Kurt Eklund is making just his second appearance of the Super Rugby season.
An injury kept the Blues hooker on the sidelines for the first month, but he’s back in the game again as the team faces off against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.
Eklund joined Jason Pine to discuss his return to fitness and his desire to help the Blues right the ship as it coasts on increasingly rocky waters.
“It’s frustrating, but y’know, you can only support the boys where you can, and that’s what I was trying to do.”
“We’ve still got a really good team ... once we make it all click, and hopefully that’s tonight, then y’know, things start going our way.”
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fyne
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
On News Talks EDB. Super Rugby Round eight continues tonight
Blues Hurricanes, Eden Park seven o'clock kickoff on Gold Sport
and iHeartRadio. They march forward the Blues as Christy Pickins
and more players from the backline marching towards the twilight over.
They go Kurt Eckland the try for the Blues and
they are packing it. I don't even know when that
game was. When was that game? I don't even remember
(00:35):
that try, calling that try from Kurt Eckland. When was
it the start of last season? Money Kurt Eckland tryvus
the Hurricanes obviously because you were commentating that, I'm glad
you picked where he was playing for the Phoenix for
some reason. I'm glad you picked out that try. Kurt
Eckland himself will be delighted, I'm sure he joins us. Now,
thanks for your time. Just a second appearance of the
(00:56):
season for you. So what was the injury that kept
you out for the first month or so of the season.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
It's been a bit of a Frustralian one of torn
where my what is it? My editor ad meets my
where I'm supposed to have ads, it's onn that. Anyways,
it's been a bit of a frustrating one. I've got
a bit of a Scots issue there that keeps getting reaggravated.
(01:23):
And you know, it's on a good course coming back
for that Chiefs game, but probably a little bit too
much too soon sort of thing. So having missed the
following game and having bio, which I think is given
a good time to settled down and be ready for tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
All right, so you feel like, yeah, I mean, I
guess you can never be entirely certain, can you, But
you feel like like you'll be able to get a
run of games and now that this is kind of
behind you, Yeah, I'm hoping that.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I think I'm just around my management of load and
things like that throughout the week and then the way
we're playing the games. If I'm smarter about and that,
then yeah, hopefully it's still be a good run into
the rest of the season.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I guess nobody likes to be injured. But how how
doubly frustrating was it watching on as the Blues you know,
endured a pretty tough start to the season and then
you weren't really able to do too much about it.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Yeah, it's tough, mate, Like you know, you're in their
environments and you feel that hurt, you know, and I've
been able to get out there to help or try
and you know, ye do your thing to help the team.
As frustrating, but you know, you can only support the
boys where you can, and that's what I was trying
to do, mate, Just try and keep the level of
(02:30):
energy and enthusiasm up. And you know, I think, like
we're still a really good team, and we only missed
out in a couple of games by one or two points,
so I have been there, thereout. You know, once we
make it all click and hopefully that's tonight, then things
start going our way.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Oh, no doubt. You're a good team. There's there's absolutely
no question about there. With a couple of others coming
back and as well yourself, but also a couple of
your big big players, Patrick Twop a lot to Bote
and boar It both back in the mix. How influent
influential are those guys around your environment.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Yeah, they're great leaders in the experience and probably there
can posures that they bring to the team is you know,
probably what we need at this time of the season.
So you know, we'll be looking forward to having them
back out on the field and see what they can do.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Unfortunately, they you've lost your front row mate off for
talking the fussy for the rest of the season. I'm
sure you're all getting around him to add support. But
how big a loss is he?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, again, he's one of the players, like you just
mentioned before. You know, the experience and maturity that he
brings to the team is huge. You know, he's going
to be like greatly missed. He's been great for their
young front rows and has been for the last few years,
you know, really helped getting around them, learning their roles
and things like that. But you know, we've got some
(03:46):
young boys as well who can step up and take
their opportunity now. But you know, well we'll still get
around Offer and he'll be in and around the camp
and stuff like that, so you know, I'm sure he'll
still be involved as much as he can as well,
or at.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Least talk on field stuff. Kurt, what have you mainly
focused on in the past week or so building up
towards tonight in your quest you know, to turn things
around and to start to gain some consistency.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Yeah, well that's big thing. Consistency. We talk about, you know,
being good in pitches, but being able to play the
game for the whole eighty basics man, And that's like
any rugby game. You know, you you now your basics,
you hold on to the boy and right into the
field and then you know, things start going your way.
So I think the three if we've got a game
(04:33):
plan that seems pretty drummed into us and everyone seems
pretty clear on the role that they need to be taken.
So you know, it's been a good week of training too.
The intensity has been good. I think the break, the
week off has let everyone just refresh, get away from
rugbly a little bit, and come back with a of enthusiasm.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The nature of your role of it's always interested me
in the hooking role in that it's very rare these
days to play eighty minutes. And and you know you
play a mix, don't you. I think last year you
played a mix of starting hooker and impact hooker. Swapping
sometimes from week to week are the roles quite different
if you're wearing two rather than sixteen or vice versa.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I think, like for a mindset. They're a little bit
different because when you're starting, you're getting all the reps
throughout the week, you're getting everything that you need, and
when you're coming off the bench, you probably get a
little bit less around training. So your mindset around your
homework and your clarity has to be right on because
(05:33):
you aren't getting as many reps. And then when you're
coming off the bench, you've got to be very clear
because you don't have time to like work out what's
going well. You've got the time on the bench to
work that what's going on, but you just got to
slot in where when you're starting, you know, if you
fear the game out a little bit, see how things
are flying. But once you're coming off the bench, you
(05:55):
really got a job to you know, lift the energy.
Now you're set peace and you've got to slip in seamlessly.
Does that make sense? It makes it?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It does, It makes perfect sense you and now it's
great side tonight, of course you don't have to worry
about coming off the bench starting. Do you do you
look across the you know, across to the other team,
and do you do you have a personal battle with
the opposition hooker? Tonight, I suffer a more pretty powerful,
pretty powerful ball runner. Do you have a personal battle
with the opposition?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Hooker is good for the players, isn't here? He's big
boy too personal. I don't know if it's personal, but
you never want to go out in a game and
get one taking over you? It What am I trying
to say? You never want somebody to get one over you? Yep,
especially if he's your opposition. So personal, I'm not too sure.
(06:44):
You know that stuff as a goodude. May you know?
I don't mind him at all, but you know, when
it comes to three, ye, Like I said, you never
want your opposition to get one over this. You know,
you get out, You get out there and do everything
you can to make sure that doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, and there's still plenty of time left this season.
Do you feel as though it'll just take one performance perhaps,
or maybe that consistency of a couple of wins in
a row to spring board yourselves back to where you
really want to be as you look to defend your title.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yeah? I think seriously made If we can get this
one on tonight, then you know the positivity and the
energy are really left. And just for the confidence, I
think not that we lacking confidence, but you know, winning
is contagious and if you can get one or two
under your belt then things just have a flowing affair
from that. So made if we could get this one
(07:32):
over the line tonight, it'll be.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Huge, outstanding, Hey Kurk, Great to get the chance to
chat to you, mate, all the best. Great to have
you back from injury as well, and all the best
against the Gaines. Thank you, Brett, Thank you, Kurt, Kurt
Eklin there back into the two jumper tonight for the
Blues against the Hurricanes. A very very interesting proposition this one.
No way really of knowing. I don't think who's going
to win it. I see the Blues are favorites at
the tab that would have to be by home advantage
(07:55):
only and the fact maybe they've got a couple of
their they're more important players back the likes of Patrick
to we pull Lot, to in Bote and Barratt. But yeah,
it came to a chance, especially after the way they
dealt to the Waratahs last weekend.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
For more from Weekends 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 Fyne
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
On News Talks EDB. Super Rugby Round eight continues tonight
Blues Hurricanes, Eden Park seven o'clock kickoff on Gold Sport
and iHeartRadio. They march forward the Blues as Christy Pickins
and more players from the backline marching towards the twilight over.
They go Kurt Eckland the try for the Blues and
they are packing it. I don't even know when that
game was. When was that game? I don't even remember
(00:35):
that try, calling that try from Kurt Eckland. When was
it the start of last season? Money Kurt Eckland tryvus
the Hurricanes obviously because you were commentating that, I'm glad
you picked where he was playing for the Phoenix for
some reason. I'm glad you picked out that try. Kurt
Eckland himself will be delighted, I'm sure he joins us. Now,
thanks for your time. Just a second appearance of the
(00:56):
season for you. So what was the injury that kept
you out for the first month or so of the season.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
It's been a bit of a Frustralian one of torn
where my what is it? My editor ad meets my
where I'm supposed to have ads, it's onn that. Anyways,
it's been a bit of a frustrating one. I've got
a bit of a Scots issue there that keeps getting reaggravated.
(01:23):
And you know, it's on a good course coming back
for that Chiefs game, but probably a little bit too
much too soon sort of thing. So having missed the
following game and having bio, which I think is given
a good time to settled down and be ready for tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
All right, so you feel like, yeah, I mean, I
guess you can never be entirely certain, can you, But
you feel like like you'll be able to get a
run of games and now that this is kind of
behind you, Yeah, I'm hoping that.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I think I'm just around my management of load and
things like that throughout the week and then the way
we're playing the games. If I'm smarter about and that,
then yeah, hopefully it's still be a good run into
the rest of the season.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I guess nobody likes to be injured. But how how
doubly frustrating was it watching on as the Blues you know,
endured a pretty tough start to the season and then
you weren't really able to do too much about it.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Yeah, it's tough, mate, Like you know, you're in their
environments and you feel that hurt, you know, and I've
been able to get out there to help or try
and you know, ye do your thing to help the team.
As frustrating, but you know, you can only support the
boys where you can, and that's what I was trying
to do, mate, Just try and keep the level of
(02:30):
energy and enthusiasm up. And you know, I think, like
we're still a really good team, and we only missed
out in a couple of games by one or two points,
so I have been there, thereout. You know, once we
make it all click and hopefully that's tonight, then things
start going our way.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Oh, no doubt. You're a good team. There's there's absolutely
no question about there. With a couple of others coming
back and as well yourself, but also a couple of
your big big players, Patrick Twop a lot to Bote
and boar It both back in the mix. How influent
influential are those guys around your environment.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Yeah, they're great leaders in the experience and probably there
can posures that they bring to the team is you know,
probably what we need at this time of the season.
So you know, we'll be looking forward to having them
back out on the field and see what they can do.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Unfortunately, they you've lost your front row mate off for
talking the fussy for the rest of the season. I'm
sure you're all getting around him to add support. But
how big a loss is he?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, again, he's one of the players, like you just
mentioned before. You know, the experience and maturity that he
brings to the team is huge. You know, he's going
to be like greatly missed. He's been great for their
young front rows and has been for the last few years,
you know, really helped getting around them, learning their roles
and things like that. But you know, we've got some
(03:46):
young boys as well who can step up and take
their opportunity now. But you know, well we'll still get
around Offer and he'll be in and around the camp
and stuff like that, so you know, I'm sure he'll
still be involved as much as he can as well,
or at.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Least talk on field stuff. Kurt, what have you mainly
focused on in the past week or so building up
towards tonight in your quest you know, to turn things
around and to start to gain some consistency.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Yeah, well that's big thing. Consistency. We talk about, you know,
being good in pitches, but being able to play the
game for the whole eighty basics man, And that's like
any rugby game. You know, you you now your basics,
you hold on to the boy and right into the
field and then you know, things start going your way.
So I think the three if we've got a game
(04:33):
plan that seems pretty drummed into us and everyone seems
pretty clear on the role that they need to be taken.
So you know, it's been a good week of training too.
The intensity has been good. I think the break, the
week off has let everyone just refresh, get away from
rugbly a little bit, and come back with a of enthusiasm.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The nature of your role of it's always interested me
in the hooking role in that it's very rare these
days to play eighty minutes. And and you know you
play a mix, don't you. I think last year you
played a mix of starting hooker and impact hooker. Swapping
sometimes from week to week are the roles quite different
if you're wearing two rather than sixteen or vice versa.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I think, like for a mindset. They're a little bit
different because when you're starting, you're getting all the reps
throughout the week, you're getting everything that you need, and
when you're coming off the bench, you probably get a
little bit less around training. So your mindset around your
homework and your clarity has to be right on because
(05:33):
you aren't getting as many reps. And then when you're
coming off the bench, you've got to be very clear
because you don't have time to like work out what's
going well. You've got the time on the bench to
work that what's going on, but you just got to
slot in where when you're starting, you know, if you
fear the game out a little bit, see how things
are flying. But once you're coming off the bench, you
(05:55):
really got a job to you know, lift the energy.
Now you're set peace and you've got to slip in seamlessly.
Does that make sense? It makes it?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It does, It makes perfect sense you and now it's
great side tonight, of course you don't have to worry
about coming off the bench starting. Do you do you
look across the you know, across to the other team,
and do you do you have a personal battle with
the opposition hooker? Tonight, I suffer a more pretty powerful,
pretty powerful ball runner. Do you have a personal battle
with the opposition?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Hooker is good for the players, isn't here? He's big
boy too personal. I don't know if it's personal, but
you never want to go out in a game and
get one taking over you? It What am I trying
to say? You never want somebody to get one over you? Yep,
especially if he's your opposition. So personal, I'm not too sure.
(06:44):
You know that stuff as a goodude. May you know?
I don't mind him at all, but you know, when
it comes to three, ye, Like I said, you never
want your opposition to get one over this. You know,
you get out, You get out there and do everything
you can to make sure that doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, and there's still plenty of time left this season.
Do you feel as though it'll just take one performance perhaps,
or maybe that consistency of a couple of wins in
a row to spring board yourselves back to where you
really want to be as you look to defend your title.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yeah? I think seriously made If we can get this
one on tonight, then you know the positivity and the
energy are really left. And just for the confidence, I
think not that we lacking confidence, but you know, winning
is contagious and if you can get one or two
under your belt then things just have a flowing affair
from that. So made if we could get this one
(07:32):
over the line tonight, it'll be.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Huge, outstanding, Hey Kurk, Great to get the chance to
chat to you, mate, all the best. Great to have
you back from injury as well, and all the best
against the Gaines. Thank you, Brett, Thank you, Kurt, Kurt
Eklin there back into the two jumper tonight for the
Blues against the Hurricanes. A very very interesting proposition this one.
No way really of knowing. I don't think who's going
to win it. I see the Blues are favorites at
the tab that would have to be by home advantage
(07:55):
only and the fact maybe they've got a couple of
their they're more important players back the likes of Patrick
to we pull Lot, to in Bote and Barratt. But yeah,
it came to a chance, especially after the way they
dealt to the Waratahs last weekend.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk set B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio,
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