July 16, 2024 • 15 mins
On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 16 July 2024, we pay tribute to All Black #938 Norm Hewitt, who passed away today aged 55.
Elliott chats to Black Ferns captain Kennedy Simon following her historic contract extension until 2028. She shares her passion for the black jersey and where she wants to see the team in the coming years.
Plus, Elliott speaks to Newstalk ZB sport journalist Nathan Limm about Tohu Harris' season-ending injury - is this the final nail in the coffin of a lacklustre Warriors season? They also discuss if Richie Mounga could have cut it in the NRL and what to expect at this weeks All Blacks team naming.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome into Sportsfix for Tuesday, the sixteenth of July twenty
twenty four. My name is Elliott Smith and for Darcy Watergrave.
On today's edition of Sports Fixed. Sportsvex, your daily podcast
wrapping up the latest in the sporting.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
World courtesy of News TALKB.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Today on the podcast, Nathan Limb joins us in the
chamber the chat plenty of sporting issues. Kennedy Simon also
joins us to chat Kerk signing with New Zealand Rugby
through until twenty twenty eight, the Black Fern's co captain.
It's the biggest deal that any women's fifteens plant has signed.
In New Zealand's Sad News Today for New Zealand Rugby two.
(00:56):
With the passing of Norm hewitt Age just fifty five
after a battle with modern neubron disease, inspirational off the
park as well with his battle with alcoholism that he
turned around, also with Dancing with the Stars too, so
we will reflect on that today in the podcast too.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Let's get into it on Sports Fix in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Checking the biggest sports stories now in the Southern Steel
will turn their attention to farewell and coach rang of Bloxham.
In the final round of Netbles A and Z Premiership.
They lost fifty four to fifty three to the Stars
in Dunedin and will host the fourth place magic on
Saturday in the Cargo. That Bloxham's last game in charge
before she takes up a job in Wales. Captain Kay
Evenon says they want to send her off with their perspisions.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
She's such an awesome coach and an awesome lady, so
we will really miss her and we really want to
finish off with a really good game for her.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Black Ferns Rugby co Camptain Kennedy Simon signed it for
your extension with New Zealand Rugby Throw until twenty twenty
eight It's the longest commitment by a women's fifteens plus
since they went pro in twenty eighteen. Simon says a
convo with Director of Rugby Allen Bunting laid the foundation.
Speaker 6 (02:02):
He just asked me what's your plans the future and
has just said I just want to keep playing in
the black jersey, you know, earning a spot on the team,
and he was like, well, you know, maybe you need
an agent and get the ball.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Rolling No Patrick, Thy Pilotto and the All Blanks traveling
party to San Diego for Saturday's one off test against Fiji.
The veteran Locke, who returned early from a the ligament
issued lead the Blues in the Super Rugby Final and
started those two tests against England, has been rested. Sandari,
who's been with the squads cover potentially in line for
a debut.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Assistant coach lee On McDonald this.
Speaker 7 (02:35):
His fitness in terms of his body, has returned into
the final with a knee He rolled his ankle during
that game and then two massive efforts against the really
physical England pack.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I'm finishing now with some sad news. Former All Blacks
hooker Norm Hewitt's died age fifty five. He had motor
neuron disease. Hewick played nine Tests in fourteen games in
New Zealand between nineteen ninety three and nineteen ninety eight,
and he was involved in one of the most monumental
confrontations in Hukker history at Manchester's Old Trafford in November
nineteen ninety seven.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Well that's going to be one of the great times.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
No badness lorm Hewitt against Richard Parcob.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Krist In Peace, Normal Hewitt.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Sports Sex joining me on Sportsbeks now Black Ferns co
captain Kennedy Simon, who has signed a whopping four year
extension through to twenty twenty eight. She's currently out with
an ankle injury. Miss that big went over the weekend
for the Black Ferns. But you back on the park
soon and she signed, as I said, a four year
extension with the Black Ferns. Kennedy, congratulations on your new contract.
Speaker 8 (03:38):
Thank you, thank you so much. Honestly, it's still surreal
to me. It's you know, it's just nice to know
what on my future holds for the next week while
and yeah, continue legacy and try and bring everyone else,
you know, and encouraged him to have those same conversations.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
How did the conversations go or how did it come
about that you wanted to stick around with New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 8 (04:04):
It's you know, always been my dream to be a
Black Fern and I was just talking to bunts because
we caught up for a leadership sort of meeting and
he just asked me what's my plans? And so from
there I pretty much, Yeah, I had to get an
agent to work through all those details, and we're just
waiting for it, and yeah, I didn't see myself anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
What was that process like, getting an agent and having
to go through that that sort of thing.
Speaker 8 (04:33):
Yeah, it was pretty like. I was really lucky to
have my fiancee, Sally, be familiar in that space. So
I sort of just followed his lead and we just
had some conversations with people he knew and they pointed
me in the right direction and it was Yeah, it
was as easy as that for me. So I'm with
Halo Sport and you know they're brilliant, so hopefully we
(04:54):
can achieve some great things.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Together through to twenty twenty eight. That's it's a lengthy deal,
the longest that has been signed since the women's game
went professional in New Zealand. It's a bit of a statement.
I guess from both parties, yourself that you want to
stick around New Zealand, but also that New Zealand Rugby
want to keep you around. So for both parties, it
looks like it worked out.
Speaker 8 (05:15):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah, I'm grateful, you know that Hannah Porter
and Alan Bunting saw value in me for the next
wee while and exactly like New Zealand Rugby has taken
great care of me, and you know, I just want
to continue to inspire our little country and yeah, put
my best foot forward and compete in the high performance
(05:35):
arena for a little while longer.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
How has that changed, I guess over the last few
years since the old Picky's coming and you've become a
regular in the Black fans and up to co captain.
See how how's the woman's game changed since since you
started playing?
Speaker 8 (05:51):
Yeah, I think obviously I started well when it was
sort of still semi professional, and so from there it's
obviously just elevated in terms of being able to train
every day as a job and compete with you know,
so of the best athletes in the country and just
(06:12):
be able to come into an environment where everything's borted.
And that's always been my experience from the time that
I've entered the team. But you know, I always like
to pay tribute to the woman who didn't have what
we have today and still you know, do the black
jersey justice and creative, strong legacy and yeah, now we
(06:34):
get to you know, get outfitted with the latest Eddi
Dass boots and we're a beautiful, nice fitting black jersey.
So we're always patributing, really grateful to the woman who
pays away for us.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
What are your goals over the links of this contract
through the twenty twenty game.
Speaker 8 (06:50):
Yeah, I hope to add to the same hoonasty, you know,
and make sure that it's beautiful for the future of
the Black Ferns. And that looks like a long term
contract and making it a real career. Also looks like
you know, people from being ambassadors for different what do
(07:16):
you call it, different organizations and just seeing women in
black empower little girls, little boys, men and women, you know,
all walks of life. But also then just playing gray rugby.
New Zealand's known for rugby and we want to, you know,
(07:37):
make sure that we do that proud.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
One year or thereabouts out from the World Cup obviously
a big goal feat for yourself and the team coming
off the back of the game on the weekend and
I'm sure sure you are. Unfortunately we're injured for but
watched where do you think the team's out? As you
count down to that tournament next year.
Speaker 8 (07:56):
We just want to make sure we enhance the small
areas of the game, you know, so playing in the
right areas of the field, of being physically dominant, winning
all areas of combat, making sure that our kicking game
is sharp, that our passing games even smoother, and we've
got you know, a good build up towards that where
(08:19):
the girls get to go, well, the Black Friends get
to go to Tickenham in September, and you know there's
going to be an experience for everyone that goes there.
I think for some it might be the biggest game
or you know, setting of their lives.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
We've got just the ticket. It's sports Vex News talks.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Ivy Tall, who Harris out for the NRAL season with
the wrist injury, and there goes the Warriors hopes down
the gurgler for the top eight for mine. Losing Harris,
I think is the nail in the coffin. Has he
been playing his best this season? Probably not that his
leadership is what this team needs over the closing stages
of the campaign. They need someone to stand up, take
(08:58):
the team by the scruff and the neck and direct
them into the top eight. He's been relegated to the
bench three times in the past four matches, but you'd
expect them to stand up in the closing stages to
help convert those one point losses into wins. It feels
really like anything that could go wrong for the Warriors
this season has injuries to key players at the worst time,
(09:19):
some clunky form, some games they should have won that
they lost, Adam Fanola Blake ditching before the team song
that one time Adam arist injury to talk who Harris
and this season is increasingly looking like one we were
asking what might have been? Has the window closed on
the warriors chances of winning a premiership? Not yet, but
it feels like next year might need to be the year.
(09:42):
In my opinion, the standard of the NRAL this season
hasn't been as good as previous years. The top teams
aren't as good as they have been, but unfortunately for
the Warriors, they haven't taken those chances and losing Harris
doesn't help them.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Let's sit into the Chamber, joining US Big League podcast
co host News Talk ZBI sports journalist Nathan lim Nathan,
Welcome to the Chamber. Good afternoon, now at US this afternoon.
I think we suspect that it might be the case.
But Paul who Harris gone for the NFL season with
a ongoing wrist injury.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
How big a blow is this for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
It's a massive blow in terms of the leadership too.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Harris is talismanic for this side.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
You can see the influence he has over his teammates
around him. He's just such a big player. He plays
a really key role in terms of facilitating a lot
of their attack as well. It's a role that Dylan
Walker has filled off the interchange and at times starting
as Harris has managed this injury throughout the season. He
was actually forced to take a four week break in
May by coach Andrew Webster. He didn't want to, but
(10:46):
Andrew Ribbs made him. And it just seems that this
injury has got the better of him. He's opted to
have surgery and that's ruled him out.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, how I mean, obviously, the Warriors are on a
real scrap at the moment to make the top eight.
They're not completely out of it by any erecting, but
they do need to start picking up some wins. So
to lose the captain with Shawn Johnson still out for
a few more weeks. Let metcalf not due back. There's
other injuries going on. That's just another one to the pile.
Is a bit of the Warriors issues in the last few.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Weeks, Yeah, don't. I don't think it's caused for panic
by any means.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Dylan Walker has been outstanding this season, one of the
Warrior's best players. He'll move in to become their sort
of premiere lock forward. And then Lecqua Hallaesima, who debuted
off the bench in the Golden Point loss to the Bulldogs,
ended up playing in the centers because of how many
injuries they had. He had a blockbusting day, one of
the best NURL debuts I've ever seen. So he's likely
to get a lot more opportunity now filling that lock
(11:35):
forward rong. Unless they're going to be making Dylan Walker
play aty minutes every game. I expect Hallaesema to get
a lot more time. So I don't think this does
a huge amount of damage to the Warriors playoff hopes.
They'll just need other people to step up in terms
of a leadership on the field, and I think Dylan
Walker will do that.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Are they going to make the eight. Yes, they'll make
the eight. Okay, let's stit with the Warriors sort of.
Richie wong a report out today that he almost joined
the Warriors in twenty nineteen. If you can cast your whatever,
the opposite of a crystal ball is because you're going
backwards in time.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
But what do you have been a good rugby league
player Richie Wonger.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
It's hard to say he would have been a bad
rugby league player given how good he is for the
All Blacks. I don't think looking back he'll regret not
going to the Warriors. Obviously, shortly after that they went
into the COVID years time. It wasn't a great time
to be a Warriors player a Warriors fan by any means. Meanwhile,
Moonger was establishing himself as one of the All Black's
most important players and obviously now nowadays as one of
(12:29):
the highest played New Zealand rugby players and New Zealand's
out and out best first five. I think not many
people would would argue with that, So yeah, it's a
cool story. I guess that players are more and more
we're seeing them experiment with looking at other codes.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Obviously, Joseph Swili.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
He's coming over to the Wallabies after this NRL season
as well, So it doesn't necessarily surprise me that they
were looking at Muanga because at that point Shawn Johnson
was leaving to go to Cornellis so they were in
need of a half bank.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
But I think it's a good thing that Muwanga did
stay with rugby and he's with the new South Wales
camp at the moment as well. Ahead of that big
stat of Origin game tomorrow night. It's maybe a few
tips being offered to Mitchell, Moses and co.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Possibly post rugby career maybe And let's move swiftly to
the All Blacks, which you wrong and not with them
of course, but they've got four maybe five own cap
players with Sam Darry in the mix this week coming
into Patrick threyblod too. We saw court there's Ratama get
a debut off the bench last week. So would you
use all of the remaining own cap players this week
(13:27):
in this test against Fiji and San Diego, Nathan?
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Would you look to keep some of them on icera
a bit longer? No, yeah, I definitely use them. Otherwise
I don't see the point of selecting them if you're
not going to throw them out at least once and
give them that opportunity.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
I think Scott Robinson's been fairly safe and very.
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Conservative with his first two squad selections, So if I
were him, I would start while it was the Titi
at eight. I'd start eating Blackadder at six. I'd move
Sammy pennifee ow to lock and just see what he
can do there and how to fix the line out
in particular, and then you Sam Dowry off the bench.
I'd start Usuff at Alma at Hoker and have George
Bell on the bench and yeah, just really hone in
(14:02):
on how that line out's working, because obviously was a
bit of an archilles heel in that second test. But yeah,
I'd want to see all of those new players involved
at some point, give them that exposure, give them that
confidence of having been in the black jersey and getting
that first one out of the way. Fiji and San
Diego is a really ideal opportunity to do that.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
So That's how I'd work it.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Is there a risk when you put all these new
players in and also change a few other players of
positions that haven't had a lot of game time. You know,
if you bring in Caleb Clark and say morning at
Ahwa and other players as well, that you lose all
those combinations. You know Fiji they got to the quarterfinals
of Ruguio Cup last year. That you make too many
changes and it goes the opposite way and everything's a
little clunky and a test you need to win.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
I mean potentially, but I think in the big roles,
did you think about You've got Scott Barrett still in
that second row, You're still going to have hopefully Damian
McKenzie at ten. I think in most especially in the
back line, they're gonna have a lot of leaders, a
lot of people who'd be able to stand up. All
of these players have been watching on with keen interest
of how they I guess work in the leak leading
up while they haven't been playing the new players that is,
(15:02):
so I don't think that there's too much risk of
that happening. I think there should still be a lot
of composure within that squad so that even if something
did go wrong, they'd be able to get through it.
And I just want to see those guys out in
the field.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
That team out Thursday Lunchton, Nathan Limb, you're free to
go Thank you, Thank you, Smody.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
This is Sportsfix, You're daily dose of sports news, power
and by News Talks VB.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
Let's wrap on Sports Fix for Tuesday, the sixteenth of
July twenty twenty four. Back again in your podcast feed
on iHeartRadio where if it get you get your podcast
tomorrow with a new edition of Sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
For more from News Talks ed B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome into Sportsfix for Tuesday, the sixteenth of July twenty
twenty four. My name is Elliott Smith and for Darcy Watergrave.
On today's edition of Sports Fixed. Sportsvex, your daily podcast
wrapping up the latest in the sporting.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
World courtesy of News TALKB.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Today on the podcast, Nathan Limb joins us in the
chamber the chat plenty of sporting issues. Kennedy Simon also
joins us to chat Kerk signing with New Zealand Rugby
through until twenty twenty eight, the Black Fern's co captain.
It's the biggest deal that any women's fifteens plant has signed.
In New Zealand's Sad News Today for New Zealand Rugby two.
(00:56):
With the passing of Norm hewitt Age just fifty five
after a battle with modern neubron disease, inspirational off the
park as well with his battle with alcoholism that he
turned around, also with Dancing with the Stars too, so
we will reflect on that today in the podcast too.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Let's get into it on Sports Fix in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Checking the biggest sports stories now in the Southern Steel
will turn their attention to farewell and coach rang of Bloxham.
In the final round of Netbles A and Z Premiership.
They lost fifty four to fifty three to the Stars
in Dunedin and will host the fourth place magic on
Saturday in the Cargo. That Bloxham's last game in charge
before she takes up a job in Wales. Captain Kay
Evenon says they want to send her off with their perspisions.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
She's such an awesome coach and an awesome lady, so
we will really miss her and we really want to
finish off with a really good game for her.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Black Ferns Rugby co Camptain Kennedy Simon signed it for
your extension with New Zealand Rugby Throw until twenty twenty
eight It's the longest commitment by a women's fifteens plus
since they went pro in twenty eighteen. Simon says a
convo with Director of Rugby Allen Bunting laid the foundation.
Speaker 6 (02:02):
He just asked me what's your plans the future and
has just said I just want to keep playing in
the black jersey, you know, earning a spot on the team,
and he was like, well, you know, maybe you need
an agent and get the ball.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Rolling No Patrick, Thy Pilotto and the All Blanks traveling
party to San Diego for Saturday's one off test against Fiji.
The veteran Locke, who returned early from a the ligament
issued lead the Blues in the Super Rugby Final and
started those two tests against England, has been rested. Sandari,
who's been with the squads cover potentially in line for
a debut.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Assistant coach lee On McDonald this.
Speaker 7 (02:35):
His fitness in terms of his body, has returned into
the final with a knee He rolled his ankle during
that game and then two massive efforts against the really
physical England pack.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I'm finishing now with some sad news. Former All Blacks
hooker Norm Hewitt's died age fifty five. He had motor
neuron disease. Hewick played nine Tests in fourteen games in
New Zealand between nineteen ninety three and nineteen ninety eight,
and he was involved in one of the most monumental
confrontations in Hukker history at Manchester's Old Trafford in November
nineteen ninety seven.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Well that's going to be one of the great times.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
No badness lorm Hewitt against Richard Parcob.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Krist In Peace, Normal Hewitt.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Sports Sex joining me on Sportsbeks now Black Ferns co
captain Kennedy Simon, who has signed a whopping four year
extension through to twenty twenty eight. She's currently out with
an ankle injury. Miss that big went over the weekend
for the Black Ferns. But you back on the park
soon and she signed, as I said, a four year
extension with the Black Ferns. Kennedy, congratulations on your new contract.
Speaker 8 (03:38):
Thank you, thank you so much. Honestly, it's still surreal
to me. It's you know, it's just nice to know
what on my future holds for the next week while
and yeah, continue legacy and try and bring everyone else,
you know, and encouraged him to have those same conversations.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
How did the conversations go or how did it come
about that you wanted to stick around with New Zealand rugby.
Speaker 8 (04:04):
It's you know, always been my dream to be a
Black Fern and I was just talking to bunts because
we caught up for a leadership sort of meeting and
he just asked me what's my plans? And so from
there I pretty much, Yeah, I had to get an
agent to work through all those details, and we're just
waiting for it, and yeah, I didn't see myself anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
What was that process like, getting an agent and having
to go through that that sort of thing.
Speaker 8 (04:33):
Yeah, it was pretty like. I was really lucky to
have my fiancee, Sally, be familiar in that space. So
I sort of just followed his lead and we just
had some conversations with people he knew and they pointed
me in the right direction and it was Yeah, it
was as easy as that for me. So I'm with
Halo Sport and you know they're brilliant, so hopefully we
(04:54):
can achieve some great things.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Together through to twenty twenty eight. That's it's a lengthy deal,
the longest that has been signed since the women's game
went professional in New Zealand. It's a bit of a statement.
I guess from both parties, yourself that you want to
stick around New Zealand, but also that New Zealand Rugby
want to keep you around. So for both parties, it
looks like it worked out.
Speaker 8 (05:15):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah, I'm grateful, you know that Hannah Porter
and Alan Bunting saw value in me for the next
wee while and exactly like New Zealand Rugby has taken
great care of me, and you know, I just want
to continue to inspire our little country and yeah, put
my best foot forward and compete in the high performance
(05:35):
arena for a little while longer.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
How has that changed, I guess over the last few
years since the old Picky's coming and you've become a
regular in the Black fans and up to co captain.
See how how's the woman's game changed since since you
started playing?
Speaker 8 (05:51):
Yeah, I think obviously I started well when it was
sort of still semi professional, and so from there it's
obviously just elevated in terms of being able to train
every day as a job and compete with you know,
so of the best athletes in the country and just
(06:12):
be able to come into an environment where everything's borted.
And that's always been my experience from the time that
I've entered the team. But you know, I always like
to pay tribute to the woman who didn't have what
we have today and still you know, do the black
jersey justice and creative, strong legacy and yeah, now we
(06:34):
get to you know, get outfitted with the latest Eddi
Dass boots and we're a beautiful, nice fitting black jersey.
So we're always patributing, really grateful to the woman who
pays away for us.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
What are your goals over the links of this contract
through the twenty twenty game.
Speaker 8 (06:50):
Yeah, I hope to add to the same hoonasty, you know,
and make sure that it's beautiful for the future of
the Black Ferns. And that looks like a long term
contract and making it a real career. Also looks like
you know, people from being ambassadors for different what do
(07:16):
you call it, different organizations and just seeing women in
black empower little girls, little boys, men and women, you know,
all walks of life. But also then just playing gray rugby.
New Zealand's known for rugby and we want to, you know,
(07:37):
make sure that we do that proud.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
One year or thereabouts out from the World Cup obviously
a big goal feat for yourself and the team coming
off the back of the game on the weekend and
I'm sure sure you are. Unfortunately we're injured for but
watched where do you think the team's out? As you
count down to that tournament next year.
Speaker 8 (07:56):
We just want to make sure we enhance the small
areas of the game, you know, so playing in the
right areas of the field, of being physically dominant, winning
all areas of combat, making sure that our kicking game
is sharp, that our passing games even smoother, and we've
got you know, a good build up towards that where
(08:19):
the girls get to go, well, the Black Friends get
to go to Tickenham in September, and you know there's
going to be an experience for everyone that goes there.
I think for some it might be the biggest game
or you know, setting of their lives.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
We've got just the ticket. It's sports Vex News talks.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Ivy Tall, who Harris out for the NRAL season with
the wrist injury, and there goes the Warriors hopes down
the gurgler for the top eight for mine. Losing Harris,
I think is the nail in the coffin. Has he
been playing his best this season? Probably not that his
leadership is what this team needs over the closing stages
of the campaign. They need someone to stand up, take
(08:58):
the team by the scruff and the neck and direct
them into the top eight. He's been relegated to the
bench three times in the past four matches, but you'd
expect them to stand up in the closing stages to
help convert those one point losses into wins. It feels
really like anything that could go wrong for the Warriors
this season has injuries to key players at the worst time,
(09:19):
some clunky form, some games they should have won that
they lost, Adam Fanola Blake ditching before the team song
that one time Adam arist injury to talk who Harris
and this season is increasingly looking like one we were
asking what might have been? Has the window closed on
the warriors chances of winning a premiership? Not yet, but
it feels like next year might need to be the year.
(09:42):
In my opinion, the standard of the NRAL this season
hasn't been as good as previous years. The top teams
aren't as good as they have been, but unfortunately for
the Warriors, they haven't taken those chances and losing Harris
doesn't help them.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Let's sit into the Chamber, joining US Big League podcast
co host News Talk ZBI sports journalist Nathan lim Nathan,
Welcome to the Chamber. Good afternoon, now at US this afternoon.
I think we suspect that it might be the case.
But Paul who Harris gone for the NFL season with
a ongoing wrist injury.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
How big a blow is this for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
It's a massive blow in terms of the leadership too.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Harris is talismanic for this side.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
You can see the influence he has over his teammates
around him. He's just such a big player. He plays
a really key role in terms of facilitating a lot
of their attack as well. It's a role that Dylan
Walker has filled off the interchange and at times starting
as Harris has managed this injury throughout the season. He
was actually forced to take a four week break in
May by coach Andrew Webster. He didn't want to, but
(10:46):
Andrew Ribbs made him. And it just seems that this
injury has got the better of him. He's opted to
have surgery and that's ruled him out.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, how I mean, obviously, the Warriors are on a
real scrap at the moment to make the top eight.
They're not completely out of it by any erecting, but
they do need to start picking up some wins. So
to lose the captain with Shawn Johnson still out for
a few more weeks. Let metcalf not due back. There's
other injuries going on. That's just another one to the pile.
Is a bit of the Warriors issues in the last few.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Weeks, Yeah, don't. I don't think it's caused for panic
by any means.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Dylan Walker has been outstanding this season, one of the
Warrior's best players. He'll move in to become their sort
of premiere lock forward. And then Lecqua Hallaesima, who debuted
off the bench in the Golden Point loss to the Bulldogs,
ended up playing in the centers because of how many
injuries they had. He had a blockbusting day, one of
the best NURL debuts I've ever seen. So he's likely
to get a lot more opportunity now filling that lock
(11:35):
forward rong. Unless they're going to be making Dylan Walker
play aty minutes every game. I expect Hallaesema to get
a lot more time. So I don't think this does
a huge amount of damage to the Warriors playoff hopes.
They'll just need other people to step up in terms
of a leadership on the field, and I think Dylan
Walker will do that.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Are they going to make the eight. Yes, they'll make
the eight. Okay, let's stit with the Warriors sort of.
Richie wong a report out today that he almost joined
the Warriors in twenty nineteen. If you can cast your whatever,
the opposite of a crystal ball is because you're going
backwards in time.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
But what do you have been a good rugby league
player Richie Wonger.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
It's hard to say he would have been a bad
rugby league player given how good he is for the
All Blacks. I don't think looking back he'll regret not
going to the Warriors. Obviously, shortly after that they went
into the COVID years time. It wasn't a great time
to be a Warriors player a Warriors fan by any means. Meanwhile,
Moonger was establishing himself as one of the All Black's
most important players and obviously now nowadays as one of
(12:29):
the highest played New Zealand rugby players and New Zealand's
out and out best first five. I think not many
people would would argue with that, So yeah, it's a
cool story. I guess that players are more and more
we're seeing them experiment with looking at other codes.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Obviously, Joseph Swili.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
He's coming over to the Wallabies after this NRL season
as well, So it doesn't necessarily surprise me that they
were looking at Muanga because at that point Shawn Johnson
was leaving to go to Cornellis so they were in
need of a half bank.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
But I think it's a good thing that Muwanga did
stay with rugby and he's with the new South Wales
camp at the moment as well. Ahead of that big
stat of Origin game tomorrow night. It's maybe a few
tips being offered to Mitchell, Moses and co.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Possibly post rugby career maybe And let's move swiftly to
the All Blacks, which you wrong and not with them
of course, but they've got four maybe five own cap
players with Sam Darry in the mix this week coming
into Patrick threyblod too. We saw court there's Ratama get
a debut off the bench last week. So would you
use all of the remaining own cap players this week
(13:27):
in this test against Fiji and San Diego, Nathan?
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Would you look to keep some of them on icera
a bit longer? No, yeah, I definitely use them. Otherwise
I don't see the point of selecting them if you're
not going to throw them out at least once and
give them that opportunity.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
I think Scott Robinson's been fairly safe and very.
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Conservative with his first two squad selections, So if I
were him, I would start while it was the Titi
at eight. I'd start eating Blackadder at six. I'd move
Sammy pennifee ow to lock and just see what he
can do there and how to fix the line out
in particular, and then you Sam Dowry off the bench.
I'd start Usuff at Alma at Hoker and have George
Bell on the bench and yeah, just really hone in
(14:02):
on how that line out's working, because obviously was a
bit of an archilles heel in that second test. But yeah,
I'd want to see all of those new players involved
at some point, give them that exposure, give them that
confidence of having been in the black jersey and getting
that first one out of the way. Fiji and San
Diego is a really ideal opportunity to do that.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
So That's how I'd work it.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Is there a risk when you put all these new
players in and also change a few other players of
positions that haven't had a lot of game time. You know,
if you bring in Caleb Clark and say morning at
Ahwa and other players as well, that you lose all
those combinations. You know Fiji they got to the quarterfinals
of Ruguio Cup last year. That you make too many
changes and it goes the opposite way and everything's a
little clunky and a test you need to win.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
I mean potentially, but I think in the big roles,
did you think about You've got Scott Barrett still in
that second row, You're still going to have hopefully Damian
McKenzie at ten. I think in most especially in the
back line, they're gonna have a lot of leaders, a
lot of people who'd be able to stand up. All
of these players have been watching on with keen interest
of how they I guess work in the leak leading
up while they haven't been playing the new players that is,
(15:02):
so I don't think that there's too much risk of
that happening. I think there should still be a lot
of composure within that squad so that even if something
did go wrong, they'd be able to get through it.
And I just want to see those guys out in
the field.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
That team out Thursday Lunchton, Nathan Limb, you're free to
go Thank you, Thank you, Smody.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
This is Sportsfix, You're daily dose of sports news, power
and by News Talks VB.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
Let's wrap on Sports Fix for Tuesday, the sixteenth of
July twenty twenty four. Back again in your podcast feed
on iHeartRadio where if it get you get your podcast
tomorrow with a new edition of Sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
For more from News Talks ed B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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