Jeff Wilson ahead of All Blacks first test of the year

Jeff Wilson played at the highest level for New Zealand for both the All Blacks and the Blackcaps, and these days he follows rugby all around the world as a Sky Sport commentator. 

"Goldie" took some time to chat with Canterbury Mornings ahead of the All Blacks first test of the year, and first match in Christchurch for over four years.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald
from News Talk ZB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
And now Jeff Wilson, you know the name. He was
one of those really sporty types.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
You know.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
He found himself. He was so sporty, he found himself
having to decide whether he was going to be a
professional rugby player or a professional cricketer. So he went
with rugby, of course, and made a great success of it.
And these days he follows rugby all around the world
as a Sky Sport commentator and he's with us now. Jeff,
there were going very well. Now tell you what. Don't
think this is creepy or anything. But a few months

(00:39):
back you were back in Dunedin for a wartized match
against the Highlanders and we were staying at the same
hotel and I was amazed how soon after the game
you guys were all back there. Now, I just want
to know some of the logistics. Do you guys pretty
much gun it? As soon as you're done.

Speaker 3 (00:55):
We leave the car running, yeah, just so we're good
to go. Look, let's be honest. That's one of the
great things about NITA. The stadium, very much like christ
Jitch is in the heart of the city. So once
we're off there, once we've done our final fair wells,
what we do is we off together and bad we're
back to usually watch the game that's coming in out
of Australia, so we don't want to miss the start
of that, so we we pack it all up and

(01:16):
we get back quick ass.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
So you like Shane Jones, you've got the limo waiting
twenty four to seven.

Speaker 3 (01:20):
Have you? No, not quite like that, Not quite like that.
We're loading up at a rental and we're back to
the rafts Man. We've got people everywhere hanging out of it.
So no, no, we're certainly not like mister Jones, but
we certainly we certainly know how to get out of
there when it's time to go.

Speaker 2 (01:34):
I was reading a piece about Grant and Lisbet and
he's been doing it for yonks. How long have you
been commentating?

Speaker 3 (01:39):
Now? Now we're near the yoonks that the great Lisbo
has been doing it for when he's through what four
or five ks? I think five decades now. Look, it's
probably we're getting close to fifteen or sixteen years now.
When I say it out loud like that, it makes
you wonder what I've been up to but look, it's
been amazing. It's been a great journey and I'm grateful
to still be on it. And there's nothing better than

(02:00):
covering the All Blacks and getting the chance to travel
with them and watch them play wherever they are around
the world. So I can't wait for tomorrow night.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
Must be exciting weeks. This must be exciting for you
in the next couple of weeks ahead, especially with the
matches here at home.

Speaker 3 (02:13):
The first test of the year for me is always
something a little bit special first week of the year.
You know, once they've got that first squad name, then
it's a matter of okay, anticipating who's going to be playing,
and then it's a new coaching group and it's a
new group of people who are trying to compare the
All Blacks to win. And we're now eighteen months from
a World Cup. Looking clearly, I love the game, I
love the sport. I love watching the All Blacks and

(02:34):
having been a part of it. So this is, you know, like,
this is as good as it gets for me. And
to be doing it at in one New Zealand Stadium
in christ for the first time in the air pret.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
Call I imagine given that you tossed up at one
point between a cricket or a rugby career, you must
have enjoyed the Test result this week.

Speaker 3 (02:53):
Oh how good? And the nature and the way that
they've done it and the fact that you know, all
the hurdles and challenges, all the injuries, they just looked
about their business, showed a little bit of toughness, a
little bit of maturity. And when about you winning a
series away from home in England, So Tom Latham to
have done that now in India and England. Yeah, I
really like this group. You know, they just get on

(03:15):
with the business and trying to win games, and they
compete well. And you know, I long may continue what
I like.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Does that footage from the dressing room when they came
in and actually the cricket bags were as messy as
my kids cricket bags were.

Speaker 3 (03:26):
The moment you get in there with a cricket bag,
you spread out and then it's almost like you unpack
and then whenever the game finishes, it's the only time
you pack it again. Like it's just you like things
to be out in the open, you like things be
easily accessible, and that'll never change. That's one of the
great traditions in cricket area. J F.

Speaker 2 (03:43):
Wilson great to catch up and enjoy the match tomorrow night.

Speaker 3 (03:46):
Can't wait be Awesome.

Speaker 1 (03:47):
For more from Category Mornings with John McDonald, listen live
to news Talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio