1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,507 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,627 --> 00:00:14,507 Speaker 2: Ed b a man who's been playing top level rugby 4 00:00:14,587 --> 00:00:17,067 Speaker 2: four I reckon a decade and a half maybe more 5 00:00:17,147 --> 00:00:20,227 Speaker 2: New Zealand under twenty representative eighty one games for Wellington 6 00:00:20,267 --> 00:00:21,987 Speaker 2: and signed on again for this season. 7 00:00:22,107 --> 00:00:23,627 Speaker 3: One hundred and twenty eight games for the. 8 00:00:23,667 --> 00:00:27,107 Speaker 2: Hurricanes between twenty twelve and the season just completed, with 9 00:00:27,227 --> 00:00:30,307 Speaker 2: more to come. Three years at Wasps in England, eight 10 00:00:30,307 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 2: Test matches for England in twenty eighteen and twenty nineteen. 11 00:00:33,747 --> 00:00:34,787 Speaker 3: Brat Chields, Hello. 12 00:00:34,587 --> 00:00:36,627 Speaker 4: Mate, good afternoon. Thanks having me. 13 00:00:37,147 --> 00:00:39,107 Speaker 3: It's good to have you pop in on Test match Shadday. 14 00:00:39,147 --> 00:00:41,387 Speaker 3: We had some Dane Coleson before. You might have heard 15 00:00:41,387 --> 00:00:42,907 Speaker 3: a bit of the chat. Was he a guy you 16 00:00:43,027 --> 00:00:44,787 Speaker 3: enjoyed going into battle with Dane Coleson? 17 00:00:45,187 --> 00:00:47,627 Speaker 5: If there's one guy who you'd always won on the team, 18 00:00:47,667 --> 00:00:51,107 Speaker 5: SHOENICKX to you is probably him, And to be fair 19 00:00:51,187 --> 00:00:54,147 Speaker 5: like without blowing too much smoke up as bumb he's 20 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:55,947 Speaker 5: probably one of the guys that I modeled, not just 21 00:00:56,267 --> 00:00:59,387 Speaker 5: you know, rugby bobously different positions, but life in general 22 00:00:59,467 --> 00:01:02,747 Speaker 5: and maybe my family and the way I do things 23 00:01:02,787 --> 00:01:03,867 Speaker 5: you know, we're very similar. 24 00:01:04,387 --> 00:01:06,027 Speaker 4: He's probably a bit more hard nosed than I am. 25 00:01:06,067 --> 00:01:06,987 Speaker 4: But oh mate. 26 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:08,587 Speaker 5: To be to be in sort of the same team 27 00:01:08,627 --> 00:01:10,507 Speaker 5: as him, and and sort of looking up to somebody 28 00:01:10,507 --> 00:01:12,387 Speaker 5: in the same team a little bit older than he 29 00:01:12,427 --> 00:01:13,787 Speaker 5: was pretty cool. And he took me under his wing 30 00:01:13,787 --> 00:01:16,307 Speaker 5: along with Thrushy soy top, absolute top bloke. 31 00:01:16,307 --> 00:01:17,587 Speaker 4: And I listened to him on the way in today 32 00:01:17,627 --> 00:01:18,467 Speaker 4: and he's just. 33 00:01:18,427 --> 00:01:20,627 Speaker 5: So raw and and and doesn't doesn't hold back in 34 00:01:20,667 --> 00:01:22,547 Speaker 5: terms of how his emotions are and I think that's 35 00:01:23,267 --> 00:01:25,147 Speaker 5: credit to who he is and how he's being brought up. 36 00:01:25,307 --> 00:01:28,667 Speaker 2: So the other one you mentioned, Jeremy Thrush, Yeah he was. 37 00:01:29,027 --> 00:01:31,027 Speaker 5: He actually gave me my first pair of free Rugye 38 00:01:31,027 --> 00:01:33,467 Speaker 5: boots apart from for the New Zealand twenties, but he 39 00:01:33,507 --> 00:01:35,947 Speaker 5: gave my first pair of boots and with Essex and 40 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:38,987 Speaker 5: I never looked back since the white peer so mate, 41 00:01:39,027 --> 00:01:40,987 Speaker 5: they were they were good for me. And coming out 42 00:01:41,027 --> 00:01:43,467 Speaker 5: of school into those environments is pretty daunting. But to 43 00:01:43,467 --> 00:01:45,027 Speaker 5: have a couple of guys who have been there and 44 00:01:45,267 --> 00:01:48,107 Speaker 5: sort of paving the way for us was pretty cool. 45 00:01:48,387 --> 00:01:50,227 Speaker 2: He didn't come out of one of the so called 46 00:01:50,627 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 2: you know, strong rugby schools the Auckland Grammar, Wellington College. 47 00:01:54,627 --> 00:01:56,587 Speaker 3: And Pat Silver Streams of the world Times of College 48 00:01:56,587 --> 00:01:57,027 Speaker 3: for you. 49 00:01:57,267 --> 00:01:59,267 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, I mean I can't say we were the 50 00:02:00,187 --> 00:02:02,227 Speaker 5: played the best rugby at school, but we love what 51 00:02:02,267 --> 00:02:05,147 Speaker 5: we did and and I probably regret a little bit now, 52 00:02:05,147 --> 00:02:06,427 Speaker 5: but I went to school to eat my line and 53 00:02:06,507 --> 00:02:09,147 Speaker 5: play rugby and it managed to get into the system 54 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,067 Speaker 5: when I was when I was quite young, So I 55 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:13,267 Speaker 5: don't regret anything about going to Tider College. 56 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:14,667 Speaker 4: And I've got some lifelong. 57 00:02:14,227 --> 00:02:18,107 Speaker 5: Mates that played rugby, and guys like maybe not know 58 00:02:18,147 --> 00:02:19,787 Speaker 5: the name, but Michael Kay and played for the Yellow 59 00:02:19,827 --> 00:02:22,667 Speaker 5: Moldi's Nigea Wong who played in Australia and played for 60 00:02:22,707 --> 00:02:24,747 Speaker 5: money some more. So you know, we've had some real 61 00:02:24,747 --> 00:02:27,027 Speaker 5: good success in our in our schooling and guys like 62 00:02:27,067 --> 00:02:30,107 Speaker 5: George Bower as well, who who's now sort of in 63 00:02:30,147 --> 00:02:33,427 Speaker 5: the in the All Blacks quite consistently. So yeah, we 64 00:02:33,587 --> 00:02:36,027 Speaker 5: punched above our weight and certainly enjoyed our rugby and 65 00:02:36,107 --> 00:02:37,467 Speaker 5: enjoyed our enjoyed our time there. 66 00:02:37,667 --> 00:02:40,267 Speaker 2: You've just even talking about a decade and a half 67 00:02:40,307 --> 00:02:42,467 Speaker 2: and reeling off some of those stats, the games you've played, 68 00:02:42,707 --> 00:02:45,667 Speaker 2: the number of people you must have played with and against, 69 00:02:46,067 --> 00:02:47,747 Speaker 2: And I mean do you still sort of bump into 70 00:02:47,747 --> 00:02:51,547 Speaker 2: people and and sort of reconnect, you know, even years later. 71 00:02:51,867 --> 00:02:53,507 Speaker 5: All the time, all the time, And I think, like 72 00:02:54,347 --> 00:02:56,187 Speaker 5: I was just saying before to one of the one 73 00:02:56,187 --> 00:02:58,467 Speaker 5: of the guys you came on the show later, like 74 00:02:58,667 --> 00:03:00,467 Speaker 5: I'm from Stokes Valley and I didn't realize we went 75 00:03:00,507 --> 00:03:02,507 Speaker 5: to primary school with them. But even going to South 76 00:03:02,507 --> 00:03:04,187 Speaker 5: of France and perpen Young, like playing against a couple 77 00:03:04,227 --> 00:03:07,307 Speaker 5: of guys from Wainui, you up, it's that one degree 78 00:03:07,307 --> 00:03:09,707 Speaker 5: of separation. You end up seeing the same guys or 79 00:03:09,707 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 5: playing with the same guys or playing against them throughout 80 00:03:11,787 --> 00:03:13,867 Speaker 5: your whole career, and even opportunity to play for the 81 00:03:13,907 --> 00:03:17,027 Speaker 5: Barbarians up in the UK and twenty sixteen, like some 82 00:03:17,067 --> 00:03:18,907 Speaker 5: of those guys you see you know once every couple 83 00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:20,867 Speaker 5: of years, but it's like yesterday you played with them. 84 00:03:20,907 --> 00:03:23,467 Speaker 5: So that's one of the bonuses that rugby gives you 85 00:03:23,667 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 5: a bit of a family outside of your family. So 86 00:03:25,907 --> 00:03:27,787 Speaker 5: it's pretty cool to be a part of and we're 87 00:03:27,867 --> 00:03:30,227 Speaker 5: very lucky to be in a sport that gives you 88 00:03:30,307 --> 00:03:31,147 Speaker 5: so much as well. 89 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:33,867 Speaker 3: You of course left New Zealand to chase your test 90 00:03:33,947 --> 00:03:34,867 Speaker 3: dream with England. 91 00:03:35,227 --> 00:03:38,587 Speaker 2: Can you about this background noises people getting a bit 92 00:03:38,627 --> 00:03:42,547 Speaker 2: excited about about Can you tell us about how you 93 00:03:42,587 --> 00:03:44,667 Speaker 2: came to that decision and how difficult it was to 94 00:03:44,707 --> 00:03:44,987 Speaker 2: make it? 95 00:03:45,147 --> 00:03:47,867 Speaker 5: Yeah, to be honest, it was probably about a six 96 00:03:47,947 --> 00:03:50,667 Speaker 5: month decision that weighed on my shoulders for a long time. 97 00:03:50,747 --> 00:03:54,587 Speaker 5: And I guess every sort of kid in New Zealand 98 00:03:54,627 --> 00:03:56,427 Speaker 5: the spires to play for the All Blacks and something 99 00:03:56,467 --> 00:03:58,107 Speaker 5: that I definitely did and obviously got a little bit 100 00:03:58,147 --> 00:04:00,907 Speaker 5: of taste of the camp and playing super rugby against 101 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:03,587 Speaker 5: some of the greats, and I didn't. 102 00:04:03,307 --> 00:04:05,307 Speaker 4: Take it very lightly. And I think where I got 103 00:04:05,307 --> 00:04:07,067 Speaker 4: to my career, I don't know. 104 00:04:07,107 --> 00:04:09,147 Speaker 5: Maybe I sort of reached my ceiling in New Zealand 105 00:04:09,187 --> 00:04:11,107 Speaker 5: and and I knew I had an opportunity to play 106 00:04:11,107 --> 00:04:14,587 Speaker 5: in England through my parents were born there and and 107 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:16,747 Speaker 5: and you know, it was just a good chance and 108 00:04:16,747 --> 00:04:19,147 Speaker 5: an opportunity for me, and I'll be at the time, 109 00:04:19,187 --> 00:04:20,787 Speaker 5: I thought, you know, it was silly to turn it down, 110 00:04:20,867 --> 00:04:23,147 Speaker 5: and and and obviously I'd been playing super rugby for 111 00:04:23,187 --> 00:04:25,187 Speaker 5: eight years, so I was like, man, I might need 112 00:04:25,227 --> 00:04:28,187 Speaker 5: telling you here and just kind of refresh and exactly 113 00:04:28,227 --> 00:04:30,147 Speaker 5: what going into the UK gave me and and it 114 00:04:30,147 --> 00:04:31,347 Speaker 5: was such an amazing time and I. 115 00:04:31,347 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 4: Was like, I was very nervous and. 116 00:04:34,627 --> 00:04:35,987 Speaker 5: I'm not sure how they were going to take it, 117 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:39,187 Speaker 5: especially going to the England team from Super Rugby. 118 00:04:39,187 --> 00:04:40,187 Speaker 4: It's quite unusual. 119 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:43,427 Speaker 5: But you know I went there with and and got 120 00:04:43,427 --> 00:04:45,747 Speaker 5: taken in with open arms and and and you know, 121 00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:48,147 Speaker 5: like rugby is a universal language and everyone's there trying 122 00:04:48,147 --> 00:04:50,107 Speaker 5: to do the same thing. So it was a real 123 00:04:50,147 --> 00:04:53,307 Speaker 5: positive for me and something that got an awesome opportunity to. 124 00:04:53,307 --> 00:04:56,147 Speaker 4: Go and play overseas and to see overseas as well. 125 00:04:56,067 --> 00:04:58,027 Speaker 5: Come out of one Enton and see the big wide world, 126 00:04:58,067 --> 00:04:59,667 Speaker 5: and especially a boy from Stokes Valley. 127 00:04:59,747 --> 00:05:01,187 Speaker 4: Not not many people get that opportunity. 128 00:05:01,307 --> 00:05:04,747 Speaker 5: So yeah, it was a tough decision but something that 129 00:05:04,827 --> 00:05:08,427 Speaker 5: you know, I guess opened my to rugby in the world. 130 00:05:07,947 --> 00:05:10,347 Speaker 2: Who drove the culture in that England team that you 131 00:05:10,347 --> 00:05:13,867 Speaker 2: were part of in twenty eighteen nineteen and enabled you 132 00:05:13,947 --> 00:05:15,587 Speaker 2: to fit in so seamlessly. 133 00:05:15,707 --> 00:05:19,467 Speaker 5: Yeah, I look at everyone was really good and like 134 00:05:19,507 --> 00:05:22,067 Speaker 5: someone like Jamie George who who's still playing now for 135 00:05:22,107 --> 00:05:24,827 Speaker 5: England and and playing some bloody good rugby, is you 136 00:05:24,827 --> 00:05:27,267 Speaker 5: know that it guys Owen Pharaoh and George Ford, like 137 00:05:27,547 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 5: their standards were so. 138 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:30,227 Speaker 4: High in the way they wanted to train and play. 139 00:05:30,467 --> 00:05:33,347 Speaker 5: Someone like Steve Borthwick, who's now coaching, is like some 140 00:05:33,387 --> 00:05:35,587 Speaker 5: of those training sessions are probably the hardest I've ever 141 00:05:35,627 --> 00:05:37,827 Speaker 5: been a part of. And to be under Eddie Jones 142 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:40,227 Speaker 5: was a bit of a roller coaster rider. But I 143 00:05:40,307 --> 00:05:41,867 Speaker 5: mean I got on with them pretty well and it's 144 00:05:41,907 --> 00:05:43,467 Speaker 5: probably got the best out of best out of me 145 00:05:43,507 --> 00:05:45,707 Speaker 5: in terms of rugby when I went up there, so 146 00:05:46,307 --> 00:05:48,347 Speaker 5: absolute privilege to be a part of that group, and 147 00:05:48,667 --> 00:05:50,187 Speaker 5: they've had a lot of history as well, like that, 148 00:05:50,387 --> 00:05:55,547 Speaker 5: you know, almost like the birthplace of rugby where they were. 149 00:05:55,587 --> 00:05:57,667 Speaker 5: And to be a part of a team that was 150 00:05:57,667 --> 00:06:00,227 Speaker 5: so driven and maybe along the way kind of got 151 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:01,867 Speaker 5: up in a roller coaster from terms of results, but 152 00:06:02,627 --> 00:06:05,147 Speaker 5: to go onto a team that just wanted to dominate 153 00:06:05,187 --> 00:06:06,347 Speaker 5: the world was pretty cool. 154 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:08,707 Speaker 3: And what about the fans, Brad, did they acceipt you? 155 00:06:08,747 --> 00:06:12,067 Speaker 4: Okay? I think so, I wouldn't lie. 156 00:06:12,067 --> 00:06:13,707 Speaker 5: I turned off my social media for a little bit 157 00:06:13,747 --> 00:06:16,827 Speaker 5: because I think there was a bit of negative criticism 158 00:06:16,827 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 5: coming my way, but you know that's to be expected, 159 00:06:19,227 --> 00:06:22,347 Speaker 5: and and I guess my circumstance was so unusual, and 160 00:06:22,627 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 5: you've seen it with other guys like GEMSI Gives and 161 00:06:24,987 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 5: park and and Low for example, who play for Ireland, 162 00:06:27,587 --> 00:06:30,227 Speaker 5: and it's it's a little bit awkward, but at the 163 00:06:30,267 --> 00:06:32,787 Speaker 5: same time, like's I guess if you take it into 164 00:06:32,787 --> 00:06:35,747 Speaker 5: the real world, it's you know, a promotion in your job, 165 00:06:35,787 --> 00:06:37,107 Speaker 5: You're probably not going to turn it down if you 166 00:06:37,187 --> 00:06:39,667 Speaker 5: go into another business. So it was an opportunity to 167 00:06:39,667 --> 00:06:42,467 Speaker 5: me I couldn't turn down. And like I said before, 168 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:44,627 Speaker 5: like gave me and my family an opportunity to travel 169 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:46,427 Speaker 5: the world and give my kids a little bit of 170 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:47,147 Speaker 5: an experience. 171 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:49,507 Speaker 4: And my daughter was six months old when we traveled 172 00:06:49,507 --> 00:06:49,787 Speaker 4: over there. 173 00:06:49,827 --> 00:06:52,747 Speaker 5: My wife absolutely gave up everything to follow me, so 174 00:06:53,587 --> 00:06:56,547 Speaker 5: like I owe a lot of everything to what they 175 00:06:56,707 --> 00:06:58,427 Speaker 5: to them. And my son was born in England and 176 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:01,187 Speaker 5: now he's got an English passport, so that's pretty cool. 177 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:02,507 Speaker 4: I don't think there's many. 178 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,107 Speaker 5: Many sports or many walks of life where you get 179 00:07:05,147 --> 00:07:07,427 Speaker 5: these multiple opportunities, So I'm pretty lucky. 180 00:07:07,747 --> 00:07:10,867 Speaker 3: Absolutely. Well, let's let's circle back to where we are now. 181 00:07:11,267 --> 00:07:14,027 Speaker 2: You're still going in a really brutal rugby position, the 182 00:07:14,067 --> 00:07:14,667 Speaker 2: loose forwards. 183 00:07:14,707 --> 00:07:18,547 Speaker 3: I'm not a place for the fainthearted. What's the secret of. 184 00:07:18,547 --> 00:07:21,507 Speaker 2: Your longevity which has still got some more seasons to run? 185 00:07:21,627 --> 00:07:24,187 Speaker 5: Yeah, he calls again, said before he's I don't miss 186 00:07:24,227 --> 00:07:26,747 Speaker 5: the contacts. And I remember when I first came back 187 00:07:26,747 --> 00:07:29,667 Speaker 5: and I started watching a soph one more playing and 188 00:07:30,707 --> 00:07:32,587 Speaker 5: putting some shots on. I wasn't able to play the 189 00:07:32,587 --> 00:07:34,187 Speaker 5: first game, and I was like, I don't know if 190 00:07:34,187 --> 00:07:35,987 Speaker 5: I want to play I want to play rugby anymore. 191 00:07:36,827 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 5: But I guess is it's the passion, It's it's the 192 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:40,747 Speaker 5: love of the game that sort of keeps. 193 00:07:40,547 --> 00:07:41,147 Speaker 4: You amongst it. 194 00:07:41,227 --> 00:07:43,987 Speaker 5: And and that's something like if you're not enjoying what 195 00:07:44,027 --> 00:07:45,747 Speaker 5: you're doing, then that's pretty hard. 196 00:07:45,787 --> 00:07:48,307 Speaker 4: And there's been some challenging times. But you know, I 197 00:07:48,347 --> 00:07:49,107 Speaker 4: guess trying to look. 198 00:07:49,027 --> 00:07:51,747 Speaker 5: After your body and and stay motivated as probably one 199 00:07:51,787 --> 00:07:52,547 Speaker 5: of the hardest things. 200 00:07:52,547 --> 00:07:53,947 Speaker 4: And it's not it's not the playing. 201 00:07:53,987 --> 00:07:56,707 Speaker 5: The playing is probably although it's the hardest part, probably 202 00:07:56,707 --> 00:07:58,507 Speaker 5: the easiest part at the same time, because that's that's 203 00:07:58,547 --> 00:08:01,067 Speaker 5: your test match every week. That's you're what you're striving 204 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:04,467 Speaker 5: toward as a training, putting your body through vigorous sort 205 00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:06,867 Speaker 5: of training methods and recovery eating. 206 00:08:06,747 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 4: Right all the time. You just switched on twenty four seven. 207 00:08:09,147 --> 00:08:11,267 Speaker 5: So I guess it's just trying to have a nice 208 00:08:11,307 --> 00:08:13,307 Speaker 5: balance outside as well. And I probably haven't been the 209 00:08:13,347 --> 00:08:16,387 Speaker 5: best of having a balance, you know, without with rugby 210 00:08:16,387 --> 00:08:19,227 Speaker 5: outside and in my life. But you know, Rugby's given 211 00:08:19,227 --> 00:08:22,067 Speaker 5: me everything, and like I say, I've got the support 212 00:08:22,067 --> 00:08:23,987 Speaker 5: of my family and that's that's amazing. 213 00:08:23,987 --> 00:08:24,947 Speaker 4: That's what they keep me going. 214 00:08:24,947 --> 00:08:27,027 Speaker 5: And now to have kids sort of looking up to 215 00:08:27,067 --> 00:08:30,827 Speaker 5: me and trying to show them what's possible and try 216 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:32,347 Speaker 5: and be a really good role model for them is 217 00:08:32,707 --> 00:08:35,027 Speaker 5: really important as well. So it's quite cool to csm 218 00:08:35,147 --> 00:08:36,947 Speaker 5: on their face when they say the dad run out. 219 00:08:36,587 --> 00:08:39,987 Speaker 2: I bet how much chance the way you recover after 220 00:08:40,067 --> 00:08:41,267 Speaker 2: games have to change. 221 00:08:41,707 --> 00:08:43,267 Speaker 5: Oh, I think maybe it takes me another couple of 222 00:08:43,347 --> 00:08:46,707 Speaker 5: days now, But I think it's just moving with the times. 223 00:08:46,747 --> 00:08:48,707 Speaker 5: Like gone of the days where you sort of go 224 00:08:48,747 --> 00:08:50,667 Speaker 5: out on a Saturday night until six am in the 225 00:08:50,667 --> 00:08:52,307 Speaker 5: morning and rock up to the pool session. 226 00:08:52,027 --> 00:08:53,907 Speaker 4: And you're willing to lines number ones. 227 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:57,027 Speaker 5: It's more or less maybe sit down and have a 228 00:08:57,027 --> 00:08:58,947 Speaker 5: couple of glass of red wine and chill out and 229 00:08:58,987 --> 00:09:01,307 Speaker 5: then do something active the next day. And I think 230 00:09:01,547 --> 00:09:03,307 Speaker 5: It's the one thing where rugby has grown is sort 231 00:09:03,347 --> 00:09:06,307 Speaker 5: of the tools that you're given to be the best player. 232 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:08,347 Speaker 5: It's just unreal and you can see that where we 233 00:09:08,387 --> 00:09:11,907 Speaker 5: are at ndcis it's a pretty unique scenario in terms 234 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:14,187 Speaker 5: where we train, and we're pretty lucky to have what 235 00:09:14,227 --> 00:09:16,267 Speaker 5: we do. And I guess that's a massive part of 236 00:09:16,547 --> 00:09:18,787 Speaker 5: longevity and rugby is how you look after your body 237 00:09:18,787 --> 00:09:21,027 Speaker 5: and how you're smart about things. And I've always thought, 238 00:09:21,507 --> 00:09:23,947 Speaker 5: you know, we're hard to work hard, to work harder, 239 00:09:23,947 --> 00:09:25,827 Speaker 5: but sometimes it's a little bit work smarter and look 240 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:26,507 Speaker 5: after your body. 241 00:09:26,907 --> 00:09:28,987 Speaker 3: I want to ask you about a couple of your teammates. 242 00:09:29,227 --> 00:09:31,987 Speaker 2: Duplessi Califi is the first one, a guy you know well, 243 00:09:32,067 --> 00:09:35,027 Speaker 2: part of the loose Ford cohort at the Hurricanes. Can 244 00:09:35,067 --> 00:09:37,307 Speaker 2: you tell us about what you've seen from him in 245 00:09:37,347 --> 00:09:39,547 Speaker 2: the last little while which has led to his elevation 246 00:09:39,667 --> 00:09:40,787 Speaker 2: to finally becoming all black. 247 00:09:40,947 --> 00:09:41,147 Speaker 4: Yeah. 248 00:09:41,227 --> 00:09:43,587 Speaker 5: I just think he you know, I was so proud 249 00:09:43,587 --> 00:09:45,587 Speaker 5: of him to hear his name get called out, just 250 00:09:45,627 --> 00:09:48,027 Speaker 5: like everyone else. And they've seen seen his family how 251 00:09:48,067 --> 00:09:50,347 Speaker 5: passionate they were for him, and I know him as 252 00:09:50,387 --> 00:09:53,027 Speaker 5: an individual, he's absolutely static to be a part of 253 00:09:53,027 --> 00:09:54,907 Speaker 5: it and moy tank ay any minute for granted in 254 00:09:54,907 --> 00:09:57,947 Speaker 5: the environment and it's a really tough position to get into. 255 00:09:58,147 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 5: And I know that from experience that loose Ford trio 256 00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:02,627 Speaker 5: or wherever you play in the Loose Fords and New 257 00:10:02,707 --> 00:10:04,547 Speaker 5: Zealand rugby is always going to be good players in 258 00:10:04,547 --> 00:10:07,787 Speaker 5: that space. But here's a two a nation and work 259 00:10:07,787 --> 00:10:10,067 Speaker 5: ethic and to see where he's come over the last 260 00:10:10,067 --> 00:10:12,027 Speaker 5: sort of I left when he sort of came into 261 00:10:12,027 --> 00:10:14,627 Speaker 5: the Wellington team we won the championship. To go back 262 00:10:14,707 --> 00:10:16,787 Speaker 5: up to the premiership and to see his growth and 263 00:10:16,827 --> 00:10:19,907 Speaker 5: development into the leader I suppose that he is now. 264 00:10:21,027 --> 00:10:23,027 Speaker 5: I just think it just shows him as a person 265 00:10:23,067 --> 00:10:24,827 Speaker 5: in the way he's been brought up is you know, 266 00:10:24,867 --> 00:10:26,787 Speaker 5: he's not going to roll over it roll over that easy, 267 00:10:26,827 --> 00:10:28,547 Speaker 5: you know. And we're just really proud of him. 268 00:10:28,907 --> 00:10:30,227 Speaker 2: Another guy who had a bit of taste of the 269 00:10:30,267 --> 00:10:32,227 Speaker 2: All Blacks last year was Peter Lakai, another guy in 270 00:10:32,267 --> 00:10:33,587 Speaker 2: the Hurricanes and Wellington. 271 00:10:33,627 --> 00:10:36,227 Speaker 3: Shut up with you. I mean he's still young, right, 272 00:10:36,427 --> 00:10:38,627 Speaker 3: so you feel that or do you feel that he 273 00:10:38,667 --> 00:10:40,227 Speaker 3: has an All Blacks future as well? 274 00:10:40,267 --> 00:10:43,107 Speaker 5: Oh, he's a freak of nature. And being back in 275 00:10:43,107 --> 00:10:45,467 Speaker 5: the Wellington environment this week. You can see him. He's 276 00:10:45,467 --> 00:10:47,347 Speaker 5: not taking a day off since we've finished Super Rugby 277 00:10:47,347 --> 00:10:50,547 Speaker 5: to get his knee right. So I think like for 278 00:10:50,827 --> 00:10:53,947 Speaker 5: someone young to have that sort of bounce back from 279 00:10:53,987 --> 00:10:56,307 Speaker 5: an injury is it's pretty tough. Like when you're at 280 00:10:56,347 --> 00:10:58,507 Speaker 5: the top of the world, you're playing international rugby, it's 281 00:10:58,507 --> 00:11:00,867 Speaker 5: easy for guys to sort of get complacent, and there's 282 00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:03,267 Speaker 5: not one little scratch of complacency going through him. 283 00:11:03,267 --> 00:11:04,427 Speaker 4: And you can see him now. 284 00:11:04,427 --> 00:11:06,827 Speaker 5: He's I think he's ahead of schedule with his his 285 00:11:06,907 --> 00:11:09,587 Speaker 5: knee recovery and he's training alongside and stuff or so 286 00:11:10,027 --> 00:11:12,027 Speaker 5: you know, we'll get him back, hopefully for Willington for 287 00:11:12,027 --> 00:11:13,467 Speaker 5: a couple of games and then sort of kick him 288 00:11:13,467 --> 00:11:14,987 Speaker 5: out of the door and hopefully he gets another call up 289 00:11:14,987 --> 00:11:17,107 Speaker 5: for the All Blacks. So yeah, I think like we 290 00:11:17,107 --> 00:11:19,187 Speaker 5: we're pretty blessed in Willings him with the amount of 291 00:11:19,187 --> 00:11:22,507 Speaker 5: talent that comes through our system. Holding on to them, 292 00:11:22,547 --> 00:11:24,827 Speaker 5: I think sometimes it's a bit of a challenge, But 293 00:11:25,107 --> 00:11:27,507 Speaker 5: at the same time, I think people love or guys 294 00:11:27,547 --> 00:11:29,387 Speaker 5: who come through the system love being part of Walling 295 00:11:29,387 --> 00:11:31,547 Speaker 5: To Rugby, love being part of the Hurricanes, and if 296 00:11:31,547 --> 00:11:33,827 Speaker 5: we can create a culture where they want to stay 297 00:11:33,867 --> 00:11:35,867 Speaker 5: no matter what. That's you know, half the battle and 298 00:11:36,507 --> 00:11:38,907 Speaker 5: what we want to see as many guys as possible. 299 00:11:38,947 --> 00:11:41,987 Speaker 5: And now you can see like who's being selected and 300 00:11:42,267 --> 00:11:44,467 Speaker 5: the All Blacks like it's proving to be, you know, 301 00:11:44,507 --> 00:11:47,067 Speaker 5: one of the powerhouse sort of clubs and franchises of 302 00:11:47,307 --> 00:11:48,827 Speaker 5: New Zealand rugby and the world rugby. 303 00:11:49,187 --> 00:11:51,267 Speaker 3: What do you reckon Ruben Love's best positions? 304 00:11:52,027 --> 00:11:52,907 Speaker 4: It's a great question. 305 00:11:54,787 --> 00:11:57,507 Speaker 5: He played it absolutely amazing for us at ten when 306 00:11:57,507 --> 00:11:59,787 Speaker 5: he got his opportunity, and the thing with him is 307 00:11:59,827 --> 00:12:02,907 Speaker 5: just so full of energy and I guess it's just 308 00:12:02,947 --> 00:12:05,347 Speaker 5: needs to be directed in the right way. And I 309 00:12:05,347 --> 00:12:08,107 Speaker 5: mean at fifteen, you can break the game open from 310 00:12:08,147 --> 00:12:09,027 Speaker 5: no matter where we are. 311 00:12:09,067 --> 00:12:12,027 Speaker 4: And for a young player to drive a team like 312 00:12:12,067 --> 00:12:12,667 Speaker 4: he did when he. 313 00:12:12,627 --> 00:12:14,627 Speaker 5: Was at ten and have the communication skill and all 314 00:12:14,667 --> 00:12:15,867 Speaker 5: that sort of stuff, like he's got a lot of 315 00:12:15,867 --> 00:12:18,267 Speaker 5: growth and I think he knows that we all know that. 316 00:12:18,307 --> 00:12:21,747 Speaker 5: But his ceilingers are so high and we're really excited 317 00:12:21,747 --> 00:12:24,147 Speaker 5: to see this next sort of group of players we've 318 00:12:24,387 --> 00:12:27,707 Speaker 5: got about, you know, five to eight sort of players 319 00:12:27,707 --> 00:12:30,307 Speaker 5: who are like they can be, you know, absolute stalwarts 320 00:12:30,307 --> 00:12:32,907 Speaker 5: of the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, So it's really 321 00:12:32,907 --> 00:12:34,667 Speaker 5: cool to follow their journey and we're just looking forward 322 00:12:34,667 --> 00:12:35,827 Speaker 5: to see how much they can progress. 323 00:12:35,907 --> 00:12:38,267 Speaker 2: And what about you, Bran, because I guess it's fair 324 00:12:38,307 --> 00:12:40,107 Speaker 2: to say you're closer to the end of your career 325 00:12:40,147 --> 00:12:41,867 Speaker 2: than the start of your career, but you're still going 326 00:12:42,107 --> 00:12:44,587 Speaker 2: Wellington in the n PC to come. 327 00:12:44,627 --> 00:12:47,507 Speaker 3: You're back with the Hurricanes next year. Have you thought 328 00:12:47,507 --> 00:12:50,067 Speaker 3: about or have you about when you'll know if it's time? 329 00:12:51,427 --> 00:12:53,587 Speaker 5: Whoever I speak to, they kind of like you know 330 00:12:53,667 --> 00:12:56,147 Speaker 5: they you know when it's time. And I've always said 331 00:12:56,147 --> 00:12:58,787 Speaker 5: to myself, like, the minute I stopped becoming passionate, the 332 00:12:58,787 --> 00:13:01,067 Speaker 5: minute I don't, I don't love the game as much, 333 00:13:01,107 --> 00:13:03,107 Speaker 5: and I'll put my boats up in and at the 334 00:13:03,107 --> 00:13:05,907 Speaker 5: moment I'm far from that, so I kind of I 335 00:13:05,907 --> 00:13:07,827 Speaker 5: won't say I want to be like Martin even play 336 00:13:07,947 --> 00:13:10,907 Speaker 5: till I'm forty five or forty three at the stage, 337 00:13:10,947 --> 00:13:13,987 Speaker 5: but I just want to, like, once it's finished, it's finished. 338 00:13:14,027 --> 00:13:17,187 Speaker 5: And and I love Willington, I love the Hurricane so much, 339 00:13:17,227 --> 00:13:20,347 Speaker 5: and and I love playing rugby in general because that's 340 00:13:20,387 --> 00:13:22,267 Speaker 5: sort of what I did, you know from day dot 341 00:13:22,627 --> 00:13:23,627 Speaker 5: when I was four years old. 342 00:13:23,707 --> 00:13:25,867 Speaker 4: So to hold on to that and and and. 343 00:13:25,867 --> 00:13:28,667 Speaker 5: The opportunity it gives you post rugby is pretty special. 344 00:13:28,747 --> 00:13:30,627 Speaker 4: So I don't I don't feel like. 345 00:13:30,587 --> 00:13:32,827 Speaker 5: The curtain is quite coming down, but I know that 346 00:13:32,867 --> 00:13:33,827 Speaker 5: it's just around the corner. 347 00:13:33,827 --> 00:13:34,867 Speaker 4: And I just want to make the most. 348 00:13:34,747 --> 00:13:36,707 Speaker 5: Of every opportunity that I get and every time I 349 00:13:36,707 --> 00:13:39,107 Speaker 5: get to go on the fields as sort of a bonus, 350 00:13:39,147 --> 00:13:40,187 Speaker 5: and I won't take that for granted. 351 00:13:40,307 --> 00:13:42,547 Speaker 2: Have you started exploring what might take up most of 352 00:13:42,587 --> 00:13:43,867 Speaker 2: your time post rugby. 353 00:13:43,747 --> 00:13:47,787 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think I think my wife is pretty keen 354 00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:53,227 Speaker 5: to get on with her life. Yeah, And like I said, 355 00:13:53,267 --> 00:13:55,507 Speaker 5: like my wife's been absolutely amazing, and she, like I said, 356 00:13:55,507 --> 00:13:57,827 Speaker 5: she gave up everything for me to follow me around 357 00:13:57,867 --> 00:14:00,667 Speaker 5: the world, So you know, give back to my family 358 00:14:00,707 --> 00:14:04,707 Speaker 5: and and sort of give them an opportunity that many 359 00:14:04,827 --> 00:14:07,747 Speaker 5: many people don't get the opportunity to give so and 360 00:14:07,827 --> 00:14:11,267 Speaker 5: hopefully part of that is me being in Wellington or 361 00:14:11,867 --> 00:14:14,667 Speaker 5: I'd love to stay involved in rugby in some sort 362 00:14:14,667 --> 00:14:17,707 Speaker 5: of way, maybe not coaching necessarily. 363 00:14:17,107 --> 00:14:18,547 Speaker 4: But within their rugby environment. 364 00:14:18,547 --> 00:14:20,707 Speaker 5: I can see so much growth in New Zealand rugby 365 00:14:20,867 --> 00:14:22,867 Speaker 5: in general and rugby around the world. So to be 366 00:14:22,907 --> 00:14:25,707 Speaker 5: a part of the next phase of professional the professional era, 367 00:14:25,907 --> 00:14:29,507 Speaker 5: which is unfortunately rugby struggling a little bit in New 368 00:14:29,587 --> 00:14:31,827 Speaker 5: Zealand if you look at the community game. So as 369 00:14:31,867 --> 00:14:33,387 Speaker 5: much as I can give back to the community game 370 00:14:33,387 --> 00:14:36,387 Speaker 5: when I finish would be you know, not just I'd 371 00:14:36,387 --> 00:14:37,667 Speaker 5: get a bit of a kick out of it, but 372 00:14:37,747 --> 00:14:41,547 Speaker 5: to see guys progress through and try and build on 373 00:14:41,587 --> 00:14:44,107 Speaker 5: what is there would be an amazing sort of journey 374 00:14:44,107 --> 00:14:44,347 Speaker 5: for me. 375 00:14:44,467 --> 00:14:47,267 Speaker 4: And that transition period is yeah, I'm. 376 00:14:47,107 --> 00:14:48,987 Speaker 5: Not really sure exactly what I'll do, but I've got 377 00:14:48,987 --> 00:14:50,987 Speaker 5: a fair idea and it's to do with people, it's 378 00:14:51,067 --> 00:14:53,827 Speaker 5: to do with rugby and growth. So hopefully there's an 379 00:14:53,827 --> 00:14:55,547 Speaker 5: opportunity that pops up for over the next sort of 380 00:14:55,787 --> 00:14:57,547 Speaker 5: two year, eighteen months or two years. 381 00:14:57,547 --> 00:14:59,987 Speaker 2: Fantastic when you both your kids are playing yep, so 382 00:15:00,267 --> 00:15:01,907 Speaker 2: and you are you coaching your daughter's team. 383 00:15:01,987 --> 00:15:03,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, well as much as I can. 384 00:15:04,387 --> 00:15:06,947 Speaker 5: They play on a Friday night, so when we're away 385 00:15:06,947 --> 00:15:08,907 Speaker 5: it's a bit difficult. My wife thought was also managing, 386 00:15:08,947 --> 00:15:11,587 Speaker 5: so she's like manager coach. We've got a couple of 387 00:15:11,587 --> 00:15:14,507 Speaker 5: helpers out there, which is which is awesome, and yeah, 388 00:15:14,547 --> 00:15:16,547 Speaker 5: like I say, like for them to come and watch 389 00:15:16,587 --> 00:15:18,347 Speaker 5: me and then and then kind of help them out 390 00:15:18,347 --> 00:15:20,627 Speaker 5: from you know, I've been in that situation before as 391 00:15:20,667 --> 00:15:23,347 Speaker 5: a kid, so and and I think the kids actually 392 00:15:23,427 --> 00:15:27,027 Speaker 5: quite get a kick out of having a Hurricane, you know, 393 00:15:27,067 --> 00:15:28,987 Speaker 5: be a part of their group and and being out 394 00:15:28,987 --> 00:15:31,627 Speaker 5: in Eastbourne as such a close knit community. 395 00:15:31,707 --> 00:15:33,187 Speaker 4: So yeah. 396 00:15:33,587 --> 00:15:35,387 Speaker 5: My son said the other day is like, I think 397 00:15:35,427 --> 00:15:37,747 Speaker 5: Daddy's going to coach my team next year, and I'm yeah, 398 00:15:37,827 --> 00:15:39,787 Speaker 5: So I've been signed up for a few years. I 399 00:15:39,827 --> 00:15:41,827 Speaker 5: think after a while during and when I finished playing. 400 00:15:42,027 --> 00:15:43,787 Speaker 3: Well, it's a great way to spend time with your kids. 401 00:15:44,427 --> 00:15:46,307 Speaker 2: Vouch for that. Great great to see your mate. Your 402 00:15:46,427 --> 00:15:49,707 Speaker 2: enthusiasm is infextious. I know that Super Rugby title, the 403 00:15:49,747 --> 00:15:52,787 Speaker 2: second one is not too far away. Maybe on the thirtieth. 404 00:15:52,427 --> 00:15:55,267 Speaker 3: Anniversary of Super Rugby, Hurricanes could win another one. 405 00:15:55,507 --> 00:15:56,347 Speaker 4: Maybe that will be epic. 406 00:15:56,427 --> 00:15:59,947 Speaker 5: And and unfortunately we have quite well fell short a 407 00:15:59,947 --> 00:16:01,867 Speaker 5: few years in a row, and even when I before 408 00:16:01,907 --> 00:16:05,227 Speaker 5: I left, like semi final, semi final, quarter final, semi finals. 409 00:16:05,307 --> 00:16:06,627 Speaker 4: So we're just. 410 00:16:06,587 --> 00:16:08,067 Speaker 5: About there, and I think we've got the group to 411 00:16:08,107 --> 00:16:09,707 Speaker 5: do it next year. I think most of the guys 412 00:16:09,747 --> 00:16:13,027 Speaker 5: it's going to be pretty unchanged. So I'm looking forward 413 00:16:13,067 --> 00:16:14,307 Speaker 5: to it, and I'm looking forward to try and help 414 00:16:14,347 --> 00:16:15,787 Speaker 5: the team as much as I can on and off 415 00:16:15,827 --> 00:16:19,147 Speaker 5: the field, and we've got a pretty good group, so hopefully, 416 00:16:19,507 --> 00:16:21,467 Speaker 5: fingers crossed I can get a title in before I 417 00:16:21,507 --> 00:16:24,427 Speaker 5: need to either bugger off somewhere else or roll up 418 00:16:24,467 --> 00:16:25,627 Speaker 5: my sleeves and go for another season. 419 00:16:26,507 --> 00:16:28,427 Speaker 3: Love it, Brad, Thanks for stopping and made always great 420 00:16:28,427 --> 00:16:28,827 Speaker 3: catching up. 421 00:16:28,907 --> 00:16:30,227 Speaker 5: Yeah, thank you, mate, And I just want to say 422 00:16:30,227 --> 00:16:32,667 Speaker 5: before I go, like Piney, you've blow a lot of 423 00:16:32,707 --> 00:16:35,267 Speaker 5: smoke up other people's bums, but what you do for 424 00:16:35,547 --> 00:16:37,627 Speaker 5: not just he's going to Rugby New Zealand Sport as 425 00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:40,067 Speaker 5: amazing mate and keep fighting the good fight. 426 00:16:40,147 --> 00:16:41,827 Speaker 4: So we appreciate what you do for us. Thank you. 427 00:16:41,827 --> 00:16:43,427 Speaker 2: You're very good man, Brad. Thank you very much for 428 00:16:43,467 --> 00:16:45,787 Speaker 2: the kind words. Brad shields with us here on News 429 00:16:45,787 --> 00:16:48,307 Speaker 2: Talks HEEDB. Coming to Your Life Today from Shit twenty two. 430 00:16:48,827 --> 00:16:51,987 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 431 00:16:52,107 --> 00:16:55,467 Speaker 1: to News Talks EDB weekends from midday or follow the 432 00:16:55,547 --> 00:16:56,987 Speaker 1: podcast on ihard Radio.