October 24, 2025 • 9 mins
We have reached the end of the NPC season with a southern derby final going down tonight between Canterbury and Otago. The two form teams of the competition met earlier in the comp, when Otago wrestled the Ranfurly Shield away from the Cantabs and will looking to pull of the upset again.
Christian Lio-Willie is the number 8 for Otago and he caught up with Adam to preview the game.
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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):
Now what I'm looking forward to most I've got to
admit is the big NPC Final. Just after four this
afternoon has kickoff a good old fashioned Southern Derby, Otago
taking on Canterbury. Of course, Otago looking to head up
and claim their first title in the competition since nineteen
ninety eight. We'll head into the Otago camp and just
a moment loose forward Christian Leo Willie standing by to
(00:33):
have a chat and our voices of rugby in both provinces,
Paul Allison, Nick Beuley. They're going to be with us
to preview the game as part of our all Star
panel a bit later on in the show. Also this morning,
Silver Fern's mid Carter Kate Heffin in previewing the next
two Constellation Cup matches. Can they bounce back? We'll find out.
Louis Vastratza from Auckland f C. They're at home for
(00:54):
the first time with the new A League season today
and we'll highlight a couple of events happening around the
country this Labor weekend. We'll head to the motocross in
toport and multi sport in twice. All so busy show,
let's track on straight into it and first up Otago.
I'm looking to lift the NPC rugby title for the
first time since the late nineties when meeting Canterbury and
(01:15):
the twenty twenty five for Nahlate and christ Church this afternoon.
They're looking to head north do what they did a
month ago to lift the ran fairly shields. That's head
to christ Church and topple the Red and Blacks. We
head into the Otago camp now loose forward. Christian Leo
Willy is with us. You may remember he's already had
an amazing twenty twenty five success at the Crusaders and
(01:37):
of course debuting for the All Blacks this year too.
Morning to your Christian, I mentioned before nineteen ninety eight,
it has been a long drought for Otago, hasn't it.
How excited as everyone as you approach the final hurdle
this year.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Mate, man, it's huge, It's something that've been looking forward to,
as you said, for a long time. Just so proud
of the boy. He's so proud of how we've you know,
got our support of our province behind us, and honestly, man,
we just can't get we can't wait to get up
there and just yeah and do the job.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
What has been the strength of the team this year?
That's got to you you to this point. Obviously, there's
been a few standout players, there's a lot of young
guys that are that are being talked about a lot.
But what from your point of view, has has seen
otago had the season? It's head.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I think this just the way the team culture has
been this year. Just everyone been able to express themselves
freely and to be there, you know, themselves and their skin.
And I think the way that we've built that off
the field has definitely you know, found its way onto
the field, and especially for the young boys coming in,
you know, a debutantes this year. And I think the
way that the coaches and leadership group have really opened
(02:43):
it up and their team culture space has probably helped
us there. And yeah, you can see the type of
band of what they were playing and we're just can
yeah keep there going on for one more week?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah? Have you adapted as the season's gone on in
terms of the type of rugby you've wanted to play
or was this all a clear plan? Before round one.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, the plan was, you know, everyone, we just wanted
to you know, player brand of footy that would excite
our people. And honestly that was the way that the team.
That's the person now. We have in our team all
types of players like that, the big time players and
we've just been all being a pool trigger and we
the way that the plan has gone with our coaches
(03:22):
like Ryan Banbury and you know Brownie and them have
been shaping it for us. It is just been outstanding.
So yeah, we've just been able to express ourselves within
the systems that we have and yeah, you can see
that in the field.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And obviously Josh tam who back. But on the whole,
not many changes to the Otago team for the for
the final. Is it nice having that consistency? Does that
help you guys out a lot? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
For sure, I think it's just a big It's a
big up to our medical team. We've got Doc and
Alex Goff in there and he's just been keeping the
boys healthy and we've got you know, do the conditioning
as well. We've just been able to you know, adapt
our programs to you know, our bodies and whatnot. And yeah,
it's pretty special to have all of us. I'm actually yeah,
(04:04):
a pretty consistent lineup and going into a final which
is probably the first time in the long time the
Tiger has had. So yeah, we're looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
And Sam Gilbert captain, you know, being credited for his
leadership through the year, obviously his last time for for
the time being for for the Union. How how big
is it for the likes of him and others, So
it's the last sort of big shot to lift the
trophy for a Tiger.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, man, it's pretty special. You know, Goodby's led well
the entire year right at the helm ever since he's
been captain the past couple of years done well, and
I think this year's really coming to his own skin.
And you can see how the whey he's playing and
the way that you know, the boys are following his lead.
It's been massive, and especially the boys that are leaving,
like the likes or you know, Thomas Munger Jensen Will Tucker,
(04:48):
the boys that are heading away. It was definitely a
sort of a semen a and a s enough that
we want to give those boys. But and again we
know it's another game that we just get to express
ourselves and yeah, and we will.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Do you expect it to play out in a similar
fashion that the type of game it was when you
went up to christ Church about a month ago and
lifted the shield from them.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
You know, we've owned a different beast obviously, both sides
of had a couple of games in between, so we
just know depending on whether on how it goes, really
we're just going to stick to our brand of foota.
We know the type of defense that you know canry
brings and you know they're taking stretch as well, So yeah,
we've got plans in place, just depending on weather and
(05:30):
what happens, but we know all in all it's just
going to be who wants to who wants it most,
and we know that's what finals Fody comes down to
a small margins, So yeah, we're ready for it.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
I mean, how much inspiration do you draw from that moment?
Though it was an absolute thriller, wasn't it, the try
with about fifteen minutes to go the conversion to nudge
you guys ahead for that ran Filly shield. When do
you look back on that and give yourself some inspiration
for this weekend?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Yes, yes, I know we've acknowledged you know, we've already
won up there against them. Well we know it's a
whole different board game when it comes to finals footy,
and the coaches have done well to set us up
in that and the boys are sitting ready, you know,
to start from scratch again and flush all that's gone before.
And you know, we know this is this is the
game that you know where it counts in matters most so, yeah,
(06:15):
it was looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And Christen, for you, you grew up in Auckland, but
you moved down to Dunedin when you're eighteen. You've been
there for a while now, how much passion do you
have for for you know, just the otago rugby and
you know your life that you've had down there and
and rugby alongside it.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Yeah, it's a massive man. You know, Ever since I
moved down from Auckland, it's been home. You know, I've
done my study down here and this is the problem.
So that give me my first shot of professional footy.
And you know fifth boys that all start together life
still you know, Abram Pully and Solo Mole, Henry Bell,
we're all playing club together and ficet all you know,
become super players through this region. Through this province and
(06:52):
to now give back and to give you know, one
hundred percent of ourselves as pretty special and the fact
we've got to do it one more time today, it's
going to be yeah, awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You must be sort of feeling the buzz around the
rugby scene there. You know, it's been a long time
since Otago won the MPC, I think nineteen ninety eight.
What's it been like sort of when you're around town,
around the wider rugby community, knowing that everyone's pretty excited
for a possible win here.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
It's an awesome feeling.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Man.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
It definitely gives us, you know, that extra drives just
going around you know, yeah, we're definitely been more more
people saying, you know, like good luck for the weekend
and you know we're behind you, and it definitely helps
the boys. Man. It gives us a bit of passion
in drives and we know that we're playing, you know,
not only just for the teammates side us, but for
the entire region and the fact that the region is
showing their love as much as they are. It's been huge.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So yeah, yeah, great. We know that the stadium and
christ Church is sold out already. Otago fans you reckon,
I'll be in the crowd.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Ah, we whoever was going to be there, it's all
gonna need. That's all we want to say. We're going
to have all the supporters going back home here. But yeah,
we would hope, hope to get at least at least
to stand fall, but we know we've got all the
targets support becking us anyway.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So yeah, yeah, I'm sure there'd be there'd be a
better blur, a blood, better noise and the od for
you just finally find a Christian Obviously a big rugby
year for you, part of the Crusaders, obviously the Stellars season,
getting your first All Blacks shot as well. Jase, ye,
you must sort of be looking back on this year
with a fair few memories.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Mate, Yeah, for sure. I was just yeah, I was
just saying that I haven't really had the times to
really digest it all. Just been next job as it's
been coming. So I point it at the end of
the year, when I'm at home and a barbecue Christmas,
I'll probably have a good reflect on it. But yeah,
I've been enjoying my time. I've just been really enjoying
every every single environment, that I've been a part of
(08:39):
and to be able to be healthy along with it all,
It's just been a blessing. So I'm just giving it
on chop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Great, and back in the All Blacks fifteen for this trip.
I guess you are in that wider picture for the
All Blacks wider squad as well. What do you want
to get out of the All Blacks fifteen trip?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Oh, just to grow even more my game and more
every time I get opportunity to become a part of
a team, and especially with the fifteens as well, it's
an opportunity to put my hand up again and better
my game and you know, three extra games and the
toitter to enjoy with those boys. Yeah, it's gonna be
special and I'm just going to give my best foot forward.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Brilliant Christian. Well, I appreciate you joining us, mate, Congratulations
on the year so far and all the best adding
one more trophy to your CV this weekend. Mate, So
thanks for your time and go well.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yes, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
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):
Now what I'm looking forward to most I've got to
admit is the big NPC Final. Just after four this
afternoon has kickoff a good old fashioned Southern Derby, Otago
taking on Canterbury. Of course, Otago looking to head up
and claim their first title in the competition since nineteen
ninety eight. We'll head into the Otago camp and just
a moment loose forward Christian Leo Willie standing by to
(00:33):
have a chat and our voices of rugby in both provinces,
Paul Allison, Nick Beuley. They're going to be with us
to preview the game as part of our all Star
panel a bit later on in the show. Also this morning,
Silver Fern's mid Carter Kate Heffin in previewing the next
two Constellation Cup matches. Can they bounce back? We'll find out.
Louis Vastratza from Auckland f C. They're at home for
(00:54):
the first time with the new A League season today
and we'll highlight a couple of events happening around the
country this Labor weekend. We'll head to the motocross in
toport and multi sport in twice. All so busy show,
let's track on straight into it and first up Otago.
I'm looking to lift the NPC rugby title for the
first time since the late nineties when meeting Canterbury and
(01:15):
the twenty twenty five for Nahlate and christ Church this afternoon.
They're looking to head north do what they did a
month ago to lift the ran fairly shields. That's head
to christ Church and topple the Red and Blacks. We
head into the Otago camp now loose forward. Christian Leo
Willy is with us. You may remember he's already had
an amazing twenty twenty five success at the Crusaders and
(01:37):
of course debuting for the All Blacks this year too.
Morning to your Christian, I mentioned before nineteen ninety eight,
it has been a long drought for Otago, hasn't it.
How excited as everyone as you approach the final hurdle
this year.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Mate, man, it's huge, It's something that've been looking forward to,
as you said, for a long time. Just so proud
of the boy. He's so proud of how we've you know,
got our support of our province behind us, and honestly, man,
we just can't get we can't wait to get up
there and just yeah and do the job.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
What has been the strength of the team this year?
That's got to you you to this point. Obviously, there's
been a few standout players, there's a lot of young
guys that are that are being talked about a lot.
But what from your point of view, has has seen
otago had the season? It's head.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I think this just the way the team culture has
been this year. Just everyone been able to express themselves
freely and to be there, you know, themselves and their skin.
And I think the way that we've built that off
the field has definitely you know, found its way onto
the field, and especially for the young boys coming in,
you know, a debutantes this year. And I think the
way that the coaches and leadership group have really opened
(02:43):
it up and their team culture space has probably helped
us there. And yeah, you can see the type of
band of what they were playing and we're just can
yeah keep there going on for one more week?
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Yeah? Have you adapted as the season's gone on in
terms of the type of rugby you've wanted to play
or was this all a clear plan? Before round one.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, the plan was, you know, everyone, we just wanted
to you know, player brand of footy that would excite
our people. And honestly that was the way that the team.
That's the person now. We have in our team all
types of players like that, the big time players and
we've just been all being a pool trigger and we
the way that the plan has gone with our coaches
(03:22):
like Ryan Banbury and you know Brownie and them have
been shaping it for us. It is just been outstanding.
So yeah, we've just been able to express ourselves within
the systems that we have and yeah, you can see
that in the field.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And obviously Josh tam who back. But on the whole,
not many changes to the Otago team for the for
the final. Is it nice having that consistency? Does that
help you guys out a lot? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
For sure, I think it's just a big It's a
big up to our medical team. We've got Doc and
Alex Goff in there and he's just been keeping the
boys healthy and we've got you know, do the conditioning
as well. We've just been able to you know, adapt
our programs to you know, our bodies and whatnot. And yeah,
it's pretty special to have all of us. I'm actually yeah,
(04:04):
a pretty consistent lineup and going into a final which
is probably the first time in the long time the
Tiger has had. So yeah, we're looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
And Sam Gilbert captain, you know, being credited for his
leadership through the year, obviously his last time for for
the time being for for the Union. How how big
is it for the likes of him and others, So
it's the last sort of big shot to lift the
trophy for a Tiger.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, man, it's pretty special. You know, Goodby's led well
the entire year right at the helm ever since he's
been captain the past couple of years done well, and
I think this year's really coming to his own skin.
And you can see how the whey he's playing and
the way that you know, the boys are following his lead.
It's been massive, and especially the boys that are leaving,
like the likes or you know, Thomas Munger Jensen Will Tucker,
(04:48):
the boys that are heading away. It was definitely a
sort of a semen a and a s enough that
we want to give those boys. But and again we
know it's another game that we just get to express
ourselves and yeah, and we will.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Do you expect it to play out in a similar
fashion that the type of game it was when you
went up to christ Church about a month ago and
lifted the shield from them.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
You know, we've owned a different beast obviously, both sides
of had a couple of games in between, so we
just know depending on whether on how it goes, really
we're just going to stick to our brand of foota.
We know the type of defense that you know canry
brings and you know they're taking stretch as well, So yeah,
we've got plans in place, just depending on weather and
(05:30):
what happens, but we know all in all it's just
going to be who wants to who wants it most,
and we know that's what finals Fody comes down to
a small margins, So yeah, we're ready for it.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
I mean, how much inspiration do you draw from that moment?
Though it was an absolute thriller, wasn't it, the try
with about fifteen minutes to go the conversion to nudge
you guys ahead for that ran Filly shield. When do
you look back on that and give yourself some inspiration
for this weekend?
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Yes, yes, I know we've acknowledged you know, we've already
won up there against them. Well we know it's a
whole different board game when it comes to finals footy,
and the coaches have done well to set us up
in that and the boys are sitting ready, you know,
to start from scratch again and flush all that's gone before.
And you know, we know this is this is the
game that you know where it counts in matters most so, yeah,
(06:15):
it was looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And Christen, for you, you grew up in Auckland, but
you moved down to Dunedin when you're eighteen. You've been
there for a while now, how much passion do you
have for for you know, just the otago rugby and
you know your life that you've had down there and
and rugby alongside it.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Yeah, it's a massive man. You know, Ever since I
moved down from Auckland, it's been home. You know, I've
done my study down here and this is the problem.
So that give me my first shot of professional footy.
And you know fifth boys that all start together life
still you know, Abram Pully and Solo Mole, Henry Bell,
we're all playing club together and ficet all you know,
become super players through this region. Through this province and
(06:52):
to now give back and to give you know, one
hundred percent of ourselves as pretty special and the fact
we've got to do it one more time today, it's
going to be yeah, awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You must be sort of feeling the buzz around the
rugby scene there. You know, it's been a long time
since Otago won the MPC, I think nineteen ninety eight.
What's it been like sort of when you're around town,
around the wider rugby community, knowing that everyone's pretty excited
for a possible win here.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
It's an awesome feeling.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Man.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
It definitely gives us, you know, that extra drives just
going around you know, yeah, we're definitely been more more
people saying, you know, like good luck for the weekend
and you know we're behind you, and it definitely helps
the boys. Man. It gives us a bit of passion
in drives and we know that we're playing, you know,
not only just for the teammates side us, but for
the entire region and the fact that the region is
showing their love as much as they are. It's been huge.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So yeah, yeah, great. We know that the stadium and
christ Church is sold out already. Otago fans you reckon,
I'll be in the crowd.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Ah, we whoever was going to be there, it's all
gonna need. That's all we want to say. We're going
to have all the supporters going back home here. But yeah,
we would hope, hope to get at least at least
to stand fall, but we know we've got all the
targets support becking us anyway.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So yeah, yeah, I'm sure there'd be there'd be a
better blur, a blood, better noise and the od for
you just finally find a Christian Obviously a big rugby
year for you, part of the Crusaders, obviously the Stellars season,
getting your first All Blacks shot as well. Jase, ye,
you must sort of be looking back on this year
with a fair few memories.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Mate, Yeah, for sure. I was just yeah, I was
just saying that I haven't really had the times to
really digest it all. Just been next job as it's
been coming. So I point it at the end of
the year, when I'm at home and a barbecue Christmas,
I'll probably have a good reflect on it. But yeah,
I've been enjoying my time. I've just been really enjoying
every every single environment, that I've been a part of
(08:39):
and to be able to be healthy along with it all,
It's just been a blessing. So I'm just giving it
on chop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Great, and back in the All Blacks fifteen for this trip.
I guess you are in that wider picture for the
All Blacks wider squad as well. What do you want
to get out of the All Blacks fifteen trip?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Oh, just to grow even more my game and more
every time I get opportunity to become a part of
a team, and especially with the fifteens as well, it's
an opportunity to put my hand up again and better
my game and you know, three extra games and the
toitter to enjoy with those boys. Yeah, it's gonna be
special and I'm just going to give my best foot forward.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Brilliant Christian. Well, I appreciate you joining us, mate, Congratulations
on the year so far and all the best adding
one more trophy to your CV this weekend. Mate, So
thanks for your time and go well.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yes, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
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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