February 14, 2025 • 10 mins
The Blues are preparing to defend their Super Rugby title.
They’re beginning the season with a rematch of last year’s grand final – clashing against the Chiefs at Eden Park.
Blues CEO Andrew Hore joined Elliott Smith to preview the season.
“There’s another 10 teams out there that’ll want to do us in, so we’ve just got to be aware that it ain’t, they don’t just roll over and give you, give you a victory.”
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The defending champions kickstart to the titled Defense and Super
Rugby tonight the Blues hosting the Chiefs in a rematch
of last year's Grand Final, which ultimately ended in a
blowout victory for the Blues, winning their first official title
in twenty one years. Super Rugby transit has been aside
have put out the plea to pack the park Eden
(00:35):
Park this evening seven oh five kickoff. The weather's been
a little bit patchy in Auckland today dawned beautifully and
then it's been on and off showers for the last
four hours or thereabouts. Supposed to clear in time for kickoff,
but you never quite know with an Auckland day. Joining
us now is the Blues chief executive Andrew WHWESO, Andrew,
(00:57):
you're going to pack the park?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Well, we're actually ahead of where we have any other
game we've been at this time of year, so that's
a fantastic start. And it was still going really well
last night, so we are delighted with how it's going.
And I think you saw a great crowd last night
at the Hurricanes, Crusaders, so no, things have traveled really well.
(01:20):
So we're quite excited and well, let's look put it
this way, we wouldn't be able to play at Mount
Smart and so we're stoked and there was some great
rugby last night, so let's hope that continues.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
How much have you got, I guess a championship halo
from last year to work with in terms of getting
people through the gates to start the season.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well, I think that helps. I think there's been a
number of things that have changed though within the competition.
I think the Commission has done a great job with
the Fantasy League. I think our players are more open
than to promoting and just being themselves. I think that's
grown a great deal of confidence amongst the squad, which
(02:05):
is good right because people then get to know them
and open themselves up. So I think it definitely takes
a bit of a monkey off the back. But we've
talked all off season about not being overly complacent, but
it definitely it definitely does help and the chatter, but
(02:27):
let's face it, there's another ten teams out there that
will just want to do us in so we've just
got to be aware that they won't just roll over
and give you give you a victory.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
No, that's quite right. And given how hard you worked
over the last twenty twenty one years to get that title,
you've gone from being the hunters to the hunted. So
it's a different proposition for the Blues this season, very.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Much so, very much so. And it'll be interesting, you know,
and that's when organizations are at their most vulnerable. We've
talked about this in the off season. If you look historically,
I think you know, the Blues run it in two
thousand and three and it took another twenty one years.
So don't take anything for granted. And we've got to
(03:11):
put our head down because you know, we're up against
our nearest and darest, and you know, we've had three
or four years before that of making finals and semi
finals and having disappointment, and they've had a couple of
years of that. And we know that you carry that
and it makes the fire burn a lot more inside you.
(03:31):
So it'll be a cracker tonight. We'll have over five
hundred and fifty thousand people watching this on TV. No
other sport in the country can achieve that. And it's
still new Zealand's number one consume sport, So to the
doomsdays out there, you know, if you want to go
and watch something else, go and watch it. But a
majority of people are still watching rugby.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
They are indeed, and you mentioned those changes to Super Rugby.
You've got a new CEO in place. Do you feel
that these tweaks are poised to just enhance the product
a little bit? Maybe it had been talked down a
little bit too much over the last recent You've got
a CEO who can do the talking and introduce a
few new things, and all of a sudden the competition
has a wee bit of a shine again, correct.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
And I think they We've still got a lot of
work to do and our unions have got to allow
Jack to flourish. He's shown that what he can do
straight away and that's positive, right, But we've got to
keep moving towards this more and there's always a balance
between high performance. We've got the probably the best talent
(04:36):
in the world on show. We're the only competition in
the country that can say that it has that, but
we've got to make it fan centric and I think
that's what Jack's bought has given us direction and as
a sport and we've got to get him behind him.
And I tell you the other thing that's been great
this week as I've spoken to a lot of club
(05:00):
presidents and gms out there, and I just want to
thank the support we've had from the rugby community this week.
We sold over fifty teen hundred tickets last week through
our clubs alone, and you know there was a bit
of media about the money that we put back into
Auckland Rugby in North Harbor last year, but we'll continue
to do that if we get that if we get
that support, and they've been outstanding, really have.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
How do you ensure all the teams are on the
same page in Super Rugby, as well as your CEO,
as well as New Zealand Rugby and Australian Rugby, who
hold a lot of power in this competition. Are you
all on the same page?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I think we're getting on the same page. I think
the still work to be done, but having a board
at Super Rugby that has focused on Super Rugby gives
us a voice and I think Kevin mlloy has done
a great job since starting and there's no use throwing rocks.
(05:59):
I think the more I think they want to strong
and powerful domestic product that will feed into a strong
and powerful international product, and we've just got to agree
on the way that we get there. I think the
intent is very much the same. So I'm really positive
(06:19):
about the outlook, and I'm positive about what we can
contribute to the game because it's time for all stakeholders
to actually make to make sure the sport's strong. And
that's the key, because it's actually not levels of rugby
that compete against each other, it's us versus other sports.
And from my perspective, and I'm completely biased, I know
(06:41):
that the experience I've had as a kid growing up
in this great game, we need to applaud it and
celebrate it.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Blue CEO Andrew Hall with us Andrew, is that the
competition sustainable with eleven teams? I guess we saw last
night the war tize the beneficiaries of some of that
rebels telling to already sneaking that one over the hinders,
But can you get away with eleven teams for too
long in this competition?
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Look, I think it comes down to what's going to
create the most intense games. Last night was awesome because
they were intense, right, and I remember looking back at
I think Queensland won the Super ten when it was
a Super ten. So the powers that be and the
clubs need to say what's actually going to make the
(07:28):
most intense footy for the punter every week? And whether
that's ten, eleven, twelve, eight. I don't think we're sure
at the moment, but my gut feel is it's got
to be a round number. I think that helps, and
whether that's twelve or whether that's ten, but I don't
(07:51):
think it'll be much more at that at the moment
and we've seen that. And whenever we do bring in
a new team, I think there are other sports we
can we can copy who support those teams to be
extremely successful in their first year and that's something we
(08:13):
haven't done well. But as I say, with a commission
and with a proper structure, we can actually achieve that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
And just a couple of final questions, Andrew, I'll let
you go Boten Barrett back the season. How many exs
or tickets for a game at home is he with?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I've never backed one individual to sell your tickets made.
I think there's a lot of clubs gone break with
that mentality. I've been around too long to know that
you can't back that. No, we've got to put a
shift in as a team. You're going to have the
one or two flash horries, but you can still if
you're not putting in a performance every week with your team,
then people won't turn up. So it's great to have
(08:49):
him back. He's good in the environment, he's extremely professional,
wonderful for our young fellas like you know, young Spencer
and and co That are in there training with him,
and that's where I think we'll get our benefit from
already be outstanding.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And just finally, how confident are you that the trophy
is staying by June you'll keep it in your headquarters
at Alexandra Park for another season.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, we just got to put our head down and
realize that way those things don't come easy, and that'll
take care of it south before we just focus on
the process and what we've got to do and not
get ahead of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Andrew Waw, thanks for your time with us on news
Talk ZIB this afternoon and appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Thanks very much for having me.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Mate Blue chief executive Andrew Hoare joining the program. Sounds
like ticket sales are pretty healthy. What did he say?
That you wouldn't be able to fit them all in
Mount Smart. So Mount Smart's capacity is about twenty five thousand,
so it must be at least over that, So I'm
guessing somewhere in the vicinity of about thirty k if
not more. And the weather there's now clear again in
(09:58):
all Clinton, they might even get a bit of a
walk up crowd as well. Seven o five kick off.
You can hear live commentary of the match on Gold
Sport and iHeartRadio much looking forward to the ground and
to the getting to the ground and commentating that one
alongside Aunt Strawn ends Nathan Limb this evening and we'll
no doubt review that game tomorrow here on News Talk SEDB.
It is coming up nine away from three, will take
(10:20):
a break, come back and wrap up Weekend Sport for
a Saturday after this.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talks EDB weekends from midday or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The defending champions kickstart to the titled Defense and Super
Rugby tonight the Blues hosting the Chiefs in a rematch
of last year's Grand Final, which ultimately ended in a
blowout victory for the Blues, winning their first official title
in twenty one years. Super Rugby transit has been aside
have put out the plea to pack the park Eden
(00:35):
Park this evening seven oh five kickoff. The weather's been
a little bit patchy in Auckland today dawned beautifully and
then it's been on and off showers for the last
four hours or thereabouts. Supposed to clear in time for kickoff,
but you never quite know with an Auckland day. Joining
us now is the Blues chief executive Andrew WHWESO, Andrew,
(00:57):
you're going to pack the park?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Well, we're actually ahead of where we have any other
game we've been at this time of year, so that's
a fantastic start. And it was still going really well
last night, so we are delighted with how it's going.
And I think you saw a great crowd last night
at the Hurricanes, Crusaders, so no, things have traveled really well.
(01:20):
So we're quite excited and well, let's look put it
this way, we wouldn't be able to play at Mount
Smart and so we're stoked and there was some great
rugby last night, so let's hope that continues.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
How much have you got, I guess a championship halo
from last year to work with in terms of getting
people through the gates to start the season.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well, I think that helps. I think there's been a
number of things that have changed though within the competition.
I think the Commission has done a great job with
the Fantasy League. I think our players are more open
than to promoting and just being themselves. I think that's
grown a great deal of confidence amongst the squad, which
(02:05):
is good right because people then get to know them
and open themselves up. So I think it definitely takes
a bit of a monkey off the back. But we've
talked all off season about not being overly complacent, but
it definitely it definitely does help and the chatter, but
(02:27):
let's face it, there's another ten teams out there that
will just want to do us in so we've just
got to be aware that they won't just roll over
and give you give you a victory.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
No, that's quite right. And given how hard you worked
over the last twenty twenty one years to get that title,
you've gone from being the hunters to the hunted. So
it's a different proposition for the Blues this season, very.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Much so, very much so. And it'll be interesting, you know,
and that's when organizations are at their most vulnerable. We've
talked about this in the off season. If you look historically,
I think you know, the Blues run it in two
thousand and three and it took another twenty one years.
So don't take anything for granted. And we've got to
(03:11):
put our head down because you know, we're up against
our nearest and darest, and you know, we've had three
or four years before that of making finals and semi
finals and having disappointment, and they've had a couple of
years of that. And we know that you carry that
and it makes the fire burn a lot more inside you.
(03:31):
So it'll be a cracker tonight. We'll have over five
hundred and fifty thousand people watching this on TV. No
other sport in the country can achieve that. And it's
still new Zealand's number one consume sport, So to the
doomsdays out there, you know, if you want to go
and watch something else, go and watch it. But a
majority of people are still watching rugby.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
They are indeed, and you mentioned those changes to Super Rugby.
You've got a new CEO in place. Do you feel
that these tweaks are poised to just enhance the product
a little bit? Maybe it had been talked down a
little bit too much over the last recent You've got
a CEO who can do the talking and introduce a
few new things, and all of a sudden the competition
has a wee bit of a shine again, correct.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
And I think they We've still got a lot of
work to do and our unions have got to allow
Jack to flourish. He's shown that what he can do
straight away and that's positive, right, But we've got to
keep moving towards this more and there's always a balance
between high performance. We've got the probably the best talent
(04:36):
in the world on show. We're the only competition in
the country that can say that it has that, but
we've got to make it fan centric and I think
that's what Jack's bought has given us direction and as
a sport and we've got to get him behind him.
And I tell you the other thing that's been great
this week as I've spoken to a lot of club
(05:00):
presidents and gms out there, and I just want to
thank the support we've had from the rugby community this week.
We sold over fifty teen hundred tickets last week through
our clubs alone, and you know there was a bit
of media about the money that we put back into
Auckland Rugby in North Harbor last year, but we'll continue
to do that if we get that if we get
that support, and they've been outstanding, really have.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
How do you ensure all the teams are on the
same page in Super Rugby, as well as your CEO,
as well as New Zealand Rugby and Australian Rugby, who
hold a lot of power in this competition. Are you
all on the same page?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I think we're getting on the same page. I think
the still work to be done, but having a board
at Super Rugby that has focused on Super Rugby gives
us a voice and I think Kevin mlloy has done
a great job since starting and there's no use throwing rocks.
(05:59):
I think the more I think they want to strong
and powerful domestic product that will feed into a strong
and powerful international product, and we've just got to agree
on the way that we get there. I think the
intent is very much the same. So I'm really positive
(06:19):
about the outlook, and I'm positive about what we can
contribute to the game because it's time for all stakeholders
to actually make to make sure the sport's strong. And
that's the key, because it's actually not levels of rugby
that compete against each other, it's us versus other sports.
And from my perspective, and I'm completely biased, I know
(06:41):
that the experience I've had as a kid growing up
in this great game, we need to applaud it and
celebrate it.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Blue CEO Andrew Hall with us Andrew, is that the
competition sustainable with eleven teams? I guess we saw last
night the war tize the beneficiaries of some of that
rebels telling to already sneaking that one over the hinders,
But can you get away with eleven teams for too
long in this competition?
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Look, I think it comes down to what's going to
create the most intense games. Last night was awesome because
they were intense, right, and I remember looking back at
I think Queensland won the Super ten when it was
a Super ten. So the powers that be and the
clubs need to say what's actually going to make the
(07:28):
most intense footy for the punter every week? And whether
that's ten, eleven, twelve, eight. I don't think we're sure
at the moment, but my gut feel is it's got
to be a round number. I think that helps, and
whether that's twelve or whether that's ten, but I don't
(07:51):
think it'll be much more at that at the moment
and we've seen that. And whenever we do bring in
a new team, I think there are other sports we
can we can copy who support those teams to be
extremely successful in their first year and that's something we
(08:13):
haven't done well. But as I say, with a commission
and with a proper structure, we can actually achieve that.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
And just a couple of final questions, Andrew, I'll let
you go Boten Barrett back the season. How many exs
or tickets for a game at home is he with?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I've never backed one individual to sell your tickets made.
I think there's a lot of clubs gone break with
that mentality. I've been around too long to know that
you can't back that. No, we've got to put a
shift in as a team. You're going to have the
one or two flash horries, but you can still if
you're not putting in a performance every week with your team,
then people won't turn up. So it's great to have
(08:49):
him back. He's good in the environment, he's extremely professional,
wonderful for our young fellas like you know, young Spencer
and and co That are in there training with him,
and that's where I think we'll get our benefit from
already be outstanding.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
And just finally, how confident are you that the trophy
is staying by June you'll keep it in your headquarters
at Alexandra Park for another season.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, we just got to put our head down and
realize that way those things don't come easy, and that'll
take care of it south before we just focus on
the process and what we've got to do and not
get ahead of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Andrew Waw, thanks for your time with us on news
Talk ZIB this afternoon and appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Thanks very much for having me.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Mate Blue chief executive Andrew Hoare joining the program. Sounds
like ticket sales are pretty healthy. What did he say?
That you wouldn't be able to fit them all in
Mount Smart. So Mount Smart's capacity is about twenty five thousand,
so it must be at least over that, So I'm
guessing somewhere in the vicinity of about thirty k if
not more. And the weather there's now clear again in
(09:58):
all Clinton, they might even get a bit of a
walk up crowd as well. Seven o five kick off.
You can hear live commentary of the match on Gold
Sport and iHeartRadio much looking forward to the ground and
to the getting to the ground and commentating that one
alongside Aunt Strawn ends Nathan Limb this evening and we'll
no doubt review that game tomorrow here on News Talk SEDB.
It is coming up nine away from three, will take
(10:20):
a break, come back and wrap up Weekend Sport for
a Saturday after this.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talks EDB weekends from midday or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
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