August 1, 2025 • 7 mins
NPC’s 2025 season has gotten underway and the south is gearing up for one of rugby’s most passionate rivalries this weekend.
Stag Day —as the fixture has become known— sees Otago take on Southland for the opening of their campaigns. Last year Southland came out on top with a 22-13 victory in front of a crowd of over 7000.
Stags player Scott Gregory joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the hotly anticipated content and take a look at the team’s focus for the season.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from US Talk SEDB and.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We're going to kick things off with a bit of
South and v Otago NPCX No. It'll be a huge
day in the Deep South. There's not a lot of
love lost between these two teams. Love a bit of
Southern rivalry and it's set to go the so afternoon.
(00:33):
Frightening stuff if you're an Otago player, but if you're
a South and you'd be a loving this. We'll be
joined next by Scott Gregory on his way back from
Italy as we look ahead to yet another stunning fixture
for the first round of the twenty twenty five n PC.
So much to look forward to, so much to celebrate
(00:55):
and to talk about as well. It's Stag day on
the horizon at four thirty five this afternoon, and joining
us next wall Scott Gregory. Step on into the breach.
It's eight minutes after seven and here he is. Here,
he is got Gregory, He's got Gregory. Good morning, I'm good.
I'm looking forward to the NPC right across the weekend.
(01:17):
And I tell you what, if there's a game you
want to go to this weekend, it's your game, the
South Fornoon up against Otago. I believe five thousand plus
tickets have been sold. This is going to be a riot,
is it not?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Oh? For sure. The supporters down here amazing obviously have
some of the biggest crowds in the country, so it's
awesome to have their support getting behind us, and yeah,
it's going to be an exciting day.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
You don't know a great deal about the NPC current
because it's just you know, I suppose sparring at the start.
Everyone's trying to have a bit of a look. But
what do you actually know about Otago pre season anything
at all before you actually commence hostilities.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Well, we know it's the forefront of our minds, being
not only the first game but probably the arch rivals
so of the Deep South. So yeah, we had a
preseason against them earlier couple of weeks ago as well,
so we'll be rare into ripping and get stuck into them.
Where are their threats, Oh, I've got a few all
over the park. I suppose they got some strong forards.
(02:14):
Obviously they have Christian Leo, Willie Beck all Blacks, a
couple of strong backs as well, so now we'll be
ready for everything to throw at us.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
The general line, though, Scott Gregory, is, Oh, we don't
care about them. We're focused on ourselves. So what do
you guys bring? Where are you happy? Where are you
may be a bit?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
No, No, we're pretty stoked. We've had a great, great
week of training, Like you said, pretty self focused, like
we've got to do our job and get out there
and nail that. We're excited to get into all our
facets of it, you know, like round one. It'd be
good to see where we're sitting and you know, absolutely
stick it to it.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So, yeah, you're a born boy. What takes you to
the other side of the country? Mate? What are you
doing way down in Southland?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah? Fun? It a born and bred. But yeah, when
I was playing the Hondas and decided it would be
used to localize a little bit more so, move my
family and myself down to the Deep South and loved it.
It's been an awesome time and a lot of cool
things to do down here here. I love my hunting
and my spare time and yeah, no, there's so much
of that around so great little town in the Cable
(03:22):
can't complain at all.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Very much a southern man. You've just come back from overseas.
I had to go through my memory banks but it
didn't work. But before I talked to you, i'd found it.
You've been playing over in Italy. So what were you
doing in Italy? How long are you there for? Are
you going back? What's the drill?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yeah, I had a bit of an overseas experience, you
could say, with rugby and now it was a good
time played in the UC with Zebra Palmer and no,
it was wonderful. It was just something different. I suppose
had an opportunity to head over there, so went over
and had a crack and had some fun. And I'm
glad to be back now and back in New Zealand
footy as well.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
So you've had experience in Europe, you want to bring
that back to New Zealand. So I'm presuming you're going
to use this season to aim up at super rugby again,
like when you're with the Heartened? Is that the Master Plant?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Oh that'd be lovely, definitely. Now I'd love to put
my footback into New Zealand rugby and yeah, have a
crack at something higher again. They'd be great.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
What did you learn from Astley predominantly. What was different
about playing rugby over there?
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Yeah, they're a passionate crowd over there. Italians are very passionate,
as a lot of people might see from outside. The
Wilson out to have a pretty relaxed lifestyle, so the
rugby was very different. Defense was yeah, defense was really good.
Like the competition and played in the USC We're playing
against South African teams and the Irish, the Welsh and
(04:49):
Scottish like it was an awesome competition. So we learned
a lot. I think the team was worth grew a
lot while I was over there, and I think they
are very family, community based, so the team was like
that as well. So yeah, a lot of those things
I'm hoping to bring back to New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
What kind of condition and after spending a bit of
time in Italy, I'm presuming you're saying all of these
different the oppositions that you had, you'd be in good,
fine feet or what. Did you come back in June?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Yes, yeah, back in June. Yeah, I had a bit
of a tan if you talk about that condition, had
some warmer weather, but NAR's good. Tried to stay off
the gelado. It's pretty hard though, and some good pasta,
so it's good pre match meal and energy for the game.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
So yeah, did you settle in a roll over there midfield?
Out on the wing? Where are you comfortable now?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I was playing on the wing. Sorry, I yeah, I
was playing on the wing. Actually I did have a
few games in the midfield, but yeah, I settled into
the wing. We were a bit short on outside backs
and of couesse. I've had a bit of versatility, so yes,
throwing out in the wing and loved it, had a
great time, enjoyed getting up for some high balls and
finishing off the occasion. So nah, I loved it.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Being in contact with the Highlands at all around. Possible
contract for next season.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Or no, I haven't, but yeah, give me a ring.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
I'm available.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I'm sure Rugby Height and his brass are listing right
now you're here, I've got his number. Just flick me
a text and we'll be all over it. Best for
today it should be an absolute corker. Four thirty five
it gets under way berg Local Derby. What a lot
of fun this is going to be south and the
Otago is your MPC campaign commences? Great to catch up
(06:33):
Scott Gregor you look after yourself. Play well, play hard,
play fair.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Thank you very much, looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It as are we, mister Gregory, thank you very much.
Buntings MPC, the South Fornoon and four thirty five it's
Stagg Day, Rugby park In and the Cargo. We watch
that on Sky Sport, but more importantly do it old
school tune on the radio. iHeartRadio. That's where you need
to go. Gold Sport, that's where you need to be.
(06:59):
Plenty of wonderful NPC going on over the weekend, including
a shield match that's this evening and River Rahana joins
us up after eight o'clock to preview that game.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set B on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from US Talk SEDB and.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We're going to kick things off with a bit of
South and v Otago NPCX No. It'll be a huge
day in the Deep South. There's not a lot of
love lost between these two teams. Love a bit of
Southern rivalry and it's set to go the so afternoon.
(00:33):
Frightening stuff if you're an Otago player, but if you're
a South and you'd be a loving this. We'll be
joined next by Scott Gregory on his way back from
Italy as we look ahead to yet another stunning fixture
for the first round of the twenty twenty five n PC.
So much to look forward to, so much to celebrate
(00:55):
and to talk about as well. It's Stag day on
the horizon at four thirty five this afternoon, and joining
us next wall Scott Gregory. Step on into the breach.
It's eight minutes after seven and here he is. Here,
he is got Gregory, He's got Gregory. Good morning, I'm good.
I'm looking forward to the NPC right across the weekend.
(01:17):
And I tell you what, if there's a game you
want to go to this weekend, it's your game, the
South Fornoon up against Otago. I believe five thousand plus
tickets have been sold. This is going to be a riot,
is it not?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Oh? For sure. The supporters down here amazing obviously have
some of the biggest crowds in the country, so it's
awesome to have their support getting behind us, and yeah,
it's going to be an exciting day.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
You don't know a great deal about the NPC current
because it's just you know, I suppose sparring at the start.
Everyone's trying to have a bit of a look. But
what do you actually know about Otago pre season anything
at all before you actually commence hostilities.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Well, we know it's the forefront of our minds, being
not only the first game but probably the arch rivals
so of the Deep South. So yeah, we had a
preseason against them earlier couple of weeks ago as well,
so we'll be rare into ripping and get stuck into them.
Where are their threats, Oh, I've got a few all
over the park. I suppose they got some strong forards.
(02:14):
Obviously they have Christian Leo, Willie Beck all Blacks, a
couple of strong backs as well, so now we'll be
ready for everything to throw at us.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
The general line, though, Scott Gregory, is, Oh, we don't
care about them. We're focused on ourselves. So what do
you guys bring? Where are you happy? Where are you
may be a bit?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
No, No, we're pretty stoked. We've had a great, great
week of training, Like you said, pretty self focused, like
we've got to do our job and get out there
and nail that. We're excited to get into all our
facets of it, you know, like round one. It'd be
good to see where we're sitting and you know, absolutely
stick it to it.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So, yeah, you're a born boy. What takes you to
the other side of the country? Mate? What are you
doing way down in Southland?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Yeah? Fun? It a born and bred. But yeah, when
I was playing the Hondas and decided it would be
used to localize a little bit more so, move my
family and myself down to the Deep South and loved it.
It's been an awesome time and a lot of cool
things to do down here here. I love my hunting
and my spare time and yeah, no, there's so much
of that around so great little town in the Cable
(03:22):
can't complain at all.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Very much a southern man. You've just come back from overseas.
I had to go through my memory banks but it
didn't work. But before I talked to you, i'd found it.
You've been playing over in Italy. So what were you
doing in Italy? How long are you there for? Are
you going back? What's the drill?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yeah, I had a bit of an overseas experience, you
could say, with rugby and now it was a good
time played in the UC with Zebra Palmer and no,
it was wonderful. It was just something different. I suppose
had an opportunity to head over there, so went over
and had a crack and had some fun. And I'm
glad to be back now and back in New Zealand
footy as well.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
So you've had experience in Europe, you want to bring
that back to New Zealand. So I'm presuming you're going
to use this season to aim up at super rugby again,
like when you're with the Heartened? Is that the Master Plant?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Oh that'd be lovely, definitely. Now I'd love to put
my footback into New Zealand rugby and yeah, have a
crack at something higher again. They'd be great.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
What did you learn from Astley predominantly. What was different
about playing rugby over there?
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Yeah, they're a passionate crowd over there. Italians are very passionate,
as a lot of people might see from outside. The
Wilson out to have a pretty relaxed lifestyle, so the
rugby was very different. Defense was yeah, defense was really good.
Like the competition and played in the USC We're playing
against South African teams and the Irish, the Welsh and
(04:49):
Scottish like it was an awesome competition. So we learned
a lot. I think the team was worth grew a
lot while I was over there, and I think they
are very family, community based, so the team was like
that as well. So yeah, a lot of those things
I'm hoping to bring back to New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
What kind of condition and after spending a bit of
time in Italy, I'm presuming you're saying all of these
different the oppositions that you had, you'd be in good,
fine feet or what. Did you come back in June?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Yes, yeah, back in June. Yeah, I had a bit
of a tan if you talk about that condition, had
some warmer weather, but NAR's good. Tried to stay off
the gelado. It's pretty hard though, and some good pasta,
so it's good pre match meal and energy for the game.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
So yeah, did you settle in a roll over there midfield?
Out on the wing? Where are you comfortable now?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I was playing on the wing. Sorry, I yeah, I
was playing on the wing. Actually I did have a
few games in the midfield, but yeah, I settled into
the wing. We were a bit short on outside backs
and of couesse. I've had a bit of versatility, so yes,
throwing out in the wing and loved it, had a
great time, enjoyed getting up for some high balls and
finishing off the occasion. So nah, I loved it.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Being in contact with the Highlands at all around. Possible
contract for next season.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Or no, I haven't, but yeah, give me a ring.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
I'm available.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I'm sure Rugby Height and his brass are listing right
now you're here, I've got his number. Just flick me
a text and we'll be all over it. Best for
today it should be an absolute corker. Four thirty five
it gets under way berg Local Derby. What a lot
of fun this is going to be south and the
Otago is your MPC campaign commences? Great to catch up
(06:33):
Scott Gregor you look after yourself. Play well, play hard,
play fair.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Thank you very much, looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It as are we, mister Gregory, thank you very much.
Buntings MPC, the South Fornoon and four thirty five it's
Stagg Day, Rugby park In and the Cargo. We watch
that on Sky Sport, but more importantly do it old
school tune on the radio. iHeartRadio. That's where you need
to go. Gold Sport, that's where you need to be.
(06:59):
Plenty of wonderful NPC going on over the weekend, including
a shield match that's this evening and River Rahana joins
us up after eight o'clock to preview that game.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set B on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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