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 --> 00:00:13,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB All second strength. 3 00:00:13,947 --> 00:00:18,387 Speaker 2: Frank Side has delivered a first rate performance, but the 4 00:00:18,467 --> 00:00:22,507 Speaker 2: All Blacks hang on twin Test number one of twenty 5 00:00:22,587 --> 00:00:25,907 Speaker 2: twenty five thirty one, twenty seven. 6 00:00:26,387 --> 00:00:28,787 Speaker 3: So that was under the roof a week ago in 7 00:00:28,867 --> 00:00:31,067 Speaker 3: dneed and pleaded a work on for the All Blacks 8 00:00:31,107 --> 00:00:33,227 Speaker 3: and we'll get into that and maybe get your views 9 00:00:33,227 --> 00:00:36,067 Speaker 3: on the biggest work ons that are required ahead of 10 00:00:36,107 --> 00:00:38,667 Speaker 3: tests too. But great to open the show with one 11 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:40,907 Speaker 3: of our greatest and in fact one of the world's 12 00:00:41,107 --> 00:00:44,827 Speaker 3: greatest ever rugby centers. He made his Test debut in 13 00:00:44,867 --> 00:00:47,707 Speaker 3: two thousand and four scored with his first touch on 14 00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:51,747 Speaker 3: debut against Italy. From two thousand and eight onwards, he 15 00:00:51,907 --> 00:00:57,067 Speaker 3: and are nono formed and outstanding and basically undroppable midfield pairing. 16 00:00:57,347 --> 00:01:00,267 Speaker 3: He played ninety four Test matches, the most by any 17 00:01:00,507 --> 00:01:04,107 Speaker 3: All Black center, scoring twenty six tries. A World Cup 18 00:01:04,107 --> 00:01:06,867 Speaker 3: winner in twenty eleven, again in twenty fifteen, and he 19 00:01:06,947 --> 00:01:10,027 Speaker 3: played one hundred and twenty six games for the Hurricanes, 20 00:01:10,107 --> 00:01:13,827 Speaker 3: captaining the side from twenty twelve until twenty fifteen and 21 00:01:14,387 --> 00:01:16,547 Speaker 3: made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit 22 00:01:16,627 --> 00:01:19,787 Speaker 3: for services to rugby in twenty sixteen. Who else but 23 00:01:20,067 --> 00:01:22,907 Speaker 3: Conrad Smith who joins us now on the phone. Conrad, 24 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:24,707 Speaker 3: thanks for taking the time. Can we actually start in 25 00:01:24,747 --> 00:01:28,787 Speaker 3: your former position? How do you assess Billy Proctor's ability 26 00:01:28,827 --> 00:01:32,507 Speaker 3: to become the long term wearer of the thirteen jersey 27 00:01:32,547 --> 00:01:34,587 Speaker 3: for the All Blacks. 28 00:01:34,907 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm a big fan of Bullief. I think he's 29 00:01:39,907 --> 00:01:44,107 Speaker 4: shown real class and promise from what we've seen it 30 00:01:44,987 --> 00:01:47,507 Speaker 4: with Super Rugby and with the Hurricanes, and so obviously 31 00:01:47,627 --> 00:01:50,467 Speaker 4: the challenge for him is to do that on the 32 00:01:50,507 --> 00:01:53,467 Speaker 4: international stage. I think he's got all the skills and 33 00:01:53,947 --> 00:01:56,147 Speaker 4: from what I know, the guy the mental game as 34 00:01:56,187 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 4: well to handle that. So look, I'm really excited. I 35 00:02:01,427 --> 00:02:05,107 Speaker 4: love watching the guy play and at the head of 36 00:02:05,147 --> 00:02:07,587 Speaker 4: him now he's going to there will be a bit 37 00:02:07,587 --> 00:02:09,627 Speaker 4: of luck. You've got to keep himself healthy, he's got 38 00:02:09,667 --> 00:02:12,347 Speaker 4: to keep his position in the spot. But I think, 39 00:02:12,427 --> 00:02:15,707 Speaker 4: you know again, it's it's like anyone that's starting out. 40 00:02:15,747 --> 00:02:18,227 Speaker 4: You don't want to put pressure on someone. But I 41 00:02:18,267 --> 00:02:20,427 Speaker 4: think he is up to it and I think he 42 00:02:20,467 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 4: has the potential to as you solidify that that spot 43 00:02:24,387 --> 00:02:28,907 Speaker 4: for however long he wants to. So, yeah, he's an 44 00:02:28,907 --> 00:02:30,227 Speaker 4: exciting prospect, that's for sure. 45 00:02:30,707 --> 00:02:33,787 Speaker 3: You mentioned the mental side of the game there, what well, 46 00:02:33,907 --> 00:02:36,387 Speaker 3: how important is the is the mental side of playing 47 00:02:36,387 --> 00:02:39,147 Speaker 3: in that pretty crucial position in the back line. 48 00:02:40,227 --> 00:02:43,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, And I don't think that's the position specific. I 49 00:02:43,587 --> 00:02:46,347 Speaker 4: just think that's handling the step up to international ugly. 50 00:02:46,387 --> 00:02:49,587 Speaker 4: You've got to be have a good attitude about yourself. 51 00:02:49,587 --> 00:02:53,187 Speaker 4: You've got to have a first for knowledge. You've got 52 00:02:53,227 --> 00:02:56,707 Speaker 4: to be have that understanding. You know, you've got to 53 00:02:56,747 --> 00:03:00,747 Speaker 4: have some confidence, but also willingness to learn. And I 54 00:03:00,787 --> 00:03:03,347 Speaker 4: think that's a that's a fine balance. And you know, 55 00:03:03,427 --> 00:03:05,747 Speaker 4: so when you when I talk about the mental game, 56 00:03:05,787 --> 00:03:09,587 Speaker 4: that's that whole attitude towards you your footy, and attitude 57 00:03:09,587 --> 00:03:12,947 Speaker 4: towards being coached and working with teammates and all of that, 58 00:03:13,027 --> 00:03:17,667 Speaker 4: and so that that I don't know Billy real well, 59 00:03:17,707 --> 00:03:20,147 Speaker 4: I never play with him, haven't haven't coached him, but 60 00:03:20,507 --> 00:03:24,187 Speaker 4: I know enough to think that that side is a 61 00:03:24,227 --> 00:03:28,427 Speaker 4: street of this game. And in terms of what that 62 00:03:28,507 --> 00:03:31,707 Speaker 4: means for anyone at international level, like that's it's the 63 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:34,627 Speaker 4: difference you know, your skill set gets you're there, how 64 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:39,227 Speaker 4: long you start international level is large. It depends on 65 00:03:39,267 --> 00:03:42,987 Speaker 4: your mental site, how you can perform under treasure, and 66 00:03:43,027 --> 00:03:46,107 Speaker 4: how you work within a team environment. So yeah, that's 67 00:03:46,107 --> 00:03:48,707 Speaker 4: why I say it's exciting for him, and there's a 68 00:03:48,747 --> 00:03:51,547 Speaker 4: few in that boat, i'd say, within within the current team. 69 00:03:51,627 --> 00:03:56,187 Speaker 3: Indeed, the twelve thirteen partnership feels very important on a 70 00:03:56,267 --> 00:03:59,027 Speaker 3: rugby field, and we've had some great ones yourself and 71 00:03:59,027 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 3: mart and who of course for over a decade, Frank 72 00:04:01,267 --> 00:04:04,267 Speaker 3: Buns and Walter Little in the nineties. How long do 73 00:04:04,387 --> 00:04:08,907 Speaker 3: partnerships like that take to forge and to become really cohesive. 74 00:04:10,387 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, time is that. That's there's no doubt about that, 75 00:04:13,587 --> 00:04:16,267 Speaker 4: and I think everyone you mentioned there would would say 76 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:18,987 Speaker 4: the same. You know, Mar and I I think people 77 00:04:19,067 --> 00:04:23,707 Speaker 4: often forget we we started sort of playing competing for 78 00:04:23,787 --> 00:04:26,627 Speaker 4: a position back when we met each other two thousand 79 00:04:26,627 --> 00:04:28,907 Speaker 4: and two, two thousand and three, and it wasn't until 80 00:04:28,987 --> 00:04:30,867 Speaker 4: two thousand and eight that we had an all black 81 00:04:30,907 --> 00:04:33,707 Speaker 4: environment that we were at twelve thirteen. So that's a 82 00:04:33,747 --> 00:04:35,947 Speaker 4: long time. And then even then, you know, I think 83 00:04:35,947 --> 00:04:38,507 Speaker 4: our best rugby was a few years after that as 84 00:04:38,547 --> 00:04:43,227 Speaker 4: a partnership, So all of that time is important. You 85 00:04:43,667 --> 00:04:46,387 Speaker 4: learner to understand each other's game. And you know I 86 00:04:46,427 --> 00:04:49,387 Speaker 4: talked about the mental side before you you understand I 87 00:04:49,427 --> 00:04:53,187 Speaker 4: think the key bit is how you your mental side, 88 00:04:53,267 --> 00:04:56,107 Speaker 4: so i'd know you know what ma, what made mar 89 00:04:56,227 --> 00:04:59,467 Speaker 4: take what he did under pressure and likewise you know 90 00:04:59,707 --> 00:05:01,387 Speaker 4: he did the same for me. And when you can 91 00:05:01,387 --> 00:05:03,987 Speaker 4: pick those cues up from each other and actually help 92 00:05:04,067 --> 00:05:07,867 Speaker 4: you if you are under pressure, how you help your 93 00:05:07,947 --> 00:05:10,867 Speaker 4: teammate it out of that position and start thinking clearly 94 00:05:10,947 --> 00:05:13,707 Speaker 4: and back on your game. That that's that's the goal 95 00:05:13,827 --> 00:05:18,027 Speaker 4: that comes with experience. And look at as I say, 96 00:05:18,027 --> 00:05:20,747 Speaker 4: it's often time that you can't put in and speed 97 00:05:20,747 --> 00:05:23,427 Speaker 4: that proce he suck with good people around you and 98 00:05:23,307 --> 00:05:24,907 Speaker 4: that and that's what I think we were lucky with 99 00:05:24,987 --> 00:05:27,987 Speaker 4: some new black environment. I know there's good people doing 100 00:05:27,987 --> 00:05:29,907 Speaker 4: that you can't group as well. 101 00:05:30,467 --> 00:05:33,027 Speaker 3: And he's still playing man listn't he? I say, he's 102 00:05:33,027 --> 00:05:36,347 Speaker 3: got another contract at the age of forty three. Do 103 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 3: you talk to him at all much? Have you seen 104 00:05:37,987 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 3: him later? 105 00:05:38,467 --> 00:05:40,947 Speaker 4: It's just warm down willing that I'll be pitched up 106 00:05:40,987 --> 00:05:44,747 Speaker 4: with him tonight tomorrow and for sure like that's you know, 107 00:05:44,827 --> 00:05:46,867 Speaker 4: you talk about that experience a great thing of rugby, 108 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:49,587 Speaker 4: you know, we we we start there as competitors and 109 00:05:49,747 --> 00:05:52,107 Speaker 4: now you end up with best mates. And uh, look, 110 00:05:52,147 --> 00:05:55,867 Speaker 4: he's someone he still inspires me the fact that he's 111 00:05:55,907 --> 00:05:58,547 Speaker 4: still going and and it's one thing to be still 112 00:05:58,587 --> 00:06:00,707 Speaker 4: going at the you know, the Major league rugby, who 113 00:06:00,747 --> 00:06:03,067 Speaker 4: was playing in America, but to the signing on a 114 00:06:03,147 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 4: top fourteen team in France, that's that's some serious he's playing. 115 00:06:07,187 --> 00:06:11,787 Speaker 4: So he's he's a frequent athlete and there's no fluke 116 00:06:11,867 --> 00:06:15,107 Speaker 4: like you know the guy. He still is professional about 117 00:06:15,107 --> 00:06:17,707 Speaker 4: his game as he's ever been and that's the reason 118 00:06:17,707 --> 00:06:21,147 Speaker 4: he's still getting contract and he'll he'll keep playing until, 119 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:24,307 Speaker 4: as I say to a few until someone dragged him 120 00:06:24,307 --> 00:06:27,067 Speaker 4: off the field. So I wouldn't be surprised if it's 121 00:06:27,067 --> 00:06:29,267 Speaker 4: not the last time. Brilliant. 122 00:06:29,267 --> 00:06:31,707 Speaker 3: Well, we watched with interest to how long he goes? 123 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:33,787 Speaker 3: Can we come back to the to the Test match 124 00:06:33,827 --> 00:06:38,027 Speaker 3: tonight off the back of the winning Dunedin last weekend? Conrad, 125 00:06:38,067 --> 00:06:41,267 Speaker 3: what do you think the major improvements the coaching staff 126 00:06:41,267 --> 00:06:42,787 Speaker 3: in the players will be looking for in the second 127 00:06:42,827 --> 00:06:43,387 Speaker 3: Test tonight? 128 00:06:44,787 --> 00:06:47,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think there'll be a bit, you know, there'll 129 00:06:47,107 --> 00:06:49,587 Speaker 4: be some specific things around you know, the high ball 130 00:06:49,627 --> 00:06:51,587 Speaker 4: which was a bit of a talking point, and I 131 00:06:51,587 --> 00:06:54,947 Speaker 4: think we're better than what we showed on the weekend, 132 00:06:55,627 --> 00:06:58,027 Speaker 4: and that can take a bit of a bit of time. 133 00:06:58,067 --> 00:07:02,067 Speaker 4: But also just well we talked a bit about the combinations, 134 00:07:02,067 --> 00:07:05,667 Speaker 4: but just yea, some of the fluidity on attack. I 135 00:07:05,747 --> 00:07:08,587 Speaker 4: actually thought we created some really good opportunities. I was. 136 00:07:08,667 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 4: I was pretty excited about what I saw in terms 137 00:07:12,307 --> 00:07:15,907 Speaker 4: of what they offered, the variation on attack. That's what 138 00:07:16,027 --> 00:07:19,467 Speaker 4: I personally love seeing. I get a bit worried when 139 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:22,587 Speaker 4: I see teams becoming really predictable, which I think Rugby 140 00:07:22,627 --> 00:07:24,107 Speaker 4: fell into a trap for a few, you know, for 141 00:07:24,147 --> 00:07:27,307 Speaker 4: a couple of years, but certainly you know the tribes 142 00:07:27,347 --> 00:07:29,947 Speaker 4: being scored nowadays, as in the last sort of twelve 143 00:07:30,027 --> 00:07:34,627 Speaker 4: eighty months, teams have really brought different things into their 144 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:37,627 Speaker 4: attack in shape and I liked actually what I saw 145 00:07:38,067 --> 00:07:40,627 Speaker 4: last week, and I think is there's just a you know, 146 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:43,187 Speaker 4: one more week of experience and even the training so 147 00:07:43,467 --> 00:07:48,347 Speaker 4: they'll get passes that stick and options being taken at 148 00:07:48,347 --> 00:07:51,507 Speaker 4: the right times. That yeah, fact a big difference on 149 00:07:51,787 --> 00:07:52,427 Speaker 4: a score board. 150 00:07:53,187 --> 00:07:55,067 Speaker 3: And the weather in Wellington always becomes a bit of 151 00:07:55,067 --> 00:07:58,587 Speaker 3: a talking point. It looks like it should be okay tonight. 152 00:07:58,627 --> 00:08:00,907 Speaker 3: But what was it like playing at sky Stadium on 153 00:08:00,987 --> 00:08:03,187 Speaker 3: those those wet, windy nights. 154 00:08:04,347 --> 00:08:07,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, you never knew well what you're in for. I mean, 155 00:08:08,387 --> 00:08:11,587 Speaker 4: I'm sitting there now it's actually blue skies and feeling 156 00:08:11,587 --> 00:08:14,147 Speaker 4: pretty good. I'd love to play, but I know she's 157 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:17,587 Speaker 4: twelve or even twenty minutes of a long time I've 158 00:08:17,587 --> 00:08:19,507 Speaker 4: been willing to that can all change. I mean I've 159 00:08:19,507 --> 00:08:22,907 Speaker 4: playing enough tests, an Irish one where we are warmed 160 00:08:22,947 --> 00:08:24,587 Speaker 4: up and it was clear and fine. By the time 161 00:08:24,587 --> 00:08:27,627 Speaker 4: we came to check off, it was dropped something like 162 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:31,867 Speaker 4: six degrees and it was roaring with rain. So that'll 163 00:08:31,867 --> 00:08:35,627 Speaker 4: be ready for that. Hopefully it's okay. But in terms 164 00:08:35,667 --> 00:08:38,347 Speaker 4: of yeah, the conditions, you just you can't plan too 165 00:08:38,387 --> 00:08:40,747 Speaker 4: far ahead. You're just going to be good enough to 166 00:08:41,067 --> 00:08:44,067 Speaker 4: adapt to whatever it throws at you. And I'm sure 167 00:08:44,107 --> 00:08:47,667 Speaker 4: they would have prepared for that and really really to adapt. 168 00:08:48,387 --> 00:08:50,147 Speaker 3: And as far as your current involvement in the game 169 00:08:50,147 --> 00:08:52,147 Speaker 3: of rugby is concerned, Conrad, I know you did some 170 00:08:52,347 --> 00:08:55,507 Speaker 3: refereeing up in tananaky and you're on the board of 171 00:08:55,507 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes Alumni, which helps you know past and current 172 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:03,187 Speaker 3: players with you know, with their transition and some difficult times. 173 00:09:03,547 --> 00:09:04,347 Speaker 4: Are you doing any. 174 00:09:04,187 --> 00:09:07,187 Speaker 1: Coaching, any official involvement in that way, I'm. 175 00:09:07,067 --> 00:09:09,827 Speaker 4: Not coaching so much. I mean I'm the role with 176 00:09:10,387 --> 00:09:13,587 Speaker 4: nash Arabi Plas, so that's through World rugby, and we 177 00:09:13,667 --> 00:09:17,067 Speaker 4: do a fair bit of work around the game with referees, 178 00:09:17,267 --> 00:09:19,467 Speaker 4: around the laws of the game and some of the 179 00:09:19,547 --> 00:09:22,107 Speaker 4: trends and what a fluent sort of world rugby can 180 00:09:22,147 --> 00:09:26,467 Speaker 4: have on the game itself, what's being played. And hey, 181 00:09:26,587 --> 00:09:29,867 Speaker 4: I enjoy that. I love the game. I love staying involved. 182 00:09:30,747 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 4: Coaching is not really for me, certainly at the moment 183 00:09:33,867 --> 00:09:36,987 Speaker 4: I had the face of that, but I certainly you know, 184 00:09:37,027 --> 00:09:41,107 Speaker 4: I love staying in fold the greatest game on earth, 185 00:09:41,147 --> 00:09:44,347 Speaker 4: and I think we need more people, you know, in 186 00:09:44,387 --> 00:09:46,987 Speaker 4: that corner supporting how good it is for even for 187 00:09:47,067 --> 00:09:50,187 Speaker 4: kids and for everyone. So I'm certainly one of those. 188 00:09:50,267 --> 00:09:54,707 Speaker 4: And my involvement, although it's not directly on the field, 189 00:09:55,027 --> 00:09:57,827 Speaker 4: as I say, doing a bit of referring and in 190 00:09:57,907 --> 00:10:02,027 Speaker 4: international rugby plas to stay connected, and that's what I 191 00:10:02,067 --> 00:10:05,987 Speaker 4: can to make sure the game is still playing great 192 00:10:06,027 --> 00:10:08,667 Speaker 4: spirit and the camarader in all the great values that 193 00:10:08,747 --> 00:10:12,027 Speaker 4: it teaches us as still to the full. For years 194 00:10:12,067 --> 00:10:13,947 Speaker 4: to come, hopefully, good Man. 195 00:10:13,907 --> 00:10:15,587 Speaker 3: Conrad, I know you got a busy schedule. Today is 196 00:10:15,587 --> 00:10:17,867 Speaker 3: always over test weekend. Thanks for taking some time with us. 197 00:10:18,267 --> 00:10:21,707 Speaker 3: Really appreciate you joining us this afternoon, No problem, no, 198 00:10:21,827 --> 00:10:25,747 Speaker 3: thank you, Conrad for joining us. Conrad Smith on Weekend 199 00:10:25,867 --> 00:10:28,587 Speaker 3: Sport with Us, one of the greatest to ever play 200 00:10:28,867 --> 00:10:31,267 Speaker 3: the game, certainly in the number thirteen Jersey. 201 00:10:31,587 --> 00:10:34,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 202 00:10:34,867 --> 00:10:38,147 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow 203 00:10:38,187 --> 00:10:39,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.