1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:12,693 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow 2 00:00:12,773 --> 00:00:16,173 Speaker 1: this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:20,053 --> 00:00:29,493 Speaker 2: Straight Down the Middle of Trunk Guy, try to. 4 00:00:29,533 --> 00:00:33,613 Speaker 1: Get inside the game from Every end Goal. It's Rugby 5 00:00:33,653 --> 00:00:37,333 Speaker 1: Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Napier powered by News 6 00:00:37,333 --> 00:00:37,853 Speaker 1: Talks EDB. 7 00:00:38,173 --> 00:00:42,093 Speaker 2: Welcome into Rugby Direct powered by Access Solutions elevation you 8 00:00:42,133 --> 00:00:45,653 Speaker 2: and your business to a higher level. A special guest 9 00:00:45,733 --> 00:00:49,133 Speaker 2: on Rugby Direct today former Blues forward Cameron saw Forward, 10 00:00:49,213 --> 00:00:52,493 Speaker 2: joining myself and Liam on the podcast. You might know 11 00:00:53,013 --> 00:00:56,613 Speaker 2: Cameron's story. He announced earlier this year that he had 12 00:00:56,733 --> 00:01:01,253 Speaker 2: been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was first diagnosed in 13 00:01:01,293 --> 00:01:03,853 Speaker 2: November of twenty twenty three with the high grade star coma. 14 00:01:04,133 --> 00:01:06,933 Speaker 2: You underwent six weeks of radiation treatment, which also included 15 00:01:07,013 --> 00:01:09,733 Speaker 2: him playing before taking a break. He got back out 16 00:01:09,773 --> 00:01:13,173 Speaker 2: onto the rugby field, made the Moldy All Blacks, secured 17 00:01:13,173 --> 00:01:16,093 Speaker 2: a spot back in the Blues, but then was diagnosed 18 00:01:16,093 --> 00:01:19,213 Speaker 2: with cancer again. He now inst earlier in the year 19 00:01:19,293 --> 00:01:22,453 Speaker 2: that it was terminal. He continues to fight. He continues 20 00:01:22,773 --> 00:01:27,093 Speaker 2: to raise awareness for sarcoma. He is doing an incredible 21 00:01:27,173 --> 00:01:31,173 Speaker 2: job at doing just that, and it was great to 22 00:01:31,213 --> 00:01:34,213 Speaker 2: have him and his wife Brits in the studio to 23 00:01:34,453 --> 00:01:37,853 Speaker 2: lovely human beings. We hope that you can take something 24 00:01:37,893 --> 00:01:39,973 Speaker 2: out of this chat with Cam. He is an inspiring 25 00:01:40,173 --> 00:01:43,373 Speaker 2: human being and without any further ado, Cameron saw four 26 00:01:43,573 --> 00:01:45,053 Speaker 2: here on Rugby Directs. 27 00:01:45,893 --> 00:01:49,493 Speaker 1: Rugby direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Navier, powered by 28 00:01:49,573 --> 00:01:52,853 Speaker 1: News Talk zeb Here every All Blacks game live and 29 00:01:53,093 --> 00:01:56,053 Speaker 1: free on air and on iHeartRadio. 30 00:01:56,293 --> 00:02:00,053 Speaker 2: Camp Store four. Welcome into Rugby Directs. So grateful that 31 00:02:00,173 --> 00:02:02,613 Speaker 2: you've you've come in and joined us on the podcast. 32 00:02:05,053 --> 00:02:09,653 Speaker 2: We'll get into some discussion, but we're speaking on the 33 00:02:09,893 --> 00:02:13,573 Speaker 2: weekend after Anton Signa made his debut. Your Blues teammates 34 00:02:13,773 --> 00:02:15,933 Speaker 2: must have been pretty special to see him make his 35 00:02:16,133 --> 00:02:18,173 Speaker 2: all black Staville of the over the weekend against Italy. 36 00:02:18,573 --> 00:02:20,213 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was unreal to see him right out there, 37 00:02:20,893 --> 00:02:22,933 Speaker 3: especially in front of his family as well. He flew 38 00:02:23,173 --> 00:02:25,653 Speaker 3: all the way over from Germany, so yeah, stoked as 39 00:02:25,773 --> 00:02:27,373 Speaker 3: for him, and then yeah, he played pretty well to. 40 00:02:27,653 --> 00:02:30,093 Speaker 2: Pretty crazy story. Isn't it to beck yourself to come 41 00:02:30,173 --> 00:02:32,813 Speaker 2: over from Germany and then becoming all black? 42 00:02:33,293 --> 00:02:37,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's probably probably something not many people would have 43 00:02:37,373 --> 00:02:39,533 Speaker 3: would have done, especially I guess in his position where 44 00:02:39,613 --> 00:02:42,613 Speaker 3: rugby isn't the biggest sport over there. So no, it's 45 00:02:42,693 --> 00:02:45,133 Speaker 3: a pretty amazing journey to witness. 46 00:02:45,253 --> 00:02:48,413 Speaker 2: Your rugby career. When did you start stop playing rugby? 47 00:02:50,653 --> 00:02:53,613 Speaker 3: I was probably pretty late in terms of my other people. 48 00:02:54,133 --> 00:02:57,253 Speaker 3: I grew up playing rugby league. Actually yeah, my whole 49 00:02:57,413 --> 00:03:01,453 Speaker 3: my whole family. They are league supporters as a league household. 50 00:03:01,573 --> 00:03:06,013 Speaker 3: But probably started when I was fourteen or fifteen, which 51 00:03:06,133 --> 00:03:07,653 Speaker 3: is relatively late, I. 52 00:03:07,653 --> 00:03:10,533 Speaker 2: Guess started getting into rip teams and things like that. 53 00:03:12,173 --> 00:03:15,853 Speaker 3: Yes or no. Probably the first year I played I 54 00:03:15,973 --> 00:03:18,893 Speaker 3: was fourteen. I didn't make anything other than the fourteenth 55 00:03:18,933 --> 00:03:21,413 Speaker 3: for school, so I sawt stuffter this, I'll go back 56 00:03:21,453 --> 00:03:26,733 Speaker 3: to league, no good at rugby, and then eventually came back, 57 00:03:27,053 --> 00:03:29,693 Speaker 3: got convinced to come back. And you have played first 58 00:03:29,733 --> 00:03:32,293 Speaker 3: with them and then in my last years made the 59 00:03:32,493 --> 00:03:35,453 Speaker 3: Barbarians team and then academies after that. 60 00:03:35,573 --> 00:03:38,653 Speaker 2: So yeah, ain't got the nod for North Harbor at 61 00:03:38,733 --> 00:03:39,693 Speaker 2: some point all the way. 62 00:03:40,733 --> 00:03:43,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, originally I was at Auckland for a few years. Ye, 63 00:03:43,333 --> 00:03:47,653 Speaker 3: So I did academy there, played one game for the 64 00:03:47,813 --> 00:03:52,013 Speaker 3: NPC side and got injured and then moved down to Tasman. 65 00:03:53,453 --> 00:03:55,493 Speaker 3: You have played one game there and then moved back 66 00:03:55,533 --> 00:03:59,133 Speaker 3: up there and then eventually ended and ended up at 67 00:03:59,213 --> 00:03:59,653 Speaker 3: North Harbor. 68 00:03:59,893 --> 00:04:00,133 Speaker 2: Nice. 69 00:04:00,373 --> 00:04:02,933 Speaker 4: So yeah, what do you make the switch between the 70 00:04:03,013 --> 00:04:03,693 Speaker 4: league and union. 71 00:04:07,893 --> 00:04:12,613 Speaker 3: I went and watched a game of league and I'm sorry. 72 00:04:12,653 --> 00:04:15,013 Speaker 3: My uncle took me to a game of league club 73 00:04:15,093 --> 00:04:18,213 Speaker 3: footy and there was about five people there and then 74 00:04:18,253 --> 00:04:20,493 Speaker 3: he said all right. And then there was a game 75 00:04:20,693 --> 00:04:24,093 Speaker 3: against Saint Peter's Saint Kent's for fresh with me, and 76 00:04:24,173 --> 00:04:25,893 Speaker 3: then I went to that game and then there was 77 00:04:25,933 --> 00:04:28,413 Speaker 3: about two thousand people there and I was like, oh, 78 00:04:28,493 --> 00:04:30,613 Speaker 3: this is not too bad. So I thought I'd give 79 00:04:30,613 --> 00:04:31,293 Speaker 3: a rugby a crack. 80 00:04:31,893 --> 00:04:36,293 Speaker 4: So, yeah, you've always been a lot close forward than rugby. 81 00:04:37,093 --> 00:04:40,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, there was a lot all the way in school. 82 00:04:40,453 --> 00:04:42,813 Speaker 3: I wasn't until I left school. Then I started transitioning 83 00:04:42,893 --> 00:04:44,453 Speaker 3: out to the I guess the loose. 84 00:04:44,333 --> 00:04:46,653 Speaker 4: Wards and any other sports. Basketball. 85 00:04:48,373 --> 00:04:54,613 Speaker 3: I tried to. Tried a few basketball, badminton, yeah, league 86 00:04:54,733 --> 00:04:58,333 Speaker 3: in the summer, touch tag. So yeah, I had a 87 00:04:58,413 --> 00:04:59,973 Speaker 3: crack at everything. Really, I tried to. 88 00:05:01,293 --> 00:05:03,773 Speaker 2: And when did the nod from the Blues come that 89 00:05:03,893 --> 00:05:06,093 Speaker 2: you got the selection to Super Rugby. 90 00:05:07,813 --> 00:05:10,893 Speaker 3: U twenty twenty one was my first year of the organization. 91 00:05:11,493 --> 00:05:12,053 Speaker 2: Heckle was that. 92 00:05:12,573 --> 00:05:16,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was dream come true or something, especially being 93 00:05:16,213 --> 00:05:19,853 Speaker 3: from Auckland. It was a team that I followed heavily, 94 00:05:19,893 --> 00:05:23,613 Speaker 3: alongside the Warriors as well. So yeah, definitely a dream 95 00:05:23,653 --> 00:05:25,973 Speaker 3: come true to be part of something like that, and 96 00:05:26,053 --> 00:05:28,973 Speaker 3: then was lucky enough to play for them for a 97 00:05:29,013 --> 00:05:29,613 Speaker 3: few years too. 98 00:05:30,613 --> 00:05:32,533 Speaker 4: Who were some of the superstars. I guess you know 99 00:05:32,573 --> 00:05:35,253 Speaker 4: there's some of the rock stars of the Blues when 100 00:05:35,253 --> 00:05:37,413 Speaker 4: you were young watching them play. 101 00:05:39,253 --> 00:05:42,533 Speaker 3: Uh, well, yeah, heaps giving me a lamu during kind 102 00:05:42,613 --> 00:05:46,173 Speaker 3: of probably the ones that I followed the most. And 103 00:05:46,253 --> 00:05:49,333 Speaker 3: then once I started, I guess playing a bit more, 104 00:05:49,613 --> 00:05:52,093 Speaker 3: people like the Juani Brothers and things like that. 105 00:05:52,373 --> 00:05:55,493 Speaker 4: So yeah, and then when you make the team, rubbing 106 00:05:55,533 --> 00:05:57,293 Speaker 4: shoulders with some of those guys's pretty cool. 107 00:05:58,253 --> 00:06:02,733 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was something I probably wasn't thinking about earlier. 108 00:06:03,693 --> 00:06:05,533 Speaker 3: But to be able to be in the same I 109 00:06:05,573 --> 00:06:07,613 Speaker 3: guess she toled those guys and rob shoulders with them 110 00:06:07,613 --> 00:06:09,173 Speaker 3: has been Yeah, I drink and true. 111 00:06:09,613 --> 00:06:13,373 Speaker 4: Was there always a dream to a desire that you 112 00:06:13,493 --> 00:06:17,053 Speaker 4: chase to be a professional ethnic professional rugby player. 113 00:06:19,333 --> 00:06:24,093 Speaker 3: Probably not a professional rugby player. I probably what I 114 00:06:24,213 --> 00:06:27,213 Speaker 3: wanted to play for the Warriors growing up as a 115 00:06:27,333 --> 00:06:32,533 Speaker 3: young kid watching them, But then yeah, once you know, 116 00:06:32,613 --> 00:06:34,333 Speaker 3: playing with my mates and school and stuff like that, 117 00:06:34,493 --> 00:06:38,933 Speaker 3: and seeing that I could make this, maybe make this 118 00:06:39,053 --> 00:06:41,573 Speaker 3: a career out of this. So I probably wasn't until 119 00:06:41,573 --> 00:06:44,093 Speaker 3: the later years that I really think I could. 120 00:06:44,293 --> 00:06:48,573 Speaker 4: Actually do it and still follow the Warriors now oh yeah, definitely, Yeah, 121 00:06:48,853 --> 00:06:51,253 Speaker 4: still follow them heavily, so not just on the band 122 00:06:51,293 --> 00:06:52,853 Speaker 4: way like everyone else. 123 00:06:54,933 --> 00:06:56,533 Speaker 3: Definitely what did you learn. 124 00:06:56,453 --> 00:06:58,773 Speaker 2: About I guess professional rugby and playing those you know, 125 00:06:59,053 --> 00:07:00,733 Speaker 2: those seasons for the Blues. Once you got on the 126 00:07:00,773 --> 00:07:02,333 Speaker 2: camp in twenty twenty one, what was it the big 127 00:07:02,453 --> 00:07:03,973 Speaker 2: lessons about playing professional sport? 128 00:07:05,693 --> 00:07:11,013 Speaker 3: The biggest lesson was probably as a harsh lesson. I 129 00:07:11,053 --> 00:07:14,693 Speaker 3: guess it's like how unprepared I was for it, not 130 00:07:14,813 --> 00:07:18,933 Speaker 3: only physically, but how mentally joining it could be. I 131 00:07:19,053 --> 00:07:22,093 Speaker 3: had to learn that early on, but I had heaps 132 00:07:22,093 --> 00:07:23,693 Speaker 3: of people to learn from that helped me out along 133 00:07:23,813 --> 00:07:26,733 Speaker 3: the journey, so that made it a little bit easier. 134 00:07:26,893 --> 00:07:30,733 Speaker 3: But probably just yeah, not only the physical load. 135 00:07:30,653 --> 00:07:32,853 Speaker 2: But the mental load backing up week and week out, 136 00:07:32,933 --> 00:07:34,973 Speaker 2: and yeah, and sometimes. 137 00:07:34,693 --> 00:07:37,293 Speaker 3: It can be tough, obviously if it's your first year 138 00:07:37,333 --> 00:07:41,133 Speaker 3: and you're not playing that much and just trying to 139 00:07:41,133 --> 00:07:43,893 Speaker 3: stay motivated to you know, still be a good teammate, 140 00:07:44,693 --> 00:07:48,253 Speaker 3: still provide something towards the team. Yeah, that was probably 141 00:07:48,253 --> 00:07:49,173 Speaker 3: the biggest lesson. 142 00:07:49,453 --> 00:07:52,213 Speaker 2: And obviously the Blues begin to rise over those years 143 00:07:52,253 --> 00:07:55,253 Speaker 2: as well, and culminates in a championship and a couple 144 00:07:55,293 --> 00:07:56,973 Speaker 2: of years ago, which must have been a pretty special 145 00:07:57,413 --> 00:07:57,933 Speaker 2: road to be on. 146 00:07:58,693 --> 00:08:03,533 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is. It is something to be happy to 147 00:08:03,573 --> 00:08:06,533 Speaker 3: be a part of something special like that. It's pretty cool. 148 00:08:07,293 --> 00:08:10,893 Speaker 3: You don't really know it's until I guess post the 149 00:08:11,013 --> 00:08:14,613 Speaker 3: championship and things like that, but just the journey to 150 00:08:15,693 --> 00:08:18,733 Speaker 3: I guess, come from generally the bottom of the table 151 00:08:18,813 --> 00:08:21,813 Speaker 3: to you know, to take it out. It has been unreal. 152 00:08:23,413 --> 00:08:26,413 Speaker 4: And having grown up in Auckland and I guess watched 153 00:08:26,453 --> 00:08:30,253 Speaker 4: the Blues not do so well to bring success to 154 00:08:30,333 --> 00:08:32,773 Speaker 4: the region, what's been pretty special. 155 00:08:34,013 --> 00:08:37,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's something I'm pretty grateful to be a part 156 00:08:37,213 --> 00:08:42,333 Speaker 3: of and to do with some of my closest mates too. Yeah, 157 00:08:42,773 --> 00:08:43,533 Speaker 3: it's been unreal. 158 00:08:44,413 --> 00:08:46,653 Speaker 2: As part of that, obviously, in twenty twenty four, the 159 00:08:46,733 --> 00:08:49,693 Speaker 2: news comes out that you've got sarcoma. Just took us 160 00:08:49,733 --> 00:08:54,133 Speaker 2: through how that played out, how you noticed something was 161 00:08:54,213 --> 00:08:57,413 Speaker 2: wrong because Bretton the studio is a physio, I know that, 162 00:08:57,533 --> 00:09:00,133 Speaker 2: and she was obviously spotted something wasn't right. 163 00:09:00,413 --> 00:09:05,413 Speaker 3: What happened, I was actually during a PC. I had 164 00:09:05,453 --> 00:09:08,573 Speaker 3: come home from a game and we were just I'm 165 00:09:08,613 --> 00:09:11,173 Speaker 3: eating dinner and I just went to pick up something 166 00:09:11,213 --> 00:09:13,573 Speaker 3: off the ground and that's when she noticed there was 167 00:09:13,813 --> 00:09:18,453 Speaker 3: a lump through my shirt. And I wasn't too sure 168 00:09:18,493 --> 00:09:22,213 Speaker 3: what it was. I just thought it was just from rugby, 169 00:09:22,373 --> 00:09:24,213 Speaker 3: just you know, bumps and bruises, because I always come 170 00:09:24,253 --> 00:09:26,893 Speaker 3: home with like scratches and stuff. So I didn't think 171 00:09:26,933 --> 00:09:29,973 Speaker 3: too much of it. And then, yeah, it wasn't until 172 00:09:32,453 --> 00:09:35,613 Speaker 3: I went and got it checked out from the medical stuff. 173 00:09:36,813 --> 00:09:39,253 Speaker 3: They didn't think much too much of it either, so 174 00:09:39,893 --> 00:09:42,533 Speaker 3: I pretty much brushed it for the for that season anyway. 175 00:09:43,213 --> 00:09:45,293 Speaker 3: And then it wasn't until I was getting ready for 176 00:09:45,373 --> 00:09:50,493 Speaker 3: the Blues pre season. Some of the medical stuff happened 177 00:09:50,493 --> 00:09:51,693 Speaker 3: to be in the same time I was in there 178 00:09:51,733 --> 00:09:53,533 Speaker 3: at the gym, and then I just ye went in 179 00:09:53,533 --> 00:09:55,493 Speaker 3: and asked them and asked him to check it out too, 180 00:09:56,453 --> 00:10:00,213 Speaker 3: and then that's when they, yeah, pulled it up as 181 00:10:00,213 --> 00:10:02,813 Speaker 3: a bit of a red flag. And then that's when 182 00:10:02,813 --> 00:10:05,693 Speaker 3: I started getting all the tests blood tests in myries 183 00:10:05,733 --> 00:10:06,493 Speaker 3: and things like that after. 184 00:10:06,813 --> 00:10:09,893 Speaker 2: So, yeah, because it's the rea redcancer, isn't it. So 185 00:10:10,373 --> 00:10:12,533 Speaker 2: you didn't have any other symptoms or anything like that 186 00:10:12,653 --> 00:10:15,053 Speaker 2: other than what was showing anybody, No. 187 00:10:15,253 --> 00:10:19,493 Speaker 3: No other symptoms. It wasn't painful to touch, or I 188 00:10:19,573 --> 00:10:22,613 Speaker 3: wasn't sore when I was being over or anything like that. 189 00:10:22,853 --> 00:10:25,853 Speaker 3: So it definitely caught me by surprise. I just thought 190 00:10:25,893 --> 00:10:27,893 Speaker 3: it was a I don't know what, it was, just 191 00:10:28,533 --> 00:10:30,573 Speaker 3: just a massive bump that I was hoping it would 192 00:10:30,573 --> 00:10:36,053 Speaker 3: go away but obviously didn't. And then yeah, we took 193 00:10:36,093 --> 00:10:38,573 Speaker 3: the steps from there just to get it checked over. 194 00:10:39,133 --> 00:10:41,773 Speaker 2: What were those months like as you're sort of waiting 195 00:10:41,813 --> 00:10:44,373 Speaker 2: for a diagnosis and then you, I mean, it obviously 196 00:10:44,413 --> 00:10:47,413 Speaker 2: happened during NPC and there wasn't untill Super Rugby until 197 00:10:47,413 --> 00:10:49,533 Speaker 2: you've sort of found that out pretty Super Rugby season. 198 00:10:50,013 --> 00:10:53,893 Speaker 3: Yeah, at the time, I was pretty blase about it. 199 00:10:54,013 --> 00:10:55,853 Speaker 3: I didn't think about it too much. I was still 200 00:10:56,933 --> 00:10:59,613 Speaker 3: definitely in the mindset of getting ready for another season, 201 00:11:01,293 --> 00:11:04,373 Speaker 3: so to be fair, I wasn't too worried about it 202 00:11:04,533 --> 00:11:08,133 Speaker 3: until we got the core saying that it was a 203 00:11:08,853 --> 00:11:12,413 Speaker 3: rare sort of cancer sarcoma. Even then, I still didn't 204 00:11:12,453 --> 00:11:18,013 Speaker 3: understand what it was really. I think the realization actually 205 00:11:18,093 --> 00:11:21,373 Speaker 3: came when I was getting prepared for surgery. That's when 206 00:11:21,413 --> 00:11:24,613 Speaker 3: it sort of hit me that things are getting serious now. 207 00:11:24,773 --> 00:11:28,053 Speaker 3: So yeah, I wouldn't say I was overly worried to 208 00:11:28,133 --> 00:11:30,813 Speaker 3: begin with, but things quickly came after that. 209 00:11:31,693 --> 00:11:34,533 Speaker 4: And the recovery from from back sudio was pretty tough. 210 00:11:34,613 --> 00:11:37,093 Speaker 4: You effectively had to learn to walk again, right. 211 00:11:37,773 --> 00:11:42,853 Speaker 3: Yeah, So my first one, they had taken the tumor 212 00:11:42,933 --> 00:11:47,053 Speaker 3: out and a bit of the bottom half of my lap, 213 00:11:47,973 --> 00:11:52,733 Speaker 3: So that was the first one, and uh, yeah, that 214 00:11:52,813 --> 00:11:55,893 Speaker 3: was tough to sort of learn how to walk again 215 00:11:56,013 --> 00:12:00,533 Speaker 3: and just every day functions and things like that. And 216 00:12:00,613 --> 00:12:03,013 Speaker 3: then yeah, I was lucky enough to be able to 217 00:12:03,093 --> 00:12:06,213 Speaker 3: rehab my way back into playing a couple of games 218 00:12:06,253 --> 00:12:09,013 Speaker 3: before I had to have a even bigger one. 219 00:12:09,053 --> 00:12:14,853 Speaker 4: Asked to post it, and during that time, have you 220 00:12:16,733 --> 00:12:20,173 Speaker 4: have you told everyone or you've kept this sort of 221 00:12:20,853 --> 00:12:21,613 Speaker 4: in the house. 222 00:12:22,733 --> 00:12:27,173 Speaker 3: During that period of During that period, I was, I'd 223 00:12:27,253 --> 00:12:30,693 Speaker 3: only kept it close to me from my wife and 224 00:12:30,933 --> 00:12:34,893 Speaker 3: a few of my friends. Like I had this feeling 225 00:12:34,973 --> 00:12:38,493 Speaker 3: of embarrassment and I was I didn't want to tell 226 00:12:38,533 --> 00:12:42,573 Speaker 3: my family, even my my other mates. I didn't want 227 00:12:42,573 --> 00:12:46,933 Speaker 3: to tell them. I kept it close to my close 228 00:12:46,973 --> 00:12:50,613 Speaker 3: to me for a few months before I really started 229 00:12:50,693 --> 00:12:51,293 Speaker 3: to tell everyone. 230 00:12:51,373 --> 00:12:56,693 Speaker 2: Really, so you played super rugby while you're getting radiation, 231 00:12:56,893 --> 00:12:57,293 Speaker 2: that's right. 232 00:12:58,533 --> 00:13:02,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, So I didn't even tell any of my teammates. 233 00:13:02,493 --> 00:13:04,533 Speaker 3: I was just telling them I was just having doctor's 234 00:13:04,533 --> 00:13:10,573 Speaker 3: appointments just because I was so focused on because we're 235 00:13:10,573 --> 00:13:13,533 Speaker 3: having a pretty good year that yeah, And I didn't 236 00:13:14,653 --> 00:13:17,613 Speaker 3: I guess wanted to be a distraction, not only for 237 00:13:17,693 --> 00:13:21,053 Speaker 3: myself but for the team as well. So yeah, I 238 00:13:21,133 --> 00:13:24,693 Speaker 3: even had it from my teammates and would train and 239 00:13:24,773 --> 00:13:26,933 Speaker 3: then in the afternoons have treatment. 240 00:13:27,453 --> 00:13:29,573 Speaker 2: What was that like, having treatment and then going and 241 00:13:29,653 --> 00:13:33,613 Speaker 2: playing eighty minutes of rugby on the weekend at a 242 00:13:34,013 --> 00:13:35,293 Speaker 2: professional higher level. 243 00:13:36,293 --> 00:13:40,013 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, training and playing is hard enough when you're healthy, 244 00:13:41,893 --> 00:13:46,333 Speaker 3: and just you know, adding that extra load was definitely tough. 245 00:13:46,693 --> 00:13:51,213 Speaker 3: I was. I was probably stubborn as well. The stubborness 246 00:13:51,253 --> 00:13:55,413 Speaker 3: probably helped me to push through things, just like, just 247 00:13:55,493 --> 00:13:58,213 Speaker 3: because I didn't want to be such a burden to 248 00:13:58,613 --> 00:14:01,933 Speaker 3: anyone or even towards the team. So I don't know 249 00:14:02,013 --> 00:14:05,853 Speaker 3: if that helped me really, but yeah, it was just 250 00:14:07,013 --> 00:14:08,893 Speaker 3: it was hard looking back on it now, but at 251 00:14:08,933 --> 00:14:10,893 Speaker 3: the time I thought it was just something I needed 252 00:14:10,933 --> 00:14:11,093 Speaker 3: to do. 253 00:14:11,653 --> 00:14:13,773 Speaker 2: It's a classic Kiwi male sort of thing, isn't it. 254 00:14:13,853 --> 00:14:15,493 Speaker 2: You just pick it up and keep going and. 255 00:14:15,573 --> 00:14:19,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't want to worry others. Yeah, that's definitely 256 00:14:19,333 --> 00:14:19,773 Speaker 3: what it was. 257 00:14:20,373 --> 00:14:22,253 Speaker 2: And then you come back against the Rebels, is that right? 258 00:14:22,333 --> 00:14:26,293 Speaker 2: And Melbourne or and come back home against the Rebels 259 00:14:26,333 --> 00:14:28,693 Speaker 2: after Sugar there was only a few months later. What 260 00:14:28,813 --> 00:14:30,213 Speaker 2: was that like getting back out on the parking. 261 00:14:32,893 --> 00:14:39,773 Speaker 3: Probably a sigh relief, just knowing that I've been able to, 262 00:14:39,973 --> 00:14:42,573 Speaker 3: I guess, come back to the highest level that I 263 00:14:42,613 --> 00:14:47,973 Speaker 3: could at that time, and just to be back amongst 264 00:14:48,013 --> 00:14:50,293 Speaker 3: the team. And I feel like I'm fully you know, 265 00:14:50,453 --> 00:14:54,253 Speaker 3: integrated now and helping the team towards a successful season. 266 00:14:55,053 --> 00:14:57,973 Speaker 4: And Roby must feel like a real outlet or release 267 00:14:58,773 --> 00:15:00,493 Speaker 4: from everything else. 268 00:15:01,053 --> 00:15:04,573 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely takes you training. If it takes my mind 269 00:15:04,613 --> 00:15:09,693 Speaker 3: off things being around the team, the boys, Yeah, lift 270 00:15:09,813 --> 00:15:11,733 Speaker 3: my spirits and things like that. So it was a 271 00:15:11,773 --> 00:15:12,613 Speaker 3: massive release with me. 272 00:15:13,213 --> 00:15:16,853 Speaker 4: And you had, you know, kids in the crowds with 273 00:15:17,013 --> 00:15:19,413 Speaker 4: signs and family come to the games and all those 274 00:15:19,453 --> 00:15:20,013 Speaker 4: sorts of things. 275 00:15:20,813 --> 00:15:23,733 Speaker 3: Yeah, that was that was cool to see. I really 276 00:15:23,773 --> 00:15:27,813 Speaker 3: appreciated it and just see everyone welcomed me back was 277 00:15:28,773 --> 00:15:29,693 Speaker 3: a special feeling. 278 00:15:30,333 --> 00:15:32,733 Speaker 2: What was that like once the team did know and 279 00:15:33,453 --> 00:15:36,493 Speaker 2: the beginning to obviously march towards the title that year 280 00:15:36,533 --> 00:15:38,773 Speaker 2: and you're involved everything like that. What was that season 281 00:15:39,213 --> 00:15:41,493 Speaker 2: like as a whole being in that camp. 282 00:15:43,493 --> 00:15:45,413 Speaker 3: Yeah, once I let them know, it was it was 283 00:15:45,453 --> 00:15:50,493 Speaker 3: more of a weight off my shoulders, and you know, 284 00:15:50,573 --> 00:15:54,213 Speaker 3: everyone was so supportive, everyone back in me. And then 285 00:15:54,533 --> 00:15:56,653 Speaker 3: when I had to have surgery again and when I 286 00:15:56,733 --> 00:16:00,493 Speaker 3: was going through my recovery stage, they were there with 287 00:16:00,613 --> 00:16:04,013 Speaker 3: me in me in hospital and at home, always chicken 288 00:16:04,053 --> 00:16:07,093 Speaker 3: in on me. So yeah, they were a. 289 00:16:07,173 --> 00:16:11,333 Speaker 4: Huge Who are some ye best mates on that team? 290 00:16:12,613 --> 00:16:16,493 Speaker 3: Probably some that I went to school with, aj Harry 291 00:16:16,493 --> 00:16:21,253 Speaker 3: Flummer before he left, and even some of the guys 292 00:16:21,293 --> 00:16:23,893 Speaker 3: that I grew up playing league with, like Daniel Utla 293 00:16:24,813 --> 00:16:27,573 Speaker 3: and things like that. So far, so all those boys, 294 00:16:27,813 --> 00:16:32,013 Speaker 3: but I'd say like that whole team really yeah, and. 295 00:16:32,093 --> 00:16:34,533 Speaker 2: What's been cool to be champions that year is a 296 00:16:34,573 --> 00:16:37,173 Speaker 2: long wait for Auckland as a whole and in the region, 297 00:16:37,213 --> 00:16:39,613 Speaker 2: but to lift the championship must have been pretty special. 298 00:16:40,453 --> 00:16:43,373 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred even just to be a small part 299 00:16:43,453 --> 00:16:49,013 Speaker 3: of that journey towards the championship. It's been huge to 300 00:16:49,053 --> 00:16:51,693 Speaker 3: see what I did for not only the organization that 301 00:16:52,013 --> 00:16:55,533 Speaker 3: the city and the boys, the older boys that have 302 00:16:55,653 --> 00:16:59,253 Speaker 3: been there, I guess through those you know, those dark times, 303 00:17:00,293 --> 00:17:03,013 Speaker 3: to see them able to lift that trophy at the 304 00:17:03,133 --> 00:17:05,213 Speaker 3: end there. Yeah, as a special. 305 00:17:04,893 --> 00:17:07,853 Speaker 2: Slight in twenty twenty four as well. Obviously come back 306 00:17:08,333 --> 00:17:09,613 Speaker 2: and you get so good for the Mouldy All Blacks 307 00:17:10,573 --> 00:17:10,933 Speaker 2: as well. 308 00:17:11,333 --> 00:17:14,653 Speaker 3: How cool was that? Yeah, that's such a special team 309 00:17:14,733 --> 00:17:19,093 Speaker 3: to be a part of. It's probably one of the 310 00:17:19,813 --> 00:17:21,653 Speaker 3: one of my favorite, if not my favorite teams to 311 00:17:21,693 --> 00:17:27,893 Speaker 3: be a part of. Just the unity that that you 312 00:17:28,053 --> 00:17:31,693 Speaker 3: feel being amongst them and just being in the team 313 00:17:31,973 --> 00:17:34,853 Speaker 3: that you know that you'll share the same blood as 314 00:17:35,013 --> 00:17:35,693 Speaker 3: something special. 315 00:17:36,093 --> 00:17:37,853 Speaker 2: Could you believe it that you know what had happened 316 00:17:37,853 --> 00:17:40,133 Speaker 2: over the last few months and then you're playing international 317 00:17:40,213 --> 00:17:41,373 Speaker 2: rugby with the Muldi or Blacks. 318 00:17:42,933 --> 00:17:45,773 Speaker 3: Honestly, I wasn't expecting anything like that. I was just 319 00:17:45,933 --> 00:17:48,533 Speaker 3: happy to be back playing for the Blues. But to 320 00:17:48,653 --> 00:17:52,813 Speaker 3: have that in the year off was a huge honor 321 00:17:53,093 --> 00:17:54,293 Speaker 3: and yeah, so special. 322 00:17:55,133 --> 00:17:56,733 Speaker 2: We often hear from the outside what it's like to 323 00:17:56,813 --> 00:17:58,213 Speaker 2: be in the Mouldial Blacks camp and you've give us 324 00:17:58,213 --> 00:18:00,173 Speaker 2: a good insight there. But obviously there's a lot of 325 00:18:01,293 --> 00:18:03,613 Speaker 2: customs and various things. But you say it seems like 326 00:18:03,693 --> 00:18:06,093 Speaker 2: everyon Forge is a really tight bond when they play 327 00:18:06,133 --> 00:18:06,973 Speaker 2: for the Muldi or Blacks. 328 00:18:07,333 --> 00:18:11,013 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred percent, because I would say I wasn't 329 00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:15,813 Speaker 3: raised in a traditional house moldy household, so there was 330 00:18:15,813 --> 00:18:19,853 Speaker 3: always times where you almost felt like you didn't deserve 331 00:18:19,933 --> 00:18:22,533 Speaker 3: to be there. But in that environment, they make it 332 00:18:22,773 --> 00:18:27,853 Speaker 3: so well known that everyone depending on what level of 333 00:18:27,973 --> 00:18:31,533 Speaker 3: Maldi you speak or but how comfortable you are, it's 334 00:18:31,853 --> 00:18:34,613 Speaker 3: you know, it's inclusive, it's for everyone, and then that's 335 00:18:34,653 --> 00:18:38,933 Speaker 3: what makes it really enjoyable time. Yeah. 336 00:18:40,733 --> 00:18:45,373 Speaker 4: Did was it special to I guess connect with that 337 00:18:45,453 --> 00:18:47,173 Speaker 4: part of yourself, you know, whether it be a hacker 338 00:18:47,253 --> 00:18:52,733 Speaker 4: or a whiter or visiting Mary maybe things that you 339 00:18:52,813 --> 00:18:54,493 Speaker 4: hadn't hadn't done for a while. 340 00:18:55,213 --> 00:18:59,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred percent, just because I guess I wasn't 341 00:18:59,133 --> 00:19:04,853 Speaker 3: really raised that way and to be able to connect 342 00:19:04,933 --> 00:19:08,653 Speaker 3: back to a part of myself that you know, wasn't 343 00:19:08,693 --> 00:19:12,613 Speaker 3: I didn't really know much about it was it was 344 00:19:12,653 --> 00:19:16,293 Speaker 3: insightful and it made me want to, I guess explore 345 00:19:16,333 --> 00:19:19,813 Speaker 3: more about that side of myself, and you know, it 346 00:19:19,853 --> 00:19:22,773 Speaker 3: takes sort of There's a group of us at the Blues. 347 00:19:22,773 --> 00:19:27,333 Speaker 3: They were taking Mold lessons and just trying to small 348 00:19:27,413 --> 00:19:31,893 Speaker 3: things just I guess help us understand more about ourselves. 349 00:19:32,813 --> 00:19:35,173 Speaker 2: So, yeah, and you played for the All Blacks fifteen 350 00:19:35,173 --> 00:19:38,093 Speaker 2: as well on a Was it Japan as well? 351 00:19:38,133 --> 00:19:41,013 Speaker 3: I think, yeah, yeah, there's a two games against Japan. 352 00:19:41,133 --> 00:19:48,293 Speaker 3: There another a huge honor in Milestone for myself. Had 353 00:19:49,093 --> 00:19:52,213 Speaker 3: my family come over, my dad and then Break flew 354 00:19:52,253 --> 00:19:55,613 Speaker 3: over also, so having them their familiar faces in the 355 00:19:55,613 --> 00:19:58,773 Speaker 3: crowd definitely helped. And then ye're also being a part 356 00:19:58,813 --> 00:20:00,053 Speaker 3: of that team was unreal. 357 00:20:00,293 --> 00:20:02,493 Speaker 2: Did you feel that maybe the All Blacks were in 358 00:20:02,573 --> 00:20:04,853 Speaker 2: touch and reach at that point you played for the 359 00:20:04,853 --> 00:20:08,053 Speaker 2: Maldi All Blacks, the All Blacks fifteen. Was that part 360 00:20:08,093 --> 00:20:08,933 Speaker 2: of your thinking at all? 361 00:20:09,053 --> 00:20:11,733 Speaker 3: Or I wouldn't say it was at the forefront of 362 00:20:11,773 --> 00:20:15,973 Speaker 3: my mind, but I guess like every every kid or 363 00:20:16,013 --> 00:20:18,333 Speaker 3: every provisional athlete, that is where you're a spider b. 364 00:20:18,533 --> 00:20:20,333 Speaker 3: So it was in the back of my mind, But 365 00:20:20,733 --> 00:20:24,613 Speaker 3: it wasn't something that you know, I was relying on 366 00:20:24,813 --> 00:20:27,453 Speaker 3: or really just you know, hanging my hopes on. It was. 367 00:20:28,413 --> 00:20:30,373 Speaker 3: I always sort of it came, it came. If it didn't, 368 00:20:30,413 --> 00:20:32,053 Speaker 3: then I'll just keep working away. 369 00:20:34,493 --> 00:20:37,613 Speaker 2: And then obviously playing again, and then you hear that 370 00:20:37,693 --> 00:20:40,693 Speaker 2: the cancer returns. How how long was that sort of 371 00:20:40,733 --> 00:20:42,893 Speaker 2: gap getting back out on the park and then hearing 372 00:20:42,973 --> 00:20:43,533 Speaker 2: that news again? 373 00:20:45,693 --> 00:20:49,373 Speaker 3: Uh? How long was that gap? 374 00:20:51,613 --> 00:20:51,773 Speaker 1: Oh? 375 00:20:51,933 --> 00:20:58,133 Speaker 3: It was over a year? Sorry, yeah it was. It 376 00:20:58,253 --> 00:21:02,813 Speaker 3: was devastating to hear it was. It wasn't something I 377 00:21:02,893 --> 00:21:08,653 Speaker 3: was ready for just because I was back playing. I'm 378 00:21:08,653 --> 00:21:12,853 Speaker 3: not playing, sorry, I was back training amongst the team, 379 00:21:13,253 --> 00:21:16,933 Speaker 3: slowly sort of learning how to run again. I was 380 00:21:16,973 --> 00:21:19,893 Speaker 3: trying to do everything my power to get fit and 381 00:21:20,413 --> 00:21:23,973 Speaker 3: strong again. So I was definitely focused on getting back 382 00:21:23,973 --> 00:21:27,453 Speaker 3: to playing rugby again. And then it was just a 383 00:21:27,573 --> 00:21:31,693 Speaker 3: routine catch up and yeah, I was on told the 384 00:21:31,813 --> 00:21:35,133 Speaker 3: fortunate the news that it had come back. Not only 385 00:21:35,213 --> 00:21:37,493 Speaker 3: had it come back, but it was it was terminal 386 00:21:37,573 --> 00:21:41,773 Speaker 3: by then, so something I wasn't expecting because I had 387 00:21:41,853 --> 00:21:43,213 Speaker 3: just come from training and I had left all my 388 00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:44,893 Speaker 3: kit there, so I was expecting to go back to 389 00:21:44,933 --> 00:21:49,533 Speaker 3: finish off training. So yeah, definitely blindsided me. 390 00:21:50,093 --> 00:21:55,013 Speaker 4: How do you begin to confront something like that like 391 00:21:55,133 --> 00:22:00,933 Speaker 4: you're a naturally positive, upbeat person, right, how do you 392 00:22:00,973 --> 00:22:04,133 Speaker 4: even begin to process that? 393 00:22:08,533 --> 00:22:11,933 Speaker 3: I just remember him telling me that it had come back, 394 00:22:13,053 --> 00:22:22,133 Speaker 3: and then probably just almost daydreaming, like just talking to myself, 395 00:22:23,613 --> 00:22:28,493 Speaker 3: almost not believing the news. And then yeah, I guess 396 00:22:28,493 --> 00:22:30,973 Speaker 3: once I came back to my senses, there was you know, 397 00:22:31,053 --> 00:22:36,573 Speaker 3: a lot of tears and just letting all the emotions 398 00:22:36,613 --> 00:22:41,733 Speaker 3: out really, and then this time I ended up telling 399 00:22:41,773 --> 00:22:44,413 Speaker 3: my family straight away just to I guess, get that 400 00:22:44,493 --> 00:22:49,373 Speaker 3: stress off my test. And then yeah, just a lot 401 00:22:49,413 --> 00:22:52,413 Speaker 3: of tears with them also, So yeah, just a whole 402 00:22:52,453 --> 00:22:56,573 Speaker 3: lot of emotions and not knowing how to react really. 403 00:22:57,173 --> 00:23:00,013 Speaker 3: But it took me a few a few moments to 404 00:23:00,133 --> 00:23:05,133 Speaker 3: sort of gather myself, and then I guess, not sort 405 00:23:05,173 --> 00:23:07,933 Speaker 3: of planning what was next, but trying to figure out 406 00:23:07,973 --> 00:23:12,453 Speaker 3: what the next steps are towards whatever the next year 407 00:23:12,573 --> 00:23:13,533 Speaker 3: this part of the journey is. 408 00:23:14,333 --> 00:23:16,533 Speaker 4: And in terms of what's next, obviously you and you 409 00:23:16,613 --> 00:23:19,613 Speaker 4: know expediate things and you get engaged and get married 410 00:23:19,653 --> 00:23:22,973 Speaker 4: and go on your honeymoon. How how special was that? 411 00:23:23,373 --> 00:23:27,573 Speaker 4: I think you guys went to fifteen countries and I 412 00:23:27,653 --> 00:23:29,173 Speaker 4: had a beautiful wedding and those things. 413 00:23:29,813 --> 00:23:34,813 Speaker 3: Yeah, so we decided to do a massive trip over 414 00:23:34,853 --> 00:23:38,453 Speaker 3: to Europe for a few months there, so that was 415 00:23:39,533 --> 00:23:45,453 Speaker 3: that was definitely a highlight was the year. Got up 416 00:23:45,453 --> 00:23:48,933 Speaker 3: with mates over there, ate some good food, enjoyed ourselves 417 00:23:48,973 --> 00:23:51,693 Speaker 3: and then yeah, when we came back, we got married 418 00:23:52,093 --> 00:23:56,053 Speaker 3: down and pop Moore, which was real special, just a 419 00:23:56,093 --> 00:24:00,453 Speaker 3: small one, just our families and friends. And then we 420 00:24:00,693 --> 00:24:03,893 Speaker 3: came back to Okland had another and another I guess wedding, 421 00:24:03,973 --> 00:24:06,333 Speaker 3: but it was just more of a party of a 422 00:24:06,413 --> 00:24:08,813 Speaker 3: few of the boys because they could actually make that one. 423 00:24:09,973 --> 00:24:13,333 Speaker 3: So yeah, definitely on a real time for us. And 424 00:24:13,413 --> 00:24:18,013 Speaker 3: then post all of that good stuff, we oh sorry, 425 00:24:19,613 --> 00:24:24,133 Speaker 3: that's when I started the treatment for chemo. So you've 426 00:24:24,173 --> 00:24:28,493 Speaker 3: been doing a few cycles right now and I do 427 00:24:28,613 --> 00:24:32,053 Speaker 3: it once every two weeks on a Thursday, just down 428 00:24:32,093 --> 00:24:36,693 Speaker 3: the road not too far from here, and then you're 429 00:24:36,853 --> 00:24:42,333 Speaker 3: just currently having another cycle next week too, So what 430 00:24:42,413 --> 00:24:43,093 Speaker 3: does that look like? 431 00:24:45,973 --> 00:24:50,413 Speaker 4: What's that experience like for people who don't know? Is 432 00:24:50,493 --> 00:24:54,933 Speaker 4: it pretty pretty texting? Can you still get out and 433 00:24:55,093 --> 00:24:56,373 Speaker 4: enjoy your life around it? 434 00:24:58,013 --> 00:25:01,773 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's when I have When I have chemo, that 435 00:25:01,933 --> 00:25:05,893 Speaker 3: week is pretty much a ride off. Well, especially those 436 00:25:05,933 --> 00:25:09,813 Speaker 3: first couple of days afterwards it I was just yeah, 437 00:25:09,853 --> 00:25:14,573 Speaker 3: a bunch of recovery, just mainly sleeping really uh, and 438 00:25:14,653 --> 00:25:18,013 Speaker 3: then when I'm starting to feel right, I'll try to 439 00:25:18,053 --> 00:25:24,213 Speaker 3: get out, go for coffees and try to keep trying 440 00:25:24,213 --> 00:25:25,733 Speaker 3: to have like such a normal life. 441 00:25:26,173 --> 00:25:28,013 Speaker 2: Yeah, how did you just go back to your winning? 442 00:25:28,013 --> 00:25:30,573 Speaker 2: How did you go about throwing a winning together so quickly? 443 00:25:31,013 --> 00:25:34,813 Speaker 3: How did you how did you pull it all together? Well, 444 00:25:34,893 --> 00:25:40,893 Speaker 3: to be fair, I didn't really planning. Anytime I try 445 00:25:40,933 --> 00:25:49,613 Speaker 3: to help, it made it worse. It was you'd have 446 00:25:49,653 --> 00:26:02,733 Speaker 3: to ask your actually to help. Its about what about? Yeah? Yeah, 447 00:26:02,853 --> 00:26:05,613 Speaker 3: so we were traveling and then she was traveling and planning. 448 00:26:06,373 --> 00:26:12,413 Speaker 3: I was just enjoying myself. We had our close group 449 00:26:12,453 --> 00:26:17,213 Speaker 3: of mates back here. They were coordinating everything and checking 450 00:26:17,213 --> 00:26:19,533 Speaker 3: in off Brett and then so yeah, they were hugel. 451 00:26:19,933 --> 00:26:22,733 Speaker 2: There's there's a real nice line in the story about 452 00:26:22,733 --> 00:26:25,133 Speaker 2: you're wedding on in the Woman's Day that you say 453 00:26:25,213 --> 00:26:28,293 Speaker 2: that this is not a sad story. How do you 454 00:26:28,453 --> 00:26:31,973 Speaker 2: get the mindset to make it a positive a positive story? 455 00:26:32,053 --> 00:26:32,093 Speaker 3: This? 456 00:26:32,293 --> 00:26:34,573 Speaker 2: You know, obviously getting married is great, but the whole 457 00:26:35,133 --> 00:26:35,973 Speaker 2: thing that comes with it. 458 00:26:36,573 --> 00:26:38,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think actually Britt said that. 459 00:26:44,533 --> 00:26:46,053 Speaker 2: It's such a lovely line regardless. 460 00:26:50,933 --> 00:26:59,173 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess I'm not too sure. It's just, yeah, 461 00:26:59,213 --> 00:27:02,293 Speaker 3: I think I've I've come to terms with things, and 462 00:27:02,373 --> 00:27:05,013 Speaker 3: I'm not someone that likes to waste energy on things 463 00:27:05,053 --> 00:27:09,573 Speaker 3: that I can't change. So I can't be stressing about 464 00:27:10,973 --> 00:27:13,853 Speaker 3: what has already happened, well, especially things that yeah, I 465 00:27:13,893 --> 00:27:18,653 Speaker 3: can't change. So I'd rather spend energy and time elsewhere 466 00:27:18,733 --> 00:27:20,893 Speaker 3: and looking on the positive things and looking forward to 467 00:27:21,613 --> 00:27:25,653 Speaker 3: building things while we can. So yeah, that's probably the biggest. 468 00:27:25,533 --> 00:27:30,933 Speaker 4: Reason why, just with the European trip, lots of foreign countries, 469 00:27:32,093 --> 00:27:34,413 Speaker 4: travel can be a bit of a ride. Any any 470 00:27:34,613 --> 00:27:42,333 Speaker 4: memories that stand out, any any good stories Brett's laughing, baby, Yeah. 471 00:27:42,373 --> 00:27:49,653 Speaker 3: Good stories. Probably. I definitely enjoyed my time over there. 472 00:27:51,453 --> 00:27:51,653 Speaker 2: Yeah. 473 00:27:55,333 --> 00:27:59,773 Speaker 3: Yeah. The one time I try to plan an excursion, 474 00:28:00,293 --> 00:28:04,933 Speaker 3: it was a dog's leading in Norway and traumso because 475 00:28:05,173 --> 00:28:08,173 Speaker 3: obviously Britt was planning the wedding and the trip of 476 00:28:08,213 --> 00:28:11,213 Speaker 3: the same time. So I was like, you know, I'll 477 00:28:11,213 --> 00:28:13,893 Speaker 3: take this off your hands. I'll plan something. I'll sort 478 00:28:13,933 --> 00:28:19,973 Speaker 3: it out. So I had booked our dogs letting experience 479 00:28:20,093 --> 00:28:22,253 Speaker 3: that I thought was in the area we were staying. 480 00:28:23,933 --> 00:28:28,493 Speaker 3: Come to the morning of said dogs letting. Luckily, Britt 481 00:28:28,533 --> 00:28:31,613 Speaker 3: woke up early and she actually checked where the meeting 482 00:28:31,693 --> 00:28:34,773 Speaker 3: point was and it was actually two and a half 483 00:28:34,813 --> 00:28:40,893 Speaker 3: hours away from where we were st because I thought 484 00:28:40,933 --> 00:28:43,733 Speaker 3: I had read it was in Tromso, but I didn't 485 00:28:43,733 --> 00:28:47,213 Speaker 3: actually read where the pickup point was, and so she 486 00:28:47,333 --> 00:28:50,133 Speaker 3: woke me up in a panic and was like, you 487 00:28:50,253 --> 00:28:53,933 Speaker 3: realize this is not where we were staying. So she 488 00:28:54,093 --> 00:28:56,253 Speaker 3: was online trying to figure out how we could make 489 00:28:56,293 --> 00:28:59,653 Speaker 3: our way to this pick up point. We were downloading 490 00:28:59,693 --> 00:29:04,493 Speaker 3: apps trying to organize taxis, but I was just so expensive. 491 00:29:05,013 --> 00:29:07,893 Speaker 3: And luckily enough, the company we had booked replied to 492 00:29:07,933 --> 00:29:12,453 Speaker 3: Britain message on Facebook and they're like, you need to 493 00:29:12,493 --> 00:29:15,653 Speaker 3: catch this bus and get off of this stop and 494 00:29:15,973 --> 00:29:19,453 Speaker 3: someone will come pick you up. So yeah, So we 495 00:29:19,813 --> 00:29:24,413 Speaker 3: sprinted down to the bus terminal, hopped on and they 496 00:29:24,453 --> 00:29:26,933 Speaker 3: couldn't really speak English, so we're just pointing at this 497 00:29:27,133 --> 00:29:29,853 Speaker 3: word that we had wrote down the stop. They gave 498 00:29:29,933 --> 00:29:33,493 Speaker 3: us a thumbs up, like see yeah, and two hours 499 00:29:33,573 --> 00:29:35,733 Speaker 3: later they gave us a thumbs up again. It's like, yeah, 500 00:29:35,733 --> 00:29:39,573 Speaker 3: this is your start. So we jumped off, the bus 501 00:29:39,693 --> 00:29:42,493 Speaker 3: took off and we're just standing in the middle of 502 00:29:42,573 --> 00:29:47,613 Speaker 3: this icy snow road, no buildings anywhere, and I'm thinking 503 00:29:47,693 --> 00:29:49,773 Speaker 3: to myself, we've just hopped off in the middle of nowhere. 504 00:29:50,213 --> 00:29:54,933 Speaker 3: We've got no reception. It's about minus fourteen, and we're 505 00:29:54,973 --> 00:29:56,893 Speaker 3: just looking at each other like how are we going 506 00:29:56,933 --> 00:30:01,693 Speaker 3: to get home now? And then yeah, and then lucky enough, 507 00:30:01,973 --> 00:30:05,493 Speaker 3: someone did come and pick us up. This old dude, 508 00:30:05,933 --> 00:30:09,533 Speaker 3: this crazy like raccoon hat just stuck his head out. 509 00:30:09,653 --> 00:30:13,813 Speaker 3: Is are you the Kuies? Yeah, that's us. Yeah, he's 510 00:30:13,853 --> 00:30:15,173 Speaker 3: like offen, We're off. 511 00:30:16,413 --> 00:30:20,173 Speaker 2: So what was the dogs living like after the ordeal? 512 00:30:20,253 --> 00:30:21,773 Speaker 2: Actually did enjoy it? 513 00:30:22,613 --> 00:30:26,213 Speaker 3: Oh? Yeah, it was unreal. I don't think they expected 514 00:30:27,733 --> 00:30:30,573 Speaker 3: or they realized how big I was, because they only 515 00:30:30,613 --> 00:30:34,813 Speaker 3: gave us the sled of four dogs, and so when 516 00:30:34,813 --> 00:30:36,453 Speaker 3: we were trying to go up hills, I actually had 517 00:30:36,493 --> 00:30:41,213 Speaker 3: to jump off and push push up. These paid all 518 00:30:41,293 --> 00:30:43,693 Speaker 3: this money just as all work out two and a 519 00:30:43,693 --> 00:30:44,573 Speaker 3: half hours away. 520 00:30:44,413 --> 00:30:47,773 Speaker 4: From where we're staying, and you probably wouldn't allowed to 521 00:30:47,773 --> 00:30:49,213 Speaker 4: plan anything for the rest of the trip. 522 00:30:49,733 --> 00:30:51,213 Speaker 3: No, No, that was me done. 523 00:30:53,453 --> 00:30:54,253 Speaker 2: It's part of all of us. 524 00:30:54,293 --> 00:30:54,613 Speaker 3: Obviously. 525 00:30:54,693 --> 00:30:57,893 Speaker 2: You you announced publicly on social media that that you've 526 00:30:57,933 --> 00:31:01,413 Speaker 2: got terminal cancer, and then we see the Blues get 527 00:31:01,493 --> 00:31:05,053 Speaker 2: them behind you shaving their heads, dying the head blonde. 528 00:31:05,133 --> 00:31:06,293 Speaker 2: How cool was that to see? 529 00:31:07,253 --> 00:31:11,213 Speaker 3: Yeah, that was so unexpected. I was already going in 530 00:31:11,413 --> 00:31:13,733 Speaker 3: to watch a few trainings here and there when I could, 531 00:31:15,373 --> 00:31:18,173 Speaker 3: and then just going in that day to see or 532 00:31:18,213 --> 00:31:20,733 Speaker 3: they had died here, and then obviously some of the 533 00:31:20,773 --> 00:31:23,653 Speaker 3: boys shaving their heads too. I was definitely taken back 534 00:31:23,693 --> 00:31:27,933 Speaker 3: by it. I wasn't expecting anything like that, so yeah, 535 00:31:27,973 --> 00:31:32,213 Speaker 3: it was. It was very definitely moving. 536 00:31:32,933 --> 00:31:34,693 Speaker 4: Who's got the best and worst haircuts? 537 00:31:36,373 --> 00:31:43,013 Speaker 3: Oh? The best, I'd say probably Bears because he was 538 00:31:43,013 --> 00:31:47,133 Speaker 3: the only one that actually got it done properly. Yeah, 539 00:31:47,213 --> 00:31:49,413 Speaker 3: so he's as well as by father Vests. And then 540 00:31:49,533 --> 00:31:54,053 Speaker 3: the worst at the time was probably Bangers his aunt's Yeah, 541 00:31:55,453 --> 00:31:59,013 Speaker 3: Scallar blonde scalar. Yeah, that was definitely a sight. 542 00:32:00,133 --> 00:32:02,333 Speaker 2: Still rocking it now because I saw Bidons at the 543 00:32:02,533 --> 00:32:05,413 Speaker 2: All Black s Airport yesterday, still still got the blond tints. 544 00:32:05,773 --> 00:32:07,093 Speaker 2: It must be cool just to see that, you know, 545 00:32:07,173 --> 00:32:08,693 Speaker 2: and they're on the All Black Sea and now and 546 00:32:08,773 --> 00:32:09,333 Speaker 2: still ripping it. 547 00:32:09,853 --> 00:32:11,693 Speaker 3: Yeah. No, it's definitely cool just to see it on 548 00:32:11,773 --> 00:32:14,093 Speaker 3: the international stage, so it means a lot. So it's 549 00:32:14,133 --> 00:32:14,733 Speaker 3: been under. 550 00:32:14,533 --> 00:32:18,013 Speaker 2: Here how important in this whole thing you're promoting sarcoma 551 00:32:18,013 --> 00:32:20,853 Speaker 2: awareness to be an ambassador to get the word out. 552 00:32:22,013 --> 00:32:27,213 Speaker 3: It's huguely important. I thought it was a good idea 553 00:32:27,693 --> 00:32:31,093 Speaker 3: just to use my platform or whatever what kind of 554 00:32:31,173 --> 00:32:37,053 Speaker 3: platform that I do have, just spread awareness about such 555 00:32:37,053 --> 00:32:40,253 Speaker 3: a rare cancer that doesn't really have too much information 556 00:32:40,373 --> 00:32:45,893 Speaker 3: about it. So I thought it was important just, yeah, 557 00:32:46,493 --> 00:32:52,373 Speaker 3: bring people's attention towards something that is unfortunately starting to 558 00:32:52,453 --> 00:32:56,293 Speaker 3: be a lot more common. And there's been a lot 559 00:32:56,333 --> 00:32:59,613 Speaker 3: of people that have reached out with you know, different 560 00:32:59,653 --> 00:33:05,413 Speaker 3: stories with how it's helped them, and so yeah, that's 561 00:33:05,493 --> 00:33:08,013 Speaker 3: just really important for me just to I guess, help 562 00:33:08,053 --> 00:33:11,933 Speaker 3: those poll especially the older generation that probably aren't too 563 00:33:13,813 --> 00:33:18,293 Speaker 3: tech savvy and who can sort of voice their own 564 00:33:18,293 --> 00:33:22,333 Speaker 3: opinions or advocate for themselves. So yeah, that's probably the 565 00:33:22,453 --> 00:33:22,933 Speaker 3: main reason. 566 00:33:23,573 --> 00:33:27,493 Speaker 4: Can you share with us any people that have you 567 00:33:27,733 --> 00:33:31,333 Speaker 4: reached out and that you've made a difference through this journey? 568 00:33:32,333 --> 00:33:37,493 Speaker 3: Uh? Probably? I guess One person is his name is Tom. 569 00:33:37,613 --> 00:33:41,333 Speaker 3: We we catch up for coffees and we're meant to 570 00:33:41,613 --> 00:33:43,613 Speaker 3: catch up again, but he's been a bit under the 571 00:33:43,653 --> 00:33:50,853 Speaker 3: weather at the moment. He's someone that's I guess helped 572 00:33:50,893 --> 00:33:55,533 Speaker 3: me along my journey too. He's a very positive and 573 00:33:55,733 --> 00:34:00,173 Speaker 3: outgoing person. He still works being even though that he's 574 00:34:00,453 --> 00:34:05,493 Speaker 3: you know too male ill and has a a different 575 00:34:05,493 --> 00:34:10,213 Speaker 3: type of psychometal than me. But he's yeah, someone that 576 00:34:10,893 --> 00:34:13,933 Speaker 3: I guess we've helped each other in this journey. So 577 00:34:15,373 --> 00:34:20,133 Speaker 3: and there's another girl, Hailey, who's a bit like me 578 00:34:20,293 --> 00:34:25,253 Speaker 3: that's try to advocate and spread awareness for the foundation. 579 00:34:25,933 --> 00:34:26,813 Speaker 3: So probably those two. 580 00:34:27,653 --> 00:34:31,413 Speaker 4: And you've had players across the sporting spectrum rugby league, 581 00:34:32,373 --> 00:34:36,733 Speaker 4: other sports as well do the this try screen celebrations 582 00:34:36,773 --> 00:34:41,293 Speaker 4: and whatnot. How how special is it to have that 583 00:34:41,453 --> 00:34:43,933 Speaker 4: impact and and for people to get on board. 584 00:34:45,293 --> 00:34:48,573 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been it's been amazing to see the amount 585 00:34:48,573 --> 00:34:52,533 Speaker 3: of support that has been generated just from that try 586 00:34:52,613 --> 00:34:57,293 Speaker 3: celebration and to see it on the weekends when when 587 00:34:58,413 --> 00:35:03,773 Speaker 3: on the international stage or for Super Rugby FBC and 588 00:35:03,973 --> 00:35:08,733 Speaker 3: the Woman's rugby as well, it's been unreal. I still 589 00:35:08,773 --> 00:35:12,533 Speaker 3: get messages from parents and seeing their kids do it 590 00:35:13,493 --> 00:35:17,653 Speaker 3: just at their local footy wherever they are, and it's 591 00:35:17,733 --> 00:35:20,253 Speaker 3: been special to see the I guess the movement that 592 00:35:20,333 --> 00:35:22,493 Speaker 3: it's sort of started, and yeah, what it is now? 593 00:35:23,613 --> 00:35:25,413 Speaker 2: You touched on it for what does a week look 594 00:35:25,493 --> 00:35:27,493 Speaker 2: like for you at the moment you're still training in 595 00:35:27,533 --> 00:35:29,853 Speaker 2: the gym, I saw, I think on social media and 596 00:35:30,213 --> 00:35:31,693 Speaker 2: making sure you're keeping active as well. 597 00:35:33,013 --> 00:35:38,533 Speaker 3: Yeah. I try to keep things as relatively normal as 598 00:35:38,533 --> 00:35:42,373 Speaker 3: I can when I can. So yeah, just I guess 599 00:35:42,453 --> 00:35:45,773 Speaker 3: trying to get back to the gym, not doing anything crazy. 600 00:35:45,813 --> 00:35:53,613 Speaker 3: It's just smare to get moving and no more dogs letting. Yeah, 601 00:35:53,773 --> 00:35:56,253 Speaker 3: just things just to keep me moving, keep my mind 602 00:35:56,533 --> 00:36:01,133 Speaker 3: like ticking over. Yeah, I got two dogs at home, 603 00:36:01,293 --> 00:36:03,413 Speaker 3: so when I can, I'll take them out for a 604 00:36:03,493 --> 00:36:07,373 Speaker 3: walk for a bit of fresh air and going out 605 00:36:07,413 --> 00:36:10,613 Speaker 3: to cafes, going to get coffees with some mates. And 606 00:36:11,773 --> 00:36:14,213 Speaker 3: I've been doing my own power reviews. 607 00:36:15,493 --> 00:36:20,093 Speaker 4: Bakeries, intrigued, who's who's winning that race, what's the leading. 608 00:36:21,653 --> 00:36:25,173 Speaker 3: The best one I had is probably one next to 609 00:36:25,373 --> 00:36:30,013 Speaker 3: sell in College Oliverus Bakery. They do a good beef 610 00:36:30,093 --> 00:36:31,533 Speaker 3: briskit and double cheese pie. 611 00:36:31,773 --> 00:36:32,053 Speaker 4: Nice. 612 00:36:33,013 --> 00:36:37,173 Speaker 3: But obviously did my research online and go to all 613 00:36:37,173 --> 00:36:39,693 Speaker 3: the popular ones to like Parrington's winning and pie. 614 00:36:40,653 --> 00:36:42,893 Speaker 2: You I was gonna say traditional sort of steak and 615 00:36:42,973 --> 00:36:46,213 Speaker 2: cheese or steak or willing to branch out with what 616 00:36:46,373 --> 00:36:46,733 Speaker 2: kind of PI. 617 00:36:46,733 --> 00:36:57,613 Speaker 3: Are you like I was gonna say, I'm actually a 618 00:36:57,653 --> 00:37:02,373 Speaker 3: bacon nig pie person. It's not many people like, so 619 00:37:02,693 --> 00:37:06,493 Speaker 3: I'll get one of those and then whatever the specialties 620 00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:08,693 Speaker 3: of the place that we're going to, oh a crack 621 00:37:08,733 --> 00:37:09,173 Speaker 3: at that too. 622 00:37:10,373 --> 00:37:12,933 Speaker 2: Amongst all this, How important has been supporting it work, 623 00:37:13,053 --> 00:37:16,213 Speaker 2: like like your family, like your teammates in all of this. 624 00:37:17,133 --> 00:37:22,973 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been. It's been massive. I can't explain how 625 00:37:23,053 --> 00:37:28,413 Speaker 3: much of like having a good support system really does 626 00:37:28,773 --> 00:37:31,853 Speaker 3: help you. I don't need physically, but mentally you can 627 00:37:31,933 --> 00:37:35,013 Speaker 3: rely on someone just to get things off your chest 628 00:37:36,933 --> 00:37:41,933 Speaker 3: and just really keep you grounded. And I guess yeah, 629 00:37:43,173 --> 00:37:46,293 Speaker 3: having having your back really it's been so important. 630 00:37:46,813 --> 00:37:50,133 Speaker 2: What's your message to que male or females you know 631 00:37:50,373 --> 00:37:53,493 Speaker 2: that perhaps you know have noticed something. 632 00:37:54,813 --> 00:37:59,533 Speaker 3: Yeah, if there's anything like that looks unusual, lumps, bumps 633 00:37:59,813 --> 00:38:02,693 Speaker 3: anywhere on your body is definitely get it checked out, 634 00:38:03,053 --> 00:38:08,733 Speaker 3: your local doctor, GP, just anyone really that you think 635 00:38:08,773 --> 00:38:11,813 Speaker 3: they will have a bit more information about it. So 636 00:38:12,933 --> 00:38:15,933 Speaker 3: I encourage everyone to go get checked over and don't 637 00:38:16,013 --> 00:38:17,853 Speaker 3: leave it so late like my guy did. 638 00:38:17,973 --> 00:38:21,133 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, Cam really appreciate you sharing your journey with us 639 00:38:21,173 --> 00:38:22,773 Speaker 2: has been lovely in the chat and wishing you all 640 00:38:22,773 --> 00:38:24,773 Speaker 2: the best thinking about Thank you very much for having 641 00:38:24,813 --> 00:38:25,933 Speaker 2: me appreciate it. 642 00:38:27,253 --> 00:38:30,813 Speaker 1: Rugby Direct with Elliott Smith and Liam Navier, powered by 643 00:38:30,893 --> 00:38:33,973 Speaker 1: News Talks ed be here every All Blacks game live 644 00:38:34,173 --> 00:38:36,613 Speaker 1: and free on air and on iHeartRadio. 645 00:38:37,733 --> 00:38:40,413 Speaker 2: So grate forward to Cameron so far for his time 646 00:38:40,493 --> 00:38:43,653 Speaker 2: and if you are able. Psychomer Awareness Month continues through 647 00:38:43,733 --> 00:38:46,533 Speaker 2: until the end of July. We'd encourage you to dig 648 00:38:46,573 --> 00:38:50,893 Speaker 2: deep for any cause that relates and fundraisers for that 649 00:38:51,213 --> 00:38:54,133 Speaker 2: that has been Rugby Direct. We're back next week. We 650 00:38:54,253 --> 00:38:57,093 Speaker 2: have a South Africa tour squad for the All Blacks 651 00:38:57,253 --> 00:38:59,853 Speaker 2: to look forward to them. Thanks for your company and 652 00:39:00,013 --> 00:39:02,933 Speaker 2: thanks to Mark Kelly for producing. We'll see you next week. 653 00:39:03,693 --> 00:39:06,253 Speaker 1: For more from News Talks ed b listen live on 654 00:39:06,413 --> 00:39:09,333 Speaker 1: air or online and keep out shows with you wherever 655 00:39:09,413 --> 00:39:11,973 Speaker 1: you go without podcasts on iHeartRadio