1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 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 zed B. 3 00:00:12,547 --> 00:00:15,707 Speaker 2: Let's get you inside the Crusaders camp. Well and truly 4 00:00:16,307 --> 00:00:19,827 Speaker 2: establishing himself as the number one half back for the 5 00:00:19,827 --> 00:00:22,587 Speaker 2: Crusaders this season has been Noah Hotham. 6 00:00:22,947 --> 00:00:25,547 Speaker 3: Leo Willie picks it, goes over the advisor, Ti gets 7 00:00:25,547 --> 00:00:27,547 Speaker 3: it off by free to Hope and he takes it, 8 00:00:27,667 --> 00:00:30,547 Speaker 3: chases and is no one home go to the pool. 9 00:00:30,627 --> 00:00:36,347 Speaker 4: They it's the Crusaders. Third. 10 00:00:37,787 --> 00:00:40,107 Speaker 2: Yeah, Noah Hotham has been a big part of this 11 00:00:40,147 --> 00:00:41,907 Speaker 2: team and joins us now. Noah, thanks for taking the 12 00:00:41,907 --> 00:00:44,227 Speaker 2: time on game day. Let's look back a week. How 13 00:00:44,307 --> 00:00:47,827 Speaker 2: much satisfaction did the team take from the semi final 14 00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:51,067 Speaker 2: win over the Blues last weekend, in particular holding on 15 00:00:51,187 --> 00:00:55,587 Speaker 2: for what forty plus phases after the siren to secure 16 00:00:55,627 --> 00:00:58,907 Speaker 2: the win and secure home advantage for tonight's final. 17 00:01:00,147 --> 00:01:04,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's pretty special, very special. Firstly, it's against the Blues, 18 00:01:05,427 --> 00:01:08,667 Speaker 3: brave us. Secondly it's our home in front of all 19 00:01:08,707 --> 00:01:12,867 Speaker 3: our fans and. 20 00:01:11,147 --> 00:01:12,267 Speaker 4: It's a semi finals. 21 00:01:12,267 --> 00:01:14,787 Speaker 3: So to show that much care at the end towards 22 00:01:14,867 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 3: the hootera was real special. 23 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:20,987 Speaker 2: To say, everybody knows your home finals record. Everybody's been 24 00:01:21,027 --> 00:01:22,867 Speaker 2: talking about it this week. I'm sure you haven't been 25 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 2: able to escape, but unbeaten in finals matches and christ 26 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:29,867 Speaker 2: you it's thirty one straight finals matches down there without 27 00:01:29,907 --> 00:01:33,747 Speaker 2: losing any of them. Do you in any way embrace 28 00:01:34,067 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 2: that record as part of your prep and almost use 29 00:01:36,747 --> 00:01:37,907 Speaker 2: it as a bit of a badge of honor. 30 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:43,587 Speaker 3: I don't think the record or the stats is something 31 00:01:43,627 --> 00:01:46,187 Speaker 3: we ever talk about. It's more the fact that, as 32 00:01:46,227 --> 00:01:48,627 Speaker 3: I alluded to, we're at home in front of our 33 00:01:48,707 --> 00:01:51,827 Speaker 3: home supporters, in front of our fans, and the last 34 00:01:51,827 --> 00:01:55,227 Speaker 3: game at our home stadium is more something that we 35 00:01:55,227 --> 00:01:58,347 Speaker 3: we take a lot of pride in and feel a 36 00:01:58,387 --> 00:02:01,467 Speaker 3: lot of support with, So it's something that we hold 37 00:02:01,987 --> 00:02:02,747 Speaker 3: close to our hearts. 38 00:02:02,827 --> 00:02:04,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, of course, this is the last time we'll see 39 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 2: you at Apollo Projects Stadium at Addington. You've got a 40 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:10,867 Speaker 2: flash new stadium to move to next year into Kaha 41 00:02:11,147 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 2: any party you're going to be sad to leave Eddington? 42 00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:15,107 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 43 00:02:15,747 --> 00:02:19,707 Speaker 3: It's a place where there's been a lot of history 44 00:02:19,747 --> 00:02:23,907 Speaker 3: there and even before hours here watch teams have success 45 00:02:23,907 --> 00:02:27,107 Speaker 3: down here, a lift trophies in that stadium and bring 46 00:02:27,187 --> 00:02:30,587 Speaker 3: a lot of love and care to the community, so. 47 00:02:30,547 --> 00:02:31,747 Speaker 4: It's definitely going to be missed. 48 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:33,987 Speaker 3: But on the other hand, it's a double ed sword 49 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 3: and we're excited to see the new stadium and how 50 00:02:38,547 --> 00:02:39,787 Speaker 3: it brings the community together. 51 00:02:40,067 --> 00:02:41,827 Speaker 2: All right, let's look at this game. It'll be your 52 00:02:41,947 --> 00:02:44,987 Speaker 2: first Grand Final, Nuller, So how have you managed the 53 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:48,187 Speaker 2: week with such a big game at the end of it? 54 00:02:50,187 --> 00:02:51,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think just simplifying it. 55 00:02:51,827 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 3: It's every moment matters, I guess, and it's us for 56 00:02:57,067 --> 00:02:59,507 Speaker 3: the Chiefs. Take the final out of it. It's just 57 00:02:59,587 --> 00:03:01,507 Speaker 3: us for the Chiefs, and you got to take that 58 00:03:01,547 --> 00:03:06,587 Speaker 3: pretty personally. So just keeping everything simple and just making 59 00:03:06,587 --> 00:03:07,507 Speaker 3: sure I'm nailing Morrow. 60 00:03:07,827 --> 00:03:09,347 Speaker 2: There must be a bit of a balance to strike 61 00:03:09,387 --> 00:03:11,307 Speaker 2: though as well, because you know, as you can say, 62 00:03:11,587 --> 00:03:14,027 Speaker 2: when you can say it's just another game, we go 63 00:03:14,107 --> 00:03:16,747 Speaker 2: through the same processes as we would any other game, 64 00:03:16,787 --> 00:03:19,587 Speaker 2: but it's a Grand Final, there's no getting away from that. 65 00:03:19,707 --> 00:03:24,507 Speaker 2: Do you also intentionally embrace the magnitude of the occasion 66 00:03:24,547 --> 00:03:25,907 Speaker 2: and how big this game is? 67 00:03:26,907 --> 00:03:29,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think more so in enjoying each other's company, 68 00:03:30,067 --> 00:03:32,627 Speaker 3: like this is the last last game of the season. 69 00:03:33,227 --> 00:03:37,067 Speaker 3: It's a week where we can really stay connected, enjoy 70 00:03:37,147 --> 00:03:42,267 Speaker 3: each other's company, from the marketing team to communications team, 71 00:03:42,347 --> 00:03:45,547 Speaker 3: to the management and the players and really get close 72 00:03:45,627 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 3: together and have a lot of fun. 73 00:03:48,427 --> 00:03:51,907 Speaker 2: Tell us about the halfback dynamic at the Crusaders. Three 74 00:03:52,107 --> 00:03:56,187 Speaker 2: high quality halfbacks, yourself, Kyl Preston and Mitch Trumond of course, 75 00:03:56,227 --> 00:03:58,747 Speaker 2: who just recently brought up one hundred and fifty games 76 00:03:59,227 --> 00:04:02,947 Speaker 2: for your franchise. Everybody wants to play, there's no denying that. 77 00:04:03,307 --> 00:04:06,067 Speaker 2: How do you make sure that you also are all 78 00:04:06,387 --> 00:04:07,787 Speaker 2: and what's best for the team. 79 00:04:08,107 --> 00:04:09,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's pretty special. 80 00:04:09,547 --> 00:04:11,867 Speaker 3: It's a pretty special group and there's been I've been 81 00:04:11,947 --> 00:04:15,147 Speaker 3: fortunate to see some pretty special players come before us to. 82 00:04:15,187 --> 00:04:18,667 Speaker 4: Lead the way. But it's a great group to be 83 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:19,067 Speaker 4: part of. 84 00:04:19,107 --> 00:04:22,907 Speaker 3: We push each other and compete for that spot, and 85 00:04:23,387 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 3: that's how we make each other better. 86 00:04:25,027 --> 00:04:28,227 Speaker 4: So, as I said earlier, we just got. 87 00:04:28,107 --> 00:04:30,827 Speaker 3: To know our own role, whatever that is during the week, 88 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:32,067 Speaker 3: and the boys are. 89 00:04:32,027 --> 00:04:32,827 Speaker 4: Really good about it. 90 00:04:33,107 --> 00:04:35,427 Speaker 3: At the end of the day, it's about the group 91 00:04:35,467 --> 00:04:36,907 Speaker 3: having success, not one of us. 92 00:04:37,427 --> 00:04:40,107 Speaker 2: Do you take pride though in winning the half back battle? 93 00:04:40,147 --> 00:04:43,147 Speaker 2: Do you look across at the opposition number nine Quartz 94 00:04:43,267 --> 00:04:45,747 Speaker 2: Latma in this case and think to yourself. Okay, that's 95 00:04:45,787 --> 00:04:49,067 Speaker 2: my battle to win, and if I can win that battle, 96 00:04:49,107 --> 00:04:51,627 Speaker 2: then then I'm doing my job or part of my job. 97 00:04:52,467 --> 00:04:54,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. I think. 98 00:04:55,627 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 3: Anytime that you converse a great halfback is awesome opportunity 99 00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:04,427 Speaker 3: and it's always really exciting for me versus in Cortiz 100 00:05:04,507 --> 00:05:05,227 Speaker 3: this week, and so. 101 00:05:07,067 --> 00:05:08,067 Speaker 4: It's really exciting. 102 00:05:08,707 --> 00:05:12,347 Speaker 3: And the Chiefs has some quality nine, So that's exciting 103 00:05:12,387 --> 00:05:15,107 Speaker 3: for our Nines group and a great challenge that we're 104 00:05:15,747 --> 00:05:17,147 Speaker 3: we're looking to step into. 105 00:05:17,667 --> 00:05:20,467 Speaker 2: You've had the opportunity this season Tho to forge some 106 00:05:20,507 --> 00:05:23,427 Speaker 2: partnerships and the halves with a couple of guys, Tahakma 107 00:05:23,827 --> 00:05:27,347 Speaker 2: until he suffered that unfortunate injury and after that, River's Rayhana. 108 00:05:27,507 --> 00:05:30,307 Speaker 2: How much of you enjoyed mb combining with those two guys. 109 00:05:30,907 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been awesome. 110 00:05:33,347 --> 00:05:37,067 Speaker 3: It's it's come full circle and mostly see how much 111 00:05:37,227 --> 00:05:40,827 Speaker 3: scrutiny we probably got last year, and then to turn 112 00:05:40,867 --> 00:05:45,107 Speaker 3: it around a little bit and just really take the 113 00:05:45,187 --> 00:05:49,347 Speaker 3: learnings from from those lessons that we got taught and 114 00:05:49,587 --> 00:05:52,267 Speaker 3: just grow as people go as players and go as 115 00:05:52,307 --> 00:05:53,107 Speaker 3: game drivers. 116 00:05:53,707 --> 00:05:56,587 Speaker 2: Just on last year. It's probably a difficult question to 117 00:05:56,707 --> 00:06:01,787 Speaker 2: answer succinctly. But what has been so different this year 118 00:06:02,107 --> 00:06:03,147 Speaker 2: compared to last year? 119 00:06:07,187 --> 00:06:09,507 Speaker 4: I could I don't think I could put my finger 120 00:06:09,547 --> 00:06:09,907 Speaker 4: on one. 121 00:06:10,027 --> 00:06:13,467 Speaker 3: I think where at the end of games we're finding 122 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:16,667 Speaker 3: ways to win, and that's that's a big thing. There 123 00:06:16,707 --> 00:06:19,787 Speaker 3: was many games last year where we had the game 124 00:06:19,827 --> 00:06:23,747 Speaker 3: and the balance and we didn't take advantage of moments 125 00:06:23,747 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 3: that could have taken the game. 126 00:06:25,907 --> 00:06:27,707 Speaker 4: And that's probably the biggest changes. 127 00:06:27,827 --> 00:06:30,667 Speaker 3: Yeh, We've took those hard lessons, had a hard look 128 00:06:30,667 --> 00:06:31,467 Speaker 3: in the mirror. 129 00:06:32,707 --> 00:06:36,867 Speaker 4: As a whole organization, and come out, who do you 130 00:06:36,947 --> 00:06:37,387 Speaker 4: get better? 131 00:06:37,747 --> 00:06:39,427 Speaker 2: I bet you were fizzing for the start of the 132 00:06:39,467 --> 00:06:41,907 Speaker 2: new season, and then, unfortunately for you, you're s up 133 00:06:41,907 --> 00:06:43,947 Speaker 2: with that ankle injury in the very first game, didn't you, 134 00:06:44,267 --> 00:06:46,707 Speaker 2: and it ruled you out for a few games after that. 135 00:06:46,787 --> 00:06:48,467 Speaker 2: How frustrating a time was that for you? 136 00:06:49,307 --> 00:06:54,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was very frustrating, But that's that's fretty. 137 00:06:54,107 --> 00:06:56,227 Speaker 4: I guess you gotta you got to take. 138 00:06:56,067 --> 00:07:00,147 Speaker 3: The highs of the lows, and there's just another opportunity 139 00:07:00,307 --> 00:07:02,467 Speaker 3: for me to work on areas of my game that 140 00:07:03,827 --> 00:07:05,307 Speaker 3: needed improvement. 141 00:07:04,907 --> 00:07:07,347 Speaker 4: And reflect on how watching I am to be in 142 00:07:07,387 --> 00:07:08,787 Speaker 4: the job. 143 00:07:08,707 --> 00:07:12,067 Speaker 3: I am and made me really hungry to get back 144 00:07:12,107 --> 00:07:13,107 Speaker 3: on the field, and. 145 00:07:13,067 --> 00:07:14,827 Speaker 2: The nature of the modern day game is that as 146 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:17,787 Speaker 2: a halfback it's very rare for you to play eighty minutes, 147 00:07:17,827 --> 00:07:21,307 Speaker 2: although you nearly did last weekend. As a starting halfback, though, 148 00:07:21,387 --> 00:07:23,627 Speaker 2: do you at the start of the game have a 149 00:07:23,707 --> 00:07:26,787 Speaker 2: general idea of when you're going to be replaced in 150 00:07:26,827 --> 00:07:30,427 Speaker 2: the second half or does it really depend almost entirely 151 00:07:30,507 --> 00:07:31,787 Speaker 2: on the match situation. 152 00:07:33,347 --> 00:07:36,027 Speaker 4: Na, Yeah, you don't really have any idea. You kind 153 00:07:36,027 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 4: of you assume you're getting. 154 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:44,947 Speaker 3: If you're starting in you're getting a little bit past 155 00:07:45,027 --> 00:07:48,547 Speaker 3: half time, and then anyway after that, as a bonus, 156 00:07:48,587 --> 00:07:49,827 Speaker 3: you just keep working. 157 00:07:49,587 --> 00:07:51,547 Speaker 4: And not think about it. 158 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:55,107 Speaker 3: It just makes sure you're enjoying yourself and having a 159 00:07:55,147 --> 00:07:56,907 Speaker 3: good cracks out there as long as you can. 160 00:07:56,947 --> 00:07:58,907 Speaker 2: I guess yeah, And I know you're only focusing on 161 00:07:59,027 --> 00:08:01,547 Speaker 2: tonight's game, But you got your All Black stabut last 162 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:05,027 Speaker 2: year off the bench against fig How much did that 163 00:08:05,147 --> 00:08:08,707 Speaker 2: weet your appetite for more time in the All Blacks environment? 164 00:08:09,227 --> 00:08:09,427 Speaker 4: Ah? 165 00:08:09,507 --> 00:08:12,267 Speaker 3: That was a huge made me so so hungry for more, 166 00:08:12,827 --> 00:08:14,667 Speaker 3: create a big bonfire within my stomach. 167 00:08:15,227 --> 00:08:18,947 Speaker 4: Wanted to get back there and prove what I could do. 168 00:08:19,747 --> 00:08:23,067 Speaker 3: But as I said, yeah, as you alluded to it's 169 00:08:23,107 --> 00:08:26,107 Speaker 3: about this week and not looking past her. 170 00:08:26,307 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 4: Yeah. 171 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:29,027 Speaker 2: Well, I'm sure the rest will naturally follow. No, a 172 00:08:29,067 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 2: great to chat to, you made all the best tonight 173 00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:33,587 Speaker 2: is your farewell Addington and try and keep that proud 174 00:08:33,627 --> 00:08:36,067 Speaker 2: Crusaders record alive. Really appreciate you taking. 175 00:08:35,827 --> 00:08:39,627 Speaker 4: The time for a chair, he jeers, thank you very much, Jess, No, 176 00:08:39,787 --> 00:08:40,307 Speaker 4: thank you know what? 177 00:08:40,387 --> 00:08:42,587 Speaker 2: Noah hoth them there out of the Crusaders camp joining 178 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:45,667 Speaker 2: us on match day, set to play a key role, 179 00:08:45,827 --> 00:08:48,547 Speaker 2: and or you'd have to think he'll be named in 180 00:08:48,587 --> 00:08:50,547 Speaker 2: the All Black squad on Monday. 181 00:08:51,227 --> 00:08:54,387 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 182 00:08:54,507 --> 00:08:57,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk said Be weekends from midday, or follow 183 00:08:57,827 --> 00:08:59,467 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio