1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,867 Speaker 2: All right, Hurricanes Rebels four thirty five this afternoon. That 4 00:00:15,987 --> 00:00:20,387 Speaker 2: is the first of today's three quarterfinals sky Stadium. We 5 00:00:20,427 --> 00:00:22,987 Speaker 2: have commentary of all three of these games incidentally on 6 00:00:23,107 --> 00:00:26,707 Speaker 2: Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. So if you're not able to 7 00:00:26,747 --> 00:00:30,907 Speaker 2: get in front of a television, or you just don't 8 00:00:30,907 --> 00:00:33,747 Speaker 2: have that ability in terms of access to it, then 9 00:00:33,987 --> 00:00:35,747 Speaker 2: you can listen to it live and free on the radio. 10 00:00:36,267 --> 00:00:38,587 Speaker 2: Four thirty five this afternoon. I'll be down at sky 11 00:00:38,627 --> 00:00:43,347 Speaker 2: Stadium with Thomas Waldrom, former England international hurricane and crusader, 12 00:00:43,347 --> 00:00:48,227 Speaker 2: alongside Matt Buckleby stalking the sideline in his inimitable fashion 13 00:00:48,227 --> 00:00:50,827 Speaker 2: as we watched the Hurricanes take on the Rebels. Hurricanes 14 00:00:50,867 --> 00:00:52,867 Speaker 2: finished top in the regular seat and break our season 15 00:00:52,947 --> 00:00:57,227 Speaker 2: rather bradon your saite, What a campaign for him? A 16 00:00:57,347 --> 00:01:00,307 Speaker 2: terrific season at number eight, missing just two matches all 17 00:01:00,347 --> 00:01:03,307 Speaker 2: season and scoring some really eye catching tries. They do 18 00:01:03,387 --> 00:01:05,947 Speaker 2: come to left hand side, you'll say, pretty much untouches 19 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:09,267 Speaker 2: over the try off the back of the scrum. Braiden, 20 00:01:09,347 --> 00:01:13,307 Speaker 2: You'll say, the physicality he showed all year. Rand awards 21 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 2: the tryline best for a couple of would be tacklers 22 00:01:16,227 --> 00:01:19,067 Speaker 2: and score the try braid on your say, whether it's 23 00:01:19,067 --> 00:01:20,907 Speaker 2: on weekend sport. Thanks for your time mate. How do 24 00:01:20,947 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 2: you reflect on the regular season? First of all as 25 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:24,987 Speaker 2: you look forward now to knockout Footing. 26 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:28,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been a bit of reflection on the how 27 00:01:28,227 --> 00:01:31,187 Speaker 3: far we've come. We start on Monday, reflecting back to 28 00:01:31,747 --> 00:01:35,467 Speaker 3: preseason and looking back at all the hard wooks out 29 00:01:35,507 --> 00:01:38,627 Speaker 3: there and how we've sort of grown our game each round. 30 00:01:38,667 --> 00:01:41,507 Speaker 3: So it was actually quite cool to look back and reflect. 31 00:01:41,587 --> 00:01:45,187 Speaker 3: You don't really get an opportunity to look back when 32 00:01:45,227 --> 00:01:48,027 Speaker 3: it's weak to week, you know, just on the next game, 33 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:50,747 Speaker 3: so it's pretty special to look how far we've come. 34 00:01:51,187 --> 00:01:54,267 Speaker 2: Would have been the main on that and that reflection, 35 00:01:54,347 --> 00:01:56,307 Speaker 2: what were the main sort of building blocks or planks 36 00:01:56,467 --> 00:01:59,147 Speaker 2: upon which the success of the team has been built 37 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:00,867 Speaker 2: over the last fifteen weeks. 38 00:02:01,667 --> 00:02:05,547 Speaker 3: I think it's just really nailing our game model, things 39 00:02:05,587 --> 00:02:09,147 Speaker 3: around our energy effort, our physicality and and so of 40 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,787 Speaker 3: the way we want to play the game. It gives 41 00:02:11,827 --> 00:02:13,947 Speaker 3: us a really clear outline on what we need to 42 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 3: do to be successful, and it's really clear in the 43 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:19,547 Speaker 3: games that we perform well when we now those things 44 00:02:19,587 --> 00:02:22,427 Speaker 3: and the games that we haven't performed as well, has 45 00:02:22,467 --> 00:02:24,827 Speaker 3: been pretty clear that some of those pillars we haven't 46 00:02:24,827 --> 00:02:27,427 Speaker 3: really quite now. So I think the coaches have done 47 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:30,987 Speaker 3: a really good job around creating a model for us 48 00:02:31,027 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 3: to hide ourselves accountable to them and to give us 49 00:02:34,747 --> 00:02:35,907 Speaker 3: sort of a tools to succeed. 50 00:02:36,627 --> 00:02:39,307 Speaker 2: How happy are you with the way you're playing personally? 51 00:02:41,107 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 3: Yeah? Pretty happy. I mean every week there's always work on, 52 00:02:44,547 --> 00:02:46,467 Speaker 3: but I sort of feel like I've been in a 53 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:49,907 Speaker 3: pretty good spot throughout my week plan leading into Saturday 54 00:02:49,947 --> 00:02:52,627 Speaker 3: to give me confidence to just go out and express myself. 55 00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:56,467 Speaker 3: So's it's been a really enjoyable season. I've really liked 56 00:02:57,307 --> 00:03:00,187 Speaker 3: I really love playing for these coaches and playing with 57 00:03:00,227 --> 00:03:01,987 Speaker 3: this group of boys. I mean, it's it's a really 58 00:03:02,067 --> 00:03:05,467 Speaker 3: enjoyable group and environment to grow and to try, you know, 59 00:03:05,827 --> 00:03:07,427 Speaker 3: progress My for you. 60 00:03:07,427 --> 00:03:10,347 Speaker 2: You're wearing the jersey, of course, worn with great distinction 61 00:03:10,427 --> 00:03:14,387 Speaker 2: in recent times by Artie Seville. Did that weigh heavy 62 00:03:14,907 --> 00:03:17,187 Speaker 2: on you at all at the start of the season 63 00:03:17,507 --> 00:03:18,747 Speaker 2: or during the season at all? 64 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:22,987 Speaker 3: No, not really. I just want to be myself and 65 00:03:23,107 --> 00:03:27,307 Speaker 3: express myself. Obviously, looking back on I just played number 66 00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:29,827 Speaker 3: eight for the Hurricanes, and the past has been some 67 00:03:29,947 --> 00:03:32,507 Speaker 3: amazing players, and Artie's right up there with some of 68 00:03:32,547 --> 00:03:34,867 Speaker 3: the best that have worn the jersey. So for me, 69 00:03:34,947 --> 00:03:38,187 Speaker 3: it's about recognizing, you know, that it's a pretty special 70 00:03:38,187 --> 00:03:41,147 Speaker 3: position for this team. And I guess my whole focus 71 00:03:41,187 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 3: has just been really in turn around how I can 72 00:03:43,267 --> 00:03:45,147 Speaker 3: crown my game and how I can best serve the team. 73 00:03:45,387 --> 00:03:48,027 Speaker 3: And now my performance, do you. 74 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:50,067 Speaker 2: Reckon this is the best you've played in your career? 75 00:03:53,427 --> 00:03:55,467 Speaker 3: Not for sure. I think these elements of my game 76 00:03:55,547 --> 00:03:59,947 Speaker 3: that I've been really working hard out to grow. But 77 00:04:00,067 --> 00:04:03,427 Speaker 3: I think, you know, in previous years, I've got it, 78 00:04:03,507 --> 00:04:06,587 Speaker 3: had I speaks of my game, but I thought going 79 00:04:06,627 --> 00:04:08,787 Speaker 3: really well, and obviously areas and I need to work on. 80 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:10,787 Speaker 3: But I think this year has been really good. I 81 00:04:10,827 --> 00:04:13,467 Speaker 3: feel like the coaches have done a ready to job 82 00:04:13,507 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 3: around sort of allow me to express myself and giving 83 00:04:17,387 --> 00:04:19,787 Speaker 3: me some really good, honest feedback around areas of my 84 00:04:19,827 --> 00:04:22,267 Speaker 3: game that I need to work on. And so each 85 00:04:22,267 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 3: week it's a real clear outline around what I need 86 00:04:24,787 --> 00:04:27,387 Speaker 3: to do in order to play the typoogia that I 87 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:29,307 Speaker 3: play and areas of my game that I want to 88 00:04:29,307 --> 00:04:31,627 Speaker 3: improve on each week. I think it's been a really 89 00:04:31,707 --> 00:04:33,507 Speaker 3: nice recipe to try and grow and develop. 90 00:04:34,107 --> 00:04:37,227 Speaker 2: Well. You're part of a terrific loose forward cohort at 91 00:04:37,267 --> 00:04:41,067 Speaker 2: the Hurricanes, yourself, Peter Larkeye, Devon Flanders, Brad Shields, to Plasy, 92 00:04:41,067 --> 00:04:44,067 Speaker 2: Gofi Tik howd and can't even get a game. How 93 00:04:44,107 --> 00:04:47,467 Speaker 2: competitive is it internally? I mean you'll obviously want the 94 00:04:47,467 --> 00:04:49,387 Speaker 2: same thing, you want the Hurricanes to do well, but 95 00:04:49,427 --> 00:04:51,987 Speaker 2: you'll want to play. So how does the dynamic work 96 00:04:52,027 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 2: week to week? 97 00:04:54,227 --> 00:04:57,427 Speaker 3: Yeah? Right, it is very competitive, But I think the 98 00:04:57,467 --> 00:04:59,787 Speaker 3: best thing about our group is that we're really tight 99 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:03,587 Speaker 3: and really connective off the field, which makes you know 100 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:07,507 Speaker 3: that competition and that you know to start and desire 101 00:05:07,547 --> 00:05:10,987 Speaker 3: to perform and play for spots each week. It makes 102 00:05:10,987 --> 00:05:12,987 Speaker 3: it a little bit easier. So you know, we have 103 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:16,307 Speaker 3: really good trust and understand that you know, if we're 104 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:18,307 Speaker 3: being competitive on the graph, it's kind of making us 105 00:05:18,347 --> 00:05:21,187 Speaker 3: better and making the team better. So it's it's been 106 00:05:21,187 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 3: really enjoyable. I think you look at the guys that have, 107 00:05:25,667 --> 00:05:27,627 Speaker 3: you know, having your loss if they play this year, 108 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:30,107 Speaker 3: even you know, if we've didn't need higher like coming 109 00:05:30,107 --> 00:05:32,347 Speaker 3: in he does an awesome job TK when he had 110 00:05:32,347 --> 00:05:35,667 Speaker 3: opportunities has done awesome job. It's really competitive and whoever 111 00:05:36,427 --> 00:05:39,027 Speaker 3: is playing the weekend or gets a starting spot. Us 112 00:05:39,067 --> 00:05:41,707 Speaker 3: as a full group of loose swards have full confidence 113 00:05:41,747 --> 00:05:43,867 Speaker 3: of we're going out there and do a job and. 114 00:05:43,827 --> 00:05:46,787 Speaker 2: As a loose forward group and you know, in preparation 115 00:05:47,027 --> 00:05:50,227 Speaker 2: for any game, I mean, is that a mini group 116 00:05:50,227 --> 00:05:52,667 Speaker 2: in itself to do the loose forward spend time together 117 00:05:53,827 --> 00:05:56,267 Speaker 2: doing prep of a specific type or is it more 118 00:05:56,307 --> 00:05:57,907 Speaker 2: with the whole forward pack. How does that all work? 119 00:05:58,827 --> 00:06:03,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely we do. Obviously we have as a unit affoards. 120 00:06:03,067 --> 00:06:04,387 Speaker 3: We have a plan on what we're going to do 121 00:06:04,427 --> 00:06:06,867 Speaker 3: around us at peace and having a pay the game. 122 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:11,107 Speaker 3: But a deeper lay to that is as our loosewards 123 00:06:11,107 --> 00:06:14,307 Speaker 3: the bull pack. So we connect every weekend rather a 124 00:06:14,347 --> 00:06:16,787 Speaker 3: few one focus on attack, one focus on defense that 125 00:06:16,827 --> 00:06:18,827 Speaker 3: we're going to try really hid and down for the team. 126 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:22,467 Speaker 3: And I think the team feeds off the energy that 127 00:06:22,587 --> 00:06:26,107 Speaker 3: we're the looseward forward our trio brain. So that's a 128 00:06:26,187 --> 00:06:28,667 Speaker 3: really big driver class around trying to create some energy 129 00:06:28,707 --> 00:06:31,107 Speaker 3: for the boys and trying to the better want to 130 00:06:31,187 --> 00:06:31,827 Speaker 3: lead in the chart. 131 00:06:32,467 --> 00:06:34,147 Speaker 2: There's no way of getting away from the fact that 132 00:06:34,147 --> 00:06:36,667 Speaker 2: that you are overwhelming favorites for this game, you finish 133 00:06:36,747 --> 00:06:40,027 Speaker 2: top the Rebels eight, how do you make sure you 134 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:44,787 Speaker 2: stay process driven and that complacency or shortcuts don't creep 135 00:06:44,787 --> 00:06:45,907 Speaker 2: into your game week. 136 00:06:47,227 --> 00:06:49,787 Speaker 3: We're sort of have the mindset of, you know, the 137 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:52,307 Speaker 3: regular season is done and finalance foot is a different 138 00:06:52,347 --> 00:06:55,427 Speaker 3: beast in itself, and I think, you know, we respect 139 00:06:55,467 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 3: the Rebels and what they've done this season, and I 140 00:06:58,827 --> 00:07:00,907 Speaker 3: mean you look at their four packers full of Wallabies. 141 00:07:00,987 --> 00:07:03,227 Speaker 3: They've got some expect and wallabies in their back line, 142 00:07:03,267 --> 00:07:06,547 Speaker 3: so it's no easy, easy game for us and have 143 00:07:06,587 --> 00:07:09,467 Speaker 3: a lot of emotion and a lot of desire to 144 00:07:09,467 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 3: win this week as well, considering the circumstances that they've 145 00:07:13,107 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: unfortunately been dealt. So I think for us, it's just 146 00:07:16,787 --> 00:07:19,627 Speaker 3: understanding the spects that they bring, but having a really 147 00:07:19,627 --> 00:07:23,067 Speaker 3: internive focus around the game. Out of Us spoke about earlier, 148 00:07:23,427 --> 00:07:25,107 Speaker 3: just trying to know the things that allow us to 149 00:07:25,107 --> 00:07:28,427 Speaker 3: be successful, allow us to create momentum and score points, 150 00:07:28,427 --> 00:07:32,107 Speaker 3: and you know, it's do or die for us this weekend, 151 00:07:32,147 --> 00:07:35,027 Speaker 3: So we're treading every training day and the lead up 152 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:36,387 Speaker 3: to the game executive. 153 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:37,787 Speaker 2: Like that, and you now know that there are no 154 00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:40,307 Speaker 2: more planes to get on the season, no more travel. 155 00:07:40,787 --> 00:07:42,667 Speaker 2: Every game you play from now will be at home. 156 00:07:43,347 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 2: How much advantage is home advantage. 157 00:07:47,427 --> 00:07:51,547 Speaker 3: It's a massive advantage. I mean, I've been really grateful 158 00:07:51,547 --> 00:07:53,347 Speaker 3: to see the amount of support we've had from our 159 00:07:53,387 --> 00:07:57,187 Speaker 3: fans this year. Seen the stadium, it's probably the most 160 00:07:57,187 --> 00:07:59,507 Speaker 3: full I've seen in recent years. And our support has 161 00:07:59,507 --> 00:08:03,147 Speaker 3: been overwhelming from the community. So playing in the Captain 162 00:08:03,307 --> 00:08:05,827 Speaker 3: is just yeah, it gives us a massive boost and 163 00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:08,387 Speaker 3: playing front of our friends and family gives us that 164 00:08:08,427 --> 00:08:10,907 Speaker 3: little one percent. So you know, hopefully we have an 165 00:08:11,267 --> 00:08:14,187 Speaker 3: amazing turn out this weeking for the crowd and it'll 166 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:15,627 Speaker 3: be awesome to run out there and try to put 167 00:08:15,627 --> 00:08:17,787 Speaker 3: a performance in that you know, Wellington and all our 168 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:18,707 Speaker 3: regions can be proud of. 169 00:08:19,107 --> 00:08:20,907 Speaker 2: You're a one with two a past to North Boys 170 00:08:20,947 --> 00:08:23,107 Speaker 2: High Sore. You were you a Hurricanes fan growing up? 171 00:08:24,347 --> 00:08:29,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, massively, so growing up through Boys Hi you know, 172 00:08:29,427 --> 00:08:31,987 Speaker 3: the Canes can teens and you know, stuff like that. 173 00:08:32,067 --> 00:08:35,307 Speaker 3: So it's always been a massive supporter. I've always been 174 00:08:35,347 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 3: a massive supporter of the Canes and to be here 175 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:40,707 Speaker 3: now sort of, you know, I was still extremely grateful 176 00:08:40,747 --> 00:08:43,147 Speaker 3: and still sometimes pinch myself that it's always been a 177 00:08:43,187 --> 00:08:46,107 Speaker 3: German one to represent the Cane, So I'm very grateful 178 00:08:46,147 --> 00:08:46,387 Speaker 3: to be. 179 00:08:46,387 --> 00:08:49,187 Speaker 2: Here and just to finish at this time of the year. 180 00:08:49,347 --> 00:08:52,067 Speaker 2: Always a lot of outside noise about all Black selection 181 00:08:52,467 --> 00:08:55,227 Speaker 2: this year your name as well, and truly in that conversation, 182 00:08:55,627 --> 00:08:57,547 Speaker 2: are you able to filter that sort of thing out 183 00:08:57,587 --> 00:09:00,307 Speaker 2: and just stay focused on what's in front of you? 184 00:09:01,907 --> 00:09:04,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I think it's I just do my best. 185 00:09:05,427 --> 00:09:08,067 Speaker 3: Can I read sort of any media or you know, 186 00:09:08,507 --> 00:09:11,267 Speaker 3: taking all that stuff then give your week. It's just 187 00:09:11,307 --> 00:09:12,867 Speaker 3: about how do I grow and how do I get 188 00:09:12,867 --> 00:09:15,347 Speaker 3: better and ultimately how do I pay my best rugby 189 00:09:15,427 --> 00:09:17,667 Speaker 3: to serve the term. So you know, I think of 190 00:09:17,747 --> 00:09:19,547 Speaker 3: our take care of that and work on these things 191 00:09:19,587 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 3: I need to work on that, you know, That's that's 192 00:09:22,267 --> 00:09:23,907 Speaker 3: where my focus is. That just trying to grow my 193 00:09:23,947 --> 00:09:25,987 Speaker 3: game and can perform the best that I can and 194 00:09:26,107 --> 00:09:28,067 Speaker 3: you know, sort of try and block out the outside noise. 195 00:09:28,147 --> 00:09:31,027 Speaker 3: But it is a it's a really cool, cool feeling 196 00:09:31,027 --> 00:09:33,747 Speaker 3: and I feel very grateful to have that sort of 197 00:09:34,027 --> 00:09:37,307 Speaker 3: support and people believing in the rug So yeah, very grateful. 198 00:09:37,587 --> 00:09:39,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, Well, terrific season, mate, You've earned it. Thanks so 199 00:09:39,747 --> 00:09:42,027 Speaker 2: much for chatting to us this afternoon. All the best 200 00:09:42,027 --> 00:09:44,467 Speaker 2: against the rebels. Hope you earn yourselves another Monday chess. 201 00:09:44,507 --> 00:09:45,747 Speaker 3: Fine, thank you, no, thank. 202 00:09:45,547 --> 00:09:48,667 Speaker 2: You, Braden Bradon, You'll say that hurricanes number rights. 203 00:09:49,387 --> 00:09:52,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 204 00:09:52,667 --> 00:09:55,947 Speaker 1: to News Talk z B weekends from midday, or follow 205 00:09:55,987 --> 00:09:57,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio