1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,627 Speaker 2: Sada's home Super Rugby playoff winning streak has been extended 4 00:00:16,667 --> 00:00:19,947 Speaker 2: to thirty one games. They've beaten the Blues twenty one 5 00:00:19,947 --> 00:00:22,187 Speaker 2: to fourteen in the semi final in christ Church, meaning 6 00:00:22,227 --> 00:00:25,267 Speaker 2: they'll host next weekend's Grand final against either the Brumbies 7 00:00:25,307 --> 00:00:27,307 Speaker 2: or the Chiefs. The Blues raced out to a fourteen 8 00:00:27,387 --> 00:00:30,227 Speaker 2: yer lead courtesy if tries to Mark Talaya and Record Yowani. 9 00:00:30,547 --> 00:00:34,227 Speaker 2: The Crusaders leveled proceedings by halftime, though Tom Christy and 10 00:00:34,307 --> 00:00:37,747 Speaker 2: Will Jordan crashing over and Jordan scored the winning try 11 00:00:37,907 --> 00:00:41,787 Speaker 2: in the seventieth minute. The Crusaders then withstood a Blues 12 00:00:41,987 --> 00:00:46,387 Speaker 2: onslaught for more than six minutes after the final hooter 13 00:00:46,667 --> 00:00:50,107 Speaker 2: to eventually close it out. Crusaders captain David Avilia is 14 00:00:50,107 --> 00:00:53,067 Speaker 2: with us. David, thanks for your time, Congratulations on the win. 15 00:00:53,267 --> 00:00:55,827 Speaker 2: Can we start at the ends. You went off with 16 00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:57,667 Speaker 2: about what ten minutes to go, so you had to 17 00:00:57,707 --> 00:01:01,147 Speaker 2: watch on from the sidelines as the Blues hammered away 18 00:01:01,147 --> 00:01:03,947 Speaker 2: and hammered away and hammered away your line. How was 19 00:01:04,147 --> 00:01:06,947 Speaker 2: your heart rate as your side repelled what up to 20 00:01:07,067 --> 00:01:08,307 Speaker 2: forty phases. 21 00:01:09,387 --> 00:01:12,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's pretty high, I think is yeah a special 22 00:01:13,227 --> 00:01:16,427 Speaker 3: defense hits on the boaster. I guess, yeah, go bloody 23 00:01:16,547 --> 00:01:21,387 Speaker 3: seven minutes deep into injury time and yeah, so stoked 24 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:23,747 Speaker 3: that we could get that turnover and you get that one. 25 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:26,787 Speaker 2: What were the emotions when the turnover finally came. I 26 00:01:26,827 --> 00:01:30,187 Speaker 2: think about the eighty seventh minute rivers Rayhanna boots it 27 00:01:30,227 --> 00:01:31,867 Speaker 2: out of the ground. You're into the final How the 28 00:01:31,907 --> 00:01:33,627 Speaker 2: emotions at that point. 29 00:01:34,067 --> 00:01:38,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, pretty happy. You just really related for those for 30 00:01:38,307 --> 00:01:40,067 Speaker 3: the boys that were on there at the and that 31 00:01:40,267 --> 00:01:43,627 Speaker 3: time to get that turnover and miss huge defense set 32 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:45,227 Speaker 3: that ultimately won us Again. 33 00:01:45,947 --> 00:01:48,427 Speaker 2: What sort of conversations were going on in the first 34 00:01:48,427 --> 00:01:50,747 Speaker 2: half when you find yourself fourteen kneeled down. 35 00:01:53,267 --> 00:01:57,307 Speaker 3: We're just really calm, decisive conversations between the leaders and 36 00:01:58,227 --> 00:02:02,347 Speaker 3: there's been nothing that we haven't seen before been in 37 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:06,027 Speaker 3: those moments, so really calm circle. We knew what we 38 00:02:06,027 --> 00:02:09,827 Speaker 3: had to do. The blue started really well with a 39 00:02:09,827 --> 00:02:12,307 Speaker 3: couple of tries early and then we got the yellow cards, 40 00:02:12,307 --> 00:02:14,827 Speaker 3: so they had it with momentum. We knew we'd get 41 00:02:14,827 --> 00:02:17,067 Speaker 3: our opportunities and it was about making sure that we 42 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:19,387 Speaker 3: took them when we got them, and I thought that 43 00:02:19,787 --> 00:02:22,467 Speaker 3: our full pack really stood up in the huge moments 44 00:02:22,507 --> 00:02:25,387 Speaker 3: to be able to scrum for penalty, get him the 45 00:02:25,427 --> 00:02:27,467 Speaker 3: corner and then get us territory. 46 00:02:27,987 --> 00:02:31,227 Speaker 2: There seem to be some real genuine feeling in this one, 47 00:02:31,307 --> 00:02:34,707 Speaker 2: the Auckland Canterbury rivalry, which goes back decades, as you know. 48 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 2: Was that something that you embraced during the build up 49 00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 2: to this. 50 00:02:38,867 --> 00:02:43,827 Speaker 3: Game, Yeah, for sure. The I think the game in general, 51 00:02:43,907 --> 00:02:48,107 Speaker 3: we've been a semi final, we're just embracing These are 52 00:02:48,107 --> 00:02:49,427 Speaker 3: the weeks who want to be a part of right 53 00:02:49,467 --> 00:02:53,707 Speaker 3: He's only four teams left at that point, and we 54 00:02:53,747 --> 00:02:55,547 Speaker 3: just wanted to make sure that we can earn ourselves 55 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:58,227 Speaker 3: another Monday, and we did that and it was such 56 00:02:58,227 --> 00:03:01,427 Speaker 3: a great performance and them so happy for those boys 57 00:03:01,427 --> 00:03:03,707 Speaker 3: that he got the job done in the end. 58 00:03:04,147 --> 00:03:06,667 Speaker 2: Sport is emotion all, certainly for us as fan and 59 00:03:06,707 --> 00:03:08,547 Speaker 2: I'm sure for the players as well. I mean, you're 60 00:03:08,627 --> 00:03:12,107 Speaker 2: famously calm in big moments, but I think I saw 61 00:03:12,107 --> 00:03:13,987 Speaker 2: you making a point to a j Lamb after Will 62 00:03:14,067 --> 00:03:18,027 Speaker 2: Jordan crashed over to score. Do you allow emotion to 63 00:03:18,107 --> 00:03:22,947 Speaker 2: fuel you at the right times. 64 00:03:22,507 --> 00:03:25,027 Speaker 3: At the right time certainly. I think, you know that's 65 00:03:25,587 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 3: given it twice a few times sort of when they scored. 66 00:03:28,707 --> 00:03:30,947 Speaker 3: So it's tony fare that you get the chance to 67 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:34,627 Speaker 3: build it back. So but look, I think what really 68 00:03:34,947 --> 00:03:36,747 Speaker 3: really pleased me was the way that we just stayed 69 00:03:36,787 --> 00:03:40,867 Speaker 3: in it. We could have gone either way in that 70 00:03:40,947 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 3: first half, and then when we really worked our way 71 00:03:42,907 --> 00:03:45,507 Speaker 3: back into the game. Was so happy that we could 72 00:03:45,547 --> 00:03:49,827 Speaker 3: get in front and guys like Will and Scooter Aboret, 73 00:03:49,947 --> 00:03:51,787 Speaker 3: they just stood up in the big moments. 74 00:03:52,227 --> 00:03:54,467 Speaker 2: Two more tries for Will Jordan last night, not not 75 00:03:54,507 --> 00:03:57,787 Speaker 2: really characteristic Will Jordan tries I can go from a 76 00:03:57,907 --> 00:04:01,187 Speaker 2: yard out. Isn't really his normal mode of scoring nine 77 00:04:01,227 --> 00:04:04,467 Speaker 2: for the season now forty seven in Super Rugby all time. 78 00:04:04,507 --> 00:04:06,187 Speaker 2: He wasn't there at all last season. Of course. Can 79 00:04:06,227 --> 00:04:09,267 Speaker 2: you articulate Will Jordan's impact on the side. 80 00:04:10,627 --> 00:04:12,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's huge. He's a massive game driver for us 81 00:04:12,947 --> 00:04:16,147 Speaker 3: and you know, just having him on the park is 82 00:04:16,187 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 3: a mess of strike weapon and just the knowledge around 83 00:04:19,267 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 3: the game he has is massive, and he's another big 84 00:04:22,747 --> 00:04:24,627 Speaker 3: driver as long as River's very hard and like he's 85 00:04:24,627 --> 00:04:27,347 Speaker 3: been driving the big boys around the park and just 86 00:04:27,387 --> 00:04:30,147 Speaker 3: giving the urchy and then popping up when we needed to, 87 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:32,587 Speaker 3: and like you said, he's been one on one hell 88 00:04:32,627 --> 00:04:35,267 Speaker 3: of a square on streak, and yeah, hopefully they're continuous. 89 00:04:35,507 --> 00:04:38,307 Speaker 2: You mentioned Rivers there, how much have you enjoyed watching 90 00:04:38,347 --> 00:04:41,027 Speaker 2: the development of Herman? Of course your other young first 91 00:04:41,027 --> 00:04:44,107 Speaker 2: five Ta came out before his season was ended by injury. 92 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:46,547 Speaker 2: What have you made of their development during twenty twenty. 93 00:04:46,307 --> 00:04:50,267 Speaker 3: Five, Yeah, it's been great. They started with a really 94 00:04:50,387 --> 00:04:55,427 Speaker 3: really strong preseason. Rivers had unfortunate, yes, ankle injury which 95 00:04:55,467 --> 00:04:59,347 Speaker 3: keeps him out for sort of six weeks. But you know, 96 00:04:59,387 --> 00:05:02,027 Speaker 3: in history, our seems have been in world class and 97 00:05:02,067 --> 00:05:05,507 Speaker 3: these two are certainly living up to a few of 98 00:05:05,507 --> 00:05:07,627 Speaker 3: the names that we've had previous coming for them. So 99 00:05:07,667 --> 00:05:11,507 Speaker 3: they're only young. They's a lot to grow, but you 100 00:05:11,547 --> 00:05:13,827 Speaker 3: can see that they can handle the pressure and it's 101 00:05:13,827 --> 00:05:17,707 Speaker 3: been great to you have play inside Rivers and he's 102 00:05:17,987 --> 00:05:19,307 Speaker 3: just relishing his opportunity. 103 00:05:19,787 --> 00:05:22,707 Speaker 2: Three yellow cards last night. David All for head clashes 104 00:05:23,107 --> 00:05:25,627 Speaker 2: as players, are you comfortable with the rules as they 105 00:05:25,667 --> 00:05:26,867 Speaker 2: stand around that sort of thing? 106 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:32,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think you know the the game of the moment, 107 00:05:32,707 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: it's so high speed, the collision is right out there, 108 00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:38,587 Speaker 3: and you get it wrong. So I think being able 109 00:05:38,587 --> 00:05:42,587 Speaker 3: to have that review of the TMO and they can 110 00:05:42,627 --> 00:05:45,467 Speaker 3: sort of in behind the background. Obviously they got ten 111 00:05:45,507 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 3: minutes when they can decide, and I think the job 112 00:05:48,507 --> 00:05:51,467 Speaker 3: of the don a great job. But taking care of 113 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:54,387 Speaker 3: that it's yeah, obviously no one tries to go and 114 00:05:54,427 --> 00:05:58,587 Speaker 3: there the heat colision. Just at times you get caught 115 00:05:58,627 --> 00:06:02,147 Speaker 3: funny situations and it's a high faced game with a 116 00:06:02,187 --> 00:06:04,667 Speaker 3: lot of high contexts. Yeah, sometimes you do get it 117 00:06:04,667 --> 00:06:05,307 Speaker 3: wrong and. 118 00:06:05,227 --> 00:06:07,907 Speaker 2: Then there's the hi hi the course with your mouthguard activation, 119 00:06:07,987 --> 00:06:09,707 Speaker 2: they got it wrong? Do they with Ethan Blackadder and 120 00:06:09,747 --> 00:06:11,587 Speaker 2: Scott Barrett, do they have each other's mouth guards in 121 00:06:11,707 --> 00:06:12,067 Speaker 2: or something? 122 00:06:12,747 --> 00:06:15,627 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, I don't know. I surely they don't have 123 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:20,627 Speaker 3: the same dental record. But I think there was just 124 00:06:20,707 --> 00:06:22,667 Speaker 3: a yeah, I think there was just a mistake around 125 00:06:22,987 --> 00:06:27,467 Speaker 3: the numbers. I thought they've seen six on the head clision, 126 00:06:27,507 --> 00:06:30,707 Speaker 3: but Eaton got back straight back out of there, which 127 00:06:30,747 --> 00:06:31,227 Speaker 3: is a handy. 128 00:06:32,467 --> 00:06:36,107 Speaker 2: Absolutely, a lot's being made of the Crusader's incredible unbeaten 129 00:06:36,467 --> 00:06:39,707 Speaker 2: home finals record. You've heard the stat thirty one straight 130 00:06:39,747 --> 00:06:43,507 Speaker 2: home finals wins. Is there any pressure associated with that 131 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:46,107 Speaker 2: or do you actually take immense pride in it? 132 00:06:47,827 --> 00:06:51,427 Speaker 3: Now with others. It's part of our history and it's 133 00:06:51,427 --> 00:06:54,267 Speaker 3: awesome to be able to have that, I guess, but 134 00:06:55,587 --> 00:06:58,627 Speaker 3: certainly when we're prepared for the week, that's at the 135 00:06:58,627 --> 00:07:02,787 Speaker 3: front of our minds. Steal position and it's a big game, 136 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:05,587 Speaker 3: regardless whatever the streak is, or you're one or none, 137 00:07:06,427 --> 00:07:09,627 Speaker 3: you know, going into a final, So it's a bit 138 00:07:09,667 --> 00:07:10,267 Speaker 3: bigger than that. 139 00:07:10,707 --> 00:07:13,107 Speaker 2: And there's no doubt twenty twenty four was well below 140 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:16,227 Speaker 2: what we've come to expect from the Crusaders. How much 141 00:07:16,387 --> 00:07:20,227 Speaker 2: was last year used to fuel your twenty twenty five 142 00:07:20,307 --> 00:07:24,147 Speaker 2: season and in hindsight, how much has it fueled you 143 00:07:24,227 --> 00:07:24,707 Speaker 2: this year? 144 00:07:26,147 --> 00:07:28,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, at the time it will certainly not ideal and 145 00:07:29,387 --> 00:07:31,467 Speaker 3: not great for the franchise, but I think all that 146 00:07:31,467 --> 00:07:34,307 Speaker 3: it's done has probably set us up this year in 147 00:07:34,347 --> 00:07:38,667 Speaker 3: the years to come. So it's been huge learnings. It's 148 00:07:38,707 --> 00:07:42,107 Speaker 3: been the whole franchise is sort of yeah, made to 149 00:07:42,107 --> 00:07:44,427 Speaker 3: get better, and you've seen some of these young guys 150 00:07:44,427 --> 00:07:47,547 Speaker 3: come through and experience a bit of hardship and a 151 00:07:47,587 --> 00:07:51,347 Speaker 3: bit of things not going your way, and that's certainly 152 00:07:51,387 --> 00:07:55,147 Speaker 3: helped this year being able to win those tight games 153 00:07:56,027 --> 00:07:58,187 Speaker 3: and just use and trust our squad, which we've done 154 00:07:58,187 --> 00:08:01,907 Speaker 3: this year. So yeah, really just happy the way that 155 00:08:01,987 --> 00:08:03,867 Speaker 3: we were checking and it just all started from the 156 00:08:03,867 --> 00:08:05,747 Speaker 3: coach of their preseason and how. 157 00:08:05,747 --> 00:08:08,267 Speaker 2: Much WoT and you've been in this team for a 158 00:08:08,307 --> 00:08:11,867 Speaker 2: decade now, integral to the success of the team over 159 00:08:11,907 --> 00:08:14,867 Speaker 2: a long period. How different a player and a person 160 00:08:15,147 --> 00:08:17,947 Speaker 2: are you now compared to the twenty one year old 161 00:08:17,987 --> 00:08:20,467 Speaker 2: who first wore this jersey in twenty fifteen. 162 00:08:22,667 --> 00:08:25,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, now you say that, but he feels like he 163 00:08:25,907 --> 00:08:31,147 Speaker 3: needs to just quietly. But I think I think it's 164 00:08:31,227 --> 00:08:34,227 Speaker 3: just the way the club handles people and it's a 165 00:08:34,227 --> 00:08:36,947 Speaker 3: tough place to leave. And I think the most thing 166 00:08:36,987 --> 00:08:40,787 Speaker 3: that I've been lucky enough to have the strong leaders 167 00:08:40,787 --> 00:08:42,787 Speaker 3: around me, Like when I first came in, you had 168 00:08:42,787 --> 00:08:47,067 Speaker 3: guys like McCaw and DC Kieran Read, Jim Whitelock, you know, 169 00:08:47,107 --> 00:08:50,947 Speaker 3: the great New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders, So it 170 00:08:51,027 --> 00:08:54,147 Speaker 3: was pretty easy just to sit there and be a 171 00:08:54,147 --> 00:08:58,827 Speaker 3: sponge and learn off the absolute best. So yeah, I'm 172 00:08:58,867 --> 00:09:00,467 Speaker 3: just I was just pretty lucky that I came in 173 00:09:00,507 --> 00:09:04,187 Speaker 3: a great time and sort of me and a few 174 00:09:04,227 --> 00:09:06,507 Speaker 3: other boys that aren't here now just tried to to 175 00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:09,667 Speaker 3: carry that on. And yeah, we've seen a see a 176 00:09:09,667 --> 00:09:11,067 Speaker 3: bit of success. 177 00:09:12,027 --> 00:09:14,747 Speaker 2: Well, you've earned one more home game at Addington. You've 178 00:09:14,747 --> 00:09:16,827 Speaker 2: got your flash new stadium ready to go next year. 179 00:09:17,707 --> 00:09:20,067 Speaker 2: Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye 180 00:09:20,107 --> 00:09:22,547 Speaker 2: to what has been your home ground, well your entire 181 00:09:22,627 --> 00:09:24,907 Speaker 2: time with the with the team, but of a fortress. 182 00:09:24,947 --> 00:09:27,587 Speaker 2: Will any part of you be sorry to say goodbye 183 00:09:27,587 --> 00:09:28,187 Speaker 2: to Addington? 184 00:09:30,267 --> 00:09:32,507 Speaker 3: Yeah? I think it will be. It's been a great, 185 00:09:32,627 --> 00:09:35,227 Speaker 3: great stadium for us. You know, it's only need to 186 00:09:35,227 --> 00:09:37,587 Speaker 3: be up for a few years, and what they've done 187 00:09:37,587 --> 00:09:41,267 Speaker 3: with it, it's been exceptional. We've had been able to 188 00:09:41,267 --> 00:09:44,827 Speaker 3: get in there and play some awesome games in history, 189 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:46,747 Speaker 3: and yeah, we'll be said to see it go, but 190 00:09:46,827 --> 00:09:51,387 Speaker 3: also looking forward to a covered roof and a new 191 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:53,587 Speaker 3: chapter and will be Crusader's history. 192 00:09:53,627 --> 00:09:55,427 Speaker 2: I think all right, just to finish it, I know 193 00:09:55,467 --> 00:09:57,547 Speaker 2: you won't care who you play next week. You'll watch 194 00:09:57,587 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 2: the game tonight, I'm sure with interest. You've lost twice 195 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:02,627 Speaker 2: of the Chiefs this season. Would you like to put 196 00:10:02,627 --> 00:10:04,467 Speaker 2: that right? Maybe next weekend in a grand final. 197 00:10:06,427 --> 00:10:09,307 Speaker 3: Look, honestly, it doesn't really matter. We've got what we're 198 00:10:09,307 --> 00:10:13,627 Speaker 3: after their home final and Metal the opposite opposition movie 199 00:10:13,787 --> 00:10:16,707 Speaker 3: is still be on hell of a game, so something 200 00:10:16,747 --> 00:10:17,747 Speaker 3: to look forward to. Well. 201 00:10:17,747 --> 00:10:19,427 Speaker 2: Congrats on a hell of a game from your boys 202 00:10:19,867 --> 00:10:23,267 Speaker 2: last night, David. You'ven't, as you say, another Monday, another weekend, 203 00:10:23,307 --> 00:10:25,267 Speaker 2: a grand final. All the best for the week had mate. 204 00:10:25,267 --> 00:10:26,667 Speaker 2: Thanks for chatting to us this afternoon. 205 00:10:27,067 --> 00:10:29,147 Speaker 3: Cheers, thank you and enjoy the weekend too. 206 00:10:29,267 --> 00:10:31,307 Speaker 2: You enjoy yours, David, I'm sure you well, I'm sure 207 00:10:31,467 --> 00:10:34,067 Speaker 2: I'll enjoy your sitting back and watching the Chiefs play 208 00:10:34,067 --> 00:10:37,987 Speaker 2: the Brumbies tonight. To learn your Grand Final opponent, David Hovily, 209 00:10:38,427 --> 00:10:40,747 Speaker 2: captain of the Crusaders. Very impressive guy. 210 00:10:41,667 --> 00:10:44,867 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 211 00:10:44,947 --> 00:10:48,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow 212 00:10:48,307 --> 00:10:49,907 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio