1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:14,867 Speaker 2: GO to start with rugby leg The Warriors have produced 4 00:00:14,867 --> 00:00:18,667 Speaker 2: a stunning thirty six sixteen win over the Manly Sea 5 00:00:18,707 --> 00:00:20,707 Speaker 2: Eagles at GO Media Stadium. 6 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:39,907 Speaker 3: Micka Harris, Corvina Pompeyah. 7 00:00:31,707 --> 00:00:34,867 Speaker 2: Wonderful staff. They conceded the first try the Warriors after 8 00:00:35,267 --> 00:00:39,347 Speaker 2: just three minutes, but led eighteen sixteen at halftime. Scored 9 00:00:39,427 --> 00:00:43,027 Speaker 2: six tries and all and all six were converted by 10 00:00:43,147 --> 00:00:46,667 Speaker 2: halfback Luke Metcalf. Your thoughts on this are welcome. Going 11 00:00:46,707 --> 00:00:49,307 Speaker 2: to have Slade Griffin, assistant coach of the side, joined 12 00:00:49,387 --> 00:00:52,867 Speaker 2: us very shortly, but a much much needed win, wasn't 13 00:00:52,907 --> 00:00:56,147 Speaker 2: it for the Warriors last night? After what happened in 14 00:00:56,427 --> 00:01:00,347 Speaker 2: Vegas and the fallout from that. There were you know, 15 00:01:00,547 --> 00:01:04,147 Speaker 2: poor tenths of doom weren't there ahead of last night 16 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:06,867 Speaker 2: And it would have been a very different conversation would 17 00:01:06,867 --> 00:01:09,987 Speaker 2: be having if, in fact it had been another defeat 18 00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:13,187 Speaker 2: last night too Manly, But it wasn't. It was, in 19 00:01:13,227 --> 00:01:15,707 Speaker 2: fact one of the more impressive performances we've seen from 20 00:01:15,747 --> 00:01:19,747 Speaker 2: the Warriors in recent times. Assistant coach Slade Griffin joins us. 21 00:01:19,907 --> 00:01:21,747 Speaker 2: Good to have you on the show, Slade. What pleased 22 00:01:21,787 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 2: you the most about last night? 23 00:01:24,467 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 4: Yeah, thanks for having me. We just played our brand 24 00:01:28,747 --> 00:01:32,387 Speaker 4: of footy. Obviously we didn't quite play how he wanted 25 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:35,867 Speaker 4: to in Vegas. I'm extremely disappointed. But yeah, we just 26 00:01:35,907 --> 00:01:38,907 Speaker 4: played a lot more direct and attack, create some good 27 00:01:38,947 --> 00:01:41,867 Speaker 4: momentum and then chose our moments to move the ball 28 00:01:41,907 --> 00:01:44,347 Speaker 4: out wide and we just defended much better, tackle better, 29 00:01:45,307 --> 00:01:47,987 Speaker 4: made some good decisions on the edges against a very 30 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:52,707 Speaker 4: dangerous team. You know, Turbo and CAC are scary players 31 00:01:52,707 --> 00:01:55,427 Speaker 4: to come up against. But the boys held their gloves 32 00:01:55,467 --> 00:01:55,987 Speaker 4: up there. 33 00:01:56,307 --> 00:01:58,107 Speaker 2: Absolutely want to talk more about the game in a moment, 34 00:01:58,147 --> 00:02:02,667 Speaker 2: but how much soul searching and internal examination has the 35 00:02:02,707 --> 00:02:03,907 Speaker 2: team done since Vegas? 36 00:02:06,707 --> 00:02:10,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, the boys are really honest. They're obviously really 37 00:02:10,627 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 4: disappointed individually and then as a team. The biggest one. 38 00:02:13,867 --> 00:02:17,587 Speaker 4: We're obviously gutted ourselves. That really guted for our fans 39 00:02:17,587 --> 00:02:19,307 Speaker 4: that you know, put a lot of time and money 40 00:02:19,347 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 4: to travel over to Vegas, so it made it feel 41 00:02:22,747 --> 00:02:26,387 Speaker 4: a lot worse. And you know, not the first team 42 00:02:26,667 --> 00:02:29,267 Speaker 4: over rugby league to have a bad game in round one. 43 00:02:29,427 --> 00:02:31,587 Speaker 4: You know, it was just so much hype around it, 44 00:02:31,627 --> 00:02:36,107 Speaker 4: but we obviously addressed it and then we yeah, like 45 00:02:36,147 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 4: I said, we got back to ourselves and we played 46 00:02:38,987 --> 00:02:40,267 Speaker 4: our type of game last night. 47 00:02:41,067 --> 00:02:43,907 Speaker 2: Six tries tell us the tale of a good attacking performance, 48 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:46,507 Speaker 2: especially that period of three tries and eleven minutes in 49 00:02:46,507 --> 00:02:49,547 Speaker 2: the first half. Obviously, you know, I think your brief 50 00:02:49,587 --> 00:02:52,227 Speaker 2: is mainly defensive, but has attacked been a major work 51 00:02:52,267 --> 00:02:54,907 Speaker 2: on since scoring just eight points in the first round. 52 00:02:57,307 --> 00:03:00,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think looks we lost the physical battle against 53 00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:04,427 Speaker 4: the Raiders, and you know, our attack copped a bit 54 00:03:04,467 --> 00:03:08,787 Speaker 4: of flat there. But he heard the old cliche if 55 00:03:08,787 --> 00:03:10,827 Speaker 4: you lay the platform, you know that your hearts can 56 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:13,987 Speaker 4: shine there. So, like I said, we're a bit more direct. 57 00:03:14,067 --> 00:03:17,067 Speaker 4: We created a lot more ruck speed for our halves 58 00:03:17,067 --> 00:03:19,307 Speaker 4: to play and move the ball off the back of 59 00:03:19,347 --> 00:03:22,227 Speaker 4: a bit of fast playable and then obviously that got 60 00:03:22,227 --> 00:03:24,347 Speaker 4: weighed out as well, and he caused a bit of 61 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:27,707 Speaker 4: havoc around the ruck. So yeah, look, Rugsley is a 62 00:03:27,707 --> 00:03:30,267 Speaker 4: complimentary game. When you defend well in your field position, 63 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:32,467 Speaker 4: you get a bit more fatigue in the other team 64 00:03:32,507 --> 00:03:33,987 Speaker 4: and then you create more opportunities. 65 00:03:34,027 --> 00:03:38,307 Speaker 2: So yeah, I actually thought Luke Metcalf played okay in Vegas, 66 00:03:38,347 --> 00:03:40,747 Speaker 2: but he seemed to cop quite a bit of flak afterwards. 67 00:03:41,107 --> 00:03:43,827 Speaker 2: How pleased were you to see him rebound from that 68 00:03:43,907 --> 00:03:45,627 Speaker 2: to play Look he did last night, as you say, 69 00:03:45,627 --> 00:03:48,667 Speaker 2: off the back of a much much sterner platform that 70 00:03:48,747 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 2: was provided for him. 71 00:03:51,227 --> 00:03:55,067 Speaker 4: Yeah. Like people think like, we're not relieved because we've 72 00:03:55,067 --> 00:03:57,427 Speaker 4: seen it over preseason and Lukey's done a really good 73 00:03:57,427 --> 00:04:00,507 Speaker 4: apprenticeship here under Sean and he's been in the system 74 00:04:00,507 --> 00:04:03,547 Speaker 4: for three years, so he knows the attack. Like I said, 75 00:04:03,587 --> 00:04:06,107 Speaker 4: we didn't have the platform to playoff over in Vegas, 76 00:04:05,787 --> 00:04:09,907 Speaker 4: and he did cop a lot of flack, but yeah, 77 00:04:09,907 --> 00:04:12,227 Speaker 4: we just knew if we create more ruckspeed' seeing what 78 00:04:12,267 --> 00:04:15,347 Speaker 4: he's done over preseason, and there was even some people 79 00:04:15,347 --> 00:04:18,467 Speaker 4: call them out like selections and stuff in the media, 80 00:04:18,507 --> 00:04:20,947 Speaker 4: But he showed what he's capable of and we knew that, 81 00:04:21,067 --> 00:04:23,707 Speaker 4: and I had asked, but we had one hundred percent 82 00:04:23,787 --> 00:04:27,387 Speaker 4: faith in that. So we obviously backed the team we've 83 00:04:27,387 --> 00:04:30,947 Speaker 4: picked in Las Vegas, and the boys really repaid that 84 00:04:30,987 --> 00:04:32,947 Speaker 4: face and put a really good performance in last night. 85 00:04:33,427 --> 00:04:36,467 Speaker 2: Absolutely, yeah, same seventeen as you say from Vegas. Aaron Clark, 86 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:38,507 Speaker 2: though started at lock last night, had a good game 87 00:04:38,907 --> 00:04:41,747 Speaker 2: after coming off the interchange in Vegas. Were also keen 88 00:04:41,827 --> 00:04:45,707 Speaker 2: to have one of Mitch Barnett and James Fisher Harris 89 00:04:45,787 --> 00:04:47,107 Speaker 2: on the field as often as you can, you know, 90 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:49,707 Speaker 2: not have as much overlap when neither of them is 91 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:50,107 Speaker 2: on there. 92 00:04:52,307 --> 00:04:55,747 Speaker 4: Yep, yep. Obviously the front rollers, so you know, they 93 00:04:55,787 --> 00:04:58,707 Speaker 4: got that in the washing machine, you know, up back, 94 00:04:58,787 --> 00:05:01,587 Speaker 4: making tackles, carrying the ball like it. It's the most 95 00:05:01,627 --> 00:05:04,387 Speaker 4: fatiguing position on the field, so he obviously wanted them 96 00:05:04,427 --> 00:05:08,027 Speaker 4: on as long as you can. But the nature of 97 00:05:08,027 --> 00:05:10,787 Speaker 4: the position that most front rollers only play so many minutes, 98 00:05:10,827 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 4: so when you start them, both are probably both going 99 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:15,467 Speaker 4: to need to put their hand up around the similar time. 100 00:05:15,507 --> 00:05:17,347 Speaker 4: And that's where you got a back your bench and 101 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:19,987 Speaker 4: we're extremely confident in our bench. Bench played really well, 102 00:05:20,947 --> 00:05:24,947 Speaker 4: but yeah, it was it was great to kind of 103 00:05:24,947 --> 00:05:27,707 Speaker 4: mix them up, and in the secondstant we brung Barney 104 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:29,467 Speaker 4: on a bit of it. He got to get to 105 00:05:29,507 --> 00:05:32,107 Speaker 4: halftime and then we brung Fish back onto him, so 106 00:05:32,147 --> 00:05:34,547 Speaker 4: we had one of those big dogs out there at 107 00:05:34,587 --> 00:05:34,987 Speaker 4: all time. 108 00:05:35,987 --> 00:05:37,867 Speaker 2: Were you at all worried in the first five minutes 109 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:43,507 Speaker 2: or so, Oh. 110 00:05:44,107 --> 00:05:49,067 Speaker 4: You know, just knew like they have that in them like, 111 00:05:49,147 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 4: they obviously are higher risk, high reward team. So we've 112 00:05:52,987 --> 00:05:56,347 Speaker 4: actually done a really good job defensively. They didn't make 113 00:05:56,427 --> 00:05:58,947 Speaker 4: many meters that whole set, and then one play Turbo 114 00:05:59,027 --> 00:06:01,667 Speaker 4: just turns up on the edge and he can crucify, 115 00:06:01,707 --> 00:06:03,707 Speaker 4: you know, And they got stab out there, who's just 116 00:06:03,787 --> 00:06:08,387 Speaker 4: lightning fast, and we ended up forcing a few ears 117 00:06:08,427 --> 00:06:10,107 Speaker 4: out of them and yarded just then scoring on the 118 00:06:10,147 --> 00:06:13,347 Speaker 4: next set. So you know, they're kind of that type 119 00:06:13,387 --> 00:06:16,467 Speaker 4: of team where they roll the dice a bit. But yeah, 120 00:06:16,627 --> 00:06:19,427 Speaker 4: just high class players. We end up making a few 121 00:06:19,467 --> 00:06:22,747 Speaker 4: adjustments there. But yeah, off the back of their big forwards, 122 00:06:22,747 --> 00:06:25,507 Speaker 4: if you lose one tackle and you have a man 123 00:06:25,547 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 4: out of your defensive line, Turbo pops up on the 124 00:06:27,707 --> 00:06:30,507 Speaker 4: edge of the overlap. He's so skillful he can just 125 00:06:30,507 --> 00:06:33,507 Speaker 4: pull your pull you apart. So yeah, obviously we made 126 00:06:33,507 --> 00:06:36,507 Speaker 4: the adjustments and the boys did a pretty good job 127 00:06:36,507 --> 00:06:37,227 Speaker 4: for the rest of the game. 128 00:06:37,907 --> 00:06:40,507 Speaker 2: You reckon manly winger Jason sab got that one down 129 00:06:40,907 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 2: in the corner early in the second half. I mean 130 00:06:43,427 --> 00:06:45,347 Speaker 2: didn't affect the results, so you can be honest. 131 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:49,107 Speaker 4: Ah, they put down, Yeah, what do you. 132 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:51,187 Speaker 2: Think, I don't think I don't think you got it down. 133 00:06:51,187 --> 00:06:54,947 Speaker 4: But you know, yeah, those ones are that's tough for 134 00:06:54,987 --> 00:06:56,787 Speaker 4: the rest, aren't they? Like you know what he's saying. 135 00:06:56,787 --> 00:06:59,987 Speaker 4: They're probably saying try and man, you're probably saying it 136 00:07:00,027 --> 00:07:02,587 Speaker 4: is a try, Like it's a tough job for a rest. 137 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,867 Speaker 4: So I'll keep out of that one. I think I 138 00:07:05,867 --> 00:07:08,307 Speaker 4: don't know how they're kind of rolling on that one 139 00:07:08,387 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 4: right now. I remember it used to be you know, 140 00:07:10,507 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 4: you had to done with pressure out. It's like, as 141 00:07:12,307 --> 00:07:15,387 Speaker 4: long as there's one, I'm pinky on it. So yeah, 142 00:07:15,467 --> 00:07:15,987 Speaker 4: that's just one. 143 00:07:17,307 --> 00:07:22,187 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, very diplomatically answered mate, well done. That was. Look, 144 00:07:22,387 --> 00:07:24,507 Speaker 2: I'm sure you'll you'll as you say. You know, the 145 00:07:24,547 --> 00:07:26,187 Speaker 2: lot of Warriors fans said, there's no way it was. 146 00:07:26,227 --> 00:07:29,507 Speaker 2: It was like the the daily chair evens try as 147 00:07:29,547 --> 00:07:31,947 Speaker 2: well that you know, tiptoeing along the touch line to 148 00:07:32,227 --> 00:07:35,187 Speaker 2: pull it back this. You know there's millimeters in these things. Ah, 149 00:07:35,267 --> 00:07:37,187 Speaker 2: I mean, do you are you watching the footage from 150 00:07:37,187 --> 00:07:39,147 Speaker 2: the coaching box when these decisions are being made by 151 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:39,547 Speaker 2: the bunker. 152 00:07:40,707 --> 00:07:42,467 Speaker 4: Yeah, we are ent a little bit away from the 153 00:07:42,507 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 4: big screen. We'll only go like a little tally in 154 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:47,787 Speaker 4: the coach's box. So sometimes that hard, but yeah, that 155 00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 4: were again, you know, you could say either way on 156 00:07:50,347 --> 00:07:53,787 Speaker 4: that one. When the ref calls one way, that generally 157 00:07:53,787 --> 00:07:57,467 Speaker 4: gives them the benefit of it out. But yeah, that's 158 00:07:57,467 --> 00:08:00,987 Speaker 4: just how classy they are, Like they make a breakdown 159 00:08:01,027 --> 00:08:02,667 Speaker 4: and right they kicked back at the post and they 160 00:08:02,667 --> 00:08:04,747 Speaker 4: tapped the ball back and the deadly teams. 161 00:08:05,427 --> 00:08:07,547 Speaker 2: Yeah, much as it was con reversy over those two tries, 162 00:08:07,627 --> 00:08:10,307 Speaker 2: and and there was obviously trying the first half, they 163 00:08:10,347 --> 00:08:12,507 Speaker 2: all came down the right edge Slater. Is that a 164 00:08:12,547 --> 00:08:17,827 Speaker 2: defensive focus for you? 165 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:20,067 Speaker 4: No, not not really, Like we'll look at it, we'll 166 00:08:20,947 --> 00:08:25,667 Speaker 4: make adjustments, and I just again, I just think it's 167 00:08:25,707 --> 00:08:28,467 Speaker 4: like Tom Traboy, like they are a very dangerous team. 168 00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:30,267 Speaker 4: I think that they would have been up there and 169 00:08:30,307 --> 00:08:35,107 Speaker 4: the most points scored last year and some areas out 170 00:08:35,107 --> 00:08:38,467 Speaker 4: of them as well, but they just yeah, they're ready 171 00:08:38,547 --> 00:08:41,667 Speaker 4: to either throw the ball over the sideline or make 172 00:08:41,707 --> 00:08:44,427 Speaker 4: a line break, so sometimes you go to wear those ones. 173 00:08:45,467 --> 00:08:49,387 Speaker 2: Pretty special acknowledgment of Tahu Harris pre game. Can you 174 00:08:49,427 --> 00:08:52,067 Speaker 2: talk about the impact that he's had on this team? 175 00:08:53,627 --> 00:08:58,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, monumental. I actually played with Toto and through the 176 00:08:58,227 --> 00:09:02,867 Speaker 4: juniors and just amazing. See the man's turned into I thought, 177 00:09:03,027 --> 00:09:05,587 Speaker 4: just as a footy fan, that was an awesome moment 178 00:09:05,627 --> 00:09:09,467 Speaker 4: as a Kiwi seeing him hand over the hoy to 179 00:09:09,547 --> 00:09:12,507 Speaker 4: Fish and Darney like it's your ship and now boys 180 00:09:12,707 --> 00:09:15,027 Speaker 4: like it was just a really cool moment he blacked 181 00:09:15,027 --> 00:09:18,067 Speaker 4: out the stadium. I just think that's a real inspirational 182 00:09:18,067 --> 00:09:20,027 Speaker 4: moment for young Kiwis in the country want to play 183 00:09:20,027 --> 00:09:24,067 Speaker 4: regularly growing up, and the Warriors fans. But yeah, obviously 184 00:09:24,547 --> 00:09:26,547 Speaker 4: he's up on our wall for Player of the Year 185 00:09:26,587 --> 00:09:30,027 Speaker 4: three years in a row. I think people didn't realize 186 00:09:30,067 --> 00:09:31,987 Speaker 4: the impact he had on the game until they kind 187 00:09:31,987 --> 00:09:34,667 Speaker 4: of were involved with the club or with him, Like 188 00:09:34,747 --> 00:09:36,587 Speaker 4: he got through so much work, but then he is 189 00:09:36,627 --> 00:09:39,947 Speaker 4: so highly skilled and again he kind of him and 190 00:09:40,027 --> 00:09:43,147 Speaker 4: is Ao a couple of guys kind of brung back 191 00:09:43,187 --> 00:09:45,947 Speaker 4: the ball playing thirteen. So when you've made a difference 192 00:09:46,347 --> 00:09:48,547 Speaker 4: to the game and everyone starts, try and emulate that 193 00:09:49,027 --> 00:09:50,187 Speaker 4: you're a pretty special. 194 00:09:49,907 --> 00:09:53,427 Speaker 2: Player and go media Satam just jumps, doesn't it On 195 00:09:53,587 --> 00:09:57,387 Speaker 2: nights like last night? How good is the energy inside 196 00:09:57,387 --> 00:09:57,867 Speaker 2: that ground? 197 00:09:59,147 --> 00:10:01,907 Speaker 4: Amazing? Like I think when they sid down the ships, 198 00:10:01,947 --> 00:10:05,427 Speaker 4: I heard the halftime fireworks were unbelievable. So that's done 199 00:10:05,427 --> 00:10:08,067 Speaker 4: a really good job George and the team here. I 200 00:10:08,347 --> 00:10:10,187 Speaker 4: really want to make it, you know, the hottest ticket 201 00:10:10,227 --> 00:10:13,627 Speaker 4: in town, and they're always thinking outside the box. But 202 00:10:14,067 --> 00:10:17,467 Speaker 4: then you just got our fans are passionate, you know, 203 00:10:18,627 --> 00:10:22,147 Speaker 4: turn up after that game in Vegas and they just 204 00:10:22,267 --> 00:10:25,587 Speaker 4: the crowds rocking. They're fully behind the team, whether you 205 00:10:25,627 --> 00:10:27,387 Speaker 4: know it's our best night or not our best night. 206 00:10:27,507 --> 00:10:30,067 Speaker 4: So yeah, that's the boys are just really happy to 207 00:10:30,467 --> 00:10:33,947 Speaker 4: get home and put another performance in front of him and. 208 00:10:34,347 --> 00:10:36,227 Speaker 2: See your nixt to Potters. The Roosters beat the Panthers 209 00:10:36,307 --> 00:10:37,147 Speaker 2: last night. You see that. 210 00:10:38,187 --> 00:10:42,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, similar similar to us. Had a obviously rough round 211 00:10:42,227 --> 00:10:44,547 Speaker 4: one and bounce back and they did against you know, 212 00:10:45,467 --> 00:10:49,107 Speaker 4: obviously the full time Premieers. So look, it doesn't get 213 00:10:49,147 --> 00:10:51,747 Speaker 4: any easier. We know they're a classy outfit. I've been 214 00:10:52,227 --> 00:10:54,227 Speaker 4: up the top for a long time. They're a really 215 00:10:54,227 --> 00:10:57,147 Speaker 4: good club. And yeah, we're just excited we get to 216 00:10:57,147 --> 00:10:58,787 Speaker 4: play at home again. So it's going to be a 217 00:10:58,907 --> 00:11:00,627 Speaker 4: very tough clash. 218 00:11:00,827 --> 00:11:02,707 Speaker 2: Great to chat, Slide, Thanks for taking that, cool mate, 219 00:11:02,747 --> 00:11:04,427 Speaker 2: enjoy the rest of your weekend and world on last night. 220 00:11:05,467 --> 00:11:06,307 Speaker 4: Cool, Thank you very much. 221 00:11:06,787 --> 00:11:09,987 Speaker 2: Thanks late Slick Griffin, their assistant coach of the Warriors. Yeah, 222 00:11:10,027 --> 00:11:12,227 Speaker 2: Phiry happy assistant coach, you'd have to think, yeah, sure, 223 00:11:12,267 --> 00:11:15,147 Speaker 2: it's only the second game, but after what happened in Vegas, 224 00:11:15,467 --> 00:11:17,467 Speaker 2: that can stay in Vegas, as they say. 225 00:11:18,027 --> 00:11:21,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 226 00:11:21,307 --> 00:11:24,627 Speaker 1: to news talks at B weekends from midday, or follow 227 00:11:24,667 --> 00:11:26,267 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio