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 --> 00:00:12,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks edb Who. 3 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:17,467 Speaker 2: On Weekend Sport. High excitement as the Warriors women make 4 00:00:17,507 --> 00:00:21,387 Speaker 2: their return to the nrl W after a five year absence. 5 00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:25,227 Speaker 2: They've just kicked off against the Roosters at Alian Stadium 6 00:00:25,387 --> 00:00:29,867 Speaker 2: in Sydney. Ten Test black firm Patricia Malieppo joined the 7 00:00:29,867 --> 00:00:33,267 Speaker 2: Warriors just days after helping the Blues win the Super 8 00:00:33,347 --> 00:00:36,747 Speaker 2: Rugby Ope key title for the second straight year. She 9 00:00:36,907 --> 00:00:39,627 Speaker 2: is starting at five eighth in the season opening this afternoon. 10 00:00:39,627 --> 00:00:41,987 Speaker 2: I spoke to her on Friday and asked first of 11 00:00:42,027 --> 00:00:44,227 Speaker 2: all about her decision to switch codes. 12 00:00:46,947 --> 00:00:49,947 Speaker 3: Oh, best all, I think I just me and my 13 00:00:50,107 --> 00:00:54,867 Speaker 3: journey in rugby. I kind of felt like it was 14 00:00:54,947 --> 00:00:58,107 Speaker 3: just up and down and not going anywhere within the 15 00:00:58,147 --> 00:01:00,747 Speaker 3: past year. So yeah, I did have to make that 16 00:01:01,147 --> 00:01:04,347 Speaker 3: tough decision on whether I wanted to you know, stick 17 00:01:04,387 --> 00:01:07,827 Speaker 3: around and be back up for World Cup or take 18 00:01:07,867 --> 00:01:12,227 Speaker 3: on an opportunity and just try something new and possibly 19 00:01:12,267 --> 00:01:16,467 Speaker 3: have the opportunity to play. So yeah, I think just 20 00:01:17,387 --> 00:01:20,147 Speaker 3: I think I needed it myself, and yeah, I just 21 00:01:20,147 --> 00:01:23,467 Speaker 3: had a gut feeling to make the search and just 22 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:27,307 Speaker 3: you know, have a fresh start in a new code. Yeah, 23 00:01:27,307 --> 00:01:30,387 Speaker 3: which was really exciting and I'm enjoying it so far. 24 00:01:30,507 --> 00:01:33,827 Speaker 3: So I'm really pleased with the decision that I've made. 25 00:01:34,027 --> 00:01:36,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, good on you. When you spoke with head coach 26 00:01:36,547 --> 00:01:40,747 Speaker 2: Ron Griffiths, What did he specifically say that convinced you 27 00:01:40,867 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 2: that this would be the right move for you? 28 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:50,187 Speaker 3: Olmost thought he was concepting me through blues and I 29 00:01:50,347 --> 00:01:54,667 Speaker 3: was like, oh my gosh, is this legal or yeah? 30 00:01:54,747 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 3: But crazy? But I think the man just I think 31 00:01:58,587 --> 00:02:01,107 Speaker 3: his heart, Like he's just got a big heart for people, 32 00:02:01,187 --> 00:02:04,307 Speaker 3: and I think he's a people first type of person 33 00:02:04,427 --> 00:02:09,027 Speaker 3: rather than a player, and I read respect that and yeah, 34 00:02:09,067 --> 00:02:15,347 Speaker 3: he just kind of implemented on like how he wanted 35 00:02:16,027 --> 00:02:20,667 Speaker 3: the team to look and the culture and just the environment, 36 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:24,387 Speaker 3: and yeah, I really drive off that type of stuff 37 00:02:24,507 --> 00:02:27,827 Speaker 3: rather than just being seen as a as a player. 38 00:02:28,227 --> 00:02:30,827 Speaker 3: I think there's more to a person than a player. 39 00:02:30,947 --> 00:02:38,587 Speaker 3: So yeah, just him having a big heart for people 40 00:02:39,027 --> 00:02:43,787 Speaker 3: is probably what drew me into yeah to want to 41 00:02:43,827 --> 00:02:44,507 Speaker 3: play under him. 42 00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:47,907 Speaker 2: Fantastic. So did you play any rugby league growing up 43 00:02:48,067 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 2: or is this all new? 44 00:02:50,507 --> 00:02:53,627 Speaker 3: Honestly, it's going to sound crazy, but this is new. 45 00:02:53,907 --> 00:02:56,507 Speaker 3: This is all new. This is like picking up the 46 00:02:56,627 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 3: rugby ball for the first time how many years ago, 47 00:03:00,587 --> 00:03:04,867 Speaker 3: but with the league. So yeah, this weekend will be 48 00:03:04,987 --> 00:03:09,067 Speaker 3: my first rugby league game. That is so cool. I 49 00:03:09,227 --> 00:03:09,667 Speaker 3: just love that. 50 00:03:09,827 --> 00:03:11,707 Speaker 2: I love that. So how have you found it and 51 00:03:12,587 --> 00:03:15,427 Speaker 2: what have been the biggest adjustments that you've found You've 52 00:03:15,467 --> 00:03:17,947 Speaker 2: had to make as you get ready to play thirteen 53 00:03:17,987 --> 00:03:19,747 Speaker 2: a side rather than fifteen a side. 54 00:03:20,507 --> 00:03:24,747 Speaker 3: Yeah at this, don't get me wrong, but at the 55 00:03:24,787 --> 00:03:27,627 Speaker 3: start of pre season it was pretty hard to like 56 00:03:28,067 --> 00:03:30,587 Speaker 3: it was kind of just like, yeah, take put on 57 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:33,347 Speaker 3: your boots, get on the field, see how you feel. 58 00:03:33,507 --> 00:03:37,747 Speaker 3: And kind of learned that way where I'm so used 59 00:03:37,747 --> 00:03:41,027 Speaker 3: to being well, I've been told what to do and 60 00:03:41,147 --> 00:03:43,147 Speaker 3: stuff the past couple of years and rugby and it's 61 00:03:43,227 --> 00:03:46,187 Speaker 3: just been like, it's not far different. But I think 62 00:03:46,227 --> 00:03:50,107 Speaker 3: the physicality is. I think it's up there, and I 63 00:03:50,147 --> 00:03:54,107 Speaker 3: think the only difference between rugby league and rugby union 64 00:03:54,307 --> 00:03:58,467 Speaker 3: is that and the shuttles of getting up maybe the 65 00:03:58,547 --> 00:03:59,507 Speaker 3: tag of getting back. 66 00:04:00,467 --> 00:04:01,027 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that. 67 00:04:02,227 --> 00:04:03,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a turning point. 68 00:04:04,027 --> 00:04:05,947 Speaker 2: That's a different kind of fitness, isn't it. Well, I 69 00:04:05,987 --> 00:04:08,267 Speaker 2: mean i'd know personally, but it looks like a different 70 00:04:08,387 --> 00:04:11,347 Speaker 2: kind of fitness, as you say, the shuttles that you know, 71 00:04:11,467 --> 00:04:13,387 Speaker 2: making the tackle, getting back in the line, plus the 72 00:04:13,467 --> 00:04:16,827 Speaker 2: physicality of the tackles coming your way as well. Have 73 00:04:16,907 --> 00:04:19,507 Speaker 2: you had to kind of I mean, you're in pretty 74 00:04:19,507 --> 00:04:21,307 Speaker 2: good shape, but have you had to sort of steal 75 00:04:21,427 --> 00:04:24,387 Speaker 2: yourself for the physicality that you're going to encounter in 76 00:04:24,507 --> 00:04:25,067 Speaker 2: rugby league. 77 00:04:25,747 --> 00:04:29,987 Speaker 3: Oh definitely. I think I'm quite grateful that I've got 78 00:04:30,547 --> 00:04:35,067 Speaker 3: freaking good teammates and runners like Shakira Baker and like 79 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:39,267 Speaker 3: the likes of heart attime then just to like run 80 00:04:39,347 --> 00:04:44,547 Speaker 3: it at me, because man, you're they're just like full 81 00:04:46,027 --> 00:04:49,707 Speaker 3: just no handbrake on running at you, and you're you've 82 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:53,227 Speaker 3: got to get off what ten meters back and try 83 00:04:53,467 --> 00:04:57,987 Speaker 3: making dominant tackle, which you probably won't if you see 84 00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:01,147 Speaker 3: them running at you. So yeah, really grateful for them, 85 00:05:01,347 --> 00:05:06,907 Speaker 3: and yeah it's really tested my shoulders, but I think 86 00:05:07,427 --> 00:05:11,307 Speaker 3: I'm determined they're ready for this Sunday understanding. 87 00:05:11,627 --> 00:05:15,187 Speaker 2: And it's a whole new group as well, isn't it. Patricia. 88 00:05:15,267 --> 00:05:17,827 Speaker 2: You know there's there's a lot of new players who 89 00:05:18,147 --> 00:05:20,547 Speaker 2: haven't necessarily played together before. I know you've played with 90 00:05:20,827 --> 00:05:22,587 Speaker 2: some of the Black fernds who have come across as well. 91 00:05:22,667 --> 00:05:25,267 Speaker 2: But how have you gone about establishing connections as a 92 00:05:25,347 --> 00:05:28,507 Speaker 2: team off the field as you prepare to go onto 93 00:05:28,547 --> 00:05:28,867 Speaker 2: the field. 94 00:05:30,187 --> 00:05:32,827 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, Well, like you said, I think we are 95 00:05:33,027 --> 00:05:37,587 Speaker 3: definitely a very diverse team in the light of coming 96 00:05:37,627 --> 00:05:43,507 Speaker 3: from different codes and different levels of rug being professional professionalism. 97 00:05:45,507 --> 00:05:49,187 Speaker 3: But we did have a connections camp down at a 98 00:05:49,267 --> 00:05:56,667 Speaker 3: Maria wake up. I think I forgot the name of 99 00:05:56,747 --> 00:05:59,787 Speaker 3: them that I but I think from there our connection 100 00:06:00,147 --> 00:06:05,027 Speaker 3: just grew tighter. And yeah, we've been building off field 101 00:06:05,147 --> 00:06:11,147 Speaker 3: and just little team team group activities is keeping us 102 00:06:11,187 --> 00:06:14,147 Speaker 3: in line, and I think I think the girls just 103 00:06:14,187 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: feel like it's an environment where you can just be 104 00:06:16,187 --> 00:06:20,347 Speaker 3: open and it's a safe space for them to, like, 105 00:06:21,387 --> 00:06:23,387 Speaker 3: you know, go up to uppy nickels and ask her 106 00:06:25,587 --> 00:06:30,107 Speaker 3: questions about footing or just just have a general conversation 107 00:06:30,267 --> 00:06:33,627 Speaker 3: about life. So yeah, I think our team is very approachable, 108 00:06:34,587 --> 00:06:38,227 Speaker 3: very kind human beings, and they're lovely people. 109 00:06:38,587 --> 00:06:40,827 Speaker 2: It's good to hear. So going into your first game, 110 00:06:40,907 --> 00:06:44,227 Speaker 2: it's it's likely you'll be heavy underdogs against the Roosters. 111 00:06:44,267 --> 00:06:45,507 Speaker 2: Are you okay with that tag? 112 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:46,387 Speaker 1: Oh? 113 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:50,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think I think there will be a shot 114 00:06:50,907 --> 00:06:56,227 Speaker 3: to the n r L doubles, the Warriors returning, and yeah, 115 00:06:56,227 --> 00:07:00,627 Speaker 3: I just think New Zealanders are different hitters, so you know, 116 00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:03,587 Speaker 3: you just never know what to expect on Sunday. 117 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:08,227 Speaker 2: So yeah, and I know you're only just starting out 118 00:07:08,267 --> 00:07:10,907 Speaker 2: on your rugby league journey, but have you closed the 119 00:07:10,947 --> 00:07:12,947 Speaker 2: door on rugby union or is that something that you 120 00:07:13,027 --> 00:07:14,547 Speaker 2: think in the future you may go back to. 121 00:07:17,587 --> 00:07:22,747 Speaker 3: Honestly, recently I have been thinking and stuff, but I'm 122 00:07:22,827 --> 00:07:26,947 Speaker 3: kind of just living in the moment and enjoying each 123 00:07:26,987 --> 00:07:29,587 Speaker 3: step of the way and whatever comes in the future comes. 124 00:07:29,707 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 3: But yeah, my main priority is the Warriors this season, 125 00:07:35,267 --> 00:07:37,507 Speaker 3: and yeah, wherever that leads me at the end of 126 00:07:37,587 --> 00:07:41,987 Speaker 3: the season, and what I feel like makes me happy 127 00:07:42,107 --> 00:07:47,107 Speaker 3: and makes me feel valued, then yeah, who knows what 128 00:07:47,187 --> 00:07:48,027 Speaker 3: would have been next? 129 00:07:49,387 --> 00:07:53,347 Speaker 2: What a mindset, what I'm mind set to have. Hey, Patricia, 130 00:07:53,347 --> 00:07:55,387 Speaker 2: it's been such a delight chatting to you. Look, we 131 00:07:55,467 --> 00:07:57,987 Speaker 2: can't wait to see how the Warriors will go in 132 00:07:57,987 --> 00:07:59,987 Speaker 2: the NRLW now that you're back in there after a 133 00:08:00,027 --> 00:08:02,347 Speaker 2: long absence. All the best for your first game and 134 00:08:02,387 --> 00:08:04,507 Speaker 2: look forward to catching up at some stage throughout the season. 135 00:08:05,227 --> 00:08:08,067 Speaker 3: Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate your time and. 136 00:08:08,227 --> 00:08:11,587 Speaker 2: That is Patricia Mallieppl, who I spoke to on Friday. 137 00:08:11,707 --> 00:08:13,907 Speaker 2: I couldn't talk to us today because they're playing at 138 00:08:13,947 --> 00:08:18,067 Speaker 2: the moment, and in fact, would you believe it, Patricia Maliepple, 139 00:08:18,307 --> 00:08:21,507 Speaker 2: while that interview was playing, has scored the warriors first 140 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:24,667 Speaker 2: try of the season, so clearly appearing on the radio 141 00:08:25,267 --> 00:08:28,187 Speaker 2: is helpful in scoring tries in the NRLW. 142 00:08:29,227 --> 00:08:32,387 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 143 00:08:32,507 --> 00:08:35,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow 144 00:08:35,827 --> 00:08:37,427 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.