April 16, 2025 • 8 mins
Fresh off winning their second Super Rugby Aupiki championship, the Blues Women have another big match.
They're taking on the champions of the Aussie Super Rugby women's competition, the Waratahs, at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow night.
Blues captain Maiakawanakaulani Roos spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancie Wildergrave
from News Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The Blues women's team won Super OPI. They defended their
title on Saturday night against the Marauders from down South
in the form of Matatu. Great game, so much fun
to watch, and my team lost, but I enjoyed every
second that. We're joined now by the captain of the
Blues that women name is Mike Evanclani Roussi joins us now,
(00:37):
welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Maya thank you for having me, Darcie Year. We're so
proud of how our team put up in that game.
It was to the last minute, fourteen on the field,
but yeah, I guess we just showed our connection and
our heart in those minutes and it took us through
to the end.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
What were you most proud of when you look right
across the entirety of the game, is there any aspect
that stood out that we can we can raise a
flag on that one and use that for this World
Gas game.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I think in the first half we had a bit
of a problem with our discipline, but when we needed
it to be good, it was great, and so we
want to take good discipline to this.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Game and you, as the captain, you stand over them
in the huddle and yell at them all. I mean,
how do you deal with the discipline of players, because
it's a difficult thing to address, isn't it. I'm not
quite sure how your teammates respond to whatever you say.
But what process do you have to go? Wak really?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, So we have calls that we do to like
when we need a chill, so if that's stopping the
offwards or stopping trying to attack the ruck. So I
actually don't need to say much. We go to our
d leaders are attacking leaders and they just give like
two really simple messages that we can all follow, and
then we know that we need to get our discipline
(01:59):
right with those two things.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
To be honest, you know where I come from. I
was thinking much two are going to roll you. But
you didn't give up. I think from my aspect that's
the thing you should be most proud about. Your your
goal line, D and the fact you just did not
give up.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, I'd agree. We Yeah, it was all hot on
the line and very proud of that.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
When you look at the warrtas coming up tomorrow and
it's a big game stranger on a Thursday night, but
of course it's a day off on Friday, so hopefully
people will turn up. What do they bring to the party.
Because you've played this team before. You played them right
at the start of the year in preseason, didn't you.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
M Yeah, they have some very physical forwards who are
going to come out and try to hit us again.
They did that in the preseason. But then I think
one of their superpowers are there back three. They are crazy,
they are fit, they are fast, they are strong, and
so just being able to combat them will be a
(03:02):
challenge for us tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, I didn't hold on though. You look at what
you've got in the back three. It's pretty handy yourself.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Look at all.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
And the intercept. We've got to talk about that because
I heard Braxton Sirens McGee yesterday talking about that intercept
and about what she thought and she actually pouched it
and disappeared, and that was astonishing for mine. I was like,
what a tiny player, There's no way she's going to
be able to get to the end of that. Oh
there she goes. She just con straight bars the Martitude
(03:34):
player and she's kept on going that that that intensity
is something else what can you tell us about the
way she plays the game, because she's a superstar in
the making.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, she plays so free. She works really hard. She
has worked really hard for so many years already of
her life and she's on the eighteen. Her knowledge of
the game is crazy. Her like Rugby IQ for such
a young girl is really amazing. She has things to
say when they need to be said, and I him
(04:06):
huddles and I think that's quite cool to see from
such a young player. But yeah, when she gets on
the field, she knows that she's done the workingd so
she just plays what's in front of her and trusts
that what she has is great, and she is great.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
It says a lot about the environment, about the atmosphere
within the team that a young player feels that she
can speak up when required.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I'd like to think so. Our values, one of
them is freedom and connection, and I think with those
two working together, we have this face for people to
say whatever they want to say and feel comfortable doing so.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
My another standout over the world. I mean Becau hercolo
was quite extraordinary as well. But Porsha Woodman, what do
they feed that lady?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I mean, why she she's a goat. That's that's all
I got to say about Porsche. She's a goat. She's
a big player who fans up in big moments, and
she's been doing that for her whole career. And we
are just so blessed to have her in our team
this season.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
When you spend time with her, and I expect Caitlin
and Braxon, I know a number of other younger players
would be flocking to her to get some advice. I mean,
is she free with knowledge and how she responds and
also in partnership with that, does she take information from
other players. She's not too big that she won't learn.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Still, not at all, sorry, not all to the too big.
She like she is the best learner. I think that's
what I've noticed. First. I had the opportunity to play
with her in the World Cup a few years ago,
and she is just so hungry to learn and come
into Blues environment again. She's been exactly the same. She's
very collaborative, she wants to learn, and she wants to
(05:57):
give as much that she can to our younger girls
in the team. We have like buddy meetings, and so
she's always talking to her buddy about what they can
do better, how they can together and I don't know,
just different pictures that they see around the park so
that they can exploit those when we play. And so
it's really special to see how much she loves to
give back to the game, but how much she also
(06:17):
still loves CI learn.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Maya tell us about playing at Eden Park the prime
game Saturday night, five past seven. It's difficult to suppress
the thrill that you feel there and actually focus on
what's happening.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I love it. It's always an occasion to play at
Eden Park. Just to play under the lights seven or
five primetime was real special. We're so happy that we
were able to get so many viewers on TV that
we've seen. We had like four hundred and five thousand,
and that's really cool to have that many viewers for
women's rugby game. We wish more people were in the standstill.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Maya around the ferns. There's been a lot of talk
around who might get into that site. I'm presuming your
lady speak a lot about this big event coming up
because I think that Sorenson mcgin he has a chance.
Porsche might even be coming back again. You've got a
number of players around is that quite a lot of
(07:14):
your conversation.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Oh not at the moment. Like obviously it's in the
back of our minds that is the goal for this year.
But we've just wanted to give everything that we can
to OPA Key and now to this inaugural Champ first
Champ Final. But yeah, that isn't the works. Opa Key
has obviously been a trial for the coming Black Friends
squads and so I think if we've done the work,
(07:38):
then the girls who have put the hand up have
put their hand up and it's out of our control
for now.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Coming up tomorrow night five past seven at North Harbor
Stadium the Champions Final between the ruling women's team out
of Australia and out of New Zealand Blues captain Mike
Evanna Colony Russ. We thank you so much for your time,
play hard, play fair and get amongst.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Thank you, Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
set Me from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancie Wildergrave
from News Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
The Blues women's team won Super OPI. They defended their
title on Saturday night against the Marauders from down South
in the form of Matatu. Great game, so much fun
to watch, and my team lost, but I enjoyed every
second that. We're joined now by the captain of the
Blues that women name is Mike Evanclani Roussi joins us now,
(00:37):
welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Maya thank you for having me, Darcie Year. We're so
proud of how our team put up in that game.
It was to the last minute, fourteen on the field,
but yeah, I guess we just showed our connection and
our heart in those minutes and it took us through
to the end.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
What were you most proud of when you look right
across the entirety of the game, is there any aspect
that stood out that we can we can raise a
flag on that one and use that for this World
Gas game.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I think in the first half we had a bit
of a problem with our discipline, but when we needed
it to be good, it was great, and so we
want to take good discipline to this.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Game and you, as the captain, you stand over them
in the huddle and yell at them all. I mean,
how do you deal with the discipline of players, because
it's a difficult thing to address, isn't it. I'm not
quite sure how your teammates respond to whatever you say.
But what process do you have to go? Wak really?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, So we have calls that we do to like
when we need a chill, so if that's stopping the
offwards or stopping trying to attack the ruck. So I
actually don't need to say much. We go to our
d leaders are attacking leaders and they just give like
two really simple messages that we can all follow, and
then we know that we need to get our discipline
(01:59):
right with those two things.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
To be honest, you know where I come from. I
was thinking much two are going to roll you. But
you didn't give up. I think from my aspect that's
the thing you should be most proud about. Your your
goal line, D and the fact you just did not
give up.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, I'd agree. We Yeah, it was all hot on
the line and very proud of that.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
When you look at the warrtas coming up tomorrow and
it's a big game stranger on a Thursday night, but
of course it's a day off on Friday, so hopefully
people will turn up. What do they bring to the party.
Because you've played this team before. You played them right
at the start of the year in preseason, didn't you.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
M Yeah, they have some very physical forwards who are
going to come out and try to hit us again.
They did that in the preseason. But then I think
one of their superpowers are there back three. They are crazy,
they are fit, they are fast, they are strong, and
so just being able to combat them will be a
(03:02):
challenge for us tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, I didn't hold on though. You look at what
you've got in the back three. It's pretty handy yourself.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Look at all.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
And the intercept. We've got to talk about that because
I heard Braxton Sirens McGee yesterday talking about that intercept
and about what she thought and she actually pouched it
and disappeared, and that was astonishing for mine. I was like,
what a tiny player, There's no way she's going to
be able to get to the end of that. Oh
there she goes. She just con straight bars the Martitude
(03:34):
player and she's kept on going that that that intensity
is something else what can you tell us about the
way she plays the game, because she's a superstar in
the making.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, she plays so free. She works really hard. She
has worked really hard for so many years already of
her life and she's on the eighteen. Her knowledge of
the game is crazy. Her like Rugby IQ for such
a young girl is really amazing. She has things to
say when they need to be said, and I him
(04:06):
huddles and I think that's quite cool to see from
such a young player. But yeah, when she gets on
the field, she knows that she's done the workingd so
she just plays what's in front of her and trusts
that what she has is great, and she is great.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
It says a lot about the environment, about the atmosphere
within the team that a young player feels that she
can speak up when required.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I'd like to think so. Our values, one of
them is freedom and connection, and I think with those
two working together, we have this face for people to
say whatever they want to say and feel comfortable doing so.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
My another standout over the world. I mean Becau hercolo
was quite extraordinary as well. But Porsha Woodman, what do
they feed that lady?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I mean, why she she's a goat. That's that's all
I got to say about Porsche. She's a goat. She's
a big player who fans up in big moments, and
she's been doing that for her whole career. And we
are just so blessed to have her in our team
this season.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
When you spend time with her, and I expect Caitlin
and Braxon, I know a number of other younger players
would be flocking to her to get some advice. I mean,
is she free with knowledge and how she responds and
also in partnership with that, does she take information from
other players. She's not too big that she won't learn.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Still, not at all, sorry, not all to the too big.
She like she is the best learner. I think that's
what I've noticed. First. I had the opportunity to play
with her in the World Cup a few years ago,
and she is just so hungry to learn and come
into Blues environment again. She's been exactly the same. She's
very collaborative, she wants to learn, and she wants to
(05:57):
give as much that she can to our younger girls
in the team. We have like buddy meetings, and so
she's always talking to her buddy about what they can
do better, how they can together and I don't know,
just different pictures that they see around the park so
that they can exploit those when we play. And so
it's really special to see how much she loves to
give back to the game, but how much she also
(06:17):
still loves CI learn.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Maya tell us about playing at Eden Park the prime
game Saturday night, five past seven. It's difficult to suppress
the thrill that you feel there and actually focus on
what's happening.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I love it. It's always an occasion to play at
Eden Park. Just to play under the lights seven or
five primetime was real special. We're so happy that we
were able to get so many viewers on TV that
we've seen. We had like four hundred and five thousand,
and that's really cool to have that many viewers for
women's rugby game. We wish more people were in the standstill.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Maya around the ferns. There's been a lot of talk
around who might get into that site. I'm presuming your
lady speak a lot about this big event coming up
because I think that Sorenson mcgin he has a chance.
Porsche might even be coming back again. You've got a
number of players around is that quite a lot of
(07:14):
your conversation.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Oh not at the moment. Like obviously it's in the
back of our minds that is the goal for this year.
But we've just wanted to give everything that we can
to OPA Key and now to this inaugural Champ first
Champ Final. But yeah, that isn't the works. Opa Key
has obviously been a trial for the coming Black Friends
squads and so I think if we've done the work,
(07:38):
then the girls who have put the hand up have
put their hand up and it's out of our control
for now.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Coming up tomorrow night five past seven at North Harbor
Stadium the Champions Final between the ruling women's team out
of Australia and out of New Zealand Blues captain Mike
Evanna Colony Russ. We thank you so much for your time,
play hard, play fair and get amongst.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Thank you, Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
set Me from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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