1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 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 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:18,267 Speaker 2: Grassroots Rugby, Community rugby Provincial rugby. As negotiations continue on 4 00:00:18,307 --> 00:00:21,667 Speaker 2: a new broadcast deal between Sky and New Zealand, Rugby 5 00:00:21,907 --> 00:00:24,387 Speaker 2: reports this week that TV and Z will come on 6 00:00:24,467 --> 00:00:27,227 Speaker 2: board as a free to wear partner. They'll show some 7 00:00:27,267 --> 00:00:31,587 Speaker 2: live NPC games on their streaming platform TVNZ Plus from 8 00:00:31,667 --> 00:00:33,787 Speaker 2: next year onwards. Now, this would appear to be a 9 00:00:33,787 --> 00:00:36,827 Speaker 2: massive win for the provincial game. It's also, though, as 10 00:00:36,827 --> 00:00:40,387 Speaker 2: I said before, opened a wider discussion about the structure 11 00:00:40,627 --> 00:00:45,027 Speaker 2: of the NPC, when and where games should be played, 12 00:00:45,387 --> 00:00:49,547 Speaker 2: and what the core role of provincial unions should actually be. 13 00:00:50,147 --> 00:00:53,507 Speaker 2: So we've assembled a two man panel, and both men 14 00:00:53,587 --> 00:00:58,267 Speaker 2: with strong provincial links and vast experience in the grassroots game. 15 00:00:58,547 --> 00:01:02,307 Speaker 2: Shane Drummond out of the Tasman region, longtime supporter of 16 00:01:02,387 --> 00:01:04,627 Speaker 2: rugby in that part of the country, as well as 17 00:01:04,627 --> 00:01:07,147 Speaker 2: a Highlanders shareholder and board member. 18 00:01:07,227 --> 00:01:10,707 Speaker 3: How are you, Drummy, Good morning, Well, good afternoon, poney. 19 00:01:11,187 --> 00:01:13,427 Speaker 2: Good to have you with us. Mate and longtime commentator 20 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:17,187 Speaker 2: and grassroots supporter out of the Northland region, Steve Harris 21 00:01:17,227 --> 00:01:17,707 Speaker 2: is here too. 22 00:01:17,947 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 4: Get a Steve, Yeah, get a pony, and good afternoon 23 00:01:20,907 --> 00:01:23,307 Speaker 4: to your listeners. 24 00:01:23,947 --> 00:01:26,307 Speaker 2: Yeah, good to have you both with us, guys. Let's 25 00:01:26,307 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 2: start with the free to wear component that's being reported 26 00:01:29,427 --> 00:01:32,867 Speaker 2: in the latest broadcast deal in NPC by the sounds 27 00:01:32,867 --> 00:01:34,627 Speaker 2: of it will have some of its games shown on 28 00:01:34,707 --> 00:01:36,827 Speaker 2: free to wear from next year moments. How big a 29 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:40,107 Speaker 2: win drummy would this be for provincial unions and for 30 00:01:40,667 --> 00:01:43,347 Speaker 2: rugby fans. 31 00:01:43,507 --> 00:01:46,107 Speaker 3: I think huge, poney, and I think that's why we're 32 00:01:46,107 --> 00:01:50,307 Speaker 3: discussing it because obviously opens a grand opportunity for people 33 00:01:50,347 --> 00:01:55,987 Speaker 3: that don't have Sky and obviously Sky TV for rugby 34 00:01:56,027 --> 00:02:00,107 Speaker 3: full stop is huge because it's obviously a commercial transaction 35 00:02:00,227 --> 00:02:04,467 Speaker 3: that's protective and obviously at the same time important to 36 00:02:04,547 --> 00:02:07,067 Speaker 3: their viewership as well. So it's one of the delicate 37 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:12,307 Speaker 3: I'm sure negotiations. But yeah, as far as your original 38 00:02:12,387 --> 00:02:14,427 Speaker 3: question is what does it do for provincial rugby, it 39 00:02:14,467 --> 00:02:17,227 Speaker 3: does lots because there is a lot of people that 40 00:02:17,267 --> 00:02:19,387 Speaker 3: don't have it, and from them being able to sit 41 00:02:19,467 --> 00:02:23,707 Speaker 3: in there in their households and watch in a provincial 42 00:02:23,707 --> 00:02:29,307 Speaker 3: game of foddy without having to pay. No person would 43 00:02:29,307 --> 00:02:30,147 Speaker 3: deny that's a win. 44 00:02:31,427 --> 00:02:33,387 Speaker 2: I don't suppose you'd deny it to win, Steve, you'd 45 00:02:33,387 --> 00:02:34,947 Speaker 2: be pretty happy with US News as well. 46 00:02:35,747 --> 00:02:36,747 Speaker 4: Yeah, very much. 47 00:02:36,787 --> 00:02:36,827 Speaker 2: So. 48 00:02:36,947 --> 00:02:40,467 Speaker 4: The thing that tv AD does very well it actually 49 00:02:41,027 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 4: promotes its platforms on its various show and as we know, 50 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:47,707 Speaker 4: there's a lot of stuff that's that's digital out there, 51 00:02:47,707 --> 00:02:50,547 Speaker 4: so it's a wonderful opportunity for them as a broadcaster 52 00:02:50,667 --> 00:02:55,907 Speaker 4: to actually promote this competition and a period of time 53 00:02:55,987 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 4: so everybody knows, hey, this is when you're in PC 54 00:02:58,467 --> 00:03:03,107 Speaker 4: starts from the first of August through until say the 55 00:03:03,427 --> 00:03:05,787 Speaker 4: middle of October. You know, it's pretty much a sprint, 56 00:03:06,067 --> 00:03:10,067 Speaker 4: and I think they've actually got to promote this competition 57 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:11,347 Speaker 4: very well. 58 00:03:11,707 --> 00:03:14,147 Speaker 2: All right, well, let's assume then that this is going 59 00:03:14,227 --> 00:03:16,467 Speaker 2: to happen, and it will also open up a conversation 60 00:03:16,547 --> 00:03:20,747 Speaker 2: about when and where games should be played kickoff times. 61 00:03:21,027 --> 00:03:24,027 Speaker 2: Guys from me, are you a fan of afternoon rugby? 62 00:03:24,067 --> 00:03:27,707 Speaker 2: Should games be played in the NPC mainly during the day? 63 00:03:29,507 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, obviously when you're asking my personal opinion on that, 64 00:03:32,347 --> 00:03:37,067 Speaker 3: Piney and I believe afternoon mid afternoon games would be 65 00:03:37,067 --> 00:03:38,987 Speaker 3: a big win as well, and that's probably more for 66 00:03:39,067 --> 00:03:42,067 Speaker 3: the kids of the world, to be fair, because obviously 67 00:03:42,107 --> 00:03:46,147 Speaker 3: sometimes the seven o'clock at night type games, it probably 68 00:03:46,187 --> 00:03:50,107 Speaker 3: disrupts the opportunity for taking kids and families to a game. 69 00:03:50,147 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 3: And I think that opportunity for your provincial team to 70 00:03:53,907 --> 00:03:56,627 Speaker 3: bring as many people there, and you know, you know 71 00:03:56,747 --> 00:04:00,227 Speaker 3: my opinion on grassroots rugby, which is enormous, just brings 72 00:04:00,267 --> 00:04:05,707 Speaker 3: all those opportunities for people to enjoy that caliber of 73 00:04:05,747 --> 00:04:06,347 Speaker 3: footy on their. 74 00:04:07,187 --> 00:04:10,067 Speaker 2: Yeah, how important, Steve is it to have the ability 75 00:04:10,307 --> 00:04:14,027 Speaker 2: for as many kids as possible to go along to 76 00:04:14,107 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 2: watch live rugby. I mean, we've talked about the freeomware 77 00:04:16,187 --> 00:04:19,187 Speaker 2: component which opens doors up, but what about the ability 78 00:04:19,347 --> 00:04:23,027 Speaker 2: to make kickoff times friendly enough so as many kids 79 00:04:23,507 --> 00:04:25,987 Speaker 2: can watch provincial rugby as possible. 80 00:04:26,787 --> 00:04:29,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, listen, one hundred percent. I think some of the 81 00:04:29,507 --> 00:04:31,427 Speaker 4: unions themselves, they've got a lot of work to do 82 00:04:32,147 --> 00:04:34,667 Speaker 4: in that space. You've got to get your players out 83 00:04:34,707 --> 00:04:38,067 Speaker 4: into the communities, schools. I know in our new area 84 00:04:38,587 --> 00:04:42,347 Speaker 4: of Northland. I know James Fisher Harris is a very 85 00:04:42,387 --> 00:04:45,627 Speaker 4: proud Northland boy from the Warriors, and the Warriors actually 86 00:04:45,627 --> 00:04:49,347 Speaker 4: do a lot of work in that particular space. Heading 87 00:04:49,787 --> 00:04:51,987 Speaker 4: up to Northland where I'm not going to be too critical, 88 00:04:52,067 --> 00:04:54,907 Speaker 4: someone like the Blues, but we hardly have the Blues 89 00:04:54,987 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 4: up in the northern area. But I do know Northland 90 00:04:57,787 --> 00:05:00,507 Speaker 4: as a provincial union, they get a lot of their 91 00:05:00,507 --> 00:05:04,707 Speaker 4: players out to the various schools communities. Hey, even if 92 00:05:04,707 --> 00:05:08,347 Speaker 4: it's at a cafe helping up with with bakery, bakery 93 00:05:08,947 --> 00:05:11,947 Speaker 4: or baking or things of that silk, you know, so 94 00:05:12,027 --> 00:05:15,067 Speaker 4: people know who these players are because at the end 95 00:05:15,107 --> 00:05:16,787 Speaker 4: of the day, you've got to be seen out there, 96 00:05:17,107 --> 00:05:17,507 Speaker 4: all right. 97 00:05:17,667 --> 00:05:20,907 Speaker 2: I want to talk about match venues as well, because 98 00:05:21,187 --> 00:05:24,387 Speaker 2: you know, there's a suggestion that that Sky and New 99 00:05:24,467 --> 00:05:28,387 Speaker 2: Zealand rugby are quite keen to have matches MPC matches, 100 00:05:28,427 --> 00:05:32,387 Speaker 2: Fara Palmer Cup matches played at smaller, more intimate venues. Now, 101 00:05:32,387 --> 00:05:34,667 Speaker 2: you blokes have both got got pretty good venues for 102 00:05:34,787 --> 00:05:38,907 Speaker 2: MPC sides. Tasman playing both Nelson and Blenham drummy Trafalga Park, 103 00:05:38,987 --> 00:05:43,107 Speaker 2: Lansdowne Park good venues. But is this a good idea 104 00:05:43,227 --> 00:05:46,947 Speaker 2: for the likes of Auckland, Wellington, Otago to move away 105 00:05:46,987 --> 00:05:50,827 Speaker 2: from these big, cavernous super rugby stadiums. 106 00:05:51,427 --> 00:05:54,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, well play like you say. Tasman have got the 107 00:05:54,067 --> 00:05:58,867 Speaker 3: coverage with Blena and Nelson with their two parks it's fine, 108 00:05:59,187 --> 00:06:02,347 Speaker 3: but you know we've had build up games for Super 109 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:04,987 Speaker 3: Rugby with the Crusaders here and Nelson over at Rugby 110 00:06:05,027 --> 00:06:08,987 Speaker 3: Park Nottowaka. Then I don't know if you've experienced the 111 00:06:09,107 --> 00:06:12,027 Speaker 3: sort of the turnouts for those, but we've regularly had 112 00:06:12,067 --> 00:06:15,787 Speaker 3: between five and ten thousand people at those games and 113 00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:19,867 Speaker 3: a good man over there stage used to get behind 114 00:06:20,027 --> 00:06:22,907 Speaker 3: and setting up a sort of a country ground. But 115 00:06:23,307 --> 00:06:25,227 Speaker 3: the other thing, like you're touching on with the Auckland, 116 00:06:25,267 --> 00:06:29,787 Speaker 3: Wellington and the Canterbury type scenarios, the cost factor to 117 00:06:29,867 --> 00:06:33,547 Speaker 3: run stadiums and to employ stadiums is again what everyone 118 00:06:33,587 --> 00:06:36,507 Speaker 3: would know is on the high end. So being able 119 00:06:36,547 --> 00:06:42,267 Speaker 3: to use grassroots rugby type venues to get that real 120 00:06:42,307 --> 00:06:45,107 Speaker 3: build up and buy and from your community I think 121 00:06:45,187 --> 00:06:47,587 Speaker 3: would be again another big one. 122 00:06:48,187 --> 00:06:51,507 Speaker 2: Steve Northland play at Seminof Stadium and funger I how 123 00:06:51,507 --> 00:06:53,627 Speaker 2: does that work as a provincial venue? 124 00:06:54,507 --> 00:06:57,827 Speaker 4: Oh, listen, fantastic. A lot of work done in at 125 00:06:57,867 --> 00:06:59,947 Speaker 4: the community. I think I can even remember talking to 126 00:07:00,067 --> 00:07:03,027 Speaker 4: a couple of seasons back when the Tunny five played 127 00:07:03,107 --> 00:07:05,747 Speaker 4: one or two up and up in Kaikhi and that 128 00:07:05,907 --> 00:07:11,067 Speaker 4: was well patronize as well. But listen you're very close. 129 00:07:11,107 --> 00:07:14,067 Speaker 4: It's one of those grounds that you're very very close 130 00:07:13,787 --> 00:07:17,187 Speaker 4: close to the action up in North and we don't 131 00:07:17,227 --> 00:07:19,907 Speaker 4: get a lot of big time rugby up that way. 132 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:22,267 Speaker 4: We know we've got Scotland playing New Zealand Maori. The 133 00:07:22,307 --> 00:07:25,507 Speaker 4: Blues on the odd occasion have come up north, but 134 00:07:25,747 --> 00:07:30,427 Speaker 4: more likely preseason games. So you know, it's really important 135 00:07:30,427 --> 00:07:33,867 Speaker 4: just the fact that Northan doesn't get big time rugby. 136 00:07:33,987 --> 00:07:36,067 Speaker 4: People love their rugby in the North and they will 137 00:07:36,147 --> 00:07:39,507 Speaker 4: rock along to what I there's quality rugby to be played, 138 00:07:39,547 --> 00:07:41,747 Speaker 4: even more so if the local side are going well. 139 00:07:42,587 --> 00:07:45,467 Speaker 2: Just want to talk about the role of the provincial 140 00:07:45,547 --> 00:07:50,267 Speaker 2: union skies. There seems to be, you know, some differences 141 00:07:50,267 --> 00:07:53,307 Speaker 2: of opinion up and down the country. Some unions see 142 00:07:53,347 --> 00:07:56,987 Speaker 2: their primary goal as producing a winning NPC team and 143 00:07:57,067 --> 00:08:00,707 Speaker 2: developing players who can graduate into Super rugby. Others believe 144 00:08:00,747 --> 00:08:03,347 Speaker 2: their purposes to run club competitions develop a love for 145 00:08:03,387 --> 00:08:06,827 Speaker 2: the game among junior players. Drummy, What is the best 146 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:10,827 Speaker 2: balance to strike for a provincial union between overseeing the 147 00:08:10,867 --> 00:08:14,747 Speaker 2: community game and producing a competitive provincial side. 148 00:08:15,707 --> 00:08:18,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, all those things you've just said are fair 149 00:08:18,267 --> 00:08:23,147 Speaker 3: to say, are pretty well right, Piney, But it's such 150 00:08:23,147 --> 00:08:26,787 Speaker 3: a difficult one with you know where we are positioned 151 00:08:26,787 --> 00:08:30,587 Speaker 3: as a provincial union and as I say, obviously running 152 00:08:30,987 --> 00:08:34,707 Speaker 3: classroots rugby and bringing everyone together to be able to 153 00:08:34,787 --> 00:08:37,067 Speaker 3: play on sad day, whether it be an under seventeen 154 00:08:37,187 --> 00:08:40,507 Speaker 3: or senior team, that's crucial to rugby. But then obviously 155 00:08:40,547 --> 00:08:41,867 Speaker 3: a lot of people and if you look at the 156 00:08:41,947 --> 00:08:45,347 Speaker 3: Tesman area, you know we've been a success story with 157 00:08:45,427 --> 00:08:49,907 Speaker 3: amalgamation which in past some haven't, but being able to 158 00:08:49,907 --> 00:08:53,267 Speaker 3: bring Marlborough and Nelson Bays together to if you see 159 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:56,107 Speaker 3: the smile on the kids' faces round Piney in both 160 00:08:56,147 --> 00:08:58,507 Speaker 3: areas that you know all those kids want to be 161 00:08:58,547 --> 00:09:03,467 Speaker 3: a marker and to have that sort of feeling amongst 162 00:09:03,507 --> 00:09:07,467 Speaker 3: the kids that play club rugby or school rugby and 163 00:09:07,507 --> 00:09:10,107 Speaker 3: then you know their aspirations to be a Marco from 164 00:09:10,147 --> 00:09:14,667 Speaker 3: both areas. That's obviously been a bit of a success 165 00:09:14,707 --> 00:09:18,507 Speaker 3: story for us. So I think obviously running our club 166 00:09:18,507 --> 00:09:21,547 Speaker 3: foot in some of our competitions that even at senior 167 00:09:21,627 --> 00:09:26,467 Speaker 3: rugby involved both Nelson and Marlborough, so we have a 168 00:09:26,507 --> 00:09:29,747 Speaker 3: competition that's jointed, but as well as having a competition 169 00:09:29,827 --> 00:09:32,627 Speaker 3: that's just the solely Nelson Bays and Marlborough, so we're 170 00:09:32,627 --> 00:09:34,587 Speaker 3: probably a little bit different in that space. And then 171 00:09:34,587 --> 00:09:36,787 Speaker 3: of course they all want to be Marco and then 172 00:09:36,867 --> 00:09:39,627 Speaker 3: after that, of course that gives them and shown in 173 00:09:39,667 --> 00:09:44,467 Speaker 3: the past years that the Marco is not just a 174 00:09:44,547 --> 00:09:47,907 Speaker 3: developing place where now obviously there's lots of All Blacks 175 00:09:47,947 --> 00:09:50,667 Speaker 3: that have come out of the Tasman area in the 176 00:09:50,707 --> 00:09:54,067 Speaker 3: last ten years, and I mean a lot, whereas in 177 00:09:54,147 --> 00:09:58,347 Speaker 3: previous years we had very few. So I think we're 178 00:09:58,347 --> 00:10:01,787 Speaker 3: doing it well engaging with club. But then obviously those 179 00:10:01,867 --> 00:10:04,267 Speaker 3: kids as spiring to me Marco and then going on 180 00:10:04,307 --> 00:10:05,627 Speaker 3: to be Super Slash All Blacks. 181 00:10:06,387 --> 00:10:09,387 Speaker 2: What about for you, Steve in the in the Northland region, 182 00:10:09,627 --> 00:10:12,947 Speaker 2: where do you believe the priority should be for the 183 00:10:13,107 --> 00:10:16,507 Speaker 2: for the Northland Union in terms of the grassroots staff 184 00:10:16,547 --> 00:10:20,507 Speaker 2: but also you know a competitive NPC side. 185 00:10:21,067 --> 00:10:23,667 Speaker 4: As we know Pine north Lands are very vast area. 186 00:10:23,747 --> 00:10:27,147 Speaker 4: You know some areas children, kids that are involved in 187 00:10:27,347 --> 00:10:29,387 Speaker 4: HP or high performance which is based on fang A. 188 00:10:29,827 --> 00:10:33,467 Speaker 4: You're traveling from Kaitaia, it's it's a four hour round 189 00:10:33,547 --> 00:10:36,707 Speaker 4: trip before the before the rubber hits even hits the road. 190 00:10:36,747 --> 00:10:39,787 Speaker 4: So talent identification is a huge thing. We've got something 191 00:10:39,867 --> 00:10:42,947 Speaker 4: like I do a bit of talent identification for north 192 00:10:42,987 --> 00:10:44,787 Speaker 4: and down here in Auckland, and we've got something like 193 00:10:44,827 --> 00:10:49,307 Speaker 4: about fifty one kids playing in the Auckland region and 194 00:10:50,027 --> 00:10:53,027 Speaker 4: various second secondary schools down here, so I keep an 195 00:10:53,027 --> 00:10:55,747 Speaker 4: eye on those kids that are playing down here as well. 196 00:10:55,747 --> 00:10:59,027 Speaker 4: I went to watch Brong Row Boys play Messy yesterday 197 00:10:59,067 --> 00:11:02,307 Speaker 4: and there's some good kids running around in that competition. 198 00:11:02,347 --> 00:11:07,467 Speaker 4: So that talent talent identification space is a real key component, 199 00:11:07,507 --> 00:11:11,267 Speaker 4: and it's about sometimes just keeping in touch talking to 200 00:11:11,347 --> 00:11:17,347 Speaker 4: these players, players' parents, finding out where they where they 201 00:11:17,387 --> 00:11:21,107 Speaker 4: want to go with their with their various situation academically wise, 202 00:11:21,627 --> 00:11:24,667 Speaker 4: but also you want them, you know, as previously said 203 00:11:24,667 --> 00:11:27,307 Speaker 4: before by Shane, you want these people. These kids to 204 00:11:27,347 --> 00:11:29,947 Speaker 4: be tunny want to play for the for the Tunny Far, 205 00:11:30,107 --> 00:11:32,707 Speaker 4: so you've actually got to track them. The other important 206 00:11:32,707 --> 00:11:38,307 Speaker 4: thing is is your club rugby component, keeping players informed 207 00:11:38,427 --> 00:11:41,627 Speaker 4: where they sit in the pecking order and make making 208 00:11:41,707 --> 00:11:45,667 Speaker 4: sure that they've got a clear pathway to become tunny 209 00:11:45,707 --> 00:11:48,347 Speaker 4: FA players and once they make Tunny Far or there's 210 00:11:48,387 --> 00:11:54,747 Speaker 4: that opportunity to become professional players, make the Blues, et cetera. 211 00:11:55,227 --> 00:11:57,147 Speaker 4: So there's a lot of work to be done in 212 00:11:57,187 --> 00:11:57,627 Speaker 4: that space. 213 00:11:58,107 --> 00:11:59,987 Speaker 2: Yep, saying with you on that, Steve, what about a 214 00:11:59,987 --> 00:12:01,947 Speaker 2: guy you know or a girl? What about somebody who 215 00:12:01,987 --> 00:12:03,867 Speaker 2: just wants to play some club rugby, doesn't have any 216 00:12:03,907 --> 00:12:07,347 Speaker 2: aspirations to be a professional, doesn't probably any aspirations to 217 00:12:07,387 --> 00:12:10,307 Speaker 2: be in the tunny far side. What about someone who 218 00:12:10,427 --> 00:12:11,747 Speaker 2: just wants to play club rugby. 219 00:12:12,427 --> 00:12:15,147 Speaker 4: Oh, we've still got a lot around there. We've actually 220 00:12:15,707 --> 00:12:17,947 Speaker 4: recently last year I think it was a gun Welsh 221 00:12:17,947 --> 00:12:21,067 Speaker 4: but who played three hundred the three hundred club games 222 00:12:22,387 --> 00:12:25,387 Speaker 4: for Wellsword last year over a span of about fifteen 223 00:12:25,507 --> 00:12:29,587 Speaker 4: years or so. Yeah, listen, there just as important as 224 00:12:29,627 --> 00:12:32,667 Speaker 4: the as the youngsters that you're looking at, because you 225 00:12:32,827 --> 00:12:36,307 Speaker 4: want those particular players wants to be the finished of 226 00:12:36,587 --> 00:12:39,627 Speaker 4: their career to actually contribute to the club as well. 227 00:12:39,667 --> 00:12:43,107 Speaker 4: Because once again that's a that's another conversation its own 228 00:12:44,187 --> 00:12:46,947 Speaker 4: in and around volunteers and the club. I know that 229 00:12:46,987 --> 00:12:48,387 Speaker 4: I've had to go back to my own club here 230 00:12:49,307 --> 00:12:51,147 Speaker 4: in Auckland, even though I'm an Auseland boy, I'm based 231 00:12:51,347 --> 00:12:54,147 Speaker 4: based in Auckland. I've gone back to my local club 232 00:12:54,547 --> 00:12:56,667 Speaker 4: just to help out, just simply because the lack of 233 00:12:56,707 --> 00:13:00,947 Speaker 4: volunteers so that's a real important component as well. And 234 00:13:01,027 --> 00:13:04,707 Speaker 4: if I think clubs have got to also change their outlook. 235 00:13:04,747 --> 00:13:07,027 Speaker 4: It's got to be like a commun any hub. I 236 00:13:07,027 --> 00:13:09,987 Speaker 4: think gone are the days where that's the place that 237 00:13:09,987 --> 00:13:12,427 Speaker 4: you're basically going to have a drink at the end 238 00:13:12,467 --> 00:13:14,307 Speaker 4: of the game. It's got to be a little bit 239 00:13:14,387 --> 00:13:18,627 Speaker 4: more more and more involved, where you have families involved. 240 00:13:18,667 --> 00:13:20,667 Speaker 4: It's the place place to hang out. Your kids are 241 00:13:20,667 --> 00:13:24,147 Speaker 4: playing there, your parents are down there supporting the kids 242 00:13:24,507 --> 00:13:25,467 Speaker 4: and the club as well. 243 00:13:26,387 --> 00:13:29,507 Speaker 2: Just want to finish with with what the MPC might 244 00:13:29,587 --> 00:13:32,187 Speaker 2: look like, you know, in the in the short to 245 00:13:32,267 --> 00:13:34,187 Speaker 2: medium term. I'll start with you on this one, drumming 246 00:13:34,267 --> 00:13:38,067 Speaker 2: what what is the ideal structure of the NPC and 247 00:13:38,107 --> 00:13:41,787 Speaker 2: what should it look like to be most effective within 248 00:13:41,867 --> 00:13:44,587 Speaker 2: the New Zealand rugby landscape. 249 00:13:45,627 --> 00:13:48,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, if you look over the last few years, 250 00:13:48,547 --> 00:13:51,707 Speaker 3: finally there's been the idea of splitting and top tier, 251 00:13:51,747 --> 00:13:56,147 Speaker 3: bottom tier and all those things. But as recent as yesterday, 252 00:13:56,187 --> 00:13:58,787 Speaker 3: and this is a hard case that we're talking about 253 00:13:58,787 --> 00:14:02,227 Speaker 3: the northern Tasman area. I was talking to a couple 254 00:14:02,307 --> 00:14:06,547 Speaker 3: of key rugby guys yesterday telling me how strong at 255 00:14:06,867 --> 00:14:09,547 Speaker 3: North and look to be this year and their NPC side. 256 00:14:10,027 --> 00:14:13,787 Speaker 3: What I'm probably alluding to here and something when Tasman started, 257 00:14:13,907 --> 00:14:17,347 Speaker 3: of course we struggled. When I say struggled, weren't as 258 00:14:17,347 --> 00:14:21,267 Speaker 3: competitive as we are now, but that's growth and opportunities 259 00:14:21,267 --> 00:14:24,187 Speaker 3: for different players at different places to be recruited and 260 00:14:24,227 --> 00:14:27,507 Speaker 3: be getting game time and then showing they're where. So 261 00:14:27,867 --> 00:14:30,147 Speaker 3: I think a little bit like the Super Rugby this year, 262 00:14:30,187 --> 00:14:32,747 Speaker 3: which every team and if you look at you know 263 00:14:33,467 --> 00:14:37,187 Speaker 3: the Highlander is having the record of losing the most 264 00:14:37,227 --> 00:14:39,667 Speaker 3: games within Zealand, so that tells you the bottom team 265 00:14:39,707 --> 00:14:42,667 Speaker 3: are still extremely competitive and that's good. When you go 266 00:14:42,707 --> 00:14:45,827 Speaker 3: into a game not knowing the winner, and I see 267 00:14:45,827 --> 00:14:48,187 Speaker 3: the tob odds for this weekend Super Final was a 268 00:14:48,187 --> 00:14:50,347 Speaker 3: dollar ninety each, Well, that tells you they can't pick 269 00:14:50,347 --> 00:14:54,427 Speaker 3: the winner before they start that game. So I just 270 00:14:54,467 --> 00:14:58,067 Speaker 3: think that the competitiveness of most of these NPC teams 271 00:14:58,107 --> 00:15:01,307 Speaker 3: this year I see, has been extremely strong. So I 272 00:15:01,347 --> 00:15:04,107 Speaker 3: don't think that you could sit there and say that 273 00:15:04,147 --> 00:15:05,987 Speaker 3: you could pick the winning team out of NPC and 274 00:15:05,987 --> 00:15:08,587 Speaker 3: who would be the bottom. That's the competition that you 275 00:15:08,667 --> 00:15:12,067 Speaker 3: do want. Whereas obviously that they've been looking in the 276 00:15:12,107 --> 00:15:16,907 Speaker 3: past of tearing having the top top eight type scenario, 277 00:15:17,227 --> 00:15:21,267 Speaker 3: which I'm not strong believer of because you know, when 278 00:15:21,267 --> 00:15:24,587 Speaker 3: it comes to Tasman or the likes to have Auckland, 279 00:15:24,587 --> 00:15:27,707 Speaker 3: Wellington and Canterbury coming to our town is great again 280 00:15:27,787 --> 00:15:30,667 Speaker 3: for our kids and for rugby. So I don't think 281 00:15:30,707 --> 00:15:33,947 Speaker 3: it's that broken currently as the depth of most teams 282 00:15:34,027 --> 00:15:36,507 Speaker 3: has got a lot better because some of these top 283 00:15:36,547 --> 00:15:39,187 Speaker 3: players are now moving around if they don't get the 284 00:15:39,187 --> 00:15:41,587 Speaker 3: game time that they would like, which strengthens some of 285 00:15:41,587 --> 00:15:46,547 Speaker 3: the teams like Tasman and Norton too. You're talking to now, what's. 286 00:15:46,347 --> 00:15:50,067 Speaker 2: Your assessment, Steve. Do you believe that the NPC for 287 00:15:50,107 --> 00:15:52,747 Speaker 2: the most part is is for purpose or does it 288 00:15:52,867 --> 00:15:53,467 Speaker 2: need tweaking. 289 00:15:54,267 --> 00:15:56,067 Speaker 4: Oh? I think it's very fit for purpose because if 290 00:15:56,067 --> 00:15:58,307 Speaker 4: you look at the number of players that have it's 291 00:15:58,347 --> 00:16:01,947 Speaker 4: a pathway. It's a pathway to super rugby. It's a 292 00:16:01,947 --> 00:16:04,827 Speaker 4: pathway too. It's always they just to use the examples 293 00:16:05,107 --> 00:16:08,507 Speaker 4: Kidle quality Metis who played for White White Cutle pretty 294 00:16:08,587 --> 00:16:11,627 Speaker 4: much last year and we're all going wow, and before 295 00:16:11,627 --> 00:16:13,347 Speaker 4: you know it is in the in the in the 296 00:16:13,387 --> 00:16:16,867 Speaker 4: New Zealand sevens. It's still you still get a lot 297 00:16:16,907 --> 00:16:22,427 Speaker 4: of unpolished gems that come from club rugby into n PC. 298 00:16:22,587 --> 00:16:26,147 Speaker 4: But I agree with showing before about that competitiveness. That 299 00:16:26,387 --> 00:16:30,787 Speaker 4: is a real key component as well. I know there's 300 00:16:30,827 --> 00:16:34,947 Speaker 4: probably some other bigger unions that sit on resources. I 301 00:16:34,987 --> 00:16:37,347 Speaker 4: know probably the Auckland Cops a bit of criticism, but 302 00:16:37,587 --> 00:16:41,227 Speaker 4: the reality is they do farm a lot of players 303 00:16:41,227 --> 00:16:45,107 Speaker 4: out to to other regions. And I've got to say 304 00:16:45,147 --> 00:16:48,387 Speaker 4: that the Shane if he, if he's listening, I know 305 00:16:48,547 --> 00:16:50,947 Speaker 4: our teasmen are playing up at Norfold this year, so 306 00:16:50,947 --> 00:16:53,867 Speaker 4: we might have to have a chocolate fish on that 307 00:16:55,227 --> 00:16:58,427 Speaker 4: on that on that particular game as well. Listen, as 308 00:16:58,427 --> 00:17:01,427 Speaker 4: long as we've got a competitive competition that we can 309 00:17:01,467 --> 00:17:04,827 Speaker 4: get by and from the supporters, because that's what gets 310 00:17:04,827 --> 00:17:07,747 Speaker 4: people like people will always take notice. I could think 311 00:17:07,787 --> 00:17:10,987 Speaker 4: back to last year when I think Southland beat North 312 00:17:11,027 --> 00:17:15,147 Speaker 4: Harbor and I was just sitting there marveling affect, even 313 00:17:15,147 --> 00:17:16,427 Speaker 4: though I've got a lot of friends in the North 314 00:17:16,427 --> 00:17:19,467 Speaker 4: Harbor Rugby Union. And that's what you know, that's what 315 00:17:19,547 --> 00:17:23,107 Speaker 4: our provincial rugby is all about. Sometimes when you sort 316 00:17:23,107 --> 00:17:25,067 Speaker 4: of thin think outside the square or one of the 317 00:17:25,107 --> 00:17:28,307 Speaker 4: big dogs gets gets knocked over. I think Pasiman's one 318 00:17:28,347 --> 00:17:32,227 Speaker 4: of the big dogs at the moment now, but you 319 00:17:32,267 --> 00:17:35,667 Speaker 4: know that that's what we want and we want that 320 00:17:35,787 --> 00:17:38,627 Speaker 4: competitive spirit, we want that edge. You can see it 321 00:17:38,667 --> 00:17:42,507 Speaker 4: coming through social network at the moment with the Super 322 00:17:42,587 --> 00:17:44,867 Speaker 4: Rugby competition. Boy, you've got a pick up with some 323 00:17:44,947 --> 00:17:47,267 Speaker 4: of the lot of the comments we're seeing on the 324 00:17:47,347 --> 00:17:50,787 Speaker 4: social social network. But that's what we need. That's what 325 00:17:50,907 --> 00:17:54,467 Speaker 4: our game needs, it needs that. That's you know, a 326 00:17:54,467 --> 00:17:57,347 Speaker 4: little bit of competitiveness from the not just rotten of 327 00:17:57,427 --> 00:18:00,387 Speaker 4: the players, I think the supporters as well as support bases. 328 00:18:00,827 --> 00:18:02,547 Speaker 2: Good on you guys. Hey, well we'll put a ring 329 00:18:02,547 --> 00:18:06,987 Speaker 2: around that game. Northland v. Tasman Saturday, August sixteenth. The 330 00:18:07,067 --> 00:18:09,507 Speaker 2: chocolate fish has been has been put on the line. 331 00:18:09,587 --> 00:18:11,547 Speaker 2: Steve Harris, Shan Drummon, thank you so much for your 332 00:18:11,747 --> 00:18:15,667 Speaker 2: time this afternoon chatting Provincial Rugby. Some thought provoking stuff 333 00:18:15,707 --> 00:18:17,627 Speaker 2: from the both of you. All the best for for 334 00:18:17,707 --> 00:18:22,187 Speaker 2: your your patches, for your respective NPC seasons ahead twelve 335 00:18:22,307 --> 00:18:25,227 Speaker 2: twenty nine, your ideas now, anything you want to pick 336 00:18:25,307 --> 00:18:28,067 Speaker 2: up on there from the discussion with Steve and with 337 00:18:28,147 --> 00:18:32,467 Speaker 2: Shane and what is in general terms the best way 338 00:18:32,507 --> 00:18:36,067 Speaker 2: forward for the NPC O eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. 339 00:18:36,147 --> 00:18:40,867 Speaker 2: Venue choice is an obvious one for me. No more 340 00:18:40,907 --> 00:18:46,147 Speaker 2: games in cavernous stadiums like Eden Park, like sky Stadium, 341 00:18:46,627 --> 00:18:51,467 Speaker 2: FMG Hamilton, Forsyth Bar Dunedin, the supergrounds. Basically, when you're 342 00:18:51,507 --> 00:18:53,747 Speaker 2: only getting one or two thousand people along to venues 343 00:18:53,747 --> 00:18:56,987 Speaker 2: of that size, it is a terrible look and more importantly, 344 00:18:57,027 --> 00:19:00,827 Speaker 2: it's a huge cost to the unions to hire venues 345 00:19:00,827 --> 00:19:05,027 Speaker 2: of that size, so smaller, more intimate venues are re 346 00:19:05,147 --> 00:19:08,867 Speaker 2: must and Wellington have already made the very wise decision 347 00:19:09,387 --> 00:19:12,387 Speaker 2: that they won't play any rugby at sky Stadium this 348 00:19:12,507 --> 00:19:15,867 Speaker 2: NPC season. They're taking their games out to Pottydoor Park, 349 00:19:16,627 --> 00:19:20,387 Speaker 2: where it is far more fit for purpose for an 350 00:19:20,467 --> 00:19:25,027 Speaker 2: NPC game. Game times now the broadcaster in this case 351 00:19:25,027 --> 00:19:29,107 Speaker 2: Sky dictate kickoff times as they should, and the majority 352 00:19:29,147 --> 00:19:31,347 Speaker 2: of Super rugby games will always be played at night. 353 00:19:31,707 --> 00:19:36,027 Speaker 2: But if we're having a revamp in the broadcast of NPC, 354 00:19:36,187 --> 00:19:38,907 Speaker 2: then we should also play games at times which are 355 00:19:38,907 --> 00:19:42,467 Speaker 2: most convenient for fans to turn up. That means as 356 00:19:42,507 --> 00:19:46,867 Speaker 2: much afternoon rugby as possible, and venue choice might well 357 00:19:46,867 --> 00:19:49,667 Speaker 2: dictate that. Because a lot of the smaller grounds don't 358 00:19:49,667 --> 00:19:52,147 Speaker 2: have lights which are adequate for broadcasting games at night, 359 00:19:52,267 --> 00:19:54,107 Speaker 2: but if you want people to turn up, play games 360 00:19:54,107 --> 00:19:56,707 Speaker 2: at times which are friendly to them. The Auckland FC 361 00:19:57,227 --> 00:19:59,987 Speaker 2: example this year, was a blueprint right home games at 362 00:19:59,987 --> 00:20:02,947 Speaker 2: five o'clock. It allowed a wide range of fans to 363 00:20:02,987 --> 00:20:06,227 Speaker 2: come along. For NPC rugby, let's have as many after 364 00:20:06,587 --> 00:20:09,347 Speaker 2: kickoffs as we can. And if we just zoom out 365 00:20:09,547 --> 00:20:13,947 Speaker 2: from the MPC, what should the role of provincial unions 366 00:20:14,067 --> 00:20:18,467 Speaker 2: actually be. High performance is important, yes, there has to 367 00:20:18,507 --> 00:20:21,427 Speaker 2: be a pathway to aspire to and as Shane and 368 00:20:21,467 --> 00:20:24,667 Speaker 2: Steve said, into the muck or into the tunnyfah and 369 00:20:24,707 --> 00:20:27,867 Speaker 2: then on towards super rugby. But the base of the 370 00:20:27,907 --> 00:20:33,187 Speaker 2: pyramid is surely the more important priority. We talk about 371 00:20:33,227 --> 00:20:35,187 Speaker 2: the great New Zealand rugby production line, and yes that 372 00:20:35,307 --> 00:20:38,547 Speaker 2: is certainly still a thing, but at a time when 373 00:20:38,587 --> 00:20:41,307 Speaker 2: player numbers are dwindling in the men's game in particular, 374 00:20:42,027 --> 00:20:46,027 Speaker 2: there has to be a focus on attracting and retaining 375 00:20:46,747 --> 00:20:49,507 Speaker 2: young boys and girls into the game of rugby in 376 00:20:49,547 --> 00:20:52,947 Speaker 2: the first place, and that begins at junior level and 377 00:20:52,987 --> 00:20:55,667 Speaker 2: then retaining those players after they finish high school. So 378 00:20:55,787 --> 00:20:58,107 Speaker 2: the base of the pyramid has to be a focus, 379 00:20:58,227 --> 00:21:01,867 Speaker 2: has to be for provincial unions as well, it can't 380 00:21:01,907 --> 00:21:03,747 Speaker 2: just be about high performance. 381 00:21:04,787 --> 00:21:07,987 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 382 00:21:08,067 --> 00:21:11,387 Speaker 1: to news talks at B weekends from midday, or follow 383 00:21:11,427 --> 00:21:13,027 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio