June 21, 2024 • 11 mins
Super Rugby comes to an end tonight in what’s set to be an intense match.
The Blues are facing off against the Chiefs before a packed-out Eden Park, taking the home field advantage.
Blues’ Caleb Clarke joined Piney to preview the match.
He told him that Coach Vern Cotter just wants each player to go out there and do their role and just focus on the moment to moment.
“We just need to stick together and focus on what needs to be done.”
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB Super.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Rugby Final Tonight the Blues and the Blues Well hit
to the Big Dance next weekends against the Chiefs. Save
your Road, doesn't And for the second time in successive seasons,
the Chiefs are headed for the Grand Final. They'll play
the Blues tonight the Chiefs Eden Park five past seven,
Life and free commentary, as I say on Gold Sport
(00:33):
and iHeartRadio. Blues and All Blacks winger Caleb Clark is
with us on Weekend Sport. Thanks for your time, Caleb.
First of all, how much of a boost is it
was it to have you Skipper come back into the fold.
We thought he was going to be out for about
eight weeks. He's only been gone for about a fortnight.
How much of a boost is it to have Patrick
to be Pillot to back well ahead of schedule.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, I'm it's a great boost for not just my stuff,
but also the team was quite a I think it's
also the surprise the public with the surprise the players
as well on that day meeting. So yeah, it's just
so cool and awesome to see that, you know, a
young player for one of the more experienced and senior
players putting his body on the line, and yeah, coming
(01:17):
back and making a miraculous healing and you know, miracles
are real, so how good?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yeah good?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Indeed, powers of recovery obviously run pretty strongly in the
two we pull or two family. Your favorites for this
game tonight, Caleb, But I think there's any way of
getting away from that. Is that a tag that sits
comfortably with the Blues to be favorites going into tonight?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Ah? Well, I don't think us as players are really
focusing on that. We know, that's what sort of outside
noise and we had early from burn throughout the week
is we don't want to listen to you, And all
we've got to do is just listen to the circle
and what our leaders, what our coaches, and what each
other is saying to each other saying to us. So
(02:00):
you know, I think, you know, people can say what
they want to say, but it's ultimately going to be
the best team on the night that's going to win.
And we just got to go out there and focus
on our roles and what we want to impose, and yeah,
just get ready for what they're going to throw back.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
So tell us about the conversations that have been had
this week from coaches to pliers in the playing group.
What have been the main focus is ahead of the
Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Just sticking to our game. You know, we've we've created
a style that really suits us as players and suits
the playing group. And so that's just around the starting fast,
making sure that we win our collisions, the getting the
ball on the front foot. So that's big emphasis on
the forwards to really try and win that battle, and
then for us back just trying to finish it off
(02:46):
because you know, we we know the threats that they
have as well and we need to get ready for that.
So on defense, it's just around connection and making sure
we're listening to each other. But yeah, Veran just really
wants us to go out there and do our role
and that's all we need to do. Just focus on
moment to moment, and you know, he said to us,
things aren't going to go right and and we can't panic.
(03:07):
We just need to stick together and just focus on
what needs to be done next. And yeah, that's sort
of the key messages throughout the week.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, the Blues game plan has been pretty clearly built
this season around establishing set piece and forward dominance, winning
those collisions. As you started getting from football, how different
has the season been for you as an outside back
compared to previous seasons.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Oh, it's quite nice, getting you a bit of ball
with space because you know, the fours are doing all
the fruntwork which pulls in the defense and then us
outside get all the space. So it's been awesome. But
you know, on top of that, vern and his coaching
crew have been real, real helpful for me as well personally.
You know, he pulled me aside quite early in the
year and just told me, once I come in, just
(03:52):
just have fun and make sure I'm just doing my role.
He really encouraged me to get amongst the nitty gritty stuff.
So I'm loving getting to you know, pick and go
a couple of times, or creating space around the ruck.
I'm trying to get good front football there too. So
it's just been awesome, so fun, and I know that
everyone's really grown as a player being under Vernon and
(04:14):
under all the coaches. So yeah, we're just really looking
forward to winning a performance and that you know, hope
will be proud of them and send off a couple
of the boys. On a good note.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
You talk about growth of some players, and I look
at a guy like Harry Plumber, who I didn't think
really played it all at First five last year. I
think he might have on occasion slotted in there, but
you had body. Of course, this year he's played a
lot at First five. How have you ceased the way
Harry Plumber's guided you around the park from the ten Jersey.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
He's been awesome and it's awesome to see just the
growth that he's done this year and also over the
year that we've all been there. We have been here. Sorry,
Harry and I had a conversation when we're working up
for training, just well, how long with sort of birth
Blues and for both of us around at eighteen nineteen
(05:03):
and a tough, tough era in the Blues. But here
we are now just you know, playing for a final
and getting ready for that.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
And it's just so cool getting to see him because
in our earlier years Harry was a scapegoat for a
lot of people, and you know, now he gets the
clap back at people and it just shows how much
of a man he is and how much he's grown
as a player as well.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah, very classy. He's been. He's been terrific, just on body.
I saw he played some club rugby last week. Has
he been around the group it all? But I saw
some TV footage of him turning up and sort of
getting involved. Has he been around the Blues much since
he got back from Japan?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, he's coming a few times to help, especially in
our team v team stuff. I think, who are we getting?
Easy to play? And I remember distinctly he was training
and I just went who cares? So he broke through,
I think, and I was like, who cares? But he's
been awesome. He's a he's another player, you know, like
(06:02):
like Patrick, like author, who holds a lot of money
on the team, and so when he and it just,
you know, uplifted a lot of boys, especially us young
ones who look up to them. So yeah, it's been
awesome to stay and seeing around. All.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Right, the Chiefs tonight, you played them not long ago
back end of the round robin. How different a proposition
do you expect the Chiefs to be tonight compared to
when you played them three weeks ago?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We just expect them to throw everything at us, and
you know that's what we're prepared for. We know that
their threats around the ball. We know, you know the
big runners. Wallace had had an awesome game against the Hurricanes.
We know his threats and you know Shooter might be
back this week as well, so you know we need
to be on out wise, and so yeah, that's that's
sort of our mentality, is just being prepared for whatever
(06:48):
they throw. And it's just about us staying connected and
not panicking, just staying calm. You know, they have some
great players and great boys that had heaps of experience
and final situations, and so for us, it's just around
staying composed, staying around each other, and yeah, just really
doing it as a group because you know, if we
(07:08):
can we can start quick and do what we plan
to do, then hopefully we won't go down to any
kind of situations. But we're just ready for whatever they do.
And yeah, we're looking forward to the challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I know there are a lot of sort of mini
battles within a game, and I look at the back
threes and man, there's some there's some firepower on both sides.
Do you look across and see at any nnosaturo in
morning Nadawa Shawn Stevenson, as you say, and do you
and Mark Delayer and Stephen Petervett to sort of make
plans for for what they might present in terms of
a threat.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah, definitely, because like we said, there's a big drifts
as well, and so you know it's one of the
big left but we know, shoot, it has a big boot,
and so there's the money. So we're just trying to
stay ready for that. That sort of that's being connected
around the wall, especially on defense. That's what we want
to shut down because you know, like we saw last week,
they started off real quick and it was the money
(08:03):
breaking and breaking along getting that quick straight away. So
you know, that's that's an awesome challenge. And like you
did say, it's a game within the game, and it's
always a whether you're marking up against. And so I'm
looking forward to going up against the old mate and Money.
You know, he's he's a great player, he's light on
his feet, strong up top, so it's going to be
(08:25):
a good, good battle.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
The last time the Blues won Super rugby, a fully
fledged Super Rugby, I think you were four years old. Uh,
how will where are you of the time that's passed
since the Blues last lifted the trophy.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, definitely, It's it's something that's always in the back
of our minds, especially when we see the alumni come
in throughout the year. We see that the brotherhood that
they still have today, and it's awesome to see. Dad
likes to remind me here and there around the two
teen championship that he won. So it's just, yeah, it's
it's always in the back of our minds, and we
(08:59):
want to be like those those special Blues teams that
have lived at the trophy in the past, and yeah,
we have chance to do that tonight, and it's all
about taking it each moment a time.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Yea.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Well, Dada Ronnie obviously part of the you know those
two famous Blues winds ninety six and ninety seven. How
much advice and guidance does he still provide for you,
particularly in that, you know, right at the business end
of a season like this.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yeah, yeah, he offers a lot, and you know, like
like any dad does, He's always eager to hear how training, when,
and how the boys are doing. And it's quite funny
because now I'm living back home with him, it's like, oh, Dad,
like I'm just trying to switch off and don't want
to think about rugby right now. But you know, just
just seeing his eagerness and just seeing how how much
(09:46):
he cares just really shows and inspires me to hopefully
put out the performance that I'll be proud of. And
so yeah, he's he's really helped me throughout this week.
He's always encouraged me just to keep doing what I
need to do and don't need to do anymore or
don't need to don't need to try and you know,
play out of my skull off. It'd be great to
play out your skin, but I don't need to try
and put too much pressure on myself to do more
(10:08):
than what I need to do. It is my job.
And so yeah, it's an awesome heavy him here.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I love it that he's just still like a dad,
just like any other dad, even though he was such
an amazing player himself. And just to finish, just to
finish Caleb. After this, obviously there's an All Blacks team
to be named. Have you thought much about the All
Blacks during the Super Rugby season?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Oh, not too much, to be fair. I've been quite
focused on the Blues and I'm always that one bit
of time, guy. But if it does happen and then
on Monday night comes and I get named, I'll be happy.
And if not, then I'll just be happy to go
back and play for Auckland because I haven't played for
Auckland in twenty twenty. So you know, I'm in a
(10:47):
space or head space where I'm just always grateful for
anything I did and happy to put on a jersey,
put on some boots and just go and do what
I love. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You've been a huge part of the Blue success this season. Mate,
all the beast for the final tonight. Like I said,
we can't wait to see how it plays out. Really
appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Awesome thanks Jason, No.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Thank you, Caleb. Caleb Clark there from the Blues Camp.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
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 News Talks EDB Super.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Rugby Final Tonight the Blues and the Blues Well hit
to the Big Dance next weekends against the Chiefs. Save
your Road, doesn't And for the second time in successive seasons,
the Chiefs are headed for the Grand Final. They'll play
the Blues tonight the Chiefs Eden Park five past seven,
Life and free commentary, as I say on Gold Sport
(00:33):
and iHeartRadio. Blues and All Blacks winger Caleb Clark is
with us on Weekend Sport. Thanks for your time, Caleb.
First of all, how much of a boost is it
was it to have you Skipper come back into the fold.
We thought he was going to be out for about
eight weeks. He's only been gone for about a fortnight.
How much of a boost is it to have Patrick
to be Pillot to back well ahead of schedule.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, I'm it's a great boost for not just my stuff,
but also the team was quite a I think it's
also the surprise the public with the surprise the players
as well on that day meeting. So yeah, it's just
so cool and awesome to see that, you know, a
young player for one of the more experienced and senior
players putting his body on the line, and yeah, coming
(01:17):
back and making a miraculous healing and you know, miracles
are real, so how good?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yeah good?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Indeed, powers of recovery obviously run pretty strongly in the
two we pull or two family. Your favorites for this
game tonight, Caleb, But I think there's any way of
getting away from that. Is that a tag that sits
comfortably with the Blues to be favorites going into tonight?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Ah? Well, I don't think us as players are really
focusing on that. We know, that's what sort of outside
noise and we had early from burn throughout the week
is we don't want to listen to you, And all
we've got to do is just listen to the circle
and what our leaders, what our coaches, and what each
other is saying to each other saying to us. So
(02:00):
you know, I think, you know, people can say what
they want to say, but it's ultimately going to be
the best team on the night that's going to win.
And we just got to go out there and focus
on our roles and what we want to impose, and yeah,
just get ready for what they're going to throw back.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
So tell us about the conversations that have been had
this week from coaches to pliers in the playing group.
What have been the main focus is ahead of the
Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Just sticking to our game. You know, we've we've created
a style that really suits us as players and suits
the playing group. And so that's just around the starting fast,
making sure that we win our collisions, the getting the
ball on the front foot. So that's big emphasis on
the forwards to really try and win that battle, and
then for us back just trying to finish it off
(02:46):
because you know, we we know the threats that they
have as well and we need to get ready for that.
So on defense, it's just around connection and making sure
we're listening to each other. But yeah, Veran just really
wants us to go out there and do our role
and that's all we need to do. Just focus on
moment to moment, and you know, he said to us,
things aren't going to go right and and we can't panic.
(03:07):
We just need to stick together and just focus on
what needs to be done next. And yeah, that's sort
of the key messages throughout the week.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, the Blues game plan has been pretty clearly built
this season around establishing set piece and forward dominance, winning
those collisions. As you started getting from football, how different
has the season been for you as an outside back
compared to previous seasons.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Oh, it's quite nice, getting you a bit of ball
with space because you know, the fours are doing all
the fruntwork which pulls in the defense and then us
outside get all the space. So it's been awesome. But
you know, on top of that, vern and his coaching
crew have been real, real helpful for me as well personally.
You know, he pulled me aside quite early in the
year and just told me, once I come in, just
(03:52):
just have fun and make sure I'm just doing my role.
He really encouraged me to get amongst the nitty gritty stuff.
So I'm loving getting to you know, pick and go
a couple of times, or creating space around the ruck.
I'm trying to get good front football there too. So
it's just been awesome, so fun, and I know that
everyone's really grown as a player being under Vernon and
(04:14):
under all the coaches. So yeah, we're just really looking
forward to winning a performance and that you know, hope
will be proud of them and send off a couple
of the boys. On a good note.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
You talk about growth of some players, and I look
at a guy like Harry Plumber, who I didn't think
really played it all at First five last year. I
think he might have on occasion slotted in there, but
you had body. Of course, this year he's played a
lot at First five. How have you ceased the way
Harry Plumber's guided you around the park from the ten Jersey.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
He's been awesome and it's awesome to see just the
growth that he's done this year and also over the
year that we've all been there. We have been here. Sorry,
Harry and I had a conversation when we're working up
for training, just well, how long with sort of birth
Blues and for both of us around at eighteen nineteen
(05:03):
and a tough, tough era in the Blues. But here
we are now just you know, playing for a final
and getting ready for that.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
And it's just so cool getting to see him because
in our earlier years Harry was a scapegoat for a
lot of people, and you know, now he gets the
clap back at people and it just shows how much
of a man he is and how much he's grown
as a player as well.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah, very classy. He's been. He's been terrific, just on body.
I saw he played some club rugby last week. Has
he been around the group it all? But I saw
some TV footage of him turning up and sort of
getting involved. Has he been around the Blues much since
he got back from Japan?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, he's coming a few times to help, especially in
our team v team stuff. I think, who are we getting?
Easy to play? And I remember distinctly he was training
and I just went who cares? So he broke through,
I think, and I was like, who cares? But he's
been awesome. He's a he's another player, you know, like
(06:02):
like Patrick, like author, who holds a lot of money
on the team, and so when he and it just,
you know, uplifted a lot of boys, especially us young
ones who look up to them. So yeah, it's been
awesome to stay and seeing around. All.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Right, the Chiefs tonight, you played them not long ago
back end of the round robin. How different a proposition
do you expect the Chiefs to be tonight compared to
when you played them three weeks ago?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We just expect them to throw everything at us, and
you know that's what we're prepared for. We know that
their threats around the ball. We know, you know the
big runners. Wallace had had an awesome game against the Hurricanes.
We know his threats and you know Shooter might be
back this week as well, so you know we need
to be on out wise, and so yeah, that's that's
sort of our mentality, is just being prepared for whatever
(06:48):
they throw. And it's just about us staying connected and
not panicking, just staying calm. You know, they have some
great players and great boys that had heaps of experience
and final situations, and so for us, it's just around
staying composed, staying around each other, and yeah, just really
doing it as a group because you know, if we
(07:08):
can we can start quick and do what we plan
to do, then hopefully we won't go down to any
kind of situations. But we're just ready for whatever they do.
And yeah, we're looking forward to the challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I know there are a lot of sort of mini
battles within a game, and I look at the back
threes and man, there's some there's some firepower on both sides.
Do you look across and see at any nnosaturo in
morning Nadawa Shawn Stevenson, as you say, and do you
and Mark Delayer and Stephen Petervett to sort of make
plans for for what they might present in terms of
a threat.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah, definitely, because like we said, there's a big drifts
as well, and so you know it's one of the
big left but we know, shoot, it has a big boot,
and so there's the money. So we're just trying to
stay ready for that. That sort of that's being connected
around the wall, especially on defense. That's what we want
to shut down because you know, like we saw last week,
they started off real quick and it was the money
(08:03):
breaking and breaking along getting that quick straight away. So
you know, that's that's an awesome challenge. And like you
did say, it's a game within the game, and it's
always a whether you're marking up against. And so I'm
looking forward to going up against the old mate and Money.
You know, he's he's a great player, he's light on
his feet, strong up top, so it's going to be
(08:25):
a good, good battle.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
The last time the Blues won Super rugby, a fully
fledged Super Rugby, I think you were four years old. Uh,
how will where are you of the time that's passed
since the Blues last lifted the trophy.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, definitely, It's it's something that's always in the back
of our minds, especially when we see the alumni come
in throughout the year. We see that the brotherhood that
they still have today, and it's awesome to see. Dad
likes to remind me here and there around the two
teen championship that he won. So it's just, yeah, it's
it's always in the back of our minds, and we
(08:59):
want to be like those those special Blues teams that
have lived at the trophy in the past, and yeah,
we have chance to do that tonight, and it's all
about taking it each moment a time.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Yea.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Well, Dada Ronnie obviously part of the you know those
two famous Blues winds ninety six and ninety seven. How
much advice and guidance does he still provide for you,
particularly in that, you know, right at the business end
of a season like this.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yeah, yeah, he offers a lot, and you know, like
like any dad does, He's always eager to hear how training, when,
and how the boys are doing. And it's quite funny
because now I'm living back home with him, it's like, oh, Dad,
like I'm just trying to switch off and don't want
to think about rugby right now. But you know, just
just seeing his eagerness and just seeing how how much
(09:46):
he cares just really shows and inspires me to hopefully
put out the performance that I'll be proud of. And
so yeah, he's he's really helped me throughout this week.
He's always encouraged me just to keep doing what I
need to do and don't need to do anymore or
don't need to don't need to try and you know,
play out of my skull off. It'd be great to
play out your skin, but I don't need to try
and put too much pressure on myself to do more
(10:08):
than what I need to do. It is my job.
And so yeah, it's an awesome heavy him here.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I love it that he's just still like a dad,
just like any other dad, even though he was such
an amazing player himself. And just to finish, just to
finish Caleb. After this, obviously there's an All Blacks team
to be named. Have you thought much about the All
Blacks during the Super Rugby season?
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Oh, not too much, to be fair. I've been quite
focused on the Blues and I'm always that one bit
of time, guy. But if it does happen and then
on Monday night comes and I get named, I'll be happy.
And if not, then I'll just be happy to go
back and play for Auckland because I haven't played for
Auckland in twenty twenty. So you know, I'm in a
(10:47):
space or head space where I'm just always grateful for
anything I did and happy to put on a jersey,
put on some boots and just go and do what
I love. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You've been a huge part of the Blue success this season. Mate,
all the beast for the final tonight. Like I said,
we can't wait to see how it plays out. Really
appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Awesome thanks Jason, No.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Thank you, Caleb. Caleb Clark there from the Blues Camp.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
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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