May 12, 2026 • 9 mins
David Latta talk about the rationale around him becoming vice-president of New Zealand Rugby.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Because you'll know I'm Alan Bar Dabas bad Dabas now Chab.
I'm Alan Bar dabs Ba Daves now chabb.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is the muster on Hakanoie. David Lester knowing to
a lot of people is crazy and absolute legend of
Otago rugby in the nineteen nineties and recently has been
elevated up to Vice president of the n z R.
Of course Aaron Rush, President and chief executives are Steve Lancasters.
So a lot of changes going afoot there in rugby
(00:30):
in New Zealand. We talk about the All Blacks coach
heap of stuff going on there as well. But David's
joining us to give us a bit of an understanding
as to always put his name for it. David Fresley, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh thanks so much, guys.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, the obvious question why put your name forward in
such a difficult time.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
I sort of got talked talked to you by one
of the board members of Targo behind a board behind
the one of the corporate boxes at half time and
he said, would you consider this and if we nominated you?
And I said, oh, I don't. I don't really know
much about it, but I have a look and see
(01:09):
what see what it's about. And I've talked to a
lot of people. You know, it's been pretty caught on
the load down for quite some time. But good friends
and confidence. And then Matt Cooper, the utcoing president, Aaron Rush,
he talked to her about it and the roles and
what it meant, so sort of especially talking yeah, that
(01:36):
that was the important part, was getting getting a few
boxes packed and say hey, yeah, is this me I
don't know yet, but it probably is now I'll put
my hand up. Yeah, quite excited. Now.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
So what was What's something you really hoped to sink
your teeth into with the role as such a thing.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I just think meeting rugby people. You know, it's a
game that's given me so much, and you know, if
I can go and listen to them, and you know,
if I can make one difference in a club or
a provincial union or help out in some way, I
think I've achieved.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Would you say there's a disconnect between the boardroom and
grass streets level these days? Favor because we talk about
numbers of teams and just getting a squad on the
paddock for a lot of players. Given the change, especially
around the front row scenario. It's certainly you know, a
lot of teams are in the different predicament to what
they used to be.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, I think it's the biggest thing. We've got all
got so much competition in there in sports, you know,
you know, basketball, soccer, there's so many sports out there
now that you know, young young kids and single parents
can look at and it's easy. It's not saying rugby
is hard, but it's it's probably the easy way for them, maybe,
(02:57):
like the basketball side of it that's indoor is that's
smaller numbers, commitments not as big, you know, and probably
shouldn't really say that either. I think probably any sport
is a big commitment for anybody that you know. I
think we're just we've got a lot of competition and
as I mentioned before, we talked about the old DNA
(03:18):
of of rugby. You know, you know, it's not what
it used to be. And and that's the hard part.
You know, when you're seeing clubs struggling along. Players you know,
they get to us, you know, they get through schools
and then they look at other avenues. You know, they're
looking at careers and picking up a career as a
(03:39):
builder or a plumber or or engineer, whatever it is,
they take on and rugby rugby becomes secondary.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Yeah, a great point you bring up there. How do
we reinvigorate that DNA with rugby or those days gone?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I think they're still there. It's just the numbers that
the clubs. Clubs are starting to see get a lot
of pressure put on them financially, and then that's their
players too. They're looking at it from a financial point
of view. You know, I think when I was younger,
we had our kids, got married later, we had their
(04:17):
kids a bit later, but like young couples now are
both working to make ends meet, trying to get in
the housing market and stuff like that. So there's a
lot more going on to the young ones now.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
We look at the situation around Mauana Pacific here and
it just brings a bigger question, I suppose, how to
super rugby evolve to stay relevant?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah, that is a big question. I don't know if
I've got the answer to that one.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Only the big questions on this show, mate.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, you know, there's a lot a lot going on
even you know, like you look at the top level,
you know, there's a lot of i'd say small, small, things,
but they can become big things. You know, how do
we keep everyone in the game and what's their pathways
and stuff like that. And you know New Zealand rugby
(05:05):
has got a big role to play in it and
and so we I think we have to you know,
if we can guide or help or influence young ones
today to put a pair of boots on or whatever
they do. It's just get out in place.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
For what's the evolution of one in the stadium in
christ Church? Are you concerned that full sized bass stadium
might not stay relevant anymore?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I think, you know, it's like most things that are new.
You know, we just we as a union. I think
we're in a provincial union. You know, we've just got
to concentrate on what we can do. You know, it's
a fantastic thing what they've done, you know, Hongi, it's
a it's a one off what I haven't been there yet.
I went there last year just to have a look
(05:55):
at the construction that we could get in to have
a look as such. But you know that does appel
a fantastic stadium and it'll be multi purpose, it'll be
you'll be concerts and whatnot. Unfortunately for us. It might
be shortcutting us a wee bit, but we just got
(06:16):
to concentrate on what we can do and you know,
if there is a band coming or whatever it is,
let's just make sure we can offer a good experience.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Now we look at the MPC and the target. I've
got the red Freddy cheer. We last spoke to you, actually, David,
towards the end of the rugby season last year. A
lot of positives for a tiger rugby, but how do
we try and get that success at the MPC level
to correlate through the Super rugby.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
I just think a lot of it, you know, you
know might be but old fashion, but there's a lot
to be said for a day game, you know, like
you know, that's more looking at crowd wise, but the
day games are fantastic, even under the roof. You know,
the great occasions you can take the kids. It's not
(07:05):
what you've got to get home at nine thirty ten.
You country people that are sort of as you're traveling
through from Central you know you've almost got to stay
the night. You know, it becomes very expensive to do that.
It's just making it affordable for the people to come
and support their team. And you know, and I think
that helps the crowd. You look at what South the
(07:27):
South African crowds and that you know, obviously day because
the sun shining on them, they're all sitting there having
a cold bear and you know, and enjoying the occasion.
And I think that's part of what we used to have.
But you know that things have changed, things evolved.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You talk about things evolving. Clinton had their weekend in
the sun last weekend. You have a loved clue to
Rugby Club though it's all guns happening this weekend as
they celebrate their one fiftieth. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Yeah, there's been a lot of work going. Yeah, we've
been very fortunate to have a very good jubilee committee
and they've done outstanding work. You know, we've got a
lady David Kesh has put her hand up and really
pushed a lot of her stuff and keeped us in line,
which has been great. And you know, she's put a
(08:18):
book together and she's done that's been an outstanding and
that's this one person that's going beyond you know, i'd say,
you know you're calling you know, so we're looking forward
to it. There's a lot of people come. I think
We're over three hundred registered people coming for the from
a find and probably a bit of Sunday if you're
(08:42):
still thirsty.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
If you're still thirsty, and I'm sure there's a lot
of tales told there the clues one thirsty. Yes, David
Letter and coming vice president of the Indiana I always
appreciate your time on the Master. You enjoy the big
weekend coming up.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, thanks you much, David Letter, incoming.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Vice president for the nz at R. Interesting to get
us thoughts around a lot of it, she said. Clayton
Peters and Peters Genetics joins us next to wrap up.
Because you'll know I'm Alan Bar Dabas bad Dabas now Chab.
I'm Alan Bar dabs Ba Daves now chabb.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is the muster on Hakanoie. David Lester knowing to
a lot of people is crazy and absolute legend of
Otago rugby in the nineteen nineties and recently has been
elevated up to Vice president of the n z R.
Of course Aaron Rush, President and chief executives are Steve Lancasters.
So a lot of changes going afoot there in rugby
(00:30):
in New Zealand. We talk about the All Blacks coach
heap of stuff going on there as well. But David's
joining us to give us a bit of an understanding
as to always put his name for it. David Fresley, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh thanks so much, guys.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, the obvious question why put your name forward in
such a difficult time.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
I sort of got talked talked to you by one
of the board members of Targo behind a board behind
the one of the corporate boxes at half time and
he said, would you consider this and if we nominated you?
And I said, oh, I don't. I don't really know
much about it, but I have a look and see
(01:09):
what see what it's about. And I've talked to a
lot of people. You know, it's been pretty caught on
the load down for quite some time. But good friends
and confidence. And then Matt Cooper, the utcoing president, Aaron Rush,
he talked to her about it and the roles and
what it meant, so sort of especially talking yeah, that
(01:36):
that was the important part, was getting getting a few
boxes packed and say hey, yeah, is this me I
don't know yet, but it probably is now I'll put
my hand up. Yeah, quite excited. Now.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
So what was What's something you really hoped to sink
your teeth into with the role as such a thing.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I just think meeting rugby people. You know, it's a
game that's given me so much, and you know, if
I can go and listen to them, and you know,
if I can make one difference in a club or
a provincial union or help out in some way, I
think I've achieved.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Would you say there's a disconnect between the boardroom and
grass streets level these days? Favor because we talk about
numbers of teams and just getting a squad on the
paddock for a lot of players. Given the change, especially
around the front row scenario. It's certainly you know, a
lot of teams are in the different predicament to what
they used to be.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, I think it's the biggest thing. We've got all
got so much competition in there in sports, you know,
you know, basketball, soccer, there's so many sports out there
now that you know, young young kids and single parents
can look at and it's easy. It's not saying rugby
is hard, but it's it's probably the easy way for them, maybe,
(02:57):
like the basketball side of it that's indoor is that's
smaller numbers, commitments not as big, you know, and probably
shouldn't really say that either. I think probably any sport
is a big commitment for anybody that you know. I
think we're just we've got a lot of competition and
as I mentioned before, we talked about the old DNA
(03:18):
of of rugby. You know, you know, it's not what
it used to be. And and that's the hard part.
You know, when you're seeing clubs struggling along. Players you know,
they get to us, you know, they get through schools
and then they look at other avenues. You know, they're
looking at careers and picking up a career as a
(03:39):
builder or a plumber or or engineer, whatever it is,
they take on and rugby rugby becomes secondary.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Yeah, a great point you bring up there. How do
we reinvigorate that DNA with rugby or those days gone?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
I think they're still there. It's just the numbers that
the clubs. Clubs are starting to see get a lot
of pressure put on them financially, and then that's their
players too. They're looking at it from a financial point
of view. You know, I think when I was younger,
we had our kids, got married later, we had their
(04:17):
kids a bit later, but like young couples now are
both working to make ends meet, trying to get in
the housing market and stuff like that. So there's a
lot more going on to the young ones now.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
We look at the situation around Mauana Pacific here and
it just brings a bigger question, I suppose, how to
super rugby evolve to stay relevant?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah, that is a big question. I don't know if
I've got the answer to that one.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Only the big questions on this show, mate.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, you know, there's a lot a lot going on
even you know, like you look at the top level,
you know, there's a lot of i'd say small, small, things,
but they can become big things. You know, how do
we keep everyone in the game and what's their pathways
and stuff like that. And you know New Zealand rugby
(05:05):
has got a big role to play in it and
and so we I think we have to you know,
if we can guide or help or influence young ones
today to put a pair of boots on or whatever
they do. It's just get out in place.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
For what's the evolution of one in the stadium in
christ Church? Are you concerned that full sized bass stadium
might not stay relevant anymore?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I think, you know, it's like most things that are new.
You know, we just we as a union. I think
we're in a provincial union. You know, we've just got
to concentrate on what we can do. You know, it's
a fantastic thing what they've done, you know, Hongi, it's
a it's a one off what I haven't been there yet.
I went there last year just to have a look
(05:55):
at the construction that we could get in to have
a look as such. But you know that does appel
a fantastic stadium and it'll be multi purpose, it'll be
you'll be concerts and whatnot. Unfortunately for us. It might
be shortcutting us a wee bit, but we just got
(06:16):
to concentrate on what we can do and you know,
if there is a band coming or whatever it is,
let's just make sure we can offer a good experience.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Now we look at the MPC and the target. I've
got the red Freddy cheer. We last spoke to you, actually, David,
towards the end of the rugby season last year. A
lot of positives for a tiger rugby, but how do
we try and get that success at the MPC level
to correlate through the Super rugby.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
I just think a lot of it, you know, you
know might be but old fashion, but there's a lot
to be said for a day game, you know, like
you know, that's more looking at crowd wise, but the
day games are fantastic, even under the roof. You know,
the great occasions you can take the kids. It's not
(07:05):
what you've got to get home at nine thirty ten.
You country people that are sort of as you're traveling
through from Central you know you've almost got to stay
the night. You know, it becomes very expensive to do that.
It's just making it affordable for the people to come
and support their team. And you know, and I think
that helps the crowd. You look at what South the
(07:27):
South African crowds and that you know, obviously day because
the sun shining on them, they're all sitting there having
a cold bear and you know, and enjoying the occasion.
And I think that's part of what we used to have.
But you know that things have changed, things evolved.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You talk about things evolving. Clinton had their weekend in
the sun last weekend. You have a loved clue to
Rugby Club though it's all guns happening this weekend as
they celebrate their one fiftieth. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Yeah, there's been a lot of work going. Yeah, we've
been very fortunate to have a very good jubilee committee
and they've done outstanding work. You know, we've got a
lady David Kesh has put her hand up and really
pushed a lot of her stuff and keeped us in line,
which has been great. And you know, she's put a
(08:18):
book together and she's done that's been an outstanding and
that's this one person that's going beyond you know, i'd say,
you know you're calling you know, so we're looking forward
to it. There's a lot of people come. I think
We're over three hundred registered people coming for the from
a find and probably a bit of Sunday if you're
(08:42):
still thirsty.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
If you're still thirsty, and I'm sure there's a lot
of tales told there the clues one thirsty. Yes, David
Letter and coming vice president of the Indiana I always
appreciate your time on the Master. You enjoy the big
weekend coming up.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, thanks you much, David Letter, incoming.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Vice president for the nz at R. Interesting to get
us thoughts around a lot of it, she said. Clayton
Peters and Peters Genetics joins us next to wrap up.
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