March 21, 2025 • 11 mins
There’s an impressive amount of hooking talent in the New Zealand rugby scene.
Former All Black hooker Corey Flynn has taken up a role as a throwing coach, working around the country with young hookers.
He told Lesley Murdoch he’s impressed with what he is seeing, and believes the focus needs to shift to the younger players underneath the Super Rugby squads.
Flynn also spoke about the upcoming Hall of Fame event on May 9 that has become one of the hottest tickets in town.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All Black, former All Black and former Crusader Hawker are
very un Corey Flann, Good morning, Liz.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
How are all.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
The better for talking to you? Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
I thanks They had to make me feel good.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Oh, it's always good to have a chat that's looked
round six of Super Rugby. You have to be enthused
with what you've seen so far, right, it's been pretty awesome.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I mean we've been screaming out for a spectacle, you know,
and of the past couple of years, and this year's
started with a hiss and a rule. It's being awesome
and it's right across the board, you know, like it's
not just the Crusader lads, it's you know, your Hollanders
who are back under the tutelage of Jamie Joe and
(00:44):
just going out there and absolutely bashing terms. You know,
you've got the you've got the Chiefs who are lighting
it up. And then more one Pacifica that can do
exactly the same.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Well, you cannot take your foot off the pedal when
you're playing Moana Pacifica. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, it's pretty outrageous, wasn't it.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well, I've done it all the time, every gained just.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
About Yeah, well, I mean it's a it's a caliber
of players I've got and I suppose with kind of that,
you know, they're bringing that Pacific flare and the plan
with that freedom, which is awesome and that's what you
want to see. It's just a shame they can't string
it together for the full lady all the time.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
When you look around, I guess the early stages there
have been injuries, but then that is the nature of
rugby at this level, isn't it. And the physicality at
the breakdown it's massive, Yeah it is.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I mean, injuries are always going to happen. It's it
is a sad reality of our sport. But when you know,
like even from when I was playing to now, the
collisions are just phenomenal. I look and I wonder how
some of these bodies are actually going to come through
it at the end of their career. But you know,
they're built for it and they work hard to be
(02:00):
able to do it. So yeah, it's but it is.
It is frightening as a former player just thinking you
know what it would have been like going into some
of those custis.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Well, you you had a fair bit of that yourself,
and look where you are. Look where Richie McCaw you
look after your body, you keep fat, you know, you
get into that new regime, yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You do. And and the body does have a have
a pretty awesome ability to heal. So you know, while
while there's definitely creaks and crown groans and I don't
like going up and downstairs in the morning, but you know,
the body, the body does does repair to at a level,
but not to a not to a young young Cory
(02:42):
Fulham stage.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
We'll use it or lose it, that's what we say. Yeah,
right now you're the throwing coach for hawkers in our
wonderful country. But are you happy with the hooking stock
around the country and super rugby?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, the stock's really good. You know, we've got we've
got four to five really real premier hookers that is
that can be picture the abs. Now we need to
bring the I suppose the rest up to that stage.
And they're getting there, you know, the young look at
(03:17):
the likes of saying Jack Taylor. You've got even George
bow Is in the early early stages, but he's he's
of a huge high caliber, you know. So we've got
young guys that are going to be so awesome in time,
But they just need time to develop and go through
go through the trenches a little bit and learn from mistakes,
(03:40):
but also be given the opportunity to develop.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
But yeah, really important position though, I mean we all know.
I mean, I mean it's your number one, clearly, but
to get the technique and the safety aspect really critical.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah. The technique comes, I believe from doing more. So
you know, like we can, we can teach it, and
but you have to go away and learn and master
a craft we call it. So the technique does come
from learning and failing or failing and learning sorry, and
(04:17):
going and getting better and having that desire to get better.
But yeah, it's a hard one because it is so important,
and when you're young and you're relying on natural ability,
you don't see how important it is until until maybe
it's too late, or until you've had quite a few
knockbacks like I did.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Right, Well, then you're giving them the benefit of your experience.
So looking to the late scratching of Cody Taylor for
the match against the Blues tonight and income onto the
bench for the Crusaders as Matt Mold now clearly he's
been part of Kennerby in the past, and he's clearly
been part of the Crusaders this season.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, and you know do he'll do a really good job.
He's a he's been around the he's been around the
block a few times. And it's great to be able
to call upon Molds either to steady that ship when
the likes of Cody or you know, when George went
down early in the season for the season, so I
(05:18):
mean was going to be is going to be an
amazing player, and I've had a couple of good chats
with him. But it is good to be able to
call Matt and make sure that that that's going to be.
You know, there's that that steady, that steady the ship
when he comes on when.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
You think there is a big goal ahead of the
Crusaders because they are desperate under Rob you need to
win an away game. I mean you traveled across with
the Crusaders. Was that to the Brumbies last year? It
was so what kind of mindset do you need to
run away?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I think for the boys, you know, they don't have to,
They don't have to sort of panic and change their mindset.
Their mindset is more of a siege one, especially at
the moment with I suppose the Blues being a little
bit under the pump, you know, so if they go
up and just look to really put the foot on
(06:17):
the throat early, and basically you're just a siege mentality, everybody,
everybody focusing on their own job and just making sure
that they leave that field with no stone unturned. You know,
Like the Blues are at the right stage to be
(06:37):
taken down, but they are still a very very good team.
You know, they've only been losing games by small amounts
and it's been unlucky in some cases. So you know, yeah,
I don't think this is going to be a very
easy game, but that's definitely one that role will be
looking for to take that. How good would it be?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Oh absolutely? I mean you look at them injuries Ethan
Blackhead are Cullen Grace, Braden enial scratch during the week,
then late as we mentioned Cody Taylor, they too, the
Blues have got injuries as well. But I mean, as
we've already mentioned, it's the nature of the game. You
just have to deal with it, go with it, and
you've got playing minutes, play with your heart it is, you're.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Right, and you know it's the Blues Crusaders that there's
nothing lost on that as well, So everybody, everybody begun
for both teams blue and Red and Black.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yeah, for sure. Now something that is just so special
over the last two years the Crusaders Hall of Fame,
the charity luncheon where new inductees are revealed and this
year it is May the Night Friday, May the Night.
Now you're an integral part in that organization because you're
a very big part of the Crusaders alumni. How's it going?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah? Cool? Aaron Major and Miss South and Kirsty Brown,
who's probably the most important person in the organization but
of it all, she called a meeting for us and
and so we had a we had a little we
chat last week and it's great. I mean, it's going
to be an awesome event. It is an awesome It's
(08:17):
been an awesome event the last couple of years. And
it's great to be able to to be able to
still give back, you know, like Rugby gave us as
you know, as former players, Rugby gave us so much.
So being able to and raise funds for you know,
Youth Hub. This year we've done I am hope and
(08:39):
I think Maxi said it best last year and in
his inductee speech.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Where normal Maxwell? You're talking about.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Normax so we you know, and he said and he said,
rugby is just the game, you know, but it's a
vehicle that we can change so many lives and we
can fundraise for community stuff and you know. So that
been that. I mean, it was just awesome and it
does brings it home and it makes it so much
more special. So yeah, really looking forward to the day.
(09:12):
Kirsty's nervous because she's had two awesome events, so she's
trying to make it bigger and better. But we've actually
we've actually said to her, look, you know, just needs
to be on par and it'll still be an awesome day. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Oh gosh. I mean I have to say, in my life,
the two that I've been lucky enough to go to
have been the best events, just in terms of the
heritage that it showcases, the camaraderie, the professional event planning
and execution. It is just a great thing to be
part of. So yeah, I can't wait. It May the Nights,
(09:48):
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
May the Nights? Yeah, And that's the thing, you know,
like it was I think for the Crusaders especially. You know,
we're we're lucky enough we can celebrate success, you know.
So it's a good way for us to get back
and see each other because life gets busy, you know.
So it's great to rub shoulders again and talk about
(10:12):
how good we used to be and you know, those
five me to try to sort of sort of stretch
out to fifty meter runaway. So yeah, it's awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, and then the emotion too, because I remember vividly
Leon McDonald's speech when he accepted his induction into the
Hall of Fame last year. I mean, it's a very
emotional time for the inductees who will be revealed. Obviously,
twenty twenty five inductees will be revealed at that luncheon.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, it is, and it's great to see, you know,
because it shows, it shows the young, and it shows
in their current how much it actually meant, you know,
to us as players and to what we watch and
what we see now. So and it is, Yeah, it
shows that we are part of one big family. And
(11:00):
but yeah, it was just such a cool day, Lucie,
like you say.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Loved it, love it. Well, Cory Flan will let you go,
And what's on the menu for you today.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
A bit of a rest now, I've got to We've
actually just moved into a rent but we're bowling our
house and starting again. So I've got a garage full
of rubbish and we've moved from a full bedroom into
a three bedroom, so you can imagine how much overflow
of stuff we've got. So yeah, we're we're trying to
sort through there, so there's no risk for the workeed mate. No,
(11:33):
hopefully I can get on my jobs done before the footy.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, well I've heard you're a hoarder. Thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Awesome, Thanks guys, love your work.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Thank you very much. Corey fun really appreciate him coming
to the phone. It's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
For more from News Talks b listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
All Black, former All Black and former Crusader Hawker are
very un Corey Flann, Good morning, Liz.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
How are all.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
The better for talking to you? Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
I thanks They had to make me feel good.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Oh, it's always good to have a chat that's looked
round six of Super Rugby. You have to be enthused
with what you've seen so far, right, it's been pretty awesome.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I mean we've been screaming out for a spectacle, you know,
and of the past couple of years, and this year's
started with a hiss and a rule. It's being awesome
and it's right across the board, you know, like it's
not just the Crusader lads, it's you know, your Hollanders
who are back under the tutelage of Jamie Joe and
(00:44):
just going out there and absolutely bashing terms. You know,
you've got the you've got the Chiefs who are lighting
it up. And then more one Pacifica that can do
exactly the same.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Well, you cannot take your foot off the pedal when
you're playing Moana Pacifica. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, it's pretty outrageous, wasn't it.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well, I've done it all the time, every gained just.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
About Yeah, well, I mean it's a it's a caliber
of players I've got and I suppose with kind of that,
you know, they're bringing that Pacific flare and the plan
with that freedom, which is awesome and that's what you
want to see. It's just a shame they can't string
it together for the full lady all the time.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
When you look around, I guess the early stages there
have been injuries, but then that is the nature of
rugby at this level, isn't it. And the physicality at
the breakdown it's massive, Yeah it is.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I mean, injuries are always going to happen. It's it
is a sad reality of our sport. But when you know,
like even from when I was playing to now, the
collisions are just phenomenal. I look and I wonder how
some of these bodies are actually going to come through
it at the end of their career. But you know,
they're built for it and they work hard to be
(02:00):
able to do it. So yeah, it's but it is.
It is frightening as a former player just thinking you
know what it would have been like going into some
of those custis.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Well, you you had a fair bit of that yourself,
and look where you are. Look where Richie McCaw you
look after your body, you keep fat, you know, you
get into that new regime, yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You do. And and the body does have a have
a pretty awesome ability to heal. So you know, while
while there's definitely creaks and crown groans and I don't
like going up and downstairs in the morning, but you know,
the body, the body does does repair to at a level,
but not to a not to a young young Cory
(02:42):
Fulham stage.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
We'll use it or lose it, that's what we say. Yeah,
right now you're the throwing coach for hawkers in our
wonderful country. But are you happy with the hooking stock
around the country and super rugby?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, the stock's really good. You know, we've got we've
got four to five really real premier hookers that is
that can be picture the abs. Now we need to
bring the I suppose the rest up to that stage.
And they're getting there, you know, the young look at
(03:17):
the likes of saying Jack Taylor. You've got even George
bow Is in the early early stages, but he's he's
of a huge high caliber, you know. So we've got
young guys that are going to be so awesome in time,
But they just need time to develop and go through
go through the trenches a little bit and learn from mistakes,
(03:40):
but also be given the opportunity to develop.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
But yeah, really important position though, I mean we all know.
I mean, I mean it's your number one, clearly, but
to get the technique and the safety aspect really critical.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah. The technique comes, I believe from doing more. So
you know, like we can, we can teach it, and
but you have to go away and learn and master
a craft we call it. So the technique does come
from learning and failing or failing and learning sorry, and
(04:17):
going and getting better and having that desire to get better.
But yeah, it's a hard one because it is so important,
and when you're young and you're relying on natural ability,
you don't see how important it is until until maybe
it's too late, or until you've had quite a few
knockbacks like I did.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Right, Well, then you're giving them the benefit of your experience.
So looking to the late scratching of Cody Taylor for
the match against the Blues tonight and income onto the
bench for the Crusaders as Matt Mold now clearly he's
been part of Kennerby in the past, and he's clearly
been part of the Crusaders this season.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, and you know do he'll do a really good job.
He's a he's been around the he's been around the
block a few times. And it's great to be able
to call upon Molds either to steady that ship when
the likes of Cody or you know, when George went
down early in the season for the season, so I
(05:18):
mean was going to be is going to be an
amazing player, and I've had a couple of good chats
with him. But it is good to be able to
call Matt and make sure that that that's going to be.
You know, there's that that steady, that steady the ship
when he comes on when.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
You think there is a big goal ahead of the
Crusaders because they are desperate under Rob you need to
win an away game. I mean you traveled across with
the Crusaders. Was that to the Brumbies last year? It
was so what kind of mindset do you need to
run away?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I think for the boys, you know, they don't have to,
They don't have to sort of panic and change their mindset.
Their mindset is more of a siege one, especially at
the moment with I suppose the Blues being a little
bit under the pump, you know, so if they go
up and just look to really put the foot on
(06:17):
the throat early, and basically you're just a siege mentality, everybody,
everybody focusing on their own job and just making sure
that they leave that field with no stone unturned. You know,
Like the Blues are at the right stage to be
(06:37):
taken down, but they are still a very very good team.
You know, they've only been losing games by small amounts
and it's been unlucky in some cases. So you know, yeah,
I don't think this is going to be a very
easy game, but that's definitely one that role will be
looking for to take that. How good would it be?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Oh absolutely? I mean you look at them injuries Ethan
Blackhead are Cullen Grace, Braden enial scratch during the week,
then late as we mentioned Cody Taylor, they too, the
Blues have got injuries as well. But I mean, as
we've already mentioned, it's the nature of the game. You
just have to deal with it, go with it, and
you've got playing minutes, play with your heart it is, you're.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Right, and you know it's the Blues Crusaders that there's
nothing lost on that as well, So everybody, everybody begun
for both teams blue and Red and Black.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Yeah, for sure. Now something that is just so special
over the last two years the Crusaders Hall of Fame,
the charity luncheon where new inductees are revealed and this
year it is May the Night Friday, May the Night.
Now you're an integral part in that organization because you're
a very big part of the Crusaders alumni. How's it going?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah? Cool? Aaron Major and Miss South and Kirsty Brown,
who's probably the most important person in the organization but
of it all, she called a meeting for us and
and so we had a we had a little we
chat last week and it's great. I mean, it's going
to be an awesome event. It is an awesome It's
(08:17):
been an awesome event the last couple of years. And
it's great to be able to to be able to
still give back, you know, like Rugby gave us as
you know, as former players, Rugby gave us so much.
So being able to and raise funds for you know,
Youth Hub. This year we've done I am hope and
(08:39):
I think Maxi said it best last year and in
his inductee speech.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Where normal Maxwell? You're talking about.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Normax so we you know, and he said and he said,
rugby is just the game, you know, but it's a
vehicle that we can change so many lives and we
can fundraise for community stuff and you know. So that
been that. I mean, it was just awesome and it
does brings it home and it makes it so much
more special. So yeah, really looking forward to the day.
(09:12):
Kirsty's nervous because she's had two awesome events, so she's
trying to make it bigger and better. But we've actually
we've actually said to her, look, you know, just needs
to be on par and it'll still be an awesome day. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Oh gosh. I mean I have to say, in my life,
the two that I've been lucky enough to go to
have been the best events, just in terms of the
heritage that it showcases, the camaraderie, the professional event planning
and execution. It is just a great thing to be
part of. So yeah, I can't wait. It May the Nights,
(09:48):
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
May the Nights? Yeah, And that's the thing, you know,
like it was I think for the Crusaders especially. You know,
we're we're lucky enough we can celebrate success, you know.
So it's a good way for us to get back
and see each other because life gets busy, you know.
So it's great to rub shoulders again and talk about
(10:12):
how good we used to be and you know, those
five me to try to sort of sort of stretch
out to fifty meter runaway. So yeah, it's awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, and then the emotion too, because I remember vividly
Leon McDonald's speech when he accepted his induction into the
Hall of Fame last year. I mean, it's a very
emotional time for the inductees who will be revealed. Obviously,
twenty twenty five inductees will be revealed at that luncheon.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, it is, and it's great to see, you know,
because it shows, it shows the young, and it shows
in their current how much it actually meant, you know,
to us as players and to what we watch and
what we see now. So and it is, Yeah, it
shows that we are part of one big family. And
(11:00):
but yeah, it was just such a cool day, Lucie,
like you say.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Loved it, love it. Well, Cory Flan will let you go,
And what's on the menu for you today.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
A bit of a rest now, I've got to We've
actually just moved into a rent but we're bowling our
house and starting again. So I've got a garage full
of rubbish and we've moved from a full bedroom into
a three bedroom, so you can imagine how much overflow
of stuff we've got. So yeah, we're we're trying to
sort through there, so there's no risk for the workeed mate. No,
(11:33):
hopefully I can get on my jobs done before the footy.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, well I've heard you're a hoarder. Thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Awesome, Thanks guys, love your work.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Thank you very much. Corey fun really appreciate him coming
to the phone. It's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
For more from News Talks b listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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