showcase your talent, so it was really important for me to have a little taste of the international scene, in particular, to want to explore that a little bit more and see how far I could go there, so that's what excites me about being here on the field with the guys really enjoying my rugby and yeah, just trying to maximize what I can get out of myself, is being a professional rugby player, what you thought it would be, yeah , I think so, you know, surely not, I think so.

It's hard to tell what Duke's speed is. I think there are definitely ups and downs, like I've had some great moments in the last six years, there's also been some really challenging moments, so I think as you start to understand yourself, a little bit more of your processes and what it takes. To reach your best level, yes, you learn a lot about yourself. I think when I came into this environment when I was 19, I was certainly a different person to who I am now, so it's said if you ever see the growth that you can get in this environment and definitely what I've learned about rugby is that It teaches a lot of things off the field and it's not just about the things on the field, so you definitely go as a person.

In this space, when you look completely black, what number do you want to have on your back? But I think so, 15 is probably my dream. I think it's a position I've played most of my Rigby notes in. where I feel like I can be more involved and enjoy the ability to be able to wander around the countryside and pick your spots. I think playing Wing at international level over the last few years has been a great challenge and something I've enjoyed and as you say, it's a pretty common path for guys to go between that wing and a place, whether that's being yourself or guys like your dad Ben Smith, so yeah, it's all part of it and I think the main thing is wherever you are.

When you're on the field, it's about maximizing that and playing the best you can. I think the legacy of the All Blacks remains as powerful a motivator as it was for the players. Yeah guys, definitely, I'm still very excited to be part of the team. I think you've seen that throughout Super Rugby this year with guys who are all black and who want to be all black the way they've been taking the opportunity to go to a World Cup and represent the United Nations, um, Yes, it is enormously motivating. So I think the drive, the legacy and thespecial t-shirt are still a huge prison.

Thank you. Well, here he comes for the last time as a Highlander in Dunedin. Aaron Smith, first victory of the season. Blair Lia Thanos. Oh, she's done it. the left himself takes a man out of the way goes for the shot take him out there is nothing bigger than this the Chiefs and the brumbies so that the visitors try and take advantage try the cheese, hold the phone, this is not excessive again, making them return to the billion here comes round 14 of the Super Rugby Pacific, all thanks to nurofen available at Chemist Warehouse, can we get back to what the Weekend Sport Moment was like at its finest.

Falafel scored to keep the Highlanders alive but Aaron Smith's successor did it in style in the end Jeff, we're coming for you Hi Blues, we're coming for you Blues, it was a wonderful moment. It was amazing, it was uh, look, there was a very, very good crowd at Forsyth Bar Stadium. Apple to make it clear. I felt frustrated. I won't lie because the Highlanders and the Reds admitted they didn't play very well. Clark Germany said They were terrible, but in terms of a moment, everything was forgotten, right, everything was forgotten, maybe not completely forgotten. Germany hadn't forgotten it after the game, but it was great for Aaron Smith.

It was a remarkable change in the game um beautiful beautiful moment to have been there Highlanders legend look look the most influential Highlander since professional rugby began is LED and he flipped the script on the Hunters LED them to a title in 2015. I think he and Ben Smith created something that will hopefully last forever in Dunedin, yeah, I mean, for me that's how it should be. I think he deserves to have been a loyal Highlander and that's all he asked of Rice. It was always that I didn't want too much tension, but he said I just want to win, so I was very happy that it wasn't that easy with the Highlanders at the moment, that's right, a little Friday night, a little, uh, in this absolutely beautiful one, we get a bonus point, oh yeah, he knows you're leaving so you don't have to pay, don't worry, well the Highlanders aren't in the eight yet, Jeff, let's take a look, no, They are, oh, they are in the yes, don't you dare delete them. of the eight look at this, the cheese smells, they are at the top of the table with a game to spare, they can't be beaten with 54 points, so they will probably seem to see or a D team to Perth to take on the strength and send all your All.

The Blacks are at home, rest up before coming to Hamilton, which may mean the Highlanders miss the playoffs, but let's take a look at the bottom half of the competition. Highland is currently in eighth place, fourth place and the Rebels can potentially reach eight. The holidays still need a number of things to go right and I would be disappointed if the Chiefs didn't send their best team to Perth, show some respect for the competition and I think the first thing is to get on the plane and play. no they won't, I think they will, well didn't they play the Highlanders in the first round?

Would you rather play against the Highlanders or the box or the force? The Chiefs will want to win. I think they were not happy resting for two weeks. Before they go to Perth they will go full side and get some momentum I keep talking about. No, he knows, he knows. I don't know why you would send them there. Actually, he's like a 20-year-old kid. six hour flight, but they've earned it, they've earned it, now they've gone up to Canberra, they've beaten the uh you know, the um brumbies and you know, they've seen those guys now they've got a week off and then possibly play Highlanders Possibly play against the Highlanders or possibly play against one of those Australian teams, this is what the playoffs would look like, the first round of the players, the quarterfinals judging by the table, so you are saying that the Chiefs are saying that the Chiefs send to their second team. and they still win I don't know if they won before that's the strength at home they're good they're forces they're well trained yes driven well trained um look the rebels on Friday night face the brumbies so they'll put it on their own hands too, right, I won't beat the brumbies.

I forgot, no, it's possible, forget it, okay, because then that means the rebels are out of the conversation, there's another one who left, but Fiji and Real have the Reds. so the Reds at home at home so this is so true all those people telling you the results so everything I will say about this is correct A lot of people have talked about the fact that there are too many teams in the playoffs right, right, not if if we didn't have me, it would be you, it would be you, wait, but if we didn't have the top eight, the top six would already be decided and this would matter, it matters now, every game is important this week.

I think you've got to have a Premiership, you've got to like what first and second get for winning, they should have a week off, well they can play sevens and eights, you've got to have a you know what they're called. in the league, but there is a Premiership as a minor, yes, so the Highlanders beat the blues, it doesn't matter though, don't worry, that's what they need to do to control their Destiny, they beat the blues, they won't. results so work out the drill win so get the ribs Chiefs win so get the strength but they have to send a decent side to the loose Highlanders so tell me what the Highlanders are if they get a bonus yet That's how they won.

They won't make it, it still won't matter, it will continue, that's what, to be fair, we want the New Zealand teams to achieve, but if the box reached its first quarter-final in its second year, it would be like saying a beautiful JK romantic story would be a beautiful story, yes, but that would reach Hamilton and it would also be a message for Moana to return to the Pacific Islands because it is very difficult to win there, you went there in your fight. I almost beat the box at the weekend by one point, well yes, it was close I mean, but I prefer to talk about the composition of the finals at home in sort of teams at the bottom of the table trying to reach the seventh and eighth, yes, well, take a look at what the semi-finals will be like.

Crusaders and Chiefs probably at home and the second week of the playoffs, that's what's shaping up, right? Yes, that is what is emerging. I think at the moment, although let's be honest, there are only two teams that can win this competition, yes, the way they are playing and the quality of rugby they are playing, the Crusaders have found their team, they are timing their run. and the Chiefs are clearly the best team in this competition. I was at Eden Park and none of the teams were there. Did you see the rain coming? If you wait. I remember watching the Chiefs in Hamilton in the rain and they were outstanding.

You are deceiving yourself. I'm not kidding myself they're in a race mate so you're going to Christchurch oh well yeah so back to back weeks they beat the Crusaders at the Chiefs good luck good luck with that we'll need it but we'll do it. do it, what did you not enjoy, not that you didn't enjoy, but you weren't sold on the blues and hurricanes compared to the two best teams in the comments if Mark Talia doesn't have the game of In this life, what type of competition do we have? The fact that if you think about Jordy Barrett really kicking well in the game, we had a different competition, that's an area we haven't even talked about in terms of goaltending.

I mean, this is the The Hurricanes would have left Eden Park. We played very badly. We couldn't win a lineup. They couldn't win a line. They couldn't continue their game. If these kicks pass, they would probably win this game. What photo. if two two scores trying what is that what if what if what forget what if we're winning we're on a roll we've never seen a game with so many soft tries in my life I mean, we saw that I don't know what studs the Hurricanes have on their boots, but how many times they fall in front of people.

Three people simply waved Mark through. That's not quality, although hey, I'm sorry, but this isn't good enough to beat two teams. other Crusaders who have found their equipment. I still hope that the Blues, well, they haven't found their rhythm yet, you know, and I think you know, I hope that sailing returns this week and if they can win convincingly and also. with a skill set, no, I don't disagree guys, but I think there are three teams and I think the blues on their day are going to be difficult to achieve, they have to follow the difficult path, yes, but in the final these three teams.

I think they are way ahead of everyone else, now the brumbies are probably there or close by so if you have to go there it's tough but if not I also think you have to include the Blues in that conversation for sure. You're a blues man JK, yes I'm trying to be objective though sorry for the unproven ability and what they did as the Hurricanes. You have to respect what they did. The Hurricanes are a good team, they dominated them in the first half. It wasn't our fault who you are starting 18 this week this week this week against the Highlanders going to the playoffs Bowden Barrett not Stephen boneless Barrett then but who is playing fullback perfect okay so that's a combination because to me that's the only one opportunity Those two guys, Zan Sullivan, have been very good, but the only opportunities those two Playmakers had to get in shape and become a four incredibly quickly to have any chance, we can't forget them either, although without Dalton Papa Lee for the next game , it's been really good.

He's been outstanding, they miss their leader, don't they? He will return for the first round of the playoffs. We're not going to top them, JK, we're not saying that at all. Now it's time to do our 15th form. from round 14. this time it was chosen by a former wallaby, a wallabies legend, actually Tim Horton and this is who he selected and so far from the 15th in the front row Aiden Ross samasoni tokyaho and Jermaine Ainsley New Look front row Patrick toy pulotu has been named alongside Sam Whitelock on his return from injury Artie Savier at six years old is making up the rules as you usually do uh Jeff and his time for the best players in the paddock Sam Kane and Luke Jacobson Aaron Smith who played out of his skin in his last game in Dunedin again and Richie moronga at nine and ten Jordy Barrett Alex Nankova of course who is going overseas next year and is back three Caleb Clark Marktillia and Fergus Burke, if you need convincing, that's why from Tim Horton hello team, yes, thank you very much.

Much for the chance to select the all-black team of the weekend, you got an Australian to do it, so a bit of a different flavour, but the Australian teams didn't perform that well either, did they? This weekend, of course, the Reds, the Waratahs and the Brumbies. going through the Kiwi teams and yes a tough weekend for us but I might pick a couple of players I selected in this form 15 for the weekend. Luke Jacobson wasn't great for the Chiefs, one of the best games of the year for him. with the Chiefs number eight jersey defensively outstanding, but these meters won and has outstanding contact meters also number nine Aaron Smith, one of my favorite players in New Zealand, if you could have a favorite player in New Zealand, what a performance by he.

Get his Highlanders team over the line right at the end against the Queensland Reds and then probably a couple of other players. Alex Naperville. I thought he was outstanding for the cheeses defense, the way he moved quickly to stop Brummy's attack. Special God on his part. and also Fergus Burke for the Crusaders at 15. Very good performance from him, obviously, a stacked defensive line and I thought Fergus Burke what are his best performances for the Crusaders, so, yeah, team up, you'll come together in the moment proper of the season is back on track, there's one round left until we get to the final so hopefully there will be some Australian teams in the top eight in seven days' time so I'm happy to be back in a few weeks and such time select the real All Blacks team. playing the wallabies in the snow cup blood and I think I might pick a team to give the Aussies a chance, well guys we found out they're going to be a really competitive team with Eddie Jones.

I like this one, a couple of really outstanding players. For me, how good Sam Whitelock is, now it's good to see him come back, yeah, and I've barely played 80 minutes this season, there's no problem yet, but you never see his number up. Scott Robertson, he knows he can trust this guy, he's critical to our team. opportunities in an anti-crusaders Rugby World Cup in the Crusaders absolutely need him uh he's just a professional he's one of the greats of our game. I thought that Jordan's players thought that Jordy had a bad night for his level and I saw it.

I didn't talk to him, but I saw him leave the field pretty quickly and I thought about when I used to play Battle. He just wanted to get out of there, but you know, I thought he had a bad night. I thought, um Patrick. he raised his hand to go to the next level. I know I'm reallyinterested in discussion about Locking in the future. I thought Patty really was because I thought the hurricanes came out and hit people. Mills and he exerted himself physically last night. I thought I thought. "That was interesting, he looks faster from the ground, he looked like he was in very good condition to me, Mills, um, and look when he gets up and competes at the line-out, now the Hurricane lineup was functional, But when he does that, that's something I have." "He doesn't look much off his game, he's stealing starting lines, he looked great, yeah, and I love the way he flooded those inside channels, so it's like he really suited the um, the weather really suited him." to his game, so he got in between them.

I have the physique, um, and little by little I would get better and better, so he had a wonderful game. What about how he put Artie Savier in that sex JK, that guy last night and what he did, but he was amazing on the field, right? Tell me you're kidding yourself, son, the best eight in the world, you never put it in you never put it in a six, there are some really good eights. All over the world, we shouldn't say that too quickly. Look, he hasn't had a stronger season, but he started to show some signs in the last Games.

Domino gets Moana Pacific and Wellington, but she went down the drain last night. He was good, he was calm in that first half, you have to remember that he had touched the ball, but where he is huge is in these big moments, yes, you know, he, he comes up with his own thing, you know, you think that he is not, he is not having. a quiet game and then he hits another, I say it again, a repeated effort and this and that, but that makes a big difference in terms of when you look at Blake's jersey, he's just going to be huge, the two positions there, Ainsley and Ross , the two pillars that He realized because clearly prop is an area right now with all the injuries the All Blacks are facing.

Thank you love, you have already lost power. Moody is going to be in danger in terms of a Rugby World Cup, as is Fletcher Newell, who If not, they've lost their uh, if anyone else has lost their passport, what's eligible, yeah, yeah, and don't you think Eddie Jones has called them, maybe, oh look, I think he's made great strides here. I'd be surprised if he wasn't there. a conversation for the next level um, what are you doing there? You simply sign up for New Zealand rugby. Well, it depends on where you want to play. Obviously he has dual eligibility, but if the things he's doing there, he was doing them. in round one one two against the Crusaders in Melbourne like she was scruming she Moody was dominating it I was like a man but she's got that consistency in a Goldie team that has struggled this year yeah it's hard to stand out In fact.

The four pack for Honda hasn't actually performed that badly so I think once again about the areas of concern and we have players and options but clearly there isn't much experience when it comes to an old Ross, except for Tim Warren. He saw enough to have them in that conversation. I have him on my team, another Holland. Would not go. In the end I would use a gold matte. Oh yeah, I know Eddie Jones won't be Willie, who he signed for. The Crusaders, that news has been confirmed, but someone who is staying with the New Zealand All Blacks and Black Ferns, he is the new performance coach, it is Wayne Smith, we have a beautiful story just after the break, it was really difficult to be there standing while you look. with 24 centurions on the walls it's hard to explain the excitement you know I'm just a coach those guys played 100 games led the team through thick and thin and um you're so dependent on so many factors you have staff to help you . players that you are not sure of who they are or what they are going to be, then you see them metamorphosed and something special and it is never just one person that you know, it is everyone and it is the diversity of opinions, different perspectives that emerge with different solutions that help you in your career when I was a young coach I was 39 years old the job was full of danger you know we could have easily failed immediately and gotten the second which would have been the end of my career but we took There were many chances that Bert and I put together our concept of Henry V, so we put together this video and it was the first meeting I had with the team.

I was showing that video with the Anderson collectors. The rising Holy Grail had pictures of some of the players we thought were going to be great for the game, that toddy blackout is Mertz Martian, Mark Mayer Hoffler, guys like that and we ended up with Henry, the fifth bell of the agency pitch, who became a core Creed for us for the next two years, it was Crusaders and one we lived by if you don't know where you're from, who you are and who you want to be, um, yeah, it doesn't mean anything. Smith is an absolute icon and treasure of our game in the training space and someone we are delighted with.

He can continue to be involved in the game and support an exciting new group of coaches that will emerge from 2024 onwards. It's a pleasure, he will continue to be involved and continue to add a huge amount of value, a massive impact wherever he goes in the game and we. I'm delighted he's with us. I've been involved in this in rugby probably since '79. He's a player, coach, mentor or CEO at Hawke's Bay. I had a great turnout, so it's been my life and it looks like it's going to continue for a little while longer. Oh, it's an absolutely brilliant moment, isn't it?

Wayne Smith, 66, will still be involved and the black Ferns and All Blacks, after 45 years of coaching JK, tell us why we need to. this man has a great EQ he has a great IQ he is very very technical and he creates a fantastic culture and he is a great man like there are not many coaches in the world that can have all those things for me. He's Mr. Brian Lahore of the present and he just has it in the environment, he won't be afraid to tell people, um Mills, if he thinks they're out of line technically or tactically, but that's why he's the complete package, yeah, and he's also not afraid to get feedback, you know when? you go and have a coach and you respect him and you think he wants direct conversations and you don't have to worry about being dropped, regardless of whether you played 100 Tests or one Test, he's great at adapting. prioritize things that I have said in a meeting of coaches who meet with him where they are prioritizing the week and they constantly reduce his time from now on, you know, you know, go out on the field and he prioritizes things and he gets he is also on the right point , so he's magical again, you have to take your mind off his lovely wife too because Trish is fantastic, they're an amazing, amazing family, you started with one hand, you and the other.

Look, there are so many attributes right now about Wayne Smith. I had the pleasure of playing in the Forum. He made me a better player and put me in an environment where he could thrive and be the best he could be. Why is this important? Because coaching is clearly a problem at the moment because we can't find Super Rugby coaches, we are bringing in people from Left, Right and Centre, everyone is fighting for Secretary Laidlaw who is clearly an outstanding coach who coaches the New Jersey Sevens team. Zealand with great success, but everyone is after him, this is the reason. it's important because all of a sudden now we have that IQ, that IQ, that knowledge of sharing with our coaches everything we know about the game, so that's what all-black coaches and black friends are going to get now. a challenge for me, they have four years, that's what they sign Scott Robertson and that team, because they have four years to get everyone else up to speed and the professional game and next it's time to get the provincial unions.

I've talked about getting back on track and developing coaches and what they should do to develop their coaches in the amateur game. Refs support stopping spending money on NPC gear. From 1.5 to 2.5 million dollars. How do you take a million dollars of that and stop helping the coaches? starting club competitions and JK referee schools, the things that need support, why do we have people who can't catch, pass, tackle and clean up? Because we are not transmitting the information. Super Rugby coaches have to meet with their professionals. level but at amateur level I'm sorry, I want to watch the game the other day, okay, 25 penalties for 25 high tackles from kids, now sometimes you're the law, but these kids don't know how to tackle, they don't need to. catch and pass and you wonder why we look at our pros and they aren't good enough at it, it's time to help our coaches and we're going to spend money to make the audios available again.

Sorry, I've had enough of this. Provincial Union and I think it is necessary to analyze a little where the money is spent. We cannot have the investment and not invest in the community. When I talk about Community, it is investment in rugby clubs to turn them into a cultural center. Invest in young coaches so they can train our young people and they will rise to the top. If we are going to spend an extra million on a provincial team, we are wasting our money. We won't let it go well. It has to be a semi-final. -Professional competition, but you don't need to spend a couple of million dollars when you have clubs and schools fighting to get the experience you need and achieve People The Travelers goals.

The problem is that Goldie is our constitution, so the NPC cards. They have the vote, mate, they can do it and until we change the Constitution, they assume responsibility. Funny though they're telling New Zealand exactly the same thing about pumping money into the permit and then basically not even feeding it so here's this. It has to happen, I tell you that you agree that they need to come together and order that training is where you are developing young people, you are establishing cultures, you are giving them the best of the sport and giving them the ability to succeed and I will say that this It's all if you teach them the fundamentals and Eddie Jones is a great expert on this, you don't start talking in capsules and systems and run, catch, pass, keep your head up and play.

I'm going to see the club. teams school teams suddenly They are copying the size of Super Rugby they can't see the space they can't catch them one thing they can't do is they can't tackle it you wonder why you get to a point where you stop playing you can't tackle you don't play the rugby well we did, but not now, judging by everything you three have just said, Wayne Smith is absolutely brilliant for the next four years, congratulations to Wayne, Todd Blanket and Justin Marshall. also for being inducted into the Crusaders Hall of Fame before we leave, did you see no, the Crusaders, the Highlanders make it to eighth no, no, I'm not asking, I have no doubts, I'm not asking, don't even ask him, it's the drawer. it's a drawer or the right drawer for me Strength for you probably actually it's true, it's true, you're not even coming to Eden Park on Friday, where are you going?

I'll be there, buddy, no you won't. I'll be there from a distance from a distance sorry that was the last bomb I'll drop these three will continue to argue here that America is done and dusted but the Highlanders will want to come and beat the Blues in Auckland won't they? To do that for Aaron Smith and his other outgoing players to make sure they're in the top eight, sit back and enjoy this for one of the greatest Highlanders of all time. This city will love you if you work hard and play hard and don't. even quitting work was talking about how we're a bunch of nobodies and man this is fuel for me you know as a gamer someone says you can't do something all you want to do is make it absolutely ninja not just for the Highlanders, not only for Manawa also not only greeting