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 --> 00:00:12,947 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB Well. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:16,147 Speaker 2: In the space of four nights, Eden Park is hosting 4 00:00:16,267 --> 00:00:20,067 Speaker 2: three different elite sports. On Friday, a T twenty cricket 5 00:00:20,067 --> 00:00:22,187 Speaker 2: doublehead of the White Ferns and the Black Apps faced 6 00:00:22,227 --> 00:00:27,467 Speaker 2: Australia and Pakistan respectively. Last night Super Rugby Blues v. Crusaders, 7 00:00:27,467 --> 00:00:30,587 Speaker 2: and then tomorrow night the FIFA World Cup qualifier the 8 00:00:30,627 --> 00:00:33,867 Speaker 2: All Whites up against New Caledonia. How challenging is that 9 00:00:33,947 --> 00:00:37,347 Speaker 2: to achieve for the turf team. Let's find out. Eden 10 00:00:37,387 --> 00:00:41,107 Speaker 2: Park turf manager Blair Christiansen is with us. Blair, is 11 00:00:41,147 --> 00:00:43,787 Speaker 2: this the first time you've had three different sports in 12 00:00:43,827 --> 00:00:44,827 Speaker 2: four days? 13 00:00:45,307 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 3: Yep, it sure as jas, thanks for having me on. Yes, 14 00:00:49,107 --> 00:00:54,067 Speaker 3: pretty challenging on paper. And you know, while we've done 15 00:00:54,107 --> 00:00:58,187 Speaker 3: all three codes pretty regularly here at the stadium, certainly 16 00:00:58,187 --> 00:00:59,707 Speaker 3: not three and four days. 17 00:00:59,827 --> 00:01:02,427 Speaker 2: What are the particular challenges that it presents to you 18 00:01:02,547 --> 00:01:05,067 Speaker 2: having such short turnarounds? 19 00:01:06,067 --> 00:01:08,667 Speaker 3: Just ensuring we get it right. We have some pretty 20 00:01:08,747 --> 00:01:12,267 Speaker 3: high expectations and so do the Hires and we just 21 00:01:12,307 --> 00:01:14,507 Speaker 3: want to make sure that you know, we can get 22 00:01:14,707 --> 00:01:17,787 Speaker 3: the outcomes that you know we've sort of done repeatedly 23 00:01:17,987 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 3: with you know, pretty reasonable lead times, but this time 24 00:01:20,907 --> 00:01:23,347 Speaker 3: we're sort of snapping from one to the next to 25 00:01:23,387 --> 00:01:25,267 Speaker 3: the next, and they're all pretty different. I'll tell you that. 26 00:01:25,427 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 2: Well, I can imagine, Yeah, you know, three different codes 27 00:01:28,267 --> 00:01:31,987 Speaker 2: in terms of grass length. For a start, was the 28 00:01:31,987 --> 00:01:35,147 Speaker 2: grass shorter for the rugby last night than it ordinarily 29 00:01:35,187 --> 00:01:38,147 Speaker 2: would be because there had been cricket there the previous night? 30 00:01:38,867 --> 00:01:41,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was about half the height. So for you know, 31 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:44,827 Speaker 3: a small ball code like cricket, we want that let 32 00:01:44,827 --> 00:01:47,667 Speaker 3: the ball running across the outfield pretty quickly, and so 33 00:01:47,667 --> 00:01:50,907 Speaker 3: we're down at say thirteen millimeter cutting height for the cricket. 34 00:01:50,987 --> 00:01:53,787 Speaker 3: And then you know, at the moment, with the nutritional 35 00:01:53,867 --> 00:01:56,227 Speaker 3: program that we're running, we can sort of get about 36 00:01:56,227 --> 00:01:59,707 Speaker 3: five plus mids of growth a day. So last night 37 00:01:59,787 --> 00:02:03,987 Speaker 3: for the Crusaders Blues we're up at about eighteen and 38 00:02:04,027 --> 00:02:07,147 Speaker 3: then hopefully on Monday night we'll be so of you know, 39 00:02:07,187 --> 00:02:11,427 Speaker 3: in the mid twenties. And so for rugby mid season 40 00:02:11,507 --> 00:02:13,947 Speaker 3: and getting in towards autumn and say winter, we can 41 00:02:13,987 --> 00:02:16,267 Speaker 3: be up as high as thirty two milk, but last 42 00:02:16,347 --> 00:02:18,667 Speaker 3: night they were at about seventeen, So. 43 00:02:18,587 --> 00:02:21,107 Speaker 2: You can get natural grass growth that quickly. 44 00:02:21,907 --> 00:02:26,267 Speaker 3: Yep, yeah, absolutely. I mean the programs that we run 45 00:02:26,307 --> 00:02:30,787 Speaker 3: with nutrition sort of are built around sort of creating 46 00:02:30,827 --> 00:02:33,947 Speaker 3: some resilience but also growth and recovery. So you know, 47 00:02:34,067 --> 00:02:38,387 Speaker 3: five mils isn't too much to ask in twenty four hours. Yeah. 48 00:02:38,467 --> 00:02:40,507 Speaker 2: Well, they often say, you know, it's like watching grass 49 00:02:40,507 --> 00:02:42,987 Speaker 2: grow for you. It probably is, you know, something you've 50 00:02:42,987 --> 00:02:44,147 Speaker 2: probably enjoyed doing. 51 00:02:44,507 --> 00:02:46,347 Speaker 3: Well, I'll tell you what I'm doing right now is 52 00:02:46,427 --> 00:02:50,147 Speaker 3: actually watching you know, grass grow and paint dry. So 53 00:02:50,507 --> 00:02:51,707 Speaker 3: not everyone gets to do that. 54 00:02:52,907 --> 00:02:55,987 Speaker 2: Amazing if it had been in a different order, Blair, 55 00:02:56,027 --> 00:02:59,107 Speaker 2: if it had been rugby cricket football, could you still 56 00:02:59,147 --> 00:03:01,067 Speaker 2: have done it a. 57 00:03:01,107 --> 00:03:03,347 Speaker 3: Little bit more challenging just with the cricket element. So 58 00:03:03,547 --> 00:03:06,227 Speaker 3: you know, a good international cricket pitch takes us around 59 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:08,947 Speaker 3: two weeks to prepare. And so while we do have 60 00:03:09,027 --> 00:03:12,467 Speaker 3: the portable pitch technology and you know, we bring pitches 61 00:03:12,507 --> 00:03:15,347 Speaker 3: in and out of the stadium, I prefer for internationals 62 00:03:15,347 --> 00:03:17,107 Speaker 3: to prepare them, you know, and sit you in the 63 00:03:17,147 --> 00:03:20,427 Speaker 3: ground and then you know, we can sort of hope 64 00:03:20,427 --> 00:03:24,347 Speaker 3: to have you know, a really high quality surface bringing 65 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:28,227 Speaker 3: them in let's say after a winter code as such 66 00:03:28,587 --> 00:03:30,867 Speaker 3: and then only having one day drop them in. I 67 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:33,227 Speaker 3: just don't have that same confidence that we can get 68 00:03:33,227 --> 00:03:35,747 Speaker 3: the quality that you know, everyone would expect. So in 69 00:03:35,827 --> 00:03:37,467 Speaker 3: terms of the order, I think it was pretty good. 70 00:03:38,987 --> 00:03:41,827 Speaker 3: I mean, if it was even better order it was 71 00:03:41,867 --> 00:03:45,467 Speaker 3: probably if we'd had the football, and second that was 72 00:03:45,667 --> 00:03:49,987 Speaker 3: been ideal. But fields pulled up really well after last 73 00:03:50,027 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 3: night Super Rugby and it's looking pretty sharpe. 74 00:03:52,707 --> 00:03:55,347 Speaker 2: And so you talked about watching some paint dry. Clearly 75 00:03:55,347 --> 00:03:57,467 Speaker 2: the ground market we don't. You don't need too many 76 00:03:57,467 --> 00:04:00,747 Speaker 2: for cricket, do you, but for rugby and football you 77 00:04:00,747 --> 00:04:05,347 Speaker 2: know quite different ground markings. Is it possible, like tomorrow 78 00:04:05,427 --> 00:04:08,067 Speaker 2: night at the football, will we still see some faint 79 00:04:08,147 --> 00:04:09,227 Speaker 2: rugby markings? 80 00:04:09,507 --> 00:04:13,307 Speaker 3: I hope not. We were out last night until after 81 00:04:13,347 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 3: midnight washing those rugby sidelines and twenty two and you 82 00:04:18,867 --> 00:04:22,187 Speaker 3: know every other five and fifteen off and you know 83 00:04:22,267 --> 00:04:25,387 Speaker 3: that field was actually only in for around a total 84 00:04:25,387 --> 00:04:28,187 Speaker 3: of nine hours, so sort of put it in pretty 85 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:32,147 Speaker 3: late and then washed it off pretty quick. So plan 86 00:04:32,307 --> 00:04:34,787 Speaker 3: is not to see any sort of resemblance of that 87 00:04:34,907 --> 00:04:36,907 Speaker 3: game from last night outstanding. 88 00:04:36,987 --> 00:04:38,787 Speaker 2: How many of your team are involved in this, how 89 00:04:38,787 --> 00:04:40,667 Speaker 2: bigs you work force, the whole team. 90 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:43,787 Speaker 3: You know, we've got seven seven guys on the ground 91 00:04:43,787 --> 00:04:45,987 Speaker 3: and you know everyone's been here. I haven't been home 92 00:04:46,027 --> 00:04:50,187 Speaker 3: for three days now and that's the same as everybody else. 93 00:04:50,187 --> 00:04:52,387 Speaker 3: And we're sort of, you know, fully into it. We 94 00:04:52,387 --> 00:04:54,387 Speaker 3: hadn't done it before and want to make sure that 95 00:04:54,427 --> 00:04:57,387 Speaker 3: we sort of do everything we can to make sure 96 00:04:57,427 --> 00:04:58,107 Speaker 3: it's a success. 97 00:04:58,307 --> 00:05:01,427 Speaker 2: So are you sleeping at the ground. 98 00:05:01,107 --> 00:05:04,387 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, without being Elon Musk like, yep, I just 99 00:05:04,427 --> 00:05:06,787 Speaker 3: slept on my floor in my office for the last 100 00:05:06,787 --> 00:05:09,387 Speaker 3: two nights. And you know, we've had some pretty late finishes. 101 00:05:09,467 --> 00:05:12,067 Speaker 3: I think it was after moving the cricket pitch out 102 00:05:12,787 --> 00:05:16,947 Speaker 3: on Friday night after the t twenties. That was close 103 00:05:16,987 --> 00:05:19,787 Speaker 3: to four am last night. By the time you sort 104 00:05:19,827 --> 00:05:22,227 Speaker 3: of do a bit of admin after all of the 105 00:05:22,747 --> 00:05:26,347 Speaker 3: on the groundwork, it's probably two and then back pretty early. 106 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:29,947 Speaker 3: So the sort of make it a bit more efficient 107 00:05:29,987 --> 00:05:31,107 Speaker 3: than just stay the night. 108 00:05:31,467 --> 00:05:36,427 Speaker 2: Outstanding FIFA. That's a FIFA event tomorrow night and they 109 00:05:36,667 --> 00:05:39,747 Speaker 2: have a reputation for wanting things to be just so 110 00:05:39,907 --> 00:05:43,307 Speaker 2: have I given you any specific requirements for tomorrow night? 111 00:05:43,827 --> 00:05:48,067 Speaker 3: Oh? Yeah, everything FIFA is extremely precise and specific. Yep. 112 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:55,467 Speaker 3: So ball speed, surface, firmness, precision with regard to line 113 00:05:55,547 --> 00:05:58,387 Speaker 3: marking has to be one hundred percent accurate. You know, 114 00:05:58,427 --> 00:06:01,147 Speaker 3: they've got their own handbook and you know, we're doing 115 00:06:01,587 --> 00:06:04,027 Speaker 3: this woman's FIFA World Cup in twenty three. Was sort 116 00:06:04,067 --> 00:06:07,507 Speaker 3: of pretty familiar with that, so we know it to expect, 117 00:06:07,507 --> 00:06:09,587 Speaker 3: but I think it could be you know, a little 118 00:06:09,587 --> 00:06:12,387 Speaker 3: bit daunting for for some that may not have done 119 00:06:12,387 --> 00:06:15,867 Speaker 3: it before. So luckily we're well experienced in that space. 120 00:06:16,307 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 2: And obviously you look after the turf, but there's the 121 00:06:19,187 --> 00:06:22,387 Speaker 2: there's the advertising signage as well. How much does it 122 00:06:22,467 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 2: help and turn around as short as this to have 123 00:06:25,427 --> 00:06:27,707 Speaker 2: electronic ground signage rather than have to lug out you know, 124 00:06:27,747 --> 00:06:30,307 Speaker 2: the big bits of advertising hoardings they would. 125 00:06:30,067 --> 00:06:33,067 Speaker 3: Have had to use to Yeah, no, it's critical to 126 00:06:33,347 --> 00:06:36,107 Speaker 3: sort of having this ability to slip from code to code. 127 00:06:36,147 --> 00:06:40,227 Speaker 3: You know. The virtual advertising now that you see on 128 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:43,907 Speaker 3: the field is imperative and you know, it just makes 129 00:06:43,947 --> 00:06:46,947 Speaker 3: for such a high, high quality surface, whereas previously, you know, 130 00:06:47,027 --> 00:06:49,187 Speaker 3: there were painted logos that were being removed, there was 131 00:06:49,267 --> 00:06:54,867 Speaker 3: sort of shadowing, masking, you know, just using technology now 132 00:06:54,907 --> 00:06:57,427 Speaker 3: it's just you know, it's it's magnificent. I love it. 133 00:06:57,787 --> 00:07:01,667 Speaker 2: Good stuff. Well, mate, tremendous what you've done up till now. 134 00:07:01,707 --> 00:07:03,907 Speaker 2: And I can just hear in your voice the confidence 135 00:07:03,907 --> 00:07:06,907 Speaker 2: you have that you'll execute tomorrow night. Well, could you 136 00:07:06,987 --> 00:07:09,587 Speaker 2: have done three and three days as the football was tonight? 137 00:07:09,587 --> 00:07:10,347 Speaker 2: Could you have done it? 138 00:07:10,907 --> 00:07:13,707 Speaker 3: Well, I'm looking at it now and we're probably ninety 139 00:07:13,707 --> 00:07:16,667 Speaker 3: percent through the line marks now and we're just sort 140 00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:21,147 Speaker 3: of been chipping away at today. I actually think we 141 00:07:21,187 --> 00:07:27,147 Speaker 3: could have done that with the singular game. Yeah, we 142 00:07:27,187 --> 00:07:27,827 Speaker 3: could have done that. 143 00:07:27,867 --> 00:07:29,547 Speaker 2: Wonderful And what's next? I think the Blues have got 144 00:07:29,547 --> 00:07:30,987 Speaker 2: to buy, haven't they? So no rugby for a lot? 145 00:07:30,987 --> 00:07:31,827 Speaker 2: Have you got a bit of a break? 146 00:07:32,947 --> 00:07:35,907 Speaker 3: There's an away game for them? Or is that to buy? Here? 147 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:37,587 Speaker 3: It might be next week to buy and then they're 148 00:07:37,587 --> 00:07:40,387 Speaker 3: back on the early April. We've still got a bit 149 00:07:40,387 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 3: of cracket going on the other oval, so you know, 150 00:07:42,547 --> 00:07:45,227 Speaker 3: just mixing a match in between the two venues and 151 00:07:46,227 --> 00:07:49,947 Speaker 3: well we'll get a rest in June and July if 152 00:07:50,147 --> 00:07:52,187 Speaker 3: it's of course, if the Blues don't make the finals, 153 00:07:52,187 --> 00:07:54,707 Speaker 3: which are sure on paper they probably still can, so 154 00:07:55,307 --> 00:07:55,947 Speaker 3: let's hope they do. 155 00:07:56,147 --> 00:07:58,267 Speaker 2: Good man. But well, I've often heard that the most 156 00:07:58,307 --> 00:08:00,187 Speaker 2: important man in the room is the calmest man in 157 00:08:00,227 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 2: the room and that sounds like you at the moment, 158 00:08:02,147 --> 00:08:04,107 Speaker 2: my friends. So thanks for taking our call. Hope you 159 00:08:04,187 --> 00:08:06,627 Speaker 2: sleep okay tonight? Are you going home to? Are you 160 00:08:06,627 --> 00:08:08,027 Speaker 2: going to camp in the office Again? 161 00:08:08,467 --> 00:08:10,787 Speaker 3: I did say we shouldn't go home until the final 162 00:08:10,787 --> 00:08:13,987 Speaker 3: whistle tomorrow night, but I think we've to see people 163 00:08:13,987 --> 00:08:15,787 Speaker 3: at home that are saying what are you doing? Have 164 00:08:15,907 --> 00:08:18,787 Speaker 3: you moved out? So now he'd home tonight. 165 00:08:19,067 --> 00:08:20,787 Speaker 2: Love it, Blair, great to jet mate. Thanks for taking 166 00:08:20,827 --> 00:08:21,107 Speaker 2: the call. 167 00:08:21,707 --> 00:08:23,387 Speaker 3: Brilliant Okay, thanks Jase, all the. 168 00:08:23,307 --> 00:08:25,587 Speaker 2: Best, Mate. Cheers Blair. Christians and their toof manager at 169 00:08:25,707 --> 00:08:28,187 Speaker 2: Eden Park. What a what a top bloke and what 170 00:08:28,267 --> 00:08:30,867 Speaker 2: a very very organized man he must be for cricket 171 00:08:31,107 --> 00:08:34,067 Speaker 2: followed by rugby followed by football tremendous. 172 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:37,707 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 173 00:08:37,827 --> 00:08:41,107 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 174 00:08:41,147 --> 00:08:42,707 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.