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 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:17,667 Speaker 2: The defending champions kickstart to the titled Defense and Super 4 00:00:17,867 --> 00:00:21,187 Speaker 2: Rugby tonight the Blues hosting the Chiefs in a rematch 5 00:00:21,227 --> 00:00:24,467 Speaker 2: of last year's Grand Final, which ultimately ended in a 6 00:00:24,507 --> 00:00:28,147 Speaker 2: blowout victory for the Blues, winning their first official title 7 00:00:28,307 --> 00:00:32,067 Speaker 2: in twenty one years. Super Rugby transit has been aside 8 00:00:32,107 --> 00:00:35,467 Speaker 2: have put out the plea to pack the park Eden 9 00:00:35,547 --> 00:00:38,827 Speaker 2: Park this evening seven oh five kickoff. The weather's been 10 00:00:38,827 --> 00:00:43,707 Speaker 2: a little bit patchy in Auckland today dawned beautifully and 11 00:00:43,707 --> 00:00:45,707 Speaker 2: then it's been on and off showers for the last 12 00:00:46,227 --> 00:00:49,627 Speaker 2: four hours or thereabouts. Supposed to clear in time for kickoff, 13 00:00:49,707 --> 00:00:52,627 Speaker 2: but you never quite know with an Auckland day. Joining 14 00:00:52,707 --> 00:00:57,227 Speaker 2: us now is the Blues chief executive Andrew WHWESO, Andrew, 15 00:00:57,667 --> 00:00:58,987 Speaker 2: you're going to pack the park? 16 00:00:59,227 --> 00:01:02,987 Speaker 3: Well, we're actually ahead of where we have any other 17 00:01:03,027 --> 00:01:04,907 Speaker 3: game we've been at this time of year, so that's 18 00:01:04,947 --> 00:01:09,747 Speaker 3: a fantastic start. And it was still going really well 19 00:01:09,827 --> 00:01:13,467 Speaker 3: last night, so we are delighted with how it's going. 20 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:15,787 Speaker 3: And I think you saw a great crowd last night 21 00:01:15,827 --> 00:01:20,467 Speaker 3: at the Hurricanes, Crusaders, so no, things have traveled really well. 22 00:01:20,547 --> 00:01:24,507 Speaker 3: So we're quite excited and well, let's look put it 23 00:01:24,507 --> 00:01:25,987 Speaker 3: this way, we wouldn't be able to play at Mount 24 00:01:26,027 --> 00:01:30,987 Speaker 3: Smart and so we're stoked and there was some great 25 00:01:31,067 --> 00:01:33,147 Speaker 3: rugby last night, so let's hope that continues. 26 00:01:33,467 --> 00:01:36,067 Speaker 2: How much have you got, I guess a championship halo 27 00:01:36,187 --> 00:01:38,827 Speaker 2: from last year to work with in terms of getting 28 00:01:38,827 --> 00:01:41,507 Speaker 2: people through the gates to start the season. 29 00:01:42,067 --> 00:01:45,947 Speaker 3: Well, I think that helps. I think there's been a 30 00:01:46,027 --> 00:01:49,587 Speaker 3: number of things that have changed though within the competition. 31 00:01:49,907 --> 00:01:51,987 Speaker 3: I think the Commission has done a great job with 32 00:01:52,067 --> 00:01:55,507 Speaker 3: the Fantasy League. I think our players are more open 33 00:01:55,547 --> 00:02:01,867 Speaker 3: than to promoting and just being themselves. I think that's 34 00:02:01,867 --> 00:02:05,747 Speaker 3: grown a great deal of confidence amongst the squad, which 35 00:02:05,787 --> 00:02:08,987 Speaker 3: is good right because people then get to know them 36 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:13,547 Speaker 3: and open themselves up. So I think it definitely takes 37 00:02:13,547 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 3: a bit of a monkey off the back. But we've 38 00:02:16,787 --> 00:02:22,867 Speaker 3: talked all off season about not being overly complacent, but 39 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:26,747 Speaker 3: it definitely it definitely does help and the chatter, but 40 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:30,547 Speaker 3: let's face it, there's another ten teams out there that 41 00:02:30,627 --> 00:02:32,627 Speaker 3: will just want to do us in so we've just 42 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:36,627 Speaker 3: got to be aware that they won't just roll over 43 00:02:36,667 --> 00:02:38,227 Speaker 3: and give you give you a victory. 44 00:02:38,627 --> 00:02:40,707 Speaker 2: No, that's quite right. And given how hard you worked 45 00:02:40,707 --> 00:02:43,067 Speaker 2: over the last twenty twenty one years to get that title, 46 00:02:43,267 --> 00:02:45,947 Speaker 2: you've gone from being the hunters to the hunted. So 47 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 2: it's a different proposition for the Blues this season, very. 48 00:02:49,507 --> 00:02:53,467 Speaker 3: Much so, very much so. And it'll be interesting, you know, 49 00:02:53,467 --> 00:02:56,347 Speaker 3: and that's when organizations are at their most vulnerable. We've 50 00:02:56,387 --> 00:03:00,987 Speaker 3: talked about this in the off season. If you look historically, 51 00:03:01,907 --> 00:03:03,587 Speaker 3: I think you know, the Blues run it in two 52 00:03:03,627 --> 00:03:06,267 Speaker 3: thousand and three and it took another twenty one years. 53 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:11,147 Speaker 3: So don't take anything for granted. And we've got to 54 00:03:11,147 --> 00:03:14,027 Speaker 3: put our head down because you know, we're up against 55 00:03:14,267 --> 00:03:18,867 Speaker 3: our nearest and darest, and you know, we've had three 56 00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:21,667 Speaker 3: or four years before that of making finals and semi 57 00:03:21,667 --> 00:03:24,747 Speaker 3: finals and having disappointment, and they've had a couple of 58 00:03:24,827 --> 00:03:28,347 Speaker 3: years of that. And we know that you carry that 59 00:03:28,747 --> 00:03:31,467 Speaker 3: and it makes the fire burn a lot more inside you. 60 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:35,587 Speaker 3: So it'll be a cracker tonight. We'll have over five 61 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:39,467 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty thousand people watching this on TV. No 62 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:43,427 Speaker 3: other sport in the country can achieve that. And it's 63 00:03:43,427 --> 00:03:46,707 Speaker 3: still new Zealand's number one consume sport, So to the 64 00:03:46,747 --> 00:03:48,707 Speaker 3: doomsdays out there, you know, if you want to go 65 00:03:48,707 --> 00:03:50,827 Speaker 3: and watch something else, go and watch it. But a 66 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:52,667 Speaker 3: majority of people are still watching rugby. 67 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:56,587 Speaker 2: They are indeed, and you mentioned those changes to Super Rugby. 68 00:03:56,587 --> 00:03:58,627 Speaker 2: You've got a new CEO in place. Do you feel 69 00:03:58,667 --> 00:04:02,467 Speaker 2: that these tweaks are poised to just enhance the product 70 00:04:02,507 --> 00:04:04,587 Speaker 2: a little bit? Maybe it had been talked down a 71 00:04:04,587 --> 00:04:06,987 Speaker 2: little bit too much over the last recent You've got 72 00:04:07,067 --> 00:04:09,827 Speaker 2: a CEO who can do the talking and introduce a 73 00:04:09,827 --> 00:04:12,147 Speaker 2: few new things, and all of a sudden the competition 74 00:04:12,187 --> 00:04:15,387 Speaker 2: has a wee bit of a shine again, correct. 75 00:04:14,987 --> 00:04:16,827 Speaker 3: And I think they We've still got a lot of 76 00:04:16,827 --> 00:04:19,467 Speaker 3: work to do and our unions have got to allow 77 00:04:19,587 --> 00:04:23,627 Speaker 3: Jack to flourish. He's shown that what he can do 78 00:04:24,067 --> 00:04:28,827 Speaker 3: straight away and that's positive, right, But we've got to 79 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:32,307 Speaker 3: keep moving towards this more and there's always a balance 80 00:04:32,507 --> 00:04:36,347 Speaker 3: between high performance. We've got the probably the best talent 81 00:04:36,387 --> 00:04:38,467 Speaker 3: in the world on show. We're the only competition in 82 00:04:38,507 --> 00:04:41,467 Speaker 3: the country that can say that it has that, but 83 00:04:41,507 --> 00:04:44,107 Speaker 3: we've got to make it fan centric and I think 84 00:04:44,147 --> 00:04:48,427 Speaker 3: that's what Jack's bought has given us direction and as 85 00:04:49,507 --> 00:04:52,227 Speaker 3: a sport and we've got to get him behind him. 86 00:04:52,987 --> 00:04:55,467 Speaker 3: And I tell you the other thing that's been great 87 00:04:55,507 --> 00:05:00,267 Speaker 3: this week as I've spoken to a lot of club 88 00:05:00,307 --> 00:05:02,347 Speaker 3: presidents and gms out there, and I just want to 89 00:05:02,387 --> 00:05:05,427 Speaker 3: thank the support we've had from the rugby community this week. 90 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:07,827 Speaker 3: We sold over fifty teen hundred tickets last week through 91 00:05:07,827 --> 00:05:11,467 Speaker 3: our clubs alone, and you know there was a bit 92 00:05:11,507 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 3: of media about the money that we put back into 93 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:17,947 Speaker 3: Auckland Rugby in North Harbor last year, but we'll continue 94 00:05:17,987 --> 00:05:20,107 Speaker 3: to do that if we get that if we get 95 00:05:20,107 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 3: that support, and they've been outstanding, really have. 96 00:05:23,587 --> 00:05:25,347 Speaker 2: How do you ensure all the teams are on the 97 00:05:25,347 --> 00:05:28,747 Speaker 2: same page in Super Rugby, as well as your CEO, 98 00:05:28,827 --> 00:05:32,067 Speaker 2: as well as New Zealand Rugby and Australian Rugby, who 99 00:05:32,107 --> 00:05:34,707 Speaker 2: hold a lot of power in this competition. Are you 100 00:05:34,747 --> 00:05:36,867 Speaker 2: all on the same page? 101 00:05:37,467 --> 00:05:40,267 Speaker 3: I think we're getting on the same page. I think 102 00:05:40,307 --> 00:05:46,427 Speaker 3: the still work to be done, but having a board 103 00:05:47,027 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: at Super Rugby that has focused on Super Rugby gives 104 00:05:50,707 --> 00:05:53,027 Speaker 3: us a voice and I think Kevin mlloy has done 105 00:05:53,067 --> 00:05:59,027 Speaker 3: a great job since starting and there's no use throwing rocks. 106 00:05:59,267 --> 00:06:04,227 Speaker 3: I think the more I think they want to strong 107 00:06:04,427 --> 00:06:10,587 Speaker 3: and powerful domestic product that will feed into a strong 108 00:06:10,627 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 3: and powerful international product, and we've just got to agree 109 00:06:14,027 --> 00:06:15,427 Speaker 3: on the way that we get there. I think the 110 00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 3: intent is very much the same. So I'm really positive 111 00:06:19,547 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 3: about the outlook, and I'm positive about what we can 112 00:06:22,667 --> 00:06:25,347 Speaker 3: contribute to the game because it's time for all stakeholders 113 00:06:25,787 --> 00:06:30,347 Speaker 3: to actually make to make sure the sport's strong. And 114 00:06:31,587 --> 00:06:34,707 Speaker 3: that's the key, because it's actually not levels of rugby 115 00:06:34,747 --> 00:06:37,627 Speaker 3: that compete against each other, it's us versus other sports. 116 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:41,107 Speaker 3: And from my perspective, and I'm completely biased, I know 117 00:06:41,227 --> 00:06:44,267 Speaker 3: that the experience I've had as a kid growing up 118 00:06:44,307 --> 00:06:47,787 Speaker 3: in this great game, we need to applaud it and 119 00:06:48,547 --> 00:06:49,227 Speaker 3: celebrate it. 120 00:06:49,387 --> 00:06:52,507 Speaker 2: Blue CEO Andrew Hall with us Andrew, is that the 121 00:06:52,547 --> 00:06:55,707 Speaker 2: competition sustainable with eleven teams? I guess we saw last 122 00:06:55,747 --> 00:06:58,307 Speaker 2: night the war tize the beneficiaries of some of that 123 00:06:58,347 --> 00:07:01,747 Speaker 2: rebels telling to already sneaking that one over the hinders, 124 00:07:01,787 --> 00:07:03,907 Speaker 2: But can you get away with eleven teams for too 125 00:07:03,947 --> 00:07:04,987 Speaker 2: long in this competition? 126 00:07:06,787 --> 00:07:08,907 Speaker 3: Look, I think it comes down to what's going to 127 00:07:08,987 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 3: create the most intense games. Last night was awesome because 128 00:07:15,147 --> 00:07:17,667 Speaker 3: they were intense, right, and I remember looking back at 129 00:07:17,827 --> 00:07:20,427 Speaker 3: I think Queensland won the Super ten when it was 130 00:07:20,467 --> 00:07:25,507 Speaker 3: a Super ten. So the powers that be and the 131 00:07:25,547 --> 00:07:28,627 Speaker 3: clubs need to say what's actually going to make the 132 00:07:28,627 --> 00:07:34,467 Speaker 3: most intense footy for the punter every week? And whether 133 00:07:34,547 --> 00:07:39,067 Speaker 3: that's ten, eleven, twelve, eight. I don't think we're sure 134 00:07:39,107 --> 00:07:45,067 Speaker 3: at the moment, but my gut feel is it's got 135 00:07:45,107 --> 00:07:48,547 Speaker 3: to be a round number. I think that helps, and 136 00:07:48,547 --> 00:07:51,067 Speaker 3: whether that's twelve or whether that's ten, but I don't 137 00:07:51,107 --> 00:07:54,307 Speaker 3: think it'll be much more at that at the moment 138 00:07:56,187 --> 00:07:58,987 Speaker 3: and we've seen that. And whenever we do bring in 139 00:07:59,027 --> 00:08:01,827 Speaker 3: a new team, I think there are other sports we 140 00:08:01,867 --> 00:08:06,987 Speaker 3: can we can copy who support those teams to be 141 00:08:07,067 --> 00:08:13,107 Speaker 3: extremely successful in their first year and that's something we 142 00:08:13,187 --> 00:08:15,827 Speaker 3: haven't done well. But as I say, with a commission 143 00:08:15,907 --> 00:08:18,307 Speaker 3: and with a proper structure, we can actually achieve that. 144 00:08:18,627 --> 00:08:20,267 Speaker 2: And just a couple of final questions, Andrew, I'll let 145 00:08:20,347 --> 00:08:23,147 Speaker 2: you go Boten Barrett back the season. How many exs 146 00:08:23,187 --> 00:08:24,747 Speaker 2: or tickets for a game at home is he with? 147 00:08:26,627 --> 00:08:30,987 Speaker 3: I've never backed one individual to sell your tickets made. 148 00:08:31,107 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 3: I think there's a lot of clubs gone break with 149 00:08:33,107 --> 00:08:36,267 Speaker 3: that mentality. I've been around too long to know that 150 00:08:36,307 --> 00:08:38,267 Speaker 3: you can't back that. No, we've got to put a 151 00:08:38,267 --> 00:08:40,467 Speaker 3: shift in as a team. You're going to have the 152 00:08:40,587 --> 00:08:43,507 Speaker 3: one or two flash horries, but you can still if 153 00:08:43,507 --> 00:08:45,907 Speaker 3: you're not putting in a performance every week with your team, 154 00:08:45,987 --> 00:08:49,627 Speaker 3: then people won't turn up. So it's great to have 155 00:08:49,707 --> 00:08:53,707 Speaker 3: him back. He's good in the environment, he's extremely professional, 156 00:08:54,547 --> 00:08:59,307 Speaker 3: wonderful for our young fellas like you know, young Spencer 157 00:08:59,427 --> 00:09:03,387 Speaker 3: and and co That are in there training with him, 158 00:09:04,107 --> 00:09:06,347 Speaker 3: and that's where I think we'll get our benefit from 159 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:07,907 Speaker 3: already be outstanding. 160 00:09:08,747 --> 00:09:11,067 Speaker 2: And just finally, how confident are you that the trophy 161 00:09:11,107 --> 00:09:14,947 Speaker 2: is staying by June you'll keep it in your headquarters 162 00:09:14,987 --> 00:09:16,667 Speaker 2: at Alexandra Park for another season. 163 00:09:18,027 --> 00:09:19,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, we just got to put our head down and 164 00:09:19,987 --> 00:09:24,907 Speaker 3: realize that way those things don't come easy, and that'll 165 00:09:24,907 --> 00:09:27,067 Speaker 3: take care of it south before we just focus on 166 00:09:27,267 --> 00:09:30,227 Speaker 3: the process and what we've got to do and not 167 00:09:30,267 --> 00:09:31,387 Speaker 3: get ahead of ourselves. 168 00:09:31,667 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 2: Andrew Waw, thanks for your time with us on news 169 00:09:33,427 --> 00:09:35,067 Speaker 2: Talk ZIB this afternoon and appreciate it. 170 00:09:35,787 --> 00:09:37,027 Speaker 3: Thanks very much for having me. 171 00:09:37,067 --> 00:09:41,307 Speaker 2: Mate Blue chief executive Andrew Hoare joining the program. Sounds 172 00:09:41,307 --> 00:09:43,187 Speaker 2: like ticket sales are pretty healthy. What did he say? 173 00:09:43,267 --> 00:09:45,067 Speaker 2: That you wouldn't be able to fit them all in 174 00:09:45,107 --> 00:09:49,627 Speaker 2: Mount Smart. So Mount Smart's capacity is about twenty five thousand, 175 00:09:49,867 --> 00:09:51,787 Speaker 2: so it must be at least over that, So I'm 176 00:09:51,827 --> 00:09:55,067 Speaker 2: guessing somewhere in the vicinity of about thirty k if 177 00:09:55,107 --> 00:09:58,907 Speaker 2: not more. And the weather there's now clear again in 178 00:09:58,947 --> 00:10:00,267 Speaker 2: all Clinton, they might even get a bit of a 179 00:10:00,267 --> 00:10:02,147 Speaker 2: walk up crowd as well. Seven o five kick off. 180 00:10:02,187 --> 00:10:04,907 Speaker 2: You can hear live commentary of the match on Gold 181 00:10:04,947 --> 00:10:07,667 Speaker 2: Sport and iHeartRadio much looking forward to the ground and 182 00:10:08,067 --> 00:10:10,107 Speaker 2: to the getting to the ground and commentating that one 183 00:10:10,107 --> 00:10:14,227 Speaker 2: alongside Aunt Strawn ends Nathan Limb this evening and we'll 184 00:10:14,507 --> 00:10:17,947 Speaker 2: no doubt review that game tomorrow here on News Talk SEDB. 185 00:10:18,147 --> 00:10:20,427 Speaker 2: It is coming up nine away from three, will take 186 00:10:20,427 --> 00:10:23,067 Speaker 2: a break, come back and wrap up Weekend Sport for 187 00:10:23,067 --> 00:10:24,387 Speaker 2: a Saturday after this. 188 00:10:37,307 --> 00:10:40,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 189 00:10:40,587 --> 00:10:43,987 Speaker 1: to News Talks EDB weekends from midday or follow the 190 00:10:44,027 --> 00:10:45,547 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio