1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:14,907 Speaker 2: New Zealand. Rugby is losing one of the key figures 4 00:00:14,947 --> 00:00:17,747 Speaker 2: behind the high performance programs that support the All Blacks 5 00:00:18,027 --> 00:00:21,747 Speaker 2: and other national teams. High Performance boss Mike Anthony has 6 00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:25,747 Speaker 2: headed offshore. He's been recruited by English Premier League club 7 00:00:25,747 --> 00:00:29,147 Speaker 2: Brighton and Hove Albion to lead their player development and 8 00:00:29,267 --> 00:00:33,947 Speaker 2: high performance program, taking expertise developed in rugby into one 9 00:00:33,947 --> 00:00:37,627 Speaker 2: of the world's biggest football competitions. Mike Anthony is with 10 00:00:37,707 --> 00:00:40,827 Speaker 2: us now from the UK. Mike, congratulations on this new role. 11 00:00:41,307 --> 00:00:43,707 Speaker 2: This feels like a big move. What attracted you to 12 00:00:43,747 --> 00:00:46,787 Speaker 2: the opportunity with Brighton and Hove Albion. 13 00:00:47,827 --> 00:00:51,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks Jason, thanks for having me on. Look, those 14 00:00:51,147 --> 00:00:53,707 Speaker 3: that know me know that I've been looking at an 15 00:00:53,707 --> 00:00:56,827 Speaker 3: opportunity outside of sport or outside of the sport I've 16 00:00:56,827 --> 00:00:59,747 Speaker 3: been involved in for thirty years for some time, and 17 00:01:00,427 --> 00:01:02,507 Speaker 3: I sort of looked and you know, for me, it 18 00:01:02,707 --> 00:01:06,827 Speaker 3: was AFL, NBA, NFL in the Premier League were the 19 00:01:07,507 --> 00:01:12,067 Speaker 3: ones that I was looking at, and I had spent 20 00:01:12,147 --> 00:01:14,147 Speaker 3: a lot lot of time. I'd spent time with San 21 00:01:14,147 --> 00:01:17,747 Speaker 3: Antonio Spurs spent some time with the Jets AFL and 22 00:01:17,787 --> 00:01:21,667 Speaker 3: obviously we've got good connections through New Zealand rugby but football. 23 00:01:21,867 --> 00:01:24,987 Speaker 3: There were a couple of people, in particular Bryce Kevina 24 00:01:25,027 --> 00:01:27,467 Speaker 3: who's at Chelsea, who's an Aussie guy, and I know 25 00:01:27,547 --> 00:01:30,787 Speaker 3: Bryce Weilworld in a leader course together and he's made 26 00:01:30,787 --> 00:01:33,587 Speaker 3: a really good transition out of rugby. He actually went 27 00:01:33,627 --> 00:01:36,947 Speaker 3: to West Indies cricket and then into Chelsea and I 28 00:01:37,027 --> 00:01:39,547 Speaker 3: talked a lot with him. I met with Ben Ryan, 29 00:01:39,627 --> 00:01:44,267 Speaker 3: you know, the former Fiji coach. Ben's at Brentford, so 30 00:01:44,307 --> 00:01:46,347 Speaker 3: in November I went on. It was a bit of 31 00:01:46,427 --> 00:01:48,707 Speaker 3: PD if I'm on this pointing, but it was also 32 00:01:49,307 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 3: see how those guys have integrated in and interestingly through 33 00:01:54,867 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 3: a connection. I met with Mike Cave who's a technical director. 34 00:01:58,867 --> 00:02:01,147 Speaker 3: Really enjoyed had a couple of hours in London with Mike, 35 00:02:01,307 --> 00:02:04,587 Speaker 3: really enjoyed the conversation with him. And then I've been 36 00:02:04,627 --> 00:02:07,747 Speaker 3: asked to present at a Premier League campference and I 37 00:02:07,787 --> 00:02:11,867 Speaker 3: went there and presented and Fabian Hurts, our head coach, 38 00:02:12,587 --> 00:02:16,347 Speaker 3: presented as well, and he was a keynote and blew 39 00:02:16,347 --> 00:02:18,747 Speaker 3: me away, you know. Thirty two year old, youngest head 40 00:02:18,747 --> 00:02:21,987 Speaker 3: coach in Premier League history, talked a lot about culture, 41 00:02:22,147 --> 00:02:25,267 Speaker 3: talked about the abs. He'd spent a lot of time 42 00:02:25,387 --> 00:02:28,627 Speaker 3: on you know, looking around what we do in legacy 43 00:02:28,747 --> 00:02:31,907 Speaker 3: and belonging in books like that. And I met with 44 00:02:31,987 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 3: him afterwards and I remember son to my wife, I've 45 00:02:34,747 --> 00:02:37,867 Speaker 3: got a really good feeling about this place, good story. 46 00:02:37,907 --> 00:02:41,187 Speaker 3: You know, Brighton have come from well now they didn't 47 00:02:41,227 --> 00:02:46,627 Speaker 3: have grounds. Tony our owner has invested heavily, and you 48 00:02:46,667 --> 00:02:49,867 Speaker 3: know they've got a great vision around challenging the establishment, 49 00:02:49,907 --> 00:02:53,227 Speaker 3: the establishment being those big four or five teams. So 50 00:02:53,907 --> 00:02:57,027 Speaker 3: you know that all came together. We had conversations and 51 00:02:57,507 --> 00:03:01,387 Speaker 3: pretty much just after Christmas signed and so I'm here 52 00:03:02,187 --> 00:03:05,587 Speaker 3: my wife and Daga due to come over in three months. 53 00:03:05,947 --> 00:03:09,147 Speaker 3: And the thing point he was, we've got some in 54 00:03:09,147 --> 00:03:13,747 Speaker 3: the US. He's a college, he's our only child. He's 55 00:03:13,787 --> 00:03:16,587 Speaker 3: actually finishing up his track and field scholarship there and 56 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:19,507 Speaker 3: looking at sort of Oxford or some options here XU. 57 00:03:19,507 --> 00:03:22,227 Speaker 3: He's gone into a ship in London. So we've been apart. 58 00:03:22,467 --> 00:03:25,147 Speaker 3: We're a close family, and the opportunity to be close 59 00:03:25,347 --> 00:03:26,667 Speaker 3: was going to be something that was going to be 60 00:03:26,747 --> 00:03:27,747 Speaker 3: good for us. 61 00:03:27,827 --> 00:03:31,707 Speaker 2: Terrific. So your title is Head of Player Development and 62 00:03:31,867 --> 00:03:34,867 Speaker 2: High Performance. So what will then actually involve on a 63 00:03:34,947 --> 00:03:35,947 Speaker 2: day to day basis? 64 00:03:37,107 --> 00:03:41,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, look like any position description, it's probably more already 65 00:03:41,667 --> 00:03:44,387 Speaker 3: from what I received what I do day to day 66 00:03:45,587 --> 00:03:47,987 Speaker 3: look and part of that is because of our openness. 67 00:03:48,067 --> 00:03:51,587 Speaker 3: It's it's been better than I could have imagined in 68 00:03:51,667 --> 00:03:55,787 Speaker 3: terms of the openness of the people across the organization. 69 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:59,467 Speaker 3: You know, from CEO Paul who's highly experienced, people with 70 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:02,547 Speaker 3: spurs and others to want to understand what I can 71 00:04:02,627 --> 00:04:06,547 Speaker 3: bring in around our environments, but also to be up 72 00:04:06,587 --> 00:04:10,387 Speaker 3: me learning and listening and understanding. But there the core 73 00:04:10,427 --> 00:04:14,307 Speaker 3: pieces are how do we maximize individual plan development in 74 00:04:14,427 --> 00:04:16,907 Speaker 3: our first team plans. So we've got a seventeen year 75 00:04:16,947 --> 00:04:20,387 Speaker 3: old in Harry Hall who's you know we need to 76 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:24,307 Speaker 3: put some work around, or a Bumba's Castulos who's eighteen, a 77 00:04:24,467 --> 00:04:27,867 Speaker 3: young Greek guy who's a huge talent. We're a forty 78 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:31,307 Speaker 3: year old in James Milder who's the highest CAT Premier 79 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:35,827 Speaker 3: League player of all time and an incredible professional, phenomenal player. 80 00:04:37,147 --> 00:04:44,587 Speaker 3: So it's about individualizing programs across tech, tak, physical, mental, 81 00:04:45,387 --> 00:04:47,907 Speaker 3: off field and getting that right, so they're support and 82 00:04:47,947 --> 00:04:50,267 Speaker 3: we get the best out of them. And then the 83 00:04:50,387 --> 00:04:53,187 Speaker 3: other parts are along with Fabian our head coach and 84 00:04:53,667 --> 00:04:58,187 Speaker 3: Mike Cave, the technical director, building a performance culture so 85 00:04:58,227 --> 00:05:00,427 Speaker 3: it's a place where people not only our plans but 86 00:05:00,467 --> 00:05:05,187 Speaker 3: our staff thrive. And thirdly, then broadly across the organization, 87 00:05:05,347 --> 00:05:09,707 Speaker 3: growing capability of of staff and people and in building 88 00:05:09,907 --> 00:05:13,987 Speaker 3: a strategy around the plant development, performance culture space. 89 00:05:14,307 --> 00:05:18,147 Speaker 2: Really interested in the whole concept of a team culture. 90 00:05:18,187 --> 00:05:20,387 Speaker 2: We hear a lot about the all Blacks culture. You've 91 00:05:20,387 --> 00:05:23,627 Speaker 2: mentioned it, you were part of building it and enhancing it. 92 00:05:24,067 --> 00:05:26,907 Speaker 2: How challenging is it to build culture in a team 93 00:05:27,347 --> 00:05:30,507 Speaker 2: like Brighton and Hove Albion, a Premier League side with 94 00:05:30,947 --> 00:05:34,227 Speaker 2: a bunch of different nationalities players who come in and 95 00:05:34,267 --> 00:05:37,747 Speaker 2: then get sold off and move somewhere else. How challenging 96 00:05:37,787 --> 00:05:41,107 Speaker 2: is it to build culture in an environment like that? 97 00:05:42,347 --> 00:05:45,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, you're right, Pau. It is a huge challenge, you know, 98 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:49,227 Speaker 3: because of I suppose a fabric of New Zealand rugby 99 00:05:49,267 --> 00:05:51,347 Speaker 3: and people like Gilbert and Oprah and others have been 100 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:56,467 Speaker 3: huge and shaping that. What it's about is, I think 101 00:05:56,507 --> 00:05:59,147 Speaker 3: the philosophy is still the same. You want when people 102 00:05:59,227 --> 00:06:01,507 Speaker 3: come in. It's how we on board them and make 103 00:06:01,587 --> 00:06:04,867 Speaker 3: them feel part of the club so that they understand 104 00:06:05,027 --> 00:06:08,547 Speaker 3: what we're about and that it's that this is a 105 00:06:08,587 --> 00:06:11,267 Speaker 3: critical part of their dunty. So you know, we want 106 00:06:11,267 --> 00:06:14,107 Speaker 3: them to maximize their time at the club, put everything 107 00:06:15,067 --> 00:06:17,747 Speaker 3: that they can into it, and again to use it 108 00:06:17,747 --> 00:06:19,627 Speaker 3: all back phrase, we want them to leave a Josey 109 00:06:19,667 --> 00:06:22,307 Speaker 3: in a better place, whether it be three years. Because look, 110 00:06:22,347 --> 00:06:26,267 Speaker 3: it's no secret Brighton's business model was chase the talent 111 00:06:26,427 --> 00:06:30,187 Speaker 3: and through Tony's company the numbers. It's very data driven 112 00:06:31,307 --> 00:06:35,267 Speaker 3: around who we recruit and they get the best out 113 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 3: of them and often sell them on for significant transfer fees. 114 00:06:38,027 --> 00:06:40,507 Speaker 3: So you know, we want to still make sure that 115 00:06:40,507 --> 00:06:42,787 Speaker 3: they're giving everything for this club and that when they 116 00:06:42,867 --> 00:06:45,947 Speaker 3: leave and how we exit them that they reflect really 117 00:06:46,027 --> 00:06:48,507 Speaker 3: positively all the time with the club and for some 118 00:06:48,827 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 3: that they love it the part of it. James Miller 119 00:06:51,107 --> 00:06:54,267 Speaker 3: and Daddy Welbeck for example, forty year old thirty five 120 00:06:54,347 --> 00:06:57,067 Speaker 3: year old loving their time and they've been at some 121 00:06:57,107 --> 00:06:59,347 Speaker 3: of the best clubs and one Champion League title and 122 00:06:59,427 --> 00:07:02,627 Speaker 3: Premium League titles, and that they are contributing to the club. 123 00:07:02,747 --> 00:07:06,787 Speaker 3: So you look the I think the key parts of 124 00:07:06,867 --> 00:07:10,147 Speaker 3: the same. It is more challenging here. You wish you know, 125 00:07:10,267 --> 00:07:12,627 Speaker 3: language is a challenge for some of the other boys. 126 00:07:12,627 --> 00:07:16,307 Speaker 3: It's not first language. Heaps of our staff learning or 127 00:07:16,347 --> 00:07:21,627 Speaker 3: do speak multiple languages. I've just started Spanish purely because 128 00:07:21,627 --> 00:07:24,627 Speaker 3: I want to have another language. Fabian speaks four. He 129 00:07:24,667 --> 00:07:27,627 Speaker 3: can the team leading flip between four languages, which is 130 00:07:28,707 --> 00:07:30,587 Speaker 3: massive prospect to be able to do that, to have 131 00:07:30,787 --> 00:07:32,027 Speaker 3: real impact on their players. 132 00:07:32,147 --> 00:07:35,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, incredible stuff. An elite sport mic, we often talk 133 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:38,947 Speaker 2: about about marginal gains. Where do you think the next 134 00:07:39,307 --> 00:07:43,667 Speaker 2: big performance edge in elite sport is hiding? Where will 135 00:07:43,707 --> 00:07:44,187 Speaker 2: it come from? 136 00:07:45,227 --> 00:07:48,867 Speaker 3: Look, I think everyone's chasing the same stuff. We talk 137 00:07:48,907 --> 00:07:51,627 Speaker 3: about innovation of the one percenters or you know, to 138 00:07:51,787 --> 00:07:55,507 Speaker 3: use Dave Browsford, the marginal games. But I still think 139 00:07:55,627 --> 00:08:00,227 Speaker 3: the ability to create a performance environment where people thrive, 140 00:08:00,347 --> 00:08:04,707 Speaker 3: whether it be staff and players, where they can perform consistently, 141 00:08:05,507 --> 00:08:08,467 Speaker 3: Because that's the challenge for us because the margins. You 142 00:08:08,547 --> 00:08:12,067 Speaker 3: know you're a football fan, it's tough. I've watched us 143 00:08:12,747 --> 00:08:17,187 Speaker 3: learning the game. I've watched us dominate games, you lose 144 00:08:17,307 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 3: or draw them. Rugby's a little bit different in that scene. 145 00:08:20,387 --> 00:08:23,987 Speaker 3: So I think that's the first piece. How we maximize 146 00:08:24,027 --> 00:08:27,947 Speaker 3: the collective knowledge of the group is really important. You know. 147 00:08:28,187 --> 00:08:31,827 Speaker 3: I think the difference I've seen already is in rugby 148 00:08:31,867 --> 00:08:34,187 Speaker 3: and particularly the All Black City our super teams is 149 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:38,587 Speaker 3: it's a lot more player driven here at the moment, 150 00:08:38,667 --> 00:08:41,267 Speaker 3: it's more coach lad. So we're trying to shift that 151 00:08:41,387 --> 00:08:43,467 Speaker 3: because ultimately the players are the ones who have to 152 00:08:43,547 --> 00:08:47,627 Speaker 3: make decisions underpression on the field. So, you know, and 153 00:08:47,747 --> 00:08:51,427 Speaker 3: I still think that mental performance space, I think, you know, 154 00:08:51,627 --> 00:08:54,867 Speaker 3: that is critical. Finding the right people to be able 155 00:08:54,907 --> 00:08:57,667 Speaker 3: to work and deliver that space, build a relationship with 156 00:08:57,787 --> 00:09:00,627 Speaker 3: the players. It happened to how do you get the 157 00:09:00,667 --> 00:09:03,987 Speaker 3: best out of them? Because I think, you know, the 158 00:09:04,227 --> 00:09:07,787 Speaker 3: physical numbers are so close now, the margins are so small, 159 00:09:07,827 --> 00:09:11,107 Speaker 3: But I think that mindset, mental skills meant to performance, 160 00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:16,267 Speaker 3: executing under pressure consistently is probably the area, certainly the 161 00:09:16,307 --> 00:09:18,027 Speaker 3: area we're going to look at. It's probably an area 162 00:09:18,067 --> 00:09:20,347 Speaker 3: where lighted for all the resource we've got, and I've 163 00:09:20,347 --> 00:09:22,947 Speaker 3: seen it in the US as well. I actually think 164 00:09:23,387 --> 00:09:25,387 Speaker 3: at times that's something we do better in New Zealand 165 00:09:25,907 --> 00:09:27,267 Speaker 3: as investment in that space. 166 00:09:27,987 --> 00:09:31,107 Speaker 2: Looking back, Mike on your time with New Zealand rugby, 167 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:32,827 Speaker 2: what are you proudest of? 168 00:09:35,267 --> 00:09:38,107 Speaker 3: I look, it's easy to say being involved in World Cup, 169 00:09:38,187 --> 00:09:42,627 Speaker 3: woinds and stuff, but for me, you seeing the transition 170 00:09:42,787 --> 00:09:47,747 Speaker 3: of players through things like the twenties and staff and 171 00:09:48,227 --> 00:09:51,067 Speaker 3: go on. So they start a New Zealand schools jusey 172 00:09:51,147 --> 00:09:54,187 Speaker 3: to a twenties jersey, you know, Davey mckinzie's somebody who 173 00:09:54,227 --> 00:09:56,547 Speaker 3: I've worked with right through the ranks, and then to 174 00:09:56,667 --> 00:10:00,027 Speaker 3: see them become all black and then play well and 175 00:10:00,147 --> 00:10:04,947 Speaker 3: perform consistently, and just the people they are as well. 176 00:10:05,027 --> 00:10:07,547 Speaker 3: You know, it's not just about creating a good Rugby play. 177 00:10:07,587 --> 00:10:10,827 Speaker 3: You know again phrase better people met better all blacks, 178 00:10:11,627 --> 00:10:14,347 Speaker 3: It's true. You know, I look at the people I've 179 00:10:14,387 --> 00:10:17,627 Speaker 3: met here already and that our player leaders be really 180 00:10:17,747 --> 00:10:21,267 Speaker 3: engaging in a good bad you know, they care about 181 00:10:21,267 --> 00:10:24,707 Speaker 3: the game, they care about the team. So you know 182 00:10:24,867 --> 00:10:27,867 Speaker 3: that that part for me, You know, the people I've 183 00:10:28,347 --> 00:10:31,827 Speaker 3: worked with be really lucky. You know, the people I've 184 00:10:31,867 --> 00:10:34,067 Speaker 3: worked with along the way and seeing the transition of 185 00:10:34,587 --> 00:10:38,107 Speaker 3: them through roles and across the world. Massive I was 186 00:10:38,147 --> 00:10:40,307 Speaker 3: wrapped for Clark Lailor, you know, and Clucky someone and 187 00:10:40,347 --> 00:10:43,707 Speaker 3: I've worked with closely doing a fantastic Jobatha Kenes just 188 00:10:43,787 --> 00:10:47,267 Speaker 3: resigned a mesage them this morning. So I think just 189 00:10:47,347 --> 00:10:51,587 Speaker 3: that people development, pointing, you know results, I think that 190 00:10:51,907 --> 00:10:55,547 Speaker 3: those relationships and the development of people that it stays 191 00:10:55,627 --> 00:10:57,427 Speaker 3: with you a lot longer than a result. 192 00:10:58,027 --> 00:11:01,427 Speaker 2: How healthy is the All Blacks high Performance system and 193 00:11:01,587 --> 00:11:04,667 Speaker 2: the New Zealand Rugby high performance system that you leave behind. 194 00:11:05,787 --> 00:11:07,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, I know there's been a lot of talk 195 00:11:07,547 --> 00:11:09,627 Speaker 3: around and there's a lot of change going on, and 196 00:11:10,307 --> 00:11:11,707 Speaker 3: you know, there are a number of us who have 197 00:11:11,747 --> 00:11:13,867 Speaker 3: been there for a long time, you know, with Robbo, 198 00:11:14,227 --> 00:11:18,667 Speaker 3: Chris Leandro Gilly there off to the NFL. There's a 199 00:11:18,707 --> 00:11:20,787 Speaker 3: lot of Rugby ip out the door. But you know 200 00:11:20,867 --> 00:11:23,707 Speaker 3: it's in great heads with people like Dave Ready coming in. 201 00:11:24,267 --> 00:11:27,147 Speaker 3: Obviously they're doing your search and will be recruiting for 202 00:11:27,267 --> 00:11:31,347 Speaker 3: some of those roles. Look, it's tough pointing. You know, 203 00:11:31,467 --> 00:11:35,267 Speaker 3: we are limited old resource, we're limited old money. We've 204 00:11:35,307 --> 00:11:36,947 Speaker 3: got to feed a lot of mounts around the game, 205 00:11:36,987 --> 00:11:39,947 Speaker 3: and you see on rugby, so it is challenging to 206 00:11:40,227 --> 00:11:43,027 Speaker 3: still compete when you plan. Numbers are getting challenged because 207 00:11:43,067 --> 00:11:46,987 Speaker 3: of the opportunities and other sport I'd like to think, 208 00:11:47,227 --> 00:11:49,747 Speaker 3: you know, while you can look at some things like 209 00:11:49,867 --> 00:11:52,067 Speaker 3: twenties and sevens and things and say, oh, we're not 210 00:11:52,267 --> 00:11:55,947 Speaker 3: succeeding like we used to, it is tougher to think 211 00:11:56,507 --> 00:12:00,827 Speaker 3: other countries have got better programs from what they had 212 00:12:00,907 --> 00:12:03,467 Speaker 3: in place of not necessarily saying that better than ours. 213 00:12:03,907 --> 00:12:07,587 Speaker 3: And I think ultimately we've got to still ensure, particularly 214 00:12:07,627 --> 00:12:13,267 Speaker 3: with Pathway, that it's development first versus winning now. And 215 00:12:13,387 --> 00:12:16,827 Speaker 3: that's tough because everyone expects a team of black regardless 216 00:12:16,867 --> 00:12:19,947 Speaker 3: of age and gender, that we should be winning all 217 00:12:19,987 --> 00:12:22,787 Speaker 3: the time. So I just hope we don't get hung 218 00:12:22,907 --> 00:12:24,827 Speaker 3: up that we've got to win all that stuff because 219 00:12:25,307 --> 00:12:27,507 Speaker 3: you know, high performance Fort New Zealand and we've shown 220 00:12:27,507 --> 00:12:30,747 Speaker 3: that there's often not a correlation between what in Junior 221 00:12:30,787 --> 00:12:33,347 Speaker 3: World Champs and then later on. But I get at 222 00:12:33,387 --> 00:12:35,947 Speaker 3: this talk around we'll do a Black Chersey, lose Aura 223 00:12:36,067 --> 00:12:38,667 Speaker 3: with all those things. So I want to win like 224 00:12:38,707 --> 00:12:42,347 Speaker 3: everyone else, but it is tough. So yeah, look, I 225 00:12:42,547 --> 00:12:45,667 Speaker 3: feel we did all we could with what we've got. 226 00:12:45,747 --> 00:12:48,267 Speaker 3: I'm sure those coming in will review all of that 227 00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:52,427 Speaker 3: and look at where they can harbs the system. And look, ultimately, 228 00:12:52,867 --> 00:12:54,587 Speaker 3: I'm a fan there and I just want to see 229 00:12:54,667 --> 00:12:56,427 Speaker 3: our teams that black be really successful. 230 00:12:56,947 --> 00:12:59,667 Speaker 2: And back to you, Mike, what still drives you? You've 231 00:12:59,707 --> 00:13:02,147 Speaker 2: been doing this for a long time, you know, and 232 00:13:02,267 --> 00:13:04,987 Speaker 2: you could easily have decided to button back, and I 233 00:13:05,107 --> 00:13:08,267 Speaker 2: guess take it easy now that you've you've done all 234 00:13:08,307 --> 00:13:10,307 Speaker 2: this work with New Zealand Rugby. But this seems to me, 235 00:13:10,427 --> 00:13:12,867 Speaker 2: this new role is one which is really gonna going 236 00:13:12,947 --> 00:13:16,027 Speaker 2: to test you and challenge you and and you know, 237 00:13:16,187 --> 00:13:19,627 Speaker 2: consume you. What still drives you after more than twenty 238 00:13:19,747 --> 00:13:21,667 Speaker 2: five years working in elite sport. 239 00:13:22,907 --> 00:13:25,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, I had had a conversation with my wife, because 240 00:13:25,547 --> 00:13:28,107 Speaker 3: she's very successful in the corporate world. I said, well, 241 00:13:28,147 --> 00:13:30,387 Speaker 3: maybe I could put my feet up. I hope she's 242 00:13:30,587 --> 00:13:34,307 Speaker 3: wants to flip it around their party to be for you. Look, 243 00:13:34,467 --> 00:13:38,107 Speaker 3: this has really legized menus change. The last one has 244 00:13:38,187 --> 00:13:41,707 Speaker 3: been phenomenal, is you know like Eden. When the signing 245 00:13:41,827 --> 00:13:44,027 Speaker 3: was announced over here, I said to Paul Stevens in 246 00:13:44,187 --> 00:13:46,347 Speaker 3: the comms team, and he's a football fan, I said, 247 00:13:46,547 --> 00:13:48,907 Speaker 3: my phone blew up. All my mates over here had 248 00:13:48,947 --> 00:13:52,867 Speaker 3: taken screenshots. You know, the coverage around it. Certainly I 249 00:13:52,947 --> 00:13:55,827 Speaker 3: got compared to clove woodwould the lack of success he 250 00:13:55,987 --> 00:14:01,907 Speaker 3: head with South Heapton. But yeah, look it's this is 251 00:14:01,987 --> 00:14:05,267 Speaker 3: what I needed to have a crack at another sport, 252 00:14:07,027 --> 00:14:10,787 Speaker 3: and you know, see where I can add value. I 253 00:14:10,867 --> 00:14:13,427 Speaker 3: don't just want to go to Brighton and sit there 254 00:14:13,507 --> 00:14:16,187 Speaker 3: and just tuck it and go, well, we'll be all 255 00:14:16,267 --> 00:14:19,027 Speaker 3: right as long as we recruit well. I want to 256 00:14:19,067 --> 00:14:21,787 Speaker 3: make a real difference, build a legacy with this club 257 00:14:22,627 --> 00:14:25,147 Speaker 3: and have some success. You know, we're planning on being 258 00:14:25,227 --> 00:14:28,507 Speaker 3: here for some time, you know, like we've sold up, 259 00:14:28,627 --> 00:14:31,907 Speaker 3: we're moving everything here, including the dog. And we lived 260 00:14:31,907 --> 00:14:35,867 Speaker 3: here for five years in two thousand and four and 261 00:14:35,987 --> 00:14:40,067 Speaker 3: loved it. Brightens a cool spot because up in the 262 00:14:40,147 --> 00:14:44,667 Speaker 3: deams running to that's beautiful. So yeah, really really excited 263 00:14:44,667 --> 00:14:46,987 Speaker 3: about the change, and feel really good about this place. 264 00:14:47,387 --> 00:14:49,387 Speaker 2: So if we're talking in a year, and I hope 265 00:14:49,427 --> 00:14:51,587 Speaker 2: we are, I hope we can catch up again down 266 00:14:51,627 --> 00:14:53,867 Speaker 2: the track, or what will success look like for you, 267 00:14:54,067 --> 00:14:55,987 Speaker 2: Mike in this role in the first let's say a 268 00:14:56,027 --> 00:14:56,467 Speaker 2: year or so. 269 00:14:57,347 --> 00:15:00,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, I think firstly that we've got players who 270 00:15:00,867 --> 00:15:05,427 Speaker 3: are more self reliant, that their programs are holistic in 271 00:15:05,507 --> 00:15:09,347 Speaker 3: the it's enhancing them to deliver performance on the field. 272 00:15:09,387 --> 00:15:12,667 Speaker 3: But also growing them off the field. We've got a 273 00:15:12,747 --> 00:15:15,387 Speaker 3: team culture that's robust, where people help, people are holding 274 00:15:15,467 --> 00:15:19,507 Speaker 3: people to account, you know we are, but we're having 275 00:15:19,627 --> 00:15:21,667 Speaker 3: fun along the way. There's a nice balance to it. 276 00:15:22,747 --> 00:15:27,147 Speaker 3: That's that's that, And I want to qualify for if Europe. 277 00:15:27,347 --> 00:15:30,107 Speaker 3: You know, like everyone, you know, this team is good enough. 278 00:15:30,227 --> 00:15:32,907 Speaker 3: It's really tight the middle of the table at the moment. 279 00:15:34,747 --> 00:15:36,867 Speaker 3: It might be a late run this year, but certainly 280 00:15:36,987 --> 00:15:39,507 Speaker 3: each year. You know, if we can get things right. 281 00:15:40,107 --> 00:15:43,387 Speaker 3: This team certainly got the capability. So you want to 282 00:15:43,427 --> 00:15:45,467 Speaker 3: play the best teams in the world, don't you. And 283 00:15:45,627 --> 00:15:49,667 Speaker 3: it's the best football competition in the world. So if 284 00:15:49,707 --> 00:15:53,827 Speaker 3: we can do that, and then obviously just the time 285 00:15:53,907 --> 00:15:56,467 Speaker 3: with the family, that connection back with our son and 286 00:15:56,547 --> 00:15:59,707 Speaker 3: son will be you know, from away from the football 287 00:15:59,707 --> 00:16:00,667 Speaker 3: will be really important. 288 00:16:00,907 --> 00:16:03,107 Speaker 2: And now that you're out of the All Blacks environment, 289 00:16:03,347 --> 00:16:05,147 Speaker 2: I mean, I guess, like all of us, you'll always 290 00:16:05,147 --> 00:16:07,267 Speaker 2: be an All Blacks fan. Mentioned it before, and I 291 00:16:07,347 --> 00:16:10,387 Speaker 2: reckon you'll go watching the All Blacks from a seat 292 00:16:10,387 --> 00:16:12,147 Speaker 2: in the stand, just like a normal fan. 293 00:16:15,067 --> 00:16:19,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's interesting. I don't know how I still think 294 00:16:19,467 --> 00:16:22,267 Speaker 3: I'll get tense. And it's interesting because I love the 295 00:16:22,507 --> 00:16:25,027 Speaker 3: Premier League crowds. We played Sunderland a way of the week, 296 00:16:25,187 --> 00:16:28,747 Speaker 3: forty seven thousand good fans, but we quiet them down 297 00:16:28,787 --> 00:16:34,547 Speaker 3: early because we dominated position, et cetera. And it's our fans. 298 00:16:35,547 --> 00:16:37,027 Speaker 3: You know, when you go to a black food scamp, 299 00:16:37,067 --> 00:16:38,867 Speaker 3: there's a bit more energy and excite and I hope 300 00:16:38,907 --> 00:16:43,427 Speaker 3: we can get the pointy. So yeah, look, I'll be 301 00:16:44,387 --> 00:16:46,707 Speaker 3: wanting them to win. I'll be certainly when they're in 302 00:16:46,747 --> 00:16:48,827 Speaker 3: this part of the world trying to get to matches 303 00:16:48,867 --> 00:16:51,707 Speaker 3: where it can tie in. I'm sure we get plenty 304 00:16:51,747 --> 00:16:55,867 Speaker 3: of visitors down this way when that career over, So yeah, look, 305 00:16:56,187 --> 00:16:58,667 Speaker 3: it will be different. You probably don't have as much 306 00:16:58,747 --> 00:17:00,907 Speaker 3: invested about what's going to happen on Monday or what 307 00:17:01,067 --> 00:17:03,907 Speaker 3: the papers are going to say, but football is exactly 308 00:17:03,947 --> 00:17:07,027 Speaker 3: the same. It's just a different you know, they go 309 00:17:07,187 --> 00:17:10,547 Speaker 3: as hard as as our leadia. I hope. 310 00:17:10,627 --> 00:17:13,187 Speaker 2: I'll bet they do. Mike, it's been great to catch up. 311 00:17:13,227 --> 00:17:17,067 Speaker 2: Congratulations on this new role. It sounds very exciting, totally 312 00:17:17,107 --> 00:17:19,427 Speaker 2: invigorating for you, and as you've said, you're a totally 313 00:17:19,587 --> 00:17:21,667 Speaker 2: energized by it, so we'll look forward to seeing how 314 00:17:21,787 --> 00:17:24,027 Speaker 2: you go. Thanks for joining US across New Zealand and 315 00:17:24,067 --> 00:17:27,267 Speaker 2: all the best for what lies ahead. Thanks pleasure, I've 316 00:17:27,267 --> 00:17:29,307 Speaker 2: been great chatting to you, Mike. Thanks indeed. Mike Anthony, 317 00:17:29,467 --> 00:17:32,627 Speaker 2: former head of high performance with New Zealand Rugby, now 318 00:17:32,747 --> 00:17:36,307 Speaker 2: leading plan development and high performance at Brighton and Hove 319 00:17:36,387 --> 00:17:38,387 Speaker 2: Albion in the English Premier League. 320 00:17:39,107 --> 00:17:42,267 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 321 00:17:42,387 --> 00:17:45,667 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 322 00:17:45,707 --> 00:17:47,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.