1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk zed B. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,307 Speaker 2: Yeah, Hurricanes and the Chiefs currently doing battle Jerry Collins 4 00:00:15,307 --> 00:00:19,027 Speaker 2: Stadium in Pottydoa. In their final preseason hit out. The 5 00:00:19,067 --> 00:00:23,387 Speaker 2: Chiefs lead five nil after twenty five minutes in that game, 6 00:00:23,467 --> 00:00:27,147 Speaker 2: so just the one try to at Aenny Nanni Satuto? 7 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:29,427 Speaker 2: So fast are the Chiefs leading five nil? Not that 8 00:00:29,467 --> 00:00:31,907 Speaker 2: the score really matters, does it? You just want to 9 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:35,227 Speaker 2: get through without injury. Speaking of which, do you have 10 00:00:35,267 --> 00:00:40,507 Speaker 2: any information asks Terrance about Fabian Holland's shoulder injury yesterday? Terrence, 11 00:00:40,547 --> 00:00:43,787 Speaker 2: I don't, but we will be chatting with a member 12 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:46,187 Speaker 2: of the Highlanders coaching staff tomorrow and that will be 13 00:00:46,307 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 2: absolutely one of the questions that I ask. How is 14 00:00:49,067 --> 00:00:51,547 Speaker 2: Fabi in Holland? He kind of well, it didn't look good. 15 00:00:51,947 --> 00:00:54,187 Speaker 2: It was quite ginger as he came off. And in 16 00:00:54,227 --> 00:00:57,467 Speaker 2: their final preseason hit out against who is it against? 17 00:00:57,467 --> 00:01:02,227 Speaker 2: More Onner Pacifica. Did they play yesterday? It was yeah, 18 00:01:02,227 --> 00:01:05,947 Speaker 2: more under Pacifica. Fabian Holland leaving the field jeepers. I 19 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:08,507 Speaker 2: don't want to lose him for an extended period or 20 00:01:08,547 --> 00:01:12,027 Speaker 2: to without Dylan Pledger which is such a shame and 21 00:01:12,187 --> 00:01:14,827 Speaker 2: every I'm looking forward to seeing how head go. But yo, 22 00:01:14,907 --> 00:01:18,387 Speaker 2: Fabian Hollan will certainly ask the question tomorrow. Yes, the 23 00:01:18,427 --> 00:01:21,907 Speaker 2: Crusaders horses are all go again this year, says this text. 24 00:01:22,227 --> 00:01:23,947 Speaker 2: I can only assume that's correct. It's not from an 25 00:01:23,987 --> 00:01:26,187 Speaker 2: official source. I don't think. I don't recognize the phone 26 00:01:26,267 --> 00:01:29,627 Speaker 2: number and he's going through the official lines of inquiry 27 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:32,187 Speaker 2: to find out for you. But that's one text that 28 00:01:32,227 --> 00:01:35,467 Speaker 2: seems to be in the positive. Let's get you inside. 29 00:01:35,467 --> 00:01:38,387 Speaker 2: The Blues camp champions in twenty twenty four to sixth 30 00:01:38,667 --> 00:01:41,787 Speaker 2: last season in the regular season, so just sneaking into 31 00:01:42,187 --> 00:01:44,627 Speaker 2: the playoff spots. But they won their quarter final against 32 00:01:44,627 --> 00:01:45,107 Speaker 2: the Chiefs. 33 00:01:45,507 --> 00:01:49,147 Speaker 3: All the victory and it's all over and the Blues 34 00:01:49,147 --> 00:01:54,347 Speaker 3: have won twenty points to nineteen. We said it's going 35 00:01:54,427 --> 00:01:56,547 Speaker 3: to be a one point game and it was a 36 00:01:56,627 --> 00:01:57,507 Speaker 3: one point game. 37 00:01:57,747 --> 00:01:59,947 Speaker 2: Yeah. The Blues went on to lose to the Crusaders 38 00:01:59,947 --> 00:02:02,627 Speaker 2: in the semi finals the following week. Their first game 39 00:02:02,747 --> 00:02:05,227 Speaker 2: is against the Chiefs this coming Saturday or a week 40 00:02:05,267 --> 00:02:09,387 Speaker 2: tonight at Eden Heart. Blues assistant coach is Jason o'heller 41 00:02:09,427 --> 00:02:11,067 Speaker 2: and he's with us now. Thanks for your time. Jay's 42 00:02:11,067 --> 00:02:13,707 Speaker 2: good to chat. You beat the Crusaders yesterday in your 43 00:02:13,707 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 2: final warm up match out at on you what domain? 44 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:18,787 Speaker 2: How did everybody come through, mate, and how are you 45 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 2: feeling seven days out from your first game. 46 00:02:22,067 --> 00:02:25,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, a few bumps, some bruises here. Josh forss tur 47 00:02:25,667 --> 00:02:28,307 Speaker 4: in particular talk a cook just above just on the 48 00:02:28,347 --> 00:02:30,867 Speaker 4: top of the fire there, so we're comfortable that he 49 00:02:30,907 --> 00:02:33,107 Speaker 4: should be okay other than that, and we got through 50 00:02:33,107 --> 00:02:34,987 Speaker 4: a pre well on scape from what I can imagine, 51 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:37,547 Speaker 4: and in terms of the game, they're very happy. We 52 00:02:37,587 --> 00:02:40,187 Speaker 4: felt we were but underwhelming against the Hurricanes a week before, 53 00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:44,067 Speaker 4: just around the great areas, et cetera. But fortunately there's 54 00:02:44,067 --> 00:02:45,787 Speaker 4: a bit of a breeze of it around anyway, yesterday 55 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:49,107 Speaker 4: was keep the temperature to sort of mid twenties, and yeah, 56 00:02:49,147 --> 00:02:51,227 Speaker 4: the Crusaders had great depth through their squad, so it 57 00:02:51,267 --> 00:02:53,267 Speaker 4: was a really good challenge. And I thought some of 58 00:02:53,307 --> 00:02:55,507 Speaker 4: the areas of our game our body heightened the carry 59 00:02:55,507 --> 00:02:57,347 Speaker 4: and our cleanup was much better, and that it allowed 60 00:02:57,427 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 4: us to create a bit of momentum in the backs, 61 00:02:59,987 --> 00:03:01,587 Speaker 4: did some good stuff off the back of that. So 62 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:02,987 Speaker 4: it was already pleasing effort. 63 00:03:03,227 --> 00:03:05,187 Speaker 2: So as you look ahead to a new season, chase, 64 00:03:05,227 --> 00:03:08,707 Speaker 2: do you you what happened in twenty twenty five much 65 00:03:09,107 --> 00:03:12,707 Speaker 2: at all? Or is it more a forward looking strategy, 66 00:03:12,987 --> 00:03:14,707 Speaker 2: a clean slate ahead of a new season. 67 00:03:16,067 --> 00:03:18,307 Speaker 4: Oh, look, we certainly can reflect on our first game 68 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:21,147 Speaker 4: against the Chiefs last year and we're at home as 69 00:03:21,147 --> 00:03:24,467 Speaker 4: we will be next to day, and they'd beat us out. 70 00:03:24,507 --> 00:03:27,027 Speaker 4: To be quite honest, we got to the Shares fourty 71 00:03:27,027 --> 00:03:28,987 Speaker 4: and six up and then they just came out and 72 00:03:29,147 --> 00:03:31,627 Speaker 4: they were just too physical on the night. They had 73 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:33,667 Speaker 4: a real point to prove. I've been beaten in the 74 00:03:33,707 --> 00:03:36,507 Speaker 4: final of twenty four And yeah, they played an all 75 00:03:36,587 --> 00:03:38,907 Speaker 4: court game as they can do. They can get through 76 00:03:38,947 --> 00:03:40,667 Speaker 4: the middle of their power game and they can get 77 00:03:40,707 --> 00:03:43,467 Speaker 4: d mac and I said Toura and they were Carla 78 00:03:43,587 --> 00:03:45,627 Speaker 4: out wide. And on top of all that, they have 79 00:03:45,627 --> 00:03:47,507 Speaker 4: a very good kicking game where they can pinure back 80 00:03:47,507 --> 00:03:50,027 Speaker 4: with the quality of their kicking. So you know they're 81 00:03:50,027 --> 00:03:52,507 Speaker 4: a difficult opponent. You certainly have to be on your 82 00:03:52,547 --> 00:03:54,707 Speaker 4: meddle with them, and more than anything, you've got to 83 00:03:54,707 --> 00:03:57,427 Speaker 4: be physical with them and meet them head on there. 84 00:03:58,107 --> 00:04:00,787 Speaker 4: But also when the timers right, be able to move 85 00:04:00,787 --> 00:04:02,987 Speaker 4: the ball of space with that, Cassy, but they're a 86 00:04:02,987 --> 00:04:04,387 Speaker 4: difficult opponent for anybody. 87 00:04:04,707 --> 00:04:07,707 Speaker 2: Please look, get your squad you wanti the season. Of course, 88 00:04:07,707 --> 00:04:09,627 Speaker 2: he's on sabbatical up in Ireland. He's been a big 89 00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:11,547 Speaker 2: part of a team for a long long time. Now, 90 00:04:11,707 --> 00:04:13,627 Speaker 2: how big a gap does that leave on and off 91 00:04:13,627 --> 00:04:15,267 Speaker 2: the field for you without Rico there? 92 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:19,587 Speaker 4: Well, Rico defensively in particular, he's one of the defensive 93 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:24,227 Speaker 4: leaders and he's a great guy in that regard. His 94 00:04:24,507 --> 00:04:27,867 Speaker 4: relationship with Craig McGrath defense coach was crucial to us 95 00:04:27,867 --> 00:04:29,387 Speaker 4: over the last couple of years. I think we were 96 00:04:29,387 --> 00:04:32,027 Speaker 4: the best defensive team in both those seasons in terms 97 00:04:32,067 --> 00:04:35,147 Speaker 4: of trist concedents. Here trying to Rico as a massive parlot. 98 00:04:35,187 --> 00:04:37,667 Speaker 4: So he's a huge loss for sure, but we've got 99 00:04:37,667 --> 00:04:40,787 Speaker 4: a real experience and Peter Ike and Peter was excellent yesterday. 100 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:44,027 Speaker 4: I carried them already effectively, made some great tackles and 101 00:04:44,067 --> 00:04:48,307 Speaker 4: scored a try himself and his partnership alongside two younger 102 00:04:48,347 --> 00:04:51,027 Speaker 4: guys here had Rico Simpson inside him and there Gordon 103 00:04:51,067 --> 00:04:54,147 Speaker 4: outside him. I thought he led particularly well. So we're 104 00:04:54,147 --> 00:04:56,747 Speaker 4: really pleased to help Peter when obviously a j lamb 105 00:04:57,067 --> 00:05:00,307 Speaker 4: could potentially play twelve or thirteen, and then you've got 106 00:05:00,387 --> 00:05:02,347 Speaker 4: zav Tady as well, so we feel like we've got 107 00:05:02,427 --> 00:05:05,667 Speaker 4: some reasonable depth from there, along along with Corey Evans 108 00:05:05,667 --> 00:05:07,427 Speaker 4: who can play in the field and fullback. So we 109 00:05:07,467 --> 00:05:09,507 Speaker 4: feel like we're pretty well covered there. But certainly you 110 00:05:09,547 --> 00:05:12,227 Speaker 4: don't replace Ricky and he's overnight, so the bit a 111 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:14,787 Speaker 4: bit of teething process, but we're comfortable we've got good 112 00:05:14,787 --> 00:05:15,307 Speaker 4: cover there. 113 00:05:15,427 --> 00:05:18,507 Speaker 2: There's a few experienced guys no longer there. They've given 114 00:05:18,587 --> 00:05:20,947 Speaker 2: amazing service to the Blues angers of those moved on, 115 00:05:21,027 --> 00:05:24,307 Speaker 2: Bryce Heem, Harry Plummer, Ricky Ricatelli, Mark Talaya. It's a 116 00:05:24,347 --> 00:05:27,707 Speaker 2: decent chunk of experience Jace to look to fill. Do 117 00:05:27,747 --> 00:05:30,427 Speaker 2: you look for guys you know to step up? Who 118 00:05:30,427 --> 00:05:33,227 Speaker 2: are you know, who are that next level or what? 119 00:05:33,467 --> 00:05:35,067 Speaker 2: How do you replace experience like that? 120 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:40,827 Speaker 4: Well? I think smart recruitment helps for sure, and it 121 00:05:40,867 --> 00:05:42,667 Speaker 4: does give other other players who have been in the 122 00:05:42,707 --> 00:05:46,347 Speaker 4: squad opportunities to step up. So a guy like kurtik 123 00:05:46,427 --> 00:05:48,907 Speaker 4: and of be keen to try and make that Hokers 124 00:05:49,227 --> 00:05:52,027 Speaker 4: has has spot this year. But on top of that, 125 00:05:52,027 --> 00:05:54,947 Speaker 4: we brought and Bradley Slater and he's been really impressive preseason, 126 00:05:54,987 --> 00:05:57,907 Speaker 4: so there'll be a really good competition for the place 127 00:05:57,947 --> 00:06:00,747 Speaker 4: at Hokker. Alongside you've got eli Oden Wright, who's a 128 00:06:00,747 --> 00:06:03,867 Speaker 4: different type of player, really dynamic, and then on top 129 00:06:03,867 --> 00:06:05,987 Speaker 4: of they got James Mullin while who's different again, he's 130 00:06:05,987 --> 00:06:08,347 Speaker 4: a big guy, a big sort of set piece type Howker. 131 00:06:08,747 --> 00:06:10,707 Speaker 4: So we feel like there'll be a great competition there 132 00:06:10,747 --> 00:06:12,507 Speaker 4: to replace Ricky and what he brought to the team, 133 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:14,467 Speaker 4: which was crucial the way we played in terms of 134 00:06:14,507 --> 00:06:16,707 Speaker 4: his ball carr and his clean out and as the 135 00:06:16,787 --> 00:06:19,747 Speaker 4: execution of the CFP. So that's great in terms of 136 00:06:19,787 --> 00:06:22,667 Speaker 4: the loose ward stuff. With Adrian Trup moving on, et cetera. 137 00:06:23,547 --> 00:06:25,907 Speaker 4: You know, you're really expect the hoskinstituto to step up 138 00:06:25,907 --> 00:06:27,827 Speaker 4: messily this year and we know what we'll get out 139 00:06:27,867 --> 00:06:31,187 Speaker 4: of Hoskins and Dalton and again our recruitment, we're really 140 00:06:31,187 --> 00:06:33,427 Speaker 4: happy with what we've picked up there. We've we've got 141 00:06:33,427 --> 00:06:36,907 Speaker 4: Malcha Rampling out of the Chiefs, We've got what we 142 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:38,747 Speaker 4: believe to be a real good player and Torri and 143 00:06:38,827 --> 00:06:41,747 Speaker 4: Barnes out of Canterbury. Shay Clark is a good young 144 00:06:41,827 --> 00:06:44,427 Speaker 4: kid here, so they're all three really good athletes and 145 00:06:44,467 --> 00:06:46,547 Speaker 4: on top that we've got Jed no But who spend 146 00:06:46,547 --> 00:06:48,147 Speaker 4: the second half of the season with Harbor as the 147 00:06:48,187 --> 00:06:50,867 Speaker 4: captain and he's a really good player as well, and 148 00:06:50,907 --> 00:06:53,307 Speaker 4: Anton Signor again, so there's real good depth there and 149 00:06:53,787 --> 00:06:56,267 Speaker 4: good competition for places and that's what you see when 150 00:06:56,307 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 4: you lose some players is an opportunity for others, so 151 00:06:59,067 --> 00:07:02,667 Speaker 4: you expect, you know, a real battle for positions, which 152 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:03,467 Speaker 4: is great for the squad. 153 00:07:03,627 --> 00:07:06,147 Speaker 2: And day we see the long anticipator returns as well 154 00:07:06,147 --> 00:07:09,147 Speaker 2: as a Dowry and offered to all the fussy. Their 155 00:07:09,147 --> 00:07:12,187 Speaker 2: shoulder and nick injuries respectively pretty much saw the miss 156 00:07:12,267 --> 00:07:14,947 Speaker 2: the entirety of last season. Have they fully recovered? Are 157 00:07:14,947 --> 00:07:16,427 Speaker 2: they Are they good to go for Round one? 158 00:07:17,547 --> 00:07:20,067 Speaker 4: Yes? They both played yesterday and got through it really 159 00:07:20,307 --> 00:07:23,227 Speaker 4: particularly effectively, so yeah, we're happy that they'll both be 160 00:07:23,267 --> 00:07:26,147 Speaker 4: good to go. And again we feel like we're pretty 161 00:07:26,147 --> 00:07:28,787 Speaker 4: deep at Locke. You got locklm McConnell there as well 162 00:07:28,747 --> 00:07:31,427 Speaker 4: as Sam Darry, Josh Barry and you've got Patrick Toobo 163 00:07:31,547 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 4: who's come back yet, So we feel like we're pretty 164 00:07:34,347 --> 00:07:36,467 Speaker 4: well off at Locke, particular if they're all foot. So 165 00:07:37,067 --> 00:07:40,427 Speaker 4: unfortunately we lost came Christy last week to season ending 166 00:07:40,507 --> 00:07:42,587 Speaker 4: the injury and he's a lock six cover so that 167 00:07:42,627 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 4: was a bit of a blow. But other than that, 168 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:45,987 Speaker 4: we're feeling pretty comfortable in there. 169 00:07:46,507 --> 00:07:49,227 Speaker 2: Is there anything in the super Rugby law tweaks that 170 00:07:49,267 --> 00:07:54,787 Speaker 2: were unveiled last week that you've paid particular attention to, Joe, Yeah, a. 171 00:07:54,827 --> 00:07:57,507 Speaker 4: Couple You can pass all back behind halfway and take 172 00:07:57,547 --> 00:08:00,067 Speaker 4: a fifty twenty two. That caught me out watching the 173 00:08:00,067 --> 00:08:01,787 Speaker 4: French yesterday because you only be a pull one of 174 00:08:01,867 --> 00:08:03,427 Speaker 4: those off the one they didn't call and I think, 175 00:08:03,627 --> 00:08:06,867 Speaker 4: what's going on here? But there hasn't been did catch 176 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:09,187 Speaker 4: me out? Hasn't come into six nations. Then the other 177 00:08:09,227 --> 00:08:11,667 Speaker 4: one is you can tap at the tunnel now if 178 00:08:11,667 --> 00:08:14,267 Speaker 4: you get a free kick from a scrum, whereas you 179 00:08:14,267 --> 00:08:15,787 Speaker 4: had to pass it all back to the number in 180 00:08:15,787 --> 00:08:18,867 Speaker 4: the past, and that could that could be a great 181 00:08:18,907 --> 00:08:21,027 Speaker 4: pub for the defense, could be an absolute nightmare for 182 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:24,107 Speaker 4: the referees and the defense because the likelihood it is 183 00:08:24,147 --> 00:08:26,547 Speaker 4: from a five minute scream U tap quickly a loose 184 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:29,387 Speaker 4: He's going to just by virtue of reaction make it tap. 185 00:08:29,427 --> 00:08:31,667 Speaker 4: It's going to have been so I don't know hoving 186 00:08:31,707 --> 00:08:33,587 Speaker 4: going to manage that. I think that's a crazy word 187 00:08:33,627 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 4: to be thirty on us, but it will give some 188 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:37,307 Speaker 4: scope for their tape for sure. 189 00:08:37,507 --> 00:08:39,947 Speaker 2: All Right, we know Van Kotta is off at the 190 00:08:40,027 --> 00:08:43,147 Speaker 2: end of the season. He'll be the same guy, won't 191 00:08:43,147 --> 00:08:45,347 Speaker 2: he Can you imagine him being any different knowing that 192 00:08:45,387 --> 00:08:47,787 Speaker 2: he's that he's in his final season with the Blues. 193 00:08:49,387 --> 00:08:52,667 Speaker 4: From what I witnessed after the Hurricanes lost, he'll be 194 00:08:52,707 --> 00:08:56,147 Speaker 4: the same guy. Certainly put it for the players this 195 00:08:56,227 --> 00:08:59,267 Speaker 4: week and we got the response. We're looking for the 196 00:08:59,387 --> 00:09:01,987 Speaker 4: senior players ready drove the back half of the week 197 00:09:02,027 --> 00:09:05,947 Speaker 4: and the boys performed, you know, close to their potential essay, 198 00:09:05,987 --> 00:09:09,187 Speaker 4: which was that's a lot to do. The cajoling from PC. 199 00:09:09,427 --> 00:09:10,947 Speaker 4: So he'll be the same guy. 200 00:09:10,867 --> 00:09:14,267 Speaker 2: Cajoling love it great word, great word. Just to finish. So, 201 00:09:14,347 --> 00:09:17,627 Speaker 2: Chiefs at home, Force and Brumbies away, Crusaders at home. 202 00:09:17,867 --> 00:09:19,707 Speaker 2: How do you evaluate that as a first month of 203 00:09:19,707 --> 00:09:20,507 Speaker 2: the season for you? 204 00:09:22,107 --> 00:09:24,427 Speaker 4: A very good one if you win them all. It's 205 00:09:24,427 --> 00:09:26,387 Speaker 4: a tough job, but you've got to play them on 206 00:09:26,467 --> 00:09:28,427 Speaker 4: some sday. So we were looking forward to the challenge 207 00:09:28,907 --> 00:09:31,267 Speaker 4: and we do enjoy the fact that we'll be touring 208 00:09:31,307 --> 00:09:32,827 Speaker 4: for a couple of weeks Australia. Thank it's a great 209 00:09:32,827 --> 00:09:35,907 Speaker 4: way of bringing a squad together early part of the season. 210 00:09:35,947 --> 00:09:37,907 Speaker 4: But certainly we're not looking at you further ahead than 211 00:09:37,987 --> 00:09:40,547 Speaker 4: Valentine's stay at the stage, So looking forward to the 212 00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:41,667 Speaker 4: battle against the Chiefs. 213 00:09:41,907 --> 00:09:43,347 Speaker 2: Great to chat to you, Jason. All the best for 214 00:09:43,387 --> 00:09:45,387 Speaker 2: the season ahead, look forward to catching up over the 215 00:09:45,427 --> 00:09:46,187 Speaker 2: next few months or so. 216 00:09:47,187 --> 00:09:48,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, great, thanks very much, No. 217 00:09:49,027 --> 00:09:51,267 Speaker 2: Thank you, Jace. Jason o'heller and good to have him 218 00:09:51,267 --> 00:09:54,347 Speaker 2: back on the radio. Assistant coach with the Blues. So yeah, 219 00:09:54,387 --> 00:09:58,707 Speaker 2: week tonight Blues the Chiefs at Eden Park. Always a 220 00:09:58,747 --> 00:10:02,467 Speaker 2: great battle. It seems like like every week there are 221 00:10:02,547 --> 00:10:03,627 Speaker 2: games to look out for it. 222 00:10:03,747 --> 00:10:07,227 Speaker 1: Just for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen 223 00:10:07,307 --> 00:10:10,547 Speaker 1: live to news Talks at b weekends from midday or 224 00:10:10,627 --> 00:10:12,507 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.