Latest / Cut The Kak / CTK-50: Australia 42-38 South Africa: What the Hell Happened?
Transcript
- Byron: Welcome back to another episode of Cut the KAK, the show where we talk about the sport we love but know very little about. This segment of Cut the KAK is brought to you by Surfshark. If you're a rugby fan, especially a South African rugby fan living overseas, you know the pain of the internet deciding what you can and can't access depending on where you are. That's where Surfshark comes in. Surfshark VPN encrypts your internet activity, changes your IP address, and gives you access to thousands of servers around the world. Plus, one subscription covers unlimited devices. It's not just a VPN. Surfshark also offers features like ad and tracker blocking, data leak alerts, and alternative ID. Head to the link in our description for a special offer. Surfshark, protect your internet, then get back to arguing about rugby. Last week, Chad: Hell yeah. Byron: South Africa was winning everything. This week, Australia have slapped us back to reality. Luckily, the boys in the URC have gone and cleaned up round one, so we're only slightly embarrassed. Chad, after all of that, let's cut the KAK. Chad: What? I was on top of the world before that game. I don't know how I feel about rugby on a Sunday, especially Sunday, very late night for me. Ruined my entire weekend. was fun. I was really a little bit frustrated with the women's games that I watched before that one, but we'll talk about that later. Byron: We'll dive into that eventually. We're starting with the Boks It's Boks Boks Boks. Chad: Starting with the Boks, starting with the Boks, Boks, Boks, Boks, Boks. Byron: Okay, so Chad: Bye. Byron: we can dive into the game itself, but before we do, a few things I wanna say about that game. I'm glad you Chad: Yep. Cut. Byron: mentioned the Sunday kickoff. Not a fan. Not a fan of Chad: Yeah. Byron: Sunday kickoffs. That's number one. Chad: Would you have been a fan if we won? Byron: No. No. No. Chad: Yeah, I'm the same though. I think International Rugby should Byron: the other thing is Chad: be played on the 7th, or you could argue a Friday. Byron: Friday or Saturday, not Sunday. I need to recover mentally and physically from the game before I go to work on Monday. So it's definitely that's number one. Number two is I said this months ago, if and I repeated it again weeks ago. We have to be okay with losing when experimenting. And 13 changes is definitely an experiment. Chad: It's definitely something. Byron: now if you look at when the subs came on in the second half, who you would argue yeah, all Chad: All of them at once. Byron: at once, you would argue that the subs that came on would be most likely starting your big games, come World Cup time. And I think we saw an instant change from one squad to the other. I don't think it changes our preparation. I do think that it kinda is exactly what Russi was looking for. Chad: minus the loss. Byron: I mean, look, like I said, we're gonna have to accept a few losses between now and the World Cup. And because there were major levels of experiments, I'm not upset by the loss. It sucks that we lost. Chad: Yeah. Byron: especially to Australia. but if you look at how that second half ended and the comeback, it it To me, it's it's a sign that if we had everyone that we would pick for a starting fifteen, I don't think that there's a major threat from Australia if that is the case. That doesn't take away what Australia achieved. I mean, they scored some phenomenal tries, great on defense, but I do think that it it is it is indicative that, you know, we can only make a certain number of changes before it does affect our gameplay in the end. Chad: I just think, the thing is, I'm kind of with you, I'm okay with the loss. It does suck. Byron: It sucks, but I'm okay with it. Yeah. Chad: What I'm more annoyed by, or frustrated by, is the fact that we, the Wallabies outboxed us. They had more, they kicked more, were, at least in that first half, before we sent on the bomb squad, were way more physical. Just, they line out fantastic, set piece great. They were fantastic in the Byron: No, Australia showed up. Chad: air, the sui li on the wing, fantastic. Four playing against the Boks, great move, well done. And Max Jorgensen, right. Byron: Pace. Pace personified. Yeah. Chad: Yeah, so good. The one try though was such a soft one. was like in the, I think it was the 63rd minute with the... Byron: The one where Kane and Moodie dropped it backwards? Yeah. Chad: Yeah, and that was just, that was one of those forced errors because of just line speech being in your face. Byron: The high press. Yeah, the high press. Yeah. Chad: So it wasn't just like a, it wasn't just Cable Moodie being a dweeb, it was forced. Byron: We did have our magic moody moment. Chad: can, yep. Byron: Without a doubt, one one per game. yeah, look, the game wasn't great in the first half. I you know, we did stream the first half live. I think there were a few questionable calls that were missed. lead that Chad: Are you actual phone calls? Byron: How is it that two bock games in a row, the TMO system goes down? Chad: I had that question for you. How fucking wild is that? I've never in my life, and we've watched a lot of rugby, seen that happen, and that happens back to back. Byron: It's the it's the strangest thing. Chad: Crazy. And the fact that happened at Optus Stadium, is like the cell phone, at Telco in Australia is... Byron: And I mean, I I had the comment in the first half about how it's acceptable to happen in the states because it's not a rugby nation. But then for it to happen in Australia is it's Chad: P.A. Byron: it's not okay. I'm glad they were prepared for it, but we were talking about the missed high tackles in the first half. I st I would Chad: Yeah. Byron: I I went back and watched them. There were definitely three high tackles. One was a seatbelt tackle, two were head on head from Australia against South Africa that were not called back and looked for. Then you get the softest of head contacts. The softest. The tackle was on his ribs, but his head made contact with his chin. Almost a nick white level Chad: yet. Byron: of contact. And then they turned the game around, penalty. Australia scored just before the half. I'm I'm not mad if you go back and do Chad: Just disappointed. Byron: it. No, I'm pissed off that there's no there's no consistency. It's the consistency that put the inconsistency that pisses me off. Like if you're gonna go back for that very, very, very soft head on head, right? I'm glad it wasn't a yellow, but it was still a penalty. If you're gonna go back and bitch about that one, but you miss the other two head on heads from Australia and South Africa, that's what pisses me off. Now, if they went back to those two penalties and they gave those two penalties, they didn't have to be yellow cards, but you gave those two as penalties and then you gave that one as a penalty, you won't hear me argue today. But it's the it's the inconsistency. You can't go back for the softest of the three and then the two more severe you ignore. Chad: Yeah. But that's right, me. And that's... Byron: Sh it shouldn't fucking be r that's not that's not that's not Chad: I know. Byron: the case, Chad. Chad: I know. I mean, yeah, when did they start having the technical... Byron: It was after those it was after those high tackles. Yeah. Chad: issues after hey yeah Byron: Yeah. So you can't use that as an excuse. And also Chad: Yeah. Byron: the the there were two of them. There was the the head on head and then there was the seatbelt tackle that was over the shoulder. That was on the right hand side of the field where the touch judge was. Chad: Mixed? Yeah, next to the touch judge, yeah. Byron: And if he's not calling that and he's expecting the TMO to say something, then it goes back to the same conversation we have every freaking week. Someone needs to decide what the referee calls, what the linesman calls, and what the TMO calls, and we need to stick to it. Because it's it's so difficult to to keep up with certain teams do it this way, certain nations do it that way. So one competition the TMO does all the refereeing for Angus Gardner, I think it was. then you have other Chad: Yeah. Byron: competitions where the TMO you'd never even hear from them throughout the whole game. So Chad: Yeah. Byron: it just I just want consistency. That's literally all I'm asking for. Chad: Speaking of the refereeing calls, think we've just got go to Tangenture now. Australia's four yellow cards in the last 10 minutes. Joseph's one for being called offside. I don't think he could have been more onside. He was almost behind the trial line. Byron: So I do I do have a I do have an opinion on this, and this is from my very limited refereeing experience. 'cause I had I I refed a game on Saturday. and I think the the way that I explained it to the other team's captain, 'cause he he will he he got a yellow card for repeated team offences. And when he came back on, they went back on another team morning. Because of repeated offenses. So the captain then fouls for for not releasing the tackler trying to steal the ball. And I said, brother, listen. Listen. I said, I don't want to give you a second yellow for a team team foul, but you're pushing your luck here. But what I explained to him was when you're on a team warning, the referee is looking for you to make a mistake. So you have to be extra careful. What I think happened was because of his his his speed off of the line, I think he was onside. But because he came up so quickly, from the referee's point of view, the only way he could have gotten there was if he started from an offside position. And because they're on a Chad: Yeah, but fuck. Byron: team warning and he's being more strict, he's like, There's no way you could have got there by starting offside. It has to be offside. But then the TMO should go, no, no, no. Chad: Sorry boss. Pick up! Pick up! Pick up boss! Hello! Byron: Look, it is you're giving away a y yeah. What was the what were the South African ads? There was Yellow Summer or whatever it was from MTN, Yebo Gogo from Vodacom, Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: yeah. I can one of those oaks, just hey, not don't give it's a penalty, but not for him. Give it to this oak. Chad: Literally anyone else. Not... He was fired. Byron: But that happened which game was that the last was it the game in was the third test in the greatest rivalry? I think it was the one at Soccer City where Ruben Love got the yellow card for being offside against us. But Chad: Yeah. Byron: then you go back and watch the replay. He was like the only one of like four players Chad: I'm sus. Byron: that were onside but he got the yellow card. And I think it's the same thing again. And I think I think that's fine for the TMO to come in and say no, no, no. It's it's not him, it's him. Especially if it's a yellow Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: card. Chad: yeah, the, who, was the Aussie that got the yellow card, the first one, the Scrumhoff? God, I almost said tape me, it, not tape me, it. Byron: The name is on the tip of my tongue. Chad: I'll tell you now. God, it pains me looking at the score line. Byron: No four points What a comeback though. You know when Ox scored that try, I thought no, there's no way There's no way we're gonna come back. Chad: Tony again. Byron: Yes, Lonigan. Perfect. Chad: Brian Lonegan. Bro, when he got his card and he was standing on the pole, he was looking the riff straight in the eye and was like, me. I'm like, brother. Brother. Byron: Yeah. Yeah. But you know, this we spoke about it briefly during the the the live stream with this referee. He's very stern on his decisions. He makes his call. He doesn't rely a lot on the TMO. Unfortunately. Yeah. Not Chad: Yeah. Well, clearly not this guy, didn't. Byron: this not this game, not the previous seven. unfortunately though, because he's so confident, which I think is a good thing for a referee, because he's not confident in when he makes his decisions. Sometimes those decisions aren't right. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And the good thing about him is he makes his call and he moves on. He's made his decision. But sometimes they're not right and it it does mess up the flow of the game. but you know again what are we gonna Chad: I think another thing that was annoying about the phone calls for me is they were going back so far. you're going back almost five minutes, three minutes. Byron: Well that's because that's probably because by the time the phone call came through and then they spoke to the Oak and then he asked him about his cousin and then they had to wait for Chad: But Byron: a stop in play and then you bring the phone on and then brother, how you then they fucking talk about it. Chad: I know, but that's it, like at that point, surely you just say, okay, we're going old rules, if I miss it, I miss it, if I don't, I don't, because it fucks up the entire flow of the game, like it... Byron: It's brutal. And then you're on you're in the twenty two on this side of the field, and then they say no, we're going back for a penalty on that side of the field, and then Chad: Other tweet today, we're going back 50 meters. Yeah, and it's and at rooms the thing and another thing is because the game was on a Sunday, there was no other sport to watch. was nothing else love. There was no F1 on there was no AFL the NRL that had been finished. So as somebody that doesn't like what's in Australia, think about rugby's third, fourth sport. As somebody that doesn't watch it and that's the game that you chose to watch other than the result of Australia winning you'd be like this is fucking horrible why is old man picking up his phone who's Byron: This is shit. Fuck what is going on in the sport? What are you old doing? Chad: he phoning what's going on here why is this taking so long because that the last 10 minutes took like 20 minutes or 22 minutes or something to play out Byron: Yeah. No, it was brutal. Yeah, if if you're not a rugby fan and you watch that game, I I think if you're especially if you're a like a league fan from Australia, I'm never watching Union again. No. And you're you're like, Chad: Yeah, you'd be like, I'm never watching this shit again. Yeah. Byron: wait, isn't South Africa supposed to be the best team in the world? Chad: Yeah. Yeah, but that's, yeah. Byron: Look, I do think Yankees at nine. Compared to Chad: Yep. Byron: the other scrum halves we have, I would argue not good enough. Chad: Yeah, I think Morne van den Berg had a much bigger impact. Byron: Huge. The other thing, you're not gonna like this one. I don't think Fossi had a good game. Chad: Fassi did not have a good game. I agree. I agree with you. think... Byron: And I don't think Fussy's a bad fullback, but I think we've Chad: Nah. Byron: become so spoiled with Damian Willemsa at fifteen. Chad: being so good at the apple. think if, himself first, because the one man that kept getting fussy was, So Lee. He just kept. Byron: Yeah. Well that but he's the he springs like like Cristiano Ronaldo and under the hardboard. Yeah. Chad: That's when you need a villimsa to be doing that stuff. But I was just... I think it was... Byron: Willemsa and Curti Arens and Ethan Hooker under the hard ball, of course. Chad: Yeah, that's because they're all the size of fucking locks. Byron: Yeah, they're the the skyscrapers of the backlog. Chad: I think it was just a, I I don't want take anything away from Wallabies. It was really good coaching. I mean, it didn't help that we named our team fucking 28 days out. Byron: Ooh, I've got another one for you. Estherhazen. Chad: Mmm. Yeah. Byron: Do you keep him at center or is he a better flanker? Chad: I like him at Sinta. Byron: I'm gonna be honest with you. I think Esterhuizen's best impact Chad: Bit of flank? Byron: is to stay from the bench and come from the bench depending on where he's needed. Chad: I think so too, I love it when I'm coming off the bench, but I like it Byron: I think Chad: more at, I don't I mean, yeah. Byron: I also think he's a better outside center than inside center. Chad: Yeah, I agree. Byron: 'Cause he's a he he's his crash ball is ridiculous. Chad: Yeah, it's painful. Byron: So I th I mean I'm glad he was captain. I don't know, did you see the thing from I'm gonna bring it up real quick. they've taken the the post down, I think. Yes, they took the post down. There was a post about Esterhuizen's history and how he had a a racist Chad: Yeah, I took me when he was in. Yeah. Byron: in high school and he had a racist comment. And and what I loved about that post that I saw was the comments. And Chad: Yeah. Byron: the comments were getting behind him, and it was saying, look, if you make a mistake in your past. There should be a road to forgiveness. It was many years ago. And I think the other thing that matters the most is that in the change room, the Spring Box respect him and he respects the Spring Box. So what he did in the past, he admitted was wrong, but he's moved on from it. The people around him have forgiven him. The people around him love him. Why are you bringing it up now? Because you're looking for attention, kind of thing. So Yeah. Now I'm glad South Africa got up behind him instead of against him. Chad: Yeah, it's a... Byron: dropping the K word in high school. Chad: Is that what it was? Byron: Yeah. Chad: Get him out Byron: Brother Brother, how were how many people do you know dropped the K word in high school? Chad: Yeah, fucking too many is the answer to that Byron: Exactly. Chad: one. Byron: There we go. Hopefully they've also learned and moved on and are better people because of it. any other major points from the game this weekend? Chad: Do you think, sticking to the Boks, do you think our next games in October will be another 13 changer, or November, sorry, another 13 changes? Byron: I think I think Italy will have some experiments, but France and Ireland will have the top twenty three for both. Chad: But how can you go having... 13 changes, say another 13 changes and so experimenting with Italy was our first game. And then make another 13 changes and hit put in our Baltimore Byron: Well, I think it's Chad: squad again. Byron: I think it's because the starting twenty three are so solid together that they'll be training together for those two games, the France and the Irish game. The Italy game, you could almost argue that there will be a separate twenty three. This is my vision. Is you will have a separate twenty three training for that game. So that the tour for the spring Boks starting twenty three is a two game tour. Just France and Ireland and then the other team will do the Italy. Chad: So do you think it's the same or similar to the team that got announced now? Byron: I would say because they lost, there'll probably be some changes. but y I would think pretty close to the team that played Australia will play Italy, and then more so the team that played the all blacks in the greatest rivalry will be the starting twenty well the the the twenty three match squad picked for France and I. Chad: Yep. And what do you think of our FlaaHof selection? Byron: I think Pollard had a great game. Chad: for this game for Pollard. Yeah. Byron: but I think for South Africa to have the dangerous attack that it has, I think you have to have Sasha start, and I think Mani has to come off the bench. And I think against Italy, I think Pollard will be fantastic. I think in clutch games, Pollard can come off the bench. But I think to start it has to be Sasha. And I think the the flower half with the most impact off the bench will be Mani. I think Mani off the Chad: Do it. Byron: bench is scarier than Sasha starting. If you look at the the greater Chad: I think there are two. Byron: robbery. Chad: mean the amount of shits that people and us included have given money in the past... Fuck I love him now. Byron: What whatever happened to him in Japan has made him a scary fly half in terms of his dynamic attack. Chad: It's just, it feels like he's just got this like newfound confidence. about us. Byron: And I think I think taking the kicking away from him, the kicking responsibility, has just freed up his game at fly half as well. He's no longer bogged down Chad: Yep. Byron: by like missing kicks or whether I'm gonna miss a kick. He's like, you know what, if I just make and score tries, then it doesn't matter who's kicking. Chad: Yeah, I did want to actually go through, I wonder if I can still bring it up, the stats from the game. If we've got a second. Byron: We all the seconds. Chad: all of them. I hate seeing the score. 42, 38. I really thought... And that, that lad, when we got the last call, what's it Byron: the obstruction. Chad: called? Obstruction. Byron: Yeah, it was a wild call. Chad: It was... Byron: You can argue it was fair. That was fair. It just just sucks. Chad: was a right call, I think. I think it was a right call. was also, it was literally like a second. Watching the game live, I didn't hear the referee say advantage over. So was like, it's fine. We're going back to the advantage because there was a knock on from Australia. Byron: Yeah, but you a knock on advantage was still in the game. Chad: Yeah, true. Byron: Even if we had even Chad: Bye-bye. Byron: if we had knock on advantage, it would still be the end of the game. Chad: Yeah. But, you know, just. Byron: I mean look, the the the the Australia trial where Moodie dropped it and then in the first half the up and under that bounced off the shoulder landed into the Australia player's hand and then he had a free run to the the the tr line. Sometimes Chad: Yeah. Byron: you need luck to go your way, you know? Chad: It's true. But this is, these are the stats. And to think that 10 minutes before this, it was what? 30 something 17? Byron: Yeah, it wa it was stupid. If you go to the the timeline, it was as if the game s changed within t with ten minutes left to go. Chad: I'll start working when I'm in here. Byron: That that's hilarious. Chad: But yeah, wild, wild scenes. I had so much hope when that ball was going out wide, because all we had to do was pass the ball left and we would have had Kane Moodie or Hooker running down that wing, scoring a try. would have been... Byron: Yeah, look at this. We have. So Jorgensen scores that try at the 64th minute, right? Then you have penalty try in the 70th minute, Funnenberg in the 74th minute, Oxenchair in the 80th minute. All we needed there was another Okies name with an 80 plus something, and it would have been what a comeback. What a comeback. But Chad: Yeah, but if you look at the stats. Counting out that last 10 minutes because that last 10 minutes is a bit skewed because they're playing with 11 men Byron: Well no we're also playing against the proper fifteen, but anyway. Chad: Yeah, Australia won almost everything. Byron: No, they were they were a great side. Even the there was that point in the first half where they had sixty seven percent possession and sixty eight percent territory. Chad: Yeah was crazy. But kicks from hand. They kicked more than us. They Byron: Yeah. Chad: did everything more than us. if I just had to click and swap. I was looking for. Yeah, wild, Byron I wasn't ready for it. Byron: No, I wasn't ready for it, but look. Chad: And remember, remember, we were both saying, we knew at three minutes and I was bursting on about, we're going on a point a minute. know Byron: I did tell you to relax. I did tell you to relax. Chad: you. Yellow card. Byron: Yeah, look at that. Sixty eight, seventy, seventy one, seventy five. Chad: Boom, boom, boom, boom. If you're Byron: Ugh Chaos. Chad: looking at this, you would have thought that it's points being scored. Yeah, you're right. Byron: It is what it is. Chad: We're having fun. Byron: We knew it was we knew we were gonna experiment a little bit and we said we have to accept a few losses and that's okay. Chad: Do you reckon... I will say, I will eat out of the Boks. I want to stick with incest, or I can eat first. Eat out of the Boks. Byron: I'm done with the Boks. I'm done with the Boks. Chad: Do you reckon they can back it up against the All Blacks? Because they play the All Blacks twice now. Next game, I've got, I'm giving them, I mean I gave them no chance of winning in Perth, but I'm giving them... Byron: Yeah, but Australia does this to us every fucking time. Chad: I'm not going to play New Zealand, but now I play Eden Park. You've got two choices of winning in park zero and focal is. Byron: So we'll we'll give the first game to the all blacks and then the second game can be the interesting one. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Although Australia winning at Eden Park would be Chad: Un-fucking-real. Yeah. Byron: MONSTRES in the world of Rugby. Chad: What are they on? It's like something shh... Byron: There's world number seven. Chad: No, not that. At Eden Park. Let me check it out. Byron: I don't know. Fucking they've won every game that's ever existed in that area. Yeah, you topping away there. Chad: I'm just trying to see how many games all but the one Eden Park in a row 53 Byron: In a row. Chad: in a row they've won at Eden Park. Byron: It's a cheat code at this point. I would just schedule all of my New Zealand games at Eden Park then. Chad: This streak dates back to the 3rd of July 1994. Byron: Okay, yeah. That's it. Chad: Thank you. Byron: Never gonna lose there. It's like the Undertaker at WrestleMania, but even Chad: Right. Byron: more more significant. Chad: So yeah, I don't think they're gonna win that one. So I think that the Rayburn Shield is gonna end up in New Zealand for a little bit. But then Byron: sucks we lost that. Chad: it can come back to... it can come back to Australia. think they're playing the next one. Captain Blitrack be up again. fixtures they play on the 17th air I'll come and study them, I don't even know what that is. Just Australia. Byron: You've lost me. I don't know what your thought pattern is anymore. Chad: Rayburn Shield, they're going to lose it in Eden Park, they're going lose it in New Zealand and then it goes Byron: And then Chad: back to Australia because they play the Bledisloe Cup. They've got a chance of winning that one. But back to my question, Byron: Yeah, no, they're definitely not winning at the end. Chad: do you reckon that Australia can put a win over New Zealand? Can you imagine? Yeah. Byron: Not in Eden Park, but maybe the second game. But it's I mean look, for the the hope of the Rugby World Cup, we need Australia to find a way to beat New Zealand. Chad: It's be so good! Byron: So Let's see what happens. I mean, look, it's gonna be good rugby. Anyway, even if it's a a one-way game, it's still it's always good to watch New Zealand and Australia go at it. Chad: And I don't have to wake up at fucking 3 o'clock in the morning or be up at 11 o'clock. Byron: I probably do. Let's see what time kickoff is that for me. They play. Chad: It's at 7pm on a Saturday for me. Byron: Alright, is there anything else for men's international rugby that needs to be discussed? Chad: Uhhh, no. Byron: So let's see here. Then I was able to catch a few games, but do you want to go over the WXV? Chad: I have never been more... I was so angry at this game and again it came down to the TMO Byron: Yeah. Chad: calls. So the two games, there were quite a couple games that were played. The Hong Kong China and Samoa game, so good too. I thought Hong Kong China ladies would bring you on home. and get a beat Samoa but Samoa was just too strong in second half. Bust! Byron: So final score thirty four seventeen to Samoa. Chad: Yes, Fiji, Netherlands. It was essentially a final. The game was Byron: Essentially. Yeah. Chad: delayed because of it was being too hot. It was too hot in Hong Kong. So game was supposed to like an early afternoon for me in the sun at like nine. But great game, fantastic. One of almost as exciting as watching that Rugby World Cup. with a woman Byron: Okay. I like that opinion. Chad: Fiji go and score late in the game, right? 65th minute. Byron: Yep, sixty fifth minute. Tarz the game. Chad: is a knock-on by every definition on earth. And the TMO didn't have the balls to say knock-on. He was like, there's no clear... Byron: Well, technically I don't believe the TMO has balls. Chad: Whoever that guy was didn't have it because that's when you need a Holly Davison to be looking at the Byron: Think it was a she, what I'm reading towards. Chad: screen and say, that's not right. That's a knock on. Because without that try, Netherlands win that game. Byron: Yep. I know that the TV assistant was a man. Julian Castaneda. Chad: is that the joke you're making? Byron: Julian Castaneda. Well everyone else in the the the the refereeing team was female. So the only Oak, the only Oak who had one job couldn't do it. Chad: fucked it up. Bro. And it was such a good game. And you and I both love Fiji and rugby. Love it, love it, Byron: Yes. Chad: love it. It's fantastic. So good to watch. But I was rooting for the Netherlands because of the like the underdog. Byron: Yeah. Chad: But there and they you could just see they were putting absolutely everything into it. The hits Byron: Everything into everything. Yeah. Chad: were just different to all the other games that it was so good. It such a good game. TMO robbed the Deadlands. If I could, I would go give them, go take the trophy, give it to them. They deserve it. Byron: The problem now is that if I'm not mistaken, that's the end of the challenger series. Chad: It's done, Byron: And that means that Fiji will move up into the WXV next season and New Zealand I mean and the the Netherlands need to play and figure it out again. Chad: again. It was really fun to watch. I watched it on Redmi Pass. It was live and free. Byron: Yep, all of the games, all of the games on Rugby Pass for free. Highly recommend anyone. You can go back and watch them as well. they they they're available on the app after the fact as well. So if you need to catch up and some of the women's games, please do. It's good to see free rugby out there. Chad: And if you can't get them, like what we spoke about in the beginning of the show, go into the description, click on the link, get yourself a Surfshark, and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to figure out from there. Byron: Yep. Then do you want to Chad: You're all smart people. Byron: go over the other results? big game for South Africa. The ladies beating Italy 41-29. Massive win. Massive. Chad: Another great one. Yep. Byron: what a game this was. England beating New Zealand, the Black Ferns 26-19. Brother, I told you, no one can Chad: They're always such good games. Byron: beat England at the moment. They can't. Chad: Yeah, I reckon the English woman would beat Wales. convincingly. Byron: well the Welsh women did lose to the US twenty six, twenty four. Australia Chad: Bidded. Byron: beat Scotland thirty ten. What I thought was wild was that France beat Canada. Same Canadian Chad: Right? Byron: team that held England. Chad: Yeah. Byron: France beat them 21 5. And the final game of the weekend, Ireland beat Japan 31 24. which leads us into some fun fixtures for next week. for those that are going to be watching. There is only one game next week, that is Spain versus South Africa on Sunday. And then we can talk about the next fixtures the week after. Chad: It's gonna be a spring back win for sure. Byron: I hope so. so that's the WXV. Chad: Yeah. Byron: You know what? It has confused the shit out of me, so I'm gonna go over it quickly. And this is whatever the hell's happening at the end of the NRL. Okay. Chad: I've lost interest. Byron: So I'm gonna go back and try and figure this out. Because I've looked at it, right? The season ended. There were teams at the top that went through. How they went through, I'm still figuring out 'cause it's more made up at this point. It's like whose line is it anyway? so in the elimination final, which goes back to the second week of September, the Knights beat the Rabbitos and the Sharks beat the Cowboys. That same weekend was the qualification round where the Dolphins beat the Warriors and the Panthers beat the Roosters. Okay. Then you had the winners from the elimination round. Play the losers from the qualification round. And the Roosters beat the Sharks and the Warriors lost to the Knights. Okay, not done yet. Then this weekend we had the preliminary final. Again, made up. Not real. Okay. And the Roosters, after losing to the Panthers but beating the Sharks, beat the Dolphins. And then the Knights, who beat the Warriors and beat the Rabbidos, beat the Panthers. So now I think will be an actual final. With the roosters and the knights. Chad: I think that's how works. Do me to double check? Byron: I think there's gonna be another made up final along the way. And then the final will Chad: Yeah, the winner of this final plays against the loser from the Panthers game. Byron: Yeah. Chad: because they weren't on the logo. Byron: The winner of the next game plays the winner of the Dolphins versus the Panthers, and then the Rabbidos will play the Cowboys in case they need someone else as a backup for the final. Chad: Did you watch that Pentas game? Byron: I haven't watched NRL since since they started making up finals. Chad: since that. Yeah, it was pretty hectic. Someone broke both his legs. It's wild. I'll send it to you. Byron: How? Tackle? Tackle? I'm going what? Chad: Australia. It's yeah, it's rough. And it was the coach's son. It's like everything about it was just wild. Byron: Panthers Knights. I'm gonna watch the highlights after this. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Alright, so look, Roosters play the Knights. I don't know who wins because I've given up on the NRL. Chad: The Knights. Knights win all day. Byron: Let's look at what the log where they ended on the log. Roosters were fourth and knights were seventh. It's it's all made up. It's not real. Chad: Yeah, it doesn't matter. Byron: It doesn't matter what you do. The finals should be the Panthers versus the Warriors. That's the game I wanted to watch. And they never got to play one another in every one of the made up finals along the way. That's me hating on the NRL again, I apologize. Then NPC. We went over it very quickly last week. It's the there's one week left of regular pool play for the MPC for those that are following along. Tasman Marco beat Bay of Plenty forty five twenty six. Chad: I didn't go to the game because I was sick and I was gutted. I watched it at home. Half dying. Byron: The commentary moment of the week came from this game. Chad: Yeah, fun. Byron: It's Rory Scott, when he broke away in the first half, he got tackled and it was the pop-up and they scored the try. The commentator goes, Look at those legs go, and they go, chika, chica, chica, chika, chikka, and he goes, he goes, Look at them Chad: Yeah, like a sewing machine. Byron: go. It's like your mum's sewing machine. It's so good to watch. Chad: I remember that one, yeah. Byron: classic, fantastic commentary. I'm sure you were happy with that result. Chad: I was stoked, yeah. Byron: then this one I was I thought was a little crazy. Auckland losing to Turbo. No, not a not a surprise for you? Chad: Not as wild as the North Northlands. Byron: Brother, and I gave County shit so much this whole season. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And then for them to beat Northland, and if I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong here, Chad, that means they lose the the shield. So of all the teams in the in the MPC Counties have the shield. Can't believe it. Chad: They have the shield. Northland, all they had to do was win that game and it would have been locked away for the summer. They would have kept it until next year. And they'd lose. Byron: Well now Hawks Bay have a chance to steal it to finish the season with it. Yeah, against Counties. And if there's someone who's Chad: Next week. Yeah. Yeah. Byron: gonna beat Counties, it's gonna be Hawks Bay. Chad: 100. Byron: Although I will get to that result from this from this weekend, but Counties beat Northland Chad: Yeah. Byron: twenty two nineteen. Canterbury beat Southland, shocker, thirty-four twenty one. North Harbor beating Otago thirty two twenty one. That was crazy. Chad: That was a fun game. That was a really good game to watch. You're Marty Winked! Byron: Then the Wellington Lions, baby! Ha ha can't win a fucking thing. man. final score there. Wakato thirty four. Wellington Lions ten. And then the Tiranaki Bulls beating Hawks Bay fifty fourteen at home. Chad: Yeah, that was a brutal one. Byron: And it was I know Chad: I was like... Byron: Hawke's Bay lost last week as well, but before that they were un they've lost now three in a row. They lost to North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, and Tarunaki. Before that they were undefeated. Now they've lost Chad: Yeah. Yep. Byron: three in a row. Chad: They're peaks early. Byron: So, do you wanna do the predictions for Chad: Do you to know how many do you think Willington have won? Byron: Still none. Or one maybe. Chad: Sorry, nevermind. Exactly zero. Byron: Yeah. Fantastic season. Like in Chad: Yeah. Byron: the Southern Kings of NPC Chad: Jesus, okay, club, that's uncalled for. Bye. Byron: No, I still have that deep embedded hate for the Southern Kings because of that one season in Super Rugby where the Lions didn't get to play because they wanted to play in the Super Rugby tournament and they got fucking manhandled. Chad: Absolutely ragdolled, I remember. Byron: okay. So do you want to do the predictions for next week on Blitz? Chad: I don't even bring it up. Yep. I just close it, but we can do it. Let's thread the open. Byron: Bloods Rahabi. Chad: when is it? It on Tuesday. Byron: Otago vers Auckland. Chad: Otago vs Auckland Byron: If you want, I can give you the standings on the table if it helps you. Chad: the log? No, no, I've got the log open here. can see it. I'm gonna go a targo. Byron: I agree with you. Chad: Can I just swap? I have to go out. Byron: So does one other person. Chad: turbos and... Canterberry. It's going to be easy Canterbury wood. Hello? Byron: I'm listening. Chad: I missed the game. That's what's going on here. Stag's in Northland. Byron: that's I was also wondering, where is your Friday game? Yeah, stags and Northland. You know how I feel about Southland. Chad: Yeah, they're win for sure. Now, nothing has to Byron: Sassland wish Southland wish Northlinbury. Chad: Now, surely Northland wouldn't have this one. Byron: Is there a is there a name for this game? There's gotta be one. Battle of the Lands or something? North vs South? Chad: That's the way your brain works. Byron: Ha ha. Chad: counties? Byron: Look, if you look at if you look at the last few fixtures, you would expect counties to do it, but I can't imagine a a world where that happens. Look at those losses. Chad: God, this is such a app. I can't, I have to go. Byron: I agree with you. Chad: Doesn't work and we have to win this game Byron: Is it a is it a must win for you? Chad: if we're taking like to make sure that we're in the finals. Byron: Yeah, you wanna win this game. Chad: Yeah. Byron: I I mean you would if you don't win it you have to rely on Turbo and Bay of Plenty losing. Chad: Yeah. What's the points difference? 27, now on 25 and 23, yeah. Byron: Yeah, you need you need this one. So go Marco. Whoever else is choosing's got quite the sharp eye. Chad: must follow us. Then on Sunday... Byron: Ugh, there's not even a choice here. Chad: Absolute lion domination. It's going to be their first win. Byron: Bruh, i I've you what happens if you go the whole season without winning a game? Chad: They point and laugh at you. They make you line up and everyone just points and laughs. Byron: No, you should get relegated. Then the Cheaters should come in. Chad: Into what? Byron: The Cheaters should play the next season in place of the Wellington Lions. Chad: Yeah, they can form, hear me out, I've got an idea here. Byron: Okay. Chad: You take both teams, you combine them, you call them the cats. Byron: Ha ha ha ha ha You motherfucker. Chad: Somebody who the other, whoever the other is, is on dwellums. Byron: No, you can't pick the lion No, that's Chad, that's brilliant. Clip it, post it. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Hear me out, I've got an idea. You son of a bitch. Chad: North Harbor and Bear Plenty. Where is Bop on this thing? Byron: North Harbour's first, and Bay of Plenty is tenth. Chad: that fall down they are that fall down okay Byron: And that's great for you because you want a North Harbour win. If that's the case. Chad: If you look at their last year... Byron: Gotta go North Harbour, top of the log for a reason. All right. Chad: cut. Byron: All right. Chad: Well that was this, that's our NPC. Byron: Now we get to talk about the URK, the URC. Chad: I think, do you any thoughts about the UIC? I didn't watch any of the actual full games, I just watched the highlights. Byron: Go on. I got many thoughts. then we can go over it quickly. I've got just a few points on some of the games. we Chad: Mm-hmm. Byron: can go over the results. so from the first thing I want to say is this sucks and it always happens. But Hashimpeed is leaving the Lions and is joining the Stormers. Chad: Yep, knew it was gonna happen though. Byron: it's so frustrating. Cause how sick would it have been to have Morne Funenberg and Hashem Pied as your starting and bench scrum offs for the Lions? Chad: Yep. Byron: Fuck man. How many more scrum offs does the Stormers need? Chad: All of them. It's like they think they are collecting all the infinity stones. Byron: Jeez, like this is ridiculous, man. okay, so let's start with, and then I'll go over some of my points. Competition started, Connacht versus Stormers. Great game. Connacht coming back at the end of the first half got a little bit scary. and also really good for the Stormers because obviously a lot of players were still in Springback camp. but the Stormers pulled out a big win there. Final score twenty-one fifteen to Stormers. And keep in mind it was a much closer game than that shows because Connor were attacking in the last few minutes of that game when the score was fifteen twenty-two. And in broken play, Stormers got the breakaway try to make it twenty-nine fifteen. So it was a much closer game that Connor nearly drew. then you go to the Bennett and Dragons game, which ended in a draw. These Welsh teams I would Chad: It's almost pointless having them on. Byron: It really is because w you look at the the other team they have the other two teams they got Ospreys who lost to the Sharks and Scarlet who lost to Carter. Anyways, we'll get to that in a second. Then the last fixture for Friday. Edinburgh be Edinburgh beat Ulster twenty-nine thirty-four. Ulster losing at home. Chad: Edinburgh. Byron: E Edinburgh. Brah. Okay, you happy now? Edinburgh. Chad: I've never heard anyone in my life call it Edinburgh but... Byron: Edinburgh. Then Lions versus Leinster. Replay of last year's quarter final, except it's in Joburg this time. Last season's winners against the Lions, and the Lions pulled off an incredible game. Look, it Chad: one pointer. Byron: is Both sides didn't have their top teams. Leinster traveled with a pretty young side, and obviously for the first time in a very long time, there were Lions players in the Springbok team. So they were weakened. Chad: Yeah Byron: but the boys that showed up a massive game. Lions did well to get an eight point lead so that when Leinster scored at the end of the game, It was just for a bonus point and not to secure the win or to get a a draw. so huge, huge win for the Lions to beat last year's winners. 27 26 Chad: pretty cool. It was fun to watch. Byron: final score there. sharks destroyed the Ospreys 41 24. They were up 21 nil at one point, I think it was, or 17 nil. Chad: I know it was... I was waiting for the fumble. I didn't know what the score was, the end score before watch that came. Byron: Uh-huh. Chad: I was just waiting. I was just like, where does it happen? Byron: Something bad's gonna happen. Then Glasgow Warriors coming back from behind to beat Munster absolutely killed me because I would have loved for the Warriors to get a loss. Munster Chad: Why? Byron: had it. Well, because they're good. So if they can lose the occasional game, it makes it easier for a South African to win the competition. Chad: Okay, yeah. Byron: but Munster let it go at the end. So 2620 to Glasgow. Then Bulls versus Zebre. Absolute hiding. 1347. Chad: Yeah, 34 points win. Byron: But who approved the kits for this game? Be 'cause I missed the start of the game and I I turned it on at about the third or the fourth minute and I looked at it and I went, no. I didn't know I didn't know who was who at the beginning when I started. The game opened and everyone was blue. And you know, the the Bulls home kit would have been better than the Bulls away kit for that game, 'cause at least then it's a light blue and a dark blue. That was wild. and then to the last game of the weekend, Cardiff beat Scarlets again, Welsh team not being able to pull off a win. 21 15. So Canucks are 15th, but then you have Ospreys, Scarlets, and well, Dragons got a draw, I guess, so they're in eighth place. Chad: Let me bring up the log quickly. Byron: Three South African teams Chad: And I want to show you something. Byron: on the top. What do want to share? Chad: Just relax your little brain. This is a log grass. All all the African. Byron: is that on the CTK Rugby dot com website? Chad: It is, but I reckon we just need to stop the count. Just... It's been fun. Everyone go back to their countries and just prepare for the Rugby World Cup. They just do that. Because if you take the log and I've put it in here just to get it to predict as it stands, what would the finals look like? This is the finals we have and then we end up having a Bulls... Bull Shocks final and we just Byron: Shock's funnel. Chad: play that game. And we save everybody a whole lot of headaches. Byron: No, no, no, because the Lions would beat the Sharks in the quarterfinals. Chad: Not by these numbers. Byron: Chad, chad chad chad chad chad chad chad chad chad you beat Chad: Fine, you won by one point. Byron: Chad you beat the Ospreys. We beat Leinster. It is not the same thing. Chad: It is, we got 17, you got one. We're built different. Byron: No, I hate this logic. Hold on, because URC, what is this, twenty twenty five slash twenty twenty six? Leinster was second on the log at the end of the season and the Ospreys were eleventh. Chad: Yeah, base Byron: Chad. Chad. Yokes end Chad: They've got a lot better. Byron: Yokes ended tenth. Of course you're a lot better. You can't get worse. Chad: No. Byron: All right. Do you wanna do predictions then for next week? I'll do the the predictions. Chad: Yeah. Byron: We're all terrible. Chad: for USC. Byron: Rk. Chad: A card of Zebra. Fantastico. Byron: hold on. Sorry, sorry, Uncle. Bring it up here. Okay. Why no first game is Benetton Connor. I guess they were all Chad: Yeah. Byron: at the same time. Never mind, ignore me. Okay, we'll start it. We'll we'll follow yours. Cardiff Zebre, I'm going card of win on that one. Edinburgh on Blitz. Yeah, if you can, if it's not too difficult. To do the old switcheroo. Chad: Do you me to make predictions on on Blitz Rugby? Yeah Okay, it's not gonna open it back up again. I closing damn thing Byron: Well, leave it open next time. Does make editing a bit of a nightmare, but it is what it is. Edinburgh Stormers. Hmm. Do you think the Springbok players will be back in their club sides for next week? Chad: I hope so. I'm a shark-sake. Okay. Byron: Benetton Connacht, I'm going for a Connacht win. Chad: Oi. Byron: Mm-hmm. So is everyone else? this one's gonna be Cardiff. Chad: Hello? Sorry, it's because of- Byron: You went to results. There you go. Yeah, you gotta click perfectly if it's on the the app. Chad: Uhhh, you said zebra? Byron: No, no. Cardiff. Chad: I have to look for that little jiggle. Byron: Yeah, this is a tough one. Hmm. Chad: That's a long look like. Byron: For the love of the game I'm going stormers. Chad: Okay, I can appreciate that one. Do know what's going to happen in this game? Byron: Tell me. Chad: A ton, absolute ton of booing. Byron: brother, that's actually I'm so glad you brought that up. Because we've watched a lot of rugby in South Africa recently, obviously 'cause of the greatest rivalry. we watched some in Argentina and we watched some in Australia. No one boos as much as the Irish and the Scottish. Chad: None. It's crazy. Byron: They boo for everything and I'm their team scores a try, they boo. Their team gets a penalty, they boo. we score a try, they boo. I don't know what would result in a cheer. What brings happiness to the Irish and the Scottish, I don't know. Chad: watching to if we can lose to Australia. I guarantee you. Byron: probably brought everybody around the world joy, to be honest with you. this lions. Chad: Yep. Okay. Pick it with me. Byron: Lions. Fuck. Whoever that one person was, let's not be mean. Dragons vers c is there an option for no one? Chad: Is it draw? Byron: no, both lose. Chad: I can just skip? Byron: No. because they're at home, we'll give it to dragons. Chad: Also because where are scholars from? They Welsh. Byron: Yeah, both Welsh. Chad: Yeah, true. Byron: good game. Glasgow. Gonna be a good game though. Gonna be a good guy. Don't be a good guy. Chad: ever big again. my god. Byron: Don't be a good guy. what we got yeah. because it's a young side for Leinster on this tour, I'm going for a Sharks win. Although with Chad's attitude. Chad: I I just want helium to keep scoring tries. Byron: Brother, he is amazing. Chad: It's gonna be so good. Is it gonna Byron: If you Chad: not? Dump him in the deep end. Just let him cook. Byron: If you if you look at the under twenty World Cup winning team, Chad: Yep. Byron: he's probably adapted s some of the best to to high level club club competition. Chad: Yeah, it's been so fun to watch. Byron: I'm going for the bulls for this one. Yep. In Munster, brother. In Chad: Are you? In Munster? In Ireland, okay. Byron: Ireland. Look at that. Look at that. Chad: But also... Yeah. Byron: Everyone South African who picked. Chad: Alright, well that's a fix. Byron: At our peaks. We did it. We did it. Is that all of the rugby? Is that everything? Chad: We've done it all. Byron: Done it all. thank you for watching. This is episode number fifty. I believe that should be considered Chad: Crazy. Byron: a milestone. thank you for all those that have watched, especially from the beginning. I apologize if you had to endure us back then. it's definitely gotten better than what it was. but I think there's still a lot of Chad: It has got better. Byron: A lot of progress still to be made. We love doing it. We're gonna keep doing it. We hope you keep supporting us. That's it. Chad, I think we cut the KAK.