Auckland rugby union team

And as I say, talked about the Farah Palmer Cup, we congratulate the Canterbury team, Campbell, just before we go.

They were just too good, too well organised, and too strong for Auckland.

And, oh yeah, look, in the Farrah Palmer Cup, yeah, that was interesting there because Auckland held them for the first half, very physical, played very direct, but Canterbury just cut loose and, you know, the likes of Binky Muamua, who I think scored a couple of tries, you know, that was an impressive second half from Canterbury and so, yeah, it was a great day for Canterbury rugby under the roof and I noted it, it got to about 30 degrees under there and I know they don't have any any provision or any air coming through from the side naturally, which is what they have in the Otago Stadium.

So it could get very hot for this weekend, but also in February, March for the Crusaders.

Hot enough anyway, isn't it, when you get to this stage of the season in the MPC? Hey, thanks, fellas.

So, um, yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm looking forward to the time ahead.

And, uh, yeah, I'm obviously more than grateful, um, for the opportunity given to me by Auckland Rugby, the Blues, um, and, and New Zealand Rugby as well, 'cause that obviously shows that they back me and, and, and they want me for the long term as well.

So yeah, I was very happy, uh, that we found alignment on that and that my future is locked in.

Anton, did I also hear that you have got a couple of documentary film crews from Germany following you 'cause they're interested in making a doco or docos about you becoming an All Black?

You talk about in Auckland, you talk about the Warriors and the AFC.

And the Blues and Auckland Rugby, there's a city of two million people, there's room for more than one sport and there's room for more than one code.

In terms of selling out the stadium and selling them out quickly, the Hurricanes played at Wellington I think seven times and yet they sold out the final one of those games and their crowds grew over the course of the season.

I don't know, when Ed Sheeran plays at the Caketon once every three or four years, he fills it.

Remember Frank Bunce didn't come good until his early 30s.

I remember watching him for Auckland early days and he was average." Yeah, Frank really blossomed late, really did.

Um, I'd like to see Rico with some more meaningful minutes actually.

That's something I'd welcome.

Every game is a home game.

And Otago, your boys sneak past Auckland on Thursday night.

Again, they play at home.

What's your take of those two teams? But then of the competition, at the start of the comp, were we really thinking Harbour and Northland are going to be up where they were and the lofty heights at the

So, yeah, that's going to be an absolute doozy.

But, no, you're right, mate.

A North London and a North Harbour, did we ever expect that? And not having an Auckland in the quarterfinals again, Millsy.

Like, there's some real flashing lights over that province and what they're doing in terms of, their talent and why aren't they performing, especially at the highest levels of MPC, because if I look at that team that they rolled out against Otago in the last round, and it was just stacked full of quality, but they just, for whatever reason, whenever they get into the arm wrestle, they just go missing, which is disappointing.

And also the way people end up playing, you know, it's just not like – American sport where it's this huge big play and massive deals and sometimes the player doesn't even have a choice.

It's like, where do you want to play, Artie? Well, I live in Auckland.

Sometimes if I, the urge to move washes over me, if I'm like, you know, maybe it'd be cool to like pick up sticks and go to Australia or something.

I like look at the pantry and I just see all the stuff that's in there.

So anyway, my understanding is that they will probably do nothing.

No. They'll say, geez, it's tough.

What we'll do is we'll combine secretaries between Auckland Blues and the Auckland NPC team.

Yeah.

And finally, to our sneaky good game of the weekend, one that might have gone under the radar of a lot of rugby fans around the world, was a game from the premiership in the Farrah Palmer Cup, the women's domestic competition in New Zealand.

It was Auckland hosting Manawatu, the Storm taking on the Cyclones.

So, at half time, this was 19-14 to Auckland, it was 19-all early in the second half.

Two tries to Auckland, with one missed conversion, were followed by two tries to Manawatu, with one missed conversion, so it was 31-all with five minutes left.

With three minutes left, Auckland got a very, very, very important converted try.

But after the 80th minute mark, Manawatu did the same.

End of normal time, 38 all in the 86th minute of Golden Point.

Tasman, big victory over Bay of Plenty 45-26.