April 20, 2026 • 19 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 20th April 2026, Te Kaha Stadium is about to open its doors, starting with Super Rugby's Super Round. CEO of Venues Otautahi, Caroline Harvie-Teare, joins the podcast to discuss how big of a week it is for the city.
Piney laments Auckland FC's loss, putting an end to their defense of the Premiers Plate.
Plus, Adam Cooper is in the Chamber, recapping the sporting weekend.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks ed be.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there and welcome into the Sports Fixed podcast. At
the start of a new week. It is Monday, April twenty.
I'm Jason Pine. Great to have you listening in today
after another jam packed sporting weekend with plenty of talking points.
But on the podcast today, I want to look ahead
about one hundred hours because it's not far away now.
(00:42):
The official opening of one New Zealand Stadium at Tekaha.
Super Rugby's Super Round starts on Friday night when the
Crusaders kick it all off against the war Atars. So
are they ready? Chief Executive of Venues Odal Tahi, Caroline
Harvey Tia is with us on the podcast today. Adam
Cooper is back after a short hiatus. He's in the
(01:03):
chamber to kick around the weekend Super Rugby action and
the Warriors as well. I've got some thoughts on the
red cards not handed out to Auckland FC's opponents. The
marin is yesterday in a league football and the latest
in sports news coming as well. Let's get into it.
In other news, Let's get things going as always with
(01:24):
a look at some of the big sports stories around today.
The New Zealand women have won the Hong Kong Seven's,
beating Australia nineteen fourteen in the final.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Not gonna play the knock on, They're gonna play another
title in Hong Kong, ven New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Manchester City have won a crucial match in the Premier
League Football title race. City stay for the faval whistle
do tra ferns this dropping victory Manchester City betting Arsenal
two to one. Arsenal maintain a three point lead at
the top with five matches to play, but Manchester City
(02:03):
have a game in hand. And Shane Flanagan has been
sacked as head coach of Saint George Illawarra, having lost
seven straight games to start the NRL season. He is
club chief executive Tim Watsford explaining the decision.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
The decision followed discussions between Shane ben in the club
leadership and all parties.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Agree that time is right for a new direction in
the club's football program.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
These are not decisions anyone.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Takes right with dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with
Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
You're listening to the sports Fix podcast the Countdown as
well and truly on to the official opening of One
New Zealand Stadium at Tikaha. Now less than one hundred
hours until the Crusaders kick off against the Warattars and
the opening match of Super Rugby Super Round, marking the
opening of this long awaited and hugely anticipated addition to
the Canterbury sporting landscape. Chief Executive of Venues AU Taltahi
(02:57):
is Caroline Harvey Tia, who joins us. Are you ready?
Speaker 6 (03:01):
Oh, I don't You've just sad one hundred hours. I
hadn't thought about it in that context. Yeah, no, we're ready.
I drove to the stadium this morning and at the
first traffic management sign was out saying major event at
one New Zealand Stadium twenty four or April. So it's
all thinking and that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
How confident are you that everything will go well, go
smoothly with the old teething problem, of course, I mean
we can expect those. How confident are you about the weekend?
Speaker 6 (03:29):
We feel good. It was so good to have those
couple of test events that we had with the Warriors
watch party, and the Crusader's open training session. It really
gave us those opportunities to see how the venue works
under a little bit of pressure, even though we divided
it up into chunks, and you're really seeing that it
is a fit for purpose venue versus you know what
(03:50):
we deal with at Apollo, which is a very temporary stadium.
Albeit it's done us an absolute solid over the years,
but we're working in a new environment like this. It's
just an absolute game changer for us.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Has anything in particular kept you awake at night or
sorrowed your brow over the last couple of months.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I think my brow might be permanently furrowed. I think
it's just it's a lot of new activity in that
part of the city, and so you've got this beautiful
new venue in the middle of the city. But it's
a lot of foot traffic, it's a lot of movement,
and it's a lot of congestion in an area of
(04:32):
the city that isn't used to having it. And so
I guess that the traffic and the way people move
around the city, that's probably the one thing that keeps
me awake. The venue itself is wonderful. It's going to
you know, deliver such an incredible experience, not only for
Guess but for Venue highers. But yeah, it really is that,
you know, how people move around the city. We don't
(04:53):
want to see too much congestion to the road network
and we don't want things to freeze up. But yeah,
that's probably the one thing that I worry about.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
It's been a long journey to get here. For the
fine folk of your region, what's the biggest emotion you're
hearing from the community right now?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Look, I think it's a whilst, it's a it's a
venue unit, it's a stadium, and there are others. This
is a symbol, symbol of recovery. Really, it's a last
anchor project. And so when you think about what our
city's been through over the last fifteen years, which is
more than any city should have, it feels like this
(05:33):
is a symbol of closing the loop on there and
it's providing a real platform for what the future looks like.
And it's a total change in event landscape here in
christ Church, and it's I don't know, it feels like
a real symbol of hope for some reason. As they say,
it's a building at the end of the day, but
it means so much more to that for the city
that's been through just so.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Much, absolutely so from an operational point of view. Then Caroline,
what does the weak ahead holds you as you really
get ready for Friday?
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Yeah, well so tonight all of the so we've still
got some construction fences around the perimeter of the precinct,
so they coming down tonight. All the traffic management facilities
that are being set up obviously over the next few
days Super Around, So obviously the venue will be locked
down from Wednesday Thursday for the bumpin for super Round,
(06:24):
and we really are just loading fridges. We're getting ourselves
sorted with all our staff facilities being set up, all
of our contractor facilities being set up, and yeah, everyone's
just continuing to kind of test and get ready and
we'll be good as gold.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
For fans walking through the gates for the first time,
which many of them will be on the weekend. Yes,
you've had the test events and I know they've been
well attended and reports I'm hearing everybody's blind away by it.
But for fans who walk in through the gates for
the first time this weekend, what do you think will
stand out immediately to them.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
Yeah, and that's actually one thing. It was quite I
felt quite emotional actually the first time I saw people's
faces coming in for those Twosts events, the first time
people cleaf eyres on that it is such a beautiful
venue and despite its scale from the outside, when you
get inside it feels intimate and you're genuinely so close
to the action. And I think that's the thing that
(07:21):
really stands out, is that it's this coliseum and this
big scale, beautiful building, but actually when you get inside,
it's a really intimate space and it feels truly local.
You know, when you look around the concourse, you've got
all these local echeries and it just feels like a
piece of us on a grand scale.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
As you look ahead. I mean, I know, you know
this has been sitting in your calendar for a long time,
super A Round, ANZAC Weekend. But it's just the start,
isn't it. Have you had the chance to say, right, okay,
we'll get this out of the way, but we've still
got quite a bit coming in And I guess you
start then planning for attracting events to one New Zealand stadium,
do you, Yeah, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
It's you know, you don't want this to be like
a wedding. You know, when you're planning a wedding and
you don't think about anything beyond it. So no, I mean,
we've got about twenty major ticketed events already in the program,
so that's five hundred thousand people coming into the venue
over the next ten months. So we've got plenty on
But that's just the medium term. You know, we need
(08:21):
to think about what is the long term strategy for
attracting major event content here, both entertainment sport and so
we're continuing to work on what are those one off
entertainment events, but what do those longer term partnerships look
like like the warriors like the Phoenix? You know, what
are those you know, those longer term opportunities to have
(08:41):
regular content like that here in christ Church And we
just want to continue to build that.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Do you think you'll actually get the chance to sit
back and enjoy the weekend.
Speaker 6 (08:52):
I really am going to try and take a couple
of moments here and there. I will genuinely try. Whether
I'll achieve it, I don't know, but I'll give it
a good crap.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Well, you mentioned weddings before. Someone gave me that piece
of advice before my wedding day. They said, at least
once or twice during the night, get together with your
wife and enjoy the moment while it's happening, because honestly, Caroline,
I'm sure it'll be Monday morning before you know it
and you'll be reviewing.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
I know.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're having a little get together at
five o'clock today to celebrate the handover day because today
is the official handover to Venues aultal Tahi. And then look,
we'll I think we will take our moments where we can,
but it's a pretty pretty big event this three days,
so seventy five thousand people across three days, so we
(09:39):
are going to be under it a bit.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Well. I really hope that you do get the chance
to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Caroline, exciting time
ahead for you. Thank us so much for joining us.
That is Caroline Harvey Tia, chief executive of Venues Alt Teltah,
joining us on Sports Fix. Sports Aukord FC's defense of
the A League Premieres plate is officially over after a
(10:02):
oneer all lost to the Central Coast Mariners yesterday. They
are now four points behind Newcastle with just one round
to pl meaning that Newcastle claimed the regular season silverware that,
of course Auckland FC claimed in their inaugural season. Auckland
FC certainly not helped yesterday by a rather curious refereeing
decision where after about fifteen minutes Mariners defender James Donahey
(10:26):
appeared to deliberately stamp on Auckland FCA striker Sam Cosgrove
as he lay prone on the turf. Referee Jonathan Barrero
went across to the VR screen, having been alerted to
it by the var had a very long examination and
at the end of it all decided only a yellow
(10:46):
card was needed to punish the offense. This of course
met with much whiling and gnashing of teeth from Auckland
FC fans and their coaching staff as well. Look, I
think it's a red card. You look at it and
it's inexplicable. Rarely why a red card was not handed
out in that situation. But one of the postmatch comments
(11:08):
from Danny Hay, who was standing in for Steve Coricker
as head coach yesterday because Cocker himself was observing a
one match ban for a red card he picked up
last week. One of the comments Danny Hay made afterwards
really struck me. He said this if.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
That had been if the should have been on the
other foot, I don't think we're sitting there having a discussion.
We're talking about how an Auckland FC play got sent
off for paul behavior and violent conduct. That's what we're
talking about. Because it's one hundred percent in a bear
red card.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
That's a very different comment from saying that should have
been a red card, which he did say earlier on
in the media conference. What Danny Hay is suggesting there
is that Auckland f C are treated differently than other teams.
He's getting dangerously close to conspiracy theory talk there. We
all know what happened when the Warrior's main sponsor, Votaphone
(12:00):
as they were then, and their CEO, Jason Powis, came
out a couple of years ago and said there's a
conspiracy the Warriors are treated differently by Australian Red For Reese,
it was very quickly ridiculed and shut down, and even
Andrew Webster himself said, look, we've got to stop focusing
on refereeing decisions and just try and win football. Matches.
Yes they were frustrated, Yes they were annoyed, and yes
(12:21):
they were probably right it should have been a red card.
But to suggest that their football club is being targeted
is close to a conspiracy theory. So maybe if he
was given his time again, Danny Hay might have chosen
his words a little bit more carefully.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix on the
Sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Let's get inside the Chamber to kick around a couple
of sporting issues from the weekend. Great to welcome back
into the Chamber ahead of news talks. Hebby Sport in Wellington,
Adam Cooper fresh from a wee refreshing break and straight
back into it keeps. Let's talk Super rugby. Probably one
of the best games of the tournament so far Saturday
night in Hamilton, the Chiefs getting there and super point.
(13:03):
I think they call it in Super Rugby. I'm not
sure there's too much to separate these two sides.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
No, I mean that was worthy of a final, wasn't it.
You know it had it all, some great moments from
both teams and it was ready won by the minor moments.
I don't think the Hurricanes should be or will be
feeling too disappointed. I mean, obviously they wanted to win,
there's no doubt about that, especially after you know, the
momentum they've built this season. But when it came down
(13:30):
to it, they just just lost a couple of key moments,
you know, the bounce of the rugby ball for Damien
McKenzie to Damien McKenzie's kick to to land in the
hands of Wallas a Titi, and that try score. If
the ball of you know, will bounce slightly differently, we
could be talking a different outcome and they could have
hoofed it down the other end and scored. So they'll
probably be dis disappointed with a few things. A couple
(13:50):
of just you know, as they say in tennis, unforced
errors at certain points all of the game, some goal
kicking that you know, could have nudged them ahead slightly further.
But geez, you'd have to think that on the road
to whoever wins the season, these two teams will face
each other again very close to that Grand Final, if
not the final, because the physicality, the way they just
(14:13):
threw everything at each other other. Obviously, the Chiefs had
a couple of milestones to celebrate as well. Through the night.
But both these teams just have squads across the park
and depth as well. That warrants, you know, two fantastic
teams that will go very deep into this competition. And
you know Damian McKenzie, he was probably slightly disappointed, you know,
with his kick at the end there, but then for
(14:34):
it to rebound and him to sort of help his
team to a victory. He's big a key moment guy,
isn't he And he helped them out a lot. So yeah,
great game.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
You saw right about the band of the ball. If
Warner Durns gets slightly more on that charge down, the
ball's going down the other end. We're having a different conversation.
You're right, it's just very small margins. Then you look
you look at the table. Chiefs are top Hurricanes a second,
they're equal on points, wins, most wins is the separator
and Chiefs have more, but they've played one more game
to be fair. Below these two, you look at the
other teams. The Blues, yes they got there against the
(15:03):
Highland is Friday night, but eighty seven points in that
game and the Highlanders came right back in to it.
The Brumbies are next beaten by the drawer at home.
Over the weekend the Reds had the buy the Crusaders.
Back to back losses in Australia. It almost feels as though,
now we just need to clear these other out, these
others out and say, Chiefs and Hurricanes, you played the
Grand Final. I know that's a little bit facetious, but
they seem far and away the best two teams, don't they.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I think they do. And you just look at those
squads even as they were named as they ran out.
Obviously the Chiefs had a couple of late changes too
for that game, but just the depth across the twenty
threes of those two teams and what you know, the
boost of the benches is able to provide. And you know,
it just feels that now is where where rugby teams
get ahead. Is not just who you're starting fifteen as
it's who's in that wide at twenty three. And you know,
(15:49):
I thought the Hurricanes surprisingly left a couple of their
all blacks out of the late stages of the game.
I was quite surprised to see cam Royguard departs before
the full time whistle, even before you know extra time started.
Your best player in the team at a crucial moment
and you're taking him out. I guess they're managing his
minutes all but you think there's a sort of more
(16:11):
beneficial way maybe to the team of doing that in
a different format.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I've never understood it, cut and never understood that.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Playing more one in pacifica in two weeks rest and then.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, and just that this whole seems to be this
mandatory compulsory thing that you replace your half back in
Yorker because you got specialists cover on the bench. If
a guy's playing well, like Roy Guard and is with
no disrespect to the others, so much better than them,
leave them out there. One Moua said during the week
he played seventeen minutes the previous week, he said, look,
I can play eighty. If I need to play eighty,
(16:40):
I can play eighty. I don't know. I know that
there's GPS numbers and stats, but it's just like, if
a guy's playing well, give it the eye test that
you know, the what does it feel like out there,
rather than go off the numbers. Leave Roy Guard out there.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
And as Jeff Wilson I think it was said on
the Sky TV commentary as he sort of walked past him,
on sideline. It didn't even look like he'd played a
brutal seventy five minutes of rugby. He looked so he
could definitely carry on for that next phase. And you know,
same with Dupless. You know, it didn't necessarily stand out
in the game like he has and other occasions, but
as leadership in those moments, the way he could have
(17:13):
really barred that Hurricanes team up towards the end there
could have proved very beneficial. But again we didn't see
him towards the end of that game. So I guess
it's something we'll last the Hurricanes this week.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Maybe we will indeed, And here in Wellington we're very
much looking forward to the arrival this week of the
Warriors up against the Dolphins at Henry Stadium here in
the Capitol on Saturday. It's sold out. This is just
the Warriors phenomenon, isn't it. They can play anywhere now
in New Zealand and sell the joint out. They come
and and you know, I'm pretty good Nicky got their
(17:45):
ends the Titans on the weekend, even though the Titans
came back with a few late tries. This will be
a great occation, It will be, Yeah, a lot of
people that are excited about this, and I think if
people have a budget to spend money on sport this year,
then I think a lot of people and Wellington have
been waiting for this, you know, even though the Hurricanes
have been top of the table. There's other events on
like netball and basketball, but people just want to be
part of this Warrior's craze. And yeah, great game to
(18:06):
continue their season so far on Saturday, early evening at
Mount Smart. Very dominant start by the Warriors. Obviously they
Gold Coast as they have done in the past with
the Warriors been a bit of a bogey team. They
sort of niggled their way back into that game and
it was a little bit tighter than it looked as
though it was earlier. But they just looked very physical
and clinical, the Warriors, and especially that first half of
(18:27):
the game. So no, it's definitely the hottest ticket in
town and Wellington this week. Sold out Henry Stadium, which
we don't say very often outside of All Blacks Tests.
And you must sort of feel for the likes of
the Hurricanes and the Phoenix who do their best within
their you know, within their powers to get crowds into games,
and you know the Hurricanes top of table. What did
(18:48):
they get against the Blues last week thirteen thirteen thousand
and then the Warriors come to town for to swoop
in and get a sell out. It's fascinating, but it
shows where this Warriors club's at in terms of all
of New Zealander's kind of hearts and passion. Yep, big
night coming up in Wellington on Saturday as the Warriors
take on the Dolphins in the NRL. Great to have
(19:08):
you back in the chamber, Coops, We'll do it again soon.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
Sounds good.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
Puny eating a fix.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by
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Speaker 2 (19:17):
That'll blow the final also on Sports Fix for today.
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Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there and welcome into the Sports Fixed podcast. At
the start of a new week. It is Monday, April twenty.
I'm Jason Pine. Great to have you listening in today
after another jam packed sporting weekend with plenty of talking points.
But on the podcast today, I want to look ahead
about one hundred hours because it's not far away now.
(00:42):
The official opening of one New Zealand Stadium at Tekaha.
Super Rugby's Super Round starts on Friday night when the
Crusaders kick it all off against the war Atars. So
are they ready? Chief Executive of Venues Odal Tahi, Caroline
Harvey Tia is with us on the podcast today. Adam
Cooper is back after a short hiatus. He's in the
(01:03):
chamber to kick around the weekend Super Rugby action and
the Warriors as well. I've got some thoughts on the
red cards not handed out to Auckland FC's opponents. The
marin is yesterday in a league football and the latest
in sports news coming as well. Let's get into it.
In other news, Let's get things going as always with
(01:24):
a look at some of the big sports stories around today.
The New Zealand women have won the Hong Kong Seven's,
beating Australia nineteen fourteen in the final.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Not gonna play the knock on, They're gonna play another
title in Hong Kong, ven New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Manchester City have won a crucial match in the Premier
League Football title race. City stay for the faval whistle
do tra ferns this dropping victory Manchester City betting Arsenal
two to one. Arsenal maintain a three point lead at
the top with five matches to play, but Manchester City
(02:03):
have a game in hand. And Shane Flanagan has been
sacked as head coach of Saint George Illawarra, having lost
seven straight games to start the NRL season. He is
club chief executive Tim Watsford explaining the decision.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
The decision followed discussions between Shane ben in the club
leadership and all parties.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Agree that time is right for a new direction in
the club's football program.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
These are not decisions anyone.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Takes right with dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with
Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
You're listening to the sports Fix podcast the Countdown as
well and truly on to the official opening of One
New Zealand Stadium at Tikaha. Now less than one hundred
hours until the Crusaders kick off against the Warattars and
the opening match of Super Rugby Super Round, marking the
opening of this long awaited and hugely anticipated addition to
the Canterbury sporting landscape. Chief Executive of Venues AU Taltahi
(02:57):
is Caroline Harvey Tia, who joins us. Are you ready?
Speaker 6 (03:01):
Oh, I don't You've just sad one hundred hours. I
hadn't thought about it in that context. Yeah, no, we're ready.
I drove to the stadium this morning and at the
first traffic management sign was out saying major event at
one New Zealand Stadium twenty four or April. So it's
all thinking and that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
How confident are you that everything will go well, go
smoothly with the old teething problem, of course, I mean
we can expect those. How confident are you about the weekend?
Speaker 6 (03:29):
We feel good. It was so good to have those
couple of test events that we had with the Warriors
watch party, and the Crusader's open training session. It really
gave us those opportunities to see how the venue works
under a little bit of pressure, even though we divided
it up into chunks, and you're really seeing that it
is a fit for purpose venue versus you know what
(03:50):
we deal with at Apollo, which is a very temporary stadium.
Albeit it's done us an absolute solid over the years,
but we're working in a new environment like this. It's
just an absolute game changer for us.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Has anything in particular kept you awake at night or
sorrowed your brow over the last couple of months.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I think my brow might be permanently furrowed. I think
it's just it's a lot of new activity in that
part of the city, and so you've got this beautiful
new venue in the middle of the city. But it's
a lot of foot traffic, it's a lot of movement,
and it's a lot of congestion in an area of
(04:32):
the city that isn't used to having it. And so
I guess that the traffic and the way people move
around the city, that's probably the one thing that keeps
me awake. The venue itself is wonderful. It's going to
you know, deliver such an incredible experience, not only for
Guess but for Venue highers. But yeah, it really is that,
you know, how people move around the city. We don't
(04:53):
want to see too much congestion to the road network
and we don't want things to freeze up. But yeah,
that's probably the one thing that I worry about.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
It's been a long journey to get here. For the
fine folk of your region, what's the biggest emotion you're
hearing from the community right now?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Look, I think it's a whilst, it's a it's a
venue unit, it's a stadium, and there are others. This
is a symbol, symbol of recovery. Really, it's a last
anchor project. And so when you think about what our
city's been through over the last fifteen years, which is
more than any city should have, it feels like this
(05:33):
is a symbol of closing the loop on there and
it's providing a real platform for what the future looks like.
And it's a total change in event landscape here in
christ Church, and it's I don't know, it feels like
a real symbol of hope for some reason. As they say,
it's a building at the end of the day, but
it means so much more to that for the city
that's been through just so.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Much, absolutely so from an operational point of view. Then Caroline,
what does the weak ahead holds you as you really
get ready for Friday?
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Yeah, well so tonight all of the so we've still
got some construction fences around the perimeter of the precinct,
so they coming down tonight. All the traffic management facilities
that are being set up obviously over the next few
days Super Around, So obviously the venue will be locked
down from Wednesday Thursday for the bumpin for super Round,
(06:24):
and we really are just loading fridges. We're getting ourselves
sorted with all our staff facilities being set up, all
of our contractor facilities being set up, and yeah, everyone's
just continuing to kind of test and get ready and
we'll be good as gold.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
For fans walking through the gates for the first time,
which many of them will be on the weekend. Yes,
you've had the test events and I know they've been
well attended and reports I'm hearing everybody's blind away by it.
But for fans who walk in through the gates for
the first time this weekend, what do you think will
stand out immediately to them.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
Yeah, and that's actually one thing. It was quite I
felt quite emotional actually the first time I saw people's
faces coming in for those Twosts events, the first time
people cleaf eyres on that it is such a beautiful
venue and despite its scale from the outside, when you
get inside it feels intimate and you're genuinely so close
to the action. And I think that's the thing that
(07:21):
really stands out, is that it's this coliseum and this
big scale, beautiful building, but actually when you get inside,
it's a really intimate space and it feels truly local.
You know, when you look around the concourse, you've got
all these local echeries and it just feels like a
piece of us on a grand scale.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
As you look ahead. I mean, I know, you know
this has been sitting in your calendar for a long time,
super A Round, ANZAC Weekend. But it's just the start,
isn't it. Have you had the chance to say, right, okay,
we'll get this out of the way, but we've still
got quite a bit coming in And I guess you
start then planning for attracting events to one New Zealand stadium,
do you, Yeah, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
It's you know, you don't want this to be like
a wedding. You know, when you're planning a wedding and
you don't think about anything beyond it. So no, I mean,
we've got about twenty major ticketed events already in the program,
so that's five hundred thousand people coming into the venue
over the next ten months. So we've got plenty on
But that's just the medium term. You know, we need
(08:21):
to think about what is the long term strategy for
attracting major event content here, both entertainment sport and so
we're continuing to work on what are those one off
entertainment events, but what do those longer term partnerships look
like like the warriors like the Phoenix? You know, what
are those you know, those longer term opportunities to have
(08:41):
regular content like that here in christ Church And we
just want to continue to build that.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Do you think you'll actually get the chance to sit
back and enjoy the weekend.
Speaker 6 (08:52):
I really am going to try and take a couple
of moments here and there. I will genuinely try. Whether
I'll achieve it, I don't know, but I'll give it
a good crap.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Well, you mentioned weddings before. Someone gave me that piece
of advice before my wedding day. They said, at least
once or twice during the night, get together with your
wife and enjoy the moment while it's happening, because honestly, Caroline,
I'm sure it'll be Monday morning before you know it
and you'll be reviewing.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
I know.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're having a little get together at
five o'clock today to celebrate the handover day because today
is the official handover to Venues aultal Tahi. And then look,
we'll I think we will take our moments where we can,
but it's a pretty pretty big event this three days,
so seventy five thousand people across three days, so we
(09:39):
are going to be under it a bit.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Well. I really hope that you do get the chance
to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Caroline, exciting time
ahead for you. Thank us so much for joining us.
That is Caroline Harvey Tia, chief executive of Venues Alt Teltah,
joining us on Sports Fix. Sports Aukord FC's defense of
the A League Premieres plate is officially over after a
(10:02):
oneer all lost to the Central Coast Mariners yesterday. They
are now four points behind Newcastle with just one round
to pl meaning that Newcastle claimed the regular season silverware that,
of course Auckland FC claimed in their inaugural season. Auckland
FC certainly not helped yesterday by a rather curious refereeing
decision where after about fifteen minutes Mariners defender James Donahey
(10:26):
appeared to deliberately stamp on Auckland FCA striker Sam Cosgrove
as he lay prone on the turf. Referee Jonathan Barrero
went across to the VR screen, having been alerted to
it by the var had a very long examination and
at the end of it all decided only a yellow
(10:46):
card was needed to punish the offense. This of course
met with much whiling and gnashing of teeth from Auckland
FC fans and their coaching staff as well. Look, I
think it's a red card. You look at it and
it's inexplicable. Rarely why a red card was not handed
out in that situation. But one of the postmatch comments
(11:08):
from Danny Hay, who was standing in for Steve Coricker
as head coach yesterday because Cocker himself was observing a
one match ban for a red card he picked up
last week. One of the comments Danny Hay made afterwards
really struck me. He said this if.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
That had been if the should have been on the
other foot, I don't think we're sitting there having a discussion.
We're talking about how an Auckland FC play got sent
off for paul behavior and violent conduct. That's what we're
talking about. Because it's one hundred percent in a bear
red card.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
That's a very different comment from saying that should have
been a red card, which he did say earlier on
in the media conference. What Danny Hay is suggesting there
is that Auckland f C are treated differently than other teams.
He's getting dangerously close to conspiracy theory talk there. We
all know what happened when the Warrior's main sponsor, Votaphone
(12:00):
as they were then, and their CEO, Jason Powis, came
out a couple of years ago and said there's a
conspiracy the Warriors are treated differently by Australian Red For Reese,
it was very quickly ridiculed and shut down, and even
Andrew Webster himself said, look, we've got to stop focusing
on refereeing decisions and just try and win football. Matches.
Yes they were frustrated, Yes they were annoyed, and yes
(12:21):
they were probably right it should have been a red card.
But to suggest that their football club is being targeted
is close to a conspiracy theory. So maybe if he
was given his time again, Danny Hay might have chosen
his words a little bit more carefully.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix on the
Sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Let's get inside the Chamber to kick around a couple
of sporting issues from the weekend. Great to welcome back
into the Chamber ahead of news talks. Hebby Sport in Wellington,
Adam Cooper fresh from a wee refreshing break and straight
back into it keeps. Let's talk Super rugby. Probably one
of the best games of the tournament so far Saturday
night in Hamilton, the Chiefs getting there and super point.
(13:03):
I think they call it in Super Rugby. I'm not
sure there's too much to separate these two sides.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
No, I mean that was worthy of a final, wasn't it.
You know it had it all, some great moments from
both teams and it was ready won by the minor moments.
I don't think the Hurricanes should be or will be
feeling too disappointed. I mean, obviously they wanted to win,
there's no doubt about that, especially after you know, the
momentum they've built this season. But when it came down
(13:30):
to it, they just just lost a couple of key moments,
you know, the bounce of the rugby ball for Damien
McKenzie to Damien McKenzie's kick to to land in the
hands of Wallas a Titi, and that try score. If
the ball of you know, will bounce slightly differently, we
could be talking a different outcome and they could have
hoofed it down the other end and scored. So they'll
probably be dis disappointed with a few things. A couple
(13:50):
of just you know, as they say in tennis, unforced
errors at certain points all of the game, some goal
kicking that you know, could have nudged them ahead slightly further.
But geez, you'd have to think that on the road
to whoever wins the season, these two teams will face
each other again very close to that Grand Final, if
not the final, because the physicality, the way they just
(14:13):
threw everything at each other other. Obviously, the Chiefs had
a couple of milestones to celebrate as well. Through the night.
But both these teams just have squads across the park
and depth as well. That warrants, you know, two fantastic
teams that will go very deep into this competition. And
you know Damian McKenzie, he was probably slightly disappointed, you know,
with his kick at the end there, but then for
(14:34):
it to rebound and him to sort of help his
team to a victory. He's big a key moment guy,
isn't he And he helped them out a lot. So yeah,
great game.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
You saw right about the band of the ball. If
Warner Durns gets slightly more on that charge down, the
ball's going down the other end. We're having a different conversation.
You're right, it's just very small margins. Then you look
you look at the table. Chiefs are top Hurricanes a second,
they're equal on points, wins, most wins is the separator
and Chiefs have more, but they've played one more game
to be fair. Below these two, you look at the
other teams. The Blues, yes they got there against the
(15:03):
Highland is Friday night, but eighty seven points in that
game and the Highlanders came right back in to it.
The Brumbies are next beaten by the drawer at home.
Over the weekend the Reds had the buy the Crusaders.
Back to back losses in Australia. It almost feels as though,
now we just need to clear these other out, these
others out and say, Chiefs and Hurricanes, you played the
Grand Final. I know that's a little bit facetious, but
they seem far and away the best two teams, don't they.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I think they do. And you just look at those
squads even as they were named as they ran out.
Obviously the Chiefs had a couple of late changes too
for that game, but just the depth across the twenty
threes of those two teams and what you know, the
boost of the benches is able to provide. And you know,
it just feels that now is where where rugby teams
get ahead. Is not just who you're starting fifteen as
it's who's in that wide at twenty three. And you know,
(15:49):
I thought the Hurricanes surprisingly left a couple of their
all blacks out of the late stages of the game.
I was quite surprised to see cam Royguard departs before
the full time whistle, even before you know extra time started.
Your best player in the team at a crucial moment
and you're taking him out. I guess they're managing his
minutes all but you think there's a sort of more
(16:11):
beneficial way maybe to the team of doing that in
a different format.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I've never understood it, cut and never understood that.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Playing more one in pacifica in two weeks rest and then.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, and just that this whole seems to be this
mandatory compulsory thing that you replace your half back in
Yorker because you got specialists cover on the bench. If
a guy's playing well, like Roy Guard and is with
no disrespect to the others, so much better than them,
leave them out there. One Moua said during the week
he played seventeen minutes the previous week, he said, look,
I can play eighty. If I need to play eighty,
(16:40):
I can play eighty. I don't know. I know that
there's GPS numbers and stats, but it's just like, if
a guy's playing well, give it the eye test that
you know, the what does it feel like out there,
rather than go off the numbers. Leave Roy Guard out there.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
And as Jeff Wilson I think it was said on
the Sky TV commentary as he sort of walked past him,
on sideline. It didn't even look like he'd played a
brutal seventy five minutes of rugby. He looked so he
could definitely carry on for that next phase. And you know,
same with Dupless. You know, it didn't necessarily stand out
in the game like he has and other occasions, but
as leadership in those moments, the way he could have
(17:13):
really barred that Hurricanes team up towards the end there
could have proved very beneficial. But again we didn't see
him towards the end of that game. So I guess
it's something we'll last the Hurricanes this week.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Maybe we will indeed, And here in Wellington we're very
much looking forward to the arrival this week of the
Warriors up against the Dolphins at Henry Stadium here in
the Capitol on Saturday. It's sold out. This is just
the Warriors phenomenon, isn't it. They can play anywhere now
in New Zealand and sell the joint out. They come
and and you know, I'm pretty good Nicky got their
(17:45):
ends the Titans on the weekend, even though the Titans
came back with a few late tries. This will be
a great occation, It will be, Yeah, a lot of
people that are excited about this, and I think if
people have a budget to spend money on sport this year,
then I think a lot of people and Wellington have
been waiting for this, you know, even though the Hurricanes
have been top of the table. There's other events on
like netball and basketball, but people just want to be
part of this Warrior's craze. And yeah, great game to
(18:06):
continue their season so far on Saturday, early evening at
Mount Smart. Very dominant start by the Warriors. Obviously they
Gold Coast as they have done in the past with
the Warriors been a bit of a bogey team. They
sort of niggled their way back into that game and
it was a little bit tighter than it looked as
though it was earlier. But they just looked very physical
and clinical, the Warriors, and especially that first half of
(18:27):
the game. So no, it's definitely the hottest ticket in
town and Wellington this week. Sold out Henry Stadium, which
we don't say very often outside of All Blacks Tests.
And you must sort of feel for the likes of
the Hurricanes and the Phoenix who do their best within
their you know, within their powers to get crowds into games,
and you know the Hurricanes top of table. What did
(18:48):
they get against the Blues last week thirteen thirteen thousand
and then the Warriors come to town for to swoop
in and get a sell out. It's fascinating, but it
shows where this Warriors club's at in terms of all
of New Zealander's kind of hearts and passion. Yep, big
night coming up in Wellington on Saturday as the Warriors
take on the Dolphins in the NRL. Great to have
(19:08):
you back in the chamber, Coops, We'll do it again soon.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
Sounds good.
Speaker 6 (19:10):
Puny eating a fix.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by
News Talks V and.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
That'll blow the final also on Sports Fix for today.
Thank you so much for tuning in, for downloading, and
for subscribing to Sports Fix. If you are a Sports
Fix subscriber, you'll know by now, well maybe you won't
if you're brand new to it, that a new episode
will pop into your podcast feeds same time tomorrow and
every weekday Monday through Friday. And for more from News
Talks edb Sport, listen into Sports Talk weeknights between seven
(19:40):
and eight and on the weekends weekend Sport Saturday midday
or three same time again on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
For more from News, Talks, edb listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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