October 29, 2025 • 17 mins
The All Blacks are set to contest for their first Grand Slam in 15 years with the first game kicking off this Sunday morning when they take on Ireland in Chicago.
Tana Umaga was the captain when they completed a successful Grand Slam tour in 2005, and he caught up with D'Arcy to look ahead to this year's tour and what odds he gives this All Blacks team to complete it once again.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
First Grand Slam in fifteen years. There was a glass
of them for a while there. It's been quite a
while since the All Blacks have had the opportunity to
knock this bugger off. First game kicks off Sunday morning.
Elliot Smith with the call. You can get that here
on News Talk ZB. They're taking on Ireland in Chicago.
(00:32):
Tana Um, here's the captain. When they completed their successful
Grand Slam tour back in two thousand and five. This
is on the back of an Alliance tour where they
clean swept the touring side. There was a lot on
the coaching staff then it was Graham, Henry, Steve Hansen
and Wayne Smith.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
I mean, how do you go wrong with that group?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
He joins us. Now, anyway, tana Um, I'm had to
touch on the tour of two thousand and five as well.
Look ahead this year's Grand Slam and what odds does
he give the All Blacks to complete it once again?
He joins us Now, gooda, I'm very well. I'm looking
forward to what's going to be a massive few weeks
of rugby in the Northern Hemisphere. It takes me back
(01:14):
to what twenty odd years ago when you were doing
the same thing on a Grand Slam of tour. What
memories have you got of that that long ago? Are
they still to the four?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
I don't know if they're to the four, but you
know there's a glimmer of a glimmer of something in
my memory around it. No, No, it was, as you said,
twenty years ago, Jae's it's been that long. It was obviously,
you know previously in that year with Ted and our
(01:46):
coaches Jesse, I can't even remember names now, well, Steve
Hanson and Wayne Smith especially, you know, they talked about
obviously we had the lines on in two thousand and
five and then I was going to actually retire straight
after the Lions Tour. That's that's kind of what I
(02:08):
was aiming for after the two thousand and three World Cup.
But teen said to me, look, wouldn't it be great,
you know, let's get to the Grand Slam. You know,
that's something that we haven't done in a long time.
Be a great achievement if we could do you know,
the Lions and then and then the Grand Slam and
we take it all out and so you know that
(02:29):
that kind of he convinced me after a few few discussions.
So you know, actually going on the tour again over there,
it was really exciting. We had a slight exciting group.
We actually had a good a good battle with the
Lions and then with you know, the Bleader is Low
(02:51):
and I think then it was the Try Nations Cup.
I don't think they'd changed names by then, but you
know we've got a bit of success out of those,
and so you know, going over there, we're all pretty
amped for it, and you know it was an exciting
time to get over there, and going over to Wales
first and foremost, what I remember is I didn't play
(03:14):
well that well getting over there, talking about all this excitement,
and then I got over and all I remember actually
vividly was almost running over me through the midfield, and
I think that kind of woke me up a little bit.
You know, we came good in the end, but it
(03:35):
started a bit slow. You know, they were our first game,
and uh and so you know with the Welsh, you know,
we got on top of them there and then I
didn't play the second Test against Ireland. You know, I
got pulled aside at the airport in a way you know,
in between Wales and Ireland, which is it's not a
(03:57):
it's not a big trip, but you know it's uh.
Ted pulled on the aside and just said, hey, look
we're not going to play this week. We're going to
give everyone a game and rotate these guys. And obviously
I'd had a I wasn't favorite player in Ireland at
that stage, you know, just for what had happened in
(04:20):
the lines. So I was thinking, look, it's not because
of that, but no, he assured me. There was just
around again, you know, giving everyone a run. They thought
it was a good opportunity to give some guys a
chance in that Test as well. So I was I
didn't play that well in the first Test. I thought, oh,
(04:41):
it might be on the way out.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Hold on, don't you get me wrong. You were the
captain on that first up match were you are you
the captain of the side and Ted thought to rotate
you out would be a good idea to get you
over here in the first place, was a very cool
thing to do. So this is not a side swipe,
but the days of rotation the like as well. It's
accepted now how interrupting is that or how much an
(05:04):
interruption was that for the team when they did something
like that when they said to the captain, you stand
down and we're going to chuck your jersey at Aaron Major.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
No.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Look, I think obviously because we I made the decision earlier,
you know, quite early on the pace around you know, retiring,
I could see the merits of it obviously, you know,
looking for the future and an opportunity for that, and
that's how we talked about it. But you know, I
remember again, you know, when we were talking about retirement
(05:39):
and Ted was talking to me around this rotation that
you know, he said, it's going to come in the
amount of tests we have to play. And I think
that was part of the for me, the part of
the reasons why I thought, oh, it's probably not for me.
I have so much respect for the for the black jersey,
and and again it was just the way I was
(06:01):
thinking at that stage in my life, and so well,
I can't play then I don't want to just be
sitting around not playing and just training, you know too,
to not be allowed to play test rugby when you're
fitting ready to go on the basis of rotation it
was again, it was just not something that kind of
(06:22):
sat well with me. And I suppose I'm just old school,
and you know, I can totally understand it now with
the amount of games people playing that and the intensity
of the games, I get it. But probably then as
a player, you know that I couldn't think of anything
worse not playing test rugby, just because it was that's
the epitome of, you know, of the competitive nature of
(06:48):
who we are as a country and as a nation,
I believe, and to be playing test rugby is what
you want to be doing and that's why you work
so hard. So you know, when it was first brought
up with me, you know around you know, like when
I was asked, would I stay on, you know, post
(07:08):
two thousand and five and you know we can use
you know, we wouldn't play in every test and rotate
you around to get you through with a two thousand
and seven World Cup. You know, I just said, oh, really,
that kind of actually pushed me towards if I can't
get there and play the games, and I don't want to,
I don't want to try, if that makes sense, And
you know, I already decided to hang up my boots
(07:31):
in the Test arena, so I kind of just stuck
with that and it was probably a bit a good
time for me to head out.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It's a ton of reminho joins us. It plenty of worked.
I mean you look at that coaching staff, Graham, Henry,
Wayne Smith and Steve Hanson. I mean, wow, look at that.
That's Wly trinity for you. And they introduced these changes,
they run these changes. You came back for the second
two Test matches to complete the Grand Slam. But taking
that into account, how does Scott Robertson do you think
(07:58):
go about managing his squad of players over there? First
up against ID and then they're over the over the
Great Britain. Then they've got a few more over there.
Are you expecting a huge turnover of players? Expect a
consistency of selection, But what would you expect based on
a grand name and also what you've seen of Scott
Robertson to date.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
It's a good question. I think he's showing a bit
of both at the stay. So it's hard to gauge
which way he'll go. Obviously, you know the outcomes as
to achieve a Grand Slam, so he's got to figure
out whether you know he does he have the trust
in his players to repate them, you know, in the
(08:39):
squad that he's picked, or is he going to go
with the tried and true, but as we know, trying
to be you know, having four major tests and in
four weeks, and then also trying to keep your side
hopefully energized and motivated. You know, I don't question the motivation,
(09:03):
it's just that energy level because as we know that
test rugby's it's such a high intensity that it's hard
now for our for our test players, I believe, to
back up you know, three or four times in a row.
I think once or twice definitely, And we've seen it
(09:25):
with other nations too, you know, how do they do
it consistently? And that's something that they you know, I'm
sure that these guys have have thought about. And as
I've said before, you know, he's made some changes and
when after he's had wins and it hasn't panned.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Out for him.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
And I thought just in that last the game where
you know he made minor changes and he just want
senior players back, I think you might see a little
bit more of that, you know, with the with the
prize of you know, winning the the Grand Slam, you know,
such a huge thing and something we haven't done for
a fair while.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
So yeah, you know, look, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
I'd probably guess that he'd want to put his best
site out there as much as he can. I'm sure
he's looking at all the individual nations and thing seeing
where maybe he could make some changes. And you know
that's a risk as a as a coach, you know,
shucks to make these changes, and you don't want to
(10:30):
underestimate anyone. But also you've got to think, oh, I've
got to make sure that I'm getting my guys up
and in the best condition they can before the big games.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Carrying the pressure of a Grand Slam. You've experienced it,
you know what it's like. Could that get in the
way of what's going on or indeed do you actually so? No,
this is the purpose of this. We must make that
the purpose of what we're doing here. We need to
win this Grand Slam. Is that good pressure, bad pressure,
a pain in the backside pressure? Tanner?
Speaker 4 (10:57):
Well, look, I think it's a pressure that's always there.
You know, you can't get away from it. And the
idea is obviously that that is what we're on this tour,
do you know, I think that's what he's got to explain.
I'm sure that he's explained to his player. This is
what we're here to do. You know, we want to
achieve that, but to get there, you know, we've got
to start here and put these pieces together.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You know, the.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Expectation of a Grand Slam from us as the nation is,
is always going to be there upon them, and I'm
sure it's there, you know, for the players to always
think about in the back of their minds that, you know,
shut someone and put my name as a Grand Slam
winner and someone that's achieved that as well. You know,
these guys have got some huge baccolades alongside their names
as it is. Yet, as you know, it's the steps
(11:44):
prior to getting there that's what they've got to focus on.
We know the prize at the end, but the prize
won't come unless we take these steps going forward.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
So you can't put too much on it. It means
the world, he said, individual test matches, yes, but combining
them all and this is something that racers had struggled
with so far as well as like match after match
after match, But that is a that's a great part
of the Grand Slam, and you'd embrace that totally, which
is what you guys did back in two thousand and five.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Yeah, yeah, that's right. I think is as you said it,
and you've got to embrace it. You know, it is
what it is, you know, and the more we hide
away from it, the more you actually probably lose focus
on what you need to do because you just got
to accept that's what it is.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
And then you know, like a good challenge for them. Now.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
I think you just stated again, how can we be
consistent around you know, what we do weekend week out,
because that's what it will take to win four games
on the trot, you know, and that's what we're all
excited to watch and see.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Who's the most difficult opponent that you can see in
this tour? Four different teams across four different places, in fact,
two different nations. Where is the biggest threat? Do you believe, James?
There's a couple of things, you know, just just listening
to a few of the narratives around around you know,
(13:15):
around Ireland, because that's their first test. You know, there's
these talk that you know, have they run their run, you.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Know as.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Ass and you know fas and you know, like been
around too long. You know, I read something about that
and heard something about that the other day, and I'm
sure that's they're probably not listening to that. But you know,
sometimes you're going back from it. You know, there's that
they've got a bit of revenge to you know, around
(13:47):
New Zealand and Ireland. And again there's talk that they're
on the down the client, I think, and you know,
these things are all talk, but I'm sure they're all
motivational things to like as in case you've got to
use some of these is some.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Of these these things.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
And that's interesting for me because I think both are
motivated for it, and they're going back to the States.
I think again my memory is not what it used
to me, but I think the last time they're in
the States, did Ireland win? You know, So there's all
that kind of stuff that you played into it. And
(14:24):
then you know the English and the scottishaw their teams
on the up. You know, England look powerful beast and
I think they've you know, they've shown that you know,
there were again there was talk around them and they
were declined a few years ago. Now you know that
they beat us at home not long ago and ah,
(14:48):
and you know, I think that their rugby has only
got stronger.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And and with.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
A team that's got Finn Russell and how can you
how can you count them out?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
You know?
Speaker 4 (15:00):
So and the way that the Scottish play and all
these guys are at home. You know, those guys are exciting.
I know I've left Wales still last.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
But you know that they're struggling.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Obviously, we've got a Welshman on our the great Stephen
Jones on our coaching staff, you know, and the poor
guy has been given a bit of hate from us
around what's happening in Wales. Yet again their at home.
You know, I think there's a side that you know,
they've got nothing to lose. They've got a new coaching
(15:34):
group and you know a lot of a lot of
changes that have happened in the Union. So these are
these things that they'll probably dissected and which ones when
you talk about rotation and if they can, you know
they'll be looking at these ones in terms of week
and I play who and which ones do I need
(15:56):
to you know, are the main games for them and
that we've definitely got to get the key results. So
you know, there's a lot of things that go a
lot of thinking. They go into the process of, you know,
putting your team together for the games that they're up against.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
And I know you've got a meeting, so I'm going
to let you go. But forward is it? Do you
reckon the All Blacks can do this? Where are your
confidence levels at Tanna?
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Oh? Look, I have total faith and the All Blacks.
I always will.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Sometimes that's blind faith because I'm such a big fan
of the.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
All Blacks and our nations.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So you know, I was fortunate enough to spend a
little bit of time with the team while they're in Auckland,
and you know, you.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
Can just see it on there. You know.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Look, they're giving everything they can, you know, for the
jersey and for the for their countries and their families.
So I think that's all you can ask. And as
long as they realize that, you know, we're behind them
and and they can get it up, get up together
and do it for each other, then you know, that's
all that's all we can ask.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
But yeah, every faith the All Blacks will get the
job done.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's awesome time of great to catch up. Thanks for
being so available and looking forward to the next few
weeks of test rugby and of course pribinly a prep
for you as well. I hit a super rugby sever
to get down and get busy, bro.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
I know, backhead, I'm just at my computer this now.
So thank you for that little reprief. This is intable.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news talks
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You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
First Grand Slam in fifteen years. There was a glass
of them for a while there. It's been quite a
while since the All Blacks have had the opportunity to
knock this bugger off. First game kicks off Sunday morning.
Elliot Smith with the call. You can get that here
on News Talk ZB. They're taking on Ireland in Chicago.
(00:32):
Tana Um, here's the captain. When they completed their successful
Grand Slam tour back in two thousand and five. This
is on the back of an Alliance tour where they
clean swept the touring side. There was a lot on
the coaching staff then it was Graham, Henry, Steve Hansen
and Wayne Smith.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
I mean, how do you go wrong with that group?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
He joins us. Now, anyway, tana Um, I'm had to
touch on the tour of two thousand and five as well.
Look ahead this year's Grand Slam and what odds does
he give the All Blacks to complete it once again?
He joins us Now, gooda, I'm very well. I'm looking
forward to what's going to be a massive few weeks
of rugby in the Northern Hemisphere. It takes me back
(01:14):
to what twenty odd years ago when you were doing
the same thing on a Grand Slam of tour. What
memories have you got of that that long ago? Are
they still to the four?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
I don't know if they're to the four, but you
know there's a glimmer of a glimmer of something in
my memory around it. No, No, it was, as you said,
twenty years ago, Jae's it's been that long. It was obviously,
you know previously in that year with Ted and our
(01:46):
coaches Jesse, I can't even remember names now, well, Steve
Hanson and Wayne Smith especially, you know, they talked about
obviously we had the lines on in two thousand and
five and then I was going to actually retire straight
after the Lions Tour. That's that's kind of what I
(02:08):
was aiming for after the two thousand and three World Cup.
But teen said to me, look, wouldn't it be great,
you know, let's get to the Grand Slam. You know,
that's something that we haven't done in a long time.
Be a great achievement if we could do you know,
the Lions and then and then the Grand Slam and
we take it all out and so you know that
(02:29):
that kind of he convinced me after a few few discussions.
So you know, actually going on the tour again over there,
it was really exciting. We had a slight exciting group.
We actually had a good a good battle with the
Lions and then with you know, the Bleader is Low
(02:51):
and I think then it was the Try Nations Cup.
I don't think they'd changed names by then, but you
know we've got a bit of success out of those,
and so you know, going over there, we're all pretty
amped for it, and you know it was an exciting
time to get over there, and going over to Wales
first and foremost, what I remember is I didn't play
(03:14):
well that well getting over there, talking about all this excitement,
and then I got over and all I remember actually
vividly was almost running over me through the midfield, and
I think that kind of woke me up a little bit.
You know, we came good in the end, but it
(03:35):
started a bit slow. You know, they were our first game,
and uh and so you know with the Welsh, you know,
we got on top of them there and then I
didn't play the second Test against Ireland. You know, I
got pulled aside at the airport in a way you know,
in between Wales and Ireland, which is it's not a
(03:57):
it's not a big trip, but you know it's uh.
Ted pulled on the aside and just said, hey, look
we're not going to play this week. We're going to
give everyone a game and rotate these guys. And obviously
I'd had a I wasn't favorite player in Ireland at
that stage, you know, just for what had happened in
(04:20):
the lines. So I was thinking, look, it's not because
of that, but no, he assured me. There was just
around again, you know, giving everyone a run. They thought
it was a good opportunity to give some guys a
chance in that Test as well. So I was I
didn't play that well in the first Test. I thought, oh,
(04:41):
it might be on the way out.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Hold on, don't you get me wrong. You were the
captain on that first up match were you are you
the captain of the side and Ted thought to rotate
you out would be a good idea to get you
over here in the first place, was a very cool
thing to do. So this is not a side swipe,
but the days of rotation the like as well. It's
accepted now how interrupting is that or how much an
(05:04):
interruption was that for the team when they did something
like that when they said to the captain, you stand
down and we're going to chuck your jersey at Aaron Major.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
No.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Look, I think obviously because we I made the decision earlier,
you know, quite early on the pace around you know, retiring,
I could see the merits of it obviously, you know,
looking for the future and an opportunity for that, and
that's how we talked about it. But you know, I
remember again, you know, when we were talking about retirement
(05:39):
and Ted was talking to me around this rotation that
you know, he said, it's going to come in the
amount of tests we have to play. And I think
that was part of the for me, the part of
the reasons why I thought, oh, it's probably not for me.
I have so much respect for the for the black jersey,
and and again it was just the way I was
(06:01):
thinking at that stage in my life, and so well,
I can't play then I don't want to just be
sitting around not playing and just training, you know too,
to not be allowed to play test rugby when you're
fitting ready to go on the basis of rotation it
was again, it was just not something that kind of
(06:22):
sat well with me. And I suppose I'm just old school,
and you know, I can totally understand it now with
the amount of games people playing that and the intensity
of the games, I get it. But probably then as
a player, you know that I couldn't think of anything
worse not playing test rugby, just because it was that's
the epitome of, you know, of the competitive nature of
(06:48):
who we are as a country and as a nation,
I believe, and to be playing test rugby is what
you want to be doing and that's why you work
so hard. So you know, when it was first brought
up with me, you know around you know, like when
I was asked, would I stay on, you know, post
(07:08):
two thousand and five and you know we can use
you know, we wouldn't play in every test and rotate
you around to get you through with a two thousand
and seven World Cup. You know, I just said, oh, really,
that kind of actually pushed me towards if I can't
get there and play the games, and I don't want to,
I don't want to try, if that makes sense, And
you know, I already decided to hang up my boots
(07:31):
in the Test arena, so I kind of just stuck
with that and it was probably a bit a good
time for me to head out.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It's a ton of reminho joins us. It plenty of worked.
I mean you look at that coaching staff, Graham, Henry,
Wayne Smith and Steve Hanson. I mean, wow, look at that.
That's Wly trinity for you. And they introduced these changes,
they run these changes. You came back for the second
two Test matches to complete the Grand Slam. But taking
that into account, how does Scott Robertson do you think
(07:58):
go about managing his squad of players over there? First
up against ID and then they're over the over the
Great Britain. Then they've got a few more over there.
Are you expecting a huge turnover of players? Expect a
consistency of selection, But what would you expect based on
a grand name and also what you've seen of Scott
Robertson to date.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
It's a good question. I think he's showing a bit
of both at the stay. So it's hard to gauge
which way he'll go. Obviously, you know the outcomes as
to achieve a Grand Slam, so he's got to figure
out whether you know he does he have the trust
in his players to repate them, you know, in the
(08:39):
squad that he's picked, or is he going to go
with the tried and true, but as we know, trying
to be you know, having four major tests and in
four weeks, and then also trying to keep your side
hopefully energized and motivated. You know, I don't question the motivation,
(09:03):
it's just that energy level because as we know that
test rugby's it's such a high intensity that it's hard
now for our for our test players, I believe, to
back up you know, three or four times in a row.
I think once or twice definitely, And we've seen it
(09:25):
with other nations too, you know, how do they do
it consistently? And that's something that they you know, I'm
sure that these guys have have thought about. And as
I've said before, you know, he's made some changes and
when after he's had wins and it hasn't panned.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Out for him.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
And I thought just in that last the game where
you know he made minor changes and he just want
senior players back, I think you might see a little
bit more of that, you know, with the with the
prize of you know, winning the the Grand Slam, you know,
such a huge thing and something we haven't done for
a fair while.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
So yeah, you know, look, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
I'd probably guess that he'd want to put his best
site out there as much as he can. I'm sure
he's looking at all the individual nations and thing seeing
where maybe he could make some changes. And you know
that's a risk as a as a coach, you know,
shucks to make these changes, and you don't want to
(10:30):
underestimate anyone. But also you've got to think, oh, I've
got to make sure that I'm getting my guys up
and in the best condition they can before the big games.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Carrying the pressure of a Grand Slam. You've experienced it,
you know what it's like. Could that get in the
way of what's going on or indeed do you actually so? No,
this is the purpose of this. We must make that
the purpose of what we're doing here. We need to
win this Grand Slam. Is that good pressure, bad pressure,
a pain in the backside pressure? Tanner?
Speaker 4 (10:57):
Well, look, I think it's a pressure that's always there.
You know, you can't get away from it. And the
idea is obviously that that is what we're on this tour,
do you know, I think that's what he's got to explain.
I'm sure that he's explained to his player. This is
what we're here to do. You know, we want to
achieve that, but to get there, you know, we've got
to start here and put these pieces together.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You know, the.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Expectation of a Grand Slam from us as the nation is,
is always going to be there upon them, and I'm
sure it's there, you know, for the players to always
think about in the back of their minds that, you know,
shut someone and put my name as a Grand Slam
winner and someone that's achieved that as well. You know,
these guys have got some huge baccolades alongside their names
as it is. Yet, as you know, it's the steps
(11:44):
prior to getting there that's what they've got to focus on.
We know the prize at the end, but the prize
won't come unless we take these steps going forward.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
So you can't put too much on it. It means
the world, he said, individual test matches, yes, but combining
them all and this is something that racers had struggled
with so far as well as like match after match
after match, But that is a that's a great part
of the Grand Slam, and you'd embrace that totally, which
is what you guys did back in two thousand and five.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Yeah, yeah, that's right. I think is as you said it,
and you've got to embrace it. You know, it is
what it is, you know, and the more we hide
away from it, the more you actually probably lose focus
on what you need to do because you just got
to accept that's what it is.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
And then you know, like a good challenge for them. Now.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
I think you just stated again, how can we be
consistent around you know, what we do weekend week out,
because that's what it will take to win four games
on the trot, you know, and that's what we're all
excited to watch and see.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Who's the most difficult opponent that you can see in
this tour? Four different teams across four different places, in fact,
two different nations. Where is the biggest threat? Do you believe, James?
There's a couple of things, you know, just just listening
to a few of the narratives around around you know,
(13:15):
around Ireland, because that's their first test. You know, there's
these talk that you know, have they run their run, you.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Know as.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Ass and you know fas and you know, like been
around too long. You know, I read something about that
and heard something about that the other day, and I'm
sure that's they're probably not listening to that. But you know,
sometimes you're going back from it. You know, there's that
they've got a bit of revenge to you know, around
(13:47):
New Zealand and Ireland. And again there's talk that they're
on the down the client, I think, and you know,
these things are all talk, but I'm sure they're all
motivational things to like as in case you've got to
use some of these is some.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Of these these things.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
And that's interesting for me because I think both are
motivated for it, and they're going back to the States.
I think again my memory is not what it used
to me, but I think the last time they're in
the States, did Ireland win? You know, So there's all
that kind of stuff that you played into it. And
(14:24):
then you know the English and the scottishaw their teams
on the up. You know, England look powerful beast and
I think they've you know, they've shown that you know,
there were again there was talk around them and they
were declined a few years ago. Now you know that
they beat us at home not long ago and ah,
(14:48):
and you know, I think that their rugby has only
got stronger.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
And and with.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
A team that's got Finn Russell and how can you
how can you count them out?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
You know?
Speaker 4 (15:00):
So and the way that the Scottish play and all
these guys are at home. You know, those guys are exciting.
I know I've left Wales still last.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
But you know that they're struggling.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Obviously, we've got a Welshman on our the great Stephen
Jones on our coaching staff, you know, and the poor
guy has been given a bit of hate from us
around what's happening in Wales. Yet again their at home.
You know, I think there's a side that you know,
they've got nothing to lose. They've got a new coaching
(15:34):
group and you know a lot of a lot of
changes that have happened in the Union. So these are
these things that they'll probably dissected and which ones when
you talk about rotation and if they can, you know
they'll be looking at these ones in terms of week
and I play who and which ones do I need
(15:56):
to you know, are the main games for them and
that we've definitely got to get the key results. So
you know, there's a lot of things that go a
lot of thinking. They go into the process of, you know,
putting your team together for the games that they're up against.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
And I know you've got a meeting, so I'm going
to let you go. But forward is it? Do you
reckon the All Blacks can do this? Where are your
confidence levels at Tanna?
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Oh? Look, I have total faith and the All Blacks.
I always will.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Sometimes that's blind faith because I'm such a big fan
of the.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
All Blacks and our nations.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So you know, I was fortunate enough to spend a
little bit of time with the team while they're in Auckland,
and you know, you.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
Can just see it on there. You know.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Look, they're giving everything they can, you know, for the
jersey and for the for their countries and their families.
So I think that's all you can ask. And as
long as they realize that, you know, we're behind them
and and they can get it up, get up together
and do it for each other, then you know, that's
all that's all we can ask.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
But yeah, every faith the All Blacks will get the
job done.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's awesome time of great to catch up. Thanks for
being so available and looking forward to the next few
weeks of test rugby and of course pribinly a prep
for you as well. I hit a super rugby sever
to get down and get busy, bro.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
I know, backhead, I'm just at my computer this now.
So thank you for that little reprief. This is intable.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
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