1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks ed b. 3 00:00:13,067 --> 00:00:17,027 Speaker 2: Let's bring In Though a true Crusaders legend. Reuben Thorn 4 00:00:17,227 --> 00:00:19,987 Speaker 2: debuted for the team in nineteen ninety seven. He was 5 00:00:20,027 --> 00:00:23,747 Speaker 2: part of seven Super Rugby title wins ninety eight, ninety 6 00:00:23,827 --> 00:00:27,987 Speaker 2: nine and two thousand, then two, five, six and eight, 7 00:00:28,227 --> 00:00:31,347 Speaker 2: the last four of those as captain. In his debut 8 00:00:31,427 --> 00:00:34,827 Speaker 2: season as Crusader skipper in two thousand and two, the 9 00:00:34,867 --> 00:00:38,947 Speaker 2: team completed a perfect season with thirteen wins from thirteen games, 10 00:00:38,947 --> 00:00:41,547 Speaker 2: beating the Brumbies in the final gap opening up. 11 00:00:41,507 --> 00:00:47,227 Speaker 3: For Hakwell Cayla Brown hand a bend. They won't catch him. 12 00:00:49,187 --> 00:00:51,707 Speaker 3: They gotta do it again. They're gonna bring up thirty five. 13 00:00:51,827 --> 00:00:53,187 Speaker 3: They've done it every turnment. 14 00:00:53,307 --> 00:01:01,267 Speaker 2: Even there goes the siren and the Crusaders have done 15 00:01:01,307 --> 00:01:07,827 Speaker 2: it again. Pop time, that's the Crusaders winning the final 16 00:01:07,827 --> 00:01:10,387 Speaker 2: in two thousand and two. Rubin Thorn played one hundred 17 00:01:10,387 --> 00:01:13,507 Speaker 2: and twenty nine Super Rugby games in red and black, 18 00:01:13,507 --> 00:01:16,667 Speaker 2: and last year was inducted into the Crusaders Hall of Fame. 19 00:01:16,987 --> 00:01:19,187 Speaker 2: Lets not forget he also played fifty one times for 20 00:01:19,187 --> 00:01:21,187 Speaker 2: the All Blacks, fifty of those were tests and he 21 00:01:21,227 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 2: was captain and twenty two of them went to three 22 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:27,347 Speaker 2: World Cups. Rubin Thorn is with us. Ruben, thanks for 23 00:01:27,427 --> 00:01:30,307 Speaker 2: joining us on Grand Final day. Thinking back to your 24 00:01:30,387 --> 00:01:32,947 Speaker 2: time and the team and the huge success that you had, 25 00:01:32,987 --> 00:01:36,427 Speaker 2: what were the hallmarks of that prolonged success that you 26 00:01:36,627 --> 00:01:40,587 Speaker 2: enjoyed during your time with the Crusaders. 27 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:46,427 Speaker 3: Well, I think it was just the teamness of the group, 28 00:01:46,747 --> 00:01:49,707 Speaker 3: if that makes sense, because there was obviously a lot 29 00:01:49,707 --> 00:01:53,107 Speaker 3: of talented players. There's some outstanding players, But it was 30 00:01:53,147 --> 00:01:54,547 Speaker 3: the way that we were able to be a team, 31 00:01:54,907 --> 00:01:57,987 Speaker 3: you know, a true team players a team, and rather 32 00:01:58,027 --> 00:02:00,467 Speaker 3: than just be a group of talented individuals, it was 33 00:02:00,667 --> 00:02:04,227 Speaker 3: all about putting the team first and coming together and 34 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:06,547 Speaker 3: playing as a really solid team, particularly in those in 35 00:02:06,587 --> 00:02:10,227 Speaker 3: those type moments where games can sort of go either way, 36 00:02:10,467 --> 00:02:12,187 Speaker 3: it's the team that plays most like a team that 37 00:02:12,347 --> 00:02:15,107 Speaker 3: often comes through, rather than the team with the talent. 38 00:02:15,387 --> 00:02:16,867 Speaker 2: Yeah. You run an eye down the list of some 39 00:02:16,907 --> 00:02:19,547 Speaker 2: of those teams and they're just chock full of some 40 00:02:19,627 --> 00:02:22,387 Speaker 2: of our best ever all blacks. When you were captaining 41 00:02:22,427 --> 00:02:25,667 Speaker 2: those sides, What was the best way to lead such 42 00:02:25,707 --> 00:02:27,907 Speaker 2: an experienced, talented group. 43 00:02:30,747 --> 00:02:34,587 Speaker 3: For me, it was. I guess I just had to 44 00:02:34,587 --> 00:02:36,587 Speaker 3: be authentic myself and try to do the best Jobe 45 00:02:36,587 --> 00:02:39,747 Speaker 3: I could do. But with that sort of caliber of 46 00:02:39,827 --> 00:02:42,907 Speaker 3: people around you, you use them, you encourage them, you 47 00:02:42,987 --> 00:02:46,187 Speaker 3: let them lead in your way. I always felt like 48 00:02:46,227 --> 00:02:50,187 Speaker 3: it was a collaborative, collaborative type of environment that we 49 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:55,387 Speaker 3: had where people could express themselves and lead in their areas. 50 00:02:55,427 --> 00:02:58,347 Speaker 3: So you know, we just sort of encourage that and 51 00:02:58,387 --> 00:02:59,827 Speaker 3: that made a lot easier for me as well. 52 00:03:00,147 --> 00:03:03,227 Speaker 2: Does any of the titles stand out above the others 53 00:03:03,227 --> 00:03:03,547 Speaker 2: for you. 54 00:03:06,507 --> 00:03:08,507 Speaker 3: Us? There quite a bit, but it's actually really hard, 55 00:03:09,787 --> 00:03:11,947 Speaker 3: a hard one to pick. I mean, one of my 56 00:03:11,987 --> 00:03:13,907 Speaker 3: favorite ones is still the very first title that we 57 00:03:13,947 --> 00:03:16,747 Speaker 3: won against the Blues of ninety ninety eight, just because 58 00:03:16,747 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 3: it was, I guess, the start of something and the 59 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:22,907 Speaker 3: way it came about. In the team that we played 60 00:03:22,907 --> 00:03:24,947 Speaker 3: in the final was an outstanding Blues team. I mean, 61 00:03:24,947 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 3: they should have probably beaten us on paper every day, 62 00:03:28,627 --> 00:03:31,707 Speaker 3: but you know, we went up there and we had 63 00:03:31,747 --> 00:03:33,347 Speaker 3: to fight really hard that season to get through and 64 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:35,787 Speaker 3: we won that final and it was I still have 65 00:03:35,827 --> 00:03:39,667 Speaker 3: some incredible memories of that moment and the aftermath of that, 66 00:03:39,787 --> 00:03:42,947 Speaker 3: just the celebrations and the sort of euphoria of actually 67 00:03:42,987 --> 00:03:47,507 Speaker 3: winning one title, but that sort of led us into 68 00:03:48,267 --> 00:03:49,987 Speaker 3: this sort of dynasty. I guess that the Crusaders of 69 00:03:50,027 --> 00:03:50,587 Speaker 3: bill from there. 70 00:03:50,627 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 2: Yeah, certainly did the first of three in a raw, 71 00:03:53,027 --> 00:03:55,787 Speaker 2: and then you took over as captain that two thousand 72 00:03:55,827 --> 00:04:00,147 Speaker 2: and two team that went through unbeaten. Was that the 73 00:04:00,147 --> 00:04:02,107 Speaker 2: best Crusaders side you played in? 74 00:04:04,907 --> 00:04:07,827 Speaker 3: Again, another really tough question. That was a very good team, 75 00:04:07,827 --> 00:04:12,427 Speaker 3: and we played something outstanding rugby, a really enjoyable brand 76 00:04:12,427 --> 00:04:16,627 Speaker 3: of rugby, and you know, we just found a way 77 00:04:16,627 --> 00:04:18,707 Speaker 3: to win a lot of really tight games, because there 78 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:20,187 Speaker 3: was a lot of games we played that year that 79 00:04:20,187 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 3: were we won, but not by much. So that that 80 00:04:24,867 --> 00:04:26,507 Speaker 3: was one of the things that team had was a 81 00:04:26,507 --> 00:04:30,187 Speaker 3: lot of character as well as some exciting young talent 82 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:35,107 Speaker 3: coming through. Guys who were sort of coming becoming household 83 00:04:35,147 --> 00:04:37,227 Speaker 3: names if you like, like the Dan Cards, Richard mccaws 84 00:04:37,227 --> 00:04:39,547 Speaker 3: and the Chris Jacks and those young talented players who 85 00:04:39,587 --> 00:04:42,107 Speaker 3: were just at the sort of early stages of their 86 00:04:42,147 --> 00:04:45,067 Speaker 3: careers that's when they sort of made their mark, well 87 00:04:45,067 --> 00:04:47,467 Speaker 3: started to make their mark on the scene. So it 88 00:04:47,507 --> 00:04:49,627 Speaker 3: was a great team to be part of, and we 89 00:04:50,587 --> 00:04:51,827 Speaker 3: we played for rugby. 90 00:04:52,067 --> 00:04:55,747 Speaker 2: The unbeaten winning streak and home finals. This status been 91 00:04:55,787 --> 00:04:58,067 Speaker 2: thrown around a lot in the last couple of weeks. 92 00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:01,627 Speaker 2: Thirty one straight finals games in christ Church or at 93 00:05:01,627 --> 00:05:04,747 Speaker 2: home without ever losing any of them. You were obviously 94 00:05:04,787 --> 00:05:06,827 Speaker 2: part of building that at the start these you were 95 00:05:06,827 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 2: building it. Were you aware of it and did it 96 00:05:09,707 --> 00:05:11,187 Speaker 2: ever come with any pressure? 97 00:05:13,187 --> 00:05:14,827 Speaker 3: Well, I know we weren't really aware of it at 98 00:05:14,827 --> 00:05:17,347 Speaker 3: the time. I mean not something that we've talked about. 99 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:22,147 Speaker 3: It's I guess now over such a long period it's 100 00:05:22,147 --> 00:05:25,067 Speaker 3: built up to this incredible number thirty one to Oh. 101 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:28,227 Speaker 3: Back when I was playing, it wasn't really an issue. 102 00:05:28,227 --> 00:05:30,467 Speaker 3: We just had real pride in playing at home in 103 00:05:30,507 --> 00:05:32,867 Speaker 3: front of our home people. That was what we focused 104 00:05:32,907 --> 00:05:36,347 Speaker 3: on giving back to them, and you know, putting our 105 00:05:36,347 --> 00:05:38,907 Speaker 3: performances that we could be proud of as a team 106 00:05:38,947 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 3: and that we wanted to our supporters to be proud 107 00:05:41,587 --> 00:05:42,907 Speaker 3: of as well. And that was that was more of 108 00:05:42,907 --> 00:05:45,427 Speaker 3: a focus than the than the stats or the numbers 109 00:05:45,427 --> 00:05:45,867 Speaker 3: behind it. 110 00:05:46,547 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 2: You won seven titles, but you lost a couple of 111 00:05:48,427 --> 00:05:50,467 Speaker 2: finals as well. Oh three to the Blues, so four 112 00:05:50,507 --> 00:05:55,627 Speaker 2: to the Brumbies. How deflating our super rugby final defeats. 113 00:05:57,427 --> 00:06:02,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're pretty disappointing. Yeah, I mean for both sides. 114 00:06:02,347 --> 00:06:03,907 Speaker 3: You go all the way through, you put a huge 115 00:06:03,947 --> 00:06:09,307 Speaker 3: amount of work into getting yourself that opportunity, You put 116 00:06:09,307 --> 00:06:11,827 Speaker 3: your heart and soul into it, and to fall short 117 00:06:11,867 --> 00:06:16,387 Speaker 3: at their last hurdles, really, it is deflating. It is disappointing. Yeah, 118 00:06:16,387 --> 00:06:18,507 Speaker 3: even though you can look back and say, well, we 119 00:06:18,587 --> 00:06:21,147 Speaker 3: made a final and that's a great achievement, but you 120 00:06:21,147 --> 00:06:22,387 Speaker 3: don't want to just make it. You know, you want 121 00:06:22,427 --> 00:06:25,827 Speaker 3: to go there, you want to win the title, and yeah, 122 00:06:25,867 --> 00:06:30,187 Speaker 3: it's definitely a totally different feeling if you don't. 123 00:06:30,587 --> 00:06:32,947 Speaker 2: And your crusader's coach is Wayne smith initially and then 124 00:06:32,987 --> 00:06:35,707 Speaker 2: Robbie Dean's. Can you tell us about their respective styles? 125 00:06:37,347 --> 00:06:40,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, Smithie, I think his influence is still there today. 126 00:06:40,667 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 3: You know, he started, in my opinion, he started a 127 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:49,387 Speaker 3: lot of the coaching sort of methodology that modern coaches use, 128 00:06:50,067 --> 00:06:53,387 Speaker 3: particularly guys like Razor and Robbie Deans who followed after 129 00:06:53,387 --> 00:06:58,507 Speaker 3: Smithy around theming seasons and getting to sort of real 130 00:06:59,427 --> 00:07:02,707 Speaker 3: mental skill space, that was a massive part of what 131 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:05,547 Speaker 3: he sort of introduced. And for me as a young player, 132 00:07:05,547 --> 00:07:06,947 Speaker 3: it was the first time might have ever come across it, 133 00:07:06,987 --> 00:07:11,467 Speaker 3: So it was it was huge for us. And you know, 134 00:07:11,507 --> 00:07:14,347 Speaker 3: that's part of building a culture and getting buy in 135 00:07:14,427 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 3: from the whole group and the whole organization and doing 136 00:07:16,787 --> 00:07:19,987 Speaker 3: all those sorts of things that are not just run 137 00:07:20,067 --> 00:07:22,507 Speaker 3: catch pass stuff. It's it's all the other stuff off 138 00:07:22,507 --> 00:07:25,427 Speaker 3: the field, around the team environment, around the mental skills 139 00:07:25,427 --> 00:07:28,227 Speaker 3: space and all of that that the great coaches sort 140 00:07:28,267 --> 00:07:30,227 Speaker 3: of bring to a group. 141 00:07:30,827 --> 00:07:34,307 Speaker 2: And to the modern day. Reuben, what has been so 142 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:38,587 Speaker 2: different in twenty twenty five compared to twenty twenty four. 143 00:07:40,747 --> 00:07:45,147 Speaker 3: Look, I think twenty twenty four for Rock Penny anyway, 144 00:07:46,067 --> 00:07:48,027 Speaker 3: it was I want, I don't want to call it 145 00:07:48,067 --> 00:07:49,787 Speaker 3: a hospital pass, but I think he sort of he 146 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:52,507 Speaker 3: came in late, the team had been selected, that they 147 00:07:52,507 --> 00:07:54,427 Speaker 3: had a pre season already organized, and he sort of 148 00:07:55,267 --> 00:07:57,747 Speaker 3: came into it, and they went over to Europe, as 149 00:07:57,747 --> 00:08:00,547 Speaker 3: you'll remember, and I think they just got that part 150 00:08:00,547 --> 00:08:02,587 Speaker 3: of it wrong, that whole transition to a new coach, 151 00:08:02,667 --> 00:08:05,587 Speaker 3: new coaching group in the preseason side of it wrong. 152 00:08:05,587 --> 00:08:07,227 Speaker 3: So they started a little but on the back foot 153 00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:10,707 Speaker 3: and just never able to quite get out of it. 154 00:08:10,987 --> 00:08:12,507 Speaker 3: And I know this year they put a lot of 155 00:08:12,627 --> 00:08:15,147 Speaker 3: emphasis on getting that part of it right starting the 156 00:08:15,187 --> 00:08:18,267 Speaker 3: season well, and you know, I'm building the team the 157 00:08:18,267 --> 00:08:20,907 Speaker 3: way that it should have been done last year, but 158 00:08:20,987 --> 00:08:24,347 Speaker 3: just for various circumstances, they couldn't do in. 159 00:08:24,307 --> 00:08:26,867 Speaker 2: The final tonight the Chiefs. It just feels like a 160 00:08:26,907 --> 00:08:29,467 Speaker 2: coin flip. You know, any anyone who doesn't have skin 161 00:08:29,547 --> 00:08:31,507 Speaker 2: in the game as far as being a Crusaders or 162 00:08:31,587 --> 00:08:33,987 Speaker 2: Chief supporter would tell you that. I mean, I've got 163 00:08:33,987 --> 00:08:36,067 Speaker 2: no idea how how this game is going to go. 164 00:08:36,147 --> 00:08:38,587 Speaker 2: Do you have a have an idea of what might 165 00:08:39,147 --> 00:08:42,027 Speaker 2: decide it tonight? What the small you know, but the 166 00:08:42,067 --> 00:08:43,547 Speaker 2: small but large factors might be. 167 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:47,107 Speaker 3: I feel very much like you. I mean, the Chiefs 168 00:08:47,307 --> 00:08:49,467 Speaker 3: are an outstanding team. They really, they really are that. 169 00:08:49,747 --> 00:08:54,387 Speaker 3: It's an incredible group. They're playing great rugby. They've dominated 170 00:08:54,387 --> 00:08:58,347 Speaker 3: the Crusaders in the round robin, but the Crusaders at 171 00:08:58,347 --> 00:09:00,827 Speaker 3: home again for a final, so it's really tough one 172 00:09:00,827 --> 00:09:03,067 Speaker 3: to pack. And you know, I really hope it's a 173 00:09:03,067 --> 00:09:07,987 Speaker 3: great game. Obviously, I'm a Crusaders supporter, so I hope 174 00:09:08,027 --> 00:09:10,427 Speaker 3: they'll do it, and I think home advantage will be 175 00:09:10,467 --> 00:09:14,307 Speaker 3: a factor. But they are up against a hell of 176 00:09:14,307 --> 00:09:17,067 Speaker 3: a good team and the Chiefs and you know they've 177 00:09:17,107 --> 00:09:21,987 Speaker 3: got a lot of motivation behind I've come how they've 178 00:09:22,027 --> 00:09:22,907 Speaker 3: come to the final as well. 179 00:09:22,947 --> 00:09:25,867 Speaker 2: So yeah, it'll be exciting, well, well, in a brand 180 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:28,987 Speaker 2: new stadium to look forward to next year. You know, 181 00:09:29,027 --> 00:09:30,787 Speaker 2: you come to christ Church now and you see it there, 182 00:09:30,827 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 2: and I'm sure Cantabrians have been excited watching its construction. 183 00:09:34,467 --> 00:09:36,747 Speaker 2: What will the new stadium do for the city and 184 00:09:36,787 --> 00:09:38,387 Speaker 2: for the rugby community in christ Church. 185 00:09:39,427 --> 00:09:41,387 Speaker 3: Well, you're right, there's a huge amount of excitement around 186 00:09:41,387 --> 00:09:43,107 Speaker 3: it and it's such a you know, if you, as 187 00:09:43,147 --> 00:09:44,867 Speaker 3: you say, if you come to christ each now, it's 188 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:48,587 Speaker 3: a massive part of the of your eyeline almost. It's everywhere. 189 00:09:48,987 --> 00:09:50,867 Speaker 3: There's not many places you can look to the city 190 00:09:50,867 --> 00:09:56,267 Speaker 3: and not see part of it. So it's just really exciting. Look, 191 00:09:56,307 --> 00:09:59,667 Speaker 3: I just think having a really world class home base 192 00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:03,347 Speaker 3: for rugby and other events in the city is going 193 00:10:03,387 --> 00:10:07,347 Speaker 3: to be massive in that whole side of town. Yeah. Look, 194 00:10:07,587 --> 00:10:10,467 Speaker 3: it's just coming along so much now and everyone's excited 195 00:10:10,507 --> 00:10:14,187 Speaker 3: about it. The current stadium has done a fantastic job 196 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:16,467 Speaker 3: and has created its own bit of history there, but 197 00:10:16,507 --> 00:10:18,227 Speaker 3: I think people are really looking forward to getting in 198 00:10:18,227 --> 00:10:20,707 Speaker 3: to this new stadium and it's it's looking like it's 199 00:10:20,707 --> 00:10:24,187 Speaker 3: going to be world class. We've got some ex Crusaders 200 00:10:24,227 --> 00:10:26,307 Speaker 3: who are working on it actually, so they've been sending 201 00:10:26,387 --> 00:10:28,707 Speaker 3: us updates and photos of the changing rooms and other 202 00:10:28,747 --> 00:10:32,387 Speaker 3: bits and pieces, and it's it looks incredible. So you know, 203 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:35,547 Speaker 3: having a facility like that will be amazing for the 204 00:10:35,547 --> 00:10:38,707 Speaker 3: city and for and obviously for for rugby and the Crusaders. 205 00:10:38,707 --> 00:10:41,267 Speaker 2: Oh so, who have your former teammates is on the tools? 206 00:10:42,667 --> 00:10:45,547 Speaker 3: I met Musters in there. He's he's got a plumbing 207 00:10:45,547 --> 00:10:47,107 Speaker 3: business and he's doing a lot of the fit outwork 208 00:10:47,107 --> 00:10:49,987 Speaker 3: on the inside, so he's been he's been showing us 209 00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:50,307 Speaker 3: around a. 210 00:10:50,307 --> 00:10:53,107 Speaker 2: Wee bit brilliant, brilliant stuff. You a like miss Eddington. 211 00:10:53,147 --> 00:10:55,467 Speaker 2: You are miss turning up at Eddington and you owned 212 00:10:55,467 --> 00:10:57,307 Speaker 2: the beaning and eight layers to watch. 213 00:10:58,187 --> 00:11:00,867 Speaker 3: No, no, look, it's been great, Like the surface is 214 00:11:00,907 --> 00:11:03,467 Speaker 3: great there and it's it's not a bad place to 215 00:11:03,547 --> 00:11:06,507 Speaker 3: view rugby, but you know, having a roof on and 216 00:11:06,547 --> 00:11:11,307 Speaker 3: being closed and just the you know, a real world 217 00:11:11,307 --> 00:11:13,907 Speaker 3: class quality stadium will make a mess of difference and 218 00:11:13,947 --> 00:11:15,787 Speaker 3: I think people are super excited about it. 219 00:11:15,907 --> 00:11:18,507 Speaker 2: Can't wait. Well, one more game at dear Old Addington tonight. 220 00:11:18,507 --> 00:11:20,227 Speaker 2: I hope it goes the way that Crusaders stands. So 221 00:11:20,627 --> 00:11:22,747 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time for a chat today, Rubin. 222 00:11:22,947 --> 00:11:25,467 Speaker 3: Thank you, cheers, thank you, Ruben. 223 00:11:25,547 --> 00:11:29,467 Speaker 2: Ruben thorn gee what success the Crusaders had with him 224 00:11:29,507 --> 00:11:33,227 Speaker 2: and that team, A seven time Super Rugby champion during 225 00:11:33,227 --> 00:11:34,547 Speaker 2: his time in the side. 226 00:11:35,067 --> 00:11:38,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live 227 00:11:38,347 --> 00:11:41,627 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 228 00:11:41,667 --> 00:11:43,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.