1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:11,947 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:13,147 --> 00:00:16,107 Speaker 2: Following which we go to Eden Park five past seven 4 00:00:16,187 --> 00:00:19,107 Speaker 2: tonight the Blues up against the Fiji and drew up 5 00:00:19,227 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: in quarter final number three in Super Rugby Pacific for 6 00:00:22,107 --> 00:00:25,067 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. These two met in the very first 7 00:00:25,107 --> 00:00:26,467 Speaker 2: game of their respective seasons. 8 00:00:26,787 --> 00:00:28,707 Speaker 3: Flings it on this right hand type of plumb. We 9 00:00:28,747 --> 00:00:32,987 Speaker 3: wrap around from Peter Fetter. You're one it Lea Sullivan. 10 00:00:33,267 --> 00:00:36,267 Speaker 3: Sullivan for the right wing corner, scores It's second of 11 00:00:36,347 --> 00:00:40,067 Speaker 3: the afternoon. Back to Peter Fetter and enter the seven 12 00:00:40,107 --> 00:00:44,267 Speaker 3: off stadium stands and full time top done for the 13 00:00:44,307 --> 00:00:46,867 Speaker 3: Blues thirty four to ten. 14 00:00:46,987 --> 00:00:48,547 Speaker 2: Thirty four ten in the first game of the season 15 00:00:48,627 --> 00:00:52,347 Speaker 2: knockout forty. Now though, Blues scrum coach is Greg Feek, 16 00:00:52,467 --> 00:00:54,827 Speaker 2: who joins us now, Greg, how happy are you with 17 00:00:54,947 --> 00:00:58,027 Speaker 2: the way the side's developed and progressed across the fourteen 18 00:00:58,067 --> 00:00:59,147 Speaker 2: games of the regular season. 19 00:00:59,187 --> 00:01:01,747 Speaker 4: First of all, yeah, I think we've built our game 20 00:01:01,827 --> 00:01:04,907 Speaker 4: really nicely. We've edited a few things in players that 21 00:01:04,987 --> 00:01:09,867 Speaker 4: really bought in the whole management, the whole squad, you know, 22 00:01:09,947 --> 00:01:12,347 Speaker 4: really excited about the brand of rugby and the style 23 00:01:12,387 --> 00:01:16,147 Speaker 4: we have, So that's that's really exciting for us. And 24 00:01:16,187 --> 00:01:18,747 Speaker 4: there's a few guys have actually you really put their 25 00:01:18,747 --> 00:01:22,747 Speaker 4: hands out in terms of starting positions and leadership and 26 00:01:22,787 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 4: so hopefully we can transfer that now and keep building. 27 00:01:25,907 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 2: How much have you enjoyed working alongside Verne Cotter. 28 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:31,627 Speaker 4: Yes, it's been really good. Like for me, I'm in 29 00:01:31,667 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 4: and out a bit from and that's been really good 30 00:01:36,027 --> 00:01:40,027 Speaker 4: in terms of connecting with him. And he's got a 31 00:01:40,107 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 4: really clear, solid, directive way of how he wants things. 32 00:01:45,827 --> 00:01:49,907 Speaker 4: You know, there's no like lurd lines, there's no lack 33 00:01:49,947 --> 00:01:51,747 Speaker 4: of clarity. We don't exactly what it is. And the 34 00:01:51,787 --> 00:01:55,067 Speaker 4: good thing is we all have our inputs into our 35 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:59,147 Speaker 4: areas and all that, and he knows what he wants. 36 00:01:59,387 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 4: So I think the players they leave a meeting and 37 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:05,067 Speaker 4: they're really clear and exactly where they stand. There's consistent 38 00:02:05,107 --> 00:02:08,747 Speaker 4: messages and you know, it's just making sure we get 39 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:09,787 Speaker 4: the quality and trainings. 40 00:02:10,347 --> 00:02:13,387 Speaker 2: How aligned are you and Verncotta and your views on 41 00:02:13,427 --> 00:02:17,867 Speaker 2: the importance of set piece. He's he's well across it 42 00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 2: as well, knows how important it is. Obviously you do, 43 00:02:19,987 --> 00:02:20,987 Speaker 2: but he does as well. 44 00:02:21,907 --> 00:02:24,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I think sometimes people forget that, like you 45 00:02:24,707 --> 00:02:26,827 Speaker 4: have your you have your defense, you of your tech, 46 00:02:26,907 --> 00:02:29,787 Speaker 4: you have your set piece, lineouts and whatever. But when 47 00:02:29,787 --> 00:02:32,987 Speaker 4: the head coach ties it together and drives it and 48 00:02:33,027 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 4: he wants something done like that in those areas in 49 00:02:35,827 --> 00:02:38,707 Speaker 4: a specific way, I think you get more of a 50 00:02:38,707 --> 00:02:40,667 Speaker 4: buying with that too, you know. And he does it 51 00:02:40,747 --> 00:02:43,707 Speaker 4: in a way that's so passionate, and it'll give the 52 00:02:43,747 --> 00:02:46,147 Speaker 4: reasons why not just do this as why I want it, 53 00:02:46,227 --> 00:02:49,267 Speaker 4: you know. And it might change a little bit weak 54 00:02:49,307 --> 00:02:51,787 Speaker 4: to week, but there's usually consistent message as to why, 55 00:02:52,507 --> 00:02:55,507 Speaker 4: and that makes our job. I suppose you puts us 56 00:02:55,547 --> 00:02:57,107 Speaker 4: on our toes as well. 57 00:02:57,747 --> 00:02:59,627 Speaker 2: Do the loss of the Crusaders a couple of weeks 58 00:02:59,627 --> 00:03:05,307 Speaker 2: ago lead to any major self evaluation by the team, Well, I. 59 00:03:05,227 --> 00:03:07,747 Speaker 4: Think when you play the crussee is down there and 60 00:03:08,267 --> 00:03:10,187 Speaker 4: we had a good run. It was our first loss 61 00:03:10,227 --> 00:03:14,427 Speaker 4: in the while. If you just respect them in any 62 00:03:14,507 --> 00:03:18,067 Speaker 4: area for one or two seconds, they bite you badly, 63 00:03:18,187 --> 00:03:20,107 Speaker 4: you know what I mean. And so for me it 64 00:03:20,187 --> 00:03:22,867 Speaker 4: was some great lessons, hard lessons, but some great lessons 65 00:03:23,347 --> 00:03:28,427 Speaker 4: run some combinations around those moments and games, particularly in 66 00:03:28,907 --> 00:03:31,587 Speaker 4: contact areas of the scrum and things like that you 67 00:03:31,907 --> 00:03:34,667 Speaker 4: just switch off slightly, you're gone, you know. And so 68 00:03:35,347 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 4: that was a good reminder if we want to be 69 00:03:37,627 --> 00:03:40,147 Speaker 4: finals contenders, that we need to get their stuff right. 70 00:03:40,187 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 4: And you know that that's the consistency after Now, it's 71 00:03:43,307 --> 00:03:46,827 Speaker 4: not just throwing the word consistency around, but just being 72 00:03:46,947 --> 00:03:49,787 Speaker 4: like like really on and aware of what's needed in 73 00:03:49,827 --> 00:03:50,827 Speaker 4: those key moments. 74 00:03:51,187 --> 00:03:53,547 Speaker 2: At your most consistent, how do you reckon? Your scrum 75 00:03:53,627 --> 00:03:55,387 Speaker 2: matches up to the others in the comp. 76 00:03:57,187 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 4: Pretty good, I think, but probably not where i'd like 77 00:03:59,347 --> 00:04:02,147 Speaker 4: them to be yet. But I think, you know, I 78 00:04:02,187 --> 00:04:04,907 Speaker 4: think we're building. Like I said, we're building nicely. We're 79 00:04:04,907 --> 00:04:09,427 Speaker 4: getting some combo, some good under ending, and yeah, I'm 80 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:12,507 Speaker 4: happy with the progress, particularly from that week. So this week, 81 00:04:12,547 --> 00:04:14,667 Speaker 4: I think if the things weren't getting fixed, all the 82 00:04:14,667 --> 00:04:18,467 Speaker 4: players weren't buying in, that's always an issue, but there's 83 00:04:18,467 --> 00:04:21,707 Speaker 4: no issues there around solutions and around how we can 84 00:04:21,747 --> 00:04:24,587 Speaker 4: get better. So that's what you do, you know, that's 85 00:04:24,587 --> 00:04:26,827 Speaker 4: just every day. So it's exciting. 86 00:04:27,107 --> 00:04:29,027 Speaker 2: I don't want to focus just exclusively on the scrum, 87 00:04:29,067 --> 00:04:31,507 Speaker 2: but I've always wondered about the loose forwards and a scrum. 88 00:04:32,547 --> 00:04:34,227 Speaker 2: How big is their role or is it really the 89 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:36,587 Speaker 2: type five who do most of it. 90 00:04:37,347 --> 00:04:39,227 Speaker 4: Oh well, for me, I include the nine on it 91 00:04:39,227 --> 00:04:41,147 Speaker 4: as well, you know, so that's a nine man thing. 92 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:44,147 Speaker 4: That's you've got the you got me coaching it, but 93 00:04:44,187 --> 00:04:48,227 Speaker 4: you've got everyone else around that. That's like the number 94 00:04:48,227 --> 00:04:50,707 Speaker 4: of the different piece of the puzzle and rugby that 95 00:04:50,707 --> 00:04:53,507 Speaker 4: that help certain areas get better, you know. And I 96 00:04:53,507 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 4: think even how sincere medical contribute massively to that, you know, 97 00:04:58,947 --> 00:05:01,187 Speaker 4: but loose forwards go make for you said now they 98 00:05:01,947 --> 00:05:05,387 Speaker 4: I think, you know, they add probably another well from 99 00:05:05,427 --> 00:05:10,027 Speaker 4: my that I've done you another fifteen percent, you know, 100 00:05:10,107 --> 00:05:12,427 Speaker 4: and that can be the difference in a massive game 101 00:05:12,547 --> 00:05:13,867 Speaker 4: that one switch off can cost you. 102 00:05:15,187 --> 00:05:20,027 Speaker 2: After last weekend the the late try that allowed the 103 00:05:20,147 --> 00:05:23,107 Speaker 2: Hurricanes to just sneak in the top spot, Verncott has 104 00:05:23,107 --> 00:05:26,507 Speaker 2: said something along the lines of, you know, sometimes if 105 00:05:26,547 --> 00:05:28,867 Speaker 2: you're on top, your feet can leave the ground. I 106 00:05:28,907 --> 00:05:30,507 Speaker 2: get the feeling that might also be the case when 107 00:05:30,507 --> 00:05:32,867 Speaker 2: you're playing a game against the team you really should 108 00:05:33,267 --> 00:05:35,747 Speaker 2: on any given day beat fairly comfortably. So have you 109 00:05:35,827 --> 00:05:37,827 Speaker 2: kept the feet on the ground ahead of this game 110 00:05:37,827 --> 00:05:38,547 Speaker 2: against the drawer? 111 00:05:40,107 --> 00:05:42,467 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think you've got to respect any team you play, 112 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:44,707 Speaker 4: and we have to respect the drawer. There good team, 113 00:05:44,787 --> 00:05:46,107 Speaker 4: so it's going to be a good battle. 114 00:05:46,547 --> 00:05:46,667 Speaker 3: You know. 115 00:05:46,747 --> 00:05:48,867 Speaker 4: If we let them into the game and let them 116 00:05:48,867 --> 00:05:51,387 Speaker 4: play their game as well, then it will be close. 117 00:05:51,747 --> 00:05:54,867 Speaker 4: We've got to make sure that we get things right 118 00:05:54,947 --> 00:05:56,947 Speaker 4: and then you focus on yourself. So what is it 119 00:05:56,987 --> 00:05:59,707 Speaker 4: that we need to do? What are our stands in 120 00:05:59,747 --> 00:06:02,587 Speaker 4: the key areas of the breakdown? Set peace? And then 121 00:06:02,627 --> 00:06:06,307 Speaker 4: obviously backs will do their thing. You know, we get 122 00:06:06,387 --> 00:06:09,027 Speaker 4: those things right with our we we've been tracking this 123 00:06:09,147 --> 00:06:14,907 Speaker 4: year at our consistent standards around even our stats, then 124 00:06:14,907 --> 00:06:17,867 Speaker 4: we should we should be good and real good. So 125 00:06:17,907 --> 00:06:21,147 Speaker 4: that's that's our goal. Is you have your your position analysis, 126 00:06:21,187 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 4: you look at the threats and all that, but it 127 00:06:23,147 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 4: comes back to what you do, you know, in the 128 00:06:24,947 --> 00:06:28,587 Speaker 4: those key moments and then they may even come down 129 00:06:28,627 --> 00:06:35,067 Speaker 4: to some critical decisions as well, you know. So the 130 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:36,427 Speaker 4: good good for us? 131 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:38,907 Speaker 2: How niggly was it not being able to finish top? 132 00:06:41,627 --> 00:06:44,307 Speaker 4: Look? I think I think for us, it's like you 133 00:06:44,347 --> 00:06:46,107 Speaker 4: can't just blame that one game. If you look at 134 00:06:46,067 --> 00:06:47,787 Speaker 4: it through the whole season, there's bonus points that were 135 00:06:47,867 --> 00:06:50,547 Speaker 4: left out there quite a bit, you know what I mean. 136 00:06:50,587 --> 00:06:52,747 Speaker 4: So that's just the way it's a it's a tough 137 00:06:52,747 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 4: old season to get to that point, and it just shows, okay, 138 00:06:55,507 --> 00:06:57,547 Speaker 4: how tired it was with the top two teams, you know, 139 00:06:58,707 --> 00:07:02,107 Speaker 4: and yep, and we who knows who's going to be 140 00:07:02,147 --> 00:07:03,587 Speaker 4: in the final, and we've got to get the next 141 00:07:03,587 --> 00:07:05,987 Speaker 4: game right, So I think it's our focus. We didn't 142 00:07:05,987 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 4: get that, honest point. Okay, move on, We're going to 143 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:10,147 Speaker 4: win the quarter and we won that, we got up 144 00:07:10,147 --> 00:07:13,507 Speaker 4: on the semi and then you're away. So there's no 145 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:15,747 Speaker 4: you're not taking it for granted. You know it's going 146 00:07:15,787 --> 00:07:16,187 Speaker 4: to be the end. 147 00:07:17,027 --> 00:07:18,787 Speaker 2: How do you reflect back on your time with the 148 00:07:18,787 --> 00:07:19,427 Speaker 2: All Blacks Greek? 149 00:07:21,267 --> 00:07:21,467 Speaker 1: Oh? 150 00:07:23,027 --> 00:07:26,427 Speaker 4: Really? Finally, I felt like the reason why I'm still 151 00:07:26,667 --> 00:07:28,547 Speaker 4: I put my hand up for a part time role 152 00:07:28,587 --> 00:07:32,467 Speaker 4: at the Blues was my passion for coaching. It actually 153 00:07:32,507 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 4: got increased. I was I was just like, I just 154 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:37,227 Speaker 4: couldn't give it up. I don't want to give it up. 155 00:07:37,387 --> 00:07:39,227 Speaker 4: And there was an opportunity here to come in and 156 00:07:39,267 --> 00:07:44,267 Speaker 4: work with VC and and so the Bullbecks has done 157 00:07:44,307 --> 00:07:46,747 Speaker 4: me a favor in terms of that and got me 158 00:07:46,787 --> 00:07:51,347 Speaker 4: better keep my passion for the game, and you know, 159 00:07:51,347 --> 00:07:54,387 Speaker 4: I'd love to do more and and see what that 160 00:07:54,987 --> 00:07:56,987 Speaker 4: what the future hold is so much learning is working 161 00:07:57,027 --> 00:08:01,427 Speaker 4: with the best players in New Zealand and going to 162 00:08:01,467 --> 00:08:03,867 Speaker 4: a walk up with them and seeing how and why 163 00:08:03,947 --> 00:08:06,747 Speaker 4: they were so good in the past. So the stuff 164 00:08:06,787 --> 00:08:07,707 Speaker 4: will stay with me forever. 165 00:08:07,947 --> 00:08:11,147 Speaker 2: Brilliant good stuff. Is it true you grow your own vegetables. 166 00:08:12,027 --> 00:08:15,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, well it's a good analogy. Yah, you know, if 167 00:08:15,507 --> 00:08:18,227 Speaker 4: you can grow your own vegetables, you know, you know, 168 00:08:18,307 --> 00:08:20,947 Speaker 4: it's chiefing them by the supermarket a bit like you know, 169 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:25,307 Speaker 4: I know we're going with this. It's a bit like, Yeah, 170 00:08:25,387 --> 00:08:27,387 Speaker 4: instead of buying players left right and send them putch, 171 00:08:28,027 --> 00:08:30,147 Speaker 4: you just developed them and key for them and nurture 172 00:08:30,227 --> 00:08:32,707 Speaker 4: them and do it properly and then they stay with it, 173 00:08:32,827 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 4: you know. So that's a good, little, short, sharp analogy 174 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:38,827 Speaker 4: that actually a little deeper meaning to it. But that's 175 00:08:38,867 --> 00:08:42,427 Speaker 4: really That's another thing that's got me excited is when 176 00:08:42,427 --> 00:08:46,227 Speaker 4: you're working internationally, you don't get that development part, getting 177 00:08:46,227 --> 00:08:48,467 Speaker 4: guys young and bringing them in. So there's been something 178 00:08:48,507 --> 00:08:52,587 Speaker 4: else that has really got me excited these different ways 179 00:08:52,867 --> 00:08:56,747 Speaker 4: of coaching too, you know. So yeah, it's good for 180 00:08:56,787 --> 00:08:58,507 Speaker 4: the player and good for the club. 181 00:08:59,067 --> 00:09:01,067 Speaker 2: Top man, Greg, I love chatting to you. Mate, thanks 182 00:09:01,067 --> 00:09:03,467 Speaker 2: for taking the time. All the Beast against the Drew Tonight. 183 00:09:04,427 --> 00:09:05,547 Speaker 4: Mate Appre said it. 184 00:09:05,827 --> 00:09:08,347 Speaker 2: Thanks great. Fike there, I was asked to ask him 185 00:09:08,347 --> 00:09:11,467 Speaker 2: that question. I actually thought it was about vegetables. The 186 00:09:11,547 --> 00:09:13,947 Speaker 2: media manager at The Blue said, look, ask Greg think 187 00:09:13,987 --> 00:09:16,427 Speaker 2: about growing his own vegetables. I didn't realize it was 188 00:09:16,467 --> 00:09:19,747 Speaker 2: an analogy for growing your own talent, but I like it. 189 00:09:19,867 --> 00:09:22,987 Speaker 2: Seven o five Tonight Blues the Fiji and Drewer. 190 00:09:23,667 --> 00:09:26,867 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 191 00:09:26,947 --> 00:09:30,267 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 192 00:09:30,267 --> 00:09:31,907 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio