1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:15,627 Speaker 2: Head coach Rob Penny is with us having flown back 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:18,027 Speaker 2: to christ JUTCHA, Rob, thanks for joining us. Can we 5 00:00:18,067 --> 00:00:20,787 Speaker 2: start at the end perhaps? How are the nerves in 6 00:00:20,787 --> 00:00:23,947 Speaker 2: the box at thirty one twenty four ahead? Two men 7 00:00:23,987 --> 00:00:25,507 Speaker 2: in the bin, five minutes to go. 8 00:00:27,627 --> 00:00:32,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, good afternoon, Jason. Personally, not too bad. There was 9 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:35,267 Speaker 3: a bit of anxiousness amongst some others, but that's all good. 10 00:00:35,987 --> 00:00:40,707 Speaker 3: You know. It was pretty tense, but just really satisfied. 11 00:00:40,747 --> 00:00:42,867 Speaker 3: I guess that the class found a way, which is 12 00:00:43,627 --> 00:00:44,787 Speaker 3: a great tribute to them. 13 00:00:45,267 --> 00:00:46,827 Speaker 2: I was going to ask that, how proud were you 14 00:00:46,907 --> 00:00:49,067 Speaker 2: of the thirteen who were out there for the most 15 00:00:49,067 --> 00:00:51,587 Speaker 2: part in that last ten minutes to keep the Hurricanes 16 00:00:51,587 --> 00:00:53,787 Speaker 2: at bay as they pretty much camped in your territory. 17 00:00:55,667 --> 00:00:58,467 Speaker 3: I was proud of a whole group, you know, right 18 00:00:58,507 --> 00:01:01,307 Speaker 3: across we had a lot of disruption, you know, losing 19 00:01:01,387 --> 00:01:05,627 Speaker 3: Davy early in a couple of hias, through the middle 20 00:01:05,627 --> 00:01:09,067 Speaker 3: part of the first half having to be a bit 21 00:01:09,067 --> 00:01:13,427 Speaker 3: of a juggling act, and then yeah, so you know, 22 00:01:13,427 --> 00:01:15,187 Speaker 3: we had a lot of disruption and then losing the 23 00:01:15,187 --> 00:01:19,027 Speaker 3: two boys late for yellow cards. Just proud of the 24 00:01:19,027 --> 00:01:21,987 Speaker 3: whole group, the resilience they showed and the desperation and 25 00:01:22,027 --> 00:01:24,267 Speaker 3: the desire to head for each other to get the 26 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:25,027 Speaker 3: outcome we did. 27 00:01:25,747 --> 00:01:28,467 Speaker 2: Do you have an update on David Harvelly for us? 28 00:01:31,147 --> 00:01:33,707 Speaker 3: The latest one is that he woke up quite good 29 00:01:33,707 --> 00:01:38,947 Speaker 3: this morning and that's that's a positive sign. But knowing 30 00:01:39,467 --> 00:01:43,347 Speaker 3: what you know, just the history of little issues around 31 00:01:43,387 --> 00:01:47,467 Speaker 3: the Lower calf Achilles area that you know it's probably 32 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:49,187 Speaker 3: going to be a week or two. But we haven't 33 00:01:49,187 --> 00:01:50,067 Speaker 3: given upvote yet. 34 00:01:50,547 --> 00:01:53,027 Speaker 2: All right, we'll keep eyes on that. The first half 35 00:01:53,347 --> 00:01:56,187 Speaker 2: and in fact the first fifty two minutes when you 36 00:01:56,187 --> 00:01:58,907 Speaker 2: were ahead thirty one to ten, I mean, terrific. How 37 00:01:58,907 --> 00:02:01,787 Speaker 2: does that compare to other performances you've seen from your 38 00:02:01,867 --> 00:02:02,587 Speaker 2: side this season? 39 00:02:04,667 --> 00:02:08,867 Speaker 3: A light up there of course. Matt Todd, our defense coach, 40 00:02:08,907 --> 00:02:12,347 Speaker 3: who's you know, getting some really good shifts in the lads, 41 00:02:12,387 --> 00:02:17,307 Speaker 3: and I was talking about that that's by far the 42 00:02:17,307 --> 00:02:23,227 Speaker 3: most intense contact area that that he's witnessed this year 43 00:02:23,347 --> 00:02:26,827 Speaker 3: from the from them either group. You know, both teams 44 00:02:26,827 --> 00:02:30,387 Speaker 3: were hitting them pretty hard and so that you know 45 00:02:30,467 --> 00:02:33,467 Speaker 3: that takes its toll and you know I think there 46 00:02:33,507 --> 00:02:35,587 Speaker 3: was some superb pooty played from both sides. It was 47 00:02:35,787 --> 00:02:38,707 Speaker 3: very challenging conditions that Dusty swirthly win that you can 48 00:02:38,707 --> 00:02:41,467 Speaker 3: get in Willington was at its best, and so the 49 00:02:41,507 --> 00:02:44,627 Speaker 3: spect Guy I think was pretty good value given some 50 00:02:44,667 --> 00:02:46,867 Speaker 3: of those peripheral conditions. 51 00:02:46,507 --> 00:02:48,827 Speaker 2: Really good value. And you landed on the loose forward 52 00:02:48,867 --> 00:02:52,187 Speaker 2: battle there, you know, for yourselves Color Gray Sheath and Blackadder, 53 00:02:52,227 --> 00:02:56,627 Speaker 2: Christian Leo Willy for the Hurricanes, Y'll see Larkeye Carifi. 54 00:02:57,027 --> 00:02:59,827 Speaker 2: I mean, I guess there's a former Lucy yourself. You 55 00:02:59,867 --> 00:03:02,267 Speaker 2: must have enjoyed the battle even though you're obviously wanting 56 00:03:02,307 --> 00:03:03,147 Speaker 2: your blokes to win it. 57 00:03:05,147 --> 00:03:09,027 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, of course, you know. I rate the loose 58 00:03:09,107 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 3: portrayer that we've got very very highly, and we've got 59 00:03:11,747 --> 00:03:13,667 Speaker 3: some you know, in the bank that we're going to 60 00:03:13,667 --> 00:03:17,027 Speaker 3: be able to introduce over the next few weeks that 61 00:03:17,067 --> 00:03:21,187 Speaker 3: have added value at times. But I also really admire 62 00:03:21,427 --> 00:03:26,947 Speaker 3: what Wellington has got and the youthful athleticism is, you know, 63 00:03:27,067 --> 00:03:31,187 Speaker 3: something to be really respected, and you know they'll go 64 00:03:31,267 --> 00:03:34,627 Speaker 3: on to produce some great rugby for that frenchise over 65 00:03:34,627 --> 00:03:34,947 Speaker 3: the years. 66 00:03:34,947 --> 00:03:37,707 Speaker 2: I've got no doubt but a noise around this week 67 00:03:37,747 --> 00:03:40,787 Speaker 2: about Scott Barrett. Do you think he I'm not sure 68 00:03:40,827 --> 00:03:42,347 Speaker 2: he needed to, but do you think he proved a 69 00:03:42,347 --> 00:03:43,507 Speaker 2: few people wrong last night? 70 00:03:45,707 --> 00:03:50,027 Speaker 3: He certainly didn't need to. I think people are searching 71 00:03:50,227 --> 00:03:57,947 Speaker 3: for greatness, aren't they, and the realization that like Scott Bout, 72 00:03:58,027 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 3: like all the boys, that they are human and they're 73 00:04:01,347 --> 00:04:09,267 Speaker 3: susceptible to fluctuations in form But he, I think quite 74 00:04:09,387 --> 00:04:14,827 Speaker 3: any detractors. He was outstanding. He got an internal Player 75 00:04:14,867 --> 00:04:18,747 Speaker 3: of the Day award and got an ovation from the 76 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:22,507 Speaker 3: boys who love him daily and respect him immensely, and 77 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:25,987 Speaker 3: you know, honored him appropriately with a great performance that 78 00:04:26,067 --> 00:04:30,187 Speaker 3: he had. And he's such a humble guy. He doesn't 79 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:34,307 Speaker 3: embrace that sort of accolade at all. But it was 80 00:04:34,427 --> 00:04:36,747 Speaker 3: nice for him on the back of that, I guess 81 00:04:36,907 --> 00:04:41,067 Speaker 3: week to get such a rousing reception from his from 82 00:04:41,107 --> 00:04:41,787 Speaker 3: his peers. 83 00:04:42,347 --> 00:04:44,187 Speaker 2: One of your less experienced players want to ask you 84 00:04:44,187 --> 00:04:48,427 Speaker 2: about is Joanni Mwana, who he's probably getting more rugby 85 00:04:48,467 --> 00:04:50,707 Speaker 2: than he probably thought he would being at a franchise 86 00:04:51,027 --> 00:04:53,387 Speaker 2: with a couple of all blacks hookers. What have you 87 00:04:53,387 --> 00:04:54,787 Speaker 2: made of his development? 88 00:04:57,787 --> 00:05:00,867 Speaker 3: Exceptional? He and a lot of credit goes to Dan 89 00:05:00,947 --> 00:05:02,667 Speaker 3: Perrin and the work he's done with him over the 90 00:05:02,747 --> 00:05:05,227 Speaker 3: last couple of years to set him up. A lot 91 00:05:05,227 --> 00:05:09,387 Speaker 3: of credit goes to himself for getting himself into physical 92 00:05:09,387 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 3: shape to be able to perform and do what he's done. 93 00:05:11,627 --> 00:05:14,947 Speaker 3: He's always had the ability, but often hasn't turned up 94 00:05:15,547 --> 00:05:17,827 Speaker 3: in either the greater shape or with a few niggles, 95 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:20,147 Speaker 3: and it's taken him a bit of time to get right. 96 00:05:20,667 --> 00:05:26,387 Speaker 3: But the year, you know, even though there's to establish 97 00:05:26,547 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: or nearly establish all blacks in our environment at Hokker, 98 00:05:31,187 --> 00:05:35,267 Speaker 3: you know, it's just a great example of even though 99 00:05:35,307 --> 00:05:36,947 Speaker 3: you tucked him behind, it doesn't mean you're not going 100 00:05:36,987 --> 00:05:42,267 Speaker 3: to get opportunity. And we're so pleased with Yoanni, not 101 00:05:42,307 --> 00:05:44,587 Speaker 3: only what he's bringing to us on the footy field, 102 00:05:44,627 --> 00:05:46,947 Speaker 3: but him as a bloke and around the environment. He's 103 00:05:47,027 --> 00:05:50,427 Speaker 3: just a joy to have. And yeah, as I say, 104 00:05:50,587 --> 00:05:55,387 Speaker 3: between himself working really hard and wanting to prove that 105 00:05:55,427 --> 00:05:57,747 Speaker 3: he's up to this level and he's proven that beyond doubt, 106 00:05:57,827 --> 00:06:01,187 Speaker 3: and the work that DP Dan Perrin does with him, 107 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:03,467 Speaker 3: it's just a joy to watch the outcome. 108 00:06:03,507 --> 00:06:05,707 Speaker 2: Now the last part I just wanted to ask you 109 00:06:05,707 --> 00:06:09,107 Speaker 2: about specific as Will Jordan, who has played every game 110 00:06:09,147 --> 00:06:13,147 Speaker 2: for you at fallback. He just seems to be I mean, 111 00:06:13,147 --> 00:06:16,987 Speaker 2: we know how good he is, but how good is 112 00:06:16,987 --> 00:06:17,427 Speaker 2: he for you? 113 00:06:19,907 --> 00:06:23,467 Speaker 3: Well, he's very special. You know, he's at that age 114 00:06:23,507 --> 00:06:30,147 Speaker 3: now where he's been I guess allocated a really serious 115 00:06:30,227 --> 00:06:33,227 Speaker 3: role in tournament in terms of his leadership with David 116 00:06:33,227 --> 00:06:36,947 Speaker 3: Harvelly as one of the vice captains, and he's given 117 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:42,027 Speaker 3: a you know, a portfolio there which he's owned. There's 118 00:06:42,067 --> 00:06:47,147 Speaker 3: aspects of his game which you know, in some regards 119 00:06:47,347 --> 00:06:49,387 Speaker 3: there might be the odd credit around some of the 120 00:06:49,427 --> 00:06:52,627 Speaker 3: breakdown works and his ability to get in there and 121 00:06:52,667 --> 00:06:56,107 Speaker 3: knuckle down at some of the tough moments. But he's 122 00:06:56,187 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 3: really led that for us this year, proving to everybody 123 00:06:58,867 --> 00:07:01,147 Speaker 3: that you know, he can take that forward now with 124 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:07,347 Speaker 3: a lot of confidence and really back himself and rugby 125 00:07:07,347 --> 00:07:13,107 Speaker 3: brain is exceptional, is wonderful to listen to. He's got 126 00:07:13,107 --> 00:07:18,307 Speaker 3: the ability to think outside the box and he's also 127 00:07:19,227 --> 00:07:22,707 Speaker 3: one that will have the confidence to challenge. So we 128 00:07:22,827 --> 00:07:26,707 Speaker 3: love him. You know, he's he's a crusader through and 129 00:07:26,747 --> 00:07:29,187 Speaker 3: through and we just love having them in our environment. 130 00:07:29,307 --> 00:07:32,387 Speaker 3: And he's as I said that the maturity and as 131 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:36,587 Speaker 3: leadership is has been something that's been a wonderful thing 132 00:07:36,627 --> 00:07:36,987 Speaker 3: to watch. 133 00:07:37,587 --> 00:07:40,827 Speaker 2: Well said, it's a very different story, Rob from this 134 00:07:40,947 --> 00:07:43,347 Speaker 2: time last year. What a difference a year makes. Is 135 00:07:43,387 --> 00:07:46,267 Speaker 2: it relevant at all to compare the season to last season? 136 00:07:48,507 --> 00:07:52,067 Speaker 3: Oh, you can compare. The reality is we're miss thirteen 137 00:07:52,107 --> 00:07:55,947 Speaker 3: of our frontline players last year for large blocks. That's 138 00:07:55,987 --> 00:07:59,867 Speaker 3: that's in a nutshell. Of course, there's some bits and 139 00:07:59,867 --> 00:08:02,787 Speaker 3: pieces we've done behind the scenes to alter the way 140 00:08:02,827 --> 00:08:06,467 Speaker 3: we did a few things Jane Marshall's changed down are 141 00:08:06,467 --> 00:08:10,627 Speaker 3: attacked quite substantially and just just probably giving it a 142 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:12,907 Speaker 3: really nice change up flavor, which are the boys of 143 00:08:12,947 --> 00:08:15,667 Speaker 3: Brillian Embrace. And that's always a challenge because it takes 144 00:08:15,707 --> 00:08:18,427 Speaker 3: time to get that better than Tooddy had his first 145 00:08:18,507 --> 00:08:22,187 Speaker 3: year leading our defense last year. And you know that 146 00:08:22,507 --> 00:08:25,907 Speaker 3: consistency of voice and message is starting to bear fruit 147 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:31,027 Speaker 3: because that again takes time. So yeah, I've got no 148 00:08:31,147 --> 00:08:36,227 Speaker 3: issues with the comparisons by chalk and Cheese, and there's 149 00:08:36,427 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 3: you know, as I highlighted, there's a few reasons, but 150 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:42,467 Speaker 3: the main one is the unavailability of your world class players, 151 00:08:42,987 --> 00:08:47,987 Speaker 3: you know, an irregular context to be able to get 152 00:08:48,027 --> 00:08:49,187 Speaker 3: the performances you need. 153 00:08:50,267 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 2: Did you get back to the hotel and time to 154 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:54,147 Speaker 2: watch the war Tars Chiefs game or even the end 155 00:08:54,147 --> 00:08:54,387 Speaker 2: of it. 156 00:08:55,747 --> 00:08:58,867 Speaker 3: We did, actually, yeah, we watched it with a lot 157 00:08:58,907 --> 00:09:02,587 Speaker 3: of interest because we've got the Chiefs in about three 158 00:09:02,627 --> 00:09:05,547 Speaker 3: weeks and then we're over to the Wartars not long 159 00:09:05,627 --> 00:09:09,707 Speaker 3: after that. So yeah, that was a you know, that 160 00:09:09,827 --> 00:09:13,187 Speaker 3: was an interesting match. It didn't look like the Chiefs 161 00:09:13,187 --> 00:09:15,667 Speaker 3: were firing on all their cylinders, and the Tars are 162 00:09:15,667 --> 00:09:17,267 Speaker 3: tough at home, as we found out a couple of 163 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:20,867 Speaker 3: times last year. So yeah, credit to them. 164 00:09:21,427 --> 00:09:23,587 Speaker 2: I look at it because I sort of think, now, okay, 165 00:09:23,667 --> 00:09:25,507 Speaker 2: you can relax a little bit, but you can, can 166 00:09:25,547 --> 00:09:28,427 Speaker 2: you You've got the Blues at home on Good Friday, 167 00:09:28,467 --> 00:09:30,867 Speaker 2: then you're down to play the Highlanders in Dunedin. Plenty 168 00:09:30,947 --> 00:09:32,147 Speaker 2: of work today, Rob, isn't there? 169 00:09:33,267 --> 00:09:37,107 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, lots. No, You're never comfortable in this competition. 170 00:09:37,227 --> 00:09:41,707 Speaker 3: You know, the Myana Pacifica has taught us a lesson, 171 00:09:42,147 --> 00:09:46,387 Speaker 3: you know, only a few weeks ago at home and 172 00:09:47,347 --> 00:09:49,747 Speaker 3: you know, that wasn't an acceptable performance and the boys 173 00:09:49,787 --> 00:09:52,587 Speaker 3: were so disappointed, and you know, we've got I guess 174 00:09:52,627 --> 00:09:54,787 Speaker 3: we've got an opportunity now against a really good Blues 175 00:09:54,827 --> 00:09:57,547 Speaker 3: team who were desperate to turn up at home on 176 00:09:57,587 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 3: Friday night, as to say, on good Friday, and and 177 00:10:01,107 --> 00:10:04,787 Speaker 3: just hopefully prove that that was an aberration as opposed to, 178 00:10:05,307 --> 00:10:09,387 Speaker 3: you know, the fluctuation than our performances, which we had 179 00:10:09,387 --> 00:10:11,347 Speaker 3: had a bit early on. But we've we've put three 180 00:10:11,707 --> 00:10:14,747 Speaker 3: back to back consistent performance and hopefully we've got a 181 00:10:14,947 --> 00:10:15,427 Speaker 3: rhythm now. 182 00:10:16,147 --> 00:10:18,467 Speaker 2: Good Man, Rob, congrats on last night. Thanks for taking 183 00:10:18,627 --> 00:10:20,707 Speaker 2: a call this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 184 00:10:20,427 --> 00:10:22,947 Speaker 3: Mate, Yeah, pleasure, no problem. 185 00:10:22,947 --> 00:10:26,787 Speaker 1: Thanks for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen 186 00:10:26,867 --> 00:10:30,107 Speaker 1: live to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or 187 00:10:30,187 --> 00:10:32,107 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio