June 20, 2025 • 8 mins
The Crusaders have bounced back in a strong way from their disappointing 2024 season.
They've made it all the way back to the Super Rugby grand final, where they host the Chiefs in a clash to claim the title.
Halfback Noah Hotham joined Piney ahead of the Grand Final.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's get you inside the Crusaders camp. Well and truly
establishing himself as the number one half back for the
Crusaders this season has been Noah Hotham.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Leo Willie picks it, goes over the advisor, Ti gets
it off by free to Hope and he takes it,
chases and is no one home go to the pool.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
They it's the Crusaders. Third.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yeah, Noah Hotham has been a big part of this
team and joins us now. Noah, thanks for taking the
time on game day. Let's look back a week. How
much satisfaction did the team take from the semi final
win over the Blues last weekend, in particular holding on
for what forty plus phases after the siren to secure
the win and secure home advantage for tonight's final.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, it's pretty special, very special. Firstly, it's against the Blues,
brave us. Secondly it's our home in front of all
our fans and.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
It's a semi finals.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
So to show that much care at the end towards
the hootera was real special.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
To say, everybody knows your home finals record. Everybody's been
talking about it this week. I'm sure you haven't been
able to escape, but unbeaten in finals matches and christ
you it's thirty one straight finals matches down there without
losing any of them. Do you in any way embrace
that record as part of your prep and almost use
it as a bit of a badge of honor.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I don't think the record or the stats is something
we ever talk about. It's more the fact that, as
I alluded to, we're at home in front of our
home supporters, in front of our fans, and the last
game at our home stadium is more something that we
we take a lot of pride in and feel a
lot of support with, So it's something that we hold
(02:01):
close to our hearts.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, of course, this is the last time we'll see
you at Apollo Projects Stadium at Addington. You've got a
flash new stadium to move to next year into Kaha
any party you're going to be sad to leave Eddington?
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
It's a place where there's been a lot of history
there and even before hours here watch teams have success
down here, a lift trophies in that stadium and bring
a lot of love and care to the community, so.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
It's definitely going to be missed.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
But on the other hand, it's a double ed sword
and we're excited to see the new stadium and how
it brings the community together.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
All right, let's look at this game. It'll be your
first Grand Final, Nuller, So how have you managed the
week with such a big game at the end of it?
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Yeah, I think just simplifying it.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
It's every moment matters, I guess, and it's us for
the Chiefs. Take the final out of it. It's just
us for the Chiefs, and you got to take that
pretty personally. So just keeping everything simple and just making
sure I'm nailing Morrow.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
There must be a bit of a balance to strike
though as well, because you know, as you can say,
when you can say it's just another game, we go
through the same processes as we would any other game,
but it's a Grand Final, there's no getting away from that.
Do you also intentionally embrace the magnitude of the occasion
and how big this game is?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, I think more so in enjoying each other's company,
like this is the last last game of the season.
It's a week where we can really stay connected, enjoy
each other's company, from the marketing team to communications team,
to the management and the players and really get close
together and have a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Tell us about the halfback dynamic at the Crusaders. Three
high quality halfbacks, yourself, Kyl Preston and Mitch Trumond of course,
who just recently brought up one hundred and fifty games
for your franchise. Everybody wants to play, there's no denying that.
How do you make sure that you also are all
and what's best for the team.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Yeah, it's pretty special.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
It's a pretty special group and there's been I've been
fortunate to see some pretty special players come before us to.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Lead the way. But it's a great group to be
part of.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We push each other and compete for that spot, and
that's how we make each other better.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
So, as I said earlier, we just got.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
To know our own role, whatever that is during the week,
and the boys are.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Really good about it.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
At the end of the day, it's about the group
having success, not one of us.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Do you take pride though in winning the half back battle?
Do you look across at the opposition number nine Quartz
Latma in this case and think to yourself. Okay, that's
my battle to win, and if I can win that battle,
then then I'm doing my job or part of my job.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Yeah, for sure. I think.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Anytime that you converse a great halfback is awesome opportunity
and it's always really exciting for me versus in Cortiz
this week, and so.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
It's really exciting.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And the Chiefs has some quality nine, So that's exciting
for our Nines group and a great challenge that we're
we're looking to step into.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You've had the opportunity this season Tho to forge some
partnerships and the halves with a couple of guys, Tahakma
until he suffered that unfortunate injury and after that, River's Rayhana.
How much of you enjoyed mb combining with those two guys.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Yeah, it's been awesome.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
It's it's come full circle and mostly see how much
scrutiny we probably got last year, and then to turn
it around a little bit and just really take the
learnings from from those lessons that we got taught and
just grow as people go as players and go as
game drivers.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Just on last year. It's probably a difficult question to
answer succinctly. But what has been so different this year
compared to last year?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I could I don't think I could put my finger
on one.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I think where at the end of games we're finding
ways to win, and that's that's a big thing. There
was many games last year where we had the game
and the balance and we didn't take advantage of moments
that could have taken the game.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
And that's probably the biggest changes.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeh, We've took those hard lessons, had a hard look
in the mirror.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
As a whole organization, and come out, who do you
get better?
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I bet you were fizzing for the start of the
new season, and then, unfortunately for you, you're s up
with that ankle injury in the very first game, didn't you,
and it ruled you out for a few games after that.
How frustrating a time was that for you?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Yeah, it was very frustrating, But that's that's fretty.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
I guess you gotta you got to take.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
The highs of the lows, and there's just another opportunity
for me to work on areas of my game that
needed improvement.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
And reflect on how watching I am to be in
the job.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I am and made me really hungry to get back
on the field, and.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
The nature of the modern day game is that as
a halfback it's very rare for you to play eighty minutes,
although you nearly did last weekend. As a starting halfback, though,
do you at the start of the game have a
general idea of when you're going to be replaced in
the second half or does it really depend almost entirely
on the match situation.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Na, Yeah, you don't really have any idea. You kind
of you assume you're getting.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
If you're starting in you're getting a little bit past
half time, and then anyway after that, as a bonus,
you just keep working.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
And not think about it.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
It just makes sure you're enjoying yourself and having a
good cracks out there as long as you can.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I guess yeah, And I know you're only focusing on
tonight's game, But you got your All Black stabut last
year off the bench against fig How much did that
weet your appetite for more time in the All Blacks environment?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (08:09):
That was a huge made me so so hungry for more,
create a big bonfire within my stomach.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Wanted to get back there and prove what I could do.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
But as I said, yeah, as you alluded to it's
about this week and not looking past her.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, I'm sure the rest will naturally follow. No, a
great to chat to, you made all the best tonight
is your farewell Addington and try and keep that proud
Crusaders record alive. Really appreciate you taking.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
The time for a chair, he jeers, thank you very much, Jess, No,
thank you know what?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Noah hoth them there out of the Crusaders camp joining
us on match day, set to play a key role,
and or you'd have to think he'll be named in
the All Black squad on Monday.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said Be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Let's get you inside the Crusaders camp. Well and truly
establishing himself as the number one half back for the
Crusaders this season has been Noah Hotham.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Leo Willie picks it, goes over the advisor, Ti gets
it off by free to Hope and he takes it,
chases and is no one home go to the pool.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
They it's the Crusaders. Third.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yeah, Noah Hotham has been a big part of this
team and joins us now. Noah, thanks for taking the
time on game day. Let's look back a week. How
much satisfaction did the team take from the semi final
win over the Blues last weekend, in particular holding on
for what forty plus phases after the siren to secure
the win and secure home advantage for tonight's final.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, it's pretty special, very special. Firstly, it's against the Blues,
brave us. Secondly it's our home in front of all
our fans and.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
It's a semi finals.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
So to show that much care at the end towards
the hootera was real special.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
To say, everybody knows your home finals record. Everybody's been
talking about it this week. I'm sure you haven't been
able to escape, but unbeaten in finals matches and christ
you it's thirty one straight finals matches down there without
losing any of them. Do you in any way embrace
that record as part of your prep and almost use
it as a bit of a badge of honor.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I don't think the record or the stats is something
we ever talk about. It's more the fact that, as
I alluded to, we're at home in front of our
home supporters, in front of our fans, and the last
game at our home stadium is more something that we
we take a lot of pride in and feel a
lot of support with, So it's something that we hold
(02:01):
close to our hearts.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, of course, this is the last time we'll see
you at Apollo Projects Stadium at Addington. You've got a
flash new stadium to move to next year into Kaha
any party you're going to be sad to leave Eddington?
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
It's a place where there's been a lot of history
there and even before hours here watch teams have success
down here, a lift trophies in that stadium and bring
a lot of love and care to the community, so.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
It's definitely going to be missed.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
But on the other hand, it's a double ed sword
and we're excited to see the new stadium and how
it brings the community together.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
All right, let's look at this game. It'll be your
first Grand Final, Nuller, So how have you managed the
week with such a big game at the end of it?
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Yeah, I think just simplifying it.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
It's every moment matters, I guess, and it's us for
the Chiefs. Take the final out of it. It's just
us for the Chiefs, and you got to take that
pretty personally. So just keeping everything simple and just making
sure I'm nailing Morrow.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
There must be a bit of a balance to strike
though as well, because you know, as you can say,
when you can say it's just another game, we go
through the same processes as we would any other game,
but it's a Grand Final, there's no getting away from that.
Do you also intentionally embrace the magnitude of the occasion
and how big this game is?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, I think more so in enjoying each other's company,
like this is the last last game of the season.
It's a week where we can really stay connected, enjoy
each other's company, from the marketing team to communications team,
to the management and the players and really get close
together and have a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Tell us about the halfback dynamic at the Crusaders. Three
high quality halfbacks, yourself, Kyl Preston and Mitch Trumond of course,
who just recently brought up one hundred and fifty games
for your franchise. Everybody wants to play, there's no denying that.
How do you make sure that you also are all
and what's best for the team.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
Yeah, it's pretty special.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
It's a pretty special group and there's been I've been
fortunate to see some pretty special players come before us to.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Lead the way. But it's a great group to be
part of.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We push each other and compete for that spot, and
that's how we make each other better.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
So, as I said earlier, we just got.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
To know our own role, whatever that is during the week,
and the boys are.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Really good about it.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
At the end of the day, it's about the group
having success, not one of us.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Do you take pride though in winning the half back battle?
Do you look across at the opposition number nine Quartz
Latma in this case and think to yourself. Okay, that's
my battle to win, and if I can win that battle,
then then I'm doing my job or part of my job.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Yeah, for sure. I think.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Anytime that you converse a great halfback is awesome opportunity
and it's always really exciting for me versus in Cortiz
this week, and so.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
It's really exciting.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And the Chiefs has some quality nine, So that's exciting
for our Nines group and a great challenge that we're
we're looking to step into.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You've had the opportunity this season Tho to forge some
partnerships and the halves with a couple of guys, Tahakma
until he suffered that unfortunate injury and after that, River's Rayhana.
How much of you enjoyed mb combining with those two guys.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Yeah, it's been awesome.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
It's it's come full circle and mostly see how much
scrutiny we probably got last year, and then to turn
it around a little bit and just really take the
learnings from from those lessons that we got taught and
just grow as people go as players and go as
game drivers.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Just on last year. It's probably a difficult question to
answer succinctly. But what has been so different this year
compared to last year?
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I could I don't think I could put my finger
on one.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I think where at the end of games we're finding
ways to win, and that's that's a big thing. There
was many games last year where we had the game
and the balance and we didn't take advantage of moments
that could have taken the game.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
And that's probably the biggest changes.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeh, We've took those hard lessons, had a hard look
in the mirror.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
As a whole organization, and come out, who do you
get better?
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I bet you were fizzing for the start of the
new season, and then, unfortunately for you, you're s up
with that ankle injury in the very first game, didn't you,
and it ruled you out for a few games after that.
How frustrating a time was that for you?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Yeah, it was very frustrating, But that's that's fretty.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
I guess you gotta you got to take.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
The highs of the lows, and there's just another opportunity
for me to work on areas of my game that
needed improvement.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
And reflect on how watching I am to be in
the job.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I am and made me really hungry to get back
on the field, and.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
The nature of the modern day game is that as
a halfback it's very rare for you to play eighty minutes,
although you nearly did last weekend. As a starting halfback, though,
do you at the start of the game have a
general idea of when you're going to be replaced in
the second half or does it really depend almost entirely
on the match situation.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Na, Yeah, you don't really have any idea. You kind
of you assume you're getting.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
If you're starting in you're getting a little bit past
half time, and then anyway after that, as a bonus,
you just keep working.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
And not think about it.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
It just makes sure you're enjoying yourself and having a
good cracks out there as long as you can.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I guess yeah, And I know you're only focusing on
tonight's game, But you got your All Black stabut last
year off the bench against fig How much did that
weet your appetite for more time in the All Blacks environment?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (08:09):
That was a huge made me so so hungry for more,
create a big bonfire within my stomach.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Wanted to get back there and prove what I could do.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
But as I said, yeah, as you alluded to it's
about this week and not looking past her.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, I'm sure the rest will naturally follow. No, a
great to chat to, you made all the best tonight
is your farewell Addington and try and keep that proud
Crusaders record alive. Really appreciate you taking.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
The time for a chair, he jeers, thank you very much, Jess, No,
thank you know what?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Noah hoth them there out of the Crusaders camp joining
us on match day, set to play a key role,
and or you'd have to think he'll be named in
the All Black squad on Monday.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said Be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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