1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:16,507 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. It's more than just a game. Weekend 3 00:00:16,587 --> 00:00:20,947 Speaker 1: Sport with Jason Vine and GJ. Garnomes, New Zealand's most 4 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:22,907 Speaker 1: trusted home builder News Talks. 5 00:00:22,667 --> 00:00:25,587 Speaker 2: EDB coming up to forty five. You often hear about 6 00:00:25,587 --> 00:00:28,787 Speaker 2: elite athletes wanting to give back to their sport. It's 7 00:00:28,867 --> 00:00:32,187 Speaker 2: very easy to talk the talk not always matched by 8 00:00:32,867 --> 00:00:35,787 Speaker 2: walking the walk, but one man is doing it. 9 00:00:36,107 --> 00:00:45,347 Speaker 3: It's been away for collinstickends Smith Smith Smith starts for 10 00:00:45,547 --> 00:00:46,107 Speaker 3: your wax. 11 00:00:46,787 --> 00:00:49,587 Speaker 2: The ninety four Test Double World Cup winning All Black 12 00:00:49,667 --> 00:00:53,987 Speaker 2: Conrad Smith has taken up refereeing. He's controlled a combination 13 00:00:54,067 --> 00:00:58,387 Speaker 2: of schoolboy and women's rugby in Taranucky's competitions this season 14 00:00:58,387 --> 00:01:00,467 Speaker 2: and Conrad Smith is with us. Great to have you 15 00:01:00,547 --> 00:01:03,267 Speaker 2: join us, Conrad, and congrats for picking up a whistle. 16 00:01:03,747 --> 00:01:04,827 Speaker 2: How did this all come about? 17 00:01:07,187 --> 00:01:09,507 Speaker 3: Thanks Jason. Yeah, to be honest, it was it was 18 00:01:09,547 --> 00:01:14,987 Speaker 3: a bit of curiosity. I was. I'm still working, you know, 19 00:01:15,067 --> 00:01:19,427 Speaker 3: with the game with the international rugby players, so we 20 00:01:19,627 --> 00:01:22,787 Speaker 3: deal with will Rugby on player related issues and so 21 00:01:22,867 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 3: a lot of that is around the rules of the game. Regulations. 22 00:01:26,507 --> 00:01:28,907 Speaker 3: So I talked with referees a lot, talk with Ben 23 00:01:28,987 --> 00:01:31,227 Speaker 3: o'keeith and a lot of the referees up in the 24 00:01:31,267 --> 00:01:34,627 Speaker 3: Northern Hemisphere. And then obviously when you talk about the 25 00:01:34,707 --> 00:01:38,387 Speaker 3: laws that often you end up talking about policing, you know, 26 00:01:38,427 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 3: how how the laws actually work in practice and how 27 00:01:41,347 --> 00:01:44,107 Speaker 3: hard it is or easy it is to referee. So 28 00:01:44,147 --> 00:01:46,387 Speaker 3: that's sort of how it started a couple of years ago, 29 00:01:46,467 --> 00:01:48,747 Speaker 3: and then I thought, oh, I'd give it a go, 30 00:01:48,907 --> 00:01:52,187 Speaker 3: and this year it's sort of eventuated and done a 31 00:01:52,187 --> 00:01:54,227 Speaker 3: few games. I'm not I'm not reliable. I'm not doing 32 00:01:54,267 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 3: it every weekend unfortunately, but yeah, doing a little bit, 33 00:01:57,787 --> 00:01:58,547 Speaker 3: really enjoying it. 34 00:01:58,547 --> 00:02:00,387 Speaker 2: Actually, Yeah, how I was going to ask, how have 35 00:02:00,427 --> 00:02:01,667 Speaker 2: you found it? Have you have you found? 36 00:02:01,667 --> 00:02:01,827 Speaker 3: It? 37 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:03,107 Speaker 2: Was what you expect? 38 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:07,147 Speaker 3: That Yeah, in terms I knew it was to be challenging, 39 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 3: and but I wanted to see, Like I say, that 40 00:02:10,627 --> 00:02:13,907 Speaker 3: was sort of the reason for doing it. And I'm 41 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:17,467 Speaker 3: learning a lot in terms of, yeah, just just how 42 00:02:17,507 --> 00:02:20,907 Speaker 3: difficult it is to make calls, to see everything, to 43 00:02:20,947 --> 00:02:24,827 Speaker 3: get into a right position to particulate community rugby, like 44 00:02:24,987 --> 00:02:27,427 Speaker 3: we're spoiled. I'm like anyone. I watched most of my 45 00:02:27,507 --> 00:02:31,627 Speaker 3: rugby is the elite level on TV cameras, you know, 46 00:02:31,787 --> 00:02:35,147 Speaker 3: giving perfect images, but at a community level you don't 47 00:02:35,147 --> 00:02:37,627 Speaker 3: have any help and it's all on you to get 48 00:02:37,627 --> 00:02:39,987 Speaker 3: into position to make a to make a call, and 49 00:02:40,307 --> 00:02:45,387 Speaker 3: that's bloody tough. So yeah, there's more than one or 50 00:02:45,427 --> 00:02:49,787 Speaker 3: two occasions on scratching the head wanting a replay or 51 00:02:49,787 --> 00:02:53,067 Speaker 3: I think I got that right. You just got to 52 00:02:53,387 --> 00:02:57,227 Speaker 3: back yourself. And yeah, as long as the players are supportive, 53 00:02:57,267 --> 00:02:58,827 Speaker 3: which they have been up until now. 54 00:02:58,907 --> 00:03:01,547 Speaker 2: That's good one. I mean her back chants to Conrad 55 00:03:01,627 --> 00:03:03,107 Speaker 2: Smith though, or do they give it a crack? 56 00:03:04,067 --> 00:03:07,627 Speaker 3: Oh? Yeah, I think there's a young but young guys 57 00:03:07,627 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 3: and girls that even get to see me play so 58 00:03:11,867 --> 00:03:14,467 Speaker 3: at the start that don't really know. And I have 59 00:03:14,547 --> 00:03:16,667 Speaker 3: to say I have. I have played a few games, 60 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:21,347 Speaker 3: so I know that role and that's normally an interesting conversation, 61 00:03:21,507 --> 00:03:27,147 Speaker 3: but respectful and I've been spoiled with the players I've 62 00:03:27,147 --> 00:03:28,467 Speaker 3: had so far have been really good. 63 00:03:28,627 --> 00:03:31,387 Speaker 2: Do you have any aspirations to emulate the likes of 64 00:03:31,427 --> 00:03:34,027 Speaker 2: Glenn Jackson and take it, take it further, become a 65 00:03:34,027 --> 00:03:35,227 Speaker 2: teaset referee one day? 66 00:03:36,547 --> 00:03:38,947 Speaker 3: No, not at all, not a stage. And that's not. 67 00:03:39,147 --> 00:03:42,067 Speaker 3: You know, Look, I think it's a great role. I'm 68 00:03:42,067 --> 00:03:45,827 Speaker 3: actually you know, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing, working 69 00:03:45,987 --> 00:03:49,587 Speaker 3: sort of off the field with referees, players, coaches around 70 00:03:49,587 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 3: the laws of the game, and this sort of role helps, 71 00:03:52,707 --> 00:03:55,907 Speaker 3: you know. I don't and don't envisage me giving that 72 00:03:56,067 --> 00:03:58,507 Speaker 3: up to the end to see refereeing, but who knows. 73 00:03:58,707 --> 00:04:01,787 Speaker 3: I'm enjoying it so far, so you never know. Give 74 00:04:01,787 --> 00:04:05,987 Speaker 3: it a few more months and terms of the terms 75 00:04:06,027 --> 00:04:09,227 Speaker 3: of the thought, it might change, but I can't see 76 00:04:09,227 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 3: that to be perfectly. 77 00:04:10,907 --> 00:04:13,827 Speaker 2: Honest, as you say, you've stayed involved through the International 78 00:04:13,907 --> 00:04:17,267 Speaker 2: Rugby Players since you're retired from the elite level. So 79 00:04:17,347 --> 00:04:21,027 Speaker 2: you're in London recently launching the Global Rugby Players Foundation 80 00:04:21,427 --> 00:04:24,427 Speaker 2: charity to support elite level players and their lives beyond 81 00:04:24,427 --> 00:04:26,467 Speaker 2: the game, making sure they lead healthy and for filling 82 00:04:26,467 --> 00:04:29,787 Speaker 2: lives once their rugby careers end. Can you tell us 83 00:04:29,787 --> 00:04:30,547 Speaker 2: a bit more about that. 84 00:04:31,827 --> 00:04:35,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's sort of something I suppose. It's sort of 85 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:39,067 Speaker 3: a part of what the player associations do that I'm 86 00:04:39,147 --> 00:04:42,267 Speaker 3: pretty passionate about. Just look, there's a lot of programs, 87 00:04:42,307 --> 00:04:45,827 Speaker 3: a lot every union, every player associations wanting to help 88 00:04:45,867 --> 00:04:49,027 Speaker 3: players if they leave the game. You know, we're understanding 89 00:04:49,027 --> 00:04:51,787 Speaker 3: more and more how challenging that is for all sports, 90 00:04:52,547 --> 00:04:56,467 Speaker 3: particularly for rugby. You guys getting involved in girls younger 91 00:04:56,467 --> 00:04:59,387 Speaker 3: and younger, which you know, sort of knowing them, the 92 00:04:59,427 --> 00:05:04,347 Speaker 3: normal opportunity and normal routes around education and the areas 93 00:05:04,387 --> 00:05:09,147 Speaker 3: where you normally develop yourself for careers, and so then 94 00:05:09,187 --> 00:05:11,387 Speaker 3: it's sort of like, well, how do you help plars 95 00:05:11,387 --> 00:05:14,227 Speaker 3: as when they finish your careers? And there's a lot 96 00:05:14,227 --> 00:05:17,347 Speaker 3: of good ideas and programs, but they're all lacking resource, 97 00:05:18,187 --> 00:05:20,987 Speaker 3: and so this, you know, the foundation is just about 98 00:05:22,027 --> 00:05:24,947 Speaker 3: recognizing it's a global issue, So let's do it globally, 99 00:05:25,707 --> 00:05:29,067 Speaker 3: raise some money and then then feed the money the 100 00:05:29,107 --> 00:05:32,347 Speaker 3: resource to to these programs that are really well run 101 00:05:33,347 --> 00:05:35,467 Speaker 3: and just need a bit of extra support, and then 102 00:05:35,547 --> 00:05:39,947 Speaker 3: and hopefully they can ultimately help help plars and as 103 00:05:39,947 --> 00:05:41,827 Speaker 3: they leave the game. You know, they plenty of support 104 00:05:41,827 --> 00:05:44,347 Speaker 3: while we play and clean and support to get in 105 00:05:44,507 --> 00:05:46,507 Speaker 3: you know, the academies and that that are becoming more 106 00:05:46,547 --> 00:05:49,027 Speaker 3: and more popular. So now we just want to see 107 00:05:49,067 --> 00:05:52,067 Speaker 3: the support at the other end of the planers career. 108 00:05:52,387 --> 00:05:54,667 Speaker 2: Such valuable work you're doing in this area. Conrad and 109 00:05:54,707 --> 00:05:57,547 Speaker 2: congrats on picking up the whistle as well. Make great 110 00:05:57,547 --> 00:06:00,827 Speaker 2: to get the chance to chet you no problem, Thank 111 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:04,427 Speaker 2: you Conrad. Conrad Smith there ninety four Test All Black Double, 112 00:06:04,467 --> 00:06:08,107 Speaker 2: World Cup winner and now grassroots rugby referee. What a 113 00:06:08,187 --> 00:06:11,467 Speaker 2: terrific thing that is our email from Leon and Melbourne. 114 00:06:11,627 --> 00:06:14,747 Speaker 2: Always enjoy getting your emails, Leon. He has focused in 115 00:06:14,747 --> 00:06:17,427 Speaker 2: on the Warriors. As you know, I'm a huge stats fan, 116 00:06:17,467 --> 00:06:19,427 Speaker 2: says Leon. Here are a few to chew over from 117 00:06:19,427 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 2: the Storm Warriors game last night. After sixteen minutes Melbourne 118 00:06:23,107 --> 00:06:26,107 Speaker 2: were behind fourteen nil, that had to make sixty eight 119 00:06:26,147 --> 00:06:29,507 Speaker 2: tackles to only six against, had mist eleven tackles, had 120 00:06:29,507 --> 00:06:31,827 Speaker 2: made three errors, had given away three pen release and 121 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 2: made only three runs. Yet they stuck to their game 122 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 2: plan and still won against the Warriors for the sixteenth 123 00:06:37,107 --> 00:06:40,627 Speaker 2: straight time. Incredibly, it's now been three two hundred and 124 00:06:40,707 --> 00:06:43,627 Speaker 2: sixty one days since the Warriors last week. The Storm. 125 00:06:43,867 --> 00:06:46,467 Speaker 2: The Storm have arguably, says Leon, been the most consistent 126 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:48,987 Speaker 2: team since joining the NRL in nineteen ninety eight, winning 127 00:06:48,987 --> 00:06:51,867 Speaker 2: their made entitle the following year and six in total. 128 00:06:51,907 --> 00:06:54,227 Speaker 2: They have a winning culture from the front office to 129 00:06:54,267 --> 00:06:56,627 Speaker 2: the players, which sets them apart from most other clubs 130 00:06:56,867 --> 00:06:58,867 Speaker 2: and is why they're always there at the business end 131 00:06:58,907 --> 00:07:02,347 Speaker 2: of the season. Enough said, Thanks Leon, appreciate your email 132 00:07:02,387 --> 00:07:05,307 Speaker 2: as always. Australia fifty one for two in the eight, 133 00:07:05,427 --> 00:07:08,227 Speaker 2: over chasing one eighty one to beat Scotland. Weekend Sport 134 00:07:08,307 --> 00:07:10,427 Speaker 2: ninety three. 135 00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:13,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 136 00:07:13,747 --> 00:07:17,027 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 137 00:07:17,067 --> 00:07:18,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.