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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:13,067 --> 00:00:16,747 Speaker 2: Josh Jacob started and played the entire game at first 4 00:00:16,787 --> 00:00:21,387 Speaker 2: five and was excellent in doing so. He joins us. Now, Josh, 5 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:24,507 Speaker 2: I guess when you put fifty plus on somebody, everybody 6 00:00:24,547 --> 00:00:27,147 Speaker 2: would be reasonably happy with that. How do you evaluate 7 00:00:27,187 --> 00:00:30,307 Speaker 2: the performance of the side last night at bay Oval? 8 00:00:32,307 --> 00:00:35,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, thanks for the intro, mate, very kind words. 9 00:00:36,227 --> 00:00:39,187 Speaker 3: In terms of the performance, I think, like you say, 10 00:00:39,307 --> 00:00:44,187 Speaker 3: putting fifty points on a team is always a good look, 11 00:00:44,267 --> 00:00:48,507 Speaker 3: and I think we really made some good shifts in 12 00:00:48,627 --> 00:00:53,347 Speaker 3: the second half that allowed us to put out a 13 00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:56,787 Speaker 3: performance that all of us, from coaches and players could 14 00:00:56,787 --> 00:01:01,507 Speaker 3: have been proud of, especially for Semmasoni's one hundred game. 15 00:01:01,547 --> 00:01:06,107 Speaker 3: It's a awesome player for us, and to put out 16 00:01:06,147 --> 00:01:10,547 Speaker 3: a performance for him like that was just as special. 17 00:01:10,627 --> 00:01:12,987 Speaker 3: So yeah, and. 18 00:01:12,947 --> 00:01:14,627 Speaker 2: I try for him as well, which is not unusual. 19 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:16,747 Speaker 2: Of course, he normally gets one, doesn't he, So good 20 00:01:16,747 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 2: to have him get one on the occasion of this 21 00:01:18,907 --> 00:01:21,627 Speaker 2: one hundredth As I mentioned, for the second straight week, 22 00:01:21,667 --> 00:01:24,267 Speaker 2: it was the second half that stood out the most. 23 00:01:24,267 --> 00:01:26,987 Speaker 2: You won the second half thirty one to seven last night. 24 00:01:27,227 --> 00:01:30,667 Speaker 2: You won at thirty three nil against the Highlanders last weekend. 25 00:01:30,667 --> 00:01:32,227 Speaker 2: Why do you think the Chiefs are such a good 26 00:01:32,667 --> 00:01:33,627 Speaker 2: second half side? 27 00:01:35,707 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a good question because we keep searching for 28 00:01:40,747 --> 00:01:44,627 Speaker 3: I guess that ability to play like that in the 29 00:01:44,667 --> 00:01:49,827 Speaker 3: first half as well. But I think the work we're 30 00:01:49,827 --> 00:01:53,387 Speaker 3: doing in the first half is kind of what's setting 31 00:01:53,467 --> 00:01:57,387 Speaker 3: us up in the second. We're staying true to a 32 00:01:57,507 --> 00:02:02,227 Speaker 3: game plan and our systems, and I guess being able 33 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 3: to break your team down over eighty minutes is pretty important. 34 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:14,467 Speaker 3: And almost coming back together at halftime and having maybe 35 00:02:14,507 --> 00:02:17,427 Speaker 3: small conversations that we need to have to go out 36 00:02:17,467 --> 00:02:20,667 Speaker 3: and say like we're doing the second half has been 37 00:02:20,707 --> 00:02:23,787 Speaker 3: really beneficial. So I think, to put it bluntly, just 38 00:02:24,427 --> 00:02:26,347 Speaker 3: the work we're doing in the first half and staying 39 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:29,147 Speaker 3: in the fight really and then being able to grind 40 00:02:29,147 --> 00:02:32,187 Speaker 3: a team down and the second half is pace evidence. 41 00:02:32,307 --> 00:02:33,467 Speaker 3: The last couple of weeks. 42 00:02:33,267 --> 00:02:36,707 Speaker 2: Anyway, certainly has Let's talk about your performances. You've played 43 00:02:36,747 --> 00:02:39,667 Speaker 2: every one of the Chiefs ten games this season, six 44 00:02:39,707 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 2: starts at first, five four off the bench. You only 45 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:45,747 Speaker 2: had four games all last season. How much you enjoying 46 00:02:46,147 --> 00:02:48,827 Speaker 2: weekend week out rugby for the Chiefs. 47 00:02:49,467 --> 00:02:52,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm loving today. It was definitely a goal at 48 00:02:52,947 --> 00:02:56,267 Speaker 3: the start of the year just to try and make 49 00:02:56,347 --> 00:02:59,347 Speaker 3: as mini matched Age twenty threes as I possibly could, 50 00:02:59,427 --> 00:03:03,787 Speaker 3: and obviously got a bit lucky in a sense at 51 00:03:03,827 --> 00:03:07,267 Speaker 3: the start of the year with so I'm not lucky, 52 00:03:07,307 --> 00:03:10,627 Speaker 3: but Shooter was away still in Japan and there was 53 00:03:10,747 --> 00:03:14,907 Speaker 3: almost an opportunity there for to get out on the field, 54 00:03:15,787 --> 00:03:18,547 Speaker 3: which was awesome for me. And then obviously last night 55 00:03:18,587 --> 00:03:22,627 Speaker 3: as well, unfortunately at the expense of Damian Tandon jury. 56 00:03:23,867 --> 00:03:27,347 Speaker 3: Never want that, but it kind of allowed me to 57 00:03:27,587 --> 00:03:30,507 Speaker 3: dig out there on the field. So yeah, I'm definitely 58 00:03:30,827 --> 00:03:35,347 Speaker 3: loving being out there with the boys and just experiencing 59 00:03:36,067 --> 00:03:41,267 Speaker 3: the whole season and trying to make an impact when 60 00:03:41,307 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 3: I can for the team. 61 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:45,267 Speaker 2: I guess some people in your situation, Josh, might have 62 00:03:45,387 --> 00:03:48,547 Speaker 2: looked at the squad and seen Damien McKenzie there and thought, 63 00:03:49,227 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 2: I'm not going to get a heck of a lot 64 00:03:50,387 --> 00:03:53,227 Speaker 2: of opportunity here, and you might have looked elsewhere. Were 65 00:03:53,267 --> 00:03:55,507 Speaker 2: you always keen to stay with the Chiefs? 66 00:03:57,307 --> 00:04:00,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, well that was always always the plan when I 67 00:04:02,307 --> 00:04:05,347 Speaker 3: came up last year for the wider group and then 68 00:04:06,427 --> 00:04:10,907 Speaker 3: again unfortunately for Trusk it allowed me to come in 69 00:04:10,987 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 3: as an injury cover. So yeah, it was definitely always 70 00:04:16,107 --> 00:04:19,547 Speaker 3: the plan. And I mean being able to come to 71 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:23,667 Speaker 3: work and learn some one of the if not the 72 00:04:23,667 --> 00:04:27,907 Speaker 3: best tin and world rugby at the moment is as 73 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:32,827 Speaker 3: an awesome opportunity. So I think with that, just making 74 00:04:32,827 --> 00:04:37,147 Speaker 3: the most of every opportunity, like I say, out on 75 00:04:37,187 --> 00:04:41,347 Speaker 3: the field or trying to learn and grow my game 76 00:04:41,387 --> 00:04:45,747 Speaker 3: as is really important. So and that's and that the Chiefs, 77 00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:48,467 Speaker 3: that's an awesome place to be able to try and 78 00:04:48,507 --> 00:04:48,867 Speaker 3: do that. 79 00:04:49,707 --> 00:04:52,627 Speaker 2: How has he specifically helped you, Damien? 80 00:04:54,947 --> 00:04:59,587 Speaker 3: And I think just you know, for a teen I 81 00:04:59,627 --> 00:05:04,267 Speaker 3: think the more time you get in the settle, the 82 00:05:04,267 --> 00:05:06,907 Speaker 3: more easy the game comes or the games those down 83 00:05:06,907 --> 00:05:10,867 Speaker 3: to you. And it's just getting another perspective on what 84 00:05:11,227 --> 00:05:13,667 Speaker 3: he might be seen or what he might be feeling, 85 00:05:14,747 --> 00:05:16,627 Speaker 3: even when he's not playing, like last night, I was 86 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 3: asking him at halftime if he had anything. I mean, 87 00:05:20,627 --> 00:05:25,067 Speaker 3: it's just those little chats, I think, and those small 88 00:05:25,107 --> 00:05:27,307 Speaker 3: concept can go a long way and it might just 89 00:05:27,347 --> 00:05:29,707 Speaker 3: open up your mind or it might something might just 90 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:32,947 Speaker 3: going to the Becky in mind that might pop up 91 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:37,107 Speaker 3: later in the game. So yeah, it's a small chat 92 00:05:37,147 --> 00:05:41,027 Speaker 3: and then just that we all know how good he 93 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:45,467 Speaker 3: is with ball in hands. So him giving me confidence 94 00:05:45,587 --> 00:05:49,747 Speaker 3: just to go out and enjoy myself and back myself 95 00:05:50,427 --> 00:05:51,827 Speaker 3: has been really awesome as well. 96 00:05:52,587 --> 00:05:54,907 Speaker 2: The Chiefs back line, You look at it, man, it's stacked, 97 00:05:55,147 --> 00:05:57,707 Speaker 2: one of the best in the competition at first five. 98 00:05:58,187 --> 00:05:59,827 Speaker 2: How tim thing is it? Just to spin it out 99 00:05:59,867 --> 00:06:00,707 Speaker 2: every time you get it? 100 00:06:02,307 --> 00:06:05,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean very lucky in the first five position 101 00:06:06,027 --> 00:06:09,387 Speaker 3: with the boys in the back line, even our forwards. 102 00:06:09,387 --> 00:06:13,587 Speaker 3: There's big names all over the park, so pretty fortunate 103 00:06:13,747 --> 00:06:18,107 Speaker 3: position to be in as a teen. And yes it's 104 00:06:18,187 --> 00:06:24,067 Speaker 3: very tempting, but there's no hesitation from the boys outside 105 00:06:24,107 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 3: me letting them know when they're on the ball, so 106 00:06:27,067 --> 00:06:29,347 Speaker 3: it makes my job. It makes my job pretty easier. 107 00:06:29,387 --> 00:06:31,667 Speaker 3: And the boys are all chuping for the book. 108 00:06:32,307 --> 00:06:35,507 Speaker 2: Are you Are you at at at the stage though, 109 00:06:35,547 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 2: where you can call the shots? I mean, as you say, 110 00:06:38,027 --> 00:06:40,867 Speaker 2: you look outside, you see Quinta Payer, Anton Lennart brown A. 111 00:06:40,907 --> 00:06:44,427 Speaker 2: But further out you know, I'm on another work, Sewan Stevenson. 112 00:06:44,587 --> 00:06:47,227 Speaker 2: Big names. As you say, are you confident enough though 113 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:51,267 Speaker 2: to call the shots with these guys outside you? Yeah? 114 00:06:51,267 --> 00:06:54,347 Speaker 3: I think I'm in a position now that I am. 115 00:06:54,707 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 3: I think last year one of our coaches, Marty Burke, 116 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:03,827 Speaker 3: who I worked with closely at the Chiefs, kind of 117 00:07:03,867 --> 00:07:07,067 Speaker 3: described my year last year as at this year and 118 00:07:07,147 --> 00:07:10,347 Speaker 3: now this year. Whenever I get an opportunity, it's up 119 00:07:10,387 --> 00:07:13,427 Speaker 3: to me to really put my foot down and use 120 00:07:13,507 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 3: my voice and call the shots that you're saying. But 121 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:20,147 Speaker 3: there awesome thing is I've got all those people with 122 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:25,467 Speaker 3: a full temple and our back kind that can I 123 00:07:25,507 --> 00:07:31,067 Speaker 3: guess offer their advice or maybe a different opinion, And 124 00:07:31,107 --> 00:07:35,867 Speaker 3: then that's also growing my game because they're also seeing 125 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 3: things from a different point of viewers as well. So 126 00:07:39,827 --> 00:07:43,187 Speaker 3: I think, to put it short, I am, but also 127 00:07:43,427 --> 00:07:48,027 Speaker 3: I'm not. I don't shy away from asking for a 128 00:07:48,147 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: second opinion here and here and there from the boys 129 00:07:51,707 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 3: that I think, if the point might be valuable. 130 00:07:58,467 --> 00:08:00,587 Speaker 2: How much of you are weak are you spending on 131 00:08:00,627 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 2: your goal kicking. 132 00:08:04,507 --> 00:08:08,507 Speaker 3: I'd say, or depending on our week, if it's a Monday, 133 00:08:09,907 --> 00:08:13,747 Speaker 3: Monday time, play on Saturday, maybe including kiptains from three, 134 00:08:14,027 --> 00:08:15,267 Speaker 3: two or three times a week. 135 00:08:16,707 --> 00:08:18,947 Speaker 2: Yeah, happy with with the way you're kicking. I mean, 136 00:08:19,027 --> 00:08:21,747 Speaker 2: it's obviously a big part of playing at first five. 137 00:08:21,827 --> 00:08:23,187 Speaker 2: You're happy with your goal. 138 00:08:23,147 --> 00:08:29,267 Speaker 3: Kicking, Yeah, I think I was quite disappointed in the 139 00:08:29,307 --> 00:08:34,187 Speaker 3: way I was goal kicking the empty C season just 140 00:08:34,227 --> 00:08:37,667 Speaker 3: gone and got them to one of those slumps and 141 00:08:39,827 --> 00:08:43,027 Speaker 3: kind of just getting back to my routine and things 142 00:08:43,067 --> 00:08:49,147 Speaker 3: like that this season. So just all about trusting the process. 143 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:50,907 Speaker 3: And I think I'm in a good place with my 144 00:08:50,947 --> 00:08:55,427 Speaker 3: goalkicking there. Even if I'm missing, I'm pretty happy with 145 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:59,827 Speaker 3: how I'm striking it. So I think it's just it's 146 00:08:59,867 --> 00:09:01,907 Speaker 3: coming back to me. And yeah, I think I'm in 147 00:09:01,947 --> 00:09:02,507 Speaker 3: a good place. 148 00:09:03,227 --> 00:09:05,987 Speaker 2: Good stuff, and good to see Wallace or Titi back 149 00:09:06,027 --> 00:09:09,187 Speaker 2: out there last night. He's obviously worked hard on his recovery. 150 00:09:09,227 --> 00:09:11,227 Speaker 2: Good to see him back on the grass last night. 151 00:09:12,387 --> 00:09:14,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was awesome to see Wally Beck and a 152 00:09:14,987 --> 00:09:18,547 Speaker 3: few of the other boys too, like Lordie and Chuckle, 153 00:09:18,627 --> 00:09:25,107 Speaker 3: Tea and John and Trusky all back as well. So, man, 154 00:09:25,147 --> 00:09:29,747 Speaker 3: I was talking to Wally yesterday morning before the game 155 00:09:29,787 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 3: and to just hear how excited he was and his 156 00:09:33,507 --> 00:09:35,467 Speaker 3: voice and just how keen he was to get out there. 157 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:38,267 Speaker 3: And I think with the first touch of the boy 158 00:09:38,267 --> 00:09:45,067 Speaker 3: he ran fifty meters or something. So he's an awesome man. 159 00:09:45,147 --> 00:09:49,747 Speaker 3: And awesome player. So very grateful to heaven Back, especially 160 00:09:50,827 --> 00:09:54,987 Speaker 3: when he's in the same team as as yourself. So yeah, 161 00:09:55,147 --> 00:09:55,587 Speaker 3: it was some. 162 00:09:55,707 --> 00:09:58,107 Speaker 2: Seven back you reckon you guys can win the whole thing. 163 00:10:00,107 --> 00:10:06,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely the beliefs there and almost that confidence is 164 00:10:06,067 --> 00:10:09,627 Speaker 3: there as well. I think we're we started really well 165 00:10:09,667 --> 00:10:15,187 Speaker 3: and then I mean we're still playing all right, but 166 00:10:15,907 --> 00:10:18,187 Speaker 3: kind of not had a slump, but got into a 167 00:10:18,187 --> 00:10:22,667 Speaker 3: bit of a funny gray area and I think we've 168 00:10:22,707 --> 00:10:24,587 Speaker 3: just come out of that really nicely in the last 169 00:10:24,587 --> 00:10:28,867 Speaker 3: few weeks and just kids taking sticks forward each week 170 00:10:28,987 --> 00:10:33,387 Speaker 3: in the right direction to hopefully a final and a 171 00:10:33,507 --> 00:10:35,787 Speaker 3: win a championship at the end of the at the 172 00:10:35,867 --> 00:10:36,547 Speaker 3: end of the season. 173 00:10:37,467 --> 00:10:41,147 Speaker 2: Congrats on a terrific performance last night from you, Josh 174 00:10:40,747 --> 00:10:43,387 Speaker 2: and the Chiefs as well. Really appreciate you taking the 175 00:10:43,427 --> 00:10:46,627 Speaker 2: time for a chat this afternoon, mate, No cheers, mate, 176 00:10:46,667 --> 00:10:47,547 Speaker 2: Really appreciate it. 177 00:10:48,067 --> 00:10:51,267 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 178 00:10:51,387 --> 00:10:54,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the 179 00:10:54,787 --> 00:10:56,307 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.