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The Lions Are Better Than the Stormers? Byron Has Lost It · Cut The Kak

• Byron: All right, welcome back to Cut the Cuck, the show where we talk about the sport that we absolutely love but know very little about. I am Byron and that fool over there in the headphones is Chad. Chad, let's cut the cuck. Chad: Let's do it. This is going to be an episode that's basically run by Byron because I had very little time to watch any rugby this weekend. I was traveling ⁓ had ⁓ on time where I couldn't watch rugby. So I have seen the scores. I've seen some clips Instagram. I haven't watched any of the any of the ruggers. Byron: Well, it's fun, you know, we can't always be perfect. You suck most of the time, but that's okay. I was traveling at the moment because it looks like everywhere you go, everyone's having fuel shortages. Chad: This is true. I mean that wasn't reason why we were delayed and stuff but I mean it seemed fine. The airport was just as full. Yeah, wasn't anything hectic. My plans were to watch some of the... uh... a curry cup, listen to me, my brain's cooked... the super rugby on Friday night but because I was delayed I didn't get to sit in the bar and watch the rugby. Byron: That's okay. Good. Alright. Mm-hmm. Chad: I actually looking, I was really looking forward to this. probably my favorite part of whole trip. Byron: Wow. What? To sit and watch the... who? Sit and watch Super Rugby? Chad: Yeah, and a bar. was like, hell yeah. I was I already had it all planned out I was like, I was gonna go there order a lack of beer have some other a steak or burger and chips or something like and just sit and watch right because I've been there before and I've watched the rugby At Auckland before and it was wasn't bad, but this time It did not work out and it was mortifying Byron: Didn't work out. Well, if I can, you know, rub salt into the wounds, I think it was an incredible weekend of rugby. So and I think we got most of our predictions correct. ⁓ Chad: It looks like it, yeah. Yeah, because we know what we're doing, Byron: Well, we didn't get them all correct because the Waratah's-Brambies game threw us for a loop. ⁓ But I guess I'll read through scores quickly ⁓ and then I'll give you some of my talk. Or want to read through the scores and then I'll give through my Sallis opinion stuff? Chad: You Yeah, I did see that one. Mm-hmm. Sure. Do we want to start UIC or Super Rackby? Byron: Let's do Super rugby. Chad: Sick. All right, what time is it? It's around 7, eh? Yeah. All right, Moana Pacifica versus the Landers, 1939. What happened, Byron? Yep. Byron: Yazzarrrr As predicted. As predicted. Tangitao ⁓ so impressive from the Highlanders out on the wing. After watching Super Egg this weekend, thinking ⁓ of New squad, I think New Zealand's a little spoiled for choice, to be fair, at the quality was on display in the words. There were no Crusaders games this weekend either. So even more quality to come through. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. Keep going. ⁓ Chad: um i did watch some of the highlights of that game though uh the brumbies and the waratahs brumbies losing 28 to 30 which was a bit of an upset i wasn't expecting that yeah Byron: Yeah, we got that one wrong. Was not expecting that, but I mean, I love to see it. don't mind when the Brumbies lose. I feel like the to me are the Australian equivalent to the Crusaders. Chad: Don't say that. Byron: caused enough South African heartbreak that I'm allowed to hate them indefinitely. Chad: There's a wild statement to make, but I'm pretty sure the three Brumby supporters that watch us. Yeah. We'll take it kind of as a back end of compliment. Byron: You Hey, it is a compliment because I think they are the best Australian rugby side and they've caused a lot of heartbreak over the years when in South Africa we're in super rugby. know, day. Chad: The Hurricanes put an absolute number on the Reds. 52-14. What actually... I'm more... I'm interested about this game because I want to know what the hell happened. Because that's... Yeah. Byron: I want to pause you there. Okay. Everything. So I had a few comments that I wrote down just because I think what the hurricanes are doing at the moment is so impressive. First of all, ⁓ you do land up going to go watch the highlights, you got to go and watch the fourth trial for the hurricanes. And the reason for that is Barrett's assist is ridiculous. It wasn't like a super like flurry pass, like, know, when they do like the behind the back offload or whatever. But the accuracy of Barrett's assist for that fourth try, it's worth watching over and over and over again. The class is Then, not a bad rugby player. Yeah, he's all right, he's not bad. ⁓ like a good bloke. ⁓ The other two things I want to talk about from that game. Chad: He's not a bad rugby player, old Barrett. Yeah, he's okay. Yeah. Byron: is and you know forgive me for the pronunciation here but Ferhi Fenyunganofu the winger for the Canes right he's got nine tries this season of I think they've how many games have the Canes played this season six games right nine tries six games three hat tricks Chad: Yep. Byron: So he's gone three games without scoring and three games with scoring a hat-trick. I think that's a ridiculous step. Chad: Not bad, yeah. Sounds like me. If I made it. No, I saying that. I would, if he put me in in a cane dragby jersey, I'd probably also score three tries every game. Byron: You are the useless or you're the best on the field? are you trying to say? I'd be on the other half. I'd score zero tries in three games. Chad: Yeah, I wouldn't, I don't think I'd score any trials in games jersey. Byron: And then there was another crazy stat from the Hurricanes that the commentators were talking about. Out of the six games they've played this season, four of those games have scored 50+. Chad: Yeah, true. Byron: wild. That's proper proper domination. Chad: I wonder how many points have conceded. I can see the points difference on the log that I'm looking at. That's 166, but it'll be interesting to see. Are they just a really good attacking side or all around it? Let's have a look. So the blues put 36 points in them. as pre-season. They've got absolutely Byron: So we're going, okay, no, no, I'm going here. I've got it up. So week two was their first game because they didn't play in week one. Pacifica put 10 points on them. Chad: Yeah, 50 points to Moana. Yeah. Byron: Then in week three, lost to Druer 25-20. Chad: Yep. Byron: Week 4, Warratahs put 19 on them. Week 5, Fors put 23. Week 6, Highlanders put 7 and Pacifica put 19. No, excuse me, sorry, I put that wrong. Reds put up 14 this weekend. So, Chad: Okay, so they're good in both. Yeah, so they are not bad at defense either. Byron: No, they had some great, there were a few times where the Reds were getting north of, you know, double digit phases and not making any ground. yeah, they're definitely the team to beat at the moment. Chad: When do they play the Crusaders? Byron: they got to buy next week. next week's fixtures confuse me. There's only three games and I know only realized this because I changed my fantasy side and I had to change 14 out of 15 players. ⁓ Chad: What's the end? Don't even give me a start on fantasy. I was so annoyed before I got on my flight to come over. I knew I was going to be in the air while the game was on. So I was like, okay, cool. I'll do one last quick check. And then when I got off the plane, three of my players were ruled out and I got four call points for them. Byron: Yeah, there were a lot of minute changes ⁓ kickoff. Some guys getting injured during the warm up. ⁓ But if it ⁓ had... ⁓ going get the name wrong again. Ferhi Feniyanganofu as my captain. So that goes a long way. ⁓ All we are still talking. ⁓ You keep going through the results. The next thing I to talk about is the Blues game. Chad: I I was gutted. Yeah. ⁓ nice. Yeah. well that's where we are the blues vs the druer ⁓ did 40 points to 15 and... TELUS BONE! Byron: Do you know what was so impressive for me in that game? Was the way the Blues played. Their try in the 65th minute. If you weren't paying attention, you would have thought that it was the Druer who scored the try because it was ⁓ Druer-esque try. It had all the flair and all the wild running that you can imagine. ⁓ for you maybe, go watch that try. It was in the 65th minute. So the Canes game 64th minute, Blues game 65th minute. Go watch both those tries. Incredible. I actually wanted to talk about this because the second time this season it's happened. The reasoning for this one is different to the reasoning for the last one, but the the Druer their traditional challenge called the again, Ebola. Chad: Yep. Byron: One of the two pronunciations hopefully is correct. They didn't do it last week when they were in Fiji the Reds. And the reason given was that it was too hot. So they wanted the players out on the field for less time. Wild reasoning, you ask me. I think that's, they're in Fiji. ⁓ I'm pretty everyone kind of expected Chad: What's an extra 60 seconds going to do? Byron: So that was, it was too hot. That was the reason it was given. Then this week they did it in the change room again, just like they did last week. the reason that was given was that the Druer didn't apply. Chad: I saw that. Byron: for the approval to do it within time. Now the only thing, the reason I brought this up is because let's say that's true. Say they got to fill out a request to do the ebola before the game, right? The person who ticks the boxes, or dots the Rs and crosses the Ts, he knows that the druer are coming, correct? And they do it every game. Why would you need to fill out an application form before a certain timeframe in order to give them the approval? Imagine the All Blacks for the greatest rivalry come to South Africa they didn't fill out a form in time. Do you think the Springboks are gonna be like, nah, you guys can't do it, sorry, you didn't send in your application form or whatever the hell the process is? Chad: But then I... Yeah. like a game, like what I said, it's a minute maybe, maybe two. Byron: I think the complication, if I have to look at it from their perspective, is that you need to set up the microphones on the field and the cameras and then you have to align it with the broadcasting network for your ads and blah, Chad: Like, what does it actually? But didn't they broadcast it anyway? Byron: no, it was just a clip. They didn't show the whole thing from the change room. So the that I'm thinking about is when the All Blacks play somewhere, everyone knows the Huck is going to take place. There's no if buts or maybe about it. Why is there an if but and a maybe about the Druer doing the ebole when they know they need to do it? I don't understand the form thing. don't understand. Let them come out and do it and then Chad: ⁓ Byron: If you didn't fill out an application form, still let them do it on the field. I mean, for the fans that have traveled or last week when they played in bar. Exactly. the. Exactly. And the game against the Reds was in a different city and it was the first time they hosted a game there. So it would have been the first time for those fans to watch it on the ground, but they weren't allowed to because it was too hot. Chad: Yeah and the Fijian fans are always always showing up. Doesn't matter you can put them on the moon they'd be there. Yeah. Byron: It's a little ridiculous, I think. And also kind of disrespectful to the druid. Chad: That is very ridiculous. I wonder who makes those decisions because that's a bit... Byron: I know, but it sounds like the same person who's trying to turn scrums into moulds. ⁓ Chad: even. Yeah. Byron: just feel like they're giving off the same energy. Chad: Yeah, yeah, that is crazy that they so they didn't fill out a form that's wild didn't give enough Yeah. Byron: And also if you look to like last season when the Druer had issues with travel or whatever and they all sat in the back of that container van or whatever the case may be, like treat these oaks like professionals. What's on? ⁓ Chad: ⁓ no. I did see that. Was it the chiefs? Their bus broke down. They rocked up on minibuses. I was like, yep. That's a... Byron: Fuck yeah. But it was against the force. They kind of could have rocked up on their knees walking backwards and they still would have won the game. Chad: Yeah, I did think it was funny. It's like it felt a little bit like, um, so over here, at least anyone you speak to about the 95 rugby world cup final, all like, oh no, we poisoned the team and brought the referee with the golden watch. Um, cause giving off those kinds of vibes, we poison them. Byron: for Golden Watch. Yeah, they try to knock down the chiefs of the force, could win and the force still couldn't win. So the Super rugby fixtures. Chad: Yeah. As not, there's one more. It's the force first chiefs. Force... Making it closer than it should have been. 14 to 24. Byron: Uh-huh, go ahead. I still think McKenzie is better at fly-off than he is at fullback. Chad: Yeah, I actually had him as my fly off and then saw that he was playing fullback ⁓ I was a bit disappointed. Byron: At fullback, yeah. I think it's the same for me I look at Will Jordan. Will Jordan can play wing, obviously, but he's better at fly off because he's got more time with the ball at fullback than he does at wing. And I think it's the same for McKenzie at fly off. I think he needs to be the one, he needs to be the general. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: where at fullback he's a little more limited to his counter attack and still a great kicker and a great return kicker and a great reader of the game and great on defense all those things but I think he needs more time on the ball to make ⁓ a bigger difference in the game. Chad: I agree. I think also with Will Jordan when he's kind of more in the center of the field, standing back, he can see options and go left and right rather than being on the wing and you can only go really one way unless you really work and putting in extra effort. ⁓ Byron: Yeah. Tommy, this doesn't sound absolutely terrifying. And even there's a big argument. Chad: I don't want Will Jordan and Mackenzie on the same team. Byron: Well, that's I'm going to take it one further than that. I know that the the to find the centers at the moment is going to be a tough argument because New Zealand's forward for choice. But I think Mackenzie at 10, Jordan at 15 and Barrett at 12. And you can you can interchange between Barrett and Mackenzie as the first receiver. Chad: Yeah and then Tava Tawa Nawa 13. Unreal. Unreal. I don't want to think about it. Byron: And then on the wings, wings, ⁓ God, it's terrifying. ⁓ it's exciting, it's so good. Chad: Maybe, maybe our saving grace will be there'll be no fuel left so New Zealand can't go there by plane they gotta go there by boat that they have to row. Byron: And by the time they get there, they'll be exhausted because the only boat that's traveling is a cargo ship. So they have to sleep in containers. Yeah, it'll be perfect. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: They should leave tomorrow so they can arrive on time. ⁓ Chad: Yeah. That's, think that's, that's going to be, I'm getting, oh no, a couple of episodes ago I was, I don't want to use the word arrogant. I was. Byron: Well, sounds about right. Chad: I was saying that with the All Blacks not having a coach in time and all this kind of cuck they wouldn't do as well as they would but after watching SuperRagBee and watching them do what they do ⁓ Byron: And did you see the rest of the coaching staff? Yeah, they they pulled an all-star team together for this one. It's going to be terrifying, but exciting. It's going to be so good. Chad: Yeah. It's going to be... We need Australia to win that first game so we can meet New Zealand in the final. Byron: I can't even think that far ahead. Chad: Because that's Yeah. Byron: This greatest rivalry is going to be emotionally draining. Chad: I can't wait. Byron: every game is going to be... It's 50-50 for every game. I don't think there's a game that you can confidently go in and say we're going to win or they're going Chad: I think we also win, but I don't think it's going to be like Wellington scoreline or anything close to that. think it's going to be like the three to maybe points. Byron: It's gonna go down to whichever flower misses their kicks. Yeah. Yeah. Chad: Yeah. Well, it comes down to that. We've got old, old Iron boot, Pol-Od. Byron: Well, if you want to jump straight into the UIC... ⁓ hold on, before we jump into the UIC, there's only three Super Agbe games next week. Do you want to give your predictions? Chad: Correct. Sure. Byron: I'll read them out. I'll read them out. Crusaders host, Druer. Okay, well, easy one. I'd say with that one. Chiefs host, Waratahs. Chad: Crusaders Crusaders Chiefs. Byron: Fair enough. And well, you know my answer for this one. Red's host the force. Why are there only three games? Chad: It's Easter and... stuff. Byron: Forgot about that. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Well, then when does everyone else play their catch-up games? my chair, not my problem. Chad: Well is it big? I think is it the week after that that they're having all the games in Byron: I did not know that was a thing. Chad: think it might be the one... no it's not that round. Byron: That's exciting, kind of like a festival, a rugby fest. Chad: Yeah, they're all playing at yeah, so it's on week 11 All of them are down in Christchurch at the same stadium Fuck knows what the field's gonna look like Byron: Is that because... is that the... me for my... after the earthquake the stadium got wrecked and it's been rebuilt and if I'm not mistaken Crusaders vs Druer will be the last one at the Apollo Project Stadium and then the next home game ⁓ Chad: Yes. It's a brand new stadium. Yeah. Byron: would be that week where they go, no, but then if I look at the venue online, anyway, they're going back to the original stadium. Chad: The one stadium, yeah. Byron: ⁓ I'm looking forward to that. jump into the URC then. can jump onto this. I can start with this one. Chad: I did watch the game on Saturday morning on this one, so I watched the Sharks Cardiff game. Byron: Okay, well since it's the one you watched, what did you think? Chad: thought it was good we won. I was a little bit worried. But no, it was good. I think that the sharks had left it real late to make the top 8. They're not making it easy for themselves. Byron: Well, you know, they're still out of it, but they're definitely, compared to the way their season started to the way it is now, it's a huge difference. Chad: You reckon they're out of it? They can't get in to top eight. ⁓ yeah. Byron: No, no, no, there's still a chance. ⁓ mean, unfortunately, as a lion supporter, we might have our toughest fixtures now until the end of the season. So it does open the door for for those just outside of the top eight, which we can dive into in a little bit because it is such a close, exciting race. ⁓ Chad: Yeah. From that game though, Pepsi Buccelletti. It feels like he's gonna be the guy that can win you ugly games. Byron: And that's what you need is you need that guy who can, you know, scrap an extra point here or there. But I think the highlight for me in that game was Penclay's try. It was beer-beery-esque. And you know what? It was also him ⁓ week that gave that behind the back offload on the sideline. ⁓ So Penclay ⁓ Chad: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Wolf life in Svalbard, yeah. Byron: doing fucking fantastic things for the Sharks out on the wing. Which is crazy because you would normally think it would be Mpimpy who's making the magic happen on the wing, but it's not him lately. Anyway, that was my opinion for the Sharks game. Great game. played well. Cardiff definitely showed up for game. Chad: Yeah, it wasn't, it wasn't, ⁓ I I was a bit worried at some point of that game. was like, Ooh, it's, ⁓ tapping, but that second half was so tight. Byron: Yeah, what the Bulls did to them. Yeah, yeah. But still, clean sweep for the South African teams this week. That's two weeks in a row. Chad: Be warming up. Byron: ⁓ was the Glasgow Benetton game which ⁓ off and I was like hold on could Benetton actually put off the upset here? Chad: Oh, and Binnington was... I watched a little bit of that game before I had to hit out. Yeah. Byron: and unfortunately as the game went on the class just shone through and it ended as the way we thought it would end. Likewise for Lentz the Scarlet's. Scarlet started off keeping them tamed but then class came through. Did you see ⁓ injured? Chad: I saw that last week when you went off and I said to you I was worried about him hobbling off the field. Byron: Yeah, they don't have a ETA for when you'll be back yet. Uh-huh. He might miss the greatest rivalry and then come back after that is what the initial thing was saying. Chad: Ugh. he just needs to do what he did. Where did he play? Well, not play. What was the club he was at for like two years? How did he play the game? He came back to the rugby. Byron: I don't know, that was Peter Steff. Chad: With that being the case, I'm sure I did the same thing. Byron: Could have been. It's probably one of the Japanese side, because that's who Peter Steff did it to. 500 days or whatever without a game for his club. But one of World Cup. Chad: Yeah. Yeah had priorities where he knew what he was doing. Byron: International duty for sure. ⁓ Bulls monster. What a game. Chad: Yeah. Yeah, what happened? I want to watch this one. I didn't actually see too much about it at all. I just saw things online that Pollard sculpt like an absolute champion. Byron: Pollard's kicking was fantastic, but not only was his kicking good, I think one of Pollard's best performances since the World Cup. Kicking was class, obviously you saw that, you've already mentioned that, but I think what was more impressive was his game. So on the ball, he had flair, so there were crossfield kicks, delayed passes, ⁓ skip, just good, good, good. fantastic controlling of the game as a fly off. But then off the ball, I thought he was super impressive too, because on defense, he was making the big tackles when they mattered. also when it came to rucks, he was securing the ball. He got a turnover. He was, ⁓ Pollard came to play against Munster. And I wonder if it was because, what's the 10 for Munster? Is the 10 for Ireland as well? Chad: I saw you got a turnover. Wild. Byron: Gasp, that's the other one. What is his name? We made, we spoke to him the other day, was his birthday. Chad: Clearly. Byron: Yes, our one of it was because Crowley was on the field that he kind of stepped his game up he kind of kept him in his pocket the whole game. So massive out to Pollard. Great game and to win by three points his kicking came in clutch again as it usually does. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Okay, cool. ⁓ also from that Bulls game, Papier, I saw a post after the game, what more does he have to do to get a call up to the Springboks? Chad: Yep. Is he not in the alignment camp or anything? You're off. It is tough though, because who are our... Nones at the moment. Byron: spoiled for choice, completely spoiled. We have... Chad: No, Faf was in the alignment camp. Byron: Faf, you have Fandemarva from The Lions, have Williams from The Sharks. Chad: Williamson Sharks. Yeah, Corbis. Byron: Who's the Stormer's Nun starting nun? Chad: For the Stormers, can tell you now, Twas... ⁓ Byron: I'm Dr Hugo Fenta. So he's not gonna be called up to the squad. yes, I think he deserves, just don't know where you would fit him in, but. Chad: I think, how old is he? Byron: Let's have a look. But he's running off the ball is something special. He's 28. His birthday is this next month. He's turning 29 next month. Chad: Can everyone on the pod for his birthday? Byron: to you. Pace like nobody's business and slaloming Chad: Seems like all our number nines at the moment are like that though. It's... Our nines all are like stupid fast. Unnecessarily fast. Byron: Yeah, even the reserve hooker for the reserve scrum of the Lions this weekend got a start and he was fantastic as well. tell you his name now, because he's Chad: BJ Boiter, yep. Byron: He was also fantastic this weekend. Where is, there it is. So don't know, we're super spoiled. Also from the Bulls, like in what's the name came off the bench, Cheswell-Yuster, the under twenties. That run, that run for that try, it was as if they took Emeril's Pappier's run, copy pasted and let Cheswell-Yuster do the same thing. That wide run around the fullback was disrespectful. It was so disrespectful. Chad: I... Yeah... Dude... I saw that on the... Yeah, he's f- I'm looking at number nines currently. So in the alignment camp, we've got Jaden Henryzak, Ron Williams, Kluwe Rynar, Bede, Warnay Funenberg, Klaak and Hushal Yankees. That's in the alignment camp. And then... ⁓ Byron: The only person you could argue to get rid of this to get rid of faff and put in papaya. Chad: Fats been playing really well in Japanese league though, at least Japanese league. then even like looking at the... ⁓ Yeah, so for each team it's Mone, Fonnenberg from the Lions, Koubi from Stormers, there's Jaden Hendricks, Grant Williams, Bradley Davis for the Sharks too, he did well, Tian Ferri, Zach Berger for the Bulls. Byron: guys from the shops. And I know they got peed in because he's the youngster. He's from the under 20s side. So do you replace peed with papyr? I don't know. Chad: Yeah. Yeah, fuck me, what a difficult position to try and make. And they're all kind of other than the under 20s, they're all kind of that same. Yeah, which is probably a problem for. Another time, but. It's quite it'll be difficult to actually get in the squad because it's not like you can just roll in after someone rolls out because everyone will slowly start. Byron: age. Chad: phasing themselves out. Byron: That's it's a, again, such an awesome position to be in. To be spoiled with this many good scrummies. Chad: Yeah. Shame. Byron: Then the race for the eight, if Ospreys could have beaten Connacht, it would have been amazing. Connacht got the win, 21-14. Then what I think is the best performance of the weekend, maybe unbiased, but the Lions against the Dragons. Chad: You definitely are biased, but yep. Byron: I mean look at that score, look at that score Chad. Tell me where you can't give them any of the benefit of the... Chad: Yeah. I want you to repeat what you said to me just before we went live and what you were insinuating about because I thought you were being ridiculous and the people served to hear it. Byron: I don't even know what to say. Okay, so I was talking rugby math, which doesn't always work out and I'll repeat it again. if you look at last week, Stormers beat the Dragons 29-21 and Lions beat Edinburgh 54-17. Then this weekend, the Lions beat the Dragons 42-26 the Stormers beat Edinburgh 33-14. So by rugby math, you could say that the Lions are playing better than the Stormers. Chad: I feel like you're stepping back on your word, Jack, because you were real confident before. Yep. Byron: And wait, wait, I'm gonna take it one step further. I'm gonna double down because the last time the Lions played the Stormers, they beat them. Chad: So you're saying... Byron: So current Lions, not Lions throughout the whole season because the Stormers started off as an unbeatable squad, but something happened along the way when they lost two in a row to the Sharks. Chad: Mmm. Byron: I would say at the moment, with current form, I think the Bulls and the Lions are the two best teams in South Africa, which you can see also by the log. Chad: Yeah, I just thought it was wild that you were insulating that the lions are better than the storm is currently. Byron: I think at this very moment, the Lions are better than the Storm. Chad: Okay, they don't play today. Byron: No, the local derbies are done. But look, to be fair, I think the Lions have the toughest run in for the end of the season, which I'll dive into really quickly. Next week. Chad: So done. But that's okay because they're the best South African team. So, they've got no problem. They've only got Glasgow and... Byron: If we come out of this alive, if we still make the top eight after this next few rounds, then I definitely stand by the statement. there's going to be a break in the UIC. There's no games next weekend. But we do come back on the 18th of April, Lions will host Glasgow, which would be top of the log. Then after that, host Konnacht, who's fighting for that eighth place. Chad: You Obviously it's just... Yep, I think we all win that one. Byron: Then they go to Lanster. Chad: Oui. Byron: And in the final week, they go to monster. Chad: well i wonder if they will have their full strength side i'm talking ⁓ lennstone monster because that's what may win lennstrasles in june Byron: Yes Chad: I'm interested to if they've got their full or if the boys are... Byron: Well, there must be, because after this, there's still the quarter-final, semi-final and final. Chad: But isn't there another break? Byron: I don't know, because there's still the Investec Champions Cup as well, which the finals in May as well in Spain. that's another one to look out for. But ⁓ Lions have a ridiculously hard run in. Second place... ⁓ first place... Huh? ⁓ Chad: Yeah. What's the table looking like actually? What's the table, UIC table looking like? ⁓ my god. Yep. Byron: Glasgow on top with 55, Stormers in second with 51, Ulster in third with 47, Leinster in fourth with 46, Lions in fifth with 43, Cardiff in sixth with 41, Munster in seventh with 41, Bulls in eighth with 40, Connaught in ninth with 31, then a small drop off, Sharks in tenth with 33, Chad: That is so tight. Byron: Ospreys in 11th with 30, Benetton 12th with 28. And then it kind of, these guys are out of the race. You got Edinburgh with 23, Scarlet with 21, Dragons with 21, and Zebra with... Chad: That is... can... Yeah. Byron: Yeah, you can throw a blanket over third to ninth. You could technically include tenth and eleventh in the race as well. Chad: anyone from Osprey. Yeah I think 11 is... 11 is tough like an outside challenge but anywhere from the shocks so from yeah from 10 up there's games in it. Byron: Yeah, it's a 10 point swing. Yeah. So yeah, the lions have to play first place, then ninth place, then third place, then seventh place. Chad: I think they'll be alright. Byron: I really hope so. It'll be nice for the Lions to finally make the top eight. Chad: Yeah, I'd be like to see all the South African teams in there. Just, monster have to lose, sharks have to win, basically. Byron: Yeah, look, the sharks out of the three, yeah, the sharks have the toughest, well, have the difficult, let's say, not in terms of games, but just because of the point difference. The lions, I think, have the toughest games leading into the end, which is, you know, trial by fire, I guess. And then, is that all my notes that I had? Oh, actually, I actually had a few more. With the way the Lions have been playing, I think the most exciting game, I wish I had a Lions jersey actually. I think one of the most exciting games that we could watch now would be Druer versus the Lions. Chad: Hit ⁓ This is the soak. You should put your lounge jersey on for today's episode. Ugh. Byron: Think about it. At that point, it's kind of like a free fall. You don't know whether they're running, kicking, even if they're five meters out from their own trial line, they could still be going for the try. Chad: It'll be fun. Yeah. And we have Angus Gordon as a referee, he'll let it go. Like, let it swing. Byron: You'll just let it go. Harley this weekend for the Bulls game, top four. Chad: Yeah, but we know this. ⁓ We can give Holly the referee of the weekend, three weekends before we know what game she's refereeing. Byron: It's at TMO, she's still better than the unfilled ref. ⁓ Chad: Yeah, she's good anyway. She, well, ⁓ yeah, big fan. Byron: I did want to say is, we didn't talk about it, the game. firm it was. away from it. is it? Glasgow, Benetton. There was ⁓ head on head contact in that game. And I want to give a shout out to the refs because I think they handled it perfectly. There was direct head on head and it was bad. And if you go back to the autumn series, it would have been a straight red. And we spoke about a similar incident last week where the the refs handled it well again. And I think good on the refs here again because they took the whole thing into consideration. The speed at which it happened, any sort of mitigating factors and it stayed a yellow card. Did it look rough? Did it look bad? Yes. But according to the rules, it was only a yellow. And I want to shout out to the rest for getting that one. Chad: Yeah. Byron: since we always give the ref shit. Bratphilisa. Chad: There we go. It is right beside. It does feel like it's getting better though, but we'll see what happens with these actuals. One thing I did notice, and those was last week, was the difference between Rugby and the URC. ⁓ at the breakdown when ⁓ the new law that's in ⁓ Super Rugby where you can't bring on that tail ⁓ a, well, ⁓ actually really like it. I think it's so much better. Byron: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yep. Chad: the game it does speed it up so much because you add that extra 10 seconds on 10 seconds maybe like five seconds adding a couple people on yeah so good Byron: What I think makes it so in the UIC and I think in obviously every other competition besides Super Rugby is when they do do that caterpillar for the scrummy, even once the balls at the foot of the ruck, he still takes a few seconds to settle himself before he kicks. And I think that's what is also very annoying because they'll call in the caterpillar, the ref will say use it. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Then he sits up. Chad: Yeah, because I suppose they have five seconds. Yeah. Byron: And then he goes to kick. Yeah, it's not five seconds. It's always longer. But that's why I think in super rugby it's awesome. Go, go, for it. Chad: Yeah, something that was... I'm fucking... you're sitting on a rant here. One thing that's also been so frustrating, and this is in both... like just rugby in general, I remember back in the day... Jesus, I sound old when I said that. I'm not that old, Byron. When I used to watch rugby when I was younger, pulling the ball back, you could only do with your feet. Once you touch that ball and picked it up... Byron: You are old. You're old. Yeah Chad: in any way shape or form you getting by Bucky's border. Now it feels like yeah but they can it looks like they I've seen a couple times where they like pick the ball up and move it like off the ground and move it backwards that's that seem right. Byron: Yeah, but strum-offs are protected now. Yeah, I agree with you. rule is now once it's lifted, is it out or if it's not not by the last player's foot, it's out of the the ruck. But I agree with you because they shift the ball and it looks like they lift it up sometimes. Chad: They do sometimes list it up. I've seen it often. Byron: And then the guy at first pillar will come forward and the ref will be like, no, no, no, ball's not out. And he's like, fucking, I saw him lift it, idiot. Yeah. I agree with you on that one. It is frustrating. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. I saw all of it last week and I was like, what the fuck? As a player, you'd be so frustrated. Byron: Yeah. Yeah, well, know, Scrum Officer protected these days. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And then the final two fixtures we had Storm is beating Edinburgh. I think Sasha put on a clinic ⁓ But I still think the flower South African flower of the weekend is gonna go to Pollard and then Ulster beating zebra Chad: Yep. We'll send him an award. Byron: Verna Koch ⁓ the best player for Ulster. Chad: 100 % he's literally the poster boy for them. He's incredible. He's just such a wild Robo player, doesn't he? Byron: He does everything at 110%. Everything. Even when they walk onto the field, he does it at 1.2 speed. Everything he does with unfiltered aggression. It is ⁓ hair everywhere. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Did he score any tries this weekend or was he just... Byron: What's that? Chad: Did he score any tries this weekend? He did. He did. He did. He did. Byron: I believe he did. I believe he scored the second. Yeah. No, he's good. But like, again, what does someone like, cock have to do to get a call up to the spring box? Because which winger do you not take? Chad: 68. No, I love him. He's so good. Yeah, they'd have to be an injury because, yeah, the wingers are ⁓ Byron: Yeah, but if someone I think if you have to find someone who deserves a call up, it's going to be him. Chad: Even if you bring one as water boy, water would be there. Byron: Also, where this man that I want to give a shout out to? No, that's not correct. these aren't in order. No wonder I was confused. Mahashe, the number six for the Lions this weekend. Go watch his try. Because if thought ⁓ Boutelizi on a performance, Mahashe was for the Lions. Just need go watch that try. That try was... ⁓ Chad: Yeah, I don't know. Okay. top notch. after this, I'm an hour earlier now, I've got an extra hour, I can watch some highlights. Try catch up. Byron: Yes, please do it. And then the only other thing I wanted to say is a shout out to the women's seven side. Chad: Qualifying. Byron: Yes, they didn't have a great weekend in Sao Paulo. ended fifth on the table out of six teams. So not a great weekend for us. But with the other two, sevens two competitions, I'll tell you now where they were. Nairobi the other one was, why I only getting a, here it Nairobi, Montevideo, and then this previous weekend in Sao Paulo. If we look at the results we were third in Montevideo which I'm probably pronouncing wrong Montevideo Anyway, and then in Nairobi, we were second. And that was good enough for our ladies to qualify for the championship, which starts in Hong Kong on the 17th to the 19th ⁓ April. Chad: It's okay, we forgive you. Yep, I remember that one. Okay, birthday weekend sorted. Byron: So the big, cause they started in sevens three this season. They won sevens three, which got them into sevens two. And then they did enough to qualify the top four teams qualified for that competition, which is also pretty cool because we also have, I'd rather read it from here. It'll be easier. give me one second while I search sevens. The female teams that qualified are South Africa, Brazil, Spain and Argentina. So they'll join the eight from the regular season. And then out of the men we had Kenya, Germany, Uruguay and the USA who qualified. Chad: I wonder how we were going to go. I didn't think the USA would have. I thought they were... in. There you go. Byron: Well, once they lost, what's that speedster's name? Yeah, Terry Baker, Perry Baker, Perry Baker, Perry Baker. They lost a lot there. three more rounds in sevens, we've got Hong Kong in April, Valor de Lyd at the end of May, and then Bordeaux the beginning of June for the Chad: Period. We'll back you. Byron: I think that's all. I think that's our thing. Anything else from your end? Chad: Signing stuff. I want to talk and we spoke about last week but last week's pod was a bit weird one but I want to talk about when I was sitting in the lounge watching rugby it came to my mind that world rugby is and we spoke about earlier trying to take away the scrum replace it with literally anything else you know I think part of the reason why at least for me we hate it so much is because it's being forced upon us I feel like we need to not I think we need to empower our players more to do what they need to do. And when there is things like knock ons, instead of saying, nah, we're not going to have a scrum, you give the team the option, say scrum or free kick, like a tap kick. Can't kick it straight out. You can tap it and go. That's, it. So if you want to do that, it'll also speed the game up ⁓ some aspect of it. even though you're just gonna most likely tap it, get tackled and have a more, and either have a more. Byron: Well then yeah, the game, at least the game's flowing. I said to you last week, I think it's a brilliant idea because it allows ⁓ that are gonna weaponize the scrum to continue to weaponize it. And then those that feel they don't have the strength from the scrum, they can just take a tap. I I saw it this weekend in the URC, What's-her-name it as a brilliant weapon, Connacht against Chad: Yeah. Byron: They used the scrum to dominate them and it was paying off for them. So your variation to the law, I think it's really good. But I do want to just add to it again, I don't think you should be allowed to kick directly from that tap. Chad: No, that's what I said. You can't scope it straight out. It's just a tap and go. Byron: Yeah. Well, the thing that I want to avoid is the if you watch Super Rugby with the new tap law, they just they just boot it up. And when you've got someone like Barrett, who can just kick it up 50, 60 meters. And then, you know, it's a by the time it comes down, it's a missile. I don't think that should be the benefit you can get from not taking the scrum. Chad: ⁓ and they scoped up and under. Byron: I think if you want to kick it, you have to tap and then kick or tap pass and then kick, but you can't kick directly before you tap. Yeah. I like it. I think it's a good idea because it still lets the teams use the scrum when they want to use it. And then if you're a team who doesn't have necessarily the strongest scrum and you go with more agile props, you can, but when it's scrum time. Chad: Yeah. Just just tip. Let's get it. at a risk. Yeah, no, but I think it'll be cool. I think it will just add a little bit more excitement to it too. Byron: Be careful there, Bako. I think so too. And I mean, also then, if you're the team who doesn't have the strong scrum, game will flow because you'll just take the tap and absolutely blasted by some forwards. But, you know, better than getting scrummed backwards for a penalty, I guess. Chad: I was going to say better than 900 kilos going through your spine. Byron: No, I think it was a brilliant idea. It's shocking that you were the one who came up with it. But I do think it's a good idea. Chad: Look, I was four heineken's deep. I did have help. Byron: That's a wrap up. Chad: It wasn't all me. Dutch helped me out a little bit. Byron: ⁓ I think we cut the cock, Chad. Chad: think we did and we've done it in record time. Because I didn't watch any rugby and was just listening to you talk. Byron: I was gonna say it's, you know. tell me about, you know, what did you think was the highlight of the Stormers game? Chad: scoreline at the end. ⁓ Nah, but I will make sure that I watch more rugby this weekend. Byron: But we don't have any UIC next weekend, it must- ⁓ that is because- I'm an idiot. is the Investec Cup. Chad: is it? Who's playing? Not the sharks. Byron: I'm bringing it up now so that... I'm not gonna go through all of the games because... Chad: Good ads. Byron: So we'll start with. Chad: No, come on, I'll go through all of them. I'll find them, I'll read them, and we'll... Okay. Byron: I've got them up. Okay, so we'll start with the challenge cup, the EPCR. Chad: Yep. Byron: Okay, first game, Connacht Sharks in Connacht. Chad: It's an easy shock swim by 60 points. Byron: Jesus, you almost had me there and then. Chad: No, I reckon Shockle win the one. Shockle win. Shockle win. coming off of some good form. They're playing well. JP Petersen's rolling them up. Byron: I think shots. some good form. have a bar ⁓ you have see I'm not gonna read through all of these games Chad: What time is it for me? Byron: I don't know enough about them. I should though. How is Zebra still in this competition? Jesus Louise. just read over them quickly you've got against ⁓ Exeter against Munster Benetton against Cardiff Newcastle Red Bulls against Chad: Another show. Byron: Loroche, I can't believe Lorochello in the EPCR. Well, we know who's winning the EPCR. All still play Ospreys. Stade Francais Paris play Dragons. ⁓ are Dragons still in this competition? And then Zebra host, Palu, Palwa. All right, then switch out quickly to the Inverse Tech. Chad: I was gonna say well, the Mars will just cancel it now. Byron: Champions Cup, Gampions Cup. And we have Northampton Saints against Custis, Bath against Saracens, then Toulon host Stormers. Yeah, yeah. I got another banger for you. Glasgow host Bulls. Chad: ⁓ Jesus. to back. Are on the same time? No they're not. Okay they're off to each other. I am up ⁓ at two... Byron: Yes, yes I got four o'clock see I'm at five o'clock Chad: No, I'll get up for the stormers game. That's at 2am. Byron: How's that math-math-ing? Who cares? All right, well. Chad: And then the Glasgow games on at 4.30. Byron: Yeah. Chad: me. Byron: Then Harlequins host Sail Sharks. Bordeaux Baglac ⁓ Leicester, who, ⁓ be honest, I know who's gonna beat Bordeaux. And the final game of the weekend, there's Leicester host Edinburgh, which we know how that's Chad: That'll be... This was a great game. Byron: So that's this weekend. That's a lot of rugby to watch. I'm excited. I'll try to watch as much of that as I can. Chad: Yeah, it's long weekend. We've got We've got it. wonder, oh my God, I wonder if I'm going be able to watch it here. Byron: And that starts on Friday. Chad: Saturday morning. Byron: Well, Friday morning for me will be the Super rugby. The three games that are on. I believe Friday for me, Crusaders host Drew and then on Saturday's Chicks, Wartatars and Reds force. Friday morning's gonna be so fun because I feel like the Crusaders drew again, not even gonna be close. Chad: I don't know every single time we've said that about the Dra, they've not won but yeah but Byron: Yeah, but it's Drew her away from home. Are you gonna go watch the Crusaders game since it's the last game at that stadium? Chad: No, it's like it's 600 kilometers away the stadium. Byron: I thought it was a home, but I've got a fuse. Which stadium's close to you then? Chad: None. The closest one is Wellington. But like just geographical. I was a bird I could fly there. It's like not that far. Let's see. Byron: And then who's in blue zone in Wellington, aren't they? Chad: Byron, you ever take any geography at school? Byron: Nothing. If you showed me a map of New Zealand, I couldn't even tell you where it was. Chad: Auckland Blues, ⁓ mean Auckland, not... Byron: Okay, that makes sense. Chad: north Byron: Go on, tell me about your closest stadium then. Chad: Yeah, Wellington is if I just went straight there is 131 Ks away from me. Byron: Too far. But you have a whatsaname nearby right? MPC? Chad: I do? Yep. That's the Tasman Marco. So the Tasman Marco and Canterbury make up the Crusaders. Byron: Okay, okay, there you go. That's where my mind went. I wasn't off, but still pretty dumb, which is accurate for me. ⁓ Chad: I'd love to put up a map and just let you pin where you think I live. It would be fantastic. Byron: Couldn't tell you, it would be an absolute guess. Okay, I've got a map up here now of the North and South Island. I see Christchurch and I see Wellington and I see Auckland. Chad: Yeah. Do you know where the hell I'm at in this play? Byron: No. Chad: Okay, that's good. The chiefs? Byron: even for all Super rugby, I don't know where any of the clubs ⁓ except for the Western force. Because it's in their name. Chad: You And surely you know where the baritones are. Byron: I'm gonna say Sydney. Chad: Yeah, well, yeah, New South Wales, yep. This is good. This should be a segment. This should bring up a map. Byron: I did let bar and guess where the club is from. I was stood next week. It's gonna be it's gonna be hilarious because it's gonna be and I'll make sure not to look any of them up. Chad: Yeah. Okay, done. I'll try to see if there's a way that I can create a map and you can just pin them and then I'll just put it up and play the video and pause it and you can just talk us through your your your thought pattern. Byron: because No, wait, now let's, I've got, Melbourne is the reds? Chad: Melbourne as the Reds the Queensland Reds in Melbourne Byron: Okay, that makes sense now that you said that. So they're up there, I guess. Chad: Queensland? Probably. Byron: Queensland? So who's in Melbourne? Chad: The rebels, they no longer. Byron: ⁓ you right the rebels good on remember those little little homies okay then the Brumbies on Brisbane Chad: You Byron: No? guessing here. Chad: I can tell ⁓ Brumbies the ACT Brumbies Byron: Yeah? Yeah? Chad: Canberra. Byron: wait, where the hell's Canberra? ⁓ there it is. Chad: Yeah. Byron: That sucks. Chad: ⁓ it does suck. There's not much there besides couple of government officials. ⁓ Byron: That's why I guess they play rugby. Okay, yeah, let's do this next week. It'll be fun. Looking at New Zealand, it's gonna be a nightmare. don't know where. Only thing I know is Christchurch for the Crusaders. Chad: Yeah, we can. Byron: ⁓ for the blues. Chad: Who you thought were in Wellington? Not five minutes ago. Byron: Yo, I don't know who's, I'm looking at Wellington now, I don't know who plays there. Chad: I'm excited for this. This is gonna be good. I'm keen. I'm excited for this. Byron: Hahaha I can tell you where some African clubs are from. Chad: At this point I'm not sure if I gave you a map that didn't have the names on it Byron: No, for South Africa, I'm good. I'm good on South Africa. We might want to do it for the URC as well. Not really because it's Chad: To the URC I would struggle with a little bit more then. Byron: So maybe that's what we should do. You should do the URC excluding the South African sides. And then you can do the Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Italian clubs. Chad: Yep. The thing about all of those places, they're all so small, you could drop a person anywhere, you'd be pretty close. Byron: Especially the, well I guess in Italy you've only got the two clubs and I don't even know where they each are so I think it'll be exciting to figure out. All well now that we've announced the world that we're dumber than they thought we were, I think we can... ⁓ Chad: Not we, not we. I'm not here. Okay. Okay. Byron: No, I'm going with we. I'm sticking with we. OK, we're dumber than we thought we were. I think we can end it there. Please like, subscribe and share is what everyone's supposed to say at the end of a podcast. Chad: Yeah. See you later. Byron: for what he said. Thanks. Bye.