April 12, 2025 • 7 mins
The Highlanders have bounced back - with a 43-20 victory over the Fijian Drua.
This breaks the team's four-game losing streak - and lifts them up to 7th on the table.
Highlanders assistant coach Clarke Dermody joined Piney to discuss.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's Bring in the Highlanders. Assistant coach Clark Dermody. Thanks
for your time, Clark. Did this feel like a must
win game for the Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Oh? I think it was important for our confidence as
a group.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
Well, I think we've been pretty close in every game
so far this season, and to get into the position
in the game where it got tied again and not
and not let it.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Slip was important for our group.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
So obviously heading into some big derby games coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The losses in your last four games, as you say,
we're all by single figure margins. Was there any frustration
building that you couldn't chalk up an elusive win before
last night.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Oh? I don't know if it was frustration.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
I think it was I guess the young group we've
got so learning how to close those games out or
get in front of those games. We had plenty of
opportunities in those games to be able to do that,
but we're just end up overplaying and last night it
was pleasing to see the boys start to the game
plan and we're able to finish off.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Apart from that, obviously the game plan and finishing well.
What else was most pleasing about the performance last night
from a coaching group point of view, I think.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Well, getting you know, sort of four or five boys
back in the team that have been out for a
long time and they all.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Added as well.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
So we had Olie Hague played eighty minutes, so that
you'n in they were big shifts from those boys. Having
their experience back in that pack is really important. Filour
came on, had a good game cam miller Jacob ratum
Tebuku Nikins as well, so it's pleasing for the squad.
Got to have a competition of those spots going forward.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, I want to ask you about a couple of
those players in the moment, but just on the game.
You led at halftime, then twenty four to eight after
forty six minutes they closed it up. Did you let
things get a little loose in the first ten to
twelve minutes of the second half, almost played into the
hands of the drawer a little bit?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
I think when you have a kicking game, if you're
not accurate around that first couple of tackles, they you know,
allowed them to get those offloads.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
In.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
That's their game and they're pretty dangerous when that gets going,
So that gave them a lot of energy, and like
I said before, it's pleasing to be able to get
our those back in front and then be able to
put them away.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So that's an area of growth for the team.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, the bench impact was terrific, wasn't it. Nineteen unounced
points in the last twenty minutes, three tries all to
your bench players. You're getting good value out of your
out of your full twenty three. Well you did last night.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Yeah, And again I think it's having guys coming on
that have been playing a lot of rugby and being
able to start those boys that haven't had a lot
of minutes. I think it's allowed, you know, the group
to freshen up a bit, so as I was so
hopefully that competition the squad carries us through the season.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
The return of fullback Jacob up to Michavuki Nipkins, as
you mentioned his first appearance in twenty twenty five off
the back of that nick injury he suffered, played a
hand in three tries, pulled off a crucial intercept which
led to a change in momentum in the second half.
How big is it having him back?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Yeah, I know he's great for the group, and as
horrific as his injury was, he's been pretty positive throughout
the whole rehead process. So he's been missed group since
Christmas time, so everyone's seen the progress he's been making,
and you know he's already driven to get back and
that sort of I guess that inspires the group around
him as well to see how motivated he is and
(03:39):
then to be able to.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Get back and do what he did last night was
hugely impressive.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Another one of your leaders, co captain Hugh Reent, and
you mentioned him as well, got eighty minutes out of him.
He's missed the last five games. How big is he
to your playing group?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
I think having a young team as we have the
leadership and I guess the calmness he brings to the
group has been missed and I think it probably plays
a part in what we just talked about around being
close in games and not being able to get in front.
So I know he had a big influence with Jim
last night on the group around when it started getting
(04:16):
tight in the messaging they were giving the boys and
at the.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Other end of the experienced scale Tana Yella fin the
morning on Super Rugby debut a couple of tries in
twelve minutes, including one with his first touch. He must
be thinking this Super Rugby business is easy.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I reckon it was. I guess it's his job
to take those opportunities. And he got side of the tries.
He scored off.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
He chased kicks and got in the air and put
pressure and that was that was what he asked of him.
So I think that was just a bonus for him
to be able to grab a couple of tries, but
hopefully keeps doing it.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Set peace. You happy enough with that cluck, You're.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Not too bad.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
I've we've got a wee bit clunky there at the start.
I think we had some new combinations playing, so once
he got into the game, we're able to get them
all going and used it to sort of close the
game out towards the end, which was which was cool
to see as well.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You've got pretty tough run. And haven't you Six New
Zealand derbies in your last six matches? Chiefs Crusaders more Onona,
Pacific Hurricanes, Crusaders again and Chiefs again. It's a pretty
tough running you got. How will you approach that challenge?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
I think game at a time. I think we've sort
of proven that in this season we've been at a
game that's been able to test anyone. So I think
it's focusing on that and then making sure that now
we've got that, the boys back in the squad and
having a pretty competitive.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Squad across the group is using it wisely and.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
You're taking each games at a time and starting with
the Chiefs this week, do.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
You think last night might become something of a blueprint
for you, you know, a market that you can refer
back to over the next six weeks. And so that's
that's how we want to play, I think.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
So.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
I think obviously different opposition coming up, Fijian draw player,
a different style what the Chiefs do, so we have
to tweak the game plan a wee bit, but it'll
be I think it's a bit of a shot in
the arm for the boys around being able to finish
things and being able to execute in the twenty two
and that sort of stuff at that Wendy games in
(06:28):
any game of rugby.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
So yeah, that's going to be a good challenge. Well,
I know the boys are up for it.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Do you feel like a top six side, Well, I'd like.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
To think so. I think.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So we got there last year and I feel like
we're a better team this year. I think we're playing
a better style and playing better rugby. But like I said,
we just dropped a couple of games that potentially sort
of put a few more points up.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
The good crowd last night again always seems loud down
there under the roof another good crowd for you.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, yeah, it was pretty loud.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
I think that sort of paid a part in a
couple of the box ups on the line out the
voice that it was pretty loud. But it was the
same as last year. The Fijian community come out in
full force and supporting their team and our team, and
it was a pretty loud crowd which was cool to see.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yep, got occasion for you. Congrats on the win last night, Clark,
all the best as you planned for a big game
against the Chiefs this week and then on towards the
end of the regular season. Appreciate you taking them time
for a chat mate, No goodness gold.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Thank you for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.
Listen live to News Talks' b weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's Bring in the Highlanders. Assistant coach Clark Dermody. Thanks
for your time, Clark. Did this feel like a must
win game for the Highlanders?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Oh? I think it was important for our confidence as
a group.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
Well, I think we've been pretty close in every game
so far this season, and to get into the position
in the game where it got tied again and not
and not let it.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Slip was important for our group.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
So obviously heading into some big derby games coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The losses in your last four games, as you say,
we're all by single figure margins. Was there any frustration
building that you couldn't chalk up an elusive win before
last night.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Oh? I don't know if it was frustration.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
I think it was I guess the young group we've
got so learning how to close those games out or
get in front of those games. We had plenty of
opportunities in those games to be able to do that,
but we're just end up overplaying and last night it
was pleasing to see the boys start to the game
plan and we're able to finish off.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Apart from that, obviously the game plan and finishing well.
What else was most pleasing about the performance last night
from a coaching group point of view, I think.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Well, getting you know, sort of four or five boys
back in the team that have been out for a
long time and they all.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Added as well.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
So we had Olie Hague played eighty minutes, so that
you'n in they were big shifts from those boys. Having
their experience back in that pack is really important. Filour
came on, had a good game cam miller Jacob ratum
Tebuku Nikins as well, so it's pleasing for the squad.
Got to have a competition of those spots going forward.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, I want to ask you about a couple of
those players in the moment, but just on the game.
You led at halftime, then twenty four to eight after
forty six minutes they closed it up. Did you let
things get a little loose in the first ten to
twelve minutes of the second half, almost played into the
hands of the drawer a little bit?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
I think when you have a kicking game, if you're
not accurate around that first couple of tackles, they you know,
allowed them to get those offloads.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
In.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
That's their game and they're pretty dangerous when that gets going,
So that gave them a lot of energy, and like
I said before, it's pleasing to be able to get
our those back in front and then be able to
put them away.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So that's an area of growth for the team.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, the bench impact was terrific, wasn't it. Nineteen unounced
points in the last twenty minutes, three tries all to
your bench players. You're getting good value out of your
out of your full twenty three. Well you did last night.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Yeah, And again I think it's having guys coming on
that have been playing a lot of rugby and being
able to start those boys that haven't had a lot
of minutes. I think it's allowed, you know, the group
to freshen up a bit, so as I was so
hopefully that competition the squad carries us through the season.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
The return of fullback Jacob up to Michavuki Nipkins, as
you mentioned his first appearance in twenty twenty five off
the back of that nick injury he suffered, played a
hand in three tries, pulled off a crucial intercept which
led to a change in momentum in the second half.
How big is it having him back?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Yeah, I know he's great for the group, and as
horrific as his injury was, he's been pretty positive throughout
the whole rehead process. So he's been missed group since
Christmas time, so everyone's seen the progress he's been making,
and you know he's already driven to get back and
that sort of I guess that inspires the group around
him as well to see how motivated he is and
(03:39):
then to be able to.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Get back and do what he did last night was
hugely impressive.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Another one of your leaders, co captain Hugh Reent, and
you mentioned him as well, got eighty minutes out of him.
He's missed the last five games. How big is he
to your playing group?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
I think having a young team as we have the
leadership and I guess the calmness he brings to the
group has been missed and I think it probably plays
a part in what we just talked about around being
close in games and not being able to get in front.
So I know he had a big influence with Jim
last night on the group around when it started getting
(04:16):
tight in the messaging they were giving the boys and
at the.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Other end of the experienced scale Tana Yella fin the
morning on Super Rugby debut a couple of tries in
twelve minutes, including one with his first touch. He must
be thinking this Super Rugby business is easy.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I reckon it was. I guess it's his job
to take those opportunities. And he got side of the tries.
He scored off.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
He chased kicks and got in the air and put
pressure and that was that was what he asked of him.
So I think that was just a bonus for him
to be able to grab a couple of tries, but
hopefully keeps doing it.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Set peace. You happy enough with that cluck, You're.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Not too bad.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
I've we've got a wee bit clunky there at the start.
I think we had some new combinations playing, so once
he got into the game, we're able to get them
all going and used it to sort of close the
game out towards the end, which was which was cool
to see as well.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You've got pretty tough run. And haven't you Six New
Zealand derbies in your last six matches? Chiefs Crusaders more Onona,
Pacific Hurricanes, Crusaders again and Chiefs again. It's a pretty
tough running you got. How will you approach that challenge?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
I think game at a time. I think we've sort
of proven that in this season we've been at a
game that's been able to test anyone. So I think
it's focusing on that and then making sure that now
we've got that, the boys back in the squad and
having a pretty competitive.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Squad across the group is using it wisely and.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
You're taking each games at a time and starting with
the Chiefs this week, do.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
You think last night might become something of a blueprint
for you, you know, a market that you can refer
back to over the next six weeks. And so that's
that's how we want to play, I think.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
So.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
I think obviously different opposition coming up, Fijian draw player,
a different style what the Chiefs do, so we have
to tweak the game plan a wee bit, but it'll
be I think it's a bit of a shot in
the arm for the boys around being able to finish
things and being able to execute in the twenty two
and that sort of stuff at that Wendy games in
(06:28):
any game of rugby.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
So yeah, that's going to be a good challenge. Well,
I know the boys are up for it.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Do you feel like a top six side, Well, I'd like.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
To think so. I think.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So we got there last year and I feel like
we're a better team this year. I think we're playing
a better style and playing better rugby. But like I said,
we just dropped a couple of games that potentially sort
of put a few more points up.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
The good crowd last night again always seems loud down
there under the roof another good crowd for you.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, yeah, it was pretty loud.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
I think that sort of paid a part in a
couple of the box ups on the line out the
voice that it was pretty loud. But it was the
same as last year. The Fijian community come out in
full force and supporting their team and our team, and
it was a pretty loud crowd which was cool to see.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yep, got occasion for you. Congrats on the win last night, Clark,
all the best as you planned for a big game
against the Chiefs this week and then on towards the
end of the regular season. Appreciate you taking them time
for a chat mate, No goodness gold.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Thank you for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.
Listen live to News Talks' b weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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