Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The All Blacks squad posed as many questions as answers, with just five loosies and a colossal six midfield backs. Will Ardie be at 7? Will Rieko be on the wing?

ARP breaks down the squad and talks to All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan about why the likes of Crusaders stars David Havili and Ethan Blackadder didn't make the cut.

Jippa, Bryn and Ross also look into the French squad and why the Lions were so poor in their opening clash.

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The Crusaders are 31-0 in home playoff games. What must the Chiefs do to end that run in the Super Rugby final??

There are holes at prop, lock and loosie, so who will be the debutants in next week's All Blacks squad. Will the selectors be conservative or will they choose the likes of Carter and Tavatavanawai?

We give a sneak peak at our SBW interview, as he recalls his iconic try and jump into the stands from the Chiefs' first Grand Final win in 2012.

Plus. Jake White's whinge about Leinster's global stars. Will the gap between the haves and have-nots of club rugby grow before the World Club Champs?

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With Super Rugby semis looming, which players need to stand up and solve the All Blacks' loose forwards conundrums? We get into the semifinals and whether the Blues can get another upset against the Crusaders? Can the Chiefs recover and how can they breakdown the Brumbies defense?

Beauden Barrett stands up and shows he's probably the starting ten.

Plus, why's Warriors coach Andrew Webster taking shots at rugby?

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A huge week of rugby to talk, with the Super Rugby playoffs this weekend. With Brynna celebrating the end of his Japanese season, Ross and Jippa are joined by Welsh Grand Slam hero Hadleigh Parkes on the panel.

Who will win the qualifying finals and why? What's going on with the crazy Super Rugby playoffs format and why are the Blues so edgy on social media.

Richie Mo'unga's earned his 11th domestic title in 11 years, after back-to-back trophies with Japanese side Toshiba. When he returns to New Zealand, will he walk back into the All Blacks ahead of Beauden and DMac? What would you do?

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The ARP crew get into the proposed World Club Championship. What might hold it back from happening? Who would dominate if it happened this year?

We also get into what led to the Chiefs tearing up Moana Pasifika and who will top the table. Should Leroy Carter be an All Black, is Fabian Holland a shoo-in at lock and why is Jorja Miller a game changer for the Black Ferns?

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Super Rugby Finals permutations

Chiefs top

·      Chiefs win with bonus

·      Chiefs win without bonus but Crusaders don’t get bonus point win.

·      Chiefs draw with Highlanders and Crusaders lose/draw with Brumbies

Crusaders top

·      Chiefs lose and Crusaders beat Brumbies

·      Chiefs win but Crusaders win with bonus and make up 116 point differential

·      Chiefs draw with Highlanders and Crusaders beat Brumbies

Brumbies top

·      Brumbies beat Crusaders and Chiefs lose without bonus

·      Brumbies beat Crusaders without bonus and Chiefs lose with bonus. But, Brumbies make up 125 point differential.

·      Chiefs draw with Highlanders and Brumbies get bonus point win over Crusaders. But, have to make up 125 point different

Moana Pasifika top six

·      Moana beat Hurricanes and Blues lose/draw to Tahs

·      Moana beat Hurricanes with bonus point and Blues beat Tah without bonus

·      Moana and Blues get bonus wins and Reds lose to Drua without bonus. All end on 33 points and Blues drop out with less wins.

Blues top 6

·      Beat Tahs and MP lose/draw with Canes

·      Beats Tahs with bonus and MP beat Hurricanes without bonus

Tahs Top 6

·      Beat Blues and MP lose to Hurricanes

·      Beat Blues with bonus and MP draw with Canes

Games

·      Highlanders v Chiefs

·      Brumbies v Crusaders

·      Blues v Waratahs

·      Hurricanes v MP

·      Reds v Drua

Crusaders

·      What is going on with the Crusaders?

·      Time to start O’Connor? Is Rivez the man for the finals?

·      Havili in form? Teams worked out that if you shut him down then you’re in.

·      Can they actually beat the Brumbies?

·      Brumbies can go through and around?

Highlanders –

·      22 entries – what do they do to fix that?

·      Holland form – 95 year old’s question 

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