March 21, 2025 • 5 mins
21 year old Taha Kemara has been leading the Crusaders around the park with a renewed confidence after a niggly injury and a tough introduction to Super Rugby in 2024.
Kemara spoke openly with Nick Bewley about the season to date, and looks ahead to what's shaping up to be an important run of matches, starting tonight away against the Blues.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here with Crusaders fly half Taha Kimitta and I have
just said it confirmed.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
I haven't played at Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
How exciting is that to go out to the Garden
of Eden and take on the Blues. Yeah, it's real
exciting for me, especially being a young lad watching a
lot of games on TV. All Blacks and Crusaders, you know,
playing in that park are not how specialists in New
Zealand rugby and I think us as a franchise to
be able to go play there's going to be exciting
for us. Good opportunity for me to go out there
and just I don't know, experience probably the New Zealand
(00:25):
State National Stadium. Yeah, you're probably too young for the
car or the Murden Spencer days, but were wont even
with your Wiekato roots that you followed like a like
the Carters of the world when he was doing his
thing at ten and the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
I think he's probably the one guy, especially as a
young guy you're probably looking up to. I think even now,
like you probably look back on videos back in the
day and you're still in awe of what he used
to do and I think, yeah, I think little moments
at that stadium that probably eashed in history forever.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
So now I'm excited to get into it this weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Your four games in and consistency of selection as well,
which and you know there's a lot of chopping and
changing last year. But how are you how would you
assess where you're at four rounds into the season.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I still got a lot of work to do, I
think for me, but I'm definitely happy in the sort
of the trajectory I'm on. I think working every week
to be able to get better, I've got a lot
to work on, but I think for me it's about
just driving every week, controlling what I can control. But y,
it's been good to get consistent minutes, especially in the
teen jersey. I think that's the best way for me
to learn at the moment is playing against top quality size.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Like the Blues are this weekend. So it's a contest
for me.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
And you've obviously been building myself throughout the weeks to
put a good formatell on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
What's that one or two things specifically that's front of
mind when you when you say You've still got a
lot to work on.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
My skill set being consistent in that obviously saw on
the weekend golking wasn't the best, So I think just
being mentally strong in that, being able to come a
week in, week out work on my skill sets in
all aspects I think think being a young player, I
think it's a bit sort of repetitive every week, but
I think that's where get the biggest growth for me
in my skill sets.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So yes, probably that.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Do you feel like you're in a better place, a
better growth mindset now than last year?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
One hundred cent?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I think when you're out there on the field actually
experiencing it front front of mind, then that's the best
way for me to learn. So I think my growth
will be massive, not only just on the field, but
just mentally off the field, being able to prep know
how to build a week connecting with guys like you know,
Scooter Barrett, they really will Jordan, all those boys, so
it's been good to learn off them, but also being
(02:25):
able to drive the team with them as well.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You mentioned the goal kicking. What is it at the moment?
Because it is it the foot placement? Is it the
connection with the ball? Is it a combination? Because it
seems like from the ones I saw in our commentary position,
they're sort of hooking to the left. Then you try
to overcompensate hits the right up right, Like, where are
you at with it?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think it's just trusting my process. For got you
get technical about it. It's probably just getting through my kick,
staying in my kick. I think obviously a windy day,
but sort of not really an excuse you right now,
it's kicking the wind as well. So it's for me
about adjusting but also not adjusting my process as well.
So for me is just stay in my kick, being
pretty ruthless.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
In that as well.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I think you can get on the game and go
go a well with your technique and stuff like that,
But for me, it's about saying my process. And then
that's what this week's been about, is not going trying
to chase that.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You know that those rips, So for me, it's about
staying my process.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Here are you one that that relishes it? Though, Like
the last thing you want is a coach that comes say, mate,
you know, hand on the shoulder and we'll give it
to someone else. You're you're embracing that while it isn't
going well, you want to keep kicking.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
One hundred percent I think that's the position I want
to be in go one this weekend, big game, you know,
kick on the line. That's the type of things I
want to be the moment I want to be sort
of relishing as you said, So.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Nah, I'm not one step away from it. Brace the challenge.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I know it to work on for me, but yeah,
real keen to sort of show this weekend that I
do have it on me.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
So yeah, nice one set and just on more. I
guess the in field kicking in that I've not noticed too,
like with Kyle and his ability of both feet, Davies
jumping in there too. It feels like you're you're able
to have a lot of different options. How's that is it?
As a tend to be able.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
To release like that, oh one hundred cent, It's massive
for us. Gives us a good variation as well. For me,
it takes a lot of pressure off as well. You're
obviously I want to be in front of mine kick
first mindset.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
But with those guys around like their world class got
world class feet.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You got Will Jordan as well and Ed Schaffee, Huckey,
those types of boys that have unreal boots.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So it's about I don't think it's about.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Forcing it on them to kick, but just whatever comes
we I think anyone know back like can put one.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
You put a good kick in, Yeah, and we mate.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
No he's bad.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Oh, I think he's stoked. I don't know if I'm stoked.
But nah, it's been good to have him back in
the environment. I think he's ashing to get it back
on the field. No, he's deserved that. He's probably he
hasn't get injured too much, so I think it was
a good learning curve for him.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
But that'd be good.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
It's not been good to hear his chat in the
change room again, but nah, it's been good.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
He's still flatting with him in Mecca. Nah, I've actually
got out of a day. We're all houses, so we're
all growing up.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
So nah, I'm being happy to get out of that
flooting situation and stay as far away from him as
I can.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Well, how about your ex Flatty then and macas Springer
getting a five fo more cricket parlance there, But and
then and then finding himself on on the benches.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
He stopped talking about it yet.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Oh Nah, he's still showing the highlights in the chain
room to the boys. A so I actually look at
the search history and it's just make as spring and highlights.
So I think he's he's he's not getting big. I'm
just having him on. But now he's been good. I
think he didn't really get selected in the first few games,
and for him to come out and score five tries, like,
I don't think anyone can do any better than that.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
I just look at you three compared to where you
were last year to now, and you know, smiles on
the face. It's very happy that it feels like chalk
and cheese, right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think we've just been embracing it, you know, enjoying
our footy because I think's when you're playing the best
is when you're having fun smiling.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
So for us, it's about coming every day.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
We're living the dream as twenty one year old, so
we're not taking anything for granted, coming every day, learn
but also knowing that this is gonna last for River,
so we're gonna have fun with it while we're here.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
For more from News Talk Said B, listen live on
air or online, and keep
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio
Here with Crusaders fly half Taha Kimitta and I have
just said it confirmed.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
I haven't played at Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
How exciting is that to go out to the Garden
of Eden and take on the Blues. Yeah, it's real
exciting for me, especially being a young lad watching a
lot of games on TV. All Blacks and Crusaders, you know,
playing in that park are not how specialists in New
Zealand rugby and I think us as a franchise to
be able to go play there's going to be exciting
for us. Good opportunity for me to go out there
and just I don't know, experience probably the New Zealand
(00:25):
State National Stadium. Yeah, you're probably too young for the
car or the Murden Spencer days, but were wont even
with your Wiekato roots that you followed like a like
the Carters of the world when he was doing his
thing at ten and the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
I think he's probably the one guy, especially as a
young guy you're probably looking up to. I think even now,
like you probably look back on videos back in the
day and you're still in awe of what he used
to do and I think, yeah, I think little moments
at that stadium that probably eashed in history forever.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
So now I'm excited to get into it this weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Your four games in and consistency of selection as well,
which and you know there's a lot of chopping and
changing last year. But how are you how would you
assess where you're at four rounds into the season.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I still got a lot of work to do, I
think for me, but I'm definitely happy in the sort
of the trajectory I'm on. I think working every week
to be able to get better, I've got a lot
to work on, but I think for me it's about
just driving every week, controlling what I can control. But y,
it's been good to get consistent minutes, especially in the
teen jersey. I think that's the best way for me
to learn at the moment is playing against top quality size.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Like the Blues are this weekend. So it's a contest
for me.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
And you've obviously been building myself throughout the weeks to
put a good formatell on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
What's that one or two things specifically that's front of
mind when you when you say You've still got a
lot to work on.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
My skill set being consistent in that obviously saw on
the weekend golking wasn't the best, So I think just
being mentally strong in that, being able to come a
week in, week out work on my skill sets in
all aspects I think think being a young player, I
think it's a bit sort of repetitive every week, but
I think that's where get the biggest growth for me
in my skill sets.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So yes, probably that.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Do you feel like you're in a better place, a
better growth mindset now than last year?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
One hundred cent?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I think when you're out there on the field actually
experiencing it front front of mind, then that's the best
way for me to learn. So I think my growth
will be massive, not only just on the field, but
just mentally off the field, being able to prep know
how to build a week connecting with guys like you know,
Scooter Barrett, they really will Jordan, all those boys, so
it's been good to learn off them, but also being
(02:25):
able to drive the team with them as well.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You mentioned the goal kicking. What is it at the moment?
Because it is it the foot placement? Is it the
connection with the ball? Is it a combination? Because it
seems like from the ones I saw in our commentary position,
they're sort of hooking to the left. Then you try
to overcompensate hits the right up right, Like, where are
you at with it?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think it's just trusting my process. For got you
get technical about it. It's probably just getting through my kick,
staying in my kick. I think obviously a windy day,
but sort of not really an excuse you right now,
it's kicking the wind as well. So it's for me
about adjusting but also not adjusting my process as well.
So for me is just stay in my kick, being
pretty ruthless.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
In that as well.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I think you can get on the game and go
go a well with your technique and stuff like that,
But for me, it's about saying my process. And then
that's what this week's been about, is not going trying
to chase that.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You know that those rips, So for me, it's about
staying my process.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Here are you one that that relishes it? Though, Like
the last thing you want is a coach that comes say, mate,
you know, hand on the shoulder and we'll give it
to someone else. You're you're embracing that while it isn't
going well, you want to keep kicking.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
One hundred percent I think that's the position I want
to be in go one this weekend, big game, you know,
kick on the line. That's the type of things I
want to be the moment I want to be sort
of relishing as you said, So.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Nah, I'm not one step away from it. Brace the challenge.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I know it to work on for me, but yeah,
real keen to sort of show this weekend that I
do have it on me.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
So yeah, nice one set and just on more. I
guess the in field kicking in that I've not noticed too,
like with Kyle and his ability of both feet, Davies
jumping in there too. It feels like you're you're able
to have a lot of different options. How's that is it?
As a tend to be able.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
To release like that, oh one hundred cent, It's massive
for us. Gives us a good variation as well. For me,
it takes a lot of pressure off as well. You're
obviously I want to be in front of mine kick
first mindset.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
But with those guys around like their world class got
world class feet.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You got Will Jordan as well and Ed Schaffee, Huckey,
those types of boys that have unreal boots.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So it's about I don't think it's about.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Forcing it on them to kick, but just whatever comes
we I think anyone know back like can put one.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
You put a good kick in, Yeah, and we mate.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
No he's bad.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Oh, I think he's stoked. I don't know if I'm stoked.
But nah, it's been good to have him back in
the environment. I think he's ashing to get it back
on the field. No, he's deserved that. He's probably he
hasn't get injured too much, so I think it was
a good learning curve for him.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
But that'd be good.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
It's not been good to hear his chat in the
change room again, but nah, it's been good.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
He's still flatting with him in Mecca. Nah, I've actually
got out of a day. We're all houses, so we're
all growing up.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
So nah, I'm being happy to get out of that
flooting situation and stay as far away from him as
I can.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Well, how about your ex Flatty then and macas Springer
getting a five fo more cricket parlance there, But and
then and then finding himself on on the benches.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
He stopped talking about it yet.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Oh Nah, he's still showing the highlights in the chain
room to the boys. A so I actually look at
the search history and it's just make as spring and highlights.
So I think he's he's he's not getting big. I'm
just having him on. But now he's been good. I
think he didn't really get selected in the first few games,
and for him to come out and score five tries, like,
I don't think anyone can do any better than that.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
I just look at you three compared to where you
were last year to now, and you know, smiles on
the face. It's very happy that it feels like chalk
and cheese, right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think we've just been embracing it, you know, enjoying
our footy because I think's when you're playing the best
is when you're having fun smiling.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
So for us, it's about coming every day.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
We're living the dream as twenty one year old, so
we're not taking anything for granted, coming every day, learn
but also knowing that this is gonna last for River,
so we're gonna have fun with it while we're here.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
For more from News Talk Said B, listen live on
air or online, and keep
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.