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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk sed B. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,467 Speaker 2: The Siren Punaki kicks it into touch and. 4 00:00:15,427 --> 00:00:17,427 Speaker 3: The Blues say, don't forget about us. 5 00:00:17,627 --> 00:00:18,867 Speaker 1: We're back on track in. 6 00:00:18,987 --> 00:00:22,587 Speaker 3: Super Rugby twenty twenty six with a statement win over 7 00:00:22,627 --> 00:00:25,947 Speaker 3: the defending champions twenty ninth thirteen and Eden. 8 00:00:25,907 --> 00:00:28,987 Speaker 2: Park Blues assistant coach Paul tetel Is whe us that 9 00:00:29,107 --> 00:00:32,307 Speaker 2: looked like one of the Blues' most complete performances of 10 00:00:32,347 --> 00:00:34,227 Speaker 2: the season. I know it's only early, Paul, but how 11 00:00:34,227 --> 00:00:36,347 Speaker 2: pleased were you and the rest of the coaching staff 12 00:00:36,347 --> 00:00:37,027 Speaker 2: with last night? 13 00:00:37,667 --> 00:00:39,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, just to get the win against the 14 00:00:40,147 --> 00:00:44,107 Speaker 3: Crusader's team has been not easy to come by for 15 00:00:44,147 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: the Blues in the last few years. Obviously, Dults played 16 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:50,547 Speaker 3: one hundredth game last weekend and that was a third win, 17 00:00:50,747 --> 00:00:55,627 Speaker 3: So you know, we've struggled to beat them. But I 18 00:00:55,707 --> 00:00:57,867 Speaker 3: feel that, you know, throughout the season we've been building 19 00:00:57,947 --> 00:01:01,787 Speaker 3: quite nicely and potentially hadn't been getting the results that 20 00:01:02,147 --> 00:01:05,987 Speaker 3: that came our way. But you know, we've been trusting 21 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:10,907 Speaker 3: the pro and enjoying each other's company and building together 22 00:01:10,987 --> 00:01:14,227 Speaker 3: something nice and special, and you know, I think hopefully 23 00:01:14,227 --> 00:01:16,507 Speaker 3: there was a start of something from that result last night. 24 00:01:17,027 --> 00:01:19,707 Speaker 2: After conceding late to lose to the Brumbies last week, 25 00:01:19,747 --> 00:01:22,187 Speaker 2: did you sense among the playing group that a response 26 00:01:22,307 --> 00:01:25,027 Speaker 2: was coming from that. 27 00:01:25,027 --> 00:01:27,267 Speaker 3: That's what it felt like at training all week. You know, 28 00:01:27,347 --> 00:01:30,787 Speaker 3: we're just slowly building and putting those blocks in place, 29 00:01:30,827 --> 00:01:35,187 Speaker 3: and even last night we went perfect by any means, 30 00:01:35,307 --> 00:01:38,187 Speaker 3: but I feel we're building, which has been pleading. 31 00:01:38,827 --> 00:01:41,667 Speaker 2: The Crusaders didn't score a single point in the second half. 32 00:01:42,027 --> 00:01:45,307 Speaker 2: How satisfied were you with the defense, of attitude and 33 00:01:45,347 --> 00:01:46,947 Speaker 2: the organization after halftime? 34 00:01:49,387 --> 00:01:51,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's important, you know, I mean, you know the 35 00:01:51,587 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 3: Cannabury teams, Crusader teams that you play, you know, they 36 00:01:54,907 --> 00:01:58,587 Speaker 3: normally score just before halftime and just after halftime. They 37 00:01:58,587 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 3: put a lot of pressure on you by doing so. 38 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:04,827 Speaker 3: So for us to start well in that second half 39 00:02:04,867 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 3: and take control of the game was please them. A 40 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:13,307 Speaker 3: massive cutos to Craig McGrath and the defense group that 41 00:02:13,387 --> 00:02:16,027 Speaker 3: are leading the space, and you know, I thought we 42 00:02:16,067 --> 00:02:19,187 Speaker 3: saw some real growth in our defense last night, and 43 00:02:19,227 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 3: then we're a willingness to work hard for each other. 44 00:02:21,587 --> 00:02:23,947 Speaker 2: Interesting you say that about the times the Crusaders are 45 00:02:23,987 --> 00:02:26,987 Speaker 2: most dangerous. They did score a couple of tries before 46 00:02:27,027 --> 00:02:30,307 Speaker 2: halftime when Caleb Clark was in the bin from nineteen 47 00:02:30,387 --> 00:02:34,587 Speaker 2: three to nineteen thirteen. Any worry lines at that point. 48 00:02:36,147 --> 00:02:39,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, potentially, just a couple of week moments that we had, 49 00:02:39,147 --> 00:02:43,187 Speaker 3: you know, a lost line out which was a miscall, 50 00:02:43,347 --> 00:02:45,947 Speaker 3: you know, I mean, just those those little things that 51 00:02:46,027 --> 00:02:49,587 Speaker 3: become big things and we just give them opportunity, and 52 00:02:49,667 --> 00:02:52,027 Speaker 3: we know how good they are. If you give these 53 00:02:52,027 --> 00:02:55,387 Speaker 3: teams a sniff or an opportunity, you know, they're more 54 00:02:55,467 --> 00:03:00,707 Speaker 3: than capable of scoring points. And they look pretty easy 55 00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:03,507 Speaker 3: when they did that. So yep, no, it's something that 56 00:03:03,547 --> 00:03:05,947 Speaker 3: we need to work on. And obviously playing with fifteen 57 00:03:05,987 --> 00:03:06,707 Speaker 3: men or help. 58 00:03:06,627 --> 00:03:09,547 Speaker 2: Us bone and Barrett was a late inclusion into the 59 00:03:09,547 --> 00:03:12,627 Speaker 2: starting fifteen. He was event initially slated to come off 60 00:03:12,667 --> 00:03:15,867 Speaker 2: the bench. How late a call was that? And a 61 00:03:15,907 --> 00:03:20,027 Speaker 2: Stephen petefecta okay. 62 00:03:19,227 --> 00:03:23,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, Stevie's he's sustaining another injuries, which is which is 63 00:03:23,627 --> 00:03:25,907 Speaker 3: disappointing for him. You know, he's bloody hard to get 64 00:03:25,947 --> 00:03:28,787 Speaker 3: back and you know, hopefully he won't be on the 65 00:03:28,787 --> 00:03:32,187 Speaker 3: sideline too long. But I don't know what the prognosis 66 00:03:32,187 --> 00:03:35,187 Speaker 3: is on that. But you know he's he's been He's 67 00:03:35,187 --> 00:03:36,747 Speaker 3: been good for us, Stevie, and we're going to need 68 00:03:36,827 --> 00:03:39,587 Speaker 3: him throughout the year, so we you know, we'll get 69 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:40,747 Speaker 3: him back at some stage soon. 70 00:03:41,027 --> 00:03:42,907 Speaker 2: Not a bad guy to have coming in. It looked 71 00:03:42,907 --> 00:03:44,627 Speaker 2: like he hadn't been away boating. Barrett. 72 00:03:45,867 --> 00:03:49,147 Speaker 3: Yeah. I actually spoke to him after the game and 73 00:03:49,227 --> 00:03:51,347 Speaker 3: he his legs were a bit heavy and his legs 74 00:03:51,347 --> 00:03:53,227 Speaker 3: were burning theres they always are. You know, it doesn't 75 00:03:53,227 --> 00:03:56,627 Speaker 3: actually matter how much work you've done in the preseason. 76 00:03:57,307 --> 00:04:00,347 Speaker 3: You know, that first game always hurts. So it was 77 00:04:00,347 --> 00:04:01,867 Speaker 3: good to have him back out there, and you know, 78 00:04:01,907 --> 00:04:04,347 Speaker 3: he controlled the game well and you know I'll be happy. 79 00:04:04,387 --> 00:04:05,707 Speaker 3: He'll be happy with that any minutes. 80 00:04:05,867 --> 00:04:07,907 Speaker 2: And the other to the experienced scar we're seeing some 81 00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:11,587 Speaker 2: younger Blues players really grow into their time in the Jersey, 82 00:04:11,627 --> 00:04:15,027 Speaker 2: the likes of Torrian Barnes, Shay Clark, Cody Vai. How 83 00:04:15,147 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 2: encouraged are you by the depth that you're building in 84 00:04:17,387 --> 00:04:17,827 Speaker 2: the Blues. 85 00:04:19,947 --> 00:04:22,427 Speaker 3: It's exciting and you know, I go back surely. We 86 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:25,307 Speaker 3: look at our development team too, Tim Tyre. They've been 87 00:04:25,307 --> 00:04:28,227 Speaker 3: going really well and performing and it's putting pressure on 88 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:32,987 Speaker 3: the coaches to get the selection right. So it's a 89 00:04:32,987 --> 00:04:35,427 Speaker 3: good headache to have. Obviously, we've been in a few 90 00:04:35,467 --> 00:04:38,427 Speaker 3: things and there's other guys getting opportunities. You know, you 91 00:04:38,587 --> 00:04:41,747 Speaker 3: name Torian Barnes and Cody Vaile. I thought was outstanding 92 00:04:41,827 --> 00:04:44,947 Speaker 3: last night. You know, I put Josh Barry in that 93 00:04:45,067 --> 00:04:48,827 Speaker 3: bracket too, like he's really leading the charge for our 94 00:04:48,907 --> 00:04:51,147 Speaker 3: foods to share. His stats are high and his work 95 00:04:51,227 --> 00:04:54,427 Speaker 3: rates massive, and we're really enjoying this growth from this, 96 00:04:54,787 --> 00:04:56,947 Speaker 3: the younger generation that are coming through the Blues. 97 00:04:57,347 --> 00:04:59,987 Speaker 2: I heard Caleb Clark afterwards talk about Dot and Papale's 98 00:04:59,987 --> 00:05:02,987 Speaker 2: one hundredth, which you referenced before, and while he brought 99 00:05:02,987 --> 00:05:04,627 Speaker 2: it up a week ago, it was kind of celebrated. 100 00:05:04,667 --> 00:05:07,387 Speaker 2: I guess on home saw there last night. How how 101 00:05:07,467 --> 00:05:10,827 Speaker 2: much do you mark milestones like that internally? 102 00:05:12,947 --> 00:05:14,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a big thing at the Blues. You know, 103 00:05:14,627 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 3: to play one hundred games or of super rugby is 104 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:21,507 Speaker 3: as a massive achievement adults, as a special man. And 105 00:05:22,507 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 3: you know, he surely missed when he when he leaves 106 00:05:24,467 --> 00:05:27,227 Speaker 3: after this year, but I know that he's you know, 107 00:05:27,267 --> 00:05:30,427 Speaker 3: he's really he's really leading away and rolling the troops 108 00:05:30,427 --> 00:05:32,427 Speaker 3: a share to make sure he goes out with a bang, 109 00:05:32,467 --> 00:05:36,587 Speaker 3: and you know where he's a He's a highly respected 110 00:05:36,627 --> 00:05:38,347 Speaker 3: man in our group on and off the field. He's 111 00:05:38,347 --> 00:05:41,187 Speaker 3: a great leader, and you know, we love him to bits, 112 00:05:41,227 --> 00:05:44,587 Speaker 3: and you know, whatever has happened, and you know, at 113 00:05:44,587 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 3: the higher at the higher teams for the last couple 114 00:05:48,467 --> 00:05:50,307 Speaker 3: of years, it's it's bloody sad to see him go. 115 00:05:50,867 --> 00:05:53,907 Speaker 2: Indeed, one of Pacific are up next for you someday 116 00:05:53,907 --> 00:05:55,987 Speaker 2: afternoons a week today back at Eton Park. They've had 117 00:05:55,987 --> 00:05:58,067 Speaker 2: a challenging season, haven't they. Will there be a chance 118 00:05:58,587 --> 00:06:00,427 Speaker 2: to rest some guys, maybe give some other guys a 119 00:06:00,467 --> 00:06:00,947 Speaker 2: few minutes. 120 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:05,707 Speaker 3: I think the key will be our willingness to, you know, 121 00:06:05,787 --> 00:06:08,787 Speaker 3: just get out there and put the Blues dnal and 122 00:06:08,867 --> 00:06:11,747 Speaker 3: on the park. You know, I mean, I'm sure there'll 123 00:06:11,787 --> 00:06:14,187 Speaker 3: be a couple of changes, but you know, we know 124 00:06:14,227 --> 00:06:18,507 Speaker 3: what it's like. And with Mona, you know, they tipped 125 00:06:18,587 --> 00:06:21,467 Speaker 3: us up last year. So we're under no illusions how 126 00:06:21,467 --> 00:06:23,067 Speaker 3: tough the game will be. And we're going to have 127 00:06:23,107 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 3: to be on our game and we want to keep 128 00:06:24,707 --> 00:06:27,107 Speaker 3: growing what we've done the last couple of weeks. We 129 00:06:27,227 --> 00:06:29,467 Speaker 3: know we don't want to be going two steps forward 130 00:06:29,467 --> 00:06:31,307 Speaker 3: and one back. So we need to keep growing what 131 00:06:31,307 --> 00:06:36,027 Speaker 3: we're doing and become better every week. So you know, 132 00:06:36,067 --> 00:06:38,827 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm sure there'll be a couple, but hopefully, 133 00:06:38,907 --> 00:06:40,307 Speaker 3: you know, we've just got to keep going. 134 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:42,147 Speaker 2: All right. Hey, thanks Paul, appreciate you taking the time 135 00:06:42,187 --> 00:06:42,707 Speaker 2: to chat to us. 136 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:46,507 Speaker 1: Paul Tital For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, 137 00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:49,907 Speaker 1: Listen live to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, 138 00:06:50,187 --> 00:06:52,227 Speaker 1: or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.