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 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,387 Speaker 2: Shift our attention to rugby those Super Rugby of course, 4 00:00:15,707 --> 00:00:18,467 Speaker 2: and the backdrop to the sailing has had its opening weekend. 5 00:00:18,507 --> 00:00:21,147 Speaker 2: It is all finished and the Chiefs have made the 6 00:00:21,227 --> 00:00:24,267 Speaker 2: perfect start to life under their new coach John O. 7 00:00:24,307 --> 00:00:24,667 Speaker 1: Gibbs. 8 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:29,707 Speaker 3: It's stolen by the Chiefs, Great Steel, rising High, taking 9 00:00:29,747 --> 00:00:33,107 Speaker 3: its beautiful take from two po I and now they 10 00:00:33,147 --> 00:00:37,107 Speaker 3: can really wind down the clock, slow back right. Tom 11 00:00:38,227 --> 00:00:41,827 Speaker 3: wants one more phase, Siren went just as he handed 12 00:00:41,907 --> 00:00:44,867 Speaker 3: off that pass. He won't find another player to pass to. 13 00:00:44,907 --> 00:00:47,107 Speaker 3: In fact he does, but that's to drill it over 14 00:00:47,147 --> 00:00:52,107 Speaker 3: the touchline and the Chiefs take the Battle of the Bombays. 15 00:00:52,507 --> 00:00:55,667 Speaker 3: Super Rugby's near him in over the last few years. 16 00:00:56,187 --> 00:00:58,467 Speaker 3: Put a stake in the ground in round one. 17 00:00:58,947 --> 00:01:01,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, they certainly have. The Chiefs winning it nineteen fifteen 18 00:01:01,747 --> 00:01:03,907 Speaker 2: over the Blues of Eden Park last night in their 19 00:01:03,987 --> 00:01:06,987 Speaker 2: season open or late try to replacement High Black Quarters 20 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:10,747 Speaker 2: Latimus or the Chiefs claim and even encounter dominated by 21 00:01:10,747 --> 00:01:14,147 Speaker 2: strong performances from the forward packs. And you heard in 22 00:01:14,307 --> 00:01:17,547 Speaker 2: Elliot Smith's commentary there the vital line out steal at 23 00:01:17,547 --> 00:01:20,387 Speaker 2: the end courtesy of Chiefs and All Blacks Locke two 24 00:01:20,467 --> 00:01:23,147 Speaker 2: Port who joins us now two poor thanks for your time. 25 00:01:23,427 --> 00:01:26,987 Speaker 2: Huge win at Eden Park last night to open your season. 26 00:01:27,027 --> 00:01:30,107 Speaker 2: How satisfying was it to start the twenty twenty six 27 00:01:30,307 --> 00:01:32,467 Speaker 2: Super Rugby Pacific campaign in that fashion? 28 00:01:33,227 --> 00:01:36,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, Jackson, thanks for having No, it's a it's awesome 29 00:01:36,307 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 4: to start our campaign on the right side of the 30 00:01:41,027 --> 00:01:44,467 Speaker 4: ohful sea. So no, it's definitely a scrappy win last night. 31 00:01:45,147 --> 00:01:48,347 Speaker 4: Spoke about it. Last night was pretty scrappy, but we're 32 00:01:48,347 --> 00:01:50,507 Speaker 4: glad that we managed to come away with four points. 33 00:01:50,547 --> 00:01:52,267 Speaker 4: So yeah, is. 34 00:01:52,187 --> 00:01:55,307 Speaker 2: That typically what happens early in the season that matches 35 00:01:55,387 --> 00:01:58,187 Speaker 2: can can become a bit scrappy, you know, due to 36 00:01:58,227 --> 00:02:00,107 Speaker 2: the fact that you're only just getting underway for the year. 37 00:02:01,867 --> 00:02:04,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, I guess, so we definitely want to use that 38 00:02:04,587 --> 00:02:08,067 Speaker 4: as an excuse. Pot. I guess the boys are still 39 00:02:08,107 --> 00:02:12,147 Speaker 4: building in combinations of having a few new players in 40 00:02:12,147 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 4: the group and obviously on the new head coaster, still 41 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:20,147 Speaker 4: slowly figuring out how we want to play. And yeah, 42 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:21,627 Speaker 4: I guess it's just the start of the season and 43 00:02:21,667 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 4: I'm sure we'll build as the season goes on. 44 00:02:25,027 --> 00:02:27,187 Speaker 2: From you, though, mate. I mean it was a very 45 00:02:27,227 --> 00:02:30,787 Speaker 2: strong individual performance, a try, a lot of defensive work. 46 00:02:31,227 --> 00:02:33,507 Speaker 2: How do you make sure that you're ready for big 47 00:02:33,507 --> 00:02:36,147 Speaker 2: performances like that at the start of a year. 48 00:02:39,227 --> 00:02:42,867 Speaker 4: I've been lisching to be best playing for the last 49 00:02:42,867 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 4: four or five months. You know, I've had the injury 50 00:02:44,947 --> 00:02:49,307 Speaker 4: of my miniscus, and yeah, I was just definitely arching 51 00:02:49,387 --> 00:02:53,267 Speaker 4: to get back onto the field and pretty much continue 52 00:02:53,307 --> 00:02:55,947 Speaker 4: on where I left off. You know, Eden Parker was 53 00:02:55,987 --> 00:02:59,267 Speaker 4: where I got injured, and you know there's a lot 54 00:02:59,307 --> 00:03:02,387 Speaker 4: of memories coming. You know, I was playing in that 55 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:05,227 Speaker 4: field too. Yeah, I guess it just comes down to 56 00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:08,427 Speaker 4: my mental preparation and how I prepped during the weekend. 57 00:03:09,427 --> 00:03:13,187 Speaker 4: I guess I'll just see you trying to continue on 58 00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:14,427 Speaker 4: where left possibly. 59 00:03:14,707 --> 00:03:17,107 Speaker 2: Rob, I need to talk about your try jumping over 60 00:03:17,147 --> 00:03:21,027 Speaker 2: the defenders or what pictures did what pictures did you 61 00:03:21,067 --> 00:03:23,347 Speaker 2: see that that leads you to make that decision and 62 00:03:23,827 --> 00:03:25,707 Speaker 2: score that try. 63 00:03:26,347 --> 00:03:30,867 Speaker 4: Well, well, at that moment, I was thinking that because 64 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:36,107 Speaker 4: I obviously watched the Lions via Ossie last year, and 65 00:03:36,467 --> 00:03:39,267 Speaker 4: obviously Dan the hooker from Ireland, he obviously took that 66 00:03:39,347 --> 00:03:42,587 Speaker 4: tap and did their diving motion to score that try 67 00:03:42,667 --> 00:03:47,667 Speaker 4: over the Osi defender, So so I obviously learned from that. 68 00:03:47,747 --> 00:03:50,507 Speaker 4: And then I've seen the pictures that the Blues defenders 69 00:03:50,507 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 4: were very low and yeah, I definitely wouldn't have won 70 00:03:55,067 --> 00:03:58,147 Speaker 4: their high battle. So yeah, just continue to do their 71 00:03:58,187 --> 00:04:01,787 Speaker 4: diving motion to score their try and funny enough being 72 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:04,267 Speaker 4: awarded it to Yeah. 73 00:04:03,947 --> 00:04:05,827 Speaker 2: Yeah, big big grin on your face when it was. 74 00:04:06,387 --> 00:04:07,987 Speaker 2: When it was awarded, I think a few people were 75 00:04:07,987 --> 00:04:10,187 Speaker 2: wondering whether it was legal. You're obviously done the research, 76 00:04:10,227 --> 00:04:12,547 Speaker 2: as you say, by watching the lines and knew that 77 00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:14,707 Speaker 2: it was a try and then your line out steel 78 00:04:15,187 --> 00:04:18,667 Speaker 2: at the end to ensure the win. How key was that? 79 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:22,987 Speaker 4: It's definitely key. You know, we obviously had the obtue 80 00:04:24,187 --> 00:04:27,747 Speaker 4: that line up before where we overbrow it, and no, 81 00:04:27,867 --> 00:04:29,947 Speaker 4: it's crucial. You know, was do or die for us, 82 00:04:29,987 --> 00:04:34,147 Speaker 4: and we knew we needed to get one stop and yeah, 83 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:36,547 Speaker 4: lucky enough, I got up in the air and stole 84 00:04:36,587 --> 00:04:39,667 Speaker 4: it for the lads to get doing first game. 85 00:04:39,707 --> 00:04:41,747 Speaker 2: As you mentioned, under your new coach, John O. Gibbs, 86 00:04:41,827 --> 00:04:43,427 Speaker 2: he's been part of the chief setup for a while, 87 00:04:43,467 --> 00:04:46,947 Speaker 2: but he's now obviously head coach. How much has changed 88 00:04:47,387 --> 00:04:49,667 Speaker 2: in the way that he wants you to play? Compared 89 00:04:49,707 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 2: to say, how Clayton McMillan sets you up over the 90 00:04:52,587 --> 00:04:53,587 Speaker 2: last few years. 91 00:04:54,987 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, not much has changed really. John has come in 92 00:04:58,707 --> 00:05:02,147 Speaker 4: and continued on what Jason has built the last couple 93 00:05:02,187 --> 00:05:07,227 Speaker 4: of years, and I guess he's been over overseas coaching 94 00:05:07,267 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 4: a lot over there, and I'm sure we'll see a 95 00:05:09,667 --> 00:05:11,187 Speaker 4: bit of that in our game plan in the next 96 00:05:11,187 --> 00:05:14,507 Speaker 4: few coming weeks. But not much has changed. I guess 97 00:05:14,227 --> 00:05:16,987 Speaker 4: the only thing that's changed is the guy in the 98 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:21,107 Speaker 4: driver's seat and its obviously Johnna, and Johnna brings a 99 00:05:22,547 --> 00:05:25,787 Speaker 4: lot of old school flavors, so yeah, the boys are 100 00:05:25,787 --> 00:05:28,467 Speaker 4: definitely finding that at training. So yeah, it's good stuff 101 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:30,747 Speaker 4: and you're probably a good change for us as well. 102 00:05:31,547 --> 00:05:34,147 Speaker 2: Three Grand finals in the last three years without being 103 00:05:34,147 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 2: able to win Super Rugby, you surely must feel as 104 00:05:38,347 --> 00:05:41,627 Speaker 2: though that title is within reach. Is there anything, even 105 00:05:41,707 --> 00:05:44,907 Speaker 2: small things that you could do one five percent better 106 00:05:44,907 --> 00:05:48,707 Speaker 2: perhaps that will make a huge difference when that silverware 107 00:05:49,067 --> 00:05:49,747 Speaker 2: is handed out. 108 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:54,747 Speaker 4: Yeah, obviously having one a Grand final in the last 109 00:05:54,747 --> 00:05:57,867 Speaker 4: three years, but it's not easy task to get to 110 00:05:57,907 --> 00:06:01,987 Speaker 4: the finals for free consecutive years. But yeah, there's something 111 00:06:02,027 --> 00:06:05,467 Speaker 4: that we really need to sit down and really look 112 00:06:05,547 --> 00:06:08,227 Speaker 4: deep into and I guess it just comes down to 113 00:06:09,107 --> 00:06:13,027 Speaker 4: us as leaders, whether it's a messaging on the field 114 00:06:13,147 --> 00:06:17,427 Speaker 4: or are we prepped during the week. But yeah, I 115 00:06:17,467 --> 00:06:21,067 Speaker 4: think we just gotta get a game plan that's suit 116 00:06:21,067 --> 00:06:24,587 Speaker 4: of suitable for the winter rugby, you know, whether it's 117 00:06:24,627 --> 00:06:30,587 Speaker 4: our spiece there needs to be strong or carrying clean game. Yeah, 118 00:06:30,627 --> 00:06:31,707 Speaker 4: all those sort of things. 119 00:06:32,227 --> 00:06:34,267 Speaker 2: Are there, Any of the rule tweaks that that you've 120 00:06:34,267 --> 00:06:36,667 Speaker 2: paid particular attention to as your as your prep for 121 00:06:36,667 --> 00:06:39,707 Speaker 2: the season, anything in particular with the little changes they've 122 00:06:39,707 --> 00:06:42,627 Speaker 2: made that that you have been super aware of. 123 00:06:44,787 --> 00:06:49,507 Speaker 4: Yes, probably the free kicks. They've obviously trying to speed 124 00:06:49,587 --> 00:06:52,467 Speaker 4: up the game, which is awesome, which is awesome for 125 00:06:53,107 --> 00:06:57,587 Speaker 4: us and the fans. That's probably the main one. And 126 00:06:57,627 --> 00:06:59,667 Speaker 4: then obviously they're fifty twenty two. You can take the 127 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:04,107 Speaker 4: ball back back over the halfway to get their fifty 128 00:07:04,147 --> 00:07:09,027 Speaker 4: twenty two. Those are the sort of two rules that 129 00:07:09,027 --> 00:07:11,147 Speaker 4: that I'm really aware of at the moment. But yeah, 130 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:12,187 Speaker 4: not much after that. 131 00:07:13,187 --> 00:07:16,227 Speaker 2: And performances like yours last night always stand out. They 132 00:07:16,307 --> 00:07:18,747 Speaker 2: get you noticed. Do you think about all Black selection 133 00:07:19,347 --> 00:07:20,507 Speaker 2: in February or not? 134 00:07:23,627 --> 00:07:25,707 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a funny one day because there's obviously a 135 00:07:25,747 --> 00:07:32,147 Speaker 4: new head coach, and yeah, it's it's something that's definitely 136 00:07:32,147 --> 00:07:34,427 Speaker 4: at the back of my head. But I know that 137 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:40,267 Speaker 4: if I continue to put my best forward and then 138 00:07:40,307 --> 00:07:44,027 Speaker 4: that stuff will take care of itself. So yeah, I'm 139 00:07:44,067 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 4: just more worried about trying to perform the best of 140 00:07:47,387 --> 00:07:50,627 Speaker 4: my ability for us as as a franchise and then 141 00:07:51,387 --> 00:07:54,187 Speaker 4: hopefully won a championship and then hopefully that take cares off. 142 00:07:54,787 --> 00:07:57,627 Speaker 2: Indeed, good traveling support last night. It's just a short 143 00:07:57,627 --> 00:07:59,227 Speaker 2: trip up the motorway, isn't it. You have a you 144 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:00,867 Speaker 2: have a few Chiefs fans in there last night. 145 00:08:02,587 --> 00:08:05,467 Speaker 4: Under Lucky for me and my family is all based 146 00:08:05,507 --> 00:08:09,267 Speaker 4: in Upland and my beautiful partner, my son drove up 147 00:08:10,147 --> 00:08:13,467 Speaker 4: last night with Sonny's Sonny's family, so yeah, that was 148 00:08:13,507 --> 00:08:16,147 Speaker 4: really helpful. Yeah, we're so grateful for our fans that 149 00:08:16,907 --> 00:08:19,627 Speaker 4: you know, make the trip up over the Bomberhos who 150 00:08:19,747 --> 00:08:23,387 Speaker 4: support us to kickoff twenty six campaign. 151 00:08:23,827 --> 00:08:25,907 Speaker 2: Yeah, good way to start, mate, Highlanders next week they 152 00:08:25,907 --> 00:08:27,267 Speaker 2: had a good win the other night, so that'll be 153 00:08:27,267 --> 00:08:29,427 Speaker 2: another good battle for you. Great to see you back 154 00:08:29,427 --> 00:08:30,867 Speaker 2: out there too, Paul. Thanks for taking the time for 155 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:34,307 Speaker 2: a chat. Today mate, cheers Jester, thank you, no, thank 156 00:08:34,347 --> 00:08:36,267 Speaker 2: you mate. That is a two Paul v from the 157 00:08:36,387 --> 00:08:39,227 Speaker 2: Chiefs and of course the All Blacks. Big performance from 158 00:08:39,347 --> 00:08:41,587 Speaker 2: him last night involved in a lot of the game's 159 00:08:41,587 --> 00:08:44,147 Speaker 2: big moments, a tri scorer, then that line out still 160 00:08:44,187 --> 00:08:47,347 Speaker 2: near the end which secured the Chiefs the win by 161 00:08:47,427 --> 00:08:51,107 Speaker 2: nineteen points to fifteen, Round one of Super Rugby in 162 00:08:51,187 --> 00:08:51,907 Speaker 2: the books. 163 00:08:52,307 --> 00:08:55,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 164 00:08:55,627 --> 00:08:58,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 165 00:08:58,947 --> 00:09:00,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.