October 31, 2025 • 7 mins
A big test match looms tomorrow morning. All Blacks vs Ireland, Soldier Field Chicago. The site of the All Blacks first defeat to the men in green 9 years ago. It sparked a tightly contested rivalry between the two sides, with them splitting the last 10 matches at 5 wins a piece.
The All Blacks will be looking to get their grand slam started with a win.
Leicester Fainga'anuku is coming off the bench for the All Blacks and he caught up with D'Arcy to preview the game.
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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
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You might as well get going with oh mate, Leicester.
So the big Test match tomorrow morning, All Blacks v
Island Soldier Field in Chicago, the Killing Fields, if you will,
because no one's going to forget nine years ago and
what happened there the first defeat to the Irish nine
years ago. It almost seems like a lifetime or yesterday,
(00:34):
depending on how much it hurt. So this rivalry over
the last nine years has been astonishing. Team matches five
wins a piece over that time, All Blacks. They're looking
to get the Grand Slam underway with success. And I'll
talk more about that opinion wise than about twenty minutes
(00:54):
time and where I think it stands. But anyway, enough
of that. You don't want to hear about me. You
want to hear about the All Blacks and so Leicester,
Fanga and Nuku coming off the bench and the class
he joins us now to review that game last A
good day to you, sir, trust you well, thank you
toy as to join mate. You got selected. You're coming
(01:14):
off the bench and unfortunately some other players have moved
to one side, but you must be absolutely ripped that
you've managed to secure that role.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah. Look, obviously in the opportunity you get to be
involved in the match of twenty three or something special
and something different. No thanks for granted. And here look
going forward to here what we can hold.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, it's raiser and the crew been telling you around
expectations for yourself on the park. What do they want
from you?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, I think it's keep simple, just keep doing my
thing out there when the golf truty obviously being I guess,
I guess the risk to ole players. Been able to
cover both obviously the midfielder and the winds was real crucial.
So it's definitely something that takes a little responsible but
at the same time as something I really enjoy and
it's it's a key, I guess part of my game
(02:04):
to have. I guess the tools for that are really
on the toolbox for you.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So you'll be thrown in wherever whatever happens. Do you
have a preference where you actually turn up because you've
you've migrated to the midfield that appears to be where
you are happiest, but you're still very effective on the wing.
So what do you prefer and how much time have
you spent either POSSI in the build up to this?
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, lo I for the last two years of my
time in Front has been obviously mainly a midfield loose
loose forward over there and obviously got to have more
first crack and the abs really back on the wing
which has been and where you are, but we'll still
there the knowledge of the game, the wings there, so
you look for me, it's just being able to as
(02:46):
a player and I guess what speciful team has. Make
sure I've got every tool ready for obviously, whether it's
the wing role or the midfield search lot, always lock
and loading. Really to go.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Interesting partnership should it come up, you might end up with,
well one of a couple of players. Where do you
roll on for the new boy is on the block
winto Pire who had a massive effect on the game
a few weeks ago. Maybe you drift in or out
and ended up a second I don't know, but what
Quintu Pire has done and the way he's handled that
(03:17):
jersey has been what's been well rewarded, hasn't it. He
had an absolutely epic game in Perth.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Yeah, exactly, Obviously there that's just the reason why he's
been giving a lot of chance here against Ireland. And yeah,
a lot of the simple game performed well and you
get a rewarded work for your efforts. So you're lucky
the quality player. He's done really well. And then lots
of too, he's plays like that along one side your side.
So yeah, the.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Windy City, Chicago, what's that been like.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah, it's been an awesome experience. Yeah, fans always shining bury around.
Then you get that big old one blown around, But yeah,
it looks an awesome experience, and yes, it's good to
be here.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Else is the energy around the game itself. It's sold out.
I expect there's a lot of expats there from New
Zealand and from Ireland too. You sense that there's a
big match coming up as the city turned it on
for it.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, Lucky's obviously been a wee Watson. We've had the
game here in obviously American spell to have both in
New Zealand and Ireland over here something special known for
both Ireland and also obviously the US. Here it's a
massive part of the world and it's a country that
really attracts a lot of people from around so yeah,
lot looking forward to this weekend and obviously see what
(04:28):
the game of rugby brings. So yeah, it's exciting times
here in the state.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
You pinch yourself every now and then that you made
the decision, which at the time was quite scary for
some people to go off to France to make some coin.
Now you're you're back in the fold again. You're back
in the All Blacks. We expected that, But what about yourself?
Where's your head at now that you're back again, although
you've been back for a couple but you're back in
the All Black again.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Yeah. Obviously it was interesting, obviously with my vision to
take the other route compared to most players. Obviously I
really wanted a new challenge, obviously being so young and
the hunger the to compete again some of the beasts
up of the move his spit and I think, looking
back at it, obviously gone so quick, but look at
something I don't regret, and it's probably been the business.
(05:14):
And I've even made my career so I've made some great,
great friends and great experience over there. Look, I've got
of challenges I needed when I went over. Then, yeah,
lock god exactly. Then I think just to be Homers
obviously a nice perf to be back in. Then obviously
being able to get back into the squad of something
special and yeah, lock, everything sort of has unfolded quite
(05:34):
nicely to say in my perspective, and you look, what
you're gonna do is keep working smartphoff and yeah, keep
doing my best for my team, my teammate and obviously
the coaches and uh who's willing as a whole. So yeah,
I had.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
A yarn with Limasapolana when he came back from overseas
and I asked him, what's the most intense rugby he played?
You guys, it's French rugby without a doubt, it is amazing.
What are the key things you picked up out of
your time in France as far as expanding your game?
Where did you have to put the most makey?
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Yeah, look, I think obviously the fully they're both different
than the only way top four in and obviously European
Cup over there something I've never experienced in my life.
It's it's a tournament that's so brutal, tied, demanding, and look,
you're playing against some of the top players in the world.
Obviously a lot of nation playlor playing over the hand.
(06:29):
Look at it just makes all time exciting. And then
you also have obviously the location of just a passionate
parlate around Rabia and France and obviously they're in England
and Scotland on East Africa and the European Company. Look
at the it's a world tournament. It's something that's so
special and so prestigious and for me personally, honest, you
(06:52):
can't imagine after experience that, not knowing what Rob was
like over there and th experience, there's something so special
and something else whoever cheerious for this in my life.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So yeah, rugby is not going to last. But did
you pick up French? How's you fringe? Because it'll take
you a long way, right.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I'd say said, are we forty percent? At the moment
stopped teaking classesmen at the Sardo was coming home. So yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to news talks that'd be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
You might as well get going with oh mate, Leicester.
So the big Test match tomorrow morning, All Blacks v
Island Soldier Field in Chicago, the Killing Fields, if you will,
because no one's going to forget nine years ago and
what happened there the first defeat to the Irish nine
years ago. It almost seems like a lifetime or yesterday,
(00:34):
depending on how much it hurt. So this rivalry over
the last nine years has been astonishing. Team matches five
wins a piece over that time, All Blacks. They're looking
to get the Grand Slam underway with success. And I'll
talk more about that opinion wise than about twenty minutes
(00:54):
time and where I think it stands. But anyway, enough
of that. You don't want to hear about me. You
want to hear about the All Blacks and so Leicester,
Fanga and Nuku coming off the bench and the class
he joins us now to review that game last A
good day to you, sir, trust you well, thank you
toy as to join mate. You got selected. You're coming
(01:14):
off the bench and unfortunately some other players have moved
to one side, but you must be absolutely ripped that
you've managed to secure that role.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah. Look, obviously in the opportunity you get to be
involved in the match of twenty three or something special
and something different. No thanks for granted. And here look
going forward to here what we can hold.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, it's raiser and the crew been telling you around
expectations for yourself on the park. What do they want
from you?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, I think it's keep simple, just keep doing my
thing out there when the golf truty obviously being I guess,
I guess the risk to ole players. Been able to
cover both obviously the midfielder and the winds was real crucial.
So it's definitely something that takes a little responsible but
at the same time as something I really enjoy and
it's it's a key, I guess part of my game
(02:04):
to have. I guess the tools for that are really
on the toolbox for you.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So you'll be thrown in wherever whatever happens. Do you
have a preference where you actually turn up because you've
you've migrated to the midfield that appears to be where
you are happiest, but you're still very effective on the wing.
So what do you prefer and how much time have
you spent either POSSI in the build up to this?
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, lo I for the last two years of my
time in Front has been obviously mainly a midfield loose
loose forward over there and obviously got to have more
first crack and the abs really back on the wing
which has been and where you are, but we'll still
there the knowledge of the game, the wings there, so
you look for me, it's just being able to as
(02:46):
a player and I guess what speciful team has. Make
sure I've got every tool ready for obviously, whether it's
the wing role or the midfield search lot, always lock
and loading. Really to go.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Interesting partnership should it come up, you might end up with,
well one of a couple of players. Where do you
roll on for the new boy is on the block
winto Pire who had a massive effect on the game
a few weeks ago. Maybe you drift in or out
and ended up a second I don't know, but what
Quintu Pire has done and the way he's handled that
(03:17):
jersey has been what's been well rewarded, hasn't it. He
had an absolutely epic game in Perth.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Yeah, exactly, Obviously there that's just the reason why he's
been giving a lot of chance here against Ireland. And yeah,
a lot of the simple game performed well and you
get a rewarded work for your efforts. So you're lucky
the quality player. He's done really well. And then lots
of too, he's plays like that along one side your side.
So yeah, the.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Windy City, Chicago, what's that been like.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah, it's been an awesome experience. Yeah, fans always shining bury around.
Then you get that big old one blown around, But yeah,
it looks an awesome experience, and yes, it's good to
be here.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Else is the energy around the game itself. It's sold out.
I expect there's a lot of expats there from New
Zealand and from Ireland too. You sense that there's a
big match coming up as the city turned it on
for it.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, Lucky's obviously been a wee Watson. We've had the
game here in obviously American spell to have both in
New Zealand and Ireland over here something special known for
both Ireland and also obviously the US. Here it's a
massive part of the world and it's a country that
really attracts a lot of people from around so yeah,
lot looking forward to this weekend and obviously see what
(04:28):
the game of rugby brings. So yeah, it's exciting times
here in the state.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
You pinch yourself every now and then that you made
the decision, which at the time was quite scary for
some people to go off to France to make some coin.
Now you're you're back in the fold again. You're back
in the All Blacks. We expected that, But what about yourself?
Where's your head at now that you're back again, although
you've been back for a couple but you're back in
the All Black again.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Yeah. Obviously it was interesting, obviously with my vision to
take the other route compared to most players. Obviously I
really wanted a new challenge, obviously being so young and
the hunger the to compete again some of the beasts
up of the move his spit and I think, looking
back at it, obviously gone so quick, but look at
something I don't regret, and it's probably been the business.
(05:14):
And I've even made my career so I've made some great,
great friends and great experience over there. Look, I've got
of challenges I needed when I went over. Then, yeah,
lock god exactly. Then I think just to be Homers
obviously a nice perf to be back in. Then obviously
being able to get back into the squad of something
special and yeah, lock, everything sort of has unfolded quite
(05:34):
nicely to say in my perspective, and you look, what
you're gonna do is keep working smartphoff and yeah, keep
doing my best for my team, my teammate and obviously
the coaches and uh who's willing as a whole. So yeah,
I had.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
A yarn with Limasapolana when he came back from overseas
and I asked him, what's the most intense rugby he played?
You guys, it's French rugby without a doubt, it is amazing.
What are the key things you picked up out of
your time in France as far as expanding your game?
Where did you have to put the most makey?
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Yeah, look, I think obviously the fully they're both different
than the only way top four in and obviously European
Cup over there something I've never experienced in my life.
It's it's a tournament that's so brutal, tied, demanding, and look,
you're playing against some of the top players in the world.
Obviously a lot of nation playlor playing over the hand.
(06:29):
Look at it just makes all time exciting. And then
you also have obviously the location of just a passionate
parlate around Rabia and France and obviously they're in England
and Scotland on East Africa and the European Company. Look
at the it's a world tournament. It's something that's so
special and so prestigious and for me personally, honest, you
(06:52):
can't imagine after experience that, not knowing what Rob was
like over there and th experience, there's something so special
and something else whoever cheerious for this in my life.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So yeah, rugby is not going to last. But did
you pick up French? How's you fringe? Because it'll take
you a long way, right.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I'd say said, are we forty percent? At the moment
stopped teaking classesmen at the Sardo was coming home. So yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to news talks that'd be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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