February 12, 2025 • 9 mins
Beauden Barrett starts at fullback for the Blues in one of five changes from last year's grand final win over the Chiefs for the rematch at Eden Park.
Taufa Funaki pushes former All Blacks halfback Finlay Christie to the bench.
Blues CEO Andrew Hore joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to talk about their 'Pack the Park' idea, ahead of the season opener at Eden Park.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed be Robin.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's after seven more. Welcome now to the program to
the chief executive officer of the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions,
the Auckland Blues. Andrew Hoare joins us. Good evening, mate,
good a. How are you very very well and I'm
presuming you are as well on the cusp of a
new season. First up, you want to fill eating part Andrew.
(00:33):
How many tickets have you sold?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, well, we're well on the way 'ctly ahead of
we've ever been for a first game, so we're at
fifty percent of our target, which is fantastic. I've got
to take my head off to the Auckland Rugby Union
and North Roby Union who allows us to have a
direct relationship through to the clubs, which has been great
because I've been able to do some special things there
(00:56):
for the clubs which has been brilliant, and really looking
forward to welcoming them and having a big crowd. It
sounds like the Hurricanes Crusader game too is looking good
as well, so definitely some real green shoots here which
is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Strikes me strange you don't have the relationship already with
Auckland and North Harbor. How did that materialize and why
isn't it been there before?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Andrew, Oh, the pu's have been fine, but that we
generally operated through the pus. But it's been really good
being able to talk directly, and I think that's just
part of the evolution of getting more customer focused and
fan centric, which has been a real uplift for us.
(01:40):
It's liberating actually. So now looking forward to a great kickoff,
I think we've got a great show in store, pre
game and at halftime, so it should be an action
pack night.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You want to fill it. Ut like you got fifty
to fifty to go the twenty ten deal, talk us
through that one. As far as ticket.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Prices, yeah, no, we.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Know that some people are doing it really tough at
the moment, and there's also some combo deals out there too,
because the other criticism we had was taking the kids
was also the food.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
So the staff worked really.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Hard was eating Park and the caterer's eating Park to
get those all up and running. And then yeah, there's
the ten and twenty buck deals, which is pretty good value.
And actually, when we've compared it one of the best arounds,
so we're really delighted with that, and it's going and
creating this momentum as well. If we get that Barmie
(02:38):
night on top of it, and people can feed the
kids and get in out pretty easily, then you're halfway there.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You're just got to put on a hell of a show.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
What's changed between the end of last season the start
of this season as far as the way you're looking
after the Blues, the way Super rugby's being approached, and
not only because it's a new leaf, but of course
you are now the reigning Super Rugby champions. How much
have you benefited from that?
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I think that's been I think it's sort of a
monkey off our back in a way. But the thing
we talked about in the off season, Darcy was the
fact that pressure will come in a different way now
and we've got to make sure if we're going to
continue to develop all backs create a gate game, then
(03:27):
we've got to understand that you're most vulnerable.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
That year after winning a championship.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
That's when ultimately you know you're the full crocodile at
the bottom of the river who's just resting and we
just don't want to be that.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
We've got to be up, vibrant and ready to go.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So I think that everybody had a view after the
end of the season that we needed to really rip
into this, take on this challenge of attempting to go
back to back and grab it, and that's what we've done,
and alongside that has started this commission is starting to grow.
(04:05):
Arms and legs now support some of the ambitions of
the club. I think you've seen with the evolution of
the Fantasy League and a proper launch and where where
where some you know, some pretty high profile players attended,
et cetera, et cetera. There's a there's a momentum and
it'll built and it is early in the year, but
(04:26):
I think there's I think the staff and coaching staff
here have grabbed hold of this year and have a
point to prove as much as we did last year.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Andrew Hall, the CEO of the Blues. Interesting sounds like
something out of Sesame Street Cooperation. You're listening to the
fans Super Rugby are listening to you. It sounds like
everybody is aligning and actually are open to ideas and
concepts and constantly improving.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Yeah, there has been there has been a shift.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
There definitely has and I think it all comes down
to the fact that we have a great product, right
we have.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
We are the only competition in this country that.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Has the world's best talent playing in a week and weekend.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
That was a given the high performance part.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yes, there's some rule changes and things that and even
there we had some success last year. We've got a
wee bit of a mojo back because we actually changed
some rules and line beeholes. Some people adopted them not
and and so that's that was sort of the start,
if you like. And and as this commission and as
the clubs have realized around the fan, you know, the
(05:34):
importance of the fan, and and actually shifting the pendin
a little bit, I think there's a there's a real
energy and I think you're seeing a revitalization of a
lot of people that they're seeing an evolution to this
beyond where we're being, which is bloody exciting.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
I've got to say, it's given us a new lease
of life. Here really has.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Super Rugby specific of said the lovely quote, this one
here is putting the fan at the center of the room.
That sounds like what's going on so the tweaks and
the changes, the adjustments for the referee and what actually
the interpretations I suppose will on the paddock. What's changed there?
What's improved? Do you think has anything been left behind
that didn't quite work because the constant tweaking is so important.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yeah, I think the key thing here, Darci, is there
hasn't There has been changes, its slightly an interpretation this year,
I can't remember all the changes that interpreted, but not
demonstrative changes that actually confuse the fan. So this year
is about getting smoother, better in your processes, et cetera.
I know, for example, that the Commissioner's reviewing with both
(06:39):
national bodies this year on a Monday. If there's something
that has to be said, they will be transparent, open
and saying.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Well, that's a big shift, and I look forward to that.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I think it's those kind of things that the fan
wants to see.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They want to be part of the game, they want
to understand what's going on.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
And look, you can say sometimes it's corporate gobbedygook that
come out of these places, but I think there is
a real intent in this group too to vor to
be fan first.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What have you guys done as far as fan and
public engagement, actually getting a message out there, telling people
what's going on, who you are, and what you need
to expect, what they can expect not only quality rugby,
but what actually happens. Because you've got a big opening
ceremony going on, the launch of the championship banners. The
list goes on. But as far as your work with
(07:36):
the Blues, what have you actually done to reach out
and connect.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Yeah, well, obviously we had the big Blue Bus. We
then killing to the start of the year and use
those platforms, but there's some other.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Things going on behind the scenes as well. All of
the clubs.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
We've invested together in a new customer database platform which
is coming on, which is partially online.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
It's sort of one of.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Those it things, but it's going to make it more
effective to speak to a customer and communicate with them,
which I think is really really important. And getting that
getting that message out there, making it easy for people
to understand what's going on, and and and the big
thing is.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Accessibility making making and I think.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Speaking to your players about their role in this and
for those that monitor and follow our players, i think
you've seen this year shifting them too. And promoting the
game and being a part of it, which is which
I've seen before.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
So there's a there's.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
A even I was really pleased with Caleb's comments set
down the paper explaining why he doesn't want to do sentency.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
No, no garage. He just it's not as focus.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
He doesn't want to get them broad in that and
that's okay, Like we reach their own there's not many,
but it least years open and honest about it.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Yeah, and we all appreciate it in the media because
without people telling us, we start making up our own stories.
You know how it rolls. And for the record, I've
picked Big Patty two ups to go hard in fantasy rugby,
So tell the big fellow not to let us all down.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
And on that.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Andrew whose CEO of the Blues, thanks so much for
your time. You have a wonderful weekend. Wishing you the best.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Yeah, thanks mate, We'll act you see you down there.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed be Robin.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's after seven more. Welcome now to the program to
the chief executive officer of the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions,
the Auckland Blues. Andrew Hoare joins us. Good evening, mate,
good a. How are you very very well and I'm
presuming you are as well on the cusp of a
new season. First up, you want to fill eating part Andrew.
(00:33):
How many tickets have you sold?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, well, we're well on the way 'ctly ahead of
we've ever been for a first game, so we're at
fifty percent of our target, which is fantastic. I've got
to take my head off to the Auckland Rugby Union
and North Roby Union who allows us to have a
direct relationship through to the clubs, which has been great
because I've been able to do some special things there
(00:56):
for the clubs which has been brilliant, and really looking
forward to welcoming them and having a big crowd. It
sounds like the Hurricanes Crusader game too is looking good
as well, so definitely some real green shoots here which
is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Strikes me strange you don't have the relationship already with
Auckland and North Harbor. How did that materialize and why
isn't it been there before?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Andrew, Oh, the pu's have been fine, but that we
generally operated through the pus. But it's been really good
being able to talk directly, and I think that's just
part of the evolution of getting more customer focused and
fan centric, which has been a real uplift for us.
(01:40):
It's liberating actually. So now looking forward to a great kickoff,
I think we've got a great show in store, pre
game and at halftime, so it should be an action
pack night.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You want to fill it. Ut like you got fifty
to fifty to go the twenty ten deal, talk us
through that one. As far as ticket.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Prices, yeah, no, we.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Know that some people are doing it really tough at
the moment, and there's also some combo deals out there too,
because the other criticism we had was taking the kids
was also the food.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
So the staff worked really.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Hard was eating Park and the caterer's eating Park to
get those all up and running. And then yeah, there's
the ten and twenty buck deals, which is pretty good value.
And actually, when we've compared it one of the best arounds,
so we're really delighted with that, and it's going and
creating this momentum as well. If we get that Barmie
(02:38):
night on top of it, and people can feed the
kids and get in out pretty easily, then you're halfway there.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You're just got to put on a hell of a show.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
What's changed between the end of last season the start
of this season as far as the way you're looking
after the Blues, the way Super rugby's being approached, and
not only because it's a new leaf, but of course
you are now the reigning Super Rugby champions. How much
have you benefited from that?
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I think that's been I think it's sort of a
monkey off our back in a way. But the thing
we talked about in the off season, Darcy was the
fact that pressure will come in a different way now
and we've got to make sure if we're going to
continue to develop all backs create a gate game, then
(03:27):
we've got to understand that you're most vulnerable.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
That year after winning a championship.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
That's when ultimately you know you're the full crocodile at
the bottom of the river who's just resting and we
just don't want to be that.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
We've got to be up, vibrant and ready to go.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So I think that everybody had a view after the
end of the season that we needed to really rip
into this, take on this challenge of attempting to go
back to back and grab it, and that's what we've done,
and alongside that has started this commission is starting to grow.
(04:05):
Arms and legs now support some of the ambitions of
the club. I think you've seen with the evolution of
the Fantasy League and a proper launch and where where
where some you know, some pretty high profile players attended,
et cetera, et cetera. There's a there's a momentum and
it'll built and it is early in the year, but
(04:26):
I think there's I think the staff and coaching staff
here have grabbed hold of this year and have a
point to prove as much as we did last year.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Andrew Hall, the CEO of the Blues. Interesting sounds like
something out of Sesame Street Cooperation. You're listening to the
fans Super Rugby are listening to you. It sounds like
everybody is aligning and actually are open to ideas and
concepts and constantly improving.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Yeah, there has been there has been a shift.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
There definitely has and I think it all comes down
to the fact that we have a great product, right
we have.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
We are the only competition in this country that.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Has the world's best talent playing in a week and weekend.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
That was a given the high performance part.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yes, there's some rule changes and things that and even
there we had some success last year. We've got a
wee bit of a mojo back because we actually changed
some rules and line beeholes. Some people adopted them not
and and so that's that was sort of the start,
if you like. And and as this commission and as
the clubs have realized around the fan, you know, the
(05:34):
importance of the fan, and and actually shifting the pendin
a little bit, I think there's a there's a real
energy and I think you're seeing a revitalization of a
lot of people that they're seeing an evolution to this
beyond where we're being, which is bloody exciting.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
I've got to say, it's given us a new lease
of life. Here really has.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Super Rugby specific of said the lovely quote, this one
here is putting the fan at the center of the room.
That sounds like what's going on so the tweaks and
the changes, the adjustments for the referee and what actually
the interpretations I suppose will on the paddock. What's changed there?
What's improved? Do you think has anything been left behind
that didn't quite work because the constant tweaking is so important.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yeah, I think the key thing here, Darci, is there
hasn't There has been changes, its slightly an interpretation this year,
I can't remember all the changes that interpreted, but not
demonstrative changes that actually confuse the fan. So this year
is about getting smoother, better in your processes, et cetera.
I know, for example, that the Commissioner's reviewing with both
(06:39):
national bodies this year on a Monday. If there's something
that has to be said, they will be transparent, open
and saying.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Well, that's a big shift, and I look forward to that.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I think it's those kind of things that the fan
wants to see.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
They want to be part of the game, they want
to understand what's going on.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
And look, you can say sometimes it's corporate gobbedygook that
come out of these places, but I think there is
a real intent in this group too to vor to
be fan first.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What have you guys done as far as fan and
public engagement, actually getting a message out there, telling people
what's going on, who you are, and what you need
to expect, what they can expect not only quality rugby,
but what actually happens. Because you've got a big opening
ceremony going on, the launch of the championship banners. The
list goes on. But as far as your work with
(07:36):
the Blues, what have you actually done to reach out
and connect.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Yeah, well, obviously we had the big Blue Bus. We
then killing to the start of the year and use
those platforms, but there's some other.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Things going on behind the scenes as well. All of
the clubs.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
We've invested together in a new customer database platform which
is coming on, which is partially online.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
It's sort of one of.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Those it things, but it's going to make it more
effective to speak to a customer and communicate with them,
which I think is really really important. And getting that
getting that message out there, making it easy for people
to understand what's going on, and and and the big
thing is.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Accessibility making making and I think.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Speaking to your players about their role in this and
for those that monitor and follow our players, i think
you've seen this year shifting them too. And promoting the
game and being a part of it, which is which
I've seen before.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
So there's a there's.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
A even I was really pleased with Caleb's comments set
down the paper explaining why he doesn't want to do sentency.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
No, no garage. He just it's not as focus.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
He doesn't want to get them broad in that and
that's okay, Like we reach their own there's not many,
but it least years open and honest about it.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Yeah, and we all appreciate it in the media because
without people telling us, we start making up our own stories.
You know how it rolls. And for the record, I've
picked Big Patty two ups to go hard in fantasy rugby,
So tell the big fellow not to let us all down.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
And on that.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Andrew whose CEO of the Blues, thanks so much for
your time. You have a wonderful weekend. Wishing you the best.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Yeah, thanks mate, We'll act you see you down there.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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