October 16, 2025 • 7 mins
Otago rugby legend David Latta looks at what has worked so well for the Blue and Golds this season.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome back to the Muster, David Letter.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's fair to say he's an Otago rugby legend, one
hundred and sixty one games for the Golden o. He
was part of the nineteen ninety one NPC winning team.
They won the competition twice then and in nineteen ninety eight,
and tonight they're one step closer to winning it for
a third time.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
David, Welcome to the Muster. I appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Oh cheez, guys.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Firstly, you put an interesting Facebook post there out during
the week that got a lot of traction urging the
Otago Rugby Union to get out to the province to
get cheap tickets and fill for soythe bar stadium.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Do you think it's going to work?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I think it has. I don't know how full it'll be,
but obviously open part of the north stand, so that
means the South stands full and the zoo's.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Open, and that's the big thing.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I suppose getting the scale he's involved going back to
the Highlanders during O week and just getting the messes
in there because this is the semifinals. Rugby doesn't get
any better if you're an O Tago fan.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Let's be honest, it doesn't get any better, you know,
whether a Highlanders fan or a Targa fan or Southern fan,
you know, like we're well, it's just once you get there,
it's just game on.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
And we look at the season. Look, the Stags had
their own frilly shield. Otago's had the shield and we
look even at North Otago they're in the semi finals
of the Lahaw Cup this weekend. So arguably it's been
a successful year, although a couple of teams probably more
than the other one.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, well, you look at that shield now, it just
shows there's a lot of meaning in that in that
shield still, and you know how many problems are headed
this year? Five? Is it?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I think five? It's unreal like that.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That's that's incredible, you know. And they've all done the
same thing. They've taken it out to the regions of
engage with people. So you know, I think it's been fantastic,
you know. I think it's one of the one of
those just iconic opies that are about and it's still.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Got a lot of meaning with your guys there. I mean,
the scene's been south of the one that Jack Taylor just
losing his rag and understandably so, but it just shows
that the passion is there for the next gen generation
coming through and that's what we need for the MPC. Oh.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Absolutely, you know there's something outstanding players and you know
you just mentioned one man, a young man has got
a massive future ahead of him. And you know there's
so many young guys on the block now, you know,
having a go and it's it's exciting times.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
So what is working so well for a Tago rugby
at the moment, David, I.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Think you know, there's probably been a bit of a
change in probably their mindset. You know, they're obviously a
bit of change in coaching. I just think it's whatever
the mix is in there now at the moment, it's working,
you know. So, I mean I can't put my finger
on it, but it's if you could bottle it up,
you definitely want to do that.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
When you we talk about the MPC and the way
that it's evolved, and it's just the game of rugby
as a whole. We've had to accept a lot of
these changes. I mean the arguments there you could sacrifice
a lot if you could bring back rucking that don't
even happen. But you look at the game these days, David,
compared to when you played it, and I think it's
fair to say everything's just changed.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Oh absolutely. I mean, you know, you look at the
body shape. You know, the body mass that's out there
now is probably increased by twenty to thirty percent in
some cases. So if the field stayed the same size,
so you're filling you're filling the field up with more
bodies or more mass. So there's not a lot of
space there now, but not a contest at ruck time.
(03:35):
So you just got to get a defense line to me,
to me, they could probably make some subtle changes in
there to make it a contest, and that would allow
a bit more space out wide for the backs. You know,
I always worked on the theory of numbers, you know.
So if you if you're the team with the ball,
(03:55):
you carry it in with and you take four support
players in with you, the defense team's got to match you,
and I think, you know, then you start getting the contest.
You start getting a the defense folding in because they
can't stay out there. They've got to match, and then
you get space.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Would be the highlight from your playing career.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
You think back to nineteen ninety four, remember guard He's
rip and the T shirt came out Bockbusters Aeron Pino,
a caricature of him on the front holding the head
of the spring box, and everybody at the time it
just resonated because it was an absolute trophy to behold.
Would you call that one of the highlights from your career?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh, I think just any any any trophies a highlight,
But yeah, that was I suppose, you know, it's one
of those special ones when you look at it now.
I don't think provincial unions will get that opportunity again
to play the to play the spring Box. We're fortunate
enough to do that that day. And it's even like
the British Lions. You know how many teams will get
(04:53):
to ever play them again in a provincial union. Probably
not a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Well, it's underest thing. They've come out the All Blacks
doing a full tour of South Africa next year, announced
this morning playing the or what was the super rugby
sides over there and I think four tests as well,
so probably to a scale we're not doing the provincial
sides unfortunately that seems to be days gone past.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, I think, and probably it would be quite a
you know if you're playing a financial union now, I'll
probably be a bit of a mismatch. Would be like
playing the All Blacks, wouldn't it. You know, like if
you're a provincial union, it would be pretty tough. It'll
be very tough on you. But like, hey, we did
it back in the day. But yeah, things of things
have changed.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
So as far as the game tonight, David, it's a
no brainer. You'll be going along.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Oh, absolutely, I got me. I've got my old shirt out, brilliant.
I'll put a bit of a request out there for
the for the for the supporters to bring a bit
of old kid out and wear it and you know,
support the boys. So hopefully it gets a bit of
a little bit of traction too.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
You'll be in the stands here.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I can't believe Monstall fits if I haven't put it
on you.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
You look at you know if your job though, to
be fair, though you're out on the tools every day,
still you're probably still not holding it up pretty good
all things considered.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Let's be honest, well I try to behave hey.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Good on your David, appreciated your time.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
All the best of the target tonight as well, and
your le be honest the Highlanders are all barracking for
you guys.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Eh, yeah, absolutely, you know, like I just think it's
going to be a great, a great game, you know,
like there are two very good sides, believe me, you know,
taking a month away from the Bay, yes, they will
be very good and they got they got the stats
to prove it, you know. So I'm just looking forward
to it and I just hope the crowd gets them
behind it and whatever happens happens, and you know, we
(06:38):
can celebrate rugby either way.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Blue and Gold's going to one, but hopefully it's going
to be your Targo variety.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
David Littters thinks to your time on the muster.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Oh good as Gold, thanks a lot, David.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Ladder a Targo Rugby Royalty urging anyone going to the
game tonight. If you've got your old kit, go go
and get it out of the cabbard, wear it to
the game. It's going to be a big one a
Tago Bay plenty.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Before we wrap up. Next for the week were the Watchers.
Phil Duncan
Welcome back to the Muster, David Letter.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's fair to say he's an Otago rugby legend, one
hundred and sixty one games for the Golden o. He
was part of the nineteen ninety one NPC winning team.
They won the competition twice then and in nineteen ninety eight,
and tonight they're one step closer to winning it for
a third time.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
David, Welcome to the Muster. I appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Oh cheez, guys.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Firstly, you put an interesting Facebook post there out during
the week that got a lot of traction urging the
Otago Rugby Union to get out to the province to
get cheap tickets and fill for soythe bar stadium.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Do you think it's going to work?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I think it has. I don't know how full it'll be,
but obviously open part of the north stand, so that
means the South stands full and the zoo's.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Open, and that's the big thing.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I suppose getting the scale he's involved going back to
the Highlanders during O week and just getting the messes
in there because this is the semifinals. Rugby doesn't get
any better if you're an O Tago fan.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Let's be honest, it doesn't get any better, you know,
whether a Highlanders fan or a Targa fan or Southern fan,
you know, like we're well, it's just once you get there,
it's just game on.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
And we look at the season. Look, the Stags had
their own frilly shield. Otago's had the shield and we
look even at North Otago they're in the semi finals
of the Lahaw Cup this weekend. So arguably it's been
a successful year, although a couple of teams probably more
than the other one.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, well, you look at that shield now, it just
shows there's a lot of meaning in that in that
shield still, and you know how many problems are headed
this year? Five? Is it?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I think five? It's unreal like that.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That's that's incredible, you know. And they've all done the
same thing. They've taken it out to the regions of
engage with people. So you know, I think it's been fantastic,
you know. I think it's one of the one of
those just iconic opies that are about and it's still.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Got a lot of meaning with your guys there. I mean,
the scene's been south of the one that Jack Taylor just
losing his rag and understandably so, but it just shows
that the passion is there for the next gen generation
coming through and that's what we need for the MPC. Oh.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Absolutely, you know there's something outstanding players and you know
you just mentioned one man, a young man has got
a massive future ahead of him. And you know there's
so many young guys on the block now, you know,
having a go and it's it's exciting times.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
So what is working so well for a Tago rugby
at the moment, David, I.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Think you know, there's probably been a bit of a
change in probably their mindset. You know, they're obviously a
bit of change in coaching. I just think it's whatever
the mix is in there now at the moment, it's working,
you know. So, I mean I can't put my finger
on it, but it's if you could bottle it up,
you definitely want to do that.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
When you we talk about the MPC and the way
that it's evolved, and it's just the game of rugby
as a whole. We've had to accept a lot of
these changes. I mean the arguments there you could sacrifice
a lot if you could bring back rucking that don't
even happen. But you look at the game these days, David,
compared to when you played it, and I think it's
fair to say everything's just changed.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Oh absolutely. I mean, you know, you look at the
body shape. You know, the body mass that's out there
now is probably increased by twenty to thirty percent in
some cases. So if the field stayed the same size,
so you're filling you're filling the field up with more
bodies or more mass. So there's not a lot of
space there now, but not a contest at ruck time.
(03:35):
So you just got to get a defense line to me,
to me, they could probably make some subtle changes in
there to make it a contest, and that would allow
a bit more space out wide for the backs. You know,
I always worked on the theory of numbers, you know.
So if you if you're the team with the ball,
(03:55):
you carry it in with and you take four support
players in with you, the defense team's got to match you,
and I think, you know, then you start getting the contest.
You start getting a the defense folding in because they
can't stay out there. They've got to match, and then
you get space.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Would be the highlight from your playing career.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
You think back to nineteen ninety four, remember guard He's
rip and the T shirt came out Bockbusters Aeron Pino,
a caricature of him on the front holding the head
of the spring box, and everybody at the time it
just resonated because it was an absolute trophy to behold.
Would you call that one of the highlights from your career?
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh, I think just any any any trophies a highlight,
But yeah, that was I suppose, you know, it's one
of those special ones when you look at it now.
I don't think provincial unions will get that opportunity again
to play the to play the spring Box. We're fortunate
enough to do that that day. And it's even like
the British Lions. You know how many teams will get
(04:53):
to ever play them again in a provincial union. Probably
not a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Well, it's underest thing. They've come out the All Blacks
doing a full tour of South Africa next year, announced
this morning playing the or what was the super rugby
sides over there and I think four tests as well,
so probably to a scale we're not doing the provincial
sides unfortunately that seems to be days gone past.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, I think, and probably it would be quite a
you know if you're playing a financial union now, I'll
probably be a bit of a mismatch. Would be like
playing the All Blacks, wouldn't it. You know, like if
you're a provincial union, it would be pretty tough. It'll
be very tough on you. But like, hey, we did
it back in the day. But yeah, things of things
have changed.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
So as far as the game tonight, David, it's a
no brainer. You'll be going along.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Oh, absolutely, I got me. I've got my old shirt out, brilliant.
I'll put a bit of a request out there for
the for the for the supporters to bring a bit
of old kid out and wear it and you know,
support the boys. So hopefully it gets a bit of
a little bit of traction too.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
You'll be in the stands here.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I can't believe Monstall fits if I haven't put it
on you.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
You look at you know if your job though, to
be fair, though you're out on the tools every day,
still you're probably still not holding it up pretty good
all things considered.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Let's be honest, well I try to behave hey.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Good on your David, appreciated your time.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
All the best of the target tonight as well, and
your le be honest the Highlanders are all barracking for
you guys.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Eh, yeah, absolutely, you know, like I just think it's
going to be a great, a great game, you know,
like there are two very good sides, believe me, you know,
taking a month away from the Bay, yes, they will
be very good and they got they got the stats
to prove it, you know. So I'm just looking forward
to it and I just hope the crowd gets them
behind it and whatever happens happens, and you know, we
(06:38):
can celebrate rugby either way.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Blue and Gold's going to one, but hopefully it's going
to be your Targo variety.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
David Littters thinks to your time on the muster.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Oh good as Gold, thanks a lot, David.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Ladder a Targo Rugby Royalty urging anyone going to the
game tonight. If you've got your old kit, go go
and get it out of the cabbard, wear it to
the game. It's going to be a big one a
Tago Bay plenty.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Before we wrap up. Next for the week were the Watchers.
Phil Duncan
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