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Super Rugby Pacific

Rugby Pass Podcast: The Barrett vs Cruden Conundrum

THOUGHTFULKISSER

This week Scotty Stevenson has a bye so Mark Stafford steps in to host. He’s joined by Daniel Richardson, a former journalist and commentator. Mark and Daniel discuss the cracker Sunwolves / Jaguares match which Scotty rightly predicted would result in a win to the Japanese team. They also discuss the Jason Emery 4 week ban for a dangerous tackle, rave about the Beauden Barrett / Aaron Cruden matchup, give Damian McKenzie his dues and look ahead to the games for this weekend’s Super Rugby competition. 

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Comments on RugbyPass

M
MO 33 minutes ago
'To lose one Welsh captain is unfortunate; to lose two might be considered a bit careless'

Merry Christmas, mate. Sadly a miserable one for too many in Welsh rugby. Those responsible should be directed to the workhouse.

7 Go to comments
R
RobOC25 1 hour ago
Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

11 12 13 14 assuming no new talents push through I’d have thought would look like:

KLA Esturheizan Moodie Hooker.



...

15 Go to comments
C
CS 3 hours ago
Top 10 Test points scorers of 2025: Sacha just fell short at the death

Morgane Bourgeois (France) 106.

2 Go to comments
C
CS 3 hours ago
Top 10 Test points scorers of 2025: Sacha just fell short at the death

Zoe Harrison (England) 101. Any others? You didn't state it was only men!

2 Go to comments
P
PMcD 3 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

I don’t think AUS are alone Ardy, I think IRE (and Leinster) are suffering a similar thing, as are ENG where the Lions players have been dropping like flies with injuries and they have been limiting their playing time since returning after the Lions.

I think an awful lot went into that Lions series but the toll has been felt since in AUS, IRE & ENG who provided the majority of the players.



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211 Go to comments
P
PMcD 3 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Merry Christmas NB - have really enjoyed our chats this year and look forward to many more.

I’m not sure what has happened in IRE but having been blessed with multiple tightheads . . . . since Furlong emerged, the THP stocks have been a little bare in that department.



...

211 Go to comments
D
DG 3 hours ago
Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

Comforting that you considered my views credible. Hope we can agree to disagree again in 2026.

15 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?



So when you say they are overcomplicating it I’m thinking about how they’re trying to use the ball in hand, which is what any DNA refit would have to revolve around?

Funnily enough, a well-known international analyst just sent me a stat pack for the TRC which showed that among other stats, NZ scored 86% of their tries from scrum or lineout starters, and 70% from launches inside the opposing 22. They only scored two tries starting from their own side of halfway, lowest by far in TRC 2025!



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211 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Well he knew they could not cycle backwards so you could say it clarified his vision of where to go next.

211 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Israel Folau JW??

Yes he has footwork and speed in a straight line so let him use it in space for once. Not running into traffic.



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211 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Munster are chronically weak at THP where they have had to recycle John Ryan for the umpteenth time and pick a guy who has played all his life in the AIL!

211 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

There have been others, notably Steve Tandy wo went to Oz without any coaching role and got the D gig in NSW. Then went on to coach Scotland and the Lions’ D and is now head coach of Wales! So yes, take the short term hit for the long term gain😁

211 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Exactly, when you have the person you want yoyu create the role around them, not vice versa!

211 Go to comments
D
DP 4 hours ago
Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

Yes, I think he would fit the Bok mould rather nicely

15 Go to comments
P
PMcD 5 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

The AB’s had ENG’s number last year (with 3 wins from 3) and you may recall me saying I thought ENG had improved since the 6N’s last year, improving the attack (in the 6N’s), strengthening the replacement scrum and appeared to be improving in defence but it still took me a little to work out how much the 5x7’s changed the game this Autumn.

I don’t think many people expected the ENG defence to be as strong as it was (and was still a bit of a surprise for me as an ENG fan), or how much Baxter & Heyes have improved their scrummaging. You may recall how quickly they went in reverse last Autumn 12 months ago but they were very solid this year and have significantly improved.



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211 Go to comments
P
PMcD 6 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

I think that’s the reality of having the Top 7 or 8 teams all being capable of beating each other on a given day, which is forcing greater strength in depth.

It used to be a tough selection guessing the matchday 23 but the 36 was always fairly obvious and I think SA & FRA have been having more of a challenge to pick a 36 and ENG are about to have the same issue this 6 N’s, where some test level starters will miss out (especially on the wings & back row).



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211 Go to comments
J
JJ 7 hours ago
'To lose one Welsh captain is unfortunate; to lose two might be considered a bit careless'

Indeed, ‘‘We’re doomed!’’. Merry Christmas to you Mark. Then Happy New Year until the 6Nations starts. Then reality sets in. The Ospreys players were told last week that they all need to find new employment. One has to wonder what sort of Christmas they are having. The academy players are spending Christmas studying hard to get the grades needed to go to the english clubs’ academies. Timing has never been a strong point in Welsh rugby; remember Gareth Jenkins sacking in 2007? What we want for Christmas is the removal of the WRU board! That would be perfect timing.

7 Go to comments
M
MO 7 hours ago
'To lose one Welsh captain is unfortunate; to lose two might be considered a bit careless'

Perhaps the last one to leave Welsh rugby ought to do the decent thing and turn out the lights. At this rate there won’t be any elite players left to play in the “world-class system” those in charge say they want to create. The union should have had Frazer from Dad’s Army to write their Christmas message.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 8 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

He certainly did something drastic, I wouldn’t say they were radical, but to completely pull the pin and return to type in Game 2 v Australia certainly takes some balls and is the exact opposite of NZ (though they really didn’t have the same base to go back to).

I think that actually gives his team a lot more freedom when he changed the selections and tried it again v NZ.



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211 Go to comments
J
JW 8 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

You’re having to leave out a lot of class names there PMCD.

211 Go to comments
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