1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:12,947 Speaker 2: SO. 4 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:15,467 Speaker 3: The race is on to host the twenty thirty five 5 00:00:15,787 --> 00:00:18,227 Speaker 3: Rugby World Cup. A report last week from the Times 6 00:00:18,627 --> 00:00:22,787 Speaker 3: stated that Saudi Arabia, Kuta and the UAE we're preparing 7 00:00:22,787 --> 00:00:25,547 Speaker 3: a joint bid to host rugby showpiece events in twenty 8 00:00:25,587 --> 00:00:28,387 Speaker 3: thirty five, with the next two tournaments already locked in 9 00:00:28,507 --> 00:00:31,387 Speaker 3: Australia in twenty twenty seven, the United States in twenty 10 00:00:31,387 --> 00:00:35,187 Speaker 3: thirty one. Wild Rugby apparently and reportedly are keen though 11 00:00:35,227 --> 00:00:37,707 Speaker 3: for the tournament to go back to Europe in twenty 12 00:00:37,867 --> 00:00:40,947 Speaker 3: thirty five. Spain has thrown its hat in the ring 13 00:00:40,987 --> 00:00:43,907 Speaker 3: and now seems to have pole position, according to some reports. 14 00:00:44,067 --> 00:00:48,267 Speaker 3: Japan and Italy are also in the conversation. Should New 15 00:00:48,307 --> 00:00:52,627 Speaker 3: Zealands be looking at hosting again or certainly bidding for 16 00:00:52,707 --> 00:00:54,987 Speaker 3: the right to host the Rugby World Cup again? And 17 00:00:55,027 --> 00:00:58,387 Speaker 3: how likely would it be that any bid would be successful. 18 00:00:58,987 --> 00:01:02,267 Speaker 3: Former Prime Minister Helen Clark played an integral role in 19 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:05,707 Speaker 3: New Zealand's successful bid to bring the twenty eleven Rugby 20 00:01:05,747 --> 00:01:07,667 Speaker 3: World Cup to in News New Zealand. She was Prime 21 00:01:07,667 --> 00:01:10,547 Speaker 3: Minister at the time the bids were planned and submitted, 22 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:14,427 Speaker 3: and spoke in passionate and persuasive support of the bid. 23 00:01:14,787 --> 00:01:17,427 Speaker 3: At the final presentation to what was then the IRB 24 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:21,307 Speaker 3: now World Rugby in Dublin in November of two thousand 25 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:24,307 Speaker 3: and five. Helen Clark is with us on weekend sport. Helen, 26 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:26,947 Speaker 3: thank you for your time. How much weight did the 27 00:01:27,027 --> 00:01:31,227 Speaker 3: strong backing from your government for the twenty eleven bid 28 00:01:31,347 --> 00:01:33,387 Speaker 3: carry when it came to the final decision? 29 00:01:33,467 --> 00:01:36,667 Speaker 2: Do you think the strong backing from the government was 30 00:01:36,787 --> 00:01:41,587 Speaker 2: absolutely pivotal. I had trivamal artists, Minister's sport, he had 31 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:46,507 Speaker 2: me organized, everyone organized to be making representations. I remember 32 00:01:46,587 --> 00:01:50,547 Speaker 2: hosting I think key representatives of the International Rugby Board 33 00:01:50,547 --> 00:01:54,067 Speaker 2: at Premier House to dinner. We had a charm offensive 34 00:01:54,107 --> 00:01:58,067 Speaker 2: of massive proportions. And then there was that momentus occasion 35 00:01:58,187 --> 00:02:01,027 Speaker 2: in Dublin at the end of two thousand and five 36 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 2: when the decision was being made and I went with 37 00:02:04,587 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 2: Pine Tree, meansa Umaga and Jock Hobbs or legends of rugby, 38 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:13,467 Speaker 2: and we went and presented to the IARB. And I 39 00:02:13,467 --> 00:02:15,227 Speaker 2: remember getting on the plane and flying off to a 40 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:18,307 Speaker 2: meeting in Korea and the news came through that we'd won, 41 00:02:18,387 --> 00:02:21,587 Speaker 2: we were so elated. It could not have been done 42 00:02:21,787 --> 00:02:22,947 Speaker 2: without government support. 43 00:02:23,147 --> 00:02:27,507 Speaker 3: What a delegation to Dublin. It was so In other words, 44 00:02:28,027 --> 00:02:30,827 Speaker 3: it's not possible to host events of this size without 45 00:02:30,907 --> 00:02:35,347 Speaker 3: significant government backing and investment. That's basically the long and 46 00:02:35,427 --> 00:02:36,307 Speaker 3: the short of it. 47 00:02:36,787 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 2: The long and the short of it, and also you know, 48 00:02:39,067 --> 00:02:42,867 Speaker 2: just the diplomatic support, the engagement. I do think that 49 00:02:43,027 --> 00:02:45,507 Speaker 2: governments need to have in their mind a framing of 50 00:02:45,547 --> 00:02:49,267 Speaker 2: a major event strategy. We benefit from these strategies. You know, 51 00:02:49,387 --> 00:02:52,227 Speaker 2: Rugby World Cup, I think is that the third most 52 00:02:52,307 --> 00:02:57,547 Speaker 2: watched international sporting event. The exposure for New Zealand is huge, 53 00:02:57,867 --> 00:03:01,307 Speaker 2: so it's to our advantage. As you know, also patron 54 00:03:01,347 --> 00:03:03,667 Speaker 2: of Emirates Team New Zealand, they've been a great champion 55 00:03:03,707 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 2: of the America's Cup and what hosting that has done 56 00:03:07,107 --> 00:03:09,027 Speaker 2: for us over the years, and said, you know, not 57 00:03:09,067 --> 00:03:12,027 Speaker 2: to see it back in Auckland again, but we need 58 00:03:12,067 --> 00:03:16,947 Speaker 2: to be thinking of these events beyond incredible sporting occasions, 59 00:03:17,267 --> 00:03:20,667 Speaker 2: to how we project our country. What's our image? You know, 60 00:03:20,747 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 2: a little country of five point two million people in 61 00:03:23,467 --> 00:03:25,947 Speaker 2: the bottom of South Pacific, we can be right off 62 00:03:25,947 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 2: the radar. We have to make our luck, and making 63 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:31,187 Speaker 2: our luck is about getting into the headlines, and we 64 00:03:31,227 --> 00:03:34,867 Speaker 2: get into the headlines with major events like Rugby World Cup. 65 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:37,227 Speaker 3: Well, as you know, we haven't been able to get 66 00:03:37,267 --> 00:03:39,987 Speaker 3: the America's Cup back here, not for the meantime anyway. 67 00:03:41,027 --> 00:03:43,707 Speaker 3: What's your general view on whether you think there is 68 00:03:43,747 --> 00:03:47,627 Speaker 3: an appetite in the current government to support a future 69 00:03:47,627 --> 00:03:49,907 Speaker 3: bid for the Rugby World Cup or any any major 70 00:03:49,947 --> 00:03:50,587 Speaker 3: sporting event. 71 00:03:50,987 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 2: Well, obviously they weren't prepared to step up enough for 72 00:03:54,107 --> 00:03:57,587 Speaker 2: the Emirates team New Zealand and the hosting of the 73 00:03:58,267 --> 00:04:02,227 Speaker 2: yachting America's Cup, so that's a problem. But you know, 74 00:04:02,867 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 2: probably rugby has a greater pal to those around the 75 00:04:08,627 --> 00:04:13,507 Speaker 2: cabinet table, perhaps than the yachting bid, so let's look 76 00:04:13,547 --> 00:04:17,827 Speaker 2: at it through those eyes. We also know that with 77 00:04:17,987 --> 00:04:21,587 Speaker 2: the racing for America's Cup, it's in Auckland Harbor or 78 00:04:21,947 --> 00:04:24,787 Speaker 2: just outside it. But with Rugby World Cup you get 79 00:04:24,827 --> 00:04:27,467 Speaker 2: the games spread throughout New Zealand. I remember our government 80 00:04:27,547 --> 00:04:29,867 Speaker 2: investing in the Claims Park at Napia to bring that 81 00:04:30,027 --> 00:04:33,307 Speaker 2: up to standard. It grows across the country, so that 82 00:04:33,747 --> 00:04:39,747 Speaker 2: also spreads the economic benefits quite well. It will bring tourists, 83 00:04:39,827 --> 00:04:42,867 Speaker 2: you know, it will bring money, it will bring visibility, 84 00:04:43,227 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 2: It will enable us to showcase who and what we 85 00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 2: are and what we represent our innovations. So my appeal 86 00:04:49,827 --> 00:04:54,267 Speaker 2: would be to any government deliberating on this look at 87 00:04:54,347 --> 00:04:57,187 Speaker 2: it as a major economic opportunity. 88 00:04:57,907 --> 00:05:00,027 Speaker 3: Then, of course you have to convince world rugby as 89 00:05:00,107 --> 00:05:02,227 Speaker 3: you did as part of the delegation in two thousand 90 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:04,547 Speaker 3: and five, and that bit, as I understand it, played 91 00:05:04,587 --> 00:05:08,347 Speaker 3: heavily on New Zealand's place in rugby history. Would the 92 00:05:08,387 --> 00:05:10,547 Speaker 3: same argument be as compelling today? 93 00:05:11,427 --> 00:05:14,987 Speaker 2: I think? So? You know, look, the All Blacks are 94 00:05:14,987 --> 00:05:17,307 Speaker 2: a great team, they've sat up at the top or 95 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:19,387 Speaker 2: near the top of world rugby for a long time, 96 00:05:20,027 --> 00:05:26,027 Speaker 2: and a great country committed to the sport. Obviously as 97 00:05:26,147 --> 00:05:29,107 Speaker 2: absolutely within its rights to assert its place as a 98 00:05:29,227 --> 00:05:32,027 Speaker 2: host of the Cup. People have had great experiences here. 99 00:05:32,107 --> 00:05:35,387 Speaker 2: That last Rugby World Cup phenomenal for New Zealand. So 100 00:05:35,867 --> 00:05:39,027 Speaker 2: we shouldn't hide our light under a bushel, as the 101 00:05:39,107 --> 00:05:43,427 Speaker 2: old saying goes, get out there the proud rugby identity 102 00:05:43,467 --> 00:05:46,427 Speaker 2: of New Zealand, what we've contributed the game, the standards 103 00:05:46,467 --> 00:05:50,507 Speaker 2: we've set globally for it. We are a perfect host. 104 00:05:50,747 --> 00:05:52,947 Speaker 3: And clearly there has to be an economic return, and 105 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:55,147 Speaker 3: there is with things like you know, tourism obviously and 106 00:05:55,187 --> 00:05:58,107 Speaker 3: people coming to New Zealand. Is there also an emotional 107 00:05:58,187 --> 00:06:01,147 Speaker 3: pitch to be ad here about the positive impact an 108 00:06:01,147 --> 00:06:03,747 Speaker 3: event like this as on the country as a whole, 109 00:06:03,827 --> 00:06:06,507 Speaker 3: The rosy glow we get from hosting. 110 00:06:06,787 --> 00:06:10,627 Speaker 2: Or absolutely terrific feel good factor, because if you get 111 00:06:10,667 --> 00:06:14,427 Speaker 2: the Rugby World Cup here, you're going to have people 112 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:17,827 Speaker 2: from around the participating countries coming. They're going to be 113 00:06:17,907 --> 00:06:20,227 Speaker 2: hiring their camp events, They're going to be touring up 114 00:06:20,307 --> 00:06:22,787 Speaker 2: and down New Zealand, They're going to be filling the cafes. 115 00:06:23,107 --> 00:06:25,107 Speaker 2: We need this sort of boost at the moment right 116 00:06:25,187 --> 00:06:27,827 Speaker 2: We've never got back to where we were pre pandemic 117 00:06:27,947 --> 00:06:30,227 Speaker 2: with our tourism. So I think it would be a 118 00:06:30,427 --> 00:06:34,187 Speaker 2: huge boost to regional New Zealand to have these crowds 119 00:06:34,267 --> 00:06:36,787 Speaker 2: coming through the games, as I said, will be dispersed 120 00:06:37,427 --> 00:06:40,227 Speaker 2: a huge feel good factor if we winn't. Even more 121 00:06:40,387 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 2: so just hosting the event as a. 122 00:06:43,307 --> 00:06:46,787 Speaker 3: Big high just to finish, you've given goodness only knows 123 00:06:46,827 --> 00:06:49,587 Speaker 3: how many speeches in your time. Was that one of 124 00:06:49,667 --> 00:06:52,787 Speaker 3: your favorites to the IRB at the back end of 125 00:06:52,907 --> 00:06:55,027 Speaker 3: two thousand and five, considering what it led to. 126 00:06:55,747 --> 00:06:58,947 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and you know we poured over that speech. We 127 00:06:59,507 --> 00:07:01,987 Speaker 2: you know, it wasn't just you know, Helen Clark deciding 128 00:07:02,027 --> 00:07:06,827 Speaker 2: what she'd gone say in Dublin. Every word was you know, 129 00:07:07,227 --> 00:07:09,987 Speaker 2: with the rugby Union, every point. You know, there was 130 00:07:10,067 --> 00:07:12,147 Speaker 2: no surprise on what Helen was going to say. I 131 00:07:12,547 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 2: kept to absolutely the pitch that we had and yeah, 132 00:07:16,547 --> 00:07:18,867 Speaker 2: pitch perfect. I think we can say we all will 133 00:07:18,947 --> 00:07:23,187 Speaker 2: pitched perfect, from pine Tree to Jock, Hobbs to Tarma 134 00:07:23,387 --> 00:07:25,907 Speaker 2: and what a tragedy. You know two of those Pine 135 00:07:25,947 --> 00:07:28,627 Speaker 2: Tree and Jock are no longer with us, but you 136 00:07:28,667 --> 00:07:31,627 Speaker 2: know there'll be other greats now to step forward and 137 00:07:31,907 --> 00:07:34,547 Speaker 2: you know, take their place and making a good pitch. 138 00:07:34,747 --> 00:07:34,907 Speaker 1: Yep. 139 00:07:34,987 --> 00:07:36,987 Speaker 3: Let's hope they have the same wherewithal to do it 140 00:07:37,067 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 3: and the same result as well. Helen, thank you for 141 00:07:39,707 --> 00:07:41,827 Speaker 3: joining us on seed Be today. I really appreciate your time. 142 00:07:42,307 --> 00:07:46,387 Speaker 1: Thanks for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Pine. Listen 143 00:07:46,507 --> 00:07:49,707 Speaker 1: live to news Talk zed B weekends from midday, or 144 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:51,707 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.