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 --> 00:00:12,707 Speaker 1: from Newstalks. D B. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:17,227 Speaker 2: Blues are back in Super Rugby playoff contention and the 4 00:00:17,267 --> 00:00:20,587 Speaker 2: Blues get the bonus point and they're in the top 5 00:00:20,667 --> 00:00:24,627 Speaker 2: six playoff spots for maybe only twenty four hours. They 6 00:00:24,707 --> 00:00:27,427 Speaker 2: went at forty nineteen over the Force last night at 7 00:00:27,547 --> 00:00:30,427 Speaker 2: Edon Park. Blues hooker Kurt Eckland as with us Kirk, 8 00:00:30,467 --> 00:00:32,547 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time. How are the overall levels of 9 00:00:32,587 --> 00:00:34,547 Speaker 2: satisfaction after that win last night? 10 00:00:36,067 --> 00:00:38,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, mate, mus been saying we've been working towards for 11 00:00:38,507 --> 00:00:41,107 Speaker 3: a while, and I think satisfaction, a bit of release 12 00:00:41,427 --> 00:00:43,427 Speaker 3: and you know, I think, you know, a little bit 13 00:00:43,427 --> 00:00:44,827 Speaker 3: of confidence to get out of that one as well. 14 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:48,987 Speaker 2: How needed was this win given the season that you've had. 15 00:00:50,387 --> 00:00:53,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, big time, man, especially the position we've put ourselves in, 16 00:00:53,707 --> 00:00:55,267 Speaker 3: Like if we had to drop that game, you know, 17 00:00:55,467 --> 00:00:57,107 Speaker 3: like I'm not sure what it would have been like 18 00:00:57,587 --> 00:01:00,067 Speaker 3: trying to make them top six, But you know, I 19 00:01:00,067 --> 00:01:02,907 Speaker 3: think we're back in contention now and as long as 20 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:06,347 Speaker 3: we win every game running into the playoffs in hopefully 21 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:08,387 Speaker 3: we'll find ourselves playing in them. I suppose. 22 00:01:09,387 --> 00:01:11,387 Speaker 2: Why do you think have you been able to put 23 00:01:11,427 --> 00:01:13,947 Speaker 2: your finger on why the season has been such an 24 00:01:13,947 --> 00:01:15,547 Speaker 2: inconsistent one for you. 25 00:01:17,147 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 3: I think you added on the head there. It's just 26 00:01:18,907 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 3: the inconsistencies. Like, you know, we've had a few games 27 00:01:22,147 --> 00:01:24,307 Speaker 3: who we thought we've played a right and we've been 28 00:01:24,387 --> 00:01:27,747 Speaker 3: unfortunate to miss out a couple of points. And then 29 00:01:28,187 --> 00:01:30,547 Speaker 3: there's been other games that we haven't, you know, just 30 00:01:30,587 --> 00:01:32,707 Speaker 3: turned up and played at all. So I think the 31 00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:35,507 Speaker 3: inconsistency of the season is probably a big thing. And 32 00:01:36,387 --> 00:01:39,147 Speaker 3: you know, hopefully if we can build a few consistent 33 00:01:39,187 --> 00:01:41,227 Speaker 3: performances in the next few weeks and things to start 34 00:01:41,267 --> 00:01:43,387 Speaker 3: tender up or up for us. 35 00:01:44,147 --> 00:01:47,867 Speaker 2: Are you employing a fairly similar game plan to the 36 00:01:47,907 --> 00:01:50,067 Speaker 2: one that was so successful for you last season. 37 00:01:51,987 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 3: I think we've tried like a few little bits and 38 00:01:53,867 --> 00:01:56,827 Speaker 3: bobs and some variations throughout the season, and I think, 39 00:01:57,147 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 3: you know, it's the old cliches, mate, back to basics, 40 00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 3: and I think that's really what works for us. And 41 00:02:01,987 --> 00:02:04,307 Speaker 3: I suppose any rugby teammate, you know, you're playing the 42 00:02:04,347 --> 00:02:06,787 Speaker 3: right end of the field and all that's the thing, 43 00:02:06,827 --> 00:02:09,547 Speaker 3: and things really start to work out for you. So 44 00:02:09,587 --> 00:02:12,867 Speaker 3: I think that's been a big focus for us. But 45 00:02:12,907 --> 00:02:15,587 Speaker 3: we still need to nail a little little bits along 46 00:02:15,587 --> 00:02:17,667 Speaker 3: the way as well. So yeah, just like you said 47 00:02:17,667 --> 00:02:19,187 Speaker 3: that consistency and trying to find that. 48 00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 2: Twelve seven are you lead at a half time last 49 00:02:22,667 --> 00:02:26,307 Speaker 2: night so fairly narrow halftime margin. Did something change in 50 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:28,547 Speaker 2: the second half that allowed you to kind of stretch away? 51 00:02:30,827 --> 00:02:34,587 Speaker 3: I think we just talked about a half time, you know, 52 00:02:34,907 --> 00:02:38,067 Speaker 3: plant to our potential, and we knew the force was 53 00:02:38,107 --> 00:02:40,027 Speaker 3: going to come out and you know, they've done it 54 00:02:40,467 --> 00:02:43,627 Speaker 3: every other game, you know that very competitive and their 55 00:02:43,627 --> 00:02:46,227 Speaker 3: first half showed that. But I think we had another 56 00:02:46,347 --> 00:02:50,227 Speaker 3: level to give and you know, like we just needed 57 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:52,187 Speaker 3: that belief and someone has spark something and I think 58 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:56,387 Speaker 3: A J's try first up really helped that. And then 59 00:02:56,667 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 3: sort of got a bit of momentum from there. 60 00:02:59,387 --> 00:03:01,587 Speaker 2: And you're back in the side. Obviously. I know we 61 00:03:01,587 --> 00:03:03,587 Speaker 2: spoke earlier in the season. You had a pretty frustrating 62 00:03:03,587 --> 00:03:05,747 Speaker 2: time of things, didn't your first month or so, we're 63 00:03:05,787 --> 00:03:07,547 Speaker 2: out for the first four games, came back and then 64 00:03:07,547 --> 00:03:09,427 Speaker 2: there's another one. He enjoying being back on the side. 65 00:03:09,507 --> 00:03:12,387 Speaker 2: Next for getting a decent run without any injuries. 66 00:03:12,427 --> 00:03:16,827 Speaker 3: Touch Wood, Yeah, touch with mate, You know, it makes 67 00:03:16,867 --> 00:03:20,027 Speaker 3: all the training worthwhile, you know, that's all we do. 68 00:03:20,227 --> 00:03:21,747 Speaker 3: And to be out in the panic, mate, you know, 69 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:24,347 Speaker 3: that's that's the icing on the cakes. So yeah, we 70 00:03:24,427 --> 00:03:26,987 Speaker 3: just keep winning, mate, and keep smiling. So that's the plan. 71 00:03:27,067 --> 00:03:29,867 Speaker 2: Really good stuff. It's up to Souber next day, the 72 00:03:29,947 --> 00:03:33,347 Speaker 2: Drewer then onea Pacific. I warrants us. They all seem winnable, 73 00:03:33,667 --> 00:03:35,547 Speaker 2: don't they all seem winnable those games? 74 00:03:36,747 --> 00:03:38,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, you know every game is winnable, mate. But 75 00:03:39,787 --> 00:03:42,347 Speaker 3: you know, again these teams have shown that they can 76 00:03:42,347 --> 00:03:44,507 Speaker 3: play some good footy as well, so you know you 77 00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:47,387 Speaker 3: can't take anyone lightly, especially going to Suber. You know, 78 00:03:47,947 --> 00:03:49,907 Speaker 3: their home field advantage that they have over there and 79 00:03:49,947 --> 00:03:51,347 Speaker 3: the support that they get is going to be a 80 00:03:51,387 --> 00:03:53,787 Speaker 3: huge game for us. So one day we really need 81 00:03:53,787 --> 00:03:57,227 Speaker 3: to you know, get on top of and yeah, just 82 00:03:57,827 --> 00:03:59,187 Speaker 3: like I said, if we can get some back to 83 00:03:59,227 --> 00:04:02,147 Speaker 3: their performances and their consistency back in our game, then 84 00:04:02,187 --> 00:04:02,907 Speaker 3: we should be all right. 85 00:04:03,427 --> 00:04:05,627 Speaker 2: Now, just before you go, what was Angus Taavar doing 86 00:04:05,627 --> 00:04:07,027 Speaker 2: at the end trying to get the ball out? What 87 00:04:07,107 --> 00:04:07,667 Speaker 2: happened there? 88 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:08,827 Speaker 3: Oh? 89 00:04:09,027 --> 00:04:09,147 Speaker 1: Bro? 90 00:04:09,347 --> 00:04:12,947 Speaker 3: Let us front rowers down, that's for sure. You know, 91 00:04:13,027 --> 00:04:15,987 Speaker 3: you usually you usually back in the kicker ball two 92 00:04:16,027 --> 00:04:21,027 Speaker 3: meters over the touch line. But you know again the 93 00:04:21,067 --> 00:04:23,467 Speaker 3: back into the cliches don't take you off the ball, mate, 94 00:04:23,587 --> 00:04:27,307 Speaker 3: you know. So yeah we'll have we'll have a big 95 00:04:27,427 --> 00:04:30,787 Speaker 3: chat with our front rollers. Meeting made and yeah really 96 00:04:30,867 --> 00:04:32,827 Speaker 3: let us down there. But you know it's work on 97 00:04:32,867 --> 00:04:34,947 Speaker 3: for him, so hopefully he'll be better off or if 98 00:04:34,947 --> 00:04:36,507 Speaker 3: he gets his opportunity. 99 00:04:35,987 --> 00:04:39,067 Speaker 2: Again exactly his kicking the touch from two meters think 100 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:44,547 Speaker 2: for the big fuller. Well last time mate, you got 101 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,347 Speaker 2: you got the points. I hope it's say the start 102 00:04:47,347 --> 00:04:49,227 Speaker 2: of a good run, a good run towards the finals. Man, 103 00:04:49,227 --> 00:04:50,787 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time for. 104 00:04:50,787 --> 00:04:54,427 Speaker 3: A jet Thanks Matt, all right, thank you you too. 105 00:04:54,467 --> 00:04:57,027 Speaker 2: Good etlamm st If you saw that at the end 106 00:04:57,907 --> 00:05:00,427 Speaker 2: the Blues had the ball and all they had to 107 00:05:00,467 --> 00:05:02,067 Speaker 2: do was kick it in the touch from but they 108 00:05:02,067 --> 00:05:04,187 Speaker 2: were inside their own twenty two. They're basically five meters 109 00:05:04,187 --> 00:05:06,627 Speaker 2: out and the ball spits out there, so so you 110 00:05:06,707 --> 00:05:07,787 Speaker 2: just got to pick up the ball and kick it 111 00:05:07,787 --> 00:05:11,507 Speaker 2: into touch. It literally two meters away from the touch line. 112 00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:13,867 Speaker 2: Angus Tartavas had a bit of a he's picked it 113 00:05:13,947 --> 00:05:16,227 Speaker 2: up and he's basically just gone to kick it into touch. 114 00:05:16,227 --> 00:05:19,947 Speaker 2: And he's just for some unknown reason not being able 115 00:05:19,987 --> 00:05:21,747 Speaker 2: to do it. It's kind of scuffed off his foot 116 00:05:21,787 --> 00:05:25,227 Speaker 2: and it stayed in. And the potential, I mean that 117 00:05:25,307 --> 00:05:28,507 Speaker 2: the Blues had the game won, but they had the 118 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:31,987 Speaker 2: potential to lose the bonus point because they scored three 119 00:05:32,027 --> 00:05:35,747 Speaker 2: more tries than the Force did last night, so they 120 00:05:35,747 --> 00:05:37,507 Speaker 2: had the bonus point. Kick it into touch, you take 121 00:05:37,507 --> 00:05:39,667 Speaker 2: the bonus point, you take the five points. Instead, the 122 00:05:39,707 --> 00:05:42,227 Speaker 2: ball didn't go into touch. The Force got it and 123 00:05:42,267 --> 00:05:45,947 Speaker 2: they were were on a tech. I can only imagine 124 00:05:46,507 --> 00:05:50,667 Speaker 2: the talking to Angus Tartovo would have got had the 125 00:05:50,747 --> 00:05:53,147 Speaker 2: Force managed to score a try and deny what could 126 00:05:53,187 --> 00:05:56,267 Speaker 2: be a fairly important bonus point from the Blues. Didn't happen. 127 00:05:56,587 --> 00:05:59,067 Speaker 2: Everything okay, I'm sure we'll get plenty of good natured 128 00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:02,347 Speaker 2: ribbing from his teammates in the weak ahead. 129 00:06:02,987 --> 00:06:06,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 130 00:06:06,507 --> 00:06:09,707 Speaker 1: News Talks It B weekends from midday, or follow the 131 00:06:09,707 --> 00:06:11,227 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.