1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News talk edb. 3 00:00:13,187 --> 00:00:15,827 Speaker 2: Their squad has been named for the highly anticipated end 4 00:00:15,867 --> 00:00:18,867 Speaker 2: of year tour, where they will play England at Twickenham 5 00:00:18,907 --> 00:00:23,787 Speaker 2: before venturing to Canada for WXV one in September. The squad, 6 00:00:23,827 --> 00:00:28,827 Speaker 2: of course includes Blues and Black Fern's winger Caitlin Vaha Allo. 7 00:00:28,747 --> 00:00:31,587 Speaker 1: All left inside for the matt left running palled. Vaha 8 00:00:31,627 --> 00:00:34,307 Speaker 1: call tonight a hat trick before halftime and might. 9 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:37,067 Speaker 3: Come now though she's swerving and she's away. 10 00:00:37,507 --> 00:00:41,667 Speaker 1: Kaitlan Baha scores it third. 11 00:00:42,187 --> 00:00:45,307 Speaker 2: Kaitlan Vaha Colo is with us on Weekend Sport. Congratulations 12 00:00:45,387 --> 00:00:48,067 Speaker 2: Caitlin on your selection in the squad. How much anticipation 13 00:00:48,227 --> 00:00:51,467 Speaker 2: is there among the players ahead of what looks to 14 00:00:51,507 --> 00:00:53,067 Speaker 2: be a very very exciting tour. 15 00:00:53,947 --> 00:00:56,227 Speaker 3: Thank you so much. I'm here really grateful to have 16 00:00:56,307 --> 00:00:59,627 Speaker 3: been named. We're very excited to go overseas and I 17 00:00:59,627 --> 00:01:02,467 Speaker 3: guess show the growth that we've had as a team 18 00:01:02,507 --> 00:01:05,307 Speaker 3: of this last year but in different years. We lost 19 00:01:05,387 --> 00:01:07,507 Speaker 3: England last year, so we want to come into these 20 00:01:07,587 --> 00:01:09,987 Speaker 3: next few tests firing and yeah, we're really excited. 21 00:01:10,147 --> 00:01:12,267 Speaker 2: I was going to ask you about that. Loss at 22 00:01:12,307 --> 00:01:14,187 Speaker 2: the back end of last year at Mount Smart thirty 23 00:01:14,227 --> 00:01:17,027 Speaker 2: three twelve. How much motivation do you have to turn 24 00:01:17,027 --> 00:01:20,027 Speaker 2: that around when you face England at Twickenham. 25 00:01:20,587 --> 00:01:23,387 Speaker 3: I mean, nobody likes losing, so obviously there's there's a 26 00:01:23,387 --> 00:01:26,347 Speaker 3: little bit of hunger that we have to go back 27 00:01:26,387 --> 00:01:29,747 Speaker 3: and get our revenge, I guess, but this is something 28 00:01:29,787 --> 00:01:31,747 Speaker 3: we do every day. It's just another rugby game as well, 29 00:01:31,827 --> 00:01:33,267 Speaker 3: so we're just going to go into it with that 30 00:01:33,307 --> 00:01:34,027 Speaker 3: same mindset. 31 00:01:34,427 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 2: And yeah, well, let's look at the last time you 32 00:01:36,747 --> 00:01:39,707 Speaker 2: played for the Black Ferns last month. Four tries and 33 00:01:39,747 --> 00:01:42,507 Speaker 2: a sixty two nil demolition of Australia that equals the 34 00:01:42,507 --> 00:01:45,107 Speaker 2: Black Ferns record for most tries and a Test match. 35 00:01:45,187 --> 00:01:46,747 Speaker 2: What went so well? I will looked at the highlights 36 00:01:46,747 --> 00:01:48,867 Speaker 2: you were amazing. What went so well for you that day? 37 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:53,147 Speaker 3: I'm sorry it was actually most tries and Visustralia because 38 00:01:53,187 --> 00:01:53,867 Speaker 3: Porl she has the most. 39 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:56,667 Speaker 2: But what was your question? I just wondered what went 40 00:01:56,707 --> 00:01:57,747 Speaker 2: so well for you that day? 41 00:01:59,627 --> 00:02:01,667 Speaker 3: Honestly, I just have the best teammates and they just 42 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:04,427 Speaker 3: basically gave me that last pass or that last kick 43 00:02:04,427 --> 00:02:06,467 Speaker 3: and I was able to put the ball over the line. 44 00:02:07,027 --> 00:02:09,907 Speaker 3: I think over the last few weeks before that game, 45 00:02:10,147 --> 00:02:12,747 Speaker 3: our coaches had really made us hold each other accountable 46 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:14,427 Speaker 3: to our skill set, and I think we were able 47 00:02:14,467 --> 00:02:17,547 Speaker 3: to transfer that onto the pitch when it came to 48 00:02:17,547 --> 00:02:20,027 Speaker 3: playing that day. So yeah, it was it was an 49 00:02:20,027 --> 00:02:20,827 Speaker 3: exciting one. 50 00:02:21,307 --> 00:02:22,947 Speaker 2: Yeah, are being a bit modest. You're right, you're on 51 00:02:22,987 --> 00:02:24,707 Speaker 2: the end of a couple of backline moves, but there 52 00:02:24,787 --> 00:02:27,827 Speaker 2: was also a grubber kick that you had to chase 53 00:02:27,867 --> 00:02:29,667 Speaker 2: after and score, and then there was your third try. 54 00:02:30,067 --> 00:02:31,987 Speaker 2: I reckon, you're about thirty forty meters out, you hit 55 00:02:32,027 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 2: the line ball and two hands, side step. You're playing well, man, 56 00:02:35,787 --> 00:02:37,667 Speaker 2: you must be stoked with how you're playing. 57 00:02:39,107 --> 00:02:41,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm definitely becoming more confident, which I think was 58 00:02:42,027 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 3: something I was struggling with last year. So just to 59 00:02:44,347 --> 00:02:47,107 Speaker 3: be able to play confidently has been my biggest goal, 60 00:02:47,467 --> 00:02:49,347 Speaker 3: and so yeah, I'm loving what I'm doing at the moment. 61 00:02:49,507 --> 00:02:51,507 Speaker 2: You did talk about your teammates though, How exciting is 62 00:02:51,547 --> 00:02:54,947 Speaker 2: it to play outside players like Sylvia Bruntu Hete, DeMont 63 00:02:55,067 --> 00:02:58,827 Speaker 2: Amy Duplasi, who are very good at creating opportunities for 64 00:02:59,067 --> 00:02:59,787 Speaker 2: their outsides. 65 00:03:00,867 --> 00:03:03,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're awesome. Leu and Sylvia have I've played them 66 00:03:03,507 --> 00:03:06,107 Speaker 3: as they started with Auckland Storm, so I love to 67 00:03:06,107 --> 00:03:07,827 Speaker 3: get you intercare of my friends. I have so much 68 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:11,107 Speaker 3: fun with them. Amy. I don't play in a lot 69 00:03:11,107 --> 00:03:13,307 Speaker 3: of themes to the Black Ferns, but she has such 70 00:03:13,347 --> 00:03:15,747 Speaker 3: a workhorse too, work greater than amazing, and she just 71 00:03:15,787 --> 00:03:17,747 Speaker 3: loves to play. So I'm pretty lucky to spare what 72 00:03:17,827 --> 00:03:19,867 Speaker 3: to learn from them, and just to be able to 73 00:03:19,867 --> 00:03:22,347 Speaker 3: play on the same level of them as really exciting. 74 00:03:22,627 --> 00:03:25,907 Speaker 2: And You've got thirteen tries in your last eight test matches, 75 00:03:26,547 --> 00:03:29,307 Speaker 2: have scored at least one and all of those last eight. 76 00:03:30,187 --> 00:03:32,307 Speaker 2: Is that a metric that you measure yourself by? Is 77 00:03:32,347 --> 00:03:37,667 Speaker 2: try scoring an important measure of your success? 78 00:03:37,827 --> 00:03:40,387 Speaker 3: I think for people that watch our games it probably is, 79 00:03:40,427 --> 00:03:44,107 Speaker 3: But to me not really. I feel like the amount 80 00:03:44,147 --> 00:03:47,347 Speaker 3: of tries I score won't necessarily represent the kind of 81 00:03:47,347 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 3: player I am, and I don't want it to. I 82 00:03:49,587 --> 00:03:51,547 Speaker 3: don't want soory tries to define who I am as 83 00:03:51,627 --> 00:03:53,347 Speaker 3: ruggy player. I think I'm so much more than that. 84 00:03:53,467 --> 00:03:57,067 Speaker 2: So yeah, well, well Rugby obviously thought so. Break Through 85 00:03:57,187 --> 00:03:59,507 Speaker 2: fifteen's Player of the Year at the end of last year. 86 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:01,187 Speaker 2: How bignannor was that for you? 87 00:04:02,307 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 3: Yeah? That was very unexpected. I'm going to be honest, 88 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:07,747 Speaker 3: but I think that's just a reflection of all the 89 00:04:07,787 --> 00:04:10,307 Speaker 3: support that's been around me and the amount of people 90 00:04:10,347 --> 00:04:12,307 Speaker 3: that have believed in me. So I guess I was 91 00:04:12,347 --> 00:04:14,547 Speaker 3: able to break through because of that. Yeah, but I've 92 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:15,667 Speaker 3: obviously felt very honest. 93 00:04:15,907 --> 00:04:19,307 Speaker 2: You talk before about how you've got a greater confidence 94 00:04:19,387 --> 00:04:23,347 Speaker 2: now in a black Fern's jersey. What was it like 95 00:04:23,387 --> 00:04:25,147 Speaker 2: when you didn't have that confidence and what do you 96 00:04:25,187 --> 00:04:25,787 Speaker 2: think that was. 97 00:04:28,147 --> 00:04:30,747 Speaker 3: I think I've just been I'm just really hard on myself. 98 00:04:30,787 --> 00:04:33,027 Speaker 3: I set really high standards for myself as a Revy player, 99 00:04:33,027 --> 00:04:34,947 Speaker 3: and I really do want to be the best in 100 00:04:34,987 --> 00:04:37,547 Speaker 3: the world. So last year was my Like, I guess, 101 00:04:37,547 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 3: I was a bit of a rookie and I didn't 102 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:41,067 Speaker 3: know if I was in the right place. I sometimes 103 00:04:41,107 --> 00:04:44,027 Speaker 3: felt like I didn't deserve the jersey, but just from 104 00:04:44,067 --> 00:04:46,307 Speaker 3: the support around me and people constantly reminding me that 105 00:04:46,467 --> 00:04:48,147 Speaker 3: I'm exactly where I'm meant to be, It's kind of 106 00:04:48,947 --> 00:04:51,067 Speaker 3: been engraved in my mind that now that I'm exactly 107 00:04:51,067 --> 00:04:52,427 Speaker 3: where I'm meant to be, and if I believe in 108 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:54,747 Speaker 3: my stuff, then I can't play as great as I 109 00:04:54,787 --> 00:04:57,827 Speaker 3: have been lately, so I think that's been the change 110 00:04:57,867 --> 00:04:59,027 Speaker 3: for me over this last year. 111 00:04:59,387 --> 00:05:02,027 Speaker 2: What is the Blackfern's environment like in terms of the 112 00:05:02,067 --> 00:05:04,507 Speaker 2: support that is wrapped around you when things are going 113 00:05:04,547 --> 00:05:05,587 Speaker 2: well and even when they're not. 114 00:05:08,587 --> 00:05:10,907 Speaker 3: I feel like I'm supported in the best way possible. 115 00:05:10,947 --> 00:05:14,667 Speaker 3: I feel like everything we need is athletes, the internal 116 00:05:14,707 --> 00:05:17,107 Speaker 3: management and our coaches try it their best to cater 117 00:05:17,227 --> 00:05:19,627 Speaker 3: to our needs. I still think we can get paid 118 00:05:19,667 --> 00:05:21,627 Speaker 3: a bit more, but I know that's a journey. But 119 00:05:21,667 --> 00:05:24,027 Speaker 3: other than that, I feel like we're very supported and 120 00:05:24,747 --> 00:05:26,707 Speaker 3: we're very lucky. I think our past Black Ferents have 121 00:05:26,747 --> 00:05:28,987 Speaker 3: really paid the way for us to have full time contracts. 122 00:05:29,267 --> 00:05:31,907 Speaker 3: So yeah, credit to them and all their hard work 123 00:05:32,027 --> 00:05:34,867 Speaker 3: so that we, I guess, get to reap all those benefits. 124 00:05:35,107 --> 00:05:37,587 Speaker 2: Of course, you're a brilliant rugby league player as well. 125 00:05:37,587 --> 00:05:40,187 Speaker 2: Apply for the Kiwi Ferns Rugby League World Cup. Back 126 00:05:40,267 --> 00:05:42,107 Speaker 2: into twenty twenty two, what got you back to the 127 00:05:42,107 --> 00:05:45,467 Speaker 2: fifteen A side code? 128 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:47,827 Speaker 3: While my first year with Auckland Storm, I had never 129 00:05:47,867 --> 00:05:50,427 Speaker 3: been in such a welcoming environment and I just feel 130 00:05:50,507 --> 00:05:53,907 Speaker 3: like after that, after that campaign, I really wanted to 131 00:05:53,987 --> 00:05:57,867 Speaker 3: keep playing with those same people, and I think in 132 00:05:57,907 --> 00:06:00,547 Speaker 3: New Zealand there's not as much support around resources for 133 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:03,067 Speaker 3: female sport, especially within rugby league like for US the 134 00:06:03,107 --> 00:06:06,547 Speaker 3: league sorry, so we don't have full time contracts LEE 135 00:06:06,587 --> 00:06:08,587 Speaker 3: players here. The girls have to move over to Australia 136 00:06:08,707 --> 00:06:12,387 Speaker 3: to get proper opportunities and so it's awesome met the 137 00:06:12,387 --> 00:06:14,587 Speaker 3: Worries have a team next year, which means girls can 138 00:06:14,587 --> 00:06:17,347 Speaker 3: stay home. But for me, I'm looking at, you know, 139 00:06:17,427 --> 00:06:19,467 Speaker 3: my future life and what I want to have as 140 00:06:19,467 --> 00:06:20,907 Speaker 3: a career, and I don't want to be a part 141 00:06:20,907 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 3: time I think I want to be a full time athlete, 142 00:06:22,867 --> 00:06:25,107 Speaker 3: so which is what Black Jan is offering, which I'm 143 00:06:25,267 --> 00:06:25,947 Speaker 3: very lucky to have. 144 00:06:26,147 --> 00:06:28,827 Speaker 2: So you so if an opportunity ever came up in 145 00:06:28,827 --> 00:06:31,187 Speaker 2: the future, I mean, could you ever see yourself going 146 00:06:31,227 --> 00:06:33,587 Speaker 2: back to rugby league in the NRLW. 147 00:06:35,347 --> 00:06:38,267 Speaker 3: I don't know. My focus right now is my rugby 148 00:06:38,267 --> 00:06:39,867 Speaker 3: and trying to make the World Cup team. That's my 149 00:06:39,987 --> 00:06:42,707 Speaker 3: only focus, and serving this Black Link team as best 150 00:06:42,707 --> 00:06:44,947 Speaker 3: as I can. So I haven't really been thinking about 151 00:06:45,027 --> 00:06:48,107 Speaker 3: Lee to be honest, but who knows what the future holds, 152 00:06:48,147 --> 00:06:50,307 Speaker 3: But for now I'm fully focused on this team. 153 00:06:50,667 --> 00:06:52,547 Speaker 2: Good time, Yes, do need to decide now? You don't 154 00:06:52,587 --> 00:06:57,947 Speaker 2: have to decide today. Just the other thing I love, 155 00:06:58,027 --> 00:07:00,747 Speaker 2: Kaitlan is your social media content. You your Instagram is 156 00:07:00,787 --> 00:07:04,947 Speaker 2: just full of happiness and light and positivity. How keen 157 00:07:04,987 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 2: are you to use your platform for good? 158 00:07:10,987 --> 00:07:12,947 Speaker 3: I never want to feel like it's obligation. I think 159 00:07:12,947 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 3: when you have a big platform, you sometimes feel like 160 00:07:15,187 --> 00:07:17,907 Speaker 3: you have to be the super positive and happy person. 161 00:07:17,987 --> 00:07:19,587 Speaker 3: But I think I just want to be someone that's 162 00:07:19,627 --> 00:07:21,747 Speaker 3: relatable and I want I guess if I want it 163 00:07:21,747 --> 00:07:23,507 Speaker 3: to be anything, I'd want to be an advocate of 164 00:07:23,587 --> 00:07:26,347 Speaker 3: encouragement to young people that see my social media and 165 00:07:26,387 --> 00:07:28,547 Speaker 3: they see that I'm expressive and that I'm trying to 166 00:07:28,547 --> 00:07:32,987 Speaker 3: be just be myself that they can go and pathways 167 00:07:33,027 --> 00:07:36,107 Speaker 3: that I'm at the moment too. So I don't want 168 00:07:36,147 --> 00:07:38,707 Speaker 3: to ever feel like I'm obligated to be like that. 169 00:07:39,027 --> 00:07:40,747 Speaker 3: But I just love to be happy. I love to 170 00:07:40,747 --> 00:07:43,147 Speaker 3: share joy, and if that comes across on my social media, 171 00:07:43,187 --> 00:07:44,147 Speaker 3: then that's a good then I. 172 00:07:44,107 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 2: Guess it comes across as authentic, though it doesn't come 173 00:07:47,307 --> 00:07:50,107 Speaker 2: across as though you're forcing yourself to put a smile 174 00:07:50,147 --> 00:07:53,547 Speaker 2: on and put a photo up. Because your authenticity is 175 00:07:53,587 --> 00:07:54,347 Speaker 2: important to isn't it? 176 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:57,627 Speaker 3: And being real, Yeah, I do think it is. I 177 00:07:57,667 --> 00:08:01,547 Speaker 3: think that it's important to share your struggles. It's important 178 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:03,947 Speaker 3: to share the things that I guess don't necessarily look 179 00:08:03,947 --> 00:08:07,307 Speaker 3: that great on social media, but if maybe if I'm 180 00:08:07,347 --> 00:08:10,507 Speaker 3: sharing that, then people will feel less alone. And so yeah, 181 00:08:10,547 --> 00:08:12,947 Speaker 3: that's probably why I'm so open on social media. 182 00:08:13,187 --> 00:08:15,827 Speaker 2: Awesome, And just to finish, back to back to the 183 00:08:15,867 --> 00:08:18,467 Speaker 2: black Ferns and your next your next point of business. 184 00:08:18,507 --> 00:08:20,227 Speaker 2: Have you thought about what it'll be like running out 185 00:08:20,467 --> 00:08:22,227 Speaker 2: if you get the opportunity, obviously running out of a 186 00:08:22,267 --> 00:08:24,587 Speaker 2: sold out Twicken them to face England. 187 00:08:26,107 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 3: I have never been in a crowd where I can't 188 00:08:28,707 --> 00:08:31,547 Speaker 3: hear my teammates but my my my friends in the 189 00:08:31,587 --> 00:08:33,707 Speaker 3: back and telling me that what it's going to be like, 190 00:08:33,907 --> 00:08:36,427 Speaker 3: and apparently it could be like a world record breaking audience. 191 00:08:37,387 --> 00:08:40,067 Speaker 3: So I guess there is a little bit of nervousness 192 00:08:40,267 --> 00:08:42,907 Speaker 3: if I get selected to play. But like I said 193 00:08:42,987 --> 00:08:45,267 Speaker 3: at the start, rugby is I do this every day, 194 00:08:45,307 --> 00:08:46,587 Speaker 3: so it's just the same thing. We just have a 195 00:08:46,587 --> 00:08:49,587 Speaker 3: crowd around us that's only different. So yeah, such. 196 00:08:49,427 --> 00:08:51,867 Speaker 2: An exciting squad that you're part of for these back 197 00:08:51,947 --> 00:08:54,987 Speaker 2: end of the internationals. Kaitlin Travel safe, all the best 198 00:08:55,107 --> 00:08:58,107 Speaker 2: and yeah, we all just can't wait to see how 199 00:08:58,147 --> 00:09:01,347 Speaker 2: it plays out for you at Twickenham in September. Thanks 200 00:09:01,347 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 2: for taking the time for. 201 00:09:01,987 --> 00:09:04,227 Speaker 3: A chat, Thank you so much. 202 00:09:04,387 --> 00:09:08,387 Speaker 2: Thanks Kaitlyn Caitlin for call of that. Yeah try scoring machine. 203 00:09:09,307 --> 00:09:12,987 Speaker 2: Keep an eye on her. She will, I think, become 204 00:09:13,067 --> 00:09:15,307 Speaker 2: what Porsche Woodman has been in that team. She just 205 00:09:15,347 --> 00:09:18,947 Speaker 2: seems like a very special player, very special player. Indeed, 206 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:21,067 Speaker 2: we'll look forward to seeing how they go against England 207 00:09:21,107 --> 00:09:22,987 Speaker 2: at twicken and big challenge there coming. 208 00:09:23,587 --> 00:09:26,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 209 00:09:26,907 --> 00:09:30,187 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 210 00:09:30,227 --> 00:09:31,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio