September 5, 2025 • 6 mins
The underdogs claimed the victory last week.
Southland has won the Ranfurly Shield for the first in in 14 years with their defeat of Waikato, 25-10, but their first challenger may be the fiercest test of the season as Canterbury aims to take the Shield back.
D’Arcy Waldegrave was joined by Southland Stags Captain Sean Withy ahead of the game to discuss what bringing the Shield home means to the region.
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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'd.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be Southland are defending the Shield. They won it last
week first on fourteen years now they've got to have
a crack in defending it against the menace from slightly
further north, the Red and Blacks out of Canterbury. If
they get this one right, great, If they get it wrong,
it'll be the shortest equal tenure in ran Fairly's Shield history.
(00:33):
And I'm looking straight at to producer Corbyn right now,
say and who's got that record right now? Corbyn? And
who's got that record right now? And he's flicking me
the bird thank you at his hawk's bay. So were
joined now by Southern Captain Sean Whitty to talk about
this gay Good morning Sean.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Hey you going, Darcy, You atte.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Very well, not quite as good as you blokes. You
must have a cracker of a week. The celebrations long
and hard. I take it you've been responsible on the
on the frothies.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Yeah, no, we had a good couple of days at
the start of the way and then yeah up in
Hamilton obviously for the game, and then when we got
back to the Motherland on Monday afternoon. We're caught up
with a lot of supporters and family and friends and
we had a good night there. But yeah, since Tuesday,
we've been game mode and getting ready for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You were like, I think ten years old last time
the Stags held the shield. Did it bring back memories
of being a Nipper?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah? Absolutely. There's a few of us and the team
that are local boys, and some of our earliest Rugby
memories are down at Rugby Park watching the Stags in
the shield. So that's been pretty cool to being aside
that Sup brought it back, and.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
What about the energy with the young folk out there,
because it really does drive you along. We can all
remember from back in the days going to shield challenges.
It's almost the pre eminent thought when you look back
at the MPC. So have you felt that amongst all
the younger crew.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah, no, there's been plenty of kids around, especially at
the airport. That was pretty cool to come home to,
you know, seeing the joy we can bring on their faces,
you know, just by seeing the shield and touching it
and getting the photo. You know, that part of it's
been pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I'm going to rain on your parade. Now, because we're
the media, we do things like this. What about the
shortest tenure and shield history. There's a chance if you
managed to trip it this weekend that you might equal
Hawk's Bay with that horrible six day run. That is
that in your mind?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Not at all. Really, we haven't spoke about it. I
guess doesn't really matter that. There's plenty of teams that
have lost it on their first offense, just like what
it did to us. So now that hasn't spoked the
mind hasn't been in the conversation. So we just going
out there to play in front of our fans and
you know, defended with our life positive mindset.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That is the way to roll. What do you drag
out of our last week's game that you want to
reapply because I think, why Kata paying a dollar team
and you went in there and you smoked them in
the backyard. How what do you need to do again?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I think last week we just stuck to our plan.
We had a pretty clear plan on how we wanted
to play, and you know that's that was the most
pleasing thing.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
I think.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, whatever they throwed us, we're stuck together. And
so yeah, we'll be looking to take that into the weekend.
You know, when the pressure comes on, I think and
big games like this, it's the team that can stick
to what they've trained throughout the week and stay together
the best at inducting the result.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I've been doing this long enough, I'll beat you. You've
been sorting out your core roles first and foremost.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah, absolutely so. Obviously a short turn round, so not
much changes to the team. So it's been refining at
the things and making sure we're all over our detail
and we're just gonna we got fresh through the week
and look forward to tucking in.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
How do you enjoy the captaincy role? Is this something
you shoulder by yourself or the whole team around you?
How does that operate?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
I enjoy it. You know, anything that I can do
to help my promms out is something I'm willing to do.
And you know, my job's pretty easy when we've got
guys performing like we do and good leaders around me.
So I think that's a sign of a good side
at the moment. It's sort of self regulating and everyone's
doing their part. So you know, being the captain's an
easy part. Just got off the shield and that's about
it from the change in my game.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah, I think you're probably well supported. You mentioned team
the side, and that's what it's about because you're hard
laiden with superstars, are you, But you're getting the job done.
It's almost a good thing that it's not all focused
or targeted on one player.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah. Absolutely. I think we've got a lot of younger
guys that you know, are starting to mature a lot
and play some really good footy, and guys that are
pushing hard for super rugby spots and want to kick
on in their career. So you know, when you've got
guys like that are hunger going to perform not just
for the team, but you know, to better their own career,
you know, the teams are a good.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Place much discussion around that. I know a lot of
you Blake's like, no, no, no, first and foremost, what's happening
in the weekend, that's all you're worried about. But in
the back of players' minds knowing is a potential for
a professional contract. Is that much of that floating about?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Do you think, Sean, No, not too much. You know,
it's not something you go around and ask boys how
they're going with that sort of thing. You know, I think,
first and foremost to be able to get picked in
higher on as teams and make professional contracts, you know
your team's going to be performing. You've got to be
part of a winning team. So I think ever understands that.
You know, if we can get the result on the field,
(05:07):
then you know, individual accolades and recognition will come with
with good team results.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Your blokes are on a tear at the moment, started
off pretty shabbily, but they've won your last three and
I expect that inherent confidence from those results as are
reverberating around the changing sheds.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, no, absolutely. I think momentum is a funny thing
in sport, you know, in the game, but then also
within the campaign. So you know, the boys are riding
that at the moment and hopefully we can continue it.
Obviously Kennedy a riding a bit of momentum at the
moment as well, but we'll be looking to give them
their first loss on the weekend, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
While they're going well too. Do you think maybe there
might be a case of complacency because they have just
been rolling everybody.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I don't think. So, you know, Kennedy and the Crusade
has been the best for a long time for a reason.
You know, complacency doesn't sneak into their game.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
So no, we're not.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
We're not prepared for a complacent Kennedbury side. You know,
we're prepared for the best team of the comp to
come down throw everything at us. And you know that's
what we're looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
There's a South day and I heartened is PI Did
that hurt to say that before about Caneber and the Crusaders?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Oh no, not really. You know it's a reality and
we are living the reality. And you know they've been
the best for the last decade or two really, and
you know it's just a it's going to be a
good challenge to that's what you wanted to play. You
want to compete against the best, and you know that's
what we've got first up in a big game for
the Shield. So now we're all looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Waltergrave,
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
Waltergrave from News talks'd.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be Southland are defending the Shield. They won it last
week first on fourteen years now they've got to have
a crack in defending it against the menace from slightly
further north, the Red and Blacks out of Canterbury. If
they get this one right, great, If they get it wrong,
it'll be the shortest equal tenure in ran Fairly's Shield history.
(00:33):
And I'm looking straight at to producer Corbyn right now,
say and who's got that record right now? Corbyn? And
who's got that record right now? And he's flicking me
the bird thank you at his hawk's bay. So were
joined now by Southern Captain Sean Whitty to talk about
this gay Good morning Sean.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Hey you going, Darcy, You atte.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Very well, not quite as good as you blokes. You
must have a cracker of a week. The celebrations long
and hard. I take it you've been responsible on the
on the frothies.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Yeah, no, we had a good couple of days at
the start of the way and then yeah up in
Hamilton obviously for the game, and then when we got
back to the Motherland on Monday afternoon. We're caught up
with a lot of supporters and family and friends and
we had a good night there. But yeah, since Tuesday,
we've been game mode and getting ready for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You were like, I think ten years old last time
the Stags held the shield. Did it bring back memories
of being a Nipper?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah? Absolutely. There's a few of us and the team
that are local boys, and some of our earliest Rugby
memories are down at Rugby Park watching the Stags in
the shield. So that's been pretty cool to being aside
that Sup brought it back, and.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
What about the energy with the young folk out there,
because it really does drive you along. We can all
remember from back in the days going to shield challenges.
It's almost the pre eminent thought when you look back
at the MPC. So have you felt that amongst all
the younger crew.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah, no, there's been plenty of kids around, especially at
the airport. That was pretty cool to come home to,
you know, seeing the joy we can bring on their faces,
you know, just by seeing the shield and touching it
and getting the photo. You know, that part of it's
been pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I'm going to rain on your parade. Now, because we're
the media, we do things like this. What about the
shortest tenure and shield history. There's a chance if you
managed to trip it this weekend that you might equal
Hawk's Bay with that horrible six day run. That is
that in your mind?
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Not at all. Really, we haven't spoke about it. I
guess doesn't really matter that. There's plenty of teams that
have lost it on their first offense, just like what
it did to us. So now that hasn't spoked the
mind hasn't been in the conversation. So we just going
out there to play in front of our fans and
you know, defended with our life positive mindset.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That is the way to roll. What do you drag
out of our last week's game that you want to
reapply because I think, why Kata paying a dollar team
and you went in there and you smoked them in
the backyard. How what do you need to do again?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I think last week we just stuck to our plan.
We had a pretty clear plan on how we wanted
to play, and you know that's that was the most
pleasing thing.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
I think.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, whatever they throwed us, we're stuck together. And
so yeah, we'll be looking to take that into the weekend.
You know, when the pressure comes on, I think and
big games like this, it's the team that can stick
to what they've trained throughout the week and stay together
the best at inducting the result.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I've been doing this long enough, I'll beat you. You've
been sorting out your core roles first and foremost.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah, absolutely so. Obviously a short turn round, so not
much changes to the team. So it's been refining at
the things and making sure we're all over our detail
and we're just gonna we got fresh through the week
and look forward to tucking in.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
How do you enjoy the captaincy role? Is this something
you shoulder by yourself or the whole team around you?
How does that operate?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
I enjoy it. You know, anything that I can do
to help my promms out is something I'm willing to do.
And you know, my job's pretty easy when we've got
guys performing like we do and good leaders around me.
So I think that's a sign of a good side
at the moment. It's sort of self regulating and everyone's
doing their part. So you know, being the captain's an
easy part. Just got off the shield and that's about
it from the change in my game.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah, I think you're probably well supported. You mentioned team
the side, and that's what it's about because you're hard
laiden with superstars, are you, But you're getting the job done.
It's almost a good thing that it's not all focused
or targeted on one player.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah. Absolutely. I think we've got a lot of younger
guys that you know, are starting to mature a lot
and play some really good footy, and guys that are
pushing hard for super rugby spots and want to kick
on in their career. So you know, when you've got
guys like that are hunger going to perform not just
for the team, but you know, to better their own career,
you know, the teams are a good.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Place much discussion around that. I know a lot of
you Blake's like, no, no, no, first and foremost, what's happening
in the weekend, that's all you're worried about. But in
the back of players' minds knowing is a potential for
a professional contract. Is that much of that floating about?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Do you think, Sean, No, not too much. You know,
it's not something you go around and ask boys how
they're going with that sort of thing. You know, I think,
first and foremost to be able to get picked in
higher on as teams and make professional contracts, you know
your team's going to be performing. You've got to be
part of a winning team. So I think ever understands that.
You know, if we can get the result on the field,
(05:07):
then you know, individual accolades and recognition will come with
with good team results.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Your blokes are on a tear at the moment, started
off pretty shabbily, but they've won your last three and
I expect that inherent confidence from those results as are
reverberating around the changing sheds.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, no, absolutely. I think momentum is a funny thing
in sport, you know, in the game, but then also
within the campaign. So you know, the boys are riding
that at the moment and hopefully we can continue it.
Obviously Kennedy a riding a bit of momentum at the
moment as well, but we'll be looking to give them
their first loss on the weekend, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
While they're going well too. Do you think maybe there
might be a case of complacency because they have just
been rolling everybody.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I don't think. So, you know, Kennedy and the Crusade
has been the best for a long time for a reason.
You know, complacency doesn't sneak into their game.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
So no, we're not.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
We're not prepared for a complacent Kennedbury side. You know,
we're prepared for the best team of the comp to
come down throw everything at us. And you know that's
what we're looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
There's a South day and I heartened is PI Did
that hurt to say that before about Caneber and the Crusaders?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Oh no, not really. You know it's a reality and
we are living the reality. And you know they've been
the best for the last decade or two really, and
you know it's just a it's going to be a
good challenge to that's what you wanted to play. You
want to compete against the best, and you know that's
what we've got first up in a big game for
the Shield. So now we're all looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Waltergrave,
listen live to news talks that'd be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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