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 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks B. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,707 Speaker 2: To Super Rugby. The Highlanders have kicked off the twenty 4 00:00:15,747 --> 00:00:19,867 Speaker 2: twenty six Super Rugby Pacific season with a big, big scalp. 5 00:00:19,947 --> 00:00:23,427 Speaker 2: They have taken down the Crusaders twenty five twenty three 6 00:00:23,547 --> 00:00:26,747 Speaker 2: in Dunedin thanks to a seventy ninth minute penalty from 7 00:00:26,827 --> 00:00:31,347 Speaker 2: Cam Miller. Highlander's assistant coach David Kidwell is with us. David, 8 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:34,027 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us the day after early in the season. 9 00:00:34,107 --> 00:00:37,787 Speaker 2: But you've beaten the defending champions. How important might that 10 00:00:37,827 --> 00:00:40,907 Speaker 2: be for the belief and the momentum of the side. 11 00:00:42,107 --> 00:00:45,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, good, Jason, there you go mate. Look, it was 12 00:00:45,227 --> 00:00:47,667 Speaker 3: a great one from the boys. A lot of hard works, 13 00:00:48,107 --> 00:00:50,827 Speaker 3: let's put into that, not only from the twenty three 14 00:00:50,867 --> 00:00:54,467 Speaker 3: that played, but just the whole squad. You know, everyone's 15 00:00:54,507 --> 00:00:57,147 Speaker 3: been working hard and it was just great to see 16 00:00:57,187 --> 00:00:59,987 Speaker 3: the result will be got on last night. 17 00:00:59,907 --> 00:01:04,067 Speaker 4: And yeah it's good, good, good way to start in 18 00:01:04,067 --> 00:01:04,827 Speaker 4: the surf season. 19 00:01:05,267 --> 00:01:07,947 Speaker 2: Absolutely right. So what pleased you in the and the 20 00:01:07,947 --> 00:01:10,867 Speaker 2: coaching team the most in terms of the rugby that 21 00:01:10,947 --> 00:01:12,507 Speaker 2: was played last night by your team? 22 00:01:13,547 --> 00:01:17,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, we had a plan you know for the last 23 00:01:17,187 --> 00:01:19,907 Speaker 3: two weeks and you know, lead by the leaders of 24 00:01:19,947 --> 00:01:22,547 Speaker 3: the team, and it was just pleasing that we executed 25 00:01:22,547 --> 00:01:25,987 Speaker 3: the plan and we stayed with it the four eighty 26 00:01:26,027 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 3: minutes and you know it was it was really pleasing 27 00:01:28,787 --> 00:01:31,187 Speaker 3: to see Kim Kim vill to kick that goal too. 28 00:01:31,947 --> 00:01:33,067 Speaker 4: Good for his confidence. 29 00:01:33,947 --> 00:01:36,427 Speaker 3: You know, he's the guy that's running the team and 30 00:01:36,507 --> 00:01:38,667 Speaker 3: along with the leaders and it was a great result. 31 00:01:39,387 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 2: I saw him lying that kickout as I'm sure you 32 00:01:41,387 --> 00:01:45,067 Speaker 2: did you Beckham though, you'd Beckham, wouldn't you David to 33 00:01:45,147 --> 00:01:46,747 Speaker 2: kick that? I mean he's done it before, isn't he 34 00:01:46,827 --> 00:01:49,667 Speaker 2: for his provincial side? You'd beck him to kick that? 35 00:01:49,827 --> 00:01:50,667 Speaker 2: Every day of the week. 36 00:01:51,347 --> 00:01:57,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, we bet them all the last you know, four 37 00:01:57,187 --> 00:01:59,467 Speaker 3: weeks and we've just said, you know, you're you're the 38 00:01:59,507 --> 00:02:01,707 Speaker 3: guy that's going to run this team and you know 39 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:03,707 Speaker 3: when you get your opportunity, is going to take them. 40 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:05,747 Speaker 4: And he definitely last night. It was great to see. 41 00:02:06,547 --> 00:02:09,707 Speaker 2: So twenty three twenty two down with about ten minutes 42 00:02:09,747 --> 00:02:12,427 Speaker 2: to go. Did you always feel as though the chance 43 00:02:12,507 --> 00:02:14,707 Speaker 2: to win the game in the fashion that you did 44 00:02:15,027 --> 00:02:16,787 Speaker 2: would arrive? Did you feel like your had you know 45 00:02:16,867 --> 00:02:18,467 Speaker 2: that the chance would come. 46 00:02:19,187 --> 00:02:22,107 Speaker 3: Oh, look, if you had been all and I box 47 00:02:22,627 --> 00:02:25,907 Speaker 3: it was, I could say that there was a lot 48 00:02:25,947 --> 00:02:28,507 Speaker 3: of a lot of activity was going on. 49 00:02:28,587 --> 00:02:31,987 Speaker 4: But listen, we we we had a plan. 50 00:02:32,747 --> 00:02:35,587 Speaker 3: We executed it, you know, as us as coaches, it's 51 00:02:35,667 --> 00:02:38,907 Speaker 3: just great to see the players believing in themselves. They've 52 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:42,387 Speaker 3: done it all week and they trained really well, so 53 00:02:43,467 --> 00:02:45,867 Speaker 3: and the result was just at the end of the 54 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:48,867 Speaker 3: process made It was great to see. And that was 55 00:02:48,907 --> 00:02:52,467 Speaker 3: my first Super rugby game, so it's always good one 56 00:02:52,507 --> 00:02:53,187 Speaker 3: for one mate. 57 00:02:53,267 --> 00:02:55,027 Speaker 4: So this is easy as stuff. 58 00:02:55,427 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 2: I was going to say, I was going to say, 59 00:02:56,907 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 2: you're clearly You're clearly not. I was going to say 60 00:02:59,187 --> 00:03:01,787 Speaker 2: the lucky charm, not the lucky charm, the missing peace 61 00:03:01,867 --> 00:03:04,667 Speaker 2: that the Highlanders have been craving all this time. It 62 00:03:04,787 --> 00:03:08,787 Speaker 2: finally turned up. I mean, you're obviously is defense. I 63 00:03:08,827 --> 00:03:11,627 Speaker 2: see eighty seven percent tackle completion last night. Is that 64 00:03:11,907 --> 00:03:14,067 Speaker 2: Is that a good outcome? Is that a good number? 65 00:03:14,387 --> 00:03:16,027 Speaker 4: Yeah? Not bad, not bad. I like that. 66 00:03:16,747 --> 00:03:20,707 Speaker 3: I always go home hopefully high standards. But no, look, 67 00:03:20,707 --> 00:03:23,027 Speaker 3: I'm I'm very lucky with the coaching group and we've 68 00:03:23,027 --> 00:03:25,587 Speaker 3: gotten They've been very patient with me, you know, coming 69 00:03:25,627 --> 00:03:29,387 Speaker 3: into the system. You know, I've tried to put some 70 00:03:29,387 --> 00:03:32,987 Speaker 3: some new ideas to the groups and obviously to the defense, 71 00:03:33,027 --> 00:03:36,387 Speaker 3: and you know, Teamy one's credit, you know, from the 72 00:03:36,427 --> 00:03:38,507 Speaker 3: staff to the to the players. 73 00:03:38,067 --> 00:03:40,747 Speaker 4: That they've already taken on board and brought in. 74 00:03:41,827 --> 00:03:44,867 Speaker 2: Is there anything in the Super Rugby rule Twigs that 75 00:03:44,907 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 2: you've paid particular attention to as you're prepared for the season? 76 00:03:49,387 --> 00:03:53,467 Speaker 3: H yeahs cook taps in the free cips, something like that. 77 00:03:53,827 --> 00:03:56,907 Speaker 4: You know, obviously they've tried to speed up the game, 78 00:03:57,027 --> 00:03:58,547 Speaker 4: so that's you. 79 00:03:58,507 --> 00:04:01,627 Speaker 3: Know, when Will Jordans did that click click tap and 80 00:04:01,867 --> 00:04:04,907 Speaker 3: and you know run almost eighty meters, that was something 81 00:04:04,947 --> 00:04:07,587 Speaker 3: that we have to look at. But you know, like 82 00:04:07,627 --> 00:04:10,987 Speaker 3: a playlight has caliber, you know, he's always dangerous, but 83 00:04:11,107 --> 00:04:15,107 Speaker 3: you know, the quick taps something that we've definitely looked into. 84 00:04:15,667 --> 00:04:18,067 Speaker 2: How have you managed the morale and the group with 85 00:04:18,147 --> 00:04:21,187 Speaker 2: the season inging injury first of all to Dylan Pledger 86 00:04:21,427 --> 00:04:23,467 Speaker 2: who was going to be a rookie and Super Rugby 87 00:04:23,467 --> 00:04:25,507 Speaker 2: but there was a lot of excitement around about him. 88 00:04:25,667 --> 00:04:28,867 Speaker 2: But then Fabian Holland, one of your big big players 89 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:32,707 Speaker 2: literally and and you know, and and physically, how have 90 00:04:32,787 --> 00:04:35,347 Speaker 2: you managed the morale and the group losing those guys. 91 00:04:36,267 --> 00:04:37,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know for. 92 00:04:37,947 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 3: Those guys, those type of injuries, it's not it's not 93 00:04:40,707 --> 00:04:43,347 Speaker 3: good for anyone. You know, we don't want anyone. And 94 00:04:43,547 --> 00:04:46,907 Speaker 3: you know, definitely Fabian. You know last week against Wine 95 00:04:47,267 --> 00:04:49,667 Speaker 3: Effect there was a big blow to us. But you 96 00:04:49,707 --> 00:04:51,587 Speaker 3: know we've just sort of had that sort of next 97 00:04:51,627 --> 00:04:54,787 Speaker 3: guy upsite of mentality with sort of Jamies made sure 98 00:04:54,827 --> 00:04:56,307 Speaker 3: that we're sort of moved on quickly. 99 00:04:56,347 --> 00:04:57,787 Speaker 4: You know, we can't be dwelling on. 100 00:04:57,787 --> 00:05:02,507 Speaker 3: Those types of things. And you know, Fabian's a total professionally. 101 00:05:02,587 --> 00:05:04,947 Speaker 3: He's been around the group which has been amazing. You know, 102 00:05:04,987 --> 00:05:07,547 Speaker 3: he's had his arm and his sl and he's he's 103 00:05:07,587 --> 00:05:10,867 Speaker 3: asking me questions, asking helping out all the coaches, helping 104 00:05:10,907 --> 00:05:13,827 Speaker 3: out up the line out with the with the guys, 105 00:05:13,867 --> 00:05:16,027 Speaker 3: and that's just shows you what kind of. 106 00:05:16,267 --> 00:05:18,147 Speaker 4: Team got down here. You know, we do it the 107 00:05:18,227 --> 00:05:20,427 Speaker 4: Highland the way, the highlight of the man and it 108 00:05:20,867 --> 00:05:22,947 Speaker 4: helps out. It doesn't matter what situation you're in. 109 00:05:23,747 --> 00:05:25,587 Speaker 2: Good crowd the last night, I know it's o weak, 110 00:05:25,627 --> 00:05:28,227 Speaker 2: but a good loud crowd down there last night. 111 00:05:28,907 --> 00:05:31,107 Speaker 3: Yeah. I want to see more. I want to see more. 112 00:05:31,347 --> 00:05:34,987 Speaker 3: I want to see the House of Pain comeback. That's 113 00:05:34,987 --> 00:05:38,787 Speaker 3: what I remember. So you know, obviously the more support 114 00:05:38,787 --> 00:05:39,227 Speaker 3: we get. 115 00:05:39,107 --> 00:05:40,067 Speaker 4: Down here, the better for it. 116 00:05:40,147 --> 00:05:43,347 Speaker 3: And I know the boys are really appreciate the crowd 117 00:05:43,387 --> 00:05:45,107 Speaker 3: and how they get behind us. 118 00:05:45,907 --> 00:05:48,787 Speaker 2: There's no getting away from the elephant in the Highlanders room, 119 00:05:48,867 --> 00:05:50,707 Speaker 2: the coaching room, that is Jamie Joseph is in the 120 00:05:50,747 --> 00:05:53,187 Speaker 2: mix for the All Blacks job. How has that been 121 00:05:53,227 --> 00:05:54,427 Speaker 2: handled internally? 122 00:05:55,907 --> 00:05:59,507 Speaker 3: OHI look, you know that that is what it is. 123 00:05:59,587 --> 00:06:02,667 Speaker 3: And we just worry about what's happening with us and 124 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:04,787 Speaker 3: at the hind Us and we go a week by 125 00:06:04,867 --> 00:06:06,667 Speaker 3: week and it's on a whole cliche. 126 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:09,227 Speaker 4: You know, We've got the Chiefs next week and we'll 127 00:06:09,227 --> 00:06:12,227 Speaker 4: be looking forward to that game, so we will be all. 128 00:06:12,067 --> 00:06:15,667 Speaker 2: Be mate, And so I mean I spoke to Clark 129 00:06:15,707 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 2: Diermody last week and he said, Jamie's got a great 130 00:06:18,067 --> 00:06:20,267 Speaker 2: poker face. You know, you just you just think he 131 00:06:20,387 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 2: was just a highlighted coaches That is that what you're 132 00:06:22,267 --> 00:06:23,987 Speaker 2: seeing as well, that's. 133 00:06:23,827 --> 00:06:26,347 Speaker 4: What we're seeing to mate. You know, it's got a 134 00:06:26,387 --> 00:06:27,267 Speaker 4: great poker face. 135 00:06:27,307 --> 00:06:31,227 Speaker 3: But you know what we can control is what we 136 00:06:31,307 --> 00:06:33,467 Speaker 3: do when we put out the team for the Highlanders 137 00:06:33,507 --> 00:06:37,707 Speaker 3: and we coach the boys, and you know, people my 138 00:06:38,507 --> 00:06:41,347 Speaker 3: mate will make those because at the end of the day, 139 00:06:42,347 --> 00:06:45,387 Speaker 3: I'm sure whoever is the All Blacks coach is we're. 140 00:06:45,227 --> 00:06:48,507 Speaker 4: Doing a great job, you know, and good luck to 141 00:06:48,707 --> 00:06:49,507 Speaker 4: whoever that is. 142 00:06:50,027 --> 00:06:52,387 Speaker 2: All Right, Blues chiefs tonight, got a prediction for us. 143 00:06:54,027 --> 00:06:57,787 Speaker 3: I'm going Blues. Yeah, yeah, be a good game. Would 144 00:06:57,787 --> 00:07:02,387 Speaker 3: be a good game. Both teams are both physically real 145 00:07:02,427 --> 00:07:05,147 Speaker 3: physical in the in the front, so they'll be a 146 00:07:05,147 --> 00:07:05,507 Speaker 3: good game. 147 00:07:05,947 --> 00:07:08,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, all right, looking forward to seeing how that one 148 00:07:08,707 --> 00:07:10,787 Speaker 2: plays out. Well, one from one, David can't do better 149 00:07:10,827 --> 00:07:12,987 Speaker 2: than that, mate, Great to chat. Enjoy the rest of 150 00:07:13,027 --> 00:07:13,547 Speaker 2: your weekend. 151 00:07:14,347 --> 00:07:16,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, thank you, Jason. I'm joining the the needed Sun. 152 00:07:16,907 --> 00:07:17,947 Speaker 4: Would you believe Hi? 153 00:07:18,027 --> 00:07:20,187 Speaker 2: No, I don't believe it. I don't believe it. 154 00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:23,347 Speaker 4: No, it's great. So I'm out. I'm out and about 155 00:07:23,387 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 4: and enjoying. 156 00:07:23,827 --> 00:07:25,507 Speaker 3: It, all right, good man. 157 00:07:25,947 --> 00:07:27,907 Speaker 2: No, great to have you on, David. Thanks indeed, David 158 00:07:27,987 --> 00:07:28,787 Speaker 2: could well there. 159 00:07:29,147 --> 00:07:32,307 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 160 00:07:32,427 --> 00:07:35,707 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 161 00:07:35,747 --> 00:07:37,387 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.