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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:15,627 Speaker 2: We're going to talk with the goat of New Zealand 4 00:00:15,627 --> 00:00:18,067 Speaker 2: cricket and I can say that because I believe it 5 00:00:18,187 --> 00:00:22,507 Speaker 2: is true and he's involved now in a new business venture. 6 00:00:22,907 --> 00:00:27,947 Speaker 2: Kane Williamson's decided to release a new piece of protective 7 00:00:28,187 --> 00:00:32,107 Speaker 2: cricket equipment. You know exactly what I'm talking about. It's 8 00:00:32,227 --> 00:00:36,867 Speaker 2: a box. Kane Williamson joins the program at now afternoon. 9 00:00:36,947 --> 00:00:37,907 Speaker 2: How are you Kane? 10 00:00:38,947 --> 00:00:41,307 Speaker 3: Some good? Thanks? Good to chat. 11 00:00:41,387 --> 00:00:43,347 Speaker 2: How are you? Yeah good, It's great to have you 12 00:00:43,427 --> 00:00:45,827 Speaker 2: on board as well. Look, we're going to be talking 13 00:00:45,907 --> 00:00:51,347 Speaker 2: now about this new box that you have helped design 14 00:00:51,987 --> 00:00:55,027 Speaker 2: and create. I'd best not tell people about it because 15 00:00:55,147 --> 00:00:58,067 Speaker 2: I don't know. Lay it on the line, Cain. What 16 00:00:58,107 --> 00:00:59,387 Speaker 2: have you been doing? What is this? 17 00:01:00,587 --> 00:01:06,507 Speaker 4: Yeah? Well that's that's basically we've been designing developing a 18 00:01:06,667 --> 00:01:10,947 Speaker 4: groin guard harness system. It's been five years in the making. 19 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:14,427 Speaker 4: And I mean the origin stories probably you might remember, 20 00:01:14,467 --> 00:01:18,467 Speaker 4: I certainly do, which was getting hit in that region 21 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:22,107 Speaker 4: by Dale Stain about fourteen years ago and sort of 22 00:01:22,147 --> 00:01:27,267 Speaker 4: splitting my box in half and then sort of going 23 00:01:27,267 --> 00:01:30,387 Speaker 4: on the journey of getting hit a few more times 24 00:01:30,587 --> 00:01:33,987 Speaker 4: and other people that I know in cricket getting hit 25 00:01:34,027 --> 00:01:37,627 Speaker 4: and getting sort of quite severely injured, and kind of 26 00:01:37,667 --> 00:01:40,587 Speaker 4: thinking there's got to be something out there that can 27 00:01:41,387 --> 00:01:44,187 Speaker 4: meet the demands and the standards. 28 00:01:43,627 --> 00:01:45,747 Speaker 3: Of the highest level. 29 00:01:45,027 --> 00:01:48,227 Speaker 4: And so that's kind of how it started, and then 30 00:01:48,707 --> 00:01:52,827 Speaker 4: went from an idea to then meeting with a developer 31 00:01:53,107 --> 00:01:56,387 Speaker 4: and really sort of trying to come up with something 32 00:01:56,467 --> 00:02:00,507 Speaker 4: that would work. And that's been our journey and we're 33 00:02:00,547 --> 00:02:03,147 Speaker 4: now here today ready to launch the product, which is 34 00:02:03,307 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 4: a really exciting moment for us as a business. The 35 00:02:06,747 --> 00:02:10,787 Speaker 4: business is called Cover and so yeah, it's quite a 36 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:11,667 Speaker 4: big moment for us. 37 00:02:11,987 --> 00:02:14,387 Speaker 2: Have you seen one to Dale Stayed because he was 38 00:02:14,427 --> 00:02:16,387 Speaker 2: the guy who split your box in half in the 39 00:02:16,387 --> 00:02:17,027 Speaker 2: first place. 40 00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:20,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, he's actually sent. 41 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:22,187 Speaker 3: A video through. He remembers it as well. 42 00:02:22,227 --> 00:02:25,347 Speaker 4: He not only split it in half, but he made 43 00:02:25,387 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 4: sure he let me know as well that he was 44 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:31,427 Speaker 4: going to try and hurt me out. So hopefully this 45 00:02:31,467 --> 00:02:33,907 Speaker 4: will help in the future if he comes at me again. 46 00:02:35,307 --> 00:02:39,267 Speaker 4: But no, it's been a really exciting journey in a 47 00:02:39,307 --> 00:02:44,307 Speaker 4: new space for me personally, which is the business area. 48 00:02:44,467 --> 00:02:47,547 Speaker 4: You know, a small startup, but with a big vision 49 00:02:47,587 --> 00:02:52,987 Speaker 4: and an ambition to kind of modernize sporting equipment and 50 00:02:53,067 --> 00:02:55,587 Speaker 4: really try and take it to another level. 51 00:02:55,627 --> 00:02:57,267 Speaker 3: And so this is the start of that. 52 00:02:57,987 --> 00:03:00,027 Speaker 2: Have you put it on and had someone fire a 53 00:03:00,107 --> 00:03:01,827 Speaker 2: ball at you out of a cannon to make sure 54 00:03:01,867 --> 00:03:02,667 Speaker 2: it works? 55 00:03:03,547 --> 00:03:05,187 Speaker 3: We're looking for people to test it. 56 00:03:05,387 --> 00:03:08,027 Speaker 4: If you put your hand up, no, Look, we've done 57 00:03:08,307 --> 00:03:09,307 Speaker 4: a whole lot of testing. 58 00:03:09,427 --> 00:03:12,547 Speaker 3: We had to build different testing rigs because it was. 59 00:03:12,587 --> 00:03:15,587 Speaker 4: Quite hard to do it accurately with equipment that was 60 00:03:15,627 --> 00:03:19,027 Speaker 4: out there. So it's really quite specific, different angles trying 61 00:03:19,027 --> 00:03:21,787 Speaker 4: to work out all the different failure modes and obviously 62 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:25,747 Speaker 4: the quality of the box taking the impact is one 63 00:03:25,787 --> 00:03:28,147 Speaker 4: of those. But making sure that it's held in place 64 00:03:28,227 --> 00:03:33,867 Speaker 4: by a really supportive and comfortable harness system it is also. 65 00:03:34,467 --> 00:03:35,467 Speaker 3: Key to that. 66 00:03:35,747 --> 00:03:39,027 Speaker 4: And so there's been a few of us wearing it 67 00:03:39,067 --> 00:03:42,187 Speaker 4: in the international game for the last kind of six 68 00:03:42,227 --> 00:03:45,227 Speaker 4: months or so. So yeah, we've really gone through quite 69 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:47,627 Speaker 4: a rigorous process to make sure that it's ready. 70 00:03:47,947 --> 00:03:50,587 Speaker 2: Well, it makes me laugh that boxes have been in 71 00:03:50,667 --> 00:03:52,827 Speaker 2: vogue for over one hundred years but we only just 72 00:03:52,907 --> 00:03:55,987 Speaker 2: worked out we needed a helmet. Shows what men find important. 73 00:03:56,147 --> 00:04:02,667 Speaker 2: It's the Johnson or their brains, and plainly it's their Johnson's. Yeah, anyway, don't. 74 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:04,867 Speaker 3: Move on there. But I think I can work out 75 00:04:05,307 --> 00:04:06,827 Speaker 3: what you just said. Yeah, that's right. 76 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:10,547 Speaker 4: I mean we're quick to really try and develop the helmet. 77 00:04:11,147 --> 00:04:13,827 Speaker 4: And you mentioned that there's some humor involved when other 78 00:04:13,827 --> 00:04:16,707 Speaker 4: people get hit in this region, but certainly when it's 79 00:04:16,747 --> 00:04:20,387 Speaker 4: you that's not the case. And in fact, doing a 80 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:23,587 Speaker 4: lot of research about it, you ask anybody in terms 81 00:04:23,627 --> 00:04:27,267 Speaker 4: of what they value protecting, and the helmet is right 82 00:04:27,347 --> 00:04:30,667 Speaker 4: up there, and closely in second place is the growing region. 83 00:04:30,787 --> 00:04:33,427 Speaker 4: So you know, it's sort of made a lot of 84 00:04:33,467 --> 00:04:35,947 Speaker 4: sense in a big gap in the market with the 85 00:04:35,987 --> 00:04:40,707 Speaker 4: existing standard. It's being about fifty something kilometers an hour 86 00:04:40,787 --> 00:04:45,467 Speaker 4: with a drop test, which clearly for the elite level, 87 00:04:45,627 --> 00:04:48,867 Speaker 4: but not only that, which implies getting hit at high speeds, 88 00:04:48,907 --> 00:04:52,467 Speaker 4: but also spinners can cause injury as well. 89 00:04:52,507 --> 00:04:54,267 Speaker 3: When we saw that with a couple of mic. 90 00:04:55,707 --> 00:04:59,707 Speaker 4: You know, a real injury that needed surgery and other 91 00:04:59,747 --> 00:05:01,507 Speaker 4: things to come back from. 92 00:05:01,587 --> 00:05:04,387 Speaker 3: So yeah, it's been a real journey. 93 00:05:04,427 --> 00:05:07,507 Speaker 2: Outside of protecting mister Happy, you've been wearing your box, 94 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:11,147 Speaker 2: you've been playing as well. What's your future looking like 95 00:05:11,227 --> 00:05:13,267 Speaker 2: at the moment, Kane, where are you heading? What have 96 00:05:13,307 --> 00:05:15,427 Speaker 2: you got locked in over the next like six months 97 00:05:15,427 --> 00:05:15,947 Speaker 2: to a year? 98 00:05:16,787 --> 00:05:19,387 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I have been playing a lot, obviously 99 00:05:19,387 --> 00:05:21,387 Speaker 4: about the home summer here where we finished with a 100 00:05:21,427 --> 00:05:24,547 Speaker 4: Test series, and then I went straight over to South 101 00:05:24,547 --> 00:05:28,227 Speaker 4: Africa and played in that tournament over there, the SA twenty, 102 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 4: and from there for a. 103 00:05:29,707 --> 00:05:32,707 Speaker 3: Quick trip to Bangladesh and I come home and. 104 00:05:32,627 --> 00:05:35,507 Speaker 4: Having a little bit of a break before IPL and 105 00:05:35,547 --> 00:05:38,667 Speaker 4: then on the horizon of the England Test series over 106 00:05:38,667 --> 00:05:41,707 Speaker 4: there in June. So a bit going on, but nice 107 00:05:41,707 --> 00:05:43,227 Speaker 4: to have a little little bit of a quiet period 108 00:05:43,227 --> 00:05:47,067 Speaker 4: and focus on a few other bits and pieces, and 109 00:05:47,627 --> 00:05:50,147 Speaker 4: cover being one of those things. 110 00:05:50,467 --> 00:05:52,187 Speaker 2: I know the lot of the fans and I include 111 00:05:52,227 --> 00:05:55,307 Speaker 2: myself as one of those. Caine we've missed, We've missed 112 00:05:55,387 --> 00:05:59,227 Speaker 2: home games, haven't really played since what December? What do 113 00:05:59,227 --> 00:06:01,067 Speaker 2: you think the future is looking like as far as 114 00:06:01,347 --> 00:06:03,707 Speaker 2: playing at home? There's all sorts of discussion going on 115 00:06:03,787 --> 00:06:06,787 Speaker 2: around where the future lies with New Zealand. Okay, plain 116 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:08,987 Speaker 2: you're going to play a part of that whatevery aspect 117 00:06:09,027 --> 00:06:11,347 Speaker 2: it is, But how do you think it's tracking at 118 00:06:11,347 --> 00:06:13,747 Speaker 2: the moment? Do you think it's working and going in 119 00:06:13,787 --> 00:06:16,867 Speaker 2: the right direction with people involved at a higher level. 120 00:06:18,307 --> 00:06:20,547 Speaker 3: Look, I think it has to be the focus. 121 00:06:21,067 --> 00:06:23,907 Speaker 4: There are obvious challenges at the moment, and I think 122 00:06:23,907 --> 00:06:26,787 Speaker 4: when you finish a world event there's always a few 123 00:06:26,787 --> 00:06:29,507 Speaker 4: things that can be a bit frustrating. We've got it, 124 00:06:29,547 --> 00:06:33,987 Speaker 4: you know, a bilateral series coming up which against South Africa, 125 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:35,507 Speaker 4: so there's a bit of content there. 126 00:06:35,547 --> 00:06:38,347 Speaker 3: But I know that there's a big focus to try. 127 00:06:38,267 --> 00:06:43,587 Speaker 4: And keep the international bilateral cricket relevant and play some 128 00:06:43,627 --> 00:06:48,787 Speaker 4: context on it. So that's a yeah, there's no shortage 129 00:06:48,827 --> 00:06:53,147 Speaker 4: of cricket, but it's that constant sort of grapple with 130 00:06:53,467 --> 00:06:58,147 Speaker 4: how everything fits with franchise space, international space and amongst 131 00:06:58,187 --> 00:07:01,827 Speaker 4: world events. So look, I know that is the conversations 132 00:07:01,867 --> 00:07:04,867 Speaker 4: that are ongoing and they're trying to come up. 133 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:06,627 Speaker 3: But it's the challenge if. 134 00:07:06,507 --> 00:07:09,347 Speaker 2: You got any involvement of these conversations, they're go cane, 135 00:07:09,347 --> 00:07:11,147 Speaker 2: you're quite handy. What do you reckon. 136 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:19,387 Speaker 4: Informally the odd conversation and you know a little bit 137 00:07:19,427 --> 00:07:23,187 Speaker 4: through perhaps that the players association, but there's a lot 138 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:25,587 Speaker 4: of moving parts at the moment, which I'm sure you're 139 00:07:25,587 --> 00:07:26,227 Speaker 4: aware of, and. 140 00:07:26,107 --> 00:07:28,307 Speaker 3: So they're looking to sort that out. 141 00:07:28,507 --> 00:07:32,107 Speaker 4: I suppose and then get onto some of these pressing topics. 142 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, in essence, I think there has to be an 143 00:07:34,347 --> 00:07:38,547 Speaker 2: international program put in place with possibly windows so we 144 00:07:38,627 --> 00:07:41,227 Speaker 2: know when we're playing and then the guys can go 145 00:07:41,267 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 2: off and play franchise cricket. Does that seem like the 146 00:07:44,627 --> 00:07:48,147 Speaker 2: correct shape if it can get organized in your opinion. 147 00:07:48,787 --> 00:07:50,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it needs space. 148 00:07:50,947 --> 00:07:54,267 Speaker 4: So then whatever cricket is on, it's prioritized at the moment. 149 00:07:54,867 --> 00:07:57,587 Speaker 4: There's just so many clashes, you know, of cricket, and 150 00:07:57,587 --> 00:08:01,827 Speaker 4: it makes I think fans and people wanted to watch 151 00:08:02,067 --> 00:08:05,267 Speaker 4: it makes it a bit complex, So I know that's the focus. 152 00:08:05,307 --> 00:08:05,747 Speaker 3: It's tough. 153 00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:10,627 Speaker 4: There's a lot of challenges, you know, amongst different nations 154 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:14,947 Speaker 4: and some wanting to play others more, et cetera. And yeah, 155 00:08:15,027 --> 00:08:17,747 Speaker 4: so I think you're right in some respects. It's trying 156 00:08:17,747 --> 00:08:22,987 Speaker 4: to find windows where you know the priorities are where 157 00:08:23,027 --> 00:08:26,467 Speaker 4: you are, which is you know, the international game and 158 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:30,427 Speaker 4: not having to kind of have this this situation where 159 00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:32,907 Speaker 4: you know you don't have your players available, and I 160 00:08:32,987 --> 00:08:36,067 Speaker 4: know that's been probably a little bit frustrating in recent times, 161 00:08:36,107 --> 00:08:39,747 Speaker 4: but something that we hope to sort. But you know 162 00:08:39,827 --> 00:08:41,467 Speaker 4: that there's a lot of other people that have a 163 00:08:41,467 --> 00:08:43,587 Speaker 4: lot of power in shaping that picture. 164 00:08:44,987 --> 00:08:48,347 Speaker 2: Question. Sorry to no dramas. So do you do you 165 00:08:48,347 --> 00:08:53,027 Speaker 2: have a preference around what format the franchise cricket takes 166 00:08:53,067 --> 00:08:56,267 Speaker 2: in New Zealand Because there's big discussions around four different formats, 167 00:08:56,307 --> 00:08:58,547 Speaker 2: no one knows where it stands. Do you lean in 168 00:08:58,587 --> 00:08:59,707 Speaker 2: a particular. 169 00:08:59,227 --> 00:09:02,307 Speaker 4: Direction around this in which format? 170 00:09:02,507 --> 00:09:04,867 Speaker 2: Yeah, I are either the n z tweent Ty or 171 00:09:04,867 --> 00:09:07,227 Speaker 2: the super Smash or carry on with big bash. 172 00:09:08,227 --> 00:09:13,747 Speaker 4: I think the twenties are super exciting prospect and I 173 00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:16,987 Speaker 4: think it would be fantastic for the game and our country. 174 00:09:17,027 --> 00:09:20,667 Speaker 4: And you know, we're probably the last I think we 175 00:09:20,747 --> 00:09:24,987 Speaker 4: are the last international country to international playing nation really 176 00:09:25,027 --> 00:09:29,587 Speaker 4: to have our own franchised competition, which kind of gives it, 177 00:09:30,507 --> 00:09:31,667 Speaker 4: you know, its own energy. 178 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:33,147 Speaker 3: And I think it'd be. 179 00:09:33,107 --> 00:09:36,627 Speaker 4: Fantastic to have a domestic competition in our own country 180 00:09:36,627 --> 00:09:40,187 Speaker 4: that could get some great support, and I think it'd 181 00:09:40,187 --> 00:09:43,307 Speaker 4: be great for the fans as well. So let's see, 182 00:09:43,387 --> 00:09:44,267 Speaker 4: there's a bit going on. 183 00:09:44,587 --> 00:09:46,267 Speaker 2: Can I cook these squeats? In the last one? What 184 00:09:46,307 --> 00:09:48,227 Speaker 2: have you made of the black Caps fighting again at 185 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:51,147 Speaker 2: the final hurdle? G It's frustrating isn't it, Kane. 186 00:09:52,227 --> 00:09:54,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, they I thought they were. They were outstanding 187 00:09:54,867 --> 00:09:55,827 Speaker 3: throughout that competition. 188 00:09:57,547 --> 00:10:00,787 Speaker 4: I really thought, you know, they played in all the 189 00:10:00,907 --> 00:10:03,707 Speaker 4: all the different conditions that you might expect in two 190 00:10:03,707 --> 00:10:08,187 Speaker 4: different countries, in India and then in Silang Care and 191 00:10:08,267 --> 00:10:10,507 Speaker 4: they had a clear pattern with how they wanted to 192 00:10:10,507 --> 00:10:13,467 Speaker 4: do it, and that was to go with the strongest 193 00:10:13,467 --> 00:10:16,547 Speaker 4: sort of depth in their batting. And I really think 194 00:10:16,587 --> 00:10:20,867 Speaker 4: it paid off and they sort of elevated. I thought 195 00:10:20,867 --> 00:10:24,547 Speaker 4: that their performance are out and then to go into 196 00:10:24,627 --> 00:10:25,467 Speaker 4: a semi. 197 00:10:25,187 --> 00:10:27,307 Speaker 3: And and achieve. 198 00:10:27,067 --> 00:10:30,547 Speaker 4: What they did there, it was magnificent. To meet the 199 00:10:30,627 --> 00:10:33,867 Speaker 4: juggernaut of India on a on a good day for 200 00:10:33,947 --> 00:10:38,867 Speaker 4: India is an incredibly tough assignment for anyone, and frustrating 201 00:10:38,907 --> 00:10:41,987 Speaker 4: that I guess that happened to be the case. I mean, 202 00:10:42,027 --> 00:10:46,107 Speaker 4: they did go into the tournament as favorites and when 203 00:10:46,107 --> 00:10:48,387 Speaker 4: they played their full pretension, that's. 204 00:10:48,547 --> 00:10:49,507 Speaker 3: That is the case. 205 00:10:49,587 --> 00:10:51,747 Speaker 4: And they'd managed to do that in the semi final 206 00:10:51,827 --> 00:10:54,387 Speaker 4: and the final, you know, scoring two point fifty plus 207 00:10:54,387 --> 00:10:57,707 Speaker 4: and both of those games. It's from their perspective, they 208 00:10:57,707 --> 00:11:01,187 Speaker 4: couldn't have done it any more perfectly, so from our perspective, 209 00:11:01,307 --> 00:11:04,587 Speaker 4: very frustrating, but look, we continue to put ourselves in 210 00:11:05,187 --> 00:11:08,907 Speaker 4: the right parts of com petitions and I've got no 211 00:11:08,947 --> 00:11:12,187 Speaker 4: doubt that there's a great pathway there that the team 212 00:11:12,267 --> 00:11:15,867 Speaker 4: keeps improving, it keeps slightly adjusting their style of cricket 213 00:11:15,907 --> 00:11:17,227 Speaker 4: to take on the world. 214 00:11:17,267 --> 00:11:20,307 Speaker 3: And that's what we saw. Yeah, I know. 215 00:11:20,227 --> 00:11:24,347 Speaker 4: It's not ideal, but our time will come and it's 216 00:11:24,347 --> 00:11:25,507 Speaker 4: great to see where we're hitting. 217 00:11:25,827 --> 00:11:27,587 Speaker 2: I believe it as well. I'll tell you what. Thanks 218 00:11:27,627 --> 00:11:29,987 Speaker 2: so much for your time, came Williamson for that. You 219 00:11:30,027 --> 00:11:32,467 Speaker 2: can strap a box on me and fire a cannon 220 00:11:32,507 --> 00:11:34,667 Speaker 2: at man. I'll take the hit for you, bro. Thank you, 221 00:11:35,307 --> 00:11:35,987 Speaker 2: and I'm just wait. 222 00:11:36,347 --> 00:11:39,147 Speaker 4: Darcy signed up for testing as well. Thanks mate. 223 00:11:39,747 --> 00:11:44,027 Speaker 2: I may live to regret that we will see. It 224 00:11:44,107 --> 00:11:49,587 Speaker 2: is twenty minutes after one Sunday afternoon, Caine Williamson. 225 00:11:49,667 --> 00:11:52,827 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 226 00:11:52,947 --> 00:11:56,347 Speaker 1: to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the 227 00:11:56,387 --> 00:11:57,907 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.