1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,067 Speaker 2: Twelve past two. The hunts on for a new Black 4 00:00:15,107 --> 00:00:18,827 Speaker 2: Ferns rugby coach. Here go New Zealand again. Close Simons 5 00:00:18,867 --> 00:00:19,227 Speaker 2: is up. 6 00:00:19,107 --> 00:00:23,867 Speaker 3: On their feet. Away, guys, Lauda here stolen away. Canada 7 00:00:23,907 --> 00:00:36,347 Speaker 3: have got it. Call them underdogs, call them dark horses, 8 00:00:36,987 --> 00:00:49,587 Speaker 3: no way, call them Rugby worldcome finalists, Timinan, brilliant, ruthless 9 00:00:49,587 --> 00:00:54,387 Speaker 3: and efficient Canada are going to the decider, then into 10 00:00:54,467 --> 00:00:58,707 Speaker 3: New Zealand's reign and it is so richly, richly deserved. 11 00:00:59,027 --> 00:01:02,387 Speaker 2: Yes, New Zealand Rugby has undertaken a review of the 12 00:01:02,427 --> 00:01:05,547 Speaker 2: Black Ferns program after their third place finish at the 13 00:01:05,627 --> 00:01:09,027 Speaker 2: year's Rugby World Cup, and they will begin a recruitment 14 00:01:09,107 --> 00:01:12,667 Speaker 2: process for a new Black Fern's head coach. Incumbent Ellen 15 00:01:12,747 --> 00:01:17,267 Speaker 2: Bunting has confirmed he will not reapply. New Zellan Rugby's 16 00:01:17,307 --> 00:01:20,467 Speaker 2: general manager of Professional Rugby and Performances Chris Lendrum, who 17 00:01:20,507 --> 00:01:22,867 Speaker 2: joins us now. Chris, thanks for taking time for us 18 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:25,347 Speaker 2: as always were you always going to go to the 19 00:01:25,387 --> 00:01:28,707 Speaker 2: market for this role After the Rugby World Cup. 20 00:01:29,507 --> 00:01:32,667 Speaker 4: Ron A Pioney nice to talk to you again. Yeah, look, 21 00:01:33,027 --> 00:01:35,627 Speaker 4: it was always the plan. I mean, this is a 22 00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:42,067 Speaker 4: pinnacle team for us. We've obviously had a short rugby 23 00:01:42,107 --> 00:01:46,307 Speaker 4: World Cup cycle two and a half years really since 24 00:01:46,427 --> 00:01:50,947 Speaker 4: the twenty twenty two World Cup, and the plan was 25 00:01:51,787 --> 00:01:56,667 Speaker 4: we would go to market for the following World Cup cycle. 26 00:01:56,907 --> 00:02:00,867 Speaker 2: And Ellen indicated to you what during the review process 27 00:02:00,987 --> 00:02:03,987 Speaker 2: before it after it, that he wouldn't be reapplying. 28 00:02:05,627 --> 00:02:09,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, during the process he indicated that he wanted to 29 00:02:09,507 --> 00:02:15,067 Speaker 4: pull stumps at the end of his contract. That's them 30 00:02:15,267 --> 00:02:18,587 Speaker 4: that you know, it's tinged with a little bit of 31 00:02:18,627 --> 00:02:22,987 Speaker 4: sadness for us because we have such a high regard 32 00:02:23,067 --> 00:02:29,627 Speaker 4: for the man and his leadership capabilities. He's unique in 33 00:02:29,747 --> 00:02:36,027 Speaker 4: his very special person with an amazing skill set in 34 00:02:36,107 --> 00:02:46,387 Speaker 4: terms of growing environments of true authenticity and in performance 35 00:02:46,547 --> 00:02:50,787 Speaker 4: has proven winner. As I've said to other people over 36 00:02:50,827 --> 00:02:54,147 Speaker 4: the last twenty four hours. You know, he came for 37 00:02:54,227 --> 00:02:57,747 Speaker 4: the Black Ferns in twenty two actually as part of 38 00:02:57,787 --> 00:03:00,747 Speaker 4: a World Cup winning team there. But people will be 39 00:03:00,787 --> 00:03:03,667 Speaker 4: familiar with all the success that he had with a 40 00:03:03,707 --> 00:03:08,307 Speaker 4: Black Fern sevens program before you reflect back on the 41 00:03:08,387 --> 00:03:12,107 Speaker 4: arc of this time in women's rugby, has probably been 42 00:03:12,507 --> 00:03:16,707 Speaker 4: one of the not the pre eminent figure through a 43 00:03:16,747 --> 00:03:22,387 Speaker 4: period of real growth and professionalization, and we're immensely grateful 44 00:03:22,467 --> 00:03:26,187 Speaker 4: for everything he's done, you know, and now it's the 45 00:03:26,227 --> 00:03:30,707 Speaker 4: time to chart a new course and we're pretty excited 46 00:03:30,747 --> 00:03:33,867 Speaker 4: about what comes next over the next four years, and 47 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:38,147 Speaker 4: excited because we can think we have it. We can 48 00:03:38,187 --> 00:03:40,747 Speaker 4: have a real crack at winning the Maybe World Cup 49 00:03:40,787 --> 00:03:41,667 Speaker 4: in twenty twenty nine. 50 00:03:42,387 --> 00:03:47,107 Speaker 2: Do you have a preferred candidate in mind to replace him? 51 00:03:47,587 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 4: No, we don't have a preferred candidate. We're very open minded. 52 00:03:51,427 --> 00:03:58,267 Speaker 4: We want to see who comes forward through this application process. 53 00:03:57,627 --> 00:04:01,547 Speaker 4: It's a critical role for us, it's a great role. 54 00:04:03,867 --> 00:04:06,867 Speaker 4: There's wonderful opportunity in front of this team, with new 55 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:12,427 Speaker 4: competitions and tournaments in the Lions Series ahead of us 56 00:04:12,707 --> 00:04:16,147 Speaker 4: in the next four years, and there's a fantastic base 57 00:04:16,227 --> 00:04:19,947 Speaker 4: of players and staff to work with that you know, 58 00:04:20,307 --> 00:04:26,587 Speaker 4: the players are absolutely hungry for coaching and knowledge, incredibly 59 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:33,627 Speaker 4: coachable group, wonderful environment inside the team, and so this 60 00:04:33,787 --> 00:04:37,627 Speaker 4: is just a gold plated opportunity for somebody to get 61 00:04:37,707 --> 00:04:41,147 Speaker 4: and add to the legacy of the Black fans Jersey. 62 00:04:41,707 --> 00:04:43,347 Speaker 2: Do you want it to be another new Zealander. 63 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:49,787 Speaker 4: I think it's my preference. I'm just talking personally, probably 64 00:04:49,787 --> 00:04:54,627 Speaker 4: their pioneer. We open minded as too as to where 65 00:04:54,627 --> 00:05:00,787 Speaker 4: the coach might hail from. But what's non negotiable is 66 00:05:01,187 --> 00:05:05,907 Speaker 4: two things. First of all, they have to be able 67 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:13,707 Speaker 4: to demon straight that they can maintain and even enhance 68 00:05:14,627 --> 00:05:20,027 Speaker 4: the team environment and the fantastic foundation that's been laid 69 00:05:20,067 --> 00:05:25,587 Speaker 4: by Allen and his management team and the players over 70 00:05:25,627 --> 00:05:28,267 Speaker 4: the last three years, because we do believe there's been 71 00:05:28,267 --> 00:05:33,107 Speaker 4: a great foundation laid there. The second requirement is that 72 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:38,027 Speaker 4: they take the rugby forward. You know, we didn't achieve 73 00:05:38,147 --> 00:05:41,707 Speaker 4: our performance goal at Rugby World Cup that everybody could 74 00:05:41,707 --> 00:05:45,867 Speaker 4: see that the team has flashed its brilliance and we 75 00:05:46,627 --> 00:05:50,907 Speaker 4: know what we're capable of, but we just haven't seen 76 00:05:50,947 --> 00:05:53,747 Speaker 4: it all click quite as much as we would want to, 77 00:05:54,067 --> 00:05:56,267 Speaker 4: and we have to be honest with ourselves about that 78 00:05:57,507 --> 00:06:00,747 Speaker 4: and mouse the opportunity for a coaching group to come 79 00:06:00,787 --> 00:06:04,867 Speaker 4: together and pack us to the next level. 80 00:06:05,427 --> 00:06:07,547 Speaker 2: And your press release, you said that it's your intention 81 00:06:07,827 --> 00:06:11,867 Speaker 2: to have the role filled by Christmas. It's mid November. 82 00:06:13,107 --> 00:06:15,547 Speaker 2: That seems optimistic. Is it realistic? 83 00:06:17,627 --> 00:06:21,947 Speaker 4: I think it's realistic. It's practicality that we all keeps turning. 84 00:06:22,027 --> 00:06:24,947 Speaker 4: Our Black fans will be in camp late January early 85 00:06:24,947 --> 00:06:29,587 Speaker 4: February starting to get ready for the pack for tournament 86 00:06:29,707 --> 00:06:34,147 Speaker 4: against Australia, Canada and the United States which in April. 87 00:06:34,347 --> 00:06:37,267 Speaker 4: So we need to keep moving. We want to confirm 88 00:06:37,507 --> 00:06:41,667 Speaker 4: the rest of the coaching and management staff around that appointment, 89 00:06:43,507 --> 00:06:46,467 Speaker 4: and so we'll see. Yeah, I mean you might say 90 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:51,187 Speaker 4: it's an ambitious timeline. We think it's definitely doable. But 91 00:06:51,347 --> 00:06:55,227 Speaker 4: you know, we couldn't find the right candidate for whatever reason, 92 00:06:56,267 --> 00:06:58,507 Speaker 4: and I don't expect that to be the case. But 93 00:06:58,587 --> 00:07:00,707 Speaker 4: if we can't, then we would take stock. 94 00:07:01,267 --> 00:07:04,147 Speaker 2: I guess with any appointment like this, it's natural to 95 00:07:04,147 --> 00:07:07,227 Speaker 2: look at those who are coaching at the at the 96 00:07:07,707 --> 00:07:09,907 Speaker 2: elite level, and you you know, you go to Super 97 00:07:09,987 --> 00:07:11,907 Speaker 2: Rugby Opicky and look at some of the coaches who 98 00:07:11,907 --> 00:07:14,747 Speaker 2: are applying their trade there. Do you believe there'll be 99 00:07:14,787 --> 00:07:18,627 Speaker 2: a pool of candidates within Super Rugby Opicky coaching circles 100 00:07:18,627 --> 00:07:21,587 Speaker 2: who might you know, be tempted to apply for this role. 101 00:07:23,787 --> 00:07:28,027 Speaker 4: I certainly hope. So, I mean you you look at 102 00:07:28,467 --> 00:07:30,747 Speaker 4: the likes of the Willie Walker who took the Black 103 00:07:30,747 --> 00:07:36,827 Speaker 4: Serns fifteen. This year. Obviously Whitney Hanson who's been around 104 00:07:36,827 --> 00:07:41,267 Speaker 4: the Black Sern's environment previously. She was with the team 105 00:07:41,347 --> 00:07:45,667 Speaker 4: and twenty twenty two at the World Cup and has 106 00:07:45,707 --> 00:07:49,267 Speaker 4: been leading and doing a great job at Matter two 107 00:07:50,027 --> 00:07:54,667 Speaker 4: over the past few years. So you know, those about 108 00:07:54,667 --> 00:07:57,987 Speaker 4: a couple of names. There's other senior coaches around the traps. 109 00:07:57,987 --> 00:08:02,347 Speaker 4: And we also know when you think about compiling a 110 00:08:02,427 --> 00:08:06,667 Speaker 4: team of coaches that there's there's other young player and 111 00:08:08,507 --> 00:08:11,867 Speaker 4: players coming to the end of their playing careers or 112 00:08:11,947 --> 00:08:14,267 Speaker 4: who have just finished their playing careers and who are 113 00:08:14,267 --> 00:08:18,947 Speaker 4: transitioning into cop king who, whether or not with this team, 114 00:08:19,347 --> 00:08:21,587 Speaker 4: you know, have an opportunity to grow in the passway 115 00:08:21,747 --> 00:08:23,947 Speaker 4: and some of those other areas, whether it's tay Peking 116 00:08:24,067 --> 00:08:30,707 Speaker 4: or Black Friends fifteen or Friend seven. So we're pretty excited. 117 00:08:31,907 --> 00:08:35,107 Speaker 4: As I said, it's a great role. We may be 118 00:08:35,187 --> 00:08:40,307 Speaker 4: surprised by who applies and if so, that'll be exciting too. 119 00:08:40,787 --> 00:08:44,107 Speaker 2: And you said before that it's imperative that whoever comes 120 00:08:44,147 --> 00:08:46,907 Speaker 2: in grows the team in terms of the way they 121 00:08:46,947 --> 00:08:51,067 Speaker 2: play the game. What are the things that you you 122 00:08:51,147 --> 00:08:54,827 Speaker 2: think are required there, Chris. You know we've seen England 123 00:08:54,867 --> 00:08:57,307 Speaker 2: and how they've jumped their head. You know of the 124 00:08:57,387 --> 00:09:01,227 Speaker 2: chasing pack. Other nations have developed the likes of Canada 125 00:09:01,267 --> 00:09:04,267 Speaker 2: and others. What do you want to see need to 126 00:09:04,307 --> 00:09:07,387 Speaker 2: see from the black ferns to get us back up 127 00:09:07,387 --> 00:09:08,827 Speaker 2: to that top table. 128 00:09:10,947 --> 00:09:15,307 Speaker 4: There's an element pioneer that's learned by doing here. We 129 00:09:15,947 --> 00:09:21,067 Speaker 4: haven't played enough rugby in the past three years. It's 130 00:09:21,067 --> 00:09:27,387 Speaker 4: one of the themes coming back from the review. We 131 00:09:27,427 --> 00:09:30,907 Speaker 4: need more games. We need more opportunity for our players 132 00:09:30,987 --> 00:09:37,147 Speaker 4: to practice executing their skills under pressure in chaotic environments 133 00:09:37,147 --> 00:09:40,587 Speaker 4: when you've got fifteen other people deliberately trying to mess 134 00:09:40,587 --> 00:09:46,867 Speaker 4: you up and the ball numbers are we've played less 135 00:09:47,747 --> 00:09:51,147 Speaker 4: test matches than in the last three years than our 136 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:57,867 Speaker 4: main competitors England, Trance and Canada. The global calendar changes 137 00:09:57,907 --> 00:10:00,267 Speaker 4: in twenty twenty six and we fix that problem. At 138 00:10:00,347 --> 00:10:06,867 Speaker 4: international level. We're still playing less rugby and super rugby 139 00:10:06,987 --> 00:10:10,467 Speaker 4: opicky then for example in the PWR competition in England. 140 00:10:12,267 --> 00:10:20,707 Speaker 4: But Big Fem is about more more purposeful buying and 141 00:10:22,627 --> 00:10:29,147 Speaker 4: just practicing those skill sets, decision making under pressure and 142 00:10:29,267 --> 00:10:31,707 Speaker 4: against better opposition, and we're going to have the opportunity 143 00:10:31,747 --> 00:10:32,867 Speaker 4: to do that all right. 144 00:10:32,787 --> 00:10:34,467 Speaker 2: Well, hopefully by the time you hang the phone up, 145 00:10:34,627 --> 00:10:37,227 Speaker 2: a couple of applications will have arrived in your own 146 00:10:37,267 --> 00:10:40,067 Speaker 2: box and it'll be a popular It'll be a popular 147 00:10:40,587 --> 00:10:43,627 Speaker 2: proposition for a lot of people. So we look forward 148 00:10:43,667 --> 00:10:46,107 Speaker 2: to tracking progress on that and maybe catching up before 149 00:10:46,147 --> 00:10:48,107 Speaker 2: Christmas when you've got an announcement to make. 150 00:10:49,147 --> 00:10:52,307 Speaker 4: One hundred percent. Would love to do that, and yes, 151 00:10:52,427 --> 00:10:55,067 Speaker 4: I say so. People who are listening to you today 152 00:10:55,147 --> 00:10:59,227 Speaker 4: and thinking about applying, I would encourage you to do so. 153 00:10:59,307 --> 00:11:04,067 Speaker 4: You know, this is a special special team in a 154 00:11:04,107 --> 00:11:07,947 Speaker 4: special role in I wrote that some pretty good art 155 00:11:08,067 --> 00:11:11,707 Speaker 4: and just ready to launch. So that's the exciting part 156 00:11:11,707 --> 00:11:12,547 Speaker 4: of the next few years. 157 00:11:12,547 --> 00:11:15,427 Speaker 2: Bony always appreciate chadding to you. Chris, thanks for taking 158 00:11:15,427 --> 00:11:16,827 Speaker 2: the time this afternoon. 159 00:11:16,907 --> 00:11:18,267 Speaker 4: Mate, have a nice weekend. 160 00:11:18,347 --> 00:11:20,547 Speaker 2: You have a nice weekend too, Chris. Thanks indeed, Chris Lendrum, 161 00:11:20,627 --> 00:11:25,387 Speaker 2: there the search is on for a new Black Ferns coach. 162 00:11:25,707 --> 00:11:28,147 Speaker 2: New Zealand Rugby's general manager of Professional Rugby and Performance 163 00:11:28,227 --> 00:11:29,747 Speaker 2: Chris Lendram. Always good to have him on the show. 164 00:11:29,827 --> 00:11:32,787 Speaker 2: So there you go, you can apply. I see it's 165 00:11:33,187 --> 00:11:35,907 Speaker 2: they're taking applications through the website. I know it's a 166 00:11:35,987 --> 00:11:39,907 Speaker 2: niche position. Be very interesting to see who they come 167 00:11:39,987 --> 00:11:41,827 Speaker 2: up with. I would love to see Whitney Hanson given 168 00:11:41,867 --> 00:11:44,547 Speaker 2: a go. I must say, I think she's done terrific 169 00:11:44,587 --> 00:11:48,347 Speaker 2: work at Matatu these last few years. Just seems as 170 00:11:48,347 --> 00:11:50,547 Speaker 2: though she might be ready to take that next step. 171 00:11:50,907 --> 00:11:52,787 Speaker 2: A lot of mail around about Willie Walker at the Blues. 172 00:11:52,827 --> 00:11:57,107 Speaker 2: Of course he's done brilliantly. A few texts heresay that 173 00:11:57,787 --> 00:12:00,427 Speaker 2: Wayne Smith is the man we need back in there. Look, 174 00:12:00,427 --> 00:12:04,987 Speaker 2: I'm not sure whether he would have the inclination to reapply. 175 00:12:05,067 --> 00:12:07,467 Speaker 2: I think he was sort of one and in twenty 176 00:12:07,507 --> 00:12:10,627 Speaker 2: twenty one when he came in and did such amazing work, 177 00:12:10,947 --> 00:12:13,947 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two, twenty twenty two, whenever it was when 178 00:12:14,107 --> 00:12:18,587 Speaker 2: the Black Ferns won twenty twenty two. I don't think 179 00:12:18,627 --> 00:12:20,747 Speaker 2: Wayne Smith would have the appetite to take it on 180 00:12:21,227 --> 00:12:23,187 Speaker 2: because you'd have to commit to the next Rugby World 181 00:12:23,187 --> 00:12:26,707 Speaker 2: Cup cycle, right, Fozzy and the Ferns has a bit 182 00:12:26,707 --> 00:12:31,467 Speaker 2: of a ring to it, says Stephen Well. Who knows? 183 00:12:31,947 --> 00:12:32,747 Speaker 2: Who Knows? 184 00:12:33,307 --> 00:12:36,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 185 00:12:36,587 --> 00:12:39,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 186 00:12:39,907 --> 00:12:41,507 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.