June 26, 2026 • 7 mins
The New Zealand Under 20 rugby side's World Championship campaign is set to begin tonight as they take on Japan in Kutaisi, Georgia.
Bradley Tocker is playing on the blindside for the side, he joined Adam to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Well World Rugby's Junior Championship is underway this weekend over
in Georgia, the world's best under twenty rugby teams doing battle. Now,
we all know it's a tournament New Zealand's had great
success in historically, but there's a bit of a drought
carrying on. They haven't won it since twenty seventeen, that
he's said, in under twenties. But they start their campaign
for twenty twenty six there tonight. It's their opening group
(00:32):
match against Japan. Time to head over there, joining us
as loose forward Bradley Talker who's starting at blindside flanker
for New Zealand tonight. Now he's linked up with the
under twenties after a breakout season with the All Blacks
sevens on the World Series circuit. Welling's you, Bradley firstly, mate,
on the back of your sevens, How nice is it
to be part of this under twenty setup, which we
(00:55):
know that for many people does often lead to bigger things.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, no, I think it's awesome opportunity and it's an
awesome pathway that we have on offer here and I think, yeah,
the vibe is like really exciting. I think a lot
of the boys are excited and ready to rip in
tomorrow and yeah we're just like I think, yeah, just
grateful as.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
You're great And after being part of that All Blacks
seven season, how have you had to adapt back now
to get into fifteen's mode?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, No, it's definitely definitely a big change, I think
just I think the contact is definitely the biggest adjustment
that I've needed to get used to. But that warm
up game against Georgia was good, was good setting me
up for this tournament.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Fitness wise, though we know how incredibly hard sevens teams trained,
to what extent does that seven's fitness help you out
as you get ready for the fifteen's game in the
forward pack?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Yeah, yeah, it's definitely a different kind of fitness. So
just that long diivit like that eighty minutes as opposed
to fourteen. But still yeah, I think the seventh fitness
has really helped.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
I guess often when you consider players who go to
sevens from fifteen, do you immediately think wingers? You think fullbacks.
I've always loved the idea of quick, lose four forwards
going to play sevens, utilizing their speed but also their power.
How well Bradley, does sevens complement your game as a
loose forward and would you like to see more loose
forwards give sevens a crack?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, the predominantly has been backed, but I think now
it's more Yeah, I would like to see some more
forwards doing it because it can add like a lot
of things to your arsenal as well, and then it
can give you that point of difference for coaches and
to look at it and stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
You've been a top level rugby player through high school
and things, so what got you interested in pursuing sevens
in the last couple of years.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Yeah, I think just that opportunity to play a form
of professional footy so young was definitely one of the
big factors. And then you're just getting the chance to
play on the world stage. Put my name out there
as well was to all of the big factors.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
I think you came straight into this under twenty squad
on the back of your sevens season Phiney Zealand. Game one,
you've earned the start at number six for tonight. What'd
you go about putting your best foot forward for the selection.
I imagine the coaches would have had a few options.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, deffinitely. I think coming into that Georgia game was
like really a sort of trial to see watch combinations
would work best. And I think, yeah, so just that
Georgia game was big focus on just putting myself out
there and putting my best foot forward for that starting role.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And just on that Georgia game, you had that warm
up game against them at the start of the week,
they had a three point win over you. A lot
of people saying, oh, that's a shock result in things.
I know it was a game with rolling sabs and stuff,
but the idea of just getting out on the field
and having a run around. Was that a result that
worried the team or are you confident you don't need
to read too much into that game.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, no, I think because we've got about eight or
nine new boys that are different from the Rugby Championship.
So I think it's just finding combinations, finding what works
as a team together, and just that connection, which I
think is really grown since that Georgia game. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Great, and now you've had some decent time camp trained
through the week as well. What do you feel the
strengths are of your team approaching game one tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I think just our teching foot is pretty pretty awesome.
Like when we actually nail it and then execute it,
our we're pretty dangerous, you know, our back our forwards
physicality and then our back cell sharpness.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
For shure, you look at what so many people say
about New Zealand heading into the tournament like this, You
read reports from around the world. People are so quick
to point out and New Zealand haven't won this tournament
since twenty seventeen. Is the history something you guys in
camp are talking about a lot or given the under
twenties team is pretty much on the whole, a new
group of players every year. Is it not something you
(04:46):
take too seriously?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Oh, you know, we always strive to win a World
Cup and like that's yeah, that's our main goal. But yeah,
we kind of sort of put what happened in the
past aside and sort of try and focus in on us. Oh,
which sort of like, yeah, remember them and reflect on
who's come before, but then yeah, trying more focus on
us as a group.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
All right, Japan first up tonight. Then you're also going
to be playing Scotland and Italy as part of your pool.
How tough do you expect this first match to be
compared with the others coming up?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I think yeah, all of them will be pretty tough
test matches and would like definitely test us as a group.
But I think we're pretty tight, We're pretty connected and
just ready to go.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
You mentioned that open, expansive play is the aim of
the team. How significantly do you want to contribute to
that at number six?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah, definitely, like out in those wider channels, attacking their
open spaces. Definitely what I as. Definitely a strength of mind.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, brilliant. The Under twenties program, Bradley History shows the
pathways it's created for so many of our current top
professional rugby players. In your mind, where do you want
your rugby journey to take you over the next year
or two? And I guess also what could this tournament
set you up for?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah? I think this. Yeah, hopefully just I can get
a chance to just you know, show what I can
do on the footy field and then yeah, and there
will be like shown on the world are like on
the world stage. So I just hope that you can
get a chance to get my name out there, hopefully
get a few eyes looking now.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, great, Georgia is a country not many of us
get the chance to travel there. It's not really a
top of many people's travel destinations when they go to
that part of the world. What's it like in Georgia.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
No, yeah, definitely wasn't what I expected as in Georgia.
But pretty man, it's really old stole style place. Lots
of like frecking stone buildings, like lots and like it
seems are real cool like architecture, sculpture, churches around. But
it's like it's a really cool place.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Nice. And you were just saying before we came on
that the weather over there has been incredibly hot. I'm
sure given some of the stuff we've had in New
Zealand the last day or two, people would dream of
some temperatures that you're having. But it's a three thirty
pm kickoff time local time for you, So it's the
hot weather they're going to come into it. You're gonna
have to sort of be aware of that.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I think, Yeah, definitely something we have to take into account.
But like what our coaches have been talking about is
everyone's having to deal with the heat. So it's just
it's just something that we have to live with and
put up with.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
All right, well, all the very best, Bradley. Thanks for
your time, mate. Awesome to hear about your journey to
get to this team and all the best for Game
one over there in Georgia against Japan tonight. Appreciate your
time here on the All Sport Breakfast.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
No thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
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
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Well World Rugby's Junior Championship is underway this weekend over
in Georgia, the world's best under twenty rugby teams doing battle. Now,
we all know it's a tournament New Zealand's had great
success in historically, but there's a bit of a drought
carrying on. They haven't won it since twenty seventeen, that
he's said, in under twenties. But they start their campaign
for twenty twenty six there tonight. It's their opening group
(00:32):
match against Japan. Time to head over there, joining us
as loose forward Bradley Talker who's starting at blindside flanker
for New Zealand tonight. Now he's linked up with the
under twenties after a breakout season with the All Blacks
sevens on the World Series circuit. Welling's you, Bradley firstly, mate,
on the back of your sevens, How nice is it
to be part of this under twenty setup, which we
(00:55):
know that for many people does often lead to bigger things.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, no, I think it's awesome opportunity and it's an
awesome pathway that we have on offer here and I think, yeah,
the vibe is like really exciting. I think a lot
of the boys are excited and ready to rip in
tomorrow and yeah we're just like I think, yeah, just
grateful as.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
You're great And after being part of that All Blacks
seven season, how have you had to adapt back now
to get into fifteen's mode?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, No, it's definitely definitely a big change, I think
just I think the contact is definitely the biggest adjustment
that I've needed to get used to. But that warm
up game against Georgia was good, was good setting me
up for this tournament.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Fitness wise, though we know how incredibly hard sevens teams trained,
to what extent does that seven's fitness help you out
as you get ready for the fifteen's game in the
forward pack?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Yeah, yeah, it's definitely a different kind of fitness. So
just that long diivit like that eighty minutes as opposed
to fourteen. But still yeah, I think the seventh fitness
has really helped.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
I guess often when you consider players who go to
sevens from fifteen, do you immediately think wingers? You think fullbacks.
I've always loved the idea of quick, lose four forwards
going to play sevens, utilizing their speed but also their power.
How well Bradley, does sevens complement your game as a
loose forward and would you like to see more loose
forwards give sevens a crack?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, the predominantly has been backed, but I think now
it's more Yeah, I would like to see some more
forwards doing it because it can add like a lot
of things to your arsenal as well, and then it
can give you that point of difference for coaches and
to look at it and stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
You've been a top level rugby player through high school
and things, so what got you interested in pursuing sevens
in the last couple of years.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Yeah, I think just that opportunity to play a form
of professional footy so young was definitely one of the
big factors. And then you're just getting the chance to
play on the world stage. Put my name out there
as well was to all of the big factors.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
I think you came straight into this under twenty squad
on the back of your sevens season Phiney Zealand. Game one,
you've earned the start at number six for tonight. What'd
you go about putting your best foot forward for the selection.
I imagine the coaches would have had a few options.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, deffinitely. I think coming into that Georgia game was
like really a sort of trial to see watch combinations
would work best. And I think, yeah, so just that
Georgia game was big focus on just putting myself out
there and putting my best foot forward for that starting role.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And just on that Georgia game, you had that warm
up game against them at the start of the week,
they had a three point win over you. A lot
of people saying, oh, that's a shock result in things.
I know it was a game with rolling sabs and stuff,
but the idea of just getting out on the field
and having a run around. Was that a result that
worried the team or are you confident you don't need
to read too much into that game.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, no, I think because we've got about eight or
nine new boys that are different from the Rugby Championship.
So I think it's just finding combinations, finding what works
as a team together, and just that connection, which I
think is really grown since that Georgia game. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Great, and now you've had some decent time camp trained
through the week as well. What do you feel the
strengths are of your team approaching game one tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I think just our teching foot is pretty pretty awesome.
Like when we actually nail it and then execute it,
our we're pretty dangerous, you know, our back our forwards
physicality and then our back cell sharpness.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
For shure, you look at what so many people say
about New Zealand heading into the tournament like this, You
read reports from around the world. People are so quick
to point out and New Zealand haven't won this tournament
since twenty seventeen. Is the history something you guys in
camp are talking about a lot or given the under
twenties team is pretty much on the whole, a new
group of players every year. Is it not something you
(04:46):
take too seriously?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Oh, you know, we always strive to win a World
Cup and like that's yeah, that's our main goal. But yeah,
we kind of sort of put what happened in the
past aside and sort of try and focus in on us. Oh,
which sort of like, yeah, remember them and reflect on
who's come before, but then yeah, trying more focus on
us as a group.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
All right, Japan first up tonight. Then you're also going
to be playing Scotland and Italy as part of your pool.
How tough do you expect this first match to be
compared with the others coming up?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I think yeah, all of them will be pretty tough
test matches and would like definitely test us as a group.
But I think we're pretty tight, We're pretty connected and
just ready to go.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
You mentioned that open, expansive play is the aim of
the team. How significantly do you want to contribute to
that at number six?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah, definitely, like out in those wider channels, attacking their
open spaces. Definitely what I as. Definitely a strength of mind.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, brilliant. The Under twenties program, Bradley History shows the
pathways it's created for so many of our current top
professional rugby players. In your mind, where do you want
your rugby journey to take you over the next year
or two? And I guess also what could this tournament
set you up for?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah? I think this. Yeah, hopefully just I can get
a chance to just you know, show what I can
do on the footy field and then yeah, and there
will be like shown on the world are like on
the world stage. So I just hope that you can
get a chance to get my name out there, hopefully
get a few eyes looking now.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, great, Georgia is a country not many of us
get the chance to travel there. It's not really a
top of many people's travel destinations when they go to
that part of the world. What's it like in Georgia.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
No, yeah, definitely wasn't what I expected as in Georgia.
But pretty man, it's really old stole style place. Lots
of like frecking stone buildings, like lots and like it
seems are real cool like architecture, sculpture, churches around. But
it's like it's a really cool place.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Nice. And you were just saying before we came on
that the weather over there has been incredibly hot. I'm
sure given some of the stuff we've had in New
Zealand the last day or two, people would dream of
some temperatures that you're having. But it's a three thirty
pm kickoff time local time for you, So it's the
hot weather they're going to come into it. You're gonna
have to sort of be aware of that.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I think, Yeah, definitely something we have to take into account.
But like what our coaches have been talking about is
everyone's having to deal with the heat. So it's just
it's just something that we have to live with and
put up with.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
All right, well, all the very best, Bradley. Thanks for
your time, mate. Awesome to hear about your journey to
get to this team and all the best for Game
one over there in Georgia against Japan tonight. Appreciate your
time here on the All Sport Breakfast.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
No thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
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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