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October 7, 2024 • 17 mins

On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 7 October 2024, we review the All Blacks named for the end of year Northern Tour.

All Blacks assistant coach Tamati Ellison joins Piney to confirm the team named to travel to Northern Hemisphere to take on England, Ireland, France and Italy for the 2024 Northern Tour.

Piney then reviews the team with Newstalk ZB sport journalist Elijah Fa'afiu. The pair also discuss if Penrith are the greatest rugby league side of the modern era?
And how worried should we be about the Black Ferns performance at the WXV1 tournament?

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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 Talks.

Speaker 3 (00:20):
It'd be hello there and welcome into a fresh week
and a fresh set of episodes of the Sports Fix podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
They drop in to your podcast.

Speaker 3 (00:27):
Feed and around about this time every weekday.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
I'm Jason Pine.

Speaker 3 (00:31):
Today on the podcast, All Blacks assistant coach Tammoty Ellison
joins us to discuss the naming of the thirty six
man squad for the Northern Tour Japan, England, Ireland, France
and Italy. On the agenda, just the one change from
the Rugby Championship squad. Cam roygard in Noah Hotham dropping
out Tammody Ellison to talk a bit about that. I've
got some thoughts on the All Blacks fifteen squad to

(00:53):
be named tomorrow for matches against Georgia and Munster.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
What's the makeup of that squad going to be?

Speaker 3 (00:59):
And Elijah Field drops into the chamber, let's get into it.
In other news, let's begin, as always with a check
on some the biggest sports stories floating around today. The
Black Ferns have conceded a record nine tries in losing
to England and their WXB one test in Canada.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
That'll do us.

Speaker 4 (01:18):
It is England who beat the Blackburns forty nine thirty one.

Speaker 3 (01:23):
Penrith have secured their status as Australian rugby league's greatest
club team since nineteen sixty six, claiming their fourth straight premiership.
Are fourteen to six win over Melbourne in the Grand
Final last night.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
This is history, rich history and a sprint.

Speaker 3 (01:48):
Finish involving key we Hayden Wilde has decided the latest
Super Triathlon men's race in Toulouse.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
He looks like what it looks at. Let's give it
up for the last.

Speaker 4 (02:03):
Of takeson NCT.

Speaker 3 (02:04):
Hayden Wilsh come home third behind Vasco Velasa and Tim Hellwig.

Speaker 5 (02:10):
Us Anaminian gets sports fix with Jason vine So.

Speaker 3 (02:16):
The All Blacks squad named today for the Northern Too
are pretty predictable. Really, the same thirty six from the
Rugby Championship. Apart from the widely telegraphed return of cam
Royguard and Noah Hotham being the one to drop out
ahead of TJ Petanata race has gone with consistency and
clearly no one has played their way out of the reckoning.

(02:36):
What will be interesting is who's named in the All
Blacks fifteen squad tomorrow, the next twenty nine guys who
are in the thinking for All Black spots in the
next little while. Now we know Noah Hotham is going
to be there, Razer confirmed that today, but he'll be
the other half backs for Lake Christie and Falal Fokkatava,
both former All Blacks.

Speaker 2 (02:55):
All they go with an.

Speaker 3 (02:56):
Uncapped guy like Xavier Roe, perhaps Caines and Wellington Lucy
Peter Laki will almost certainly be there, a standout in
Super Rugby and the NPC and one of the candidates
to take the seven jersey long from Sam Kine. But
will Hoskins so to be on that plane? His Super
rugby form would suggest so many had them in the
All Blacks at the start of the season. But have

(03:18):
they decided perhaps that he's just not part of the plan.
If not, is Braden, you'r see the next number eight
off the rank hookers. Now it's not like we're absolutely
flushed with depth in this position. Some Musoni Tokyoho of
course injured, so Ricky, Rickettelly and Kurt Ecklund feel like
the next two. But where are the young hookers coming
through in staking their claims? Emoni Nudawah, Josh Lord, Howry Plumber,

(03:42):
that boy all been in the All Blacks this year,
so you'd have to think they'll be there tomorrow. But
there'll also be some bolters, guys who may even have
impressed more so in the NPC than they have in
Super Rugby. Recency is a very powerful factor when it
comes to these things. There were no surprises today, but
I reckon there might be one or two when the

(04:03):
All Blacks fifteen squad is named at two o'clock tomorrow.

Speaker 5 (04:08):
Co Acting the sporting Agenda, It's Sportsvex with Jason Pine.

Speaker 3 (04:13):
You're listening to the Sports Fix podcast. The All Blacks
careers of Sam Cain and TJ Pett Nudda will extend
into the latter part of this year, both bound for.

Speaker 2 (04:21):
Japan next year.

Speaker 3 (04:22):
The veteran duo have been retained in the thirty six
strong squad name for the Northern Hemisphere end of year tour.
Just the one change from the group the contest of
the Rugby Championship. Half Back cam roy Guard returns after
making a comeback from a long injury layoff. Over the weekend,
he takes the place of Crusaders youngster Noah Hotham, joined
on the Sports Fix podcast by All Black's assistant coach

(04:44):
Tomody Ellison. Tomody tell us about that decision around half
back cam Roy Garden. I think we all expected that
Noah Hotham is the one to drop out. Cortis and
TJ Pett Nudda are the other two number nines. How
did you arrive at that trio?

Speaker 6 (04:58):
I think the balance of leadership it was important. And
also for Noah, like he needs to play footy. He's
a rugby player. There's only so much training you can do,
so we'll get the opportunity to play some games, which
is important for his growth as well.

Speaker 3 (05:19):
So the suggestion is that if he was in the
three half backs in the All Blacks makes there would
be limited game time compared to what he is likely
to get in the All Blacks fifteen.

Speaker 6 (05:29):
Yeah, that's correct. Around you know what he's played so
far with, you know, with quarters and TJ in the group,
thinking about the tess earlier this year. So I guess
he's hanging out for footy and you just can't underestimate
the importance of the experience that TJ brings.

Speaker 3 (05:48):
Also, of course, the counterpoint to that, and I'm sure
you've picked up on this narrative, is that TJ is
leaving at the end of this year. Was there ever
any discussion Timody about looking ahead and perhaps leaving him out?

Speaker 6 (06:02):
Yeah, I think you're always looking for growth, but it's
also important there's there's a mess tests that we're going
up against, so you know, Japan, England, Island, France just
to start with. So it's important that we deal with
the games that are right in front of us.

Speaker 3 (06:20):
Does the same apply to your thinking around Sam Kine
he's also leaving, but he's he's coming on this tour too.

Speaker 6 (06:28):
Yeah. I think that again with Sam, just the leadership
he's shown. Like talking about consistency, it's also consistency of
leaders and supporting the coaching group. So Sam's been great
in that aspect throughout the last test series. But again,
like TJ, both the future and groups discussed, but also

(06:51):
the tests that are in front of us and what
guys like Sam and TJ can provide by example, two
younger guys in the squad.

Speaker 3 (07:01):
How interesting is that conversation because you know, as we
all know, you've got to look ahead and look at
the next world up cycle, which were now of course,
but then again, as you've said, got to play the
test in front of you. How how challenging those conversations?
How interesting are those conversations?

Speaker 6 (07:17):
Yeah, I think it's important that they are challenging because
it means that we've seen both sides and we're seeing
that there's there's opportunity to grow younger players. But at
the same time, you know, like in the nine position,
Courtis's still very young and Camera you know, had his
best game back for a while on the weekend, so

(07:40):
you have to consider the balance there.

Speaker 3 (07:42):
Also, how much did you enjoy seeing cam Roy got
back out there for Counties on Saturday.

Speaker 6 (07:48):
Yeah, I think we all did. You know he can
he can play the game. This is attacking ability, you know,
there's one part that was on display. Obviously he's got
a massive kicker of the ball as well, which will
be important up north. But I just think for everyone
for the game in New Zealand that you never like
seeing people get into bishit the way he did down

(08:08):
the Holders game, but from the bounce backers is great.

Speaker 3 (08:12):
Were there any positions in the squad where there was
genuine debate?

Speaker 6 (08:20):
I think that if I'm honest with you, that there's
genuine debate and all positional groups, you know, brutally, honestly
we make sure we quished each other and this touch
to support it, and you know, it's a thorough process
for sure. Yeah, when names are pot forward, you have
to have footage and you have to make sure that

(08:42):
all those things have been considered.

Speaker 3 (08:44):
So yeah, were there players who were close to playing
themselves in to the thirty six?

Speaker 6 (08:52):
Yeah? Yeah, you know, based on my previous comment that
there were these players that we're looking at. The great
thing is there's an opportunity for the all but often
to head up as well, so they'll be close to
the group. And you know that it means are kind
of one flight away with injury another.

Speaker 3 (09:16):
We'll look forward to seeing that squad name tomorrow. So
how will the relationship between the two squads work, TMDY?
Is it as simple as if required a player from
the New Zealand fifteen can hop on a plane and
might there also be a chance for all blacks in
the thirty six who need need a game to go
the other way?

Speaker 6 (09:33):
Yeah, I think so that's that's how we sit in
making sure we sit down with Clayton and there's really
good alignment there. And it's the same thing, you know,
what the group is put forward, that we're all connected
around both sides and what's best for the players and
what's best for the All Blacks. So I think that's

(09:54):
been a really nice process. It really feels like the
collective effort trying to do the very best we can
for the All Blacks.

Speaker 3 (10:04):
So as you prepare to embark on the final leg
of twenty twenty four in All Blacks terms, how do
you assess with the All Blacks are right now compared
to the performance goals that the coaching staff has for them.

Speaker 6 (10:18):
I think we're heading in the right direction. I wouldn't
say especially from the defensive side, where we're at a
past book by any means. You know, there's opportunity for
us to grow. And we split a few times in
Wellington from Aussie in the same up in Sydney. You know,
they they only manage to one try in Wellington. But
we've definitely got the areas to grow and we're really

(10:39):
clear around that. So people right on top of you know,
your individual area and looking forward to growing those in
the coming weeks.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
Thanks for your time. Somebody really appreciate it. Somebody.

Speaker 3 (10:52):
Ellison, assistant coach of the All Blacks, with us on
the sports FX podcast.

Speaker 2 (10:55):
The Chamber is now in session on sports Vex on
the Sports Mix podcast. A few issues to kick around,
so let's hop inside the Chamber.

Speaker 3 (11:04):
Elijah, who joins us out of the news talks THEREB
and New Zealand Herald Sports teams All Black squad for
the Northern Tours being named. Elijah just heard from Tamaty, Ellison,
assistant coach on the podcast. No surprises because there really
aren't any changes, anything that jumped out or did you
think they might do something different?

Speaker 4 (11:21):
Yeah, I mean I wasn't surprised that Roygard was in.
I think we knew that he's the guy at at
half back and someone unfortunately had to miss out. There
was Noah Hotham. Other than that's I mean, I guess
because there's the All Backs fifteen squad there as well.
Raiser is probably using that side as an opportunity to
let some of the younger guys or maybe guys maybe

(11:42):
who aren't ready for the All Blacks set to settle
in that squad. But also I think there's also a
small group from the All Backs fifteen that will be
joining the All Backs in their first test in Japan's.
And we saw a similar situation in twenty eighteen when
the All Blacks then about eight debutantes and you know,
you had likes of Brett Cameron and Mitts. Drummond gets
get their maiden All Backs games, but then the likes

(12:04):
of Dose and Public got his debut there as well.
So we could see a similar scenario where Raza will
blood in some of the younger talent. But yeah, well
we'll see how Razors sort of handles this situation.

Speaker 3 (12:17):
Yeah, I sort of feel as though, you know, they've
telegraphed that they're going to send they're going to everyone's
got all the thirty six word out of Japan, and
then some of that thirty six will go on to
prepare for the England Test. I feel like the positions
of the guys who are sent on will be filled
by those All Blacks fifteen guys who come in and
then run contested against the guys who are going to
play against Japan. If that's not too complicated to understand,

(12:39):
I'm not sure that anybody outside the thirty six will
play against Japan, or are you suggesting that someone from
the All Blacks fifteen squad might actually debut for the
All Blacks against Japan.

Speaker 4 (12:49):
I think we could see a similar situation. Maybe not
as many as eight debutantes, to make me two or
three who are named on the bench sort of thing.
Maybe someone like Peter Lucky to give them some minutes
in the All Blacks environments, give them some time against Japan.
I could see Raiser using that game as the opportunity
to see if he's ever going to blood in some

(13:09):
of the younger talents. Otherwise, I mean, the All Backs
fifteen is there for a reason, so he can, you know,
sort of rely on that squad to bring out some
of the best out of those younger guys.

Speaker 3 (13:19):
Yeah, looking forward to seeing who's in that twenty nine tomorrow.
There's a couple of positional or positions. What are they
going to do a hooker, for example, I mean Ricky
Rickettali and Kurt England are probably the next two. Neither
of them are young, some are so only Takiaho injured.
Who else is in the mix for these hooking spots.
Maybe someone like George Bow Maybe you could use someone.

Speaker 2 (13:40):
He's in the all black squad. So yeah, so we're
running out of hookers exactly what we're running.

Speaker 4 (13:45):
Out or we'll see what raises the sides tomorrow, then.

Speaker 2 (13:50):
Indeed we will.

Speaker 3 (13:51):
Like look, I'm not surprised that you can't think of anybody,
because neither could I. I've sort of been racking my
brain as to what they're going to do this. I
think this might be a position where somebody who we
don't expect, an MPC player I think you know, will
come in and perhaps get get the nod. And if
they named twenty nine, there probably going to be three hookers,
I would say, So yeah, anyway, we'll wait and see.

(14:12):
Should we be worried about the Black Ferns? Speaking of Rugby,
another loss and nine tries conceded today against England, I.

Speaker 4 (14:18):
Think a year out from the World Cup, yes we should.
We should be worried. I guess history suggests that the
Black the Black Friends have been in a similar situation,
but those circumstances were completely different. When they had the
whole independent review around the team, environments and the culture,
and Wayne Smith was born on board and the magic
he produced in the seven or eight months he was

(14:39):
in charge. I mean, this is a squad now who
under Alan Bunteen who. It looks like we're going to
have a similar squad this time next year. But Alan
Bunting is still going to be the head coach, so
there's not going to be any drastic changes. And the
way things are going for the squad, it doesn't look
too promising because I mean, I think I was questioning

(15:00):
myself whether the Black Friends could defend their title. Now
I'm questioning whether they can even make it out of
the semi finals when you have teams like Canada in
France who are also they're in contention, So that's sort
of my worry when it comes to that team.

Speaker 2 (15:13):
I feel exactly the same way.

Speaker 3 (15:15):
The only glimmer of confidence I'm getting is that a
year out from the last World Cup, the exact same
thing pretty much happened, you know, with with the losses
to France and England, four of them on the on
the bounce, they made a coaching change. Then, as you've outlined,
I don't think they're going to do the same here.
I don't think they're going to bounce any coaches out
of this environment. So yeah, we just I just just

(15:36):
we just need us to improve, don't we. We need us
to get better over the next year. Otherwise you're right
at you know, a place in the final is not
a fatal complete, let alone trying to win the whole thing.
Just before we leave the chamber, the Penrith panthers, I
know you love your league. How do they compare to
the great modern day rugby league teams?

Speaker 2 (15:57):
Are they right at the top? They have to be close,
don't they.

Speaker 4 (15:59):
I think they are the best team of the model
in the era. I don't think we're going to see
another team do what win four premierships in the row.
I don't think that's ever going to be done in
this current era with the salary cap is so important
for teams to keep their core and I guess around
that core with younger players and players on cheaper contracts.

(16:22):
What Penrith have done over the last few years, you know,
snapped droughts of you know, back to back premierships. A
team hadn't done that in thirty years, nearly thirty years,
three pet A team in forty years wasn't able to Oh,
that hadn't been done in forty years or so, and
then when they won four premierships that hadn't been done
in nearly sixty years. So I guess those sort of

(16:44):
records we're probably not going to see for a long
time or if ever. So I think Penrith is right
up there. I think they are the greatest team of
the modern.

Speaker 3 (16:54):
Eraor Yeah, it's hard to argue with either the facts
or the stats, and with the trophies in their cabinet.
Absolutely incredible stuff from the Panthers last night against the
Melbourne Storming, a pretty gripping sort of an NRL Grand Final.
Great to Chance Sport in the chamber with you again, Elijah.
Good to have you back after a bit of a
hiatus from you. We'll hopefully catch up again next Monday.

Speaker 2 (17:12):
Good cheers, Blinding.

Speaker 5 (17:14):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news, power
and by News Talks EDB.

Speaker 3 (17:21):
That is all we have for you on the Sports
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Speaker 2 (17:41):
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Speaker 1 (17:46):
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