Wellington rugby commentator Ken Laban joined Adam Cooper to wrap the Hurricanes Super Rugby season after being knocked out of the playoffs by the Chiefs last weekend.
He also looked back on the life and career of rugby player Connor Garden-Bachop, who tragically passed away during the week age 25.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's the perfect start to your Saturday. The All Sport Breakfast.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
With Rutherford and Bond, Toyota and King Toyota, your home
of hybrid US Talk, SEDB News Talks AB thirteen away
from nine here on the All Sport Breakfast. Well I
wanted to bring in Wellington Rugby identity and commentator Ken
Laban to the show for a couple of matters. Firstly,
you look back on the Hurricanes Super Rugby season after
things finished in the semi finals at home last weekend,
(00:24):
but also was played out through the week, the tragic
passing of Wellington Lions player and Highlanders player Connor Garden
Basher at age just twenty five, passing away during the
week after a medical event. Ken, thanks for joining us
this morning. We'll start by talking Hurricanes first, the loss
to the Chiefs last weekend at Sky Stadium. How did
(00:45):
you assess the way things came to an end after
a season that had so much promise.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Yeah, it was interesting contrast looking at the Hurricanes during
the regular season. Then they finished obviously in first place,
which is a rough action of their outstanding twenty twenty
four year and I know that they'll be disappointed. The
players and the coaching staff themselves. But in my view
they need to be There's a lot to be proud
(01:13):
of what we saw in the Hurricanes in twenty twenty four,
and especially for Clark lake Law coming into coming into
this level of coaching without a background really seriously in
fifteen's rugby. But he's an innovative, creative, really enthusiastic personality
(01:34):
as well, and that came through in the way that
his team. The way that his team played, they were
very consistent and obviously finishing a top slot is worthy
of great acknowledgement. So I think that they can look
forward to the future really easier than the Hurricanes and
the chief super comparison, didn't have the same level of
(01:55):
dominance as the Hurricanes throughout the regular season, but they've
hit a new level in the playoffs. You will remember
in the quarterfinals they were fifty one mil at half
time up against the Reds and that's a land for
one playing eight. And then in the biggest game so
far twenty twenty fourth for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes
last weekend, they perhaps seventeen mil after fifteen minutes, so
(02:16):
they're out of the Blox quick. They're very fast, status,
very very aggressive forward peck particularly the loose forward trio.
So I think and obviously your former Marrison Pets coach
and former police officer, former police officer from down here
and wanting to Clayton McMillan's and judge there's a lot
(02:37):
of support for the Chiefs here in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah, there certainly is on the Hurricanes though, you know
what was the biggest aspect you felt, you know Clark
brought to this team in terms of style of playing
and what that role to achieve through the year.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, it Well, some interesting selections Brad and Yossi. In
my view it's going to be in a few conversations
in twenty four hours time when All Black selection comes along.
The elevation of Billy Procter to the leadership group and
co captaincy throughout the year, and I think that Bret
(03:09):
Cameron in the number ten jus he was an absolute
revelation in his combination with because Another throughout the year
was a huge factor. They're in their consistency, particularly defensively
as well, where both both those players are brave and tough.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, and things are looking up for twenty twenty five,
aren't they. With retention looking pretty good. I think they
said about the ninety percent mark. So this group of
you know a lot of young players will have another
year out of their belts and be ready to fire
again next season.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Well, there's no doubt. There's no doubt about that. And
we can find Clark laid Law for that. I know
that he's a huge fan of players with size, skill
and talent, and that's reflected in the success at the
seventh game. I've been really really impressed with Clark. I
don't know him well, but my observations on from a distance,
(04:00):
basically watching the Hurricanes that play the way that they do,
there's a real fifteen men look about their football and
backed up with some great defense as well, and a
sensation of twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, and Ken, you talked about the Chiefs really ramping
things up since the playoffs started. Are they good enough
to beat the Blues in this big final?
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I think they are as well. As they say you've
got to lose one to win one. They'll be there
or thereabouts in the last couple of the last couple
of years. So, you know, I think there's you know,
it's always hard to pick a it's always hard to
pick a winner, but you know there's so much emotional
support of my view for Clayton McMillan and the Chiefs,
and you know I wish them all the best. But
(04:44):
you know who would know trying to determin who'd be
a winner, you'd have to ask someone smaller than me
Mane exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Obviously this is all being played after the sad news
for the rugby community during the week. Keen Connor Garden Baship,
Wellington Lion Highlander passing away during the week. And I'm
sure he's someone that came on your rid very early
on in his Scott's College days.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Yes, I remember his fecifteen debut when he was only
year ten. I was the coach of the team. It
was pouring with rain out of Scott's College and they
played some pats down and I just I couldn't believe
Connor and the young age, what he would have been
watched year ten is at fourteen years old in the
fourth form and whatever. Just his ability to catch the
ball on the fall and returning, you know, elevation in
(05:34):
the year is a tough, tough, brave kid. And then
over the course of ten or so years after that,
I've got to name him. I've got to name him
a little bit better. And it's a necessary tragedy for
Stephen and the family as well, that kind of would
pass away so suddenly, so young, and so unexpected as well,
given a you know, he's a beautiful human being as well,
(05:58):
you know, charismatic, humble, very modest guy despite in spite
of all us, all of us success. So you know,
the regular world is, the regular world is in the morning,
and you know it even it just puts life from perspective,
doesn't it. You know that, you know, we always need
to take a little bit of time out now and
again from our busy business lives and just to remember
(06:20):
how important family is and if anything will come from
from kind of stand passing the swee or bring us
all closer together.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah, indeed, and you mentioned that passion he had because
you know he was a key part of the Wellington lines.
But obviously he played super rugby for the Heart and
his had a bit of an NPC stump with Canterbury.
But he appeared to be very proud of coming back
and representing Wellington and still kept ties with his old
school pretty closely, didn't he.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Yes, he did to the last time I was in
this company, we were at Scott's College fundrais a few
months ago and he was on the he was one
of he was one of the guests, and I was
I was hosting. I was hosting and interviewing him and
he had beautiful kids. Very very sad.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Indeed, Ken really appreciate your thoughts and your time here
on the Allsport Breakfast this morning. Have a good weekend,
es Ken Laban Wellington and Rugby commentsator An identity. Yeah,
Hurricanes season wrapped up and of course the tragic news
of Connor Garden Bashups passing earlier in the week and
I know his old school, Scott's College, are facing white
It Upper College today up in Marsden. There will be
moments silent to Harker and armed bands being worn in
(07:22):
his honor, and the Super Rugby Final tonight will also
mark the tragic passing as well. Very sad thoughts with
Connor's friends and family and members of the wide at
rugby community here in Wellington. For more from News Talks
at b listen live on air or online and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
It's the perfect start to your Saturday. The All Sport Breakfast.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
With Rutherford and Bond, Toyota and King Toyota, your home
of hybrid US Talk, SEDB News Talks AB thirteen away
from nine here on the All Sport Breakfast. Well I
wanted to bring in Wellington Rugby identity and commentator Ken
Laban to the show for a couple of matters. Firstly,
you look back on the Hurricanes Super Rugby season after
things finished in the semi finals at home last weekend,
(00:24):
but also was played out through the week, the tragic
passing of Wellington Lions player and Highlanders player Connor Garden
Basher at age just twenty five, passing away during the
week after a medical event. Ken, thanks for joining us
this morning. We'll start by talking Hurricanes first, the loss
to the Chiefs last weekend at Sky Stadium. How did
(00:45):
you assess the way things came to an end after
a season that had so much promise.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Yeah, it was interesting contrast looking at the Hurricanes during
the regular season. Then they finished obviously in first place,
which is a rough action of their outstanding twenty twenty
four year and I know that they'll be disappointed. The
players and the coaching staff themselves. But in my view
they need to be There's a lot to be proud
(01:13):
of what we saw in the Hurricanes in twenty twenty four,
and especially for Clark lake Law coming into coming into
this level of coaching without a background really seriously in
fifteen's rugby. But he's an innovative, creative, really enthusiastic personality
(01:34):
as well, and that came through in the way that
his team. The way that his team played, they were
very consistent and obviously finishing a top slot is worthy
of great acknowledgement. So I think that they can look
forward to the future really easier than the Hurricanes and
the chief super comparison, didn't have the same level of
(01:55):
dominance as the Hurricanes throughout the regular season, but they've
hit a new level in the playoffs. You will remember
in the quarterfinals they were fifty one mil at half
time up against the Reds and that's a land for
one playing eight. And then in the biggest game so
far twenty twenty fourth for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes
last weekend, they perhaps seventeen mil after fifteen minutes, so
(02:16):
they're out of the Blox quick. They're very fast, status,
very very aggressive forward peck particularly the loose forward trio.
So I think and obviously your former Marrison Pets coach
and former police officer, former police officer from down here
and wanting to Clayton McMillan's and judge there's a lot
(02:37):
of support for the Chiefs here in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah, there certainly is on the Hurricanes though, you know
what was the biggest aspect you felt, you know Clark
brought to this team in terms of style of playing
and what that role to achieve through the year.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, it Well, some interesting selections Brad and Yossi. In
my view it's going to be in a few conversations
in twenty four hours time when All Black selection comes along.
The elevation of Billy Procter to the leadership group and
co captaincy throughout the year, and I think that Bret
(03:09):
Cameron in the number ten jus he was an absolute
revelation in his combination with because Another throughout the year
was a huge factor. They're in their consistency, particularly defensively
as well, where both both those players are brave and tough.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, and things are looking up for twenty twenty five,
aren't they. With retention looking pretty good. I think they
said about the ninety percent mark. So this group of
you know a lot of young players will have another
year out of their belts and be ready to fire
again next season.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Well, there's no doubt. There's no doubt about that. And
we can find Clark laid Law for that. I know
that he's a huge fan of players with size, skill
and talent, and that's reflected in the success at the
seventh game. I've been really really impressed with Clark. I
don't know him well, but my observations on from a distance,
(04:00):
basically watching the Hurricanes that play the way that they do,
there's a real fifteen men look about their football and
backed up with some great defense as well, and a
sensation of twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, and Ken, you talked about the Chiefs really ramping
things up since the playoffs started. Are they good enough
to beat the Blues in this big final?
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I think they are as well. As they say you've
got to lose one to win one. They'll be there
or thereabouts in the last couple of the last couple
of years. So, you know, I think there's you know,
it's always hard to pick a it's always hard to
pick a winner, but you know there's so much emotional
support of my view for Clayton McMillan and the Chiefs,
and you know I wish them all the best. But
(04:44):
you know who would know trying to determin who'd be
a winner, you'd have to ask someone smaller than me
Mane exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Obviously this is all being played after the sad news
for the rugby community during the week. Keen Connor Garden Baship,
Wellington Lion Highlander passing away during the week. And I'm
sure he's someone that came on your rid very early
on in his Scott's College days.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Yes, I remember his fecifteen debut when he was only
year ten. I was the coach of the team. It
was pouring with rain out of Scott's College and they
played some pats down and I just I couldn't believe
Connor and the young age, what he would have been
watched year ten is at fourteen years old in the
fourth form and whatever. Just his ability to catch the
ball on the fall and returning, you know, elevation in
(05:34):
the year is a tough, tough, brave kid. And then
over the course of ten or so years after that,
I've got to name him. I've got to name him
a little bit better. And it's a necessary tragedy for
Stephen and the family as well, that kind of would
pass away so suddenly, so young, and so unexpected as well,
given a you know, he's a beautiful human being as well,
(05:58):
you know, charismatic, humble, very modest guy despite in spite
of all us, all of us success. So you know,
the regular world is, the regular world is in the morning,
and you know it even it just puts life from perspective,
doesn't it. You know that, you know, we always need
to take a little bit of time out now and
again from our busy business lives and just to remember
(06:20):
how important family is and if anything will come from
from kind of stand passing the swee or bring us
all closer together.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah, indeed, and you mentioned that passion he had because
you know he was a key part of the Wellington lines.
But obviously he played super rugby for the Heart and
his had a bit of an NPC stump with Canterbury.
But he appeared to be very proud of coming back
and representing Wellington and still kept ties with his old
school pretty closely, didn't he.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Yes, he did to the last time I was in
this company, we were at Scott's College fundrais a few
months ago and he was on the he was one
of he was one of the guests, and I was
I was hosting. I was hosting and interviewing him and
he had beautiful kids. Very very sad.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Indeed, Ken really appreciate your thoughts and your time here
on the Allsport Breakfast this morning. Have a good weekend,
es Ken Laban Wellington and Rugby commentsator An identity. Yeah,
Hurricanes season wrapped up and of course the tragic news
of Connor Garden Bashups passing earlier in the week and
I know his old school, Scott's College, are facing white
It Upper College today up in Marsden. There will be
moments silent to Harker and armed bands being worn in
(07:22):
his honor, and the Super Rugby Final tonight will also
mark the tragic passing as well. Very sad thoughts with
Connor's friends and family and members of the wide at
rugby community here in Wellington. For more from News Talks
at b listen live on air or online and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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