1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,387 Speaker 1: from Newstalk. 3 00:00:11,467 --> 00:00:15,507 Speaker 2: ZEDB won their first game on New Zealand soil since 4 00:00:15,587 --> 00:00:19,067 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two, and just their second from their last 5 00:00:19,107 --> 00:00:22,707 Speaker 2: twenty five matches in New Zealand. They've beaten Mina PACIFICA 6 00:00:22,827 --> 00:00:26,707 Speaker 2: thirty five, nineteen in Pookakoe in the thirteen Jersey for 7 00:00:26,747 --> 00:00:29,707 Speaker 2: the Western Force, nineteen test All Black and five time 8 00:00:29,947 --> 00:00:33,347 Speaker 2: Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders. George Bridge, it's a 9 00:00:33,387 --> 00:00:35,787 Speaker 2: long gat game of wan to hold out fines Bridge 10 00:00:35,827 --> 00:00:39,867 Speaker 2: Bridge this time it's it a short browning from George 11 00:00:39,867 --> 00:00:43,227 Speaker 2: Bridge that one will not be ruled out. George Bridge 12 00:00:43,267 --> 00:00:45,187 Speaker 2: is with us on Weekend Sport. George, thanks for your time. 13 00:00:45,187 --> 00:00:47,347 Speaker 2: Big win for you and your team, your first of 14 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:50,627 Speaker 2: the season, your first for a long time over here. 15 00:00:50,707 --> 00:00:54,187 Speaker 2: How satisfying is that result and that performance for the team. 16 00:00:54,467 --> 00:00:56,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was a great result for us last night. 17 00:00:58,267 --> 00:01:00,787 Speaker 3: We're pretty disappointed about the first couple of rounds. I 18 00:01:00,787 --> 00:01:03,227 Speaker 3: think we probably should have got a bit more out 19 00:01:03,267 --> 00:01:05,787 Speaker 3: of our games. Yet game against the Blues last weekend, 20 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:08,827 Speaker 3: so yeah, great result, great to start to our tour. 21 00:01:08,827 --> 00:01:11,627 Speaker 3: We've got two more games here in New Zealand, so yeah, 22 00:01:11,627 --> 00:01:14,867 Speaker 3: it's good to get a bit of confidence and anything. 23 00:01:14,907 --> 00:01:18,147 Speaker 2: In particular last night that was you know, was noticeably 24 00:01:18,187 --> 00:01:20,467 Speaker 2: better than the first couple of games of the season. 25 00:01:21,987 --> 00:01:22,307 Speaker 4: I think. 26 00:01:22,427 --> 00:01:25,827 Speaker 3: Well, fortunately we managed to score some points, so the 27 00:01:25,867 --> 00:01:28,467 Speaker 3: first twenty minutes we were pretty dominant against the Blues 28 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:32,147 Speaker 3: against the Brumbies in round one and had to just 29 00:01:32,267 --> 00:01:34,987 Speaker 3: out tries in the first twenty minutes and stuff like that, 30 00:01:35,067 --> 00:01:37,587 Speaker 3: so we've been a bit annoyed that we weren't able 31 00:01:37,627 --> 00:01:40,147 Speaker 3: to execute with all the pressure that we've been applying. 32 00:01:40,187 --> 00:01:44,387 Speaker 3: So it was nice to score some points and score 33 00:01:44,427 --> 00:01:44,867 Speaker 3: some tries. 34 00:01:45,027 --> 00:01:45,267 Speaker 4: Is good. 35 00:01:45,547 --> 00:01:47,387 Speaker 2: Do you feel like this is a good demonstration of 36 00:01:47,387 --> 00:01:50,547 Speaker 2: what the Force are capable of when it does come together. 37 00:01:51,827 --> 00:01:54,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think. Yeah, we want to play pretty. 38 00:01:54,507 --> 00:01:57,267 Speaker 3: I think that was a big sort of point for 39 00:01:57,307 --> 00:01:59,547 Speaker 3: me to come to the Force is their attacking style 40 00:01:59,587 --> 00:02:00,467 Speaker 3: of play and stuff. 41 00:02:00,507 --> 00:02:01,747 Speaker 4: So it's good to. 42 00:02:01,667 --> 00:02:04,187 Speaker 3: See it starting to come out on the field and 43 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:05,947 Speaker 3: hopefully we can continue to go on it. 44 00:02:07,187 --> 00:02:09,707 Speaker 4: Yeah, keep winning some games. 45 00:02:09,747 --> 00:02:11,947 Speaker 2: Back playing in New Zealand, did that add a bit 46 00:02:11,987 --> 00:02:14,067 Speaker 2: extra to this one for you personally? 47 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:17,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been a few years since I've played in 48 00:02:17,187 --> 00:02:20,347 Speaker 3: New Zealand. So it's nice, nice to be home, and yeah, 49 00:02:20,467 --> 00:02:22,747 Speaker 3: plenty of familiar faces around. Had a bit of family 50 00:02:23,067 --> 00:02:25,227 Speaker 3: in the stand, so yeah, I'm joining it. 51 00:02:25,427 --> 00:02:28,627 Speaker 2: Wonderful stuff. Now, the early opportunity you had you're over 52 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:32,907 Speaker 2: the line, didn't ground the ball. I've at least given 53 00:02:32,907 --> 00:02:34,827 Speaker 2: you a couple of minutes before I brought it up. George, 54 00:02:35,667 --> 00:02:37,827 Speaker 2: Well you knew at the time you didn't get it down. 55 00:02:37,867 --> 00:02:39,307 Speaker 2: I saw your mouth something afterwards. 56 00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:43,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's definitely a bit of a coach killer, that one. 57 00:02:43,147 --> 00:02:46,307 Speaker 3: And yeah, I've copped a few messages from all my 58 00:02:46,387 --> 00:02:51,707 Speaker 3: mates and stuff spray me, so yeah, pretty dusty from 59 00:02:51,707 --> 00:02:55,107 Speaker 3: my palf. But fortunately it was able to make up 60 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:57,827 Speaker 3: for it after that, so hopefully it doesn't happen again. 61 00:02:57,907 --> 00:02:59,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, well you got you tried, didn't you, and and 62 00:02:59,787 --> 00:03:03,027 Speaker 2: played a big role in the in the result. Clearly 63 00:03:03,267 --> 00:03:05,067 Speaker 2: you can't turn back time, can you. So what you 64 00:03:05,107 --> 00:03:06,787 Speaker 2: just have to put something like that out your mind 65 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:07,307 Speaker 2: and carry on. 66 00:03:08,307 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 4: Yeah, obviously you can't do anything about it. 67 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:14,227 Speaker 3: So we'd got the penalty anyway, so we're sort of 68 00:03:14,507 --> 00:03:17,587 Speaker 3: still on the attack, sort of just next next job 69 00:03:17,627 --> 00:03:19,107 Speaker 3: focus And yeah, it was good. 70 00:03:19,747 --> 00:03:22,227 Speaker 2: How are you enjoying it in the force environment. You 71 00:03:22,267 --> 00:03:25,987 Speaker 2: talked there about the attacking philosophy there. You know, how 72 00:03:26,067 --> 00:03:27,787 Speaker 2: much are you enjoying your time there. I know it's 73 00:03:27,827 --> 00:03:29,347 Speaker 2: only been a short time, but you enjoying yourself? 74 00:03:30,027 --> 00:03:30,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been great. 75 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:34,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, lots of good humans within the team and the 76 00:03:34,227 --> 00:03:36,067 Speaker 3: management as well, and yeah. 77 00:03:35,907 --> 00:03:38,147 Speaker 4: The attacking focus has been really good. 78 00:03:38,187 --> 00:03:42,547 Speaker 3: I'm sort of more in the defensive sort of side 79 00:03:42,587 --> 00:03:46,067 Speaker 3: of things and sort of the. 80 00:03:45,467 --> 00:03:46,867 Speaker 4: The leadership group and whatnot. 81 00:03:46,987 --> 00:03:50,987 Speaker 3: So yeah, we're trying to trying to continue to grow 82 00:03:51,027 --> 00:03:53,907 Speaker 3: and obviously getting the win last night as massive for us, 83 00:03:53,947 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 3: and we've got a big couple of games against Hilanders 84 00:03:57,187 --> 00:03:59,627 Speaker 3: and the Hurricanes over the next couple of weeks. So yeah, 85 00:03:59,707 --> 00:04:01,507 Speaker 3: hopefully hopefully you go all right against them. 86 00:04:01,627 --> 00:04:03,667 Speaker 2: We got used to your playing mainly on the wing 87 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:06,307 Speaker 2: of course during your time here. How are you enjoying 88 00:04:06,707 --> 00:04:09,267 Speaker 2: playing a different position, getting that thirteen on your back? 89 00:04:09,907 --> 00:04:12,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been a good challenge. It's been exciting for 90 00:04:12,947 --> 00:04:16,907 Speaker 3: me sort of doing something new. I played had three 91 00:04:16,947 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 3: years in France on the wing, sort of just chasing 92 00:04:19,267 --> 00:04:22,027 Speaker 3: highballs and whatnot, so I was keen to do something 93 00:04:22,107 --> 00:04:26,187 Speaker 3: new and Simon Cronn when I first arrived in person 94 00:04:26,227 --> 00:04:28,107 Speaker 3: that he was looking at me as a center, which 95 00:04:28,467 --> 00:04:31,747 Speaker 3: I was pretty well aligned with. So it was a 96 00:04:31,747 --> 00:04:35,587 Speaker 3: good preseason seat of just learning the role and making 97 00:04:35,587 --> 00:04:37,827 Speaker 3: a few connections with the boys inside and outside of me. 98 00:04:37,867 --> 00:04:41,227 Speaker 3: And it's been fun so far. There's a fair few 99 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:44,307 Speaker 3: contacts in the centers and stuff which I'm not so used. 100 00:04:44,147 --> 00:04:46,547 Speaker 4: To, but no, I definitely enjoying it. 101 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:49,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, have you played there at all growing up or 102 00:04:49,907 --> 00:04:51,547 Speaker 2: had you played them if you like I say, I've 103 00:04:51,587 --> 00:04:53,067 Speaker 2: only ever really seen you play on the wing. 104 00:04:53,587 --> 00:04:56,147 Speaker 3: Yeah. I used to finish a few games with the 105 00:04:56,147 --> 00:04:59,307 Speaker 3: Crusaders at thirteen for like the last twenty minutes, and 106 00:04:59,347 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 3: then my whole time in France, I was sort of 107 00:05:02,467 --> 00:05:04,547 Speaker 3: I was playing on the wing but defending it at 108 00:05:04,587 --> 00:05:07,187 Speaker 3: ten or thirteen off lineouts and stuff like that, so 109 00:05:08,267 --> 00:05:12,387 Speaker 3: I had a fair idea. But yeah, it's more defensively, 110 00:05:12,427 --> 00:05:15,227 Speaker 3: I feel fine. It's more the attacking side just sort 111 00:05:15,227 --> 00:05:18,507 Speaker 3: of been that link between you know that our ten 112 00:05:18,587 --> 00:05:21,227 Speaker 3: and outside backs and the forwards and stuff. So that's 113 00:05:21,227 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 3: where I've sort of been putting in a lot of work, 114 00:05:23,347 --> 00:05:26,187 Speaker 3: and I think the communication side. 115 00:05:26,067 --> 00:05:28,347 Speaker 4: Of thing has been really important for me good stuff. 116 00:05:28,467 --> 00:05:30,107 Speaker 2: How do you reflect back on your time playing in 117 00:05:30,147 --> 00:05:31,427 Speaker 2: France over the last three years. 118 00:05:32,307 --> 00:05:36,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was great. It was a great experience. Rugby 119 00:05:36,227 --> 00:05:38,867 Speaker 3: side of things was reasonably just difficult. We had a 120 00:05:39,307 --> 00:05:43,707 Speaker 3: pretty tricky few seasons at Montpellier, but all in all 121 00:05:43,747 --> 00:05:45,707 Speaker 3: it was a great experience and I enjoyed my time 122 00:05:46,747 --> 00:05:49,547 Speaker 3: doing something new and playing that sort of European style 123 00:05:49,547 --> 00:05:50,147 Speaker 3: of footage. 124 00:05:50,387 --> 00:05:53,187 Speaker 2: So, as you mentioned, Highlanders and Dunedin next weekend, then 125 00:05:53,227 --> 00:05:56,507 Speaker 2: the Hurricanes and Napier the following Friday, and presumably you're 126 00:05:56,507 --> 00:05:57,947 Speaker 2: staying over here the whole time. So I guess that 127 00:05:57,987 --> 00:06:00,067 Speaker 2: gives you the opportunity, doesn't it, to spend a bit 128 00:06:00,067 --> 00:06:02,507 Speaker 2: of time with one another, and not enough to get 129 00:06:02,547 --> 00:06:04,907 Speaker 2: sick of one another, hopefully, but you'll have a you 130 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:09,387 Speaker 2: know it does I guess solidify some relationships within the team. 131 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:10,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely. 132 00:06:12,027 --> 00:06:14,507 Speaker 3: Going on tour for the Fellers is always a great 133 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 3: time and we've got plenty of time to get around 134 00:06:17,707 --> 00:06:19,867 Speaker 3: each other. We said in the team room we had 135 00:06:19,907 --> 00:06:22,707 Speaker 3: a few beers with each other celebrating a win, so 136 00:06:22,827 --> 00:06:25,107 Speaker 3: that's sort of that's kind of what you play for 137 00:06:25,187 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 3: and that's when you get all of those tight connections 138 00:06:27,027 --> 00:06:30,707 Speaker 3: and stuff. So yeah, we were pretty early doors in 139 00:06:30,747 --> 00:06:34,547 Speaker 3: the in the tour, but head down to Dunedin tomorrow and. 140 00:06:36,187 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 4: Prepared for the game against Islanders. 141 00:06:38,107 --> 00:06:39,987 Speaker 2: Was that playing surfers a bit ropy last night? 142 00:06:41,387 --> 00:06:44,027 Speaker 3: Oh, I'm not going to lie to you. I've played 143 00:06:44,027 --> 00:06:48,747 Speaker 3: on better. But it was it was all good. 144 00:06:48,787 --> 00:06:50,667 Speaker 4: It was, it was. It was not too bad. 145 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:53,747 Speaker 2: That is good diplomacy from you, mate, That is good diplomacy. 146 00:06:53,747 --> 00:06:55,827 Speaker 2: Well done. They congrats on the result last night. George, 147 00:06:55,867 --> 00:06:57,347 Speaker 2: all the beast for the week ahead as you're prepared 148 00:06:57,347 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 2: for the Highlanders in Dunedin. 149 00:06:58,907 --> 00:07:00,547 Speaker 4: See thank you very much, No, thank you mate. 150 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:02,907 Speaker 2: That is George Bridge out of the Western Force after 151 00:07:02,947 --> 00:07:05,627 Speaker 2: their win over More on the Pacific. At at Pokercoe 152 00:07:05,507 --> 00:07:08,427 Speaker 2: It was a bit ropie, especially down that the end 153 00:07:08,467 --> 00:07:11,147 Speaker 2: that George Bridge first didn't score and then did score 154 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:13,347 Speaker 2: to the right of the screen. As you looked, it 155 00:07:13,427 --> 00:07:15,667 Speaker 2: just looked a bit dusty, didn't it there at Pokacoey 156 00:07:16,467 --> 00:07:18,107 Speaker 2: last night. I'm sure there'll be more to be said 157 00:07:18,147 --> 00:07:20,307 Speaker 2: about that. So super rugby. Oh last night as well 158 00:07:20,347 --> 00:07:24,347 Speaker 2: the Reds beating the Highlanders thirty one fourteen in Brisbane, 159 00:07:24,747 --> 00:07:27,867 Speaker 2: So that's two straight defeats, isn't it for the Highlanders? 160 00:07:29,307 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 4: I got that right? 161 00:07:29,947 --> 00:07:31,067 Speaker 2: Did they lose last weekend? 162 00:07:31,107 --> 00:07:31,267 Speaker 4: Yeah? 163 00:07:31,267 --> 00:07:33,027 Speaker 2: The Chiefs beat them, didn't they down in Dunedin, So 164 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:36,627 Speaker 2: after their first up one of the Crusaders, that straight 165 00:07:36,987 --> 00:07:39,067 Speaker 2: or back to back defeats for the Highlanders. Today, we've 166 00:07:39,107 --> 00:07:42,027 Speaker 2: got a triple header to look forward to in Laotoka 167 00:07:42,147 --> 00:07:44,787 Speaker 2: from four thirty five this afternoon, it is the Fiji 168 00:07:44,787 --> 00:07:48,147 Speaker 2: and Drewer up against the Hurricanes, and then a repeat 169 00:07:48,227 --> 00:07:52,107 Speaker 2: of last year's Grand Final, albeit in Hamilton not christ 170 00:07:52,187 --> 00:07:54,307 Speaker 2: Church as the Chiefs, who have won their first two 171 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:59,027 Speaker 2: games welcome the Crusaders who have lost their first two games. 172 00:07:59,027 --> 00:08:01,027 Speaker 2: That's five past seven, and then at nine to thirty 173 00:08:01,027 --> 00:08:04,427 Speaker 2: five tonight in Canberra it is the Brumbies against the Blues. 174 00:08:04,547 --> 00:08:07,347 Speaker 2: All three of those games them for you on Gold 175 00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:11,347 Speaker 2: Sport and iHeartRadio four thirty five, seven o five and 176 00:08:11,627 --> 00:08:15,267 Speaker 2: nine thirty five. As Round three of Super Rugby Pacific 177 00:08:15,307 --> 00:08:17,627 Speaker 2: as completed, we'll wrap it all tomorrow. The big storylines 178 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:19,547 Speaker 2: will be here on Weekend Sport. 179 00:08:20,307 --> 00:08:23,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 180 00:08:23,627 --> 00:08:26,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday or follow 181 00:08:26,947 --> 00:08:28,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio,