September 13, 2024 • 8 mins
The Wellington Lions have the chance to win the Ranfurly Shield for the eleventh time in the union's history, when challenging Tasman in Blenheim on Sunday.
Boosting Wellington's chances are returning All Blacks Billy Proctor and Ruben Love who will start on the Wellington backline.
Proctor joined Adam Cooper on the All Sport Breakfast.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's talk ran Fury Shield Rugby though and Wellington have
the chance to win back the Loger Woods. Their challenge
against Tasman is five past two tomorrow afternoon in Blenham
and what a timely boost for the Wellington Lions being
able to bring in Billy Proctor and Reuben Love who
were on tour with the All Blacks in South Africa
(00:20):
this year didn't get game time, but they now back
to start in a very experienced Wellington back line this
weekend that features Julian savea that features Jackson Garden bash
it Riley Higgins moves to the wing. But when you
have Proctor and Love listed on the back line starting
for Wellington, it certainly bodes to be a pretty strong
challenge up against the Tasman Marco who are holding the
(00:42):
shield for the very first time in their history as
a combined union. We're lucky enough to be joined now
by Billy Proctor here on the show, who slotted back
into the Wellington camp yesterday at training morning. To your
Billy firstly, welcome home after I'm sure in an eventful
couple of weeks in South Africa, how nice is it
being back and being amongst the Lion's environment for it
(01:03):
for a big game like this.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Yeah, it's been being back in the environment. Obviously the
boys have a short turner around. What's it being storm week,
so you know only and he just got in the
Thursday training Friday now, but it's been awesome to be
back and amongst the crew.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Exactly can you tell us, I guess through the couple
of weeks in South Africa when you're not featuring on
the field, how you managed just to stay, you know,
keep that physicality up being ready for a big game
like this coming up on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, you know, just getting through you know, the prep
for the boys and also taking off I guess some
of my own boxes while being over there. You know,
still still doing all the trainings and pretty much everything
but apart from playing, so you know, you still get
through what you need to over over in South Africa,
(01:59):
regardless of if you're playing or not. So body's still
in in good Nickers probably you know, thankful that it
doesn't have all the bangs that it that it has
had in the past through through playing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, exactly, yeah, exactly. Can you just give us a
bit of an insight. What was it like sitting in
the stands there in South Africa, both at Ellis Park
and then at Cake Down instead of just soaking up
all the atmosphere of those occasions.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yeah, it's it's pretty unreal. You know, it's you know,
definitely the probably two best atmospheres I've I've been a
part of in my career. Uh, you know, the way
they they they make it a show and you know
the way that the crowd gets into it was pretty crazy.
And yeah, as I said that, they how to put
on a show with planes flying around, five works going
(02:48):
off songs, songs on repeat. So you know, it was awesome,
awesome to experience that. Yeah, and it was yeah, quite
a cool, cool place to be exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Just tell us where things that arette for you. You
obviously had that that debut against Fiji all blacks environments,
as you're sort of picked up and learned learned things
as you've gone on through the season.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, deffinitely. You know, as I was saying, you you
train with the group, you do the review with the group,
you learn amongst everything like you are playing, so you
know you're learning, you know, learning where the team needs
to be better and you know what I guess, structures
we haven't played for for different teams. You know, it's
(03:33):
change from week to week, you know, and it's quite
I guess it was a little bit different playing the
same team twice in a row, where you know, Super
and and NPC. You you switch teams pretty much every week,
so you know there's you know, can be big adjustments
or or you know, just subtle things that we're on
(03:56):
a tweak going into into I guess the second game.
So it is quite cool learning, I guess as a different approach.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
At what point in the weekend last week over there
did you learn that Tasman had got that last minute
penalty against Hawks Bay and Wellington to be challenging for
the shield.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah, they are quite a few boys were in the
team room watching that. I don't know, as you saw
on the on the All Black page, but you know
the Tasman boys that were that were in the All
Blacks environment were you know, cheering them home and pretty
stoked that they got it, you know, and I was
pretty happy they got it too, you know, knowing that
we were we were versing them the week after if
(04:35):
you know they managed to get the win, which they did,
so yeah, also much opportunity for for us as well.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, and knowing that you could have had the weekend
off and it's obviously eventuated now a bit of excitement
that you're able to try and challenge for the rand
Philly Shield again. Tell us what that would mean knowing
you know, that feeling of having it just a couple
of years ago in the lines.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yeah, you know, we've I've had my fear fear shot
in the past and you know, being both successful and unsuccessful.
So you know, looking forward to playing for the Rainfully Shield.
You know, it's awesome trophy and it's you know, probably
the pinnacle, if not the second trophy trophy your Tryumph
(05:16):
and the PC. So it's awesome to to I guess,
get the opportunity to play for it. And you know
it's also that aligned, you know, with myself and and
Rubs being back and being able to go down there
and give it a good crack. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
And given the season has gone so well so far,
what do you tell in particular, hope to be able
to bring to the team to add to to help
you know, the season carry on the way it has,
but also to hopefully bring home the log of wood.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, the boys have been going well, so you know,
it's not not trying to add too much, you know,
just just get in the mix of the boys, learn
the learn the maps in the roles, and you know,
just just be ourselves and you know, do do do
our jobs and just do them well. You know the boys.
The boys have been going well, so we don't need
to do too much or you know, try and try
(06:06):
and pull anything out of the hat. But yeah, just
just jumping. We've been in an environment for the last
four or five years or so, so you know, we
we know what to expect with most of the boys,
and yeah, just just for them and play our part.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
And how about a backline that features Jackson, Riley, Peter, yourself,
Julian and Ruben. That's that's pretty a tough going for Tasman.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, it is. You know, it's it's nice to have
experienced and you know, a good team uh out there.
But we know that you know, if you look at
their backline, they have much the same. So we're expecting
an awesome battle and yeah, looking forward to going down
there and and giving them a good shot at it.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Yeah, what's your sort of take on your times you've
headed down to to Tasman. They're a proud union, always
been very strong and recent year is it an m
p C. What what's been your sort of observations of
them over the years.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, they're an awesome team. You know, they've probably been
at the top for the last well pretty much since
I've since I've been in the lines. You know, I
think I might have only won one or two games
against him, So they're definitely a team that knows how
to win. They're you know, a physical team and and
consider a lot of I guess different variation that you with.
(07:28):
You know, they've got the likes of they're powerful ball carriers.
You know, they're not afraid to get to the year. Yeah,
and then they're back the d So yeah, we're expecting,
as I said, a tough game and you know we're
we're looking forward.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
To it and knowing that you're running out and the
starting team after you know, being being on the sidelines
for the last month or so. Billy, how excited are
you for for this big game?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah? For you know, it's been a while since I've
played this year, it's what has it been maybe before week?
Last time I played was the last Lines game, so
you know, be good to lease up the boots and
get the door for real, you know, instead of just
having the training prodict. So looking forward to it. Yeah,
look so good, but a good.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Yeah exactly, but well I know there are a lot
of people listening that can't wait to see you out
there on Sunday too, So all the best. Good to
have you back, Billy. Thanks for chatting and let's bring
bring the shield back home.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Eh, Jeers jeers, Thanks mate.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
For more from News Talks ed b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
Let's talk ran Fury Shield Rugby though and Wellington have
the chance to win back the Loger Woods. Their challenge
against Tasman is five past two tomorrow afternoon in Blenham
and what a timely boost for the Wellington Lions being
able to bring in Billy Proctor and Reuben Love who
were on tour with the All Blacks in South Africa
(00:20):
this year didn't get game time, but they now back
to start in a very experienced Wellington back line this
weekend that features Julian savea that features Jackson Garden bash
it Riley Higgins moves to the wing. But when you
have Proctor and Love listed on the back line starting
for Wellington, it certainly bodes to be a pretty strong
challenge up against the Tasman Marco who are holding the
(00:42):
shield for the very first time in their history as
a combined union. We're lucky enough to be joined now
by Billy Proctor here on the show, who slotted back
into the Wellington camp yesterday at training morning. To your
Billy firstly, welcome home after I'm sure in an eventful
couple of weeks in South Africa, how nice is it
being back and being amongst the Lion's environment for it
(01:03):
for a big game like this.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Yeah, it's been being back in the environment. Obviously the
boys have a short turner around. What's it being storm week,
so you know only and he just got in the
Thursday training Friday now, but it's been awesome to be
back and amongst the crew.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Exactly can you tell us, I guess through the couple
of weeks in South Africa when you're not featuring on
the field, how you managed just to stay, you know,
keep that physicality up being ready for a big game
like this coming up on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, you know, just getting through you know, the prep
for the boys and also taking off I guess some
of my own boxes while being over there. You know,
still still doing all the trainings and pretty much everything
but apart from playing, so you know, you still get
through what you need to over over in South Africa,
(01:59):
regardless of if you're playing or not. So body's still
in in good Nickers probably you know, thankful that it
doesn't have all the bangs that it that it has
had in the past through through playing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, exactly, yeah, exactly. Can you just give us a
bit of an insight. What was it like sitting in
the stands there in South Africa, both at Ellis Park
and then at Cake Down instead of just soaking up
all the atmosphere of those occasions.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Yeah, it's it's pretty unreal. You know, it's you know,
definitely the probably two best atmospheres I've I've been a
part of in my career. Uh, you know, the way
they they they make it a show and you know
the way that the crowd gets into it was pretty crazy.
And yeah, as I said that, they how to put
on a show with planes flying around, five works going
(02:48):
off songs, songs on repeat. So you know, it was awesome,
awesome to experience that. Yeah, and it was yeah, quite
a cool, cool place to be exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Just tell us where things that arette for you. You
obviously had that that debut against Fiji all blacks environments,
as you're sort of picked up and learned learned things
as you've gone on through the season.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, deffinitely. You know, as I was saying, you you
train with the group, you do the review with the group,
you learn amongst everything like you are playing, so you
know you're learning, you know, learning where the team needs
to be better and you know what I guess, structures
we haven't played for for different teams. You know, it's
(03:33):
change from week to week, you know, and it's quite
I guess it was a little bit different playing the
same team twice in a row, where you know, Super
and and NPC. You you switch teams pretty much every week,
so you know there's you know, can be big adjustments
or or you know, just subtle things that we're on
(03:56):
a tweak going into into I guess the second game.
So it is quite cool learning, I guess as a different approach.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
At what point in the weekend last week over there
did you learn that Tasman had got that last minute
penalty against Hawks Bay and Wellington to be challenging for
the shield.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah, they are quite a few boys were in the
team room watching that. I don't know, as you saw
on the on the All Black page, but you know
the Tasman boys that were that were in the All
Blacks environment were you know, cheering them home and pretty
stoked that they got it, you know, and I was
pretty happy they got it too, you know, knowing that
we were we were versing them the week after if
(04:35):
you know they managed to get the win, which they did,
so yeah, also much opportunity for for us as well.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, and knowing that you could have had the weekend
off and it's obviously eventuated now a bit of excitement
that you're able to try and challenge for the rand
Philly Shield again. Tell us what that would mean knowing
you know, that feeling of having it just a couple
of years ago in the lines.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yeah, you know, we've I've had my fear fear shot
in the past and you know, being both successful and unsuccessful.
So you know, looking forward to playing for the Rainfully Shield.
You know, it's awesome trophy and it's you know, probably
the pinnacle, if not the second trophy trophy your Tryumph
(05:16):
and the PC. So it's awesome to to I guess,
get the opportunity to play for it. And you know
it's also that aligned, you know, with myself and and
Rubs being back and being able to go down there
and give it a good crack. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
And given the season has gone so well so far,
what do you tell in particular, hope to be able
to bring to the team to add to to help
you know, the season carry on the way it has,
but also to hopefully bring home the log of wood.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, the boys have been going well, so you know,
it's not not trying to add too much, you know,
just just get in the mix of the boys, learn
the learn the maps in the roles, and you know,
just just be ourselves and you know, do do do
our jobs and just do them well. You know the boys.
The boys have been going well, so we don't need
to do too much or you know, try and try
(06:06):
and pull anything out of the hat. But yeah, just
just jumping. We've been in an environment for the last
four or five years or so, so you know, we
we know what to expect with most of the boys,
and yeah, just just for them and play our part.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
And how about a backline that features Jackson, Riley, Peter, yourself,
Julian and Ruben. That's that's pretty a tough going for Tasman.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Yeah, it is. You know, it's it's nice to have
experienced and you know, a good team uh out there.
But we know that you know, if you look at
their backline, they have much the same. So we're expecting
an awesome battle and yeah, looking forward to going down
there and and giving them a good shot at it.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Yeah, what's your sort of take on your times you've
headed down to to Tasman. They're a proud union, always
been very strong and recent year is it an m
p C. What what's been your sort of observations of
them over the years.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, they're an awesome team. You know, they've probably been
at the top for the last well pretty much since
I've since I've been in the lines. You know, I
think I might have only won one or two games
against him, So they're definitely a team that knows how
to win. They're you know, a physical team and and
consider a lot of I guess different variation that you with.
(07:28):
You know, they've got the likes of they're powerful ball carriers.
You know, they're not afraid to get to the year. Yeah,
and then they're back the d So yeah, we're expecting,
as I said, a tough game and you know we're
we're looking forward.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
To it and knowing that you're running out and the
starting team after you know, being being on the sidelines
for the last month or so. Billy, how excited are
you for for this big game?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Yeah? For you know, it's been a while since I've
played this year, it's what has it been maybe before week?
Last time I played was the last Lines game, so
you know, be good to lease up the boots and
get the door for real, you know, instead of just
having the training prodict. So looking forward to it. Yeah,
look so good, but a good.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Yeah exactly, but well I know there are a lot
of people listening that can't wait to see you out
there on Sunday too, So all the best. Good to
have you back, Billy. Thanks for chatting and let's bring
bring the shield back home.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Eh, Jeers jeers, Thanks mate.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
For more from News Talks ed 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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