April 25, 2025 • 10 mins
A pause to celebrate and rest for the Chiefs ahead of a big couple of weeks for their Super Rugby title ambitions.
Their 56-22 thumping of the Force leaves them five points clear at the top.
Away derbies against the Hurricanes and Crusaders loom - but coach Clayton McMillan says they're taking it one step at a time.
Chief’s Josh Jacomb joined Piney to break down their win.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Josh Jacob started and played the entire game at first
five and was excellent in doing so. He joins us. Now, Josh,
I guess when you put fifty plus on somebody, everybody
would be reasonably happy with that. How do you evaluate
the performance of the side last night at bay Oval?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, no, thanks for the intro, mate, very kind words.
In terms of the performance, I think, like you say,
putting fifty points on a team is always a good look,
and I think we really made some good shifts in
the second half that allowed us to put out a
(00:53):
performance that all of us, from coaches and players could
have been proud of, especially for Semmasoni's one hundred game.
It's a awesome player for us, and to put out
a performance for him like that was just as special.
So yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I try for him as well, which is not unusual.
Of course, he normally gets one, doesn't he, So good
to have him get one on the occasion of this
one hundredth As I mentioned, for the second straight week,
it was the second half that stood out the most.
You won the second half thirty one to seven last night.
You won at thirty three nil against the Highlanders last weekend.
Why do you think the Chiefs are such a good
second half side?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Yeah, it's a good question because we keep searching for
I guess that ability to play like that in the
first half as well. But I think the work we're
doing in the first half is kind of what's setting
us up in the second. We're staying true to a
(01:57):
game plan and our systems, and I guess being able
to break your team down over eighty minutes is pretty important.
And almost coming back together at halftime and having maybe
small conversations that we need to have to go out
and say like we're doing the second half has been
(02:20):
really beneficial. So I think, to put it bluntly, just
the work we're doing in the first half and staying
in the fight really and then being able to grind
a team down and the second half is pace evidence.
The last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Anyway, certainly has Let's talk about your performances. You've played
every one of the Chiefs ten games this season, six
starts at first, five four off the bench. You only
had four games all last season. How much you enjoying
weekend week out rugby for the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Yeah, I'm loving today. It was definitely a goal at
the start of the year just to try and make
as mini matched Age twenty threes as I possibly could,
and obviously got a bit lucky in a sense at
the start of the year with so I'm not lucky,
but Shooter was away still in Japan and there was
(03:10):
almost an opportunity there for to get out on the field,
which was awesome for me. And then obviously last night
as well, unfortunately at the expense of Damian Tandon jury.
Never want that, but it kind of allowed me to
dig out there on the field. So yeah, I'm definitely
(03:30):
loving being out there with the boys and just experiencing
the whole season and trying to make an impact when
I can for the team.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
I guess some people in your situation, Josh, might have
looked at the squad and seen Damien McKenzie there and thought,
I'm not going to get a heck of a lot
of opportunity here, and you might have looked elsewhere. Were
you always keen to stay with the Chiefs?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, well that was always always the plan when I
came up last year for the wider group and then
again unfortunately for Trusk it allowed me to come in
as an injury cover. So yeah, it was definitely always
the plan. And I mean being able to come to
(04:19):
work and learn some one of the if not the
best tin and world rugby at the moment is as
an awesome opportunity. So I think with that, just making
the most of every opportunity, like I say, out on
the field or trying to learn and grow my game
(04:41):
as is really important. So and that's and that the Chiefs,
that's an awesome place to be able to try and
do that.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
How has he specifically helped you, Damien?
Speaker 3 (04:54):
And I think just you know, for a teen I
think the more time you get in the settle, the
more easy the game comes or the games those down
to you. And it's just getting another perspective on what
he might be seen or what he might be feeling,
even when he's not playing, like last night, I was
(05:17):
asking him at halftime if he had anything. I mean,
it's just those little chats, I think, and those small
concept can go a long way and it might just
open up your mind or it might something might just
going to the Becky in mind that might pop up
later in the game. So yeah, it's a small chat
and then just that we all know how good he
(05:41):
is with ball in hands. So him giving me confidence
just to go out and enjoy myself and back myself
has been really awesome as well.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
The Chiefs back line, You look at it, man, it's stacked,
one of the best in the competition at first five.
How tim thing is it? Just to spin it out
every time you get it?
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, I mean very lucky in the first five position
with the boys in the back line, even our forwards.
There's big names all over the park, so pretty fortunate
position to be in as a teen. And yes it's
very tempting, but there's no hesitation from the boys outside
(06:24):
me letting them know when they're on the ball, so
it makes my job. It makes my job pretty easier.
And the boys are all chuping for the book.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Are you Are you at at at the stage though,
where you can call the shots? I mean, as you say,
you look outside, you see Quinta Payer, Anton Lennart brown A.
But further out you know, I'm on another work, Sewan Stevenson.
Big names. As you say, are you confident enough though
to call the shots with these guys outside you? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
I think I'm in a position now that I am.
I think last year one of our coaches, Marty Burke,
who I worked with closely at the Chiefs, kind of
described my year last year as at this year and
now this year. Whenever I get an opportunity, it's up
to me to really put my foot down and use
(07:13):
my voice and call the shots that you're saying. But
there awesome thing is I've got all those people with
a full temple and our back kind that can I
guess offer their advice or maybe a different opinion, And
then that's also growing my game because they're also seeing
(07:35):
things from a different point of viewers as well. So
I think, to put it short, I am, but also
I'm not. I don't shy away from asking for a
second opinion here and here and there from the boys
that I think, if the point might be valuable.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
How much of you are weak are you spending on
your goal kicking.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I'd say, or depending on our week, if it's a Monday,
Monday time, play on Saturday, maybe including kiptains from three,
two or three times a week.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, happy with with the way you're kicking. I mean,
it's obviously a big part of playing at first five.
You're happy with your goal.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Kicking, Yeah, I think I was quite disappointed in the
way I was goal kicking the empty C season just
gone and got them to one of those slumps and
kind of just getting back to my routine and things
like that this season. So just all about trusting the process.
(08:49):
And I think I'm in a good place with my
goalkicking there. Even if I'm missing, I'm pretty happy with
how I'm striking it. So I think it's just it's
coming back to me. And yeah, I think I'm in
a good place.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Good stuff, and good to see Wallace or Titi back
out there last night. He's obviously worked hard on his recovery.
Good to see him back on the grass last night.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Yeah, it was awesome to see Wally Beck and a
few of the other boys too, like Lordie and Chuckle,
Tea and John and Trusky all back as well. So, man,
I was talking to Wally yesterday morning before the game
and to just hear how excited he was and his
(09:33):
voice and just how keen he was to get out there.
And I think with the first touch of the boy
he ran fifty meters or something. So he's an awesome man.
And awesome player. So very grateful to heaven Back, especially
when he's in the same team as as yourself. So yeah,
(09:55):
it was some.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Seven back you reckon you guys can win the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, definitely the beliefs there and almost that confidence is
there as well. I think we're we started really well
and then I mean we're still playing all right, but
kind of not had a slump, but got into a
bit of a funny gray area and I think we've
(10:22):
just come out of that really nicely in the last
few weeks and just kids taking sticks forward each week
in the right direction to hopefully a final and a
win a championship at the end of the at the
end of the season.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Congrats on a terrific performance last night from you, Josh
and the Chiefs as well. Really appreciate you taking the
time for a chat this afternoon, mate, No cheers, mate,
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Josh Jacob started and played the entire game at first
five and was excellent in doing so. He joins us. Now, Josh,
I guess when you put fifty plus on somebody, everybody
would be reasonably happy with that. How do you evaluate
the performance of the side last night at bay Oval?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, no, thanks for the intro, mate, very kind words.
In terms of the performance, I think, like you say,
putting fifty points on a team is always a good look,
and I think we really made some good shifts in
the second half that allowed us to put out a
(00:53):
performance that all of us, from coaches and players could
have been proud of, especially for Semmasoni's one hundred game.
It's a awesome player for us, and to put out
a performance for him like that was just as special.
So yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I try for him as well, which is not unusual.
Of course, he normally gets one, doesn't he, So good
to have him get one on the occasion of this
one hundredth As I mentioned, for the second straight week,
it was the second half that stood out the most.
You won the second half thirty one to seven last night.
You won at thirty three nil against the Highlanders last weekend.
Why do you think the Chiefs are such a good
second half side?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Yeah, it's a good question because we keep searching for
I guess that ability to play like that in the
first half as well. But I think the work we're
doing in the first half is kind of what's setting
us up in the second. We're staying true to a
(01:57):
game plan and our systems, and I guess being able
to break your team down over eighty minutes is pretty important.
And almost coming back together at halftime and having maybe
small conversations that we need to have to go out
and say like we're doing the second half has been
(02:20):
really beneficial. So I think, to put it bluntly, just
the work we're doing in the first half and staying
in the fight really and then being able to grind
a team down and the second half is pace evidence.
The last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Anyway, certainly has Let's talk about your performances. You've played
every one of the Chiefs ten games this season, six
starts at first, five four off the bench. You only
had four games all last season. How much you enjoying
weekend week out rugby for the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Yeah, I'm loving today. It was definitely a goal at
the start of the year just to try and make
as mini matched Age twenty threes as I possibly could,
and obviously got a bit lucky in a sense at
the start of the year with so I'm not lucky,
but Shooter was away still in Japan and there was
(03:10):
almost an opportunity there for to get out on the field,
which was awesome for me. And then obviously last night
as well, unfortunately at the expense of Damian Tandon jury.
Never want that, but it kind of allowed me to
dig out there on the field. So yeah, I'm definitely
(03:30):
loving being out there with the boys and just experiencing
the whole season and trying to make an impact when
I can for the team.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
I guess some people in your situation, Josh, might have
looked at the squad and seen Damien McKenzie there and thought,
I'm not going to get a heck of a lot
of opportunity here, and you might have looked elsewhere. Were
you always keen to stay with the Chiefs?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, well that was always always the plan when I
came up last year for the wider group and then
again unfortunately for Trusk it allowed me to come in
as an injury cover. So yeah, it was definitely always
the plan. And I mean being able to come to
(04:19):
work and learn some one of the if not the
best tin and world rugby at the moment is as
an awesome opportunity. So I think with that, just making
the most of every opportunity, like I say, out on
the field or trying to learn and grow my game
(04:41):
as is really important. So and that's and that the Chiefs,
that's an awesome place to be able to try and
do that.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
How has he specifically helped you, Damien?
Speaker 3 (04:54):
And I think just you know, for a teen I
think the more time you get in the settle, the
more easy the game comes or the games those down
to you. And it's just getting another perspective on what
he might be seen or what he might be feeling,
even when he's not playing, like last night, I was
(05:17):
asking him at halftime if he had anything. I mean,
it's just those little chats, I think, and those small
concept can go a long way and it might just
open up your mind or it might something might just
going to the Becky in mind that might pop up
later in the game. So yeah, it's a small chat
and then just that we all know how good he
(05:41):
is with ball in hands. So him giving me confidence
just to go out and enjoy myself and back myself
has been really awesome as well.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
The Chiefs back line, You look at it, man, it's stacked,
one of the best in the competition at first five.
How tim thing is it? Just to spin it out
every time you get it?
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, I mean very lucky in the first five position
with the boys in the back line, even our forwards.
There's big names all over the park, so pretty fortunate
position to be in as a teen. And yes it's
very tempting, but there's no hesitation from the boys outside
(06:24):
me letting them know when they're on the ball, so
it makes my job. It makes my job pretty easier.
And the boys are all chuping for the book.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Are you Are you at at at the stage though,
where you can call the shots? I mean, as you say,
you look outside, you see Quinta Payer, Anton Lennart brown A.
But further out you know, I'm on another work, Sewan Stevenson.
Big names. As you say, are you confident enough though
to call the shots with these guys outside you? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
I think I'm in a position now that I am.
I think last year one of our coaches, Marty Burke,
who I worked with closely at the Chiefs, kind of
described my year last year as at this year and
now this year. Whenever I get an opportunity, it's up
to me to really put my foot down and use
(07:13):
my voice and call the shots that you're saying. But
there awesome thing is I've got all those people with
a full temple and our back kind that can I
guess offer their advice or maybe a different opinion, And
then that's also growing my game because they're also seeing
(07:35):
things from a different point of viewers as well. So
I think, to put it short, I am, but also
I'm not. I don't shy away from asking for a
second opinion here and here and there from the boys
that I think, if the point might be valuable.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
How much of you are weak are you spending on
your goal kicking.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I'd say, or depending on our week, if it's a Monday,
Monday time, play on Saturday, maybe including kiptains from three,
two or three times a week.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, happy with with the way you're kicking. I mean,
it's obviously a big part of playing at first five.
You're happy with your goal.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Kicking, Yeah, I think I was quite disappointed in the
way I was goal kicking the empty C season just
gone and got them to one of those slumps and
kind of just getting back to my routine and things
like that this season. So just all about trusting the process.
(08:49):
And I think I'm in a good place with my
goalkicking there. Even if I'm missing, I'm pretty happy with
how I'm striking it. So I think it's just it's
coming back to me. And yeah, I think I'm in
a good place.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Good stuff, and good to see Wallace or Titi back
out there last night. He's obviously worked hard on his recovery.
Good to see him back on the grass last night.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Yeah, it was awesome to see Wally Beck and a
few of the other boys too, like Lordie and Chuckle,
Tea and John and Trusky all back as well. So, man,
I was talking to Wally yesterday morning before the game
and to just hear how excited he was and his
(09:33):
voice and just how keen he was to get out there.
And I think with the first touch of the boy
he ran fifty meters or something. So he's an awesome man.
And awesome player. So very grateful to heaven Back, especially
when he's in the same team as as yourself. So yeah,
(09:55):
it was some.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Seven back you reckon you guys can win the whole thing.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, definitely the beliefs there and almost that confidence is
there as well. I think we're we started really well
and then I mean we're still playing all right, but
kind of not had a slump, but got into a
bit of a funny gray area and I think we've
(10:22):
just come out of that really nicely in the last
few weeks and just kids taking sticks forward each week
in the right direction to hopefully a final and a
win a championship at the end of the at the
end of the season.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Congrats on a terrific performance last night from you, Josh
and the Chiefs as well. Really appreciate you taking the
time for a chat this afternoon, mate, No cheers, mate,
Really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk ZB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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