1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,947 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:16,507 Speaker 2: Get to rugby Union now our national sport and our 4 00:00:16,587 --> 00:00:20,027 Speaker 2: wonderful Shield the ran Fairly Shield tonight five past seven 5 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:25,667 Speaker 2: McLean Park in Napier. The challenges are the undefeated Tasman 6 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:33,587 Speaker 2: Marco right, just go through the simplest of tries as 7 00:00:33,627 --> 00:00:37,427 Speaker 2: the Tasman Marc goes, Now, shall it right? What will 8 00:00:37,427 --> 00:00:40,587 Speaker 2: be a victory? Even though we have seventeen minutestrum mating, 9 00:00:40,747 --> 00:00:44,947 Speaker 2: they turned the screws. Somebody's oh has got to go? 10 00:00:45,147 --> 00:00:48,707 Speaker 2: Both teams undefeated so far and we're now joined by 11 00:00:48,987 --> 00:00:52,747 Speaker 2: Muchael head coach Gray Cornelius Gray are welcome to the program. 12 00:00:52,787 --> 00:00:55,907 Speaker 2: Two undefeated teams. As they say in that Fight Sport, 13 00:00:56,027 --> 00:00:58,547 Speaker 2: the over has got to go? Will someone does? What 14 00:00:58,667 --> 00:01:00,547 Speaker 2: an event with the shield on the liner? 15 00:01:01,947 --> 00:01:05,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, exciting, exciting stuff and looking forward to borcount. 16 00:01:05,107 --> 00:01:08,387 Speaker 2: Wait when you look the matt tups between the two sides, 17 00:01:08,387 --> 00:01:10,627 Speaker 2: as I said, five and five, four and four, so 18 00:01:11,067 --> 00:01:13,427 Speaker 2: teams are doing particularly well, but you look at the 19 00:01:13,427 --> 00:01:18,267 Speaker 2: defenseive record of the Marco, you'd suggest that that's probably 20 00:01:18,307 --> 00:01:21,227 Speaker 2: where you have an advantage with that. Would that be fair. 21 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:25,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that are pretty pretty well balanced team 22 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:28,467 Speaker 3: more around. But we're pretty happy the way our defense 23 00:01:28,587 --> 00:01:31,907 Speaker 3: is going and that's a big part of the game 24 00:01:31,947 --> 00:01:34,987 Speaker 3: for us, and hopefully we can pull out another good 25 00:01:34,987 --> 00:01:36,387 Speaker 3: defensive performance tonight. 26 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:39,107 Speaker 2: What have you focused on and the build up to 27 00:01:39,187 --> 00:01:41,667 Speaker 2: this fixture? You do your standard things right, doing your 28 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:43,787 Speaker 2: core roles and so on and so forth. Where that 29 00:01:43,867 --> 00:01:46,667 Speaker 2: was there anything else gray that you've really looked at 30 00:01:46,787 --> 00:01:50,507 Speaker 2: in depth so far in the build up to this fixture, And. 31 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:51,867 Speaker 3: I think I think you're right. I think we've just 32 00:01:51,907 --> 00:01:54,747 Speaker 3: sort of make sure we've concentrated on on what one's 33 00:01:54,747 --> 00:01:56,747 Speaker 3: your rugby games, you know, So obviously we've already mentioned 34 00:01:56,787 --> 00:01:59,707 Speaker 3: the defense, but you know, our set piece is going 35 00:01:59,747 --> 00:02:02,427 Speaker 3: to be really important against a pretty good, pretty handy team, 36 00:02:02,747 --> 00:02:06,987 Speaker 3: and I think we've we've kind of also addressed the 37 00:02:06,987 --> 00:02:09,107 Speaker 3: the elephant in the room, the renfully shield and then 38 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,267 Speaker 3: the opportunity for us to crowd a little bit of history, 39 00:02:11,267 --> 00:02:14,747 Speaker 3: and we've acknowledged that and we're pretty excited about it. 40 00:02:14,787 --> 00:02:17,147 Speaker 3: But we know that, yes, it's going to be pretty 41 00:02:17,187 --> 00:02:17,747 Speaker 3: pretty tough with. 42 00:02:18,187 --> 00:02:21,547 Speaker 2: I'm always fascinated by that. I being this job way 43 00:02:21,587 --> 00:02:24,267 Speaker 2: too long, but every time the Ranfilly Shield comes up, 44 00:02:24,307 --> 00:02:27,467 Speaker 2: the discussion is is it in PC points? Is it 45 00:02:27,507 --> 00:02:30,547 Speaker 2: a shield? One's the result of the other? Do you 46 00:02:30,587 --> 00:02:33,107 Speaker 2: talk about it? Do you not? And it differs from 47 00:02:33,227 --> 00:02:36,627 Speaker 2: team to team. So how did you approach, said Elephant Gray. 48 00:02:38,627 --> 00:02:41,027 Speaker 3: Oh, look, there's no no beating around the bush like 49 00:02:41,827 --> 00:02:44,427 Speaker 3: we've never won the shield and our in our history, 50 00:02:44,507 --> 00:02:47,467 Speaker 3: so we get well, I guess what we'll try to 51 00:02:47,467 --> 00:02:49,187 Speaker 3: do is we'll try to build a bit of excitement 52 00:02:49,187 --> 00:02:53,427 Speaker 3: around it and but particular start of the week. But 53 00:02:53,427 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 3: but knowing that that ultimately that excitement doesn't win you 54 00:02:56,987 --> 00:02:59,587 Speaker 3: the line out ball or doesn't or doesn't tackle, so 55 00:03:00,147 --> 00:03:03,467 Speaker 3: you know you've still got a nail the fundamentals of 56 00:03:03,507 --> 00:03:07,187 Speaker 3: the game. But look, it's a unique opportunity for a 57 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:09,867 Speaker 3: lot of fellas, so you can't sort of shy away 58 00:03:09,907 --> 00:03:12,707 Speaker 3: from it. You just gotta yes, excited and can't wait. 59 00:03:12,907 --> 00:03:15,347 Speaker 2: Is it a group attitude or do you look to 60 00:03:15,507 --> 00:03:19,587 Speaker 2: each individual player, because each player is going to breathe 61 00:03:19,667 --> 00:03:21,947 Speaker 2: with different air when it comes to something like this. 62 00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:25,027 Speaker 2: They're going to be super excited and apply, or they're 63 00:03:25,027 --> 00:03:27,147 Speaker 2: going to push it into the background and just get 64 00:03:27,187 --> 00:03:30,107 Speaker 2: around their business. Do you look at isolating each player. 65 00:03:29,987 --> 00:03:32,747 Speaker 4: And a build up to that. Is that just too difficult? Gray, 66 00:03:34,467 --> 00:03:37,747 Speaker 4: It's probably an element. It's difficult, But like I guess, 67 00:03:38,507 --> 00:03:41,067 Speaker 4: you know, working with the guys were day in, day out. 68 00:03:41,547 --> 00:03:43,987 Speaker 3: You get to know players and what and what pushes 69 00:03:43,987 --> 00:03:46,347 Speaker 3: their their buttons, so to speak. And and we know 70 00:03:46,387 --> 00:03:48,747 Speaker 3: that there are certain guys who respond differently. That's I 71 00:03:48,747 --> 00:03:51,907 Speaker 3: guess that's the art of coaching a wee bit. So yeah, 72 00:03:52,067 --> 00:03:53,147 Speaker 3: there is a bit of that. And you know some 73 00:03:53,187 --> 00:03:55,747 Speaker 3: guys play best when they relax, whereas you know other 74 00:03:55,827 --> 00:03:57,707 Speaker 3: boys need a bit of an edge or a bit 75 00:03:57,707 --> 00:04:02,067 Speaker 3: of a prod. So that's that's pretty similar with every 76 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:03,827 Speaker 3: every game, you know, whether we're playing for the Shield 77 00:04:03,907 --> 00:04:07,227 Speaker 3: or not. So getting that balance riders as important in 78 00:04:07,267 --> 00:04:08,507 Speaker 3: any any match, I think. 79 00:04:08,587 --> 00:04:11,307 Speaker 2: Great Canadius joins his head coach of Marco ahead of 80 00:04:11,347 --> 00:04:14,987 Speaker 2: the Shield challenge this evening. A had fun against another 81 00:04:15,067 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 2: Bay last weekend planning as I've seen before, unbeaten. Can 82 00:04:18,867 --> 00:04:21,827 Speaker 2: you draw anything from that exchange that you need to 83 00:04:22,147 --> 00:04:24,987 Speaker 2: inflate or deflate if they weren't so good? 84 00:04:26,427 --> 00:04:28,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, well that it was an unusual game that won. 85 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:32,427 Speaker 3: We were all set to go and then a massive 86 00:04:32,427 --> 00:04:36,827 Speaker 3: thunderstorm hit and power cart and absolutely chucked it down. 87 00:04:36,907 --> 00:04:39,507 Speaker 3: So that was about probably about ten to fifteen minutes 88 00:04:39,507 --> 00:04:42,387 Speaker 3: for kickoff, So kickoff was delayed, and I was really 89 00:04:42,387 --> 00:04:44,587 Speaker 3: proud of how we handled that little bit of adversity 90 00:04:44,627 --> 00:04:47,547 Speaker 3: and I think that we probably that was reflected in 91 00:04:47,587 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 3: our start in that first twenty minutes and we managed 92 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:52,707 Speaker 3: to get up over over the Bay who probably struggled 93 00:04:52,707 --> 00:04:57,947 Speaker 3: to struggle to come back after that. So look, the 94 00:04:57,987 --> 00:05:01,907 Speaker 3: conditions were pretty horrendous and we adapted well, but whole 95 00:05:01,907 --> 00:05:05,027 Speaker 3: different beasts this weekend. I think it's all us to 96 00:05:05,067 --> 00:05:08,587 Speaker 3: be twenty one degrees tonight or whatever it might be, 97 00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:11,987 Speaker 3: and that certainly won't be thunderstorms like we had last week. 98 00:05:12,067 --> 00:05:14,027 Speaker 2: Well, you can't control the weather, can you. It's just 99 00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:15,667 Speaker 2: dealing with what it was put in front of it, 100 00:05:15,707 --> 00:05:18,107 Speaker 2: and you've got to be happy about that. It's like, okay, refocus, 101 00:05:18,147 --> 00:05:21,467 Speaker 2: Refocus is the whistle go. Nothing has changed. You're just 102 00:05:21,507 --> 00:05:24,387 Speaker 2: fifteen minutes out. So to be able to apply that 103 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:27,547 Speaker 2: to your team, knowing they've got their head space to 104 00:05:27,547 --> 00:05:30,347 Speaker 2: get on with it give you a huge amount of 105 00:05:30,347 --> 00:05:32,987 Speaker 2: strength as a coach, knowing what they're capable of. 106 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:36,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is man and that's what you want. 107 00:05:36,787 --> 00:05:36,947 Speaker 4: You know. 108 00:05:36,987 --> 00:05:39,507 Speaker 3: The boys hand pretty much handled it on their own 109 00:05:39,547 --> 00:05:41,987 Speaker 3: and the leaders stood up and took control of that situation, 110 00:05:42,067 --> 00:05:44,507 Speaker 3: which is as you say as a coach, you want 111 00:05:44,507 --> 00:05:46,987 Speaker 3: your players to be able to do that. So that 112 00:05:47,107 --> 00:05:48,107 Speaker 3: was good to see. 113 00:05:48,627 --> 00:05:52,827 Speaker 2: The nature of traveling is always key in the MPC 114 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:56,867 Speaker 2: shield and no shield. Great, you guys have had success 115 00:05:56,987 --> 00:06:00,507 Speaker 2: home and away? What have you done in order to 116 00:06:00,547 --> 00:06:02,867 Speaker 2: secure that? Doesn't make any difference where you are. 117 00:06:04,427 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 3: We love being at home. We know, don't can make 118 00:06:07,107 --> 00:06:09,627 Speaker 3: any other other team in the competition. I guess we're 119 00:06:09,747 --> 00:06:14,427 Speaker 3: slightly unique given that we also play games and blend 120 00:06:14,427 --> 00:06:18,667 Speaker 3: a man Nelson. So home game does incorporate a bit 121 00:06:18,667 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 3: of travel as well. And given our geography, you know 122 00:06:22,267 --> 00:06:25,067 Speaker 3: when in our all our preseasons are away and long 123 00:06:25,147 --> 00:06:27,427 Speaker 3: road trips, so I think the lads get pretty used 124 00:06:27,467 --> 00:06:30,387 Speaker 3: to being on the road and you know, that's that's 125 00:06:30,387 --> 00:06:34,107 Speaker 3: something you've got to embrace. And the boys enjoy get 126 00:06:34,107 --> 00:06:35,827 Speaker 3: around each other and play cards and have a bit 127 00:06:35,867 --> 00:06:38,307 Speaker 3: of fun with it. So it's just just how it is. 128 00:06:38,347 --> 00:06:40,667 Speaker 3: And no, no, no, biggie. 129 00:06:40,787 --> 00:06:42,587 Speaker 2: That's good. It's good to hear. Just taking a new 130 00:06:42,587 --> 00:06:45,027 Speaker 2: stride and carry on going. Hey, how's the sick bay looking? 131 00:06:45,267 --> 00:06:48,547 Speaker 2: You've had four games? Are there many guys piled up 132 00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:50,747 Speaker 2: on the corner covered in band aids? Have you got through? 133 00:06:50,787 --> 00:06:54,187 Speaker 2: Because plainly having a fit squad and minimal changes throughout 134 00:06:54,227 --> 00:06:57,747 Speaker 2: the season is key, like in any league structure to 135 00:06:57,827 --> 00:07:00,867 Speaker 2: actually winning these things, the consistency of selection. So how 136 00:07:00,907 --> 00:07:01,667 Speaker 2: are we looking there? 137 00:07:02,587 --> 00:07:05,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, look we've got We've got a few few bang 138 00:07:05,707 --> 00:07:08,307 Speaker 3: bangs and and had a bit of illness through our 139 00:07:08,987 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 3: through our camp last week. Hopefully that's all done and dusted. 140 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:14,227 Speaker 3: But look, like I say, we're no different to any 141 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:17,107 Speaker 3: other team. I think sort of get to this almost 142 00:07:17,147 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 3: at the midway point of this competition and I don't 143 00:07:20,267 --> 00:07:22,427 Speaker 3: think to be anybody that's gone unscathed. So it really 144 00:07:22,507 --> 00:07:27,147 Speaker 3: tests your depth and it gives opportunities for in our situation, 145 00:07:27,187 --> 00:07:28,947 Speaker 3: I know it's the same with other team for young fellers, 146 00:07:28,987 --> 00:07:32,547 Speaker 3: particularly who have Sharnie wears through through club rugby and stuff. 147 00:07:32,547 --> 00:07:35,187 Speaker 3: They have opportunities and we get a real kick out 148 00:07:35,187 --> 00:07:38,787 Speaker 3: of seeing some of these youngers get opportunities and show 149 00:07:38,827 --> 00:07:41,107 Speaker 3: us what they've got. So there'll be a couple more 150 00:07:41,147 --> 00:07:46,027 Speaker 3: out there tonight, hopefully, getting the crack and Sharne Weirs 151 00:07:46,027 --> 00:07:46,347 Speaker 3: as well. 152 00:07:46,547 --> 00:07:49,907 Speaker 2: Nice coaches don't like to blow smoke up any players 153 00:07:49,987 --> 00:07:53,587 Speaker 2: backsides so or indeed pillory them in public. But I'll 154 00:07:53,627 --> 00:07:57,107 Speaker 2: ask anyway, who have you liked so far this season? 155 00:07:57,107 --> 00:07:58,547 Speaker 2: I want to ask you to rip into one of 156 00:07:58,547 --> 00:08:02,907 Speaker 2: your players, because that's entirely unfair, Marco, that you've enjoyed 157 00:08:02,947 --> 00:08:05,667 Speaker 2: Ehodio Recon has really stood up and represented the Finn. 158 00:08:08,627 --> 00:08:11,987 Speaker 3: On the field. I think it's been great having Willy 159 00:08:12,147 --> 00:08:14,587 Speaker 3: Willy Beck. Like Willy was away with Tom at the 160 00:08:14,627 --> 00:08:18,227 Speaker 3: World Cup last year and so he's really matured over 161 00:08:18,227 --> 00:08:20,987 Speaker 3: the last couple of seasons since he was lost with us. 162 00:08:21,027 --> 00:08:23,787 Speaker 3: So it's great having him back. And he's he's taken 163 00:08:23,827 --> 00:08:28,267 Speaker 3: on the reins and he's doing good things. And oh look, 164 00:08:28,667 --> 00:08:30,747 Speaker 3: and we've had a few guys come back from the 165 00:08:30,747 --> 00:08:33,227 Speaker 3: World Cup last year who've come back into our environment 166 00:08:33,227 --> 00:08:39,227 Speaker 3: and said it seamlessly. So Will he's one, obviously, Jim 167 00:08:39,227 --> 00:08:43,787 Speaker 3: watch call of Jim Jim. I he's he's been of 168 00:08:43,907 --> 00:08:45,507 Speaker 3: a weapon for us as well, so he's been doing 169 00:08:45,547 --> 00:08:49,347 Speaker 3: good things. But no, it's yeah, I don't really as 170 00:08:49,347 --> 00:08:51,067 Speaker 3: you're saying now, I'm not real keen on signing too 171 00:08:51,067 --> 00:08:51,747 Speaker 3: many people. 172 00:08:52,307 --> 00:08:55,227 Speaker 2: And on Matt, we'll let you go. Just carry this 173 00:08:55,347 --> 00:08:58,867 Speaker 2: on your shoulders when you're out there. Producer Andy McDonald 174 00:08:59,027 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 2: is a good Kasman boy. He's very keen to see 175 00:09:02,067 --> 00:09:04,547 Speaker 2: you guys do well. So do it for the producer, 176 00:09:04,667 --> 00:09:04,947 Speaker 2: will you. 177 00:09:06,427 --> 00:09:08,587 Speaker 3: We'll be doing it for a few people in our community. 178 00:09:08,587 --> 00:09:11,627 Speaker 3: And it's it's going to be a tough, tough ass 179 00:09:11,627 --> 00:09:13,467 Speaker 3: but yeah, looking forward to it. 180 00:09:13,507 --> 00:09:15,867 Speaker 2: Caw wait, goy, good on your mate, Thanks very much 181 00:09:15,907 --> 00:09:17,547 Speaker 2: for your time and there you go. There's all the 182 00:09:17,587 --> 00:09:19,907 Speaker 2: love in the world for you. Any McDonald. It's like, 183 00:09:20,027 --> 00:09:23,587 Speaker 2: it's nice Toby to represent your your home. Bans up. 184 00:09:23,747 --> 00:09:26,187 Speaker 2: Is it a town or a city? It's a city, mate, 185 00:09:26,187 --> 00:09:29,187 Speaker 2: it is a city. What is the cutoff point for 186 00:09:29,267 --> 00:09:32,347 Speaker 2: city fifty? Actually don't know. One day the Queen said 187 00:09:32,387 --> 00:09:34,787 Speaker 2: it was I think so the Queen said, it's definitely 188 00:09:34,787 --> 00:09:37,987 Speaker 2: a city and the city of Nelson. It is rainfully 189 00:09:37,987 --> 00:09:40,387 Speaker 2: shields to night five past seven. Coming up next, we're 190 00:09:40,427 --> 00:09:43,547 Speaker 2: going to go to Grace opposite. His name is Brock James. 191 00:09:43,587 --> 00:09:46,067 Speaker 2: He's the Hawks Bay Coups. It's coming up next here 192 00:09:46,107 --> 00:09:47,267 Speaker 2: on Newstalk's. 193 00:09:46,907 --> 00:09:51,387 Speaker 1: EDB For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen 194 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:55,067 Speaker 1: live to news talks edb weekends from midday, or follow 195 00:09:55,107 --> 00:09:56,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio