Are the Hurricanes title favourites? | The Breakdown: April 14, 2023

The Breakdown crew analyse a riveting round of Super Rugby Pacific and chat to the star of the Super Rugby Aupiki final, Katelyn Vahaakolo.
CREDIT: @skysportnz
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[@khairilhafizi]

What a change of mood with this blokes (without JK). Finally a breakdown show focusing on Super Rugby not “what JK things of the Blues” show

[@silvergold9084]

I must agree, they're actually having a conversation and no ideas are bad ideas with positive feedback from all...

[@roydenyoung2390]

Agree. But Marshall still finds it hard to praise any team (especially Hurricanes) other than the crusaders.

[@khairilhafizi]

@@jacobh1867 spot on!

[@mikescudder4621]

things of the Blues?

[@thedappercook]

I love JK as do many of the NZ public. Easy to be critical behind a social media account

[@actiaint]

Great to see Justin there, enjoyed his pod appearances during world cup.

[@Saiyan4eva]

The Canes front row of 1-Numia 2-Aumua 3-Lomax has been the best I've seen in sometime, Lomax at tighthead has matured into an absolute weapon at scrum time & is up there with the best tightheads in the World, Aumua has always had the potential just his lineout throwing needed improvements but Aumua's a wrecking ball, theres no one more devastating with ball in hand & he's a weapon on defense, no doubt if he keeps improving his throwing he will be devastating for the Abs, then there's young Xavier Numia who has made huge strides this year taking his game to another level & his performance on the weekend destroying Chiefs scrum, I've never seen a prop get lifted in the air the way Numia absolutely destroyed O'Neil... What a scary thought for opposition to think that not long ago Abs scrum looked shaky & unreliable but now we have great depth at Prop both loose & tighthead, so add "DeGroot, Tamaiti Williams, Newell, Bower & the experience of Moody, Ta'avao & Tu'ungafasi & others on the fringe like Jermaine Ainsley, Ollie Norris, Aiden Ross, Saula Ma'u also Taukieaho, Taylor with Bell, Thomson, Riccitelli at hooker Abs front row are primed for at least the next two RWCs!

[@NzNicK253]

I can Just imagine Aumua coming off the bench for the ABs and bulldozing people, hooooly smoke but yeah his throwing needs to get way way better.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

@@NzNicK253 can we definitively blame his throwing though? Could be the lifters, could be the jumpers. Lock is the only position where they don't have someone of note.

[@Saiyan4eva]

@@RubyDoobieScoo That's true bro gotta wonder if Canes ever had someone like a prime Retalick or Whitelock at lock how big a difference there lineout wouldve been & that's always been the Canes weakness! But their scrum is an absolute weapon!

[@jacobh1867]

@@RubyDoobieScoo Exactly. Pretty average in the locking department, although thankfully he doesn't have to throw to tiny James Blackwell anymore. The guy was shorter than a lot of their backs.

[@user-ur6cc5kq6w]

💯....👊🏼💪🏻😝

[@KernowekTim]

Bloody good up-tempo show guys; great content, great vibe; thank you. Congrats to Gareth and Kirsty on the birth of your boy: Splann!👍 God bless New Zealand🤟🏴‍☠☘

[@ataimd]

Honestly if the Hurricanes aren't the favorites, who are? I know they've only won the thing once but credit where credit's due!

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

yeah it's weird how the Blues get treated with more respect for winning 3 titles when the last one was in 2003, none of those players are around, hell they've got players who weren't born then. Hell the crusaders won last year and will be bottom of the table next week.

[@elizabethleiper2664]

congrats Kirsty & family! 👶

[@user-ef1kh2bx4s]

I watch BD program every week during SR & loved the insight shared by the professionals in the rugby business. Looking forward to the Hurricane's game with the Drua this weekend

[@PJSO]

It's crazy that NZ pundits always overlook the Canes. They have been building their young team for 3 years within both Super Rugby and NPC. Most of the leadership has led the team through both comps. We will never get the credit but that's ok

[@petasmith6258]

I’m a Chiefs fan, but your reasoning is the exact same reason Canes are my 2nd team this year. Love the homegrown rookies!

[@aellmers4152]

I’d love to see Aupiki expanded to include the Super W teams and more closely mirror the men’s Super competition.

[@DarkMoonWayfarer]

Same. The Waratahs would definitely be competitive and maybe the Drua, and the other sides are improving. They're adding a Pasifika side to the Super W next season.

[@waynegoodley8896]

The most fantastic thing about the Hurricanes /Chiefs was the quality of the officiating. A ref who took charge, explained his decisions to players,listened and acted firmly on advice from his assistants and told the man with the technology he was in charge Amazingly refreshing and the game was a joy. WG

[@roydenyoung2390]

Painful for a lot of non hurricanes fans to admit how good they are 💪🏽🌪️.

[@PJSO]

Always the case. We'll never get the nod no matter how good.

[@JohnBooysen-fg6dv]

Katelyn Vaha'akolo Blackfern quality 💙💙

[@svenerikgolden7069]

Leaving super rugby turned into a kinda blessing in disguise for my Stormers team, we won the first next international title for which we vied, the URC and made the final the following year. That said I do miss the sheer spectacle one might sometimes witness playing in Super Rugby. Some fun encounters between us and your Kiwi teams.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

I was calling the downfall of the Crusaders and rise of the Hurricanes during the final last year, the only surprise for me is that it took 7 wins for anyone to acknowledge it. They had a young, promising squad last year, mostly held back by the coach, came into this season with a better coach, one of the best props in the world, ridiculous quality in the loose forwards even without Ardie, the two best Scrumhalves in the country (although Roigard is out now), the 2nd best Flyhalf in the country, the best selection of midfielders of any team and some potent outside backs. As a Hurricanes fan I wasn't worried about this season, I was worried for next year when this depth results in players looking to other teams for game time.

[@CptRumcan]

after watching chasing the sun 2 epi 4, i think scrums are amazing. The passion and strategy that goes into it. PHENOMENAL!

[@user-xg6vw2ro5b]

Yes Geoff and Justin! The Super Rugby players should be spending a lot of time at their Clubs 1/ To give the patrons time at their club ground to see their home club players come back to keep 2/ giving that club acknowledgement of club of origin and 3/ give those new “Grassroots” player(fans) get some personal game time advice and secrets from their favourite players. Having their short conversations with these Super Rugby players could be the difference between them wanting to stay or leave Rugby Union. The power of “Grassroots” Rugby.

[@owenkalapu846]

Got to say love Kimberlee in the hot seat don't get me wrong love kirsty too but sometimes she let's the boys especially Goldie and JK talk over her when she try's to get her say. Where Kimberlee has valuable input as well as good back and forth with the panel.

[@karltaylor2857]

I said it to my brother last week. Aussie are ahead of the game at the moment. We are slightly behind. Aussie have a good chance this year and I agree, that WC disaster has been good for them.

[@JohnBooysen-fg6dv]

Congratulations Stanway-Thorne's on lil man to your family♥️🍼

[@mothehammer6535]

We LOVE SCRUMS , SCRUMS IS RUGBY!! Learn it!!

[@unfiltered2]

Canes would have to go undefeated the entire season before Marshall gives them the props they deserve 😅

[@roydenyoung2390]

Fact😂

[@petasmith6258]

And still no guarantee 😂😂😂

[@pixelpotato4874]

You should address the Elephant in the Room,Scott Robertson has left the Crusaders...END OF.

[@Olivierstreet]

Ok

[@eannamc]

On the stadium capacity point - for context we (Leinster) play between the RDS and the Aviva depending on the opponent cough 😷 Munster or CC Quarters/Semis

[@jackdarby8904]

Problem is in NZ we dont have good smaller venues to use for rugby.

[@dazfromnz01]

Completely agree 😊

[@TWOVO1]

At the moment Canes is hot favorite, still plenty of games left and things can change quick.

[@ManaBlack208]

Yeah that's right but wat ain't changing is the crusaders fate they ain't making playoffs 💯

[@mikescudder4621]

Congrats Kirtsy and Gareth.

[@aaronmckechnie4467]

Great show. Would love to see some old school Wellington Rugby and All Blacks players on the show like Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Allan Hewson, John Gallagher and hear there thoughts on the current squad and the game.

[@user-oe8hn8po8l]

All jk brings to the table is an element of spite.

[@elizabethleiper2664]

comments about the 'content' would be good, rather than personalitiy 'bashing'

[@peakey8874]

I knew that this would be the canes year with the amount of all blacks leaving and the signing of Clarke laidlaw as coach but I didn’t think it’d be going this well it makes me excited but also scared for when it all comes crashing down

[@Boolama27]

yep next @ 4:53 ..... just say it Justin!

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer hurries fan but not gettin carried away. Dont thing they are either. Great bench n belief i rekon tho

[@VernonHowe-rs1lt]

The Wellington Hurricanes Will Win The Super Rugby Pacific Final. Just Powerful and Marvelous Team. 🧠💪🔥⚡🏉🇳🇿🌪💛🎉🏆

[@ifgfqageneration6939]

Mmost people are not interested in Aupiki! keep it real.

[@user-xu1xo9nr7m]

Lakai surely must be in the conversation for a call up to the ABS

[@mikeclamp6662]

What's the legibility to play for Moana Pacifica? Is it only for Samoans and Tongans? or can any Pacifica (ie. Polynesian) play for this team. Does this mean that Maoris, Cook Islanders, French Polynesians(who are very prominent in French rugby at the moment) and even Hawaians and American Polynesians can play for this team? I'm a little confused! How about this then... Why not base the team in Honolulu in Hawaii. Imagine the hype and I'm sure you would attract Pacifica players from all over the Moana as well as the USA. This could be an interesting move into the USA sports and rugby market and also funding and financial support maybe more attractive as well as the sporting facilities that are on offer. I believe there's a bigger picture and story to be painted around this team because at the moment it's just not working. Base this team in Hawaii with one game in Samoa, one game in Tonga and even one game in French Polynesia( Tahiti or Noumea). Now that would be a good excuse to go on holiday and at the same time watch a game of footy! Food for thought...

[@DarkMoonWayfarer]

There are eligibility rules. 80% of the squad must be eligible to play for (or have played for) Tonga, Samoa or Fiji.

[@HowstheMoraahle]

Long bow to draw saying a poor World Cup has triggered a turn around in form for Aus Super Rugby teams. Think it’s down to the fact NZ has lost more senior players than we did. Seems Aus teams are more settled.

[@geoffreysmith49]

How about that 6-2 split and the overpowering nature of the Canes' bench? Also, how about Seevu? Naholo at 11, Seevu at 14?

[@dazfromnz01]

Finally…it’s not all about the Blues,😊

[@jacobh1867]

Yup, playing at dated oversized stadiums is not a good look for your 'product'. Sooner all the franchises find smaller stadiums the better, especially the Canes and Blues. It's a pity Auckland doesnt have Carlaw Park anymore. Sure it was a dated dump, but 15,000 and always had an amazing atmosphere. Or here's an idea, rotate the games between all the franchises unions so they feel represented too and can see 'their' team more than once every few years (if that) and it might make the main ground fans know they're only going to get a few games every season.

[@filixt9]

Hurricanes Vs FijianDrua SemiFinal 2024!

[@glenndouglas.T]

Replacement players should only come on to replace an injured played or at a prescribed time for replacements - for example - replacements only walk on the field at min 30 and min 50. I played rugby back in the day when a try was ony 4 point and you didnt play or get replaced unless you died.

[@rockyhardman8672]

Yeah well times and try points have changed since you have played.

[@geofflecren8827]

The game has progressed, you too need to move on. Thank god we're no longer seeing those boring grinding slug fests of old as the game grinds out and players tire. This change has made the game much more exciting and interesting, moving from a 15 to a 23 man game.

[@unfiltered2]

Totally different game these days ffs 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@matthewvanrensburg3824]

Wait... Marshall on The Breakdown.... Well I never.... Didn't expect that... things ok?

[@julianalderson3938]

My mates dog is messum. And like the player great if not a human. Dont mind hes family' cheers

[@user-xg6vw2ro5b]

The NZ teams need to practice what we preach.! Yes we have lost a lot of extraordinary players so the NZ teams need to suck it up. The knowing that Union lose a lot of players to other sports ie. Rugby League, NBL, Euro or Japanese Rugby, we cannot have a disbelief of The Australian teams have done their homework and training to actually counter their countries unfortunate exit from the Rugby World Cup. We think NZ teams are looking to have a hard time in Super Rugby 2024 but NZ cannot dismiss the fact that the Australian conferences are looking a whole lot better now under a new Rugby Australia CEO and supporting outfit.

[@sweetfragment]

Why does Jeff hates the scrum so much

[@michaelpiccirillo1201]

Shame no real focus on ABs development. Watching some great European Rugby, I think England can win or at least draw series

[@mikescudder4621]

Crufaders have one win and Marshall says that they had found their rhythm!?!

[@dazfromnz01]

Must have watched a different show ??

[@fuifuiize]

Marshall’s looking younger

[@christiaancoetzee2741]

14 april 2024?

[@DanSeabright]

congrats on the sprog kirsty, up the mighty chiefs

[@kylelouer4323]

Only 2 good things out of this was no jk and Christy had a healthy baby.

[@ScottLewislovesyou]

Hurricanes aren't the favorites "7:0" .... no Bias here P.s. Mils was going to be my sons name be we went with Miles in the end

[@DownUnderWarboss]

The woman competition has been a financial and a political liability for the NZRFU. Don't look at the NRL crowd numbers 😅

[@DarkMoonWayfarer]

It hasn't really because it's had very little investment. Like anything, you have to invest time and energy to make a profitable business. We're actually very behind in NZ. This weekend in the women's 6 nations, England vs Ireland, there will be 45,000 people at the game. Last year, England vs France, 58,000. So, the market is there for women's rugby but NZR hasn't really gone all in on it. If anything has been operating at a loss it would be the NPC. There's barely any crowd, which is a shame. Super rugby has also lost momentum since South Africa, Argentina and Japan left. There's even been a loss of interest and support for the All Blacks... NZ rugby has painted itself into a corner after a series of silly decisions and failure to be flexible and adapt. Women's rugby is definitely not the problem.

[@julianalderson3938]

Sounds silly but ardie can come off bench to its team game n all help not one guy'

[@johnoneill5331]

Does Jordie Barrett have Irish blood 😅🏅🤣

[@awf-l3684]

Yep good show without JK, now we just need Jeff to move yo Rugby league. As rugby union is about scrums, lineouts and running. So please Jeff just go watch League

[@theindigenousnarrative8783]

😂😂😂

[@mauroger86]

Ardie Savea is anti NZ rugby and should better not return to NZ or the Canes. That guy is done in my view, after all of his stupid comments on eligibility rules.

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

He is a Samoan mate.wake up kid

[@allanattwood3428]

Picked on form maybe the old fellas have to move on, these old commentators have forgotten how they got the start.

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

Canes best of bad lot of kiwi,s.but aussie are back .these kiwi,s think they are good..😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ronnievorster6361]

Nice to see Justin back stop listening awhile back

[@lawlessoriginal1048]

Yo sup All Blacks Super Rugby Aotearoa try scorching dummy steps no looks Ruggest Originals homies been long time Yo as you know although not New Zealand All Black yet mah Emerald and Black South Canterbury Rugby Club Christchurch cannot wait to get Tribal All Blacks hands on dose N.Z All Blacks Amber and Black NPC Taranaki but for Super Rugby a shaded tint darken green and black United Nelson and Queenstown Rugby Team to smash the Red Black Crusaders at Jade Stadium or Lancaster Rugby Park Originals Souths Canterbury know then finally got Mighty All Blacks hands on dem North Islander Hurricanes Welling town Oops Wellington Airport Hypersonic Airlines mah Rugger Cuzzy Brose Yose💚💯🖤🕊🌏🇳🇿☝💪🥊🏉🪖🏍💨💥💥💥💥🔥🔥👊😎.

[@dazfromnz01]

Completely agree 😊