Rugby Punt-it
Friends and Foes
How's it everybody, welcome back for another episode you're here with me Nick and as always I'm joined by my good buddy Ronald but we have another mate joining us tonight Dan, how's it going? Hey guys, how are we, we've decided to be here and deep dive into the game, not the best result but... Alright, what are you talking about, it was a brilliant result. So for those who don't know Dan is from short ball rugby, I'm sure you guys know his page, you guys can check him out and we'll definitely pop the links up there as well after the show but Dan is an All Blacks fan and it actually makes me laugh because here we are without planning it, two of us in box jerseys and Dan and his All Blacks jersey, you know we just had to pull that on each other, eh? Yeah, I need to bring a friend here to even out the numbers. Absolutely. So boys, it was a lacquer weekend of rugby, you guys are both over in the Northern Hemisphere behind enemy lines whilst I'm lacquer here in South Africa close to the action. You know, what do we think of the weekend's game, Dan? You mixed feelings about this one, it was, yeah, it's a tricky one, we were pretty written off beforehand, not many people were expecting us to go to Ells Park, all the South Africans have been in my comments all week saying, "Yeah, it's the best in the world and they were gonna get us." And then I was feeling confident, I thought we'd be able to pull it off and then, yeah, what, 60 minutes we were, we had it in the bag and then you guys just came home strong and, yeah, showed your world class team to steal it from us at the end. Yeah, there's a lot to be happy about from that game but just let it slip at the end, Richard. It's interesting to hear you say that from your perspective because I was sitting here thinking, "Shit, you know, we hurt the all blacks in the World Cup, they're coming for us now and let me tell you those first 40 minutes you guys really took us on." I was like, "Yeah, this is the black lash that we've been waiting for, they've come here, they've got the number and they're keeping that Ells Park record intact." And what did you think about it, Ronald? Yeah, absolutely right, that's the same thing I expected from the All Blacks I thought. We were up against it, I was very reluctant to back the Springbox, I'm super-brewed. And I was worried, I thought, "Geez, the All Blacks, it's the All Blacks, right?" I mean, you and I have both been to Nick, you and I have both been to some huge blowouts, you know, where it hasn't been favorable for the Springbox and I thought, "Yo, this is going to be up against it." And the All Blacks brought it, they brought it for, you know, 62 minutes, right? So we were in trouble for a large portion of that game. So talking about the game now, we're looking at two teams that are sort of in contrast of each other because the All Blacks are in somewhat of a rebuilding phase with new coaching staff, a lot of your senior players were talking about the White Locks, not available anymore, Richie Moonga playing overseas. You know, is that where we think the fade happened in the 60 minutes? Was it experience or was it the altitude down or, on the other hand, was it the box advantage of having an experienced squad that helped them take it in the last 20 minutes? Yeah, I think you just summed it up pretty well there, it's probably all those factors kind of coming in together. Yeah, the bench is probably not as experienced as Springbox out with their famous bomb squad. And then I think also the use of the subs, a lot of them were only 15 to 10 minutes to go, so they really didn't have a chance to really make that impact. And then two of the subs as well were subbing off a kelp clock and Will Jordan, who your wing is normally aren't going to make that as much of an impact against the box. So you'd probably want, yeah, if you got a 6-2 split, you get some of those big ball runners in there, which would really kind of keep the pressure on them. So yeah, especially with altitude as well, it's probably where they were stunned to fade a little bit there. So you reckon Dan, 6-2 split should have been what the All Blacks should have gone for? I don't know, I've seen it floating around a little bit, a couple of suggestions, it's pretty risky, but yeah, I don't know, I just, I didn't like the, uh, yeah, taking off both wings. Yeah, you know, everyone will think South Africans are very cocky and you're saying now it feels very risky to go with the 6-2. Let me tell you, running and I had the same thoughts when Russi went for the 6-2, we were like, you know, there could be problems for us here. And then when he pulled the 7-1 out, we're like, this is going to be an absolute nightmare. Something's going to go wrong. And it really is, it is a hit and a miss with something like that. You take a big chance, it pays off, but sometimes you might end up with, you know, a lock that has to play on the wings suddenly. Yeah, I feel like you guys have gotten pretty lucky. I haven't really been caught out too much, but I know in a super rugby, the Blues against the Hurricanes, they did the 6-2 and I think they ended up with a back row on the wing for 30 odd minutes and they ended up losing the game. So yeah, I think you guys have gotten pretty lucky so far. Yeah, absolutely right, Dan. And you know, I've been concerned that that's, that's going to, that has to happen at some stage, right? It's, it's, it's a given at, at some point we will get caught out. And we keep talking about Quaka having to play in the back line, you know, and for Onyoga side, maybe Audie Severe and stuff, but what does that actually look like? And, you know, against team like the Old Blacks, do you really want Quaka in the back line? Yeah, that's it. It can't be done, but it's not really, not really ideal, especially when those tight test matches. Yeah, I don't want to see Quaka having to try and pace down, I will Jordan with a ball in hand. I really, that, I'd much rather have Chislin or Aaron, so they, but you know, we're talking about what happened from 60 minutes onwards in the game, but let's just rewind it right to the beginning. So we know the box got a 31 to 27 point win here, but the big controversial talking point from this week is the Bongi and Punamdi try. Now for those that watch the game, we've seen the footage there after there's been a lot of commentary on social media, which I think very rarely helps the topic. It polarizes all the fans. You know, there's some pages coming out and saying it was a try, you know, the ball was ripped. It wasn't a knock on. My thoughts on it. I think it was a knock on. I don't think that try should have been awarded. I'm keen to hear your thoughts, Dan. Yeah, I think, yeah, what 90, 95% of people when they saw that on that replay, they thought that was a knock on. And yeah, everyone's come out now saying, you know, it's, it's ripped. It doesn't count. But I think if you, if you look at a Jordi's arm is under him, he's kind of still trying to place it onto his arm, like whether that's a reporter, I don't know, it's hard to say. But I think the worst part is this, there was no actual review of it. Like you can, if it's going to be kind of something like that, you got to have to at least have a couple of replays of it to make sure. And I think that's probably, that's probably the biggest issue people have with it, right? If it was, if it was reviewed and then they decide, no, it is a try, then we'd argue a poor decision. The fact that they didn't even take the time to, let's just double check that because, you know, there's a question mark, at least go up and check it. Yeah, that's unfortunate, really. So if we, if we agree or disagree that it was not a try, Rani, do you think that would have affected the outcome of the game and the end of the day in the coming, I'm wearing my springboard to as you say, I think we would have found a way to win. But look, a lot of these teams, their professional teams, they, you know, they have an ability to reset after, you know, decisions that don't go their way. So I think the old X reset very well and they were still firing really hard. They still had a number of opportunities to win the game. And I think the team strategies would have changed depending on what was on the score. So, you know, I'd like to think, and I sort of make myself in a little bit better about the situation, because I do think that the old X were very unlucky without trying being awarded to Morgan. But just trying to make myself a little bit better, I think we would have still found a way to win. That's the idea, as it would have needed to be, it's just unfortunate that we're talking about, you know, that decision, there's a lot of other fantastic things that happened. Yeah, I think it's also not just as simple as saying, you know, look at the scoreboard, we could deduct points and then it would have been a draw, which is something I've seen a lot of people saying on social media, it's not as simple as that in a game of rugby. You know, scoreboard pressure plays a huge role in the outcome of the game. The decisions that teams take depending on the score, whether it's a kick for posts, whether it's a go for touch. So it's quite an intricate thing. But yeah, unfortunately, this is a game of sport as well, decisions were made. That is the trial that was given. But I do agree with you, Dan, that TMO should have gotten involved in. And normally we're saying the TMO is too involved. I feel like on that game, on Saturday, the TMO was out having Brandi in the back of the stadium. It's an interesting stat that I picked up in prepping for this episode, and I'm keen to get your guys input on it. The first is the penalty count in this game, or not in this game in the rugby championship so far. The All Blacks are the most penalised team in the competition averaging 12 penalties a game. The box are the least penalised averaging 9. I mean, that's not much of a difference. But three penalties where someone like Sasha's kicking them from 60 metres over can count against you. Do you think that's a problem that's gripped into the All Blacks camp, Dan? Yeah, I think it's definitely a problem at the moment, especially on the weekend. I think the count was 14-5 with penalties, and it's tough to keep yourself in a game when you're giving away that much field possession. Yeah, whether the reason why they're giving away so many penalties, I don't know, whether it's just the new system they're trying to bring in and trying to get used to that gameplay or not, I don't know. But yeah, it's definitely something they're going to have to improve next week, because yeah, you can't be playing these top sides and giving away that many penalties. Yeah, Ronny, do you think the box, you know, focusing heavily on their discipline to try and win the match officials over again after, you know, the ground we lost in 2021? Oh, look, I think, absolutely, and you said it there. We did lose ground for us, he's influenced this video. Some of the rankings he's done every year, and he's apologized for that. And we've forgiven him. I don't know if the rest of the world has. But it has damaged our image with the refs, and that's been unfortunate. And I think, you know, we've seen it in a number of the documentaries where Rassy and the coaching staff have said, you know, we need to make sure that we're not turning the refs against us. You know, a refcon ran out onto the pitch expecting the spring box to be dirty and giving away a lot of penalties. We've got to win them over. And I think with the introduction of the occupation to the coaching staff, you know, that's definitely a focus. Well, I've no doubt that it is, and so the box will be working hard trying to try to be the good, well-behaved boys on the field. So a stat that plays into the penalty counter, and you know, there's been a lot of focus from World Rugby side in terms of tackle height with Rassy coming out a lot and speaking about how much they train the change in tackle height. So I see that the spring box make only 37% of their tackles chest or higher, and the all blacks are doing a 48% chest or higher tackle rate. You know, is that a stat you can really read into? I mean, it's the pace of the game. It's the opponents. What do you make of a stat like that? Yeah, it's a tricky one. I guess, yeah. What's that? 10, 15% difference there? So it's hard to out to know, like you're breaking down each tackle and looking at, you know, what the level of the tackle height is. So it'd be hard to measure in the first place, but then, yeah, with the speed of the game, I think it's tough to, yeah, tough to really change your kind of behaviors that much. But the way, if Rassy's coming out saying this, really focusing on that, that could be something if they're just completely ruling out those kind of high-level tackles. Yeah, definitely playing into that focus from World Rugby, and again, you know, Jakku paper could be heavily involved in something like that as well, and keeping an eye on it during the training sessions. So there was an incident at Ellis Park, which has been controversial all over social media, guys hurling in salts everywhere, guys supporting it, guys against it, been on the radio every single day on my drive to work. And that is the situation that unfolded with the hacker this weekend. So for those that watched, you would have noticed that sort of midway through the hacker, the DJ decided it's time for Sister Bettina, and quite that on then came the fireworks and the plane. I put out an article where I said, you know, the plane is a mis-timing, understandable, you know, it's really bloody hard to get an earbuds timing exactly. But I don't think it was necessary at all to be playing the music or to be setting off the fireworks. I'm curious first from you, Dan, how that was received by you guys. Yeah, well, when I was watching, I didn't actually notice because I was watching out the pub out in the beer garden, they didn't have the audio loud enough, so we couldn't actually hear the DJ coming in, so I was fine. But then after seeing all the opera on social media, and yeah, it wasn't a good look, but then they've since come out and apologized. So if the apology is true and it was all, you know, an accident and mis-timing, then yeah, I guess that's a play on, but yeah, if the DJ was purposely playing that music like during the hacker, that's, yeah, that's not on. Like if the crowd's going to cheer and like sing on their own accord, I guess that's, you know, their response to the hacker, but yeah, the DJ and fireworks and all that stuff. Yeah, we don't want that. You know, Ronnie and I, we've, I think this was the eighth time I've seen us play the All Blacks now. And you look at that game, every single time I go there, I cannot wait to see the hacker. I can't wait to be with the fans facing that with the book, it's a privilege test. But I see so many people on social media saying it's something that should only be done when the All Blacks play at home. I don't know what you think of that, Ronnie. I don't agree with that at all. No, to me, it's, it's, it's special every single time I get to watch it. And, you know, especially a couple of I know when they, when they perform that, that's, that's, you know, an absolute bucket list item that I just, I just can't tick it off every time I see it, you know, I want to see it again and again. And yeah, I don't really know what else to say other than I'm disappointed that the, you know, the events unfolded the way that they did. You know, I saw, you know, it's, it's like turning your back on someone that's busy speaking to you mid-sentence. And, and I wish more people would see it that way, which we returned to a little bit more traditional rugby values, you know, have a bit more respect for the opponent. Look, I think it was definitely a series of, of mistakes rather than malicious intent on anybody's part. And if it was malicious, yeah, that's, that's ridiculous and that person should be held to account. But yeah, you know, when, when we were unfortunate enough to go to the World Cup, Nick, you know, we were a little bit disappointed about the fact that we weren't facing the hook. We were actually a little bit behind the hooker. So the closest that would have, that would have been the only thing that would have made that not even more special for you and I. Yeah, absolutely. And Dan, I'm curious to hear from you what you think of the statement that quite a few people have made that it gives the all blacks an unfair advantage ahead of kickoff. Oh, I don't think it does. Like each team like their professional athletes, like they can, they're all like, they spend that long getting in the zone in the, in the chain rooms, they're all fired up. And I've actually heard players come out and say, actually, it's probably an opposite effect sometimes because sometimes you get so jeed up from doing the hockey that you've then got to level yourself to, you know, play, play rugby and be controlled. You can't be, if you're the half back in your, yeah, super jeed up and you've got to then be controlled and come into the rock and yeah, you don't want to be like, yeah, super aggressive. So, yeah, I don't think it gives them an edge and each team's open to do doing something before the game if they really want, but yeah, I think it's, yeah, it's all good. And look, Dan, I don't think it's just, you know, if anybody says that it jeez the all blacks up, you know, it could do the same if I was to face darker. I mean, if I, if somebody performed a couple of banger to me, I would, I wouldn't be able to play the game. I ran through the stadium walls, you know, on my way home, the adrenaline would be a bit too much for me. It's the most incredible thing ever. Yeah, so it works, works for both sides really. And it's just something that's so unique to rugby that you've got to embrace it. Like people are saying to get rid of it out of the game and I'm like, it's something iconic for the all blacks in rugby as a, as a whole. So, yeah. Yeah. And I think it extends. It's iconic for all of us in rugby. I mean, think back to the moment in 1995 with Jonah Lomu coming forward to the spring box and Kuber's Visa breaking ranks to stand in front of James Small. And that's the spring boxing thing, the challenge. It's, it's happened time and time again. Think of you guys facing England and how England got their formation. You know, it's, it's such a key element and such an integral part of the game. I really, really can't disagree more with the people calling for it not to be there anymore. Guys, let's go over then quickly to Argentina, where the Wallabies got, should I call it a surprise win over Los Puma? That's a surprise if you look at everyone's picks on Superbrew at least at 19 points to Los Puma's 20 for the Wallabies. What did you make of that game, Ronnie? I'm so proud of the Wallabies. I'd not expect that to happen. It's very difficult to go over to Argentina and to map all of a win there. That's, you know, that's, that's an incredible feat. And then the great equalizer, the rain came down and, you know, it's horrible conditions. You know, I felt really sorry for everything creepy, but bloody well done to the Wallabies. They fronted up their forwards with spectacular, you know, designer. Honestly, that's, we should have played fantasy rugby again. You definitely beat my team week and week out. Yeah. What do you make of the win for the Wallabies? Is it, you know, signs of Joe Schmidt's impressions on the team? Was it just that they, you know, Argentina we've spoken about on the show are quite an emotional side and maybe didn't rise to the occasion? And what did you make of it then? It was a pretty gutsy victory and it was pretty non-Wallabies in recent years when they're not only losing it in those final minutes, because I think last year, Argentina beat them in like the seven, nine to 80th minutes. So yeah, it was nice to see the kind of tables turn and the Wallabies get the win late in the game. But I think they're just, they're building nicely and just Joe Schmidt's influence is coming in. They had like a lot of changes. They had Hamish Stewart on debut and then Harry Wilson, his first start is captain. So yeah, if they did well to, yeah, I think they just roast the challenge and they're really buying into what they're doing and they're trying to build up from there, I think. And yeah, and us having a good stable coach behind them as well, not someone like Mr. Eddie, who's just kind of changing things week to week and yeah, I think they're a good place to see how they go against the all black fuck and yeah, they're coming along. Yeah, I definitely think they are. And I mean, like you say, Joe Schmidt is currently casting the net quite wide. The Wallabies have had 15 debuts this year so far. So, you know, he's testing out the squad, he's checking which players are available, which players are able to make the step up because he has to. He really has to start from scratch and build this wallaby side up, get them a reputation again. And, you know, we're seeing young players really coming through like Ronnie mentioned, Carlo Tizano, he's made 57 out of 57 tackles in the rugby championship so far, an absolute machine for them. This actually feels like the season is the year of the flanker because, you know, you've got Tizano, you've got Peter Steph to toy and then you've got Ethan Black added and those are three players I can talk about till the sun curls down, you know, they really, really showing off in this tournament. Yeah, that's really cool. So guys, Gus Creevey, Ronnie's good old mate. I hope you've popped him a message and set up a bra there, Ronnie, to the bomb out of the game. But I think yeah, what a player for the for the Los Pumas over the years, debuting at flank way back when coming on to 2005 and then coming on and only getting 10 minutes was a bit disappointing. I would have left have seen him get a start in that one, but not to be and cheers Gus. Thank you for what you've given to the game. Yeah, great, great, great player boys. We are going to play a little bit of a game now, a bit of blind rankings here. So I've got six all blacks players and six spring block players. I'm going to give them to you in a random order and you're going to have to tell me where they rank from one to six on your list. All right. So Dan, you're going to be answering on the spring box. I think let's start with you and see what you're going to do here. So let's go first with Luca new. Can you let's go off to know what's coming. Then I'm going to give you skulk burger. All right. So we've got skulk at two. I'm at four. Let's see where you're going to place Valila Roo. Valila Roo. Oh, did we go? Come on. Let's go three. The spots are getting filled here quickly. Shit. This is dangerous now. I got one and four. Urban it's a bit. Oh boy. Yeah. We'll just track them one. Hope you've given me an absolute donkey for number five. Then let's throw in a Feridipria. I guess he's got to go five. So it feels like choice has been taken away for you for the last one, yeah. But where are we filling in Bucky's burger? Oh, I've got, oh, I've thought it was five, wasn't it? Yes, because six, I think six, I've butchered this. I want to put people's feelings in them. Yeah, they always don't go too well enough, but yeah, I've seen why. Very tough. Let's just say Bucky's doesn't see this list, I don't know. The scary name from six. Go ahead. Ronnie, so you've seen how Dan is done. How are you ready to fail here with some of the all blacks? I've got some interesting names here for you. Shall we start you off? Yes. Here we go. Where are we placing Periwipu? Because he's probably one of the last players I've ever made in my life. Third. Third. Yeah. Okay. Where are we placing Milz Moliayina? I enjoy him on the breakdown, but it's got to go fourth because I know there's some legends. They have to be some real absolute legends coming. Bowdoin Barrett. Second. Okay. Okay. Interesting. Let's see where you're putting down Carter. First place. First place. Well, I'm going to throw your curveball there. What about Jonah Lomu? This is controversial. This is controversial. Last place. Sixth place. Yeah. Oh, that is a hectic call. And then let's, I think you're expecting me to give you Richie McCall, but I'm not going to do that. What about Wyatt Crockett? What do I have left now? What position do I have left open? Five. Oh. Wyatt Crockett. Can I, can I, can I stop Wyatt Crockett and Jonah Lomu? No, unfortunately it's dead. He was Jonah's six with one, two guesses left. Yeah. I think. Well, yeah. All right, guys. Well, those were definitely some interesting choices, but a long running debate on the show, Ronnie, which we have not yet asked on, is for his input on, where should Bowdoin dad be playing? Should he be at 10 or should he be at 15? It's a tough one. I really thought that we're going to shift a little Jordan to 15 and then keep Bodey as that 10 reserve and whether he could come on at 10 or 15 his best position. I feel like he's been playing his best position 15 or DMACC said most of the time at 10. Yeah, I'd like to see DMACC and Bodey kind of share or like battle out for the 10 Jersey and then you give, we will Jordan the 15 Jersey. That's how I'd like to see it go down. You know, you're absolutely correct. And that's the only right answer. And I'm glad to. I'm glad you see that too. As you could probably guess, I was more for, for Bodey at 10. Yeah. But right. Look, the reality is you want someone like Bowdoin Barrett with an extra second or two on the ball, especially on, you know, you can spot the gaps and you can get, you know, you can hit that space really well. But what you see, what the all blacks did against box now is they moved DMACC into that second receiver position. And you saw Jordan often be the first receiver. So that did give DMACC an extra second or two on the ball. And if you actually set Bodey in there, I'd be perfectly happy with that. I think Bowdoin just needs that extra space and extra bit of power with it. Yeah. That's the wheels. That's for sure. So let's take a look then at this weekend's game, guys. So that kickoff is at 5pm at dear to all stadium in Greenpoint Cape Town. I'm flipping excited I'm flying down to Cape Town on Saturday morning to go and watch the game. It's going to be a crack. I'll represent you lads there. I'll shot much harder for the spring box. They're down unfortunately, but and and guys, you must go and check this out on Instagram on Dan's page. I'm short ball rugby. You put up some graphics there, you know, reminding us nicely that we only lost one in Cape Town in 2005. So not a happy hunting ground for the spring box down there. Ronnie and I were there in 2017 when we lost to you guys at Newlands back then. It's going to be a tough fixture this one. And I fear we've given the all blacks more motivation with all the chaos around the hucka. So what are you expecting from this weekend, Dan? Yeah, they're definitely going to come out firing like they were came out firing last week. And I think they'll be hurting after that one because they knew they had the win there and then losing it at the end and the all blacks that they always bounce back after a loss. So I reckon they're down backing them to come through this one. Altitude's going to be less, well, there's no altitude there, right? And then fair few all blacks fans are here as well. So that'll help hopefully get the boys over the line. Yeah, I'd actually blew my mind that the last time, how many all blacks finds they were when we went to Cape Town for that test, it was a little bit ridiculous. So I think they're going to be well supported like you say. What about you, Ronnie? What are you expecting out of this weekend? I mean, I said it right, they bounce back that second test match always. It's very difficult to get too over the all blacks in quick succession. And if we go back to 2022, we beat them in Numbobela and they pulled out everything and beat us at Ellis Park the following week. So it's a big ask for the spring box to do it back to back, but I'm going to back and the reason is because we haven't won the bloody Freedom Cup in 15 years. And hopefully, Rossi's T developer put in this week, we need to win that Freedom Cup because it's a lot harder to win that than it is the rugby championship. Apparently, you guys don't care about the Freedom Cup. I put up a vote saying it's saying how many times we've won it and the South Africans have been coming for me. My comments have been filled. I wouldn't even know what this is, blah, blah, blah, blah. It's literally our trophy. It's literally our trophy, but it's called the Freedom Cup, not, you know, it's called the Freedom Cup because of it's our trophy. We need back now. That's the reality. And anybody that says it's not important, it's just because we haven't won it. It's not applying some of my comments then because they're nonstop. Yeah, no, I agree with Ronnie and at my office, it's been a talk about getting the Freedom Cup back. You know, we want that flipping badly because it takes two victories to get it now. So we bloody well want that thing back. And we're currently celebrating 30 years of freedom in South Africa. So come on, literally, we need that cup to come home this weekend. I hope Rusty's been motivating the boys for that one. But that being said, another stat about this fixture, the All Blacks lost last three in a row was also to the spring box in 2009. But four in a row, we have to go all the way back to 1976 to 1978, where you guys lost four in a row to us. It's a tough ask to get four wins over the All Blacks here on old. Yeah, and that just shows the quality of the All Blacks, right? So, you know, they're going through a bit of a dip at the moment and it's really a dip only by their own standards, right? So a lot of the international sides will still be, you know, would be very happy with the state of their rugby. So we're playing out the All Blacks off, you know, at the moment. So it's a quality side. It's very difficult to do it back to back. And, you know, like you said, you know, we can't, you know, string it together back to back wins over the All Blacks, it's not a regular thing. You know, it's professional sport. You mentioned that earlier, Dan, do you think these records are something the players ever take into mind before going out to a game? I mean, I can imagine them talking about it. You know, we can't allow this to be the fourth one, but I don't imagine the other stats bother them much. Yeah, it's an interesting one that because every press conference, whenever there's, you know, a notable stat, the journals will ask them and be like, Oh, no, we don't. We don't touch on that. Even when it's like Eden Park and they've won their 50 games in a row or they haven't been winning in Wellington, they're like, Oh, do you talk about that? And they're like, no, we don't. We don't even mention it. But I feel like we've got a winning 50 games in a row in Eden Park and then, you know, losing Wellington, you got to start talking about that. So I reckon there'll be some stuff they touch on and some of it they'd use to kind of fire themselves up. You know, they don't want to be making any negative records off. They want to be, you know, pushing records and, you know, gives you a bit of extra motivation. So yeah, it's just a little bit, a little bit of extra motivation, I'd say sometimes. Before we before we move on and just talking about that stat, you know, 50 wins on the truck to Eden Park for the All Blacks, isn't it hilarious that the other All Black fortress is over in Scotland, you know, having won 18 straight games. They all went over the state was that that that is amazing. Yeah, I couldn't believe it when that graphic popped up on the screen and I end up, yeah, taking a photo of it and I put it up on my page and everyone was just like, this is just the average age of like their fortress in Scotland, like it's a funny one. I didn't even see that until now. That's unbelievable. Actually, you know, there's yes, I mean, you can go through stats and comethrin stats to make anything we try and say, you know, makes sense. You can, you can paint it up in any way. So I do think they pay some attention to it, but I don't think it's gotten overriding sort of influence in the changing room, if you will. I'm curious, Dan, before we get onto the box 23, what changes would you make if any to the all blacks 23, that the duty and illness park? Yeah, I don't know if we'll see too many changes. I think, yeah, pretty much the whole team played pretty well. Yeah, I don't think there was any injuries either. So I think it'll remain pretty settled with the team line up, whether I will keep Mark Talil as the back preserver or not, I don't know, because you're Anton and Brown, it was pretty versatile as well and you got Rico in the center. So yeah, it's hard to know if they're going to make any changes, but yeah, I can't imagine too many now. What are the chances of us getting a 6'2" from you guys? Oh, I don't know. I feel like if they did it in South Africa, it would just be like kind of giving into the, you know, the block way, they'd just be like, "Oh, we don't want to give into Rossi's tactics, you know, especially after losing one to them, but yeah, you never know. I just think it's unlikely, especially from Raises, not really his thing to do a 6'2", I don't think. No, fair enough, fair enough. So, Rossi, for the first time since we've been covering the spring box, has changed his team naming from Tuesday to Thursday. Now that could be in response to some of the backlash he got last week for the change with the urban, or it could absolutely just be Rossi antics. It looks like Sia Khaleesi is going to be available for this fixture. He was pictured out on the training field today and suddenly it doesn't look like he has a fractured cheekbone. The swelling seems to have disappeared, so I don't know what they're doing down in Cape Time, but looking good, and I'm curious, Ronnie, what changes would you make to the block 23? Yeah, look, I think it's difficult, I haven't really thought about it, and it wouldn't make too many changes to the forward pack. Maybe Marcufin Stodden coming in and getting a little bit of game time, has needed Ben Jay Dixon. Ben Jay Dixon is obviously a very powerful unit, but, you know, he's still very inexperienced, so Marcufin Stodden would be a good substitution in there. You know, there is a bit of a question, Marc. I still believe around Sia, you know, we're obviously going to find out tomorrow what the team team is, but, you know, I wouldn't make too many changes to the forwards. In the back line, there's obviously the rumour, Kane and Moody's being pictured training a bit. I'm, was at a press conference, so I think we can expect, you know, I may be back into you, back in the picture, a little bit concerned about where Fassie still fits in. But although I think he had a great game, you know, although he went off, got a yellow card early in last week's match, I still think he had an exceptional game. So not too many changes, but, you know, it's, we can't really say that because we know Rassie's going to make changes. We know that Rassie's motor sovereignty, so yeah, he's just going to, he's going to mix things up. He's going to give new guys experience, or he's going to give other people around, he's going to change the tactics a bit, and what we can make as many predictions as we want. He's going to be wrong. Yeah, I think from my side, I mean, obviously we've got an injury and force change coming on the left wing with Curtley Orensa out. I'm expecting my Pimpy to get the start there. But with Rassie, you really never know, is he going to, you know, chuck a full set of changes out here and put Lucan, your arm on, is he going to switch up the loose trio, or is he going to say, you know, this is our chance to win the Freedom Cup, to win the rugby championship, you know, let's go full tilt, let's back the team that did duty. I'm expecting Velie to start at 15, and I'm also expecting 100 to start at 10. I know there's going to be outcry of Sasha gets taken down to the bench, but I think that must be understood in context of the Springbok team where Rassie really has blurred the line between what a starter is and what a player on the bench is. So I wouldn't see that as a demotion for Sasha. I just think, you know, rotating the squad, keeping everyone match fit, Pollock gets the start in this one, and especially for some crucial kicks. Although Sasha sliding them from 60 makes one, I'll have a case for him as well. Are we going to do the tough thing here, boys, and try and make predictions for this week, or are we not going to jinx this one? No, we've already said who he thinks is going to win, right? I mean, that's back in his side, we're back in the outside, but I don't want to go so far as to say about how much. What about you, Dan? Yeah, all blacks by seven. All blacks by seven. All blacks by seven. Well, no, he's arrogant. He's arrogant. Well, if Dan's putting it out there, I'm going to say spring box by two. I'm going to be shouting for them in the stands, and you know, the boys are going to do it. I've had a chat there with you, but he's fired up, and he's ready for you guys. Then let's just take a glance over at the Los Pumas vs. Walibis game. So that's a 9pm kickoff if you're in South Africa. You know, we've spoken about it. Los Pumas are a good side, but they're a heavily emotional side, a lot like the old French teams, you know, where the motivation comes from the emotions and the ability to win those tight games. Are we going to see them turn it around now in the second fixture, Dan, or do you think the Walibis are going to build on that win that they got there last weekend? Yeah, I think you've summed up Argentina well, like he saw how they played in New Zealand where they'd be the old blacks in Wellington, and then the next week they'd get pumped at in park. So yeah, depends on the day, but they've got to end them too easily. They should be able to be the Walibis in the current way. The Walibis are building as well, so that was a tough one to predict. If you had to pick a score, who's taking it? Let's go. Argentina to bounce back, win by three. Ronald, what about you? Have Los Pumas got this, or are we seeing a Walibis win? Oh, no, I'm like weekly chat with all this thing previously, you just said that the Pumas, the Los Pumas, I want to become the win Pumas again, so they're going to win, and they're going to do so comfortably as long as the rain stays away. I'm going to go, then, the opposite of you two, and I'm going to back the Walibis for a seven-point win in this one. I would love to see them build on that momentum, especially ahead of facing the all blacks. Yeah. I'd like to see the Blair Slobia, but more of a contest this year, and I think a second win in Argentina would go a long way to open that squad's confidence. Yeah, they definitely needed it to stop getting some momentum back into rugby in Australia. It's been a bit of a sad state the last couple of years, and especially this year, losing the Melbourne Rebels are not going to be in the competition next year in Super Obie, so yeah, the more wins are better, really, so hopefully they can win, but yeah, I was thinking Argentina might be too good. Stressing at all for the Blair Slobia, Dan. If they don't get too good by that stage, there we go. Well, guys, then, lastly, for this week, we just need to go over the May Fokchom moment of the week. It was very closely won by Jodie Barrett with that intercept try off the consistent battering ram of Sierra up the middle. Jodie read that to perfection and paced away for a try there. I'm sure the spring box won't be running that move again this weekend, but I'm going to give the May Fokchom moment of the week to Grant Williams for his match-winning try in the 74th minute, Young's grandma in the squad, and I would love to see him actually get a start this weekend and bring his pace to the game. He's quite literally been waiting in the wings at times, so yeah, I would be lucky to see him get a run, so that's the May Fokchom moment of the week. Well guys, that's it for today's episode. Thanks for joining for the Panther and staying for the chat, May Fokchom, Douglas Lac. Make sure you smash that like button and subscribe then your preferred listening platform so you won't miss a moment of the madness. Catch you back here next Wednesday. [MUSIC] (upbeat music)