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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:16,507 Speaker 2: Let's continue our journey around the Super Rugby franchises based 4 00:00:16,547 --> 00:00:19,107 Speaker 2: here in New Zealand. With it the opportunity over last 5 00:00:19,107 --> 00:00:22,947 Speaker 2: weekend and yesterday to chat to the CEOs of the Highlanders, 6 00:00:23,307 --> 00:00:26,427 Speaker 2: the Crusaders, the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, and we've arrived 7 00:00:26,427 --> 00:00:29,787 Speaker 2: at the Blues. Blue CEO Andrew Whore joins us on 8 00:00:29,827 --> 00:00:31,707 Speaker 2: the show. Andrew, thanks for taking the time. I guess 9 00:00:31,867 --> 00:00:36,267 Speaker 2: it's been what you might call a fairly challenging season 10 00:00:36,307 --> 00:00:39,707 Speaker 2: on the field for the Blues, particularly given the success 11 00:00:39,707 --> 00:00:42,387 Speaker 2: of last year with that drought breaking title that the 12 00:00:42,627 --> 00:00:45,507 Speaker 2: Blues won. You're latest outing a loss of the Reds 13 00:00:45,547 --> 00:00:49,147 Speaker 2: on Friday night, So as CEO, what can you do 14 00:00:49,387 --> 00:00:50,787 Speaker 2: to try and help out? 15 00:00:52,547 --> 00:00:55,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I know it is and I think eon Bee agree. 16 00:00:55,427 --> 00:00:59,747 Speaker 3: After the fantastic performance of last week, we didn't quite 17 00:00:59,747 --> 00:01:02,147 Speaker 3: get the same And I think the key thing is 18 00:01:02,907 --> 00:01:08,987 Speaker 3: you support good people and doesn't go well, good to 19 00:01:09,107 --> 00:01:13,067 Speaker 3: tell by the night and searching for the answers, and 20 00:01:13,267 --> 00:01:16,627 Speaker 3: you've got to support them in finding those solutions because 21 00:01:17,187 --> 00:01:19,627 Speaker 3: I think we've shown and I think people would agree 22 00:01:19,667 --> 00:01:23,467 Speaker 3: that the next four games, if we get up and 23 00:01:23,507 --> 00:01:27,467 Speaker 3: get into that even fifth six spot, it's on for 24 00:01:27,547 --> 00:01:29,427 Speaker 3: young or old. And that's the beauty of the competition. 25 00:01:29,587 --> 00:01:32,067 Speaker 3: So panicking and getting in a flux is going to 26 00:01:32,107 --> 00:01:38,907 Speaker 3: do anything. It's actually supporting and motivating and supporting these 27 00:01:38,907 --> 00:01:41,587 Speaker 3: people to reach their potential. And if we do that, 28 00:01:42,227 --> 00:01:44,227 Speaker 3: there's still a lot of a season to go, which 29 00:01:44,267 --> 00:01:46,227 Speaker 3: is when you look at how far through the season 30 00:01:46,227 --> 00:01:49,427 Speaker 3: we are, it's it certainly is a fantastic competition this year. 31 00:01:49,507 --> 00:01:52,627 Speaker 2: Oh, without question. With that question, yeah, one of the 32 00:01:52,627 --> 00:01:54,947 Speaker 2: best I can remember. And you talk about supporting the 33 00:01:54,987 --> 00:01:58,787 Speaker 2: coaching staff, the playing group and such like, what does 34 00:01:58,827 --> 00:02:02,467 Speaker 2: that support look like? What do you what can you 35 00:02:02,507 --> 00:02:04,787 Speaker 2: actually specifically physically do. 36 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:09,547 Speaker 3: Well? Sometimes I think the best thing you can do 37 00:02:09,587 --> 00:02:12,307 Speaker 3: is actually just listen. Listen about how they're working through 38 00:02:12,307 --> 00:02:16,227 Speaker 3: those problems and what they're looking to do. Make sure 39 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:19,307 Speaker 3: that you've got an environment that's enabling to give them 40 00:02:19,347 --> 00:02:22,827 Speaker 3: the time to breed and the support that they need 41 00:02:22,987 --> 00:02:26,467 Speaker 3: within that environment. They may need some time where they 42 00:02:26,507 --> 00:02:30,147 Speaker 3: need extra time as a team, and making that time available. 43 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: There's also just staying to systems and structures which we 44 00:02:35,907 --> 00:02:39,547 Speaker 3: know works and looking out for those people as well, 45 00:02:39,627 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 3: so that they've got support at times of high stress, 46 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:47,627 Speaker 3: because you're going in each week and your work is 47 00:02:47,627 --> 00:02:52,147 Speaker 3: on a scoreboard in front of well, now, there's been 48 00:02:52,147 --> 00:02:54,827 Speaker 3: one hundred and fifty three million viewers a Curiousy blogs 49 00:02:54,827 --> 00:02:57,467 Speaker 3: all alone. That's a lot of people that have a 50 00:02:57,507 --> 00:03:01,667 Speaker 3: lot of opinions, and that can be trying, and that 51 00:03:01,667 --> 00:03:05,747 Speaker 3: can be challenging for people at times when they're working 52 00:03:05,827 --> 00:03:09,267 Speaker 3: so bloody hard to get it right and sometimes they're 53 00:03:09,467 --> 00:03:13,347 Speaker 3: so entwined into what they're doing, they need to step 54 00:03:13,387 --> 00:03:17,627 Speaker 3: back and giving that ability to breathe, And I think 55 00:03:17,627 --> 00:03:22,067 Speaker 3: we saw that after that during the break can sometimes 56 00:03:22,107 --> 00:03:27,067 Speaker 3: be the best thing you can do. So making sure 57 00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:32,627 Speaker 3: that they're not getting emboiled and getting sucked into that 58 00:03:32,747 --> 00:03:35,827 Speaker 3: spiral and making sure that they can come out and 59 00:03:36,267 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 3: think clearly at times of high pressure. Yeah. 60 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:41,947 Speaker 2: Word you mentioned there, which is always going to be 61 00:03:41,987 --> 00:03:45,427 Speaker 2: around top level sport is opinions. And you know what 62 00:03:45,507 --> 00:03:47,707 Speaker 2: fans are like, you know what people involved in the 63 00:03:47,707 --> 00:03:53,507 Speaker 2: game are like. How do you separate the unhelpful noise 64 00:03:53,867 --> 00:03:56,547 Speaker 2: from the helpful noise but also embrace the fact that 65 00:03:56,587 --> 00:03:59,667 Speaker 2: people actually care a lot about your team? 66 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:02,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's the key. You've got to remind yourself. 67 00:04:04,107 --> 00:04:08,187 Speaker 3: Dan went into it and interested, they probably and invested, 68 00:04:08,827 --> 00:04:12,107 Speaker 3: and that can be your family at home and everything 69 00:04:13,227 --> 00:04:17,187 Speaker 3: that you do. And so I think keeping in their 70 00:04:17,227 --> 00:04:22,107 Speaker 3: head on the facts and where you're at in that season. 71 00:04:22,227 --> 00:04:26,147 Speaker 3: See very easy now to start looking at what which 72 00:04:26,227 --> 00:04:28,547 Speaker 3: could have, should have, would have done, But in reality 73 00:04:28,627 --> 00:04:30,907 Speaker 3: we're still in the fight in this season. So it's 74 00:04:30,947 --> 00:04:33,947 Speaker 3: what can we do and what leaders do we pull 75 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:44,307 Speaker 3: now and not getting embroiled and sometimes going into those 76 00:04:44,427 --> 00:04:48,787 Speaker 3: comments and with social media and I like, but respecting 77 00:04:48,787 --> 00:04:51,707 Speaker 3: that people are entitled to a view too. A person 78 00:04:51,787 --> 00:04:55,547 Speaker 3: writing a columns entitled to write a point there as well, 79 00:04:55,587 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 3: and you've just got to that that is the job 80 00:04:59,107 --> 00:05:02,907 Speaker 3: and accepting that and just going well, okay, what can 81 00:05:02,947 --> 00:05:04,827 Speaker 3: I control them the situation? What am I going to 82 00:05:04,867 --> 00:05:06,867 Speaker 3: go back to? What can we do a team? What 83 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:10,987 Speaker 3: can I do as an individual? And we've really worked 84 00:05:10,987 --> 00:05:12,947 Speaker 3: hard in the club in the last few years around 85 00:05:13,507 --> 00:05:17,747 Speaker 3: self responsibility, So it starts with you and what you 86 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:23,227 Speaker 3: can do to enhance the team, enhance our own performance, 87 00:05:23,827 --> 00:05:26,467 Speaker 3: and then how do you help the others within your 88 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:29,507 Speaker 3: team an organization to get out of the whole, and 89 00:05:29,947 --> 00:05:32,027 Speaker 3: we've seen some great examples that are the years of 90 00:05:32,507 --> 00:05:36,507 Speaker 3: teams and organizations that have done that to a lot 91 00:05:36,547 --> 00:05:39,547 Speaker 3: of success. I think if where the Crusaders were last 92 00:05:39,587 --> 00:05:42,867 Speaker 3: year to where they are this year, and we've seen 93 00:05:42,907 --> 00:05:44,387 Speaker 3: it with the Chiefs so the last few years. So 94 00:05:44,427 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: even with our own competition, and that's the beauty of sport, right, 95 00:05:50,867 --> 00:05:54,187 Speaker 3: you get another week and then you may not at 96 00:05:54,227 --> 00:05:56,707 Speaker 3: the end of the year and you get another prefson 97 00:05:57,227 --> 00:06:02,027 Speaker 3: if you're looking in that context. And so again, we've 98 00:06:02,067 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 3: got a real chance here to get this rise, and 99 00:06:05,547 --> 00:06:08,867 Speaker 3: we've had glimpses when we've got it right, and so 100 00:06:09,187 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 3: it's working that out and staying present in the moment 101 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:14,227 Speaker 3: to do that over the next few weeks. 102 00:06:14,667 --> 00:06:18,707 Speaker 2: Do you think the spotlight shines brighter and more harshly 103 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:22,187 Speaker 2: on the Blues compared to other New Zealand franchises as 104 00:06:22,227 --> 00:06:25,227 Speaker 2: the side based in our biggest city. 105 00:06:26,587 --> 00:06:32,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, I look statistically, we generally have higher one of 106 00:06:32,227 --> 00:06:36,387 Speaker 3: the higher media reaches, and you can't get away from 107 00:06:36,387 --> 00:06:41,427 Speaker 3: that that they it's a thirty year old institution that 108 00:06:41,467 --> 00:06:46,187 Speaker 3: people are passionate about, So yeah, I do. In the 109 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 3: same way, I think the Wartas probably are in Sydney, 110 00:06:49,587 --> 00:06:53,427 Speaker 3: and and that again, that is that is the job 111 00:06:53,547 --> 00:06:58,387 Speaker 3: you take on and I wouldn't want it any other way, 112 00:06:58,547 --> 00:07:02,027 Speaker 3: to be honest with you. I think rugby is, I've 113 00:07:02,067 --> 00:07:05,307 Speaker 3: always said to you as a game I deeply love 114 00:07:05,347 --> 00:07:07,787 Speaker 3: and I know that people in our organization VP love 115 00:07:07,827 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 3: and our honored to represent the rugby players in our region. 116 00:07:12,667 --> 00:07:16,387 Speaker 3: So if you've got that scrup me because of the 117 00:07:16,427 --> 00:07:22,667 Speaker 3: size of population, et cetera, celebrate that in reality, as 118 00:07:22,667 --> 00:07:27,747 Speaker 3: hard as that sometimes can be. And so yeah, I 119 00:07:27,787 --> 00:07:30,387 Speaker 3: think so it's like the argument about you know, keeping 120 00:07:30,427 --> 00:07:32,627 Speaker 3: every player. The fact is you only get a squad 121 00:07:32,627 --> 00:07:35,027 Speaker 3: of thirty eight and you can't. You've just got to 122 00:07:35,067 --> 00:07:37,547 Speaker 3: make sure as many as the kids as you can 123 00:07:37,627 --> 00:07:40,547 Speaker 3: for as long as you can to then be able 124 00:07:40,587 --> 00:07:44,627 Speaker 3: to produce the best squads you can. And yet we 125 00:07:44,667 --> 00:07:46,707 Speaker 3: get under a scrutiny. So those kind of things can 126 00:07:46,747 --> 00:07:48,387 Speaker 3: be a little bit out of balance because of that, 127 00:07:49,387 --> 00:07:51,787 Speaker 3: But you just have to accept that that's actually it's 128 00:07:51,827 --> 00:07:55,307 Speaker 3: an honor if you look at it another way, and 129 00:07:56,627 --> 00:08:00,787 Speaker 3: that that that's that's the way we should approach it, 130 00:08:00,867 --> 00:08:04,747 Speaker 3: I think, and make sure just and foremost that rugby 131 00:08:05,187 --> 00:08:10,267 Speaker 3: stays the permanent sort of sport in our region because 132 00:08:11,507 --> 00:08:14,867 Speaker 3: you know, there's broader pressures on the game right now, 133 00:08:16,387 --> 00:08:19,747 Speaker 3: and they celebrate the sport that it is and the 134 00:08:19,747 --> 00:08:20,707 Speaker 3: competition we're. 135 00:08:20,507 --> 00:08:23,427 Speaker 2: In and let's not forget you're won it last year. 136 00:08:24,667 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 2: We can't move on too quickly from that. I know 137 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:28,747 Speaker 2: we're in a new season now, but how much did 138 00:08:28,987 --> 00:08:31,907 Speaker 2: the title when last year mean to you? 139 00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:35,227 Speaker 3: Yeah? I think it means a lot to a lot 140 00:08:35,227 --> 00:08:39,507 Speaker 3: of people. I was really proud of a IB Blues 141 00:08:39,547 --> 00:08:43,267 Speaker 3: the women's team this year back to back and playing 142 00:08:43,307 --> 00:08:48,067 Speaker 3: such great rugby too in the trans Tasman Final as well, 143 00:08:48,347 --> 00:08:54,627 Speaker 3: So you're always really delighted for your people when they excel. 144 00:08:54,787 --> 00:08:59,947 Speaker 3: And I think the region needed the Blue and probably 145 00:08:59,947 --> 00:09:02,427 Speaker 3: the competition the Blues to be successful. I think what 146 00:09:02,467 --> 00:09:07,147 Speaker 3: we've got to do is look at getting and improve 147 00:09:07,307 --> 00:09:13,067 Speaker 3: response after victories like that. And if you look outside 148 00:09:13,107 --> 00:09:16,347 Speaker 3: of one organization and everyone else has actually struggled to 149 00:09:16,387 --> 00:09:18,587 Speaker 3: go back to back in this competition. I think the 150 00:09:18,587 --> 00:09:23,987 Speaker 3: only eleant was a Blusing on the other day. So 151 00:09:24,027 --> 00:09:26,507 Speaker 3: that is our challenge and that is not over yet 152 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:29,867 Speaker 3: and there will be some learnings, I can assure you that. 153 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:36,107 Speaker 3: And you know, we forget that even for this is 154 00:09:36,107 --> 00:09:39,267 Speaker 3: the first time as head coaching a super environment and 155 00:09:39,307 --> 00:09:44,147 Speaker 3: that is distinctly different to France. You've got far more variables, 156 00:09:44,187 --> 00:09:46,747 Speaker 3: far more people coming back from New Zealand day and 157 00:09:47,147 --> 00:09:51,347 Speaker 3: the all blacks there that you have to integrate and 158 00:09:51,387 --> 00:09:54,507 Speaker 3: those kinds of things, and I'm sure there'll be some 159 00:09:54,627 --> 00:09:58,227 Speaker 3: learnings but it's not over yet. But as far as 160 00:09:58,347 --> 00:10:01,107 Speaker 3: what did it mean to people, I think you saw 161 00:10:01,107 --> 00:10:03,867 Speaker 3: the response with the sellout in three hours and those 162 00:10:03,947 --> 00:10:05,747 Speaker 3: kinds of things, But we can't live on that now. 163 00:10:06,587 --> 00:10:09,987 Speaker 3: That's in the past and we've got to ever say 164 00:10:10,027 --> 00:10:12,227 Speaker 3: stay right here, right present, right here, now, right. 165 00:10:12,147 --> 00:10:14,427 Speaker 2: Now, just to look ahead the next year. Rico you 166 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:16,187 Speaker 2: want he's going to miss the next season as he 167 00:10:16,227 --> 00:10:19,427 Speaker 2: takes up his opportunity in Ireland. How did these discussions 168 00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:20,187 Speaker 2: play out. 169 00:10:22,547 --> 00:10:28,867 Speaker 3: Well? Generally, as an athlete goes through their career, I 170 00:10:28,867 --> 00:10:31,267 Speaker 3: think all of us are cognizant of the fact that 171 00:10:31,907 --> 00:10:34,147 Speaker 3: you want to keep them fresh and not have them 172 00:10:34,147 --> 00:10:37,507 Speaker 3: sell so use is a financial component to these athletes 173 00:10:37,587 --> 00:10:40,387 Speaker 3: going overseas, but there's there can be at times sometimes 174 00:10:40,587 --> 00:10:43,347 Speaker 3: a chance to freshen them so that they want to 175 00:10:43,347 --> 00:10:44,747 Speaker 3: stay here. 176 00:10:45,107 --> 00:10:51,347 Speaker 4: And so what happens is and as time goes on, 177 00:10:51,427 --> 00:10:53,947 Speaker 4: I mean every representative of their player tries to push 178 00:10:53,987 --> 00:10:55,827 Speaker 4: for it earlier and earlier to. 179 00:10:55,747 --> 00:11:01,267 Speaker 3: Get these these incentives. And it was you know, the 180 00:11:01,307 --> 00:11:05,547 Speaker 3: time of doing Rito's contract that was agreed and we 181 00:11:05,627 --> 00:11:10,867 Speaker 3: wish them well. You know, he there's Japanese clubs at 182 00:11:10,867 --> 00:11:14,347 Speaker 3: one of them for three four years and he's chosen 183 00:11:14,387 --> 00:11:16,547 Speaker 3: to come back here and represent his country and represented 184 00:11:16,587 --> 00:11:19,947 Speaker 3: his blues and as a proud grammar and pomps and 185 00:11:19,987 --> 00:11:23,347 Speaker 3: bee boy that that feels he's I was with his 186 00:11:23,427 --> 00:11:29,067 Speaker 3: dad last night. Then we're delighted that he'll come back. 187 00:11:29,347 --> 00:11:32,907 Speaker 3: And obviously that'll give the likes of the zab Tayles 188 00:11:32,907 --> 00:11:35,707 Speaker 3: of this world an opportunity to shine. And we saw 189 00:11:35,747 --> 00:11:42,787 Speaker 3: have gotten Savada and the Chiefs game this year, so yeah, 190 00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:45,787 Speaker 3: come with you, come with the animal and and those 191 00:11:45,827 --> 00:11:47,027 Speaker 3: people have to come to the war. 192 00:11:48,267 --> 00:11:51,147 Speaker 2: Are you tied to Eden Park as your home venue? 193 00:11:53,027 --> 00:11:55,627 Speaker 3: No, No, we're not. No, that's a that's a choice 194 00:11:57,947 --> 00:12:02,067 Speaker 3: and one that's done us proud over the years. It's 195 00:12:02,107 --> 00:12:08,627 Speaker 3: still it's still a benue that people want to go to. 196 00:12:08,747 --> 00:12:13,187 Speaker 3: It has its challenges when crowds aren't to where we 197 00:12:13,227 --> 00:12:14,907 Speaker 3: want to be. But I think if you with the 198 00:12:14,987 --> 00:12:16,747 Speaker 3: Chiefs this year, with that sort of twenty three and 199 00:12:16,787 --> 00:12:19,907 Speaker 3: a half, you're starting to really get at the bounce 200 00:12:19,987 --> 00:12:24,627 Speaker 3: there and even on the lighter games. What we've try 201 00:12:24,707 --> 00:12:28,987 Speaker 3: to do is to make sure we've used that we 202 00:12:29,107 --> 00:12:31,667 Speaker 3: stand a lot more. We'll change it this year, whether 203 00:12:31,707 --> 00:12:33,827 Speaker 3: it be a corporate function or whether it be Bounce 204 00:12:33,827 --> 00:12:36,387 Speaker 3: the Castle, that kind of stuff to change the change 205 00:12:36,387 --> 00:12:42,187 Speaker 3: the environment. And the other beauty of being part was 206 00:12:42,227 --> 00:12:46,987 Speaker 3: probably with minor Pacifica a match when we had the 207 00:12:47,067 --> 00:12:50,347 Speaker 3: Pacifica Festival which I've got to stay without standing out 208 00:12:50,387 --> 00:12:52,067 Speaker 3: the two thousand people with through there and we ended 209 00:12:52,107 --> 00:12:53,867 Speaker 3: up with eighteen and a half thousand that a trics 210 00:12:53,907 --> 00:12:56,147 Speaker 3: you last year only well eight and a half. So 211 00:12:56,267 --> 00:13:00,267 Speaker 3: there's things you can do with the part, which I 212 00:13:00,307 --> 00:13:05,987 Speaker 3: think we've sort of tried this year, and that of work. 213 00:13:06,427 --> 00:13:10,227 Speaker 3: Sometimes it doesn't, and you know we look each and 214 00:13:10,267 --> 00:13:13,587 Speaker 3: review that each and every year. I think Fong Lray, 215 00:13:13,787 --> 00:13:17,587 Speaker 3: for example, last year was outstanding for us. They got 216 00:13:17,667 --> 00:13:19,427 Speaker 3: us off to an absolutely buy. It was ten and 217 00:13:19,427 --> 00:13:23,987 Speaker 3: a half thousand people and it looked incredible from a 218 00:13:24,067 --> 00:13:29,227 Speaker 3: podcast perspective, and I think that's what some of the 219 00:13:29,347 --> 00:13:31,427 Speaker 3: environments some of the stadiums can give you when you've 220 00:13:31,427 --> 00:13:35,787 Speaker 3: got those small crowds that Christmas New Year to to 221 00:13:36,027 --> 00:13:40,707 Speaker 3: AFC versus one of the teams in New South Wales. 222 00:13:40,707 --> 00:13:42,147 Speaker 3: There there, I think the force on the table. They 223 00:13:42,187 --> 00:13:44,347 Speaker 3: had eleven and a half thousand there and it was 224 00:13:44,347 --> 00:13:49,467 Speaker 3: still bouncing and so horses for courses and we've got 225 00:13:49,467 --> 00:13:50,907 Speaker 3: to consider that each and every year. 226 00:13:51,627 --> 00:13:54,747 Speaker 2: Just to finish, you operate on a sporting ecosystem which 227 00:13:54,787 --> 00:13:58,227 Speaker 2: is getting increasingly crowded. Andrew, you've got one of Pacific 228 00:13:58,427 --> 00:14:01,187 Speaker 2: in your city. The Warriors, of course are now Aukland 229 00:14:01,347 --> 00:14:04,107 Speaker 2: f C, who are pulling big crowds every time they 230 00:14:04,147 --> 00:14:07,627 Speaker 2: play at home. Our challenging is the the sporting ecosystem 231 00:14:07,627 --> 00:14:08,107 Speaker 2: of Auckland. 232 00:14:10,507 --> 00:14:14,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we're all much of a muchness. I 233 00:14:14,747 --> 00:14:18,867 Speaker 3: think the worries probably would tip on average the great 234 00:14:19,347 --> 00:14:21,267 Speaker 3: I think we've got to embrace it. To be honest 235 00:14:21,307 --> 00:14:24,467 Speaker 3: with you, my attitude changed quite a lot because if 236 00:14:24,507 --> 00:14:27,507 Speaker 3: you look at Melbourne, you look at Sydney. I think 237 00:14:27,587 --> 00:14:30,507 Speaker 3: we're going to be a city not too long away 238 00:14:31,387 --> 00:14:35,947 Speaker 3: one point act to two million people and if we 239 00:14:36,067 --> 00:14:39,907 Speaker 3: can put a product on the field which is exciting 240 00:14:39,987 --> 00:14:43,387 Speaker 3: like this year and intriguing, and we can perform, then 241 00:14:43,667 --> 00:14:46,347 Speaker 3: you will have a place in the sporting landscape. And 242 00:14:46,467 --> 00:14:49,387 Speaker 3: we've got to start celebrating the fact that, you know, 243 00:14:49,827 --> 00:14:52,547 Speaker 3: I work in the UK for over fifteen years and 244 00:14:53,507 --> 00:14:56,467 Speaker 3: kids don't get the same opportunities from a sports because 245 00:14:56,507 --> 00:14:59,627 Speaker 3: that they do in New Zealand and so we actually 246 00:14:59,827 --> 00:15:03,827 Speaker 3: are a sports mad nation as of Australia, and I 247 00:15:03,907 --> 00:15:08,747 Speaker 3: actually do truly believe that these sports can coexist. I 248 00:15:08,787 --> 00:15:11,867 Speaker 3: would yeah question having two professional rugby teams and an 249 00:15:12,627 --> 00:15:17,947 Speaker 3: economy our size is challenging, but it can be done, 250 00:15:18,267 --> 00:15:22,307 Speaker 3: and a rugby league shown that. So we've got to 251 00:15:22,347 --> 00:15:26,107 Speaker 3: embrace it and not be threatened by it. We've got 252 00:15:26,107 --> 00:15:31,267 Speaker 3: to celebrate what's good about our sport, our comp and 253 00:15:31,267 --> 00:15:34,667 Speaker 3: and make the most of been probably New Zealand's capital sport. 254 00:15:35,627 --> 00:15:37,787 Speaker 3: I know that to aggravate some but the simple fact 255 00:15:37,867 --> 00:15:40,987 Speaker 3: matter is now with the Breakers, with the Warriors, with 256 00:15:41,747 --> 00:15:44,147 Speaker 3: the football. I think there was that weekend in March 257 00:15:44,147 --> 00:15:47,147 Speaker 3: where you could go to effectively four different sporting events 258 00:15:47,187 --> 00:15:49,347 Speaker 3: where you could go to the poly Fest. Now does 259 00:15:49,387 --> 00:15:51,187 Speaker 3: that not make for a great city. I went to 260 00:15:51,187 --> 00:15:53,947 Speaker 3: the Cracket on Friday night and then obviously our game. 261 00:15:54,187 --> 00:15:58,187 Speaker 3: And so Cameron, George and I caught up for a 262 00:15:58,227 --> 00:16:01,667 Speaker 3: coffee and I think we're both of the same mindset 263 00:16:01,747 --> 00:16:04,427 Speaker 3: that there is opportunity in this that we can make 264 00:16:04,467 --> 00:16:10,947 Speaker 3: this work for Hods and actually enhanced the lifestyle from 265 00:16:10,947 --> 00:16:14,427 Speaker 3: Menialklanders and more broadly whether it be South Orkland or 266 00:16:14,467 --> 00:16:22,107 Speaker 3: North Aukland in Northland to have activities that they can 267 00:16:22,107 --> 00:16:22,787 Speaker 3: do every weekend. 268 00:16:23,227 --> 00:16:25,627 Speaker 2: Could not agree more, could not agree more with that 269 00:16:25,947 --> 00:16:28,707 Speaker 2: big month coming up for your forced draw one to Pacific, 270 00:16:28,707 --> 00:16:31,467 Speaker 2: a Warataz Andrew, all the best on the field to 271 00:16:31,507 --> 00:16:33,467 Speaker 2: the team and thank you for being so generous with 272 00:16:33,507 --> 00:16:36,227 Speaker 2: your time off of this afternoon, no. 273 00:16:36,227 --> 00:16:37,747 Speaker 3: Problems, Thanks mate, have a good day. 274 00:16:38,347 --> 00:16:41,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 275 00:16:41,627 --> 00:16:44,907 Speaker 1: to news Talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow 276 00:16:44,947 --> 00:16:46,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.