October 22, 2024 • 15 mins
The Wellington Lions take on Bay of Plenty in this weekend's much-anticipated NPC final at Sky Stadium.
Nick Mills was joined by captain Du'Plessis Kirfi and Lions veteran Brad Shields to discuss the season so far and the team's hopes for Saturday's match.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's MPC final this weekend and the countdown is on.
Let's build up to the game this coming Saturday afternoon at.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Three oh five.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
It's an absolute pleasure to be joined in the studio
by two of the Lion's greats, Brad Shields and Captain
Duplessi Kadifi.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Wonderful to have you guys in the studio.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Thanks for having us cheers, Nick, thank you?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You're ready? Are you ready to go? Are you ready
to go on Saturday? I mean, how's the team feeling.
Speaker 5 (00:38):
We've been ready since they won this season, and I
think I think we're pretty ready.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
We've hitting us straps at the road in the season, hopefully.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I want to ask you first before we get into
the nitty gritty, how much of an interruption has the
All Blacks been on your season? I mean, your players
are coming and going, you know, it's you don't know
who's going to be there next week. I mean, you know,
young players that have their dreamers to play in the
NPC suddenly go from being a starter to being on
the bench, or not even been on the bench. So
(01:07):
how does that affect the team morale?
Speaker 6 (01:10):
Nah, it's been nothing but a positive for us. If
they aren't playing for us, say in their downtime, they've
been training with us. So we've had TJ and Suffer
in there all year anyway, Reuben, So just to have
them around the environment as a positive anyway, they just
make everyone else better.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And then to have them playing, that's just professional rugby.
Speaker 6 (01:26):
Boys know that, you know, we're going to play our
best team when we have the opportunity to. So yeah,
I don't think anyone's kicked up a fuss knowing that
they've got to sit on the bench behind TJ and
Stuffer all of a sudden.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
That's just the reality of it. And then the next
week they're back in there.
Speaker 6 (01:39):
But yeah, absolutely nothing but a positive having them in
and then also seeing them progress and play for the
All Blacks is something that we're proud of as well.
So we don't want to hold out boys back, but
when we get a chance to have them around, we're stoked.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
And Brad, how does it feel to be back here?
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I mean, you know you've left the left your hometown,
went across, made made a big overseas and come back
house and.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
That's pretty to have a pressure for something.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Yeah, I guess on the point you don't really realize
it until'll probably get towards the end of your career
and things you accomplished you are really grateful for. So yeah,
I guess, been an amazing ride and being back in Wayington,
it's at home and obviously been back just over a
year now. So it's funny though because it still takes
a wee while to settle, like with a specially of kids,
and that coming back still takes a little bit.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Of did your family come back as well?
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
So my parents still livening over there, but because they left,
yeah follow you yeah now, but they're still over there,
so I think they're going to do another couple of years.
COVID sort of run a few of their plans, but
there's a lot of us out.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And the world did so.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
So your plan is to settle in New Zealand after
you finished playing and anything, you're you're not going to
go back over there and settle in England.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
To be completely honest, I'm not really too sure. We
loved our time up there and we made some really
good connections up there through rugby and outside of rugby
as well.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So never say never.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
But at the stage where we're pretty comfortable where we are,
and you know, when kids start school, as you know,
it's a bit of normality and and I guess less
stress to move around all the place. But at the
same time, kids are pretty durable, so we'll see how
we go.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
They have plenty I mean surprise, a little bit surprised.
I mean, with Richard wat as a coach, you both
would know him reasonably well.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I mean, you know what you're gonna get that.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I can guarantee you're gonna have a few bruises on
your body when you finish the game on Saturday afternoon.
But you would have thought on paper this is that's
pretty easy for us, really, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (03:31):
No.
Speaker 7 (03:32):
Never, also not really not really surprising. They've been a very.
Speaker 6 (03:36):
Consistent performer this year in the composition, close to the
same team every single week.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
They've done really well injury wise.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Yeah, and they just have built up a little bit
of momentum and just kind of carried that on the
whole season. So they're not surprised at all. And the
comp's close, you know, like the top six or seven teams.
Only a few points difference between a lot of us,
so to see them in the finals not surprising at all.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
In PC, I mean I think this year and maybe last.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Year probably been the two best years of NPC for
the last fifteen twenty years. I mean, you know, since
Super Rugby came in, it sort of took a second
care it went backwards really quickly and people thought about
giving it up. But NPC has been fabulous rugby brand.
In your time away since you've come back, have you
noticed it?
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Yeah, I definitely. I think it's probably one of the
most exciting competitions. And I think there's I don't know,
if you look at the English set up for example,
that's your club that you stick with for forever. You
don't change from Leicester to Wasps and then go back
whatever it is. So like most of the people who's
the NPC, your team is your team no matter what happens,
and I think just you know, obviously whatever happens after
(04:45):
twenty twenty five. In terms of the structure, I think
New Zealand's got to take the positives out of the
fact that it's really exciting rugby. Anyone can beat anybody.
It's high scoring, Like I don't know, it's just been
an exciting competition and you're getting some quality players come through,
and I just think it's good to be a part of,
you know, like it has been sort of looked at
(05:06):
on in the past in terms of the NBC.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Again, we'll just get through the season.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
But I honestly think the competition and the level of
competition is some people walking and walking sticks after after
each game, you know, trying to get ready for the
next one because it's that physical, right.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
And Two, I mean you, the thing for you is
you're a Taranaki boy, you know m PC. I mean,
let's let's let's be fair, you know if you're if
you're a Taranaki MPC player, you're a Taranaki MPC player.
I mean it's pretty I mean pretty tough to split
from there, doesn't it.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Oh I never played for them, did you never? No,
I've only ever played for Wellington, so I can very yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
But you grew up. You grew up understanding.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
I grew up in Taranaki til I was eighteen, so
you understand absolutely.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Mama. It's alive there.
Speaker 6 (05:46):
I'm always always back there, but no, I call I
call Wellington home, and very proudly.
Speaker 7 (05:51):
So yeah, I never played for one club and yeah,
I plan to.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
Keep it that way until I I don't know if
a tyre go over season or do something else, but yeah,
Wellington's home. So to play for Wellington and only play
for Wellington as something I'm proud of.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Can I go about your leadership you? I mean, obviously
the team struggled a bit when you were injured. You know,
they lost lost your leadership. You've been running this, leading
this team for a couple of years. You're still a
young man. A lot of old veterans coming and going,
and people like Julian Sava and having to guide them
and run them and have you felt that added stress
(06:26):
on yourself.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Firstly, Brad was keptain when I come in and I
learned a lot of a lot of them. And then
when I was keptain, I was very young. But I've
been doing it for a few years now and what
makes my job easy as having these guys around me.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
But you're a leader. Take all the BS society. You're
a leader.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
There's a problem, you're there, You're sorting it out. You
are a leader of men. Anyone that watches a game
of football would understand that I'm not nodding his head.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
So a competitor and that's I don't think that's I.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Think there's the difference between a leader and a competitor.
Speaker 7 (06:56):
No, I agree, but I don't think that's a secret
to anyone.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
I just on top of what I'm going to say,
I love to compete, and through competing, I feel like
I can lead by my actions and that helps bring.
Speaker 7 (07:07):
The best out of the boys around me.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Quite often there's boys around them and the team that
have a lot smarter ideas They've got the answers and
I might not. And that's the strength of our group
as we lean on each other. And some weeks it
feels like I just flipped the flip the coin before
the game. But yeah, I take a lot of pride
in going out and playing and playing the way I
do and taking boys with me.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
So I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Nock a couple of quick ones for you, both MPC
or the Renfree Shield at the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
The MPC now, because we what do you want to be?
Speaker 3 (07:39):
The other thing?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Yeah, NPC title.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
I know for a lot of people, winning the Shield
historically is it's a massive thing. In twenty twenty two
when we won both, probably having the shield was something
that we're a little bit more proud of, But the
whole reason we're here is to win competitions and to
win the title is the is you know at the
end of the day, and the black and white of
it is the most important thing to us. So we've
got a shot to do that on Saturday and we're
(08:02):
looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Saturday afternoon afternoon rugby players. As players, do you prefer
playing in the afternoon or showtime with the lights at night?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Red?
Speaker 6 (08:12):
I yess afternoon because then you can go home early
to the kids kids.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
In bed be the opposite.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
You can obviously don't have any children. You want the
kids to bed when you come home.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
That's all the time I get home. That's what's happened now.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
I don't know, like I think my perception changed a
little bit when it went up to the UK because
a lot of these games are afternoon games, and it's
something nice about getting up and getting straight into it
and then playing and then sort of finished like late afternoon.
But I also think there's a little bit of edge
to an evening game, like you build up through the
day and you finally get to that point after a
long day and you're like got all the built up
(08:52):
energy that you just want to get rid of. So
and we performed pretty well the last couple of evening games,
So I don't know as much of a muchness I think.
Speaker 6 (08:59):
I think the only thing for me would be night games,
because that's kind of what when you're a kid and
you were inspired to play rugby or professional that's kind
of what you looked at was night games, lights running out,
kind of dark nights. So for me, that's kind of
why I like night games. But equally so playing in
the afternoon is on a nice days, it's not a
lot to complain about.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Brad, have you've been a bit disappointed with the crowds
I have as a sports lover of the city and
a fan of the Light, I just think, you know
they deserving six seven, eight thousand to a game. Does
it Does it consume you as a player.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
I will start by saying, look the supporters we do get,
and the ones we're getting week in and week out,
like those guys like they turn up and even at it,
put it or in the pissing rain, like an unbelievable
amount of support. And I know there's a lot of
people behind the screen that are watching and supporting.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Us as well, watch huge numbers, huge numbers.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
I think that the TV rights are through the roof,
which is great. I don't know, yeah, I would love
you know, I remember as a kid rocking up to
watch one inton players, a fifteen sixteen year old. It's
you know, year twenty five thousand people, you know, So
it's a it's a hard one to coming on because
I know the situation with rugby and obviously the stadium
(10:11):
as a as a big old stadium to fill and
you have.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
A huge cost for the club, huge costs, and that
money is coming out of your pocket because there's more
money it's coming at you know, it should be in
your pockets rather than paying for you know, a stadium.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
That's a and that's that's the bottom line.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
And I think you know, everyone's feeling the pinch no
matter what industry you're in, like we spoke about earlier,
and it all affects that sort of thing, like supporters
instead of paying you one hundred and twenty bucks to
go to a game and got a sky watching on
sky maybe that's a cheaper option.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Although we'd love for people to come. We've just got
to figure out a way to do that more efficiently
ericon but.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Stuff and Willington people have a lot of things to
choose from in terms of what they spend their money on.
Speaker 7 (10:48):
And Happy Year they've got the Hurricanes.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
So you know, in the provinces there's not as many options,
no basketball team, no soccer team, so rugby is often it, whereas.
Speaker 7 (10:56):
Down here is plethora of options to choose from.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
So I was kind of disappointed in that.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
I was a little bit disappointed personally as the sports
and not that you didn't give an opportunity to sh
showcase potly to jury Colin Stadium, because I mean both
days I was going out there as a boy that
grew up in that area, I'm going out to the
rugby coops was offering me free tickets. I know I'm paying.
I'm going to support it. And both times I'll look
it out my window. I said, oh, maybe I'll watch
a bit of Dick Flix. I mean, I would have
loved to see one beautiful fine day at the packed
(11:24):
house in the great game.
Speaker 6 (11:25):
Yeah, we were going to like awesome stadium and if
we had four because we played four times four games
in a row.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
It was all beautiful days.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
We would have built a bit of momentum and families
would have been like, let's take the kids along. But
every single one torrential. So the team here, that's not
a lot you can do about it.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Yeah, and the team put in a huge amount of
effort to make it a showcase, you know, the the
bouncy castle, but all of that sort of takes a
back seat and you're going to let's just get through
the rugby now, because that's a nuckie. Game was probably
the worst, one of the worst games I played in
terms of weather wise, since.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Yeah, it's the same for me.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I think the highlight for me was looking into the
stands because I was watching on TV and seeing Dave
Leverage and Graham Murray in the in the stands. I
just thought, it's like asking Michael Jordan's of the game,
and they it's like saying, Orion, it's ridiculous, he's ound
mind and your.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Intelligence not intelligence?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
You No, I mean we all know who Michael Jordan's,
don't we. Yes, I mean Graham Murray was he's up there, Hey,
come on, of course, best number ten's in the game, right,
we go down a rabbit hold out. Let's uh, let's
finish with a couple of little things. Big game on Saturday.
What are you looking forward to, Brad? What are you
(12:40):
looking forward to most? Have you won an n PC championship?
We're worried him before?
Speaker 5 (12:44):
Well when it will split championship premiership? We got the promotion.
So the year I lest we won.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Come because I.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Finished it was when we won the I know what,
I don't can find history that you won one.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
I don't want ANBC title?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Would that be nice twenty nine to win one?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Twenty nine? I'll take that. I don't know.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
I wouldn't would be unreal, It'd just be like a
I mean everyone something as regular players that you want
to win, and NBC is definitely wanted them. Like there's
some some of the best all blacks in the in
the game or players in the game don't get a
chance to win this condition And.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
You know what, we talk about players all the time
and every sport, and you can you know, oh that
he was fantastic, didn't win a championship. No matter how
good you are, you got to win a championship. Dukes,
what do you think you've already done that?
Speaker 6 (13:32):
So you're okay, No, I just jump on the back
of what Brad said. He like, my first year down
twenty seventeen, we got promoted by winning the Championship Division
and that was when Brad was here.
Speaker 7 (13:44):
So to win this weekend.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
Would be a real cool, full circle moment.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
For us and I always when we won in twenty
twenty two, I said, a really cool part of that
was that a few of the older boys they got one,
and all the younger boys they.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Saw what it took to get there one.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
So yeah, winning's cool, But championships are championshipampionships and championships
and there's a lot to take from them. So yeah,
they set the club up for a few years after that,
and you know, we're still kind of feeling the effects
of the last three years, obviously with the coaching and
players we've got, so we've put ourselves in a good position.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
One final question. If you were running New Zealand Rugby
and there was one thing that you could do to
change NPC, what would it be, Bradley, I'll come to
your doups and come back to breed.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
I played the fifth Oh man, you blue like.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
We don't play, we don't why don't we make it
more traditional to what it used to be, Like, why
not play every team in the competition and then you
get your top you almost out what league does and
you get your top six in the ads.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
You're talking about second division, third division.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
No, No, I'm talking about all one competition everyone once
at least and then you move into like a top
six sort of thing.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
I don't know. I just feel like just we didn't
we didn't play a wik until this year.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
We didn't play Oh yeah, that's I didn't know that.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
That's rubber.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Yes, we don't. You don't play. You mess about three,
you mess about three every teams us three teams teams.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Well, let's change that.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Maybe maybe go back traditionally. Just gear on it, everyone
done and maybe that'll credit.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But thanks guys for coming in.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Appreciate you taking the time and my heart and thoughts
and is there for you guys on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I hope you take it out. How good?
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Thank you?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Thanks having us for more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills.
Listen live to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine
am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
It's MPC final this weekend and the countdown is on.
Let's build up to the game this coming Saturday afternoon at.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Three oh five.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
It's an absolute pleasure to be joined in the studio
by two of the Lion's greats, Brad Shields and Captain
Duplessi Kadifi.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Wonderful to have you guys in the studio.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
Thanks for having us cheers, Nick, thank you?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You're ready? Are you ready to go? Are you ready
to go on Saturday? I mean, how's the team feeling.
Speaker 5 (00:38):
We've been ready since they won this season, and I
think I think we're pretty ready.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
We've hitting us straps at the road in the season, hopefully.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I want to ask you first before we get into
the nitty gritty, how much of an interruption has the
All Blacks been on your season? I mean, your players
are coming and going, you know, it's you don't know
who's going to be there next week. I mean, you know,
young players that have their dreamers to play in the
NPC suddenly go from being a starter to being on
the bench, or not even been on the bench. So
(01:07):
how does that affect the team morale?
Speaker 6 (01:10):
Nah, it's been nothing but a positive for us. If
they aren't playing for us, say in their downtime, they've
been training with us. So we've had TJ and Suffer
in there all year anyway, Reuben, So just to have
them around the environment as a positive anyway, they just
make everyone else better.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
And then to have them playing, that's just professional rugby.
Speaker 6 (01:26):
Boys know that, you know, we're going to play our
best team when we have the opportunity to. So yeah,
I don't think anyone's kicked up a fuss knowing that
they've got to sit on the bench behind TJ and
Stuffer all of a sudden.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
That's just the reality of it. And then the next
week they're back in there.
Speaker 6 (01:39):
But yeah, absolutely nothing but a positive having them in
and then also seeing them progress and play for the
All Blacks is something that we're proud of as well.
So we don't want to hold out boys back, but
when we get a chance to have them around, we're stoked.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
And Brad, how does it feel to be back here?
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I mean, you know you've left the left your hometown,
went across, made made a big overseas and come back
house and.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
That's pretty to have a pressure for something.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Yeah, I guess on the point you don't really realize
it until'll probably get towards the end of your career
and things you accomplished you are really grateful for. So yeah,
I guess, been an amazing ride and being back in Wayington,
it's at home and obviously been back just over a
year now. So it's funny though because it still takes
a wee while to settle, like with a specially of kids,
and that coming back still takes a little bit.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Of did your family come back as well?
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
So my parents still livening over there, but because they left,
yeah follow you yeah now, but they're still over there,
so I think they're going to do another couple of years.
COVID sort of run a few of their plans, but
there's a lot of us out.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And the world did so.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
So your plan is to settle in New Zealand after
you finished playing and anything, you're you're not going to
go back over there and settle in England.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
To be completely honest, I'm not really too sure. We
loved our time up there and we made some really
good connections up there through rugby and outside of rugby
as well.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So never say never.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
But at the stage where we're pretty comfortable where we are,
and you know, when kids start school, as you know,
it's a bit of normality and and I guess less
stress to move around all the place. But at the
same time, kids are pretty durable, so we'll see how
we go.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
They have plenty I mean surprise, a little bit surprised.
I mean, with Richard wat as a coach, you both
would know him reasonably well.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I mean, you know what you're gonna get that.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I can guarantee you're gonna have a few bruises on
your body when you finish the game on Saturday afternoon.
But you would have thought on paper this is that's
pretty easy for us, really, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (03:31):
No.
Speaker 7 (03:32):
Never, also not really not really surprising. They've been a very.
Speaker 6 (03:36):
Consistent performer this year in the composition, close to the
same team every single week.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
They've done really well injury wise.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Yeah, and they just have built up a little bit
of momentum and just kind of carried that on the
whole season. So they're not surprised at all. And the
comp's close, you know, like the top six or seven teams.
Only a few points difference between a lot of us,
so to see them in the finals not surprising at all.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
In PC, I mean I think this year and maybe last.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Year probably been the two best years of NPC for
the last fifteen twenty years. I mean, you know, since
Super Rugby came in, it sort of took a second
care it went backwards really quickly and people thought about
giving it up. But NPC has been fabulous rugby brand.
In your time away since you've come back, have you
noticed it?
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Yeah, I definitely. I think it's probably one of the
most exciting competitions. And I think there's I don't know,
if you look at the English set up for example,
that's your club that you stick with for forever. You
don't change from Leicester to Wasps and then go back
whatever it is. So like most of the people who's
the NPC, your team is your team no matter what happens,
and I think just you know, obviously whatever happens after
(04:45):
twenty twenty five. In terms of the structure, I think
New Zealand's got to take the positives out of the
fact that it's really exciting rugby. Anyone can beat anybody.
It's high scoring, Like I don't know, it's just been
an exciting competition and you're getting some quality players come through,
and I just think it's good to be a part of,
you know, like it has been sort of looked at
(05:06):
on in the past in terms of the NBC.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Again, we'll just get through the season.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
But I honestly think the competition and the level of
competition is some people walking and walking sticks after after
each game, you know, trying to get ready for the
next one because it's that physical, right.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
And Two, I mean you, the thing for you is
you're a Taranaki boy, you know m PC. I mean,
let's let's let's be fair, you know if you're if
you're a Taranaki MPC player, you're a Taranaki MPC player.
I mean it's pretty I mean pretty tough to split
from there, doesn't it.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Oh I never played for them, did you never? No,
I've only ever played for Wellington, so I can very yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
But you grew up. You grew up understanding.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
I grew up in Taranaki til I was eighteen, so
you understand absolutely.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Mama. It's alive there.
Speaker 6 (05:46):
I'm always always back there, but no, I call I
call Wellington home, and very proudly.
Speaker 7 (05:51):
So yeah, I never played for one club and yeah,
I plan to.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
Keep it that way until I I don't know if
a tyre go over season or do something else, but yeah,
Wellington's home. So to play for Wellington and only play
for Wellington as something I'm proud of.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Can I go about your leadership you? I mean, obviously
the team struggled a bit when you were injured. You know,
they lost lost your leadership. You've been running this, leading
this team for a couple of years. You're still a
young man. A lot of old veterans coming and going,
and people like Julian Sava and having to guide them
and run them and have you felt that added stress
(06:26):
on yourself.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Firstly, Brad was keptain when I come in and I
learned a lot of a lot of them. And then
when I was keptain, I was very young. But I've
been doing it for a few years now and what
makes my job easy as having these guys around me.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
But you're a leader. Take all the BS society. You're
a leader.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
There's a problem, you're there, You're sorting it out. You
are a leader of men. Anyone that watches a game
of football would understand that I'm not nodding his head.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
So a competitor and that's I don't think that's I.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Think there's the difference between a leader and a competitor.
Speaker 7 (06:56):
No, I agree, but I don't think that's a secret
to anyone.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
I just on top of what I'm going to say,
I love to compete, and through competing, I feel like
I can lead by my actions and that helps bring.
Speaker 7 (07:07):
The best out of the boys around me.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Quite often there's boys around them and the team that
have a lot smarter ideas They've got the answers and
I might not. And that's the strength of our group
as we lean on each other. And some weeks it
feels like I just flipped the flip the coin before
the game. But yeah, I take a lot of pride
in going out and playing and playing the way I
do and taking boys with me.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
So I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Nock a couple of quick ones for you, both MPC
or the Renfree Shield at the end of the season.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
The MPC now, because we what do you want to be?
Speaker 3 (07:39):
The other thing?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Yeah, NPC title.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
I know for a lot of people, winning the Shield
historically is it's a massive thing. In twenty twenty two
when we won both, probably having the shield was something
that we're a little bit more proud of, But the
whole reason we're here is to win competitions and to
win the title is the is you know at the
end of the day, and the black and white of
it is the most important thing to us. So we've
got a shot to do that on Saturday and we're
(08:02):
looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Saturday afternoon afternoon rugby players. As players, do you prefer
playing in the afternoon or showtime with the lights at night?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Red?
Speaker 6 (08:12):
I yess afternoon because then you can go home early
to the kids kids.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
In bed be the opposite.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
You can obviously don't have any children. You want the
kids to bed when you come home.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
That's all the time I get home. That's what's happened now.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
I don't know, like I think my perception changed a
little bit when it went up to the UK because
a lot of these games are afternoon games, and it's
something nice about getting up and getting straight into it
and then playing and then sort of finished like late afternoon.
But I also think there's a little bit of edge
to an evening game, like you build up through the
day and you finally get to that point after a
long day and you're like got all the built up
(08:52):
energy that you just want to get rid of. So
and we performed pretty well the last couple of evening games,
So I don't know as much of a muchness I think.
Speaker 6 (08:59):
I think the only thing for me would be night games,
because that's kind of what when you're a kid and
you were inspired to play rugby or professional that's kind
of what you looked at was night games, lights running out,
kind of dark nights. So for me, that's kind of
why I like night games. But equally so playing in
the afternoon is on a nice days, it's not a
lot to complain about.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Brad, have you've been a bit disappointed with the crowds
I have as a sports lover of the city and
a fan of the Light, I just think, you know
they deserving six seven, eight thousand to a game. Does
it Does it consume you as a player.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
I will start by saying, look the supporters we do get,
and the ones we're getting week in and week out,
like those guys like they turn up and even at it,
put it or in the pissing rain, like an unbelievable
amount of support. And I know there's a lot of
people behind the screen that are watching and supporting.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Us as well, watch huge numbers, huge numbers.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
I think that the TV rights are through the roof,
which is great. I don't know, yeah, I would love
you know, I remember as a kid rocking up to
watch one inton players, a fifteen sixteen year old. It's
you know, year twenty five thousand people, you know, So
it's a it's a hard one to coming on because
I know the situation with rugby and obviously the stadium
(10:11):
as a as a big old stadium to fill and
you have.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
A huge cost for the club, huge costs, and that
money is coming out of your pocket because there's more
money it's coming at you know, it should be in
your pockets rather than paying for you know, a stadium.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
That's a and that's that's the bottom line.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
And I think you know, everyone's feeling the pinch no
matter what industry you're in, like we spoke about earlier,
and it all affects that sort of thing, like supporters
instead of paying you one hundred and twenty bucks to
go to a game and got a sky watching on
sky maybe that's a cheaper option.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Although we'd love for people to come. We've just got
to figure out a way to do that more efficiently
ericon but.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Stuff and Willington people have a lot of things to
choose from in terms of what they spend their money on.
Speaker 7 (10:48):
And Happy Year they've got the Hurricanes.
Speaker 6 (10:49):
So you know, in the provinces there's not as many options,
no basketball team, no soccer team, so rugby is often it, whereas.
Speaker 7 (10:56):
Down here is plethora of options to choose from.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
So I was kind of disappointed in that.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
I was a little bit disappointed personally as the sports
and not that you didn't give an opportunity to sh
showcase potly to jury Colin Stadium, because I mean both
days I was going out there as a boy that
grew up in that area, I'm going out to the
rugby coops was offering me free tickets. I know I'm paying.
I'm going to support it. And both times I'll look
it out my window. I said, oh, maybe I'll watch
a bit of Dick Flix. I mean, I would have
loved to see one beautiful fine day at the packed
(11:24):
house in the great game.
Speaker 6 (11:25):
Yeah, we were going to like awesome stadium and if
we had four because we played four times four games
in a row.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
It was all beautiful days.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
We would have built a bit of momentum and families
would have been like, let's take the kids along. But
every single one torrential. So the team here, that's not
a lot you can do about it.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Yeah, and the team put in a huge amount of
effort to make it a showcase, you know, the the
bouncy castle, but all of that sort of takes a
back seat and you're going to let's just get through
the rugby now, because that's a nuckie. Game was probably
the worst, one of the worst games I played in
terms of weather wise, since.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Yeah, it's the same for me.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I think the highlight for me was looking into the
stands because I was watching on TV and seeing Dave
Leverage and Graham Murray in the in the stands. I
just thought, it's like asking Michael Jordan's of the game,
and they it's like saying, Orion, it's ridiculous, he's ound
mind and your.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Intelligence not intelligence?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
You No, I mean we all know who Michael Jordan's,
don't we. Yes, I mean Graham Murray was he's up there, Hey,
come on, of course, best number ten's in the game, right,
we go down a rabbit hold out. Let's uh, let's
finish with a couple of little things. Big game on Saturday.
What are you looking forward to, Brad? What are you
(12:40):
looking forward to most? Have you won an n PC championship?
We're worried him before?
Speaker 5 (12:44):
Well when it will split championship premiership? We got the promotion.
So the year I lest we won.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Come because I.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Finished it was when we won the I know what,
I don't can find history that you won one.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
I don't want ANBC title?
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Would that be nice twenty nine to win one?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
Twenty nine? I'll take that. I don't know.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
I wouldn't would be unreal, It'd just be like a
I mean everyone something as regular players that you want
to win, and NBC is definitely wanted them. Like there's
some some of the best all blacks in the in
the game or players in the game don't get a
chance to win this condition And.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
You know what, we talk about players all the time
and every sport, and you can you know, oh that
he was fantastic, didn't win a championship. No matter how
good you are, you got to win a championship. Dukes,
what do you think you've already done that?
Speaker 6 (13:32):
So you're okay, No, I just jump on the back
of what Brad said. He like, my first year down
twenty seventeen, we got promoted by winning the Championship Division
and that was when Brad was here.
Speaker 7 (13:44):
So to win this weekend.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
Would be a real cool, full circle moment.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
For us and I always when we won in twenty
twenty two, I said, a really cool part of that
was that a few of the older boys they got one,
and all the younger boys they.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Saw what it took to get there one.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
So yeah, winning's cool, But championships are championshipampionships and championships
and there's a lot to take from them. So yeah,
they set the club up for a few years after that,
and you know, we're still kind of feeling the effects
of the last three years, obviously with the coaching and
players we've got, so we've put ourselves in a good position.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
One final question. If you were running New Zealand Rugby
and there was one thing that you could do to
change NPC, what would it be, Bradley, I'll come to
your doups and come back to breed.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
I played the fifth Oh man, you blue like.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
We don't play, we don't why don't we make it
more traditional to what it used to be, Like, why
not play every team in the competition and then you
get your top you almost out what league does and
you get your top six in the ads.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
You're talking about second division, third division.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
No, No, I'm talking about all one competition everyone once
at least and then you move into like a top
six sort of thing.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
I don't know. I just feel like just we didn't
we didn't play a wik until this year.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
We didn't play Oh yeah, that's I didn't know that.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
That's rubber.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Yes, we don't. You don't play. You mess about three,
you mess about three every teams us three teams teams.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Well, let's change that.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Maybe maybe go back traditionally. Just gear on it, everyone
done and maybe that'll credit.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But thanks guys for coming in.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Appreciate you taking the time and my heart and thoughts
and is there for you guys on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I hope you take it out. How good?
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Thank you?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Thanks having us for more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills.
Listen live to news talks It'd be Wellington from nine
am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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