February 6, 2026 • 10 mins
The Blues are looking down the barrel of an interesting start to the Super Rugby season.
They were the 2024 Champions, but a rough season saw them slip down the ranks, before they were felled by the Crusaders in the semi-finals.
Now they’re having to replace several key players ahead of their season kicking off next Saturday with a clash against the Chiefs.
Assistant Coach Jason O’Halloran told Piney that you don’t replace someone like Reiko Ioane overnight, but they have good cover and are comfortable with their ranks.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Yeah, Hurricanes and the Chiefs currently doing battle Jerry Collins
Stadium in Pottydoa. In their final preseason hit out. The
Chiefs lead five nil after twenty five minutes in that game,
so just the one try to at Aenny Nanni Satuto?
So fast are the Chiefs leading five nil? Not that
the score really matters, does it? You just want to
get through without injury. Speaking of which, do you have
(00:35):
any information asks Terrance about Fabian Holland's shoulder injury yesterday? Terrence,
I don't, but we will be chatting with a member
of the Highlanders coaching staff tomorrow and that will be
absolutely one of the questions that I ask. How is
Fabi in Holland? He kind of well, it didn't look good.
It was quite ginger as he came off. And in
their final preseason hit out against who is it against?
(00:57):
More Onner Pacifica. Did they play yesterday? It was yeah,
more under Pacifica. Fabian Holland leaving the field jeepers. I
don't want to lose him for an extended period or
to without Dylan Pledger which is such a shame and
every I'm looking forward to seeing how head go. But yo,
Fabian Hollan will certainly ask the question tomorrow. Yes, the
(01:18):
Crusaders horses are all go again this year, says this text.
I can only assume that's correct. It's not from an
official source. I don't think. I don't recognize the phone
number and he's going through the official lines of inquiry
to find out for you. But that's one text that
seems to be in the positive. Let's get you inside.
The Blues camp champions in twenty twenty four to sixth
(01:38):
last season in the regular season, so just sneaking into
the playoff spots. But they won their quarter final against
the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
All the victory and it's all over and the Blues
have won twenty points to nineteen. We said it's going
to be a one point game and it was a
one point game.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah. The Blues went on to lose to the Crusaders
in the semi finals the following week. Their first game
is against the Chiefs this coming Saturday or a week
tonight at Eden Heart. Blues assistant coach is Jason o'heller
and he's with us now. Thanks for your time. Jay's
good to chat. You beat the Crusaders yesterday in your
final warm up match out at on you what domain?
How did everybody come through, mate, and how are you
(02:18):
feeling seven days out from your first game.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Yeah, a few bumps, some bruises here. Josh forss tur
in particular talk a cook just above just on the
top of the fire there, so we're comfortable that he
should be okay other than that, and we got through
a pre well on scape from what I can imagine,
and in terms of the game, they're very happy. We
felt we were but underwhelming against the Hurricanes a week before,
just around the great areas, et cetera. But fortunately there's
(02:44):
a bit of a breeze of it around anyway, yesterday
was keep the temperature to sort of mid twenties, and yeah,
the Crusaders had great depth through their squad, so it
was a really good challenge. And I thought some of
the areas of our game our body heightened the carry
and our cleanup was much better, and that it allowed
us to create a bit of momentum in the backs,
did some good stuff off the back of that. So
it was already pleasing effort.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
So as you look ahead to a new season, chase,
do you you what happened in twenty twenty five much
at all? Or is it more a forward looking strategy,
a clean slate ahead of a new season.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Oh, look, we certainly can reflect on our first game
against the Chiefs last year and we're at home as
we will be next to day, and they'd beat us out.
To be quite honest, we got to the Shares fourty
and six up and then they just came out and
they were just too physical on the night. They had
a real point to prove. I've been beaten in the
final of twenty four And yeah, they played an all
(03:36):
court game as they can do. They can get through
the middle of their power game and they can get
d mac and I said Toura and they were Carla
out wide. And on top of all that, they have
a very good kicking game where they can pinure back
with the quality of their kicking. So you know they're
a difficult opponent. You certainly have to be on your
meddle with them, and more than anything, you've got to
be physical with them and meet them head on there.
(03:58):
But also when the timers right, be able to move
the ball of space with that, Cassy, but they're a
difficult opponent for anybody.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Please look, get your squad you wanti the season. Of course,
he's on sabbatical up in Ireland. He's been a big
part of a team for a long long time. Now,
how big a gap does that leave on and off
the field for you without Rico there?
Speaker 4 (04:16):
Well, Rico defensively in particular, he's one of the defensive
leaders and he's a great guy in that regard. His
relationship with Craig McGrath defense coach was crucial to us
over the last couple of years. I think we were
the best defensive team in both those seasons in terms
of trist concedents. Here trying to Rico as a massive parlot.
So he's a huge loss for sure, but we've got
(04:37):
a real experience and Peter Ike and Peter was excellent yesterday.
I carried them already effectively, made some great tackles and
scored a try himself and his partnership alongside two younger
guys here had Rico Simpson inside him and there Gordon
outside him. I thought he led particularly well. So we're
really pleased to help Peter when obviously a j lamb
could potentially play twelve or thirteen, and then you've got
(05:00):
zav Tady as well, so we feel like we've got
some reasonable depth from there, along along with Corey Evans
who can play in the field and fullback. So we
feel like we're pretty well covered there. But certainly you
don't replace Ricky and he's overnight, so the bit a
bit of teething process, but we're comfortable we've got good
cover there.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
There's a few experienced guys no longer there. They've given
amazing service to the Blues angers of those moved on,
Bryce Heem, Harry Plummer, Ricky Ricatelli, Mark Talaya. It's a
decent chunk of experience Jace to look to fill. Do
you look for guys you know to step up? Who
are you know, who are that next level or what?
How do you replace experience like that?
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Well? I think smart recruitment helps for sure, and it
does give other other players who have been in the
squad opportunities to step up. So a guy like kurtik
and of be keen to try and make that Hokers
has has spot this year. But on top of that,
we brought and Bradley Slater and he's been really impressive preseason,
so there'll be a really good competition for the place
(05:57):
at Hokker. Alongside you've got eli Oden Wright, who's a
different type of player, really dynamic, and then on top
of they got James Mullin while who's different again, he's
a big guy, a big sort of set piece type Howker.
So we feel like there'll be a great competition there
to replace Ricky and what he brought to the team,
which was crucial the way we played in terms of
his ball carr and his clean out and as the
execution of the CFP. So that's great in terms of
(06:19):
the loose ward stuff. With Adrian Trup moving on, et cetera.
You know, you're really expect the hoskinstituto to step up
messily this year and we know what we'll get out
of Hoskins and Dalton and again our recruitment, we're really
happy with what we've picked up there. We've we've got
Malcha Rampling out of the Chiefs, We've got what we
believe to be a real good player and Torri and
Barnes out of Canterbury. Shay Clark is a good young
(06:41):
kid here, so they're all three really good athletes and
on top that we've got Jed no But who spend
the second half of the season with Harbor as the
captain and he's a really good player as well, and
Anton Signor again, so there's real good depth there and
good competition for places and that's what you see when
you lose some players is an opportunity for others, so
you expect, you know, a real battle for positions, which
(07:02):
is great for the squad.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
And day we see the long anticipator returns as well
as a Dowry and offered to all the fussy. Their
shoulder and nick injuries respectively pretty much saw the miss
the entirety of last season. Have they fully recovered? Are
they Are they good to go for Round one?
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Yes? They both played yesterday and got through it really
particularly effectively, so yeah, we're happy that they'll both be
good to go. And again we feel like we're pretty
deep at Locke. You got locklm McConnell there as well
as Sam Darry, Josh Barry and you've got Patrick Toobo
who's come back yet, So we feel like we're pretty
well off at Locke, particular if they're all foot. So
unfortunately we lost came Christy last week to season ending
(07:40):
the injury and he's a lock six cover so that
was a bit of a blow. But other than that,
we're feeling pretty comfortable in there.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Is there anything in the super Rugby law tweaks that
were unveiled last week that you've paid particular attention to, Joe, Yeah, a.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Couple You can pass all back behind halfway and take
a fifty twenty two. That caught me out watching the
French yesterday because you only be a pull one of
those off the one they didn't call and I think,
what's going on here? But there hasn't been did catch
me out? Hasn't come into six nations. Then the other
one is you can tap at the tunnel now if
you get a free kick from a scrum, whereas you
had to pass it all back to the number in
(08:15):
the past, and that could that could be a great
pub for the defense, could be an absolute nightmare for
the referees and the defense because the likelihood it is
from a five minute scream U tap quickly a loose
He's going to just by virtue of reaction make it tap.
It's going to have been so I don't know hoving
going to manage that. I think that's a crazy word
to be thirty on us, but it will give some
(08:36):
scope for their tape for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
All Right, we know Van Kotta is off at the
end of the season. He'll be the same guy, won't
he Can you imagine him being any different knowing that
he's that he's in his final season with the Blues.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
From what I witnessed after the Hurricanes lost, he'll be
the same guy. Certainly put it for the players this
week and we got the response. We're looking for the
senior players ready drove the back half of the week
and the boys performed, you know, close to their potential essay,
which was that's a lot to do. The cajoling from PC.
(09:09):
So he'll be the same guy.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Cajoling love it great word, great word. Just to finish. So,
Chiefs at home, Force and Brumbies away, Crusaders at home.
How do you evaluate that as a first month of
the season for you?
Speaker 4 (09:22):
A very good one if you win them all. It's
a tough job, but you've got to play them on
some sday. So we were looking forward to the challenge
and we do enjoy the fact that we'll be touring
for a couple of weeks Australia. Thank it's a great
way of bringing a squad together early part of the season.
But certainly we're not looking at you further ahead than
Valentine's stay at the stage, So looking forward to the
battle against the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Great to chat to you, Jason. All the best for
the season ahead, look forward to catching up over the
next few months or so.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Yeah, great, thanks very much, No.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Thank you, Jace. Jason o'heller and good to have him
back on the radio. Assistant coach with the Blues. So yeah,
week tonight Blues the Chiefs at Eden Park. Always a
great battle. It seems like like every week there are
games to look out for it.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Just for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to news Talks at b weekends from midday or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Yeah, Hurricanes and the Chiefs currently doing battle Jerry Collins
Stadium in Pottydoa. In their final preseason hit out. The
Chiefs lead five nil after twenty five minutes in that game,
so just the one try to at Aenny Nanni Satuto?
So fast are the Chiefs leading five nil? Not that
the score really matters, does it? You just want to
get through without injury. Speaking of which, do you have
(00:35):
any information asks Terrance about Fabian Holland's shoulder injury yesterday? Terrence,
I don't, but we will be chatting with a member
of the Highlanders coaching staff tomorrow and that will be
absolutely one of the questions that I ask. How is
Fabi in Holland? He kind of well, it didn't look good.
It was quite ginger as he came off. And in
their final preseason hit out against who is it against?
(00:57):
More Onner Pacifica. Did they play yesterday? It was yeah,
more under Pacifica. Fabian Holland leaving the field jeepers. I
don't want to lose him for an extended period or
to without Dylan Pledger which is such a shame and
every I'm looking forward to seeing how head go. But yo,
Fabian Hollan will certainly ask the question tomorrow. Yes, the
(01:18):
Crusaders horses are all go again this year, says this text.
I can only assume that's correct. It's not from an
official source. I don't think. I don't recognize the phone
number and he's going through the official lines of inquiry
to find out for you. But that's one text that
seems to be in the positive. Let's get you inside.
The Blues camp champions in twenty twenty four to sixth
(01:38):
last season in the regular season, so just sneaking into
the playoff spots. But they won their quarter final against
the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
All the victory and it's all over and the Blues
have won twenty points to nineteen. We said it's going
to be a one point game and it was a
one point game.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah. The Blues went on to lose to the Crusaders
in the semi finals the following week. Their first game
is against the Chiefs this coming Saturday or a week
tonight at Eden Heart. Blues assistant coach is Jason o'heller
and he's with us now. Thanks for your time. Jay's
good to chat. You beat the Crusaders yesterday in your
final warm up match out at on you what domain?
How did everybody come through, mate, and how are you
(02:18):
feeling seven days out from your first game.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Yeah, a few bumps, some bruises here. Josh forss tur
in particular talk a cook just above just on the
top of the fire there, so we're comfortable that he
should be okay other than that, and we got through
a pre well on scape from what I can imagine,
and in terms of the game, they're very happy. We
felt we were but underwhelming against the Hurricanes a week before,
just around the great areas, et cetera. But fortunately there's
(02:44):
a bit of a breeze of it around anyway, yesterday
was keep the temperature to sort of mid twenties, and yeah,
the Crusaders had great depth through their squad, so it
was a really good challenge. And I thought some of
the areas of our game our body heightened the carry
and our cleanup was much better, and that it allowed
us to create a bit of momentum in the backs,
did some good stuff off the back of that. So
it was already pleasing effort.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
So as you look ahead to a new season, chase,
do you you what happened in twenty twenty five much
at all? Or is it more a forward looking strategy,
a clean slate ahead of a new season.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Oh, look, we certainly can reflect on our first game
against the Chiefs last year and we're at home as
we will be next to day, and they'd beat us out.
To be quite honest, we got to the Shares fourty
and six up and then they just came out and
they were just too physical on the night. They had
a real point to prove. I've been beaten in the
final of twenty four And yeah, they played an all
(03:36):
court game as they can do. They can get through
the middle of their power game and they can get
d mac and I said Toura and they were Carla
out wide. And on top of all that, they have
a very good kicking game where they can pinure back
with the quality of their kicking. So you know they're
a difficult opponent. You certainly have to be on your
meddle with them, and more than anything, you've got to
be physical with them and meet them head on there.
(03:58):
But also when the timers right, be able to move
the ball of space with that, Cassy, but they're a
difficult opponent for anybody.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Please look, get your squad you wanti the season. Of course,
he's on sabbatical up in Ireland. He's been a big
part of a team for a long long time. Now,
how big a gap does that leave on and off
the field for you without Rico there?
Speaker 4 (04:16):
Well, Rico defensively in particular, he's one of the defensive
leaders and he's a great guy in that regard. His
relationship with Craig McGrath defense coach was crucial to us
over the last couple of years. I think we were
the best defensive team in both those seasons in terms
of trist concedents. Here trying to Rico as a massive parlot.
So he's a huge loss for sure, but we've got
(04:37):
a real experience and Peter Ike and Peter was excellent yesterday.
I carried them already effectively, made some great tackles and
scored a try himself and his partnership alongside two younger
guys here had Rico Simpson inside him and there Gordon
outside him. I thought he led particularly well. So we're
really pleased to help Peter when obviously a j lamb
could potentially play twelve or thirteen, and then you've got
(05:00):
zav Tady as well, so we feel like we've got
some reasonable depth from there, along along with Corey Evans
who can play in the field and fullback. So we
feel like we're pretty well covered there. But certainly you
don't replace Ricky and he's overnight, so the bit a
bit of teething process, but we're comfortable we've got good
cover there.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
There's a few experienced guys no longer there. They've given
amazing service to the Blues angers of those moved on,
Bryce Heem, Harry Plummer, Ricky Ricatelli, Mark Talaya. It's a
decent chunk of experience Jace to look to fill. Do
you look for guys you know to step up? Who
are you know, who are that next level or what?
How do you replace experience like that?
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Well? I think smart recruitment helps for sure, and it
does give other other players who have been in the
squad opportunities to step up. So a guy like kurtik
and of be keen to try and make that Hokers
has has spot this year. But on top of that,
we brought and Bradley Slater and he's been really impressive preseason,
so there'll be a really good competition for the place
(05:57):
at Hokker. Alongside you've got eli Oden Wright, who's a
different type of player, really dynamic, and then on top
of they got James Mullin while who's different again, he's
a big guy, a big sort of set piece type Howker.
So we feel like there'll be a great competition there
to replace Ricky and what he brought to the team,
which was crucial the way we played in terms of
his ball carr and his clean out and as the
execution of the CFP. So that's great in terms of
(06:19):
the loose ward stuff. With Adrian Trup moving on, et cetera.
You know, you're really expect the hoskinstituto to step up
messily this year and we know what we'll get out
of Hoskins and Dalton and again our recruitment, we're really
happy with what we've picked up there. We've we've got
Malcha Rampling out of the Chiefs, We've got what we
believe to be a real good player and Torri and
Barnes out of Canterbury. Shay Clark is a good young
(06:41):
kid here, so they're all three really good athletes and
on top that we've got Jed no But who spend
the second half of the season with Harbor as the
captain and he's a really good player as well, and
Anton Signor again, so there's real good depth there and
good competition for places and that's what you see when
you lose some players is an opportunity for others, so
you expect, you know, a real battle for positions, which
(07:02):
is great for the squad.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
And day we see the long anticipator returns as well
as a Dowry and offered to all the fussy. Their
shoulder and nick injuries respectively pretty much saw the miss
the entirety of last season. Have they fully recovered? Are
they Are they good to go for Round one?
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Yes? They both played yesterday and got through it really
particularly effectively, so yeah, we're happy that they'll both be
good to go. And again we feel like we're pretty
deep at Locke. You got locklm McConnell there as well
as Sam Darry, Josh Barry and you've got Patrick Toobo
who's come back yet, So we feel like we're pretty
well off at Locke, particular if they're all foot. So
unfortunately we lost came Christy last week to season ending
(07:40):
the injury and he's a lock six cover so that
was a bit of a blow. But other than that,
we're feeling pretty comfortable in there.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Is there anything in the super Rugby law tweaks that
were unveiled last week that you've paid particular attention to, Joe, Yeah, a.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Couple You can pass all back behind halfway and take
a fifty twenty two. That caught me out watching the
French yesterday because you only be a pull one of
those off the one they didn't call and I think,
what's going on here? But there hasn't been did catch
me out? Hasn't come into six nations. Then the other
one is you can tap at the tunnel now if
you get a free kick from a scrum, whereas you
had to pass it all back to the number in
(08:15):
the past, and that could that could be a great
pub for the defense, could be an absolute nightmare for
the referees and the defense because the likelihood it is
from a five minute scream U tap quickly a loose
He's going to just by virtue of reaction make it tap.
It's going to have been so I don't know hoving
going to manage that. I think that's a crazy word
to be thirty on us, but it will give some
(08:36):
scope for their tape for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
All Right, we know Van Kotta is off at the
end of the season. He'll be the same guy, won't
he Can you imagine him being any different knowing that
he's that he's in his final season with the Blues.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
From what I witnessed after the Hurricanes lost, he'll be
the same guy. Certainly put it for the players this
week and we got the response. We're looking for the
senior players ready drove the back half of the week
and the boys performed, you know, close to their potential essay,
which was that's a lot to do. The cajoling from PC.
(09:09):
So he'll be the same guy.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Cajoling love it great word, great word. Just to finish. So,
Chiefs at home, Force and Brumbies away, Crusaders at home.
How do you evaluate that as a first month of
the season for you?
Speaker 4 (09:22):
A very good one if you win them all. It's
a tough job, but you've got to play them on
some sday. So we were looking forward to the challenge
and we do enjoy the fact that we'll be touring
for a couple of weeks Australia. Thank it's a great
way of bringing a squad together early part of the season.
But certainly we're not looking at you further ahead than
Valentine's stay at the stage, So looking forward to the
battle against the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Great to chat to you, Jason. All the best for
the season ahead, look forward to catching up over the
next few months or so.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Yeah, great, thanks very much, No.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Thank you, Jace. Jason o'heller and good to have him
back on the radio. Assistant coach with the Blues. So yeah,
week tonight Blues the Chiefs at Eden Park. Always a
great battle. It seems like like every week there are
games to look out for it.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Just for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to news Talks at b weekends from midday or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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