Full Show Podcast: 09 February 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB. The only place for the big names,
the big issues, the big controversies and the big conversations.
It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Vine on your
home of Sport News Talks EDB.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hello, Pion, A good afternoon, welcoming to the Sunday edition
of Weekend Sport on News Talks edby. February nine, Happy
birthday to Glenn McGrath. I'm Jason Pine, Show producer Anny McDonald.
We have three hours of sport for you to get
amongst berg Super Rugby show for you today. The twenty
twenty five season starts on Friday. All six New Zealand

(00:54):
based Super Rugby head coaches are with us on the
show today, Vern Cottup and Rob Penny this hour, Tana
Umaga and Clark Laidlaw after one, Clayton McMillan and Jamie
Joseph after two. Plenty of time for your calls and
predictions as well for your side for some of the
other sides. It is the last time we'll chat before

(01:16):
the season starts, so with everybody on zero points, your
predictions are welcome. In fact, if you get the chance
across the afternoon at any time, just text through what
you think the finishing order will be of the six
New Zealand based teams. Don't worry about the others just
at the moment, just stick with our with our six teams.

(01:36):
What's your finishing order nine two ninety two. We'll read
a couple of those out across the afternoon. Other matters
around today, we're going to preview Super Bowl fifty nine
for you Kansas City Chiefs Philadelphia Eagles twelve thirty tomorrow
in New Zealand time. Next weekend, more than twenty of
the world's best writers will compete in the largest mountain

(01:57):
bike event to ever be held in New Zealand, Natural
Selection Bike Mount Dewa and Queenstown. We'll talk to one
of our top prospects, Robin Goons James mcconey along in
his regular slot around one forty five Live Sport this afternoon.
There's Halliburton Johnston Shield cricket to keep an eye on.
Our women's domestic fifty over comp continues games in New Plymouth,

(02:19):
Auckland and Wellington. And there has been a heap of
sport in the twenty one hours since we signed off
after the show yesterday, so we'll try and cover off
as much as we can Coast to coast, black Caps, Sale,
gp FA Cup, Football, Six Nations Rugby. There's heaps to
get amongst. Please jump aboard the show if you would
like to get involved at any time. Oh eight hundred

(02:40):
and eighty ten eighty get you throw on the phone.
That's a free call nine two, nine to two for
text messages and emails them to me Jason at Newstalk
SEDB dot co dot nz. Coming up ten past midday.

Speaker 3 (02:52):
The scoo from the.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
Track, Field and the Court on your home of sport
weekends for it with Jason Vine.

Speaker 3 (02:59):
News Talks NB.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
So as mentioned, we're chatting today with all six New
Zealand based Super Rugby head coaches. Let's start with the
defending champions.

Speaker 4 (03:07):
We've got to regather.

Speaker 1 (03:08):
They teck it, they teck it backwards, it's going to.

Speaker 5 (03:11):
Go over the line.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
Blue days have loved to hear these words again the Blues.

Speaker 6 (03:15):
I'm Super Rugby.

Speaker 5 (03:17):
Champion for the first time. It's twenty one year.

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Blues head coach Vern Kinda joins us. Then you're defending champions,
so does that mean that you've now got a blueprint
for success us.

Speaker 4 (03:30):
That's a really good question. I think we enjoyed the success,
and I think when we get things right, we can
we can put pressure on teams. And I thought there
was a mind shift in and around UH and how
we approach competitions rather than just being satisfied whether whether fourth,
fifth or whatever position, we decide that winning was was key.

(03:50):
So that there was last year and this is another year,
another season, and you know they're constantly asking questions yourself,
is keidan moving forward? And I think I think the
boys are keen to keep moving forward. So I can't
say we're going to win again because everybody's going to

(04:12):
do that. But we enjoyed winning last year. We're certainly
like to do it again.

Speaker 2 (04:15):
Is there a temptation to lock and load a fair
amount of what worked for you last year this year?
I take your point. I wanted to move forward and
all of that, But you know, they say it ain't broke,
don't fix it. Is there a temptation not to tinker
too much?

Speaker 4 (04:29):
I know there's certain parts of the game we respect
that are drivers and our performance and those drivers will
stay the same. And I think the more time you
spend together, the better you become. So rather than changing
for changing, say you can double down on stuff that works.
But the super season is there's a start, middle, and finish,
so and there's a context to every bit of that
around whether the teams are playing in the position sometimes

(04:53):
in the competition. So we're going to we'll start and
I think, like all teams start a bit rusty and
then work our way into it. But the fundamentals of
our game and things that we hold there and we
talk about DNA and things like that like that. I
don't know you want to go that far, but certainly
there's parts of our performance that we like to double
down on.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
You talked about the start of the season that you've
been handed the tougher start that I can see of
any of the teams. Three New Zealand Derbies. We know
how physical they are. None of the other New Zealand
sides have as tough a start as that. Does that
bring an extra layer of challenge for you in terms
of managing your squad in the early part of the season, Yeah,
sort of.

Speaker 4 (05:30):
You'll go from game to game, from training to training,
and I call teams at the moment there's there's been
a few manageries even before you get started, so that's
parcel of a season. So that's exciting because there's young
some young players coming through that people probably haven't heard of,
and they'll get opportunities because there will be there will
be attritional the start of the season. Boys know that

(05:50):
and they know that every point in every meter and
everything everything we do matters. So there's been a good
preseason and we'll rock and roll through the games they
come and knowing that we will work our way through
any in any situation where we pride ourselves on being
able to adapt and that'll be you know, one of

(06:11):
our key philosophies as well.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
Sam Dowry had a big season for you in twenty
twenty four, made the All Blacks of course off the
back of a super rugby form unfortunately out for twenty
twenty five. How big a blow is that for you?

Speaker 3 (06:23):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (06:23):
I was Sam was coming on. I mean he got
rewarded with Norblay Tour and I think was world was.
He runs a line out, he's a big he's a
big man, he's two met as tall and he dominates
the space above others and he was getting really good
around the paddick and on the field and you know
around the carry and clean and his work grate was exceptional.

Speaker 6 (06:42):
So yeah, it's a loss, but it's also.

Speaker 4 (06:43):
An example of what we what we want and there's
other some other young players coming through in his camp,
Christy and Tristan Cook that come out of North Harbor
that you know, they're exciting young players and there's an
opportunity there. There's an opportunity for Josh Berry to step up.

Speaker 6 (06:58):
Lochlan McGonnell.

Speaker 4 (06:59):
He's he had a great season last year and that
gives more game time for these players, making grind develop
as well. So we have to see that as a positive.
Even were disappointed for Sam.

Speaker 2 (07:08):
Boden Barrett's back. Will he play first five and fullback
for you?

Speaker 4 (07:14):
He can play a number of positions in those teams. Yeah,
I would say he's he offers us a support in
and around both those roles. And even as we started
we talk about starting season, Steve Parafetters nursing just just
a slight calf as well, So you need everybody and
so body can fit into those two positions comfortably. So yeah,

(07:36):
it's good to have that flexibility within the team.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
So with Stephen, perhaps doubtful. For the first little while.
We saw Harry Plummer run the cutter for you brilliantly
last year in the teen Jersey. Might we see that
again him at ten and body at fifteen for example.

Speaker 6 (07:51):
Yeah, that could happen.

Speaker 4 (07:53):
Harry did a great job and he led the team
to a final victory. So that's then the whole way
through the season, steps up when you need him. He's
a great man, he's a team man, and you'll play
wherever we need him because he's got that flexibility of
playing in the midfield as well. And maybe you know
when we get everybody back that I can slot in
and out and you can't just have one team that

(08:16):
plays the whole competition. So being able to slot and
now that is important. And Harry's love having Harry with us.

Speaker 2 (08:22):
Indeed, you mentioned Stephen obviously know about Sam. I think
Bryce heem has also, doesn't he with a wrist injury?
I read anyone else who's who's not quite ready to start.

Speaker 4 (08:33):
Oh, we've got bits of things all around the place.
Guys coming back and so.

Speaker 3 (08:40):
Yeah, yeah, well we'll.

Speaker 4 (08:43):
Name a team this week to the Chiefs big game
back home. We haven't been on the field for a
while and looking forward to that, looking forward to the
crowd coming out and supporting us. And it's it's kick
off time. So I think there's been you know, Monday,
I expect quite the hands to be up in the
air to take part in US and a couple of
those mind niggles just might disappear.

Speaker 2 (09:05):
I bet they will. Seven new faces, seven new Super
rugby players. Anyway, quite a bit of interest in Peyton
Spencer given his surname, who was dad is and also
his feats in the sevens game. How's he fitted into
the environment?

Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah?

Speaker 6 (09:18):
That really good.

Speaker 4 (09:19):
He's a great pat, he's got a great future and
he's like a lot of these players then, they've got
good humility around how they approached the game and they
want to learn and become better, and they've slotted them nicely.

Speaker 7 (09:32):
You know.

Speaker 4 (09:32):
There's there's another young player, Rica Simpson. I think zav
Taylor who was the founder twenties. We've got some good
young kids coming through and that's the Blues team of
two or three years time perhaps, you know, so been
all with one investment during the preseason having these guys
and you can already see the progress they're making.

Speaker 2 (09:49):
Did you learn some good stuff last year? And you've
been around the game for a while, did you learn
some new things last year?

Speaker 4 (09:56):
We're always learning, Pioneer. Yeah, so you know, No, there's
good key learnings just about ourselves and the competition because
I hadn't coached the competition for a while, so it
was no interesting coaching back in New Zealand and the
dynamics of a you know, of a of an international
competition with Australian and Pacific Island teams.

Speaker 3 (10:18):
I really enjoyed it.

Speaker 6 (10:18):
I loved it.

Speaker 4 (10:19):
It was nice to be back home and I really
enjoyed the Blues boys. They're not the soft, fleshy team
everybody thinks they are. There's some some real hard work
goes near, some real pride in the Jersey in the province.
So it's you know, and hopefully you know, the things
we learned we can we can, like I say at
the start, move move things forward of them.

Speaker 7 (10:40):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (10:41):
Well, I think you were a large part of driving
that that steel in the in the Blues last season,
just before you got to see Australia will be looking
for a new head coach at the back end of
the year. You're going to get back into the international game.

Speaker 6 (10:52):
I'm happy here.

Speaker 4 (10:54):
Yeah, no, no, no that there'll be somebody else.

Speaker 6 (10:57):
There'll be somebody else.

Speaker 4 (10:58):
But Joe's done a good job. He's good, made of
mine and I think he's done well there. And Australians
have good coaches and you'll see that their team to
share one least team and they've consolidated their team effectives,
playing lists and they'll be tough.

Speaker 2 (11:16):
Thanks for chatting Vern, all the best in your quest
to go back to.

Speaker 4 (11:19):
Back mate good man, thank you ches just pinning, No.

Speaker 2 (11:22):
Thanks Van Vern Cootter, head coach of the Blues. As mentioned,
we're chadding to them all this afternoon, vern Cottter leading
us off. So first month for the Blues, tough man,
really tough Chiefs at home, repeat of last year's final
that's this coming Saturday. Then the Highlanders away and the
Hurricanes away. So three New Zealand derbies to start. As

(11:43):
I said to Vern Cotton, no other New Zealand team
has that. They are the only ones the Blues who
have three straight New Zealand derbies to start their season.
Then there Brumby's at home and they're pretty tough too,
aren't They Probably the best of the Australian site. So
the first month Chiefs, Highlands, Hurricanes, Brumbies. That's tough. Blues
fans though, are you going back to back one hundred

(12:06):
and eighty ten to eighty? Those of you in the
Blues catchment squad wise pretty settled, very settled. Sam Dowry
out with injury, that's a blow. He had a big
season last year, didn't he and was a huge part
of the Blues pack and earned himself higher honors from
his feats last year. But there are others there, and

(12:29):
Vern pointed them out, Josh Bearer, Lochlan McConnell and others
who will no doubt step up. Bowden, Barrett back Massive.
Of course, any team who adds Boat and Barrett to
their mix immediately improves themselves and otherwise pretty much the
same team that won it last season. So on that
basis they are favorites again, aren't they. They have to

(12:50):
be big seasons last year from Hoskins so two too
many people thought he should have earned himself in all
Blacks call up Harry Plummer who stepped into that ten
jumper for the second half of the season. In fact,
even more than that problem, I think the last ten
or eleven games. He ran the cutter. Stephen Petefetta did
that to start with them, picked up an injury and

(13:13):
Harry Plumber stepped in and was outstanding in the ten
jumper earned himself and all blacks call up. This will
be that's of course for Harry Plumber. We know he
signed overseas at the end of the Super Rugby season,
so he'll be ken to go out back to back.
Caleb Clark had a big year and then you just
look at the team. I mean that's they're stacked. The Blues,

(13:33):
they are absolutely stacked, full of all blacks, Ricco Yowane,
Mark Telaya, Bodhen Barrett. We mentioned Caleb Clark, Thinlake, Christie Hoskinstutu,
Dalton Papoale, Patrick Tuey Perlotu offered to on the fussy
this is a stacked team. So Blues fans, are you

(13:57):
favorites and fans of other teams? Can you knock them off?
Got a couple throw on text here text throw if
you get the opportunity. The finishing order in your of
the six New Zealand sites first one through Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes,
mo Wanna Pacifica Highlanders, Piney here it is, says this

(14:20):
one Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Majana Pacifica Crusaders. Sorry, Graham,
it says grikey. We've got Rob Penny on this hour
as well, so maybe he can give us his view
on how they're going to go this year. But keen
to hear from your Blues fans about how confident or

(14:42):
not you are. I remember when we opened the lines
last year, and I mean Blues fans just seemed to
I think last year were we're just very cautious in
their approach to the season and what they thought might happen.
They had Vern Kotta come in and I think there
was a lot of positive vibes around about that taking

(15:03):
over the reins. And you know we heard stories of
stern Vern and how he he ran a tight ship
with a bit of an iron fist. But his players
responded and I love that little line of his at
the end of that chat. You know the Blues aren't
you know, the soft players that perhaps they were regarded

(15:27):
as in the past. They had a steal to them
last season which saw them sweep all before them. Really,
how many times did they lose last year they lost
the Hurricanes in around three they lost, Actually they lost
back to back at the end of the regular season,
didn't they to the Crusaders and the Chiefs easily accounted
for the drawer in the quarter final, the Brumbies in

(15:49):
the semi and in the final forty one ten over
the Chiefs. So yeah, Blues favorites again for me? What
about you? Oh, eight hundred and eighty ten eighty twelve
twenty three Back in a sec here on News Talks,
he be with some of your calls one.

Speaker 1 (16:01):
Crutch hold Ngage Weekends for us with Jason Paine and GJ.
Gunner Homes New Zealand's first trusted hoe Milder News Talks Abby.

Speaker 2 (16:11):
Twelve twenty six on News Talks, Abe it's our Super
Rugby preview show across the afternoon, chatting with all six
of the New Zealand based Super Rugby head coaches. Rob
Penny standing by the chat to us, Henry says, Piney,
it's tough this year to rank these teams, but I've
gone Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Mowana PACIFICA thanks. Henry

(16:34):
Peter says the Hurricanes would have won the whole comp
If cam Roygard hadn't been injured, they won the round robin.
After all, they're my favorites. Thanks Peter. Yeah, we'll talk
to Clark laid Law after one o'clock. One of the
main issues that the Hurricanes face this year is the
players they've lost for a variety of reasons. Jordy Barrett

(16:55):
playing in Ireland.

Speaker 7 (16:57):
T J.

Speaker 2 (16:58):
Pettinada has gone off Shaw now of course, Josh Morby
the same, Brett Cameron who was terrific in the ten
before them last year out for the season with injury.
Ruben Love just coming back from injury. There's probably a
couple of others I've forgotten, but they have lost a
number of players. Cam Roygard happily is back and fully

(17:21):
fit as far as I can see. So we'll we'll
find out from Clark laid Law after one o'clock whether
he feels as confident of as good as showing, if
not a better showing in twenty twenty five. But let's
get you down to Crusaders Country.

Speaker 8 (17:37):
Under advantage down the short time leffore Tony to backus Spragger,
where a thrill with precision at pace at backus spragger
and tonight for sebu Ree skits himself. I think by
Crusaders Zepp seven and the party tricks.

Speaker 7 (17:58):
Are coming out.

Speaker 2 (17:59):
That was a rare bright spot for the Crusaders last year,
just the four wins from fourteen games and missing the
top eight for the playoffs down off the back of
course of being seven time defending champions. A challenging year
for Crusaders fans and the Crusaders side as well. Head
coach Rob Penny is with us. Rob, if we start
by looking ahead to this year, you've had preseason games

(18:21):
against the Blues and the Highlanders. Did you get what
you wanted to out of those two games?

Speaker 6 (18:26):
In some regards yes, and in some regards probably not
as much as we would have liked. But at the
end of the day, it is what it is, and
you know, we're sending ourselves up for a great occasion
on Friday evening here on Valentine's Day, for the opening of.

Speaker 2 (18:40):
Super Yeah, we can't wait. We can't wait. When you're
looking at managing your squad minutes in pre season, how
do you go about that?

Speaker 6 (18:48):
Oh, there's quite a few parameters trying to expose people
to as much as they can cope with without overloading.
It's not an exact science by any means, but you
do your best and then there is some parameters around
the All Black introduction with played forty minutes and their
first hitout, So that was, you know what. We got

(19:11):
into the returning Crusaders last week against the Highlanders in
the first half. So we got through that unscathed relatively
with the All Blacks apart from George Bell who had
a significant injury in Dallas mcleoard who's got a bit
of a hiplexa problem. But yeah, we're in reasonable shape

(19:32):
getting into the round one.

Speaker 2 (19:33):
Yeah, I saw that Dallas and George had gone off.
Can you give us any clarity on George in particular.

Speaker 6 (19:42):
There's a little bit of investigative work to be undertaken,
but it's weeks, not days anyway, I can give you that.

Speaker 2 (19:50):
All right, Well, we wish him the best in his recovery,
said Calder and Finley Bruce. Of course, I mean this
is always the nature of it, Rob, isn't it The
pre season does throughout the odd injury seb Calder and
Finley Bruce went off against the Blues. Are they short
or medium term prospects? What's the situation there.

Speaker 6 (20:09):
Yeah, finally we're still undertaking some diagnostic stuff, so not sure.
That's again weeks, not not not days. Seb's a lot better,
so that's awesome. He's going to reintegrate hopefully in the
next two or three weeks as his pain dissipates. So yeah,
that's those two boys. We've just had a bit of

(20:29):
an endemic in the front row, which is you know,
last year we had at inside backs and this year
we've got it in the front row. So it's just
one of those things, I guess nature of the beast
and Dad, well.

Speaker 2 (20:41):
Let's talk inside backs. How did you assess the contribution
of James O'Connor over these two preseason games.

Speaker 6 (20:49):
Uh, it's been outstanding. Anyone watched the performances, which scene
as a quality player. And it's not only what he's
done on the grass, which is highly enthusiastic and you know,
really driving in his accuracy, but also when he's still
and behind the scenes with some of our younger blokes,
and you know that was that was part of the rationale,

(21:11):
and you know, he's he's gone beyond our expectations both
on and off the grass. He's been tremendous.

Speaker 2 (21:18):
How will you make your decision about starting first five
between He Tahi, Kimada Revez Raihana? Of course, how do
you make that decision?

Speaker 6 (21:26):
Well, Rivers has got a bit of an unfortunately three
weeks ago sustained a reasonably serious ankle injury which he's
probably three weeks away from returning on, so that unfortunately
takes them out of the equation. Taha has really matured
and grown immeasurably over the last six or eight months

(21:47):
since we had him in our environment last time, and
so yeah, there's a there's a delicate decision to be made.
Both boys are performing well, so yeah, we're really fortunate
the post from last year where we were really struggling
in that area, we've we've finally got a weave of
the depths, which is great.

Speaker 2 (22:03):
We wait to see who gets ten for the Valentine's
State Class. Inside there at halfback, you've added Wellington's Kyle
Preston to your mix. Now a hope of Mitchell Drummond there.
How competitive do you expect competition for the nine and
twenty one jerseys to be?

Speaker 6 (22:17):
Yeah, very They're all very competitive men in their own rights.
Noah's you know, had some exposure there around the all
Black environment. He's got a massive future and the other
two boys are you know, as you know, Kyle's led
the Wellington team to NPC victory last season and drumm,

(22:38):
he's drummy. He's one of the most competitive and you know,
committed crusaders there's ever been. And so it look like,
you know, we'll be a very competitive selectorial discussion around
that area.

Speaker 2 (22:51):
You only got five games out of Ethan blackhead of
last season. How's he come through pre season?

Speaker 6 (22:57):
Yeah, well, maybe there's a wee bit of a message
in this. Ethan's come in week two of our pre
season in November. He's come all the way through, never
had a problem at all and had two hit outs.
He had thirty odd minutes against the Blues, he had
forty minutes last week against the Highlanders, and his efficiencies
as great as ever. And you know, he's such a

(23:20):
energizer around the group and his commitment to the cause
is unbelievable. And you know, having him in the group
and around the group as a vice captain the years
is tremendous and you know, the proofs and the putting
around the fact that he had a protracted conditioning block
during the pre season and we hope that will really

(23:41):
set him up for a great Crusades program and beyond.

Speaker 2 (23:45):
David HARVILLI will be your captain this year. How did
you arrive at that decision?

Speaker 6 (23:51):
After lots of negotiation and discussion with many many people,
many different components of the organization. It was clear early
on that Davy was a front runner. It was just
really I guess, ensuring that anyone that wanted to have
a view on it was able to express that, and

(24:11):
it was it was very clear early on that Davy was,
as I say, the front runner to take over from Scoot.
And you know he's he's really embraced the role. He
played tremendous on his forty minute spell against the Honders
last week and leading from the front as he does,
and he set up the leadership group which is going

(24:32):
to be or allow him to play hopefully at his
best and also grow people around him. And it's an
exciting transition to a slightly different leadership style.

Speaker 2 (24:45):
And you lost one of your coaching team, Tummoty Ellison
to the All Blacks and a full time capacity brad More,
though has rejoined the staff. How's he fitted back in?

Speaker 6 (24:54):
Yeah, well, Toms was a big, a big piece of
the puzzle, you know, taken away from the organization at
the end of la season, as you say, and we
really really proud of the fact that he's gone back
or gone into the all black environment and established himself there.
But Brad as quality coach, quality man. He's been in

(25:17):
the organization, he had success before, a very smart rugby
coach and in combination with James Marshall, putting together you know,
the offensive side of the ball really really efficiency and
excited about the you know, the direction that we're taking
and hopefully, you know, on the back of the work

(25:41):
that they're doing and the players import we can really
you know, establish something pretty special in that area.

Speaker 2 (25:48):
Just to finish rub As you look forward to twenty
twenty five, what were the biggest lessons you learned in
twenty twenty four?

Speaker 6 (26:01):
Every environment when you come into it, you know, there's
some processes and systems and structures that are established. And
because of the sex the success of the organization in
recent history. Done an amazing job with the staff and
the and the organization that had seven in a row

(26:22):
without you know, assumption to mate, I guess that everything
will roll on. With the removal of some some iconic
players out of the environment, changes in the structure of
TIMS went from defense coach to attack coach. Toddy came
in as a new defense coach. You know, there was

(26:44):
some There was some I guess, some internal bits and
pieces that just needed adjusting. The off season has been
been a powerful part of not a not a massive revolution,
but an evolution. I would describe it as within the

(27:04):
organization around the high performance area. And you know, I
guess the outcomes on game day where everyone will dictate
whether it's been a success or not. But it already
feels like we've made progress in a number of areas.
And the worst ethic of the people in the organizations unquestionable.

(27:29):
And so we put those combinations of those two things
together and I'm really boyed and boyant about what the
future holds for the organization. And I'm sure that the
players will embrace what they need to to be the
best they can be every week for the Crusader.

Speaker 2 (27:45):
Fans can't wait to see you kick things off against
the Hurricanes to start the season. Rob, thanks so much
for chatting to us, mate.

Speaker 6 (27:52):
Pleasure yeah, looking forward to the super aguous. So it's
going to be an exciting year.

Speaker 2 (27:56):
Yeah, let's so. Rob. Thanks and Rob Penny, Crusader's head coach,
as they look to bounce back from one of their
worst seasons. Sugarcoated. Twenty twenty four was a really challenging
season for Crusaders fans. You might want to share your
optimism ahead of twenty twenty five. Crusaders fans, Oh, eight

(28:18):
hundred and eighty ten eighty, do you feel as though
what happened last year is just an outlier, just an aberration,
and the things are going to turn around again in
twenty twenty five. I don't think your favorite.

Speaker 7 (28:29):
I don't.

Speaker 2 (28:30):
As I said before, I think the Blues are favorites,
Chiefs probably close behind. But yeah, I don't think the
Crusaders can be can be as bad again. And you
look at the players who weren't there last year for
large periods. Will Jordan didn't play it all last season,

(28:51):
having Will Jordan coming into team. I talked about having
Boden Barrett coming in to the Blues, having Will Jordan
coming back massive huge Breidon Enol didn't play it all
last season either, And I don't know whether he is
fit this season either and to check on braden En
or but he didn't play it all last season. Scott
Barrett only played five games, Ethan Black out of five games,

(29:11):
Cody Taylor four games last season, so massive chunk out
of that team. And then the first five Mary Go
rounds as they tried to find a replacement for Richie Moongar,
reverz Rahana Tahakimada, Riley Halhepper, David Harvilli and Fergus burkh

(29:32):
Is now also gone. All tried in the ten jumper
no One rarely with any consistent success this season. It
looks like Tahakimata and James O'Connor a head to head
for that ten. Jersey wouldn't be at all surprised if
it is James O'Connor who wears ten when the Crusaders
line up for the first game of the season Friday
night against the Hurricanes. But Crusaders fans optimists that you

(29:56):
are are you willing to put twenty twenty four behind
you and say twenty twenty five is going to be us?
We're back again, Steven says, here's your order of the
New Zealand teams. Hurricanes, Highlanders, Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders more one
of PACIFICA. My dark horses, Stephen, are the Highlanders. Yeah,
I just don't know whether they quite have the quality.
I've had trouble as usual recruiting down there. Jamie Joseph

(30:20):
with us after two he can give us an idea
of how he thinks the team is shaping up. I
think having him back on the grasses massive, that's a big,
a big change. Clarkdermody clearly a good rugby coach, but
Jamie Joseph as Jamie Joseph, so ten years on from
winning it with the Highlanders as head coach in twenty fifteen,
can he repeat the dose lines open twenty to one

(30:43):
oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty nine, two ninety two
one text back at a.

Speaker 4 (30:46):
Moment you be the TMO.

Speaker 1 (30:49):
Have your say on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty
weekends for it with Jason him and G. J. Garbnerholmes,
New Zealand's most trusted home builder news Dogs, there'd.

Speaker 2 (30:59):
Be sixteen to one. Jamie Joseph is like a modern
day Laurie Mains, says the sticks from Nigel looking forward
to year one of us new Ragin, Sami. Nigel, so
am I the Crusaders need grizz to give the Crusaders
up that ever a rav up, says Scotty. Well, let's
see what happens when they get underway and lead us
off in five days from now, when Super Raki gets

(31:19):
underway for twenty twenty five. The black Caps, I'm not
sure if you've caught this news. Overnight a seventy eight
run win against Pakistan in their One day tri series
opener in Lahore, three hundred and thirty for six, batting
first Glenn Phillips one hundred and six night out of
seventy four balls. It's his first od I century. I
would have thought he'd have one by now. In reply,
Pakistan all at two five to two, Mitchell, Santna and

(31:40):
Matt Henry taking three wickets each. New Zealand place South
Africa tomorrow is the built up to the champions Trophy
continues that starts for New Zealand on Wednesday week Coast
to Coast yesterday was great to get all the coverage
on the radio from Coast to Coast. Tasmanian Alex Hunt
the winner yesterday of the men's race Hamish Elliot second,
Sam Clark was third, and in the women's race it

(32:02):
was Deborah Lynch who won from Simone Mayer and Usher
in third place and sale GP on Sydney Harbor Yesterday
wasn't a happy first day for New Zealand. Australia lead
after a dominant first day on home waters. New Zealand
eighth and seventh in the first two races, but then

(32:22):
suffered damage to their rudder control system and race three.
They were moving up the field and race three, but
then a nosedive damaged the rudder control system and saw
them cross the line last. Because they couldn't get back
up on the foils, they were forced to retire from
the fourth and final race of the day, so ninth
heading into day two highly unlikely to make the three

(32:45):
boat final racing underway this afternoon on Sydney Harbor on
day two at five o'clock twelve forty five. Next weekend,
more than twenty of the world's best riders going to
compete in the largest mountain bike event to ever be
held in New Zealand's natural selection bike contested on the
iconic Mount Dua in Queenstown Saturday, February fifteen. That's next

(33:06):
time our world class mountain bike course has been built there.
The competition features a men's and women's division and combines
the three most dynamic disciplines in mountain biking, Big Mountain,
Big Mountain Free Ride that is, slope style, and downhill.
The rider lineup includes twenty two riders from nine countries,
including our top rider, New Zealander Robin Gooms, who joins

(33:30):
us now. Robin, thanks for taking the time for a chat.
How much you're looking forward to riding in front of
your home crowd next weekend?

Speaker 9 (33:36):
Yeah, I'm stojo Car. Wait can it be a good
week I haven't Yeah, i haven't had like a free
ride event of this scale in New Zealand, so I'm
pretty pumped to be able to do it in front
of the front of the home.

Speaker 2 (33:49):
Is you know how big is this event? Just sort
of put us put it into context for us.

Speaker 9 (33:55):
Oh, it's world class, Like all of the best riders
from all over the planet are coming here, and yeah,
it's gonna be big.

Speaker 2 (34:01):
Explain the three disciplines to us, Big Mountain free Ride,
slope style and down hill.

Speaker 9 (34:08):
So Big Mountain Free Ride is like kind of more
natural terrain riding things rugged and raw and pretty much
just going big. Downhill is more of a race format
where everything is just like fast paced, pop to bottom
timed run, technical features, jumps, things like that. And then

(34:29):
slope style is like a judge competition that's based on
like style and amplitude and bigger tricks and so yeah,
it's just like a combination of those things.

Speaker 2 (34:43):
And for you, of the three of them, is there
is there one or more in particular that you that
you are stronger in, that you specialize in, that you
focus more on.

Speaker 9 (34:52):
Yeah, so I spend more time doing like the big
mountain free ride and a bit of slope style as well.
So yeah, I guess two areas. And I've also competed
in downhill, so a little bit of experience there, and
I think, yeah, just anyone who's got the balance of
all three is going to do good.

Speaker 2 (35:10):
Tell us about the track that you'll be riding on
at Mount Juan next weekend.

Speaker 9 (35:16):
So the courses natural terrain, well it's man made using
natural terrain, So the existing rolling hills and terrain that
is there.

Speaker 10 (35:26):
The course builders have.

Speaker 9 (35:28):
Just gone in and cut lips and landings into the
hills and kind of like minimal shaping, but enough for
you to do jumps and tricks and put together the
run you want to put together.

Speaker 2 (35:40):
So cool. You had a huge year last year, including
winning the iconic Red Ball Rampage in Utah. That was
the first time female writers had been included in that event.
You were the first female to drop in. How big
a moment was that for you?

Speaker 9 (35:56):
Yeah, that was the biggest moment of my life probably
it was. Yeah, it was pretty picktic being the first
one to drop in, just like that, the intense feeling
like you're sitting at the top of the hill and
you can just feel the whole crowd looking up what
being like, it felt like a pretty heavy moment, and
then yeah, the wind was like pretty special.

Speaker 2 (36:17):
I'll watched some of that rampage footage. Man, it's it's
just incredible what you do. How much courage do you
need for the sport?

Speaker 9 (36:28):
You know, Like, it's definitely scary. I think most of
the time I'm scared and you just have to like
overcome it, and it's always really rewarding when you do.

Speaker 2 (36:38):
How do you do that? Because from looking at you
right on this footage, it seems like you're just feelss,
but you do experience doubts on occasion.

Speaker 9 (36:48):
Yeah, I think fear is always there, but and yeah,
I guess there is doubt. That's kind of what fear
is is just like the unknown of things. But it's
just learning how to use that to drive you and
just kind of switching off doubt and focusing on the
kind of positives, like you know, what goes good. So

(37:11):
that's kind of how I try to.

Speaker 11 (37:12):
Deal with it.

Speaker 2 (37:14):
So apart from having that real mental strength, what do
you reckon? The other main reasons for your success have.

Speaker 9 (37:19):
Been I'd say luck is definitely a part of it. Like, yeah,
you've got to work hard and do the right things,
but you're so kind of good to get lucky.

Speaker 2 (37:31):
I guess, yeah, Well, I imagine that's a part of it.
I want to imagine you make your own your own
luck to a large degree. I read that you're also
developing your own dedicated training space. How's that going.

Speaker 7 (37:44):
Yeah, it's going really good.

Speaker 9 (37:45):
Actually, yeah, I've been pretty again I say lucky to
be able to get a better land and start building
this training compound. So I think going forward, it'll just
allow me to like train and like just drill in
what I want to learn and just be better. So
looking forward to it.

Speaker 2 (38:02):
And where are we in your season, Robin? Where does
this event fall and what is immediately next after this one?

Speaker 7 (38:08):
For you?

Speaker 9 (38:10):
Natural Selection is actually the first event of the season
and then it kind of kicks off where crank works Roder,
I'll be doing slope styles there and then yeah, it
just goes roll straight into the international season.

Speaker 2 (38:23):
And so traveling far and wide, do you ever sort
of think to yourself, Man, I'm actually doing this, this
is this is what I do for a job now.

Speaker 9 (38:31):
Yeah, I respect. On the end of the time, it's
pretty crazy. Just yeah, literally living the dream, traveling the world,
riding bikes in crazy places.

Speaker 2 (38:39):
Yeah, doing it well too. Hey, Robin, we can't wait
for next weekend in Queenstown. Thanks so much for chatting
to us and all the best at Mount Dua for
Natural Selection Bike Sick.

Speaker 9 (38:47):
Thank you have a good one.

Speaker 2 (38:48):
You have a good one too, Robin. Thanks indeed, Robin
gooms there one of our top mountain bike riders. Natural
Selection Bike Mount Dua, Queenstown next Saturday. World class stuff this.
We'll try and bring you some updates on the show
next Saturday. It's eight and a half to one. New
Stalks Ever.

Speaker 1 (39:03):
Breaking down the Hail Mary's and the epic fail weekends
for it with Jason Lyme News.

Speaker 2 (39:10):
Talk ZENB coming up five to one. Let's update you
on some live sport. Halliburton Johnston Sheeld cricket. This is
the women's fifty over comp Otago are the runaway leaders
in this competition. It's a full round robin, so ten
games each and then the top two go into the final.
Otago have won all seven of their games so far

(39:31):
and cannot be topped, so they will host the final
regardless of what happens in their last three games. Central
are closest to them and then Wellington, Auckland and Canterbury
also in the mix. So games today in New Plymouth
where Northern Districts won the toss elected to bat first
against Central one ninety one for five and the thirty
fourth over. Otago are actually not up against it necessarily,

(39:52):
but Auckland are giving them a good run for their money.
In Auckland they won the toss Auckland elected to bat
They're won eighty for three and the forty second over
and at the base from Reserve and Wellington. Canterbury won
the toss, they decided to bat first against the Wellington
Blaze and through to one hundred and forty five for
five at the end of the thirty fifth over. So
we'll keep updating you on the cricket across the afternoon,

(40:15):
as we will on other bits and pieces. Super Bowl tomorrow,
super Bowl fifty nine. It's I guess, the one day
of the year that a lot of people watch American
football when they wouldn't ordinarily watch it, not just here
but even in the US Super Bowl Sunday as it
is over there, absolutely massive. The viewership is just through
the roof, much much bigger than anything else in an

(40:39):
American sporting sense. I've got a Super Bowl preview for
you after two o'clock actually, but after the news at
one we're back into our Super Rugby preview and chatting
to a couple of coaches who, yeah, I'm really looking
forward to hearing from. Actually, Tana Umager took over as
Mona PACIFICA coach last year and this year has managed

(41:00):
to attract Ardie Savia to his franchise. Has made him
captain what are more on a Pacific as a realistic
goals and ambitions for twenty twenty five and then the Hurricanes.
Clark Laidlaw had a good season first season and charged
last year. How's he looking ahead of twenty twenty five?

Speaker 1 (41:17):
The only place to discuss the biggest FOCE issues on
and after field.

Speaker 4 (41:22):
It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (41:24):
Sport with Jason Vane on your home of Sport News Talks, News.

Speaker 2 (41:31):
Talk's he been Weekend Sports seven past one. Thanks for
joining us this afternoon. If you're on your way back
from your long weekend, your manufactured long weekend. If you
took Friday off and enjoyed a four day sojourn somewhere
and you're on your way back, ready for work tomorrow.
Good day have you with us. Thanks for tuning in.
We'll try and keep your company and keep you interested

(41:53):
educated even over the next couple of hours. Sports Wise,
you've landed in the middle of our Super Rugby preview show,
looking forward to the competition getting underway on Friday. We
heard from Vern Cotter, coach of the defending champion Blues.
Last hour, Rob Penny, as well out of the Crusaders.
After two o'clock Clayton McMillan from the Chiefs. I still

(42:15):
think their favorite, still think their favorite. I thought they
were favorite last year as well. And also Jamie Joseph
back at the Helm of the Highlanders. He was director
of rugby or head of rugby or something similar last
year whatever that meant. But now he is head coach again.
So Jamie Joseph after two this our Clark laid law

(42:36):
from the Hurricanes. But we're going to kick it off
with Mowana Pacifica.

Speaker 7 (42:41):
Good quickball, hot ely hot heely up to Tanny Twala,
Tenny Towala, preach, pass, think on a score and it's
lotto ay see.

Speaker 5 (42:51):
He comes round behind the posts and dots it down.

Speaker 7 (42:55):
Boy.

Speaker 11 (42:55):
They deserve that, Jacob Sittilating.

Speaker 6 (42:58):
Game A forty and the Battle on the.

Speaker 11 (43:01):
Pacific has been won by Mowanna Pacifica.

Speaker 2 (43:06):
Pacifica back again this season and looking to improve upon
their performances of the last three seasons. Last year, just
to remind you, Miner Pacifica finished eleventh on the twelve
team table with four wins, ten defeats eighteen points, which
had them about eight points outside the top eight who
made it through to the to the quarterfinals. Course different

(43:28):
this year, only eleven teams only a top six will
go through to the playoffs which have been rejinked, and
we can obviously talk more about that as the season
goes on. But whine A Pacific A head coach Tana
Umaga is with us a ton of thanks for joining
us on weekend sport. First of all, have you arrived
at the start line or thereabouts of Super Rugby with
with a fully fit squad after a couple of preseason outings.

Speaker 3 (43:51):
Yeah, how's it going, Jason?

Speaker 7 (43:54):
We have.

Speaker 3 (43:54):
Actually, it's been pleasing, to be honest. You know, I
think one of my pet fears obviously in the preseason
is just getting injuries, and we've we haven't done too
bad apart from just yesterday against the Chiefs we lost
Nico Jones, so that could be a little bit concerning

(44:18):
going forward.

Speaker 2 (44:19):
Is that Are we talking weeks here for Nico?

Speaker 10 (44:24):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (44:25):
I think so. Look what I haven't had the final report,
but it didn't look at yet a bit of an
elbow injury and it had to come straight off the game,
off the field, and he was in a sling at
the end of the game and had to go to
hospital for scans. So yeah, yeah, hopefully I need more

(44:46):
about that today than tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (44:48):
All right, we'll keep our fingers crossed for him. Other
than that, in terms of the way your team's played
in the couple of preseason games you've had, as you
look ahead to your first couple of matches over the Tasman,
are you happy with the way your side is looking
on the field.

Speaker 3 (45:03):
Yes, yeah, I am. Actually, you know, I think we've
improved in terms of our overall fitness from last year,
but also just our execution about what we're trying to do.
I can see these a little bit more understanding around things,
and you know, obviously when you're fitter and you're organized,

(45:25):
makes the game a little bit easier. But you know,
as we know, pre seasons not a precursor for what
happens in the during the season. So you know, we've
got a bit of a hard gig going away to
person the heat. So it's actually been good training and
playing and Orphan at the moment because long May the

(45:46):
summer half, not just.

Speaker 2 (45:48):
In Auckland, right around the country. Has it also helped
you think kind of that You've you've got a pretty
strong core of players back from twenty twenty.

Speaker 6 (45:56):
Four, Oh totally totally, and.

Speaker 3 (46:02):
You know those players have come back motivated and again
come back and good Nick. You know we've had I've
got a few plans that have on their way back
from injury. So I haven't paid a lot of rugby
leading up to this season, but they've got two good
hitouts under their belts, you know, And so yeah, I

(46:24):
think very much. So you know, that group of core
experienced plans, which is what we need, and leadership I
think is a big thing for us on field leadership
and obviously having an Ardie Savi return coming to play
for us now you know that we improve in that
area immensely.

Speaker 2 (46:45):
How noticeable has Adie Save's influence been on your team?

Speaker 3 (46:50):
Oh yeah, very noticeable, even you know, he only played
fifteen minutes yesterday and you know, you could just see
the players lift around him. You know, he just gives

(47:11):
people confidence and obviously that's a big you know that
obviously comes with his his abilities, but also comes with
a bit of pressure on him too. And if he
understands that, you know, he just goes around and does
his business and plays the game that he wants to play.
And I think the players just get him behind that

(47:32):
and also that's that's kind of art his style too.
You know, he said at our first meeting that he's
here in their respect first, and you know, he's everything
he does, whether it's on the field off the field.
I think, you know, he's really got these guys behind him,

(47:55):
and you know, he doesn't have to do much. You know,
obviously his reputation precedes him when he comes here. But
I think now that they're with him, you know, I
can see a lot more players talk to him now.
I think there was a little bit of you know,
a little bit nervous talking to legends. Pretty funny, yeah, exactly,

(48:17):
but no, no, look, he's made an impact, you know,
as soon as he got here.

Speaker 2 (48:22):
Yeah, I love that.

Speaker 6 (48:23):
I love that.

Speaker 2 (48:23):
I can imagine there be a few nervous, nervous young men,
but great to know that they're starting to have a
chat with with Ardie. Now there has been talked to her.
I'm sure you've heard it of other New Zealand players
following his lead and joining me one to PACIFICA. Is
that something that you will actively try to make happen.

Speaker 3 (48:40):
Look, well, we're here to make our program better and
you know, if you know other players that play alongside
the ARDI and for their countries, then would be silly
not to. You know, it's, as we've seen with Ardie,
when you've got the color of player like that coming in,

(49:01):
it just lifts everybody. And that's what we're about. You know,
we want to uplift our players around them. You know,
we can't have a team full of them because we
don't afford it. But you know, if we can pick
ones that we know will approve the program and lift
those around them, you know, not just with their play,
but with their off field leadership as well, you know,

(49:22):
then we're definitely interested. And yeah, I think it would
be silly for us not to look into that.

Speaker 2 (49:28):
You start the season, as you say, with away trip
the Force, then the Reds. Presumably you'll stay in Australia
between games. So will that be a good thing for
solidifying the sides together aess early in the season.

Speaker 3 (49:41):
Well, touring is always great for doing that.

Speaker 1 (49:44):
You know.

Speaker 3 (49:44):
The sad things we can't take a whole squad with us,
so you know we're still going to be leaving a
group of us behind. And you're right, we are staying
over there for our two game Australian tour and it
just makes sense as well. But yeah, I look that
group that does get to go, they're fortunate enough that

(50:05):
you know, will be within that squad that takes care
of those first two games, and we'll be doing a
lot to grow our connections. And that's been a big
part of our pre season two. It's just growing those
connections within our players and understanding that everyone's got a role,
whether you get to play or you don't get to play,
and how we can make sure that we're helping each other,

(50:28):
you know, achieve what we want to achieve as a group.

Speaker 2 (50:31):
You won four games last season, six or seven would
get you into the playoff conversation? Is that something you
talk about, Tanna? Do you talk about the number of
wins or is it really just performance and the results
will take care of themselves.

Speaker 3 (50:47):
Oh, look, we don't talk about that to everybody. You know,
we kind of know the know the equations of what
we need to get to the finals forty and obviously
that's where we want to be.

Speaker 6 (51:02):
We talked.

Speaker 3 (51:02):
I think you have to talk about it. The problem
problem is everyone's talking about and every team's got the
same goal. You know, we all want to be in
their final six. And then then it comes down to
what you talked about. You know, just our performances and
the results will take care of themselves. But you know,
we have to make sure that we've got a goal.
Our goal is to be successful, you know, as everybody is.

(51:24):
We want to get to the to the top six.
Once you get there, you know, things will take care
of themselves. But you know, we want to improve from
last year. We know we've got a long way to
go to do that, and we just got to work
away and put our heads down and think. You know,
that's something that we get from ADI as well as that.

Speaker 12 (51:41):
You know, look, our.

Speaker 3 (51:42):
Talking, we have to let our actions do the talking
for us because you know, words alone won't get us
to where we want to get to.

Speaker 2 (51:51):
And just to finish, Tony, You've done plenty in your
rug Big career, both as a player and as a coach.
Where does coaching Moana Pacifica sit for you?

Speaker 10 (52:03):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (52:03):
No, I think it's for me at the moment, it's right. Yeah,
obviously I have a connection, a real passion to help
the specific people I feel, you know, I feel a
real strong purpose connected to this franchise, to this club
and to my people. So you know, yeah, look it's

(52:29):
a tough one for some but you know, I really
love what I do. I enjoy getting up every morning
to go to work, and I love what we're doing,
and I see things happen every day, you know, the
improvements on players, just little things, the improvements and even
and within our staff and helping them achieve what they

(52:52):
want to achieve.

Speaker 5 (52:52):
You know.

Speaker 3 (52:53):
That's yeah. Look, I think this is probably, you know,
one of the top things I've done, probably in my
life to be honest, brilliant.

Speaker 2 (53:01):
Wish you all the best parents, Well there is that,
so yeah, good safe, good sighte ye're good? Save good
save at the end of what's she all the best
mate for twenty twenty five, travel safe to Australia and
look forward to catching up throughout the season.

Speaker 3 (53:13):
I appreciate talking to you, Jase.

Speaker 6 (53:14):
You take care.

Speaker 2 (53:15):
You take care too, Tana. Thanks indeed, Tana Umonga there
who else head coach of Mawana Pacifica. What a quality
human being he is, Tana, as I was just chatting
to him then, just you remember how good a player
he was and you know, moving into coaching. It didn't
work out, I'm sure, as he would have hoped that
the Blues, but my wanna Pacifica it just seems like

(53:37):
the right fit, doesn't it to have a guy like
tana Umanga there? How big is Ardie Savia to Mouna
pacifica that is I guess going to play out on
the field. Look, one guy isn't going to turn them
into a championship team, but you can hear they're from
the way tana Umunga talks about Artie Savia inside that
environment and all of the stuff that I've heard coming

(53:58):
out of that campus that he just makes everybody around
him better and he does that on any team he
plays for. He was the same at the Hurricanes, same
in the All Blacks. Savez and your team, you, I mean,
you just want to be as good as you can
for him. That's the kind of aura that he has.
Will he be able to lift them into playoff contention?
That is an entirely different conversation. You might have a view,

(54:21):
oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty. As always, our lines
are open. We're taking texts as well on what you
perceive the finishing order to be of the New Zealand
teams this year. This is the last time we'll speak
on Weekend Sport before the season gets underwat So everybody's
on zero at the moment. Nine two ninety two is
our text line if you'd like to predict the finishing
order of the of the New Zealand teams, including Mona

(54:42):
PACIFICA nine two ninety two. As far as the Mona
Pacific side is concerned, they are away. As I mentioned
during that chat with Tannhumunga. They take on the Western
Force first up away next weekend, so they're all over
to Perth for that one. Then they will stay in
Australia and take on the Reds the following week, so

(55:03):
two games away from home and away from New Zeeland
to start things off for more Warner PACIFICA, and then
back home for a couple of games. Now home now
for the team. Also, this has been I guess a
point of contention. You might say North Harbor Stadium is
now home for Wuner PACIFICA. They've previously played games at

(55:24):
Go Media Stadium, but North Harbor. I don't know whether
that will affect the crowds they get. I get the
feeling if they start winning games that the crowds will
turn up. But they've been based there in terms of
their administrative and high performance training operations since late twenty
twenty three, so it kind of makes sense to play

(55:46):
their home games there as well. Having said that, though
Auckland FC, the football team are also based at North
Harbor and they played their games at Mount Smart anyway,
North Harbor and Auckland venues and WNA Pacifica have clearly
come to an arrangement so to watch Morener Pacifica this
year at home it will be at North Harbor Stadium.
Four wins last year, the one in twenty twenty three

(56:07):
and a couple in twenty twenty two, so seven wins
across their three seasons. Again, listening to Tana, I just
want good things to happen for that site. It just
seems like such a figurehead and such a good man
with the with the deep intent of improving rugby for

(56:28):
Tongan and Somn players, because that's what that that's what
this franchise is for. Yes, they want to win Super
Rugby matches and yes the likes of Ardie Savier and
others in the future will help with that, but at
the heart of their existence and their reason for being
is the development of of rugby players from the Pacific region.
That's what they're all about. Oh, eight hundred and eighty

(56:49):
ten eighties O number nine two ninety two. If you
would like to send a text text here I can
see Patrick Twee pilot to moving to Muwaita PACIFICA. Maybe
Boden Barrett as well. Yeah, Bodenbarrass made some interesting comments
in the last week. Isn't he about Japanese sites coming
into the competition as well? Look, I feel as though
Artie Savia is the best possible first guy to do

(57:13):
it at the moment. We mentioned this on the show
yesterday that at the moment, under the competition rules, Morena
Pacifica can have three players three New Zealand rugby contracted
players if you like three who are all blacks eligible,
just the three And that feels right when you go
back to what I just said about the reason for
being the developing of players from the Pacific. But if

(57:36):
they are going to improve and be competitive, which we
all want, then you know, if I'm them, I'm trying
to find two others. And if Artie's there, what are
selling point? Come and play your rugby with Artie Savia
one twenty three Back in a moment here on News Talks,
there'll be lines open oh, eight hundred and eighty ten
eighty or via text on nineteen ninet two.

Speaker 1 (57:57):
It's more than just a game Weekends for It with
Jason Fine and GJ. Gunnomes, New Zealand's most.

Speaker 2 (58:04):
Trusted home builder, Newsky one twenty six Enjoying our little
journey around the New Zealand based super rugby franchises. This afternoon,
we've landed in the Hurricanes country.

Speaker 6 (58:17):
Cameron the Craw twenty five thousand, obeying for blood, obeying
for a miss.

Speaker 3 (58:23):
He hooked the last one to the left.

Speaker 6 (58:25):
Yeah, show yourself and Gloriou Sun, did you get this
one over? Well, it's a hero or a zero kick.
He steps in, he.

Speaker 3 (58:32):
Hits them with the right foot.

Speaker 8 (58:33):
Peace put it over at twenty points to seven eight
in the Hurricanes and won it for death.

Speaker 2 (58:42):
Hurricanes head coach Clarke laid Law is with us. Clark,
you wrapped up your preseason preparation with one over the
Blues in wan Uyamata on Friday. How do you feel
you're placed heading into twenty twenty five in general terms?
First of all, yeah, it.

Speaker 13 (58:55):
Was nice to finish off, as you say, preseason of
and Y Nui and it was a great day, you know,
the community and then you know the amount of people
that came out and watched, and yeah, we really enjoyed
this sort of afternoon across there. So yeah, preseasons. I
guess it's pre season, isn't it. You know, we feel
pre organized. We've really enjoyed demand sort of application since

(59:17):
you know, then in November started December, it's been slightly different,
I guess around you know, with all Blacks coming back
later All Black fifteen to two, which you know, ment
guys started at different times. So so yeah, we Fuerey.
We sort of navigated that part reasonably well, and you know,
trying to get our consistency now of of preparation with

(59:38):
the full squad ins. You know, the next step isn't
it to be ready for Friday night.

Speaker 2 (59:43):
Let's talk about some positions. The key one a guest
first five for you, Brick Cameron had a brilliant season
at first five and twenty twenty four, he's picked up
a long him injury that Idan Morgan's gone off show.
So how are you placed in the team, Jersey.

Speaker 13 (59:55):
Yeah, it's you know, for the most part, we still
feel really excited around the players. We've got you know
you've got young Harry Godfrey, Riley Copa, we're both play there,
but Calm Harkin in his injury recover and injury cover
and obviously Ruben once.

Speaker 12 (01:00:12):
He's back and can play ten.

Speaker 13 (01:00:14):
So you know, as you say, to lose a couple
of players like we did, you know, once Ruben's back
with the guys I mentioned, it still feels it feels
like we're strong there.

Speaker 12 (01:00:26):
It does. It's a big selection around. Yeah, it gets
first cracked.

Speaker 13 (01:00:29):
I think you know, both Harry and Riley have played
well in the two weeks but have trained well. You know,
it's not just you know obviously the trial games, it's
it's what.

Speaker 12 (01:00:39):
They're doing every day.

Speaker 13 (01:00:39):
So we'll have a good look at the game and yeah,
we'll pick the team tomorrow over the next couple of
days and you get into it with them.

Speaker 2 (01:00:47):
So just on Rubens. So he's an option at first
five when he comes back, or are you talking about
him going going to fall back, freeing up someone like
Harry Godfrey or could Ruben love with the team Jersey,
I guess is what I'm asking.

Speaker 13 (01:00:59):
Yeah, either either and short answer, yes, you know he's
put a lot at ten, but we have noticed with
Rubin coming back this year, feels like, yeah, he's really
start to mature, really start to probably trust himself as
as a young rugby player. You know, his opinions and
his thoughts. He had an amazing year last year, obviously

(01:01:19):
at throwback, but he did cover ten. You know, most
weeks we didn't carry and I went out turning the bench.
So he's had a lot of training reps there. So
you know, if you'd been fitting healthy and and hadn't
been in all blacks, it might have been a different
picture as we led into the season. But you know
he's going to start a bit later and find his
way back in. But he's definitely an option.

Speaker 2 (01:01:38):
You only got five games had a camera guad last season.
Five pretty good games died before he suffered that serious injury.
Has said. Looking hitting into twenty twenty five.

Speaker 13 (01:01:48):
Yeah, he's one of those players. You know, if you
watched him and Pierre Lackaye both played yesterday, they don't
take long to get back up to speed. You know,
he's super fit, he's really clear in his own game.
He's super friends. He's here and he wants to improve.
But yeah, we yeah, we were excited to see him
in the field yesterday. He's standing to.

Speaker 12 (01:02:07):
Really lead, you know, with a they've departure of TJ.

Speaker 13 (01:02:10):
You know he has to step forward now and understand
how he leads the men, and it leads from half
park in his own area. So you know, again that's
like another little evolution of his development and something he
seems really up for one.

Speaker 2 (01:02:22):
Thing, you do have a lot of choice in one area.
You've got a lot of choice. You lose forwards, Bread
Shields paid a lot of duplessy if your brand in
your site, David Flanders, you've headed our ec plico from Taranaki.
How are you going to shuffle your your luses from
week to wag.

Speaker 13 (01:02:38):
Yeah, they'll probably shuffle themselves, I guess with the body
is the way they play, you know, they play with
no regard for the body, all of them. So yeah,
I'm sure it'll help fin out of times and we'll
need them all and if we do have those issues
then you know we can we can.

Speaker 12 (01:02:54):
Mix and match.

Speaker 13 (01:02:55):
It's quite often around as we can cover on the
bench and then come on if you go a five
three or six two, it can it can change it too.
So see it's you know, as I say, we always well,
always talking about these selection headaches.

Speaker 12 (01:03:07):
We very rarely get it. So if we do, I'll
be I'll be happy with the Yeah, I guess.

Speaker 13 (01:03:12):
A little bit sleepless nights around who who fills the
four spots in the twenty three.

Speaker 2 (01:03:15):
And you've lost a bit of experience you mentioned TJ.
Pitanata departing, Jordy Barrett's and Ireland. Of course you didn't
have Artie last year, but he's gone now to how
do you feel that how do you fill that experience
in that leadership void in the squad.

Speaker 13 (01:03:29):
He's got to grow them, haven't you. There's no shortcuts
to experience in leadership. But you know, we've been working
hard enough season around on field. How do we get
the guys to really communicate well before things and during
then after and how do you get them to lead
to you know, in meetings or before meetings or after
meetings into training. So yeah, it's been a fair bit

(01:03:52):
of thought and in practice. And then you know, we
do have some leaders that have captain their sides the
lading areas, you know, right across the field really with
Braid and Brad Dupes of all captain the side. Peter
mana Jens and Billy of captain teams, So so they
know what it's like to lead, but alimate it's actions,

(01:04:13):
isn't it. You know, if they can all play well
and you know game drivers around the tactics and the
you know, the flow of the game, then they can
lead that. Then you know there should be an.

Speaker 12 (01:04:22):
Affair to to build off.

Speaker 13 (01:04:25):
But yeah, it's definitely been something we've put a bit
of working to have.

Speaker 2 (01:04:28):
You disorder on your captain Yep. When will it be announced?

Speaker 13 (01:04:34):
Ye, in the next few days. We're going to announce
it to the team tomorrow. What we're going to do
there is it quickly? Maybe a little bit, But that
shared responsibility is definitely something we've been thinking a lot around.
So how do we yeah, share the responsibility leading the
team as well as grow each individual in their own
game is something I've been really well, we've been really

(01:04:55):
conscious of. You know, sometimes leaders end up looking after
everybody else rather than themselves, so that's something as I say,
I'm really conscious of how we how we get that balance.

Speaker 12 (01:05:08):
And allowed the men to play really well at the same.

Speaker 2 (01:05:10):
Time, right and just to finish your top the regular
season that latter last year before losing to the Chiefs
in the semi finals. It was your first season as
a Super rugby head coach. What were the biggest lessons
you took out of twenty twenty four.

Speaker 13 (01:05:26):
Oh yeah, there was a lot, obviously, you say my
first year, maybe a long listing phone call, but yeah,
you got to you've got to try and really focus
hard at the end of the year on keeping your
game nice and simple and and really executing. You know,
everything feels a little bit faster, each collision feels a
little bit tougher, so making sure you were really clear

(01:05:50):
on the game at the back end and we can
execute under you know, under pressure. But you know, we
we enjoyed your season last year. It'll be a different
season this year. As I say, we're going to start
slightly different, you know, with some big key with Derby's early,
a few players you know, going to be a little
bit later started. So you know, we get to that
situation again and we're in playoffs. There's definitely things we

(01:06:11):
looked at around a weekend of preparation and how we
get that right.

Speaker 12 (01:06:14):
But yeah, we're gonna be good enough to get there.

Speaker 13 (01:06:16):
Again, I guess, So we're not looking too much further
I had and then a big challenge down So next week.

Speaker 2 (01:06:22):
Yep, Crusaders to start. Exciting start for the Super Rugby competition.
All the best, Clark for twenty twenty five, thanks for having.

Speaker 6 (01:06:28):
A chatte Thanks mate.

Speaker 2 (01:06:30):
That is Clarke Laidlaw, head coach of the Hurricanes, who open,
as we all know, with the opening game of the
competition Friday against the Crusaders down in christ j It's
then there at home, although this game is in Napier
against the Fiji and Drewer home to the Blues and
away at Mona Pacifica. So yeah, some pretty interesting games
there in the first month for Clark laid Law and

(01:06:52):
his team last year. I don't think anybody expected if
we were chatting a year ago. I don't think there
were too many people who picked the Hurricanes to finish
top of the regular season last year. But they did
only lost a couple of games. They lost to the
Brumbies and to the Blues. Those were the only two

(01:07:13):
games they lost in the regular season. Got past the
Rebels with no problem in the quarterfinal, but then came
up against the Chief side at sky Stadium in the
semis and you remember that was just an absolute breakout
performance from Wallace a titi. I think we knew he
was getting good during during the Super Rugby regular season
in the back end of it last year, but that

(01:07:35):
night at Sky Stadium he was just absolutely immense. In fact,
he probably sealed his place in the All Blacks with
that performance and so it all ended at the semi
final stage for the Hurricanes last season, they have lost
some pretty key players Jordy Barrett a massive loss at
Ireland and Ireland of course he'll be back next season.

(01:07:56):
T J Pettinado, Well, you've got cam Roy guards, so
I think the sum is probably at least equal and
probably even better with cam Roy guard. They're provided, you know,
the same thing doesn't happen to him that happened last
season when he got that season ending injury against the
Highlanders in round six. The captaincy thing is really interesting
to me. Brad Shields was the captain of the Hurricanes

(01:08:17):
last season and a suffer one more and Jordy Barrett
were the co captain, sorry, the co vice captains.

Speaker 7 (01:08:23):
Now.

Speaker 2 (01:08:23):
I just wonder whether we're looking at a co captain
situation for the Hurricanes this year. Just the way that
Clarke laid Law was talking there about shared responsibility, the
fact that they haven't unveiled their captain yet. I just
wonder whether we might see a shared responsibility. Maybe it's
Brad Shields and a suffer one more as co captains.
The other think about Brad Shields is he's in a

(01:08:44):
real battle in those loose forward positions to play every week.
I mean, he is definitely in that mix without a question,
a really good season last year, but he might not
play every week. The other guy who I think might
be a bit of a smoky, bit of a dark
horse for a leadership role in that team is Billy Procter,
superb super rugby season last year, into the All Back,

(01:09:06):
into the All Blacks, criminally underused in the All Blacks
last year, it must be said, but a guy who
has massive respect around the Hurricanes environment. So I wonder
whether he might be in the mix in some fashion
as well. And then you've got a guy like Duplaskrifi,
of course, who led the Lions to the NPC championship

(01:09:28):
last season and is also highly regarded in the leadership sense.
So maybe you don't even have to pick a captain.
You just say look, you blokes are the leadership group.
You decide who's the armband and does the postmatch interviews
and otherwise we'll just go out there and we'll all lead.
I guess we'll find out what is Clark Station to
tell the team tomorrow what they've decided, So I guess

(01:09:48):
we'll find out in due course. Scott says Richie mu
Wonga would be a good or even better acquisition from
Winer PACIFICA than Nardie next year. Look out for it.
Would Richie Wonger come back and play for more Iner PACIFICA.
He might. You'd think you go back to the Crusaders, but.

Speaker 6 (01:10:06):
We might.

Speaker 2 (01:10:07):
Nothing off the table. Nothing off the table. Twenty two
away from two, it's like a break come back. James
mcconey in his regular Sunday slot.

Speaker 1 (01:10:15):
The Tough Questions Off the Turf Weekend Sport with Jason
Pyne and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.

Speaker 2 (01:10:25):
Eighteen away from two, Tony says Jason cam royguard would
be my choice for Kine's captain, Yeah, but early from
maybe Tony. I think in the future absolutely, he's got
leadership qualities. I just let him be his awesome self,
unencumbered by any leadership responsibility. Hello, James, are you encumbered
by any leadership responsibility?

Speaker 7 (01:10:45):
We have?

Speaker 5 (01:10:46):
I just interrupted hurricanes, fim, what's going on?

Speaker 2 (01:10:50):
You have welcome aboard?

Speaker 5 (01:10:54):
Yeah, well, I know you've got first five issues.

Speaker 3 (01:10:57):
This is all I know.

Speaker 5 (01:10:58):
But you've still got enough talent to win the whole thing.
So they get it right. The biggest decision is dup
versus being a larky. That's who starts.

Speaker 2 (01:11:10):
It's big. I thought maybe you and Chief Country might
have given us Josh Jacob.

Speaker 5 (01:11:16):
Yeah, well that's the thing. He's been playing so well
in pre season. It looks like he might maybe get
the ten jersey to start with the mac roaming out
the back.

Speaker 2 (01:11:24):
Do you think you think that's what they might do?

Speaker 7 (01:11:27):
Well?

Speaker 5 (01:11:27):
Shawn Stevenson's gone to Japan on a bit of a
sabbatical slash. I'm going to end some more money up here,
and that means that they are short of full back
and there are you know, Nadawa can play there, No
Studo can play there. But maybe it's just easier if
Jacob's in such good form to let the Mac play
out the back.

Speaker 2 (01:11:49):
Yeah yeah, but greedy, we're trying to we're trying to
work out how to play there. You've got about three
up there.

Speaker 5 (01:11:56):
The greediest team are the Blues, but I meant the right.
They are the champions and now they've got Bowden back
with Harry Plummer, Stephen Peerfetta and Evans Sullivan, so so
much to choose in the tens to the fifteen area there.

Speaker 2 (01:12:11):
Absolutely you want to get to Super rugby in a bit,
but let's start chronologically, or this isn't actually chronological, but
something has already happened as the black Caps last night
in a fifty over game three hundred and thirty for
six against Pakistan, Glenn Phillips one oh six of seventy
four balls and then your bowl Pakistan out for two
fifty two. That's a pretty good day's work, isn't it.

Speaker 3 (01:12:33):
It really is.

Speaker 5 (01:12:34):
I mean they're in Lahore, they're pretty much that the
local side is expecting to win. But I think I've
said this to you before party. I think the fifty
over game is our best discipline, best format for this
New Zealand side. Even when you see the team names,
you just can't find a weakness from the start to

(01:12:55):
the top to the bottom. There so to bet. You know,
with the batting you had Dalal Mitchell with his eighty one,
Kine got another another fifty, but Glenn Philip one oh
six not out just shows he is a really an
outstanding white ball cricketer. And then you've got Mitch Santner
and Matt Henry for three wickets apiece. It's pretty good going.

(01:13:19):
And when you wonder about the Pakistani team, well, Shaheena
Freedi was bowling the big tall guy with the perfect
hair and he got smashed for about eighty runs off
as ten eighty eight off his ten overs. And then
don't take me to the Broadcasting Standards authority, but fuck
as a man scored eighty four, you know there will.

Speaker 2 (01:13:41):
Be no there will be no complaints proffered there. I
know Mitchell Santon has just been given the job of
white ball captain, but if he were to be injured
or something, would you give Glenn Phillips a crack as
captain of the white ball team.

Speaker 5 (01:13:57):
Yeah, I think he would be a good option. I
mean it's one of those ones where at the moment
he's a nailed on selection, So yes, he is an
option the captain. But you just don't know who the
good tacticians are sometimes I mean Kin Williamson. I mean
he won us a World Test Championship as captain. But

(01:14:17):
I said, I have it on pretty good authority that
you know, for a lot of his games he leant
heavily on the likes of Ross Taylor and Salved himself
was really a collective. So you know there will be
someone there who who was always got Tom Latham as well,
you know, so his clear leadership all the way through
and future captain Rauch and Ravender as well.

Speaker 2 (01:14:39):
Speaking of right and your face from the field in
this game, struck in the forehead attempting a catch. He
sustained a laceration to his forehead. He's otherwise, it was
treated otherwise okay, came through his hia well and will
be continue to be monitored. So that's good news for
rich and moving forward Super Bowl tomorrow. Are you going
to be parked up?

Speaker 5 (01:15:00):
We'll be parked up at craig as Wild. We're on air,
so who we have trying to think about who's going
to bring the hot as it usually falls on me
to go and get me the frankfurters and the buns
and all that sort of stuff. So yes, we'll be
packed up here thinking, well, who's it going to be?
Is it going to be a Chief's manner? Will it

(01:15:20):
be the Eagles? At the moment, they're very the Chiefs
and narrow favorites, but too tough to pick. Really, I'm
just hoping that there's going to be plenty of plenty
of touchdowns. I don't want to down if it needs
to be something exciting, something that you know, there's obviously
plenty of Taylor Swift sightings as well to Kendrick Lamar

(01:15:41):
at halftime, but really tough to pick. If anything, I'd
say maybe the Eagles with their defense could get the
job done.

Speaker 2 (01:15:51):
All right, we've got a bit of a Super Bowl
preview after two o'clock. But yeah, I think you can
even bet on anders and overs the number of times
Taylor Swift appears in the broadcast coverage.

Speaker 5 (01:16:01):
Well, I'd rather bet on that than the actual the result,
because right now I'm just thinking, oh, surely you know
Patrick Mahomes is going to get it done with Taylor's boyfriend,
you know, Travis Kelcey. But then you go, say, Kwon
Barclay on the other side of the running backs for
the Ages he's you know, there's just there's a lot

(01:16:22):
to like. It's a santalizing proposition this game and looking
forward to the half time mad for queasiest to sort
of go on YouTube or watch those.

Speaker 2 (01:16:32):
Yeah, I'm sure they'll Yeah, they'll pop up pretty quickly.
Whin they will be able to watch those. Hey, staying
in the United States, I know it's sort of not
old news, but it's happened a little while ago. Now
as the whole Luca Doncic trade to the LA Lakers,
do you have any reflections on this?

Speaker 3 (01:16:47):
Yeah, I do.

Speaker 5 (01:16:47):
I think everyone thinks it's madness, and Luca Donches is
an absolute superstar. He has trouble with his fitness. I
mean I can relate with his weight. Again, definitely relate
to Luca, but his skill is not in question, so
he is truly pretty much. I think ninety nine percent
of people said this is madness as trade isn't worth anything.

(01:17:09):
But the one percent consisted included Charles Berkley, the Great
Charles Barkley. He said, this isn't a bad deal. Anthony
Davis goes across to the other side, the mono brow.
You know, most famous mono brow s free de Carlo,
the Mexican painter, so you know, he is a proper
superstar himself and will make the the Dallas Maverick's better

(01:17:33):
in the short term. But I was thinking that I
was trying to work out what would be the trade
that would would resemble this, and I was thinking, we've
almost We don't necessarily trade in New Zealand, but I
think Alex Pulson going to All GRUNDSD because a lot
of drama, sorry if for you, and Boden Barratt going
to the Blues was quite big as well.

Speaker 2 (01:17:57):
Thanks for driving deep into the heart of hurricane CFM.

Speaker 3 (01:18:02):
TV right right at un right now.

Speaker 2 (01:18:09):
But what those things did, though James was was create talk,
right And that's what this, this this trade in the
NBA has shown us there is that the off court
narratives can really blow up. Everybody was talking about about
the Don chicch trade, even though people who didn't really
know one end of a basketball caught from another.

Speaker 5 (01:18:28):
It's a really good point because the NBA has been struggling.
NFL is bigger than ever college football, American football is massive,
and the final for that was a ratings bonanza. So
the NBA sitt and needed something, and they're coming up
to the All Star weekend, which is always such a flop.
It's just a massive kind of like non contested a

(01:18:50):
game of social basketball. It's better watching the actual celebrity
game where you know, you sort of get some random
rappers they can they can ensure it or whatever, you know,
like that's actually worth watching. But then now this gives
them what they need, which is buzz, which is people
thinking about their saying it's a big deal, exactly what
Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA.

Speaker 2 (01:19:12):
Wants, just to finish. Wales played Italy overnight and Italy won.
If that was a football game, we wouldn't even raise
an eyebrow. It's a rugby game. And actually I'm not
I'm not sure we're raising an eyebrow now that it's
a rugby game. Wales are terrible. Fourteen straight defeats.

Speaker 5 (01:19:28):
Yeah, that's totally in rebuild mode. I feel sorry for
Warren Gatland, but it doesn't look good at a CV
because he I think he went eleven games straight. I'm
losing with the Chiefs and now he's got this fourteen
or it?

Speaker 2 (01:19:40):
Yeah fourteen yeah, so.

Speaker 5 (01:19:44):
And I mean it is tough because I actually think
Italy are really good. They've got recently, you've got this
Argentinian coach. His name escapes from I've met the guy
as well. You'll think of him while I'm while I'm speaking,
But anyway, he is Italy. Last year they beat Wales,
they beat Scotland and they drew with France and lost

(01:20:06):
in by three points. So they know about these days,
the Italians. But yeah, it just doesn't look good Forgets
and I can't see when happening. You can't see too
many Welsh players being in the in the British and
Irish Lions this year. It's a really it's a tough
one for Gats and look that they might be knocking
on his door saying enough is enough. But it doesn't

(01:20:27):
mean he's a bad coach. It's just he's been caught
with circumstances where a golden generation retires on that and
this is what happens.

Speaker 2 (01:20:36):
Yeah, I think the Argentinian player now Italian rugby coach
whose name escapes you as Gonzalo Carsades.

Speaker 5 (01:20:43):
Is that him, Yeah, Gonzale Casado. Yeah, my deepest apologies
lociento which is Spanish because he speaks Spanish, even though
he probably speaks Italian as well. But yeah, I mean
this is all stuff and trying to add value to
Hurricanes ZFM here, but yeah, look out for those Chiefs
though still strong.

Speaker 6 (01:21:06):
All right.

Speaker 2 (01:21:06):
Well, CLAYT. McMillan's leading us off after two, so I'll
check him with him about who he's got in store
to replace Wallace. Enjoy Super Bowl, James, Let's catch up
again next Sunday.

Speaker 5 (01:21:18):
Love too, Thanks Piney, cheers mate.

Speaker 2 (01:21:21):
Thanks James. James mcconey a huge part of our Sundays
around this time every Sunday afternoon here on Weekend Sports
seven and a half to two New Stalks.

Speaker 1 (01:21:28):
Hebby analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting
world weekends for it with Jason five. They call eight
hundred and eighty eighty US Talk.

Speaker 2 (01:21:38):
ZBB, coming up four to two. After two o'clock, we
continue our journey around the Super rugby franchises based in
New Zealand. We've been to the Blues, We've been to
the Crusaders, to Wita Pacifica and the Hurricanes. First up
after two o'clock. Clayton McMillan out of the Chiefs. I
still think their favorites. I still think the Chiefs are
Super Rugby favorites. And Jamie Joseph back in the head

(01:22:00):
coaching role with the Highlanders, can he recreate the magic
of ten years ago when the Highlanders won Super Rugby
even though that ball was never down in the final,
never down anyway, We digress Jamie Joseph and Clayton McMillan.
After two o'clock and with Super Bowl fifty nine set

(01:22:23):
to go at twelve thirty tomorrow afternoon New Zealand time,
We've got a preview for you and it comes from
a slightly slightly left wing source. I haven't got time
to tell you before two, so i'll tell you after two.

Speaker 1 (01:22:37):
The only place for the big names, the big issues,
the big controversies and the big conversations. It's all on
Weekend Sport with Jason Vain on your home of Sport
News Talk said been.

Speaker 2 (01:22:54):
Till seven final our Weekend Sport before we hand over
to Tim Beverage. For that we can collect a Sunday edition.
But to get through between now and three though, Super
Bowl preview for you can the City Chiefs Philadelphia Eagles
twelve thirty tomorrow, one of our regular correspondents is going

(01:23:14):
to give us the Super Bowl preview this year. More
on that in just a moment. We'll continue our journey
around the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises. Two to go,
Clayton McMillan from the Chiefs, Jamie Joseph from the Highlanders
with us inside the next half hour or so. You
can get in touch whenever you're like, oh, eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty is our phone number, nine two,

(01:23:35):
nine to two. On text. Jamie says on text Pinty
that ball was ruled to be down from Elliott Dixon
in twenty fifteen. Yes, the rugby gods were on the
southern side that day, but there have been occasions when
it hasn't been Jamie, You're right, You're right. I should
get over It's been ten years. I need to let
it go. Hurricanes win. I won it the next year anyway,

(01:23:56):
so no harm done, as they say. Looking forward to
hearing from Jamie Joseph. Though he came back to the
Highlanders last year and a kind of a I don't know,
strategic role ahead of rugby, Director of Rugby, whatever you
want to call up, didn't really get him on the
grass though always felt to me as though Jamie Joseph
wasn't on the grass kind of rugby coach. That director
of rugby thing never really seemed to suit him. I

(01:24:16):
think he'd be much happier with the boots on and
the whistle and the mouth, standing on the grass, putting
his team through their paces. We'll find out when he
joins us shortly. Just updating you on the first innings
of Halliburton Johnston Sheal cricket as well. Northern Districts have
score two hundred and ninety two batting first against Central
and New Plymouth, Auckland two fifty eight for eight batting

(01:24:37):
first against Otago in Auckland and Canterby two point fifteen
for six batting first against Wellington at the basin. So
the respective chases will begin very shortly. But as we
tick closer to nine pass two, as we always do
at this time on weekend Sport, let's get you up
to date with the things you might have missed in
case you missed it, as our feature where we do

(01:24:59):
just that after two every Saturday and Sunday. Going to
start with sale GP a rough outing on the waters
of Sidney Harbor for the Black foils yesterday's trillions as
they now have increased their lead over two hundred meters
over second place in France. So you see New Zealand,
they are just limping through the course. They're going to
finish dead lesson points and stev I think it's got

(01:25:20):
to be some kind of mechanical, some kind of issue
on board. It was rudder damage for the Black Boys
who missed the fourth race altogether. So they go into
day two starting at five o'clock this afternoon, in ninth place.
Only the top three, of course, make it through to
the final. Still in Sydney, a goal fest in the
A League's Sydney Derby, shut tout bag.

Speaker 12 (01:25:40):
It was pushed it by tots and sids in the
room of the days.

Speaker 2 (01:25:44):
Undlievable by today Jure Sarah's Sydney Upsee the great tough
teams in the league.

Speaker 3 (01:25:54):
Have done it again.

Speaker 2 (01:25:55):
Yeah, the Sydney Derby always delivered us. Western Sydney were
three to one ahead, very very late in the game
before Sydney scored twice to bring it back to three
to three and a split of the points. Last night
on the women's side of the A League, a great
start and potty doer for the Phoenix yesterday.

Speaker 1 (01:26:13):
This ninety seconds played good Loongo and it's the quarterstation.

Speaker 10 (01:26:17):
They've got an early goal.

Speaker 2 (01:26:19):
Stunning seventies fling for the Willington Phoenix and they have
gone away to the best possible star. Mia mac cutcheon
with the headed goal early on. Couldn't hold on though
the Phoenix and finished one all against Melbourne. Victory still
a good result keeps them in top six contention. A
big win for the black Caps overnight, led by Glenn Phillips.

(01:26:42):
On the other side, he is to.

Speaker 4 (01:26:45):
Es is big.

Speaker 2 (01:26:48):
And just says yes, say night, I pick it what
it is.

Speaker 11 (01:26:53):
This has been destructive seventy one two balls only here.

Speaker 2 (01:26:58):
Really good innings from Glenn Phillips. Really good win for
the black Caps as they continue their Champion's Trophy preparations
and to Rugby six Nations Italy sinking wiles to even
new depths.

Speaker 11 (01:27:12):
It's a contay wlsh rugby lies broken in the ruins
of Rome. It will be eight four teage consecutive to.

Speaker 2 (01:27:29):
Fee incredible Italy winning twenty two fifteen. But for England
one of the great turnarounds from last week to beat
one of the hot favorites to win. The whole thing
of the bucket up more Mitchell takes it.

Speaker 11 (01:27:42):
Bucket goes, j.

Speaker 9 (01:27:43):
The Center day goes.

Speaker 2 (01:27:47):
All day long.

Speaker 11 (01:27:49):
It's a choice, Jelly Daily Angles, the phones, the che
gone off, run in the dying numbers and ticket.

Speaker 1 (01:28:02):
Of breaking down the Hail Mary's and the weekends for
it with Jason nine News Talk.

Speaker 2 (01:28:11):
Zenby dramatic stuff in the Six Nations at Twickenham with
England winning twenty six twenty five over France. Scotland v
Ireland at Murrayfield tomorrow morning at four o'clock New Zealand.
Time to wrap the second weekend of Six Nations. This
is Weekend Sport on News Talk s ed B. We're
less than a week away from the start of Super
Rugby Pacific twenty twenty five. Let's continue our journey around

(01:28:35):
the New Zealand franchises and we land with the Chiefs.

Speaker 3 (01:28:39):
Josh Huwani to make it thirty three twenty nine.

Speaker 8 (01:28:42):
He steps in, He puts the ball at the posts.
It's going, it's going. It's going, men and gentlemen, and
the Chiefs have got there out of nowhere.

Speaker 2 (01:28:54):
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is with us get Clayton.
You wrapped your pre season with a win over more
One of PACIFICA yesterday. Did you come through unscathed injury
wise and did you sort of got what you needed
out of these two precis and games?

Speaker 7 (01:29:08):
Yeah? I think so. Funny it's it's always our biggest concern,
isn't it coming out of preseason unscathed. And there's a
couple of little weed niggles here in the yesterday, as
you would expect coming out of preseason game, but nothing
that's going to cause us any concern. Heending the week one, all.

Speaker 2 (01:29:26):
Right, So arrive at the start line or just out
from the start line, how good is shape? Do you
think you're in.

Speaker 10 (01:29:35):
To be?

Speaker 12 (01:29:35):
Perfully?

Speaker 7 (01:29:35):
Honest, I was hoping for us to take a bigger
step forward yesterday. Then we did. We showed some good
signs last week against the Hurricanes and whilst it was
good to get some more minutes into the lads yesterday
and the Alblets come back and they and they put
in a pretty decent shift in the second half. Yeah,

(01:29:58):
we didn't quite know the things I think that we've
worked on in the week. So what's a big, big
focus on on this week as we head up to Blues.
But from a squad perspective, we know we've got depth,
we know we've got quality, and if we're now the basics,
well then we'll give ourselves a decent chance that being
there at the end.

Speaker 2 (01:30:16):
So it was the basics yesterday? What were they the
things that you had hoped for better improvement on?

Speaker 7 (01:30:23):
Yeah, I think so, mate, Like I scrub and line
out functioned pretty well, just the basic fundamentals, just your carry,
clean game, skill, execution under pressure, some decision making and
nothing that we can't iron out.

Speaker 5 (01:30:37):
Was just.

Speaker 7 (01:30:39):
Disappointing that we didn't take that step forward I think
from last week. So con sort of senset amongst the
players yesterday. But you know, weeks a long time in rugby.
So as I said, no doubt, we'll iron a few
things out and be better against the Booths.

Speaker 2 (01:30:53):
Will need to be no Wallace the TT this season.
How big a blow is that for you?

Speaker 7 (01:31:00):
By a big blow? You know, it's Fairy special players
and he's sort of exploded on the scene last year
for the Chiefs and was able to go to another
level throughout the international season. He's got a real point
of difference around his athleticism and skill, so you know
we'll miss them. But by the same toaken, we were

(01:31:21):
really pleased with the depth of our loose forwards. We've
got people that can play multiple positions and it's going
to be a real dogfight for the guys that we
got to in an opportunity to play each week.

Speaker 12 (01:31:31):
So yeah, well Muslim, but life goes on as.

Speaker 7 (01:31:34):
It always does. Every team, you know, loses players, influential
players in their squad, and we're no different.

Speaker 2 (01:31:41):
Just before we move on from him, can you just
clarify did you know that he'd picked up an injury
on the All Black s end of season tour last year?
I read some comments from you. Were you fully aware
of the injury he'd picked up?

Speaker 7 (01:31:53):
We're weare. Were just probably weren't aware of the extent.
I don't think anybody did. To be perfectly fair, He's
pretty tough and resilient young men. So what he presented
with was just your sort of normal wear and tear.
Injury wasn't until it was and so it was scanned
that you know that the extent of the injury became

(01:32:14):
truly known, and yeah, and so there was a it
was a surprise to everybody.

Speaker 2 (01:32:20):
All Right, we wish you may speedy recovery. Let's look
at some of the players you've brought in. Josh Jacob's
been in your environment. Obviously, he was promoted from the
wider training group last year, played four games full time
contract this year. How do you make sure he gets
good opportunities Clayton when he plays in the same position
as Damien McKenzie.

Speaker 7 (01:32:41):
It's a balancing act, but ultimately it comes down to
nailing your opportunities when you get them. So you know,
nobody in our team has a rider passage to pulling
on the jersey. It's earned through time in the jersey.
What you what you deliver it training and ultimately you
know what you can produce when given an opportunity to
get out on the field. So he's talented young men,

(01:33:04):
you know, he's competitor, competitor and pace certainly not there
to just make up the numbers and roll over and
give Damien that pre vide.

Speaker 12 (01:33:12):
So looking forward to that battle.

Speaker 7 (01:33:14):
You know the other person in the mix of his
you know, Caleb Trask, who's had an unfortunate sort of
run of injuries, just welcomed the new baby over the
last couple of days. But he's another one who's got
who looked really good. I thought last year running a
Cardiff a bar Penny at ten and he could come
into the equation too. So we're blessed in the net spot,

(01:33:35):
but it will course cause us a few headaches just
making sure we get the balance of given them game time.

Speaker 2 (01:33:39):
Hell is Damien McKenzie looking.

Speaker 7 (01:33:43):
No, he looked you know, he looked fresh and as
normal usual self. Yesterday has did all the all blacks.
I think they recognize that they've come and you know,
fairly late in the police. I've only had sort of
a week and a half pool training, played forty minutes
yesterday and they could see that the balance of the
rest of the squad have done the hard yards pre
Christmas and post Christmas of work bat really hard. A

(01:34:06):
little bit behind the eight well, not not necessarily in
terms of conditioning, but just getting up the speed with
some of the adjustments that we've made in the game.
And you know, they showed a Williams yesterday and make
sure that they're in the in the mixer come selection
for next week.

Speaker 2 (01:34:20):
Do you have a time frame, Clayton for the return
of Summersauny Tokyojo.

Speaker 7 (01:34:25):
He's looking really positive. To be feared, had a set
back early on in as rehead, but you know he's
he's been really diligentary and as rehead he's progressing really nicely.
He's almost back into full training, so we anticipate that
sort of around three to four three or four he

(01:34:47):
could likely return. But of course it's it's one of
those injuries to a front rower that you want to
make sure you get one hundred percent right. So if
it happens to extend by a week or two, you know,
to to ensure that he's one hundred percent and then's
what we'll do.

Speaker 2 (01:35:02):
And you and New Zealand Rugby presumably have allowed Sewan
Stevenson to have a brief sabbatical in Japan. He all
missed the opening three weeks of the season. How did
you arrive at that decision?

Speaker 7 (01:35:15):
Just common sense prevailed. I think you know, we we
were we were always aware that Sean had an appetite
and want to head overseas, if not this year, then
next year. So it wasn't like we were blindsided by it.
It was really just that the request came at a
very late stage. Given an injury or a departure of

(01:35:39):
a player from Camboda, the team that he's gone to,
that that came through really late, and it's kind of
didn't really allow time to go and find, you know,
a suitable replacement, and so it wasn't it was never
a case of not wanting Shoulder to go, but but
but finding a balance between him going and us being

(01:36:00):
able to find a replacement. And so that that part
didn't really quite work out. But all parties, using repe
included as said, comes to a sensible conclusion that we
can accept them going up and dipping his toes in
the water and helping out Coboda in their time of need,
and then having them come back to us fit, ready

(01:36:20):
to go and no doubt sort of keen to, you know,
get that one hundred game cap for the Chiefs, which
I think is about four games away from achieving. So
we've got every confidence he'll come back and just fit
in like a lucky glove.

Speaker 2 (01:36:37):
And you look back at the last two seasons, you've
lost just eight of your thirty four games in the
last two seasons. Unfortunately two of those were Grand Finals.
So how do you make sure that it's third time
Lucky in twenty twenty five.

Speaker 7 (01:36:52):
Just to be honest around where you're at with your game.
We've got no dramas about our squad. We feel like
we've got the squad that can take us deep into
the competition finals show that. You know, it's about who
can deliver a performance on the day. But but some
things are slightly different. You know, as you get towards

(01:37:14):
the back end of the season, the game tightens up.
It's the way it starts to come into can can
come into the equations. So we still want to we
don't want to change fundamentally how we play Chiefs rugby,
which is, you know, give the ball some there and
and have a go and ask our players to be courageous,

(01:37:36):
but also recognize that teams understand what what it looks
like when we're playing well and how they can impose
their game on us to potentially suffocate us. And that
and that that means that we've got to evolve and
get better and have other games that we can go
to when it when you know, when the situation or

(01:37:56):
the or the moment requires. So there's been our focuses
around growing our overall game. Whilst they true to our identity's.

Speaker 2 (01:38:04):
She all the best the twenty twenty five Clayton, thanks
for joining us, look forward to catching up throughout the season. Yea,
you have a great day too, Clayton. Thanks indeed, Clayton
McMillan there, head coach of the Chiefs. So they start
against the Blues re match replay of last year's Grand
Final that is on Saturday night at Eden Park, and

(01:38:24):
then at home to the Crusaders, at home to the
Brumbies and up to Latoka to take on the Fijian Drewer.
That's the opening month for the Chiefs. If Wallace a
Teiti was fit, they would for me be firm favorites.
I think the tab have the Blues as favorites. I
think the Chiefs and I think I said this last year.

(01:38:45):
I think the Chiefs are super rugby favorites. Again, you
look at the roster, the Blues and the Chiefs seem
to me to be the two best teams going into
twenty twenty five. I know that means little when the
season starts and injuries happen and all that sort of thing,
but feel like it's the Chief's time again. I'm almost

(01:39:11):
certain I would have said last year at this time,
you've got to lose one to win one. Because the
Chiefs had lost the final and twenty twenty three to
the Crusaders. They lost the twenty twenty four final to
the Blues, so maybe you've got to lose two to
win one. I don't know. Still them, you know they'll
be there or thereabouts. Just eight losses in the last

(01:39:31):
two seasons. That's thirty four games, fourteen regular season, three
playoff games in each of the last two seasons. Have
made two straight grand finals without winning one. Chiefs twenty
twenty five your year, maybe I think their favorite two
twenty four News Talk said, be let's take a break,
come back and head down south. Jamie Joseph back at

(01:39:54):
the helm of the Highlanders. How's he feeling about that?
And how are the Highlanders placed for a for a
bit of an injection, a boost, maybe a you know,
get them back up to where they were when Jamie
Joseph was last there in the mid twenty tens. Can
you see it happening? Jamie Joseph on the show right
after this?

Speaker 1 (01:40:14):
The biggest things in sports are on Weekend Sports with
Jason Paine and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News.

Speaker 2 (01:40:22):
Talks EDB two twenty seven on News Talks EDB. So
we've been to the Blues, We've been to the Crusaders,
to Mwana Pacifica, to the Hurricanes and to the Chiefs.
So let's finish our rap of super rugby coach chats
with the Highlanders. Trying to find the space.

Speaker 11 (01:40:39):
He's starting a little camp.

Speaker 2 (01:40:40):
Helps camp fella camp.

Speaker 5 (01:40:43):
Feller's got one.

Speaker 2 (01:40:44):
Oh goodness, gracious be it.

Speaker 5 (01:40:47):
I went for the heartedness.

Speaker 2 (01:40:48):
They tanked them four points.

Speaker 13 (01:40:50):
They worked hard. It was Champagne rugby from.

Speaker 2 (01:40:53):
The opening whistle. Highlander's head coach is Jamie Joseph, who
joins us now. Jamie, thanks for taking the time for
a chat. You've moved from ahead of rugby role with
the Highlanders last year to the head coach role that
you held for six years from twenty eleven to twenty
sixteen inclusive. Is that head coaching role one that you're
a bit happier in.

Speaker 6 (01:41:15):
Well, it's a it's a it's a club that I'm
really passionate about, Jason, and it's nice to be home.
Being away for I guess that's a long time. And
then coming back into the club that I that I left.
It's really nice, really nice field to be back. Obviously,
the players a little bit younger. I'm a little bit older,
but no, really really exciting to get back into it.

Speaker 2 (01:41:35):
And as far as the change of role is concerned,
I presume you'll have a lot more hands on contact
this time around last year. Was that was there any
opportunity for you to have a real on the grass
impact with the team or not?

Speaker 6 (01:41:47):
Really? No, No, my role last last year really was
really was just the assis the club. There's these new owners.
I'm obviously excited about about the future. So with new owners,
you know, you get a new board, a new chairman.
So that was one part of it. The other part
of it had a very i guess a relatively inexperienced them,

(01:42:12):
particularly with with heat coaching. So Clark is a fine coach,
has been around and coaching the Honds for some years,
but it was invest and so giving him some support
and the coaching teams and support was a big part
of my role. I mean, I guess just looking looking
at the recruitment side of things was another big part
of it. So looking looking for the future, looking at
young guys, and trying to bring them back down to

(01:42:34):
the South to play for the Honders.

Speaker 2 (01:42:36):
You prefer being on the grass and in an office,
wouldn't you.

Speaker 6 (01:42:40):
Yeah, well, yeah, yeah, Well the head of rg B
thing wasn't something I sought after, was something that the
club approached me with and asked me if I was interested.
To be fair, I was. I was pretty pretty tired
after being away for such a long time too World
Cup campaigns, so I was reasonably had with just having,
you know, having a bit of a break from coaching.

(01:43:01):
But this role, I guess allowed me to have a
look at the club and in assess where it was,
and then you know, and then when this opportunity came
in to get back on the craft, I obviously grabbed it.
All right.

Speaker 2 (01:43:13):
So you've been mo Onea PACIFICA and the Crusaders and
two preseason games, so I know results aren't necessarily important,
but did you get everything you wanted out of those
two games?

Speaker 3 (01:43:23):
Yeah? Well, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 6 (01:43:24):
You've trained for a couple of months over getting the
guys first, and that's a big part of the preseason,
and then that sort of culminates in a couple of
couple of matches where you try to give everyone a run.
And in the Minor Pacific, you know, both both teams
had a real open posse around around change. We had
thirty two players, they had about forty five players, so

(01:43:44):
it never really the game was quite missy, but the
game against Crusaders was more of a match and more
of a real sort of test around where we were.
So we're reasonably proud about their performance. But we lost
a couple of players, and I think they lost a
couple of players as well, so quite costly in terms of,
you know, injuries, and for both sides.

Speaker 2 (01:44:05):
Anyone you're going to lose for a long time or
are they more sort of minor niggles.

Speaker 6 (01:44:12):
Yeah, look it's it's with Nriki Joan and Ricqui. Kakie
already made the sub and he rolled his ankle and
the kind of his last play, and initially it looked okay,
but then he woke up the next morning and it
was quite swollen and sore, and so that's that looks
that looks at least, you know, three to four weeks.

(01:44:34):
And then we've got a player tick held and stranger's
hamstring and I mean they can be neglie, but they
can also turn around reasonably fast as well, so when
when the players come back into work tomorrow, we'll have
more of an idea.

Speaker 2 (01:44:47):
Where we are all right, we'll wish them a speedy recovery.
In a squad with with fewer all blacks than the
other New Zealand sides, how much more important are guys
like Ethan de Group for example, full our fuckatava those
who have worn the black jersey.

Speaker 6 (01:45:01):
Yeah, well, I think you grab hold of all of
your experienced players. So our average age was waked us out.
It's twenty two point four, so very young team. Ethan
a massive impact on the team obviously because he's our
season all black, but he and he just joined us
last week as well, so he's been absent for the

(01:45:23):
whole whole preseason flow, just you know, recovering from a
knee operation after last year's inn PC he was he
was out for pretty much all of the preseasons. So yeah, look,
they're obviously huge for our side, but we've had to
go ahead without them really and start to build a

(01:45:43):
team without that experience, and I guess that's become a
slight advantage because the fact that we don't have a
lot of war Blacks and a lot of guys out
of out of out of training, we've we've pretty much
got our group together.

Speaker 2 (01:45:56):
Well, I think one guy we all know will in
all likelihood being all Black and probably for a while
as Fabian Holland. He turned plenty of heads last year,
call up to the All Blacks fifteen, had a standout
performance against Munster, joined the All Blacks as an injury replacement.
Still only twenty two, he's around that average that you
talked about. What do you protect for him in the future.

Speaker 6 (01:46:18):
Yeah, look, I think you're right. I think he's got
the partitial of being all Black. There's a few of
those boys flowing around around New Zealand. I guess for
Sam Darry as I understand, has got a season in
an injury, which is unfortunate for for that player, but
that sort of makes it makes the line a little
bit less. But all I can really focus on with

(01:46:40):
Fabian is there's very hungry and since he's been back
with us, you know that hunger is showing out in
terms of how he's preparing, how he's training. And then
they played really well against the Crusaders. Is you know,
it's a funny old game he's just got to, you know,
get that consistency that the best players have and keep
on turning in performances. And if he can do that,
then yeah, that's going to really benefit the team.

Speaker 2 (01:47:02):
You're won super RBA. Of course, as Highland as head
coach in twenty fifteen. Is there anything that's still key
today Jamie to replicating that success a decade later?

Speaker 6 (01:47:14):
Well, the consistencies for the Highlanders as there were a
team that predominantly recruits from outside the region. I think
we've got about eight or nine percent of the playing
based based down in Duneda and another cargo, so we
go out of the region to get our players. Which
is that which is the biggest challenge the lot myself.
You know, a lot of the players come down here

(01:47:34):
to apply their traders Rebby players and then end up
having families and staying here. So as the consistencies, the
people who we represent and play for are proud, they
are proud Ragby people down here in the Deep South.
We've always had quality coaches, you know, over the decades
of rugby, and so those are kind of consistent themes

(01:47:55):
if you like, that are always the same in Daneda.
And then and what I found with the players and
my time coaching instantly playing is that that's been quite
enjoyable and the players actually really enjoy once they get
used to it.

Speaker 2 (01:48:06):
I think I saw a photo with Tony Brown at
one of your trainings this week. Is he there an
official capacity or just helping out?

Speaker 6 (01:48:13):
Yeah, officially helping out, I guess you might. You might
say he's obviously a local head and loves the team
as well, loves the club, played played a little rugby
for the Highlanders and coach the Hollanders with me, and
his base is a coach overseas, so when he's home
it's always nice to get him in to apply a

(01:48:34):
peer of fresh eyes over the crew and give the
coaches some feedback and and he's a really experienced good
back and say this nice dad Momble.

Speaker 2 (01:48:43):
Great to have you back in the head coaching role, Jamie.
All the best for the season they had, Mate, Really
appreciate you taking the time for a chat, good man.
Thank you, Thank you, Jamie. Jamie Joseph there wrapping our
wrap of super Rugby head coaches. Just before we carry on,
I just want to thank all six of the franchises
and their respective media teams for making the six head
coaches available to us. I know it's a bit of

(01:49:04):
an undertaking to to get guys to chat to us
at times when they are, many of them on a
day off, so we do appreciate their accessibility to us.
For the Highlanders, they start with a game against the Waratars.
It's actually on opening night. We've got the Crusaders Hurricanes
first of all, and then straight away the Highlanders against

(01:49:26):
the Waratars, so that's Friday night, then at home to
the Blues the following week away at Mona Pacifica and
then the bye for the Highlanders. So three games and
then they get a bye, so it's I wouldn't say
the most arduous of starts. I think they'd backed themselves
certainly to go to the Waratars end probably Mojana Pacifica
and get wins and then under the roof in Dunedin

(01:49:48):
first home game, who knows what might happen against the Blues.
Jamie Joseph is a very very powerful force when it
comes to rugby. We all know this. We know his record.
He's won Super Rugby before, albeit a decade ago with
the same team. He absolutely loves the region and that
rugby team and the fans who follow the Highlanders internationally.

(01:50:12):
He and Tony Brown obviously what they did with Japan,
it could be a big, big, you know, game changer
for them getting Jamie Joseph back into that head coaching role.
We wait and see that. I guess the cattle is
the thing, right. It doesn't matter how good a coach
you are, you can only work with the cattle that
you have. And there's no denying that. Of all of

(01:50:33):
the well, the five New Zealand you know super rugby
franchise is the ones with the New Zealand contracted players
in them. If we' leaven Wine and Pacific or off
to one side at the moment, there's no doubt that
the Highlanders have fewer all blacks than anybody else. It's
always been difficult to get you know, high quality players
to move to Duneda. Ethan de Groot becomes very important

(01:50:57):
in their front row. For La Fuckatava as well, even
though he's only played a couple of all blacks tests
and who knows, might not ever play for them again.
We don't know is the other one. Others have been
in and around Fabian Holland. Another big season coming up
for him. I'm not sure about his eligibility whether he
becomes eligible for the All Blacks this year or not.
With Sam Dowry injured and having been drafted into the

(01:51:19):
All Blacks last year. If Fabian Holland is eligible and
he was in the wider training group at the back
end of last year off the back of the All
Blacks fifteen selection, I need to check that. But as
soon as he's available, he's certainly going to be a
guy who is in the conversation for All Black selection.
But yeah, I don't know. I feel like the Highlanders
of everybody's favorite other team. If your team isn't playing

(01:51:43):
the Highlanders, then you want them to win. That's how
I feel. Anyway, We'll see how they go. Twenty two
away from three, let's take a break. When we come
back to wrap the show, We're going to do it
with a Super Bowl preview Kansas City Chiefs Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow.
Got our Super Bowl preview for you next on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (01:52:04):
Don't get caught offside Weekend Sports with Jason Paine and TJ. Guvnerholmes,
New Zealand's most trusted home builder News.

Speaker 2 (01:52:13):
Talks NV coming up eighteen to three. The biggest day
on the American sporting calendar is Super Bowl super Bowl
fifty nine tomorrow underway at around twelve thirty New Zealand time.
The Kansas City Chiefs looking for an unprecedented three Peet.

Speaker 1 (01:52:30):
Wurston gold My Home Spleens super Bowl Estan Hartman.

Speaker 2 (01:52:35):
Jack Park, Kansas City.

Speaker 7 (01:52:39):
And this was the Andy Reid special and the game
winning drive of the Home's career.

Speaker 11 (01:52:45):
He's been waiting for his once, suppose, but he's never
had it in an overtime.

Speaker 2 (01:52:49):
He is the best.

Speaker 3 (01:52:50):
He is the standard. You're Michael Jordan's rins.

Speaker 2 (01:52:53):
It again here. So Kansas City up against the Philadelphia Eagles,
who they beat in the twenty twenty three Super Bowl.
Now regular listeners to the show will have enjoyed, as
I have, the regular emailed thoughts of Leon in Melbourne,
among other things, a massive NFL fan, and not just that,
completing a dissertation as part of his university studies on

(01:53:16):
the impact of the transfer portal and name, image and
likeness as an abridgement between college and professional sports in
North America, specifically the NFL and the NBA. So we thought,
let's get Leon on to preview Super Bowl. Leon from
Melbourne is with us, Leon Busby to give him his
full title. Thanks for joining us, Leon, How are you mate?

Speaker 10 (01:53:37):
I'm great? Thanks Jason, Thanks and foremotes. Thanks for allowing
me to come on your show. You know, I know
you're an award winner. Then you're the top of the
totem pole, say to speak, but living here in Melbourne,
I have listened to a show and I love your work.

Speaker 2 (01:53:53):
Well, it's great to have you as part of the
show today because we, as I say, assume that you
would be right across this. So let's go team from team,
starting with the Kansas City Chiefs. They've made Super Bowl
five times in the l six, I've won the last two.
It's a faersly competitive sport. What has made the chief
so good for so long? And do you back them

(01:54:14):
to go three on the trot?

Speaker 10 (01:54:18):
Yeah, there's a number of reasons why the two time
defending champions are back to try and win an unpressed
and even third straight Super Bowl. Why don't we start
with the guy everyone plays under center for Kansas City.
Its Patrick Mahomes. So he's played in seven straight conference
championship game since he became the starting quarterback for Casey,
which is unheard of. This will be a fifth Super Bowl,

(01:54:40):
having won three and lost one. The one he did lose,
he had most of them studying offensive lineout injured. So
and this is all before he's so Mahomes is a depth.
They're finding a way to lead his team to a win,
particularly in the moments, in a matter of the most
part of his identity that you can't replicate his own.
There's such a force of football that a lot of

(01:55:01):
people often just call him number fifteen now, so even
a lot of people are calling them the goat and.

Speaker 2 (01:55:05):
Waiting Homes Travis Kelcey connection, let's talk about that. Why
is that such an effective combination? And is it one
of the greatest we've ever seen?

Speaker 10 (01:55:16):
Yeah, so the chiefs of a well balanced offense with
their wide receivers and running backs. But yeah, it's tidy
in Travis Kelcey. He's crucial to Kansas City's success. So
he forms a lethal passing past catching tandem with his quarterback,
among the very best in the NFL player for history.
So I think it's something like combined for seventeen and

(01:55:37):
forty five yards, nineteen touchdowns, and twenty postseason games together
positioning three Super Bowl wins. They're given the numbers and
the eight they are. I mean, this is going to
carry on for a little while longer. I mean we
think about guys like Domnt Cannon during rights and how
they had that connection from Mahomes and Kelsey have really
taken it to another level. So you know, there's they're

(01:55:58):
really hard to stop, and they've just got their unbelievable
connection between both of them year.

Speaker 6 (01:56:03):
All right.

Speaker 2 (01:56:04):
So apart from those two and the incredible consistency that
you've talked about, what else is it about the Kansas
City Chief specifically this season that has been so impressive?

Speaker 10 (01:56:15):
Well for your listeners who have been following their progression
the season, they've achieved what we call the won twelve
games by like one score, which is sort of unheard of.
So they just find a way to win. They know
how to sort of bring up the players in the
big moments. And one of the main people in their

(01:56:37):
coaching staff is a guy known as Spags or dag Nola.
He's their defensive coordinator. So he's the only defensive coordinator
I think in NFL history is won for Super Bowl.
So he has a way of sort of lining up
their defense against teams, and especially more so against a
team like like Philadelphia have a really potent offense. So yeah,

(01:56:58):
their defense has really stepped up to see and sort
of kept them going. A lot of people have criticized
Kansas City because the offense hasn't been great, but you
know what, they still find a way to win and
that's what makes the champion team.

Speaker 2 (01:57:09):
Indeed, all right, well, there are two teams in Super Bowl,
so we should perhaps talk about the Philadelphia Eagles as well.
Are they capable of stopping this juggernaut that is the
Kansas City Chiefs.

Speaker 10 (01:57:22):
Yeah, Well, the NFC champions love had a really great
year and that's been based on the purchase and your
season of running back Saquon Barkley. So Barkley has really
been the difference for the team this year. Philadelphia have
some great wide receivers and a really good tight end

(01:57:42):
as well, but really Barkley has been the difference the team.
I think he passed the magical what they call two
thousand mark rushing for the He actually could have broken
the regular season record, but they decided to wrest them
in the last game, so that was a bit of
a shame. But he only needs thirty more yards to
get the all season rushing record in the Super Bowl,

(01:58:03):
so I'm pretty sure he'll do that. But yes, he's
definitely been a difference for the Seagles. Sorry for the
Eagles this year.

Speaker 2 (01:58:10):
What about at quarterback Jalen Hurts. We're now about Patrick Mahomes.
How do you assess Jalen Hurt's ability to step up
for this big occasion?

Speaker 10 (01:58:21):
Yes, they hurt. If we think about the Super Bowl
from two years ago, in Super Bowl fifty seven, he
was actually he actually played Mahomes in that game, but
obviously because they lost the game, he didn't get Super
Bowl MVP, but he could have if they had won.
So he's another good player who can do a lot
of damage from the pocket with his arm. But he's
also another threat on the ground. So besides Barkley, if

(01:58:45):
we look at the championship game when they beat Washington,
he ran for three touchdown scores as well as Barkley.
So he's a threat from the pocket and also with
his legs as well. So that gives Philadelfia a lot
more options in terms of their offense as well.

Speaker 2 (01:59:00):
Both great offenses though Leon so who has the better defense?

Speaker 10 (01:59:06):
You know what, Pinier, I've got to be honest that
this could be like on the toss of a coin,
because they're both so good. We look at Kansas City,
they have a ficial Hall of Fame and Chris Jones,
who he's considered the business position as a defensive tackle,
so he gets out of the quarterback and quite often
he's one of those guys that has to be double

(01:59:27):
teams as well. Philadelphia have some guys there in the
offensive line you can cause a lot of havoc as well.
So it's really hard. It's going to be hard to
pick the winner because it's so close and even he match,
and if we look at the current odds, both teams
are pretty even. I think Kansas City are like a
point and a half favorite, which isn't a lot when
you think about it. But yeah, it's going to be

(01:59:48):
really close. It's going to be a hard one to pick.

Speaker 2 (01:59:50):
Yeah, indeed, so and that I won't ask you to
make a pick, but I will ask you what will
decide it? What is it likely to be a one
score game? Will it be decided on a moment of
inspiration by by one of the two quarterbacks? How do
you see this one being decided tomorrow?

Speaker 10 (02:00:06):
Yeah, I think if you look at Kansas City, their
head coach, Andy Reid, he's nickname big Red, that's his nickname.
But he's been in the situation many times before. Interestingly,
a lot of your cause, so a lot of your
listeners may not know that Andy Reid actually has the
winning this record for both teams because he was at
Philadelphia for about twelve years and took them to a

(02:00:28):
super Bowl. I think they won five AFC Championship Kansas Bowl,
so and obviously with his success in Kansas City, he's
got that experience. So I think in terms of that,
you can't really replact experience. But in saying that, I
think the biggest factor in this game will be whether
Kansas City can shut down Philadelphia's running game because Barkley's lethal.

(02:00:53):
So often in games you'll see he might get three yards,
five yard, ten yards, seven yards, and then he'll just
go off on a sixty yard run. So they need
to clar I think that's going to be the determining
factor who's going to win this game if they need
to shut down Barkley. If they can, that shuts down
Philadelphia's options in terms of attack. So I think really

(02:01:14):
that's the biggest fact of a lot of experts are
talking about that if Kansas City can somehow close down
Barkley's running game, then Kansas City could definitely threepeat.

Speaker 2 (02:01:24):
Leon, You've given us great analysis, Mate, Thanks so much
for joining us. Really really pleased that you could do so.
Enjoy the game tomorrow. I know you're a Chiefs fan,
so you'll be able to now that you've given us
the very objective analysis you get your Kansas City Chiefs
care on and hopefully cheer your voice home. Thanks so
much for joining us today.

Speaker 10 (02:01:40):
Mate, No, thanks a lot, Poini, thank you for having
me on.

Speaker 2 (02:01:43):
No, thanks for joining us.

Speaker 9 (02:01:44):
Lee on.

Speaker 2 (02:01:44):
Leon Busby one of our regular contributors, and on the
basis of what we've just heard there, I think a
regular contributor moving forward as well.

Speaker 6 (02:01:52):
There you go.

Speaker 2 (02:01:52):
Super Bowl fifty nine tomorrow, twelve thirty Kansas City Chiefs
against the Philadelphia Eagles. Just a point of clarification, I
said an unprecedented three peat. That is true as far
as Super Bowls are concerned. I've had a pointed out
to me that the Green Bay Pass won three in
a row, but that was before Super Bowl was a thing.
They won three straight championships when it was determined by

(02:02:13):
the regular season record, that twice actually nineteen twenty nine
through nineteen thirty one, and also nineteen sixty five through
nineteen sixty seven, but no team has ever won three
straight Super Bowls since that came into being in nineteen
sixty seven. Eight to three News Talks.

Speaker 1 (02:02:30):
V when it's down to the line, you made a
call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Weekend Sports
with Jason Pine Us Talks.

Speaker 2 (02:02:38):
VV five to three and that is us on Weekend
Sport for today and four the Weekend. Tim Beveridge takes
over after three o'clock with the Sunday edition of the
Weekend Collective. Thank you so much for tuning in this afternoon.
I hope you enjoyed hearing from all six New Zealand
based Super Rugby coaches with our hopes, dreams, aspirations, et cetera.
For the season ahead, which starts on Friday. We'll have

(02:03:00):
obviously commentaries right across the season on Gold Sport and
iHeartRadio for you to enjoy. Thanks to Any McDonald for
producing the show as always, Thanks mate, Enjoy the rest
of your afternoon, and you enjoy the rest of yours
as well, taking us out as far as the song
is concerned today, just a slightly mellow one to help
you through the middle part of you somenday and maybe

(02:03:22):
prepare you for the fact that your public holidays and
your long weekends are going to be done, all done
from now on. And I guess the next thing to
look forward to is Easter. In that regard. This is
Adele with her take on the song originally written by
Bob Dylan. This is off her debut studio album nineteen.
Make you Feel My Love, Enjoy, enjoy the last bit

(02:03:44):
of it and I'll see you tomorrow night on Sports
Talk seven through eight by f Now.

Speaker 10 (02:03:54):
Go to Andy for you.

Speaker 5 (02:04:00):
To make you fell Loo.

Speaker 2 (02:04:07):
To make a film Illo.

Speaker 1 (02:04:15):
Thank you.

Speaker 5 (02:04:20):
For more.

Speaker 2 (02:04:21):
From Weekends Sport with Jason Fine.

Speaker 1 (02:04:23):
Listen live to News Talks it B Weekends from midday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

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