00:00:10
S1: G'day, everyone. Welcome to the Mark My Words podcast, world Cup edition. It's Piggy Riddell here. Obviously we're going to keep the rugby league rolling right through, uh, the World Cup, uh, throughout the next few weeks. Going to be joined by plenty of special guests. We've got Paul Gallen, Bailey Simonsson, Clint Gutherson, Neil Breen. But today, two Ex-internationals, two legends of the game, MGJ Moss. How are we going? Hello, boys.
00:00:37
S2: Oh, mate, since we finished, I've been crook.
00:00:41
S1: Well, let's run through it. Grand final hangover.
00:00:43
S2: Yeah, well, it's a two week grand final hangover, I think. Uh, there was a number of us that went to the, uh, the Orient Hotel on the Monday, and then, um, I did Tuesday night. I co-hosted with horsey.
00:00:55
S1: Your voice sounds.
00:00:56
S2: Good. And then Wednesday I was in bed until the following Sunday and the voices like this RSVP. Well, I think it was influenza A because my voice has been so bad, I've had to yell for the kids to even hear me. So that's covered.
00:01:12
S1: So you're going to be good today?
00:01:13
S2: Yeah. Looking forward to giving my guts.
00:01:15
S1: How you going, Jim? I'm good mate. I'm really.
00:01:17
S3: Good. It's, um. It's good to be. I'm really pumped about the World Cup. I must say that reading this morning's papers about the first time in maybe 52 years, we're going to see a sell out of a of a of a World Cup game here in Sydney. Allianz. Um, obviously back in 74 it was England and Australia. Uh, 55,000 were there when test matches meant something. And I think at the moment we're starting to starting to feel that I've had a good off season, just, you know, kids and grandkids and my missus pluck my eyebrows yesterday morning, which was nice.
00:01:46
S1: They look sharp.
00:01:46
S3: Do they look good? Gee that hurts.
00:01:48
S1: He's going away.
00:01:50
S2: Put a little.
00:01:51
S3: That's because I'm going to Luton. I said I can't go there with eyebrows.
00:01:55
S2: Going to get rid of the Grays and just put a little tint.
00:01:57
S3: No, no I'm not. I'm past that. I used to dye my hair when I was younger, and that's probably why I went bald.
00:02:04
S1: But what about the World Cup? Are you excited?
00:02:07
S3: Very.
00:02:08
S1: I'm. I've got to be honest with you. I'm a little bit surprised that we're going to have such a big crowd, because I don't think we've seen as much interest before in in international rugby league. And they're talking well over 40,000 for the game. But we're going to see games in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea as well. Like it's there's plenty of of fanfare around it.
00:02:28
S3: I think it's on the back of this. I think it's springboarded off the back of such a an emotive season. We've had in more ways than one. I think that the footy was being spectacular. We've had so many off field dramas as far as illnesses go to players and diagnoses go to players. It's been really sad year as far as that goes. But then to see the rugby league fraternity gel together and come together, it's kind of like a movement at the moment and I think it's carried on into the into the post season that now I think that there's so much interest in the World Cup. And look, people changing their allegiances as well. Makes the other clubs other sorry, other countries stronger.
00:03:05
S2: I think that's the the reason for the excitement and the buzz is because, you know, in the past Australia and New Zealand.
00:03:13
S1: Sorry, I'm laughing because.
00:03:15
S2: Australia.
00:03:15
S1: Speaking so softly.
00:03:17
S3: Australia come up here thinking it's all right.
00:03:21
S2: Australia and New Zealand are normally the clear favourites to.
00:03:24
S1: Win.
00:03:25
S3: Australia aren't they? Like we're usually out in front and then New Zealand get a couple of you know they might come close. But this this is honestly Kiwis can honestly win this thing. Yeah Samoa and Tonga could honestly give it a good scare.
00:03:38
S2: Not only that like England has slid down the rankings. Yeah. Like their pride has been dented in international football as well. They have a point to prove as well. So I think what we're seeing in this World Cup is it is going to be open. And you know you have a look at every squad. I don't think I've seen a better forward pack than New Zealand's. It's quality for a long and even their bench that's coming on as well like.
00:04:01
S3: Well you look at the bench. You've got Aaron Clark lock of the year and the.
00:04:05
S2: White white.
00:04:06
S3: On the bench.
00:04:07
S2: Yep.
00:04:07
S1: Yeah. Well I'm sure we'll dive into that shortly.
00:04:09
S3: Oh yeah.
00:04:11
S2: Sorry sorry sorry. Host.
00:04:13
S3: Bring it back.
00:04:14
S1: Relax. Now, if the other bloke was here, he'd be going off his head.
00:04:17
S3: He was on my screen.
00:04:19
S1: Me. And I'm a lot more relaxed. I want to know. Papua New Guinea. We're in New Zealand. We're in Australia. Yep. Where are we going? To see the best atmosphere.
00:04:26
S2: Christchurch.
00:04:27
S1: You think so?
00:04:28
S3: PNG.
00:04:29
S2: Well, we know PNG but you don't really get to see it. Like the game that they played at Christchurch and sold out.
00:04:36
S3: Yeah that was mad.
00:04:37
S2: Like that was unbelievable. And you know if we're looking at seriously taking a side to New Zealand well then Christchurch has got to be top of the list. And I think they've got a double header there this year for the World Cup. So I'm looking forward to seeing that crowd and them get behind the Kiwis. But you know we've we've played over in PNG. We know what it's like there. It's it's it's pretty crazy.
00:04:58
S3: Beyond tomorrow night's crowd at Allianz. Um, you got to think that when Samoa go to PNG with Jarome Luai who's been lauded for so long, and Brian Tuttle. I think they've been giving him uh.
00:05:09
S2: Bracelets.
00:05:10
S3: And leis. I think he's going to give him a box.
00:05:13
S2: Well, I think.
00:05:14
S3: You're in trouble, man.
00:05:15
S2: He's playing in a Pepsi headgear.
00:05:19
S3: Doing the moonwalk.
00:05:20
S2: He's playing the Pepsi headgear.
00:05:21
S1: But that they love. They'll love.
00:05:23
S3: Him.
00:05:24
S1: I know.
00:05:24
S3: I.
00:05:24
S1: Lured him over there. They lured him. They know that he's. He's at that club for the next few years. But you're right. I think both of those, um, those atmospheres will be be sensational. And I suppose when you start thinking about that, you start getting a little bit more excited don't you. For all those games, the ones that you're mentioning.
00:05:39
S3: Look, you get excited for, you know, even looking at the NRL next year when you see that already they've got the Perth Bears at 200 to 1 and males come out and said something about that. And so that just adds to the intrigue of our our game. It never sleeps. Then you've got the PNG chiefs who have just been building like a Globetrotters game team, the best of the best. And to see how they're going to go next year or 2028 is it's all it's all exciting. And there's one bloke who's I suppose got to get the pat on the back for it. And it's V'landys.
00:06:10
S1: Yeah he's done a great.
00:06:11
S3: He's just done an awesome job mate. Awesome.
00:06:13
S1: And he's talking more teams as well. And they were going off topic.
00:06:15
S2: But yeah there's a couple of couple of stories as well in the background with players off contract come November 1st as well. Cameron Munster. Uh. Latrell Mitchell. Cleary. Like there are there's Harry Grant. There's still a number of stories bubbling away that are going to be having to be dealt with during the World Cup.
00:06:33
S1: Do you reckon that's what will happen, or do you reckon they put it on hold to pull those players.
00:06:37
S3: They'd have to wouldn't they. I mean I, I.
00:06:39
S1: Agree with you because as soon as November 1st ticks over the clubs, the agents, well they're already getting ready.
00:06:45
S3: It's already done. They're already done.
00:06:47
S1: But but to have that happen when we're going to go through a World Cup, and we're going to go through the final stages of the World Cup. Those first two weeks in particular, November.
00:06:56
S3: You know why, Peggy? Because never before have we seen the salary cap go up by so much. And never before have we seen so many players who have been playing under unders for so long. All the players, all the Melbourne Storm players for 5 or 6 years, them star players have been playing for unders to make it. The other guys stay at the club so they can be successful. Yeah, and we do the same thing. I have done the same thing at Penrith in the late 80s, early 90s. I took a little bit of a pay cut, but these now the salary cap is what it is. Whoa. My God.
00:07:26
S1: They're going to get a pay day.
00:07:27
S3: They're going to get a pay day and they deserve it.
00:07:29
S1: You can't begrudge them. No, no, not at all. Now, boys, I want to dive into something here. All right. We've got a ten team format for this World Cup. But MG and I have had a little bit of a look at this. We're going to go through the pools. Yep. All right. So ten qualifying teams divided into three pools. Pool A obviously contains four teams and that's pool. We've got Australia and New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji pools B and C, they contain three teams England, Lebanon, Samoa. Pool C, France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. Now, before we get into how things are going to work, in terms of what you were telling me about this weekend's game, the two teams from pool A, so that's the Australia New Zealand pool. Two of those teams go through. So I think everyone thought he expects. Barring monumental upsets, Australia and New Zealand go through. Yep. But out of the next two pools, pools B and C, they play crossover games between the pools and the top two ranking teams from the combined standings of pool B and C go through. So technically, one whole pool could miss out. Yeah. Yeah. Does that make sense? So two teams from pool B could make it. Or two teams from pool C. But what I'm intrigued at, and you mentioned this if things fall the way they do with England playing Tonga this week, the loser of that game is basically gone. I'm going to say up shit creek without a.
00:08:59
S3: Paddle, because Samoa, you're going to think, is going to get that other third spot out of the four. Yeah. Because they've got their draw will probably be a little bit. They're not in the same pool to start with. Look it's. Saturday in Perth at 4:00 will like these two teams. This will be like a a final game. It's the first game of their pool between Tonga and England and England with a lot 10 or 11 Australian NRL players at the moment. Yeah. Do they look strong Jameis they look real.
00:09:28
S2: Strong bolstered and they've got some great players English players over there as well. So um yeah I'm looking forward to that one as well. And um the Tongan side um Katoa.
00:09:38
S3: Halfback first time.
00:09:39
S2: Well they've, they've been there in the final last year against Australia. Like they, they're a quality side as well. And The thing with these sides are they no longer see Australia as, you know, an unbeatable side because they have beaten them.
00:09:54
S1: Beaten them.
00:09:55
S2: Yeah. So um, yeah, I think like I said, England, with the way that, you know, they've kind of slid off the, the rankings, they have a point to prove and for, for Samoa, they'll, they'll think that they can get the job done as well and, and win this tournament. So I'm really looking forward to that clash.
00:10:12
S1: Who do you think, who do you think. Who do you think's going to go through. Obviously we all think Australia and New Zealand.
00:10:16
S3: I think Tonga.
00:10:17
S1: I'm thinking Tonga and Samoa.
00:10:18
S3: Yeah yeah same.
00:10:19
S2: Yeah. Look I think Tonga I think Samoa they have a really really good side. But the fact that they lost Payne Haas and Tyrrell may as well like huge forward. Yeah. Like their ability to play big minutes. And and you know the the the amount of work that they get through I think that might hinder them a little bit.
00:10:38
S4: Mhm.
00:10:39
S1: Well, what about us? Uh, let's have a look at the the opening game. We're here to talk about the big one Tuesday night. Try to take on New Zealand. Already talking today. They've already sold well over 40,000 tickets. So you would you would expect from now it's going to be a sell out. Uh.
00:10:56
S3: So exciting.
00:10:57
S1: Australia taking on New Zealand. The teams. Let's start with Australia. Let's start with the fullback position. Yep. What are our thoughts.
00:11:05
S2: Yeah. Look I can understand why he's he's he's given James Tedesco a break. But at the same time like he's he's fresh off a grand final win. He's won the Clive Churchill. Like this is a big game. You want to win. You still want to win all your games. Um and you know Reece Walsh coming off the the ankle surgery um you know he's he's been obviously picked on what he delivered in the ashes series because if you you think about his year, was it a great success? Probably not. But Kevin Walters is gone. You know what those blokes who won me the ashes. Well I'll give them a crack as well, and it'll be interesting to see how Reece Walsh goes because he hasn't played much football.
00:11:49
S1: At first I was, I suppose, shocked like most people, but then when I started thinking about it and then you start hearing Kevin talk about it, it's like, yeah, well, okay. Reece hasn't played like Jamie said, hasn't had a great year, but he was the incumbent. He gets the opportunity first. Tedesco gets a rest. And I think Kev's already come out and said to Teddy will be playing the next game the next week. So I sort of understand it from Kev's point of view because he'll then, you know, with some of the players that are also playing in the team, they'll have games under their belt when it gets to, you know, later in the season.
00:12:23
S3: Walker. Are you seeing Walker. Yeah. Um, I think Kev's philosophy of picking and sticking will come back and help him towards the end of it. I think that the players will all know he would have went straight to the James Tedesco and said that to him before he picked Reece Walsh. He'd give him that respect because everyone who's got anything to do with rugby league went James Tedesco. How is he not fullback? He's got the he's in the form of his life. He's got the Clive Churchill Medal. He can never he doesn't play. He hasn't played any better. No, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. Yeah. The the World Cup and this as you mentioned at the top of the show, piggy, both New Zealand and Australia look like making it through to the semi-finals. So why would you use your your stallion right now when he could be coming off a long preparation like and he's been a long campaign.
00:13:04
S1: He's had a long.
00:13:05
S3: Year long campaign.
00:13:06
S2: And there's probably a couple of other blokes as well. Like you look at that side as well and Kotoni Staggs, he. Yeah he's.
00:13:12
S3: Probably best.
00:13:13
S2: He's been rewarded for that, that incumbency as well because you know Bradman best is there. I know Latrell has left centre but I would have thought that you know best could potentially play right centre as well.
00:13:24
S1: Do you think uh having a look at the halves, do you think the same thing will happen with Walker and Moses as in Tedesco and Reece Walsh, or do you think that's a different scenario? Totally.
00:13:37
S2: Yeah, well, it's an interesting one because Tommy Dearden's there as well.
00:13:40
S3: Yeah that's.
00:13:40
S2: Right. And last time he played in a final for Australia he got the man of the match.
00:13:44
S4: Yeah.
00:13:45
S1: So jeez, you're bringing some good stuff today. Well I know you've been.
00:13:50
S3: You've been you've you've been you've been studying in your sickness. You, you've been going, you've been, you've got Dave Middleton, you're talking Dave Middleton going come here. Um, look, I want to I want to congratulate, uh, Jack Bostock and um, and Jacob Preston and David Jacob Preston. Preston deserves it. I think he's, um. I think he's an inch away from playing origin. And, uh, obviously someone like Lindsay Smith, who's played, he's kind of following in the Lindsay Smith, um, mould playing 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 tests before playing for origin. And, uh, this is a big stage for Jack and Preston. And when you could have picked anyone else besides him, um, you know, the Cam Murrays of the world. And, um, I'm glad that he's in there because he's, he's really worked his ass off for it. And, uh, interesting. I'd like to get your take on this. Jay Moss not picking a specialist winger even though Jack Bostock is play more wing than he has. Center. Um. Tommy. Tommy. Turbo on the wing. Yeah. How's he going to go?
00:14:44
S2: Well, I think we've seen him perform, um, really well when he plays on the wing and end in the centers. Because he doesn't, he doesn't pigeonhole himself to that position. He he roves around the field and gets himself involved as well. So I think the fact that we've got two tall timbers on the edges makes us that aerial threat. And you need you need to have that. You need to have that aerial threat. You need two tall wingers so you know you can compete. The Roosters.
00:15:12
S3: Look at Tupo and Marky Mark in the kick.
00:15:14
S1: Targets. Who's got they.
00:15:16
S3: Got.
00:15:17
S1: Ronaldo and Asaka.
00:15:18
S2: So you'd imagine.
00:15:19
S3: Saka gets up then if.
00:15:21
S1: They both get up as well. But still.
00:15:22
S2: They do. But I'd imagine that they'll be going to both their wingers to try and get results.
00:15:27
S1: No doubt. All right. Paddy Carrigan.
00:15:30
S3: Yeah.
00:15:30
S1: You find it lucky to be in there starting in the front row.
00:15:34
S3: Again it's it's loyalty from I think the fact that Kev's coached the Broncos and Tony Staggs was part of that team, and so was Carrigan. And I think that's why they see themselves in. And I don't mind it. I look I think on the on his day he's in the top 3 or 4 forwards in our game. He had he he's kind of formed mirrored the Broncos. You know I suppose when when Payne Haas made the announcement that he was going to the house, that's when everything seemed to pause. You know, everyone keeps saying about Jerome saying that he's an announcement about. And that did make their season kind of tip over a bit, but so did Payne Haas. Yeah. Well, that's a big punch to the gut.
00:16:12
S2: Not only that, Payne Haas was injured for a long part of that season as well. Like he had to carry that side for a long, long part of the season. And you know it took its toll on him. But he's he's surrounded himself with with great players. And you know what that does to you. I like the fact that Tino has come out and pledged his allegiance for Australia, too, because he wasn't sure about what they were doing, because we know what he's like, you know. Yes. He didn't have probably the greatest season with the Titans. And he had distractions off field, which we now know. You know his father passed during the season. So he's back in this environment. I think he'll be ready for to go toe to toe with that New Zealand pack. And we're going to need him to be aggressive. They have to match fire with fire. Like we can't can't try and be pretty with this team because they're going to try and rip our heads off.
00:16:59
S3: So then you look at our bench we've got Colin Matangi Fifita Cotter on the bench. Cam Murray.
00:17:04
S1: Well that's my next question is is how how do you think that bench is going to work when you've got Dearden at 14 you got what's Brailey at eight. Oh he's at 20. So he's didn't come on and play hooker. You think.
00:17:15
S3: Well if he if he has to if he has to. Yeah. If he has he's there to play 80. But if Harry looks like he's he's buggered I think. And that's why I think it's a sensible thing having Dearden at 14 because he can play 6719 anything. Yeah. Um but yeah look it's a strong bench. It's a really strong bench Isaiah. Yeah. You know he's he's playing with a torn pec. Wow.
00:17:36
S1: Amazing isn't it? It's amazing.
00:17:39
S3: I mean, come on.
00:17:40
S1: But you know what? And I know we're digressing here a little bit, but some of the injuries that a lot of those NRL boys have had this year and come back early from what? Well it just.
00:17:48
S2: Goes to show you.
00:17:49
S3: Modern technology.
00:17:50
S2: Not only that, but the way that we treat injuries these days. Whereas in the old days you used to chuck your boot on and you'd have it on for six weeks, you'd have all that scar tissue build up and then you'd have to break that down. These days, they get them in for surgery and they don't put them in boots. They let them walk around and keep that movement, get.
00:18:08
S3: The blood.
00:18:08
S2: Flowing.
00:18:09
S3: The blood flowing. Yeah.
00:18:10
S1: You got to get the blood flowing.
00:18:12
S3: Especially after five kids and two grandkids. You've got to get a go on, mate. Um, I think we've seen Lucas this year just again, like Lucas, we saw, um, we saw Sammy Walker. Walker? Yeah. Uh, yo, like three, three massive injuries that we saw them come back way, way before anyone else has come back before their injuries. What about astonishing?
00:18:36
S1: What about the the team? Other than what we've spoken about. Are you happy you're okay? Oh. I'm fine.
00:18:42
S3: Yeah. The good, the true and turbo being back is massive. Great.
00:18:46
S1: A massive.
00:18:46
S3: Boost. It's a massive boost. And that's kind of why this this game will be sold out. Yeah. You know they're both box ticket watches.
00:18:53
S1: Will Australia have the majority of the supporters there do you think.
00:18:55
S4: No no no.
00:18:57
S2: I don't think.
00:18:57
S1: So. Is that sad. Well well we're playing in Sydney. Yeah it is. Do you think do you think if they when they play over there. If it was Australia, New Zealand, Australia the majority of fans over there.
00:19:09
S3: The only thing the only thing it's going to be sad for me is not watching blokes sing the national anthem. Mhm. That's what I get sad being an ex kangaroo. Yeah, that makes me sad. And same goes if you're a if you're a kiwi, you know, and you've seen blokes not singing your anthem, I think it's I think that's one thing that obviously will never be the same. But um, that's one thing I get sad about.
00:19:28
S1: Yeah. Right. You got you. I know I was about to say mate and then I realize you've got a big weekend.
00:19:34
S3: Big boys, weekend away.
00:19:35
S1: Well, let's let's have a look at the New Zealand team now. What, uh, what were your initial thoughts? I know, I know, we've sort of touched on the pack and I think as soon as.
00:19:43
S2: You look.
00:19:43
S1: At Ponga at the back, Ponga at massive.
00:19:46
S2: If he plays anything like he's played this year.
00:19:49
S4: Is.
00:19:49
S3: His first test match.
00:19:50
S2: For for New Zealand.
00:19:51
S3: He's never played for Kiwis before.
00:19:52
S4: No no.
00:19:53
S3: He's 28.
00:19:54
S2: And Dane Gagai as well.
00:19:56
S4: Yeah.
00:19:57
S1: But was that eligibility. Yeah I think that was because I think he was with Australia and then playing obviously playing with Queensland. I know he could still do that anyway. Now then he changed his allegiance. Now he can play.
00:20:07
S3: I don't know how that works.
00:20:08
S1: So that's that's why this is his first.
00:20:10
S3: I know gay guys. They've kind of relaxed the rules for him because he's he's got a parent who's indigenous and a parent who's uh Kiwi. Yeah. So he qualifies for both. Yeah. And Australia.
00:20:20
S1: And I actually heard him talking about it the other day and he, he, he was saying that this was the last team that he had to represent to represent his whole family. Oh, yeah. Because I think he's played indigenous all stars, Maori all stars.
00:20:33
S3: He's getting a good Queensland collection of jumpers too.
00:20:36
S1: Well, he's got them throughout the whole season. And then his team did what they.
00:20:39
S3: Did and he's playing again.
00:20:40
S1: Through the finals and he's playing in here.
00:20:41
S3: So I think I think if I've got to nominate a weakness for them, I think it's their backline compared to ours. I think their forwards are more than matches. Yeah. In fact, if maybe a little slightly better if you include the bench when you have Naufahu Whyte and um and Aaron Clark on the bench that's that's a massive bench. But I think our backline is a little bit stronger than theirs. Yeah I think and that's where they will kind of Nick Arima and Hughes and halves Ronnie and Sako that that high ball is where I think they're going to be worried. You know gay guys in career best form.
00:21:16
S1: Yeah you know what's going to be nice. Gagai and Latrell match up. Oh do you remember what was the week one of the finals?
00:21:22
S2: Yeah, that was a cracker.
00:21:23
S1: They were. They went toe to toe. They didn't.
00:21:26
S3: I forgot about that.
00:21:27
S1: I forgot you remember?
00:21:28
S2: Yeah, I don't I don't think Latrell's forgotten about it.
00:21:30
S1: They won't have forgotten about it. Either of those.
00:21:32
S2: Guys got him there. And this is a big, bigger stage now. Test footy.
00:21:37
S3: Latrobe itching for.
00:21:39
S1: It. I was thinking about that the other day when the teams came out and I thought, hold on, they're going to match up against each other. This is this is going to be good and it'll add to it. But, um, having a look at it, um what about their bench. Other than the two, because I love what you boys are saying about Naufahu and Aaron and Aaron Clark because, uh, and you blokes, they've got, you know, when you bring sometimes when you bring your starters off, you can lose something through the middle of the game. They're actually going to, if not anything, they're going to get more impact out in the far more impact out of Aaron Clark and and raise the intensity and raise the tempo of the game.
00:22:15
S3: Well, you know that you've had you've got a bloke on the bench who won't probably get a run. He's not he's off the on the in. Scott Sorensen, who's been a regular mainstay of the Kiwis starting 13 for the last 5 or 6 years. You know that they're stronger because he can't get a look in. And they've got a bloke called Xavier Willison who's just about to resign with the Broncos, who's a who's a man mountain.
00:22:36
S2: I thought he I thought he was their best all year.
00:22:38
S3: He got the Paul Morgan Award as well. So he justified. And they've got Nicoll-Klokstad on the big Keanu Kini look for that X factor.
00:22:46
S1: Can you see any changes pre kick off.
00:22:48
S2: I don't think so.
00:22:49
S1: You don't think.
00:22:50
S2: So.
00:22:50
S1: No but they're obviously starting massive. I if there was.
00:22:54
S3: The look I think Moses is there for that first ten minutes. Yeah. And he's his sidekick James Fisher-harris. Yeah. Um but then you bring someone like the who wide on who's just his post-contact metres are insane.
00:23:07
S2: I'll be interested to see how Jeremy Marshall King goes and what type of service he's gonna give those boys. And yeah, how much of a part the the halves play in the opening 20 minutes.
00:23:20
S1: Like I don't think.
00:23:21
S2: They play.
00:23:21
S1: Much. Like I'll be saying.
00:23:23
S3: We'll just be over.
00:23:23
S1: Here running as hard as you can.
00:23:25
S3: Do they give me the ball for a kick.
00:23:27
S2: Do they pretty much just go up until 40m?
00:23:30
S1: Yeah. It's your hands.
00:23:32
S3: Yeah, I think so.
00:23:34
S2: Yeah. And then.
00:23:35
S1: Which? Which I know I'm sort of going back and talking about Australia here, but I really think their kick chase first three plays defensively is massive. Because if they can and you know we're all well aware.
00:23:45
S2: Turn them around.
00:23:46
S1: They can turn New Zealand around dominate those first three plays which potentially usually are always outside backs. Those big forwards have then got to get a lot further behind the ball to get back, and then you're only wearing them what two plays in the six?
00:23:59
S2: Does does Australia look at the way um the Knights played against the Warriors over there a couple of times and shift the ball.
00:24:07
S1: Shift out of.
00:24:08
S2: The move move around. They're a big forward pack.
00:24:11
S1: Why wouldn't.
00:24:11
S2: You. Yeah.
00:24:12
S1: Look and I say that because you've got um Staggs and Latrell and you've got Turbo and Bostock.
00:24:18
S3: Big.
00:24:18
S1: Side. So you want to give them ball. Big side.
00:24:20
S2: Latrell, you need to try. This is quite this is probably that first or second one and then shift. Shift.
00:24:25
S3: This is. This would be. I reckon this would be the tallest Australian side ever. Ever.
00:24:30
S1: Have you done your research?
00:24:31
S3: But you know what? No, I haven't been.
00:24:33
S1: On the line.
00:24:34
S3: I'm saying I'm putting them on the line.
00:24:36
S1: This is.
00:24:36
S3: The tallest.
00:24:37
S1: Ever Australian team in the history of rugby.
00:24:39
S3: League. Yep.
00:24:40
S1: How can we, um.
00:24:42
S3: We'll get we'll get one on the Dave Middleton who will talk to his manager about James. James will be confronted.
00:24:48
S2: I'll sit in bed and read up.
00:24:50
S3: But yeah. Look. It's gigantic.
00:24:53
S1: Yeah.
00:24:53
S3: Big. Gigantic.
00:24:54
S1: But they all are these.
00:24:55
S3: I know they are.
00:24:56
S1: They all are these days, aren't they? Like they're massive.
00:24:58
S3: Like Jack Bostock six five turbo six five. Latrell six four. Six six foot.
00:25:07
S1: He's he's probably not as Tino.
00:25:09
S3: You got Tino and Preston about six foot four six foot four.
00:25:12
S1: Are you gonna stick with it.
00:25:14
S3: I'm sticking with.
00:25:14
S1: It. We're gonna check this.
00:25:16
S3: And next time I come back on, which should be a couple of weeks, I'll.
00:25:18
S1: I'm gonna. I'm gonna have an answer for you.
00:25:20
S3: I'll have a white wig on. Maybe.
00:25:25
S1: Boys, I love this, I love this part of the the podcast. Yes, you will too, James. We get listener questions.
00:25:31
S2: Okay.
00:25:32
S1: All right. So obviously our listeners email in.
00:25:36
S3: Yes, we love it.
00:25:37
S1: What is it like subscribe and then they comment all that sort of stuff on the continuous call team. Doug. Big Dougie.
00:25:44
S3: Dougie.
00:25:44
S1: He's, uh, he's emailed us in. Okay. Does scheduling a heavyweight clash on opening night put too much pressure on both teams early, or does it perfectly set the tone for the tournament?
00:25:55
S2: I think it sets the tone for the tournament you want. You want to see a clash that could potentially be the final. Yeah, in the first game.
00:26:03
S3: With the appetite.
00:26:04
S1: Yeah, yeah. It just gets everyone excited.
00:26:06
S3: I'm with James. I think it's the perfectly sets up the tone for the tournament and what a way to start the World Cup.
00:26:11
S1: Well you don't want to limp into it do you. You don't want to.
00:26:13
S3: And well with all due.
00:26:14
S1: Respect to say this respectfully. Yeah. Like you don't want to not you're not as important game.
00:26:20
S2: You don't want to see a 50 or 60 nil score line first.
00:26:25
S3: Someone like that might that might still happen in this game like Australia.
00:26:28
S1: But it's not the first one. No that's.
00:26:31
S3: No. I think this is perfectly set and I think the scheduling couldn't be more precise.
00:26:35
S1: Yeah, I just think I think it picks everyone back up after the grand final. Everyone gets the grand final hangover, couple of weeks, everyone sort of doing their own thing. The next minute everyone turns around and goes, yep, hold on, you play in New Zealand.
00:26:47
S3: Batters out the way, got.
00:26:48
S1: Back. Can we talk about Bathurst for.
00:26:50
S3: Six wks, mate? One job.
00:26:52
S1: Fuel.
00:26:53
S3: Gauge, one fucking job.
00:26:55
S1: Pasquali.
00:26:56
S3: Jesus. Oh you're.
00:26:59
S1: Not you're not a car.
00:26:59
S3: I reckon.
00:27:00
S1: I'm not a car man either.
00:27:01
S3: One second.
00:27:02
S1: Yeah.
00:27:03
S3: If he stayed in the pits for one second.
00:27:05
S1: But they had he had the time.
00:27:06
S3: He had the time.
00:27:08
S1: Couldn't believe it.
00:27:09
S3: I couldn't believe it.
00:27:10
S1: Did he? Well I.
00:27:11
S3: Don't.
00:27:12
S1: I don't watch.
00:27:13
S3: Six days.
00:27:13
S1: To go. But I watch Bathurst every year.
00:27:16
S3: So do I.
00:27:17
S2: Get out and push.
00:27:18
S3: Mate. He was on the last lap. He just come round to do the last lap he was going up the. They'll celebrate a.
00:27:23
S2: Run. Have just rolled down the hill.
00:27:25
S3: No, he was six cars. Six cars and they all just went.
00:27:28
S5: Vroom vroom vroom.
00:27:30
S3: What about Dick Johnson racing. Are they going. He's. They're going like this. Like if you didn't. If you didn't know better, you'd think it'd be rigged. Yeah. But with with the technology and science in these these cars these days to finish six car without petrol. Oh, that's that's unfathomable. Someone would have got their ass kicked. Oh, imagine. Imagine. Anyway we digress. Yeah we do, we do. Digress. But it was it was great watching. Oh it was great theater. All right. Big Johnny boys sent one in. Ah the kangaroo's still are. Are the kangaroos still the undisputed kings of international rugby league or as the gap fully closed?
00:28:05
S2: Well, I think the gap is fully closed.
00:28:06
S3: I think we've answered it. Yeah, I think we've answered it. If, um we have our answers earlier on.
00:28:11
S2: It's.
00:28:12
S3: Still the Kings. But the gap is definitely closing. It's um and as Jamie said that I don't think teams now fear them as much as they used to know. But I still think from Australia's perspective, there's an expectation that they win. They bloody have to win. It's a.
00:28:28
S2: Should be considering what.
00:28:29
S3: All the players are doing these days. And yeah. And they're allowed to changing their allegiances to these Pacific nations. But it's made the competition's um more enjoyable for everyone I think. But um yeah, in terms of Australia being the undisputed Kings, they've got a lot more competition now and I think it's only good for the game.
00:28:47
S6: For so long we've been kind of the the equivalent to the All Blacks in the union, the Australian rugby league team. We just we don't even talk about losing. We just win. Yeah, we've got to win because that's how dominant we are. And coming up against teams who are going to give us a good shake, I think it will improve the Aussies to be honest.
00:29:03
S2: Like if we lose the first game, the pressure's right on us. Oh yeah, the the spotlight is right on us. So huge test. First up.
00:29:12
S3: All right. Brett's got one. Uh, Samoa made an incredible run to the final last tournament. Can they repeat that magic? Or do you think the likes of someone like Tom Tonga emerge as the dominant Pacific Power?
00:29:26
S6: I think I think with Katoa halfback makes them a lot more deadly.
00:29:28
S2: Tonga have a better side than Samoa. I think I spoke about the fact that they didn't have they don't have Payne Haas or Tyrrell may up front might hurt them like the back. The back line for Samoa is.
00:29:40
S6: What.
00:29:41
S2: It is. White hot like sewer fire lungo the hammer. I know Brian Toll like they've got players there that you know are great players. But I think they're missing those genuine front rowers. So I think you know if if I was looking at those Pacific states it'd be between New Zealand and Tonga.
00:30:01
S6: Yeah I'm with you. Yeah I think yeah I think so. I look it's um this first game on Saturday if England beat Tonga.
00:30:09
S3: That's about.
00:30:11
S6: As a cat amongst the pigeons.
00:30:12
S3: Just wiping England.
00:30:13
S6: No we can't know with Victor Radley.
00:30:15
S2: I don't think Herbie.
00:30:16
S6: Farnworth in their team.
00:30:17
S3: I know we probably don't need to talk about this today. What do you think of their team? They've got a very sort of probably as many NRL players.
00:30:26
S6: As they can.
00:30:27
S3: As.
00:30:27
S6: They could. Well, someone like Morgan Smith he's missed out in the 19. Mhm.
00:30:31
S3: Yep.
00:30:31
S6: Who would be a genuine.
00:30:33
S3: King in there.
00:30:33
S6: Max King's in there.
00:30:34
S3: Bradley's in there in the squad.
00:30:35
S6: Savala. So. Brimson.
00:30:37
S3: Brimson.
00:30:39
S6: Yeah. So the the talent's there. And as Jamie said earlier, a couple sprinkled that with a 5 or 6 of the Super League players who are the you know Williams is their captain George. Yeah.
00:30:48
S2: Um, I'm looking forward to watching Jess Linton. I think he's great.
00:30:51
S6: I just can't wait for that first game on Saturday. I think it's been. I think it's been yeah. A hidden gem that Saturday night game in Perth between the Pommies and Tonga.
00:30:59
S3: Plenty of poms over in Perth.
00:31:00
S6: Lots. Lots and lots of ex-pats of Kiwis.
00:31:03
S3: Yeah right. All right boys, I'm going to get you to put them on the line early. Right.
00:31:07
S6: Yep.
00:31:08
S3: Obviously the Golden Boot Award will be awarded after this tournament.
00:31:13
S6: Mhm.
00:31:14
S3: Who are you thinking.
00:31:15
S6: Who's going to be the player of the tournament? It's got to be.
00:31:16
S3: The player, the player of the tournament.
00:31:18
S6: I think. Ponga or Harry Grant.
00:31:21
S2: Yeah. Oh.
00:31:22
S3: Sorry.
00:31:22
S6: Ponga or Harry?
00:31:23
S3: Harry grant. Okay.
00:31:24
S2: Okay. I'm going to go.
00:31:25
S3: Did I say one or did I say you could pick two?
00:31:29
S2: I'm going to go. Tedesco.
00:31:30
S6: Okay. What have we got? One nut. So.
00:31:34
S2: I'm going to go Tedesco.
00:31:36
S3: Well, yeah. I was thinking Tedesco myself.
00:31:38
S6: Okay. I'm going Ponga.
00:31:39
S2: Um so you're saying New Zealand are going to win this.
00:31:42
S6: No I just think he'll be mad. I think he'll be the.
00:31:44
S2: Golden.
00:31:44
S6: God.
00:31:45
S3: I need some clarification around this because if Tedesco is not going to play in the first game.
00:31:49
S6: He loses points.
00:31:50
S3: Then I'm like, is there a point system or they just judge it on their games? You know how they play in the tournament.
00:31:55
S6: Okay.
00:31:56
S3: I'm not too sure.
00:31:56
S6: But you're right. I think they do go with the winning team. I think I think Harry Grant Harry Grant's our best player without Cleary being in the team.
00:32:03
S3: Alright. And you've gone Tedesco. Okay. Nice. Very good. I don't know who I'm going to go. I'm just I'm the host. I don't have to because that's what Levy does.
00:32:11
S6: Yeah that's right.
00:32:12
S3: He says, oh, I'm just the host I don't need.
00:32:14
S6: Then he goes on a five minute.
00:32:15
S3: Rant, then rants about something and blows up about the studio or something not working. Chris All right, boys.
00:32:21
S2: Just quietly on the the graphic behind. What are your thoughts?
00:32:24
S3: Awful.
00:32:25
S6: We look like Thunderbirds.
00:32:26
S3: Look, have we got this in shot? Honey, no we're not.
00:32:29
S2: No.
00:32:30
S3: Oh, we don't have any shot. We do have a little bit, but yeah, we're keeping it.
00:32:34
S6: Yeah. Love it.
00:32:35
S3: It's good. Well, I know that it's obviously AI.
00:32:39
S6: Generated.
00:32:40
S3: Generated something. But why have we all got chequer plates all over.
00:32:43
S6: No because. Because we're really lizards. Look. Look at my chest. I've got a fucking turtle chest.
00:32:54
S3: Oh, great. Hey, guys. He's busy. Oh, my. Look at it.
00:32:59
S6: He's got. He's got his paws all over that.
00:33:01
S3: He's got that out. Puts it straight up my fat head there with about six chins anyway.
00:33:07
S6: Okay, let's have let's have a quick prediction before.
00:33:09
S3: Yeah. Let's get yours.
00:33:11
S6: For.
00:33:11
S3: The I.
00:33:11
S6: Want this game.
00:33:12
S3: First try scorer.
00:33:13
S6: Yep.
00:33:14
S3: I want winner. Yep. And I want man of the match.
00:33:17
S6: Do you want to go with James or I?
00:33:19
S2: Uh, I'll go first. Try scorer. I'll go with Jackie Bostock. Yep. I reckon he'll get a try on debut, I reckon. Yes. I mean Australia win this one but I think it'll be close. I'll say. 18, 14.
00:33:35
S6: Ooh ooh.
00:33:37
S2: My man of the match will be, I think, Harry Grant.
00:33:40
S3: Nice.
00:33:40
S6: I think the Kiwis are going to jump out of the box. I just think they're going to be they're going to blow us away in the first 20. And that's about as far as it'll get him. I think Casey McLean will be the first try scorer, but I think the man of the match is going to be Harry Grant or Cam Munster. I think Munster's had a quiet year by his lofty standards, and I think this World Cup could be the coming. Like he's. He's told Melbourne that he wants to go on the.
00:34:03
S3: Have a look. Yeah.
00:34:04
S6: So what do you what do you got.
00:34:06
S3: Yeah that's true.
00:34:06
S6: What do you got.
00:34:07
S3: Fair point. I'm going to go straight to win. Yep. First try scorer. I'm gonna go Jacob Preston. Okay. Running that outside in line short. Yep. I think we all know how well he does that.
00:34:18
S6: He's the best in the competition.
00:34:19
S3: He is. And, uh, player of the match. I'm gonna have Mitch Moses.
00:34:23
S2: Yeah.
00:34:24
S3: Mitch Moses I like so that'll be my three anyway. Well done. I think we're out of time. Oh, really? Done. That's good. Yeah, I'm about to do it, mate.
00:34:34
S6: Yeah. The outro. Don't forget. Get us on.
00:34:37
S3: Don't forget all your NRL news. Follow the continuous call team wherever you get all your podcasts, like subscribe, YouTube, wherever that shit is, it's everywhere. You'll find it there. Share it with your mates, leave a review. Leave us comments. Yes. So when I'm here, the next one I've got, uh, listener comments.
00:34:55
S6: And questions.
00:34:56
S3: Questions, everything. We'll be back on Friday to review Australia vs New Zealand and talk about the weekend's games. I'm out by.
S1: G'day, everyone. Welcome to the Mark My Words podcast, world Cup edition. It's Piggy Riddell here. Obviously we're going to keep the rugby league rolling right through, uh, the World Cup, uh, throughout the next few weeks. Going to be joined by plenty of special guests. We've got Paul Gallen, Bailey Simonsson, Clint Gutherson, Neil Breen. But today, two Ex-internationals, two legends of the game, MGJ Moss. How are we going? Hello, boys.
00:00:37
S2: Oh, mate, since we finished, I've been crook.
00:00:41
S1: Well, let's run through it. Grand final hangover.
00:00:43
S2: Yeah, well, it's a two week grand final hangover, I think. Uh, there was a number of us that went to the, uh, the Orient Hotel on the Monday, and then, um, I did Tuesday night. I co-hosted with horsey.
00:00:55
S1: Your voice sounds.
00:00:56
S2: Good. And then Wednesday I was in bed until the following Sunday and the voices like this RSVP. Well, I think it was influenza A because my voice has been so bad, I've had to yell for the kids to even hear me. So that's covered.
00:01:12
S1: So you're going to be good today?
00:01:13
S2: Yeah. Looking forward to giving my guts.
00:01:15
S1: How you going, Jim? I'm good mate. I'm really.
00:01:17
S3: Good. It's, um. It's good to be. I'm really pumped about the World Cup. I must say that reading this morning's papers about the first time in maybe 52 years, we're going to see a sell out of a of a of a World Cup game here in Sydney. Allianz. Um, obviously back in 74 it was England and Australia. Uh, 55,000 were there when test matches meant something. And I think at the moment we're starting to starting to feel that I've had a good off season, just, you know, kids and grandkids and my missus pluck my eyebrows yesterday morning, which was nice.
00:01:46
S1: They look sharp.
00:01:46
S3: Do they look good? Gee that hurts.
00:01:48
S1: He's going away.
00:01:50
S2: Put a little.
00:01:51
S3: That's because I'm going to Luton. I said I can't go there with eyebrows.
00:01:55
S2: Going to get rid of the Grays and just put a little tint.
00:01:57
S3: No, no I'm not. I'm past that. I used to dye my hair when I was younger, and that's probably why I went bald.
00:02:04
S1: But what about the World Cup? Are you excited?
00:02:07
S3: Very.
00:02:08
S1: I'm. I've got to be honest with you. I'm a little bit surprised that we're going to have such a big crowd, because I don't think we've seen as much interest before in in international rugby league. And they're talking well over 40,000 for the game. But we're going to see games in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea as well. Like it's there's plenty of of fanfare around it.
00:02:28
S3: I think it's on the back of this. I think it's springboarded off the back of such a an emotive season. We've had in more ways than one. I think that the footy was being spectacular. We've had so many off field dramas as far as illnesses go to players and diagnoses go to players. It's been really sad year as far as that goes. But then to see the rugby league fraternity gel together and come together, it's kind of like a movement at the moment and I think it's carried on into the into the post season that now I think that there's so much interest in the World Cup. And look, people changing their allegiances as well. Makes the other clubs other sorry, other countries stronger.
00:03:05
S2: I think that's the the reason for the excitement and the buzz is because, you know, in the past Australia and New Zealand.
00:03:13
S1: Sorry, I'm laughing because.
00:03:15
S2: Australia.
00:03:15
S1: Speaking so softly.
00:03:17
S3: Australia come up here thinking it's all right.
00:03:21
S2: Australia and New Zealand are normally the clear favourites to.
00:03:24
S1: Win.
00:03:25
S3: Australia aren't they? Like we're usually out in front and then New Zealand get a couple of you know they might come close. But this this is honestly Kiwis can honestly win this thing. Yeah Samoa and Tonga could honestly give it a good scare.
00:03:38
S2: Not only that like England has slid down the rankings. Yeah. Like their pride has been dented in international football as well. They have a point to prove as well. So I think what we're seeing in this World Cup is it is going to be open. And you know you have a look at every squad. I don't think I've seen a better forward pack than New Zealand's. It's quality for a long and even their bench that's coming on as well like.
00:04:01
S3: Well you look at the bench. You've got Aaron Clark lock of the year and the.
00:04:05
S2: White white.
00:04:06
S3: On the bench.
00:04:07
S2: Yep.
00:04:07
S1: Yeah. Well I'm sure we'll dive into that shortly.
00:04:09
S3: Oh yeah.
00:04:11
S2: Sorry sorry sorry. Host.
00:04:13
S3: Bring it back.
00:04:14
S1: Relax. Now, if the other bloke was here, he'd be going off his head.
00:04:17
S3: He was on my screen.
00:04:19
S1: Me. And I'm a lot more relaxed. I want to know. Papua New Guinea. We're in New Zealand. We're in Australia. Yep. Where are we going? To see the best atmosphere.
00:04:26
S2: Christchurch.
00:04:27
S1: You think so?
00:04:28
S3: PNG.
00:04:29
S2: Well, we know PNG but you don't really get to see it. Like the game that they played at Christchurch and sold out.
00:04:36
S3: Yeah that was mad.
00:04:37
S2: Like that was unbelievable. And you know if we're looking at seriously taking a side to New Zealand well then Christchurch has got to be top of the list. And I think they've got a double header there this year for the World Cup. So I'm looking forward to seeing that crowd and them get behind the Kiwis. But you know we've we've played over in PNG. We know what it's like there. It's it's it's pretty crazy.
00:04:58
S3: Beyond tomorrow night's crowd at Allianz. Um, you got to think that when Samoa go to PNG with Jarome Luai who's been lauded for so long, and Brian Tuttle. I think they've been giving him uh.
00:05:09
S2: Bracelets.
00:05:10
S3: And leis. I think he's going to give him a box.
00:05:13
S2: Well, I think.
00:05:14
S3: You're in trouble, man.
00:05:15
S2: He's playing in a Pepsi headgear.
00:05:19
S3: Doing the moonwalk.
00:05:20
S2: He's playing the Pepsi headgear.
00:05:21
S1: But that they love. They'll love.
00:05:23
S3: Him.
00:05:24
S1: I know.
00:05:24
S3: I.
00:05:24
S1: Lured him over there. They lured him. They know that he's. He's at that club for the next few years. But you're right. I think both of those, um, those atmospheres will be be sensational. And I suppose when you start thinking about that, you start getting a little bit more excited don't you. For all those games, the ones that you're mentioning.
00:05:39
S3: Look, you get excited for, you know, even looking at the NRL next year when you see that already they've got the Perth Bears at 200 to 1 and males come out and said something about that. And so that just adds to the intrigue of our our game. It never sleeps. Then you've got the PNG chiefs who have just been building like a Globetrotters game team, the best of the best. And to see how they're going to go next year or 2028 is it's all it's all exciting. And there's one bloke who's I suppose got to get the pat on the back for it. And it's V'landys.
00:06:10
S1: Yeah he's done a great.
00:06:11
S3: He's just done an awesome job mate. Awesome.
00:06:13
S1: And he's talking more teams as well. And they were going off topic.
00:06:15
S2: But yeah there's a couple of couple of stories as well in the background with players off contract come November 1st as well. Cameron Munster. Uh. Latrell Mitchell. Cleary. Like there are there's Harry Grant. There's still a number of stories bubbling away that are going to be having to be dealt with during the World Cup.
00:06:33
S1: Do you reckon that's what will happen, or do you reckon they put it on hold to pull those players.
00:06:37
S3: They'd have to wouldn't they. I mean I, I.
00:06:39
S1: Agree with you because as soon as November 1st ticks over the clubs, the agents, well they're already getting ready.
00:06:45
S3: It's already done. They're already done.
00:06:47
S1: But but to have that happen when we're going to go through a World Cup, and we're going to go through the final stages of the World Cup. Those first two weeks in particular, November.
00:06:56
S3: You know why, Peggy? Because never before have we seen the salary cap go up by so much. And never before have we seen so many players who have been playing under unders for so long. All the players, all the Melbourne Storm players for 5 or 6 years, them star players have been playing for unders to make it. The other guys stay at the club so they can be successful. Yeah, and we do the same thing. I have done the same thing at Penrith in the late 80s, early 90s. I took a little bit of a pay cut, but these now the salary cap is what it is. Whoa. My God.
00:07:26
S1: They're going to get a pay day.
00:07:27
S3: They're going to get a pay day and they deserve it.
00:07:29
S1: You can't begrudge them. No, no, not at all. Now, boys, I want to dive into something here. All right. We've got a ten team format for this World Cup. But MG and I have had a little bit of a look at this. We're going to go through the pools. Yep. All right. So ten qualifying teams divided into three pools. Pool A obviously contains four teams and that's pool. We've got Australia and New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji pools B and C, they contain three teams England, Lebanon, Samoa. Pool C, France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. Now, before we get into how things are going to work, in terms of what you were telling me about this weekend's game, the two teams from pool A, so that's the Australia New Zealand pool. Two of those teams go through. So I think everyone thought he expects. Barring monumental upsets, Australia and New Zealand go through. Yep. But out of the next two pools, pools B and C, they play crossover games between the pools and the top two ranking teams from the combined standings of pool B and C go through. So technically, one whole pool could miss out. Yeah. Yeah. Does that make sense? So two teams from pool B could make it. Or two teams from pool C. But what I'm intrigued at, and you mentioned this if things fall the way they do with England playing Tonga this week, the loser of that game is basically gone. I'm going to say up shit creek without a.
00:08:59
S3: Paddle, because Samoa, you're going to think, is going to get that other third spot out of the four. Yeah. Because they've got their draw will probably be a little bit. They're not in the same pool to start with. Look it's. Saturday in Perth at 4:00 will like these two teams. This will be like a a final game. It's the first game of their pool between Tonga and England and England with a lot 10 or 11 Australian NRL players at the moment. Yeah. Do they look strong Jameis they look real.
00:09:28
S2: Strong bolstered and they've got some great players English players over there as well. So um yeah I'm looking forward to that one as well. And um the Tongan side um Katoa.
00:09:38
S3: Halfback first time.
00:09:39
S2: Well they've, they've been there in the final last year against Australia. Like they, they're a quality side as well. And The thing with these sides are they no longer see Australia as, you know, an unbeatable side because they have beaten them.
00:09:54
S1: Beaten them.
00:09:55
S2: Yeah. So um, yeah, I think like I said, England, with the way that, you know, they've kind of slid off the, the rankings, they have a point to prove and for, for Samoa, they'll, they'll think that they can get the job done as well and, and win this tournament. So I'm really looking forward to that clash.
00:10:12
S1: Who do you think, who do you think. Who do you think's going to go through. Obviously we all think Australia and New Zealand.
00:10:16
S3: I think Tonga.
00:10:17
S1: I'm thinking Tonga and Samoa.
00:10:18
S3: Yeah yeah same.
00:10:19
S2: Yeah. Look I think Tonga I think Samoa they have a really really good side. But the fact that they lost Payne Haas and Tyrrell may as well like huge forward. Yeah. Like their ability to play big minutes. And and you know the the the amount of work that they get through I think that might hinder them a little bit.
00:10:38
S4: Mhm.
00:10:39
S1: Well, what about us? Uh, let's have a look at the the opening game. We're here to talk about the big one Tuesday night. Try to take on New Zealand. Already talking today. They've already sold well over 40,000 tickets. So you would you would expect from now it's going to be a sell out. Uh.
00:10:56
S3: So exciting.
00:10:57
S1: Australia taking on New Zealand. The teams. Let's start with Australia. Let's start with the fullback position. Yep. What are our thoughts.
00:11:05
S2: Yeah. Look I can understand why he's he's he's given James Tedesco a break. But at the same time like he's he's fresh off a grand final win. He's won the Clive Churchill. Like this is a big game. You want to win. You still want to win all your games. Um and you know Reece Walsh coming off the the ankle surgery um you know he's he's been obviously picked on what he delivered in the ashes series because if you you think about his year, was it a great success? Probably not. But Kevin Walters is gone. You know what those blokes who won me the ashes. Well I'll give them a crack as well, and it'll be interesting to see how Reece Walsh goes because he hasn't played much football.
00:11:49
S1: At first I was, I suppose, shocked like most people, but then when I started thinking about it and then you start hearing Kevin talk about it, it's like, yeah, well, okay. Reece hasn't played like Jamie said, hasn't had a great year, but he was the incumbent. He gets the opportunity first. Tedesco gets a rest. And I think Kev's already come out and said to Teddy will be playing the next game the next week. So I sort of understand it from Kev's point of view because he'll then, you know, with some of the players that are also playing in the team, they'll have games under their belt when it gets to, you know, later in the season.
00:12:23
S3: Walker. Are you seeing Walker. Yeah. Um, I think Kev's philosophy of picking and sticking will come back and help him towards the end of it. I think that the players will all know he would have went straight to the James Tedesco and said that to him before he picked Reece Walsh. He'd give him that respect because everyone who's got anything to do with rugby league went James Tedesco. How is he not fullback? He's got the he's in the form of his life. He's got the Clive Churchill Medal. He can never he doesn't play. He hasn't played any better. No, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. Yeah. The the World Cup and this as you mentioned at the top of the show, piggy, both New Zealand and Australia look like making it through to the semi-finals. So why would you use your your stallion right now when he could be coming off a long preparation like and he's been a long campaign.
00:13:04
S1: He's had a long.
00:13:05
S3: Year long campaign.
00:13:06
S2: And there's probably a couple of other blokes as well. Like you look at that side as well and Kotoni Staggs, he. Yeah he's.
00:13:12
S3: Probably best.
00:13:13
S2: He's been rewarded for that, that incumbency as well because you know Bradman best is there. I know Latrell has left centre but I would have thought that you know best could potentially play right centre as well.
00:13:24
S1: Do you think uh having a look at the halves, do you think the same thing will happen with Walker and Moses as in Tedesco and Reece Walsh, or do you think that's a different scenario? Totally.
00:13:37
S2: Yeah, well, it's an interesting one because Tommy Dearden's there as well.
00:13:40
S3: Yeah that's.
00:13:40
S2: Right. And last time he played in a final for Australia he got the man of the match.
00:13:44
S4: Yeah.
00:13:45
S1: So jeez, you're bringing some good stuff today. Well I know you've been.
00:13:50
S3: You've been you've you've been you've been studying in your sickness. You, you've been going, you've been, you've got Dave Middleton, you're talking Dave Middleton going come here. Um, look, I want to I want to congratulate, uh, Jack Bostock and um, and Jacob Preston and David Jacob Preston. Preston deserves it. I think he's, um. I think he's an inch away from playing origin. And, uh, obviously someone like Lindsay Smith, who's played, he's kind of following in the Lindsay Smith, um, mould playing 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 tests before playing for origin. And, uh, this is a big stage for Jack and Preston. And when you could have picked anyone else besides him, um, you know, the Cam Murrays of the world. And, um, I'm glad that he's in there because he's, he's really worked his ass off for it. And, uh, interesting. I'd like to get your take on this. Jay Moss not picking a specialist winger even though Jack Bostock is play more wing than he has. Center. Um. Tommy. Tommy. Turbo on the wing. Yeah. How's he going to go?
00:14:44
S2: Well, I think we've seen him perform, um, really well when he plays on the wing and end in the centers. Because he doesn't, he doesn't pigeonhole himself to that position. He he roves around the field and gets himself involved as well. So I think the fact that we've got two tall timbers on the edges makes us that aerial threat. And you need you need to have that. You need to have that aerial threat. You need two tall wingers so you know you can compete. The Roosters.
00:15:12
S3: Look at Tupo and Marky Mark in the kick.
00:15:14
S1: Targets. Who's got they.
00:15:16
S3: Got.
00:15:17
S1: Ronaldo and Asaka.
00:15:18
S2: So you'd imagine.
00:15:19
S3: Saka gets up then if.
00:15:21
S1: They both get up as well. But still.
00:15:22
S2: They do. But I'd imagine that they'll be going to both their wingers to try and get results.
00:15:27
S1: No doubt. All right. Paddy Carrigan.
00:15:30
S3: Yeah.
00:15:30
S1: You find it lucky to be in there starting in the front row.
00:15:34
S3: Again it's it's loyalty from I think the fact that Kev's coached the Broncos and Tony Staggs was part of that team, and so was Carrigan. And I think that's why they see themselves in. And I don't mind it. I look I think on the on his day he's in the top 3 or 4 forwards in our game. He had he he's kind of formed mirrored the Broncos. You know I suppose when when Payne Haas made the announcement that he was going to the house, that's when everything seemed to pause. You know, everyone keeps saying about Jerome saying that he's an announcement about. And that did make their season kind of tip over a bit, but so did Payne Haas. Yeah. Well, that's a big punch to the gut.
00:16:12
S2: Not only that, Payne Haas was injured for a long part of that season as well. Like he had to carry that side for a long, long part of the season. And you know it took its toll on him. But he's he's surrounded himself with with great players. And you know what that does to you. I like the fact that Tino has come out and pledged his allegiance for Australia, too, because he wasn't sure about what they were doing, because we know what he's like, you know. Yes. He didn't have probably the greatest season with the Titans. And he had distractions off field, which we now know. You know his father passed during the season. So he's back in this environment. I think he'll be ready for to go toe to toe with that New Zealand pack. And we're going to need him to be aggressive. They have to match fire with fire. Like we can't can't try and be pretty with this team because they're going to try and rip our heads off.
00:16:59
S3: So then you look at our bench we've got Colin Matangi Fifita Cotter on the bench. Cam Murray.
00:17:04
S1: Well that's my next question is is how how do you think that bench is going to work when you've got Dearden at 14 you got what's Brailey at eight. Oh he's at 20. So he's didn't come on and play hooker. You think.
00:17:15
S3: Well if he if he has to if he has to. Yeah. If he has he's there to play 80. But if Harry looks like he's he's buggered I think. And that's why I think it's a sensible thing having Dearden at 14 because he can play 6719 anything. Yeah. Um but yeah look it's a strong bench. It's a really strong bench Isaiah. Yeah. You know he's he's playing with a torn pec. Wow.
00:17:36
S1: Amazing isn't it? It's amazing.
00:17:39
S3: I mean, come on.
00:17:40
S1: But you know what? And I know we're digressing here a little bit, but some of the injuries that a lot of those NRL boys have had this year and come back early from what? Well it just.
00:17:48
S2: Goes to show you.
00:17:49
S3: Modern technology.
00:17:50
S2: Not only that, but the way that we treat injuries these days. Whereas in the old days you used to chuck your boot on and you'd have it on for six weeks, you'd have all that scar tissue build up and then you'd have to break that down. These days, they get them in for surgery and they don't put them in boots. They let them walk around and keep that movement, get.
00:18:08
S3: The blood.
00:18:08
S2: Flowing.
00:18:09
S3: The blood flowing. Yeah.
00:18:10
S1: You got to get the blood flowing.
00:18:12
S3: Especially after five kids and two grandkids. You've got to get a go on, mate. Um, I think we've seen Lucas this year just again, like Lucas, we saw, um, we saw Sammy Walker. Walker? Yeah. Uh, yo, like three, three massive injuries that we saw them come back way, way before anyone else has come back before their injuries. What about astonishing?
00:18:36
S1: What about the the team? Other than what we've spoken about. Are you happy you're okay? Oh. I'm fine.
00:18:42
S3: Yeah. The good, the true and turbo being back is massive. Great.
00:18:46
S1: A massive.
00:18:46
S3: Boost. It's a massive boost. And that's kind of why this this game will be sold out. Yeah. You know they're both box ticket watches.
00:18:53
S1: Will Australia have the majority of the supporters there do you think.
00:18:55
S4: No no no.
00:18:57
S2: I don't think.
00:18:57
S1: So. Is that sad. Well well we're playing in Sydney. Yeah it is. Do you think do you think if they when they play over there. If it was Australia, New Zealand, Australia the majority of fans over there.
00:19:09
S3: The only thing the only thing it's going to be sad for me is not watching blokes sing the national anthem. Mhm. That's what I get sad being an ex kangaroo. Yeah, that makes me sad. And same goes if you're a if you're a kiwi, you know, and you've seen blokes not singing your anthem, I think it's I think that's one thing that obviously will never be the same. But um, that's one thing I get sad about.
00:19:28
S1: Yeah. Right. You got you. I know I was about to say mate and then I realize you've got a big weekend.
00:19:34
S3: Big boys, weekend away.
00:19:35
S1: Well, let's let's have a look at the New Zealand team now. What, uh, what were your initial thoughts? I know, I know, we've sort of touched on the pack and I think as soon as.
00:19:43
S2: You look.
00:19:43
S1: At Ponga at the back, Ponga at massive.
00:19:46
S2: If he plays anything like he's played this year.
00:19:49
S4: Is.
00:19:49
S3: His first test match.
00:19:50
S2: For for New Zealand.
00:19:51
S3: He's never played for Kiwis before.
00:19:52
S4: No no.
00:19:53
S3: He's 28.
00:19:54
S2: And Dane Gagai as well.
00:19:56
S4: Yeah.
00:19:57
S1: But was that eligibility. Yeah I think that was because I think he was with Australia and then playing obviously playing with Queensland. I know he could still do that anyway. Now then he changed his allegiance. Now he can play.
00:20:07
S3: I don't know how that works.
00:20:08
S1: So that's that's why this is his first.
00:20:10
S3: I know gay guys. They've kind of relaxed the rules for him because he's he's got a parent who's indigenous and a parent who's uh Kiwi. Yeah. So he qualifies for both. Yeah. And Australia.
00:20:20
S1: And I actually heard him talking about it the other day and he, he, he was saying that this was the last team that he had to represent to represent his whole family. Oh, yeah. Because I think he's played indigenous all stars, Maori all stars.
00:20:33
S3: He's getting a good Queensland collection of jumpers too.
00:20:36
S1: Well, he's got them throughout the whole season. And then his team did what they.
00:20:39
S3: Did and he's playing again.
00:20:40
S1: Through the finals and he's playing in here.
00:20:41
S3: So I think I think if I've got to nominate a weakness for them, I think it's their backline compared to ours. I think their forwards are more than matches. Yeah. In fact, if maybe a little slightly better if you include the bench when you have Naufahu Whyte and um and Aaron Clark on the bench that's that's a massive bench. But I think our backline is a little bit stronger than theirs. Yeah I think and that's where they will kind of Nick Arima and Hughes and halves Ronnie and Sako that that high ball is where I think they're going to be worried. You know gay guys in career best form.
00:21:16
S1: Yeah you know what's going to be nice. Gagai and Latrell match up. Oh do you remember what was the week one of the finals?
00:21:22
S2: Yeah, that was a cracker.
00:21:23
S1: They were. They went toe to toe. They didn't.
00:21:26
S3: I forgot about that.
00:21:27
S1: I forgot you remember?
00:21:28
S2: Yeah, I don't I don't think Latrell's forgotten about it.
00:21:30
S1: They won't have forgotten about it. Either of those.
00:21:32
S2: Guys got him there. And this is a big, bigger stage now. Test footy.
00:21:37
S3: Latrobe itching for.
00:21:39
S1: It. I was thinking about that the other day when the teams came out and I thought, hold on, they're going to match up against each other. This is this is going to be good and it'll add to it. But, um, having a look at it, um what about their bench. Other than the two, because I love what you boys are saying about Naufahu and Aaron and Aaron Clark because, uh, and you blokes, they've got, you know, when you bring sometimes when you bring your starters off, you can lose something through the middle of the game. They're actually going to, if not anything, they're going to get more impact out in the far more impact out of Aaron Clark and and raise the intensity and raise the tempo of the game.
00:22:15
S3: Well, you know that you've had you've got a bloke on the bench who won't probably get a run. He's not he's off the on the in. Scott Sorensen, who's been a regular mainstay of the Kiwis starting 13 for the last 5 or 6 years. You know that they're stronger because he can't get a look in. And they've got a bloke called Xavier Willison who's just about to resign with the Broncos, who's a who's a man mountain.
00:22:36
S2: I thought he I thought he was their best all year.
00:22:38
S3: He got the Paul Morgan Award as well. So he justified. And they've got Nicoll-Klokstad on the big Keanu Kini look for that X factor.
00:22:46
S1: Can you see any changes pre kick off.
00:22:48
S2: I don't think so.
00:22:49
S1: You don't think.
00:22:50
S2: So.
00:22:50
S1: No but they're obviously starting massive. I if there was.
00:22:54
S3: The look I think Moses is there for that first ten minutes. Yeah. And he's his sidekick James Fisher-harris. Yeah. Um but then you bring someone like the who wide on who's just his post-contact metres are insane.
00:23:07
S2: I'll be interested to see how Jeremy Marshall King goes and what type of service he's gonna give those boys. And yeah, how much of a part the the halves play in the opening 20 minutes.
00:23:20
S1: Like I don't think.
00:23:21
S2: They play.
00:23:21
S1: Much. Like I'll be saying.
00:23:23
S3: We'll just be over.
00:23:23
S1: Here running as hard as you can.
00:23:25
S3: Do they give me the ball for a kick.
00:23:27
S2: Do they pretty much just go up until 40m?
00:23:30
S1: Yeah. It's your hands.
00:23:32
S3: Yeah, I think so.
00:23:34
S2: Yeah. And then.
00:23:35
S1: Which? Which I know I'm sort of going back and talking about Australia here, but I really think their kick chase first three plays defensively is massive. Because if they can and you know we're all well aware.
00:23:45
S2: Turn them around.
00:23:46
S1: They can turn New Zealand around dominate those first three plays which potentially usually are always outside backs. Those big forwards have then got to get a lot further behind the ball to get back, and then you're only wearing them what two plays in the six?
00:23:59
S2: Does does Australia look at the way um the Knights played against the Warriors over there a couple of times and shift the ball.
00:24:07
S1: Shift out of.
00:24:08
S2: The move move around. They're a big forward pack.
00:24:11
S1: Why wouldn't.
00:24:11
S2: You. Yeah.
00:24:12
S1: Look and I say that because you've got um Staggs and Latrell and you've got Turbo and Bostock.
00:24:18
S3: Big.
00:24:18
S1: Side. So you want to give them ball. Big side.
00:24:20
S2: Latrell, you need to try. This is quite this is probably that first or second one and then shift. Shift.
00:24:25
S3: This is. This would be. I reckon this would be the tallest Australian side ever. Ever.
00:24:30
S1: Have you done your research?
00:24:31
S3: But you know what? No, I haven't been.
00:24:33
S1: On the line.
00:24:34
S3: I'm saying I'm putting them on the line.
00:24:36
S1: This is.
00:24:36
S3: The tallest.
00:24:37
S1: Ever Australian team in the history of rugby.
00:24:39
S3: League. Yep.
00:24:40
S1: How can we, um.
00:24:42
S3: We'll get we'll get one on the Dave Middleton who will talk to his manager about James. James will be confronted.
00:24:48
S2: I'll sit in bed and read up.
00:24:50
S3: But yeah. Look. It's gigantic.
00:24:53
S1: Yeah.
00:24:53
S3: Big. Gigantic.
00:24:54
S1: But they all are these.
00:24:55
S3: I know they are.
00:24:56
S1: They all are these days, aren't they? Like they're massive.
00:24:58
S3: Like Jack Bostock six five turbo six five. Latrell six four. Six six foot.
00:25:07
S1: He's he's probably not as Tino.
00:25:09
S3: You got Tino and Preston about six foot four six foot four.
00:25:12
S1: Are you gonna stick with it.
00:25:14
S3: I'm sticking with.
00:25:14
S1: It. We're gonna check this.
00:25:16
S3: And next time I come back on, which should be a couple of weeks, I'll.
00:25:18
S1: I'm gonna. I'm gonna have an answer for you.
00:25:20
S3: I'll have a white wig on. Maybe.
00:25:25
S1: Boys, I love this, I love this part of the the podcast. Yes, you will too, James. We get listener questions.
00:25:31
S2: Okay.
00:25:32
S1: All right. So obviously our listeners email in.
00:25:36
S3: Yes, we love it.
00:25:37
S1: What is it like subscribe and then they comment all that sort of stuff on the continuous call team. Doug. Big Dougie.
00:25:44
S3: Dougie.
00:25:44
S1: He's, uh, he's emailed us in. Okay. Does scheduling a heavyweight clash on opening night put too much pressure on both teams early, or does it perfectly set the tone for the tournament?
00:25:55
S2: I think it sets the tone for the tournament you want. You want to see a clash that could potentially be the final. Yeah, in the first game.
00:26:03
S3: With the appetite.
00:26:04
S1: Yeah, yeah. It just gets everyone excited.
00:26:06
S3: I'm with James. I think it's the perfectly sets up the tone for the tournament and what a way to start the World Cup.
00:26:11
S1: Well you don't want to limp into it do you. You don't want to.
00:26:13
S3: And well with all due.
00:26:14
S1: Respect to say this respectfully. Yeah. Like you don't want to not you're not as important game.
00:26:20
S2: You don't want to see a 50 or 60 nil score line first.
00:26:25
S3: Someone like that might that might still happen in this game like Australia.
00:26:28
S1: But it's not the first one. No that's.
00:26:31
S3: No. I think this is perfectly set and I think the scheduling couldn't be more precise.
00:26:35
S1: Yeah, I just think I think it picks everyone back up after the grand final. Everyone gets the grand final hangover, couple of weeks, everyone sort of doing their own thing. The next minute everyone turns around and goes, yep, hold on, you play in New Zealand.
00:26:47
S3: Batters out the way, got.
00:26:48
S1: Back. Can we talk about Bathurst for.
00:26:50
S3: Six wks, mate? One job.
00:26:52
S1: Fuel.
00:26:53
S3: Gauge, one fucking job.
00:26:55
S1: Pasquali.
00:26:56
S3: Jesus. Oh you're.
00:26:59
S1: Not you're not a car.
00:26:59
S3: I reckon.
00:27:00
S1: I'm not a car man either.
00:27:01
S3: One second.
00:27:02
S1: Yeah.
00:27:03
S3: If he stayed in the pits for one second.
00:27:05
S1: But they had he had the time.
00:27:06
S3: He had the time.
00:27:08
S1: Couldn't believe it.
00:27:09
S3: I couldn't believe it.
00:27:10
S1: Did he? Well I.
00:27:11
S3: Don't.
00:27:12
S1: I don't watch.
00:27:13
S3: Six days.
00:27:13
S1: To go. But I watch Bathurst every year.
00:27:16
S3: So do I.
00:27:17
S2: Get out and push.
00:27:18
S3: Mate. He was on the last lap. He just come round to do the last lap he was going up the. They'll celebrate a.
00:27:23
S2: Run. Have just rolled down the hill.
00:27:25
S3: No, he was six cars. Six cars and they all just went.
00:27:28
S5: Vroom vroom vroom.
00:27:30
S3: What about Dick Johnson racing. Are they going. He's. They're going like this. Like if you didn't. If you didn't know better, you'd think it'd be rigged. Yeah. But with with the technology and science in these these cars these days to finish six car without petrol. Oh, that's that's unfathomable. Someone would have got their ass kicked. Oh, imagine. Imagine. Anyway we digress. Yeah we do, we do. Digress. But it was it was great watching. Oh it was great theater. All right. Big Johnny boys sent one in. Ah the kangaroo's still are. Are the kangaroos still the undisputed kings of international rugby league or as the gap fully closed?
00:28:05
S2: Well, I think the gap is fully closed.
00:28:06
S3: I think we've answered it. Yeah, I think we've answered it. If, um we have our answers earlier on.
00:28:11
S2: It's.
00:28:12
S3: Still the Kings. But the gap is definitely closing. It's um and as Jamie said that I don't think teams now fear them as much as they used to know. But I still think from Australia's perspective, there's an expectation that they win. They bloody have to win. It's a.
00:28:28
S2: Should be considering what.
00:28:29
S3: All the players are doing these days. And yeah. And they're allowed to changing their allegiances to these Pacific nations. But it's made the competition's um more enjoyable for everyone I think. But um yeah, in terms of Australia being the undisputed Kings, they've got a lot more competition now and I think it's only good for the game.
00:28:47
S6: For so long we've been kind of the the equivalent to the All Blacks in the union, the Australian rugby league team. We just we don't even talk about losing. We just win. Yeah, we've got to win because that's how dominant we are. And coming up against teams who are going to give us a good shake, I think it will improve the Aussies to be honest.
00:29:03
S2: Like if we lose the first game, the pressure's right on us. Oh yeah, the the spotlight is right on us. So huge test. First up.
00:29:12
S3: All right. Brett's got one. Uh, Samoa made an incredible run to the final last tournament. Can they repeat that magic? Or do you think the likes of someone like Tom Tonga emerge as the dominant Pacific Power?
00:29:26
S6: I think I think with Katoa halfback makes them a lot more deadly.
00:29:28
S2: Tonga have a better side than Samoa. I think I spoke about the fact that they didn't have they don't have Payne Haas or Tyrrell may up front might hurt them like the back. The back line for Samoa is.
00:29:40
S6: What.
00:29:41
S2: It is. White hot like sewer fire lungo the hammer. I know Brian Toll like they've got players there that you know are great players. But I think they're missing those genuine front rowers. So I think you know if if I was looking at those Pacific states it'd be between New Zealand and Tonga.
00:30:01
S6: Yeah I'm with you. Yeah I think yeah I think so. I look it's um this first game on Saturday if England beat Tonga.
00:30:09
S3: That's about.
00:30:11
S6: As a cat amongst the pigeons.
00:30:12
S3: Just wiping England.
00:30:13
S6: No we can't know with Victor Radley.
00:30:15
S2: I don't think Herbie.
00:30:16
S6: Farnworth in their team.
00:30:17
S3: I know we probably don't need to talk about this today. What do you think of their team? They've got a very sort of probably as many NRL players.
00:30:26
S6: As they can.
00:30:27
S3: As.
00:30:27
S6: They could. Well, someone like Morgan Smith he's missed out in the 19. Mhm.
00:30:31
S3: Yep.
00:30:31
S6: Who would be a genuine.
00:30:33
S3: King in there.
00:30:33
S6: Max King's in there.
00:30:34
S3: Bradley's in there in the squad.
00:30:35
S6: Savala. So. Brimson.
00:30:37
S3: Brimson.
00:30:39
S6: Yeah. So the the talent's there. And as Jamie said earlier, a couple sprinkled that with a 5 or 6 of the Super League players who are the you know Williams is their captain George. Yeah.
00:30:48
S2: Um, I'm looking forward to watching Jess Linton. I think he's great.
00:30:51
S6: I just can't wait for that first game on Saturday. I think it's been. I think it's been yeah. A hidden gem that Saturday night game in Perth between the Pommies and Tonga.
00:30:59
S3: Plenty of poms over in Perth.
00:31:00
S6: Lots. Lots and lots of ex-pats of Kiwis.
00:31:03
S3: Yeah right. All right boys, I'm going to get you to put them on the line early. Right.
00:31:07
S6: Yep.
00:31:08
S3: Obviously the Golden Boot Award will be awarded after this tournament.
00:31:13
S6: Mhm.
00:31:14
S3: Who are you thinking.
00:31:15
S6: Who's going to be the player of the tournament? It's got to be.
00:31:16
S3: The player, the player of the tournament.
00:31:18
S6: I think. Ponga or Harry Grant.
00:31:21
S2: Yeah. Oh.
00:31:22
S3: Sorry.
00:31:22
S6: Ponga or Harry?
00:31:23
S3: Harry grant. Okay.
00:31:24
S2: Okay. I'm going to go.
00:31:25
S3: Did I say one or did I say you could pick two?
00:31:29
S2: I'm going to go. Tedesco.
00:31:30
S6: Okay. What have we got? One nut. So.
00:31:34
S2: I'm going to go Tedesco.
00:31:36
S3: Well, yeah. I was thinking Tedesco myself.
00:31:38
S6: Okay. I'm going Ponga.
00:31:39
S2: Um so you're saying New Zealand are going to win this.
00:31:42
S6: No I just think he'll be mad. I think he'll be the.
00:31:44
S2: Golden.
00:31:44
S6: God.
00:31:45
S3: I need some clarification around this because if Tedesco is not going to play in the first game.
00:31:49
S6: He loses points.
00:31:50
S3: Then I'm like, is there a point system or they just judge it on their games? You know how they play in the tournament.
00:31:55
S6: Okay.
00:31:56
S3: I'm not too sure.
00:31:56
S6: But you're right. I think they do go with the winning team. I think I think Harry Grant Harry Grant's our best player without Cleary being in the team.
00:32:03
S3: Alright. And you've gone Tedesco. Okay. Nice. Very good. I don't know who I'm going to go. I'm just I'm the host. I don't have to because that's what Levy does.
00:32:11
S6: Yeah that's right.
00:32:12
S3: He says, oh, I'm just the host I don't need.
00:32:14
S6: Then he goes on a five minute.
00:32:15
S3: Rant, then rants about something and blows up about the studio or something not working. Chris All right, boys.
00:32:21
S2: Just quietly on the the graphic behind. What are your thoughts?
00:32:24
S3: Awful.
00:32:25
S6: We look like Thunderbirds.
00:32:26
S3: Look, have we got this in shot? Honey, no we're not.
00:32:29
S2: No.
00:32:30
S3: Oh, we don't have any shot. We do have a little bit, but yeah, we're keeping it.
00:32:34
S6: Yeah. Love it.
00:32:35
S3: It's good. Well, I know that it's obviously AI.
00:32:39
S6: Generated.
00:32:40
S3: Generated something. But why have we all got chequer plates all over.
00:32:43
S6: No because. Because we're really lizards. Look. Look at my chest. I've got a fucking turtle chest.
00:32:54
S3: Oh, great. Hey, guys. He's busy. Oh, my. Look at it.
00:32:59
S6: He's got. He's got his paws all over that.
00:33:01
S3: He's got that out. Puts it straight up my fat head there with about six chins anyway.
00:33:07
S6: Okay, let's have let's have a quick prediction before.
00:33:09
S3: Yeah. Let's get yours.
00:33:11
S6: For.
00:33:11
S3: The I.
00:33:11
S6: Want this game.
00:33:12
S3: First try scorer.
00:33:13
S6: Yep.
00:33:14
S3: I want winner. Yep. And I want man of the match.
00:33:17
S6: Do you want to go with James or I?
00:33:19
S2: Uh, I'll go first. Try scorer. I'll go with Jackie Bostock. Yep. I reckon he'll get a try on debut, I reckon. Yes. I mean Australia win this one but I think it'll be close. I'll say. 18, 14.
00:33:35
S6: Ooh ooh.
00:33:37
S2: My man of the match will be, I think, Harry Grant.
00:33:40
S3: Nice.
00:33:40
S6: I think the Kiwis are going to jump out of the box. I just think they're going to be they're going to blow us away in the first 20. And that's about as far as it'll get him. I think Casey McLean will be the first try scorer, but I think the man of the match is going to be Harry Grant or Cam Munster. I think Munster's had a quiet year by his lofty standards, and I think this World Cup could be the coming. Like he's. He's told Melbourne that he wants to go on the.
00:34:03
S3: Have a look. Yeah.
00:34:04
S6: So what do you what do you got.
00:34:06
S3: Yeah that's true.
00:34:06
S6: What do you got.
00:34:07
S3: Fair point. I'm going to go straight to win. Yep. First try scorer. I'm gonna go Jacob Preston. Okay. Running that outside in line short. Yep. I think we all know how well he does that.
00:34:18
S6: He's the best in the competition.
00:34:19
S3: He is. And, uh, player of the match. I'm gonna have Mitch Moses.
00:34:23
S2: Yeah.
00:34:24
S3: Mitch Moses I like so that'll be my three anyway. Well done. I think we're out of time. Oh, really? Done. That's good. Yeah, I'm about to do it, mate.
00:34:34
S6: Yeah. The outro. Don't forget. Get us on.
00:34:37
S3: Don't forget all your NRL news. Follow the continuous call team wherever you get all your podcasts, like subscribe, YouTube, wherever that shit is, it's everywhere. You'll find it there. Share it with your mates, leave a review. Leave us comments. Yes. So when I'm here, the next one I've got, uh, listener comments.
00:34:55
S6: And questions.
00:34:56
S3: Questions, everything. We'll be back on Friday to review Australia vs New Zealand and talk about the weekend's games. I'm out by.
