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 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zb. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,507 Speaker 2: Let's Bring in the Highlanders. Assistant coach Clark Dermody. Thanks 4 00:00:15,547 --> 00:00:17,427 Speaker 2: for your time, Clark. Did this feel like a must 5 00:00:17,427 --> 00:00:19,147 Speaker 2: win game for the Highlanders? 6 00:00:20,267 --> 00:00:22,147 Speaker 3: Oh? I think it was important for our confidence as 7 00:00:22,187 --> 00:00:22,547 Speaker 3: a group. 8 00:00:22,707 --> 00:00:25,467 Speaker 4: Well, I think we've been pretty close in every game 9 00:00:25,547 --> 00:00:27,987 Speaker 4: so far this season, and to get into the position 10 00:00:28,027 --> 00:00:29,747 Speaker 4: in the game where it got tied again and not 11 00:00:29,907 --> 00:00:30,587 Speaker 4: and not let it. 12 00:00:30,547 --> 00:00:33,547 Speaker 3: Slip was important for our group. 13 00:00:33,707 --> 00:00:37,067 Speaker 4: So obviously heading into some big derby games coming up. 14 00:00:37,707 --> 00:00:39,507 Speaker 2: The losses in your last four games, as you say, 15 00:00:39,507 --> 00:00:43,187 Speaker 2: we're all by single figure margins. Was there any frustration 16 00:00:43,307 --> 00:00:45,867 Speaker 2: building that you couldn't chalk up an elusive win before 17 00:00:45,947 --> 00:00:46,427 Speaker 2: last night. 18 00:00:48,547 --> 00:00:49,827 Speaker 3: Oh? I don't know if it was frustration. 19 00:00:49,987 --> 00:00:52,947 Speaker 4: I think it was I guess the young group we've 20 00:00:52,987 --> 00:00:56,107 Speaker 4: got so learning how to close those games out or 21 00:00:56,147 --> 00:01:00,147 Speaker 4: get in front of those games. We had plenty of 22 00:01:00,187 --> 00:01:03,387 Speaker 4: opportunities in those games to be able to do that, 23 00:01:03,507 --> 00:01:06,147 Speaker 4: but we're just end up overplaying and last night it 24 00:01:06,267 --> 00:01:08,107 Speaker 4: was pleasing to see the boys start to the game 25 00:01:08,147 --> 00:01:09,587 Speaker 4: plan and we're able to finish off. 26 00:01:09,787 --> 00:01:09,987 Speaker 3: Yeah. 27 00:01:10,027 --> 00:01:13,307 Speaker 2: Apart from that, obviously the game plan and finishing well. 28 00:01:13,347 --> 00:01:16,707 Speaker 2: What else was most pleasing about the performance last night 29 00:01:16,747 --> 00:01:20,187 Speaker 2: from a coaching group point of view, I think. 30 00:01:20,307 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 4: Well, getting you know, sort of four or five boys 31 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:25,307 Speaker 4: back in the team that have been out for a 32 00:01:25,307 --> 00:01:27,227 Speaker 4: long time and they all. 33 00:01:27,147 --> 00:01:27,787 Speaker 3: Added as well. 34 00:01:27,867 --> 00:01:30,987 Speaker 4: So we had Olie Hague played eighty minutes, so that 35 00:01:31,067 --> 00:01:34,307 Speaker 4: you'n in they were big shifts from those boys. Having 36 00:01:34,467 --> 00:01:38,107 Speaker 4: their experience back in that pack is really important. Filour 37 00:01:38,467 --> 00:01:41,987 Speaker 4: came on, had a good game cam miller Jacob ratum 38 00:01:42,347 --> 00:01:46,827 Speaker 4: Tebuku Nikins as well, so it's pleasing for the squad. 39 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:50,347 Speaker 4: Got to have a competition of those spots going forward. 40 00:01:50,507 --> 00:01:51,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, I want to ask you about a couple of 41 00:01:51,707 --> 00:01:53,427 Speaker 2: those players in the moment, but just on the game. 42 00:01:53,587 --> 00:01:56,907 Speaker 2: You led at halftime, then twenty four to eight after 43 00:01:56,987 --> 00:01:59,227 Speaker 2: forty six minutes they closed it up. Did you let 44 00:01:59,307 --> 00:02:01,707 Speaker 2: things get a little loose in the first ten to 45 00:02:01,747 --> 00:02:03,587 Speaker 2: twelve minutes of the second half, almost played into the 46 00:02:03,827 --> 00:02:05,027 Speaker 2: hands of the drawer a little bit? 47 00:02:06,587 --> 00:02:07,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. 48 00:02:07,387 --> 00:02:10,987 Speaker 4: I think when you have a kicking game, if you're 49 00:02:11,067 --> 00:02:14,987 Speaker 4: not accurate around that first couple of tackles, they you know, 50 00:02:15,027 --> 00:02:16,387 Speaker 4: allowed them to get those offloads. 51 00:02:16,427 --> 00:02:16,467 Speaker 3: In. 52 00:02:17,467 --> 00:02:19,987 Speaker 4: That's their game and they're pretty dangerous when that gets going, 53 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 4: So that gave them a lot of energy, and like 54 00:02:22,747 --> 00:02:25,187 Speaker 4: I said before, it's pleasing to be able to get 55 00:02:25,307 --> 00:02:27,667 Speaker 4: our those back in front and then be able to 56 00:02:27,707 --> 00:02:28,267 Speaker 4: put them away. 57 00:02:28,387 --> 00:02:30,707 Speaker 3: So that's an area of growth for the team. 58 00:02:30,947 --> 00:02:33,947 Speaker 2: Yeah, the bench impact was terrific, wasn't it. Nineteen unounced 59 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:36,747 Speaker 2: points in the last twenty minutes, three tries all to 60 00:02:36,867 --> 00:02:39,427 Speaker 2: your bench players. You're getting good value out of your 61 00:02:39,507 --> 00:02:42,067 Speaker 2: out of your full twenty three. Well you did last night. 62 00:02:43,307 --> 00:02:43,507 Speaker 3: Yeah. 63 00:02:43,707 --> 00:02:47,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, And again I think it's having guys coming on 64 00:02:47,627 --> 00:02:50,787 Speaker 4: that have been playing a lot of rugby and being 65 00:02:50,827 --> 00:02:53,347 Speaker 4: able to start those boys that haven't had a lot 66 00:02:53,387 --> 00:02:56,147 Speaker 4: of minutes. I think it's allowed, you know, the group 67 00:02:56,187 --> 00:02:57,827 Speaker 4: to freshen up a bit, so as I was so 68 00:02:57,987 --> 00:03:01,387 Speaker 4: hopefully that competition the squad carries us through the season. 69 00:03:01,667 --> 00:03:04,467 Speaker 2: The return of fullback Jacob up to Michavuki Nipkins, as 70 00:03:04,507 --> 00:03:06,827 Speaker 2: you mentioned his first appearance in twenty twenty five off 71 00:03:06,867 --> 00:03:09,147 Speaker 2: the back of that nick injury he suffered, played a 72 00:03:09,187 --> 00:03:12,987 Speaker 2: hand in three tries, pulled off a crucial intercept which 73 00:03:13,107 --> 00:03:15,147 Speaker 2: led to a change in momentum in the second half. 74 00:03:15,467 --> 00:03:16,827 Speaker 2: How big is it having him back? 75 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:21,467 Speaker 4: Yeah, I know he's great for the group, and as 76 00:03:21,787 --> 00:03:24,387 Speaker 4: horrific as his injury was, he's been pretty positive throughout 77 00:03:24,467 --> 00:03:28,347 Speaker 4: the whole rehead process. So he's been missed group since 78 00:03:28,427 --> 00:03:31,907 Speaker 4: Christmas time, so everyone's seen the progress he's been making, 79 00:03:32,027 --> 00:03:34,587 Speaker 4: and you know he's already driven to get back and 80 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:36,827 Speaker 4: that sort of I guess that inspires the group around 81 00:03:36,907 --> 00:03:39,187 Speaker 4: him as well to see how motivated he is and 82 00:03:39,267 --> 00:03:40,427 Speaker 4: then to be able to. 83 00:03:40,787 --> 00:03:42,467 Speaker 3: Get back and do what he did last night was 84 00:03:43,027 --> 00:03:43,827 Speaker 3: hugely impressive. 85 00:03:44,067 --> 00:03:45,987 Speaker 2: Another one of your leaders, co captain Hugh Reent, and 86 00:03:46,027 --> 00:03:48,307 Speaker 2: you mentioned him as well, got eighty minutes out of him. 87 00:03:48,587 --> 00:03:52,027 Speaker 2: He's missed the last five games. How big is he 88 00:03:52,187 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 2: to your playing group? 89 00:03:54,827 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 3: Yeah? 90 00:03:55,067 --> 00:03:57,627 Speaker 4: I think having a young team as we have the 91 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:00,707 Speaker 4: leadership and I guess the calmness he brings to the 92 00:04:00,747 --> 00:04:04,707 Speaker 4: group has been missed and I think it probably plays 93 00:04:04,707 --> 00:04:07,867 Speaker 4: a part in what we just talked about around being 94 00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:10,027 Speaker 4: close in games and not being able to get in front. 95 00:04:10,187 --> 00:04:13,347 Speaker 4: So I know he had a big influence with Jim 96 00:04:13,507 --> 00:04:16,307 Speaker 4: last night on the group around when it started getting 97 00:04:16,347 --> 00:04:18,987 Speaker 4: tight in the messaging they were giving the boys and 98 00:04:19,107 --> 00:04:19,307 Speaker 4: at the. 99 00:04:19,307 --> 00:04:21,507 Speaker 2: Other end of the experienced scale Tana Yella fin the 100 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:24,707 Speaker 2: morning on Super Rugby debut a couple of tries in 101 00:04:24,787 --> 00:04:27,907 Speaker 2: twelve minutes, including one with his first touch. He must 102 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:29,747 Speaker 2: be thinking this Super Rugby business is easy. 103 00:04:31,187 --> 00:04:34,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, I reckon it was. I guess it's his job 104 00:04:34,787 --> 00:04:39,147 Speaker 3: to take those opportunities. And he got side of the tries. 105 00:04:39,187 --> 00:04:39,707 Speaker 3: He scored off. 106 00:04:39,987 --> 00:04:41,467 Speaker 4: He chased kicks and got in the air and put 107 00:04:41,547 --> 00:04:43,907 Speaker 4: pressure and that was that was what he asked of him. 108 00:04:43,987 --> 00:04:47,027 Speaker 4: So I think that was just a bonus for him 109 00:04:47,027 --> 00:04:48,987 Speaker 4: to be able to grab a couple of tries, but 110 00:04:49,387 --> 00:04:50,307 Speaker 4: hopefully keeps doing it. 111 00:04:50,627 --> 00:04:54,467 Speaker 2: Set peace. You happy enough with that cluck, You're. 112 00:04:54,347 --> 00:04:54,827 Speaker 3: Not too bad. 113 00:04:54,867 --> 00:04:56,987 Speaker 4: I've we've got a wee bit clunky there at the start. 114 00:04:57,107 --> 00:05:01,187 Speaker 4: I think we had some new combinations playing, so once 115 00:05:01,227 --> 00:05:03,827 Speaker 4: he got into the game, we're able to get them 116 00:05:03,867 --> 00:05:08,067 Speaker 4: all going and used it to sort of close the 117 00:05:08,147 --> 00:05:10,107 Speaker 4: game out towards the end, which was which was cool 118 00:05:10,147 --> 00:05:10,707 Speaker 4: to see as well. 119 00:05:11,147 --> 00:05:13,667 Speaker 2: You've got pretty tough run. And haven't you Six New 120 00:05:13,787 --> 00:05:19,147 Speaker 2: Zealand derbies in your last six matches? Chiefs Crusaders more Onona, 121 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:24,787 Speaker 2: Pacific Hurricanes, Crusaders again and Chiefs again. It's a pretty 122 00:05:24,827 --> 00:05:26,987 Speaker 2: tough running you got. How will you approach that challenge? 123 00:05:28,907 --> 00:05:32,427 Speaker 4: I think game at a time. I think we've sort 124 00:05:32,467 --> 00:05:35,507 Speaker 4: of proven that in this season we've been at a 125 00:05:35,587 --> 00:05:38,347 Speaker 4: game that's been able to test anyone. So I think 126 00:05:38,387 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 4: it's focusing on that and then making sure that now 127 00:05:41,627 --> 00:05:44,707 Speaker 4: we've got that, the boys back in the squad and 128 00:05:44,787 --> 00:05:47,587 Speaker 4: having a pretty competitive. 129 00:05:47,107 --> 00:05:50,267 Speaker 3: Squad across the group is using it wisely and. 130 00:05:51,347 --> 00:05:53,907 Speaker 4: You're taking each games at a time and starting with 131 00:05:53,947 --> 00:05:54,947 Speaker 4: the Chiefs this week, do. 132 00:05:54,987 --> 00:05:57,787 Speaker 2: You think last night might become something of a blueprint 133 00:05:57,947 --> 00:06:00,387 Speaker 2: for you, you know, a market that you can refer 134 00:06:00,507 --> 00:06:02,907 Speaker 2: back to over the next six weeks. And so that's 135 00:06:03,107 --> 00:06:06,627 Speaker 2: that's how we want to play, I think. 136 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:06,707 Speaker 3: So. 137 00:06:06,747 --> 00:06:11,907 Speaker 4: I think obviously different opposition coming up, Fijian draw player, 138 00:06:11,907 --> 00:06:14,707 Speaker 4: a different style what the Chiefs do, so we have 139 00:06:14,787 --> 00:06:17,027 Speaker 4: to tweak the game plan a wee bit, but it'll 140 00:06:17,067 --> 00:06:19,707 Speaker 4: be I think it's a bit of a shot in 141 00:06:19,747 --> 00:06:23,507 Speaker 4: the arm for the boys around being able to finish 142 00:06:23,627 --> 00:06:25,707 Speaker 4: things and being able to execute in the twenty two 143 00:06:25,747 --> 00:06:28,427 Speaker 4: and that sort of stuff at that Wendy games in 144 00:06:28,507 --> 00:06:29,387 Speaker 4: any game of rugby. 145 00:06:29,507 --> 00:06:32,947 Speaker 3: So yeah, that's going to be a good challenge. Well, 146 00:06:32,947 --> 00:06:34,267 Speaker 3: I know the boys are up for it. 147 00:06:34,427 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 2: Do you feel like a top six side, Well, I'd like. 148 00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:39,907 Speaker 3: To think so. I think. 149 00:06:41,507 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 4: So we got there last year and I feel like 150 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,267 Speaker 4: we're a better team this year. I think we're playing 151 00:06:46,307 --> 00:06:51,027 Speaker 4: a better style and playing better rugby. But like I said, 152 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:53,627 Speaker 4: we just dropped a couple of games that potentially sort 153 00:06:53,627 --> 00:06:55,147 Speaker 4: of put a few more points up. 154 00:06:55,187 --> 00:06:57,787 Speaker 2: The good crowd last night again always seems loud down 155 00:06:57,827 --> 00:06:59,667 Speaker 2: there under the roof another good crowd for you. 156 00:07:02,027 --> 00:07:03,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, it was pretty loud. 157 00:07:03,347 --> 00:07:05,107 Speaker 4: I think that sort of paid a part in a 158 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:07,347 Speaker 4: couple of the box ups on the line out the 159 00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:09,827 Speaker 4: voice that it was pretty loud. But it was the 160 00:07:09,907 --> 00:07:12,547 Speaker 4: same as last year. The Fijian community come out in 161 00:07:12,747 --> 00:07:16,627 Speaker 4: full force and supporting their team and our team, and 162 00:07:18,747 --> 00:07:22,027 Speaker 4: it was a pretty loud crowd which was cool to see. 163 00:07:22,147 --> 00:07:24,587 Speaker 2: Yep, got occasion for you. Congrats on the win last night, Clark, 164 00:07:24,587 --> 00:07:27,667 Speaker 2: all the best as you planned for a big game 165 00:07:27,707 --> 00:07:29,427 Speaker 2: against the Chiefs this week and then on towards the 166 00:07:29,547 --> 00:07:31,547 Speaker 2: end of the regular season. Appreciate you taking them time 167 00:07:31,587 --> 00:07:33,667 Speaker 2: for a chat mate, No goodness gold. 168 00:07:33,707 --> 00:07:37,187 Speaker 1: Thank you for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. 169 00:07:37,347 --> 00:07:40,947 Speaker 1: Listen live to News Talks' b weekends from midday, or 170 00:07:41,067 --> 00:07:42,947 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio