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 --> 00:00:11,467 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,627 --> 00:00:14,867 Speaker 2: ED b B League comes to Eden Park today in 4 00:00:14,907 --> 00:00:19,187 Speaker 2: the form of a Pacific Championship doubleheader. The Kiwi Ferns 5 00:00:19,267 --> 00:00:21,787 Speaker 2: up against Australia and the women's match from three point 6 00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:24,627 Speaker 2: thirty five this afternoon, and then it's the Kiwis to 7 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:27,867 Speaker 2: play Tonga in the men's match from five past six. 8 00:00:27,987 --> 00:00:32,227 Speaker 2: Let's bring in Kiwi's and Penrith second rower Isaiah papalii Izaia. 9 00:00:32,227 --> 00:00:34,227 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, mate. Can we start with the 10 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:37,987 Speaker 2: review of the game against some More seems an age ago, 11 00:00:37,987 --> 00:00:39,587 Speaker 2: a couple of weeks ago. What were the main things 12 00:00:39,587 --> 00:00:41,747 Speaker 2: that came out of the review of that match as 13 00:00:41,787 --> 00:00:44,347 Speaker 2: you start preparing or you started preparing for the game 14 00:00:44,347 --> 00:00:45,227 Speaker 2: against Tonga. 15 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:49,707 Speaker 3: Hey jays, Yeah, that win over some More was it's 16 00:00:49,747 --> 00:00:52,787 Speaker 3: a good way to get the cobwebs out and I 17 00:00:52,827 --> 00:00:56,307 Speaker 3: guess get ourselves some momentum. But I think the on 18 00:00:56,827 --> 00:01:00,107 Speaker 3: reviewer just talking about how we defended so well after 19 00:01:00,147 --> 00:01:02,507 Speaker 3: putting ourself under a bit of pressure in that second half. 20 00:01:02,547 --> 00:01:05,907 Speaker 3: So I will making sure we can kind of build 21 00:01:05,907 --> 00:01:06,147 Speaker 3: off that. 22 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:08,107 Speaker 2: You talk about a few cob webs and I guess 23 00:01:08,187 --> 00:01:10,747 Speaker 2: the team doesn't get together a heck of a lot. 24 00:01:10,827 --> 00:01:12,467 Speaker 2: So when you do get together, does it take a 25 00:01:12,467 --> 00:01:15,147 Speaker 2: bit of time to get those combinations back to be 26 00:01:15,387 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 2: fully functioning again? 27 00:01:17,907 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah it does. We kind of talk about it 28 00:01:22,107 --> 00:01:25,387 Speaker 3: when we assemble and kind of just try knuckle out 29 00:01:25,987 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 3: the game plan and how we want to play, and 30 00:01:28,027 --> 00:01:30,627 Speaker 3: then I guess you get those reps throughout the week 31 00:01:30,667 --> 00:01:34,547 Speaker 3: and then yeah, you kind of build it pretty quickly 32 00:01:34,907 --> 00:01:37,787 Speaker 3: hanging out pretty much twenty four to seven, so you 33 00:01:37,907 --> 00:01:40,507 Speaker 3: kind of get that connection pretty quick, and I think 34 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:43,067 Speaker 3: it pays off when game they come. 35 00:01:43,427 --> 00:01:45,067 Speaker 2: There's been a bit of talk about the penalty given 36 00:01:45,067 --> 00:01:47,387 Speaker 2: against you in that game for a supposed late char 37 00:01:47,547 --> 00:01:49,107 Speaker 2: John Jerome Lewi. 38 00:01:49,707 --> 00:01:50,947 Speaker 4: How did you see that butter play? 39 00:01:51,867 --> 00:01:57,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess it's pretty consistent with tell the rest 40 00:01:57,227 --> 00:02:01,627 Speaker 3: have been. I guess calling those keenerally, so I couldn't 41 00:02:01,627 --> 00:02:05,907 Speaker 3: really argue too much because he Yeah, I kind of 42 00:02:05,907 --> 00:02:08,387 Speaker 3: definitely push them. I think I just got to wrap 43 00:02:08,427 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 3: my arms around the next time and take him to 44 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:12,267 Speaker 3: the ground rather than just shoving him. 45 00:02:12,507 --> 00:02:16,547 Speaker 2: Yeah. I guess the main gist of the opposition to 46 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:18,387 Speaker 2: the penalty was the fact that it's a slow play 47 00:02:18,387 --> 00:02:20,307 Speaker 2: the ball. You've got up quickly to challenge him, and 48 00:02:20,667 --> 00:02:22,507 Speaker 2: I think some people think Arbeck's going to but too 49 00:02:22,547 --> 00:02:25,227 Speaker 2: much protection in situations like that, is that? I mean, 50 00:02:25,267 --> 00:02:26,787 Speaker 2: I know I don't expect you to say that, but 51 00:02:26,827 --> 00:02:28,467 Speaker 2: I mean it's it's a fine line. 52 00:02:28,347 --> 00:02:28,707 Speaker 4: Isn't it. 53 00:02:29,387 --> 00:02:33,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think I guess there's consistency there, which is 54 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:36,347 Speaker 3: the main thing. So if I saw my heart getting 55 00:02:36,387 --> 00:02:39,227 Speaker 3: pushed like that, I'm sure on a penalty for us. 56 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:41,467 Speaker 3: So I couldn't really do it, like I said, argue 57 00:02:41,467 --> 00:02:43,347 Speaker 3: too much about it fair enough. 58 00:02:43,387 --> 00:02:46,947 Speaker 2: So then some all went and beat Tonga quite comfortably too. 59 00:02:47,187 --> 00:02:48,987 Speaker 2: Was there a surprise to see some more you know, 60 00:02:49,067 --> 00:02:50,987 Speaker 2: beat a tongue inside that I guess we all thought 61 00:02:51,107 --> 00:02:53,667 Speaker 2: was going to be your main competition again this year. 62 00:02:56,427 --> 00:02:59,707 Speaker 3: I can't say it was a surprise. The way they 63 00:02:59,787 --> 00:03:03,707 Speaker 3: played against us. We definitely had to play a four 64 00:03:03,747 --> 00:03:06,187 Speaker 3: eighty minutes and the result was in the balance for 65 00:03:07,587 --> 00:03:09,707 Speaker 3: I guess the whole game. So when I seen them 66 00:03:10,147 --> 00:03:14,947 Speaker 3: go up against Tonge, they played, yeah, some really good footing. 67 00:03:15,467 --> 00:03:17,467 Speaker 3: Obviously they had a set that was their second game, 68 00:03:17,507 --> 00:03:20,867 Speaker 3: whereas Tomola had their first. So I think there's a 69 00:03:20,867 --> 00:03:24,267 Speaker 3: bit of an advantage there with them having that second game, 70 00:03:24,947 --> 00:03:27,387 Speaker 3: that first game under their belts. So I'm sure Tongo 71 00:03:27,427 --> 00:03:31,147 Speaker 3: will I guess take that those lessons from that game 72 00:03:31,347 --> 00:03:32,787 Speaker 3: and they'll be really to go this Sunday. 73 00:03:33,027 --> 00:03:33,227 Speaker 4: Yeah. 74 00:03:33,307 --> 00:03:36,667 Speaker 2: So on Tongua, what sort of threat do you expect 75 00:03:36,667 --> 00:03:38,827 Speaker 2: them to pose to you at Eton Park? 76 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:45,227 Speaker 3: Uh? Pretty much except all over the field. Really, They've 77 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:48,867 Speaker 3: got a talented squad. They're coming off the back of 78 00:03:48,907 --> 00:03:53,107 Speaker 3: a loss. I'm sure they want to redeem themselves. And 79 00:03:53,147 --> 00:03:56,267 Speaker 3: also he's going to probably be a si of read, 80 00:03:56,347 --> 00:03:58,427 Speaker 3: so they're going to have eighteen men out there with 81 00:03:58,947 --> 00:04:01,547 Speaker 3: the crowd and I'm looking forward to that challenge and 82 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:04,787 Speaker 3: I'm sure, yeah, it'll be a good game. 83 00:04:05,107 --> 00:04:06,627 Speaker 2: You're playing a lot of rugby lake now. I mean 84 00:04:06,627 --> 00:04:08,947 Speaker 2: you're still very young, but you've played a lot of 85 00:04:09,027 --> 00:04:12,947 Speaker 2: NRL rugby league and international rugby league. How does wearing 86 00:04:12,987 --> 00:04:17,107 Speaker 2: the Kiwi jersey compare to playing club footy in the NRL. 87 00:04:18,947 --> 00:04:22,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a bit more special. I guess I'm kind 88 00:04:22,227 --> 00:04:25,187 Speaker 3: of being a Kiwi kid myself growing up here in Auckland. 89 00:04:26,067 --> 00:04:28,267 Speaker 3: You always kind of dreamt of putting on that black 90 00:04:28,347 --> 00:04:34,467 Speaker 3: jersey and always remember watching the Kiwis before me do 91 00:04:34,627 --> 00:04:39,187 Speaker 3: Hawker singer Anthem playing those big games, and for me 92 00:04:39,267 --> 00:04:41,987 Speaker 3: to be in that position right now, I'm pretty grateful 93 00:04:41,987 --> 00:04:44,547 Speaker 3: and blessed, and I'm just happy that I get to 94 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,467 Speaker 3: do it in front of my family and friends and 95 00:04:47,707 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 3: live out my childhood dreams. It's pretty special for myself 96 00:04:51,547 --> 00:04:54,827 Speaker 3: and even also for my family, who has supported me 97 00:04:54,907 --> 00:04:56,187 Speaker 3: since since day one. 98 00:04:56,627 --> 00:04:58,827 Speaker 2: How do you go about integrating some of the newer 99 00:04:58,867 --> 00:05:00,347 Speaker 2: guys into the Kiwi's environment. 100 00:05:03,147 --> 00:05:07,427 Speaker 3: I think it's pretty easier. Everyone's a que I guess, 101 00:05:07,427 --> 00:05:12,427 Speaker 3: and we connect pretty easily. Oh yeah. We just kind 102 00:05:12,467 --> 00:05:14,027 Speaker 3: of make them feel welcome as soon as they come 103 00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:16,707 Speaker 3: into camp and just go play some coffee or go 104 00:05:16,787 --> 00:05:19,347 Speaker 3: get some coffee, play some cards and kind of just 105 00:05:19,347 --> 00:05:22,347 Speaker 3: do what you're doing at Coubland. But being in camp 106 00:05:22,387 --> 00:05:27,787 Speaker 3: for more than a couple of days, you kind of just, yeah, 107 00:05:28,587 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 3: make them feel welcome pretty quickly, and then you kind 108 00:05:31,867 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 3: of find your group pretty quick at the end. 109 00:05:34,507 --> 00:05:36,307 Speaker 2: Are you at the point of your career now as 110 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:38,787 Speaker 2: where you feel like you've got a leadership role to 111 00:05:38,867 --> 00:05:39,747 Speaker 2: play in this team? 112 00:05:40,947 --> 00:05:43,787 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, you could say that. I think it's been 113 00:05:43,827 --> 00:05:47,387 Speaker 3: a few years now and you just want to kind 114 00:05:47,387 --> 00:05:50,827 Speaker 3: of lead with action and and just make sure that 115 00:05:51,587 --> 00:05:56,867 Speaker 3: are those around you feel comfortable. And I guess yeah, 116 00:05:56,947 --> 00:06:02,187 Speaker 3: I think definitely feeling a bit older now the last 117 00:06:02,187 --> 00:06:05,907 Speaker 3: couple of years, so trying to keep myself young by 118 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:10,267 Speaker 3: hanging out and getting around them. So yeah, I think 119 00:06:10,307 --> 00:06:13,067 Speaker 3: those are the things I try to do as a leaders, 120 00:06:13,107 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: Just lead by action and make sure they feel comfortable 121 00:06:15,947 --> 00:06:16,307 Speaker 3: around me. 122 00:06:17,147 --> 00:06:19,987 Speaker 2: And pretty proud history of rugby leg and your family 123 00:06:20,027 --> 00:06:22,347 Speaker 2: of course, you and your mum, Lorena New Zealand's only 124 00:06:22,387 --> 00:06:25,307 Speaker 2: mother son combination to represent the Kiwi ferns and then 125 00:06:25,307 --> 00:06:28,187 Speaker 2: the kiwis How big an influence has she been on you? 126 00:06:29,147 --> 00:06:33,067 Speaker 3: She's massive. I guess she's someone that I used to 127 00:06:33,187 --> 00:06:38,067 Speaker 3: watch growing up a lot. And yeah, she's just not 128 00:06:38,107 --> 00:06:40,147 Speaker 3: only her just playing for Kii Ferns, but the way 129 00:06:40,227 --> 00:06:45,627 Speaker 3: she she is just around home, just always I guess, 130 00:06:45,707 --> 00:06:49,867 Speaker 3: working hard and making sure things are done around the house. 131 00:06:49,907 --> 00:06:52,707 Speaker 3: I think that's something that I kind of take away 132 00:06:53,427 --> 00:06:56,947 Speaker 3: into my own lifestyle and how I go about things. 133 00:06:56,947 --> 00:07:02,027 Speaker 3: So she's been a massive influence, and yeah, to look 134 00:07:02,107 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 3: up to her as a role model today and try 135 00:07:04,027 --> 00:07:07,747 Speaker 3: to see that person years day and day out. 136 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:12,507 Speaker 2: How did you evaluate as your first season with Penrith. 137 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:18,307 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, good. Obviously a rough start, but I think 138 00:07:18,387 --> 00:07:21,987 Speaker 3: personally I was growing each day each week, and that 139 00:07:22,067 --> 00:07:24,947 Speaker 3: was probably the main thing I wanted to do throughout 140 00:07:24,987 --> 00:07:29,307 Speaker 3: this year, and I thought I did that and obviously 141 00:07:29,507 --> 00:07:32,067 Speaker 3: came up short at the back end of the year. 142 00:07:32,107 --> 00:07:36,387 Speaker 3: But myself, I was hadn't been in Final fourty since 143 00:07:36,747 --> 00:07:40,707 Speaker 3: twenty twenty two, so that was something that I relished 144 00:07:40,707 --> 00:07:43,507 Speaker 3: and enjoyed, but obviously wanted to go all the way 145 00:07:43,507 --> 00:07:46,587 Speaker 3: and that didn't happen. So still got a goal to chase, 146 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:50,627 Speaker 3: and yeah, I'm looking forward to for the next couple 147 00:07:50,667 --> 00:07:51,867 Speaker 3: of years at the club. 148 00:07:52,387 --> 00:07:54,067 Speaker 4: And what about your time at the Tigers, how do 149 00:07:54,067 --> 00:07:55,187 Speaker 4: you how do you reflect on that? 150 00:07:56,827 --> 00:07:59,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, a lot of learnings, I guess two years there 151 00:08:00,907 --> 00:08:07,307 Speaker 3: and I guess, yeah, the results weren't weren't coming, and 152 00:08:07,547 --> 00:08:10,587 Speaker 3: it was definitely tough, but I think it taught me 153 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:18,187 Speaker 3: to kind of just count my blessings and and understand that, yeah, 154 00:08:18,267 --> 00:08:22,227 Speaker 3: my preparation is key to performing on that and on 155 00:08:22,227 --> 00:08:25,267 Speaker 3: that field and on the weekend. So uh, those are 156 00:08:25,347 --> 00:08:28,547 Speaker 3: learnings that I took away from from the Tigers and 157 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:32,827 Speaker 3: and I've made sure to implement throughout my time at tennis, So. 158 00:08:32,747 --> 00:08:33,867 Speaker 4: You're going to get a bit of time off. 159 00:08:33,987 --> 00:08:35,667 Speaker 2: I mean you've got Tom going to play and then 160 00:08:36,187 --> 00:08:37,987 Speaker 2: in all probability the final as well. 161 00:08:38,227 --> 00:08:39,347 Speaker 4: Do you get a bit of time off before you 162 00:08:39,427 --> 00:08:40,627 Speaker 4: have to report back for pre season? 163 00:08:41,547 --> 00:08:45,227 Speaker 3: Yeah? Yeah, so after we wrap up here, I think 164 00:08:45,547 --> 00:08:48,747 Speaker 3: the planners my due dates in the new year, so 165 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:50,827 Speaker 3: I got a bit of traveling to do with my 166 00:08:50,907 --> 00:08:54,907 Speaker 3: family and I'll probably end up here come Christmas time, 167 00:08:54,987 --> 00:08:58,987 Speaker 3: so I'm looking forward to that and I hope Auckland 168 00:08:59,067 --> 00:09:00,507 Speaker 3: you didn't have some good weather. 169 00:09:03,347 --> 00:09:05,707 Speaker 2: I guess it depends on I guess it depends on 170 00:09:05,747 --> 00:09:08,627 Speaker 2: where you are in the country, but I'm sure you'll 171 00:09:08,627 --> 00:09:11,787 Speaker 2: find some sunshine somewhere. Isaiah, I all the best, all 172 00:09:11,787 --> 00:09:14,147 Speaker 2: the best against Tonga made and onto the final as well. 173 00:09:14,187 --> 00:09:15,747 Speaker 4: It's been great to chat to you mate. All the best. 174 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:19,067 Speaker 2: You have a good one to things indeed, Isaiah, Papa 175 00:09:19,107 --> 00:09:20,987 Speaker 2: Lei there out of the Kiwis camps. 176 00:09:21,427 --> 00:09:24,587 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 177 00:09:24,707 --> 00:09:27,987 Speaker 1: to news Talks at b weekends from midday, or follow 178 00:09:28,027 --> 00:09:29,627 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.