1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,267 Speaker 2: But the Crusaders have moved to the top of the 4 00:00:15,267 --> 00:00:19,187 Speaker 2: Super Rugby table after pipping the Highlanders fifteen twelve in 5 00:00:19,307 --> 00:00:22,107 Speaker 2: christ Church. Islander's first five cam Miller missed a late 6 00:00:22,187 --> 00:00:24,547 Speaker 2: thirty eight meter penalty that would have sent the game 7 00:00:24,587 --> 00:00:26,707 Speaker 2: to extra time. The Crusader's got a couple of tries, 8 00:00:26,987 --> 00:00:29,827 Speaker 2: one to seven Reese, who became the all time leading 9 00:00:29,867 --> 00:00:33,307 Speaker 2: Super Rugby tri scorer with sixty six, and the other 10 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:36,147 Speaker 2: to All Blacks front rower to Mighty Williams. 11 00:00:36,307 --> 00:00:39,987 Speaker 3: Very close to the life the room sells. Just sure, 12 00:00:41,227 --> 00:00:44,667 Speaker 3: just sure they picked it. Go the Crusaders there over. 13 00:00:46,467 --> 00:00:49,147 Speaker 4: So Mighty Willnds. I think you're finding us right, They're 14 00:00:49,227 --> 00:00:50,027 Speaker 4: absolutely right. 15 00:00:50,107 --> 00:00:53,307 Speaker 3: Craig there to Mighty Williams, who's going to have it 16 00:00:53,347 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 3: a score it tries this season. A boat shift fer 17 00:00:57,067 --> 00:01:01,987 Speaker 3: on the tighthead side tonight puts the Crusaders back in 18 00:01:02,107 --> 00:01:03,067 Speaker 3: front with eight. 19 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:06,947 Speaker 2: To play at to Mighty Williams joins this the first 20 00:01:06,947 --> 00:01:09,347 Speaker 2: time somebody you could say you've scored a try from 21 00:01:09,387 --> 00:01:12,187 Speaker 2: further out than Severn Reese. 22 00:01:13,187 --> 00:01:15,627 Speaker 5: Yeah, that guy's rising around the last few days, so 23 00:01:16,627 --> 00:01:17,707 Speaker 5: it's good to go on over. 24 00:01:18,867 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 4: Fantastic. He scored his sixty six last night. 25 00:01:22,467 --> 00:01:24,907 Speaker 2: As I say, he's now the all time leading Super 26 00:01:24,987 --> 00:01:27,667 Speaker 2: rugby try scorer. Is that something that you celebrated as 27 00:01:27,667 --> 00:01:29,587 Speaker 2: a team last night after the game? 28 00:01:31,467 --> 00:01:34,707 Speaker 5: Yeah, me, of course. It's not every day you get 29 00:01:34,707 --> 00:01:37,747 Speaker 5: to see a mate back to all time scoring records, 30 00:01:37,747 --> 00:01:40,827 Speaker 5: so we had a few milestones last night, but we 31 00:01:40,947 --> 00:01:43,027 Speaker 5: men sure we celebrated him as well. 32 00:01:43,867 --> 00:01:46,947 Speaker 2: You'll try to mighty came from a line out drive 33 00:01:47,147 --> 00:01:49,947 Speaker 2: from a penalty. You're twelve ten down at that time 34 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:53,027 Speaker 2: with ten minutes ago. Were there any conversations going on 35 00:01:53,107 --> 00:01:55,667 Speaker 2: out there about taking a shot at goal rather than 36 00:01:56,027 --> 00:01:57,747 Speaker 2: picking for the line and taking the lineout? 37 00:02:00,467 --> 00:02:03,827 Speaker 5: Well, I'm at the front of the lineout verus our 38 00:02:03,867 --> 00:02:06,147 Speaker 5: game drivers were sorting it out of the back player, 39 00:02:06,147 --> 00:02:08,587 Speaker 5: but I was pretty set on going to the corner 40 00:02:08,667 --> 00:02:13,187 Speaker 5: and back in our more. I actually hope that we 41 00:02:13,227 --> 00:02:15,427 Speaker 5: scored a more time, but yeah, I'm lucky enough to 42 00:02:15,467 --> 00:02:16,147 Speaker 5: get it in the end. 43 00:02:16,507 --> 00:02:20,107 Speaker 4: Fantastic. Yeah, well, yeah, took another phase, but it must. 44 00:02:20,347 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 2: I know it's all a team game and everything like that, 45 00:02:22,987 --> 00:02:25,227 Speaker 2: but you know, to play a significant role like that, 46 00:02:25,307 --> 00:02:27,787 Speaker 2: as our commentator Nick Bully just said on the radio call, 47 00:02:27,827 --> 00:02:30,067 Speaker 2: you've made a bit of a habit of scoring tries. 48 00:02:30,627 --> 00:02:32,667 Speaker 4: Must be nice to dop down like that in such 49 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:33,507 Speaker 4: an important moment. 50 00:02:35,387 --> 00:02:39,747 Speaker 5: No, it's cool, man, We're weare all of it. I'm 51 00:02:39,787 --> 00:02:43,147 Speaker 5: showing care for our teammates and I happened just to 52 00:02:43,147 --> 00:02:47,947 Speaker 5: be there. So yeah, Tom Christy's done more work than me, 53 00:02:48,067 --> 00:02:49,107 Speaker 5: so credit to him. 54 00:02:50,427 --> 00:02:53,347 Speaker 2: The other thing, also, obviously, is that you were still 55 00:02:53,387 --> 00:02:55,427 Speaker 2: on at that time. When was the last time and 56 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:57,667 Speaker 2: right till the end, when was the last time you 57 00:02:57,707 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 2: played eighty minutes in a game? 58 00:03:02,067 --> 00:03:06,747 Speaker 5: I can't remember then Holy Reacing Club. But honestly, I 59 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:09,507 Speaker 5: didn't even look at the clock. I just I knew 60 00:03:09,547 --> 00:03:12,747 Speaker 5: it was getting pretty deep in the game. But I 61 00:03:12,787 --> 00:03:15,267 Speaker 5: think when I looked up it was about five minutes 62 00:03:15,307 --> 00:03:17,867 Speaker 5: to go. So I was like, man, we've played that 63 00:03:17,987 --> 00:03:18,467 Speaker 5: much already. 64 00:03:18,587 --> 00:03:20,947 Speaker 4: Reminds me play the exactly right. 65 00:03:20,987 --> 00:03:22,987 Speaker 2: So it didn't sort of occur to you because I 66 00:03:22,987 --> 00:03:26,707 Speaker 2: guess what, Normally the trend seems to be that front 67 00:03:26,787 --> 00:03:29,867 Speaker 2: row forwards, you know, play an hour, maybe a little 68 00:03:29,867 --> 00:03:32,347 Speaker 2: bit more, and then they're replaced. It just didn't really 69 00:03:32,347 --> 00:03:34,187 Speaker 2: occur to you. Hey, I think he's going to keep 70 00:03:34,187 --> 00:03:35,107 Speaker 2: me on for the whole game. 71 00:03:35,227 --> 00:03:39,107 Speaker 5: Yet, Yeah, I think that. Once I seen my mate 72 00:03:39,107 --> 00:03:44,387 Speaker 5: George Balgof, I've kind of looked at thighlighter thought maybe 73 00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:48,507 Speaker 5: I might be out here the whole game. Look, we're 74 00:03:48,547 --> 00:03:52,707 Speaker 5: just prepared for however long we get, and yeah, wen' 75 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:54,827 Speaker 5: let the coaches make those decisions. 76 00:03:55,427 --> 00:03:58,907 Speaker 2: So the Highlanders had a late chance to kick a 77 00:03:58,907 --> 00:04:02,227 Speaker 2: penalty which would have taken it into golden point. 78 00:04:02,267 --> 00:04:03,627 Speaker 4: What was your view of that? 79 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:06,107 Speaker 2: I couldn't quite pick out where you were on the 80 00:04:06,107 --> 00:04:07,707 Speaker 2: field when that penalty was being taken. 81 00:04:07,747 --> 00:04:09,187 Speaker 4: What was your view of it? 82 00:04:12,027 --> 00:04:14,587 Speaker 5: My view was I knew if they kicked the goal, 83 00:04:14,627 --> 00:04:18,107 Speaker 5: we're going to golden points. I was using as much 84 00:04:18,107 --> 00:04:22,187 Speaker 5: of their time just to re se and find whatever 85 00:04:22,347 --> 00:04:26,467 Speaker 5: energy I had to to. Yeah, maybe having to play 86 00:04:26,507 --> 00:04:32,427 Speaker 5: extra time unlucky to the Highlanders, but they played such 87 00:04:32,467 --> 00:04:36,827 Speaker 5: a good, better rugby and you know, more often they're 88 00:04:36,867 --> 00:04:40,427 Speaker 5: not and he gets that goal, so big up to 89 00:04:40,467 --> 00:04:43,587 Speaker 5: the Highlanders. They come to play and it's, like I 90 00:04:43,587 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 5: said after the game, that's just the nature and the 91 00:04:46,787 --> 00:04:48,547 Speaker 5: son and Darby and how much it leaves. 92 00:04:49,867 --> 00:04:53,587 Speaker 2: The other interesting feature of last night, as far as 93 00:04:53,587 --> 00:04:56,467 Speaker 2: your concerned was that you played tight head. How different 94 00:04:56,507 --> 00:04:59,307 Speaker 2: is it wearing number three instead of number one on 95 00:04:59,347 --> 00:04:59,747 Speaker 2: your back? 96 00:05:02,027 --> 00:05:04,547 Speaker 5: Well, it's pretty different. I guess the only difference is 97 00:05:04,587 --> 00:05:10,027 Speaker 5: you scribing against two people, not one. Now, I've played 98 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:14,627 Speaker 5: both my whole career, so I make sure that that 99 00:05:14,747 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 5: I stayed ready for both sides last night's case, it's 100 00:05:20,707 --> 00:05:24,227 Speaker 5: not too much of a shock to the system. Yeah, 101 00:05:24,027 --> 00:05:26,867 Speaker 5: so you just keep it the same and keep going. 102 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:30,347 Speaker 2: And you've played in all but one of the crusaders 103 00:05:30,347 --> 00:05:33,827 Speaker 2: thirteen games this season teen starts. Last year, I know 104 00:05:33,867 --> 00:05:35,827 Speaker 2: it was a frustrating season for you with just four 105 00:05:35,867 --> 00:05:39,547 Speaker 2: matches through injury and such, like, how much are you 106 00:05:39,707 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 2: enjoying a decent run of games this season? 107 00:05:44,227 --> 00:05:47,667 Speaker 5: Loving? Loving my time? Man, I'm taking a week by 108 00:05:47,747 --> 00:05:51,547 Speaker 5: week the Crusader's June You means so much to me. So, 109 00:05:51,627 --> 00:05:55,627 Speaker 5: like you said, it was quite frustrating, and yeah, that 110 00:05:55,747 --> 00:05:57,707 Speaker 5: got in that I couldn't be out there more last year. 111 00:05:58,347 --> 00:06:02,427 Speaker 5: But I'm just enjoying the group, you know, having having 112 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:05,747 Speaker 5: the older boys and younger boys coming, people like James a. 113 00:06:05,787 --> 00:06:10,867 Speaker 5: Conna bringing his experience to the team. It's been it's 114 00:06:10,907 --> 00:06:13,867 Speaker 5: been a fun year. So hopefully you can keep building. 115 00:06:14,347 --> 00:06:16,547 Speaker 2: Apart from the fact that you're playing more often, and 116 00:06:16,547 --> 00:06:18,307 Speaker 2: I'm sure that's a big reason for it, but and 117 00:06:18,667 --> 00:06:20,747 Speaker 2: some others coming back as well, the likes of World Jordan. 118 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:25,347 Speaker 4: What is so different this year compared to last year. 119 00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:30,467 Speaker 5: We took a lot of learnings. We took a lot 120 00:06:30,467 --> 00:06:33,627 Speaker 5: of learnings from last year, and if you look at 121 00:06:33,667 --> 00:06:36,427 Speaker 5: the season as a whole, it looks bad last year, 122 00:06:36,427 --> 00:06:39,147 Speaker 5: but we actually just lost a lot of type games 123 00:06:39,307 --> 00:06:42,947 Speaker 5: and we're trying to figure out how we can win 124 00:06:44,547 --> 00:06:49,107 Speaker 5: those type games. For example last night, and David Harvey 125 00:06:49,227 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 5: is doing a good job. Here's a good leadership around him, 126 00:06:51,747 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 5: and he's playing well, so it helps the team. 127 00:06:55,827 --> 00:06:58,867 Speaker 2: So now you prepare for the Brumbies away in your 128 00:06:58,867 --> 00:07:00,667 Speaker 2: final match. You know you can't fall out of the 129 00:07:00,707 --> 00:07:03,267 Speaker 2: top three now, but how important is it for you 130 00:07:03,347 --> 00:07:06,147 Speaker 2: to finish strongly against a team that, who knows you 131 00:07:06,187 --> 00:07:08,827 Speaker 2: may well faced when the finals roll around. 132 00:07:10,987 --> 00:07:13,707 Speaker 5: Yeah, when we're not really thinking about the finals, we 133 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:20,507 Speaker 5: were thinking about the Brumbies next week. Whatever happens posts 134 00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:24,627 Speaker 5: Brumbies will take care of itself by our full focuses 135 00:07:24,707 --> 00:07:27,747 Speaker 5: on respecting the Bumbies as a team and how good 136 00:07:27,747 --> 00:07:30,947 Speaker 5: they're going, so we're looking forward to getting out of 137 00:07:30,987 --> 00:07:33,867 Speaker 5: the ditch and yeah, hopefully put on a good performance. 138 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:36,067 Speaker 2: Can I ask about another member of the front row 139 00:07:36,067 --> 00:07:37,947 Speaker 2: who I don't know that many people had heard of 140 00:07:38,027 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 2: before the season, but he's been given a lot of 141 00:07:39,627 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 2: opportunity and taking those opportunities. That's your mate, the hooker 142 00:07:44,147 --> 00:07:48,427 Speaker 2: Yuanni Muanahu. What have you made of his office development 143 00:07:48,467 --> 00:07:48,867 Speaker 2: this year? 144 00:07:51,467 --> 00:07:54,587 Speaker 5: It's been really cool to see to see him do 145 00:07:54,627 --> 00:07:57,027 Speaker 5: his thing on the field. He's been with us for 146 00:07:57,067 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 5: the last three years and what the public's seen on 147 00:08:02,267 --> 00:08:05,827 Speaker 5: TV nails will have been seen in the training in 148 00:08:05,867 --> 00:08:08,547 Speaker 5: the last few years. And just to see his confidence 149 00:08:08,587 --> 00:08:12,307 Speaker 5: grow and just to watch them back himself like the 150 00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:17,747 Speaker 5: kicks and play and turnovers, celebrations. He's a real weapon 151 00:08:17,867 --> 00:08:21,307 Speaker 5: to our team and the boys love the boys loves 152 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:24,427 Speaker 5: him grow and we're actually giving a lot of confidence 153 00:08:24,467 --> 00:08:27,227 Speaker 5: from him as well. So as much as he as 154 00:08:27,267 --> 00:08:30,667 Speaker 5: he is learning where we're learning, probably more awesome. 155 00:08:31,067 --> 00:08:34,027 Speaker 2: So it's been good, outstanding And just to finish out, 156 00:08:34,067 --> 00:08:36,667 Speaker 2: I know you're only focusing on Super rugby, but you 157 00:08:36,747 --> 00:08:39,427 Speaker 2: played ten times for the All Blacks last year, eighteen 158 00:08:39,507 --> 00:08:42,427 Speaker 2: tests in total. Now for you to Mighty, have you 159 00:08:42,467 --> 00:08:45,707 Speaker 2: started thinking about the black jersey in twenty twenty five. 160 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:50,547 Speaker 5: I guess when you at the start of the year 161 00:08:50,587 --> 00:08:53,867 Speaker 5: and you see your goals for the year, that's up 162 00:08:53,907 --> 00:08:58,467 Speaker 5: there for me, Bro, I'm quite I have to say, 163 00:08:58,627 --> 00:09:02,787 Speaker 5: stay prison. I see it small goals and obviously the 164 00:09:02,827 --> 00:09:06,427 Speaker 5: goals to being up next jersey, but right now the 165 00:09:06,467 --> 00:09:08,947 Speaker 5: red and black jersey and it didn't mean so much 166 00:09:09,027 --> 00:09:11,387 Speaker 5: to me is so out of respect. I'll give my 167 00:09:11,507 --> 00:09:14,147 Speaker 5: word to that team first, and you're hopefully going to 168 00:09:14,227 --> 00:09:14,787 Speaker 5: high honors. 169 00:09:15,387 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, you certainly gave it all last night. A year, 170 00:09:17,187 --> 00:09:19,707 Speaker 2: but a but surer today after eighty minutes. I keep 171 00:09:19,747 --> 00:09:21,787 Speaker 2: coming back to that eighty minutes for a prop man, 172 00:09:21,827 --> 00:09:22,707 Speaker 2: it just doesn't happen. 173 00:09:24,987 --> 00:09:28,427 Speaker 5: Yeah, but so very Hey, my wife put me on 174 00:09:28,507 --> 00:09:32,427 Speaker 5: the Morning System's baby this morning, So being a dad 175 00:09:32,507 --> 00:09:34,907 Speaker 5: right now as all that matter is, we'll sort the 176 00:09:34,947 --> 00:09:35,747 Speaker 5: sawn us out later. 177 00:09:36,227 --> 00:09:38,027 Speaker 2: Good Man, Well, thanks for taking ten minutes out of 178 00:09:38,027 --> 00:09:39,787 Speaker 2: your day to chat to us. To Mighty, congrats on 179 00:09:39,787 --> 00:09:42,387 Speaker 2: the win last night. Mate, you're playing brilliantly. All the 180 00:09:42,467 --> 00:09:44,427 Speaker 2: best for the rest of well the regular season next 181 00:09:44,467 --> 00:09:46,747 Speaker 2: week and then on towards the finals. Really appreciate you 182 00:09:46,867 --> 00:09:47,307 Speaker 2: taking our. 183 00:09:47,267 --> 00:09:50,827 Speaker 5: Call so you can appreciate those home me on. Cheers 184 00:09:51,107 --> 00:09:51,347 Speaker 5: all the. 185 00:09:51,347 --> 00:09:54,267 Speaker 2: Best, mate, Cheers that is up to mighty Williams Crusaders 186 00:09:54,267 --> 00:09:57,947 Speaker 2: front rower try scorer last night and All Blacks front 187 00:09:58,027 --> 00:09:58,627 Speaker 2: rower as well. 188 00:09:59,227 --> 00:10:00,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, it just doesn't happen, does it, you know? 189 00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:04,427 Speaker 2: And again I liked it last week as well when 190 00:10:05,027 --> 00:10:06,947 Speaker 2: cam royguard stayed on for the whole game for the 191 00:10:07,067 --> 00:10:08,987 Speaker 2: Hurricanes and ended up scoring the try at the end 192 00:10:09,067 --> 00:10:12,267 Speaker 2: to win the game against the Highlanders. And look, there 193 00:10:12,347 --> 00:10:14,547 Speaker 2: just seems to be this. I know that rugby is 194 00:10:14,547 --> 00:10:17,267 Speaker 2: a twenty three man game, of course it is. Everybody 195 00:10:17,707 --> 00:10:20,427 Speaker 2: you know contributes in their own way, but if someone's 196 00:10:20,467 --> 00:10:24,227 Speaker 2: playing well, why not just leave them on more so 197 00:10:24,427 --> 00:10:27,027 Speaker 2: I think with like a halfback, but for a front 198 00:10:27,107 --> 00:10:29,067 Speaker 2: rower to stay on. And George Bauer was on for 199 00:10:29,147 --> 00:10:31,787 Speaker 2: seventy eight minutes as well, So to see the number 200 00:10:31,867 --> 00:10:35,747 Speaker 2: one and three out there so late in the game 201 00:10:36,507 --> 00:10:37,627 Speaker 2: was you know, it was? 202 00:10:37,747 --> 00:10:40,547 Speaker 4: It was well, it was something you don't see very often. 203 00:10:41,107 --> 00:10:44,307 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 204 00:10:44,387 --> 00:10:47,707 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 205 00:10:47,747 --> 00:10:49,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.