Debating Super Rugby's best fullback and reacting to round one | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The lads are back and reacting to round one of Super Rugby Pacific, with key takeaways from each of the big matchups. We also dive into Six Nations chat, preview Super Rugby Aupiki and interview Moana Pasifika captain James Lay.
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[@elhefe808]

Great pod as always guys. Always a relief listening to this after subjecting myself to the breakdown

[@TT-bs2vm]

I watch The Breakdown for comic relief and the Pod for real rugby analysis.

[@clarke1319]

Easy fix. Don't watch the Breakdown and watch this with full appreciation rather than for relief.

[@ataimd]

Don't even get me started....breakdown....so much money, such basic content and rubbish commentary!

[@elhefe808]

​@@clarke1319 Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. Great advice, Cheers for that

[@otagogold2236]

I dont think the breakdown is bad at all I enjoy watching both, anything rugby and I'm happy

[@UNCLE401]

This show is way better than the breakdown 👍

[@winstonstowers9121]

What would you guys think to opening super rugby up like the league where you can select for NZ or Aus respectively from any of the super teams allowing for our players to bolster the Australian side,making the competition more competitive and bringing some excitement to the Bledisloe from a watching combinations of players from all over versus the same combinations as in super as currently its usually 60% crusader 20% blues 20% chiefs and 10% the rest. This would genuinely bring potential new combinations to the ABs we don't get to see st a super level with players being pooled from 12 teams or more if we bring in other countries and it allows these other countries that join to potentially make Marque signinging to get up to level faster

[@patronsclub7380]

The abs were successful before the foster era because we had multiple plans that we pllayed, if our plan a wasn't working we had plan b,c,d etc that is why come the second half of the game we dominated!!! Lets go razor✊

[@at7512]

Always great to hear educated rugby views... well done gents..👏👏

[@andrewcoughlan420]

Great job again, shows like this will help build the game.

[@JimmyKip]

James must have a side hustle in IT; what he was saying about putting the bluetooth receiver on the referee sounds like exactly what the problem is. Bluetooth's range is pretty short so having repeaters in more places should help bounce the metrics around more reliably & with less time delay.

[@HighBoss]

Hey guys just wanted to say I love it when you talk proper shop on the pod and get into some of the finer technical details like that scrum chat with jp and lay. More of that type of stuff would go down well I reckon.

[@D4N1CU5]

From what I've read, the threshold has been set at 70g and 4000 radians/s squared (~38,000RPM) based on 8 years worth of trials and data. That seems like a hell of a lot of force, even if only temporary, according to studies in NZ, most head collisions are less than 10g. It also seems like they've put a lot of work in before deciding to implement this, it just looks rushed because the moutguards only arrived in the last couple of weeks which might be the supplier's fault and not WR. Also, the NRL and AFL have been using similar mouthguards for a couple of years so it's not just rugby data. What I would like to see, is how many times the mouthguards detected enough force to send a player for a HIA (including any that were also sighted by the doctor so the 'ping' wasn't required) vs how many players then fail that HIA so we can see how accurate it is overall as well as compare the mouthguard to the doctor because let's not forget that plenty of players get pulled off for a HIA after the doctor sees something but pass. I would also like to see some stats on how many failed HIAs came from unsighted incidents which is supposed to be the main reason for using them. Only when we have both those things will we know if they're worth it and that's going to take a couple dozen matches at least I would think. Another thing I found out reading about this, it's been a rule for ages that if a player wears no mouthguard at all and gets pulled off for a HIA they can't come back EVEN IF they pass.

[@stephenogrady7108]

Great show and thanks. You often talk about presenting rugby in the best light. I live in the USA and trying to watch Super Rugby on Flo Sports is terrible with small broadcast interferences every 15-20 seconds. It’s been terrible for 3 years

[@parkiwi4787]

No losers the first round gave us so much to look forward to. I was impressed by the Highlanders and the Crusaders effort despite injuries and coming together as a new team. No favourites despite being a Cantab, just love the game and the game always wins.

[@jacobh1867]

The best fullback is...a fullback. As opposed to NZ's obsession with thinking every 10 is the ideal candidate to be 15 because 'dual playmaker'. No other international teams seem to be laser focused on this idea, and it's not doing most of them any harm having an actual fullback in 15.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

The only good specialist Fullback we have is Shaun Stevenson and the Highlander's new boy.

[@johngraham5948]

Yep the Highlanders discipline definitely needs to improve if they want to go deep into the competition an improvement in discipline will also define who they are as a team after all they are basically a new team post Arron Smith

[@tuttyusbuttyus]

Zarn remind my of Jordie B. Could see him playing 12 as well. He's huge, pretty quick, got an educated and massive boot, has had time at 10 and 15 so can distribute and read the game.

[@tuttyusbuttyus]

20:57: surprised Fakatava wasn't cited for this. kinda late + shoulder charge.

[@lesmccl]

Awesome show with Ross Bryn and Jippa. Makes the breakdown crew look like amateurs.

[@usenzilegotyana681]

Aotearoa Rugby Pod >>>> Breakdown

[@awblax1]

The problem with the mouth guards is that people will reply them solely, and ignore other incidents. Carl Hayman says most of the damage he suffered was in practice.

[@angusfaceful]

That question from Warren was kaka. Why would you not want to make the game more of a spectacle? We should want more people to watch rugby regardless of whether it's good for the All Blacks or not. The way the game is progressing, especially at the international level, the only people left watching will be Rassie Eramus with a couple of his mates and probably Wayne Barnes 😂

[@hubiedoobiedoo]

Hold up... the smart mouth guards communicate via bluetooth?? No wonder they're janky af 😅

[@DrivingMaul]

Question for next week, Are the laws of the game for the players or spectators? All the discussion is about laws and how the effect the top of the game and the viewing public. But 99% of the players impacted by them are amateurs who play on the weekend and need to go to work on Monday. I believe that the laws are for the players who are playing and spectators who watch the top 1% are really a by product. Maybe it's time to have different laws at the professional level where S&C is so much different to the amateur game. Cheers Paul

[@parkiwi4787]

World rugby needs the All Blacks, never forget the strength Aotearoa New Zealand has on the advancement of the greatest team game on the planet.

[@rubendutoit586]

Would you agree in saying that Amua and Iose put their hands up for All Black selection after this game

[@fossilmatic]

It could be argued that the significant rule changes were now decades ago and more recent “tinkerings” are simply the ripple effect of the direction that was set. The old ruck based game with different contestability of the ball on the ground, if combined with the physical professionalism/athleticism/stature of modern players, would be brutal on anyone under 100kgs. The fastest way to add speed, space and unpredictability in that environment would be to change the numbers on the field or the format of the field itself. That’s not going to happen, so “tinkerings” and the consequent issues they create will continue for some time.

[@julianalderson3938]

Stevenson what more can he do. Its time give em a chance.

[@rizzmain2232]

No sevens chat??

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

Will Jordan being injured is a blessing for the AB's when it comes to Fullback because he's an objectively terrible Fullback (fantastic winger) so giving actual Fullbacks a chance to stake their claim means that we hopefully won't be sticking with a guy who isn't even remotely suited to the role for 4 years.

[@murup4R4]

He's better at fullback. A strength of his game is to come into the line anywhere when least expected. He's too restricted at winger and we have some great specialist wingers.

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

@@murup4R4 He's very clearly not, he has a better strikerate on the wing for the ABs than he does at Fullback for the Crusaders. He was given a license to roam on the wing so the only difference between that and putting him at Fullback is that with the former we still have someone covering the backfield, take his start at 15 against the Wallabies, it was a massive disaster, he spent almost the entire game out of position, forcing DMac and Christie (and to a lesser extent Stevenson) to compromise their performances because they had to make all of his receptions, kicks and tackles. We almost lost that game because of him, and there was no benefit to it, he's far less productive without a playmaking Fullback like Beauden or Damian setting up plays for him, he doesn't know how or when to kick and he doesn't know how to defend, he's passable at Super Rugby level in a good team but he'll get found out against proper test sides, hell he got found out against Eddie Jones' Wallabies even if the one-eyed cantabrians don't understand rugby well enough to recognise it.

[@julianalderson3938]

Yip scots play just throw it around. Like it.

[@borisdrago9928]

🤝🤟🏻

[@kurosakiichigo9545]

I noticed that people in NZ always treat like 10 is superior than 15, & 15 is superior than 14. another bad thing, selecting 11 by big body instead of good catcher, stepper and runner. All blacks might not lift the RWC soon if this continues.

[@notenoughstones3873]

This "Ball in play" concept is just a nonsense. Ball in play does not equate to quality rugby. You can kick back and forth for 10 min and this will all be ball in play. Time spent to form caterpillar rucks is all ball in play. If you look at the top 10 games for ball-in play at the World Cup, maybe 3 or 4 at best make the top 10 games of the World Cup and I would bet my mortgage it would be similar for Super Rugby too. Ireland vs SA in the WC pool game was 30min BIP and was a high quality, physical, abrasive and enthralling game. Ireland vs Wales recently was 42min BIP and although the game was ok, it certainly wasn't close to the same quality. The focus should be on specific areas and BIP should be put in the bin. The hilarious thing is when people give suggestions to fix BIP, many of these wouldn't change BIP e.g. reducing the caterpillar rucks, eliminating the DuPont law etc do not impact on BIP but the do impact the pace and quality of the game which is where the focus should be. I am also fine with a bit of time at set piece as this is where so many tries come from (esp lineout) so I have no problem with attacking teams taking a bit of time to set up for these. Point is, happy for people to debate specific areas but just wish pundits would stop equating more BIP = better quality game. This is categorically untrue. Also NZ need to can this 20min red card. NZ are the most carded team in the last 2 years and some of that is a result of Super Rugby not taking foul play as seriously as the rest of the world. If players get used to getting away with more lenient refereeing and the punishment is more lenient, this does not incentivise players or coaches to adjust.

[@stealthpakfa]

Well said. Here in NZ and Australia, we have some people that are obsessed with turning rugby into league. Copying everything from league. If rugby is turning into league-lite, might as well watch the actual league instead of rugby.

[@ljproduction21]

Blues Aupiki just need a better 10 to drive them to a championship

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer 15'

[@aaronjones3196]

Canes red card should have been reduced to yellow as the other player in the collision made no effort to mitigate , if anything it appears the opposite was detected .

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer mouthgaurd is new tech. Not right yet. An lota money behind it. Its not there yet.

[@julianalderson3938]

Th8nk zarns good anywhere.

[@lga-jm6it]

What the guy who asked the question they addressed on the show is not realizing is that a super rugby is loosing fans and profits. If it doesn’t not change the rules to be more watchable sports it will have no fans and go broke and the super rugby nations will have even less prep for the world cups.

[@Sunflower-dt6ev]

McLeod had a terrible last 10 mins. Kicked the ball away hard on attack with 8 mins to go, they get a 50/22, get the momentum, get a go-ahead penalty. We get the ball back with 3 mins to go, & McLeod drops it dead, 1st receiver. Not the standard we need at the end of a close one. As for ALB blowing up, what a tosser!!!! As a senior player, he needs to show some bloody leadership.

[@unfiltered2]

Only the snailBoks won't want to speed up the game 😅

[@warrenbooysen]

You know your ruggers. If I’m not mistaken world opinion is SA played in two of the greatest games of all time in the World Cup. The Ireland group game and the France quarterfinal. Outscoring the French 4 try’s to 3. And the game had pace for 80 minutes. They can do it all when needed

[@dionsands3113]

Settledown Highlanders played Moana, wait until they play nz teams.

[@kamilkocent3735]

*Promo SM* 😪

[@alexhayllar1593]

where is aotearoa what province is that

[@user-xn3mc9mg8q]

Aotearoa New Zealand.

[@Endeavour02]

Aotearoa. Māori name for NZ

[@MA-ik7ys]

if you cross the bridge just from melbourne its inbetween nz and aussie. World renouned for producing fat kumaras

[@elhefe808]

It's a suburb next to Craigieburn in Melbourne

[@ljproduction21]

Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@gerardbenson1844]

Never any proper analysis from these guys. Every player they mention is seen as top quslity when the truth the level of this competition is at it's lowest ever

[@stevenbissett]

Can players wear a mustache instead of a mouthguard?

[@Cssssssst]

Anyone complaining about the super rugby rule is pathetic. It’s how rugby should be played and was meant to be

[@dazzahhenare6563]

JP's IQ is @?

[@ichigokurusaki1453]

NZ really has 2stop complaining about the rules. When we were dominating you didn't see Northern hemisphere changing the rules every year in there domestic comps. They came up with a plan(the rush d) now its our turn to find answers within the existing laws. cz how ABs gonna claim to be the best if they couldnt beat the rest of the world at there game when they did it to us

[@Tuhoeterra]

all major law revisions in the last decade have been spearheaded by the home unions and France so not sure what you're bleating on about.

[@ljproduction21]

Rules need to change otherwise the stadium will be empty

[@unfiltered2]

No rules in rugby your comment is invalid 😅

[@stealthpakfa]

The incessant whingeing by NZ because the All Blacks lost many games is getting shameful. Instead of trying to figure out a strategy to counter the rush defence, we want to change the laws.

[@Tuhoeterra]

@@stealthpakfaGaslighting nice...