March 21, 2025 • 9 mins
The Chiefs have survived a second-half fightback from Moana Pasifika, prevailing 50-35 in their Super Rugby Pacific contest in Pukekohe.
The table-toppers conceded 28 unanswered points after leading 43-7 at the break.
Chiefs assistant coach David Hill joined Piney to recap the chaotic match.
“They're a hard team to stop once they get going."
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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 News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
B OH Game of Pooka Kobe last night, the Chiefs
surviving a second half fight back from all one to
pacificate to prevail fifty thirty five.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Want to start again? Hear the Chiefs are go down
the right handline and descended by the one and it's
how fairly down the left wing flank.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Bess he got the leg.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
There's a way and they score again and maybe this
one ain't over.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah, well, it was a funny old game. As I say,
the tabletop is conceding twenty eight unanswered points in the
second half after leading forty three to seven at halftime.
Chiefs assistant coach David Hill is with us. Would you
like to talk about the first half or the second half?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
First, Wow, I'm the defense coach, so I'd prefer not
to talk about the second half. It was definitely a
game of two hands. They came off the buy and
joked that they were still on the buy and we're
going into the buy and we thought we went to
buy halftime. So yeah, it was a weird one, but
it was you know, some good, some good stuff for
(01:12):
both sides on the attacking side of the ball US
on the first half and then in the second half.
So good spectacle, but yeah, not ideal for us to
lapse like that in that second half.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Were there any real nervous moments when they got within
what eight points near the end?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I think time was always on our side, I think
because it built up such a big lead in that
first half and felt like when we when we needed
to turn the dial up, we could. So yeah, it
was a weird one like it's you know, they have
such a big lead and then have that chip away
so easily. That was a concerning but not nervous mode.
More more frustration and a little bit of the a
(01:49):
little bit disappointment and how that panned out. But if
I called again there where we would have been, it
would have been to achy bue time. But managed to
come away with it. So yeah, not a not a
not a HARRINGDUS result heading into the BISO. It was
what it was.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
What did you see through your defense coach eyes in
that second half?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Yeah, it got on the wrong side of the ref
pretty quickly in the early in that second half, and
again the referees are doing a great job around the
flow of the game and the speed of the game,
and one of the things I think most of the
d coaches and the coaches in general are finding, once
momentum swings and you're on the wrong side of it,
it's actually really really tough to get stops and get
(02:30):
back in the game. So we managed to get a
couple of good stops in a goal line and get
some turnovers and then ended up back there again. So
the territory is a big one, and when momentum's gone
in favor of the other team, it is tough to stop.
So most of the coaches around there are trying to
figure out some strategies and some legal ways around stopping momentum.
(02:51):
So that was the disappointing things we did a couple
of times and didn't didn't do it enough.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Is there also a part of it that you're ahead
by so much at halftime, what was it forty three
to seven at half time, that it's it's hard to
put your foot on the throat when you're when you're
so far ahead after the first.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Forty Yes, yes, you'd prefer not to use that as
an excuse, but it wasn't the back of our mind
a little bit. We made earlier changes and you know
that by playing so well in the first half, it
gave us a little bit of room to move in
terms of our subs and our and our players come
off the bench. But that will be the you know,
(03:26):
the it's a poor excuse, but there's a small element
of it. But we'd highlighted that at halftime that that
was the biggest strip for us, was us just taking
the foot off the throat a little bit and being
a little bit not complacent, but not as not as
urgent as we liked. And yeah, something that we can
you know, we'll head up to the buy and have
a good week, but have to highlight that next week
(03:48):
before we sort of prepare to play the Reds at home.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Mauana Pacifica have conceded the most points this year, but
they've also scored more points than anyone else except for
you guys. Have they become Have they become a trickier
opponent Mona?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Oh? Absolutely, yeah, And that's to be fair, that's it's
one of those we previewed it scoring you know, five
to six tries a game and their attack and they're
you know, like have the lead. Pelle Greenie the wingers,
both the wingers. Even though Alamala wasn't playing like tam
of for our you know, this hit pieces was going
better and if Ardia had played then that's a bit
(04:25):
of emotional stuff as well. So their attack is improving.
And again you know, like like I said with the
d stuff as when when when you're under the pump
and the opposition has got momentum, it's hard to stop.
But they are a hard team to stop once they
get gone. So they're definitely improved and well coached and
going good. So we'll get them again later in the
(04:46):
year and and be well prepared for that one.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Well you're going good to and too. The buy well
clear at the top five wins and a loss. How
satisfied are you in general terms as a coaching group
with the first six rounds.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Yeah, we had a good coaches meeting sort of towards
the end of last week. You know, probably had to
play the Blues twice, the Crusaders once, the Brumbies once,
and the Dura and Fiji. So not the easiest draw
by any stretch. So you know, like a five and
one going into the Buyo, you know we would have
taken that absolutely at the start of the season, so
(05:20):
really really content around lots of stuff. Right, You've changed
a few things about how we've played and also had
to deal with some tough games, so I feel that
set us up pretty well. So we're content. But it's
it's a long old comp and you know, the weather
will change and daylight saving will stop and all of
a sudden things will be a little bit different. So
aware that we'll have to adapt and just as we
(05:42):
go forward. But yeah, content.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You've also, David used thirty five players in six matches
this season. In the entirety of last season you only
used thirty nine, So is your depth being tested?
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Are we been here a little bit that that's actually
by design? We have had you know, just like everyone
else we've we've had our injuries and we've lost players
along the way. We're a bit short on the outside
backs and still got a Wallace Tis and a Josh
Lord and a nine nice to touto to come back.
So you know, I think it's probably a reality of
(06:17):
the comp that you'll you'll probably need to use between
thirty five and forty players and sort of happy to
have that in the back of your mind. Accordingly, when
we don't make a we make a conscious evorit to
try and give everyone a crack early on, whether it's
in pre season or in the game. So James Thompson
made his debut yesterday. You know it was a big
one to Hoomer County's captain and wanting to represent the chief,
(06:39):
so he deserved that. And yeah, I think the depth
is something you have to be conscious of, but it's
probably a little bit easier if you get a couple
of early wins. That makes those changes sort of easier
to deal with. So yeah, building the depth is important
and you're going to need it later on. Like you
said that, it's thirty nine to forty players in a year.
That's's that's quite a few when you think you need
(07:00):
twenty three out on the day. So some challenges for
ever from.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
There, and everyone's he's pricked up when you said Wallace
a tu any updated time frame on his possible on
his possible return.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
It's one of those ones we decided not to talk
about it and don't get too excited that if if
the physio of the dock or someone says, oh, he
he might be back by this round, you start counting
down the days which is unfair Wallace, and unfair probably
on our medical people say, yeah, there's no, Yeah, I don't.
I don't actually have an update or a date that
(07:34):
I know that I could I could say. But he's
he's you know, he's around the place. He's running, and
he's he's looking good. He's keen. He's such a great,
amazing personality that it's just nice to see him smile
and in the gym working hard. So that'll be a
good little boost price as well, like you know, like
he had a breakthrough year and and didn't pay too
barely for a few tifts, so it would be nice
(07:55):
to have him back and give us a bit of
a boost on both sides of.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
The ball, right, So you do expecting back at some
stage the Super Rugby season.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That, yeah, that's the plan. I think it was always there.
He might might get back towards the end of the
rounds and potentially be available for the finals. That was,
you know, that was the original plan, and I'm not
sure where it's out at the moment. But he's yeah,
he's smiley, he's cheeky, he's looking good.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Good updates, good update, excellent, David. All right, we'll enjoy
the buye. You give you guys a few days off.
They've got to far flung parts of the country, do
they and relax a little bit before you get them
back in ahead of your next game.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Yeah, well this because we were supposed to play this game
in Tonga, so yes, I think a few travel plans
we're starting from Tonga that had to get adjusted, so
I think probably a bit more local than it than
it was originally intenders. I think there was a few
people who would have probably just stayed in Tonga or
gone to another island. But yep, they'll do what they
need to do when they've ent it. So it's like
(08:48):
I said, five and one heading into it, they can
they can refresh and I think I've got a message
abou an hour ago from the S and C just
giving them their program while they're away, so I'm sure
they'd love them to see that they.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Are well on a good first Sex Games David, your
top of the table. Enjoyed the buy mate, Thanks for chatting,
always enjoy catching up.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Awesome cheer mate, Thank you, no, thank you.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
David Hell Assistant coach of the Chiefs.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine listen live
to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
B OH Game of Pooka Kobe last night, the Chiefs
surviving a second half fight back from all one to
pacificate to prevail fifty thirty five.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Want to start again? Hear the Chiefs are go down
the right handline and descended by the one and it's
how fairly down the left wing flank.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Bess he got the leg.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
There's a way and they score again and maybe this
one ain't over.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah, well, it was a funny old game. As I say,
the tabletop is conceding twenty eight unanswered points in the
second half after leading forty three to seven at halftime.
Chiefs assistant coach David Hill is with us. Would you
like to talk about the first half or the second half?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
First, Wow, I'm the defense coach, so I'd prefer not
to talk about the second half. It was definitely a
game of two hands. They came off the buy and
joked that they were still on the buy and we're
going into the buy and we thought we went to
buy halftime. So yeah, it was a weird one, but
it was you know, some good, some good stuff for
(01:12):
both sides on the attacking side of the ball US
on the first half and then in the second half.
So good spectacle, but yeah, not ideal for us to
lapse like that in that second half.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Were there any real nervous moments when they got within
what eight points near the end?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I think time was always on our side, I think
because it built up such a big lead in that
first half and felt like when we when we needed
to turn the dial up, we could. So yeah, it
was a weird one like it's you know, they have
such a big lead and then have that chip away
so easily. That was a concerning but not nervous mode.
More more frustration and a little bit of the a
(01:49):
little bit disappointment and how that panned out. But if
I called again there where we would have been, it
would have been to achy bue time. But managed to
come away with it. So yeah, not a not a
not a HARRINGDUS result heading into the BISO. It was
what it was.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
What did you see through your defense coach eyes in
that second half?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Yeah, it got on the wrong side of the ref
pretty quickly in the early in that second half, and
again the referees are doing a great job around the
flow of the game and the speed of the game,
and one of the things I think most of the
d coaches and the coaches in general are finding, once
momentum swings and you're on the wrong side of it,
it's actually really really tough to get stops and get
(02:30):
back in the game. So we managed to get a
couple of good stops in a goal line and get
some turnovers and then ended up back there again. So
the territory is a big one, and when momentum's gone
in favor of the other team, it is tough to stop.
So most of the coaches around there are trying to
figure out some strategies and some legal ways around stopping momentum.
(02:51):
So that was the disappointing things we did a couple
of times and didn't didn't do it enough.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Is there also a part of it that you're ahead
by so much at halftime, what was it forty three
to seven at half time, that it's it's hard to
put your foot on the throat when you're when you're
so far ahead after the first.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Forty Yes, yes, you'd prefer not to use that as
an excuse, but it wasn't the back of our mind
a little bit. We made earlier changes and you know
that by playing so well in the first half, it
gave us a little bit of room to move in
terms of our subs and our and our players come
off the bench. But that will be the you know,
(03:26):
the it's a poor excuse, but there's a small element
of it. But we'd highlighted that at halftime that that
was the biggest strip for us, was us just taking
the foot off the throat a little bit and being
a little bit not complacent, but not as not as
urgent as we liked. And yeah, something that we can
you know, we'll head up to the buy and have
a good week, but have to highlight that next week
(03:48):
before we sort of prepare to play the Reds at home.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Mauana Pacifica have conceded the most points this year, but
they've also scored more points than anyone else except for
you guys. Have they become Have they become a trickier
opponent Mona?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Oh? Absolutely, yeah, And that's to be fair, that's it's
one of those we previewed it scoring you know, five
to six tries a game and their attack and they're
you know, like have the lead. Pelle Greenie the wingers,
both the wingers. Even though Alamala wasn't playing like tam
of for our you know, this hit pieces was going
better and if Ardia had played then that's a bit
(04:25):
of emotional stuff as well. So their attack is improving.
And again you know, like like I said with the
d stuff as when when when you're under the pump
and the opposition has got momentum, it's hard to stop.
But they are a hard team to stop once they
get gone. So they're definitely improved and well coached and
going good. So we'll get them again later in the
(04:46):
year and and be well prepared for that one.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Well you're going good to and too. The buy well
clear at the top five wins and a loss. How
satisfied are you in general terms as a coaching group
with the first six rounds.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Yeah, we had a good coaches meeting sort of towards
the end of last week. You know, probably had to
play the Blues twice, the Crusaders once, the Brumbies once,
and the Dura and Fiji. So not the easiest draw
by any stretch. So you know, like a five and
one going into the Buyo, you know we would have
taken that absolutely at the start of the season, so
(05:20):
really really content around lots of stuff. Right, You've changed
a few things about how we've played and also had
to deal with some tough games, so I feel that
set us up pretty well. So we're content. But it's
it's a long old comp and you know, the weather
will change and daylight saving will stop and all of
a sudden things will be a little bit different. So
aware that we'll have to adapt and just as we
(05:42):
go forward. But yeah, content.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You've also, David used thirty five players in six matches
this season. In the entirety of last season you only
used thirty nine, So is your depth being tested?
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Are we been here a little bit that that's actually
by design? We have had you know, just like everyone
else we've we've had our injuries and we've lost players
along the way. We're a bit short on the outside
backs and still got a Wallace Tis and a Josh
Lord and a nine nice to touto to come back.
So you know, I think it's probably a reality of
(06:17):
the comp that you'll you'll probably need to use between
thirty five and forty players and sort of happy to
have that in the back of your mind. Accordingly, when
we don't make a we make a conscious evorit to
try and give everyone a crack early on, whether it's
in pre season or in the game. So James Thompson
made his debut yesterday. You know it was a big
one to Hoomer County's captain and wanting to represent the chief,
(06:39):
so he deserved that. And yeah, I think the depth
is something you have to be conscious of, but it's
probably a little bit easier if you get a couple
of early wins. That makes those changes sort of easier
to deal with. So yeah, building the depth is important
and you're going to need it later on. Like you
said that, it's thirty nine to forty players in a year.
That's's that's quite a few when you think you need
(07:00):
twenty three out on the day. So some challenges for
ever from.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
There, and everyone's he's pricked up when you said Wallace
a tu any updated time frame on his possible on
his possible return.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
It's one of those ones we decided not to talk
about it and don't get too excited that if if
the physio of the dock or someone says, oh, he
he might be back by this round, you start counting
down the days which is unfair Wallace, and unfair probably
on our medical people say, yeah, there's no, Yeah, I don't.
I don't actually have an update or a date that
(07:34):
I know that I could I could say. But he's
he's you know, he's around the place. He's running, and
he's he's looking good. He's keen. He's such a great,
amazing personality that it's just nice to see him smile
and in the gym working hard. So that'll be a
good little boost price as well, like you know, like
he had a breakthrough year and and didn't pay too
barely for a few tifts, so it would be nice
(07:55):
to have him back and give us a bit of
a boost on both sides of.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
The ball, right, So you do expecting back at some
stage the Super Rugby season.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That, yeah, that's the plan. I think it was always there.
He might might get back towards the end of the
rounds and potentially be available for the finals. That was,
you know, that was the original plan, and I'm not
sure where it's out at the moment. But he's yeah,
he's smiley, he's cheeky, he's looking good.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Good updates, good update, excellent, David. All right, we'll enjoy
the buye. You give you guys a few days off.
They've got to far flung parts of the country, do
they and relax a little bit before you get them
back in ahead of your next game.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Yeah, well this because we were supposed to play this game
in Tonga, so yes, I think a few travel plans
we're starting from Tonga that had to get adjusted, so
I think probably a bit more local than it than
it was originally intenders. I think there was a few
people who would have probably just stayed in Tonga or
gone to another island. But yep, they'll do what they
need to do when they've ent it. So it's like
(08:48):
I said, five and one heading into it, they can
they can refresh and I think I've got a message
abou an hour ago from the S and C just
giving them their program while they're away, so I'm sure
they'd love them to see that they.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Are well on a good first Sex Games David, your
top of the table. Enjoyed the buy mate, Thanks for chatting,
always enjoy catching up.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Awesome cheer mate, Thank you, no, thank you.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
David Hell Assistant coach of the Chiefs.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine listen live
to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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