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CTK-43: Provincial Rugby Chaos and Rassie’s 5D Chess · Cut The Kak

• Byron: Welcome back to another episode of Cut the Kak the show where we talk about the sport we love but know absolutely nothing about. That fool over there in the sharks jersey, that's Chad. I'm Byron. Chad, it's Cut the Cuck. Chad: cut the kak Barn, we had a absolute chaos. don't know what to call it. Provincial rugby was absolute chaos on both sides of the Indian Ocean. Byron: I couldn't be a bigger fan. I'm so invested now in both competitions. for anyone who doesn't know, we're talking about the Currie Cup and the NPC. and I'm for all of it. I do have to say though, I think if you have the NPC sides against the Currie Cup sides, just for the lulls, I think MPC wins almost every matchup. Chad: It's exciting, huh? It's such an exciting competition. ⁓ Yeah. It's so fun to go watch. I was so I ⁓ I was gutted 'cause the the Mako at home, which is maybe minutes away. Byron: It's such good ruggers. Okay, go on. Why didn't you go? Why did you watch from home? Chad: I didn't go. I ⁓ but I watched from home. Byron: And it was a close game too. Chad: because it was it wasn't supposed to be. That that game was not supposed to go like that. I think, if not mistaken the Byron: It was Chad: Tasman Mako were paying. let me double check the numbers here. I had it written down. But Yeah, that game should not have been that close at all. the what's who's that pay? North Harbour? North Harbour f North Harbour finished, I think, Stone Last last year. Byron: You trying to say North Harbour shit? Good for them then. Chad: And if you look at the the the quality of the the Marcos with both Havili brothers, Noah Hotham Byron: You know they're class. Chad: Yeah. It's about super fun. Fine. But we'll get to that later. Byron: Northern Provincial Championship NPC. Chad, do you want to start with the NPC games? Chad: Yo. Sure, what do you wanna do? Do you wanna run through the results? I I ⁓ before we start, I have some news and I only realised that after I was just writing down some notes for the show. Byron: Yeah, I'm gonna run through results. Okay, go on, let's hear it. What's the disappointing news? Yes? Chad: This weekend I've watched more rugby league full games than I have rugby I did watch the highlights of all the NPC games and the Currie Cup games, but full full games, I've watched more union. I mean more league. Mm. Byron: Cap. More league than union. Alright, let's let's put a positive spin on it then. ⁓ before we dive then into the NPC, what was your opinion watching more league than usual of the games themselves? Chad: They were still fun. I watched the the Warriors game, which was pretty cool. ⁓ and the Dragons Dolphins game. Also a really close one. and then also the Broncos game, which was thrashing. Byron: Yeah, they okay. Well, I made a promise to watch one league game a week. And this week, for whatever reason, was Cowboys Roosters. it was a complete and absolute drubbing from the Roosters to the Cowboys. The Cowboys didn't even look they didn't even look as if they should have been on the same field as the Roosters. Chad: I watch that one too. A twelve fo ⁓ eighty two? Byron: And I was I was listening to the commentators, obviously I know nothing about it. but they they matched the highest halftime score of a team, and they nearly broke the record because they were forty-eight. They scored forty-eight points in the first half against the Cowboys. And they another try. So forty-eight was to even the most points ever scored in a half. And they had a try to go to fifty. And then with a conversion 54. But the ref ruled it out for I think it was a knock on offside or something like that. But you what? It was great to see the breakaway tries, but it it was definitely not as fun as the game I watched last week, which was the Rabbidos, ⁓ who'd they play? Rabbido's ⁓ and Storm, which a point game with constant back and forth, back and forth. Chad: Rebraze. They played Storm. Byron: lost this week to the sharks. So I'm I should I should actually watch that game more than anything else. ⁓ The Rabbidos. Yeah, after hearing that that s story about how they got their name, I think I am a bit of a Rabbidos fan. ⁓ but I just Chad: They did. Yeah. I feel like that's our team. Yep. I also think they're playing they're playing next week against I'm looking now against the Eels and I think the Rapidars are the only team that's unbeaten at home still. Byron: Bro, Eels is a wild name for your team. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Like Tartans, Cowboys, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters, Bulldogs, Storm, Sea Eagles, Dolphins, Broncos, Rabbitos, Raiders, Knights, Dragons, Sharks, Eels. Chad: Yeah. Where and where are they on the log? Are they Byron: on. Let's have a look see. Let's have a look at the log. The eels are thirteen. Chad: ⁓ yeah. Still the worst name though. Byron: ⁓ wait, there's a West's Tigers as well that I didn't include in that, 'cause for whatever dumb reason there's seventeen teams instead of having an even number of teams. But Chad: I think there's more teams coming in next year. Byron: Well, if any of them are as shit as the Cowboys. Although Cowboys are in ninth place. If Roosters play dragons, what the fuck happens? Chad: Panthers, the Panthers on top. Byron: Or if Panthers play dragons, what happens? Chad: Let me have a look. Have they played each other? Let me have a look. Panthers. next week's gonna be the Panthers Warriors. That'll be a good one. who did we say? Panthers and the Byron: Dragons. So sharks play dragons next. West's Tigers play dragons. Chad: Panthers played dragons, it was twenty eight six. Byron: Sea Eagles play dragons and they end their season off against the Eels. Chad: Holy shit. the West West Tigers played against the Panthers on the seventh of June. The Panthers won sixty eight nil. Byron: He's a Jesus. All right. So clearly none of it makes any sense. Chad: Yeah. I think ⁓ that's enough that's enough that's enough NRL. yuck. Okay. Get back on track, Baron. Byron: Alright, so anyway, my you know, ⁓ game that I watched, it only took about three minutes until I heard the Harvey Norman replay. Chad: Harvey Norman. could not unhear the Harvey Norman replay. Byron: Brother, it's it's everywhere. It's and it was a game where there's eighty-two points versus twelve. I can't I wish I counted how many times they said the Harvey Norman replay. It's it's wild behavior. Chad: Yeah. It is. It's good value though. Byron: Also, you know, we've been talking because I'm becoming a a union ref. I was watching league ref. Not a bad job. You know, you don't really do much for 85% of the game. ⁓ your job is running backwards for that offside line. And then ⁓ now and then you ask the TMO, Hey, buddy, do you think there was a try? And then the TMO does the job for you. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Byron: And then he'll tell you trial, no trial, and then you move on. It's not a bad gig if you're a referee. I think Chad: Yep. It's not because everyone else does, even the other calls that happen in the background are all from the TMO. Yeah. Byron: Yeah. It's he's just the other thing I find weird is that they call everyone by name. Chad: I don't even know what. Byron: Yeah, it's not number two's offside or whatever. It's like John's ⁓ John knocked it on. Michael picked it up, so it's ⁓ offside. please let you know it's it's very weird for me. Very weird. Chad: Yeah. I did not notice that. I'm gonna I'm gonna go rewatch what ⁓ wait. Byron: Go back and watch a game. You're like, here you go, Jimmy. ⁓ you were off side on that one. So it's ⁓ yeah, Michael, take the ball. And you're like, wait, why don't we use numbers here? But I guess, you know, if you're on a first name basis with everyone. I know we got sidetracked, but I got one more league thing to say. And I'm to that anyone who watches league and union knows this So I'm not saying anything Brian Great. Chad: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Byron: groundbreaking for them, but it is groundbreaking for me and maybe for you too. Did you know was it was in nineteen ninety seven where League introduced the 4020 rule, which is the same as the 5022. So that came from League and it has become one of the best attacking options in union that everyone absolutely loves. Chad: Yeah. Byron: And that was, I think it they said it was I'm looking at it now. It was trialed 2009 was proposed in 2019 and World Rugby adopt ⁓ adapt adopted it in 2021. But League Yeah, League had it since ninety seven. Although I've only s I've watched ⁓ three games and I've seen it happen once of forty twenty two. Chad: Yep. I knew that it came from League. N yeah, it's not it doesn't happen as often. Byron: No. But it is know, so ⁓ shout out to League, 'cause that that rule has made Union pretty damn exciting. As much as that hurts to say out loud. Chad: Yeah. You know we've been talking about league for about ten minutes now. Byron: Well, we said we're gonna give it a bash. We might as well talk about it. It's not like I imagine I must go and watch this game and not talk about it. Then I'm wasting my time because Chad: Yeah. But I'm just saying it's it's almost a quarter of our a show. Byron: Look, I do find it a little boring sometimes, but that might just be because that game was so one-sided. But I find myself getting distracted within the first like three tackles. I don't really care what happens, because it's it's just gonna be a a crash ball. And then wait till number four and five for things to get exciting. But until then, if I can crash ball, crash ball, crash ball. ⁓ now and then something happens, but most of the time it's just crash ball. Chad: Yeah. No, it was ⁓ yeah. And then coming back Yeah. Byron: anything else about league since it's all you watch these days? Chad: Ugh Jesus, okay, calm down. Fucking hell. no, can we please talk about the Currie cup or the NBC? I'll let you pick. Let's over the Currie cup results. ⁓ Byron: We haven't even we we s we we got we got half a game into the MPC before we moved on to league. Hold on. me finish MPC. Yeah. I've got him up. So results we've got look, I to find MPC team. Chad: I know. ⁓ NPC, is that what we're doing? Let me bring up the fic the results here. To follow. Byron: Yeah. Chad: Tasman Mako. Your the your two teams, Tasman Mako or Canterbury? Byron: No. No, because I know that those are the speeder sides for the Crusaders. So So scratch both of those off already. ⁓ Chad: Okay. Who okay, give me give me who What super rugby team do you like the most? Byron: The blues, but I don't want to support Auckland. Chad: It brother, you're making this very you've clearly got a you've clearly got a ⁓ team in your mind. Byron: Okay, no no I'm gonna make it I'm gonna make it print. I'm gonna make it I'm gonna make it as I think I know what I wanna do. Chad: Actually I I know what to do. Pick a number between one and fourteen. Byron: Okay, before I do that, can I ask one question? Okay. Out of all of the sides in the NPC, which one is the best holiday destination? Chad: You could argue Nelson, giving it's the sunshine capital of New Zealand. Byron: Okay. Chad: Definitely not Northland. Hawkes Bay would be nice. Byron: You're saying these names as if they mean something to me. I asked you a question because I don't know the answer. Okay, but then I then you put me back in the same position where I gotta pick between yeah, and I don't ⁓ Okay. One and fourteen, give me eleven. Chad: I gave you an answer, I said Nelson. I know. So fuck your plan. Between one and fourteen. Eleven. You've got the Wellington Lions. Byron: Okay, but did you do that on the current standings? No, see that doesn't count. I'm gonna you actually I've got a better idea. I'm gonna watch all the highlights from week one. And then I'll pick a team for next week. Chad: Yes. No pardon you could. Byron: And I'll just say it now, it can't be Tasman Mako and it can't be Canton. Chad: Okay. the Teradecki bulls also pretty cool. They're not bad. Byron: Yeah. So I'm gonna go watch the highlights. I should have done it before this. or if anyone wants to give a reason to pick a piccular a p pick a particular team, please drop it in the comments. I'd love to to have an NPC team to follow for the rest of the season. so any recommendations would be nice to know. Chad: A sod. Byron: Otherwise I'll watch all the highlights and pick one. But let's go over the results. Do you want to read them? Chad: Sure. gets them up? we have it was actually there were some cracker games this week. it's also quite cool because that game sold on a Thursday here. So it goes Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It's fantastic. ⁓ Byron: Yeah. Which is kind of what people were asking for with the Nations Cup. Chad: God, that be so good. Can you imagine no? okay. So Waikato vers Bayoplene. another good game, great opener. thirty eight twenty six to Waikato. We had Tasman Mako, thirty one twenty nine to North Harbor. I mean two over North Harbor. that was a really good game. Should not have been that close, but it was. Counties played against Taranaki. Byron: Over North Harbour. Chad: Bulls, Taranaki won twenty points to five. South played Otago. Otago winning that one forty one fourteen. Another really good game. we'll touch up on it a little bit later. Byron: I'm happy to touch on it right now 'cause once Richie's boots touch that that field. Chad: Like to score in the what it was like the seventy seventh minute or something to win the game is just unreal. I thought that game was going to ⁓ golden 'cause they play Golden Point afterwards. At half time. but Cancery won thirty eight thirty one over Auckland, ⁓ North ⁓ Byron: Sorry, but before you before you move on to the last two, about that Canterbury game, because it was the only NPC game I watched start to finish. The fly half for Canterbury. Fantastic. He played a phenomenal game. Great kicking, good running, great on defense. It's gotta be so shitty for him to have Richie back Chad: Do know what I reckon's gonna happen? Byron: He's gonna be called up to the greatest rivalry. Yes, we know. Brother, he's he's played his game for Canterbury now, he's eligible. Call him up. Chad: Could you not? It is mind blowing. Him Hundred percent. But also and I'll touch on it when we get into the last last game. Karifi, brother, you have did you haven't yet go watch the game and then Byron: Okay, wait, hold on. Actually that's not a bad not a bad call. Who does Karifi play for? Chad: Wellington lines. Byron: Okay, then I might be a Welling ⁓ you know, that actually makes perfect sense. They're Lions. It's done. It's done. Okay, so I'm a Wellington Lions fan. Chad: Y it does. It do okay, there we go. We've we have to ⁓ have to get bumfer, you have to go buy a jersey off a bumper now. Byron: Okay, get a Wellington's Lions jersey from Boomfa. Let's do it. Fuck, I hope they I hope they can win a game or two. It'll be suck to pick the team that has the worst season, but anyway, we'll figure that out now. Yeah, but you can lose at a starting opening game, no problem there. Anyways, go on, please continue with your story. Chad: Well, they did lose this weekend, but we haven't got the yet. Yeah. ⁓ And then Northam played the turbos, won forty fourteen, and then the Wellings and Lions played against Hawks by crack of a game. Lots of points. Byron: She's fifty two thirty three. Chad: ⁓ no, and that's the hurricanes that they beat. Yeah. Byron: Ooh, Wellington. ⁓ I could be a Kane supporter. It's not the worst. Chad: I mean you support the Lions. Byron: Okay, so I'm a Wellington Lions fan for the NPC, ladies and gentlemen. Chad: Yeah, ⁓ but bro Karifi I had bro how he is not Byron: Cracker. Well he him and Moonga might be called up together. Chad: I reckon they should. It's Byron: It's only gonna take a few games before injuries start to roll in. Chad: Well yeah, they play and we also touch on that later. Hang on, I'm trying to find my notes here from There was a targo, blah blah blah blah blah. Yeah, on that game. Byron: From the N PC. So, what I do want to say was obviously I've only watched the Cadsbury Auckland game. The the free running style of play in the NPC is incredible. And that's from last season going on to this season. You pointed it out, and I I looked for it, and it was very easy to see. and lots and lots of running, right? Chad: It's so fun. Yeah. Byron: Which is exciting, but we're gonna need to rely on your expertise to do the predictions for next week. Chad: Do we do it now? Do you wanna read the math and I'll just quick file them? Byron: Sure. Yes. So start the the week off. We've got North Harbour taking on County's Look, County's are the only one who scored one try all last week. So I'm not putting any hope Counties. Chad: And after North Harbour's against I'm going North Harbour. Byron: Performance against Amako. Yeah. Yeah, fair enough. And they'll be at home. All right, then we have Tarunaki versus Waikato. Chad: Yeah. brother, you say these so well. the ⁓ Byron: I know when you say it, you couldn't be more white. Chad: I know, it's ⁓ it's a problem, but here we are. gonna go Taranaki. Byron: I can't argue 'cause I genuinely don't know, so good for you. All right, then we have Auckland versus the legendary Wellington Lions. Chad: I I like this. This is so good. I'm gonna go Auckland. Byron: Alright. I'm gonna argue with you there for based on no merit all, but on on on pure love for the game, it's the Lions winning that one, my friend. Duplice Karifi's gonna score a hat trick. Chad: Ha ha ha. Okay. Do we think Ivy's gonna be going to Cape Town week? ⁓ Byron: Brother, if Dupla Carifi goes to Cape Town, I'm picking a new side. Alright, see Auckland in that one. Okay. Bay of Plenty versus Northland. Chad: I think Bob's got this. Byron: Bop is Bay of Plenty. Chad: It is, it's Bob. Byron: Have you ever been to Blay of Blah blah blah Bay of Plenty? Any any any ⁓ insights you'd like to share? Chad: No. Negative. the the kit's pretty cool. Byron: You it here first. Chad: Yeah. Byron: Okay. Hawkes Bay verse Tasman. Chad: do ⁓ want my unbiased answer or biased one? ⁓ Byron: Well, if I'm just looking at results and based on what you said about North Harbour and looking what Hawke's Bay did to Wellington, I've got to go Hawks Bay on this. Chad: Yeah. makes that's logical. I'm gonna go Mako. Byron: Okay, so all right. Then Otago vs Canterbury. Chad: That's gonna this could be a good game. Mwanga is still there. Byron: Who plays for Otago? Because I like something about them is calling my name. Chad: who plays for them? There'll be a couple of let me just have a look at the last team. Bell. who else would you know? I don't know who else you would know. Basically the Highlanders, I think. Byron: Basically the Highlanders. Okay, anyway, that's for me to figure out, not important. And then the last game, I believe it is the last game, for you to pick a winner is Manawatu versus Southland. Chad: Turbos. I don't know. ⁓ Byron: Manawatu Turbo's terrible name. Terrible name. Well, Southland lost and they lost, so and pretty much almost the same score line. Chad: Better than the fucking eels. Byron: So both teams lose. Chad: Both teams lose. ⁓ I'll go I'll go the home team, I'll go to turbos. Byron: Ha ha ha. Okay, sick. Alright. Well, I'm gonna be more committed to the NPC this weekend, so that's exciting. It is fun to watch. But now now that I know I'm a I'm a wellies fan. Wellies? Chad: It's it's it's so fun to watch. ⁓ and I will watch more Union this week. Yeah. Actually I can see you being in Wellington. You fit the the Wellington aura. Byron: Okay, I like. Yeah. ⁓ do you know what we haven't done quickly for League? Let's pick a game to watch. Or I I know you're gonna watch all eight of them, but I'd like to just watch the one. Chad: I won't, hang on. I I'll get a I'll I'll get a game. I'll I'll get my advice from someone who actually knows the sport. All the pe all the games that we've watched I've got from a s a reputable source. Byron: Well the reputable reputable sauce has been pretty accurate both both occasions. while you do that, I'll move over to the Currie cup. What a sick weekend of fixtures. I don't know if you watched them. Chad: Yeah. Bro. ⁓ what's the highlights of them? Byron: so I went and I I watched the Roosters game just before the Currie Cup kickoff of the Cheaters. ⁓ And everyone talks about how exciting the tries are in rugby league. Brother, go watch the Khriquas against Cheaters because their third try made every single Roosters try look like a non competable try. Chad: Yep. Yeah. I did. Yeah. Yeah. Byron: Criquas were amazing. And so were the Cheaters. It was such a good game. for those curious, the Kriquas beat the Cheaters 24 21. and then Stormer Shark game, so much back and forth between the two of them. ⁓ thirty six twenty eight was the final score there. You see what you're saying? Chad: ⁓ yeah, I I watched that game. The storm is I was awake at three o'clock in the morning watching that game. Byron: Well shout out Sky Sports New Zealand for actually showing all of the Currie Cup games. That's pretty pretty dope. Yeah. Chad: I know. It's pretty cool. I wish I would show all the games, but that's a start. I was good. but I was it was it was tough. Byron: As a neutral, I really enjoyed that one. That one was a cracker. Then Lions somehow our recommendation. Probably not by watching us, but they'd still someone watched us and someone told them. That's what that's what that's what it might have been. But they didn't play at Emirates Airline Park, whatever you want to call it. ⁓ they played at UJ Stadium. Chad: Yeah. A hundred but they watched us. Someone. Yeah. Yes. Byron: The problem with that Chad: It was really cool seeing supporters at the game. ⁓ Byron: Yes, the problem with that is the camera angle the for the the the main camera for the field is situated on the same side as the stands. So if you're watching the game on TV, you would see the same number of supporters on that screen as you would at Ellis Park, which is zero. Chad: ⁓ Byron: But when they showed all the other cameras, it was actually a packed stadium at UJ, which I thought was pretty cool. that they are playing at a different stadium because I think it's it's it's tough to put them at Ellis Park with that many or that few people there. That, yeah. But Lions 42 And I said last week and I'll say it again. The Lions play the most exciting rugby in the Currie Cup. Chad: Yeah. More exciting than the Wellington Lions. Byron: Well brother, I don't know because I have never watched a game. ⁓ But we'll know this weekend. and then because of Sunday's results, there are no longer any undefeated sides in the competition because the Pumas beat Burland twenty fifteen. ⁓ if you look if you look at the little log, no, I didn't see that coming either. Chad: Ha ha ha Yeah. ⁓ no. Did not see that coming. Byron: If you look at that little loggy, lions are on top. Chad: So did you just stop the count? Byron: ⁓ Krikwa's second. Yeah, that's it. It's the end of the competition. are in second, Cheetah's in third, Burland in fourth, Stormers in fifth. All top five sides. Played three, one, two, last one. Chad: S How yeah. Byron: Pumas got their first win over Burland this weekend, Sharks have one one and Blue Bulls stole to pick up a win. Chad: Which is Byron: Not really, because if you lose twenty three men to the spring box, would expect a little bit of a a drop in performance. It's it's actually crazy. I I don't know if you saw this, but I wanted to to read it out for you. this is from the Keo and Zell show that I saw this. The box prep for the last Pumas duel without coaches. Chad: I saw I saw this. Byron: So it says here, according to rapport, Springbok attack guru Tony Brown and Moby unit coach Dwayne Familin have remained in South Africa with a group of players at the national team's base in Johannesburg. While Rassi Erasmus departed for Argentina on Saturday with a twenty six man squad, Brown is understood to be leading a parallel training camp ahead of Rugby Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks. It's a forty four man team in total, and twenty six of them have gone to Argentina. So there's a if my math is correct, there's an eighteen man squad left in South Africa with Tony Bryan and Dwayne Familen, who are just gonna continue training as if nothing happened. Chad: Isn't that We have three squads essentially. Byron: It It's it it's it's insane. But Chad: It does show you that they're taking the greatest rivalry ⁓ There's no ⁓ Byron: Greatest rivalry. you know, I saw a post today that I thought was a little rude. but it was ⁓ from of the Kiwi pundits. I should have got his name. But he was saying that because of the exciting and expansive rugby style that New Zealand play, he believes that they'll do it within the law, but the or but the Springboks will delay the game at any opportunity they have. with by faking injuries and all of that sort of stuff in order to slow down the O Black. And I was like, that's a wild accusation to make considering the Springboks did everything in their power to speed up the game against the French. Chad: Yeah. Byron: It's gonna be so good, it doesn't really matter. It's the best, like like we said last week, the gap between two and three in the world rugby standings is pretty evident. So and also Rayburn Shields on offer in the greatest rivalry. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's two beats. Yep. Byron: Because New Zealand nicked off Ireland, so the first game also the Rayburn Shield. Chad: Men. Byron: Question, this might be mm this might be stupid. Maybe we need to ask him. If the stormers beat the All Blacks, do the Stormers get the Raeburn shield? Chad: That is that is an absolutely fantastic question. I think we need to get him on to ask him these questions. Byron: Yeah, before before the twenty second of August, we need to get him on to ask him the question about club sides and international sides. Chad: Can you imagine? The the stormers or the somehow. Yeah. And then it just gets circulated within the Currie cup. Byron: The Raeburn shield all day. No, no, no, wait. It couldn't because in the Currie cup they're the ADT Fidelity Security Protection Lions or whatever the hell it is. But then in the URC, they're just the lions. And they even have a different kit and a different logo, if I'm not mistaken. and then I stole one other thing from Keo and Zell's that I wanted to talk about, and this was because we discussed it. Chad: Yeah. Diction lines. Mm. Byron: ⁓ and it's about Emros Papir. And the headline says Papir cut, not cast out by box. it says in here, there are a few players who we released to the franchises. A guy like Emros is a classic example, Erasmus said. We have to get game into Capi, which is Morna Funenberg, and Quibbus, Quibbus Reinach. So the two of them will go to Argentina if there isn't an injury. Chad: Yeah. Byron: If we take Emeros with him, he doesn't have the opportunity to train with the Bulls ahead of their match against the All Blacks. Herschel Yankees doesn't have any club commitments with Bayonne now, and that's why he will go with. Chad: Yeah. You can see like how it would be beneficial for him to play against the All Blacks in that game. Yeah. Byron: for with the Bulls, yeah. That's why like we said we we can't see why he was cut, but I'm sure Russi has a reason for it. Chad: Yeah, and that makes perfect sense. It's shit like that that Russi does Byron: Brother, the that's five D chess he's playing. It's not four D chess. It is it is multiple levels deep when it comes to his decision making. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. What a Byron: It's it's almost uncomfortable because I feel like whatever we like whenever something happens and we go, ⁓ no, why is he doing it that way? He's answered that he answered it seven months ago. Seven months ago he knew what was happening. And when he was sitting around having a Brunners in January, he knew that Papir will have to go back to the Bulls to play the all blacks for the greatest rivalry. It's ridiculous. He's playing his own game, man. Chad: J we just gotta stop. We just need a stop. Yeah, okay. We just need Yeah. Yeah. Do you think do you think Grassi's from the future? Byron: I just think he's he took he's got autism and he took it to the utmost end, but just for rugby. Like other people that are autistic are great at math or they're obsessed with trains. Rasi Erasmus did that but for rugby. Chad: Yeah, everything Yeah. ⁓ Byron: Is brilliant. From or from the future also makes sense. he's got some sort of ball that gives him the odds. It's got something. ⁓ the stormers have it rough this weekend, if you think about it. Because the Stormers play the all blacks on Friday and then play the Cheaters on Sunday. Chad: Yeah, I think he's got a DeLorean. It's got something. Undiagnosed, but something's not right. do you I wanted to speak to you about this game, so I was gonna s go from that into So I was gonna go from that fixture into the rivalry and talk about it. Byron: Okay, we're c do you wanna do the the predictions for the Currie cup? Chad: Sure. I d do you want to do that? Because I did the other ones? Yeah. Let me let me bring them up here. Currie cup, where are we? Okay. Byron: I'll do them because yeah. Week four. Chad: Griquas first alliance? Byron: Lions. But it's gonna be a good game. It's gonna be a good game. It's gonna be tight. Chad: It's a wild shout, but okay. versus Pumas? Byron: Pumus? Chad: Sharks vs Burland and then Sunday Monday vs Cheaters. Byron: Poland. It has to be the Cheaters because I can't I can't imagine any of the guys that play Friday against the All Blacks will play Sunday against the Cheaters. Chad: That was gonna be my next question. Who do Who do the Stormers put their their team against? Because you're right, you can't put them against both. Do you want your boys to win the Currie Cup or do you want them to beat the All Blacks? Because both are fucking dope. Byron: I think. Cod on I wanna ⁓ lem li I've got an answer, but I want to put the question to you like this. What's more important for South African rugby? Chad: Mm. Byron: as a whole. The Stormers winning the Currie Cup or certain players playing against the All Blacks given what ⁓ Russi said about Ambrose Papir. Because then what you do Chad: Russie's playing. Yeah. Whoa it's a tough one. I don't I don't know. I would Ugh 'cause they're not even if the storm was like number one or in the top three, I would say, Okay boys, send it. Byron: Well, they're in fifth place and it's like I said, they've got the same result as four, three, two, and one. It's just a different number of bonus points. So they're in the race. You know, they win a game and the Lions lose a game and they move to first. Chad: Yeah. But sharks ⁓ like if the I mean and I love the sharks, but they've not been so hot lately. Burund beat the Sharks this weekend and that gap gets bigger. And it's a short competition. It's not like it's a massive long thing, really halfway through the thing. So I don't know. I think it ca it's Byron: No. Yeah, it's seven weeks. Seven weeks. Can can I tell you what I honestly, honestly think after reading that thing about Russian Emeros? I think Chad: Mm. I know you want him to beat you want him to beat the All Blacks. Byron: I don't think any of the club sides will beat the All Blacks. I don't think that will happen at all. I think the All Blacks win every one of the games against the against whoever that's Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions. Or four URC teams. Chad: Yeah. The sharks definitely win, for sure. Byron: what I think just based off that that that quote alone I think there will be specific players for the stormers that Russi wants in that game, but everyone else is free picking. Does that make sense? ⁓ do think that some top players that are potential Springboks will play the New Zealand game. Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: and then the of the Stormers players I hope will be rested for Sunday, to play like a fair a fairer game against the Cheaters. Chad: Yeah. Byron: But I do believe like Russia will say, Hey, we need to see A, B, and C against the all blacks. Chad: I wonder if they've got that pull. 'Cause I think like if you did that to a coach like Jake White, he'd be like, fuck off. Byron: Well, the argument would be obviously as the club side, as a Currie cup side, you want to win the Currie cup. But what's more important to Springbok rugby at the moment? And that is like if you look at it from the Bulls perspective, if Bulls were playing the the all blacks on Friday and then playing the Cheaters on Sunday? You would think that you would want Papier to play on Sunday so that you could get a result in the Currie Cup, but it's probably part of the strategy to have Springbok or almost Springbok level players playing in the all black test instead of the the Currie Cup match. Chad: Game. Yeah. I don't know. Byron: But it's also crazy that they play Friday and Sunday. That is wild. Chad: Yeah, is but it's also like for for the All Blacks, like here, let me bring up their fixtures. they're playing and I'm gonna give this in my my time zone. so they start off with the Stormers, right? on the Saturday morning, then they're playing the Sharks on the Wednesday morning, then they're playing the Bulls on the Sunday morning, and then they've got that one week and then it's Byron: I've got it up here if you want me to read it. Chad: the Springboks. And then on that next Wednesday, three days later, they're playing the Lions. And then four days after that, they play the Springbox again. So for the Byron: Spring box. Yeah. Yeah. And then but then you must remember the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions games same as what the British and Irish Lions do. It's just to get some players that may not play in the springbok tests to give them some game time because they came on tour. Chad: You know what I think it is for? To get an entry and then bring over Dupla Sikurifi ⁓ Richimo. That's Byron: And Richimo. You don't need the games for that. You can get injured during training for that. Chad: Yeah. Byron: No, look, it's super busy, but I don't think like if you look at, for example, the the between the first and second test, the All Blacks play the Lions, right? don't think I think they'll do something similar to what South Africa does because the first test is at Ellis Park on the Saturday, and then I think it's the Tuesday they play the Lions, and then on that Saturday they're in Cape Town. So I would assume The players that will definitely not play against the Lions will fly down to Cape Town earlier, to be settled in in the Western Cape before they play the Lions in Jobo. Chad: How many plays have they I'm just trying to look at, how many plays did they take over Byron: Forty two, wasn't it? Forty two or forty four. Chad: Still it's not a lot for all that rugby. One, two, three, four, five, six games, seven, eight games. Yes, this. Byron: They'll be fine. I think it's gonna be great. Yeah, it'll be fine. And you know, forty four of the best fucking well, besides Duplic Carifi and Rich Malonga. Chad: Yeah, forty four players. It's gonna be good. is there anyone that you are looking forward to see playing from New Zealand? Byron: A combat. I wanna know who they pick at hooker. Chad: Mm. Byron: 'Cause we've had this this hookah debate before. Chad: I think it's gonna be Cody Taylor and Takayao. Byron: And I still think you should start Taylor and bring Takayao on in the second half because when he comes on on at the fiftieth or sixtieth minute, he's just a wrecking ball of destruction. Yeah. Chad: Yeah. I cannot wait to see Tabatawa Nawa. Bro, him versus dupes and any centre really. Because Tabanowa plays thirteen, so it'll be him versus Krill. Byron: ⁓ there's so many good matchups all over the field. Sorry, I didn't even bring this up. Speaking of Springboks and outside centers, did you see Marcus Muller this weekend? Chad: Yeah. Yeah. Byron: Not bad is a very, very polite understatement. Geez. Chad: Yeah. I've Byron: Yeah, we got a we got a future star on our hands there. everything about this greatest rivalry is exciting. I can't believe we get to watch the All Blacks this weekend. Chad: ⁓ Yeah, we'll I know, so excited. we have the spring this weekend. Byron: Yes, against Argentina. Chad: You know what I need to do? 'Cause last time this week, Russi decided name our squad. So before we end I need to just refresh and Byron: Check it out. While you're looking that up, I wanted to get your opinion on the MPC. They've got the that slight rule variation that they're troweling, and that is after the trial, instead of having everyone under the posts, they have their team meeting at the halfway line, and you can leave one player to charge the ball down. Chad: Mm. Yeah. I like it. Byron: Do you honestly, honestly believe that is gonna speed the game up enough to make a difference? Chad: I think it I don't mind it. Maybe. Byron: I don't mind it. I just don't understand what is the major purpose behind it, I guess, is where I'm I'm coming. Chad: They'll I don't know, we somehow 'cause a stopwatch. Do you think? Byron: ⁓ we can save our our seven seconds between kick and start. You know you know what's the other thing? And I I know we talk about it all the time, 'cause we're always trying to do something about time wasting. Chad: Tell me Barn. Byron: The kicks that are in front of the post and you give him 90 seconds. I think you should have 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds to prepare for your kick. Chad: And he takes up old That's rough. But makes sense. I think think I think you're right with the thirty seconds in front of the poles and everything else ninety Byron: Because Yeah. Well no, 'cause it's ⁓ seconds for a penalty and sixty seconds for a conversion, is it not? Chad: yeah. Byron: So if you have sixty seconds for your conversion, I don't think you need to change everything to ninety. I think you should have a thirty, sixty, ninety rule. Chad: Okay. Everything else we've said's come right, so who the f who knows next season? Byron: No, that's the weird part about the show, is I don't think anyone watches and yet whatever we say comes to fruition. Chad: Manifestation. I don't know what it is, but it's it happens. Byron: That's crazy. Yeah. thing I had before you talk, before you bring up what you were looking up. The Lions maul against the Blue Bulls was disrespectful to the mauling team that is the Pretoria Blue Bulls. Because the Lions mauled the absolute ⁓ out of the Blue Bulls. ⁓ going off a point we spoke about in the past. Chad: Hm. Yeah. Bulls. Yeah. Byron: They got their bonus point in the first half. The Lions. I don't think that should be well, then if you did the win by three tries, they all still would have got the bonus point. Chad: Yeah, but I think the I still I prefer the win by three. It makes Oak score more tries now. I r if you have a look at how many tries are scored per game now compared to when the Yeah, it's ⁓ I don't want to call it a different game, but it's just it's a much higher scoring Byron: ⁓ yeah, it's it's skyrocketed. Yeah. It's de well you definitely very unless you're the Springboks versus Wales, you don't get a nilt. Someone commented on on the the the one post where we put up about bullying whales and they were like, That as a title is outrageous w outrageous behavior ⁓ Chad: Yeah. Byron: Box bully whales or whatever it was. ⁓ okay, sorry, I distracted you completely. Please go ahead, tell me what you're looking up. Chad: Yeah. ⁓ I was looking up the squad, it hasn't been announced. Byron: Okay. Then I got one small thing to talk to you about, and that was the complaint around especially from Ireland, saying that to travel to New Zealand, to Australia, back whatever it was, they wouldn't go to Japan to play Japan so they played Japan in Australia, and they said it was too much travel. People much cooler than us and smarter than us did math. And I'm I'm pretty sure you've seen the post, but Chad: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Byron: In the July fixtures, the teams that traveled the most, and this doesn't include Fiji and Japan, even though they should have been at home for all their fixtures. ⁓ the team that travelled the least was Scotland, 18,401 miles. Then in fifth was Wales, 18,631 miles. were fourth, and it still played like shit, at twenty three thousand three hundred and ninety-three miles. Chad: Mm. Yep. Mm-hmm. Byron: Italy twenty three thousand four hundred and forty two. France travelled the second most at twenty three thousand eight hundred and eighty six miles, and the most traveled team was England twenty four thousand eight hundred and fifty four miles. Then this is gonna rub people the wrong way. If you look at the November fixtures, the least travel team that will travel in November, the Springbox, 11,806 miles. In fifth, Japan, 12,742. Argentina, fourth, 15,320. Then Chad: Yeah. Scotland. ⁓ really? Byron: In third place, Australia twenty one thousand eight hundred and seventy six, Fiji twenty three thousand fifty six and New Zealand twenty three thousand five hundred and forty nine. Chad: So who's gonna have travelled the most overall? Byron: England will travel the most at twenty four thousand and to travel the least is the spring box at eleven thousand eight hundred and six. Chad: Well it makes sense though compared to where ⁓ New Zealand is to Europe and Australia is it's just straight up. Byron: Well, that's the thing. So if you look at the the the the argument is the northern hemisphere teams have to travel too much when they're in the southern hemisphere. And you can agree with that based on these numbers alone, because Japan ⁓ South Africa basically fly straight up north and then do a little hop this way. Japan just fly this way and then do a little hop like that. Same thing for Argentina, but coming from the same region. Australia, Fiji and New Zealand have that long flight and long end flight, but when they're there the travel's not so bad. But if you still look at the total number of miles travelled, granted, New Zealand have it, well, New Zealand, Fiji and Australia have it in the beginning and the end is the majority of their miles. Whereas England, France, should be Ireland and Italy had a lot of their travel across the hemisphere because of the fixtures. Chad: Hang on. In the first lot, did you w how much how far did they travel? Byron: Well see, so they call this is calculated Fiji will travel the most because they had their home games and away games all away. Chad: Exactly. Exactly. So what what the fuck? Byron: I just thought it was interesting to look at the the miles travelled. ⁓ I think Chad: And Japan? Hang on, hang on. I w you've opened up a can of my brain's ticking over here. Japan. How much how much did Japan travel? 'Cause they didn't play all their games at home either. Byron: Okay, go ahead. Ask me your question. No, so they again they didn't calculate Japan's travel because they should have been at home. So they shouldn't have done any traveling. But I were the I wanna be too rude here, but they were the ones who complained the most. so they didn't travel as much. Chad: Yeah. Yeah, but so but still at the end of the competition, Japan and Fiji are gonna have out traveled everybody. Yeah. Byron: The team that would have traveled the most will probably be Japan and Fiji. Yeah. Yeah. Chad: And the kids. Byron: Yeah. And then someone's gonna complain that the spring box didn't travel enough. And the only reply to that is they didn't pick the fixtures. Chad: ⁓ wasn't it wasn't Rossi saying these are the games we have to play in in this spot. Byron: 'Cause I believe when we when we come the north we have France, Italy and who's Ireland. They're not very far from one another. Easy as. But anyway, thought that was an interesting thing. Chad: Is Byron: Chad, we cut the cuck. Is there anything extra other than ⁓ nonsense we already spoke about that you wanted to talk about? Chad: I don't think ⁓ there's some really cool NPC games coming up. Barn, you've got some homework to do. Yep. ⁓ Byron: A Wellington Lions fan, baby. I think I haven't watched any of it, but I think Otago might be a second team. But I'll watch ⁓ I'll watch all the highlights and and have a confirmation for next week. Chad: Yeah. Togo is like the UJ the teams. It's just the fans go nuts. I'm excited for this weekend's rugby. We got we got in we got Springboks playing. I'm keep refreshing. Can't see them naming a squad, which is weird. But yeah, probably just keep everyone on their toes. so yeah, this weekend we've got NPC Currie Cup, greatest rivalry technically starts South Africa versus Argentina. what a lack of weekend of rugby. Byron: That's it. They'll announce it tomorrow this time. Don't forget Fiji Women are hosting Springbok Woman on Saturday. Yep. Chad: ⁓ yes. Where do they play? Byron: suva Chad: nice. They're playing in PG, that'll be sick. Byron: Yep. Chad: I think that's it, Bar. Byron: so for all of those watching, thank you for watching, number one. and continue to like, subscribe, share, ⁓ comment, whatever it is. Thank you for doing it anyway. and we'll continue to push out more episodes because we enjoy it and that's that's just how it works. Thanks watching. Chad: Bye.