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 Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,307 Speaker 2: We come to your Life from Emerson's Brewery and Pub 4 00:00:15,427 --> 00:00:17,147 Speaker 2: in Dneed and head of the first Test of the 5 00:00:17,267 --> 00:00:19,987 Speaker 2: year tonight about six hundred meters down the road at 6 00:00:19,987 --> 00:00:23,227 Speaker 2: Forsyth Bar Stadium. Let's bring in fifteen Test former All 7 00:00:23,227 --> 00:00:26,907 Speaker 2: Blacks lock Tom Donnelly. Fourteen of those fifteen tests were 8 00:00:26,987 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 2: All Blacks wins. He was a stalwart for Otago and 9 00:00:30,147 --> 00:00:32,827 Speaker 2: the Highlanders, also played some Super rug before the Crusaders 10 00:00:33,107 --> 00:00:35,907 Speaker 2: and the Blues, had time in France, and then moved 11 00:00:35,947 --> 00:00:38,467 Speaker 2: into coaching with Otago and the Highlanders and now the 12 00:00:38,507 --> 00:00:39,187 Speaker 2: Western Force. 13 00:00:39,467 --> 00:00:39,867 Speaker 3: He was the. 14 00:00:39,907 --> 00:00:43,427 Speaker 2: Otago head coach who gave both Fabian Holland and Christian 15 00:00:43,507 --> 00:00:46,947 Speaker 2: Leo Willy their provincial debuts. Tonight they'll both make their 16 00:00:46,947 --> 00:00:50,067 Speaker 2: All Blacks debuts here in Dunedin. Thanks for joining us, Tom. 17 00:00:50,147 --> 00:00:51,987 Speaker 2: Let's start with Fabian. Can you tell us about his 18 00:00:52,107 --> 00:00:55,387 Speaker 2: arrival in Otago? Excuse me, and what you've seen from 19 00:00:55,507 --> 00:00:56,027 Speaker 2: him since? 20 00:00:57,947 --> 00:01:02,187 Speaker 3: Yeah? Hello, a discussion there, mate, Yeah, book, Fabian came 21 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:04,827 Speaker 3: to a train when he was still at school and 22 00:01:04,947 --> 00:01:09,907 Speaker 3: Pricious Boys with Cam McIntyre's agent. Obviously he'd have a 23 00:01:09,907 --> 00:01:12,787 Speaker 3: look around and just a CS size is probably the 24 00:01:12,827 --> 00:01:15,827 Speaker 3: first thing that catched you back. He's a he's a 25 00:01:15,827 --> 00:01:18,227 Speaker 3: big man, and anyone knows you can't coach size, and 26 00:01:19,547 --> 00:01:23,907 Speaker 3: but his attitude and as church what's on through within 27 00:01:24,027 --> 00:01:27,147 Speaker 3: about an hour sold media is an absolute champion of 28 00:01:27,187 --> 00:01:30,267 Speaker 3: a person and his dedication to trying to one be 29 00:01:30,307 --> 00:01:33,107 Speaker 3: a great woody player. And he also had a massive. 30 00:01:33,187 --> 00:01:36,227 Speaker 2: Normal has been to see you talk about not being 31 00:01:36,267 --> 00:01:38,107 Speaker 2: able to coach size and that's so right, But you 32 00:01:38,187 --> 00:01:41,147 Speaker 2: must have seen big men who haven't kicked on in 33 00:01:41,147 --> 00:01:42,627 Speaker 2: the way that that Fabian has. 34 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:43,747 Speaker 4: So what is. 35 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:47,907 Speaker 2: The best use of size as a as an elite 36 00:01:47,987 --> 00:01:49,787 Speaker 2: rugby player, especially a lot. 37 00:01:50,787 --> 00:01:53,667 Speaker 3: Uh, it's your work ethic as well and your hand 38 00:01:53,747 --> 00:01:55,507 Speaker 3: eye coordination and had a lot of those big guys 39 00:01:55,547 --> 00:02:01,067 Speaker 3: can be quite comsy. His dedication has catch passed as 40 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 3: little soft skills was phenomos made him was wors maders 41 00:02:04,347 --> 00:02:08,107 Speaker 3: as a pat flower. He's he's just dedicated to everything 42 00:02:08,147 --> 00:02:08,387 Speaker 3: he does. 43 00:02:09,387 --> 00:02:11,787 Speaker 2: And well, from what you're saying, you always felt like 44 00:02:11,907 --> 00:02:15,147 Speaker 2: he had he headed at him to push on. Do 45 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:17,507 Speaker 2: you feel like he's got a high ceiling. He'll debut 46 00:02:18,027 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 2: for the All Blacks to Night. Could he be a 47 00:02:19,987 --> 00:02:21,467 Speaker 2: long term All Black. 48 00:02:22,787 --> 00:02:22,947 Speaker 4: Love? 49 00:02:22,987 --> 00:02:24,987 Speaker 3: I think the balls and has cowed. He has definitely 50 00:02:25,067 --> 00:02:27,387 Speaker 3: got the ability and the attitude to do it. Made 51 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:30,507 Speaker 3: that it would just be hopefully he's died and relaxes 52 00:02:30,507 --> 00:02:32,467 Speaker 3: and go out there and do his job and hopefully're 53 00:02:32,467 --> 00:02:33,227 Speaker 3: having a joyban night. 54 00:02:33,707 --> 00:02:36,627 Speaker 4: And Christian Leo Willie, what are your early memories of him? 55 00:02:37,867 --> 00:02:39,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, we were going down and watching this credit Club 56 00:02:39,907 --> 00:02:44,267 Speaker 3: rugby who was phenomenally powerful. Quite hard to track down 57 00:02:44,347 --> 00:02:45,627 Speaker 3: for a start, because I don't know how much of 58 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:48,187 Speaker 3: the story's been told, but he sort of told his 59 00:02:48,307 --> 00:02:49,987 Speaker 3: mother that he wouldn't play footy when he went to 60 00:02:49,987 --> 00:02:51,827 Speaker 3: the need And with tossup and his studies and so 61 00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:54,387 Speaker 3: he was under the radar for a week bit there, 62 00:02:55,747 --> 00:02:58,787 Speaker 3: but just a phenomenal athlete like a ball and hands 63 00:02:58,787 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 3: stuff with phenomenal club rugby. 64 00:03:00,867 --> 00:03:02,947 Speaker 4: So he went to the need and what to study. 65 00:03:03,027 --> 00:03:06,107 Speaker 2: Dentistries supposedly said to his mum, I'm not going to 66 00:03:06,147 --> 00:03:07,187 Speaker 2: play any rugby down there. 67 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:08,547 Speaker 4: I'll concentrate on my studies. 68 00:03:08,787 --> 00:03:10,947 Speaker 2: Plays rugby gets spotted by you and then all of 69 00:03:10,987 --> 00:03:13,027 Speaker 2: a sudden is in the Otago setup. 70 00:03:13,987 --> 00:03:16,387 Speaker 3: Yeah. Well, lucky enough, I'm not supposed that he's actually 71 00:03:16,427 --> 00:03:19,307 Speaker 3: finished as dead to degree as well. We're then allowed 72 00:03:19,387 --> 00:03:21,227 Speaker 3: him to check a bit more into his footage. But yeah, 73 00:03:21,347 --> 00:03:22,827 Speaker 3: that's sort of the background the story. 74 00:03:23,347 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 2: He was initially named his injury cover for this All 75 00:03:25,547 --> 00:03:28,147 Speaker 2: Black squad, of course, but here he is starting tonight. 76 00:03:28,267 --> 00:03:30,507 Speaker 2: So what would you be expecting to see from him 77 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:33,947 Speaker 2: on test Dayboo, You'll say, names. 78 00:03:33,787 --> 00:03:36,827 Speaker 3: Have really seen through all year with the Crusaders. Capables, 79 00:03:36,867 --> 00:03:40,427 Speaker 3: wrongs were great, wibly phenomenal. He's got great aerial skills, 80 00:03:40,467 --> 00:03:42,827 Speaker 3: so I wouldn't be surprised that to him in the 81 00:03:42,867 --> 00:03:47,067 Speaker 3: line out, Yeah, he'll be fantastic. So he's got a 82 00:03:47,107 --> 00:03:48,107 Speaker 3: great opportunity for him. 83 00:03:48,467 --> 00:03:50,627 Speaker 2: And as far as the All Blacks are concerned, it's 84 00:03:50,787 --> 00:03:53,347 Speaker 2: against a French side that we all know has been 85 00:03:53,827 --> 00:03:56,587 Speaker 2: has been talked about as being under strength. What do 86 00:03:56,707 --> 00:03:58,947 Speaker 2: you want to see from the All Blacks tonight? 87 00:03:59,027 --> 00:03:59,227 Speaker 4: Tom? 88 00:03:59,267 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 2: That would I guess as an All Blacks fan like 89 00:04:01,227 --> 00:04:03,227 Speaker 2: the rest of us, make you think that things are 90 00:04:03,267 --> 00:04:04,747 Speaker 2: going to be okay in twenty twenty five? 91 00:04:06,667 --> 00:04:09,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think they'll be fine. I've obviously worked pretty hard, 92 00:04:09,747 --> 00:04:12,227 Speaker 3: but a cohesion we'll be putt of the hardest thing. 93 00:04:12,707 --> 00:04:15,027 Speaker 3: Lot of them play together, so you might see a 94 00:04:15,067 --> 00:04:18,387 Speaker 3: little bit of letter that time, but obviously there's your 95 00:04:18,427 --> 00:04:20,027 Speaker 3: nest will be there as long as I've got there. 96 00:04:20,187 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 3: Evening use will come time. 97 00:04:22,107 --> 00:04:24,627 Speaker 2: And yet sometime playing in France yourself. Of course, the side, 98 00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:27,707 Speaker 2: as I say, looks under strength and an experience. But 99 00:04:27,907 --> 00:04:30,907 Speaker 2: might they present a threat across these three test matches? 100 00:04:31,867 --> 00:04:36,147 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, one hundred percent, very very dangerous and undervalued 101 00:04:36,227 --> 00:04:40,027 Speaker 3: or rated French team. And I've got nothing to play 102 00:04:40,067 --> 00:04:43,427 Speaker 3: for us when they play on their disbuddy sometimes so 103 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:46,107 Speaker 3: even though they say they're under strength and it's fuck 104 00:04:46,187 --> 00:04:50,227 Speaker 3: what they've done, just finish the premier competition. But the 105 00:04:50,347 --> 00:04:52,467 Speaker 3: guys I think will still be excellent boarding. 106 00:04:52,587 --> 00:04:53,307 Speaker 4: And just to finish. 107 00:04:53,387 --> 00:04:56,467 Speaker 2: When you do see Fabian and Christian run out tonight, 108 00:04:56,547 --> 00:04:59,187 Speaker 2: does that give you a tinge of pride? 109 00:04:59,307 --> 00:05:01,187 Speaker 4: You know, the part that you played in their development, 110 00:05:03,547 --> 00:05:04,027 Speaker 4: Like the. 111 00:05:04,027 --> 00:05:06,147 Speaker 3: Whole part of us as coaches is watching young men 112 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:09,827 Speaker 3: development to great people and in great players and to 113 00:05:09,907 --> 00:05:13,107 Speaker 3: see them move on to be selected for the All 114 00:05:13,147 --> 00:05:16,187 Speaker 3: Blacks and internationals. Yeah, of course, i's the fights and 115 00:05:16,227 --> 00:05:19,107 Speaker 3: your kids really bes signed really well. 116 00:05:19,747 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 2: Wonderful insight, Tom thanks so much for joining us on 117 00:05:21,827 --> 00:05:23,547 Speaker 2: match day. We look forward to seeing how Fabian and 118 00:05:23,627 --> 00:05:26,227 Speaker 2: Christian go tonight. Really appreciate you taking the time. 119 00:05:26,107 --> 00:05:26,507 Speaker 4: For a chat. 120 00:05:27,427 --> 00:05:28,467 Speaker 3: Nor Paul might enjoy it. 121 00:05:29,107 --> 00:05:29,987 Speaker 4: We'll enjoy it indeed. 122 00:05:30,027 --> 00:05:33,547 Speaker 2: Thanks indeed, Tom, Tom Donnelly, their former All Blacks Locke 123 00:05:33,787 --> 00:05:37,507 Speaker 2: and moved into coaching and gave both Fabian Holland and 124 00:05:37,667 --> 00:05:41,187 Speaker 2: Christian Leo Willie their Otago de boos, and tonight here 125 00:05:41,227 --> 00:05:43,667 Speaker 2: in Dunedin they will make their Test day boos together. 126 00:05:43,747 --> 00:05:47,907 Speaker 2: The first time I read this week since twenty twelve 127 00:05:48,547 --> 00:05:52,907 Speaker 2: that two Otago players will feature in a starting fifteen for. 128 00:05:52,907 --> 00:05:53,507 Speaker 4: The All Blacks. 129 00:05:53,907 --> 00:05:58,827 Speaker 2: That seems crazy. It's been thirteen years since two Otago 130 00:05:58,987 --> 00:06:02,147 Speaker 2: players will feature in the same All Black starting fifteen. 131 00:06:02,307 --> 00:06:05,467 Speaker 2: But here we are and it'll happen tonight at Forsyth 132 00:06:05,507 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 2: Bar Stadium in Dunedin. 133 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:11,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 134 00:06:11,227 --> 00:06:14,507 Speaker 1: to news talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow 135 00:06:14,587 --> 00:06:16,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.