February 14, 2025 • 6 mins
The first Super Rugby Pacific game is kicking off tonight.
Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge joins the show to discuss the season and the changes his team has made.
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 (00:00):
Andrew Dickens unbelievably. On February the fourteenth Super Rugby Pacific
is back. The season kicks off in about ninety minutes.
The Crusader's hosting the Hurricanes in the first match. So
I have Crusader's CEO, Colin Mansbridge with me now, Hella
Colinkur Andrew, how are you mate? I'm very good? What
(00:21):
about you have you? Has the trauma of last year
resolved itself?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I think so it's interesting when you can do something
about it, as in prepare and get ready, it gives you,
It gives you.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
A chance to put something out there today. So no,
it has resolved itself and we're up for it.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
Well, okay, you've still got the same coach.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yes we have.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I guess if you wanted to make a if you
wanted to make a a position that that's the coach's fault.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Holy that then you'd say change your coach.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
But of course we went through a pretty good process
to come out the other end.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
So there's about forty or fifty little things we needed
to do.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
And in a game of five margins, you get ten
or fifteen of those right, and you'll be in playoff contention.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
You lost a lot of old heads for last year,
including your coach obviously, and you've got some new young guns.
Are the young guns turning into old heads?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
I think.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
I think half the battle is actually putting the putting
a similar combination.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Together week after week after week and.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Getting players confident in playing with those players and doing
not too many wholesale changes. When you're doing significant number
of wholesale changes, all that cohesion drops out the window.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
So I think we've got some We've got much.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
More availability in the squad this year, and we've got
some of the old heads and we've got some younger
guys coming through, got some new people. James O'Connor has
been awesome coming in and so yeah, I know, we're
really really excited about what this script can do.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
So on that point, you've got the Hurricanes.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
They have four captains, you know, and I think that's
because they realize that super rugby is a nutritional game
these days. You have injuries and you want to keep
you want to keep, as you just said, you want
to keep some consistency through the season. Is Super Rugby
Pacific just too tough on the bodies.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I think that the captain's things interesting Andrew, isn't it,
because I think, yeah, they've got four, we've got one,
but we've got lots of people of the leadership group.
But we've got a number of people in leadership group.
So you want a number of people able to step up.
But it's quite nice to have somebody who's like a
you know, like a captain, somebody who leads on and
off the field and is a sort of focal point
(02:39):
for the group without putting too much pressure on. In
terms of whether it's tough on the body, I think
there's no doubt it's a you know, these are fit, strong,
powerful young men and probably fit a stronger and more
powerful than they They play an exciting brand of high
paced rugby and there's lots of collisions in it, so
it can be it can have some attrition on some
(03:02):
of the bodies, but they do tend to recover reasonably
well and are well looked after.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And speaking about that attrition, the change this year is
into the kicking rules and the kicking and the chase,
et cetera. So are they we've seen it in the
six Nations? Are these good changes?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Some of these? I think what's happening? Yes?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
In short, yes, I think what's happening all over the
globe is that we've realized that most people involved in
might We've realized that the game has to be attractive,
not only and fun to play, but for fans to
watch and.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
So, and it has to be safe.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
So if you've got chases going on and people blocking
those chases and therefore the collisions are more dangerous than
they need to be, and also that the contests aren't there,
then I think both the punter and the person who's
playing the game just wants to see that improve.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
And so I think lots of these little changes that
have been brought.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
In, especially in Super Rugby, we tend to be the
breeding ground of innovation, and it's why it's such a
fast and exciting and interesting competition.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
You've got Brad Moore, he's been talking about that kick game.
He was talking this morning. He was saying, just don't
just kick it away, kick it away with purpose, you know,
and all that sort of thing. He seems like a
good bloke. How confident are you of keeping him? Because
I understand Wales might want to steal them.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It's always nice when we've got people who want to
steal our coaches.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
New Zealand Rugby did a fairly good job over the
last couple of years and stole a few of ours.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
But we're really stoked that Brad's name pops up in
these conversations. He's obviously contracted with us two years and
I think he's really really happy he's come in as
contribution has been excellent.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He's really enjoying the group.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
That they're a harmonious group, bout any false harmony being there.
They're testing and challenging each other, and I think he's
really enjoying himself.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
I can hear wind. Are you watching footy?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Have I given it away? So?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
The development teams just playing at the moment and the
Crusaders have just gone ahead against Hurricans development, So yes,
I am watching forty.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
What's to the crowd?
Speaker 2 (05:15):
We'll get between and then fourteen thousand Right at the moment,
the crowd's not that big, but they're starting to come in,
so it'll actually pretty full time and it's a wonderful day, wonderful.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Day for watching foody. How keen are you for the
new stadium?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I haven't spent a lot of time personally going around
on the inside.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I've spent a lot of time on the outside. But
the feedback about it from suppliers.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And some of our sponsors have been through is that
they are blown away by it will be I forget
the National Stadium being Eden Park.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
I'm telling you of the National Stadium as one New
Zealand Stadium next year. I'm convinced of that.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Oh that's fighting words, mate. All the very best of
luck with the game that's happening tonight and go the
Mighty Blues and thank you for your time.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Thanks, that's good. That's color Mansbridge. Here is the Crusaders CEO.
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Listen live to news talks.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
It'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
Andrew Dickens unbelievably. On February the fourteenth Super Rugby Pacific
is back. The season kicks off in about ninety minutes.
The Crusader's hosting the Hurricanes in the first match. So
I have Crusader's CEO, Colin Mansbridge with me now, Hella
Colinkur Andrew, how are you mate? I'm very good? What
(00:21):
about you have you? Has the trauma of last year
resolved itself?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I think so it's interesting when you can do something
about it, as in prepare and get ready, it gives you,
It gives you.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
A chance to put something out there today. So no,
it has resolved itself and we're up for it.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
Well, okay, you've still got the same coach.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yes we have.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I guess if you wanted to make a if you
wanted to make a a position that that's the coach's fault.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Holy that then you'd say change your coach.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
But of course we went through a pretty good process
to come out the other end.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
So there's about forty or fifty little things we needed
to do.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
And in a game of five margins, you get ten
or fifteen of those right, and you'll be in playoff contention.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
You lost a lot of old heads for last year,
including your coach obviously, and you've got some new young guns.
Are the young guns turning into old heads?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
I think.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
I think half the battle is actually putting the putting
a similar combination.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Together week after week after week and.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Getting players confident in playing with those players and doing
not too many wholesale changes. When you're doing significant number
of wholesale changes, all that cohesion drops out the window.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
So I think we've got some We've got much.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
More availability in the squad this year, and we've got
some of the old heads and we've got some younger
guys coming through, got some new people. James O'Connor has
been awesome coming in and so yeah, I know, we're
really really excited about what this script can do.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
So on that point, you've got the Hurricanes.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
They have four captains, you know, and I think that's
because they realize that super rugby is a nutritional game
these days. You have injuries and you want to keep
you want to keep, as you just said, you want
to keep some consistency through the season. Is Super Rugby
Pacific just too tough on the bodies.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I think that the captain's things interesting Andrew, isn't it,
because I think, yeah, they've got four, we've got one,
but we've got lots of people of the leadership group.
But we've got a number of people in leadership group.
So you want a number of people able to step up.
But it's quite nice to have somebody who's like a
you know, like a captain, somebody who leads on and
off the field and is a sort of focal point
(02:39):
for the group without putting too much pressure on. In
terms of whether it's tough on the body, I think
there's no doubt it's a you know, these are fit, strong,
powerful young men and probably fit a stronger and more
powerful than they They play an exciting brand of high
paced rugby and there's lots of collisions in it, so
it can be it can have some attrition on some
(03:02):
of the bodies, but they do tend to recover reasonably
well and are well looked after.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And speaking about that attrition, the change this year is
into the kicking rules and the kicking and the chase,
et cetera. So are they we've seen it in the
six Nations? Are these good changes?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Some of these? I think what's happening? Yes?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
In short, yes, I think what's happening all over the
globe is that we've realized that most people involved in
might We've realized that the game has to be attractive,
not only and fun to play, but for fans to
watch and.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
So, and it has to be safe.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
So if you've got chases going on and people blocking
those chases and therefore the collisions are more dangerous than
they need to be, and also that the contests aren't there,
then I think both the punter and the person who's
playing the game just wants to see that improve.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
And so I think lots of these little changes that
have been brought.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
In, especially in Super Rugby, we tend to be the
breeding ground of innovation, and it's why it's such a
fast and exciting and interesting competition.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
You've got Brad Moore, he's been talking about that kick game.
He was talking this morning. He was saying, just don't
just kick it away, kick it away with purpose, you know,
and all that sort of thing. He seems like a
good bloke. How confident are you of keeping him? Because
I understand Wales might want to steal them.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It's always nice when we've got people who want to
steal our coaches.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
New Zealand Rugby did a fairly good job over the
last couple of years and stole a few of ours.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
But we're really stoked that Brad's name pops up in
these conversations. He's obviously contracted with us two years and
I think he's really really happy he's come in as
contribution has been excellent.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He's really enjoying the group.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
That they're a harmonious group, bout any false harmony being there.
They're testing and challenging each other, and I think he's
really enjoying himself.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
I can hear wind. Are you watching footy?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Have I given it away? So?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
The development teams just playing at the moment and the
Crusaders have just gone ahead against Hurricans development, So yes,
I am watching forty.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
What's to the crowd?
Speaker 2 (05:15):
We'll get between and then fourteen thousand Right at the moment,
the crowd's not that big, but they're starting to come in,
so it'll actually pretty full time and it's a wonderful day, wonderful.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Day for watching foody. How keen are you for the
new stadium?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I haven't spent a lot of time personally going around
on the inside.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I've spent a lot of time on the outside. But
the feedback about it from suppliers.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And some of our sponsors have been through is that
they are blown away by it will be I forget
the National Stadium being Eden Park.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
I'm telling you of the National Stadium as one New
Zealand Stadium next year. I'm convinced of that.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Oh that's fighting words, mate. All the very best of
luck with the game that's happening tonight and go the
Mighty Blues and thank you for your time.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Thanks, that's good. That's color Mansbridge. Here is the Crusaders CEO.
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Listen live to news talks.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
It'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
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.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.