Ioane Moananu: Crusaders hooker recaps team's win over Blues

The penny has dropped for the Crusaders.

Last year, the historically strong Super Rugby side were the surprise package of the competition as they won just four of their 14 games to miss the playoffs.

On Saturday night at Eden Park, they loudly announced their return to title contention status to the tune of a 42-19 win over the reigning champions, the Blues.

Hooker Ioane Moananu joined Piney to discuss.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Look at everybody else. The Crusaders are back.

Speaker 3 (00:15):
Crusaders too short now wanting to sign off this match
with a try again on the right hand side, they go,
power has a crack. They're almost over their line away
on the right hand side. One more to go the
Crusaders are they over that spot? Well? Jordan Shortan gets
one and the Crusaders forty two nineteen time up at

(00:37):
Eden Park.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, bonus point victory. The Crusader's up unto second on
the table, their first ever away win in the Rob
Penny era and their joint biggest away win against the
Blues in Super Rugby history. Let's bring in one of
the standouts last night, Crusaders hooker you Wanni more Nane,
who is with us. Congratulations on a terrific performance from
you and the team, Yanni. The smiles a mile white

(01:00):
at the end. How special was that when last night
for you cheers?

Speaker 4 (01:04):
Mate? No, it was so good as a good to
get the one up in Auckland and Eden Parkers are
of special place to get it done. It was yeah,
I was really good. One from the voice.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
Did it feel like this performance was coming as you
were building up towards this game?

Speaker 4 (01:19):
Uh, well, we had a good prep for the boys
during the week, made sure you know, we had this
this game, you know, pening them out calendars and we
met sure this week was was done well and you
know lift most non turn and yeah, came to the
game and the boys just enjoyed themselves in you see
out there, you know, the boy was just smiling and
having fun. Was just pretty good.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Absolutely, When did you find out that you'd be starting
this one? Because I think Cody Taylor was was supposed
to start injury during the week. When did you find
out you'd be in the two Jersey?

Speaker 4 (01:49):
Just just before we're about to fly down to our
fly up to Auckland. I think he did as mudicrous
and didn't go to ralfle Codes. But yeah, coaches just
came up to me and told me that I was
starting in I could there from the same Keep it simple,
you know, don't want to change two much.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
Because I don't think you started at all last season
or in twenty twenty three. But you've got a couple
of starts at the beginning of this season. Again, of
course last night. Does the role change when you've got
the number two one rather than the sixteen?

Speaker 4 (02:20):
For me, I try not over complicated and trying to
change too much, Just try and keep it real simple,
you know, back that I've and for a week and
I beck at the boy's got my got my backerds on.

Speaker 2 (02:36):
How big a help has Cody Taylor been for you?

Speaker 4 (02:39):
Oh? Man, he's been so good, Like just a knowledge
he has in the game. And how willing is you
know to help us younger boys, you know, to help
us come through and you know give us you know
as much knowledge. It's like so I realized, honestly, is
so good to have him, especially Belly as well one
of the other hookers as well, like too all black

(03:00):
hookers to learn off them. It's so good.

Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, I guess at the start of the season you
might have wondered where your opportunity is going to come from.
But obviously with George Bell's injury, that's a real shame
for him. But even with Cody available, are you still
pushing him every day to try and be the starting hooker?

Speaker 4 (03:16):
Hundred playing the suit the two jerseymen. I've actually really
enjoyed it. And I said when I first came down
that you know, I'm not here to just you know,
be here and sort of way around. I'm here to
come here and challenge the boys and trying to play
as well and training as well because I can. I

(03:37):
know if I get better and the boys are getting
better as well, and that's better for the team.

Speaker 2 (03:41):
That's brilliant. Great attitude man. You know they say that
hookers need to be efficient in their core roles scrummaging,
throwing into the line out. How hard do you work
on those things? Oh?

Speaker 4 (03:51):
Every day? Then I'm lucky you got our forwards coach
Dan Perrin, who used to be hook as well. So
it's been a real big help for me as well
off the field. Yeah, big up, so La, I call
it as well, calling the right options. You know, you

(04:14):
must love that when you get the easy callers to
the line out.

Speaker 2 (04:17):
Fantastic. But I got to say, not many hookers have
a kicking game, but you do. I saw a couple
of last night. How did you develop that?

Speaker 4 (04:25):
No? Man, I just know it was like an off
turnover boy, and I was like, there's no one at
the back, so I just give it a good boot
fight I can go.

Speaker 2 (04:34):
Growing up was there was there a hooker who you watched,
you know, or even a player you watched growing up
who you modeled your game on or have tried to emulate.

Speaker 4 (04:44):
Yeah, well I'm originally from Walkland's It's just I used
to love watching Kevin. Yeah, watching him growing up was
because one of my idols growing up, and you used
to love the way he plays, how around the field,
how your argone was, and how fast he was. And

(05:04):
then sort of like when I grew up in like
being seen codes, workers are like Kay Taylor, it's yeah, motivation, I.

Speaker 2 (05:14):
Bet, I bet, And a couple of penalty turnovers too.
You know, those are obviously big moments in the game.
Plenty of plenty of charhoueing going on as well. You know,
the Crusaders are going, well when you're here there he
must be. It must be nice having a hype man
like sever Reese.

Speaker 4 (05:27):
Yeah, yeah, you know, set off the energy and it's good.
You know, boys built off the energy, and you know,
I think straight after that, you know we've got like
a more and went in told just pretty good, you know,
so feting off the energy of the boys, start hearing is.

Speaker 2 (05:43):
And I saw you cramping up there and I was
over on that side, and I think the ref came
up to you and said, look, if it's cramp, you've
got to carry on. So what was the conversation you
had to head with the ref just before you went off?

Speaker 1 (05:56):
Oh?

Speaker 4 (05:57):
I thought him at trying to stand up then my
cards are just lot tight and was so gone. I
told him I couldn't get up and he was like,
do you get a bench of scrumble? You get subbed
off and you medical team just told me this sea
We're just now, it's no point in staying.

Speaker 2 (06:15):
Hey, congratulations again you only on a on a terrific
performance from you and for the team as well. I
know you won't get carried away. It's just one game
in a long season. But it was a terrific performance
last night. Congratulations, Thanks for taking the time for a
chat mate, Thank you sir, Thank you. Moana new there
out of the Crusaders camp. A bit of a character.
I enjoyed watching him last night. Man, I from behind,

(06:38):
he looks like a more he's the same build, you know,
that stocky, powerful hooker. But hey, a couple of times
you got the board and just booted it downfield. I
don't think it's any hooker do that for ages.

Speaker 1 (06:50):
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