April 11, 2025 • 10 mins
The Crusaders have made their way to the top spot.
They’re sitting in first after a seven-point win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Coach Rob Penney joined Jason Pine to unpack the win and look ahead to the rest of the season.
“We’ve got an opportunity now to against a really good Blues team.”
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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 Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Head coach Rob Penny is with us having flown back
to christ JUTCHA, Rob, thanks for joining us. Can we
start at the end perhaps? How are the nerves in
the box at thirty one twenty four ahead? Two men
in the bin, five minutes to go.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jason. Personally, not too bad. There was
a bit of anxiousness amongst some others, but that's all good.
You know. It was pretty tense, but just really satisfied.
I guess that the class found a way, which is
a great tribute to them.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I was going to ask that, how proud were you
of the thirteen who were out there for the most
part in that last ten minutes to keep the Hurricanes
at bay as they pretty much camped in your territory.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I was proud of a whole group, you know, right
across we had a lot of disruption, you know, losing
Davy early in a couple of hias, through the middle
part of the first half having to be a bit
of a juggling act, and then yeah, so you know,
we had a lot of disruption and then losing the
two boys late for yellow cards. Just proud of the
(01:19):
whole group, the resilience they showed and the desperation and
the desire to head for each other to get the
outcome we did.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Do you have an update on David Harvelly for us?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The latest one is that he woke up quite good
this morning and that's that's a positive sign. But knowing
what you know, just the history of little issues around
the Lower calf Achilles area that you know it's probably
going to be a week or two. But we haven't
given upvote yet.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
All right, we'll keep eyes on that. The first half
and in fact the first fifty two minutes when you
were ahead thirty one to ten, I mean, terrific. How
does that compare to other performances you've seen from your
side this season?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
A light up there of course. Matt Todd, our defense coach,
who's you know, getting some really good shifts in the lads,
and I was talking about that that's by far the
most intense contact area that that he's witnessed this year
from the from them either group. You know, both teams
(02:26):
were hitting them pretty hard and so that you know
that takes its toll and you know I think there
was some superb pooty played from both sides. It was
very challenging conditions that Dusty swirthly win that you can
get in Willington was at its best, and so the
spect Guy I think was pretty good value given some
of those peripheral conditions.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Really good value. And you landed on the loose forward
battle there, you know, for yourselves Color Gray Sheath and Blackadder,
Christian Leo Willy for the Hurricanes, Y'll see Larkeye Carifi.
I mean, I guess there's a former Lucy yourself. You
must have enjoyed the battle even though you're obviously wanting
your blokes to win it.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh yeah, of course, you know. I rate the loose
portrayer that we've got very very highly, and we've got
some you know, in the bank that we're going to
be able to introduce over the next few weeks that
have added value at times. But I also really admire
what Wellington has got and the youthful athleticism is, you know,
(03:27):
something to be really respected, and you know they'll go
on to produce some great rugby for that frenchise over
the years.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I've got no doubt but a noise around this week
about Scott Barrett. Do you think he I'm not sure
he needed to, but do you think he proved a
few people wrong last night?
Speaker 3 (03:45):
He certainly didn't need to. I think people are searching
for greatness, aren't they, and the realization that like Scott Bout,
like all the boys, that they are human and they're
susceptible to fluctuations in form But he, I think quite
(04:09):
any detractors. He was outstanding. He got an internal Player
of the Day award and got an ovation from the
boys who love him daily and respect him immensely, and
you know, honored him appropriately with a great performance that
he had. And he's such a humble guy. He doesn't
(04:30):
embrace that sort of accolade at all. But it was
nice for him on the back of that, I guess
week to get such a rousing reception from his from
his peers.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
One of your less experienced players want to ask you
about is Joanni Mwana, who he's probably getting more rugby
than he probably thought he would being at a franchise
with a couple of all blacks hookers. What have you
made of his development?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Exceptional? He and a lot of credit goes to Dan
Perrin and the work he's done with him over the
last couple of years to set him up. A lot
of credit goes to himself for getting himself into physical
shape to be able to perform and do what he's done.
He's always had the ability, but often hasn't turned up
in either the greater shape or with a few niggles,
(05:17):
and it's taken him a bit of time to get right.
But the year, you know, even though there's to establish
or nearly establish all blacks in our environment at Hokker,
you know, it's just a great example of even though
you tucked him behind, it doesn't mean you're not going
to get opportunity. And we're so pleased with Yoanni, not
(05:42):
only what he's bringing to us on the footy field,
but him as a bloke and around the environment. He's
just a joy to have. And yeah, as I say,
between himself working really hard and wanting to prove that
he's up to this level and he's proven that beyond doubt,
and the work that DP Dan Perrin does with him,
it's just a joy to watch the outcome.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Now the last part I just wanted to ask you
about specific as Will Jordan, who has played every game
for you at fallback. He just seems to be I mean,
we know how good he is, but how good is
he for you?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, he's very special. You know, he's at that age
now where he's been I guess allocated a really serious
role in tournament in terms of his leadership with David
Harvelly as one of the vice captains, and he's given
a you know, a portfolio there which he's owned. There's
(06:42):
aspects of his game which you know, in some regards
there might be the odd credit around some of the
breakdown works and his ability to get in there and
knuckle down at some of the tough moments. But he's
really led that for us this year, proving to everybody
that you know, he can take that forward now with
a lot of confidence and really back himself and rugby
(07:07):
brain is exceptional, is wonderful to listen to. He's got
the ability to think outside the box and he's also
one that will have the confidence to challenge. So we
love him. You know, he's he's a crusader through and
through and we just love having them in our environment.
(07:29):
And he's as I said that the maturity and as
leadership is has been something that's been a wonderful thing
to watch.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Well said, it's a very different story, Rob from this
time last year. What a difference a year makes. Is
it relevant at all to compare the season to last season?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh, you can compare. The reality is we're miss thirteen
of our frontline players last year for large blocks. That's
that's in a nutshell. Of course, there's some bits and
pieces we've done behind the scenes to alter the way
we did a few things Jane Marshall's changed down are
attacked quite substantially and just just probably giving it a
(08:10):
really nice change up flavor, which are the boys of
Brillian Embrace. And that's always a challenge because it takes
time to get that better than Tooddy had his first
year leading our defense last year. And you know that
consistency of voice and message is starting to bear fruit
because that again takes time. So yeah, I've got no
(08:31):
issues with the comparisons by chalk and Cheese, and there's
you know, as I highlighted, there's a few reasons, but
the main one is the unavailability of your world class players,
you know, an irregular context to be able to get
the performances you need.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Did you get back to the hotel and time to
watch the war Tars Chiefs game or even the end
of it.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
We did, actually, yeah, we watched it with a lot
of interest because we've got the Chiefs in about three
weeks and then we're over to the Wartars not long
after that. So yeah, that was a you know, that
was an interesting match. It didn't look like the Chiefs
were firing on all their cylinders, and the Tars are
tough at home, as we found out a couple of
(09:17):
times last year. So yeah, credit to them.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I look at it because I sort of think, now, okay,
you can relax a little bit, but you can, can
you You've got the Blues at home on Good Friday,
then you're down to play the Highlanders in Dunedin. Plenty
of work today, Rob, isn't there?
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Oh yeah, lots. No, You're never comfortable in this competition.
You know, the Myana Pacifica has taught us a lesson,
you know, only a few weeks ago at home and
you know, that wasn't an acceptable performance and the boys
were so disappointed, and you know, we've got I guess
we've got an opportunity now against a really good Blues
(09:54):
team who were desperate to turn up at home on
Friday night, as to say, on good Friday, and and
just hopefully prove that that was an aberration as opposed to,
you know, the fluctuation than our performances, which we had
had a bit early on. But we've we've put three
back to back consistent performance and hopefully we've got a
(10:14):
rhythm now.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Good Man, Rob, congrats on last night. Thanks for taking
a call this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Mate, Yeah, pleasure, no problem.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Thanks for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen
live to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Head coach Rob Penny is with us having flown back
to christ JUTCHA, Rob, thanks for joining us. Can we
start at the end perhaps? How are the nerves in
the box at thirty one twenty four ahead? Two men
in the bin, five minutes to go.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jason. Personally, not too bad. There was
a bit of anxiousness amongst some others, but that's all good.
You know. It was pretty tense, but just really satisfied.
I guess that the class found a way, which is
a great tribute to them.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I was going to ask that, how proud were you
of the thirteen who were out there for the most
part in that last ten minutes to keep the Hurricanes
at bay as they pretty much camped in your territory.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
I was proud of a whole group, you know, right
across we had a lot of disruption, you know, losing
Davy early in a couple of hias, through the middle
part of the first half having to be a bit
of a juggling act, and then yeah, so you know,
we had a lot of disruption and then losing the
two boys late for yellow cards. Just proud of the
(01:19):
whole group, the resilience they showed and the desperation and
the desire to head for each other to get the
outcome we did.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Do you have an update on David Harvelly for us?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The latest one is that he woke up quite good
this morning and that's that's a positive sign. But knowing
what you know, just the history of little issues around
the Lower calf Achilles area that you know it's probably
going to be a week or two. But we haven't
given upvote yet.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
All right, we'll keep eyes on that. The first half
and in fact the first fifty two minutes when you
were ahead thirty one to ten, I mean, terrific. How
does that compare to other performances you've seen from your
side this season?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
A light up there of course. Matt Todd, our defense coach,
who's you know, getting some really good shifts in the lads,
and I was talking about that that's by far the
most intense contact area that that he's witnessed this year
from the from them either group. You know, both teams
(02:26):
were hitting them pretty hard and so that you know
that takes its toll and you know I think there
was some superb pooty played from both sides. It was
very challenging conditions that Dusty swirthly win that you can
get in Willington was at its best, and so the
spect Guy I think was pretty good value given some
of those peripheral conditions.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Really good value. And you landed on the loose forward
battle there, you know, for yourselves Color Gray Sheath and Blackadder,
Christian Leo Willy for the Hurricanes, Y'll see Larkeye Carifi.
I mean, I guess there's a former Lucy yourself. You
must have enjoyed the battle even though you're obviously wanting
your blokes to win it.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh yeah, of course, you know. I rate the loose
portrayer that we've got very very highly, and we've got
some you know, in the bank that we're going to
be able to introduce over the next few weeks that
have added value at times. But I also really admire
what Wellington has got and the youthful athleticism is, you know,
(03:27):
something to be really respected, and you know they'll go
on to produce some great rugby for that frenchise over
the years.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I've got no doubt but a noise around this week
about Scott Barrett. Do you think he I'm not sure
he needed to, but do you think he proved a
few people wrong last night?
Speaker 3 (03:45):
He certainly didn't need to. I think people are searching
for greatness, aren't they, and the realization that like Scott Bout,
like all the boys, that they are human and they're
susceptible to fluctuations in form But he, I think quite
(04:09):
any detractors. He was outstanding. He got an internal Player
of the Day award and got an ovation from the
boys who love him daily and respect him immensely, and
you know, honored him appropriately with a great performance that
he had. And he's such a humble guy. He doesn't
(04:30):
embrace that sort of accolade at all. But it was
nice for him on the back of that, I guess
week to get such a rousing reception from his from
his peers.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
One of your less experienced players want to ask you
about is Joanni Mwana, who he's probably getting more rugby
than he probably thought he would being at a franchise
with a couple of all blacks hookers. What have you
made of his development?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Exceptional? He and a lot of credit goes to Dan
Perrin and the work he's done with him over the
last couple of years to set him up. A lot
of credit goes to himself for getting himself into physical
shape to be able to perform and do what he's done.
He's always had the ability, but often hasn't turned up
in either the greater shape or with a few niggles,
(05:17):
and it's taken him a bit of time to get right.
But the year, you know, even though there's to establish
or nearly establish all blacks in our environment at Hokker,
you know, it's just a great example of even though
you tucked him behind, it doesn't mean you're not going
to get opportunity. And we're so pleased with Yoanni, not
(05:42):
only what he's bringing to us on the footy field,
but him as a bloke and around the environment. He's
just a joy to have. And yeah, as I say,
between himself working really hard and wanting to prove that
he's up to this level and he's proven that beyond doubt,
and the work that DP Dan Perrin does with him,
it's just a joy to watch the outcome.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Now the last part I just wanted to ask you
about specific as Will Jordan, who has played every game
for you at fallback. He just seems to be I mean,
we know how good he is, but how good is
he for you?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, he's very special. You know, he's at that age
now where he's been I guess allocated a really serious
role in tournament in terms of his leadership with David
Harvelly as one of the vice captains, and he's given
a you know, a portfolio there which he's owned. There's
(06:42):
aspects of his game which you know, in some regards
there might be the odd credit around some of the
breakdown works and his ability to get in there and
knuckle down at some of the tough moments. But he's
really led that for us this year, proving to everybody
that you know, he can take that forward now with
a lot of confidence and really back himself and rugby
(07:07):
brain is exceptional, is wonderful to listen to. He's got
the ability to think outside the box and he's also
one that will have the confidence to challenge. So we
love him. You know, he's he's a crusader through and
through and we just love having them in our environment.
(07:29):
And he's as I said that the maturity and as
leadership is has been something that's been a wonderful thing
to watch.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Well said, it's a very different story, Rob from this
time last year. What a difference a year makes. Is
it relevant at all to compare the season to last season?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh, you can compare. The reality is we're miss thirteen
of our frontline players last year for large blocks. That's
that's in a nutshell. Of course, there's some bits and
pieces we've done behind the scenes to alter the way
we did a few things Jane Marshall's changed down are
attacked quite substantially and just just probably giving it a
(08:10):
really nice change up flavor, which are the boys of
Brillian Embrace. And that's always a challenge because it takes
time to get that better than Tooddy had his first
year leading our defense last year. And you know that
consistency of voice and message is starting to bear fruit
because that again takes time. So yeah, I've got no
(08:31):
issues with the comparisons by chalk and Cheese, and there's
you know, as I highlighted, there's a few reasons, but
the main one is the unavailability of your world class players,
you know, an irregular context to be able to get
the performances you need.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Did you get back to the hotel and time to
watch the war Tars Chiefs game or even the end
of it.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
We did, actually, yeah, we watched it with a lot
of interest because we've got the Chiefs in about three
weeks and then we're over to the Wartars not long
after that. So yeah, that was a you know, that
was an interesting match. It didn't look like the Chiefs
were firing on all their cylinders, and the Tars are
tough at home, as we found out a couple of
(09:17):
times last year. So yeah, credit to them.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
I look at it because I sort of think, now, okay,
you can relax a little bit, but you can, can
you You've got the Blues at home on Good Friday,
then you're down to play the Highlanders in Dunedin. Plenty
of work today, Rob, isn't there?
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Oh yeah, lots. No, You're never comfortable in this competition.
You know, the Myana Pacifica has taught us a lesson,
you know, only a few weeks ago at home and
you know, that wasn't an acceptable performance and the boys
were so disappointed, and you know, we've got I guess
we've got an opportunity now against a really good Blues
(09:54):
team who were desperate to turn up at home on
Friday night, as to say, on good Friday, and and
just hopefully prove that that was an aberration as opposed to,
you know, the fluctuation than our performances, which we had
had a bit early on. But we've we've put three
back to back consistent performance and hopefully we've got a
(10:14):
rhythm now.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Good Man, Rob, congrats on last night. Thanks for taking
a call this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Mate, Yeah, pleasure, no problem.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Thanks for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen
live to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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