1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467 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 Newstalk. 3 00:00:11,507 --> 00:00:15,067 Speaker 2: Zed b Let's Bring in Grace Wiki. Now, Grace, thanks 4 00:00:15,067 --> 00:00:18,227 Speaker 2: for holding and having a chat to us. How long 5 00:00:18,307 --> 00:00:19,787 Speaker 2: have you been thinking about this? 6 00:00:21,187 --> 00:00:23,227 Speaker 3: Thank you? It's been to me. I have been thinking 7 00:00:23,227 --> 00:00:25,867 Speaker 3: about for a week while now I would be to 8 00:00:25,907 --> 00:00:28,387 Speaker 3: me like I needed to change up, just in both 9 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:31,947 Speaker 3: lifestyle and in my netball and I guess that life 10 00:00:31,987 --> 00:00:35,027 Speaker 3: experience is a big move. But it was just really 11 00:00:35,067 --> 00:00:37,067 Speaker 3: hard to figure out how it would all play out 12 00:00:37,107 --> 00:00:38,387 Speaker 3: and where would certainly. 13 00:00:38,147 --> 00:00:41,707 Speaker 2: Best and how did you land on New South Wales. 14 00:00:41,707 --> 00:00:44,547 Speaker 2: What were the main factors that tipped it in their favor? 15 00:00:45,427 --> 00:00:50,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the biggest thing was knowing that they 16 00:00:50,187 --> 00:00:52,547 Speaker 3: needed a shooter so there was availability for me, So 17 00:00:52,587 --> 00:00:54,387 Speaker 3: that gave me a lot of confidence. And I guess 18 00:00:54,547 --> 00:00:57,147 Speaker 3: having that relationship with grinding in the past earlier this 19 00:00:57,227 --> 00:01:00,227 Speaker 3: year at Jantor, that made it a lot easier to 20 00:01:00,267 --> 00:01:05,067 Speaker 3: kind of feel comfortable in approaching them and seeing if 21 00:01:05,067 --> 00:01:05,787 Speaker 3: there was a room for me. 22 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:09,987 Speaker 2: Were there times during the decision making process where you 23 00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:13,627 Speaker 2: were leaning towards not going Oh. 24 00:01:13,627 --> 00:01:15,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely, I think my e been flowed for most 25 00:01:15,947 --> 00:01:18,627 Speaker 3: of I'd say the better part of the past two 26 00:01:18,707 --> 00:01:22,347 Speaker 3: months really just I guess understanding the landscape and the 27 00:01:22,347 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 3: implications of signing and what that would mean for my film, 28 00:01:26,107 --> 00:01:29,707 Speaker 3: for eligibility, as well as I guess just the what 29 00:01:29,787 --> 00:01:31,707 Speaker 3: it means to move. I've never lived a way somehow 30 00:01:31,747 --> 00:01:34,307 Speaker 3: I'm out of Auckland, and so just taking on such 31 00:01:34,347 --> 00:01:37,307 Speaker 3: a big lifestyle change, I was very wary of the 32 00:01:37,307 --> 00:01:40,747 Speaker 3: implications of that, but I feel like with the support 33 00:01:40,787 --> 00:01:42,627 Speaker 3: of my coaches and the people around me, I was 34 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:43,827 Speaker 3: able to make an informed decision. 35 00:01:44,267 --> 00:01:45,947 Speaker 2: Well, they do say that Sydney is just a bigger 36 00:01:46,067 --> 00:01:48,347 Speaker 2: version of Auckland's, so I think you should be you 37 00:01:48,387 --> 00:01:51,987 Speaker 2: should be Okay. How much did the fact that you 38 00:01:52,067 --> 00:01:55,747 Speaker 2: can't play for New Zealand next year factor into your thinking? 39 00:01:56,747 --> 00:02:00,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, said and massively. I think I love being in 40 00:02:00,787 --> 00:02:02,827 Speaker 3: the black dress. I loved being a silver throne, and 41 00:02:02,907 --> 00:02:07,107 Speaker 3: so I really was justly I was really that was 42 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:08,667 Speaker 3: the way that it had to play out. But I 43 00:02:08,707 --> 00:02:11,867 Speaker 3: respect decision making there and so that's kind of what 44 00:02:11,987 --> 00:02:15,187 Speaker 3: kept me from really, you know, biting the bullet on 45 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:18,227 Speaker 3: the decision. It was just understanding that opportunity cost and 46 00:02:18,267 --> 00:02:19,147 Speaker 3: whether that was worth it. 47 00:02:19,267 --> 00:02:19,467 Speaker 1: Or not. 48 00:02:19,547 --> 00:02:21,827 Speaker 3: And I think it's easy for me to sign now 49 00:02:21,947 --> 00:02:23,867 Speaker 3: knowing that I can still play at the end of 50 00:02:23,867 --> 00:02:27,387 Speaker 3: this year, but it won't really hurt or become you know, 51 00:02:27,507 --> 00:02:29,707 Speaker 3: real for me until this time next year if that 52 00:02:29,827 --> 00:02:30,747 Speaker 3: rule remains the same. 53 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:34,107 Speaker 2: So do you think there might be some flexibility on 54 00:02:34,147 --> 00:02:35,507 Speaker 2: it once you get over there? Do you think there 55 00:02:35,547 --> 00:02:36,707 Speaker 2: could be further discussion? 56 00:02:38,027 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 3: I mean, I mean steffishly, I hope. So I hope 57 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:46,387 Speaker 3: that Nipble New Zealands allowed not just myself but all 58 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:50,187 Speaker 3: sort off owne players to give Ousie a go. But 59 00:02:50,707 --> 00:02:54,427 Speaker 3: in the same breath, I can understand what they're why 60 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:56,307 Speaker 3: they've done it, and we need to continue to grow 61 00:02:56,347 --> 00:02:58,867 Speaker 3: the game of New Zealand and keep our pathway strong. 62 00:02:59,267 --> 00:03:01,987 Speaker 3: And I feel that it's hard to comment on what 63 00:03:01,987 --> 00:03:03,747 Speaker 3: they're going to do and what the future holds and 64 00:03:03,787 --> 00:03:06,787 Speaker 3: with that rule change. But me personally, I really I 65 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:08,027 Speaker 3: can still be eligible next year. 66 00:03:08,947 --> 00:03:11,307 Speaker 2: Was but it was it just a hard no when 67 00:03:11,347 --> 00:03:14,147 Speaker 2: you talked about it initially within Born New Zealand. 68 00:03:14,987 --> 00:03:17,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was more the understanding that I didn't meet 69 00:03:17,867 --> 00:03:21,027 Speaker 3: the eligibility criteria. I've played thirty Capture with Phil the 70 00:03:21,067 --> 00:03:23,987 Speaker 3: Ferns and all players who have been given an exception 71 00:03:24,227 --> 00:03:26,707 Speaker 3: had played at least one hundred and that was a 72 00:03:26,747 --> 00:03:28,467 Speaker 3: bit of a that was very made very clear that 73 00:03:28,627 --> 00:03:31,107 Speaker 3: was the requirement, and so I understood early on that 74 00:03:31,547 --> 00:03:35,587 Speaker 3: I would not be eligible, and so it was kind 75 00:03:35,587 --> 00:03:37,307 Speaker 3: of like, in a way that was a hard no. 76 00:03:37,507 --> 00:03:39,747 Speaker 3: I just understood that I just wasn't going to meet 77 00:03:39,747 --> 00:03:44,987 Speaker 3: the criteria. Is it about gutting, Yeah, absolutely. I think 78 00:03:45,027 --> 00:03:48,027 Speaker 3: my why is quite complicated, and one of the big 79 00:03:48,427 --> 00:03:50,707 Speaker 3: factness for me was just wanting to be a bit 80 00:03:50,747 --> 00:03:52,667 Speaker 3: of player. I feel like the you know, the net 81 00:03:52,747 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 3: World Cups in twenty twenty seven and between now and then, 82 00:03:55,627 --> 00:03:57,067 Speaker 3: I want to be the best in the world, and 83 00:03:57,467 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 3: I know that to do that, I had to challenge 84 00:03:59,347 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 3: myself and grow my game in a, you know, a 85 00:04:01,307 --> 00:04:04,267 Speaker 3: really fast paced environment. And I think having that change 86 00:04:04,667 --> 00:04:07,867 Speaker 3: to Sidney and new players and staff and facilities and 87 00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:11,067 Speaker 3: culture will only grown me as a person, but also 88 00:04:11,507 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 3: will massively shift my game in a way that I 89 00:04:13,547 --> 00:04:15,987 Speaker 3: feel that I'll be better able to compete against the 90 00:04:15,987 --> 00:04:18,307 Speaker 3: best defenders in the world come World Cups. And so 91 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:20,427 Speaker 3: I'm doing this to be a better sil referrent. I'm 92 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:24,187 Speaker 3: doing this to be a better person, and that's kind 93 00:04:24,187 --> 00:04:26,347 Speaker 3: of what's driving me, and so I guess to have 94 00:04:26,947 --> 00:04:31,187 Speaker 3: the results of that move see my inaligibility. It's quite tough, 95 00:04:32,187 --> 00:04:34,507 Speaker 3: so again the opportunity costs, so hopefully it kind of 96 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:35,267 Speaker 3: works itself out. 97 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,227 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, I think everybody listening would be nodding their 98 00:04:38,267 --> 00:04:40,347 Speaker 2: head in agreement with you as you say you'll no 99 00:04:40,427 --> 00:04:43,027 Speaker 2: doubt come back a better player, a more rounded player 100 00:04:43,267 --> 00:04:46,227 Speaker 2: against different defenders. How much do you think you'll improve 101 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:50,027 Speaker 2: as a netballer by playing in the Australian competition. 102 00:04:51,027 --> 00:04:54,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, I honestly, I'm really confident that I'm going to 103 00:04:54,347 --> 00:04:59,347 Speaker 3: get better. There are times in AMD where you know, 104 00:04:59,387 --> 00:05:01,987 Speaker 3: we have some hard games, we have not so hard games, 105 00:05:01,987 --> 00:05:04,827 Speaker 3: and I think sometimes I get a bit comfortable at 106 00:05:04,827 --> 00:05:07,027 Speaker 3: a bit casual. And I've been here the past six 107 00:05:07,107 --> 00:05:09,267 Speaker 3: years and I feel like I've done so much in 108 00:05:09,307 --> 00:05:11,667 Speaker 3: this league. But I really want to be able to, 109 00:05:12,307 --> 00:05:14,747 Speaker 3: you know, be out of my comfort zone and really 110 00:05:14,947 --> 00:05:18,027 Speaker 3: have to shift and learn learn quickly. I want to 111 00:05:18,067 --> 00:05:20,827 Speaker 3: be shoulders and I want to have the defenders on 112 00:05:20,867 --> 00:05:23,907 Speaker 3: my back, players around me pushing me, and I feel 113 00:05:23,907 --> 00:05:26,187 Speaker 3: that being over there will really do that for me. 114 00:05:26,587 --> 00:05:29,387 Speaker 3: I feel like having a new coaching staff, and that 115 00:05:29,507 --> 00:05:32,107 Speaker 3: change of environment will really bring up the best in 116 00:05:32,147 --> 00:05:32,507 Speaker 3: my game. 117 00:05:33,387 --> 00:05:36,107 Speaker 2: That is amazing self awareness, because you could easily just say, 118 00:05:36,107 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 2: you know what, I'm fine here. We just won. We 119 00:05:38,427 --> 00:05:41,427 Speaker 2: just won the we just won the trophy. Yeah, everything's 120 00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:45,587 Speaker 2: going well. What drives that grace? Have you always been 121 00:05:46,067 --> 00:05:46,907 Speaker 2: this motivated? 122 00:05:48,187 --> 00:05:51,667 Speaker 3: Yeah? I feel I always have. I'm very hard on myself. 123 00:05:51,707 --> 00:05:54,747 Speaker 3: I'm very critical of my performances, and I know that 124 00:05:54,827 --> 00:05:56,987 Speaker 3: I want to be the best in the world, and 125 00:05:57,027 --> 00:05:59,147 Speaker 3: so to do that, you have to play the best 126 00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:01,667 Speaker 3: in the world. You have to be in challenging environments. 127 00:06:01,907 --> 00:06:06,227 Speaker 3: And so I've always been had quite high expectations, and 128 00:06:06,267 --> 00:06:09,187 Speaker 3: I feel like maybe this season, I think with the 129 00:06:09,227 --> 00:06:11,067 Speaker 3: injuries in and out, I've kind of been a bit 130 00:06:11,107 --> 00:06:13,067 Speaker 3: of a lull or opened the bit of a rap 131 00:06:13,107 --> 00:06:15,187 Speaker 3: with my game. And I really just want to get 132 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:18,467 Speaker 3: to a place where I'm just exposed and able to learn. 133 00:06:18,507 --> 00:06:20,067 Speaker 3: And I read a court the other day that said 134 00:06:20,227 --> 00:06:23,667 Speaker 3: comfort a suicides, and yeah, I think I am just 135 00:06:23,707 --> 00:06:25,307 Speaker 3: comfortable and I don't want to. 136 00:06:25,227 --> 00:06:28,747 Speaker 2: Be amazing, amazing, and definitely just one year, there's a 137 00:06:28,827 --> 00:06:31,867 Speaker 2: calm games we think in twenty twenty six, is this 138 00:06:31,907 --> 00:06:34,787 Speaker 2: definitely just for next year or is it just for 139 00:06:34,867 --> 00:06:36,227 Speaker 2: next year at the moment. 140 00:06:36,947 --> 00:06:38,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's really hard to say. I signed for one 141 00:06:39,067 --> 00:06:41,547 Speaker 3: year and I'm just taking everything one campaign at a time. 142 00:06:41,587 --> 00:06:43,627 Speaker 3: You know, I'm actually got my focus from the Silver 143 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,387 Speaker 3: Prine season coming up, and then when that's done, I'll 144 00:06:46,427 --> 00:06:49,147 Speaker 3: share my focus to the Worst for twenty twenty five 145 00:06:49,227 --> 00:06:52,227 Speaker 3: and hopefully a successful campaign there, and then whatever happens 146 00:06:52,227 --> 00:06:55,267 Speaker 3: in there. I'm just going to see what the landchet 147 00:06:55,307 --> 00:06:58,427 Speaker 3: looks like in terms of eligibility and person now, and 148 00:06:58,547 --> 00:07:00,227 Speaker 3: you know where my body is at, where my game 149 00:07:00,347 --> 00:07:02,707 Speaker 3: is at, and then come back with when you I 150 00:07:02,707 --> 00:07:05,067 Speaker 3: guess understanding of what my next steps looks like. 151 00:07:05,787 --> 00:07:07,467 Speaker 2: Is it nice to have the news out there? It's 152 00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:09,027 Speaker 2: been out there for about twenty four hours now, Is 153 00:07:09,067 --> 00:07:11,547 Speaker 2: it nice? Nice now that just everybody knows. 154 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:14,987 Speaker 3: Yeah? Absolutely. It felt like this big dark cloud out 155 00:07:14,987 --> 00:07:17,147 Speaker 3: of me in a way of not being able to 156 00:07:17,147 --> 00:07:19,467 Speaker 3: tell people who you know, I love and who support 157 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:20,987 Speaker 3: me want the best of me. So it just started 158 00:07:20,947 --> 00:07:23,427 Speaker 3: a bit like I was lying to people or just 159 00:07:23,467 --> 00:07:26,227 Speaker 3: like spitting on some big news. So it feels really 160 00:07:26,267 --> 00:07:29,827 Speaker 3: good to be able to just celebrate it. I guess 161 00:07:29,827 --> 00:07:32,227 Speaker 3: with my team last night and just like enjoy the 162 00:07:32,227 --> 00:07:34,307 Speaker 3: moment a bit more so. Yeah, it's nice to have 163 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:34,667 Speaker 3: it out. 164 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:37,387 Speaker 2: I just think it's great. I think it's a it's 165 00:07:37,387 --> 00:07:40,067 Speaker 2: a credit to you that you've made this decision to 166 00:07:40,227 --> 00:07:42,347 Speaker 2: jump out of your comfort zone, which you easily could 167 00:07:42,387 --> 00:07:44,867 Speaker 2: have not done. We wish you all the best obviously 168 00:07:44,907 --> 00:07:46,947 Speaker 2: you've got the Silver Ferns campaign back into this year, 169 00:07:46,987 --> 00:07:49,627 Speaker 2: which we'll enjoy watching you playing. But all the best 170 00:07:49,667 --> 00:07:53,387 Speaker 2: over in Sydney next year, Grace, and we can't wait 171 00:07:53,387 --> 00:07:54,387 Speaker 2: to have you back after that. 172 00:07:55,067 --> 00:07:57,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks so much, me too, thanks for. 173 00:07:57,187 --> 00:07:59,587 Speaker 2: Joining us, Grace. Grace wiki there off to the new 174 00:07:59,627 --> 00:08:02,427 Speaker 2: south Well Swifts for next season. So she'll play for 175 00:08:02,427 --> 00:08:05,507 Speaker 2: the Silver Ferns against England and Australia in the next 176 00:08:05,507 --> 00:08:08,547 Speaker 2: couple of months or so. Then at some stage, I 177 00:08:08,547 --> 00:08:10,227 Speaker 2: guess late in the year or early in the new year, 178 00:08:10,267 --> 00:08:12,627 Speaker 2: head across to Australia play for the Swifts. Interesting to 179 00:08:12,667 --> 00:08:17,267 Speaker 2: hear say that she hopes that the eligibility rules might change. 180 00:08:18,547 --> 00:08:23,267 Speaker 2: I'm sure that Dame Nolan Todhua would be saying to 181 00:08:23,307 --> 00:08:26,547 Speaker 2: Matt one day, the chair of the board, Hey, can 182 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:28,587 Speaker 2: we you know, can you throw us a bone here? 183 00:08:29,147 --> 00:08:33,547 Speaker 2: She's so good and there's really no other shooter at 184 00:08:33,587 --> 00:08:36,187 Speaker 2: her level here. But I guess once you do that, 185 00:08:36,227 --> 00:08:38,787 Speaker 2: you open up this can of worms, don't you the 186 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:43,707 Speaker 2: Pandora's box. It's almost an identical situation to New Zealand rugby. 187 00:08:43,907 --> 00:08:46,467 Speaker 2: Doesn't matter who you are, you have to be playing 188 00:08:46,467 --> 00:08:48,947 Speaker 2: super rugby to play for the All Blacks. That is 189 00:08:48,987 --> 00:08:51,267 Speaker 2: exactly Netborne New Zealand stance, and in a way you 190 00:08:51,307 --> 00:08:53,827 Speaker 2: have to admire it that they're sticking to their guns 191 00:08:53,867 --> 00:08:57,147 Speaker 2: even when their best player, you know, or one of 192 00:08:57,147 --> 00:09:00,267 Speaker 2: their most valuable players has taken up this opportunity and 193 00:09:00,267 --> 00:09:03,987 Speaker 2: therefore is ruled out for next year. I think I 194 00:09:04,027 --> 00:09:06,427 Speaker 2: would worry more if it was the year after and 195 00:09:06,467 --> 00:09:08,227 Speaker 2: then the year after that, with the Calm Games and 196 00:09:08,627 --> 00:09:13,827 Speaker 2: the World Cup. That Grace Wiki was ruled out quite 197 00:09:13,827 --> 00:09:15,747 Speaker 2: early on in the last World Cup with an injury, 198 00:09:16,147 --> 00:09:19,787 Speaker 2: so clearly she still covets wearing that black dress a lot, 199 00:09:21,947 --> 00:09:23,747 Speaker 2: and so if it is just the one year, then 200 00:09:23,787 --> 00:09:27,267 Speaker 2: so be it. But it's an interesting little tester for 201 00:09:27,347 --> 00:09:30,467 Speaker 2: Netburn New Zealand. They've entered into the world where the 202 00:09:30,507 --> 00:09:32,747 Speaker 2: All Blacks and New Zealand rugby have been for a while. 203 00:09:32,787 --> 00:09:35,947 Speaker 2: Now hasn't really been that prevalent with the silver ferns, 204 00:09:35,987 --> 00:09:38,467 Speaker 2: but I think Grace Week is a great test case 205 00:09:38,547 --> 00:09:41,387 Speaker 2: for them. Will be interesting to see how they react 206 00:09:41,427 --> 00:09:41,707 Speaker 2: to it. 207 00:09:42,307 --> 00:09:45,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 208 00:09:45,587 --> 00:09:48,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 209 00:09:48,907 --> 00:09:50,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.