1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 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 News Talk s ed B. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:14,707 Speaker 2: This is Weekend Sport on News Talk S ed B. 4 00:00:15,107 --> 00:00:16,947 Speaker 2: We're less than a week away from the start of 5 00:00:17,027 --> 00:00:21,387 Speaker 2: Super Rugby Pacific twenty twenty five. Let's continue our journey 6 00:00:21,427 --> 00:00:24,267 Speaker 2: around the New Zealand franchises and we land with the. 7 00:00:24,307 --> 00:00:28,267 Speaker 1: Chiefs Joshwani to make it thirty three twenty nine. He 8 00:00:28,387 --> 00:00:30,867 Speaker 1: steps in, he puts the ball at the posts. 9 00:00:30,987 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 3: It's going, it's going, It's going. 10 00:00:35,867 --> 00:00:38,947 Speaker 2: Many and gentlemen, and the Chiefs have got there out 11 00:00:38,987 --> 00:00:42,747 Speaker 2: of nowhere. Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is with USA. Clayton, 12 00:00:42,787 --> 00:00:44,507 Speaker 2: you wrapped your pre season with a win over More 13 00:00:44,547 --> 00:00:48,627 Speaker 2: one of PACIFICA yesterday. Did you come through unscathed injury wise? 14 00:00:48,867 --> 00:00:51,347 Speaker 2: And did you forgot what you needed out of these 15 00:00:51,347 --> 00:00:53,267 Speaker 2: two preseason games? 16 00:00:53,827 --> 00:00:57,787 Speaker 3: Yeah? I think so, Plinny. It's it's always our biggest concern, 17 00:00:57,907 --> 00:01:03,627 Speaker 3: isn't it coming out of preseason unscathed? And now there's 18 00:01:03,627 --> 00:01:05,587 Speaker 3: a couple of little weed niggles here in the yesterday, 19 00:01:05,627 --> 00:01:08,747 Speaker 3: as you would expect coming out of a preseason game, 20 00:01:08,787 --> 00:01:11,307 Speaker 3: but nothing that's going to cause us any concern end 21 00:01:11,347 --> 00:01:11,867 Speaker 3: in the week one. 22 00:01:12,027 --> 00:01:14,667 Speaker 2: All right, so arrive at the start line or just 23 00:01:14,707 --> 00:01:17,467 Speaker 2: out from the start line, how good is shape? Do 24 00:01:17,507 --> 00:01:18,187 Speaker 2: you think you're in. 25 00:01:21,107 --> 00:01:23,547 Speaker 3: To be perfully honest, I was hoping for us to 26 00:01:23,587 --> 00:01:28,507 Speaker 3: take a bigger step forward yesterday. Then we did. We 27 00:01:28,627 --> 00:01:33,987 Speaker 3: showed some good signs last week against the Hurricanes and 28 00:01:34,027 --> 00:01:36,187 Speaker 3: whilst it was good to get some more minutes into 29 00:01:36,787 --> 00:01:39,467 Speaker 3: the lads yesterday and owl Blets come back and they 30 00:01:39,587 --> 00:01:41,947 Speaker 3: and they put in a pretty decent shift in the 31 00:01:41,987 --> 00:01:45,627 Speaker 3: second half. Yeah, we didn't quite know the things I 32 00:01:45,627 --> 00:01:48,587 Speaker 3: think that we've worked on in the week. So what's 33 00:01:48,587 --> 00:01:51,307 Speaker 3: a big big focus on this week as we head 34 00:01:51,347 --> 00:01:53,667 Speaker 3: up to Blues. But from a squad perspective, we know 35 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:57,307 Speaker 3: we've got depth, we know we've got quality and if 36 00:01:57,347 --> 00:02:00,347 Speaker 3: we're now the basics world, then we'll give ourselves a 37 00:02:00,387 --> 00:02:01,827 Speaker 3: decent chance that been there at the end. 38 00:02:02,307 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 2: So it was the basics yesterday. What were they the 39 00:02:04,427 --> 00:02:07,867 Speaker 2: things that you you had hoped for better to improvement on? 40 00:02:09,707 --> 00:02:11,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so, mate, Like our scrub and line 41 00:02:11,547 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 3: out functioned pretty well. Just the basic fundamentals, just your carry, 42 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:22,267 Speaker 3: clean game, skill, execution under pressure, some decision making. Nothing 43 00:02:22,307 --> 00:02:26,147 Speaker 3: that we can't iron out. Was just disappointing that we 44 00:02:26,187 --> 00:02:29,427 Speaker 3: didn't take that step forward, I think from last week. 45 00:02:29,507 --> 00:02:33,027 Speaker 3: So you can sort of sense Thatt amongst the players yesterday, 46 00:02:33,547 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: but you know, weeks a long time in rugby, So 47 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:38,387 Speaker 3: as I said, no doubt, we'll iron a few things 48 00:02:38,387 --> 00:02:39,667 Speaker 3: out and be better against the Booths. 49 00:02:39,787 --> 00:02:43,027 Speaker 2: Will need to be no Wallace the TV this season. 50 00:02:43,347 --> 00:02:44,747 Speaker 2: How big a blow is that for you? 51 00:02:46,307 --> 00:02:49,707 Speaker 3: By yeah, a big blow. You know, it's very special 52 00:02:49,747 --> 00:02:52,947 Speaker 3: players and he's sort of exploded on the scene last 53 00:02:52,987 --> 00:02:55,707 Speaker 3: year for the Chiefs and was able to go to 54 00:02:55,747 --> 00:02:59,147 Speaker 3: another level throughout the international season. It's got a real 55 00:02:59,187 --> 00:03:04,067 Speaker 3: point of difference around his athleticism and skill, so you 56 00:03:04,107 --> 00:03:06,147 Speaker 3: know we'll miss him. But by the same token, we've 57 00:03:06,627 --> 00:03:09,147 Speaker 3: we're really pleased with the depth of our loose forwards. 58 00:03:09,147 --> 00:03:13,307 Speaker 3: We've got people that can play multiple positions and it's 59 00:03:13,347 --> 00:03:14,947 Speaker 3: going to be a real dogfight for the guys that 60 00:03:14,947 --> 00:03:18,627 Speaker 3: we got to an opportunity to Playtreek. So yeah, well Muslim, 61 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:20,987 Speaker 3: but life goes on as it always does. Every team, 62 00:03:21,347 --> 00:03:25,627 Speaker 3: you know, loses players, influential players in this squad and 63 00:03:25,627 --> 00:03:26,427 Speaker 3: and we're no different. 64 00:03:26,987 --> 00:03:28,827 Speaker 2: Just before we move on from him, can you just clarify, 65 00:03:28,907 --> 00:03:30,587 Speaker 2: did you know that he'd picked up an injury on 66 00:03:30,627 --> 00:03:32,667 Speaker 2: the All Black s end of season tour last year. 67 00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:35,787 Speaker 2: I had some comments from you. Were you fully aware 68 00:03:35,827 --> 00:03:37,507 Speaker 2: of the injury you'd picked up? 69 00:03:39,427 --> 00:03:41,867 Speaker 3: Oh, we're aware, were just probably weren't aware of the extent. 70 00:03:42,067 --> 00:03:45,387 Speaker 3: I don't think anybody did to be perfectly fear. He's 71 00:03:45,587 --> 00:03:48,987 Speaker 3: pretty tough and resilient young men. So what he presented 72 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:50,947 Speaker 3: with was just your sort of normal wear and tear. 73 00:03:50,987 --> 00:03:55,907 Speaker 3: Injury was until it was until it was scanned that 74 00:03:56,507 --> 00:04:00,707 Speaker 3: you know that the extent of the injury became truly known. 75 00:04:00,747 --> 00:04:05,187 Speaker 3: And yeah, and so there was it was a surprise 76 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:05,827 Speaker 3: to everybody. 77 00:04:06,347 --> 00:04:09,067 Speaker 2: All right, we wish you may speedy recovery. Let's look 78 00:04:09,107 --> 00:04:11,747 Speaker 2: at some of the players you've brought in. Josh Jacob's 79 00:04:11,747 --> 00:04:14,187 Speaker 2: been in your environment. Obviously, he was promoted from the 80 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:17,787 Speaker 2: wider training group last year, played four games full time 81 00:04:17,827 --> 00:04:19,707 Speaker 2: contract this year. How do you make sure he gets 82 00:04:19,707 --> 00:04:22,587 Speaker 2: good opportunities, Clayton, when he plays in the same position 83 00:04:22,627 --> 00:04:23,827 Speaker 2: as Damien McKenzie. 84 00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:29,987 Speaker 3: It's a balancing act, but ultimately it comes down to 85 00:04:30,067 --> 00:04:33,267 Speaker 3: nailing your opportunities when you get them. So you know, 86 00:04:33,347 --> 00:04:35,827 Speaker 3: nobody in our team has a rider passage to pulling 87 00:04:35,827 --> 00:04:39,547 Speaker 3: on the jersey. It's earned through time in the jersey, 88 00:04:40,067 --> 00:04:45,307 Speaker 3: what you deliver it, training and ultimately what you can 89 00:04:45,347 --> 00:04:47,587 Speaker 3: produce when given an opportunity to get out on the field. 90 00:04:47,627 --> 00:04:52,067 Speaker 3: So he's talented young men. You know, he's competitor, competitor, 91 00:04:52,147 --> 00:04:55,387 Speaker 3: and he's certainly not there to just make up the 92 00:04:55,467 --> 00:04:58,107 Speaker 3: numbers and roll over and give Damian their pro ride. 93 00:04:58,147 --> 00:05:00,827 Speaker 3: So looking forward to that battle. You know, the other 94 00:05:00,867 --> 00:05:03,147 Speaker 3: person in the mix of is you know, Caleb Trask, 95 00:05:03,147 --> 00:05:06,947 Speaker 3: who's had an unfortunate sort of run of injuries, just 96 00:05:07,027 --> 00:05:09,547 Speaker 3: welcomed the new baby over the last couple of days. 97 00:05:10,067 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 3: But he's another one who's got who looked really good. 98 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:16,307 Speaker 3: I thought last year running a Cadifer bar Penny at 99 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 3: ten and he could come into the equation too. So 100 00:05:18,747 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 3: we're blessed in the next spot. But it will course 101 00:05:21,867 --> 00:05:23,747 Speaker 3: cause us a few headaches, just making sure we get 102 00:05:23,747 --> 00:05:25,107 Speaker 3: the balance of given them game time. 103 00:05:25,507 --> 00:05:27,467 Speaker 2: Hell was Stami and McKenzie looking. 104 00:05:29,347 --> 00:05:32,027 Speaker 3: Now? He looked you know, he looked Christian as normal 105 00:05:32,587 --> 00:05:35,707 Speaker 3: usual self. Yesterday he's did all the all blacks. I 106 00:05:35,707 --> 00:05:38,747 Speaker 3: think they recognize that they've come and you know, fairly 107 00:05:38,827 --> 00:05:41,107 Speaker 3: late in the Police. I've only had sort of a 108 00:05:41,147 --> 00:05:44,707 Speaker 3: week and a half full training, played forty minutes yesterday 109 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:47,147 Speaker 3: and they could see that. You know, the balance of 110 00:05:47,187 --> 00:05:48,867 Speaker 3: the rest of the squad have done the hard yards 111 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:52,187 Speaker 3: pre Christmas and post Christmas of work. Wat really hardly 112 00:05:52,227 --> 00:05:54,347 Speaker 3: a little bit behind the eight well, not not necessarily 113 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:56,587 Speaker 3: in terms of conditioning, but just getting up the speed 114 00:05:56,627 --> 00:05:58,667 Speaker 3: with some of the adjustments that we've made in the game. 115 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 3: You know, they showed the Williamess yesterday and make sure 116 00:06:03,027 --> 00:06:05,267 Speaker 3: that they're in the in the mix of come selection 117 00:06:05,347 --> 00:06:05,907 Speaker 3: for next week. 118 00:06:06,347 --> 00:06:08,067 Speaker 2: Do you have a time frame, Clayton for the return 119 00:06:08,147 --> 00:06:09,667 Speaker 2: of Summersawny Tokyojo. 120 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:15,107 Speaker 3: He's looking really positive to be feared, had a set 121 00:06:15,147 --> 00:06:19,667 Speaker 3: back early on in as rehead, but you know he's 122 00:06:19,747 --> 00:06:26,107 Speaker 3: been really diligentary and as rehead he's progressing really nicely. 123 00:06:26,187 --> 00:06:29,987 Speaker 3: He's almost back into full training, so we anticipate that 124 00:06:30,067 --> 00:06:33,507 Speaker 3: sort of around three to four three or four he 125 00:06:33,547 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 3: could likely return. But of course that's one of those 126 00:06:37,107 --> 00:06:38,707 Speaker 3: injuries to a front rower that you want to make 127 00:06:38,707 --> 00:06:41,227 Speaker 3: sure you get one hundred percent right. So if it 128 00:06:41,267 --> 00:06:44,827 Speaker 3: happens to extend by a week or two, you know 129 00:06:44,907 --> 00:06:46,867 Speaker 3: to to ensure that he's one hundred percent and that's 130 00:06:46,907 --> 00:06:47,307 Speaker 3: what we'll do. 131 00:06:48,107 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 2: And you and New Zealand Rugby presumably have allowed Sean 132 00:06:51,147 --> 00:06:53,587 Speaker 2: Stevenson to have a brief sabbatical in Japan. He'll missed 133 00:06:53,627 --> 00:06:56,187 Speaker 2: the opening three weeks of the season. How did you 134 00:06:56,507 --> 00:06:57,467 Speaker 2: arrive at that decision? 135 00:07:01,147 --> 00:07:09,667 Speaker 3: Just common sense prevailed. I think you know, we we 136 00:07:06,347 --> 00:07:12,107 Speaker 3: we we were always aware that Sean had an appetite 137 00:07:12,147 --> 00:07:14,387 Speaker 3: and want to head overseas, if not this year, then 138 00:07:14,427 --> 00:07:17,827 Speaker 3: next year. So it wasn't like we were blindsided by it. 139 00:07:17,827 --> 00:07:20,347 Speaker 3: It was really just that the request came at a 140 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:24,947 Speaker 3: very late stage, given an injury or a departure of 141 00:07:25,227 --> 00:07:27,907 Speaker 3: a player from Caboda, the team that he's gone to. 142 00:07:28,027 --> 00:07:30,667 Speaker 3: That that came through really late, and it's kind of 143 00:07:31,627 --> 00:07:34,107 Speaker 3: didn't really allow time to go and find, you know, 144 00:07:35,147 --> 00:07:39,227 Speaker 3: a suitable replacement. And so it wasn't it was never 145 00:07:39,267 --> 00:07:42,187 Speaker 3: a case of not wanting Shooter to go, but but 146 00:07:42,187 --> 00:07:46,787 Speaker 3: but finding a balance between him going and us being 147 00:07:46,827 --> 00:07:50,667 Speaker 3: able to find a replacement. And so that that part 148 00:07:50,667 --> 00:07:54,107 Speaker 3: didn't really quite work out, but all parties to be included, 149 00:07:54,947 --> 00:07:58,787 Speaker 3: as said, comes to a sensible conclusion that we could 150 00:07:58,787 --> 00:08:00,547 Speaker 3: accept them going up and dipping his toes in the 151 00:08:00,587 --> 00:08:03,147 Speaker 3: water and helping out Caboda in their time of need 152 00:08:03,867 --> 00:08:06,947 Speaker 3: and then having them come back to us ready to 153 00:08:06,987 --> 00:08:13,227 Speaker 3: go and no doubt sort of keen to you know, 154 00:08:13,307 --> 00:08:15,627 Speaker 3: get that one hundred game kept for the Chiefs, which 155 00:08:15,627 --> 00:08:17,787 Speaker 3: I think he's about four games away from achieving. So 156 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 3: we've got every confidence he'll come back and just put 157 00:08:20,307 --> 00:08:22,507 Speaker 3: in like a lucky glove. 158 00:08:23,187 --> 00:08:25,347 Speaker 2: And you look back at the last two seasons, you've 159 00:08:25,387 --> 00:08:28,067 Speaker 2: lost just eight of your thirty four games in the 160 00:08:28,107 --> 00:08:31,907 Speaker 2: last two seasons. Unfortunately two of those were Grand finals, 161 00:08:31,947 --> 00:08:34,187 Speaker 2: So how do you make sure that it's third time 162 00:08:34,267 --> 00:08:35,427 Speaker 2: lucky in twenty twenty five. 163 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:41,387 Speaker 3: Just to be honest around where you're at with your game. 164 00:08:42,867 --> 00:08:44,867 Speaker 3: We've got no dramas about our squad. We feel like 165 00:08:44,907 --> 00:08:46,827 Speaker 3: we've got the squad that can take us deep into 166 00:08:46,867 --> 00:08:52,187 Speaker 3: the competition finals show that. You know, it's about who 167 00:08:52,267 --> 00:08:57,707 Speaker 3: can deliver a performance on the day. But somethings are 168 00:08:57,707 --> 00:09:00,227 Speaker 3: slightly different. You know, as you get towards the back 169 00:09:00,307 --> 00:09:06,547 Speaker 3: end of the season, the game tightens up. It's where 170 00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:10,187 Speaker 3: it starts to come into ken can come into the equation. 171 00:09:10,387 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 3: So we still want to we don't want to change 172 00:09:13,507 --> 00:09:16,947 Speaker 3: fundamentally how we play Chiefs rugby, which is, you know, 173 00:09:17,067 --> 00:09:18,827 Speaker 3: give the ball some there and and have a go 174 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:23,627 Speaker 3: and ask our players to be courageous, but also recognize 175 00:09:23,627 --> 00:09:28,187 Speaker 3: that teams understand what what it looks like when we're 176 00:09:28,187 --> 00:09:32,267 Speaker 3: playing well and how they can impose the game on 177 00:09:32,387 --> 00:09:35,147 Speaker 3: us to potentially suffocate us. And that and that that 178 00:09:35,227 --> 00:09:37,107 Speaker 3: means that we've got to evolve and get better and 179 00:09:37,547 --> 00:09:40,987 Speaker 3: have other games that we can go to when when, 180 00:09:41,427 --> 00:09:44,227 Speaker 3: when the situation or the or the moment requires. So 181 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:48,227 Speaker 3: it's been our focuses us around growing our overall game 182 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:49,827 Speaker 3: whilst they true to our identity. 183 00:09:50,467 --> 00:09:52,947 Speaker 2: Wish you all the best for twenty twenty five Clayton, 184 00:09:52,947 --> 00:09:54,787 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us. Look forward to catching out throughout 185 00:09:54,787 --> 00:09:55,147 Speaker 2: the season. 186 00:09:55,347 --> 00:09:56,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, no worries mate, great day. 187 00:09:56,947 --> 00:09:58,507 Speaker 2: You have a great day to Clayton, Thanks to day. 188 00:09:58,507 --> 00:10:00,667 Speaker 2: Clayton McMillan, the head coach of the Chiefs. 189 00:10:01,627 --> 00:10:04,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 190 00:10:04,947 --> 00:10:08,187 Speaker 1: to News talks 'b we Cans from midday or follow 191 00:10:08,227 --> 00:10:09,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.