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 News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:16,227 Speaker 2: Test of the Year Principality Stadium Card of ten past 4 00:00:16,227 --> 00:00:19,147 Speaker 2: four Tomorrow morning, New Zealand time. It's the thirty eighth 5 00:00:19,507 --> 00:00:23,267 Speaker 2: meeting between these two dating back to nineteen oh five. 6 00:00:23,867 --> 00:00:26,947 Speaker 2: Wales won three of the first four, but the All 7 00:00:26,947 --> 00:00:30,427 Speaker 2: Blacks have won the last thirty three Test matches between 8 00:00:30,507 --> 00:00:33,107 Speaker 2: the two, dating all the way back to nineteen sixty three. 9 00:00:33,467 --> 00:00:36,507 Speaker 2: Matches between the two have been infrequent in recent times. 10 00:00:36,547 --> 00:00:39,747 Speaker 2: This is just the fifth meeting since a three Test 11 00:00:39,827 --> 00:00:42,587 Speaker 2: series here in New Zealand in twenty sixteen, and it's 12 00:00:42,587 --> 00:00:44,547 Speaker 2: the first time the All Blacks have played Wales in 13 00:00:44,587 --> 00:00:47,547 Speaker 2: over three years. Great pleasure to welcome into the show 14 00:00:47,587 --> 00:00:50,947 Speaker 2: former Welsh winger Alex Cuthbert. 15 00:00:50,627 --> 00:00:53,867 Speaker 3: Checking it up as Samuel robiton Dex year over halfway 16 00:00:54,067 --> 00:00:57,587 Speaker 3: he's on his own slums into the last trader thing 17 00:00:57,667 --> 00:01:00,107 Speaker 3: this defense such as oh and Farrell now who has 18 00:01:00,147 --> 00:01:03,907 Speaker 3: fours array. Phillips gets it out too Bigger Kilee, Halfpenny, 19 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:07,907 Speaker 3: Jamie Roberts, Chippey on the outside of hust Cosbert with 20 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:10,947 Speaker 3: him dummies goes to the gup Dika. 21 00:01:12,947 --> 00:01:15,387 Speaker 1: That must be a ship. 22 00:01:16,667 --> 00:01:22,907 Speaker 3: Championship to Wales, absolutely fantastic. They kept the best until last, 23 00:01:23,867 --> 00:01:27,427 Speaker 3: nothing at all England could do from their own. Twenty 24 00:01:27,507 --> 00:01:31,587 Speaker 3: two Wales with the try of the championship and the 25 00:01:31,707 --> 00:01:35,987 Speaker 3: try to win the championship a second for Alex Cuthbert 26 00:01:36,307 --> 00:01:39,027 Speaker 3: h Wales magnificent. 27 00:01:38,787 --> 00:01:42,107 Speaker 2: Here, high excitement there. Alex Cuthbert debut for Wales twenty 28 00:01:42,147 --> 00:01:44,267 Speaker 2: eleven went on to earn fifty seven caps for his 29 00:01:44,387 --> 00:01:47,467 Speaker 2: national side, scoring sixteen tries including that one, and playing 30 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:50,467 Speaker 2: a pivotal role in the six Nations Grand Slam winning 31 00:01:50,507 --> 00:01:53,947 Speaker 2: campaign in twenty twelve and the sixth Nations Championship win 32 00:01:54,027 --> 00:01:56,707 Speaker 2: in twenty thirteen. He also toured with the British and 33 00:01:56,707 --> 00:01:59,587 Speaker 2: Irish lines to Australia in twenty thirteen, where he scored 34 00:01:59,627 --> 00:02:02,307 Speaker 2: a crucial try in the first Test victory over the 35 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:05,987 Speaker 2: Wallabies in Brisbane. At club level, he enjoyed success with 36 00:02:06,107 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 2: Carl of Exit and Ospryce and officially announced his retirement 37 00:02:10,747 --> 00:02:14,547 Speaker 2: in September. He's already started to forge a successful career 38 00:02:14,947 --> 00:02:19,787 Speaker 2: in rugby panditry across various platforms. Alex Cuthbert is with US. 39 00:02:19,787 --> 00:02:21,667 Speaker 2: Alex thanks for joining us, mate, I'm going to dive 40 00:02:21,707 --> 00:02:25,507 Speaker 2: straight in here. What has happened to Welsh rugby in 41 00:02:25,547 --> 00:02:28,187 Speaker 2: the two years since the last Rugby World Cup? 42 00:02:29,147 --> 00:02:31,547 Speaker 4: Wow? Good morning and how long have you got mate? 43 00:02:34,427 --> 00:02:37,507 Speaker 5: It's been It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, to 44 00:02:37,507 --> 00:02:39,907 Speaker 5: be honest, mate. You know, weirdly, I was actually that 45 00:02:39,947 --> 00:02:43,947 Speaker 5: was my last campaign, was the World Cup. So I 46 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:47,947 Speaker 5: got injured in the summer before and I didn't play 47 00:02:47,987 --> 00:02:51,147 Speaker 5: a game after that, to be honest, So that was. 48 00:02:51,067 --> 00:02:52,027 Speaker 4: My last campaign. 49 00:02:52,507 --> 00:02:55,267 Speaker 5: And weirdly, we were actually in an all right state, 50 00:02:55,347 --> 00:02:57,627 Speaker 5: you know, in terms of obviously Warren Gatton coming in, 51 00:02:57,987 --> 00:03:00,627 Speaker 5: we got out the group we know, beat like so Fiji. 52 00:03:00,667 --> 00:03:04,907 Speaker 5: We absolutely thunked Australia forty points and you could look 53 00:03:04,947 --> 00:03:07,227 Speaker 5: at that squad then and think, hang on better, you know, 54 00:03:07,227 --> 00:03:10,587 Speaker 5: there's something to work with. But I think after that 55 00:03:10,667 --> 00:03:14,747 Speaker 5: World Cup a lot of boys retired, obviously, like myself 56 00:03:14,827 --> 00:03:17,107 Speaker 5: down bigger and when that there were a number of 57 00:03:17,147 --> 00:03:19,307 Speaker 5: boys and I think there was just a bit of 58 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:23,467 Speaker 5: some wrong decision in maybe getting rid of us too soon, 59 00:03:23,667 --> 00:03:27,347 Speaker 5: maybe not trying to integrate some youngsters. And then we'll 60 00:03:27,347 --> 00:03:30,587 Speaker 5: see then a lot of things happening with the union in. 61 00:03:30,587 --> 00:03:31,227 Speaker 4: Terms of. 62 00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:37,267 Speaker 5: Budgets and contract situations because we had a number of 63 00:03:37,347 --> 00:03:40,387 Speaker 5: strike you know, I was in one where we were 64 00:03:40,427 --> 00:03:44,307 Speaker 5: literally just about to pull the plug against England, which 65 00:03:44,427 --> 00:03:47,387 Speaker 5: is one of the biggest games in the you know, 66 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:49,147 Speaker 5: in the European fictionalists. 67 00:03:50,067 --> 00:03:51,787 Speaker 4: So yeah, since then. 68 00:03:51,707 --> 00:03:54,067 Speaker 5: Mate, it's sort of gone down here and obviously now 69 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:56,987 Speaker 5: they're trying to decide whether we cut the amount of regions. 70 00:03:57,027 --> 00:03:59,427 Speaker 5: You know, it's like they're all about trying to get 71 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:02,387 Speaker 5: rid of the team down in West Wales, whether that's 72 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:04,907 Speaker 5: the Ostras or Scarlets. You know, that's pretty much like 73 00:04:04,947 --> 00:04:07,387 Speaker 5: trying to say they're going to get rid of the 74 00:04:07,427 --> 00:04:11,067 Speaker 5: Highlanders because they're down south. So you know, geographically it 75 00:04:11,107 --> 00:04:13,627 Speaker 5: just seems wild, doesn't it. So yeah, a lot of 76 00:04:13,627 --> 00:04:15,707 Speaker 5: things up in the air, mate, at the moment, and 77 00:04:16,467 --> 00:04:18,907 Speaker 5: it's a lot to take in, you know, especially this 78 00:04:18,947 --> 00:04:20,787 Speaker 5: Welsh national team. There's a lot of young players in 79 00:04:20,827 --> 00:04:22,907 Speaker 5: there who a lot of this is just happening for 80 00:04:22,947 --> 00:04:23,627 Speaker 5: the first time. 81 00:04:24,267 --> 00:04:28,307 Speaker 2: So if we look with an optimistic leans, then how 82 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:31,827 Speaker 2: much optimism is there that, you know, having been through 83 00:04:31,867 --> 00:04:35,267 Speaker 2: this very challenging two year period, that things can and 84 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,547 Speaker 2: will turn around in the next little while or will 85 00:04:38,547 --> 00:04:39,787 Speaker 2: it still take a bit of time. 86 00:04:41,747 --> 00:04:43,827 Speaker 5: This is going to be sometime, mate. This is we're 87 00:04:43,867 --> 00:04:46,987 Speaker 5: talking a number of years. We're talking near enough an 88 00:04:47,027 --> 00:04:50,067 Speaker 5: era in terms of where they put the money. Now, 89 00:04:50,227 --> 00:04:53,427 Speaker 5: so do you put you pump your money into these 90 00:04:53,427 --> 00:04:57,387 Speaker 5: three regions and hopefully you know, we start correct players, 91 00:04:57,387 --> 00:04:59,547 Speaker 5: but it starts on the bottom for me, so like 92 00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:02,227 Speaker 5: school level and that's sort of that age grade when 93 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:05,307 Speaker 5: they're getting into sort of like cult rugby and senior 94 00:05:05,347 --> 00:05:07,907 Speaker 5: men's rugby, we'll lose and too many kids. So we 95 00:05:08,227 --> 00:05:11,467 Speaker 5: lose a lot of kids to England for college and education, 96 00:05:11,987 --> 00:05:15,107 Speaker 5: and then obviously then clubs in England pick up those 97 00:05:15,107 --> 00:05:16,707 Speaker 5: players and then obviously we've lost a few. 98 00:05:16,867 --> 00:05:19,347 Speaker 4: I likes to fail Manual Boso, he was. 99 00:05:20,147 --> 00:05:24,187 Speaker 5: You know, he's he lives in you know, he's from Cardiff, 100 00:05:24,267 --> 00:05:26,387 Speaker 5: should be playing for Wales and he's playing for England. 101 00:05:26,387 --> 00:05:29,147 Speaker 5: You know, we're not We're not a nation gifted with 102 00:05:29,507 --> 00:05:32,827 Speaker 5: a lot of players, have world class players to lose 103 00:05:32,867 --> 00:05:37,987 Speaker 5: to England especially, So yeah, that's going to be a 104 00:05:37,987 --> 00:05:41,587 Speaker 5: big focus point in terms of Obviously, firstly it's figuring 105 00:05:41,587 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 5: out what team they are going to get rid of. 106 00:05:43,707 --> 00:05:46,027 Speaker 5: So we are definitely going down to three teams, so 107 00:05:46,107 --> 00:05:48,867 Speaker 5: that's the biggest talking point, and and and and trying 108 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:51,587 Speaker 5: to navigate through that because it's it's going to get messy. 109 00:05:51,707 --> 00:05:52,267 Speaker 4: Let's be honest. 110 00:05:52,267 --> 00:05:54,027 Speaker 5: You know, there's no one that's just going to say, oh, 111 00:05:54,427 --> 00:05:56,027 Speaker 5: I'll put my hand up and be the team to go. 112 00:05:56,107 --> 00:05:58,307 Speaker 5: You know, it's going to come to tender and then 113 00:05:58,547 --> 00:06:01,867 Speaker 5: we're talking all finances then. But ideally in the future, 114 00:06:01,907 --> 00:06:03,507 Speaker 5: I guess we're going to get to a point in 115 00:06:03,547 --> 00:06:05,987 Speaker 5: two years where hopefully our product is good enough to 116 00:06:06,027 --> 00:06:09,947 Speaker 5: maybe move leagues or something like that. That's what's been banded around. 117 00:06:09,947 --> 00:06:12,067 Speaker 5: But for me, I think we need to put our 118 00:06:12,147 --> 00:06:15,587 Speaker 5: money into our into our infrastructure lower down and the 119 00:06:15,827 --> 00:06:18,787 Speaker 5: players that we're losing, especially the younger ages, and whether 120 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:20,387 Speaker 5: we look to the World Cup in six years and 121 00:06:20,427 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 5: ten years, maybe that might be the right answer and 122 00:06:23,147 --> 00:06:25,267 Speaker 5: maybe not give up on this team now in the 123 00:06:25,307 --> 00:06:29,027 Speaker 5: next World Cup, but you know, put the resources in 124 00:06:29,067 --> 00:06:30,707 Speaker 5: the in the areas where we're going to start to 125 00:06:30,707 --> 00:06:33,387 Speaker 5: see some benefit, whether it is five, six, seven, eight 126 00:06:33,467 --> 00:06:33,867 Speaker 5: years time. 127 00:06:34,067 --> 00:06:37,507 Speaker 2: It is such a challenging and interesting time for Welsh rugby. 128 00:06:38,787 --> 00:06:42,587 Speaker 2: How is new Welsh head coach Steve Tandy regarded. 129 00:06:44,227 --> 00:06:46,427 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, I thought as Ricker sort of speaks to himself, 130 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:49,067 Speaker 5: for I think, you know, we went to As, he's 131 00:06:49,267 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 5: done his trade in Wales. Then he went out and 132 00:06:51,307 --> 00:06:53,427 Speaker 5: went to the Waratas. I think, you know, that's the 133 00:06:53,427 --> 00:06:55,627 Speaker 5: best thing for a young coaches, going out and exploring 134 00:06:55,667 --> 00:06:59,427 Speaker 5: different experiences. It opens your eyes because when you end 135 00:06:59,507 --> 00:07:02,707 Speaker 5: up being in a country or coaching in a place 136 00:07:02,707 --> 00:07:04,267 Speaker 5: for a long period of time. Even as a player, 137 00:07:04,347 --> 00:07:06,867 Speaker 5: I remember when I was in Wales and you feel 138 00:07:06,867 --> 00:07:08,907 Speaker 5: like that's the boor and end, or then I moved 139 00:07:08,907 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 5: away and you're like, well, hang on a minute, let's 140 00:07:10,507 --> 00:07:13,787 Speaker 5: see the game completely different. So I think Steve's done that, 141 00:07:13,907 --> 00:07:16,267 Speaker 5: you know, And then he went to Scotland and he 142 00:07:16,387 --> 00:07:19,307 Speaker 5: definitely improved their defense. Albeit you know, we're seeing this 143 00:07:20,267 --> 00:07:21,827 Speaker 5: leaking a little bit at the moment, isn't it. But 144 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:25,067 Speaker 5: I think he's the right man because he's welsh Man's Welsh, 145 00:07:25,147 --> 00:07:27,907 Speaker 5: He's very passionate. He's a guy that's going to feel 146 00:07:27,947 --> 00:07:29,987 Speaker 5: the hurt of the nation in terms of you know, 147 00:07:30,067 --> 00:07:32,787 Speaker 5: being twelve in the world is absolutely insane when you 148 00:07:32,827 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 5: think about it. Really where we were even five, six, 149 00:07:35,507 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 5: seven years ago, we were actually weirdly world number one 150 00:07:39,187 --> 00:07:42,227 Speaker 5: for a week, so, you know, not that long ago. 151 00:07:42,987 --> 00:07:45,587 Speaker 5: So yeah, I think he's the right man. He's got 152 00:07:45,627 --> 00:07:47,707 Speaker 5: some young coaches as well. You know, they're going to 153 00:07:47,747 --> 00:07:51,267 Speaker 5: earn their trade and I guess we will figure out 154 00:07:51,267 --> 00:07:53,867 Speaker 5: in the next eighteen months really if that group are 155 00:07:53,867 --> 00:07:56,427 Speaker 5: really going to be good enough. But the end of 156 00:07:56,427 --> 00:07:58,427 Speaker 5: the day, mate, you're only as good as what you've 157 00:07:58,467 --> 00:08:00,707 Speaker 5: got to deal with, isn't it in terms of your 158 00:08:00,707 --> 00:08:04,467 Speaker 5: player pool and the quality of players. And if you 159 00:08:04,507 --> 00:08:07,147 Speaker 5: look at that Welsh squad, the good rubber play, but 160 00:08:07,267 --> 00:08:09,947 Speaker 5: I'd probably say we only got two three world class 161 00:08:09,987 --> 00:08:12,347 Speaker 5: rubber players. The rest are good rugby players, but are 162 00:08:12,387 --> 00:08:15,947 Speaker 5: they up to international level at the moment. No, But 163 00:08:16,867 --> 00:08:19,387 Speaker 5: you can sort of forgive some of them with obviously 164 00:08:19,387 --> 00:08:21,627 Speaker 5: the excuses over the last couple of years. But it's 165 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:23,587 Speaker 5: going to get to the point where Steve's going to 166 00:08:23,667 --> 00:08:25,227 Speaker 5: have quite a bit of time with these guys and 167 00:08:25,267 --> 00:08:29,227 Speaker 5: if we don't see any I guess identity or a 168 00:08:29,227 --> 00:08:31,867 Speaker 5: bit of fight in these games, we're just going to 169 00:08:31,907 --> 00:08:34,987 Speaker 5: get further and further behind. In the likes of Arzentina, 170 00:08:35,027 --> 00:08:38,347 Speaker 5: who are absolutely flying, you know, you obviously maybe they're 171 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:40,427 Speaker 5: going through a bit of a transition period at the moment. 172 00:08:40,627 --> 00:08:43,787 Speaker 5: Australia not sure where they are, but you know, South 173 00:08:43,787 --> 00:08:46,387 Speaker 5: Africa seemed to be just flying further and further ahead, 174 00:08:46,427 --> 00:08:48,507 Speaker 5: and we don't want that gap to get bigger because 175 00:08:48,507 --> 00:08:51,187 Speaker 5: the whole point of the new restruction of this league 176 00:08:51,227 --> 00:08:53,307 Speaker 5: is that we get closer together and it's more competitive, 177 00:08:53,347 --> 00:08:53,667 Speaker 5: isn't it. 178 00:08:54,427 --> 00:08:56,587 Speaker 2: Well, let's talk about this game. Do the All Blacks 179 00:08:56,627 --> 00:09:00,667 Speaker 2: feel in any way vulnerable to you given what happened 180 00:09:00,667 --> 00:09:01,747 Speaker 2: at twicken them a week ago? 181 00:09:03,587 --> 00:09:06,827 Speaker 5: No, not all. I'll be honest. That game from a 182 00:09:06,827 --> 00:09:10,107 Speaker 5: point of view where they're are. You look at the 183 00:09:10,107 --> 00:09:12,387 Speaker 5: stats and you think, how are they lost by that much? 184 00:09:12,947 --> 00:09:14,867 Speaker 5: So that I don't think they're far off it, But 185 00:09:15,507 --> 00:09:19,747 Speaker 5: looking at their team this weekend, it's very It's quite mismatch, 186 00:09:19,827 --> 00:09:21,507 Speaker 5: isn't it for you? I don't know what you guys 187 00:09:21,507 --> 00:09:23,467 Speaker 5: think about it, but there's a lot of players that 188 00:09:23,627 --> 00:09:26,507 Speaker 5: haven't played a lot of minutes together, a lot of 189 00:09:26,587 --> 00:09:28,587 Speaker 5: obviously top pass players, don't get me wrong, you know, 190 00:09:28,747 --> 00:09:31,147 Speaker 5: likes of like Rico Irony and Antiltte Brown and these 191 00:09:31,147 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 5: sort of guys who don't get it wrong. They probably 192 00:09:33,467 --> 00:09:35,107 Speaker 5: just love a night out in Cardiff and they go 193 00:09:35,147 --> 00:09:36,587 Speaker 5: well every time they come here, don't they. 194 00:09:38,347 --> 00:09:41,147 Speaker 4: So you know, I don't think there's any pressure on them. 195 00:09:41,187 --> 00:09:43,507 Speaker 5: The bookies have got Wales plus twenty eight, you know 196 00:09:43,507 --> 00:09:47,227 Speaker 5: that they're obviously expecting to win pretty well. But whether 197 00:09:47,307 --> 00:09:50,067 Speaker 5: Wales can sort of rattle certain players, you know, they 198 00:09:50,067 --> 00:09:52,627 Speaker 5: haven't had a lot of minutes. They don't seem to 199 00:09:52,627 --> 00:09:54,667 Speaker 5: be quite on the money babies, you know, in terms 200 00:09:54,707 --> 00:09:57,867 Speaker 5: of what they're after. Defensively they look quite weak and 201 00:09:57,947 --> 00:09:59,787 Speaker 5: you know, especially off set peace. You know how England 202 00:09:59,867 --> 00:10:03,107 Speaker 5: sort of seem to really get some games through there. 203 00:10:03,147 --> 00:10:05,787 Speaker 5: So Wales Matt Schaer at the backs coach, is very 204 00:10:05,787 --> 00:10:08,227 Speaker 5: good at start a place. So if Whes can get 205 00:10:08,267 --> 00:10:11,027 Speaker 5: a little bit of parody in the line out and 206 00:10:11,067 --> 00:10:13,267 Speaker 5: the scrum, Whales will be quite dangerous because we have 207 00:10:13,387 --> 00:10:16,187 Speaker 5: got some extract to players, but we just seem to 208 00:10:17,107 --> 00:10:19,587 Speaker 5: we lose control when we're not winning the front foot 209 00:10:19,627 --> 00:10:21,787 Speaker 5: game line. And the New Zealand are pretty good defensively 210 00:10:21,827 --> 00:10:24,627 Speaker 5: as well, and they're very good New Zealand their defensive lineup, 211 00:10:24,907 --> 00:10:26,947 Speaker 5: so that's gonna be a problem as well for Webs. 212 00:10:27,547 --> 00:10:30,227 Speaker 2: You first played against the All Black selex and twenty twelve, 213 00:10:30,227 --> 00:10:33,747 Speaker 2: scored a try and that taste matured. Califer, What are 214 00:10:33,747 --> 00:10:35,427 Speaker 2: your most vivid memories of that day? 215 00:10:36,547 --> 00:10:36,667 Speaker 5: Oh? 216 00:10:36,747 --> 00:10:37,267 Speaker 4: I loved it. 217 00:10:37,267 --> 00:10:39,387 Speaker 5: It was class I think, you know, I'd only just 218 00:10:39,387 --> 00:10:41,587 Speaker 5: sort of joined the squad for a year, and I 219 00:10:41,707 --> 00:10:43,907 Speaker 5: was sort of I guess you could say I was 220 00:10:43,907 --> 00:10:45,547 Speaker 5: probably still a fan make to be honest, you know 221 00:10:45,787 --> 00:10:49,947 Speaker 5: that that team, you know, standing the Hacker was unbelieveble atmosphere. 222 00:10:49,947 --> 00:10:52,267 Speaker 5: And you know the team we played, you could name 223 00:10:52,587 --> 00:10:55,147 Speaker 5: McCaw ma Carter there was. You know, that's probably one 224 00:10:55,187 --> 00:10:57,427 Speaker 5: of the greatest All Blacks teams in the long, long time. 225 00:10:57,507 --> 00:10:59,787 Speaker 5: Isn't it so very lucky to be involved that? And 226 00:10:59,827 --> 00:11:02,147 Speaker 5: I loved every minute it. And we probably were a 227 00:11:02,187 --> 00:11:04,467 Speaker 5: bit of rabbit and Headlights probably gave All Blacks too 228 00:11:04,547 --> 00:11:07,347 Speaker 5: much respect maybe, And they got a pretty good first half, 229 00:11:07,387 --> 00:11:09,827 Speaker 5: and we fought back. I think we scored a thirteen 230 00:11:09,867 --> 00:11:13,707 Speaker 5: man lineup, which was a first. I think Gats wanted that, 231 00:11:13,867 --> 00:11:16,547 Speaker 5: so he got that. And then I remember we played 232 00:11:16,547 --> 00:11:19,947 Speaker 5: All Blacks a couple of years later, and for seventy 233 00:11:20,027 --> 00:11:22,587 Speaker 5: two minutes we were winning and actually we all thought 234 00:11:22,627 --> 00:11:24,827 Speaker 5: we were actually gonna win the game, and then a 235 00:11:24,867 --> 00:11:27,907 Speaker 5: Boden Barrett Golden Boy, chip over the top. You know, 236 00:11:27,947 --> 00:11:29,667 Speaker 5: it looks like it's still a bounce unto Lee half 237 00:11:29,667 --> 00:11:32,987 Speaker 5: Penny's hand, No, straight into his hand. He scored, and 238 00:11:33,027 --> 00:11:35,147 Speaker 5: then it's sort of just opened the floodgates and us 239 00:11:35,187 --> 00:11:35,827 Speaker 5: he pulled away. 240 00:11:35,867 --> 00:11:38,747 Speaker 4: But you always love playing your blats because. 241 00:11:38,507 --> 00:11:41,747 Speaker 5: You know they test you in every asset of the game, 242 00:11:41,827 --> 00:11:45,867 Speaker 5: whether it's mindset, the physicality, They've got everything. 243 00:11:46,027 --> 00:11:46,187 Speaker 4: You know. 244 00:11:46,267 --> 00:11:47,907 Speaker 5: You know when you play other teams like South Africa, 245 00:11:47,987 --> 00:11:50,747 Speaker 5: you know physically you got to match up Australia. You 246 00:11:50,787 --> 00:11:52,787 Speaker 5: know they've got great play, but if you match them physically, 247 00:11:52,787 --> 00:11:55,107 Speaker 5: you could probably outpower them. New Zealand just seemed to 248 00:11:55,107 --> 00:11:58,267 Speaker 5: have it all, and I guess that over the last 249 00:11:58,307 --> 00:12:00,707 Speaker 5: couple years they may have lost that physicality battle a 250 00:12:00,747 --> 00:12:03,187 Speaker 5: little bit more and South Africa probably overtake him. But 251 00:12:03,867 --> 00:12:06,467 Speaker 5: you know, they've still got some world class players with 252 00:12:06,547 --> 00:12:07,827 Speaker 5: a lot of talent. You know. 253 00:12:07,907 --> 00:12:08,827 Speaker 4: I love Will Jordan. 254 00:12:08,907 --> 00:12:11,947 Speaker 5: I think he's an unbelievable player, just makes things happen. 255 00:12:12,907 --> 00:12:14,467 Speaker 4: Rico I only can be anything. 256 00:12:14,547 --> 00:12:17,707 Speaker 5: Really, thirteen probably not his best position, but and then 257 00:12:17,747 --> 00:12:20,027 Speaker 5: Damig and Kenzie. He's a box office, isn't he? So 258 00:12:20,827 --> 00:12:22,707 Speaker 5: it's going to be exciting again. I think there's gonna 259 00:12:22,707 --> 00:12:24,747 Speaker 5: be a lot of tries scored, So yeah, it's gonna 260 00:12:24,747 --> 00:12:25,307 Speaker 5: be a fun one. 261 00:12:25,467 --> 00:12:27,787 Speaker 2: So what would be a good outcome for Wiles? Then 262 00:12:28,467 --> 00:12:31,467 Speaker 2: it doesn't sound as though you're you know, you're optimistic 263 00:12:31,507 --> 00:12:32,147 Speaker 2: that they'll win the game. 264 00:12:32,147 --> 00:12:32,547 Speaker 4: What do you say? 265 00:12:32,547 --> 00:12:35,227 Speaker 2: Twenty eight plus the books are offering what would be 266 00:12:35,267 --> 00:12:37,467 Speaker 2: a good outcome for Wiles in terms of the way 267 00:12:37,467 --> 00:12:40,027 Speaker 2: they compete across the eighty minutes? Not necessary a school 268 00:12:40,027 --> 00:12:41,867 Speaker 2: on Alex, but but what you see out there for 269 00:12:41,907 --> 00:12:43,467 Speaker 2: eighty minutes, what would be a good outcome? 270 00:12:44,387 --> 00:12:45,627 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think I think you've got to take the 271 00:12:45,627 --> 00:12:47,267 Speaker 5: school eye out of the game. I think that's let's 272 00:12:47,307 --> 00:12:49,187 Speaker 5: be honest. I can't come on here and just say, yeah, 273 00:12:49,387 --> 00:12:51,107 Speaker 5: I think we're going to win, because let's be honest, 274 00:12:51,307 --> 00:12:54,467 Speaker 5: we're not gonna win. But what I want to see 275 00:12:54,627 --> 00:12:58,067 Speaker 5: is we want to see I want to see aggression 276 00:12:58,067 --> 00:13:00,067 Speaker 5: at the breakdown. I honestly, physically, I just want to 277 00:13:00,067 --> 00:13:02,267 Speaker 5: see him go after New Zealand. You know that New 278 00:13:02,347 --> 00:13:04,867 Speaker 5: Zealand hurt from losing to England. You know us the 279 00:13:04,907 --> 00:13:06,667 Speaker 5: worst was ut for you guys. It's like us losing. 280 00:13:06,947 --> 00:13:09,227 Speaker 5: You know, no one wants to lose to them, boys 281 00:13:09,227 --> 00:13:11,667 Speaker 5: to they, So you just want to see a bit 282 00:13:11,667 --> 00:13:13,107 Speaker 5: of fight. You want to see a little bit of 283 00:13:13,347 --> 00:13:17,067 Speaker 5: continuity in terms of I like Dan, but they're sticking 284 00:13:17,067 --> 00:13:18,947 Speaker 5: with Dan Ebers at ten. I think this new center 285 00:13:18,987 --> 00:13:21,307 Speaker 5: partnership can work. How do we get Lewis? We stand 286 00:13:21,347 --> 00:13:23,507 Speaker 5: with ball in space because he's the fastest man on 287 00:13:23,507 --> 00:13:26,267 Speaker 5: the field. He's got great for Blair Murray, you know, 288 00:13:26,507 --> 00:13:28,867 Speaker 5: I think earlier I want to see him control those airs. 289 00:13:28,667 --> 00:13:30,627 Speaker 4: He struggled the last couple of games. We want it. 290 00:13:30,787 --> 00:13:33,147 Speaker 5: If we can win that aerial game or compete in it, 291 00:13:33,387 --> 00:13:34,947 Speaker 5: we'll be in the game a bit longer. Because of the 292 00:13:35,027 --> 00:13:37,787 Speaker 5: last of games we've lost it. We're just giving teams 293 00:13:37,827 --> 00:13:40,027 Speaker 5: such easy ins, and you cannot give the team like 294 00:13:40,027 --> 00:13:42,267 Speaker 5: New Zealand innings. So I want to see a lot 295 00:13:42,267 --> 00:13:44,387 Speaker 5: of tries. I think we can score three four tries. 296 00:13:44,867 --> 00:13:46,907 Speaker 5: I'd be pretty happy with that. And I look at 297 00:13:46,907 --> 00:13:49,627 Speaker 5: a bit of identity and and and be a bit 298 00:13:49,907 --> 00:13:51,907 Speaker 5: imaginative with some of our startup plays. You know, we 299 00:13:51,947 --> 00:13:54,147 Speaker 5: saw England rip the New Zealand open a few times, 300 00:13:54,187 --> 00:13:56,987 Speaker 5: so hopefully we can get a few good starters and 301 00:13:57,107 --> 00:13:59,787 Speaker 5: the platform is good enough to playoff and yeah, I 302 00:13:59,827 --> 00:14:01,347 Speaker 5: do feel like there's gonna be a lot of tries, 303 00:14:01,867 --> 00:14:03,867 Speaker 5: but it would be obviously the good result for you. 304 00:14:03,827 --> 00:14:06,987 Speaker 2: Guys, just the fun as hum. If we just circle 305 00:14:07,027 --> 00:14:09,547 Speaker 2: back to your your career, and it was only very 306 00:14:09,547 --> 00:14:12,627 Speaker 2: recently that you officially announced your retirement, as you say, 307 00:14:13,107 --> 00:14:15,307 Speaker 2: you know, as recently as the last World Cup. You're 308 00:14:15,347 --> 00:14:17,987 Speaker 2: involved in the Welsh see that with the benefit of 309 00:14:17,987 --> 00:14:19,507 Speaker 2: a little bit of hindsight, now not a lot, but 310 00:14:19,507 --> 00:14:21,707 Speaker 2: a little bit. How do you reflect on your on 311 00:14:21,787 --> 00:14:26,147 Speaker 2: your rugby career. 312 00:14:24,987 --> 00:14:26,787 Speaker 5: Mate, To be honest, I've got I've really got any 313 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:30,427 Speaker 5: regrets I've I've I've been involved in some really top teams, 314 00:14:30,427 --> 00:14:32,667 Speaker 5: whether it's for Wales ex the Chiefs. I won the 315 00:14:32,667 --> 00:14:35,947 Speaker 5: Premiership and the European Cup. I was lucky enough to 316 00:14:35,987 --> 00:14:38,587 Speaker 5: be win the European Cup for Cardiff. You know, I've 317 00:14:38,587 --> 00:14:40,907 Speaker 5: been in around winning teams and I've always had that 318 00:14:40,987 --> 00:14:44,107 Speaker 5: mentality and I guess it's just served me well in 319 00:14:44,187 --> 00:14:47,867 Speaker 5: the teams. I've always worked hard and I'll. 320 00:14:47,547 --> 00:14:47,987 Speaker 4: Put it to it. 321 00:14:47,987 --> 00:14:51,267 Speaker 5: I was never the most you know, amazing rugby player, 322 00:14:51,267 --> 00:14:54,147 Speaker 5: but I grafted me and I worked hard. And I 323 00:14:54,147 --> 00:14:56,107 Speaker 5: did the simple things. Well, I think over and over 324 00:14:56,107 --> 00:14:58,707 Speaker 5: and I guess coaches, you know, they looked that, especially 325 00:14:58,707 --> 00:15:02,347 Speaker 5: in big games. And I've hopefully been remembered for the 326 00:15:02,347 --> 00:15:05,187 Speaker 5: big moments for Wales and for the Lions. Obviously it's 327 00:15:05,227 --> 00:15:09,427 Speaker 5: called as well. So yeah, I like the big moments 328 00:15:09,467 --> 00:15:10,987 Speaker 5: and I guess you could probably say I was sort of. 329 00:15:11,027 --> 00:15:11,467 Speaker 4: One of them. 330 00:15:11,507 --> 00:15:15,427 Speaker 5: And the only thing I do regret is not touring 331 00:15:15,867 --> 00:15:18,827 Speaker 5: with a straight with Wales to New Zealand. I missed 332 00:15:18,827 --> 00:15:21,987 Speaker 5: that series out to have a New York before and 333 00:15:22,107 --> 00:15:24,107 Speaker 5: you know, I've done the Wellington sevens back in the 334 00:15:24,187 --> 00:15:26,467 Speaker 5: day and that was well, you know what it was like. 335 00:15:26,547 --> 00:15:27,107 Speaker 4: Was pretty good. 336 00:15:27,147 --> 00:15:29,827 Speaker 5: So yeah, that's the only the only the only regret 337 00:15:29,907 --> 00:15:31,747 Speaker 5: is this not been able to to tall New Zealand, 338 00:15:31,787 --> 00:15:34,027 Speaker 5: whether it's for the Lions or Wales. But other than that, 339 00:15:34,147 --> 00:15:36,867 Speaker 5: met yeah, I've enjoyed every moment and you know the 340 00:15:36,907 --> 00:15:39,147 Speaker 5: best thing about it is my boys five he ended up. 341 00:15:39,507 --> 00:15:42,267 Speaker 5: He did get to watch me play, albeit get my 342 00:15:42,307 --> 00:15:44,387 Speaker 5: head taken off against Fiji, So. 343 00:15:46,747 --> 00:15:49,507 Speaker 2: Yeah, no regrets for you're not the even be the 344 00:15:49,507 --> 00:15:51,907 Speaker 2: first or the last guy then happen against Fiji. Old 345 00:15:51,907 --> 00:15:53,907 Speaker 2: imagine and look if you can make it down here right, 346 00:15:53,987 --> 00:15:56,187 Speaker 2: she would absolutely love New Zealand, you know, in a 347 00:15:56,267 --> 00:15:58,867 Speaker 2: in a touring scenes And yeah, those Wellington Sevens days 348 00:15:59,067 --> 00:16:01,707 Speaker 2: gee though were absolutely iconic. Man, it's been awesome to 349 00:16:01,707 --> 00:16:03,827 Speaker 2: catch up. Thank you so much for joining us across 350 00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:06,227 Speaker 2: New Zealand and enjoy the game at Cardiff. They too, 351 00:16:07,187 --> 00:16:09,427 Speaker 2: all the best to you too, Alex Cuthbert, their former 352 00:16:09,427 --> 00:16:12,627 Speaker 2: Welsh international winger and British and Irish Lions winger as well. 353 00:16:12,827 --> 00:16:15,947 Speaker 2: These days are rugby pundit and as you can hear, 354 00:16:15,987 --> 00:16:18,667 Speaker 2: they're a philias stute analyst of the game. Look, he's realistic, 355 00:16:18,747 --> 00:16:20,827 Speaker 2: isn't he. He knows that Wales are not going to 356 00:16:20,907 --> 00:16:24,907 Speaker 2: beat the All Blacks tomorrow morning at Cardiff. Look, I 357 00:16:24,987 --> 00:16:29,187 Speaker 2: think even the most die hard optimistic of Welsh fans 358 00:16:29,187 --> 00:16:33,227 Speaker 2: would accept that. Look it's not absolutely impossible, of course 359 00:16:33,267 --> 00:16:38,827 Speaker 2: it's not. But it would be a massive shock, the 360 00:16:38,867 --> 00:16:41,387 Speaker 2: shock of this World Cup cycle, without a shadow of 361 00:16:41,387 --> 00:16:44,627 Speaker 2: a doubt, if Wales, off the back of what has 362 00:16:44,667 --> 00:16:47,827 Speaker 2: been a pretty abject couple of years since that Rugby 363 00:16:47,827 --> 00:16:50,707 Speaker 2: World Cup, was somehow able to tip up the All 364 00:16:50,707 --> 00:16:51,747 Speaker 2: Blacks tomorrow morning. 365 00:16:52,267 --> 00:16:55,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 366 00:16:55,547 --> 00:16:58,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 367 00:16:58,867 --> 00:17:00,507 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio