August 8, 2026 • 7 mins
Otago and Canterbury are set to face off for the Ranfurly Shield at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Otago won the shield off Canterbury in September last year.
Otago lock Will Stodart joined Piney to discuss the action.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And fully shield goes on a line on the line
rather again this afternoon holders Otago welcome Canterbury to Forsyth
bar Stadium. It was, of course Canterbury who Otago took
the shield off last sea.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
They're still going Otago up towards the five minute line
of Canterbury. They keep it in tight. They've just got
to hold onto it. Bower with a carry offloads off
the ground to Umaga Jenson, Canterbury trying desperately to turn
the ball over. There's the hootero back to Bella. Otago
(00:48):
have done it. They win the Red Village Shield for
the eighth time of their history and break Canterbury hearts
thirty eight thirty six.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Incredible here what a day for Otago and christ Church.
The same two teams meet this afternoon from just after
two o'clock with the log of wood on the line.
Let's bring an Otago lock slash loose forward slash utility
will start at actually, well can we start there. I've
been trying to work out whether you're a lock of
blindside flanker a number eight can you shed any light
(01:20):
for us?
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah, that's good question. Sometimes I'm not quite sure myself,
but definitely eight and sex of my preferred positions. But
just the last couple of years, I've just been doing
what's best for the team, I suppose, so anytime on
the fields on a bad time, So it's a way
I look at it.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Love that love that you won the Shield off Canterbury
at the back end of last season. Memorable day coming
from fifteen points down to beat them thirty eight to
thirty six in christ Church. Where does that day sit
in the rugby that you've played.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Yeah, definitely up there. It'd be hard for that not
to be the pannacle for me in terms of my
career so far. She has a pretty special night in
christ Church. Yeah, we're sort of under the pumpoy, but
came back and had some pretty cool heads and some
special moments from some special plays in their team. But yeah,
it's it's pretty highly there for me. It's gonna be
tough to knock that off its perch.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Was that your first ran fairly shield challenge?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yep, Yeah it was. I've been waiting, been waiting a
couple of years. I was. Yeah, just eager to get
my own challenge and pretty good strike great so far,
so I'd like to keep that record in text.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Bet I bet i bet so. I mean, this is,
no doubt a silly question, but how driven do you
think Canterbury will be to come to your place this
afternoon and take it back?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Yeah, they'll be highly driven. It's to be hard, not
for any for any team not to get up for
a ram fairly shield challenge. You know, they don't come
very often. You won't get some for a few years sometimes,
but yeah, we're expecting them to come and bring everything
and throw it at us, and they heave every right
to do so.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
And on the other side of the coin, how determined
are you all to keep the log for a bit longer?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Yeah, no, we're We've had a pretty special week in
tenth week and just try to trying to flip that
mindset and look at it as we're trying to attack
for the shield again, not defend it. But yeah, for
hair a pretty good and we'll we doing everything to
keep it for another week.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You also met them, of course in the NPC Final
last year and going down thirty six twenty eight on
that occasion, how much is the sting of that being
used as motivation ahead of this NPC season.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Yeah, like the way I was sort of found up
a year. You know, we want to go one better
than that, and you know you've got to have the
confidence in your group to to know you can. And yeah,
definitely use as a little bit of fuel, but we
sort of use that to build off and get better.
You know, we can't just rely on what we did
last year. We've got to obviously improve a few things
and keep some things the same, but overall use as
(03:45):
a little of fuel just to get better and give
us more more confidence than anything.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
There was a superb season for Otago in twenty twenty five,
second on the table and the regular season memorable wins
over Wakator and Bay of Plenty and the Quarters and
the Semis. I mean, it was a it was a
terrific season. What were the things that you know did
go so well last sear and that you think will
be helpful as you as you attack twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
I think belief might be a bit of a cliche,
but last year we just got more and more belief
in the group, and I think right at the start
of the year one of their key leaders, Gilberty. Sam
Gilbert sort of hit the nail on the head and said,
you know, we don't want to be seen as underdogs
anymore and thinking of ourselves as that, Like, we want
to believe and know we are some of the top
contenders in the comp and we've sort of tried to
(04:33):
use that mindset and just use that and build belief
and more confidence and week in, week out, and ye,
confidence of belief in the group does great things.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
I reckon, Well, you started the season last weekend on
Stag Day down at Inbicago, which I guess could have
been a bit of a banana skin for you. We know,
how up for it they get down there. But a
comfortable forty one fourteen win. How happy was the playing
group and the coaching staff with last weekend?
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Yeah? No, really happy. Good to get a win like
that under your belt. And like you said, it can
be a pretty hostile environment down there sessionistag Day, So yeah,
we're to come out with a pretty yeah, pretty confident
one and yeah does a bit for the group. But
they all us going through the camp and just happy
to get come back from State Hahioan up the road
with a good one like that.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I just want to ask you about playing alongside Fabian
Holland obviously have done so in an Otago shirt and
in a Highlander shirt. Not this season in Super Rugby
of course with the injury. But what's it been like
playing alongside him and you know, and linking up with
them in the second role on occasion, but just being
in the same forward pack as him.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Yeah, and that's been great. Fabian's a great man. I've
been lucky enough to play quite a bit of age
group stuff alongside Fades growing up through Lander's twenties and
things like that. But yeah, he's been great having the
group for a bit. He's obviously the leader within the
group and helping her their set peace and we're obviously
stoked to see him back. And they had all blacks
environments and rather see him do or have another great
(06:00):
year in the black jersey sod.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
You sort of realize when you first started playing with
him that you know he was a pretty decent player.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Yeah. I remember back at high school that St Andrew's Hire,
that Chrisler's Boys. I remember seeing this big tall I
thought he was German at the time lot but turned
down he as a big Dutch fellow. And yeah, he
could tell he had something special about him for a
different gravy. And no, it's an awesome seeing him kick
on and it's no surprises how driven he is where he's.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Got to wonderful stuff. Well for you guys this afternoon,
it is the logger wood on the sideline there at
Forsyth Barers. Canterbury come and try and take it off.
You're all the best, well hope, but it stays with
you guys for a bit longer. Appreciate you taking the
time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah, awesome, thank you, Parnie, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
No, thank you for joining us. Well, all the best
This afternoon will start up. He's playing Lock this afternoon,
but as you heard him say, six' eight his preferred,
position but he's happy. Anywhere five past. Two that game
kicks off In. Dunedin If otago were to defend the shield,
successfully the next chance for somebody to take it off
them would Be. Wellington in a couple of. Weeks they
(07:02):
Play otago On, sunday the twenty third Of, august so
the two weeks. Today If canterbury were to win at this,
afternoon Then bay Of plenty have a crack at. It
Next saturday, afternoon those two meet and what at the
moment is just AN mpc, game but If canterbury take
The shield, home then it'll be of, Buy it'll Be
bay Of plenty having a crack at them this.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Afternoon for more From Weekend sport With Jason, fine listen
live To News Talk SET b weekends from, midday or
follow the podcast On. iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And fully shield goes on a line on the line
rather again this afternoon holders Otago welcome Canterbury to Forsyth
bar Stadium. It was, of course Canterbury who Otago took
the shield off last sea.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
They're still going Otago up towards the five minute line
of Canterbury. They keep it in tight. They've just got
to hold onto it. Bower with a carry offloads off
the ground to Umaga Jenson, Canterbury trying desperately to turn
the ball over. There's the hootero back to Bella. Otago
(00:48):
have done it. They win the Red Village Shield for
the eighth time of their history and break Canterbury hearts
thirty eight thirty six.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Incredible here what a day for Otago and christ Church.
The same two teams meet this afternoon from just after
two o'clock with the log of wood on the line.
Let's bring an Otago lock slash loose forward slash utility
will start at actually, well can we start there. I've
been trying to work out whether you're a lock of
blindside flanker a number eight can you shed any light
(01:20):
for us?
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah, that's good question. Sometimes I'm not quite sure myself,
but definitely eight and sex of my preferred positions. But
just the last couple of years, I've just been doing
what's best for the team, I suppose, so anytime on
the fields on a bad time, So it's a way
I look at it.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Love that love that you won the Shield off Canterbury
at the back end of last season. Memorable day coming
from fifteen points down to beat them thirty eight to
thirty six in christ Church. Where does that day sit
in the rugby that you've played.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Yeah, definitely up there. It'd be hard for that not
to be the pannacle for me in terms of my
career so far. She has a pretty special night in
christ Church. Yeah, we're sort of under the pumpoy, but
came back and had some pretty cool heads and some
special moments from some special plays in their team. But yeah,
it's it's pretty highly there for me. It's gonna be
tough to knock that off its perch.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Was that your first ran fairly shield challenge?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yep, Yeah it was. I've been waiting, been waiting a
couple of years. I was. Yeah, just eager to get
my own challenge and pretty good strike great so far,
so I'd like to keep that record in text.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Bet I bet i bet so. I mean, this is,
no doubt a silly question, but how driven do you
think Canterbury will be to come to your place this
afternoon and take it back?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Yeah, they'll be highly driven. It's to be hard, not
for any for any team not to get up for
a ram fairly shield challenge. You know, they don't come
very often. You won't get some for a few years sometimes,
but yeah, we're expecting them to come and bring everything
and throw it at us, and they heave every right
to do so.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
And on the other side of the coin, how determined
are you all to keep the log for a bit longer?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Yeah, no, we're We've had a pretty special week in
tenth week and just try to trying to flip that
mindset and look at it as we're trying to attack
for the shield again, not defend it. But yeah, for
hair a pretty good and we'll we doing everything to
keep it for another week.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You also met them, of course in the NPC Final
last year and going down thirty six twenty eight on
that occasion, how much is the sting of that being
used as motivation ahead of this NPC season.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Yeah, like the way I was sort of found up
a year. You know, we want to go one better
than that, and you know you've got to have the
confidence in your group to to know you can. And yeah,
definitely use as a little bit of fuel, but we
sort of use that to build off and get better.
You know, we can't just rely on what we did
last year. We've got to obviously improve a few things
and keep some things the same, but overall use as
(03:45):
a little of fuel just to get better and give
us more more confidence than anything.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
There was a superb season for Otago in twenty twenty five,
second on the table and the regular season memorable wins
over Wakator and Bay of Plenty and the Quarters and
the Semis. I mean, it was a it was a
terrific season. What were the things that you know did
go so well last sear and that you think will
be helpful as you as you attack twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
I think belief might be a bit of a cliche,
but last year we just got more and more belief
in the group, and I think right at the start
of the year one of their key leaders, Gilberty. Sam
Gilbert sort of hit the nail on the head and said,
you know, we don't want to be seen as underdogs
anymore and thinking of ourselves as that, Like, we want
to believe and know we are some of the top
contenders in the comp and we've sort of tried to
(04:33):
use that mindset and just use that and build belief
and more confidence and week in, week out, and ye,
confidence of belief in the group does great things.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
I reckon, Well, you started the season last weekend on
Stag Day down at Inbicago, which I guess could have
been a bit of a banana skin for you. We know,
how up for it they get down there. But a
comfortable forty one fourteen win. How happy was the playing
group and the coaching staff with last weekend?
Speaker 4 (04:58):
Yeah? No, really happy. Good to get a win like
that under your belt. And like you said, it can
be a pretty hostile environment down there sessionistag Day, So yeah,
we're to come out with a pretty yeah, pretty confident
one and yeah does a bit for the group. But
they all us going through the camp and just happy
to get come back from State Hahioan up the road
with a good one like that.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I just want to ask you about playing alongside Fabian
Holland obviously have done so in an Otago shirt and
in a Highlander shirt. Not this season in Super Rugby
of course with the injury. But what's it been like
playing alongside him and you know, and linking up with
them in the second role on occasion, but just being
in the same forward pack as him.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Yeah, and that's been great. Fabian's a great man. I've
been lucky enough to play quite a bit of age
group stuff alongside Fades growing up through Lander's twenties and
things like that. But yeah, he's been great having the
group for a bit. He's obviously the leader within the
group and helping her their set peace and we're obviously
stoked to see him back. And they had all blacks
environments and rather see him do or have another great
(06:00):
year in the black jersey sod.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
You sort of realize when you first started playing with
him that you know he was a pretty decent player.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Yeah. I remember back at high school that St Andrew's Hire,
that Chrisler's Boys. I remember seeing this big tall I
thought he was German at the time lot but turned
down he as a big Dutch fellow. And yeah, he
could tell he had something special about him for a
different gravy. And no, it's an awesome seeing him kick
on and it's no surprises how driven he is where he's.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Got to wonderful stuff. Well for you guys this afternoon,
it is the logger wood on the sideline there at
Forsyth Barers. Canterbury come and try and take it off.
You're all the best, well hope, but it stays with
you guys for a bit longer. Appreciate you taking the
time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah, awesome, thank you, Parnie, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
No, thank you for joining us. Well, all the best
This afternoon will start up. He's playing Lock this afternoon,
but as you heard him say, six' eight his preferred,
position but he's happy. Anywhere five past. Two that game
kicks off In. Dunedin If otago were to defend the shield,
successfully the next chance for somebody to take it off
them would Be. Wellington in a couple of. Weeks they
(07:02):
Play otago On, sunday the twenty third Of, august so
the two weeks. Today If canterbury were to win at this,
afternoon Then bay Of plenty have a crack at. It
Next saturday, afternoon those two meet and what at the
moment is just AN mpc, game but If canterbury take
The shield, home then it'll be of, Buy it'll Be
bay Of plenty having a crack at them this.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Afternoon for more From Weekend sport With Jason, fine listen
live To News Talk SET b weekends from, midday or
follow the podcast On. iHeartRadio
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