June 6, 2025 • 6 mins
The Blues will be fighting to get four of their departing players another week in the jersey when they battle the Chiefs in the Super Rugby playoffs tonight in Hamilton.
Mark Tele'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Harry Plummer and Adrian Choat are all leaving after this season.
Choat says the team's fully aware of what's at stake.
He told D’Arcy Waldegrave they’re all playing for each other, and they’re trying to get the job done as they still have a goal to win the entire competition.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waltergrave from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
He'd be.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Good to chat mate, Yeah, thanks for coming on. I
think saying a massive game this evening is probably the
understatement of the year. I don't know if clashes of
recent times get much bigger than the Chiefs up against
the Blues, especially if you're down south of the Bombays. Mate,
are you dreading this or like treasuring it and running
at it?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
No, yeah, we're We're all treasuring it mate. It's yeah,
not often you get the bell of Bombays in the
final series, so yeah, no, we'll definitely run here first
into it and excited at the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Do you talk much about the fact that a number
of the Men and the Blues will not be there
next year, that this could be their last dash and
a Blue jumper? Does that come into the equation with
preparation through vernon the like?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Simply something that we've addressed. For example last week that
was including myself, our last game at Eden Park, so
that was a dress post game and you know, in
the build up a bit. But yeah, it's kind of
just an unspoken thing, you know, like we've got to
you know those those boys are, they're their bloody good
(01:23):
mates of mine, you know, the whole team. So we're
all playing for each other, playing for you know, what
could be a last game any week now. So yeah,
we're just trying to trying to keep it all made
and play for each other and get the job done
because we've still got that goal to win the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So yeah, you've got a title to defend, and things
started off fairly poorly, but you're really gathering some steam
now when you look what happened last week. I must
feel sorry.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
For the Warrior, yeah, I mean obviously, Yeah, like it's
not been the best season today. That hasn't gone to plan.
We've had to you know, reconvene it a few times
over the season and try and get our get our
act together pretty much. But yeah, we've talked about, you know,
(02:10):
pretty much going from bottom to top, and we've got
ourselves in the position where you know, we're in the
finals now and so anything can happen.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Then.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, we've bought coming off of a good win last
week put the momentum, so I was looking to carry
that through. We know the Chiefs would be tough a
couple of tough losses against them this year so far,
and Lewis three in a row would be devastating. So
now we're gunning for it, mate.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Well, you basically do, aren't you. That's the way it works.
I'd say, you want to talk pressure and the weight
of that. It's all over the Chiefs right now there
the top of the competition. They're the team that everyone's
been picking right the way throughout the year. They're the
ones playing at home. That's a good thing for the
Blues because it's all on them, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah, I would say so we're a bit of a
dark horse as we were ridden off I'd say, you know,
pretty early in the season at times. But yeah, the Chiefs,
they were in the same position last year if I
could record correctly as well. But yeah, I would say
there'd be a fair amount of pressure on them and the
(03:19):
fact that they don't actually have to win this game.
But I'm sure they'll be taking it as seriously as us,
and it'll be dooozy.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
When did the season turn for you guys? It was
a particular game where it suddenly started to click and Okay,
this is what the Blues can do. This is why
we are the champions.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I think there's been there's been glimpses of it. You know,
obviously that first first six rounds you know that, you know,
just put us right on the back foot, and then
you know, if they're a few injuries along the way
and whatnot, and you know, hits down at certain points.
But I think for me personally, probably that draw game,
(04:04):
I mean, coming back from from injuries and whatnot, that
was probably the most minutes I've had all year. In fact,
it was, and you know, to almost keep drawers scoreless
over in their home turf, you know, that shows a
lot of a lot of grit and then you know
that's the kind of the kind of stuff that does
win championships. So I think you no good. You can't
(04:26):
doubt what a good away trip like that can do,
you know obviously in PG, but the bonding time, but
then also just putting the work in on the field.
And I think since then we've been taking steps towards
finding that form. Yeah, and obviously coming into the.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Finals, what about yourself, you played a handful of minutes
last week, only hit the one carry, but chance to
refresh yourself ahead of the starting role coming up tonight,
So I'm presuming that worked in your fit as a
fiddle and fresh as they came, Adrian.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, you can say that made the bodies hanging on
in there. Definitely hasn't been h you know, this season
hasn't gone to plan for me so far as you
obviously with a few injuries. But yeah, regardless, we're here
to get out there and put our bodies on the
line and do a job.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
And then after this and you walk away with the title,
you can disappear out of New Zealand to carry on
with your retirement fund and then go and play overseas.
You you'd be looking forward to that would and you're
a different part of the world, different thing.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
To do, yeah, mate, obviously you know the Blues meant
a lot to me and working in New Zealand as
a whole. But yeah, I've got a bit of Scottish
Gypsy blood in my veins, mate, So there's the travel
has been there for a while, and yes, it'll be good,
good way to do it and take a few things
off the list and immerse myself in another culture.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Are you ever coming back?
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah, that's definitely on the cards as well.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Yeah, coming back to play though, Are you coming back
to play or do you reckon? This is it.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Now? I could be coming back to play mate. It
could be the only he's in a player that's not
an All Black coming back for going away for a sabbatical.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
It's not a sabbatical because like a sabbatical, we going
to do something else. You don't go and do the
same job in a different stadium. But this is an
old argument of mind. I said, let it go because
no one cares. Hey, Adrienne, wishing you and the other
three men who's possibly playing their last game for the Blues.
But let's hope that is not the case. Wishing all
the best. You go, well, go down south and smack
(06:35):
them around a bit for us.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Awesome. Thank you very much, Darcy, appreciate it, Matte.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waltergrave from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
He'd be.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Good to chat mate, Yeah, thanks for coming on. I
think saying a massive game this evening is probably the
understatement of the year. I don't know if clashes of
recent times get much bigger than the Chiefs up against
the Blues, especially if you're down south of the Bombays. Mate,
are you dreading this or like treasuring it and running
at it?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
No, yeah, we're We're all treasuring it mate. It's yeah,
not often you get the bell of Bombays in the
final series, so yeah, no, we'll definitely run here first
into it and excited at the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Do you talk much about the fact that a number
of the Men and the Blues will not be there
next year, that this could be their last dash and
a Blue jumper? Does that come into the equation with
preparation through vernon the like?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Simply something that we've addressed. For example last week that
was including myself, our last game at Eden Park, so
that was a dress post game and you know, in
the build up a bit. But yeah, it's kind of
just an unspoken thing, you know, like we've got to
you know those those boys are, they're their bloody good
(01:23):
mates of mine, you know, the whole team. So we're
all playing for each other, playing for you know, what
could be a last game any week now. So yeah,
we're just trying to trying to keep it all made
and play for each other and get the job done
because we've still got that goal to win the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So yeah, you've got a title to defend, and things
started off fairly poorly, but you're really gathering some steam
now when you look what happened last week. I must
feel sorry.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
For the Warrior, yeah, I mean obviously, Yeah, like it's
not been the best season today. That hasn't gone to plan.
We've had to you know, reconvene it a few times
over the season and try and get our get our
act together pretty much. But yeah, we've talked about, you know,
(02:10):
pretty much going from bottom to top, and we've got
ourselves in the position where you know, we're in the
finals now and so anything can happen.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Then.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, we've bought coming off of a good win last
week put the momentum, so I was looking to carry
that through. We know the Chiefs would be tough a
couple of tough losses against them this year so far,
and Lewis three in a row would be devastating. So
now we're gunning for it, mate.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Well, you basically do, aren't you. That's the way it works.
I'd say, you want to talk pressure and the weight
of that. It's all over the Chiefs right now there
the top of the competition. They're the team that everyone's
been picking right the way throughout the year. They're the
ones playing at home. That's a good thing for the
Blues because it's all on them, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah, I would say so we're a bit of a
dark horse as we were ridden off I'd say, you know,
pretty early in the season at times. But yeah, the Chiefs,
they were in the same position last year if I
could record correctly as well. But yeah, I would say
there'd be a fair amount of pressure on them and the
(03:19):
fact that they don't actually have to win this game.
But I'm sure they'll be taking it as seriously as us,
and it'll be dooozy.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
When did the season turn for you guys? It was
a particular game where it suddenly started to click and Okay,
this is what the Blues can do. This is why
we are the champions.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I think there's been there's been glimpses of it. You know,
obviously that first first six rounds you know that, you know,
just put us right on the back foot, and then
you know, if they're a few injuries along the way
and whatnot, and you know, hits down at certain points.
But I think for me personally, probably that draw game,
(04:04):
I mean, coming back from from injuries and whatnot, that
was probably the most minutes I've had all year. In fact,
it was, and you know, to almost keep drawers scoreless
over in their home turf, you know, that shows a
lot of a lot of grit and then you know
that's the kind of the kind of stuff that does
win championships. So I think you no good. You can't
(04:26):
doubt what a good away trip like that can do,
you know obviously in PG, but the bonding time, but
then also just putting the work in on the field.
And I think since then we've been taking steps towards
finding that form. Yeah, and obviously coming into the.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Finals, what about yourself, you played a handful of minutes
last week, only hit the one carry, but chance to
refresh yourself ahead of the starting role coming up tonight,
So I'm presuming that worked in your fit as a
fiddle and fresh as they came, Adrian.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, you can say that made the bodies hanging on
in there. Definitely hasn't been h you know, this season
hasn't gone to plan for me so far as you
obviously with a few injuries. But yeah, regardless, we're here
to get out there and put our bodies on the
line and do a job.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
And then after this and you walk away with the title,
you can disappear out of New Zealand to carry on
with your retirement fund and then go and play overseas.
You you'd be looking forward to that would and you're
a different part of the world, different thing.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
To do, yeah, mate, obviously you know the Blues meant
a lot to me and working in New Zealand as
a whole. But yeah, I've got a bit of Scottish
Gypsy blood in my veins, mate, So there's the travel
has been there for a while, and yes, it'll be good,
good way to do it and take a few things
off the list and immerse myself in another culture.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Are you ever coming back?
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah, that's definitely on the cards as well.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Yeah, coming back to play though, Are you coming back
to play or do you reckon? This is it.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Now? I could be coming back to play mate. It
could be the only he's in a player that's not
an All Black coming back for going away for a sabbatical.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
It's not a sabbatical because like a sabbatical, we going
to do something else. You don't go and do the
same job in a different stadium. But this is an
old argument of mind. I said, let it go because
no one cares. Hey, Adrienne, wishing you and the other
three men who's possibly playing their last game for the Blues.
But let's hope that is not the case. Wishing all
the best. You go, well, go down south and smack
(06:35):
them around a bit for us.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Awesome. Thank you very much, Darcy, appreciate it, Matte.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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