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 ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,547 --> 00:00:16,427 Speaker 2: It's continue our journey around the New Zealand based Super 4 00:00:16,507 --> 00:00:19,747 Speaker 2: rugby franchises and their CEOs. We had the chance to 5 00:00:19,787 --> 00:00:21,627 Speaker 2: chat to Roger Clark out of the Highlanders, av and 6 00:00:21,707 --> 00:00:24,907 Speaker 2: Lea from the Hurricanes and Colin Mansbridge from the Crusaders 7 00:00:24,947 --> 00:00:27,347 Speaker 2: last weekend. We've got Andrew Whore on the show tomorrow 8 00:00:27,587 --> 00:00:31,707 Speaker 2: from the Blues. But today chiefs CEO Simon Graffis is 9 00:00:31,787 --> 00:00:34,867 Speaker 2: joining us. Simon to be a Philly happy CEO. I 10 00:00:34,867 --> 00:00:38,267 Speaker 2: would imagine today after watching your side put fifty on 11 00:00:38,267 --> 00:00:41,027 Speaker 2: the force last night and open up a five point 12 00:00:41,027 --> 00:00:41,787 Speaker 2: gap at the top. 13 00:00:42,587 --> 00:00:46,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, very happy. I mean yeah, five point gap 14 00:00:46,587 --> 00:00:49,027 Speaker 3: halfway through the round. So we see, we'll see what 15 00:00:49,067 --> 00:00:51,707 Speaker 3: happens over the next in the course of the next day. 16 00:00:52,387 --> 00:00:54,547 Speaker 2: Playing at bay Oval for the first time in over 17 00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:56,107 Speaker 2: a decade. How did that come about? 18 00:00:59,347 --> 00:01:03,387 Speaker 3: I mean, we tried to look for some options with 19 00:01:03,507 --> 00:01:08,187 Speaker 3: the holiday weekend. Hamilton's a bit tough and and so 20 00:01:08,667 --> 00:01:11,107 Speaker 3: you know, I thought some of the destinations around the 21 00:01:11,147 --> 00:01:14,347 Speaker 3: region that people go to might be a good option. 22 00:01:14,507 --> 00:01:18,547 Speaker 3: So yeah, they Oval. We became aware of the opportunity 23 00:01:18,547 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 3: to lay Oval and yeah, and the team team there, 24 00:01:23,027 --> 00:01:25,067 Speaker 3: we're really easy to work with them and made things happen. 25 00:01:25,147 --> 00:01:29,027 Speaker 3: So fantastic to take a game there. Obviously we can't 26 00:01:29,067 --> 00:01:32,387 Speaker 3: control the time, so lights, having good lights there was 27 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 3: a factor, so there's pretty limited options to take games away. 28 00:01:37,227 --> 00:01:40,627 Speaker 3: But yeah, Bayov was was brilliant with that. Really well. 29 00:01:40,707 --> 00:01:42,907 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I look good on the TV, good crowd 30 00:01:42,947 --> 00:01:44,347 Speaker 2: by the looks of things as well. I think it 31 00:01:44,387 --> 00:01:46,987 Speaker 2: was a sell out. Are you likely to repeat it? 32 00:01:47,027 --> 00:01:49,547 Speaker 2: Do you think you'll you'll your luck to take take 33 00:01:49,667 --> 00:01:50,507 Speaker 2: further games there? 34 00:01:52,267 --> 00:01:55,947 Speaker 3: Look, I think yeah, it was a huge, huge success. 35 00:01:56,027 --> 00:01:59,827 Speaker 3: I think absolutely keen to look at taking other games there, 36 00:02:01,667 --> 00:02:04,587 Speaker 3: you know, you know, the timing is important, I think 37 00:02:05,467 --> 00:02:07,747 Speaker 3: obviously with correct cricket was only played on there four 38 00:02:07,747 --> 00:02:11,747 Speaker 3: weeks ago, so there's probably a limited opportunity when we 39 00:02:11,787 --> 00:02:15,187 Speaker 3: can have games there. But now I think that the 40 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:18,427 Speaker 3: community got them behind us, you know, the council and 41 00:02:18,547 --> 00:02:21,307 Speaker 3: TechEd in Prairie one will help get the game there, 42 00:02:21,307 --> 00:02:24,467 Speaker 3: and the crew from bay Oval bent over backwards to 43 00:02:24,507 --> 00:02:27,187 Speaker 3: make it happen, which was just fantastic. So it was 44 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:30,507 Speaker 3: for a new venue, actually worked really well, good to hear. 45 00:02:30,587 --> 00:02:32,907 Speaker 2: Good to hear. Chiefs were the best team in twenty 46 00:02:32,947 --> 00:02:35,187 Speaker 2: twenty three, beaten in the final, made the final last 47 00:02:35,267 --> 00:02:38,587 Speaker 2: year beaten by the Blues. Surely this is your year, Simon. 48 00:02:39,907 --> 00:02:42,027 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, that's a big call. I mean, I think 49 00:02:42,027 --> 00:02:46,747 Speaker 3: we've all seen Yeah. I mean we've been pretty consistent 50 00:02:46,787 --> 00:02:49,747 Speaker 3: and haven't quite got the job done, which is obviously 51 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:54,027 Speaker 3: disappointing in those occasions. But yeah, you have to be 52 00:02:54,067 --> 00:02:56,427 Speaker 3: the best team on the night in the final if 53 00:02:56,467 --> 00:02:58,907 Speaker 3: you can get there. And we've still got a pretty 54 00:02:58,947 --> 00:03:03,067 Speaker 3: tough run into I think we've got three local derbies 55 00:03:03,107 --> 00:03:05,227 Speaker 3: to go all away, so we've all seen how hard 56 00:03:05,227 --> 00:03:07,227 Speaker 3: it is to win on the road. Yeah, there's a 57 00:03:07,267 --> 00:03:10,427 Speaker 3: little bit of rugby er to get to get into 58 00:03:10,467 --> 00:03:12,787 Speaker 3: the finals, and you know, to make a finals a 59 00:03:12,787 --> 00:03:14,907 Speaker 3: big achievement too, So we're not we're not. We're not 60 00:03:15,027 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 3: counting on that yet. 61 00:03:16,427 --> 00:03:19,347 Speaker 2: It's a little what a good answer, good answer? How 62 00:03:19,427 --> 00:03:24,187 Speaker 2: much is is your off field success commercially linked to 63 00:03:24,307 --> 00:03:26,067 Speaker 2: the sides on field performances? 64 00:03:27,747 --> 00:03:32,307 Speaker 3: Are they really? They're really linked? I think I mean 65 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:38,587 Speaker 3: everyone likes to back winners, don't they, So if you're winning, well, 66 00:03:38,587 --> 00:03:42,467 Speaker 3: fans along, so so huge influence and none of us 67 00:03:42,507 --> 00:03:45,147 Speaker 3: are in it to come seek in and so there's 68 00:03:46,227 --> 00:03:49,067 Speaker 3: all eleven teams that on their day are good enough 69 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:50,547 Speaker 3: to beat each other and every run at the start 70 00:03:50,587 --> 00:03:52,107 Speaker 3: of the season thinks are going to win it, which 71 00:03:52,147 --> 00:03:53,987 Speaker 3: is which is what what's sports about, isn't it. 72 00:03:54,107 --> 00:03:56,907 Speaker 2: Indeed, you must also it must be a lot easier 73 00:03:56,947 --> 00:04:00,787 Speaker 2: to have discussions with your commercial partners too when things 74 00:04:01,107 --> 00:04:02,987 Speaker 2: are going well. But I guess you also have to 75 00:04:03,027 --> 00:04:07,267 Speaker 2: installate yourself against the roller coaster that is elite sport 76 00:04:07,307 --> 00:04:09,067 Speaker 2: when you're talking to your partners, because you can't win 77 00:04:09,107 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 2: every week, can you? 78 00:04:11,307 --> 00:04:14,187 Speaker 3: No? No? And you know it's tough. I mean, I 79 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:20,707 Speaker 3: think they're being successful helps, but commercially, you know, there's 80 00:04:20,827 --> 00:04:23,067 Speaker 3: there's big parts of the economy that are doing that. 81 00:04:23,107 --> 00:04:24,987 Speaker 3: They're doing it tough at the moment too, So there's 82 00:04:25,027 --> 00:04:27,547 Speaker 3: there's a whole HEAPO factors at play here too. Yeah, 83 00:04:27,667 --> 00:04:30,187 Speaker 3: but the team is certainly doing there a bit on 84 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 3: the on the park and that helps us get fans 85 00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:35,667 Speaker 3: in and it helps it helps talk to partners as well. 86 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:39,227 Speaker 2: One of your big players obviously is Damien McKenzie, who 87 00:04:39,507 --> 00:04:43,667 Speaker 2: has been retained by yourselves and new Zealand Rugby. How 88 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:47,187 Speaker 2: significant role do the Chiefs play in those negotiations. 89 00:04:49,307 --> 00:04:54,467 Speaker 3: I mean, there we play our role. Obviously, the the 90 00:04:54,547 --> 00:04:58,027 Speaker 3: using rugby all black component is the big part of 91 00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:01,067 Speaker 3: his part of his deal. But no, we were certainly 92 00:05:01,107 --> 00:05:02,867 Speaker 3: putting as much pressure on as we could to make 93 00:05:02,907 --> 00:05:05,867 Speaker 3: sure we retain them. Someone like Damien's pretty pretty special 94 00:05:05,867 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 3: for a club and he needs a pretty special talent. 95 00:05:10,507 --> 00:05:12,067 Speaker 2: When will you announce your new coach? 96 00:05:14,267 --> 00:05:16,827 Speaker 3: We'll go through a process post season, and I mean 97 00:05:16,867 --> 00:05:19,547 Speaker 3: I think you know, at this stage, everyone's focused on 98 00:05:20,467 --> 00:05:23,187 Speaker 3: doing the best this year, and that'll that will probably 99 00:05:23,187 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: help determine determine the outcome if we get anything. 100 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:29,067 Speaker 2: Right, is it likely you'll promote internally? 101 00:05:31,067 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 3: Look, I think we've got some really good internal candidates, 102 00:05:33,787 --> 00:05:36,307 Speaker 3: but it's in you know, public where I have said 103 00:05:36,307 --> 00:05:39,627 Speaker 3: that before too, But I think for everyone's sake, we 104 00:05:39,707 --> 00:05:43,347 Speaker 3: need to just focus on the season and yeah, and 105 00:05:43,667 --> 00:05:46,587 Speaker 3: we'll let that run its course. Post season. You must review. 106 00:05:46,707 --> 00:05:50,067 Speaker 2: Yeah, you must expect though that that there'll be high 107 00:05:50,147 --> 00:05:53,107 Speaker 2: interest in the role externally as well. I mean, coaching 108 00:05:53,147 --> 00:05:56,307 Speaker 2: the Chiefs, it's a terrific job with a great bunch 109 00:05:56,347 --> 00:06:00,027 Speaker 2: of players. You must be expecting high interest, are you. 110 00:06:02,067 --> 00:06:08,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, you would do absolutely for us. That's and and 111 00:06:09,067 --> 00:06:13,467 Speaker 3: cultural fit is big for us. So the list of 112 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:16,547 Speaker 3: candidates may not be quite as big as people might think. 113 00:06:17,587 --> 00:06:19,387 Speaker 3: You know, I think you know, Clayton has done a 114 00:06:19,387 --> 00:06:24,227 Speaker 3: fantastic job and huge, huge shoes to fill. But you know, 115 00:06:24,267 --> 00:06:28,187 Speaker 3: we've seen how good he is off the field as 116 00:06:28,187 --> 00:06:31,507 Speaker 3: well and what he does. You know, he's pretty special individual. 117 00:06:31,587 --> 00:06:34,627 Speaker 3: So he's probably said a bit of a benchmark of 118 00:06:34,867 --> 00:06:37,667 Speaker 3: of of what we what we need in the club 119 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:40,027 Speaker 3: and and we've seen the success that that's driven. 120 00:06:40,707 --> 00:06:43,587 Speaker 2: He's a pretty uh, pretty understated character too, isn't he 121 00:06:43,627 --> 00:06:45,267 Speaker 2: Did he just knock on your door and say, Simon, 122 00:06:45,347 --> 00:06:46,227 Speaker 2: I'm off to Ireland. 123 00:06:48,707 --> 00:06:52,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean he's you know, he's Clayton's pretty specially 124 00:06:52,907 --> 00:06:55,947 Speaker 3: he is. He is quite quiet, but he's you know, 125 00:06:56,027 --> 00:06:58,987 Speaker 3: everything he does he does with with dignity and with respect, 126 00:06:59,027 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 3: and he's you know, he's a very very good individual 127 00:07:04,027 --> 00:07:05,627 Speaker 3: around the club as. 128 00:07:05,467 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 2: Far as you're concerned. And you know, when when somebody 129 00:07:07,667 --> 00:07:10,627 Speaker 2: who has been so influential on your team like Clayton 130 00:07:11,027 --> 00:07:13,387 Speaker 2: comes to you and says, look, I've made this career decision. 131 00:07:13,387 --> 00:07:16,507 Speaker 2: I've been given this opportunity with Munster, I can't really 132 00:07:16,547 --> 00:07:18,307 Speaker 2: turn it down. It's it's going to be the right 133 00:07:18,347 --> 00:07:20,907 Speaker 2: move for me. Did any part of you want to 134 00:07:20,907 --> 00:07:23,707 Speaker 2: try and convince him to stay? 135 00:07:24,107 --> 00:07:30,107 Speaker 3: Oh, every part, to be honest, But the reality is, 136 00:07:30,147 --> 00:07:34,027 Speaker 3: you know, like he he was upfront and open the 137 00:07:34,027 --> 00:07:38,987 Speaker 3: whole way through the process. And in many ways we're developed, 138 00:07:39,307 --> 00:07:41,227 Speaker 3: you know, we try to develop, you know, we try 139 00:07:41,267 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 3: to develop all our people, whether that's players or coaches 140 00:07:44,227 --> 00:07:47,707 Speaker 3: or Edmund stuff. And you know, this is part of 141 00:07:47,747 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: his journey in his coaching career. So at some point 142 00:07:51,787 --> 00:07:54,187 Speaker 3: we knew that he was going to go. And yeah, 143 00:07:54,427 --> 00:07:57,747 Speaker 3: but I would have loved to lock him in a 144 00:07:57,787 --> 00:07:59,267 Speaker 3: long term, but I'm not sure that would have been 145 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:00,627 Speaker 3: the right thing for his coaching. 146 00:08:00,427 --> 00:08:03,147 Speaker 2: Jenny, dead right, dead right. So what takes up most 147 00:08:03,187 --> 00:08:06,427 Speaker 2: of your time on a week to week basis, Simon. 148 00:08:07,427 --> 00:08:10,347 Speaker 3: Oh, a number of a number of things, you know, 149 00:08:10,507 --> 00:08:14,907 Speaker 3: Like I mean, I'm probably over obviously all areas of 150 00:08:14,947 --> 00:08:17,827 Speaker 3: the organization. So you know, from the from the rugby 151 00:08:17,867 --> 00:08:21,787 Speaker 3: to the commercial to whether it's sponsors, whether it's you know, 152 00:08:21,867 --> 00:08:26,187 Speaker 3: helping with helping the team set up a game at 153 00:08:26,227 --> 00:08:30,827 Speaker 3: a new venue like the Bay Oval, dealing with dealing 154 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:35,467 Speaker 3: with shareholders and key partners and stakeholders and rugby and 155 00:08:35,507 --> 00:08:40,627 Speaker 3: out of rugby, and yeah, it's a reasonably interesting and 156 00:08:41,547 --> 00:08:43,747 Speaker 3: pretty fruitful sort of industry to be involved in. 157 00:08:44,027 --> 00:08:46,267 Speaker 2: Can you still watch a game as a fan or 158 00:08:46,347 --> 00:08:47,667 Speaker 2: is that just not possible anymore? 159 00:08:49,347 --> 00:08:53,667 Speaker 3: Uh? Absolutely watching as a fan, but I probably watched games 160 00:08:53,707 --> 00:08:55,387 Speaker 3: a bit different now too. You know, you'll watch a 161 00:08:55,427 --> 00:08:57,987 Speaker 3: game and you have a look at what's the off 162 00:08:58,027 --> 00:09:00,867 Speaker 3: field piece, what are the fans engaging in, what are 163 00:09:00,907 --> 00:09:05,987 Speaker 3: the what's the hospitality offerings? But you know, I'm on 164 00:09:06,067 --> 00:09:07,947 Speaker 3: the cur mean for the weekend, so I'll pop down 165 00:09:08,027 --> 00:09:11,347 Speaker 3: to the follow the rugby club and watch some club 166 00:09:11,347 --> 00:09:14,587 Speaker 3: foody this afternoon as well. So I still love the game, 167 00:09:15,067 --> 00:09:16,987 Speaker 3: but I'll probably watched it a little bit differently now 168 00:09:17,027 --> 00:09:18,827 Speaker 3: to word wins to good. 169 00:09:18,627 --> 00:09:20,827 Speaker 2: To see your man Wallace. So Titi back out there 170 00:09:20,867 --> 00:09:21,267 Speaker 2: last night? 171 00:09:21,307 --> 00:09:23,027 Speaker 3: Eh? Yeah? 172 00:09:23,227 --> 00:09:23,427 Speaker 1: Yeah? 173 00:09:23,427 --> 00:09:26,467 Speaker 3: In the he didn't really look like he'd been off 174 00:09:26,467 --> 00:09:28,187 Speaker 3: the pack for too long too, did. He sort of 175 00:09:29,067 --> 00:09:31,187 Speaker 3: just slotted straight back in. So I think that's going 176 00:09:31,227 --> 00:09:34,307 Speaker 3: to cause Clayton and the coach up group a few 177 00:09:34,347 --> 00:09:37,547 Speaker 3: selection problems. But that's as good as you'd have that's 178 00:09:37,587 --> 00:09:38,067 Speaker 3: what you're. 179 00:09:37,947 --> 00:09:40,187 Speaker 2: After, Simon. Great to get the chance to chat too today. 180 00:09:40,787 --> 00:09:42,867 Speaker 2: Enjoy your club rugby viewing this afternoon. I bet that 181 00:09:42,987 --> 00:09:45,547 Speaker 2: must be quite nice to get down to the grassroots 182 00:09:45,547 --> 00:09:47,547 Speaker 2: and watch some club rugby. All the best for the 183 00:09:47,587 --> 00:09:50,307 Speaker 2: rest of the Chiefs season and let's hope it's the 184 00:09:50,307 --> 00:09:51,707 Speaker 2: third time lucky for your franchise. 185 00:09:53,027 --> 00:09:56,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, fingers crossed. Yeah, a little bit of work to 186 00:09:56,107 --> 00:09:56,827 Speaker 3: do before we get there. 187 00:09:57,027 --> 00:09:58,947 Speaker 2: No, thanks for the time, No, thank you for your time. 188 00:09:59,587 --> 00:10:02,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live 189 00:10:02,867 --> 00:10:06,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the 190 00:10:06,387 --> 00:10:07,787 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.