On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for 20th March 2026, despite a challenging season for the Wellington Phoenix the franchise is still in with a chance to make the playoffs in the A League this season.
Chris Greenacre is the interim head coach of the side and he joined D'Arcy to discuss what they plan to do heading into the business end of the season.
Piney shares his thoughts on the possibility entering a New Zealand side into the Big Bash T20 competition.
And D'Arcy and Piney preview the weekends Super Rugby action and the massive games looming for both Wellington Phoenix sides.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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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.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Howard by News Talk said.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Be hello there, Welcome to the back end of your
Monday to Friday week. Welcome into the Sports Fix podcast,
brought to you as always an association with our great
mates at GJ. Gardner Holmes, New Zilla's most trusted home bill.
It's Friday, the twentieth of March. I'm Jason Pine and
I'm Darcy Waldgrave. You're never going to let that go
A I told you once that it's not the end
of the week for everybody, and you just carry on
(00:41):
with it.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
So I appreciate you for your ears and your action,
mister Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Absolutely well for those of us who do have to
come into work, and I'm holding up the air quotes
for work for you and I dant it's hardly work,
you know, on a Saturday and for me on a Sunday. Look,
I think we can call it the back end of
the of the working week traditionally for many people, and
it also of course leads into the most splendid two
(01:07):
days or three days of sporting action. Looking forward, to
to breaking things down from the weekend previewing Super Rugby.
We've got a great guest on Sports Fixs today as well.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Oh mate, Chris Greenaker. What a top individual he is.
I've been dealing with any for some time now, as
you have Jason Pine. He is the interim, the standing
coach for the Phoenix. They've got a mission on their
hands and I tell you.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
What, it's achievable. We're going to talk to Greenie about that.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Look forward to that. The latest Sans fortune is coming
to you, so let's get to do it. In other news,
let's get going, as always with a look at some
of the big sports stories around today. A last minute
try saving tackle a couple of meters from the line
as opened the third round of NRL Rugby League, and
we trying to hang on Tamaday Sanders, Donny run sat
(01:57):
a tackle day Comork the cover, the fallback Connor Tracy's
defense to see the Bulldogs run out fourteen winners over
the Raiders. Clark laid Laws described his decision to remain
at the Hurricanes for another Super Rugby season as a
simple one. The head coach is re signed until the
(02:18):
end of next year's campaign. Which will be his fourth
at the Helm. Crazy decision. The public was keen for
me to stay on and the nor Brenda really I
was excited tax stand and yeah, trying to continue the
work with it and chiefs playmaker Damien Mackenzie is entertaining
a world where New Zealand Rugby aligns all black selection
criteria with the Wallabies. Rugby Australia eased eligibility rules in
(02:41):
twenty fifteen, allowing overseas based contenders to feature, while New
Zealand Rugby have held firm on their stay or don't
play policy and down.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
The track, you know it'd be greats for that to
be able to happen.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
I mean, you just want the best players player country, right,
So whatever.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Way they go, I mean I'm sure New Zealand Rugby
Union will make that call and whatever that is stuck
with them.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
Backup us and a Vinion.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Payne and Dusty Walter Grave.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Let's talks and football now on the Fix.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
We go now to Chris Greenaker, interim geffer for the
Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Gee, it's been a long time. Greenee, how are you It.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Has been a while mate, Yeah, it's good to speak
to you. Yeah, I'm a little bit busier than normally
when we speak, but that's that's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
It is a good thing.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
And i'll tell you what you've well, you picked up
that debbie last week. You'd be feeling very happy about
that after a pretty skinny run. I think only two
points out of those four games. But you're looking down
the barrel of an incredible run home, aren't you.
Speaker 6 (03:42):
Yeah, it's you know, it is what it is. We've got.
You know, pretty much all of our fixtures are away fixtures,
which you know, as I say that that's the task ahead,
we won't use that as an excuse. We really won't.
And we'll crack on. And as you mentioned, the result
last week against Perth gives gives everyone a lift, gives
(04:02):
everyone confidence and hopefully, as I mentioned from day one,
we will we'll sort of make baby steps towards where
we want our goal to be and hopefully that can
continue with a tough fixture against Brisbane Raw and this weekend.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
It's not unobtainable though, what you've got because the teams
you're playing, you've got one app at Head and the
six in Melbourne, but then you've got four other games
against one team that's beneath you and the three teams
directly up in front of you.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
So it's palpable this potential to get into the Sex,
isn't it?
Speaker 6 (04:34):
One hundred percent? I said from day one. While it's
mathematically possible for us to have some success this year,
will will give everything we've got, and I think full
credit to the players and the staff that we're here
when I came into the role, and they've been incredible
so far, and everyone's kind of digging into hopefully we
can reach that goal. But I think the nature of
(04:56):
the league this year and it's it's it's well known
that the consistency across the board has been pretty pretty
average for everyone really, and the teams were the top
are obviously the most consistent one, so you know, fortunately
we've fell into that bracket along with another number of
clubs who all think that they've got an opportunity to
make the most of it. And again the teams will
(05:18):
find that consistency sooner rather than later will be the
ones that will succeed and hopefully wear one of those.
But again we're literally taking it baby steps, one day
at a time, one match at a time, and that
starts again this weekend with Brisbane.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I agree with that. Babies poo their pants and fall
over quite a lot, don't you.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
That's not going to be us though.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Good Sorry you had to bring it up. People say
sleep like a baby, and said I want to sleep
like a baby. They sleep terribly right. All these away games,
one of them is away and home. It's in christ
Just do you consider that an away trip?
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Not really. You know, whenever we can promote the game
here in New Zealand is always a bonus for everyone,
and it's really important. Part of our role is to
promote the game, you know, as much as we can.
And you know, we've had some really good success in
christ which at times the support that we get down
there is absolutely awesome. It's grate for the kids to
(06:14):
get up close and personal with their heroes and we're
really looking forward to it. And so again it's as
I say, it's really important and we'll look forward to it.
And again it's a home from home for us.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I think the energy in the club must be big
at the moment. What in it going particularly well? Do
you draw on that much you as a coach and
your team as well?
Speaker 6 (06:37):
I think they've done an incredible job this year and
it's been great to watch. I mean, Bev, to be fair,
has had her troubles obviously with injuries and all that
kind of stuff, so she's she's really balanced the squad
and her role very very well, and all the players
have really dug in and they've played some amazing football
this year and created lots of chances and you know,
(06:59):
defensively being being pretty strong. So hopefully that they can
continue their form. And I think, to be honest, it's
not really about performance for them now. I think it's
about just picking up the points and you know, a
point in the right direction, whether that's you know, a
drawer or hopefully that they win. You know, it's really
(07:19):
important for them at the moment, and that they've got
a big game this weekend against me and so hopefully
they can they can take the maximum points and again
be writing the mix. And I'm certainly envious of what
they've done this year. So it's incredibly proud for us
all at the club and we celebrate that together.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Isn't it a bit dangerous to going to the rist
of the season going hold the place, do a right
pick up points as opposed to just a tacking from
the outright.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
Yeah, I agree, I think that there's obviously you can't
just throw caution to the wind. But I think like
they'll be knowing Bev what she's like as a character
and what she bill she'll be going full on to
to win every single game. Again, it doesn't always materialize
like that, but as I say, a defensive solidity you know,
will be really given a bet to build from and
(08:09):
but no doubt know she'll be going there with three
points in mind. And hopefully they can do that and
can just continue the run that they're on and results
and performances breed confidence throughout and as soon as it
comes to finals, hopefully you know they can go all
the way and we can celebrate them win.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
In dissecting the sporting agenda, it's Sports Fix with Jason
Vine and Ducy Waldgrave.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Well, here we are on Friday afternoon and we're still
waiting for a decision from the Board of New Zealand
Cricket around the future shape of the T twenty domestic
game here in New Zealand. I'm sure you're up with
all the facts and you know that Deloitte have presented
a report back to the Board of New Zealand Cricket
with some recommendations, or maybe an assessment of the options
(09:00):
available to New Zealand Cricket in order to help them
make a better decision, depending on who you believe, and
a lot of good sources are reporting, it's come down
to a decision between n Z twenty, a private franchise
based New Zealand based T twenty competition, and an entry
(09:20):
for a New Zealand side, a men's side and presumably
a women's side too, in the Australian Big Bash competition.
The more I think about that second option, the more
I think it is an absolutely hair brained idea to
even entertain the possibility of entering a New Zealand side
in the Big Bash. Not because the idea itself is
(09:42):
necessarily a bad one, but what would it mean for
the players who don't make that side. Let's say there's
one side, one men's side and one women's side based
here in New Zealand playing in the Big Bash. What
would that be eighteen maybe at most twenty players contracted
to each of those sides, So what does that mean
(10:02):
for the other fifty to sixty players who over the
summer represent their major associations here in New Zealand and
what has up until now been the Super Smash.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
What do they do now?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Who do they play for? Will there even be a
domestic T twenty competition? And if there is, how diluted
will it be by taking out the top twenty men
and top twenty women from it. It just seems to
me to be fraught with questions, and that is the
(10:37):
big one. We heard during the week Daryl Mitchell and
Rich and Ravendra Lockey Ferguson talk about their favor for
an NZ twenty competition and many people thought, well, that's
of course what they're going to say. They you know,
they benefit from it, They would make more money in
the Big Bash. Those guys. What they're actually talking about
is the wider New Zealand cricket ecosystem and what an
(10:58):
entry into the Big Bash would mean for those who
were left behind. I can't see a scenario under which
entry into the Big Bash can possibly be favored ahead
of a domestic franchise based competition. Hopefully the Board of
New Zealand Cricket will see sense.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix into.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
The Chamber we go. Great to hear from Chris Greenacre.
I want to talk a bit about the Phoenix men
and women with you in just a moment to usk,
But can we start with Super Rugby? Are your Crusaders
any chance against Mowana Pacifica?
Speaker 3 (11:32):
They stop laughing?
Speaker 5 (11:33):
Are you laughing at Malana Pussifka?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
How dare you laugh at my Auckland team?
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Well, so you've got you've got what you've got divided
loyalty tomorrow night? Have you when these two meets are
nor Harber Stadium?
Speaker 5 (11:45):
No? Not really, I've got a I've got a I've
got a man crush on Tana Humanga.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Don't tell him that. I think he's a great individual. Now.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
I'm with my Crusaders all the way, but I do
like that the energy around this fixture. Look at how
the Crusaders are building all they needed to build last week.
Can you explain to me Piney how on earth you
can play a game with one player less for thirty
minutes and still somehow win.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I mean that was astonishing.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Yeah, I don't know the answer of the question, but
they got it done. And you're like one of those
against the odds type type arrangements. How do you feel
Can we talk about the Crusaders, because they obviously were
imperious for so long, had that twenty twenty four which
was completely out of left field, didn't make the finals.
Last year came bounding back into the conversation.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
And won the thing.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
How do you assess the Crusaders of twenty twenty six?
Speaker 5 (12:39):
It says everything about the nature of Super Rug twenty
twenty six. I don't want to dodge the question, but
when you look at the improvements made in this competition,
suddenly everybody is like I keep saying, this water finding
its level, and everyone's finding a very similar level. And
I think for the competition that is fantastic because you
can't sit down at the start of the weekend and go,
(13:01):
this team's definitely going to win.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
You just don't know. And I think the Crusaders to
a degree are a victim of that.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Call it victim, but they can sort their line out
out doing something right. But it's the nature of the
comp this year, right.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It is.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Look, I think they'll win comfortably against them, a white Pacific,
a side that's really had to dig deep. Forty five
players they will have used through six games, I mean
it's an astonishing number really, but yeah, I think the
Crusaders will be okay, and then I think they've got
the buy next week, so that's a chance for them
to refresh. What about my Hurricanes tonight down and to
need and against the Highlanders. I know you'll probably want
(13:36):
the Highlanders to beat my Hurricanes.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Do you think they can?
Speaker 5 (13:39):
No?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
No, I don't. I have Law two with the Red
and Black team and that's it.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
If anything, I would quite like the Highlanders to lift
because it adds extra that competition, extra texture to what
we're seeing. Whether it can happen or not, I'm not
entirely sure. You be a brave man to put any
money on this exchange. We know how happy the Highlanders are.
We're playing at home and they have a couple of
(14:04):
absolute weapons at their line, in their lineup that you
need to be final. But to your team, the Hurricanes,
you're hardly sort of good players.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
They have plony.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Absolutely not love the I love the way the Canes
are playing and it's I mean, yes, they're my team,
so I'm enjoying it very much. Very interesting to see
how Ruben Love goes at ten tonight. Run the color
for the Hurricanes. So yeah, like, I mean, we're in
good shape, but I mean we haven't played anybody. I mean,
this is the first time we've played one of the
traditional other New Zealand sides in this entire season. So
(14:34):
I think it's about to get interesting for the Hurricanes.
Hay very quickly Chiefs away at Brumby's.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Can the Chiefs win that?
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Of course they can. Unfortunately there's one small problem with that,
and you know what what it's in a small problem,
it's a huge problem as far as caps and size
as well. The slipper is going to hit the record
for the amount of games played in Super rugby over
taking a white crocket. He's actually going to be over there.
Maybe that behind this team will be enough to project
(15:05):
Act to the top, the Brumbies to the top. Celebration matches.
They can go awright, aren't they?
Speaker 3 (15:11):
They can and do well.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
That's going to be my second screen at nine thirty
five ton I'm going to watch Hurricanes Islanders because at
nine o'clock tonight New Zealand time, the Wellington Phoenix women
are in action against Sydney FC A wind tonight. Darce
and they would all but you know, barring an absolute catastrophe,
seal their place in the top six.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
They have never done that before.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This is their fifth season of existence and it will
be the first time, and I'm going to be positive
it will be the first time they make the top six.
But you know what, I reckon, this team is actually
setting at sites a little bit higher than that. That
is not saying, Okay, let's try and make the top
six and see where we go from there. The way
they're playing, I reckon this is a top two side.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
You know. I hate to say it that when they
started playing well, I thought, well, the wheels have got
to fall off eventually, that's the nature of it. And
I'll tell you what, they keep rolling on. There's no
sign of a flat or wheels falling off anywhere. So
you've got to support that. And this is one of
the great stories of New Zealand football in sport, the
way Beef Priestmans come back and really focused this team.
We know that they had the potential, but they never
(16:12):
realized that. But the quality of the coaching staff suddenly
they backed themselves in this position, which is wonderful to see.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, I'm absolutely loving it. And you look at the
table At the moment they're on twenty eight points. Adelaide
United have thirty, but they've played one game more. Melbourne
City have thirty four, but they've played two games more.
My maths would tell me, with a better goal difference
that if the Phoenix win their final four matches they
are premiers. They would win the first ever piece of
silverware for Wellington Phoenix Football Club. I'm excited about what
(16:41):
the next month or so might hold and loved hearing
from Greenie G. The man's just such a ray of positivity,
isn't he? But also a ray of realism. I reckon
they could be Brisbane tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
It's not only Brisbane. But when you look at the
nature of their final matches, they're playing one team at
the absolute bottom and now the few t three teams.
I think it is not in the six. And then
I got the one team Melbourne victory. Off the top
of my head. They'll be playing that maybe represent more
of a clear and present danger. So you'd suggest that
(17:14):
their destiny is very much in their own hands. And
we talked about away games and I think the nature
of a way fixed. You don't see this as a
negative for this team. You see it as a time
of bonding and binding together away from home. This sounds
like a horrible run, but I think you twist that
it could be a really good thing for this team
(17:35):
to solidify.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
And triggering a final month of the season or so
for the Wellington Phoenix men as well. Heaps to talk
about us always, but that'll do us in the chamber today.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Leading a X.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY, and that'll.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
Do us on sports Fix for today. Thank you so
much for subscribing, for listening, for downloading, for just involving
yourself on the Sports Fix podcast. We do love doing it,
and look, we'd probably do it if it was just
you and I listening to it, Darth, but we do
appreciate those of you who leaned your ears to Sports
Fix every so often.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
When I was working at a bar in downtown Auckland
twenty five thirty years ago, it was so bored I
turned around and started commentating on the rugby league because
I will, I will do anything to talk about sport.
When I turn around, there's about six guys standing there
waiting to be served, and I'm like, I'm.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Really sorry, like no, no, I turn around and carry on.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
It was fantastic to but basically just say yeah, I
don't need much of an excuse to talk to talk
about sport.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
I get to do it all the time with.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Piney on the podcast Monday through Friday Sports Talk on
News Talk ZEDB. I get the Tuesday to Friday ship.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Between seven and eight pm.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Piney gets the Monday shift and then we hand it
all over to you over the weekend Piney.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Indeed, weekend Sport midday through three Saturdays, same three hours
on Sunday. Always enjoy your company on Sports Talk weeknights
and on weekend Sport across the weekend.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
You have a great one, does.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Yeah, And all you guys out there, make sure you
subscribe and tell your makes that do the same thing.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Piney. Get a Monk's Mate. We'll catch you next week.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
For more from News Talk SEDB, listen 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.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Howard by News Talk said.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Be hello there, Welcome to the back end of your
Monday to Friday week. Welcome into the Sports Fix podcast,
brought to you as always an association with our great
mates at GJ. Gardner Holmes, New Zilla's most trusted home bill.
It's Friday, the twentieth of March. I'm Jason Pine and
I'm Darcy Waldgrave. You're never going to let that go
A I told you once that it's not the end
of the week for everybody, and you just carry on
(00:41):
with it.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
So I appreciate you for your ears and your action,
mister Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Absolutely well for those of us who do have to
come into work, and I'm holding up the air quotes
for work for you and I dant it's hardly work,
you know, on a Saturday and for me on a Sunday. Look,
I think we can call it the back end of
the of the working week traditionally for many people, and
it also of course leads into the most splendid two
(01:07):
days or three days of sporting action. Looking forward, to
to breaking things down from the weekend previewing Super Rugby.
We've got a great guest on Sports Fixs today as well.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Oh mate, Chris Greenaker. What a top individual he is.
I've been dealing with any for some time now, as
you have Jason Pine. He is the interim, the standing
coach for the Phoenix. They've got a mission on their
hands and I tell you.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
What, it's achievable. We're going to talk to Greenie about that.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Look forward to that. The latest Sans fortune is coming
to you, so let's get to do it. In other news,
let's get going, as always with a look at some
of the big sports stories around today. A last minute
try saving tackle a couple of meters from the line
as opened the third round of NRL Rugby League, and
we trying to hang on Tamaday Sanders, Donny run sat
(01:57):
a tackle day Comork the cover, the fallback Connor Tracy's
defense to see the Bulldogs run out fourteen winners over
the Raiders. Clark laid Laws described his decision to remain
at the Hurricanes for another Super Rugby season as a
simple one. The head coach is re signed until the
(02:18):
end of next year's campaign. Which will be his fourth
at the Helm. Crazy decision. The public was keen for
me to stay on and the nor Brenda really I
was excited tax stand and yeah, trying to continue the
work with it and chiefs playmaker Damien Mackenzie is entertaining
a world where New Zealand Rugby aligns all black selection
criteria with the Wallabies. Rugby Australia eased eligibility rules in
(02:41):
twenty fifteen, allowing overseas based contenders to feature, while New
Zealand Rugby have held firm on their stay or don't
play policy and down.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
The track, you know it'd be greats for that to
be able to happen.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
I mean, you just want the best players player country, right,
So whatever.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Way they go, I mean I'm sure New Zealand Rugby
Union will make that call and whatever that is stuck
with them.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
Backup us and a Vinion.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Payne and Dusty Walter Grave.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Let's talks and football now on the Fix.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
We go now to Chris Greenaker, interim geffer for the
Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Gee, it's been a long time. Greenee, how are you It.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Has been a while mate, Yeah, it's good to speak
to you. Yeah, I'm a little bit busier than normally
when we speak, but that's that's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
It is a good thing.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
And i'll tell you what you've well, you picked up
that debbie last week. You'd be feeling very happy about
that after a pretty skinny run. I think only two
points out of those four games. But you're looking down
the barrel of an incredible run home, aren't you.
Speaker 6 (03:42):
Yeah, it's you know, it is what it is. We've got.
You know, pretty much all of our fixtures are away fixtures,
which you know, as I say that that's the task ahead,
we won't use that as an excuse. We really won't.
And we'll crack on. And as you mentioned, the result
last week against Perth gives gives everyone a lift, gives
(04:02):
everyone confidence and hopefully, as I mentioned from day one,
we will we'll sort of make baby steps towards where
we want our goal to be and hopefully that can
continue with a tough fixture against Brisbane Raw and this weekend.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
It's not unobtainable though, what you've got because the teams
you're playing, you've got one app at Head and the
six in Melbourne, but then you've got four other games
against one team that's beneath you and the three teams
directly up in front of you.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
So it's palpable this potential to get into the Sex,
isn't it?
Speaker 6 (04:34):
One hundred percent? I said from day one. While it's
mathematically possible for us to have some success this year,
will will give everything we've got, and I think full
credit to the players and the staff that we're here
when I came into the role, and they've been incredible
so far, and everyone's kind of digging into hopefully we
can reach that goal. But I think the nature of
(04:56):
the league this year and it's it's it's well known
that the consistency across the board has been pretty pretty
average for everyone really, and the teams were the top
are obviously the most consistent one, so you know, fortunately
we've fell into that bracket along with another number of
clubs who all think that they've got an opportunity to
make the most of it. And again the teams will
(05:18):
find that consistency sooner rather than later will be the
ones that will succeed and hopefully wear one of those.
But again we're literally taking it baby steps, one day
at a time, one match at a time, and that
starts again this weekend with Brisbane.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I agree with that. Babies poo their pants and fall
over quite a lot, don't you.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
That's not going to be us though.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Good Sorry you had to bring it up. People say
sleep like a baby, and said I want to sleep
like a baby. They sleep terribly right. All these away games,
one of them is away and home. It's in christ
Just do you consider that an away trip?
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Not really. You know, whenever we can promote the game
here in New Zealand is always a bonus for everyone,
and it's really important. Part of our role is to
promote the game, you know, as much as we can.
And you know, we've had some really good success in
christ which at times the support that we get down
there is absolutely awesome. It's grate for the kids to
(06:14):
get up close and personal with their heroes and we're
really looking forward to it. And so again it's as
I say, it's really important and we'll look forward to it.
And again it's a home from home for us.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I think the energy in the club must be big
at the moment. What in it going particularly well? Do
you draw on that much you as a coach and
your team as well?
Speaker 6 (06:37):
I think they've done an incredible job this year and
it's been great to watch. I mean, Bev, to be fair,
has had her troubles obviously with injuries and all that
kind of stuff, so she's she's really balanced the squad
and her role very very well, and all the players
have really dug in and they've played some amazing football
this year and created lots of chances and you know,
(06:59):
defensively being being pretty strong. So hopefully that they can
continue their form. And I think, to be honest, it's
not really about performance for them now. I think it's
about just picking up the points and you know, a
point in the right direction, whether that's you know, a
drawer or hopefully that they win. You know, it's really
(07:19):
important for them at the moment, and that they've got
a big game this weekend against me and so hopefully
they can they can take the maximum points and again
be writing the mix. And I'm certainly envious of what
they've done this year. So it's incredibly proud for us
all at the club and we celebrate that together.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Isn't it a bit dangerous to going to the rist
of the season going hold the place, do a right
pick up points as opposed to just a tacking from
the outright.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
Yeah, I agree, I think that there's obviously you can't
just throw caution to the wind. But I think like
they'll be knowing Bev what she's like as a character
and what she bill she'll be going full on to
to win every single game. Again, it doesn't always materialize
like that, but as I say, a defensive solidity you know,
will be really given a bet to build from and
(08:09):
but no doubt know she'll be going there with three
points in mind. And hopefully they can do that and
can just continue the run that they're on and results
and performances breed confidence throughout and as soon as it
comes to finals, hopefully you know they can go all
the way and we can celebrate them win.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
In dissecting the sporting agenda, it's Sports Fix with Jason
Vine and Ducy Waldgrave.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Well, here we are on Friday afternoon and we're still
waiting for a decision from the Board of New Zealand
Cricket around the future shape of the T twenty domestic
game here in New Zealand. I'm sure you're up with
all the facts and you know that Deloitte have presented
a report back to the Board of New Zealand Cricket
with some recommendations, or maybe an assessment of the options
(09:00):
available to New Zealand Cricket in order to help them
make a better decision, depending on who you believe, and
a lot of good sources are reporting, it's come down
to a decision between n Z twenty, a private franchise
based New Zealand based T twenty competition, and an entry
(09:20):
for a New Zealand side, a men's side and presumably
a women's side too, in the Australian Big Bash competition.
The more I think about that second option, the more
I think it is an absolutely hair brained idea to
even entertain the possibility of entering a New Zealand side
in the Big Bash. Not because the idea itself is
(09:42):
necessarily a bad one, but what would it mean for
the players who don't make that side. Let's say there's
one side, one men's side and one women's side based
here in New Zealand playing in the Big Bash. What
would that be eighteen maybe at most twenty players contracted
to each of those sides, So what does that mean
(10:02):
for the other fifty to sixty players who over the
summer represent their major associations here in New Zealand and
what has up until now been the Super Smash.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
What do they do now?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Who do they play for? Will there even be a
domestic T twenty competition? And if there is, how diluted
will it be by taking out the top twenty men
and top twenty women from it. It just seems to
me to be fraught with questions, and that is the
(10:37):
big one. We heard during the week Daryl Mitchell and
Rich and Ravendra Lockey Ferguson talk about their favor for
an NZ twenty competition and many people thought, well, that's
of course what they're going to say. They you know,
they benefit from it, They would make more money in
the Big Bash. Those guys. What they're actually talking about
is the wider New Zealand cricket ecosystem and what an
(10:58):
entry into the Big Bash would mean for those who
were left behind. I can't see a scenario under which
entry into the Big Bash can possibly be favored ahead
of a domestic franchise based competition. Hopefully the Board of
New Zealand Cricket will see sense.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix into.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
The Chamber we go. Great to hear from Chris Greenacre.
I want to talk a bit about the Phoenix men
and women with you in just a moment to usk,
But can we start with Super Rugby? Are your Crusaders
any chance against Mowana Pacifica?
Speaker 3 (11:32):
They stop laughing?
Speaker 5 (11:33):
Are you laughing at Malana Pussifka?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
How dare you laugh at my Auckland team?
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Well, so you've got you've got what you've got divided
loyalty tomorrow night? Have you when these two meets are
nor Harber Stadium?
Speaker 5 (11:45):
No? Not really, I've got a I've got a I've
got a man crush on Tana Humanga.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Don't tell him that. I think he's a great individual. Now.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
I'm with my Crusaders all the way, but I do
like that the energy around this fixture. Look at how
the Crusaders are building all they needed to build last week.
Can you explain to me Piney how on earth you
can play a game with one player less for thirty
minutes and still somehow win.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I mean that was astonishing.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Yeah, I don't know the answer of the question, but
they got it done. And you're like one of those
against the odds type type arrangements. How do you feel
Can we talk about the Crusaders, because they obviously were
imperious for so long, had that twenty twenty four which
was completely out of left field, didn't make the finals.
Last year came bounding back into the conversation.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
And won the thing.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
How do you assess the Crusaders of twenty twenty six?
Speaker 5 (12:39):
It says everything about the nature of Super Rug twenty
twenty six. I don't want to dodge the question, but
when you look at the improvements made in this competition,
suddenly everybody is like I keep saying, this water finding
its level, and everyone's finding a very similar level. And
I think for the competition that is fantastic because you
can't sit down at the start of the weekend and go,
(13:01):
this team's definitely going to win.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
You just don't know. And I think the Crusaders to
a degree are a victim of that.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Call it victim, but they can sort their line out
out doing something right. But it's the nature of the
comp this year, right.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It is.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Look, I think they'll win comfortably against them, a white Pacific,
a side that's really had to dig deep. Forty five
players they will have used through six games, I mean
it's an astonishing number really, but yeah, I think the
Crusaders will be okay, and then I think they've got
the buy next week, so that's a chance for them
to refresh. What about my Hurricanes tonight down and to
need and against the Highlanders. I know you'll probably want
(13:36):
the Highlanders to beat my Hurricanes.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Do you think they can?
Speaker 5 (13:39):
No?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
No, I don't. I have Law two with the Red
and Black team and that's it.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
If anything, I would quite like the Highlanders to lift
because it adds extra that competition, extra texture to what
we're seeing. Whether it can happen or not, I'm not
entirely sure. You be a brave man to put any
money on this exchange. We know how happy the Highlanders are.
We're playing at home and they have a couple of
(14:04):
absolute weapons at their line, in their lineup that you
need to be final. But to your team, the Hurricanes,
you're hardly sort of good players.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
They have plony.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Absolutely not love the I love the way the Canes
are playing and it's I mean, yes, they're my team,
so I'm enjoying it very much. Very interesting to see
how Ruben Love goes at ten tonight. Run the color
for the Hurricanes. So yeah, like, I mean, we're in
good shape, but I mean we haven't played anybody. I mean,
this is the first time we've played one of the
traditional other New Zealand sides in this entire season. So
(14:34):
I think it's about to get interesting for the Hurricanes.
Hay very quickly Chiefs away at Brumby's.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Can the Chiefs win that?
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Of course they can. Unfortunately there's one small problem with that,
and you know what what it's in a small problem,
it's a huge problem as far as caps and size
as well. The slipper is going to hit the record
for the amount of games played in Super rugby over
taking a white crocket. He's actually going to be over there.
Maybe that behind this team will be enough to project
(15:05):
Act to the top, the Brumbies to the top. Celebration matches.
They can go awright, aren't they?
Speaker 3 (15:11):
They can and do well.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
That's going to be my second screen at nine thirty
five ton I'm going to watch Hurricanes Islanders because at
nine o'clock tonight New Zealand time, the Wellington Phoenix women
are in action against Sydney FC A wind tonight. Darce
and they would all but you know, barring an absolute catastrophe,
seal their place in the top six.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
They have never done that before.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This is their fifth season of existence and it will
be the first time, and I'm going to be positive
it will be the first time they make the top six.
But you know what, I reckon, this team is actually
setting at sites a little bit higher than that. That
is not saying, Okay, let's try and make the top
six and see where we go from there. The way
they're playing, I reckon this is a top two side.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
You know. I hate to say it that when they
started playing well, I thought, well, the wheels have got
to fall off eventually, that's the nature of it. And
I'll tell you what, they keep rolling on. There's no
sign of a flat or wheels falling off anywhere. So
you've got to support that. And this is one of
the great stories of New Zealand football in sport, the
way Beef Priestmans come back and really focused this team.
We know that they had the potential, but they never
(16:12):
realized that. But the quality of the coaching staff suddenly
they backed themselves in this position, which is wonderful to see.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, I'm absolutely loving it. And you look at the
table At the moment they're on twenty eight points. Adelaide
United have thirty, but they've played one game more. Melbourne
City have thirty four, but they've played two games more.
My maths would tell me, with a better goal difference
that if the Phoenix win their final four matches they
are premiers. They would win the first ever piece of
silverware for Wellington Phoenix Football Club. I'm excited about what
(16:41):
the next month or so might hold and loved hearing
from Greenie G. The man's just such a ray of positivity,
isn't he? But also a ray of realism. I reckon
they could be Brisbane tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
It's not only Brisbane. But when you look at the
nature of their final matches, they're playing one team at
the absolute bottom and now the few t three teams.
I think it is not in the six. And then
I got the one team Melbourne victory. Off the top
of my head. They'll be playing that maybe represent more
of a clear and present danger. So you'd suggest that
(17:14):
their destiny is very much in their own hands. And
we talked about away games and I think the nature
of a way fixed. You don't see this as a
negative for this team. You see it as a time
of bonding and binding together away from home. This sounds
like a horrible run, but I think you twist that
it could be a really good thing for this team
(17:35):
to solidify.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
And triggering a final month of the season or so
for the Wellington Phoenix men as well. Heaps to talk
about us always, but that'll do us in the chamber today.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Leading a X.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY, and that'll.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
Do us on sports Fix for today. Thank you so
much for subscribing, for listening, for downloading, for just involving
yourself on the Sports Fix podcast. We do love doing it,
and look, we'd probably do it if it was just
you and I listening to it, Darth, but we do
appreciate those of you who leaned your ears to Sports
Fix every so often.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
When I was working at a bar in downtown Auckland
twenty five thirty years ago, it was so bored I
turned around and started commentating on the rugby league because
I will, I will do anything to talk about sport.
When I turn around, there's about six guys standing there
waiting to be served, and I'm like, I'm.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Really sorry, like no, no, I turn around and carry on.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
It was fantastic to but basically just say yeah, I
don't need much of an excuse to talk to talk
about sport.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
I get to do it all the time with.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Piney on the podcast Monday through Friday Sports Talk on
News Talk ZEDB. I get the Tuesday to Friday ship.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Between seven and eight pm.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Piney gets the Monday shift and then we hand it
all over to you over the weekend Piney.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Indeed, weekend Sport midday through three Saturdays, same three hours
on Sunday. Always enjoy your company on Sports Talk weeknights
and on weekend Sport across the weekend.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
You have a great one, does.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Yeah, And all you guys out there, make sure you
subscribe and tell your makes that do the same thing.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Piney. Get a Monk's Mate. We'll catch you next week.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
For more from News Talk SEDB, listen on air or
online and keep our shows with you wherever you go
with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
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