September 3, 2024 • 9 mins
Former Springbok Hennie Le Roux joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss South African Rugby's apology for 'distractions' during the haka.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And it gives me a great pleasure here on sports
look on news Talk zb TO. Welcome to the show,
Henny LaRue, former spring Bot from way back then, actually
played for the Cats transfer rugby as well and part
of a players union. I think you're a founder to Henny,
so you're fairly steeped in rugby and have been most
of your life. Welcome to the program.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Thank you very much, Darcy. It's kind of word. Yes, indeed,
we did have some interesting times, and here I enjoyed
the privilege of also playing under New Zealand coach Laurie Maines,
whom I've got great respect for.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, Laurie's friend of the programs joins us quite a lot.
I'm interested in your views on the apologies. I note
that you were actually at that legendary final playing in
the center role when Springbox rolled the All Blacks, and
it was not too dissimilar because you had a plane
flying overhead then too, didn't Yeah, any so this is
hardly news to you what happened over the weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, Look, the playing flying over seems to be placed
there for big events, and obviously South Africa playing New
Zealand is as big as you get. So yeah, it's
just a little unfortunate in this instance, unlike the ninety
five one, the timing was a little bit out.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Do you think that South African Rugby should have apologized
for that? Well, it looks like it was just an
oversight and a mistake more than anything else. Do maybe
overly sensitive with that one?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Any Oh? Look, I think I think from a protocol perspective,
you know, I think it's the right thing to do.
You know, we've gone and played in France regularly and
one kind of got the sense that some things would
done too. I must be careful of my wording yet,
but it seems as if, you know, things are done
(02:03):
in the modern world and today to call disruption, which
which falls outside of the protocol. You know, you have
people in the stands booing and shouting where in the
past used to be silence and respect to ever needed
his time to kick and so forth. But but things
are changing fast and one doesn't want to be part
(02:26):
of that. Let's call it undisciplined and unreally behavior or change,
you know. I don't think generally from a sporting point
of view, that's good. But I would assume taking on
the public in these instances when everyone's charged up is
a difficult thing to do. But when it falls on
(02:48):
on on protocol from a union, I think, you know,
they should respect, you know, whatever's to unfold. And I
think it's iconic, the all black war cry, and that
should be respected.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Something you'll face before. What did it mean to you
when you were standing there. I know a number of
international rugby players it's part of the part of their
international career they really cherish any.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, absolutely, you know, it's something very unique. It's not
something that that you get to do every every Saturday,
and you know, it stared up with a lot of
emotion and drive and it's a it's a real, you know,
call to battle. So you know, you you you cherish
those opportunities and uh, you know it's a very unique
(03:33):
and a straightforward, impactful way of saying, you know, let's
let's get onto it. And yeah, you know that's that's
something that will always remain very very unique and special.
When when you play New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So what was your response when the harker was up
and suddenly the playing was over the top. Then the
fireworks went off and the music started playing. Did you
have any particular reaction to that.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, look, I mean obviously the timing was out. You
kind of recognized that it was really trying to understand
the source of it. I think South African Rugby was
was clear that that that it wasn't planned like that
and it wasn't an unfortunate event. So we got to
accept and you know, accept that as as as an apology,
(04:23):
and yeah, it's it's it's sad, but you know, we've
we've played again in France where they played our national
anthem completely incorrectly. So these things unfortunately happened.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, from a Springbok scenes at Flat Half as well.
I might add to kind of split your career, didn't
you between both positions and of LaRue joining the program.
You mentioned being polite, being respectful. I've never been to
Ellis Park. I don't know what's called now something to
do that aeroplane that flew over the top. It's always
going to be Elie Park to me. They are a
ferocious crowd. They are a crowd that let you know
(04:58):
you're there. But in general, do you feel that the
crowd are a polite and respectful bunch of rugby go
so that they enjoy the game they sit up there
in that respect.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, look, it's it's a real cosmopolitan type of center
of South Africa in the sense that you know, you
have a lot of different provinces representing players there. In
terms that it's it's the financial hub of South Africa.
So from that point of view, you know, we've often played,
even from Alliance perspective, playing Western Province and then being
(05:31):
a big crowd of Western Province supporters in the stadium,
so you know there's there's all different walks of life
that end up in that stadium. And but yeah, when
when the national team plays, it's it's you know, everyone's
very passionate for South Africa and they do get behind
the team quite well. So yeah, it's it's very very special.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Kevin part friend of mine, has spoken with me on
this and he said, look, basically we're forgetting a point
of this is that the bomb squad turn up and
destroyed the All Blacks in the last twenty minutes. I
don't know worried about Aka for this is the biggest
around here. What actually happened at the end of the game,
and it was very efficient from South Africa. Talk to
(06:16):
us about what you saw there toward the end of
that game, what your emotion was.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Yeah, look, it was post the intercept try we you know,
we were were staring down at our shoes and saying,
well what now? But yeah, I think you know, the
South African team showed some class. There were one or
two players that started which was we're new to the
(06:42):
squad and so forth, and it was all about the
ability to pick up from there. And when the Bomb
Squad did come on, there was a sense of of
urgency and I think they brought a slight different dimension
to to to the game and focused impact, which which
also played a bit of a role in changing the sentiment.
(07:06):
And I think think it was effective enough to bring
about the change, and.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Players like Cocker Smith for example, and Malcolm Marx pretty
hard to rain in. Do you think the All Blacks
invited them in? Do you think they may be backed
off in that last fifteen or so minutes and maybe
weren't the frightening prospect that they used to have been,
because that's a narrative going around here at the moment. Henny.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Look, I mean one thing you can never underestimate or
downplay is the absolute emotion and gritten the determination of
anyone who puts an All Black jersey on. You know,
there's never a doubt in terms of the commitment there.
Whether there's the level of depth and skill currently within
(07:50):
the All back makeup that was always there or present
in the past. You know, it's difficult to make that call,
but there's a sense that they probably don't have quite
the level of of big names that they used to
have in the past. I'm not sure. You know. The
(08:12):
game's also changed, become a lot more mobile and so forth.
That's brought about the changes in the nature and the
character of how people choose teams. But physical dominance is critical.
But the All Blacks had us, you know, on the
ropes for most of the game, so you know, I
(08:34):
think it was it was probably just a timing thing.
And rightly as you say, you know, the change that
was made by the bomb squad that brought a new
fresh energy into the side and confidence.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
And finally, Hena the Robin, thank you so much for
your time. It sets up next week beautifully, doesn't it.
This will be even better. We'd like to think the
what we saw last week.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yeah, no, certainly. Look as with South Africa, New Zealand
once once wounded, we saw the the repercussions of what
happened after Argentina, so we're expecting a big one on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
It'll be bigger than Texas or should I say, the
entire of the southern tip of the African continent. Henry LaRue,
twenty seven Times, spring Bok. We thank you so much
for your time here on News Talk ZB.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
You look after yourself, absolute pleasure. Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
ZB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And it gives me a great pleasure here on sports
look on news Talk zb TO. Welcome to the show,
Henny LaRue, former spring Bot from way back then, actually
played for the Cats transfer rugby as well and part
of a players union. I think you're a founder to Henny,
so you're fairly steeped in rugby and have been most
of your life. Welcome to the program.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Thank you very much, Darcy. It's kind of word. Yes, indeed,
we did have some interesting times, and here I enjoyed
the privilege of also playing under New Zealand coach Laurie Maines,
whom I've got great respect for.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, Laurie's friend of the programs joins us quite a lot.
I'm interested in your views on the apologies. I note
that you were actually at that legendary final playing in
the center role when Springbox rolled the All Blacks, and
it was not too dissimilar because you had a plane
flying overhead then too, didn't Yeah, any so this is
hardly news to you what happened over the weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, Look, the playing flying over seems to be placed
there for big events, and obviously South Africa playing New
Zealand is as big as you get. So yeah, it's
just a little unfortunate in this instance, unlike the ninety
five one, the timing was a little bit out.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Do you think that South African Rugby should have apologized
for that? Well, it looks like it was just an
oversight and a mistake more than anything else. Do maybe
overly sensitive with that one?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Any Oh? Look, I think I think from a protocol perspective,
you know, I think it's the right thing to do.
You know, we've gone and played in France regularly and
one kind of got the sense that some things would
done too. I must be careful of my wording yet,
but it seems as if, you know, things are done
(02:03):
in the modern world and today to call disruption, which
which falls outside of the protocol. You know, you have
people in the stands booing and shouting where in the
past used to be silence and respect to ever needed
his time to kick and so forth. But but things
are changing fast and one doesn't want to be part
(02:26):
of that. Let's call it undisciplined and unreally behavior or change,
you know. I don't think generally from a sporting point
of view, that's good. But I would assume taking on
the public in these instances when everyone's charged up is
a difficult thing to do. But when it falls on
(02:48):
on on protocol from a union, I think, you know,
they should respect, you know, whatever's to unfold. And I
think it's iconic, the all black war cry, and that
should be respected.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Something you'll face before. What did it mean to you
when you were standing there. I know a number of
international rugby players it's part of the part of their
international career they really cherish any.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, absolutely, you know, it's something very unique. It's not
something that that you get to do every every Saturday,
and you know, it stared up with a lot of
emotion and drive and it's a it's a real, you know,
call to battle. So you know, you you you cherish
those opportunities and uh, you know it's a very unique
(03:33):
and a straightforward, impactful way of saying, you know, let's
let's get onto it. And yeah, you know that's that's
something that will always remain very very unique and special.
When when you play New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So what was your response when the harker was up
and suddenly the playing was over the top. Then the
fireworks went off and the music started playing. Did you
have any particular reaction to that.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, look, I mean obviously the timing was out. You
kind of recognized that it was really trying to understand
the source of it. I think South African Rugby was
was clear that that that it wasn't planned like that
and it wasn't an unfortunate event. So we got to
accept and you know, accept that as as as an apology,
(04:23):
and yeah, it's it's it's sad, but you know, we've
we've played again in France where they played our national
anthem completely incorrectly. So these things unfortunately happened.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, from a Springbok scenes at Flat Half as well.
I might add to kind of split your career, didn't
you between both positions and of LaRue joining the program.
You mentioned being polite, being respectful. I've never been to
Ellis Park. I don't know what's called now something to
do that aeroplane that flew over the top. It's always
going to be Elie Park to me. They are a
ferocious crowd. They are a crowd that let you know
(04:58):
you're there. But in general, do you feel that the
crowd are a polite and respectful bunch of rugby go
so that they enjoy the game they sit up there
in that respect.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, look, it's it's a real cosmopolitan type of center
of South Africa in the sense that you know, you
have a lot of different provinces representing players there. In
terms that it's it's the financial hub of South Africa.
So from that point of view, you know, we've often played,
even from Alliance perspective, playing Western Province and then being
(05:31):
a big crowd of Western Province supporters in the stadium,
so you know there's there's all different walks of life
that end up in that stadium. And but yeah, when
when the national team plays, it's it's you know, everyone's
very passionate for South Africa and they do get behind
the team quite well. So yeah, it's it's very very special.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Kevin part friend of mine, has spoken with me on
this and he said, look, basically we're forgetting a point
of this is that the bomb squad turn up and
destroyed the All Blacks in the last twenty minutes. I
don't know worried about Aka for this is the biggest
around here. What actually happened at the end of the game,
and it was very efficient from South Africa. Talk to
(06:16):
us about what you saw there toward the end of
that game, what your emotion was.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Yeah, look, it was post the intercept try we you know,
we were were staring down at our shoes and saying,
well what now? But yeah, I think you know, the
South African team showed some class. There were one or
two players that started which was we're new to the
(06:42):
squad and so forth, and it was all about the
ability to pick up from there. And when the Bomb
Squad did come on, there was a sense of of
urgency and I think they brought a slight different dimension
to to to the game and focused impact, which which
also played a bit of a role in changing the sentiment.
(07:06):
And I think think it was effective enough to bring
about the change, and.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Players like Cocker Smith for example, and Malcolm Marx pretty
hard to rain in. Do you think the All Blacks
invited them in? Do you think they may be backed
off in that last fifteen or so minutes and maybe
weren't the frightening prospect that they used to have been,
because that's a narrative going around here at the moment. Henny.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Look, I mean one thing you can never underestimate or
downplay is the absolute emotion and gritten the determination of
anyone who puts an All Black jersey on. You know,
there's never a doubt in terms of the commitment there.
Whether there's the level of depth and skill currently within
(07:50):
the All back makeup that was always there or present
in the past. You know, it's difficult to make that call,
but there's a sense that they probably don't have quite
the level of of big names that they used to
have in the past. I'm not sure. You know. The
(08:12):
game's also changed, become a lot more mobile and so forth.
That's brought about the changes in the nature and the
character of how people choose teams. But physical dominance is critical.
But the All Blacks had us, you know, on the
ropes for most of the game, so you know, I
(08:34):
think it was it was probably just a timing thing.
And rightly as you say, you know, the change that
was made by the bomb squad that brought a new
fresh energy into the side and confidence.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
And finally, Hena the Robin, thank you so much for
your time. It sets up next week beautifully, doesn't it.
This will be even better. We'd like to think the
what we saw last week.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yeah, no, certainly. Look as with South Africa, New Zealand
once once wounded, we saw the the repercussions of what
happened after Argentina, so we're expecting a big one on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
It'll be bigger than Texas or should I say, the
entire of the southern tip of the African continent. Henry LaRue,
twenty seven Times, spring Bok. We thank you so much
for your time here on News Talk ZB.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
You look after yourself, absolute pleasure. Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
ZB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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