1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,827 Speaker 1: from Newstalks edb SO. 3 00:00:12,907 --> 00:00:14,827 Speaker 2: First All Blacks Test of the Year to needing tonight 4 00:00:14,827 --> 00:00:17,867 Speaker 2: from five past seven All Blacks v France. The last 5 00:00:17,867 --> 00:00:19,307 Speaker 2: time the two met, this happened. 6 00:00:19,547 --> 00:00:21,787 Speaker 3: Jordan has to take the tackle, he's hold up at 7 00:00:21,827 --> 00:00:24,107 Speaker 3: the tech. Let's quit the yet, need to get the 8 00:00:24,187 --> 00:00:28,147 Speaker 3: nis to ground. Well, cry, swallow them up, tetuply it 9 00:00:28,947 --> 00:00:33,907 Speaker 3: we are boat out for France. We are got out fright. 10 00:00:34,067 --> 00:00:39,347 Speaker 3: That is fort time and France do it again over 11 00:00:39,427 --> 00:00:42,467 Speaker 3: the a flats by one point. 12 00:00:43,347 --> 00:00:43,507 Speaker 4: Yes. 13 00:00:43,547 --> 00:00:45,467 Speaker 2: Indeed, in fact, France have beaten the All Blacks the 14 00:00:45,547 --> 00:00:48,707 Speaker 2: last three times the two have met. You'd have to 15 00:00:48,747 --> 00:00:50,787 Speaker 2: be a fairly optimistic sort of a French supporter to 16 00:00:50,827 --> 00:00:53,267 Speaker 2: expect them to make that four tonight with a very green, 17 00:00:53,747 --> 00:00:56,547 Speaker 2: inexperienced team. But you never know, and you never know 18 00:00:56,587 --> 00:00:59,227 Speaker 2: when it comes to France. Let's bring in seventy one 19 00:00:59,347 --> 00:01:04,027 Speaker 2: Game sixty Test, forty four try All Black Otago and 20 00:01:04,147 --> 00:01:08,827 Speaker 2: Highlander's legiond and our Skysport commentation and analyst Jeff Wilson Goldie. 21 00:01:08,827 --> 00:01:11,667 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, mate. Let's talk some selection. First 22 00:01:11,707 --> 00:01:14,547 Speaker 2: of all, what do you make of Rico Yuwanni shift 23 00:01:14,907 --> 00:01:16,947 Speaker 2: back to starting on the wing for the first time 24 00:01:16,987 --> 00:01:19,107 Speaker 2: in a Test match since twenty twenty. 25 00:01:18,867 --> 00:01:22,267 Speaker 4: One, oh appure And simply I think it comes down 26 00:01:22,267 --> 00:01:24,827 Speaker 4: to wanting to give Billy Proctor an opportunity in the 27 00:01:24,827 --> 00:01:26,867 Speaker 4: All Black jersey to see if he can transform some 28 00:01:26,947 --> 00:01:29,307 Speaker 4: of that transfer some of that great form from last 29 00:01:29,387 --> 00:01:32,067 Speaker 4: year and this year's Super Rugby campaign when he came 30 00:01:32,107 --> 00:01:35,227 Speaker 4: back from injury, whether that transfers into the All Black jersey. 31 00:01:35,547 --> 00:01:37,507 Speaker 4: And I think even if you look at the form 32 00:01:37,507 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 4: of some of our wingers in Cale Park, wasn't overly strong, 33 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,347 Speaker 4: You'd have to say for the Blues in Super Rugby, 34 00:01:43,627 --> 00:01:47,027 Speaker 4: Ricco Juanni's experience on the wing is incredibly valuable. So 35 00:01:47,147 --> 00:01:50,827 Speaker 4: I think give us some versatility and Ricarster covering center. 36 00:01:50,907 --> 00:01:54,027 Speaker 4: They don't need to carry someone necessarily on the benchmin 37 00:01:54,107 --> 00:01:57,147 Speaker 4: to pire more special a second five. I think an 38 00:01:57,187 --> 00:02:01,187 Speaker 4: all round selection to me, that helps the team move 39 00:02:01,267 --> 00:02:03,307 Speaker 4: forward in terms of knowing more about Billy Proctor. 40 00:02:03,547 --> 00:02:06,427 Speaker 2: How different a centa do you perceive Billy Proctor to 41 00:02:06,227 --> 00:02:09,227 Speaker 2: be compared to Rico Youani, Ah. 42 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,507 Speaker 4: Look, there's a real there's a different skill set there, 43 00:02:12,227 --> 00:02:15,147 Speaker 4: you know, Rico's certainly a different size. He carries and 44 00:02:15,187 --> 00:02:18,827 Speaker 4: runs a lot more direct lines Billy Procter. You see him. 45 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 4: He's very very good on his feet. He likes to 46 00:02:21,867 --> 00:02:24,707 Speaker 4: stay alive with the ball. He doesn't mind trying to 47 00:02:24,907 --> 00:02:27,507 Speaker 4: offload and look for players around him, whereas Rico has 48 00:02:27,507 --> 00:02:30,827 Speaker 4: been a lot more of a player who's quite often 49 00:02:30,867 --> 00:02:32,787 Speaker 4: sort of tried to punch through holes, where Proctor as 50 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 4: a player who tries to play and run into space 51 00:02:35,387 --> 00:02:37,667 Speaker 4: and particularly doesn't mind trying to take an outside break, 52 00:02:37,667 --> 00:02:40,667 Speaker 4: which I really really like because with Jordy Barrett and 53 00:02:40,707 --> 00:02:43,267 Speaker 4: at twelve, we've got someone who can take the direct lines. 54 00:02:43,627 --> 00:02:46,907 Speaker 4: I think Proctor as well is defensively a little bit 55 00:02:46,907 --> 00:02:50,547 Speaker 4: different because he doesn't rely on his speed that Rico, 56 00:02:50,627 --> 00:02:55,587 Speaker 4: youani does. He's got great acceleration, whereas Proctor, he's a 57 00:02:55,627 --> 00:02:58,347 Speaker 4: player that makes good reads, good decisions, get the angles 58 00:02:58,387 --> 00:03:02,507 Speaker 4: really really smartly executed. So for me, that's where Proctor's advantages. 59 00:03:02,787 --> 00:03:04,947 Speaker 2: I think the biggest surprise for most people was two 60 00:03:04,987 --> 00:03:07,827 Speaker 2: poor you starting on the blind side flank. Why do 61 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:08,907 Speaker 2: you think they've gone that way? 62 00:03:10,587 --> 00:03:10,827 Speaker 3: Yeah? 63 00:03:11,147 --> 00:03:14,267 Speaker 4: I think you know, size against the big teams, against 64 00:03:14,267 --> 00:03:18,347 Speaker 4: the spring box, against France against Ireland England, those teams 65 00:03:18,387 --> 00:03:21,067 Speaker 4: the top sides in the world. Clearly, it's an area 66 00:03:21,307 --> 00:03:23,707 Speaker 4: you want to make sure you can match size to size, 67 00:03:23,787 --> 00:03:26,387 Speaker 4: and what you do get with the athleticism of Tuba 68 00:03:26,427 --> 00:03:29,107 Speaker 4: Bay is exactly that the ability for him to play 69 00:03:29,107 --> 00:03:32,227 Speaker 4: on the side of the scrum, and that's only one 70 00:03:32,267 --> 00:03:35,267 Speaker 4: small aspect of the game. There are less scrums as 71 00:03:35,267 --> 00:03:38,307 Speaker 4: we've seen in the game now, so I think from 72 00:03:38,347 --> 00:03:41,547 Speaker 4: that perspective, you know, the number on the back's probably 73 00:03:41,587 --> 00:03:43,707 Speaker 4: less important than the fact of making sure you've got 74 00:03:43,707 --> 00:03:46,627 Speaker 4: three really strong line out options. And he's certainly quick 75 00:03:46,707 --> 00:03:51,147 Speaker 4: enough on the ground, but also as an athlete, he's 76 00:03:51,187 --> 00:03:53,347 Speaker 4: certainly quite a bit bigger than our six is that 77 00:03:53,387 --> 00:03:56,107 Speaker 4: we've had floating around over the last few years. He's 78 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:58,507 Speaker 4: probably more in the mold of a Shannon Brazil that 79 00:03:58,587 --> 00:04:02,627 Speaker 4: sort of size. Probably not as powerful in terms of 80 00:04:02,707 --> 00:04:05,947 Speaker 4: the tackles that Brazil was, but in terms of an 81 00:04:05,987 --> 00:04:10,467 Speaker 4: all round game, Tupo has been outstanding. So I'm interested 82 00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:13,067 Speaker 4: to see how this plays out. What I love about 83 00:04:13,067 --> 00:04:15,867 Speaker 4: it it gives an opportunity for Fabian Holland to straight 84 00:04:15,907 --> 00:04:18,707 Speaker 4: away just carry on from what he did in Super 85 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 4: Raggy which was used as big engine, rather than having 86 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:23,827 Speaker 4: it come off the bench as an impact player, have 87 00:04:23,907 --> 00:04:25,667 Speaker 4: it as a guy who's getting to start and can 88 00:04:25,707 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 4: play some deep minutes. 89 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:29,067 Speaker 2: What sort of messaging do you think the All Blacks 90 00:04:29,067 --> 00:04:31,307 Speaker 2: coaches gave to Summer Penny female, who I think we 91 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:33,707 Speaker 2: all thought would be in the six jumper. 92 00:04:34,947 --> 00:04:37,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, look, I think he was closed up this year. 93 00:04:37,667 --> 00:04:40,547 Speaker 4: I think you know, they had such a competitive group 94 00:04:40,587 --> 00:04:43,387 Speaker 4: in the loose forwards for the Chiefs where he started 95 00:04:43,387 --> 00:04:45,147 Speaker 4: at the back end to show some signs, but with 96 00:04:45,227 --> 00:04:47,347 Speaker 4: the same token. You know, he was guilty in a 97 00:04:47,427 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 4: quarterfinal of giving away a number of penalties. So for him, 98 00:04:51,507 --> 00:04:54,867 Speaker 4: it's about accuracies and making sure that he's being impactful 99 00:04:54,907 --> 00:04:58,307 Speaker 4: in the game, a consistency consistently across the time he's 100 00:04:58,347 --> 00:05:00,907 Speaker 4: on the park. I like this because he's not having 101 00:05:00,907 --> 00:05:04,987 Speaker 4: to worry about maybe sixty seventy minutes he'll probably, provided 102 00:05:04,987 --> 00:05:07,587 Speaker 4: there's no injuries, he'll get twenty minute window maybe to 103 00:05:07,627 --> 00:05:10,107 Speaker 4: go out there and just literally go for it. Just 104 00:05:10,387 --> 00:05:13,547 Speaker 4: put back to back efforts in not just every so often, 105 00:05:13,907 --> 00:05:15,827 Speaker 4: just back to back efforts in terms of whether it's 106 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:18,907 Speaker 4: carrying or tackling. So I think this is this is 107 00:05:18,667 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 4: a this is a nice option for me. This is 108 00:05:20,947 --> 00:05:23,587 Speaker 4: us looking at something different, and for me, that's probably 109 00:05:23,627 --> 00:05:25,827 Speaker 4: the most important thing, is that if if we rolled 110 00:05:25,827 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 4: out with a similar feel and lookers last year, it 111 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:30,667 Speaker 4: was almost like we're not prepared to go in a 112 00:05:30,667 --> 00:05:33,187 Speaker 4: different direction. This team looks as though we're going in 113 00:05:33,227 --> 00:05:34,267 Speaker 4: a slightly different direction. 114 00:05:34,547 --> 00:05:36,067 Speaker 2: On that then, Jeff, do you think there would have 115 00:05:36,107 --> 00:05:38,787 Speaker 2: been a temptation to give to multi Tabatavana why a 116 00:05:38,907 --> 00:05:40,947 Speaker 2: tea stable off the bench on his home ground? 117 00:05:42,027 --> 00:05:43,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think there would have been that, But in 118 00:05:43,987 --> 00:05:46,307 Speaker 4: saying that, I think experience still does count for a lot, 119 00:05:46,587 --> 00:05:49,747 Speaker 4: and you can't argue with quinter Pire's form, and I 120 00:05:49,787 --> 00:05:52,027 Speaker 4: think they'd like the light for like in terms of 121 00:05:52,067 --> 00:05:55,987 Speaker 4: the twelve Jersey, and I think Tabatavanai, as powerful as 122 00:05:55,987 --> 00:05:59,187 Speaker 4: he is, he's certainly probably not as direct a runner 123 00:05:59,307 --> 00:06:02,867 Speaker 4: as he's certainly different and I would like to think 124 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:04,987 Speaker 4: he's going to get his opportunity. So yeah, it would 125 00:06:05,027 --> 00:06:06,747 Speaker 4: have been great, right, It would have been great story, 126 00:06:07,187 --> 00:06:09,187 Speaker 4: you know, for all Free Islanders to have played together 127 00:06:09,227 --> 00:06:11,707 Speaker 4: in this first test. But they've gone in a slightly 128 00:06:11,707 --> 00:06:15,267 Speaker 4: different direction and I think it's understandable from my perspective. 129 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:17,587 Speaker 4: The other side of it, too, is is that Jordi 130 00:06:17,627 --> 00:06:19,987 Speaker 4: Barrett has that ability to play at fullback, and whether 131 00:06:20,107 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 4: or not he's actually the backup fullback will be very interesting, 132 00:06:22,947 --> 00:06:24,387 Speaker 4: you know, whether or not they see it as Damie 133 00:06:24,427 --> 00:06:26,747 Speaker 4: mckensey and they want to focus in on as a ten. 134 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:29,027 Speaker 4: I'm interested in how all it might play out during 135 00:06:29,067 --> 00:06:31,987 Speaker 4: the course of this, not just this Test match, but 136 00:06:32,067 --> 00:06:32,627 Speaker 4: this series. 137 00:06:33,027 --> 00:06:34,747 Speaker 2: We know that all blacks are never perfect in the 138 00:06:34,787 --> 00:06:37,427 Speaker 2: first test of a year, So what will you need 139 00:06:37,467 --> 00:06:40,307 Speaker 2: to see tonight? What will most New Zealand rugby fans 140 00:06:40,347 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 2: need to see tonight to be satisfied with the first 141 00:06:43,267 --> 00:06:44,027 Speaker 2: outing of the year. 142 00:06:45,307 --> 00:06:48,147 Speaker 4: It's really interesting because we've often said that because we've 143 00:06:48,147 --> 00:06:50,587 Speaker 4: had a few performances, but quite often we've come up 144 00:06:50,707 --> 00:06:52,987 Speaker 4: against really good teams who have come here with a purpose. 145 00:06:53,667 --> 00:06:57,347 Speaker 4: Was this French team's purpose, it's been giving young guys 146 00:06:57,347 --> 00:07:00,227 Speaker 4: an opportunity. Have chosen to not select some vasty experienced 147 00:07:00,227 --> 00:07:03,307 Speaker 4: players for a variety of reasons. So with that in mind, 148 00:07:03,347 --> 00:07:05,347 Speaker 4: and given when I look at our side on paper 149 00:07:05,627 --> 00:07:07,707 Speaker 4: and with the amount of experience it has in this group, 150 00:07:07,787 --> 00:07:10,387 Speaker 4: if there's a couple of new players in there and 151 00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:13,267 Speaker 4: Christian Leo Willie it's a big, big opportunity for him, yes, 152 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:15,387 Speaker 4: to go by his moving, but I think this group 153 00:07:15,507 --> 00:07:18,747 Speaker 4: understands the responsibility it has to get off to a 154 00:07:18,787 --> 00:07:22,667 Speaker 4: really strong start season because the quicker they get momentum 155 00:07:22,707 --> 00:07:25,427 Speaker 4: going in through the year, the better served we will 156 00:07:25,467 --> 00:07:28,667 Speaker 4: be as we start going towards the Rugby Championship. And 157 00:07:28,707 --> 00:07:32,427 Speaker 4: let's be honest, that challenge that is said Africa, that's 158 00:07:32,667 --> 00:07:35,387 Speaker 4: on the horizon is something we have to be ready for. 159 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:38,147 Speaker 4: So I think tonight I think this is a really 160 00:07:38,187 --> 00:07:41,307 Speaker 4: important statement making opportunity, the fact that given everything that 161 00:07:41,307 --> 00:07:43,187 Speaker 4: we've got and what were up against in terms of 162 00:07:43,187 --> 00:07:46,067 Speaker 4: a real lack of experience, even though it's France, my 163 00:07:46,227 --> 00:07:49,027 Speaker 4: expectations should be that we have a actually have a 164 00:07:49,067 --> 00:07:50,667 Speaker 4: really good and convincing. 165 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:51,827 Speaker 2: One and if we just zoom out a bit to 166 00:07:51,867 --> 00:07:54,827 Speaker 2: finish Goldie. What do you think the big goals will 167 00:07:54,827 --> 00:07:57,987 Speaker 2: be for Scott Robertson in year two of his coaching 168 00:07:58,027 --> 00:08:01,347 Speaker 2: tenure and in year two of this World Cup cycle? 169 00:08:02,987 --> 00:08:04,467 Speaker 4: To me, it would be to start to control the 170 00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:08,787 Speaker 4: big moments games because we had a number of test 171 00:08:08,827 --> 00:08:11,787 Speaker 4: matches which went both ways last year where we managed 172 00:08:11,787 --> 00:08:13,907 Speaker 4: to find ways to win. But then the games that 173 00:08:14,387 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 4: went against us, there were some big moments in the 174 00:08:17,387 --> 00:08:20,107 Speaker 4: last twenty minutes we just didn't own. You know. To me, 175 00:08:20,187 --> 00:08:23,067 Speaker 4: it's you know, your sea sides. That's when you know 176 00:08:23,147 --> 00:08:27,147 Speaker 4: great sides are starting to evolve, that they're getting better 177 00:08:27,187 --> 00:08:30,067 Speaker 4: every week, and when they're faced with the challenge in 178 00:08:30,107 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 4: the most difficult parts of the game, they find our solution. 179 00:08:33,347 --> 00:08:36,427 Speaker 4: And so that ability to adapt, that ability to recognize 180 00:08:36,427 --> 00:08:38,387 Speaker 4: what it is that whether it be the referee, the 181 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:41,107 Speaker 4: nature of the game, whatever, it might take. Having that 182 00:08:41,147 --> 00:08:44,747 Speaker 4: adaptability to find the big moments which will win. And 183 00:08:44,987 --> 00:08:46,707 Speaker 4: a lot of that comes down to dealing with the 184 00:08:46,707 --> 00:08:49,707 Speaker 4: opposition in front of us. So got to learn fast, 185 00:08:49,827 --> 00:08:51,267 Speaker 4: and I think that's one of the reasons I think 186 00:08:51,267 --> 00:08:52,867 Speaker 4: they've gone with the balance had both barre it for 187 00:08:52,867 --> 00:08:55,987 Speaker 4: this fight, where with all of his vast experience, a 188 00:08:56,027 --> 00:08:58,027 Speaker 4: lot of that rests with him around Okay, how do 189 00:08:58,067 --> 00:09:01,107 Speaker 4: we manage our way through this game when it is 190 00:09:01,147 --> 00:09:02,987 Speaker 4: on the line. That's what I'm looking for. I'm sure 191 00:09:03,107 --> 00:09:05,707 Speaker 4: that's exactly what they're focusing on as well. Week on 192 00:09:05,867 --> 00:09:06,787 Speaker 4: week being. 193 00:09:06,667 --> 00:09:10,587 Speaker 2: Better, fascinating, year ahead, intriguing start to it tonight. Enjoy 194 00:09:10,707 --> 00:09:11,627 Speaker 2: being back in Dunedin. 195 00:09:11,667 --> 00:09:15,347 Speaker 4: You must, oh absolutely. I mean every city's got a 196 00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:17,067 Speaker 4: unique barber around. 197 00:09:17,267 --> 00:09:17,467 Speaker 3: You know. 198 00:09:17,707 --> 00:09:20,067 Speaker 4: It's a Test weekend, you know, and the first one 199 00:09:20,067 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 4: of the year. I think it's a perfect place to start. 200 00:09:22,307 --> 00:09:24,027 Speaker 4: It's nice to have a roof over it. We know 201 00:09:24,067 --> 00:09:26,307 Speaker 4: it hasn't been great week in terms of weather, so 202 00:09:26,427 --> 00:09:28,707 Speaker 4: at least we're guaranteed to be on a great surface 203 00:09:28,987 --> 00:09:31,187 Speaker 4: so that both teams and France as well can go 204 00:09:31,267 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 4: out and they can play the quality rugby they want 205 00:09:33,467 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 4: to do it this level. 206 00:09:34,307 --> 00:09:36,227 Speaker 2: Top man, Goldie, always good to chat. Thanks for taking 207 00:09:36,227 --> 00:09:36,707 Speaker 2: the time. 208 00:09:36,507 --> 00:09:39,067 Speaker 4: Mate, No problems it all enjoy. 209 00:09:39,307 --> 00:09:42,547 Speaker 2: You enjoy two Goldie. Jeff Wilson joining us there on 210 00:09:43,387 --> 00:09:45,627 Speaker 2: the day of the first Test match of the year 211 00:09:45,747 --> 00:09:48,627 Speaker 2: in the city that he made his name for the 212 00:09:48,667 --> 00:09:51,587 Speaker 2: Otago side, for the Highlanders and for the All Blacks. 213 00:09:51,947 --> 00:09:55,107 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 214 00:09:55,227 --> 00:09:58,507 Speaker 1: to News Talks d B weekends from midday or follow 215 00:09:58,547 --> 00:10:00,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.