1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 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 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,187 Speaker 2: Then turned around to beat the Brumbies a week later 4 00:00:15,267 --> 00:00:17,387 Speaker 2: in the Semis and the Maglock. 5 00:00:17,067 --> 00:00:20,507 Speaker 1: Picks it out, she's all over red Rover. Here in Hamilton, 6 00:00:20,827 --> 00:00:23,627 Speaker 1: the Chiefs have come back from a disouper wedding display 7 00:00:23,907 --> 00:00:26,547 Speaker 1: against the Blues last week and they've run out the win. 8 00:00:26,627 --> 00:00:28,227 Speaker 1: It's thirty seven seventy. 9 00:00:28,507 --> 00:00:30,467 Speaker 2: Then down to christ Church where they went on to 10 00:00:30,547 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 2: lose to the Crusaders in the Grand Final. They have 11 00:00:33,587 --> 00:00:36,427 Speaker 2: a new head coach this year, John o'gibbs who joins us. 12 00:00:36,467 --> 00:00:39,347 Speaker 2: Now maybe we can start there. How are you finding 13 00:00:39,547 --> 00:00:41,627 Speaker 2: and enjoying the head coaching role. 14 00:00:42,947 --> 00:00:48,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been it's been intense, but you really enjoying 15 00:00:48,587 --> 00:00:52,947 Speaker 3: the challenge. And you know, since December, the group, the 16 00:00:53,027 --> 00:00:56,347 Speaker 3: staff been a real pleasure to work alongside. 17 00:00:56,547 --> 00:00:57,427 Speaker 4: You say intense. 18 00:00:57,507 --> 00:01:00,427 Speaker 2: So what have been the main changes you've noticed going 19 00:01:00,507 --> 00:01:03,427 Speaker 2: from being an assistant coach to being the head coach. 20 00:01:05,427 --> 00:01:10,827 Speaker 3: I think it's just the coordination, the communication, you know, 21 00:01:10,907 --> 00:01:15,787 Speaker 3: all the sort all the things that make up you know, 22 00:01:16,227 --> 00:01:22,027 Speaker 3: fifty five players, you know, weekly schedule and twenty odd 23 00:01:22,067 --> 00:01:25,587 Speaker 3: staff and just making sure there's clear colms and you 24 00:01:25,627 --> 00:01:28,907 Speaker 3: know the coordination of tim ends and meetings and all 25 00:01:28,947 --> 00:01:31,067 Speaker 3: sorts of things like that. You know, it's quite a 26 00:01:31,107 --> 00:01:36,787 Speaker 3: lot goes into just trying to get eighty minutes of 27 00:01:36,827 --> 00:01:37,947 Speaker 3: the game done every week. 28 00:01:38,867 --> 00:01:40,707 Speaker 2: A lot more on your diary by the sounds of it. 29 00:01:40,747 --> 00:01:42,947 Speaker 2: You beat You beat the Hurricanes twenty nine, Zerli and 30 00:01:42,987 --> 00:01:46,547 Speaker 2: Potty to we yesterday we did see though former Wallaby's 31 00:01:46,587 --> 00:01:49,427 Speaker 2: midfield I likeie for kid De limping off with what 32 00:01:49,587 --> 00:01:52,147 Speaker 2: looked to be a reasonably serious knee injury. 33 00:01:52,267 --> 00:01:54,227 Speaker 4: Have you got any update on that. 34 00:01:56,627 --> 00:02:01,027 Speaker 3: Not as yet, not right now. We were just trying 35 00:02:01,067 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 3: to organize the appropriate skins. We flew straight back after 36 00:02:06,467 --> 00:02:10,587 Speaker 3: game last night and so just Sunday morning here trying 37 00:02:10,587 --> 00:02:15,107 Speaker 3: to get things organized. So yeah, it looks significant. He 38 00:02:15,267 --> 00:02:18,787 Speaker 3: was in a bit of discomfort, that's for sure. Just 39 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:23,307 Speaker 3: fingers crossed after today and hopefully get some some clarity 40 00:02:23,307 --> 00:02:23,987 Speaker 3: of the situation. 41 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:26,627 Speaker 2: Of course he's there, well, I guess to fill the 42 00:02:26,627 --> 00:02:29,507 Speaker 2: gap for left bland on Lena Brown who's playing in 43 00:02:29,587 --> 00:02:32,787 Speaker 2: Japan at the moment. So does it leave you a 44 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:35,187 Speaker 2: but short and midfield if he doesn't come through, or 45 00:02:35,587 --> 00:02:37,667 Speaker 2: are you reasonably confident you've got the cover there. 46 00:02:39,867 --> 00:02:42,507 Speaker 3: I think you have to, you know, tip your hat 47 00:02:42,587 --> 00:02:45,747 Speaker 3: to New Zealand who made a bit of a change 48 00:02:45,747 --> 00:02:48,907 Speaker 3: and organized these wider training group contracts this year, the 49 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:53,987 Speaker 3: twelve players who are full time with the squad. So 50 00:02:55,667 --> 00:02:58,067 Speaker 3: we've seen the real value in our wider training group 51 00:02:58,787 --> 00:03:04,667 Speaker 3: members their work in December and then you know how 52 00:03:04,667 --> 00:03:07,867 Speaker 3: they fitted in and we source of that's come through 53 00:03:07,947 --> 00:03:10,747 Speaker 3: in the Drew A game and yesterday as well. So yeah, 54 00:03:10,787 --> 00:03:12,707 Speaker 3: a couple of guys from our wider training group who 55 00:03:12,787 --> 00:03:16,507 Speaker 3: really put their hand up. So I think it's been 56 00:03:16,547 --> 00:03:23,267 Speaker 3: really pleasing that change in the contracting system, and the 57 00:03:23,307 --> 00:03:26,547 Speaker 3: point of that is to build depth and cohesion from 58 00:03:26,547 --> 00:03:29,627 Speaker 3: having going there the whole time rather than calling them 59 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:32,907 Speaker 3: in and out from various situations. 60 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:34,467 Speaker 2: And overall terms, John, how pleased were you with what 61 00:03:34,547 --> 00:03:37,067 Speaker 2: you saw from your team yesterday a week out from 62 00:03:37,107 --> 00:03:38,787 Speaker 2: the start of the season proper. 63 00:03:40,787 --> 00:03:43,467 Speaker 3: I think the whole week post Drew Drew was our 64 00:03:43,467 --> 00:03:47,267 Speaker 3: first shad out and I think the whole week it 65 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:50,547 Speaker 3: was a really important step forward for us. We trained better, 66 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:54,787 Speaker 3: we were a bit more focused, we integrated more players 67 00:03:54,947 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 3: international players back in, so I think the whole week 68 00:03:58,387 --> 00:04:02,827 Speaker 3: sort of flowed pretty well. The game itself, you're running 69 00:04:02,867 --> 00:04:06,547 Speaker 3: three combinations over the course of eighty minutes, so he's 70 00:04:06,627 --> 00:04:11,187 Speaker 3: in and precision sort of are difficult, but I think overall, 71 00:04:11,187 --> 00:04:15,827 Speaker 3: the attitude some parts that were a good step up 72 00:04:15,867 --> 00:04:19,987 Speaker 3: from Dreu. But you know, obviously there's some aspects that 73 00:04:21,107 --> 00:04:23,987 Speaker 3: needed need a bit of attention, and you can't focus 74 00:04:24,027 --> 00:04:27,027 Speaker 3: on everything, so there are some stuff that when he 75 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:29,947 Speaker 3: was going to be a bit like but we've got 76 00:04:29,987 --> 00:04:32,787 Speaker 3: some clear direction now. I added two preseason games. 77 00:04:33,347 --> 00:04:37,467 Speaker 2: One of your acquisitions has been Kiren Tomoyfhilo from Mauana PACIFICA. 78 00:04:37,747 --> 00:04:40,827 Speaker 2: I see he started on the wing yesterday. He at 79 00:04:40,827 --> 00:04:44,147 Speaker 2: all likely to play at fullback sometimes you've lost Shawn 80 00:04:44,187 --> 00:04:45,787 Speaker 2: Stevenson obviously from that position. 81 00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:48,187 Speaker 4: Would Kiren be an option for you at fullback? 82 00:04:49,907 --> 00:04:53,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, I think he's he's he's had training time 83 00:04:53,787 --> 00:04:59,107 Speaker 3: in that position, absolutely, And like I said when we 84 00:04:59,627 --> 00:05:01,987 Speaker 3: announced our squad right at the start, I think one 85 00:05:01,987 --> 00:05:06,107 Speaker 3: of the really pleasing parts is our utility factor and 86 00:05:06,147 --> 00:05:08,507 Speaker 3: our backline. So we have a number of players who 87 00:05:08,507 --> 00:05:12,787 Speaker 3: can play a number of positions, so you know that 88 00:05:12,787 --> 00:05:17,187 Speaker 3: that helps later on down the line and squad health 89 00:05:17,267 --> 00:05:22,067 Speaker 3: has a massive impact. But yeah, there's there's a lot 90 00:05:22,067 --> 00:05:26,467 Speaker 3: of competition for the back three and Kyron's right in 91 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:28,707 Speaker 3: the middle of that. But also we saw over the 92 00:05:28,787 --> 00:05:32,067 Speaker 3: last couple of weeks a few other guys as well 93 00:05:32,107 --> 00:05:34,227 Speaker 3: have put a bit of a bit of heat on 94 00:05:34,387 --> 00:05:39,547 Speaker 3: put the hand up, and yeah, that competition is pretty important. 95 00:05:39,587 --> 00:05:40,987 Speaker 3: It's it's bloody good for us. 96 00:05:41,227 --> 00:05:45,947 Speaker 4: Has Damien McKenzie had any preseason minutes for you, No. 97 00:05:46,347 --> 00:05:47,027 Speaker 3: He has not. 98 00:05:47,707 --> 00:05:49,227 Speaker 4: Will he be available for Round one. 99 00:05:51,707 --> 00:05:54,907 Speaker 3: Yes he will be. Yep. But like we saw yesterday 100 00:05:55,067 --> 00:05:57,747 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes too, they had a number of all blacks 101 00:05:57,827 --> 00:06:03,187 Speaker 3: not playing that we're there. So Damien, Quinn Lee, Roy, 102 00:06:03,347 --> 00:06:07,427 Speaker 3: Simon Parker as well were unavailable for the Hurricanes game. 103 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:09,787 Speaker 4: So might Damien be an option at fifteen? 104 00:06:09,867 --> 00:06:11,347 Speaker 2: He played a bit there last year you got Josh 105 00:06:11,387 --> 00:06:14,907 Speaker 2: Jacob mcause very capable first five. I don't ask I'm 106 00:06:14,907 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 2: not asking you to reveal your your strategies necessarily, Johno. 107 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:21,107 Speaker 2: But could we see Damien at fifteen at stages this season? 108 00:06:22,507 --> 00:06:25,667 Speaker 3: At stages if that's what the team needs that week. Yeah, 109 00:06:25,947 --> 00:06:30,107 Speaker 3: He's more than comfortable playing back there. That was part 110 00:06:30,147 --> 00:06:33,467 Speaker 3: of the early part of the season last year we 111 00:06:33,547 --> 00:06:37,587 Speaker 3: saw we saw Josh at ten and Damien playing more 112 00:06:37,587 --> 00:06:41,107 Speaker 3: at fifteen. Like I say, there's a number of backs 113 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:45,107 Speaker 3: that can play different positions, Damien being one of them. 114 00:06:45,427 --> 00:06:50,467 Speaker 3: So it's just about the right combination each week. And 115 00:06:50,987 --> 00:06:53,347 Speaker 3: like we said, we've got a heap of competition for places, 116 00:06:53,387 --> 00:06:58,187 Speaker 3: so that competition brings out the best in the competitors. 117 00:06:58,707 --> 00:07:00,947 Speaker 2: No easy games and super rugby of course, but your 118 00:07:00,947 --> 00:07:04,307 Speaker 2: first three blues away Highland is away Crusaders at home. 119 00:07:04,307 --> 00:07:06,867 Speaker 2: There's no soft landing for you. As as a head coach. 120 00:07:06,987 --> 00:07:10,147 Speaker 2: You have to manage your side early with three New 121 00:07:10,227 --> 00:07:12,627 Speaker 2: Zealand derbies to start the season because we know how 122 00:07:12,667 --> 00:07:14,307 Speaker 2: physically demanding they can be. 123 00:07:16,987 --> 00:07:19,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, I think it's the nature of the beast, 124 00:07:19,787 --> 00:07:24,107 Speaker 3: isn't it. Those three games, you know? And Milana is 125 00:07:24,107 --> 00:07:27,267 Speaker 3: our fourth game before our buy so our opening blockers 126 00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:30,627 Speaker 3: is definitely challenging. But it's the same for everyone. And 127 00:07:31,467 --> 00:07:35,587 Speaker 3: like I said, with the wider training group, the contracting model, 128 00:07:36,187 --> 00:07:41,227 Speaker 3: you know, depth competition for places, you know, I think 129 00:07:41,267 --> 00:07:46,187 Speaker 3: it's it's important that we fostered that now environment everyone 130 00:07:47,107 --> 00:07:51,107 Speaker 3: champion at the bit to play and certainly those first 131 00:07:51,147 --> 00:07:55,267 Speaker 3: four games, but also the whole season. You know, we'll 132 00:07:55,307 --> 00:07:56,467 Speaker 3: need we'll need everyone. 133 00:07:56,547 --> 00:08:00,027 Speaker 2: Ready, You made three straight finals without being able to 134 00:08:00,027 --> 00:08:02,747 Speaker 2: get over the line and win one. Is that at 135 00:08:02,787 --> 00:08:05,667 Speaker 2: all playing on the minds of anybody in the Chiefs organization. 136 00:08:09,027 --> 00:08:14,427 Speaker 3: Look, I think you you have to be Yeah, you 137 00:08:14,467 --> 00:08:17,427 Speaker 3: wouldn't be human if you didn't acknowledge it. But that's 138 00:08:17,467 --> 00:08:19,667 Speaker 3: okay to acknowledge it. It's just more important that you 139 00:08:19,707 --> 00:08:24,107 Speaker 3: don't dwell on it. You learn from it, and you 140 00:08:24,227 --> 00:08:28,787 Speaker 3: prepare for for what's in front of you. Really, so it's 141 00:08:28,827 --> 00:08:32,427 Speaker 3: it's it's a human emotion. Sometimes your mind might drift, 142 00:08:32,467 --> 00:08:36,107 Speaker 3: but really for us, it's it's not dwelling on it. 143 00:08:36,187 --> 00:08:41,667 Speaker 3: It's just preparing and and focusing on what's right in 144 00:08:41,707 --> 00:08:45,387 Speaker 3: front of us. And I think that's you know, that's 145 00:08:45,427 --> 00:08:48,827 Speaker 3: the message for this week the Blues at Eden Park. 146 00:08:49,387 --> 00:08:51,827 Speaker 3: That's a big enough challenge. Our mind doesn't need to 147 00:08:51,907 --> 00:08:55,467 Speaker 3: drift too far away from that challenge and what's right 148 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:58,827 Speaker 3: in front of us. And if anything that we saw 149 00:08:58,907 --> 00:09:03,507 Speaker 3: from from this week, you know, the week's prep is crucial. 150 00:09:03,987 --> 00:09:07,947 Speaker 3: So you know that that that's where our focus will be, 151 00:09:08,307 --> 00:09:13,427 Speaker 3: that's where our energy needs to be put. So yeah, 152 00:09:12,347 --> 00:09:16,947 Speaker 3: we just prepare and get ready for the Round one. 153 00:09:17,427 --> 00:09:19,707 Speaker 2: All the best as you put your final touches on 154 00:09:19,747 --> 00:09:22,627 Speaker 2: your preparation. John, I appreciate you chatting to us this afternoon. 155 00:09:22,627 --> 00:09:24,187 Speaker 2: Look forward to catching up across the season. 156 00:09:25,267 --> 00:09:27,987 Speaker 3: Great. Thank you Jeeves, No thank you, no, thank. 157 00:09:27,827 --> 00:09:31,387 Speaker 2: You John Gibbs. There new head coach of the Chiefs. 158 00:09:32,107 --> 00:09:36,707 Speaker 2: Very understated, as as predecessor Clayton McMillan was. 159 00:09:37,547 --> 00:09:40,707 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 160 00:09:40,827 --> 00:09:44,107 Speaker 1: to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow 161 00:09:44,147 --> 00:09:45,707 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio