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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,427 Speaker 2: It's complete our catchups with the New Zealand based Super 4 00:00:15,507 --> 00:00:19,427 Speaker 2: Rugby franchises. The Highlanders bottom of the table in twenty 5 00:00:19,467 --> 00:00:22,827 Speaker 2: twenty five, just three wins from their fourteen matches. One 6 00:00:22,827 --> 00:00:25,587 Speaker 2: of their high points though, victory over the Blues in 7 00:00:25,707 --> 00:00:29,067 Speaker 2: round two surely over it will go somewhere there it 8 00:00:29,187 --> 00:00:31,987 Speaker 2: is the Islands little king it out hen'll we can 9 00:00:32,107 --> 00:00:36,147 Speaker 2: Millerald kicking out and that is a famous, famous Highlands victory. 10 00:00:36,507 --> 00:00:39,587 Speaker 2: In thirty years of covering the I don't think I 11 00:00:39,627 --> 00:00:43,147 Speaker 2: can remember memory that cage. There you go, Paul Allison 12 00:00:43,187 --> 00:00:45,867 Speaker 2: absolutely loving it in the commentary box there at Forsyth 13 00:00:45,907 --> 00:00:48,427 Speaker 2: Bar Stadium. They won the following week as well. From memory, 14 00:00:49,187 --> 00:00:52,387 Speaker 2: the Highlanders were two from three, but then only one 15 00:00:52,507 --> 00:00:55,467 Speaker 2: further win across the rest of the season. They open 16 00:00:55,787 --> 00:00:58,907 Speaker 2: the season against the Crusaders Friday night. In fact, it's 17 00:00:58,907 --> 00:01:01,827 Speaker 2: the very first game of Super Rugby Pacific for twenty 18 00:01:01,827 --> 00:01:06,347 Speaker 2: twenty six. Highlanders the Crusaders in Dunedin. Highlander's assistant Code 19 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:10,627 Speaker 2: Clark Dermody joins us Clark not too long now until 20 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:13,507 Speaker 2: Super rugby starts and you start my host and the 21 00:01:13,507 --> 00:01:15,867 Speaker 2: Crusaders on Friday night. How are you feeling five days 22 00:01:15,867 --> 00:01:16,827 Speaker 2: out from your first game. 23 00:01:18,027 --> 00:01:21,587 Speaker 3: I think everyone's excited. I mean, oh, week down here 24 00:01:21,907 --> 00:01:23,587 Speaker 3: the start of it anyway, and so there's going to 25 00:01:23,627 --> 00:01:25,827 Speaker 3: be a full zoo and that's always brings a lot 26 00:01:25,827 --> 00:01:28,947 Speaker 3: of excitement, and you know, first game of the season. 27 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:32,707 Speaker 3: The boys are ready to go after a few months 28 00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:33,147 Speaker 3: of training. 29 00:01:33,507 --> 00:01:36,387 Speaker 2: How much happier were you with your second preseason game 30 00:01:36,427 --> 00:01:39,547 Speaker 2: against Malwana on Friday compared to your first one against 31 00:01:39,547 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 2: the Crusaders last weekend and tomorrow. 32 00:01:41,947 --> 00:01:45,307 Speaker 3: I think were ignoiled. We've probably got our preparation a 33 00:01:45,387 --> 00:01:49,027 Speaker 3: bit off in that week and leading into the Timaru game. 34 00:01:49,227 --> 00:01:51,307 Speaker 3: And then I felt like that was a big area 35 00:01:51,307 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 3: of change for the boys leading into that game and 36 00:01:54,507 --> 00:01:57,467 Speaker 3: allowed us to at least, you know, match physicality with 37 00:01:57,547 --> 00:02:01,267 Speaker 3: minor pacifica, which helps in any game. And then you know, 38 00:02:01,307 --> 00:02:03,347 Speaker 3: some of the stuff we're trying to achieve around I 39 00:02:03,387 --> 00:02:06,907 Speaker 3: guess set piece and strikes we're starting to work as well. 40 00:02:06,707 --> 00:02:09,627 Speaker 2: What was different about your prep compared to the game 41 00:02:09,667 --> 00:02:11,787 Speaker 2: against the Crusaders. What did you do better? 42 00:02:12,827 --> 00:02:14,547 Speaker 3: All as coaches we sort of took a bit out 43 00:02:14,587 --> 00:02:17,107 Speaker 3: of the week, so hopefully the boys were a bit 44 00:02:17,107 --> 00:02:20,627 Speaker 3: fresher going into it, so to use that Crusaders weeks 45 00:02:20,667 --> 00:02:24,227 Speaker 3: more of a preseason mindset, so they were still training 46 00:02:24,267 --> 00:02:26,947 Speaker 3: pretty hard right up to the game. That definitely affected 47 00:02:26,987 --> 00:02:29,547 Speaker 3: the start that we put out against the Crusaders, and 48 00:02:29,547 --> 00:02:32,387 Speaker 3: then definitely know it's a difference when we lightened the 49 00:02:32,427 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: load a bit last week leading into the game in Queensdolm. 50 00:02:36,227 --> 00:02:39,187 Speaker 2: We saw Fabi and Holland come off injured against Mowana 51 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:41,307 Speaker 2: on Friday. Can you give us any update? 52 00:02:42,667 --> 00:02:45,027 Speaker 3: He's injured his shoulder. I don't really know the extent 53 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:48,427 Speaker 3: of it yet. Obviously it's only Sunday at the moment, 54 00:02:48,507 --> 00:02:51,627 Speaker 3: so he's he's going to get checked out tomorrow and 55 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:53,707 Speaker 3: you know, fingers cross, it's not as bad as what 56 00:02:53,787 --> 00:02:54,147 Speaker 3: it looked. 57 00:02:54,867 --> 00:02:58,267 Speaker 2: Is it likely he'll he'll be available for Game one? 58 00:02:58,907 --> 00:03:01,867 Speaker 3: Ah? Look, I'd love I'd love him to be obviously 59 00:03:02,387 --> 00:03:05,347 Speaker 3: huge influential player for us, but it's probably a bit 60 00:03:05,387 --> 00:03:05,987 Speaker 3: early to say. 61 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:08,907 Speaker 2: All right, we'll wait for an update. There no getting 62 00:03:08,907 --> 00:03:10,947 Speaker 2: away from the fact that last year was disappointing for 63 00:03:10,987 --> 00:03:13,547 Speaker 2: you as a team. Where have you placed your focus 64 00:03:13,587 --> 00:03:16,587 Speaker 2: as you look for a much improved showing in twenty 65 00:03:16,587 --> 00:03:17,187 Speaker 2: twenty six. 66 00:03:17,987 --> 00:03:21,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we acknowledged we didn't get the back 67 00:03:21,707 --> 00:03:25,107 Speaker 3: into games right, So I think it's pretty well talked 68 00:03:25,107 --> 00:03:28,707 Speaker 3: about that. You know, we were losing games within seven points. 69 00:03:28,747 --> 00:03:30,827 Speaker 3: I think we were seven games we were pretty close 70 00:03:30,907 --> 00:03:33,907 Speaker 3: and even leading going into those last few minutes. So 71 00:03:35,427 --> 00:03:37,987 Speaker 3: a lot of stuff around game understanding, game awareness with 72 00:03:38,067 --> 00:03:41,147 Speaker 3: the leadership group understanding that when we get into those 73 00:03:41,187 --> 00:03:44,787 Speaker 3: moments is how to win or close out games. 74 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:47,867 Speaker 2: You open against the Crusaders as mentioned, and then the Chiefs, 75 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:51,347 Speaker 2: last year's two Grand finalists, both in Dunedin, and we 76 00:03:51,427 --> 00:03:53,907 Speaker 2: know of that place is like the home games, particularly 77 00:03:53,947 --> 00:03:56,027 Speaker 2: at the start of the university year. Do you think 78 00:03:56,027 --> 00:03:58,907 Speaker 2: it'll give you a pretty good early gauge on where 79 00:03:58,907 --> 00:04:02,307 Speaker 2: you're at facing those two sides in your first two games. 80 00:04:02,747 --> 00:04:06,627 Speaker 3: Oh definitely. You know, in the last few years been 81 00:04:07,027 --> 00:04:08,547 Speaker 3: the teams near the top of the table, and it 82 00:04:08,547 --> 00:04:10,387 Speaker 3: would be a good chance for us to test that early. 83 00:04:12,507 --> 00:04:15,307 Speaker 3: Like like I say, we're we're I feel like we 84 00:04:15,347 --> 00:04:17,867 Speaker 3: were pretty close last year, but pretty close isn't quite 85 00:04:17,907 --> 00:04:21,467 Speaker 3: good enough. So it's a good chance to go against 86 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:23,187 Speaker 3: you know, good teams early on. 87 00:04:23,107 --> 00:04:25,667 Speaker 2: To see where we're at in terms of players who 88 00:04:25,747 --> 00:04:29,187 Speaker 2: you've you've brought into your squad. Angus has arrived from 89 00:04:29,227 --> 00:04:31,667 Speaker 2: the Blues house. He fitted in, Yeah, and I. 90 00:04:31,587 --> 00:04:36,107 Speaker 3: Thinkus has brought his own style. He's he's really added 91 00:04:36,147 --> 00:04:38,827 Speaker 3: to the group, not just the stuff he's doing on field. 92 00:04:39,227 --> 00:04:41,307 Speaker 3: He's been a pretty good mentor to you know, the 93 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:46,067 Speaker 3: younger front rowers, pretty giving with his time playing well 94 00:04:46,107 --> 00:04:49,547 Speaker 3: as well, which always helps. So and then you know 95 00:04:49,587 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 3: the stuff that he had Dolpher fielders, probably something a 96 00:04:52,587 --> 00:04:55,307 Speaker 3: bit unique to him and and something that we may 97 00:04:55,307 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 3: be lacked and probably a bit more introverted than what 98 00:04:57,827 --> 00:04:59,467 Speaker 3: goes well. 99 00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:02,707 Speaker 2: That's just the Southern mentality, isn't it. He'd be Yeah, 100 00:05:03,747 --> 00:05:05,907 Speaker 2: been an interesting little dynamic for him to fit into 101 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:08,107 Speaker 2: either made Oh, I know he's done this thing. 102 00:05:08,107 --> 00:05:10,707 Speaker 3: I think the boys have really enjoyed his spin on 103 00:05:10,787 --> 00:05:15,387 Speaker 3: how he prepares for games as ability to switch off 104 00:05:15,387 --> 00:05:18,347 Speaker 3: off the field and have a laugh has been much needed. 105 00:05:19,227 --> 00:05:22,147 Speaker 2: Everyone was really looking forward to Dylan Pledge's first Super 106 00:05:22,227 --> 00:05:24,507 Speaker 2: Rugby season as well. That's been dashed by injury. How 107 00:05:24,587 --> 00:05:26,507 Speaker 2: gutting is that for you and for the player? 108 00:05:27,147 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 3: Oh? It was you know a huge disappointing, and it 109 00:05:29,707 --> 00:05:31,667 Speaker 3: was just a nothing thing at training as well, Like 110 00:05:31,707 --> 00:05:35,027 Speaker 3: it was just one of those probably freak unlucky things 111 00:05:35,027 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 3: that happens on a rugby field. It wasn't a big 112 00:05:37,507 --> 00:05:40,707 Speaker 3: contact injury. It was just, yeah, just really unlucky. And 113 00:05:40,987 --> 00:05:45,187 Speaker 3: obviously we know the talent that Dylan's got. We've seen 114 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:48,067 Speaker 3: that for a targo and how he was influential in 115 00:05:48,147 --> 00:05:53,267 Speaker 3: those games. So he said surgery, He's been out of 116 00:05:53,267 --> 00:05:56,427 Speaker 3: camp for a while, just resting up and then hopefully 117 00:05:56,467 --> 00:06:00,307 Speaker 3: be back with us soon to start his rehab. 118 00:06:00,587 --> 00:06:02,467 Speaker 2: Look forward to that. Of course, the elephant in the 119 00:06:02,547 --> 00:06:04,987 Speaker 2: room of the Highlanders is that your head coach, Jamie 120 00:06:05,067 --> 00:06:06,707 Speaker 2: Joseph as a front runner for the vice Can All 121 00:06:06,707 --> 00:06:10,347 Speaker 2: Blacks job. How have you handled that situation internally? 122 00:06:11,547 --> 00:06:13,907 Speaker 3: No business as usual. I think you should have talked 123 00:06:13,907 --> 00:06:18,187 Speaker 3: about already that we're playing, you know, two teams that 124 00:06:18,227 --> 00:06:21,867 Speaker 3: have traditionally been near the front of competitions early in 125 00:06:21,907 --> 00:06:24,707 Speaker 3: this in the season for us, So a lot of 126 00:06:24,747 --> 00:06:26,747 Speaker 3: folks have just gone on that. To be fair, not 127 00:06:26,987 --> 00:06:30,827 Speaker 3: a lot talked about what's happening above. Understand is probably 128 00:06:30,867 --> 00:06:33,107 Speaker 3: a process that everyone's going through, but we're not really 129 00:06:33,147 --> 00:06:35,627 Speaker 3: aware of it as staff and players. We're just we're 130 00:06:35,667 --> 00:06:37,787 Speaker 3: just cracking on doing any thing. Have you noticed it 131 00:06:37,827 --> 00:06:39,227 Speaker 3: probably the Southern way as well? Well? 132 00:06:39,267 --> 00:06:41,267 Speaker 2: Exactly right, Yeah you did. 133 00:06:41,347 --> 00:06:41,467 Speaker 3: Right. 134 00:06:41,467 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 2: Have you noticed any difference in the way Jamie's been 135 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:44,547 Speaker 2: around the group? 136 00:06:45,827 --> 00:06:48,187 Speaker 3: No, not at all. Jamie is a pretty good poker players. 137 00:06:50,067 --> 00:06:52,987 Speaker 3: He's just doing his thing for us, you know. He 138 00:06:53,307 --> 00:06:54,147 Speaker 3: hasn't changed at all. 139 00:06:54,467 --> 00:06:56,627 Speaker 2: Love a Clark, Well, all the best for the season 140 00:06:56,667 --> 00:06:59,667 Speaker 2: opener against the Crusaders Friday night. All eyes on forsythe 141 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:01,627 Speaker 2: bar Stadium. Look forward to catching up across the season 142 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:01,867 Speaker 2: with you. 143 00:07:02,427 --> 00:07:03,667 Speaker 3: No, awesome, looking forward to it. 144 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:05,747 Speaker 2: Thanks very much, No, thank you very much, Clark. Clark 145 00:07:05,747 --> 00:07:08,507 Speaker 2: Dermody there, assistant coach at the Highlanders. Jamie Joseph just 146 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:11,547 Speaker 2: going about his business. The Southern mentality down there. They 147 00:07:11,587 --> 00:07:14,467 Speaker 2: never get too hyped up about things, do they. They 148 00:07:14,547 --> 00:07:16,307 Speaker 2: just let the process play out. It will be a 149 00:07:16,307 --> 00:07:18,907 Speaker 2: fascinating little storyline, they won't it. 150 00:07:19,747 --> 00:07:22,907 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 151 00:07:23,027 --> 00:07:26,307 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 152 00:07:26,347 --> 00:07:27,987 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.