1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,107 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB Canberra. 3 00:00:14,027 --> 00:00:18,027 Speaker 2: It's kick did's it's a thriller in the chiller and camera, 4 00:00:18,587 --> 00:00:22,987 Speaker 2: but the Crusaders hang on to finish seconds and super 5 00:00:23,267 --> 00:00:27,507 Speaker 2: right be Pacific Yes and by doing so, hosting rights 6 00:00:27,507 --> 00:00:30,547 Speaker 2: against the Reds Friday Nights in christ. Full commentary of 7 00:00:30,587 --> 00:00:33,187 Speaker 2: that game too on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio with Nick 8 00:00:33,227 --> 00:00:35,827 Speaker 2: Buley and the team Crusader's head coach Rob Penny is 9 00:00:35,867 --> 00:00:38,787 Speaker 2: with us. Rob sort of occurs to me that that 10 00:00:38,947 --> 00:00:40,547 Speaker 2: was a tough game for you on Friday night and 11 00:00:40,547 --> 00:00:42,707 Speaker 2: compared to many of the other sides in the top six, 12 00:00:43,227 --> 00:00:45,267 Speaker 2: you come into the finals off the back of a 13 00:00:45,307 --> 00:00:48,467 Speaker 2: real battle. How helpful might that be to you as 14 00:00:48,507 --> 00:00:50,507 Speaker 2: you now tackle finals footy? 15 00:00:51,267 --> 00:00:54,227 Speaker 3: As you say, we was a really hard for physical 16 00:00:54,467 --> 00:00:59,427 Speaker 3: encounter with a great side. You know, obviously Bumby's getting third. 17 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:03,107 Speaker 3: It was always going to be pretty titanic and you know, 18 00:01:03,147 --> 00:01:06,707 Speaker 3: we've looked at it as part of a guess, part 19 00:01:06,707 --> 00:01:09,667 Speaker 3: of the build up to the to the playoffs, so 20 00:01:11,067 --> 00:01:14,067 Speaker 3: who knows, but we feel as though it's it's set 21 00:01:14,147 --> 00:01:16,827 Speaker 3: us up really well. We've come through you know the 22 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:20,787 Speaker 3: game pretty well in terms of the the physical nature 23 00:01:20,827 --> 00:01:23,427 Speaker 3: and so forth, and we've got some great learnings and 24 00:01:23,787 --> 00:01:25,867 Speaker 3: we'll be you know, pushing on with those this week. 25 00:01:25,947 --> 00:01:29,187 Speaker 3: So hopefully we really do believe it set us up nicely. 26 00:01:29,307 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, it's seven wins in your last eight. Do 27 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:39,827 Speaker 2: you believe in the in the concept of momentum. 28 00:01:37,507 --> 00:01:40,867 Speaker 3: Well, there's nothing to replace confidence, and that's all. You know, 29 00:01:40,907 --> 00:01:43,507 Speaker 3: it's all tied up with that, With that concept of 30 00:01:43,587 --> 00:01:47,787 Speaker 3: momentum I GIFs, you get wins and then they it's 31 00:01:47,827 --> 00:01:50,987 Speaker 3: sort of self fulfilling prophecy. You know, the energy and 32 00:01:51,027 --> 00:01:54,467 Speaker 3: excitement and confidence you get from a win sort of 33 00:01:54,467 --> 00:01:56,867 Speaker 3: turns and gives you another opportunity the next week, and 34 00:01:56,867 --> 00:01:59,347 Speaker 3: if you can build on that, that's where it comes from. Really, 35 00:02:00,787 --> 00:02:03,027 Speaker 3: So there is an element to it, but that doesn't 36 00:02:03,067 --> 00:02:05,867 Speaker 3: mean that, you know, a team with quality can't can't 37 00:02:05,907 --> 00:02:08,747 Speaker 3: bounce through quickly if they've had a couple of bad 38 00:02:10,347 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 3: runs or bad outcomes. So there's something in it, but 39 00:02:13,707 --> 00:02:14,747 Speaker 3: it's not the be all and the end of. 40 00:02:15,147 --> 00:02:17,147 Speaker 2: Did you know Sava rece could drop goals? 41 00:02:18,987 --> 00:02:23,787 Speaker 3: Did? He loves it? Like he's got a multifested skill set. 42 00:02:24,027 --> 00:02:26,707 Speaker 3: He does practice them at training, and he practices goal 43 00:02:26,787 --> 00:02:29,787 Speaker 3: kicking at training and he's really good. 44 00:02:30,147 --> 00:02:33,107 Speaker 2: All right, Well he's one from one this season, so 45 00:02:33,187 --> 00:02:35,307 Speaker 2: you can't do much better than that. Let's look ahead 46 00:02:35,827 --> 00:02:37,787 Speaker 2: the Reds Friday night. You beat them in a round four? 47 00:02:38,147 --> 00:02:40,667 Speaker 2: Is that now a little bit too long ago to 48 00:02:40,747 --> 00:02:42,267 Speaker 2: be relevant this weekend? 49 00:02:44,187 --> 00:02:48,467 Speaker 3: Well, just reviewing the Reds again and watching them play 50 00:02:48,547 --> 00:02:50,747 Speaker 3: last night and listened to some of the comments. You know, 51 00:02:50,787 --> 00:02:54,387 Speaker 3: they're talking about a game twelve months ago where you 52 00:02:54,427 --> 00:02:58,627 Speaker 3: know they stung us here badly at home. So I mean, 53 00:02:58,667 --> 00:03:01,867 Speaker 3: if we're talking about a game three or four months ago, 54 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:05,067 Speaker 3: is now irrelevant? Talking a game twelve months ago is 55 00:03:05,107 --> 00:03:08,667 Speaker 3: still relevant. They look, they're all pieces of the puddle puzzle. 56 00:03:08,707 --> 00:03:10,707 Speaker 3: It's how that's how you're tied all together to make 57 00:03:10,747 --> 00:03:14,867 Speaker 3: it relevant. And they're obviously feeding on that performance at 58 00:03:15,907 --> 00:03:18,987 Speaker 3: Orange Theory twelve months ago. And and we'll dip into 59 00:03:19,027 --> 00:03:21,667 Speaker 3: the Reds game round I think it was around four. 60 00:03:22,347 --> 00:03:25,627 Speaker 3: But conditions will be entirely different, you know, at the 61 00:03:25,667 --> 00:03:29,227 Speaker 3: time of year. You know, as you said, you know, 62 00:03:29,267 --> 00:03:33,027 Speaker 3: the evolvement of both teams during the campaign will be 63 00:03:33,067 --> 00:03:36,707 Speaker 3: markedly different. So lots of things to take into account. 64 00:03:36,707 --> 00:03:40,707 Speaker 3: But yeah, you can certainly reflect on those previous encounters 65 00:03:40,707 --> 00:03:41,587 Speaker 3: and take a bit out of it. 66 00:03:41,947 --> 00:03:45,987 Speaker 2: If you talk about pieces in a puzzle, your selection puzzle, 67 00:03:45,987 --> 00:03:47,387 Speaker 2: if you can call it that. You got to Ethan 68 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:49,867 Speaker 2: Black at a back. He'd missed the last four games. 69 00:03:49,907 --> 00:03:52,027 Speaker 2: I think I hadn't seen him since you went over 70 00:03:52,067 --> 00:03:55,147 Speaker 2: the blues. How critical has returned to you? 71 00:03:57,467 --> 00:04:04,147 Speaker 3: Look, he's he in a number of ways. His performance 72 00:04:04,227 --> 00:04:06,827 Speaker 3: is a you know, a top shelf every time is 73 00:04:06,827 --> 00:04:09,387 Speaker 3: consistent to performance and what he delivers for the group, 74 00:04:09,467 --> 00:04:12,587 Speaker 3: and then you know, you see him around the group 75 00:04:12,667 --> 00:04:15,747 Speaker 3: during the week and what he offers his teammates and 76 00:04:15,827 --> 00:04:19,707 Speaker 3: the jersey and the legacy of the Crusaders, I guess 77 00:04:19,787 --> 00:04:22,347 Speaker 3: as all the things that you want from your great 78 00:04:22,347 --> 00:04:26,227 Speaker 3: Canniby Crusader men. And to be fair, all the boys 79 00:04:26,547 --> 00:04:30,067 Speaker 3: embrace their element and but Ethan's right at the pinnacle 80 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:33,267 Speaker 3: with two or three others that that relead that for us. 81 00:04:34,747 --> 00:04:40,027 Speaker 3: So yep, it's great having back and we're better for it. 82 00:04:40,387 --> 00:04:42,307 Speaker 2: Will you have will Jordan back this week? 83 00:04:44,307 --> 00:04:45,867 Speaker 3: We've still got a wee bit of water to go 84 00:04:45,947 --> 00:04:48,827 Speaker 3: under the bridge there, but it's all pretty positive at 85 00:04:48,827 --> 00:04:53,147 Speaker 3: this stage. But there were no confirmation until probably probably 86 00:04:53,147 --> 00:04:58,907 Speaker 3: Wednesday before we are able to confirm or rule that out. 87 00:04:58,987 --> 00:05:00,827 Speaker 3: But it's all really positive at the stage. 88 00:05:00,907 --> 00:05:03,187 Speaker 2: And David heavily didn't play against the Bronbies. That was 89 00:05:03,227 --> 00:05:04,307 Speaker 2: just race though was it. 90 00:05:05,867 --> 00:05:08,707 Speaker 3: Had a time only a little bit of a tightness 91 00:05:08,707 --> 00:05:10,827 Speaker 3: in his hemmy, but so it was a combination of 92 00:05:10,907 --> 00:05:15,427 Speaker 3: a massive workload. His stats are you know, going through 93 00:05:15,427 --> 00:05:18,507 Speaker 3: the roof across the game, particularly in the contact and 94 00:05:18,067 --> 00:05:22,267 Speaker 3: the and the high meters he's attaining and games, so 95 00:05:22,307 --> 00:05:26,667 Speaker 3: his work rates off the scale, so double edge. He 96 00:05:26,707 --> 00:05:29,107 Speaker 3: didn't want to really have a week off, but it's 97 00:05:29,187 --> 00:05:31,147 Speaker 3: turned out to be the best thing we could have done. 98 00:05:31,227 --> 00:05:33,667 Speaker 3: And you know, we can't wait him back in there 99 00:05:33,707 --> 00:05:34,147 Speaker 3: leading us. 100 00:05:34,387 --> 00:05:36,107 Speaker 2: And can I just ask you about the bloke who 101 00:05:36,187 --> 00:05:38,707 Speaker 2: most often has worn the twenty two jumper for you 102 00:05:39,267 --> 00:05:41,947 Speaker 2: this season, James O'Connor. Can you talk a bit about 103 00:05:41,947 --> 00:05:44,547 Speaker 2: his impact and influence on your side this year. 104 00:05:46,627 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's he's been a great asset for us. I think, 105 00:05:51,187 --> 00:05:54,027 Speaker 3: you know, the question gets often asked about him because 106 00:05:54,027 --> 00:05:57,867 Speaker 3: he's a He's a charismatic guy with a with a 107 00:05:57,867 --> 00:06:03,707 Speaker 3: fantastic rugby intellect and an attitude of you know, wanting 108 00:06:03,747 --> 00:06:06,987 Speaker 3: to give and express himself and and be a part 109 00:06:07,027 --> 00:06:09,947 Speaker 3: of something far greater than himself, which is which is 110 00:06:09,987 --> 00:06:12,307 Speaker 3: a wonderful attribute to have at his stage of his directs. 111 00:06:12,347 --> 00:06:15,867 Speaker 3: His knowledge is right up there, and his ability and 112 00:06:15,907 --> 00:06:20,307 Speaker 3: confidence to share that and debate and challenge is awesome. 113 00:06:20,347 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 3: But there's also his ability to wrap his arm around 114 00:06:22,627 --> 00:06:25,707 Speaker 3: a couple of our younger blokes who are finding their 115 00:06:25,747 --> 00:06:30,707 Speaker 3: way in the professional arena and support them and nurture 116 00:06:30,787 --> 00:06:34,987 Speaker 3: and cajole has just been exactly what we had hoped 117 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 3: it would be. You know, he's living the words he 118 00:06:38,067 --> 00:06:41,027 Speaker 3: spoke to us about when he best had the discussion 119 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 3: with us about coming here. And can't speak highly enough 120 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:44,147 Speaker 3: about the man. 121 00:06:44,627 --> 00:06:46,627 Speaker 2: When we did this feature last year, Robin and spoke 122 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:49,147 Speaker 2: to the coaches who were involved in Finals football. We 123 00:06:49,147 --> 00:06:52,107 Speaker 2: didn't have to ring you, did you always believe that 124 00:06:52,147 --> 00:06:55,027 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four was a blip that you could recover 125 00:06:55,147 --> 00:06:57,027 Speaker 2: immediately from. 126 00:06:57,987 --> 00:07:01,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, we were. I think we were one went away 127 00:07:01,427 --> 00:07:05,107 Speaker 3: from being fixed. And had we been there, you know, 128 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:07,267 Speaker 3: I had every faith that the would have the quality 129 00:07:07,347 --> 00:07:13,267 Speaker 3: to push through and be a real challenger. You know, 130 00:07:14,747 --> 00:07:17,347 Speaker 3: you look at the Blues similar this year, they've managed 131 00:07:17,347 --> 00:07:19,987 Speaker 3: to get into the tops, they'll be massively motivated and 132 00:07:20,587 --> 00:07:23,347 Speaker 3: there'll be a massive challenge forever whoever they get they 133 00:07:23,547 --> 00:07:26,107 Speaker 3: and you'd have to say, you know, they've had a 134 00:07:26,187 --> 00:07:30,507 Speaker 3: you know, a bit of I guess, a challenging season. Yeah. No, 135 00:07:30,627 --> 00:07:33,227 Speaker 3: I always had faith that the group would bounce. 136 00:07:33,707 --> 00:07:35,867 Speaker 2: And there'll be guys on your side who are hoping 137 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:37,947 Speaker 2: to hear their names read out in an all black 138 00:07:37,987 --> 00:07:40,107 Speaker 2: squad in a few weeks time. Do you talk to 139 00:07:40,147 --> 00:07:45,827 Speaker 2: your players specifically about their All black's ambitions? 140 00:07:45,867 --> 00:07:53,027 Speaker 3: Everyone's awad No, not specifically, I guess with all the 141 00:07:53,067 --> 00:07:58,587 Speaker 3: coaches are capable of having really good communication or chats 142 00:07:58,587 --> 00:08:04,587 Speaker 3: with the boys about the bigger picture stuff and you know, 143 00:08:04,707 --> 00:08:07,627 Speaker 3: ensuring that the focus on the here and now and 144 00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:11,067 Speaker 3: that the benefits that they'll get will be on the 145 00:08:11,107 --> 00:08:16,267 Speaker 3: back of performing really well for the Crusaders. And look, 146 00:08:17,307 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 3: without doubt and without any doubt in my mind in 147 00:08:20,267 --> 00:08:24,867 Speaker 3: terms of questioning approach, that the players here are deeply 148 00:08:24,907 --> 00:08:30,507 Speaker 3: invested in the Crusaders and you know what their time 149 00:08:30,547 --> 00:08:33,107 Speaker 3: and the jersey means, and that that one'm talking about 150 00:08:33,147 --> 00:08:37,747 Speaker 3: the players that have been great All Blacks, and it's 151 00:08:37,827 --> 00:08:41,827 Speaker 3: a real thrill it's a it's an incredible environment to 152 00:08:41,867 --> 00:08:45,827 Speaker 3: be around knowing that the you know, the people that 153 00:08:45,867 --> 00:08:49,707 Speaker 3: have other responsibilities and other teams are still so heavily 154 00:08:49,747 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 3: invested in this, in this group and what it does, 155 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:54,467 Speaker 3: and it's a real wanted to be a tiny week 156 00:08:54,467 --> 00:08:54,827 Speaker 3: part of that. 157 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:58,467 Speaker 2: Congrats on the on the bounce you've overseen in twenty 158 00:08:58,507 --> 00:09:00,307 Speaker 2: twenty five. Roble the Beast for the week ahead, Thanks 159 00:09:00,307 --> 00:09:01,947 Speaker 2: for your time this afternoon, pleasure. 160 00:09:02,027 --> 00:09:04,267 Speaker 3: Thanks very much, look forward to catching up again. 161 00:09:04,307 --> 00:09:08,507 Speaker 2: Maybe may be so, Rob, You're and yourself another week 162 00:09:08,547 --> 00:09:10,627 Speaker 2: and we'll certainly take you up on that offer. Thanks indeed, 163 00:09:10,707 --> 00:09:14,227 Speaker 2: Rob Ennick, head coach of the Crusaders, so they're through 164 00:09:14,547 --> 00:09:17,827 Speaker 2: safely in the top two and we'll host the Reds 165 00:09:17,827 --> 00:09:18,987 Speaker 2: on Friday night. 166 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:22,467 Speaker 1: There For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen 167 00:09:22,587 --> 00:09:25,827 Speaker 1: live to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or 168 00:09:25,907 --> 00:09:27,867 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.