The Crusaders and Chiefs meet in Christchurch tonight to decide the Super Rugby Pacific final.
It’s set to be a tough match, with the Chiefs having defeated the Crusaders in both of the games they’ve played this season.
Piney was joined by Super Rugby CEO Jack Mesley, as well as Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis and Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge ahead of the fated clash.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks EDB, Super.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Rugby Pacific Final Day.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
We're coming to your live from Rock Paul eighty five
Hereford Street in the heart of christ Church as CBD,
we have assembled a Super Rugby CEO Super Panel. Super
Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Missley is here today. Jack, get
nice and close to the mike, you guys, so we
can hear you behind with the ambiance in the background.
Crusader's CEO, Colin Mansbridge is.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Here to day mate, mate, how are you going? Very good?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And Chief CEO Simon grafis hello mate, good to see
you all here.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
Jack.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
We think back to early February when Game one was
played here in christ Uch Valentine's Day was christ Church
where you thought you'd be on Grand Final weekend?
Speaker 6 (00:51):
Well, with the history of this joint, you cannot rule
it out, can you?
Speaker 4 (00:55):
So it's right up there every year.
Speaker 6 (00:58):
Yeah, I guess we were sort of hoping we might
visit somewhere else.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
But it's great to be here.
Speaker 6 (01:04):
What a great city and these two teams are so
deserving to be in this match.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Simon, how are your emotions as you contemplate a third
straight Grand final.
Speaker 7 (01:15):
Oh, we're as pretty grateful to be here at this
time of the season, so yeah, the work's been done.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
And see what happens on the park tonight.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
What what sort of connection do you have with the
team today? Do you kind of leave them, leave them
to it and you'll see them afterwards or have you
connected with them today.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
Only in passing?
Speaker 7 (01:32):
But I think it's important just to leave the boys
to do their stuff today. And yeah, they've got a
job to do tonight, so pretty focused on that.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Colin.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Great to have you hosting us in your city back
here twenty twenty four. Must have been tough for you
watching everybody else play finals for such a proud team
like yours.
Speaker 8 (01:49):
It is it doesn't make much fun watching others play,
so it's actually nice to be in it. But actually
I saw Simon's coaching group today walking around Hagley Park
as I was going for a jog around there, so
I've managed to get in their heads a bit before
they've turned up today, So don't worry about that, Pinning.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Can we get the cow bell thing out of the way, really?
Speaker 5 (02:05):
What is it like?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Have you brought any down Simon to start with, Oh,
hang on.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
I'm actually having Colin wat smuggled them for me.
Speaker 8 (02:21):
There's only one person that we're going to be searching
at the gate today and that's the one that you've
just seen.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Hey, Jack, Before we talk about the game specifically, what
is your assessment of Super Rugby twenty twenty five and
do to leave it also with the benefit of some
hard data as well.
Speaker 6 (02:38):
Yeah, it's been a great season and I think undeniably
one of the best seasons for many years, but importantly
another year of growth on last year, which also grew.
So at the start of the season, we kind of
had three key measures to look at, you know, three
key pillars. One was about the quality of the products
between the white stripes, the level of competitiveness in the latter,
(03:01):
and then engaging fans with more things, more tools around
that and across all of those things, we've seen really
great growth and you know, ultimately we want that to
translate into more fans watching us more often. And you know,
all the data is showing that, so really pleasing season,
but you know it comes down to this point, you know,
tonight and today is all about culminating a great season
(03:22):
with a great Grand Final, and I've got no doubt
these two teams will give us one tonight.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Look absolutely, I think we can all agree the two
best teams are in the final. Across the season, your
sides were the most consistent during round robin eleven wins
from fourteen, dominant through the final series.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Colin and triested. How much pressure did.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You come under after last season to make a coaching change?
Speaker 4 (03:46):
A lot of external pressure, Piney.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
But it's interesting, you know, high performance is about very
small margins. I mean, if you look at the table
this year, I think Jack was mentioning yesterday Highlanders were
in the thing till the very very end of this competition.
So you're always there or thereabouts, which shows you how
close the margins are in high performance. But when you
go when you look at the whole organization and you
look at all the things you could have done better,
(04:10):
everybody pulls a lever or two and you go from
where we were to we are and so so I
think internally the pressure wasn't as severe as what it was.
Extern I got plenty of the bite. It's very hard
to go to the pub on occasion, but yeah, not
so bad now.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
All right, Well, you've clearly made the right decision because
here we are, Simon, you're going to make a coaching
change soon.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Can you just talk a bit.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
About Clayton McMillan's impact on your organization as he prepares
for his final game in charge.
Speaker 7 (04:37):
I look, Clayton's a pretty special individual and as record
speaks for itself, you know, four finals and five years.
But what he has brought to is just that connection
to what's important to us, to the region, to the people,
to culture, and so he leaves us in a much
better space. And you know, obviously we're saying about once
(05:01):
a chief, always a chief. He's always going to be
a chief. He's always going to be held on the
highest honor. He's always welcomed back. So yeah, we've been pleased.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
To have them.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, well, certain cats have been let out of certain bags,
I think by some of your former players. Actually, in
terms of your new coach, when will you make the
official announcement on that?
Speaker 5 (05:19):
Wow, it's interesting.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Actually, I'd hope to be part of that process, which
we haven't done yet, so I'm not quite sure what
those guys are on. But we'll go through a process postseason.
You know, if we had foreseen us getting to this point,
perhaps we would have made some decisions sooner. But yeah,
the best thing you can do is focus on the
(05:41):
season and get that.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Get that out of the way, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
So you haven't given it to John O Goobbs yet
then absolutely not.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
So like I said, postseason will run a process and yeah,
but get it. Getting to this point helps helps make
helps us make a decision too.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Jack, we spoke a few weeks ago and you were
keen to look at the possibility of super around here
in christ Church with the new.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Stadium, which I know you've seen it.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
It's hard to miss as it looks good as you
walk past it and you can imagine games in there,
but you still caen to pursue that.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Yeah, absolutely, Yeah, we're working hard.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
We want super Round to be a part of our
fixture every year and we'd love to bring it to
New Zealand for the first time.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
So yeah, we really hope we can.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
There's still a bit to do on it, but hopefully
we can get that sorted in the next couple of weeks.
And just while we're just talking about Clayton and probably
Rob as well, I just want to say that beyond
the great work they do on the field, amazing work
to support our efforts off the field as well. And
you know, I think both coaches, coaching teams as well
(06:46):
as all of the rest of the clubs have just
really worked hard to give fans access. If I think
about the Chiefs documentary as a great example, and so
you know, I think it's also acknowledging the work those
guys are doing off the field as well as the
great work they do on the field.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Can I just endorse that from a media point of
view as well?
Speaker 3 (07:05):
And I know this might be a bit of a house
but you know, dealing with the Chiefs, the Crusaders, but
also the Blues, the Hurricanes and the Islanders, it has
been nothing but.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Seamless as far as the media is concerned.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And I know that's not the most important thing, and
I know players would rather do other things than talk
to us, but I know I start to the top,
so so clearing the way for that to be to
be possible as well as greatly appreciated. Colin Takaha g
you must be looking forward to getting in there. What
will it do to boost your team but also boost
this community.
Speaker 8 (07:34):
I think the excitement already you know, people are putting
their hands up to get memberships, sponsors, looking to get
into suites and hospitality.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
It's already the demands already there.
Speaker 8 (07:45):
You know, well over jew well over done.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
But it's very, very special. It's a beautiful place.
Speaker 8 (07:51):
When you get in there and you walk around it,
Jack and I have walked around it together and you're
actually you're closer than you are at what where we
are at Addington now. So Addington's a really intimate stadium.
I think, you know, when we see her go and
we're sad to see her go, then an intimacy and
a closeness that you're right right on the field seeing
what's going on. Well, this new place one New Zealand
(08:13):
sad make you closer. You'll feel like you're when you're
doing a commentary or making an observation, you'll feel like
you're going to catch the ball.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
It's that close.
Speaker 8 (08:21):
It's just's it'll be the venue in this part of
the region.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Oh saying before, I don't think there's any crusader who
predates Eddington, but Mitch Drummond might.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
No, No, I think Sam was ours. I think Sam
was our last.
Speaker 8 (08:35):
So yeah, so fourteen years and this thing here, so yeah,
it's so that's the interesting thing. These players have only
ever played here, and so that's all they know, and
that they're really grateful for the opportunity to have played here,
and it is home and they're really stoked about it,
and they'll be sad to see it go. But I
reckon they play one game in the new one and
(08:55):
they'll go, oh, my goodness, what have we been missing
out for for over a decade?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Simon, surely this is your year.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Surely, I mean two Grand Final losses in the last
two years twenty twenty three. I think we can all agree,
even you Colin, that you were the best team across
the regular season before the Crusaders came to Hamilton that night.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Do you have to lose two to win one? Is
that how this works?
Speaker 7 (09:18):
I don't know if there's any formula to that one.
I think the best team tonight to win, and you
know we've got we've got another chance. So you know,
we always want to be there, be there or thereabouts,
and we've got an outstanding group of group of men
that will that will, that will give their best and
I just hope that the winner tonight. You know, it's
(09:38):
a good result and it doesn't come down to any
contentious decisions, and both teams are worthy to be there,
and we know there's a real rivalry that goes back
a long time now. And yeah, I look, I've got
a group that I think can do the job. And
if they play as well as they can, they'll be Yeah,
they'll give it a good note tonight, and I'm pretty
confident that they will do.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Your coaches and even yourself and other members of the
organization talk to your players about they're all black aspirations
or is that more of product of the process they
go through as chiefs.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
I certainly don't.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
I mean, I think the coaches, I mean, you know,
the all black coaches come into all our environments and
I think they probably give some direction around what they
what they're wanting to see. But our coaching groups have
all got all got things they're trying to achieve her
and I think the best thing you can do for
you all but our desperations is deliver on the park.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
And we've got a few. You know, there's.
Speaker 7 (10:29):
Lineups across the park for probably all black positions, and
so it's not just a championship. It's also all black
jerseys that are at stake tonight. That just adds another
dimentioned to it, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
It does? It does well.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, the all black squad or first one of the
year named on Monday, Yeah, I mean, goodness me, any
number of these players tonight could hear their names called out,
some of them for the first time. Look at a
guy like Leroy Carter, you know what a season he said?
Could he be read out? And then there's the others
who have been in and around the team for a
long time. Jack, anything this season that surprised you?
Speaker 5 (10:59):
Did you?
Speaker 8 (10:59):
Did?
Speaker 5 (10:59):
You?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Were you surprised in any way by any part of
the season.
Speaker 6 (11:03):
Yeah, I've learned at you know, and great to now
have a full season under my belt as we go
into another planning phase, you know, and it's important that
you sort of do take that opportunity to really learn.
So yeah, I've been surprised, learnt a lot.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
You know.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
But I think the really pleasing thing that that I've
learned is that we've got a really great group of
stakeholders that all want the same thing, and we've now
got a bit of permission and license to go and
with that momentum and with that collective desire to go
and continue to take this competition forward. You know, we
(11:42):
have no KPIs to do with the international teams, going
back to the all black discussion. You know, our focus
is on this competition and on making this competition as
best it can be. We know if we do that,
that will help the national unions that are in and
around our competition do well. But our focus is absolutely about,
(12:02):
you know, taking the collective group of stakeholders and continue
to grow this competition and continuing to add value to
our stakeholder. Those are our owners of our clubs, our fans,
our broadcasts and media partners and our sponsors. So you know, yeah,
lots of learnings, and we'll sit down and really dissect
(12:24):
a lot of those in detail, whether that's the shape
of game where we have a great group of people
that represent all of the different parts of that ecosystem
that will review the laws, the interpretations of the match officials.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
You know, that's just one example. We'll have a.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
Whole lot of groups that will go to work now
and take those learnings forward, you know, and and and
you know, the feedback we've got, we really welcome that.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
You know.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
I know there's been some discussion about the final series,
you know, and that's great.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
You know, we really think it's a really good series
for final series.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
So you know, here we go, so we got We've
got two teams here who love the final series. But
you know, I mean that's the difficulty of my job
is we'll have a whole lot of different feedback, but
we like the feedback. We welcome the discussion, and my
commitment to all of our stakeholders is, you know, we
will do the work, we'll look at those things and
(13:22):
and we'll come forward with a solution. Now, not everyone
will be happy, right because you know, for every piece
of feedback there's an opposite and equal piece of feedback.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
But all I'd say is that we are listening.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Our intention is to grow this for everyone and continue
to make this the greatest club rugby competition in the world.
Speaker 8 (13:44):
I think point is, well, just before we go off Jack,
I think Jack's arrival, we all talk about it amongst
ourselves that the CEOs when we get together or when
we're on calls, his the rival's been outstanding because I
think we're on a call the other day and he
banged Simon and my head together about some things and
suggest that we could do some things better. He's just
(14:04):
passionate about how it shows up for the fans. So
it's actually really neat that we've got someone who is
just myopically focused on how this thing goes for fans.
So his impact has been quite quite significant. I think
we should take a moment and say thanks man, I
don't think you've done a really good job.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Man, thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Great to hear it, great to hear it.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I want to finish on tonight's game, but just before
I do, being in christ Church, man, this city's been
through a lot, Colin hasn't it. And had the chance
to have a look at Patocky early this morning the
new indoor facility. I'm going to have a little tour
of Tikaha tomorrow. I spoke about it before. How much
does the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Mean to this city?
Speaker 3 (14:40):
How much do they mean and how much do they
bond the city together through what has been a difficult
decade and a half.
Speaker 8 (14:46):
I'm just going to get a few chairs and prickles
up the back of the neck Piney. When I first
started here at Crusaders, a member came up to me
one day and he said, he told me a story
about how the earthquakes. He couldn't he couldn't function, he
couldn't go to work, he couldn't get out of bed.
And then he watched the Crusaders play that season, and
yes they didn't win the championship, but they went all
away and they never compromise on anything. And he said
(15:09):
to me, I was in real danger of doing harm
to myself. Then he said, the thing that inspired me
to get out of bed every day was the fact
your lad's got out of bed every day and did that.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
And I think that to me that moment there was,
oh shit, I've got in the right job here. That
they do mean a lot to this place, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
All Right, let's talk some rugby to finish the same
question for both Colin and Simon. Colin, who was the
most important player for the Chiefs tonight?
Speaker 4 (15:36):
We all know the answer of that, don't we.
Speaker 8 (15:37):
Yeah, and hopefully it's very cold and he pulls a
hamstring do something like that. So but yeah, no, there's
one very good play there. And I think he should
have come through our academy system. I think he was
nicked to what it was near by the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Maybe there's a discussion for another day. Who's most important
Simon for the Crusaders tonight?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Do you think?
Speaker 5 (15:55):
Great question? But uh, there's probably a couple.
Speaker 7 (15:58):
I think I probably can't split it between Cody Taylor
and Scott Barrett, and I think those.
Speaker 5 (16:02):
Two of their talisman.
Speaker 7 (16:04):
So yeah, they if they get up for it, which
I assume they will, it'll be it'll be a tough night.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
So I'm not sure between those two. To be fair.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
All right, a type five battle, many people would think
that will Jordan, but maybe doesn't get out that far.
Maybe it's played. They say it all starts up front.
All right, let's finish with you, Jack, who wins this tonight?
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Mate?
Speaker 6 (16:22):
I've just given you a big compliment, A big compliment,
well for the for the listeners.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
That card says, I am sitting between these two, and
for fear of my own safety, I might dodge it.
I mean, I'd love an extra time.
Speaker 5 (16:37):
I must say.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
I don't want to go to the kickoff, but I'd
love it to go deep into extra time.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Keep fans on.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
The edge of this.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
See good if it's a kickoff and Jock finished it
off with the final kick.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
That would be prett good, wouldn't it. Don't you think
we don't want to kick off.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I don't think we want to kick off.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
I think we want a game that is worthy of
the occasion, and I'm sure that is exactly what we're
going to get. Great to see you, guys, Colin Mansbridge,
Simon Graphis, Jack Measley, enjoy the game, guys, and thanks
for stopping and to Rock Pull this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Change point seven o five.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Kick off everyone, seven o five.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Indeed I ran up applause from the team here at
Rock Paul for our super panel of super rugby CEOs.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks EDB, Super.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Rugby Pacific Final Day.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
We're coming to your live from Rock Paul eighty five
Hereford Street in the heart of christ Church as CBD,
we have assembled a Super Rugby CEO Super Panel. Super
Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Missley is here today. Jack, get
nice and close to the mike, you guys, so we
can hear you behind with the ambiance in the background.
Crusader's CEO, Colin Mansbridge is.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Here to day mate, mate, how are you going? Very good?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And Chief CEO Simon grafis hello mate, good to see
you all here.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
Jack.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
We think back to early February when Game one was
played here in christ Uch Valentine's Day was christ Church
where you thought you'd be on Grand Final weekend?
Speaker 6 (00:51):
Well, with the history of this joint, you cannot rule
it out, can you?
Speaker 4 (00:55):
So it's right up there every year.
Speaker 6 (00:58):
Yeah, I guess we were sort of hoping we might
visit somewhere else.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
But it's great to be here.
Speaker 6 (01:04):
What a great city and these two teams are so
deserving to be in this match.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Simon, how are your emotions as you contemplate a third
straight Grand final.
Speaker 7 (01:15):
Oh, we're as pretty grateful to be here at this
time of the season, so yeah, the work's been done.
Speaker 5 (01:19):
And see what happens on the park tonight.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
What what sort of connection do you have with the
team today? Do you kind of leave them, leave them
to it and you'll see them afterwards or have you
connected with them today.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
Only in passing?
Speaker 7 (01:32):
But I think it's important just to leave the boys
to do their stuff today. And yeah, they've got a
job to do tonight, so pretty focused on that.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Colin.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Great to have you hosting us in your city back
here twenty twenty four. Must have been tough for you
watching everybody else play finals for such a proud team
like yours.
Speaker 8 (01:49):
It is it doesn't make much fun watching others play,
so it's actually nice to be in it. But actually
I saw Simon's coaching group today walking around Hagley Park
as I was going for a jog around there, so
I've managed to get in their heads a bit before
they've turned up today, So don't worry about that, Pinning.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Can we get the cow bell thing out of the way, really?
Speaker 5 (02:05):
What is it like?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Have you brought any down Simon to start with, Oh,
hang on.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
I'm actually having Colin wat smuggled them for me.
Speaker 8 (02:21):
There's only one person that we're going to be searching
at the gate today and that's the one that you've
just seen.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Hey, Jack, Before we talk about the game specifically, what
is your assessment of Super Rugby twenty twenty five and
do to leave it also with the benefit of some
hard data as well.
Speaker 6 (02:38):
Yeah, it's been a great season and I think undeniably
one of the best seasons for many years, but importantly
another year of growth on last year, which also grew.
So at the start of the season, we kind of
had three key measures to look at, you know, three
key pillars. One was about the quality of the products
between the white stripes, the level of competitiveness in the latter,
(03:01):
and then engaging fans with more things, more tools around
that and across all of those things, we've seen really
great growth and you know, ultimately we want that to
translate into more fans watching us more often. And you know,
all the data is showing that, so really pleasing season,
but you know it comes down to this point, you know,
tonight and today is all about culminating a great season
(03:22):
with a great Grand Final, and I've got no doubt
these two teams will give us one tonight.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Look absolutely, I think we can all agree the two
best teams are in the final. Across the season, your
sides were the most consistent during round robin eleven wins
from fourteen, dominant through the final series.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Colin and triested. How much pressure did.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You come under after last season to make a coaching change?
Speaker 4 (03:46):
A lot of external pressure, Piney.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
But it's interesting, you know, high performance is about very
small margins. I mean, if you look at the table
this year, I think Jack was mentioning yesterday Highlanders were
in the thing till the very very end of this competition.
So you're always there or thereabouts, which shows you how
close the margins are in high performance. But when you
go when you look at the whole organization and you
look at all the things you could have done better,
(04:10):
everybody pulls a lever or two and you go from
where we were to we are and so so I
think internally the pressure wasn't as severe as what it was.
Extern I got plenty of the bite. It's very hard
to go to the pub on occasion, but yeah, not
so bad now.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
All right, Well, you've clearly made the right decision because
here we are, Simon, you're going to make a coaching
change soon.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Can you just talk a bit.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
About Clayton McMillan's impact on your organization as he prepares
for his final game in charge.
Speaker 7 (04:37):
I look, Clayton's a pretty special individual and as record
speaks for itself, you know, four finals and five years.
But what he has brought to is just that connection
to what's important to us, to the region, to the people,
to culture, and so he leaves us in a much
better space. And you know, obviously we're saying about once
(05:01):
a chief, always a chief. He's always going to be
a chief. He's always going to be held on the
highest honor. He's always welcomed back. So yeah, we've been pleased.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
To have them.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, well, certain cats have been let out of certain bags,
I think by some of your former players. Actually, in
terms of your new coach, when will you make the
official announcement on that?
Speaker 5 (05:19):
Wow, it's interesting.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Actually, I'd hope to be part of that process, which
we haven't done yet, so I'm not quite sure what
those guys are on. But we'll go through a process postseason.
You know, if we had foreseen us getting to this point,
perhaps we would have made some decisions sooner. But yeah,
the best thing you can do is focus on the
(05:41):
season and get that.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Get that out of the way, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
So you haven't given it to John O Goobbs yet
then absolutely not.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
So like I said, postseason will run a process and yeah,
but get it. Getting to this point helps helps make
helps us make a decision too.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Jack, we spoke a few weeks ago and you were
keen to look at the possibility of super around here
in christ Church with the new.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Stadium, which I know you've seen it.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
It's hard to miss as it looks good as you
walk past it and you can imagine games in there,
but you still caen to pursue that.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Yeah, absolutely, Yeah, we're working hard.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
We want super Round to be a part of our
fixture every year and we'd love to bring it to
New Zealand for the first time.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
So yeah, we really hope we can.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
There's still a bit to do on it, but hopefully
we can get that sorted in the next couple of weeks.
And just while we're just talking about Clayton and probably
Rob as well, I just want to say that beyond
the great work they do on the field, amazing work
to support our efforts off the field as well. And
you know, I think both coaches, coaching teams as well
(06:46):
as all of the rest of the clubs have just
really worked hard to give fans access. If I think
about the Chiefs documentary as a great example, and so
you know, I think it's also acknowledging the work those
guys are doing off the field as well as the
great work they do on the field.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Can I just endorse that from a media point of
view as well?
Speaker 3 (07:05):
And I know this might be a bit of a house
but you know, dealing with the Chiefs, the Crusaders, but
also the Blues, the Hurricanes and the Islanders, it has
been nothing but.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Seamless as far as the media is concerned.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And I know that's not the most important thing, and
I know players would rather do other things than talk
to us, but I know I start to the top,
so so clearing the way for that to be to
be possible as well as greatly appreciated. Colin Takaha g
you must be looking forward to getting in there. What
will it do to boost your team but also boost
this community.
Speaker 8 (07:34):
I think the excitement already you know, people are putting
their hands up to get memberships, sponsors, looking to get
into suites and hospitality.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
It's already the demands already there.
Speaker 8 (07:45):
You know, well over jew well over done.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
But it's very, very special. It's a beautiful place.
Speaker 8 (07:51):
When you get in there and you walk around it,
Jack and I have walked around it together and you're
actually you're closer than you are at what where we
are at Addington now. So Addington's a really intimate stadium.
I think, you know, when we see her go and
we're sad to see her go, then an intimacy and
a closeness that you're right right on the field seeing
what's going on. Well, this new place one New Zealand
(08:13):
sad make you closer. You'll feel like you're when you're
doing a commentary or making an observation, you'll feel like
you're going to catch the ball.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
It's that close.
Speaker 8 (08:21):
It's just's it'll be the venue in this part of
the region.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Oh saying before, I don't think there's any crusader who
predates Eddington, but Mitch Drummond might.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
No, No, I think Sam was ours. I think Sam
was our last.
Speaker 8 (08:35):
So yeah, so fourteen years and this thing here, so yeah,
it's so that's the interesting thing. These players have only
ever played here, and so that's all they know, and
that they're really grateful for the opportunity to have played here,
and it is home and they're really stoked about it,
and they'll be sad to see it go. But I
reckon they play one game in the new one and
(08:55):
they'll go, oh, my goodness, what have we been missing
out for for over a decade?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Simon, surely this is your year.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Surely, I mean two Grand Final losses in the last
two years twenty twenty three. I think we can all agree,
even you Colin, that you were the best team across
the regular season before the Crusaders came to Hamilton that night.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Do you have to lose two to win one? Is
that how this works?
Speaker 7 (09:18):
I don't know if there's any formula to that one.
I think the best team tonight to win, and you
know we've got we've got another chance. So you know,
we always want to be there, be there or thereabouts,
and we've got an outstanding group of group of men
that will that will, that will give their best and
I just hope that the winner tonight. You know, it's
(09:38):
a good result and it doesn't come down to any
contentious decisions, and both teams are worthy to be there,
and we know there's a real rivalry that goes back
a long time now. And yeah, I look, I've got
a group that I think can do the job. And
if they play as well as they can, they'll be Yeah,
they'll give it a good note tonight, and I'm pretty
confident that they will do.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Your coaches and even yourself and other members of the
organization talk to your players about they're all black aspirations
or is that more of product of the process they
go through as chiefs.
Speaker 5 (10:09):
I certainly don't.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
I mean, I think the coaches, I mean, you know,
the all black coaches come into all our environments and
I think they probably give some direction around what they
what they're wanting to see. But our coaching groups have
all got all got things they're trying to achieve her
and I think the best thing you can do for
you all but our desperations is deliver on the park.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
And we've got a few. You know, there's.
Speaker 7 (10:29):
Lineups across the park for probably all black positions, and
so it's not just a championship. It's also all black
jerseys that are at stake tonight. That just adds another
dimentioned to it, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
It does? It does well.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Yeah, the all black squad or first one of the
year named on Monday, Yeah, I mean, goodness me, any
number of these players tonight could hear their names called out,
some of them for the first time. Look at a
guy like Leroy Carter, you know what a season he said?
Could he be read out? And then there's the others
who have been in and around the team for a
long time. Jack, anything this season that surprised you?
Speaker 5 (10:59):
Did you?
Speaker 8 (10:59):
Did?
Speaker 5 (10:59):
You?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Were you surprised in any way by any part of
the season.
Speaker 6 (11:03):
Yeah, I've learned at you know, and great to now
have a full season under my belt as we go
into another planning phase, you know, and it's important that
you sort of do take that opportunity to really learn.
So yeah, I've been surprised, learnt a lot.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
You know.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
But I think the really pleasing thing that that I've
learned is that we've got a really great group of
stakeholders that all want the same thing, and we've now
got a bit of permission and license to go and
with that momentum and with that collective desire to go
and continue to take this competition forward. You know, we
(11:42):
have no KPIs to do with the international teams, going
back to the all black discussion. You know, our focus
is on this competition and on making this competition as
best it can be. We know if we do that,
that will help the national unions that are in and
around our competition do well. But our focus is absolutely about,
(12:02):
you know, taking the collective group of stakeholders and continue
to grow this competition and continuing to add value to
our stakeholder. Those are our owners of our clubs, our fans,
our broadcasts and media partners and our sponsors. So you know, yeah,
lots of learnings, and we'll sit down and really dissect
(12:24):
a lot of those in detail, whether that's the shape
of game where we have a great group of people
that represent all of the different parts of that ecosystem
that will review the laws, the interpretations of the match officials.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
You know, that's just one example. We'll have a.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
Whole lot of groups that will go to work now
and take those learnings forward, you know, and and and
you know, the feedback we've got, we really welcome that.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
You know.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
I know there's been some discussion about the final series,
you know, and that's great.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
You know, we really think it's a really good series
for final series.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
So you know, here we go, so we got We've
got two teams here who love the final series. But
you know, I mean that's the difficulty of my job
is we'll have a whole lot of different feedback, but
we like the feedback. We welcome the discussion, and my
commitment to all of our stakeholders is, you know, we
will do the work, we'll look at those things and
(13:22):
and we'll come forward with a solution. Now, not everyone
will be happy, right because you know, for every piece
of feedback there's an opposite and equal piece of feedback.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
But all I'd say is that we are listening.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Our intention is to grow this for everyone and continue
to make this the greatest club rugby competition in the world.
Speaker 8 (13:44):
I think point is, well, just before we go off Jack,
I think Jack's arrival, we all talk about it amongst
ourselves that the CEOs when we get together or when
we're on calls, his the rival's been outstanding because I
think we're on a call the other day and he
banged Simon and my head together about some things and
suggest that we could do some things better. He's just
(14:04):
passionate about how it shows up for the fans. So
it's actually really neat that we've got someone who is
just myopically focused on how this thing goes for fans.
So his impact has been quite quite significant. I think
we should take a moment and say thanks man, I
don't think you've done a really good job.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Man, thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Great to hear it, great to hear it.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I want to finish on tonight's game, but just before
I do, being in christ Church, man, this city's been
through a lot, Colin hasn't it. And had the chance
to have a look at Patocky early this morning the
new indoor facility. I'm going to have a little tour
of Tikaha tomorrow. I spoke about it before. How much
does the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Mean to this city?
Speaker 3 (14:40):
How much do they mean and how much do they
bond the city together through what has been a difficult
decade and a half.
Speaker 8 (14:46):
I'm just going to get a few chairs and prickles
up the back of the neck Piney. When I first
started here at Crusaders, a member came up to me
one day and he said, he told me a story
about how the earthquakes. He couldn't he couldn't function, he
couldn't go to work, he couldn't get out of bed.
And then he watched the Crusaders play that season, and
yes they didn't win the championship, but they went all
away and they never compromise on anything. And he said
(15:09):
to me, I was in real danger of doing harm
to myself. Then he said, the thing that inspired me
to get out of bed every day was the fact
your lad's got out of bed every day and did that.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
And I think that to me that moment there was,
oh shit, I've got in the right job here. That
they do mean a lot to this place, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
All Right, let's talk some rugby to finish the same
question for both Colin and Simon. Colin, who was the
most important player for the Chiefs tonight?
Speaker 4 (15:36):
We all know the answer of that, don't we.
Speaker 8 (15:37):
Yeah, and hopefully it's very cold and he pulls a
hamstring do something like that. So but yeah, no, there's
one very good play there. And I think he should
have come through our academy system. I think he was
nicked to what it was near by the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Maybe there's a discussion for another day. Who's most important
Simon for the Crusaders tonight?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Do you think?
Speaker 5 (15:55):
Great question? But uh, there's probably a couple.
Speaker 7 (15:58):
I think I probably can't split it between Cody Taylor
and Scott Barrett, and I think those.
Speaker 5 (16:02):
Two of their talisman.
Speaker 7 (16:04):
So yeah, they if they get up for it, which
I assume they will, it'll be it'll be a tough night.
Speaker 5 (16:10):
So I'm not sure between those two. To be fair.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
All right, a type five battle, many people would think
that will Jordan, but maybe doesn't get out that far.
Maybe it's played. They say it all starts up front.
All right, let's finish with you, Jack, who wins this tonight?
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Mate?
Speaker 6 (16:22):
I've just given you a big compliment, A big compliment,
well for the for the listeners.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
That card says, I am sitting between these two, and
for fear of my own safety, I might dodge it.
I mean, I'd love an extra time.
Speaker 5 (16:37):
I must say.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
I don't want to go to the kickoff, but I'd
love it to go deep into extra time.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Keep fans on.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
The edge of this.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
See good if it's a kickoff and Jock finished it
off with the final kick.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
That would be prett good, wouldn't it. Don't you think
we don't want to kick off.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I don't think we want to kick off.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
I think we want a game that is worthy of
the occasion, and I'm sure that is exactly what we're
going to get. Great to see you, guys, Colin Mansbridge,
Simon Graphis, Jack Measley, enjoy the game, guys, and thanks
for stopping and to Rock Pull this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Change point seven o five.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Kick off everyone, seven o five.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Indeed I ran up applause from the team here at
Rock Paul for our super panel of super rugby CEOs.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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