1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,360 Speaker 1: Let's talk league. The Kiwis have a new coach for 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:05,200 Speaker 1: this international season. This is the Pacific Championship we're talking about. 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:07,400 Speaker 1: The schedule is unveiled and the Kiwi coaches, of course 4 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: Stacy Jones, who is with us, very good morning to you. 5 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:10,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, good morning mine. 6 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: NIC's nice to see. First of all, we had a 7 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: conversation off here and I'm now confused. We will play 8 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: Tonga and we will play Australia. 9 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 2: Yep, that's correct. So first game against Australia and christ 10 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 2: Hitch on the twenty seventh of October. Then we play 11 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,639 Speaker 2: Tonga up in Auckland on the second of November, and 12 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 2: then the top two teams out of the three games 13 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 2: that are played will play a final in Australia. 14 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:37,239 Speaker 1: Okay, do you have any sense of form because the 15 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: international league side of the equation is slightly odd, isn't 16 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: it the way it comes together in the NRL and 17 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: the British all that stuff. Do you have any sense 18 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: of form as far as Tonga and Australia is concerned. 19 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 2: Oh, look, they'll be very strong, you know, in particular 20 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:53,239 Speaker 2: last year, you know, we beat Australia thirty nerl in 21 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 2: a final and I know their preparation is going to 22 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 2: be top notch, so we're don't have to be on 23 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 2: our guard there. And there's a lot of players that 24 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 2: they can they can pick now and Tongan players can 25 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,039 Speaker 2: make themselves eligible or available for for Queensland, for Sate 26 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 2: of original in Ew South Wales, and we don't have 27 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 2: that luxury. So look, you know, I know we've got 28 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:15,479 Speaker 2: a group of players that are going to be really good. 29 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: Are they all available the ones you want to? You 30 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: given the NRL and all the other bits and. 31 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: Pieces, look that there'll be a couple that, you know, 32 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,120 Speaker 2: could go either way. But look, I'm not going to 33 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 2: know my squad, you know, until after the NRL Grand 34 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 2: Final has played. It's dictated by that. You know. We 35 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 2: only just got the schedule, you know, a couple of 36 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 2: days ago around where it's at. So look, once it 37 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 2: comes around, it'll be exciting. 38 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: So what can you do with a group of players 39 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: as talented as they may be within a week? 40 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, good question, you know, and the luxury you know 41 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: for me, Look, I was under Michael maguire four or 42 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 2: five years, you know, played the game aim and in 43 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 2: the Kiwi Jersey, so I understand that. You know you're 44 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: not going to get a lot done as far as 45 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,399 Speaker 2: you know tactical or technical stuff. It's just make sure 46 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 2: the group comes together and they're connected. A big part 47 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 2: of me is make sure I get the right character. 48 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: Are going to ask do you do you pick on 49 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: form or do you pick on guys are going to 50 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: get on together? 51 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 2: Obviously you got to pick on on form, but you 52 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: know you got to pick players that that a good 53 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,119 Speaker 2: people first as well. 54 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: And so expectation on yourself give them you know we've 55 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: got this here we go. 56 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, big expectation especially last year. You know this group, 57 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 2: you know they expect to win every time. We've got 58 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: players in this this team like you know our captain 59 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 2: James Fisher Harris Well, he knows is how to win, 60 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: you know. So players in the Melbourne Storm system, you know, 61 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 2: all they know is how to win. So I've got 62 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 2: a strong group of leaders there. You know, I've got 63 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 2: to add my bit to it. I've got a really 64 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 2: good experience coaching group. In particular of Stephen Koney's come 65 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 2: on boards as all of an advisory role, not not 66 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:10,519 Speaker 2: so much as a coach, but more for me. And 67 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 2: he's probably being New Zealand's most successful kiwis coach? 68 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: You get on with them all or will you have 69 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: to sack them like Razor does? 70 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: No. Look, one of my things is making sure that, 71 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 2: like I said, they're good people, good characters and that 72 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:26,800 Speaker 2: and I get on well with all the stuff. And 73 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: the good thing for me is, like I said, I 74 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 2: was part of Michael McGuire's coaching staff for four or 75 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 2: five years and a lot of these guys were as well. 76 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 1: The tom In thing interests me. Does that the ability 77 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: for some players to say, no, I won't play for 78 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: New Zealand anymore, I'll go to Tom does that enhance 79 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: and improve the game? Do you think overall? Potentially? 80 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: Overall? I think it does, you know. But we're here 81 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 2: to win and I want to make sure that I've 82 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: got the best players available. We've got to create that environment, 83 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: and I feel that there's things in place, in particular 84 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 2: what we did last year for young kids to want 85 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: to put on the black and white jersey. So, but 86 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 2: what we are dealing with is another part of the 87 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 2: game and state of origin, which is a big garrot 88 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 2: for players. 89 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 1: Your rather hat? Are you going to be at the 90 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: stadium tonight? 91 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: There tonight. Yeah, for assistant coach, for the worries. It 92 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: has been a tough year for us. 93 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: It's been a shocking year. So yeah, come on, Yeah, 94 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: what do you say? You know how long I've been 95 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: supporting you? 96 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 2: Yeah? 97 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: No, forever exactly what And what I can't understand is 98 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: how you explain You've got all the talent you need, 99 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:33,719 Speaker 1: haven't you. I mean you've got the same site as 100 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: last night essentially, and so you've got the talent you need. 101 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: And so what happened last year versus what happened this year? 102 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: You've got a great coach, You've got a great assistant coach. 103 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: What happened? 104 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,559 Speaker 2: Yeah? How long have you got a lot of little 105 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 2: things don go away? You know, and we didn't make 106 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 2: it go away effectively? What happened? You know? And you 107 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: know we had four or five games there Golden Point, 108 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 2: you know, we could have won by kicks and that, 109 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 2: and you know, you add that together and it looks 110 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: totally differ. But I'm not going to sit here and 111 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 2: make up excuses for the season. You know, where we 112 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 2: know we have been disappointing. You know, our fans have 113 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 2: been outstanding. 114 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 1: Towards amazing though isn't it that you can sell out 115 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: the entire season and still not win. 116 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's amazing the support that we've had so and 117 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 2: tonight in particular, you know, we're going to be sending 118 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 2: off a legend of our game and Shawn what he's 119 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,799 Speaker 2: done for the club, what he's done for the game. 120 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:34,280 Speaker 2: You know, there's been lots of little kids running around 121 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: that are grand men now that have played the game 122 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 2: because they're. 123 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 1: Sure, exactly what where do you rank him? Not that 124 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: it matters, I mean you know, because you're one of 125 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 1: the greats as well. Where do you rank him? Where 126 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: does he sit? 127 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: Oh? Look, in my eyes, he's He's right up there 128 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 2: with Simon Mannering what he's done for the game, purely 129 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 2: because the position he plays. You know, I've admired Shorn. 130 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 2: You know what he's had to deal with and that, 131 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:04,360 Speaker 2: you know, the pressure that he's been under. You look 132 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 2: back at what he's done for the game and how 133 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 2: many people have become involved in the game because they're sure. 134 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 1: It would be pretty emotional. I mean you've been through 135 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 1: it obviously, final time at your home ground, saying goodbye 136 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: there is no more. 137 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, And Shawn's an emotional guy person too. So yeah, 138 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 2: let's hope that Sean gets a really good sign off 139 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,839 Speaker 2: and the boys can get a one from good stuff. 140 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 1: Well, nice to see you, good luck with the international job, 141 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: good luck tonight. We'll come together and talk about next 142 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: season some other time and get ourselves sorted out. Nice 143 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: to see awesome, Thanks Mike Stacy Jones. 144 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: For more from The Mike Asking Breakfast, listen live to 145 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 2: news talks. 146 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 1: It'd be from six am weekdays, or follow the podcast 147 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: on iHeartRadio.