November 24, 2024 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Adam Cooper for 25th November 2024, The All Blacks season is done, and there's already discussion around who should be the All Blacks number 10 for next season. Former All Black Pita Alatini discusses whether it might be time for the All Blacks to look at the eligibility rules to allow Richie Mo'unga to return early.
Coops offer his thoughts on the options surrounding the All Blacks first five for next season.
Plus, Elijah Fa'afiu joins the chamber to discuss the All Blacks season and the two NZ A-league teams sitting at the top of the table.
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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 podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
dB Kilda and welcome to the Sports Fix podcast to
start off a brand new week. It's Monday, November twenty five.
Adam Cooper in the chair for this edition. Thanks so
much for your company satisfactory. But I'm convincing I think
that's a fair assumption of how the All Blacks End
of year tour has panned out. An error ridden performance
to wrap up things against Ersaly which has left a
(00:41):
bit of a sour taste for many. Fantastic on the
podcast today, just how much of a priority should bring
Richie Mohinger into the setup next YEARB big article on
the heralds on that today former All Black Peter Alatini
with his thoughts and I've got a few reasons why
it should be top of the list. We'll head into
the sports Chamber with Monday regular Elijah for you all
the latest from the sporting world too, including another World
(01:03):
championship for Max with Stafford in Vegas. Santa Kiwi won
two at the top of the ALE League Men's Football Ladder.
Right now, let's crack on into the Sports Fixed podcast
in other news, well checking out some of the latest
bits and pieces from around the sporting world, and we
start under lights on the Las Vegas Strip.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Has hit the jack pot in Vegas.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Tonight's Max Fist Top books eighth, four time.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Chapman of the World.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Evistavin's fifth place there enough to see him finish ahead
of Lando Norris, securing his fourth consecutive Formula One drivers championship.
Here does expect some rubberneckers to mill around for his
crown next year. I'm hungry, you know. Of course I'm
going to enjoy this, but there are still two more
races that I want to do well and then of
course we take a little break and then we train
and go at it again. And it was a sixteenth
(01:52):
place for Liam Lawson at the Vegas Grand Prix off.
The FC continues to write history and then made in
a league football season. The Black Knights one Neil win
over MacArthur and Sydney has seen them return to the
top of the table. Four wins from four now and
no goals can this year. Coach Steve Corriker sums up
the performance.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Still areas to improve on with the ball. I think
second half they were much better than us, but we
showed great work defensively, real character, everyone working really hard
to keep that clean sheet. They really wanted it and
well deserved them there.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
And it's a kibi one two at the top of
the ladder of course with the Wellington Phoenix and second
after they beat Melbourne victory one nil in Sydney their
next derby only a couple of weeks away. All Blacks
flanker Wallace Cititi's breakthrough season has failed to qualify him
for World Rugby's Team of the Year. Betweeny two year old,
though has picked up the Major Rookie gong at the
annual Awards at Monaco, after going from a debut off
(02:44):
the bench against Fiji to a starter within months.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Leading of Vix. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Fix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
That was some really interesting comments today in Gregor Paul's
Rugby Insider column in The Herald from former All Blacks
captain now coach of Tashiba in Japan, Todd Blackadder arounds
New Zealand Rugby's eligibility rules. Of course, blackadded now and
a bit of a drill with a New Zealand Rugby
over his current player at Tasheba, Richie Mohonger, who we
know NZDR are doing their best to lure back early
(03:16):
to join the All Blacks next year, a year out
from his three year deal expiring, and contracts will have
to be broken for that to happen, and we know
that New Zealand Rugby will likely have to break its
own All Black eligibility and player sabbatical rules to bring
Moonger back. Black Ad has particularly taken aim at the
fact ZDR have got themselves into a position where these
(03:37):
are their own rules, but they're always trying to find
loopholes in them. He's unhappy with nzdr's Chris Lendrum's public
comments about breaking contracts but trying to find loopholes in
their own eligibility rules like players getting selected for the
All Blacks while playing offshore. He says ZIDER needs to
prioritize what's important to them, whether it's the domestic or
(03:59):
international game and even their sabbatical criteria. Now. First of all,
as we reflect on the All Black season, I think
we need to see NZDR do everything at all costs
to get Moonger back in the mix. He was a
loss when he left. Is he influential enough to be
an exception to the rules? I say absolutely. When we're
(04:19):
analyzing inconsistencies and shortcomings from the season, the number ten
jersey is one that hasn't provided the certainty we'd have
liked this year. And we are very vulnerable if either
Damien mackenzie or Boden Barrett pick up nasty injuries and
become unavailable, and we know there will be some reputational
damage to how stringent their own rules are perceived. Here
(04:41):
at the end of the day, at twenty twenty seven,
will we be judging anything other than how competitive New
Zealand is at the World Cup rather than how often
New Zealand rugby broke it's murky eligibility rules. And as
for Gregor Paul's article today, things have got a bit
messy with Mwonger. Three likely outcomes here. Number one, he
plays in Japan next year, he resigns with NZR after that,
(05:01):
but then it's given a sabbatical for twenty twenty six
to finish his Japanese contract. A little bit of a
dangerous precedent could be set there scenario two, Tshiba able
to independently bring Damien McKenzie to their club for twenty
twenty six to effectively swap them out form Loonger. Most likely,
though number three, Monger plays in Japan next year, signs
(05:22):
with NZR, joins the All Blacks in July, plays through
to the twenty twenty seven World Cup, then heads back
to Japan to see out his contract in twenty twenty eight.
Sounds like the most ideal outcome that one, so let's
hope the parties involved can nutt it out. Might take though,
professional sport is a complex and ever changing beast, and
(05:43):
we do need to ensure Super Rugby stays strong, keep
the top players in it. And while I'd never like
to see a permanent move allowing All Blacks representation while
playing offshore as a blanket rule, maybe the criteria does
just need a bit of rejigging. I do think a
one size fits all approach for sabbaticals ie eligible when
you've hit seventy caps may well, in fact be an
(06:04):
outdated way of assessing it a case by case basis.
I think it's the way forward here and that may
have prevented the mess over Richie Moonger walking out in
the first place. Sports facs plenty of talking points on
the back of the All Blacks fourteen tests this year,
obviously wrapping up over the weekend with an uninspiring performance
(06:25):
against Italy in Turin. The Richiemuonger situation, I think is
one of the biggest talking points heading into twenty twenty five.
So let's chat all things at rugby. Now. Former All
Black Peter A. Latini is with us here on the
Sports Fixed podcast. Thanks for joining us, Peter. Let's firstly
talk about this Richie Muonger situation. As highlighted by The
Herald today. It appears New Zealand Rugby is still going
(06:47):
to be having to do a lot of work and
a fair bit of negotiating to make this happen. Is
this their biggest priority heading into twenty twenty five? Do
you think? Well?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I think that's a different I suppose for Scott Robinson
that things has probably led the charge on us as
such as Mango has been one of his key players
for a long time, obviously with the success of the Crusaders.
But for myself, I think it's important that what we've
built so far this year in terms of d Mac
(07:19):
and both have been back in the frame and obviously
one player we have those perfet and haven't had much
of an opportunity both obviously you can play fullback and ten.
But he's very good as well. So it's pretty tough
to kind of to really jumping at the bat until
you get some certaincy to where it is. But more
important you I suppose you know what it could go
(07:42):
around for where b Mac and both at the moment,
and you know, and unless it's confirmed, I still think
this there's a big player that we should keep supporting
that the two that we have, all the three members
that we have in the squad today.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, and can you just give us a bit of
an insight from a former player's perspective, how will they
be finding the continued chatter around what is clearly an
aim by the coach and and the governing body to
bring Richie Bonger back.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
That would be tough, mate, There's a player and having
having the constant reminders around there, it would be tough.
There's no doubt about that. And and I suppose the
only thing you could think that that will either as
the transparency in terms of communication or from raised through
the boys and where it all sets as such, I suppose,
(08:35):
and that's probably what we're kind of not probably too
so that is. But as a player, of course, no
doubt it would. It would definitely plan your mind knowing
that you're percurrent in the jersey. But the constant chats,
I suppose we'll give you a feeling of that they
they haven't got really your back as such and need
this this player to come back through. But you know,
(08:58):
those boys have been in this in the position before,
and no doubt there's some fight for them to carry
it on the journeys as they go through the next season.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Obviously, if Ritchie Monger was going to be brought back here,
there haved be New Zealand Rugby sort of breaking and
having to make an exception to its own rules. One
of those is the seventy tests for a sabbatical because
if he was to come back, they're like they're going
to have to give them a sabbatica at some point,
or the general rule around all blacks availability for people
who haven't played the domestic season in New Zealand's from
(09:29):
a former all Blacks perspective, where do you think these
rules sit right now? Compared to I guess the rugby
ecosystem at the moment, it really is one.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Part it needs to be up for discussion. And I've
been a real support of making sure we keep a
place here and we want to make sure we support
them through our current system that we have and the competitions.
But in terms of international at the top level, I
just feel that we're lacking behind. You know, the competition,
our Super Rugby competition is just not as I suppose
(10:05):
as force coming as there has been bought our players
today and the earning capacity, remembering the any capacity for
oil players overseas is really huge. So I think there
needs to be a discussion that there has to be
is it a special conversation for those that have it
in New Zealand and having those rules, you know, I
think the Aussies had to get a rule around overseas
(10:29):
players been been able to be selected in that situation.
Should it should have got to be that kind of
rule that that you know, played someone who comes to
New Zealand that that they become available. But I think
there needs to be a serious discussion that because we
know losing good players at a prime age around twenty
five and six to venture out, and that's no fault
on their own to venture out and the financial game
(10:52):
overseas because because you know, as we know New Zealand
rugby over here, thin can not suffice that.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah, and even just you know Harry Plumber's news during
the week, he's off and again he's probably one of
those ones you mentioned, he's in his prime, twenty six
years old. What is this solution here, Because when you
have various choices of various people to head, if you
can you keep them in the.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Zeal Unfortunately you can't. I just you just know you can't.
Because I think there's there's definitely we still have got
our young talent that is all coming through. It's it's
you know, as we know, it's it's those guys like
the Plumbers were coming off age. You know, they've played
a lot of seasons in Super Rugby and MPC, so
(11:35):
we're losing a lot of good experience overseas to go
and imply the trade. But more like I said, it's
the financial game that they get to go across and
for some of that age they want to actually plan
in a different competition. If you've played only Super and NPC,
especially the super that without the South Everton side, and
(11:56):
you know it's not a spectacled as as Sayer top
fourteen in France where he's Aliens and Soker and you know,
as a player you'd love to experience some of that.
So I think there's there's still an ability. I think
that it's tough to hold holdland here, but where is
again we can for a line to say, look, you
all available for selection if you're met around as such.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Peter, thanks for all your time through the rugby year
this year. It's been great having your insights both with
our commentaries and some of our shows here on New
News Talks, HEB and the Sports Fixed podcast. A ready
appreciate your time and enjoy your summer's break and not
that will be we'll be back talking rugby again soon.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Always a pleasure and always looking for it to brother.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
The chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Well let's head into the sports Chamber now here on
the Sports Fixed podcast. Great to welcome out a rather
regular for a Monday when Piney's usually here, but managed
to convince him to do it with the filling as well.
Elijah for you from our News TALKSBI Sports team. Gooday, Elijah,
How was your weekend?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Yeah, not to your bad coops, another great weekend of sports.
So happy to dig in and chat about it with you.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, great to have you mate. Well let's talk All
Blacks firstly, obviously closing out the season pretty unconvincing with
a pretty senior team up against Italy. What did you
make of the way that the All Blacks as a
hole closed out twenty twenty four.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
I think it was a bit of a sour note
to finish things off, if I'm being honest, I think yes,
it was a little bit wet out there in Turin,
But in terms of their play style, I think that
they struggled to match up with the physicality that the
Italians brought, and I think things were a little bit
sloppy on the All backs end in terms of execution,
that they weren't able to execute some of the skills
(13:37):
that they had been building on. So it was a
bit disappointing to see how they finished things off in
that Italian game.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Well, it's a tit and the new cycle the last
twenty four hours picking up a pretty special award considering
the season he's had. You know, what have you made
of his overall journey from where he started and struggling
to even get a start in super rugby back instead
of Februy March.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's hard to believe that
he wasn't this time a year ago. He wasn't really playing,
he wasn't playing super rugby at all, so to say
to see him come through and break out, and he's
been one of the major bright spots for the All
Blacks this season and definitely someone that Razor will be
looking at as one of his key parts or key
members of his squad moving forward towards the twenty twenty
(14:20):
seven World Cup. So definitely well deserved award there, the
World Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, awesome stuff. I mean, at the end of the
first year of a coach's cycle, in the first year
of a World Cup cycle. I guess the debate we're
having now, Elijah is how tough are we on our
All Blacks team? You know, when the everyone's just had
one year to sort of learn this new systems, find
their new ways of life within a new coaching environment.
How tough do you think we should be on judging
(14:46):
the All Blacks this year? And how are you judging them?
Speaker 4 (14:49):
But personally I've been quite lenient because it is razors
first year. He's trying to establish his team, cultures, his
systems and the All Blacks. And yes he's had some
moments where things haven't looked too great, but he's had
some definitely some bright moments that and promising moments. If
you're an All Blacks fan, I think obviously been at
All Blacks porters around the country. We're so used to
(15:11):
having these high standards and high expectations for the All Blacks,
and yes we should maintain those high standards. But I
guess given the first year, you know, ten wins and
four losses not too bad. Definitely some games that could
have been one to improve the record, but I definitely
think I'm definitely optimistic. Commay end.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Yeah, great. Richie Moonger is in the headlines again. Obviously
we know that one of the big talking points heading
into twenty twenty five will be where the New Zealand
Rugby manages to secure him for All Blacks services from
Tashiba and Japan and time for next year or the
year after all, whenever. What's your view on how much
of a priority it should be looking to get Richie
(15:49):
Moonger back next year.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
I don't think it's a major priority. I think Damian
McKenzie at ten, I've been okay with him in the
first five Jumper and Bone and Barrett is also there
is an option. Personally, I am a fan of Richie
Moonga as a player, but I think the process around
getting him to break that com tracked and leave Japan
to return to Indeed earlier is going to be so messy.
(16:11):
So I don't think Indida should. They don't really want to,
you know, put themselves in a situation where Toshiba aren't
going to be too happy with them, so it could
be a messy process going on there. But yeah, I
think it should definitely be quite low on the priority list.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Reputational damage right breaking their own rules, So I guess
there is always going to be one that's that's going
to be frowned upon by some people, right, it's a
fair bit of risk involved if they go through with.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
This, right, Yeah, definitely for sure. And again it's the
eligible biliity rules that they made up, right, So like
the options at play are they either change their own
eligibility rules or they come to some sort of compromise
where Muang's third year in Japan has played either in
twenty twenty six or ideally for India after the World Cup.
(16:58):
So a lot of options at play. But yeah, inded A,
it's going to be a messy situation.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I think it's going to be interesting to watch over
the coming months. Right let's talk football now, and that's
far from messy for the two New Zealand teams in
the A League right now. Auckland, if ce up your way,
Elijah still just producing an historic run to start the
new tender in the A League tenure in the A League.
This must be really capturing everyone around the Auckland area
(17:24):
at the moment, you know, just some great results yet
to concede a goal even.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Yeah for sure. I mean the first A League team
to win first their first four games and four clean
sheets in their inaugural campaign, which is outstanding. And then
definitely seeing the home games and the crowds that have
turned up. They're definitely getting behind this team, and I
think it's great for the Phoenix as well to see
that another team has comeing to the A League and
they're producing the results that they have. I'm sure the
(17:50):
nexts are definitely going to be motivated and want to
make sure that they're the superior in New Zealand team. So,
especially if the next local derby coming up in a
couple of weeks time, that's going to be epic. In
a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
How big is that going to be? As everyone up
in Aucklands sider talking about that around set of sporting circles.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
I think so for sure, especially if the way both
teams have gone, the where they're both sitting at the
top of the table, and I guess his discussions at
the moment about you know, the game currently being at
a mount smart whether we need a bigger location because
of the magnitude of this local derby and we saw
what happened in that first derby down in Wellington and
how important that was. So I definitely think it's definitely
(18:30):
been amongst the discussions of sports fans up in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Indeed, it will be interesting counting down that to a
couple of weeks. And just finally, Elijah, your thoughts on
the Vegas Grand Prix. Always pretty spectacular watching it, isn't
it under all the lights as they zoom on through
the strip in Vegas? But obviously I've seen Max for
Staff and Secure and other tis or Liam Lawson maybe
not performing too I maybe the expectations we got from
his first few hitouts and racing balls. What did you
(18:55):
make of the action last night?
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yeah, unfortunate on Liam Lawson's part, finishing sixteenth he was
the I guess out of all the Red Bull drivers,
he was the worst, had the worst result and didn't
pick up any points. But hopefully that the team at
Red Bull aren't taking the Las Vegas result too much
into consideration with deciding who's going to partner the now
(19:17):
four time world champion next for Staff and next season.
Still two more racist to go for Liam Lawson to
prover's worth and prove that he belongs in that senior
Red Bull side.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
And Dad Elijah really appreciate your thoughts as always here
on the Sports Fix Podcast. Have a great week you
here and enjoy you too.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Cheerscoop.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news powered
by News TALKSBB and.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
That brings to an end another edition of your Sports
Fix podcast for Monday, November twenty five. Big thanks to
our guests Peter Alatini and Elijah for you for their
thoughts on all the happenings in the sporting the world.
Don't forget. If you do subscribe, you will find a
brand new episode of Sports Fix right on your device
every weekday. Catch some more sporting discussion on news talksb's
(20:04):
Sports Talk between seven and eight every weekday, and of
course we weekend Sports Saturdays and Sundays between twelve and three.
Thanks for listening, enjoy your wak your heads, catch you next.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Time for more from News Talks ed B. Listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
dB Kilda and welcome to the Sports Fix podcast to
start off a brand new week. It's Monday, November twenty five.
Adam Cooper in the chair for this edition. Thanks so
much for your company satisfactory. But I'm convincing I think
that's a fair assumption of how the All Blacks End
of year tour has panned out. An error ridden performance
to wrap up things against Ersaly which has left a
(00:41):
bit of a sour taste for many. Fantastic on the
podcast today, just how much of a priority should bring
Richie Mohinger into the setup next YEARB big article on
the heralds on that today former All Black Peter Alatini
with his thoughts and I've got a few reasons why
it should be top of the list. We'll head into
the sports Chamber with Monday regular Elijah for you all
the latest from the sporting world too, including another World
(01:03):
championship for Max with Stafford in Vegas. Santa Kiwi won
two at the top of the ALE League Men's Football Ladder.
Right now, let's crack on into the Sports Fixed podcast
in other news, well checking out some of the latest
bits and pieces from around the sporting world, and we
start under lights on the Las Vegas Strip.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Has hit the jack pot in Vegas.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Tonight's Max Fist Top books eighth, four time.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Chapman of the World.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Evistavin's fifth place there enough to see him finish ahead
of Lando Norris, securing his fourth consecutive Formula One drivers championship.
Here does expect some rubberneckers to mill around for his
crown next year. I'm hungry, you know. Of course I'm
going to enjoy this, but there are still two more
races that I want to do well and then of
course we take a little break and then we train
and go at it again. And it was a sixteenth
(01:52):
place for Liam Lawson at the Vegas Grand Prix off.
The FC continues to write history and then made in
a league football season. The Black Knights one Neil win
over MacArthur and Sydney has seen them return to the
top of the table. Four wins from four now and
no goals can this year. Coach Steve Corriker sums up
the performance.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Still areas to improve on with the ball. I think
second half they were much better than us, but we
showed great work defensively, real character, everyone working really hard
to keep that clean sheet. They really wanted it and
well deserved them there.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
And it's a kibi one two at the top of
the ladder of course with the Wellington Phoenix and second
after they beat Melbourne victory one nil in Sydney their
next derby only a couple of weeks away. All Blacks
flanker Wallace Cititi's breakthrough season has failed to qualify him
for World Rugby's Team of the Year. Betweeny two year old,
though has picked up the Major Rookie gong at the
annual Awards at Monaco, after going from a debut off
(02:44):
the bench against Fiji to a starter within months.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Leading of Vix. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Fix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
That was some really interesting comments today in Gregor Paul's
Rugby Insider column in The Herald from former All Blacks
captain now coach of Tashiba in Japan, Todd Blackadder arounds
New Zealand Rugby's eligibility rules. Of course, blackadded now and
a bit of a drill with a New Zealand Rugby
over his current player at Tasheba, Richie Mohonger, who we
know NZDR are doing their best to lure back early
(03:16):
to join the All Blacks next year, a year out
from his three year deal expiring, and contracts will have
to be broken for that to happen, and we know
that New Zealand Rugby will likely have to break its
own All Black eligibility and player sabbatical rules to bring
Moonger back. Black Ad has particularly taken aim at the
fact ZDR have got themselves into a position where these
(03:37):
are their own rules, but they're always trying to find
loopholes in them. He's unhappy with nzdr's Chris Lendrum's public
comments about breaking contracts but trying to find loopholes in
their own eligibility rules like players getting selected for the
All Blacks while playing offshore. He says ZIDER needs to
prioritize what's important to them, whether it's the domestic or
(03:59):
international game and even their sabbatical criteria. Now. First of all,
as we reflect on the All Black season, I think
we need to see NZDR do everything at all costs
to get Moonger back in the mix. He was a
loss when he left. Is he influential enough to be
an exception to the rules? I say absolutely. When we're
(04:19):
analyzing inconsistencies and shortcomings from the season, the number ten
jersey is one that hasn't provided the certainty we'd have
liked this year. And we are very vulnerable if either
Damien mackenzie or Boden Barrett pick up nasty injuries and
become unavailable, and we know there will be some reputational
damage to how stringent their own rules are perceived. Here
(04:41):
at the end of the day, at twenty twenty seven,
will we be judging anything other than how competitive New
Zealand is at the World Cup rather than how often
New Zealand rugby broke it's murky eligibility rules. And as
for Gregor Paul's article today, things have got a bit
messy with Mwonger. Three likely outcomes here. Number one, he
plays in Japan next year, he resigns with NZR after that,
(05:01):
but then it's given a sabbatical for twenty twenty six
to finish his Japanese contract. A little bit of a
dangerous precedent could be set there scenario two, Tshiba able
to independently bring Damien McKenzie to their club for twenty
twenty six to effectively swap them out form Loonger. Most likely,
though number three, Monger plays in Japan next year, signs
(05:22):
with NZR, joins the All Blacks in July, plays through
to the twenty twenty seven World Cup, then heads back
to Japan to see out his contract in twenty twenty eight.
Sounds like the most ideal outcome that one, so let's
hope the parties involved can nutt it out. Might take though,
professional sport is a complex and ever changing beast, and
(05:43):
we do need to ensure Super Rugby stays strong, keep
the top players in it. And while I'd never like
to see a permanent move allowing All Blacks representation while
playing offshore as a blanket rule, maybe the criteria does
just need a bit of rejigging. I do think a
one size fits all approach for sabbaticals ie eligible when
you've hit seventy caps may well, in fact be an
(06:04):
outdated way of assessing it a case by case basis.
I think it's the way forward here and that may
have prevented the mess over Richie Moonger walking out in
the first place. Sports facs plenty of talking points on
the back of the All Blacks fourteen tests this year,
obviously wrapping up over the weekend with an uninspiring performance
(06:25):
against Italy in Turin. The Richiemuonger situation, I think is
one of the biggest talking points heading into twenty twenty five.
So let's chat all things at rugby. Now. Former All
Black Peter A. Latini is with us here on the
Sports Fixed podcast. Thanks for joining us, Peter. Let's firstly
talk about this Richie Muonger situation. As highlighted by The
Herald today. It appears New Zealand Rugby is still going
(06:47):
to be having to do a lot of work and
a fair bit of negotiating to make this happen. Is
this their biggest priority heading into twenty twenty five? Do
you think? Well?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I think that's a different I suppose for Scott Robinson
that things has probably led the charge on us as
such as Mango has been one of his key players
for a long time, obviously with the success of the Crusaders.
But for myself, I think it's important that what we've
built so far this year in terms of d Mac
(07:19):
and both have been back in the frame and obviously
one player we have those perfet and haven't had much
of an opportunity both obviously you can play fullback and ten.
But he's very good as well. So it's pretty tough
to kind of to really jumping at the bat until
you get some certaincy to where it is. But more
important you I suppose you know what it could go
(07:42):
around for where b Mac and both at the moment,
and you know, and unless it's confirmed, I still think
this there's a big player that we should keep supporting
that the two that we have, all the three members
that we have in the squad today.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, and can you just give us a bit of
an insight from a former player's perspective, how will they
be finding the continued chatter around what is clearly an
aim by the coach and and the governing body to
bring Richie Bonger back.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
That would be tough, mate, There's a player and having
having the constant reminders around there, it would be tough.
There's no doubt about that. And and I suppose the
only thing you could think that that will either as
the transparency in terms of communication or from raised through
the boys and where it all sets as such, I suppose,
(08:35):
and that's probably what we're kind of not probably too
so that is. But as a player, of course, no
doubt it would. It would definitely plan your mind knowing
that you're percurrent in the jersey. But the constant chats,
I suppose we'll give you a feeling of that they
they haven't got really your back as such and need
this this player to come back through. But you know,
(08:58):
those boys have been in this in the position before,
and no doubt there's some fight for them to carry
it on the journeys as they go through the next season.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Obviously, if Ritchie Monger was going to be brought back here,
there haved be New Zealand Rugby sort of breaking and
having to make an exception to its own rules. One
of those is the seventy tests for a sabbatical because
if he was to come back, they're like they're going
to have to give them a sabbatica at some point,
or the general rule around all blacks availability for people
who haven't played the domestic season in New Zealand's from
(09:29):
a former all Blacks perspective, where do you think these
rules sit right now? Compared to I guess the rugby
ecosystem at the moment, it really is one.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Part it needs to be up for discussion. And I've
been a real support of making sure we keep a
place here and we want to make sure we support
them through our current system that we have and the competitions.
But in terms of international at the top level, I
just feel that we're lacking behind. You know, the competition,
our Super Rugby competition is just not as I suppose
(10:05):
as force coming as there has been bought our players
today and the earning capacity, remembering the any capacity for
oil players overseas is really huge. So I think there
needs to be a discussion that there has to be
is it a special conversation for those that have it
in New Zealand and having those rules, you know, I
think the Aussies had to get a rule around overseas
(10:29):
players been been able to be selected in that situation.
Should it should have got to be that kind of
rule that that you know, played someone who comes to
New Zealand that that they become available. But I think
there needs to be a serious discussion that because we
know losing good players at a prime age around twenty
five and six to venture out, and that's no fault
on their own to venture out and the financial game
(10:52):
overseas because because you know, as we know New Zealand
rugby over here, thin can not suffice that.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah, and even just you know Harry Plumber's news during
the week, he's off and again he's probably one of
those ones you mentioned, he's in his prime, twenty six
years old. What is this solution here, Because when you
have various choices of various people to head, if you
can you keep them in the.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Zeal Unfortunately you can't. I just you just know you can't.
Because I think there's there's definitely we still have got
our young talent that is all coming through. It's it's
you know, as we know, it's it's those guys like
the Plumbers were coming off age. You know, they've played
a lot of seasons in Super Rugby and MPC, so
(11:35):
we're losing a lot of good experience overseas to go
and imply the trade. But more like I said, it's
the financial game that they get to go across and
for some of that age they want to actually plan
in a different competition. If you've played only Super and NPC,
especially the super that without the South Everton side, and
(11:56):
you know it's not a spectacled as as Sayer top
fourteen in France where he's Aliens and Soker and you know,
as a player you'd love to experience some of that.
So I think there's there's still an ability. I think
that it's tough to hold holdland here, but where is
again we can for a line to say, look, you
all available for selection if you're met around as such.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Peter, thanks for all your time through the rugby year
this year. It's been great having your insights both with
our commentaries and some of our shows here on New
News Talks, HEB and the Sports Fixed podcast. A ready
appreciate your time and enjoy your summer's break and not
that will be we'll be back talking rugby again soon.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Always a pleasure and always looking for it to brother.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
The chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Well let's head into the sports Chamber now here on
the Sports Fixed podcast. Great to welcome out a rather
regular for a Monday when Piney's usually here, but managed
to convince him to do it with the filling as well.
Elijah for you from our News TALKSBI Sports team. Gooday, Elijah,
How was your weekend?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Yeah, not to your bad coops, another great weekend of sports.
So happy to dig in and chat about it with you.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, great to have you mate. Well let's talk All
Blacks firstly, obviously closing out the season pretty unconvincing with
a pretty senior team up against Italy. What did you
make of the way that the All Blacks as a
hole closed out twenty twenty four.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
I think it was a bit of a sour note
to finish things off, if I'm being honest, I think yes,
it was a little bit wet out there in Turin,
But in terms of their play style, I think that
they struggled to match up with the physicality that the
Italians brought, and I think things were a little bit
sloppy on the All backs end in terms of execution,
that they weren't able to execute some of the skills
(13:37):
that they had been building on. So it was a
bit disappointing to see how they finished things off in
that Italian game.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Well, it's a tit and the new cycle the last
twenty four hours picking up a pretty special award considering
the season he's had. You know, what have you made
of his overall journey from where he started and struggling
to even get a start in super rugby back instead
of Februy March.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's hard to believe that
he wasn't this time a year ago. He wasn't really playing,
he wasn't playing super rugby at all, so to say
to see him come through and break out, and he's
been one of the major bright spots for the All
Blacks this season and definitely someone that Razor will be
looking at as one of his key parts or key
members of his squad moving forward towards the twenty twenty
(14:20):
seven World Cup. So definitely well deserved award there, the
World Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, awesome stuff. I mean, at the end of the
first year of a coach's cycle, in the first year
of a World Cup cycle. I guess the debate we're
having now, Elijah is how tough are we on our
All Blacks team? You know, when the everyone's just had
one year to sort of learn this new systems, find
their new ways of life within a new coaching environment.
How tough do you think we should be on judging
(14:46):
the All Blacks this year? And how are you judging them?
Speaker 4 (14:49):
But personally I've been quite lenient because it is razors
first year. He's trying to establish his team, cultures, his
systems and the All Blacks. And yes he's had some
moments where things haven't looked too great, but he's had
some definitely some bright moments that and promising moments. If
you're an All Blacks fan, I think obviously been at
All Blacks porters around the country. We're so used to
(15:11):
having these high standards and high expectations for the All Blacks,
and yes we should maintain those high standards. But I
guess given the first year, you know, ten wins and
four losses not too bad. Definitely some games that could
have been one to improve the record, but I definitely
think I'm definitely optimistic. Commay end.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Yeah, great. Richie Moonger is in the headlines again. Obviously
we know that one of the big talking points heading
into twenty twenty five will be where the New Zealand
Rugby manages to secure him for All Blacks services from
Tashiba and Japan and time for next year or the
year after all, whenever. What's your view on how much
of a priority it should be looking to get Richie
(15:49):
Moonger back next year.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
I don't think it's a major priority. I think Damian
McKenzie at ten, I've been okay with him in the
first five Jumper and Bone and Barrett is also there
is an option. Personally, I am a fan of Richie
Moonga as a player, but I think the process around
getting him to break that com tracked and leave Japan
to return to Indeed earlier is going to be so messy.
(16:11):
So I don't think Indida should. They don't really want to,
you know, put themselves in a situation where Toshiba aren't
going to be too happy with them, so it could
be a messy process going on there. But yeah, I
think it should definitely be quite low on the priority list.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Reputational damage right breaking their own rules, So I guess
there is always going to be one that's that's going
to be frowned upon by some people, right, it's a
fair bit of risk involved if they go through with.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
This, right, Yeah, definitely for sure. And again it's the
eligible biliity rules that they made up, right, So like
the options at play are they either change their own
eligibility rules or they come to some sort of compromise
where Muang's third year in Japan has played either in
twenty twenty six or ideally for India after the World Cup.
(16:58):
So a lot of options at play. But yeah, inded A,
it's going to be a messy situation.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I think it's going to be interesting to watch over
the coming months. Right let's talk football now, and that's
far from messy for the two New Zealand teams in
the A League right now. Auckland, if ce up your way,
Elijah still just producing an historic run to start the
new tender in the A League tenure in the A League.
This must be really capturing everyone around the Auckland area
(17:24):
at the moment, you know, just some great results yet
to concede a goal even.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
Yeah for sure. I mean the first A League team
to win first their first four games and four clean
sheets in their inaugural campaign, which is outstanding. And then
definitely seeing the home games and the crowds that have
turned up. They're definitely getting behind this team, and I
think it's great for the Phoenix as well to see
that another team has comeing to the A League and
they're producing the results that they have. I'm sure the
(17:50):
nexts are definitely going to be motivated and want to
make sure that they're the superior in New Zealand team. So,
especially if the next local derby coming up in a
couple of weeks time, that's going to be epic. In
a couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
How big is that going to be? As everyone up
in Aucklands sider talking about that around set of sporting circles.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
I think so for sure, especially if the way both
teams have gone, the where they're both sitting at the
top of the table, and I guess his discussions at
the moment about you know, the game currently being at
a mount smart whether we need a bigger location because
of the magnitude of this local derby and we saw
what happened in that first derby down in Wellington and
how important that was. So I definitely think it's definitely
(18:30):
been amongst the discussions of sports fans up in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Indeed, it will be interesting counting down that to a
couple of weeks. And just finally, Elijah, your thoughts on
the Vegas Grand Prix. Always pretty spectacular watching it, isn't
it under all the lights as they zoom on through
the strip in Vegas? But obviously I've seen Max for
Staff and Secure and other tis or Liam Lawson maybe
not performing too I maybe the expectations we got from
his first few hitouts and racing balls. What did you
(18:55):
make of the action last night?
Speaker 4 (18:57):
Yeah, unfortunate on Liam Lawson's part, finishing sixteenth he was
the I guess out of all the Red Bull drivers,
he was the worst, had the worst result and didn't
pick up any points. But hopefully that the team at
Red Bull aren't taking the Las Vegas result too much
into consideration with deciding who's going to partner the now
(19:17):
four time world champion next for Staff and next season.
Still two more racist to go for Liam Lawson to
prover's worth and prove that he belongs in that senior
Red Bull side.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
And Dad Elijah really appreciate your thoughts as always here
on the Sports Fix Podcast. Have a great week you
here and enjoy you too.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Cheerscoop.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news powered
by News TALKSBB and.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
That brings to an end another edition of your Sports
Fix podcast for Monday, November twenty five. Big thanks to
our guests Peter Alatini and Elijah for you for their
thoughts on all the happenings in the sporting the world.
Don't forget. If you do subscribe, you will find a
brand new episode of Sports Fix right on your device
every weekday. Catch some more sporting discussion on news talksb's
(20:04):
Sports Talk between seven and eight every weekday, and of
course we weekend Sports Saturdays and Sundays between twelve and three.
Thanks for listening, enjoy your wak your heads, catch you next.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Time for more from News Talks ed B. Listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
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