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Australia’s Super Rugby teams have been put on notice by their Kiwi rivals with the intensity lifting two out from the first trans Tasman battles this season.
Senior sports writer with stuff.co.nz and SMH columnist, Paul Cully, joined The Roar experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones for episode 10 this week – and talked about the gradual improvement of the New Zealand teams, the performance so far of Moana Pasifika and plenty more, including the spate of red cards, and Japan’s growing influence in the game.
You can stream the podcast in the player below, or follow on your preferred app.
Cully said the Chiefs vs Blues and Crusaders vs Hurricanes matches were “a big step up in the competition.
“It was a different level in those games from anything we’ve seen previously. It’s a bit of a sign to the Australian teams about what’s coming in the Super Round in a fortnight.
“The intensity of those games for 80 minutes in each match is where we want Super Rugby Pacific to be and as a neutral looking at those two games I was very thrilled about the quality of the rugby.”
Jones agreed with Cully.
“It was gripping, it was dramatic. I do fear for some of the Australian teams,” said Jones. “Not all. I think the Reds and Brumbies can hang, but I think some of the other teams are going to have a rude awakening. For anyone downgrading Moana Pasifika, these guys are staying in matches – they just don’t have the bench to take them to the house.”
The Blues held the Chiefs scoreless and Cully was full of praise for the impact of Joe Schmidt, the Kiwi who coached Ireland from 2013-2019 and returned to NZ as an assistant to Leon MacDonald this season.
“When you look at the Blues I’ve got two words for you – Joe Schmidt,” said Cully.
“He was hired at the start of the year. His influence is really becoming apparent.
“When they were down in Dunedin at the start of the season I watched him before the games started. He is a magnificent, world class coach and the word is that the Blues players, including their senior All Blacks are hanging on his every word, rate him incredibly highly.
“The Blues have been building for two or three years but I think Schmidt’s addition has taken them to another level.”
Cully was asked about the Kiwi view on the new teams.
“The focus here is on Moana and it’s positive. They’ve exceed expectations here and I think people are enjoying the physicality they’re bringing on defence.
“They’re just smacking players, a different sort of defence to New Zealand teams.
“Australian teams should be very very wary of Moana Pasifika when they have the cross over games. A lot of those players are schooled in the NZ system and are used to playing at the high intensity for prolonged periods.
“They’re not quite there yet against New Zealand teams but they have got some good players. They’ve got the ability to hurt anybody.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.