March 2, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 3rd of March 2025, the Warriors return home from Las Vegas humbled and embarrassed after they failed to fire a shot in the NRL season opener against the Raiders. League commentator and former Kiwi Richie Barnett discusses whether we should already start sounding the alarm bells.
Piney recaps what might have been the A-League's match of the season, the 4-all draw between Auckland FC and Adelaide United.
Plus, Elijah Fa'afiu is back in the people's chamber to recap the third round of Super Rugby.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix. Howard By News Talk said.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
B Hi, there, welcome into a new week, which means
a fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast. It's Monday,
March the third. I'm Jason Pine. Good to have you
along the Warriors. Well, a trip to Vegas sounds like
a good idea and I'm sure it was for many reasons.
But on the grass at Allegiance Stadium, the Warriors suffering
their biggest ever first round NRL defeat thirty points to eight.
(00:44):
So the Canberra Raiders. How concerned should Warriors fans be?
Richie Barnett's on the podcast today to talk that through
Elijah Few pops into the chamber as well to talk
rugby league rugby and a bit of football too and
the latest and sports news. So let's get into it.
In other news, let's take a check on some of
the big sports stories around today. Alex below has taken
(01:07):
the check in flat bag over a fast finishing Scott
Dixon in the season opening Indy Car Series race at
Saint Petersburg. Alex, Hello, you're reigned champion demand they all
need to beat lays down a marker on the streets
of Saint Pete. Scott Dixon overtook Joseph Neugarten and finished
second on the final lap. The black Caps will face
(01:29):
South Africa or a spot in the Champions Trophy Cricket
Final after losing to India by forty four runs in
their final group match in Dubai overnight.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
And that's it, you know, just.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Played another line which blamed.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Together far took Glamor forever afraid that is infducis at India.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Who's at the top of the debok Man Henry took
five wickets to restrict and he get the two forty
nine for nine. But after a promising start in New Zealand,
all out for two hundred and five in the forty
sixth over and Fulham have knocked Manchester United out in
the fifth round of Football's FA Cup with a fourth
to three win on penalties. Fulham keeper Burned Leno made
two saves in the shootout.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Sexy fail Us and Fulham celebrated.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Old track leading a vix We've got just the ticket.
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
You're listening to the Sports Fix podcast. A brutal reality
check for the Warriors in Las Vegas yesterday, going down
thirty points to eight to the Camera Raiders in Las Vegas,
conceding five tries to two and being outclassed in pretty
much every area of the game. Let's bring in form
a kie, long time rugby leg professional Sky Sport analyst
Richie Barnett. Richie, how worried should we be about that
(02:42):
first up performance from the Warriors in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Heah, I mean you'd certainly be worried about the performance.
Being the first up game in Las Vegas. You know
that all the hype was real and the tone was
set for a fantastic matchup and what we had last
year was incredible, but they didn't deliver as we'd expect.
And there's one side camera who were incredible, to be honest,
and the Warriors were just suffocated.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
It was really concerning what will be taking up most
of coach Andrew Webster's thinking time on the flight home.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Oh, there was certainly the execution part, but I think
without their go forward and their territory, it was really
difficult and that was because of Canbra's brutal defense, and
they just basically, you know, over that period of the game,
they just wore them down physically in the attack and
physically in defense. So they'll be concentrating on really getting
(03:34):
the yardage game going, getting into the territor where they
can attack straighten up the defense. They were very much
east to west. They weren't direct enough. We saw that
in the trial matches where they were really executing their
set pieces and their shape looked really, really good. I
thought Metcalf played really well in the pre season in
terms of squaring the set piece up and there was
(03:57):
a nice balance, but it just seemed to fall to pieces.
And I guess you know, when you're up against a
side who was probably one of the fittest team on
the well in the comp and also the youngest. They're
the youngest side in the competition, believe it or not.
They've lost quite a lot of their strike power over
the last year, and so as the Warriors, but they
performed extremely well.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
What a team like the Raiders is dominating you like
that physically when the Warriors had the ball, what's the
best way to combat that.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
It's interesting, and it really is. It's just an aggressive approach.
They really do have to match the energy. But when
I look at it, actually, when I start to delve
into it, they have really traditionally in their forward pack,
it's pretty straight up and down. Kirk Capewell. You see
n Cordy who just runs directed. There's no real footwork
in the way they play. Most of them don't have
(04:49):
a step with Aidan Vanila Blake's gone, so there was
a player that actually could step through. Most of them
run direct. There's no real footwork, late footwork at the line.
Most of the forwards actually in the camera raiders are
a prototype that has got one strength and secondly that
footwork in the line late that would that gets them
through there through the line, and they're really physical. For
(05:11):
some strange reason, they are very very strong players. I
couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe what I've seen, and
I don't think it gave it just justice when you're
actually watching about how physical that game was.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Indeed, well you talk about the writers stepping through the
defensive line. The Warriors missed forty tackles twenty eight in
the first half alone. Richie, how do you explain.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
That, Well, it's this young fellow called Tamale and he
got weeks at fallback and tomorrow and Chris s thee
best in Chris. Somehow they have got the strength to
get through. They were throwing numbers at them. They would
have three or four tacklers in there and they'd still
get through one. It's an attitude. Secondly, it's energy. Thirdly,
(05:58):
you've got to give it back to them as well.
Sometimes you've got to pivot a little bit too. It
looked like that was again very pedestrian in the way
it is. It Actually the game actually unfolds as you
you start to win the battle of the ruck, and
once you start winning that things are different. Then you
start to question everything in your seeing as we are
questioning everything now what needs to change? And then we
(06:19):
start to look at the spine. What are they not
doing well? You can't do anything if you're not going fortyre,
not winning the ruck, and you're not being physical in
the ruck, and so there's so many facets to where
they lost the game, and it all combines to a
really average game where you just can't win anything. The
kicking game and they were back at the forty kicking
and most occasions that's why it looked pretty boring because
(06:41):
they were kicking on the forty. They couldn't challenge their kicks,
so they weren't building pressure off the kick. So everything
was just a real Munday watch, wasn't it.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
It was? Yeah, And you landed on such a good
point about the halves and whether we can assess them
or not without a platform. But how did you assess
the performance of Chanelle, Harris Devita and Luke Metcalfe. No
Sewan Johnson anymore, he's a big loss, but what about
these two?
Speaker 5 (07:05):
I just think you can't even really gauge it when
you fall not going forward now had three runs. I
think Luke Metcalfe had three runs. And they'll direct thing
with both of them there there there, they're run the
runners of the ball, so you're not going to get
creativity as such, but they'll only be effective if you're
going forward to winning that battle. So there wasn't really anything.
I thought Chanelle's kicking game was pretty good considering we
(07:28):
was kicking it from Luke had obviously not a great
game on that right side they tried to. If we
saw what they they were constructing, it was very very
east to west, you know, and in the trial match,
I saw something that was quite different than what I've
seen in a while. They executed it well. There was
nice synergy and balance between what they were doing in
(07:52):
the preseasons, but this one here just looked like they
were starting new. They didn't know each other's play. I
know that you built chemistry and combinations, but to start
the season off then in the battle of the rack,
that's concerning, And.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
To build chemistry and combination you have to play together often,
don't you. But do you think Andrew Webster will be
attempted at all to think about Tomati Martin in one
of those positions?
Speaker 5 (08:19):
I reckon there's a huge consideration what I do have
an issue with, And like anything, when you leak, we're
not in that battle of the ruck. You get exposed
on the endes, you know, decision making. As much as
we've got real young, talented, robust runners such as Leo Tower,
they were pretty he was exposed to early, you know,
when they scored the first try sebasting Chris and the
(08:41):
left And that was a real, real simple thing for
me where an experience comes into play. He turned, his
body was in front of the defender inside he turns
by the inward, so he was stuck. He was gone
then and there, and they scored a try, which is
the first try of the game, which could have been saved,
and that's the start of the game. For the camera
(09:02):
wires exposed decision making from youngsters, which is concerning for
me because when you're on a when you when things
happen for you, it's easy to defend. But when things
you're against the war, that's when the true defenders come out.
And I just wonder if they start to look at
Harper to come to the side or an experience center,
because they've got an experience on the centers, that's where
(09:23):
all the defense, that's where all the attack goes, that's
where all the decision makers have to be really really strong.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Certainly, plenty of food for thought after the Vegas experience, Richie,
thanks for joining us, mate, Really appreciate your time. Richie
Barnett on the Sports Fix podcast Sportsfect. There was a
quite extraordinary game of football at go Media Stadium on
Saturday afternoon as Auckland f C welcomed one of their
closest challenges for the A League title, Adelaide United to
town another weltering Auckland afternoon. Auckland f C had continued
(09:53):
this community engagement of theirs by erecting a fairiss wheel
at one end and all sorts of circus activities. You
have to hand it to them, they know how to
get people along to their games. Nearly seventeen thousand there
again on Saturday afternoon, after quarter of an hour, Auckland
FC were already two knill ahead. Gauzumo Mai, their super
striker from Uruguay, had lashed one and from outside the area,
(10:16):
and then added a second from close range, and it
looked as though this was going to be a procession
to another three points for Auckland FC. But Adelaide United
but back before halftime to make it to one. But
then shortly after the break Auckland FC went three to
one ahead. Now a lot of teams away at Auckland
FC in this situation just kind of lie down. They
(10:38):
shrugged their shoulders and say, you know what, this is
not our day, or to just get to the end
of the game and get on the plane and go
back home and start again next weekend. Adelaide United to
the contrary, thought, no, we are here for a contest
and we are going to give Auckland FC a contest,
and what followed was a couple of penalty decisions. One
was given on the advice of VR, one was given
(11:01):
on the field and not overturns by VR. Both were
vehemently protested by Steve corik At, the head coach of
Auckland FC, both during the game and afterwards as well,
but both stood and both were converted by Zach claff
of Adelaide United. So all of a sudden, it's three
to three with ten minutes to go, and then the
(11:23):
craziest sequence of events as we ticked past the ninety
minute mark. First of all, Auckland's talismanic captain Hiroki sark
I scored a goal in the second minute of at
a Time and it looked as though the home side
was going to come out on top of a seven
goal thriller. But true to form, Adelaide United said no,
we're not done yet either. They went down the other
(11:44):
end and in the eighth minute of at a Time
they scored an equalizer and it finished four to four.
It is such an unlikely, uncommon score line in football,
and it really was just typical of a quite extraordinary day.
So the points are shared, but I don't reckon that
is the last time these two teams will face off
(12:05):
during the season. That felt to me like a between
the top two teams in the competition. And I would
say that we may well see the same two on
the same patch of grass in the A League Final
at the back end of May, and I don't think
you would get too many arguments.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
On the Sports Fix podcast, an important part of any
Sports Fix podcast. As a visit to the Chamber on Monday.
As you'll know regular Monday listeners, it's the People's Chamber
with Elijah feet were joining us. Elijah, I'm not quite
sure how to how to put this Warrior's result performance
into context from yesterday? Have you given it some thoughts?
(12:49):
Can you perhaps do that for me and me and
our listeners.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Yeah, I mean basically, the Warriors fell flat like under
the bright lights of Sin City and Las Vegas. I
guess the American dream tends to a nightmare for the
Warriors that they're probably hoping that this heavy defeat or
in the performance that they put up, you know what
Happensvegas stays in Vegas and that's what the Warriors will
be hoping. Like I think on attack, it was stifled.
There weren't many opportunities being created. And when that sort
(13:16):
of happens, you look to your playmakers, the likes of
Luke Metcalf and Shanel Harris Tavita that that was at
the right combination in the halves, the use of the
strike weapons, the rotation in the forwards bringing off Barnett
and Fisher Harris for Clark and Dylan Walker.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Was that the right rotation there?
Speaker 4 (13:33):
So I think plenty of questions coming out of their
opening round performance and defence, like they missed plenty of tackles,
they lacked the accuracy and discipline on that side of
the ball. So a lot to work on for the Warriors.
But hey, there's only round one, so you're hoping that
if you're a Warriors fan, that the Warriors can consertainly.
I mean, there's only one way they go from here.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I'd say, indeed, we've just reeled off an entire list
though of issues facing this team. And I know they
do have what teen days now, don't they because they
don't play until until Friday. Weeks I've got a decent
amount of time to try and put some of those
things right. If you were really drilling down into the
main focus here is what would you be doing if
(14:14):
you were Andrew Webster on the flight home, what would
you be writing down in your notebook?
Speaker 2 (14:19):
I'd say the main thing is defence.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
I mean, we know the old Mantra defence wins championships,
and I think the opening round performance is not the
type of defense you would have liked to see from
a team that you know, all this hype building into
the season, throughout the preseason and they come into Las
Vegas and just four flat on that side of the ball,
Like a lot of the tackles that were missed were
just real sloppy, sloppy defense.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
They pretty much just fell off the Raiders.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
And I mean those are the sort of things that
need to be worked on right away before you focus
on something like attack, because you know defense is going
to take the seam a long way. So for me,
if I'm Andrew Webster, it's the defense first and foremost.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
The Raiders look good, though, ah, I know they're not
in many people's pre season top four predictions, but they
look all were they made to look good? What did
you make of the Green Machine.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
I personally think that they were made to look good
because the Warriors just looked really bad in their opening
round performance. But again, it is round one, so I
think if we see a couple more of these performances
from Canberra, don't want to take too much away from
their performances.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
From their performance because.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
They did play really well, and a lot of great
players in that side, like a Xavier Savage and a
Sebastian Cris like those backs. They've really got some some
weapons out there, so it was a great performance. But
again I don't want to overreact after round one.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
All right, Well, we'll see how we are in a
few weeks. We'll talk about this weekly, no doubt here
in the People's Chamber, as we will and have been
on Super Rugby. Should we just give the trophy to
the Chiefs now?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Maybe we might have to, especially now that they've got
this extra incensive of sending Clayton McMillan out a winner. Yes,
I'm considering they've they've come up short the last couple
of years. Maybe this year is the year to give
the Chiefs the title. They look really good and it's
pretty much the Chiefs. The Chiefs and everyone else. That's
there's a bit of a gap in between the Chiefs
(16:11):
and and the rest of the competition right now. So
I'm very impressive performance against the Brumbies.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, I thought they were just very very good in
all areas. And I was trying in the you know,
in the in the spirit of being objective and not
that I'm from the Chiefs country at all. I'm a
Hurricanes fan, but to try and find some fault but
I couldn't really find any. And competition for places players
you know, you know, just consistently playing well. Quinta Paia,
(16:38):
what a game from him. I just thought he was
terrific the other day. Playing in the afternoon is always helpful,
of course. Damian mackenzie, have you heard anything about his
potential injury today? Do we know whether he might be
out for a bit?
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Not too sure yet yet to receive an update on that,
but that might be. They might have fans a little
bit worried, both Chiefs and the all back, so hopefully
it's not too serious. But yeah, he's been us downing
to start the season. Damian McKenzie.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
And as well as guy a guy.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Like Quincy Pia who has been along with some mast
the time of Naiwai, one of the best midfielders to
start in the Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
So but yeah, hopefully.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Dmac that injury isn't isn't too bad and.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Good to see the plucky battlers the Blues finally get
a win.
Speaker 6 (17:19):
Yeah great, Oh, I mean, thanks for bringing that up,
fine and all.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
It was against my hurricades. I don't have to, but
I am yah.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
Yeah, I'm not too sure what happened at the end
of the game there.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
There was a little bit of a delay and so
I couldn't really explain what happened there, But you ended
up with bone and barried at half back. I think
a j lamb came in on one of the flanks,
one of the most Yeah, a very weird scrum at
the end of the game, I'd say, but the Blues
scraped out.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
A win there.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
I'd say the Blues and the Hurricanes are sort of
in the similar tier and that they're both teams that
you know, can compete for a title, but for one
reason or another, they've just been a little bit slow
to come out of the gates. But I do think
as the season goes on, both of these teams will
find themselves near the top of the table. But that
was a great game on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
You just to try and explain what happened at the
back end of that game. I think as I understand it,
Sam not could come on as reserve half ber we
had taken the place of Finlay. Christie got a whack
in their head and it was a decent whack in
their head. So the Blue said, okay, well he needs
to go off for an HIA assessment, therefore we can
replace him. But the independent doctor said no, he does
(18:22):
not have an HIA, so you can't replace him. It
was and they were down to fourteen by that stage anyway,
the Blues which further complicated things. Very odd though to
see let's just say Boden part feeding the scrime right
at the end.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yeah, I guess for the way the Super Roby competition
has been before, this fast, free flowing rugby. That's probably
the longest stretch of non rugby that we've seen so
far this season.
Speaker 6 (18:47):
So credits to both of our teams. They're poney for doing.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
That, absolutely right, absolutely right. Just a quick word on
Auckland FC for all against Adelaide. They know that they
have dropped a couple of points here because they led
three times throughout the game and late on and couldn't
get it done. Eight points though, still seems like a
decent buffet, doesn't it. With eight games to go, yeah, for.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Sure, And I think I mean to come away for a
single point. I think Auklanc will be disappointed, but they'll
they'll take that single point. It was a great game.
I managed to be there in the crowd, and I
mean you thought Heroarchic Psychai had had won the game
there in stoppage time again for Auckland f C in
a stoppage time goal, and then Adelaide served Auckland a
dose of their own medicine by coming back with their equalizers.
(19:28):
So and you could hear a pin drop when that
when Adelaide scored that final goal. So they pretty much
silenced the crowd there. But it definitely lived up to
the building of the top of the table clash. But yeah,
Auckland f C, I think they'll be disappointed, but they'll
take that single point.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
I reckon that's a Grand Final dress rehearsal. I think
those two could well meet in the Grand Final on
that same patch of grass. Actually, that'd be an occasion
not to miss. All right, Elijah, great to chat sport
with you in the People's Chamber, provided your many commitments allow.
But we'll do it again next Monday, for sure.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Thank you, Bindie dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
It's sports Facs with.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Jason Time and that's us on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. Thank you for downloading, thank you for listening,
and if you would like more of this sort of
thing in your podcast feed, it's as simple as subscribing,
and a fresh episode of Sports Fix lands in your
podcast feed and around about this time every weekday afternoon
and for more from News Talks AB Sport, listen to
(20:28):
Sports Talk weeknights seven through eight pm and on the
weekends Midday Sport between midday and three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
For more from News Talks EDB 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 ed B
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix. Howard By News Talk said.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
B Hi, there, welcome into a new week, which means
a fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast. It's Monday,
March the third. I'm Jason Pine. Good to have you
along the Warriors. Well, a trip to Vegas sounds like
a good idea and I'm sure it was for many reasons.
But on the grass at Allegiance Stadium, the Warriors suffering
their biggest ever first round NRL defeat thirty points to eight.
(00:44):
So the Canberra Raiders. How concerned should Warriors fans be?
Richie Barnett's on the podcast today to talk that through
Elijah Few pops into the chamber as well to talk
rugby league rugby and a bit of football too and
the latest and sports news. So let's get into it.
In other news, let's take a check on some of
the big sports stories around today. Alex below has taken
(01:07):
the check in flat bag over a fast finishing Scott
Dixon in the season opening Indy Car Series race at
Saint Petersburg. Alex, Hello, you're reigned champion demand they all
need to beat lays down a marker on the streets
of Saint Pete. Scott Dixon overtook Joseph Neugarten and finished
second on the final lap. The black Caps will face
(01:29):
South Africa or a spot in the Champions Trophy Cricket
Final after losing to India by forty four runs in
their final group match in Dubai overnight.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
And that's it, you know, just.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Played another line which blamed.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Together far took Glamor forever afraid that is infducis at India.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Who's at the top of the debok Man Henry took
five wickets to restrict and he get the two forty
nine for nine. But after a promising start in New Zealand,
all out for two hundred and five in the forty
sixth over and Fulham have knocked Manchester United out in
the fifth round of Football's FA Cup with a fourth
to three win on penalties. Fulham keeper Burned Leno made
two saves in the shootout.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Sexy fail Us and Fulham celebrated.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Old track leading a vix We've got just the ticket.
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
You're listening to the Sports Fix podcast. A brutal reality
check for the Warriors in Las Vegas yesterday, going down
thirty points to eight to the Camera Raiders in Las Vegas,
conceding five tries to two and being outclassed in pretty
much every area of the game. Let's bring in form
a kie, long time rugby leg professional Sky Sport analyst
Richie Barnett. Richie, how worried should we be about that
(02:42):
first up performance from the Warriors in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Heah, I mean you'd certainly be worried about the performance.
Being the first up game in Las Vegas. You know
that all the hype was real and the tone was
set for a fantastic matchup and what we had last
year was incredible, but they didn't deliver as we'd expect.
And there's one side camera who were incredible, to be honest,
and the Warriors were just suffocated.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
It was really concerning what will be taking up most
of coach Andrew Webster's thinking time on the flight home.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
Oh, there was certainly the execution part, but I think
without their go forward and their territory, it was really
difficult and that was because of Canbra's brutal defense, and
they just basically, you know, over that period of the game,
they just wore them down physically in the attack and
physically in defense. So they'll be concentrating on really getting
(03:34):
the yardage game going, getting into the territor where they
can attack straighten up the defense. They were very much
east to west. They weren't direct enough. We saw that
in the trial matches where they were really executing their
set pieces and their shape looked really, really good. I
thought Metcalf played really well in the pre season in
terms of squaring the set piece up and there was
(03:57):
a nice balance, but it just seemed to fall to pieces.
And I guess you know, when you're up against a
side who was probably one of the fittest team on
the well in the comp and also the youngest. They're
the youngest side in the competition, believe it or not.
They've lost quite a lot of their strike power over
the last year, and so as the Warriors, but they
performed extremely well.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
What a team like the Raiders is dominating you like
that physically when the Warriors had the ball, what's the
best way to combat that.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
It's interesting, and it really is. It's just an aggressive approach.
They really do have to match the energy. But when
I look at it, actually, when I start to delve
into it, they have really traditionally in their forward pack,
it's pretty straight up and down. Kirk Capewell. You see
n Cordy who just runs directed. There's no real footwork
in the way they play. Most of them don't have
(04:49):
a step with Aidan Vanila Blake's gone, so there was
a player that actually could step through. Most of them
run direct. There's no real footwork, late footwork at the line.
Most of the forwards actually in the camera raiders are
a prototype that has got one strength and secondly that
footwork in the line late that would that gets them
through there through the line, and they're really physical. For
(05:11):
some strange reason, they are very very strong players. I
couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe what I've seen, and
I don't think it gave it just justice when you're
actually watching about how physical that game was.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Indeed, well you talk about the writers stepping through the
defensive line. The Warriors missed forty tackles twenty eight in
the first half alone. Richie, how do you explain.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
That, Well, it's this young fellow called Tamale and he
got weeks at fallback and tomorrow and Chris s thee
best in Chris. Somehow they have got the strength to
get through. They were throwing numbers at them. They would
have three or four tacklers in there and they'd still
get through one. It's an attitude. Secondly, it's energy. Thirdly,
(05:58):
you've got to give it back to them as well.
Sometimes you've got to pivot a little bit too. It
looked like that was again very pedestrian in the way
it is. It Actually the game actually unfolds as you
you start to win the battle of the ruck, and
once you start winning that things are different. Then you
start to question everything in your seeing as we are
questioning everything now what needs to change? And then we
(06:19):
start to look at the spine. What are they not
doing well? You can't do anything if you're not going fortyre,
not winning the ruck, and you're not being physical in
the ruck, and so there's so many facets to where
they lost the game, and it all combines to a
really average game where you just can't win anything. The
kicking game and they were back at the forty kicking
and most occasions that's why it looked pretty boring because
(06:41):
they were kicking on the forty. They couldn't challenge their kicks,
so they weren't building pressure off the kick. So everything
was just a real Munday watch, wasn't it.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
It was? Yeah, And you landed on such a good
point about the halves and whether we can assess them
or not without a platform. But how did you assess
the performance of Chanelle, Harris Devita and Luke Metcalfe. No
Sewan Johnson anymore, he's a big loss, but what about
these two?
Speaker 5 (07:05):
I just think you can't even really gauge it when
you fall not going forward now had three runs. I
think Luke Metcalfe had three runs. And they'll direct thing
with both of them there there there, they're run the
runners of the ball, so you're not going to get
creativity as such, but they'll only be effective if you're
going forward to winning that battle. So there wasn't really anything.
I thought Chanelle's kicking game was pretty good considering we
(07:28):
was kicking it from Luke had obviously not a great
game on that right side they tried to. If we
saw what they they were constructing, it was very very
east to west, you know, and in the trial match,
I saw something that was quite different than what I've
seen in a while. They executed it well. There was
nice synergy and balance between what they were doing in
(07:52):
the preseasons, but this one here just looked like they
were starting new. They didn't know each other's play. I
know that you built chemistry and combinations, but to start
the season off then in the battle of the rack,
that's concerning, And.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
To build chemistry and combination you have to play together often,
don't you. But do you think Andrew Webster will be
attempted at all to think about Tomati Martin in one
of those positions?
Speaker 5 (08:19):
I reckon there's a huge consideration what I do have
an issue with, And like anything, when you leak, we're
not in that battle of the ruck. You get exposed
on the endes, you know, decision making. As much as
we've got real young, talented, robust runners such as Leo Tower,
they were pretty he was exposed to early, you know,
when they scored the first try sebasting Chris and the
(08:41):
left And that was a real, real simple thing for
me where an experience comes into play. He turned, his
body was in front of the defender inside he turns
by the inward, so he was stuck. He was gone
then and there, and they scored a try, which is
the first try of the game, which could have been saved,
and that's the start of the game. For the camera
(09:02):
wires exposed decision making from youngsters, which is concerning for
me because when you're on a when you when things
happen for you, it's easy to defend. But when things
you're against the war, that's when the true defenders come out.
And I just wonder if they start to look at
Harper to come to the side or an experience center,
because they've got an experience on the centers, that's where
(09:23):
all the defense, that's where all the attack goes, that's
where all the decision makers have to be really really strong.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Certainly, plenty of food for thought after the Vegas experience, Richie,
thanks for joining us, mate, Really appreciate your time. Richie
Barnett on the Sports Fix podcast Sportsfect. There was a
quite extraordinary game of football at go Media Stadium on
Saturday afternoon as Auckland f C welcomed one of their
closest challenges for the A League title, Adelaide United to
town another weltering Auckland afternoon. Auckland f C had continued
(09:53):
this community engagement of theirs by erecting a fairiss wheel
at one end and all sorts of circus activities. You
have to hand it to them, they know how to
get people along to their games. Nearly seventeen thousand there
again on Saturday afternoon, after quarter of an hour, Auckland
FC were already two knill ahead. Gauzumo Mai, their super
striker from Uruguay, had lashed one and from outside the area,
(10:16):
and then added a second from close range, and it
looked as though this was going to be a procession
to another three points for Auckland FC. But Adelaide United
but back before halftime to make it to one. But
then shortly after the break Auckland FC went three to
one ahead. Now a lot of teams away at Auckland
FC in this situation just kind of lie down. They
(10:38):
shrugged their shoulders and say, you know what, this is
not our day, or to just get to the end
of the game and get on the plane and go
back home and start again next weekend. Adelaide United to
the contrary, thought, no, we are here for a contest
and we are going to give Auckland FC a contest,
and what followed was a couple of penalty decisions. One
was given on the advice of VR, one was given
(11:01):
on the field and not overturns by VR. Both were
vehemently protested by Steve corik At, the head coach of
Auckland FC, both during the game and afterwards as well,
but both stood and both were converted by Zach claff
of Adelaide United. So all of a sudden, it's three
to three with ten minutes to go, and then the
(11:23):
craziest sequence of events as we ticked past the ninety
minute mark. First of all, Auckland's talismanic captain Hiroki sark
I scored a goal in the second minute of at
a Time and it looked as though the home side
was going to come out on top of a seven
goal thriller. But true to form, Adelaide United said no,
we're not done yet either. They went down the other
(11:44):
end and in the eighth minute of at a Time
they scored an equalizer and it finished four to four.
It is such an unlikely, uncommon score line in football,
and it really was just typical of a quite extraordinary day.
So the points are shared, but I don't reckon that
is the last time these two teams will face off
(12:05):
during the season. That felt to me like a between
the top two teams in the competition. And I would
say that we may well see the same two on
the same patch of grass in the A League Final
at the back end of May, and I don't think
you would get too many arguments.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
On the Sports Fix podcast, an important part of any
Sports Fix podcast. As a visit to the Chamber on Monday.
As you'll know regular Monday listeners, it's the People's Chamber
with Elijah feet were joining us. Elijah, I'm not quite
sure how to how to put this Warrior's result performance
into context from yesterday? Have you given it some thoughts?
(12:49):
Can you perhaps do that for me and me and
our listeners.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Yeah, I mean basically, the Warriors fell flat like under
the bright lights of Sin City and Las Vegas. I
guess the American dream tends to a nightmare for the
Warriors that they're probably hoping that this heavy defeat or
in the performance that they put up, you know what
Happensvegas stays in Vegas and that's what the Warriors will
be hoping. Like I think on attack, it was stifled.
There weren't many opportunities being created. And when that sort
(13:16):
of happens, you look to your playmakers, the likes of
Luke Metcalf and Shanel Harris Tavita that that was at
the right combination in the halves, the use of the
strike weapons, the rotation in the forwards bringing off Barnett
and Fisher Harris for Clark and Dylan Walker.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Was that the right rotation there?
Speaker 4 (13:33):
So I think plenty of questions coming out of their
opening round performance and defence, like they missed plenty of tackles,
they lacked the accuracy and discipline on that side of
the ball. So a lot to work on for the Warriors.
But hey, there's only round one, so you're hoping that
if you're a Warriors fan, that the Warriors can consertainly.
I mean, there's only one way they go from here.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I'd say, indeed, we've just reeled off an entire list
though of issues facing this team. And I know they
do have what teen days now, don't they because they
don't play until until Friday. Weeks I've got a decent
amount of time to try and put some of those
things right. If you were really drilling down into the
main focus here is what would you be doing if
(14:14):
you were Andrew Webster on the flight home, what would
you be writing down in your notebook?
Speaker 2 (14:19):
I'd say the main thing is defence.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
I mean, we know the old Mantra defence wins championships,
and I think the opening round performance is not the
type of defense you would have liked to see from
a team that you know, all this hype building into
the season, throughout the preseason and they come into Las
Vegas and just four flat on that side of the ball,
Like a lot of the tackles that were missed were
just real sloppy, sloppy defense.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
They pretty much just fell off the Raiders.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
And I mean those are the sort of things that
need to be worked on right away before you focus
on something like attack, because you know defense is going
to take the seam a long way. So for me,
if I'm Andrew Webster, it's the defense first and foremost.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
The Raiders look good, though, ah, I know they're not
in many people's pre season top four predictions, but they
look all were they made to look good? What did
you make of the Green Machine.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
I personally think that they were made to look good
because the Warriors just looked really bad in their opening
round performance. But again, it is round one, so I
think if we see a couple more of these performances
from Canberra, don't want to take too much away from
their performances.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
From their performance because.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
They did play really well, and a lot of great
players in that side, like a Xavier Savage and a
Sebastian Cris like those backs. They've really got some some
weapons out there, so it was a great performance. But
again I don't want to overreact after round one.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
All right, Well, we'll see how we are in a
few weeks. We'll talk about this weekly, no doubt here
in the People's Chamber, as we will and have been
on Super Rugby. Should we just give the trophy to
the Chiefs now?
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Maybe we might have to, especially now that they've got
this extra incensive of sending Clayton McMillan out a winner. Yes,
I'm considering they've they've come up short the last couple
of years. Maybe this year is the year to give
the Chiefs the title. They look really good and it's
pretty much the Chiefs. The Chiefs and everyone else. That's
there's a bit of a gap in between the Chiefs
(16:11):
and and the rest of the competition right now. So
I'm very impressive performance against the Brumbies.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Yeah, I thought they were just very very good in
all areas. And I was trying in the you know,
in the in the spirit of being objective and not
that I'm from the Chiefs country at all. I'm a
Hurricanes fan, but to try and find some fault but
I couldn't really find any. And competition for places players
you know, you know, just consistently playing well. Quinta Paia,
(16:38):
what a game from him. I just thought he was
terrific the other day. Playing in the afternoon is always helpful,
of course. Damian mackenzie, have you heard anything about his
potential injury today? Do we know whether he might be
out for a bit?
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Not too sure yet yet to receive an update on that,
but that might be. They might have fans a little
bit worried, both Chiefs and the all back, so hopefully
it's not too serious. But yeah, he's been us downing
to start the season. Damian McKenzie.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
And as well as guy a guy.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Like Quincy Pia who has been along with some mast
the time of Naiwai, one of the best midfielders to
start in the Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
So but yeah, hopefully.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Dmac that injury isn't isn't too bad and.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Good to see the plucky battlers the Blues finally get
a win.
Speaker 6 (17:19):
Yeah great, Oh, I mean, thanks for bringing that up,
fine and all.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
It was against my hurricades. I don't have to, but
I am yah.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
Yeah, I'm not too sure what happened at the end
of the game there.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
There was a little bit of a delay and so
I couldn't really explain what happened there, But you ended
up with bone and barried at half back. I think
a j lamb came in on one of the flanks,
one of the most Yeah, a very weird scrum at
the end of the game, I'd say, but the Blues
scraped out.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
A win there.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
I'd say the Blues and the Hurricanes are sort of
in the similar tier and that they're both teams that
you know, can compete for a title, but for one
reason or another, they've just been a little bit slow
to come out of the gates. But I do think
as the season goes on, both of these teams will
find themselves near the top of the table. But that
was a great game on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
You just to try and explain what happened at the
back end of that game. I think as I understand it,
Sam not could come on as reserve half ber we
had taken the place of Finlay. Christie got a whack
in their head and it was a decent whack in
their head. So the Blue said, okay, well he needs
to go off for an HIA assessment, therefore we can
replace him. But the independent doctor said no, he does
(18:22):
not have an HIA, so you can't replace him. It
was and they were down to fourteen by that stage anyway,
the Blues which further complicated things. Very odd though to
see let's just say Boden part feeding the scrime right
at the end.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yeah, I guess for the way the Super Roby competition
has been before, this fast, free flowing rugby. That's probably
the longest stretch of non rugby that we've seen so
far this season.
Speaker 6 (18:47):
So credits to both of our teams. They're poney for doing.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
That, absolutely right, absolutely right. Just a quick word on
Auckland FC for all against Adelaide. They know that they
have dropped a couple of points here because they led
three times throughout the game and late on and couldn't
get it done. Eight points though, still seems like a
decent buffet, doesn't it. With eight games to go, yeah, for.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Sure, And I think I mean to come away for a
single point. I think Auklanc will be disappointed, but they'll
they'll take that single point. It was a great game.
I managed to be there in the crowd, and I
mean you thought Heroarchic Psychai had had won the game
there in stoppage time again for Auckland f C in
a stoppage time goal, and then Adelaide served Auckland a
dose of their own medicine by coming back with their equalizers.
(19:28):
So and you could hear a pin drop when that
when Adelaide scored that final goal. So they pretty much
silenced the crowd there. But it definitely lived up to
the building of the top of the table clash. But yeah,
Auckland f C, I think they'll be disappointed, but they'll
take that single point.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
I reckon that's a Grand Final dress rehearsal. I think
those two could well meet in the Grand Final on
that same patch of grass. Actually, that'd be an occasion
not to miss. All right, Elijah, great to chat sport
with you in the People's Chamber, provided your many commitments allow.
But we'll do it again next Monday, for sure.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
Thank you, Bindie dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
It's sports Facs with.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Jason Time and that's us on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. Thank you for downloading, thank you for listening,
and if you would like more of this sort of
thing in your podcast feed, it's as simple as subscribing,
and a fresh episode of Sports Fix lands in your
podcast feed and around about this time every weekday afternoon
and for more from News Talks AB Sport, listen to
(20:28):
Sports Talk weeknights seven through eight pm and on the
weekends Midday Sport between midday and three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
For more from News Talks EDB listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.