WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - KOREA VS AUSTRALIA

March 9, 2026

Jarryd Dale

Tokyo Dome

Team Australia

Pregame Press Conference

Q. You played for the KIA Tigers and you're going up against Korea. What can you tell me about the importance of what you've learned in Korea, and if there's maybe a little bit more of a rivalry now that you're going up against them today?

JARRYD DALE: Yeah, I think learning the Korean culture, being in spring training in Amami, meeting Kim Do Yeong and all the other players, it's been huge for my development as a baseball player.

I think, not only KIA Tigers fans, but fans of Korea and Australia, it's going to be a very fun game to watch.

Q. So your dad is a legend of Australian baseball back home, and I know you have a good relationship with him. So can you tell me about what it means for you to kind of put this jersey on in your upbringing with your dad?

JARRYD DALE: Growing up as a kid, I looked up to my dad playing on these teams and coaching, as well. So for as long as I can remember, I've been watching the Australian team.

So it means so much to me as a player to play in the WBC and have starting role this year. I felt like I worked my whole life for this moment.

I just want to give a special thanks to veteran players on the team like, Logan Wade who has helped me sort of transition into this position.

Yeah, not only I looked up to my father and stuff, but also veteran players on the team have also helped me along the way.

Q. Did you talk to Kim Do Yeong about what impression you want to leave in this game?

JARRYD DALE: For both of us, we're to go to be playing hard, not only we represent Korea and Australia, but we also represent the KIA Tigers, so we want to leave a good impression as well. Talking with the coaches, it's like let's play hard together and have fun.

So yeah, it's going to be exciting. It's going to be fun, I think when I see him, we're going to share a laugh together.

Q. So one question, I'm curious, John Kennedy is your cousin, so I'd love to hear a little bit about if you guys played against each other, with each other growing up, but also maybe what you said to him after last night's game.

JARRYD DALE: Yeah, we grew up together, so obviously we played at the same club growing up. So yeah, always been playing with him, training with him. It's very special that we get to play at this kind of tournament.

I think yesterday, it was unfortunate what happened but I think he's had a lot of success in the WBCs prior and different tournaments. So you know, not much I had to say yesterday. He knows that I'm proud of him, and he always goes out and competes in the right way.