September 5, 2025 • 8 mins
The All Blacks are set to face the Springboks this weekend at Eden Park.
The Rugby Championship brings the Springboks to Eden Park to face the All Blacks this weekend.
The All Blacks haven’t lost a match at Eden Park in 30 years, and former All Blacks player Sir Michael Jones told Matt and Tyler that he doesn’t think that streak will be broken.
‘they’re acutely aware of what it means to be playing at the fortress and defending that tradition’
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News talk Ed be
follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
So what can we expect or hope for on Saturday
night as the All Blacks face off with South Africa.
Huge anticipation, huge match. Sir Michael Jones is one of
our greatest All Blacks and has given an enormous amount
back to the sporting and PACIFICA communities as well. And
Sir Michael joins us on the phone right now.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Very good afternoons you, Matt and Tyler.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Hey, thanks so much for thanks for so much talking
to us. It's awesome to have you on the show.
Why do you think it's so hard to beat the
All Blacks at Eton Park?
Speaker 5 (00:50):
Well, certainly that Leeden Park has it's got a suit
of mistique, and you know it is for us. New
Hill and Ruby plays and particularly those are spot of
All Blacks. That is the field of dreams. I mean
it's always been that for me, and I know that
you know, there's a there's a certain manda about that
(01:11):
space in place, particularly when the All Blacks are playing.
So you know, when we have our our people there
and and it's packed and it's full, and it's particularly
in a or anytime of the day, but on those
sort of cooler wintry evenings, which is probably going to
be a game to more night. There's something about it.
(01:32):
It just has a certain you know, sort of spirituous
sort of energy and presence and it works in our favor.
And I think there's all Blacks. We've just learned how
to use it to our best advantage and optimize and
capitalize on that advantage. And that's just something that the
All Blacks have done really well for, you know, for
(01:53):
these deets, for these three odd decades.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
And speaking of Mana, you've famously scored the opening try
against the spring Box and the first day of a
Rugby World Cup match in nine to ninety seven. What's
it like playing the spring Box compared to other teams.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Yeah, I mean it's always been you know, I know
for me growing up in sort of the seventies, and
I was provisibly part of that first all Black team
that went back in ninety three, no sorry, ninety two,
you know sort of post you know, post post the
apartheid period and where we had been sort of you know,
there was no contact rugby sporting contact the rest of
(02:29):
the world, and we the orb Blecks hadn't been back
in an official capacity anyway, So I was part of that.
And I think most of us who walked off that
plane sort of you know, touching South Arafkan sas like
probably heard many of us say that we used to
sort of kissed the kiss the ground, because that's always
been for us. And I know for me growing up
and watching Severn Williams playing them in that sort of
(02:52):
shady black and white footage in the seventies, it was
always Pinnacle and I suppose the benchmark in terms of,
you know, really what was the toughest team to play
and particularly when you played there, you know, the toughest
environment to play in. And I don't think that's changed
for anything. That's become even more so and become more entrenched.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
So back to Saturday, do you think we're ready for
the inevitable high ball assault that's coming our way?
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Yeah, I know that's been an area that you know,
we've been sort of putting a little more pressure on
our back three in particular, and or anyone under that
high ball to secure And yeah, I'm sure it's going
to come our way that you know, they play in
the Russia. Arristhmus is obviously one of the most innovative, creative,
outside the box type you know, coaches and strategic minds
(03:46):
around rugby, world rugby, and he'll he'll he'll be wanting
to exploit every weakness he season. I think it's coming,
but I'm sure that and I feel I'd like to
feel very confident that our boys have been working hard
at that. You know, we're one thing about the All Blacks,
we're really good at, you know, working at the areas
that we need to sort out. I know sometimes we
(04:10):
feel that it should happen yesterday, but I think it's
you know, in terms of the person now we've got
back there now and obviously you know Will and and
Money and and and Rico, you know, even Billy and Geordie.
I think I think, I think they're going to be
really ready for it. And I think again, we're going
to have to turn something that the opposition sees into
(04:33):
a weaknesses and strength, and I'm confident we'll do that.
And with that that that's again sort of been that
platform on which we can win. We win tests Edidon Park.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
We are chatting to All Blacks great to Michael Jones
Micael Review felt and it seems to be a lot
of anticipation, a lot of excitement, a lot of energy.
Everybody is talking about this game. Are you feeling that
out in the community, that hype and that's electricity out there?
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean you know that out number one
in the world. I know that they there's a bit
of spluttering with the playing the Aussies, but we know
that when they come and play us, whether it's here
or there, this is what This is the pinnacle for
them too. And it's such a hearty respect between the
spring Brocks and the All Blacks. And you know, I
(05:19):
think again in terms of the sheer combat and the
mental and physical and then every way test of your
mental as an All Black, there's nothing like playing the
spring Box and that's the same for them. So you
sort of sense that out there, you know, just people
are talking about it. You know, people are excited about it.
And I think again, it just really captures the imagination
(05:42):
of the rugby public because yeah, there's something about that
sort of you know, dark green jersey with those gold
collars and white shirts going against the all black nothing
like it. Yeah, there absolutely is such a real excitement
around the around the around the place, and that's great
for rugby and it's going to be an amazing night.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Yeah, it's it's exciting and terrifying. Now, So Michael, we're
going to put on the spot here. Which way do
you think it's going? And are you willing to make
a points prediction for Saturday night?
Speaker 5 (06:19):
You know, I just know with with Art these hundredths game,
I just don't sense that our boys will let him
down and let us down. I mean, you know we
I think I think they they they're they're acutely aware
of of what it means to be playing at the
Fortress and defending that tradition, you know, that legacy of
those have gone before and warn the black jersey and
(06:40):
again Idi epitomizes that and he he, you know, he
symbolizes everything that's right and good and and I suppose
that is absolutely embodied and the values and the standards
of your black jersey. So with that sort of a
(07:00):
long winded I was, I was, I was, I was
biting for time. But yeah, we're gonna we're willin. We'll win.
I'd like to think between five and seven points and
we'll be happy for at one point when of course,
but hey, let's let's I'm feeling good about tomorrow night
and the fact that you know there's there's something to
really celebrate and really play for. It's always a case
(07:24):
for any All Black tests, but against the Springbrocks, Adida
and Park hundreds that's the way I'm going.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, huge lover when by five to seven points would
be amazing. Sir Michael, thank you very much for having
a chat with us. Really enjoyed it.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Chis Matte, thanks, thanks Tayler.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
That is Sir Michael Jones ahead of the massive match
against the All.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Blacks in South Africa to Eat and Park tomorrow nights.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
What a legend this Texas is. How did you muppets
get the great Sir Michael Jones on your show?
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Awesome? We don't know, I know, it's a good question.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
And another text feel Batman's mana.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely an amazing man.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
For more from News Talks d B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on art Radio.
You're listening to a podcast from News talk Ed be
follow this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
So what can we expect or hope for on Saturday
night as the All Blacks face off with South Africa.
Huge anticipation, huge match. Sir Michael Jones is one of
our greatest All Blacks and has given an enormous amount
back to the sporting and PACIFICA communities as well. And
Sir Michael joins us on the phone right now.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Very good afternoons you, Matt and Tyler.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Hey, thanks so much for thanks for so much talking
to us. It's awesome to have you on the show.
Why do you think it's so hard to beat the
All Blacks at Eton Park?
Speaker 5 (00:50):
Well, certainly that Leeden Park has it's got a suit
of mistique, and you know it is for us. New
Hill and Ruby plays and particularly those are spot of
All Blacks. That is the field of dreams. I mean
it's always been that for me, and I know that
you know, there's a there's a certain manda about that
(01:11):
space in place, particularly when the All Blacks are playing.
So you know, when we have our our people there
and and it's packed and it's full, and it's particularly
in a or anytime of the day, but on those
sort of cooler wintry evenings, which is probably going to
be a game to more night. There's something about it.
(01:32):
It just has a certain you know, sort of spirituous
sort of energy and presence and it works in our favor.
And I think there's all Blacks. We've just learned how
to use it to our best advantage and optimize and
capitalize on that advantage. And that's just something that the
All Blacks have done really well for, you know, for
(01:53):
these deets, for these three odd decades.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
And speaking of Mana, you've famously scored the opening try
against the spring Box and the first day of a
Rugby World Cup match in nine to ninety seven. What's
it like playing the spring Box compared to other teams.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Yeah, I mean it's always been you know, I know
for me growing up in sort of the seventies, and
I was provisibly part of that first all Black team
that went back in ninety three, no sorry, ninety two,
you know sort of post you know, post post the
apartheid period and where we had been sort of you know,
there was no contact rugby sporting contact the rest of
(02:29):
the world, and we the orb Blecks hadn't been back
in an official capacity anyway, So I was part of that.
And I think most of us who walked off that
plane sort of you know, touching South Arafkan sas like
probably heard many of us say that we used to
sort of kissed the kiss the ground, because that's always
been for us. And I know for me growing up
and watching Severn Williams playing them in that sort of
(02:52):
shady black and white footage in the seventies, it was
always Pinnacle and I suppose the benchmark in terms of,
you know, really what was the toughest team to play
and particularly when you played there, you know, the toughest
environment to play in. And I don't think that's changed
for anything. That's become even more so and become more entrenched.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
So back to Saturday, do you think we're ready for
the inevitable high ball assault that's coming our way?
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Yeah, I know that's been an area that you know,
we've been sort of putting a little more pressure on
our back three in particular, and or anyone under that
high ball to secure And yeah, I'm sure it's going
to come our way that you know, they play in
the Russia. Arristhmus is obviously one of the most innovative, creative,
outside the box type you know, coaches and strategic minds
(03:46):
around rugby, world rugby, and he'll he'll he'll be wanting
to exploit every weakness he season. I think it's coming,
but I'm sure that and I feel I'd like to
feel very confident that our boys have been working hard
at that. You know, we're one thing about the All Blacks,
we're really good at, you know, working at the areas
that we need to sort out. I know sometimes we
(04:10):
feel that it should happen yesterday, but I think it's
you know, in terms of the person now we've got
back there now and obviously you know Will and and
Money and and and Rico, you know, even Billy and Geordie.
I think I think, I think they're going to be
really ready for it. And I think again, we're going
to have to turn something that the opposition sees into
(04:33):
a weaknesses and strength, and I'm confident we'll do that.
And with that that that's again sort of been that
platform on which we can win. We win tests Edidon Park.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
We are chatting to All Blacks great to Michael Jones
Micael Review felt and it seems to be a lot
of anticipation, a lot of excitement, a lot of energy.
Everybody is talking about this game. Are you feeling that
out in the community, that hype and that's electricity out there?
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean you know that out number one
in the world. I know that they there's a bit
of spluttering with the playing the Aussies, but we know
that when they come and play us, whether it's here
or there, this is what This is the pinnacle for
them too. And it's such a hearty respect between the
spring Brocks and the All Blacks. And you know, I
(05:19):
think again in terms of the sheer combat and the
mental and physical and then every way test of your
mental as an All Black, there's nothing like playing the
spring Box and that's the same for them. So you
sort of sense that out there, you know, just people
are talking about it. You know, people are excited about it.
And I think again, it just really captures the imagination
(05:42):
of the rugby public because yeah, there's something about that
sort of you know, dark green jersey with those gold
collars and white shirts going against the all black nothing
like it. Yeah, there absolutely is such a real excitement
around the around the around the place, and that's great
for rugby and it's going to be an amazing night.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Yeah, it's it's exciting and terrifying. Now, So Michael, we're
going to put on the spot here. Which way do
you think it's going? And are you willing to make
a points prediction for Saturday night?
Speaker 5 (06:19):
You know, I just know with with Art these hundredths game,
I just don't sense that our boys will let him
down and let us down. I mean, you know we
I think I think they they they're they're acutely aware
of of what it means to be playing at the
Fortress and defending that tradition, you know, that legacy of
those have gone before and warn the black jersey and
(06:40):
again Idi epitomizes that and he he, you know, he
symbolizes everything that's right and good and and I suppose
that is absolutely embodied and the values and the standards
of your black jersey. So with that sort of a
(07:00):
long winded I was, I was, I was, I was
biting for time. But yeah, we're gonna we're willin. We'll win.
I'd like to think between five and seven points and
we'll be happy for at one point when of course,
but hey, let's let's I'm feeling good about tomorrow night
and the fact that you know there's there's something to
really celebrate and really play for. It's always a case
(07:24):
for any All Black tests, but against the Springbrocks, Adida
and Park hundreds that's the way I'm going.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Yeah, huge lover when by five to seven points would
be amazing. Sir Michael, thank you very much for having
a chat with us. Really enjoyed it.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Chis Matte, thanks, thanks Tayler.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
That is Sir Michael Jones ahead of the massive match
against the All.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Blacks in South Africa to Eat and Park tomorrow nights.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
What a legend this Texas is. How did you muppets
get the great Sir Michael Jones on your show?
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Awesome? We don't know, I know, it's a good question.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
And another text feel Batman's mana.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely an amazing man.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
For more from News Talks d B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on art Radio.
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