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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:16,427 Speaker 2: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed his assistant 4 00:00:16,507 --> 00:00:19,227 Speaker 2: coaching group to take the team through to the twenty 5 00:00:19,307 --> 00:00:22,307 Speaker 2: twenty seven Rugby World Cup. Neil Barnes will be a 6 00:00:22,427 --> 00:00:26,947 Speaker 2: senior assistant coach, Tana Umaga is defense coach, Mike Blair 7 00:00:27,267 --> 00:00:30,867 Speaker 2: attack coach, and Jason Ryan is the one survivor from 8 00:00:30,867 --> 00:00:34,427 Speaker 2: the previous All Blacks coaching group. He'll continue overseeing the 9 00:00:34,507 --> 00:00:38,387 Speaker 2: forwards as the team charts its path towards next year's 10 00:00:38,467 --> 00:00:41,987 Speaker 2: Rugby World Cup. Jason Ryan is with us on Weekendsport. 11 00:00:42,027 --> 00:00:46,267 Speaker 2: Congratulations Jason. How did these conversations unfold? 12 00:00:48,347 --> 00:00:52,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks very much. You had a couple of conversations 13 00:00:52,787 --> 00:00:54,787 Speaker 3: with friends when he has gone through the process and 14 00:00:56,067 --> 00:00:58,827 Speaker 3: obviously nice and you know, it was probably just to 15 00:00:58,907 --> 00:01:03,587 Speaker 3: get a phone call for him and he outlined sort 16 00:01:03,627 --> 00:01:06,187 Speaker 3: what he wanted to move ahead with and how and 17 00:01:07,427 --> 00:01:11,107 Speaker 3: the part he saw me in that. So yeah, it 18 00:01:11,147 --> 00:01:14,467 Speaker 3: was pretty eag from my point of view. I guess 19 00:01:15,307 --> 00:01:19,067 Speaker 3: to take that on board and looking forward to working 20 00:01:19,067 --> 00:01:20,947 Speaker 3: with him and the All Blacks, that's for sure. 21 00:01:21,107 --> 00:01:23,307 Speaker 2: So it didn't feel like a job interview. It was 22 00:01:23,347 --> 00:01:25,747 Speaker 2: more like, oh, yeah, here's what I want to do. 23 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:27,267 Speaker 2: Are you keen to stay on? 24 00:01:28,747 --> 00:01:30,907 Speaker 3: Yeah? Yeah, Look I was always always keen to stay on. 25 00:01:30,907 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 3: I want to coach the all Blacks, you know. But 26 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:34,747 Speaker 3: it was a matter of just working through a few 27 00:01:34,747 --> 00:01:37,107 Speaker 3: things and how we were going to work with Barnsey 28 00:01:37,187 --> 00:01:39,507 Speaker 3: and that sort of thing, which I'm really excited about. 29 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 3: Known Barnzy for a long time and there's been a 30 00:01:43,187 --> 00:01:46,267 Speaker 3: messive mutual respect with us, and yeah, it all sort 31 00:01:46,307 --> 00:01:49,267 Speaker 3: of came together then, and obviously he got the job, 32 00:01:49,307 --> 00:01:51,227 Speaker 3: and then he has a couple more phone calls since 33 00:01:51,267 --> 00:01:54,787 Speaker 3: and sort of daily now and it's all exciting and 34 00:01:54,827 --> 00:01:56,067 Speaker 3: looking forward to moving forward. 35 00:01:56,507 --> 00:01:58,507 Speaker 2: Did you get a sense from Dave Rennie that he 36 00:01:58,627 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 2: was keen to have a bridge back to the previous 37 00:02:02,587 --> 00:02:04,867 Speaker 2: coaching group or not. 38 00:02:06,467 --> 00:02:08,747 Speaker 3: All of the conversations that Renz and I had was 39 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:12,547 Speaker 3: just about myself and Barnzy, to be fair, working in 40 00:02:12,547 --> 00:02:16,067 Speaker 3: that space. So nothing was really talked around between him 41 00:02:16,067 --> 00:02:18,427 Speaker 3: and I of what he was thinking in that group 42 00:02:18,787 --> 00:02:22,347 Speaker 3: pre his interview, and I think that's really professional of him, 43 00:02:22,627 --> 00:02:23,107 Speaker 3: to be fair. 44 00:02:23,827 --> 00:02:26,827 Speaker 2: Did it feel, I don't know, nice to get a 45 00:02:26,907 --> 00:02:29,387 Speaker 2: vote of confidence that that you know your work has 46 00:02:29,507 --> 00:02:32,747 Speaker 2: clearly valued very highly. This is the third or Blacks 47 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:35,827 Speaker 2: head coach you will have worked with. Does that give 48 00:02:35,867 --> 00:02:37,627 Speaker 2: you a sense of personal satisfaction? 49 00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:42,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess so. Look at it's never about me. 50 00:02:42,947 --> 00:02:46,267 Speaker 3: It's always about the team, especially this team, the All 51 00:02:46,267 --> 00:02:50,107 Speaker 3: Black team. It's it's a different beast than our legacy's massive, 52 00:02:50,147 --> 00:02:53,387 Speaker 3: So it's never ever about an individual, I guess though, 53 00:02:53,427 --> 00:02:55,547 Speaker 3: to answer your question, in the last probably a couple 54 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:58,907 Speaker 3: of days spending by the time with my wife and 55 00:02:58,947 --> 00:03:01,867 Speaker 3: the family and the kids and stuff has been here. 56 00:03:01,907 --> 00:03:03,827 Speaker 3: We've had a little moment to ourselves when a few 57 00:03:03,867 --> 00:03:06,707 Speaker 3: messages have come in and it's almost like it's been 58 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:09,387 Speaker 3: named for the first time again, you know. So we've 59 00:03:09,387 --> 00:03:11,587 Speaker 3: had a chance to reflect on that, and you've got 60 00:03:11,587 --> 00:03:16,427 Speaker 3: to enjoy those times because it is important. Then yeah, look, 61 00:03:16,427 --> 00:03:19,547 Speaker 3: I just want to coach All Blacks and I'm looking 62 00:03:19,587 --> 00:03:21,987 Speaker 3: forward to doing that with Rens and that coaching group 63 00:03:22,027 --> 00:03:25,267 Speaker 3: because it's a big calendar and yeah, it's nice to 64 00:03:25,267 --> 00:03:28,227 Speaker 3: be wanted. I guess what are. 65 00:03:28,107 --> 00:03:31,867 Speaker 2: The best ways of finding rhythm inside a new coaching group, 66 00:03:31,947 --> 00:03:33,987 Speaker 2: not just for you, but a group as a whole. 67 00:03:34,507 --> 00:03:37,107 Speaker 2: What are the keys to that well. 68 00:03:37,107 --> 00:03:40,227 Speaker 3: I think we're in an interesting dynamic where we're at 69 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 3: at the moment. I've just had a good catch up 70 00:03:42,267 --> 00:03:46,267 Speaker 3: with Tanna and Auckland today, and I've had chats with 71 00:03:46,347 --> 00:03:51,187 Speaker 3: Barnsey and touch base with Rens and Mike Blair and 72 00:03:51,427 --> 00:03:53,067 Speaker 3: Phil Helly's in the head of Performance. So there's a 73 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:55,747 Speaker 3: whole lot of sort of micro conbos going on between 74 00:03:55,787 --> 00:03:57,987 Speaker 3: us individually at the moment. But we're going to get 75 00:03:57,987 --> 00:04:01,627 Speaker 3: together next week as a whole over a call and 76 00:04:01,667 --> 00:04:03,947 Speaker 3: it's in Call and Rens is going to run that 77 00:04:04,147 --> 00:04:06,867 Speaker 3: and he's he's been really open and it's going to 78 00:04:06,867 --> 00:04:10,427 Speaker 3: show what he presented in his interview in the game model, 79 00:04:10,627 --> 00:04:14,547 Speaker 3: and there will be an opportunity for us as assistant 80 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:17,067 Speaker 3: coaches to put some stuff forward to him. I'm sure 81 00:04:17,747 --> 00:04:20,747 Speaker 3: Barnsy and I will head over to Japan after the 82 00:04:20,787 --> 00:04:24,627 Speaker 3: super Round and we'll start our process of going around superclubs, 83 00:04:24,627 --> 00:04:27,267 Speaker 3: so we'll get to know where we're at pretty good, 84 00:04:27,707 --> 00:04:31,067 Speaker 3: pretty well, and pretty soon really which we have to. 85 00:04:32,387 --> 00:04:34,867 Speaker 3: But Rena's got it all laid out all his visits. 86 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:38,907 Speaker 3: We're going to do three superclubs after Easter and around 87 00:04:38,947 --> 00:04:41,147 Speaker 3: the grounds and he's made contact with all the head coaches, 88 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:43,707 Speaker 3: so things are well and truly underway. 89 00:04:44,507 --> 00:04:48,507 Speaker 2: Let's drill down into the forwards. Always huge scrutiny on 90 00:04:48,547 --> 00:04:51,187 Speaker 2: the All Blacks pack. How would you assess, Jase, where 91 00:04:51,187 --> 00:04:54,547 Speaker 2: the forwards are as we head into the international year 92 00:04:54,627 --> 00:04:55,867 Speaker 2: of twenty twenty six. 93 00:04:57,507 --> 00:04:59,427 Speaker 3: I think there's been there's been a lot of movement 94 00:04:59,547 --> 00:05:02,427 Speaker 3: in the last we're tromping to be there. There's been 95 00:05:02,427 --> 00:05:03,707 Speaker 3: a lot of movement in the All backs in the 96 00:05:03,787 --> 00:05:06,227 Speaker 3: last four years, you know. But when I look at 97 00:05:06,227 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 3: the pack, I think it's time for us to have 98 00:05:09,707 --> 00:05:12,667 Speaker 3: some real progress, and I think we will. I think 99 00:05:12,667 --> 00:05:15,987 Speaker 3: that we're the four pack are all at a very 100 00:05:16,027 --> 00:05:19,267 Speaker 3: good age. They've all experienced a little bit of pain together, 101 00:05:19,787 --> 00:05:24,387 Speaker 3: you know, we've learned some big lessons and I know 102 00:05:24,427 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: that we'll be better for that. I know I will be. 103 00:05:27,147 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 3: We've got a couple of things not quite right and 104 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:32,467 Speaker 3: we learned the hard way about that, and that's life. 105 00:05:32,507 --> 00:05:35,707 Speaker 3: But what I do know about any All Black team 106 00:05:35,787 --> 00:05:39,267 Speaker 3: that's had the ultimate success as there's always been a 107 00:05:39,267 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 3: little bit of pain along the way, and there still 108 00:05:41,587 --> 00:05:46,507 Speaker 3: will be. I've got no doubt about that. But we 109 00:05:46,587 --> 00:05:48,947 Speaker 3: will stick together. And work on what we need to. 110 00:05:49,067 --> 00:05:52,707 Speaker 3: I know that Renss is pretty clear on taking a 111 00:05:52,707 --> 00:05:57,187 Speaker 3: few things out of our game potentially, and that'll make 112 00:05:57,267 --> 00:06:00,467 Speaker 3: us a little bit clearer and excited about where we 113 00:06:00,467 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 3: can get to because, as I said before, they're at 114 00:06:02,987 --> 00:06:05,667 Speaker 3: a good age all of the pack, and we've got 115 00:06:05,707 --> 00:06:09,267 Speaker 3: some powerful athletes that have got good footwork on the line, 116 00:06:09,307 --> 00:06:13,267 Speaker 3: but core roles and fundamentals right is going to be important. 117 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:16,827 Speaker 3: That's what he's driven around, being brilliant basics, So I 118 00:06:16,827 --> 00:06:19,427 Speaker 3: think that's going to be exciting as well. 119 00:06:19,827 --> 00:06:22,427 Speaker 2: You've talked in the past, Jase, about how competition for 120 00:06:22,547 --> 00:06:26,667 Speaker 2: places drives standards within not just the forwards, but within 121 00:06:26,947 --> 00:06:30,267 Speaker 2: the All Blacks in general. Presumably you still believe that 122 00:06:30,387 --> 00:06:33,507 Speaker 2: to be the case, that that competition really brings out 123 00:06:33,547 --> 00:06:35,107 Speaker 2: the best in everybody who's involved. 124 00:06:36,307 --> 00:06:38,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I do. I think it's a great point, and 125 00:06:39,027 --> 00:06:43,547 Speaker 3: I think with a new head coach coming in, that 126 00:06:44,187 --> 00:06:47,227 Speaker 3: is a bit of a blank page and it's exciting 127 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:49,027 Speaker 3: because it creates a bit of a not in the 128 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:51,747 Speaker 3: old gut, which you should always have in the All 129 00:06:51,747 --> 00:06:54,347 Speaker 3: Blacks because you can't take anything for granted at any stage, 130 00:06:54,347 --> 00:06:56,867 Speaker 3: and not that the players do, but you know, I 131 00:06:56,867 --> 00:06:59,027 Speaker 3: think position wise, when we look at the full back 132 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:02,267 Speaker 3: four pack, I think, you know, we've got loose forwards, 133 00:07:02,387 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 3: We've got a bit of experience, and then now I've 134 00:07:03,987 --> 00:07:07,507 Speaker 3: got a great mix of locks and you know, four 135 00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:12,547 Speaker 3: or five exceptional hookers and the props will all compete 136 00:07:12,787 --> 00:07:14,667 Speaker 3: facely as they do. You know, in the front row 137 00:07:14,667 --> 00:07:16,627 Speaker 3: is probably a different selection where you sort of only 138 00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:18,707 Speaker 3: really need forty minutes out of the meach now because 139 00:07:18,707 --> 00:07:21,787 Speaker 3: you can roll the new ones on. So I think 140 00:07:21,787 --> 00:07:23,667 Speaker 3: we're in a pretty good spot, I really do. And 141 00:07:25,507 --> 00:07:26,667 Speaker 3: the competition's healthy. 142 00:07:27,187 --> 00:07:30,027 Speaker 2: Do you have enough runway ahead of the next Rugby 143 00:07:30,027 --> 00:07:30,507 Speaker 2: World Cup? 144 00:07:33,067 --> 00:07:38,747 Speaker 3: Well, we're not going to get any more, that's so right. 145 00:07:38,787 --> 00:07:40,347 Speaker 2: Well it's bang on. 146 00:07:42,347 --> 00:07:46,227 Speaker 3: So it's going to have to be. But there is definitely, 147 00:07:46,427 --> 00:07:49,907 Speaker 3: definitely there is an you know, it's a unique opportunity 148 00:07:49,947 --> 00:07:52,587 Speaker 3: the calendar this year with three tests at home pretty quick. 149 00:07:52,587 --> 00:07:57,227 Speaker 3: That'll come round fast, and in South Africa brings its 150 00:07:57,227 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 3: own challenges, but it an unbelievable opportunity to get the top, 151 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:03,667 Speaker 3: get the team tight together. You know, it'll have OUs 152 00:08:03,707 --> 00:08:05,947 Speaker 3: limitations and you know when we're in Joe Berg and 153 00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:08,747 Speaker 3: that sort of things. So yeah, we'll just connect right 154 00:08:08,827 --> 00:08:10,307 Speaker 3: up and get amongst it. 155 00:08:11,027 --> 00:08:13,787 Speaker 2: You're a rugby coach obviously, but yeah, first and foremost 156 00:08:13,827 --> 00:08:17,147 Speaker 2: a human being with real emotions. How challenging have the 157 00:08:17,227 --> 00:08:18,227 Speaker 2: last couple of months been? 158 00:08:19,987 --> 00:08:23,787 Speaker 3: They have been. Definitely they have been challenging. Hasn't been 159 00:08:24,387 --> 00:08:26,587 Speaker 3: It hasn't been easy. It's been. It's been really tough 160 00:08:26,627 --> 00:08:30,667 Speaker 3: on a lot of people, a lot more so other 161 00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:34,667 Speaker 3: people than I guess it has been for me. So 162 00:08:34,747 --> 00:08:38,787 Speaker 3: it's been really hard on families in particular. The public 163 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:43,547 Speaker 3: arena is pretty brutal at times, but that's, you know, 164 00:08:43,707 --> 00:08:46,707 Speaker 3: that's what we choose to do. So that's not going 165 00:08:46,787 --> 00:08:49,707 Speaker 3: to go away. But I know that, you know, the 166 00:08:49,747 --> 00:08:52,907 Speaker 3: coaches that are involved and that have been involved, will 167 00:08:52,907 --> 00:08:56,027 Speaker 3: move forward because they're all good men, and they've got 168 00:08:56,027 --> 00:08:59,707 Speaker 3: good family and friends alongside them, and I've got no 169 00:08:59,747 --> 00:09:00,907 Speaker 3: doubt they'll all be better for it. 170 00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:03,107 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, you say it. It may be easy for 171 00:09:03,147 --> 00:09:06,067 Speaker 2: you because you carry on with this wonderful rugby team, 172 00:09:06,107 --> 00:09:08,667 Speaker 2: but you're also saying goodbye to people who you have 173 00:09:08,787 --> 00:09:12,387 Speaker 2: long associations and long relationships with. Jase, you know that 174 00:09:12,387 --> 00:09:14,067 Speaker 2: that that can't be easy either. 175 00:09:15,707 --> 00:09:19,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, No, it's not, you know, like particularly Ray, I guess, 176 00:09:19,907 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 3: you know, like we're I think we've been in fourteen photos. 177 00:09:22,267 --> 00:09:27,067 Speaker 3: To you, it's a long time so and Scottie as well, 178 00:09:27,147 --> 00:09:29,667 Speaker 3: worked a long time with as well, and Toms Brinna 179 00:09:29,787 --> 00:09:31,587 Speaker 3: sort of come in a little bit later with Abs, 180 00:09:31,667 --> 00:09:34,427 Speaker 3: But yeah, it is. But it's you know, there's always 181 00:09:35,067 --> 00:09:39,707 Speaker 3: personal relationships and then these professional relationships and and you've 182 00:09:39,747 --> 00:09:42,947 Speaker 3: got to put both aside at some stage and and 183 00:09:42,987 --> 00:09:45,587 Speaker 3: that's what you do. But there's still a deep friendship 184 00:09:45,587 --> 00:09:47,387 Speaker 3: there that will continue, I'm sure. 185 00:09:47,507 --> 00:09:49,787 Speaker 2: I bet, I bet. And just to finish, as you 186 00:09:49,787 --> 00:09:54,027 Speaker 2: look ahead, do you do so with a sense of excitement, 187 00:09:54,067 --> 00:09:58,307 Speaker 2: a sense of reinvigoration perhaps, Yeah, I think so. 188 00:09:58,627 --> 00:10:01,107 Speaker 3: I do. I think that. You know, there's there's a 189 00:10:01,107 --> 00:10:04,427 Speaker 3: bit of experience in the group, definitely, and I think 190 00:10:04,467 --> 00:10:07,067 Speaker 3: that's gonna that's going to help. And you know, we've 191 00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:09,747 Speaker 3: just got to move forward. And you know, I'm hoping 192 00:10:09,787 --> 00:10:11,947 Speaker 3: the country will get behind us. I know they're all 193 00:10:12,187 --> 00:10:14,987 Speaker 3: and stick with us. There is going to be a 194 00:10:14,987 --> 00:10:17,787 Speaker 3: little bit of niggle along the way, and you know, 195 00:10:17,867 --> 00:10:21,307 Speaker 3: the test and the fine margins, the competition and the 196 00:10:21,347 --> 00:10:26,707 Speaker 3: Tier one is as fierce as it so. But I 197 00:10:27,027 --> 00:10:29,907 Speaker 3: think if we can give real good, clear messaging and 198 00:10:30,627 --> 00:10:33,867 Speaker 3: in a real sense of pride in that Black journey 199 00:10:33,947 --> 00:10:36,467 Speaker 3: and everyone can see where we're heading, well, how good. 200 00:10:36,547 --> 00:10:37,347 Speaker 3: Let's get after it. 201 00:10:37,547 --> 00:10:39,987 Speaker 2: Can't wait less than one hundred days to go until 202 00:10:39,987 --> 00:10:41,667 Speaker 2: the first All Blacks test. Are there. I'm sure you're 203 00:10:41,667 --> 00:10:43,907 Speaker 2: taking the days off. You probably need every single one 204 00:10:43,907 --> 00:10:45,827 Speaker 2: of them, Jase. Thanks for taking the time to have 205 00:10:45,867 --> 00:10:47,827 Speaker 2: a chat. Look forward to catching up across the year. 206 00:10:48,867 --> 00:10:50,467 Speaker 3: No problem, anytime, chairs, No. 207 00:10:50,467 --> 00:10:54,467 Speaker 2: Thank you, Jase. Jason Ryan there, all Black's assistant coach 208 00:10:54,747 --> 00:10:57,027 Speaker 2: overseeing the forwards. Lines are open, Lots to pick up 209 00:10:57,027 --> 00:10:59,547 Speaker 2: on there from Jason Ryan. Oh eight hundred and eighty 210 00:10:59,707 --> 00:11:03,427 Speaker 2: ten eighty for your reaction. Keeping Jason Ryan and the 211 00:11:03,467 --> 00:11:06,267 Speaker 2: All Blacks coaching team is absolutely the right decision. 212 00:11:06,987 --> 00:11:10,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 213 00:11:10,267 --> 00:11:13,547 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B Weekends from midday or follow 214 00:11:13,587 --> 00:11:15,187 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.