March 11, 2025 • 22 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Tuesday March 11 ,2025 - Black Caps selector Sam Wells weighs in on the future of Kane Williamson. He’s not playing in the upcoming T20I series versus Pakistan, will he still be around early next year for the ICC T20 World Cup? What about other potentials for that pinnacle event, what are their parameters for selection?
D’Arcy has a grumpy moan at the Warriors after head coach Webster asks for patience. D’Arcy struggles with that patience. What was the preseason for? Running up sand dunes?
Clay Wilson, Newstalk ZB’s Director of Sport, climbs into the chamber to calm D’Arcy down and peel some layers off the big sport stories of the day.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talk sed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Sportsfix, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Welcome on in to the Sports Fix. It is a Tuesday.
It's the eleventh of March twenty twenty five. Minum is
Darcy Waldergrave and coming up in this podcast, we're going
to talk with a man called Wells. Sam Wells, he
selector for the black Caps, talk around not only the
team that has been picked for the squad that has
(00:43):
been picked for the upcoming five match T twenty ice
series against Pakistan, but the nature of selection with central
contracts and where that sits. Will be joined by Klay Wilson,
sports news director for News Talk SeeDB and the Chamber
as we discuss that and the Warriors and the cry
to be patient with the halves and I've got some
(01:05):
opinion well on exactly that that's what we plan to do,
so let's get busy and do it. In other news
Ford Trophy winning tweaking at cantab Each, Sody is back
in a Black Cap. A number of first choice players
will flee to the BCCI's bank Withdraw branch which makes
(01:28):
way for some of the older players and newer ones
as well. He is super keen to inhale the unmistakable
stench of an international changing shed again because yeah, it's
great to be back. It's very exciting to sort of
share the dressing room with the boys again.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
And Michael brace Will was captain who someone I look
up to, Verry Fonny.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Too Auckland Tatata GM Dale Barge appreciates the trouble facing
the new Indian NBL side the Panthers. The fledsing basketball
franchise is without their full roster for the first three
weeks of the NBL International Asia Cup qualifying. Commitments and
some visa dramas have left the club scrambling ringings.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Leaves them in the lurch, leaves all of us having
to scratch around and find other solutions and sympathize with
everyone involve the league, broadcasters, the team itself, from the
Panthers that are working hard.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
And bulldogs at GM and mister NRL everything. Feil Gold
doesn't care about Dylan Brown's contract length, all the fountain
of cash he'll be drenched with. It's whether or not
the Eels half has what's required I'm not that worried
about the money, and I'm not that worried about the
ten years either, because I think they're getting him in
the primary career. Is he the right player at the moment.
(02:42):
There are things he's got to do to his game
to get to that position. I feel.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news powered
by News Talks EB.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
And it's a warm welcome to the Vixed podcast to
New Zealand cricket selector Sam Wells. Hi, sam Hi Darcy,
thanks for having me and thanks very much for joining us.
So today it was announced that hot on the heels
of the sad the bridesmaid position at the Champions Trophy.
But you've got now the upcoming series against the visiting Pakistani's.
(03:18):
You've named that squad to take them on in five teams.
I'm just gonna start that over again. What did I say?
Five teams?
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Team?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Well, here we go three two one and we're joined
now by Sam Wells, Black Caps select Good evening, sam
Hi Darcy.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, very very good. Michael Brace will be to perform
so well in the HECK Champions Trophy final. He gets
captain the black Caps on home series is a five
game T twenty I series coming up against Pakistan. A
lot of considerations in this series and a few players
back from the outset, which I like to start with that.
(04:00):
Let's look at some of those guys, the likes of
ciphered Anisian and Allen. What considerations around their selection considering
they haven't central contracts.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yeah, look, there's a few moving parts, so it all
I suppose.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
First of all, we've.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Now gone past the champions Trophy and in the horizon
is another ICIC pinnacle event being the T twenty World
Cup in India, which is now less than twelve months away,
So I focused with the T twenty team shifts to that,
and we've really focused on having good preparation and built
up for all of the ICC events and this is
no different. So we've been in talks with these players
(04:38):
for the last month or six weeks or so to
get their commitment for all our twenty fixtures if selected
for the next year and build up and they've committed
to that. So while they are centrally contracted, if they've
committed to the T twenty preparation that we consider as required,
and we're really pleased to get that and look, these
(05:00):
guys have really emphasized with us that their priority is
still playing cricket for New Zealand and that's what they
want to do. They've come back and all three of
them have played for trophy and then good performances on
the board.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So yeah, look, it's just.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Working with the players and lining up you know, a
good preparation and that's really what it's all about.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
So we're really happy where we've landed.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So basically they've said, if we get BBL contracts or
South African T twenty contracts, we won't be picking them
up because they can't, can they if they've committed to
you and they want to get picked for that World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Essentially, yeah, they've said that they'll they'll commit to all
about T twenty games if selected.
Speaker 5 (05:45):
Look, and it's about.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Giving them, you know, enough time and communication to work
through whatever deals they have in place. But essentially, yeah,
they've committed to all the games that we have.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Have you got a cut off period for this because
playing we're talking quite a while away now, I know
it's within the year, but they said, hey, look, if
we're not going to be in or near or close
by November or something, can you let us go. Is
there anything in the contract or the words there?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Do you think, Sam, No, Look, there's nothing, there's no
contract or strict time member. Look, it's just about keeping
up with the open communications and then players and know
where they stand. Like there's a number of series between
now and then, and I guess as more information comes
to hand and we get closer to nailing down the
squad and where we think of my land, where we'll
give those players indications. But yeah, ultimately they've committed to
(06:36):
that and they said they want to play for New Zealand,
But playing for New Zealand you've also got to commit
to some of the preparation to make sure the team's
in the best position to perform well at these events.
And I think we saw that with the Champions Trophy squad.
Having a strong build up in that tri series I
think really helped. So that's how we're planning to move forward.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
New Zealand Cricket have been very fluid in this space
and I think it's the most pragmatic way to handle this.
How does that work from a selection point of view
when you're dealing with a number of different contracts or
lack their role is that tricky.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
It's not too tricky, like it's just trying to get
everyone together and the ground away for But you're right,
we've got to be a little bit pragmatic that the
world of cricket is changing. We accept, for example, in
this window you know, has been accepted for some time
that players, if they get an IPL.
Speaker 5 (07:29):
Deal, they go go and do that.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Equally, you know some players are going to make a
decision to go and not taking New Zealand contract in
playoffs where because the financial rewards you know, make sense
for them at that time of their career or whatever
it is. But if we can find a ground where
when we're lining up for a particular event, if we're
satisfied all we can get an appropriate burn up and
(07:53):
commitment from the players, then I think we'd be silly
to you know, not work with them to try and
make that work, because it's in the interests of both
the team and the player.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So the players that have been selected, and there are
some I would say outside it's but some people that
line is close to the core team ast I'm sure
they'd like to be because they still early in their careers.
This is all about keeping all of your options open
in giving players international experience with no promises yet.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, I think the way in particularly this particular window
when the IPPL players are away, we're naturally going to
have to dig a bit deeper into the depth and
that presents more opportunities for guys and that's happened for
some time for a number of years now. So yeah,
this particular window gives guys chances. But we see where
guys perform well, then you know they're then pushing their
(08:46):
place in the main squad. And for example, I think
Jacob Duffy did that really well when given his opportunities
recently and with injury, broke his way into the Champions
Trophy squad. Now he's again here in the T twenty squad.
So look these when these opportunities presented, if players can
take them, that they'll find themselves with more opportunities in
(09:07):
the future.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
In the case of Kin Williamson, Samuels joins us SO
and he's in Cricket select said he's unavailable. Where does
he sit in the profile over the next year around
his commitments or even conversations have had with him about
where he would like to be because I'm sure if
he's available and fit. He'll pick him in an instant,
won't you. So one of those conversations being like Sam.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, look, Kane's a bit of a series by series
at the moment and this is just one of the
ones where he's had a big workload, been away overseas
for a couple of months now, when we're just managing
him series by series, and those are obviously decisions he
will make. If kin you wants to play, he'll obviously
coming too serious consideration and so look we'll just had
(09:53):
to play that by you and see how he is
going moving forward. But he's still playing a bit of
franchise T twenty cricket around and I'm.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Sure he'll still in a while.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I hope he still wants to play for New Zealand
moving forward, but it's he's just at that stage of
the career he's picking and choosing a bit to managers workload.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
But we'll just have to see how that goes moving forward.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
But in turn, they he will have to be available
for what India and Afghanistan, those two series in the
lead up to the T twenty I World Cup next year.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Yeah, that's on cricket's position at the stage.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Well love the fact that New Selling Cricket have proven
in actions that they are very fluid and understand that
cricket is changing fast. Almost with every season there's something new.
Looks like you guys are dealing with the best you
can and I'm wishing you the best going forward, looking
forward to this new series and some of these new
guys coming through newsh guys coming through Sam Wells selected
forty Selling Cricket. Again, thanks very much for your time,
(10:47):
Jeez Darcy. The Wires have started their season in an
underwhelming fashion, which is no surprise to Warriors fans. As
I've said once, as I've said twice, as I'll keep
on saying, I wouldn't be surprised if in my lifetime
the Warriors don't win the trophy of two blokes hugging.
I don't support them because I believe they're going to win.
(11:10):
I support them because for thirty years I've been following
them through thick. For thirty years, I've been following them
through thick and thin, quite a lot of thin. To
be fair, I'm a fan of the team, I'm a
fan of the NRL and I love to see the
boys competing. But that's the issue this time around competing.
(11:31):
Andrew Webster, the club's coach, has pleaded with the fans
to be patient when it comes to the Warriors. They
started off poorly in Las Vegas. They can hopefully right
the wrongs of that ill fated American trip as they
take to the field to Mount Smart Go Media Stadium
(11:52):
on Friday night up against Manly. But I won't be patient.
I'm not interested in patience. You've had an entire off
season to work out what you're trying to do and
how you are going to apply those theories to the field.
What we saw last week underwhelming. I'll use that term again.
(12:13):
I think there are issues with the halves. I think
there are issues with decision making, which come back down,
of course, to the halves. I don't feel that this
team know who they are what they are attempting to do. Granted,
it's only week one of the competition for them, Granted
it's a long long way to go and they're not
going to win the NRL in the very first week.
(12:36):
But being told to be patient after what we thought
was a comprehensive preseason where surely the club, the management
and the coaching staff have set down their requirements and
set down their plan over weeks and weeks and weeks
of practice. I don't think being patient is required. Now
(12:58):
get on the park and win.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
We're now in session on sportsfx.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Smat's news director out of news talks there b Claig
Wilson joins us now in the chamber. Always good to
have you in here for end.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Very well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Right, let's talk about the sports stories of the day,
and I suppose the one that we're all very keen
on pulling apart black Caps v. Pakistan. This is the
T twenty ice series coming up. Look, cricket and summer.
It is summer, right, Well you just told me it's over.
Well it's kind of autumn summer. But hey, Indian summers, mate, it's.
Speaker 6 (13:31):
Going to go going to go forever reference.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
But we're actually getting we're actually getting home games to
go and watch. But we're not getting the best of
the best. We're getting the second tier. Is that a
fair thing to say, because when you look at cross
at the squad, they're actually handy cricket players.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
I mean, just because you call it a second tier
squad doesn't necessarily mean they're crappy players. They're very, very
good players. But the reality is a lot of our
best players are overplaying in the Indian Premier League because
they are our best players and they got picked to
play in those teams. They got bought for very handsome
sums to go and play in that competition. So this
(14:09):
is a pretty normal thing now around this time of
the year where we get players that are playing in
the IPL that are allowed to go and play in
the IPL now and miss out on certain international series
that might be happening around this time.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Well, you say, now, a few years ago, it wasn't
the case. Remember the Grand Home and the Guptal situation
where they basically left there was almost it was quite
a discussion at that time. But now the pragmatism of
this New Zealand cricket organization has gone, Look, we've just
got to roll with the punches otherwise we've finished. Right.
Speaker 6 (14:42):
It's not a one size fits all system anymore in
terms of contracting in our top players. And until something
changes at a global level with windows for all these
domestic TEA twenty competitions, they're going to have to continue
catering to different players and players are going to make
decisions on whether they want to play international cricket and
be contracted and be committed to the international team, or
(15:05):
they want they want to go away and and put
some money in their back pockets.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
And you know, think.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
About it more like a like a like a real job,
like a you know, like a business. And you know,
the elite athletes they can't play sport forever, so you
understand that. But at the same time, obviously being an athlete,
a big part of it is playing for your national
team and succeeding, winning World Cups, going to big one.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Wish as you up, doesn't it when it comes to
people interested in giving you the money, It's like I
performed the national level. She performed the national level. I'm
going to buy in. But what about the punters. Is
this going to drag numbers down for attendance for these games?
We're going to go, wow, ravishing reck Avenger is not there.
I'm not interested. I'm not I'm not going well have
(15:50):
an effect at that bottom line? Do you think?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Well, I think for your casual audience, right, your cricket
nuffies as we call them in the sport, the people
that are really passionate, live and breathe cricket. I think
is still going to go to these games if they
if they are in the area, if they've lucky enough
to be able to do that. But for your casual
fans that might think, think i've seen rach and Avendra
score one hundred at the Champions Trophy was all over
(16:12):
the news and in the news.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
I might go and watch a.
Speaker 6 (16:16):
Game in the Bay Oval or at Eton Park or
at Hagley Oval. Then those people might not go, especially
when it's the amount of players that aren't available. It's
not just for Revendra. You're talking about Mitchell Sander, the
captain of the white ball team. Five or six of
these guys of you know, they are the top echelon
of our players not there. So I think I can't
(16:38):
not have an effect on people's interest levels. Doesn't mean
people aren't going to watch, no, but I think a
significant amount less will tune in.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Also with T twenty I, it's being pushed and marketed
as it's only three and a half hours. It's a
day out in the sun with your friends and your family.
It's almost like that experience is almost more important than
the people who are actually playing. They're still wearing a
black cap they're still representing New Zealand. Hey three and
a half hours, let's go and have a good time
(17:08):
being toward that.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
It's not as punishing, right, No, if they get if
you're going to do it in any format, T twenty
is the one to do it, like you say, because
of the length of time people are committing to it,
and like you say, they can make more of an
experience out of it, and hopefully, you know, you look
at the model of you know, going to another sport
or clan FC and what they've done this year with
their games, make it an experience and you know, to
(17:31):
sort of divert off into it and another sport completely.
We've talked about this in rugby, right how rugby needs
to try and embrace more of a match day experience
to try and get the casual people in, get them interested,
to get them on board. So yeah, I think you
will get people like that, families that are going to
go along regardless. But it's always a shame when you
can't have your best players playing for your national site.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Hey, they get injured too, you know, it's not all
the time, but sometimes they go away and make a fortune,
So be it. Clay Wilson joining us in the chamber.
Sports news director for News Talk ZB Andrew Webster urging
the fans to be patient with Luke Metcalf. What's the
preseason for Clay? Wow?
Speaker 6 (18:09):
How long is the preseason long enough?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Wasn't it? Wow? Don't you think that a plan in place?
Go this is what we're going to do. I look,
maybe I'm just like kicking off because I was a
wee bit pissy about what happened over in Vegas. Wouldn't
you think though, that when you look at that game,
that they would have maybe structure slightly more firmly in place.
It looked to me it's like, ah, and you know
what gonna go with him, and let's go and see
(18:32):
what happens.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
I think the predicament the Warriors are in here is
that it was clear going into the season that it
was going to be a bit of a figuring out
process in terms of who the starting halves. Where you're
losing Sean Johnson met caalftin at play a bunch of
last year. There's four or five contenders for two spots,
and I don't think the coaching staff, the selectors themselves
(18:54):
would have known they had to use to me the
preseason to figure out who that was. Right, You're not
going into a season with an established halves combination where
you know, and then come round one you say, well,
when knew coming into the preseason you had three season
games and then you've been you know, you've been under
par in round one, not good enough as opposed to
this situation where you lose someone like Shawan Johnson and
(19:17):
then you're trying to figure out It's not that there
wasn't really an obvious to me.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Any hold on. We lost Sean Johnson last year to
Mighty Martin stepped up, they started winning, and then Sean
came back and what happened the wheels fell off again.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
Well, then you're just getting into a debate about who
should have had that jersey? Right, Wow, And they clearly
thought that Luke metcalf was was the guy after at
least the first preseason game. I think he played the
last the second preseason game at seven. We played both
of them at seven. But I mean that they were
obviously doing their own stuff before that, figuring it out,
(19:49):
decided he was probably the guy. The preseason games confirmed it,
and then you've got into you know, a surprise, surprise,
You've got into a proper competition game where there's actual
points on the line, and that they weren't good enough.
I'm sure he would admit he wasn't good enough. I
guess the question now is for people like me who
say maybe you should should give allow them a little
bit of time. How long is enough? I mean, one
(20:13):
game isn't enough for you. But would you extend any
more grace than that?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yep, you kind of have to if you've given them
that job. I just bristled when I saw that. It's like,
I'll show you patience. I'm not a coach. I'm not
even close to being a coach. I don't understand what
goes on there. But from a pure fan point of view,
after what happened, you go, well, hold, we expected a
bit more. But then I'll just wind that back. It's
the warriors expect the unexpected. Don't even know what's going on?
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Right? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And I don't know.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
I just think the halves, it's just that the area
that just jumps out of the page to you. Are
there players like Luke Metcalf, Shanel Harristavita to Mighty Martin,
who who could be a part of a premiership winning
half playmaking combination. But it's just, you know, it's that
position that everyone says, you know, you've got to have,
(21:02):
You've got to have that kind of that match controller,
that star player, that standout player who's going to drive
you lead you to a premiership. A Jerome Hughes, a
Cooper Kronk, someone of that ilk and those guys not
yet anyway, are not that player.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Tay Wilson, Sports News Direct for News Talk ZB. Thanks
very much for your time and your opinions. Much appreciated.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
Nowhere, it's just us Sports six.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
And mann raps Up Sports Fix. The podcast for the
most is for another day, this day being Tuesday, the
eleventh of March twenty twenty five. Thanks very much for listening.
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(21:48):
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(22:08):
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Speaker 1 (22:17):
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talk sed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Sportsfix, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Welcome on in to the Sports Fix. It is a Tuesday.
It's the eleventh of March twenty twenty five. Minum is
Darcy Waldergrave and coming up in this podcast, we're going
to talk with a man called Wells. Sam Wells, he
selector for the black Caps, talk around not only the
team that has been picked for the squad that has
(00:43):
been picked for the upcoming five match T twenty ice
series against Pakistan, but the nature of selection with central
contracts and where that sits. Will be joined by Klay Wilson,
sports news director for News Talk SeeDB and the Chamber
as we discuss that and the Warriors and the cry
to be patient with the halves and I've got some
(01:05):
opinion well on exactly that that's what we plan to do,
so let's get busy and do it. In other news
Ford Trophy winning tweaking at cantab Each, Sody is back
in a Black Cap. A number of first choice players
will flee to the BCCI's bank Withdraw branch which makes
(01:28):
way for some of the older players and newer ones
as well. He is super keen to inhale the unmistakable
stench of an international changing shed again because yeah, it's
great to be back. It's very exciting to sort of
share the dressing room with the boys again.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
And Michael brace Will was captain who someone I look
up to, Verry Fonny.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Too Auckland Tatata GM Dale Barge appreciates the trouble facing
the new Indian NBL side the Panthers. The fledsing basketball
franchise is without their full roster for the first three
weeks of the NBL International Asia Cup qualifying. Commitments and
some visa dramas have left the club scrambling ringings.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Leaves them in the lurch, leaves all of us having
to scratch around and find other solutions and sympathize with
everyone involve the league, broadcasters, the team itself, from the
Panthers that are working hard.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
And bulldogs at GM and mister NRL everything. Feil Gold
doesn't care about Dylan Brown's contract length, all the fountain
of cash he'll be drenched with. It's whether or not
the Eels half has what's required I'm not that worried
about the money, and I'm not that worried about the
ten years either, because I think they're getting him in
the primary career. Is he the right player at the moment.
(02:42):
There are things he's got to do to his game
to get to that position. I feel.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news powered
by News Talks EB.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
And it's a warm welcome to the Vixed podcast to
New Zealand cricket selector Sam Wells. Hi, sam Hi Darcy,
thanks for having me and thanks very much for joining us.
So today it was announced that hot on the heels
of the sad the bridesmaid position at the Champions Trophy.
But you've got now the upcoming series against the visiting Pakistani's.
(03:18):
You've named that squad to take them on in five teams.
I'm just gonna start that over again. What did I say?
Five teams?
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Team?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Well, here we go three two one and we're joined
now by Sam Wells, Black Caps select Good evening, sam
Hi Darcy.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, very very good. Michael Brace will be to perform
so well in the HECK Champions Trophy final. He gets
captain the black Caps on home series is a five
game T twenty I series coming up against Pakistan. A
lot of considerations in this series and a few players
back from the outset, which I like to start with that.
(04:00):
Let's look at some of those guys, the likes of
ciphered Anisian and Allen. What considerations around their selection considering
they haven't central contracts.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yeah, look, there's a few moving parts, so it all
I suppose.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
First of all, we've.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Now gone past the champions Trophy and in the horizon
is another ICIC pinnacle event being the T twenty World
Cup in India, which is now less than twelve months away,
So I focused with the T twenty team shifts to that,
and we've really focused on having good preparation and built
up for all of the ICC events and this is
no different. So we've been in talks with these players
(04:38):
for the last month or six weeks or so to
get their commitment for all our twenty fixtures if selected
for the next year and build up and they've committed
to that. So while they are centrally contracted, if they've
committed to the T twenty preparation that we consider as required,
and we're really pleased to get that and look, these
(05:00):
guys have really emphasized with us that their priority is
still playing cricket for New Zealand and that's what they
want to do. They've come back and all three of
them have played for trophy and then good performances on
the board.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So yeah, look, it's just.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Working with the players and lining up you know, a
good preparation and that's really what it's all about.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
So we're really happy where we've landed.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So basically they've said, if we get BBL contracts or
South African T twenty contracts, we won't be picking them
up because they can't, can they if they've committed to
you and they want to get picked for that World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Essentially, yeah, they've said that they'll they'll commit to all
about T twenty games if selected.
Speaker 5 (05:45):
Look, and it's about.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Giving them, you know, enough time and communication to work
through whatever deals they have in place. But essentially, yeah,
they've committed to all the games that we have.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Have you got a cut off period for this because
playing we're talking quite a while away now, I know
it's within the year, but they said, hey, look, if
we're not going to be in or near or close
by November or something, can you let us go. Is
there anything in the contract or the words there?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Do you think, Sam, No, Look, there's nothing, there's no
contract or strict time member. Look, it's just about keeping
up with the open communications and then players and know
where they stand. Like there's a number of series between
now and then, and I guess as more information comes
to hand and we get closer to nailing down the
squad and where we think of my land, where we'll
give those players indications. But yeah, ultimately they've committed to
(06:36):
that and they said they want to play for New Zealand,
But playing for New Zealand you've also got to commit
to some of the preparation to make sure the team's
in the best position to perform well at these events.
And I think we saw that with the Champions Trophy squad.
Having a strong build up in that tri series I
think really helped. So that's how we're planning to move forward.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
New Zealand Cricket have been very fluid in this space
and I think it's the most pragmatic way to handle this.
How does that work from a selection point of view
when you're dealing with a number of different contracts or
lack their role is that tricky.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
It's not too tricky, like it's just trying to get
everyone together and the ground away for But you're right,
we've got to be a little bit pragmatic that the
world of cricket is changing. We accept, for example, in
this window you know, has been accepted for some time
that players, if they get an IPL.
Speaker 5 (07:29):
Deal, they go go and do that.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Equally, you know some players are going to make a
decision to go and not taking New Zealand contract in
playoffs where because the financial rewards you know, make sense
for them at that time of their career or whatever
it is. But if we can find a ground where
when we're lining up for a particular event, if we're
satisfied all we can get an appropriate burn up and
(07:53):
commitment from the players, then I think we'd be silly
to you know, not work with them to try and
make that work, because it's in the interests of both
the team and the player.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So the players that have been selected, and there are
some I would say outside it's but some people that
line is close to the core team ast I'm sure
they'd like to be because they still early in their careers.
This is all about keeping all of your options open
in giving players international experience with no promises yet.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, I think the way in particularly this particular window
when the IPPL players are away, we're naturally going to
have to dig a bit deeper into the depth and
that presents more opportunities for guys and that's happened for
some time for a number of years now. So yeah,
this particular window gives guys chances. But we see where
guys perform well, then you know they're then pushing their
(08:46):
place in the main squad. And for example, I think
Jacob Duffy did that really well when given his opportunities
recently and with injury, broke his way into the Champions
Trophy squad. Now he's again here in the T twenty squad.
So look these when these opportunities presented, if players can
take them, that they'll find themselves with more opportunities in
(09:07):
the future.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
In the case of Kin Williamson, Samuels joins us SO
and he's in Cricket select said he's unavailable. Where does
he sit in the profile over the next year around
his commitments or even conversations have had with him about
where he would like to be because I'm sure if
he's available and fit. He'll pick him in an instant,
won't you. So one of those conversations being like Sam.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, look, Kane's a bit of a series by series
at the moment and this is just one of the
ones where he's had a big workload, been away overseas
for a couple of months now, when we're just managing
him series by series, and those are obviously decisions he
will make. If kin you wants to play, he'll obviously
coming too serious consideration and so look we'll just had
(09:53):
to play that by you and see how he is
going moving forward. But he's still playing a bit of
franchise T twenty cricket around and I'm.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Sure he'll still in a while.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I hope he still wants to play for New Zealand
moving forward, but it's he's just at that stage of
the career he's picking and choosing a bit to managers workload.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
But we'll just have to see how that goes moving forward.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
But in turn, they he will have to be available
for what India and Afghanistan, those two series in the
lead up to the T twenty I World Cup next year.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Yeah, that's on cricket's position at the stage.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Well love the fact that New Selling Cricket have proven
in actions that they are very fluid and understand that
cricket is changing fast. Almost with every season there's something new.
Looks like you guys are dealing with the best you
can and I'm wishing you the best going forward, looking
forward to this new series and some of these new
guys coming through newsh guys coming through Sam Wells selected
forty Selling Cricket. Again, thanks very much for your time,
(10:47):
Jeez Darcy. The Wires have started their season in an
underwhelming fashion, which is no surprise to Warriors fans. As
I've said once, as I've said twice, as I'll keep
on saying, I wouldn't be surprised if in my lifetime
the Warriors don't win the trophy of two blokes hugging.
I don't support them because I believe they're going to win.
(11:10):
I support them because for thirty years I've been following
them through thick. For thirty years, I've been following them
through thick and thin, quite a lot of thin. To
be fair, I'm a fan of the team, I'm a
fan of the NRL and I love to see the
boys competing. But that's the issue this time around competing.
(11:31):
Andrew Webster, the club's coach, has pleaded with the fans
to be patient when it comes to the Warriors. They
started off poorly in Las Vegas. They can hopefully right
the wrongs of that ill fated American trip as they
take to the field to Mount Smart Go Media Stadium
(11:52):
on Friday night up against Manly. But I won't be patient.
I'm not interested in patience. You've had an entire off
season to work out what you're trying to do and
how you are going to apply those theories to the field.
What we saw last week underwhelming. I'll use that term again.
(12:13):
I think there are issues with the halves. I think
there are issues with decision making, which come back down,
of course, to the halves. I don't feel that this
team know who they are what they are attempting to do. Granted,
it's only week one of the competition for them, Granted
it's a long long way to go and they're not
going to win the NRL in the very first week.
(12:36):
But being told to be patient after what we thought
was a comprehensive preseason where surely the club, the management
and the coaching staff have set down their requirements and
set down their plan over weeks and weeks and weeks
of practice. I don't think being patient is required. Now
(12:58):
get on the park and win.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
We're now in session on sportsfx.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Smat's news director out of news talks there b Claig
Wilson joins us now in the chamber. Always good to
have you in here for end.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Very well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Right, let's talk about the sports stories of the day,
and I suppose the one that we're all very keen
on pulling apart black Caps v. Pakistan. This is the
T twenty ice series coming up. Look, cricket and summer.
It is summer, right, Well you just told me it's over.
Well it's kind of autumn summer. But hey, Indian summers, mate, it's.
Speaker 6 (13:31):
Going to go going to go forever reference.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
But we're actually getting we're actually getting home games to
go and watch. But we're not getting the best of
the best. We're getting the second tier. Is that a
fair thing to say, because when you look at cross
at the squad, they're actually handy cricket players.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
I mean, just because you call it a second tier
squad doesn't necessarily mean they're crappy players. They're very, very
good players. But the reality is a lot of our
best players are overplaying in the Indian Premier League because
they are our best players and they got picked to
play in those teams. They got bought for very handsome
sums to go and play in that competition. So this
(14:09):
is a pretty normal thing now around this time of
the year where we get players that are playing in
the IPL that are allowed to go and play in
the IPL now and miss out on certain international series
that might be happening around this time.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Well, you say, now, a few years ago, it wasn't
the case. Remember the Grand Home and the Guptal situation
where they basically left there was almost it was quite
a discussion at that time. But now the pragmatism of
this New Zealand cricket organization has gone, Look, we've just
got to roll with the punches otherwise we've finished. Right.
Speaker 6 (14:42):
It's not a one size fits all system anymore in
terms of contracting in our top players. And until something
changes at a global level with windows for all these
domestic TEA twenty competitions, they're going to have to continue
catering to different players and players are going to make
decisions on whether they want to play international cricket and
be contracted and be committed to the international team, or
(15:05):
they want they want to go away and and put
some money in their back pockets.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
And you know, think.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
About it more like a like a like a real job,
like a you know, like a business. And you know,
the elite athletes they can't play sport forever, so you
understand that. But at the same time, obviously being an athlete,
a big part of it is playing for your national
team and succeeding, winning World Cups, going to big one.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Wish as you up, doesn't it when it comes to
people interested in giving you the money, It's like I
performed the national level. She performed the national level. I'm
going to buy in. But what about the punters. Is
this going to drag numbers down for attendance for these games?
We're going to go, wow, ravishing reck Avenger is not there.
I'm not interested. I'm not I'm not going well have
(15:50):
an effect at that bottom line? Do you think?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Well, I think for your casual audience, right, your cricket
nuffies as we call them in the sport, the people
that are really passionate, live and breathe cricket. I think
is still going to go to these games if they
if they are in the area, if they've lucky enough
to be able to do that. But for your casual
fans that might think, think i've seen rach and Avendra
score one hundred at the Champions Trophy was all over
(16:12):
the news and in the news.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
I might go and watch a.
Speaker 6 (16:16):
Game in the Bay Oval or at Eton Park or
at Hagley Oval. Then those people might not go, especially
when it's the amount of players that aren't available. It's
not just for Revendra. You're talking about Mitchell Sander, the
captain of the white ball team. Five or six of
these guys of you know, they are the top echelon
of our players not there. So I think I can't
(16:38):
not have an effect on people's interest levels. Doesn't mean
people aren't going to watch, no, but I think a
significant amount less will tune in.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Also with T twenty I, it's being pushed and marketed
as it's only three and a half hours. It's a
day out in the sun with your friends and your family.
It's almost like that experience is almost more important than
the people who are actually playing. They're still wearing a
black cap they're still representing New Zealand. Hey three and
a half hours, let's go and have a good time
(17:08):
being toward that.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
It's not as punishing, right, No, if they get if
you're going to do it in any format, T twenty
is the one to do it, like you say, because
of the length of time people are committing to it,
and like you say, they can make more of an
experience out of it, and hopefully, you know, you look
at the model of you know, going to another sport
or clan FC and what they've done this year with
their games, make it an experience and you know, to
(17:31):
sort of divert off into it and another sport completely.
We've talked about this in rugby, right how rugby needs
to try and embrace more of a match day experience
to try and get the casual people in, get them interested,
to get them on board. So yeah, I think you
will get people like that, families that are going to
go along regardless. But it's always a shame when you
can't have your best players playing for your national site.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Hey, they get injured too, you know, it's not all
the time, but sometimes they go away and make a fortune,
So be it. Clay Wilson joining us in the chamber.
Sports news director for News Talk ZB Andrew Webster urging
the fans to be patient with Luke Metcalf. What's the
preseason for Clay? Wow?
Speaker 6 (18:09):
How long is the preseason long enough?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Wasn't it? Wow? Don't you think that a plan in place?
Go this is what we're going to do. I look,
maybe I'm just like kicking off because I was a
wee bit pissy about what happened over in Vegas. Wouldn't
you think though, that when you look at that game,
that they would have maybe structure slightly more firmly in place.
It looked to me it's like, ah, and you know
what gonna go with him, and let's go and see
(18:32):
what happens.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
I think the predicament the Warriors are in here is
that it was clear going into the season that it
was going to be a bit of a figuring out
process in terms of who the starting halves. Where you're
losing Sean Johnson met caalftin at play a bunch of
last year. There's four or five contenders for two spots,
and I don't think the coaching staff, the selectors themselves
(18:54):
would have known they had to use to me the
preseason to figure out who that was. Right, You're not
going into a season with an established halves combination where
you know, and then come round one you say, well,
when knew coming into the preseason you had three season
games and then you've been you know, you've been under
par in round one, not good enough as opposed to
this situation where you lose someone like Shawan Johnson and
(19:17):
then you're trying to figure out It's not that there
wasn't really an obvious to me.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Any hold on. We lost Sean Johnson last year to
Mighty Martin stepped up, they started winning, and then Sean
came back and what happened the wheels fell off again.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
Well, then you're just getting into a debate about who
should have had that jersey? Right, Wow, And they clearly
thought that Luke metcalf was was the guy after at
least the first preseason game. I think he played the
last the second preseason game at seven. We played both
of them at seven. But I mean that they were
obviously doing their own stuff before that, figuring it out,
(19:49):
decided he was probably the guy. The preseason games confirmed it,
and then you've got into you know, a surprise, surprise,
You've got into a proper competition game where there's actual
points on the line, and that they weren't good enough.
I'm sure he would admit he wasn't good enough. I
guess the question now is for people like me who
say maybe you should should give allow them a little
bit of time. How long is enough? I mean, one
(20:13):
game isn't enough for you. But would you extend any
more grace than that?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yep, you kind of have to if you've given them
that job. I just bristled when I saw that. It's like,
I'll show you patience. I'm not a coach. I'm not
even close to being a coach. I don't understand what
goes on there. But from a pure fan point of view,
after what happened, you go, well, hold, we expected a
bit more. But then I'll just wind that back. It's
the warriors expect the unexpected. Don't even know what's going on?
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Right? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And I don't know.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
I just think the halves, it's just that the area
that just jumps out of the page to you. Are
there players like Luke Metcalf, Shanel Harristavita to Mighty Martin,
who who could be a part of a premiership winning
half playmaking combination. But it's just, you know, it's that
position that everyone says, you know, you've got to have,
(21:02):
You've got to have that kind of that match controller,
that star player, that standout player who's going to drive
you lead you to a premiership. A Jerome Hughes, a
Cooper Kronk, someone of that ilk and those guys not
yet anyway, are not that player.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
Tay Wilson, Sports News Direct for News Talk ZB. Thanks
very much for your time and your opinions. Much appreciated.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
Nowhere, it's just us Sports six.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
And mann raps Up Sports Fix. The podcast for the
most is for another day, this day being Tuesday, the
eleventh of March twenty twenty five. Thanks very much for listening.
If you've enjoyed it, please subscribe that way, this will
turn up in your inbox on a week daily basis.
If you've enjoyed your time with us, by all means,
(21:48):
tell your friends, tell your family and get them to
subscribe as well. And if you're keen on a bit
of interactive sport talk, you can get that on Sports
Talk Monday through Friday seven to eight pm on News
Talk to ZB Jason pine starts the week I finish
it off and for all Piney you can have that
over the weekend on Weekend Sports Saturday and Sunday Time
(22:08):
twelve midday through till three. Look forward to you joining
us both of us here on Sports Fix and on
News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
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