Both teams have their share of debutants in tonight's clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
On the All Blacks side, both Fabien Holland and Christian Lio Willie are set to make their debuts in front of their home crowd in Dunedin.
Tom Donnelly was assistant coach for Otago when the pair made their NPC debuts for the team, and joined Piney to reflect on their journey to the national team.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We come to your Life from Emerson's Brewery and Pub
in Dneed and head of the first Test of the
year tonight about six hundred meters down the road at
Forsyth Bar Stadium. Let's bring in fifteen Test former All
Blacks lock Tom Donnelly. Fourteen of those fifteen tests were
All Blacks wins. He was a stalwart for Otago and
the Highlanders, also played some Super rug before the Crusaders
(00:33):
and the Blues, had time in France, and then moved
into coaching with Otago and the Highlanders and now the
Western Force.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
He was the.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Otago head coach who gave both Fabian Holland and Christian
Leo Willy their provincial debuts. Tonight they'll both make their
All Blacks debuts here in Dunedin. Thanks for joining us, Tom.
Let's start with Fabian. Can you tell us about his
arrival in Otago? Excuse me, and what you've seen from
him since?
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Yeah? Hello, a discussion there, mate, Yeah, book, Fabian came
to a train when he was still at school and
Pricious Boys with Cam McIntyre's agent. Obviously he'd have a
look around and just a CS size is probably the
first thing that catched you back. He's a he's a
big man, and anyone knows you can't coach size, and
(01:19):
but his attitude and as church what's on through within
about an hour sold media is an absolute champion of
a person and his dedication to trying to one be
a great woody player. And he also had a massive.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Normal has been to see you talk about not being
able to coach size and that's so right, But you
must have seen big men who haven't kicked on in
the way that that Fabian has.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
So what is.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
The best use of size as a as an elite
rugby player, especially a lot.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Uh, it's your work ethic as well and your hand
eye coordination and had a lot of those big guys
can be quite comsy. His dedication has catch passed as
little soft skills was phenomos made him was wors maders
as a pat flower. He's he's just dedicated to everything
he does.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
And well, from what you're saying, you always felt like
he had he headed at him to push on. Do
you feel like he's got a high ceiling. He'll debut
for the All Blacks to Night. Could he be a
long term All Black.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Love?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I think the balls and has cowed. He has definitely
got the ability and the attitude to do it. Made
that it would just be hopefully he's died and relaxes
and go out there and do his job and hopefully're
having a joyban night.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
And Christian Leo Willie, what are your early memories of him?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yeah, we were going down and watching this credit Club
rugby who was phenomenally powerful. Quite hard to track down
for a start, because I don't know how much of
the story's been told, but he sort of told his
mother that he wouldn't play footy when he went to
the need And with tossup and his studies and so
he was under the radar for a week bit there,
but just a phenomenal athlete like a ball and hands
(02:58):
stuff with phenomenal club rugby.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
So he went to the need and what to study.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Dentistries supposedly said to his mum, I'm not going to
play any rugby down there.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I'll concentrate on my studies.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Plays rugby gets spotted by you and then all of
a sudden is in the Otago setup.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah. Well, lucky enough, I'm not supposed that he's actually
finished as dead to degree as well. We're then allowed
him to check a bit more into his footage. But yeah,
that's sort of the background the story.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
He was initially named his injury cover for this All
Black squad, of course, but here he is starting tonight.
So what would you be expecting to see from him
on test Dayboo, You'll say, names.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Have really seen through all year with the Crusaders. Capables,
wrongs were great, wibly phenomenal. He's got great aerial skills,
so I wouldn't be surprised that to him in the
line out, Yeah, he'll be fantastic. So he's got a
great opportunity for him.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
And as far as the All Blacks are concerned, it's
against a French side that we all know has been
has been talked about as being under strength. What do
you want to see from the All Blacks tonight?
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Tom?
Speaker 2 (03:59):
That would I guess as an All Blacks fan like
the rest of us, make you think that things are
going to be okay in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, I think they'll be fine. I've obviously worked pretty hard,
but a cohesion we'll be putt of the hardest thing.
Lot of them play together, so you might see a
little bit of letter that time, but obviously there's your
nest will be there as long as I've got there.
Evening use will come time.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
And yet sometime playing in France yourself. Of course, the side,
as I say, looks under strength and an experience. But
might they present a threat across these three test matches?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh yeah, one hundred percent, very very dangerous and undervalued
or rated French team. And I've got nothing to play
for us when they play on their disbuddy sometimes so
even though they say they're under strength and it's fuck
what they've done, just finish the premier competition. But the
guys I think will still be excellent boarding.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
And just to finish.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
When you do see Fabian and Christian run out tonight,
does that give you a tinge of pride?
Speaker 4 (04:59):
You know, the part that you played in their development,
Like the.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Whole part of us as coaches is watching young men
development to great people and in great players and to
see them move on to be selected for the All
Blacks and internationals. Yeah, of course, i's the fights and
your kids really bes signed really well.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Wonderful insight, Tom thanks so much for joining us on
match day. We look forward to seeing how Fabian and
Christian go tonight. Really appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
For a chat.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Nor Paul might enjoy it.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
We'll enjoy it indeed.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Thanks indeed, Tom, Tom Donnelly, their former All Blacks Locke
and moved into coaching and gave both Fabian Holland and
Christian Leo Willie their Otago de boos, and tonight here
in Dunedin they will make their Test day boos together.
The first time I read this week since twenty twelve
that two Otago players will feature in a starting fifteen for.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
The All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That seems crazy. It's been thirteen years since two Otago
players will feature in the same All Black starting fifteen.
But here we are and it'll happen tonight at Forsyth
Bar Stadium in Dunedin.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
For more from Weekends 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 Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We come to your Life from Emerson's Brewery and Pub
in Dneed and head of the first Test of the
year tonight about six hundred meters down the road at
Forsyth Bar Stadium. Let's bring in fifteen Test former All
Blacks lock Tom Donnelly. Fourteen of those fifteen tests were
All Blacks wins. He was a stalwart for Otago and
the Highlanders, also played some Super rug before the Crusaders
(00:33):
and the Blues, had time in France, and then moved
into coaching with Otago and the Highlanders and now the
Western Force.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
He was the.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Otago head coach who gave both Fabian Holland and Christian
Leo Willy their provincial debuts. Tonight they'll both make their
All Blacks debuts here in Dunedin. Thanks for joining us, Tom.
Let's start with Fabian. Can you tell us about his
arrival in Otago? Excuse me, and what you've seen from
him since?
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Yeah? Hello, a discussion there, mate, Yeah, book, Fabian came
to a train when he was still at school and
Pricious Boys with Cam McIntyre's agent. Obviously he'd have a
look around and just a CS size is probably the
first thing that catched you back. He's a he's a
big man, and anyone knows you can't coach size, and
(01:19):
but his attitude and as church what's on through within
about an hour sold media is an absolute champion of
a person and his dedication to trying to one be
a great woody player. And he also had a massive.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Normal has been to see you talk about not being
able to coach size and that's so right, But you
must have seen big men who haven't kicked on in
the way that that Fabian has.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
So what is.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
The best use of size as a as an elite
rugby player, especially a lot.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Uh, it's your work ethic as well and your hand
eye coordination and had a lot of those big guys
can be quite comsy. His dedication has catch passed as
little soft skills was phenomos made him was wors maders
as a pat flower. He's he's just dedicated to everything
he does.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
And well, from what you're saying, you always felt like
he had he headed at him to push on. Do
you feel like he's got a high ceiling. He'll debut
for the All Blacks to Night. Could he be a
long term All Black.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Love?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I think the balls and has cowed. He has definitely
got the ability and the attitude to do it. Made
that it would just be hopefully he's died and relaxes
and go out there and do his job and hopefully're
having a joyban night.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
And Christian Leo Willie, what are your early memories of him?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yeah, we were going down and watching this credit Club
rugby who was phenomenally powerful. Quite hard to track down
for a start, because I don't know how much of
the story's been told, but he sort of told his
mother that he wouldn't play footy when he went to
the need And with tossup and his studies and so
he was under the radar for a week bit there,
but just a phenomenal athlete like a ball and hands
(02:58):
stuff with phenomenal club rugby.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
So he went to the need and what to study.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Dentistries supposedly said to his mum, I'm not going to
play any rugby down there.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I'll concentrate on my studies.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Plays rugby gets spotted by you and then all of
a sudden is in the Otago setup.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah. Well, lucky enough, I'm not supposed that he's actually
finished as dead to degree as well. We're then allowed
him to check a bit more into his footage. But yeah,
that's sort of the background the story.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
He was initially named his injury cover for this All
Black squad, of course, but here he is starting tonight.
So what would you be expecting to see from him
on test Dayboo, You'll say, names.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Have really seen through all year with the Crusaders. Capables,
wrongs were great, wibly phenomenal. He's got great aerial skills,
so I wouldn't be surprised that to him in the
line out, Yeah, he'll be fantastic. So he's got a
great opportunity for him.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
And as far as the All Blacks are concerned, it's
against a French side that we all know has been
has been talked about as being under strength. What do
you want to see from the All Blacks tonight?
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Tom?
Speaker 2 (03:59):
That would I guess as an All Blacks fan like
the rest of us, make you think that things are
going to be okay in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, I think they'll be fine. I've obviously worked pretty hard,
but a cohesion we'll be putt of the hardest thing.
Lot of them play together, so you might see a
little bit of letter that time, but obviously there's your
nest will be there as long as I've got there.
Evening use will come time.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
And yet sometime playing in France yourself. Of course, the side,
as I say, looks under strength and an experience. But
might they present a threat across these three test matches?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh yeah, one hundred percent, very very dangerous and undervalued
or rated French team. And I've got nothing to play
for us when they play on their disbuddy sometimes so
even though they say they're under strength and it's fuck
what they've done, just finish the premier competition. But the
guys I think will still be excellent boarding.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
And just to finish.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
When you do see Fabian and Christian run out tonight,
does that give you a tinge of pride?
Speaker 4 (04:59):
You know, the part that you played in their development,
Like the.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Whole part of us as coaches is watching young men
development to great people and in great players and to
see them move on to be selected for the All
Blacks and internationals. Yeah, of course, i's the fights and
your kids really bes signed really well.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Wonderful insight, Tom thanks so much for joining us on
match day. We look forward to seeing how Fabian and
Christian go tonight. Really appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
For a chat.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Nor Paul might enjoy it.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
We'll enjoy it indeed.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Thanks indeed, Tom, Tom Donnelly, their former All Blacks Locke
and moved into coaching and gave both Fabian Holland and
Christian Leo Willie their Otago de boos, and tonight here
in Dunedin they will make their Test day boos together.
The first time I read this week since twenty twelve
that two Otago players will feature in a starting fifteen for.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
The All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That seems crazy. It's been thirteen years since two Otago
players will feature in the same All Black starting fifteen.
But here we are and it'll happen tonight at Forsyth
Bar Stadium in Dunedin.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.