June 23, 2025 • 19 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 23rd June 2025, Scott Robertson has named his first All Blacks squad for 2025. To go over the selections, we're joined by All Blacks assistant coach Jase Ryan.
Piney remarks on the difficulty of having to leave worthy players out of the All Blacks side.
Plus, Nathan Limm joins the chamber to discuss what went wrong for the Warriors against a depleted Panther side.
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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 EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there, Welcome into a new week, and welcome into
a fresh episode of the Sports Fixed podcast and association
with G. J. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder,
Great deb You listening in. Five uncapped players are in
the first All Black squad of twenty twenty five. Ollie Norris,
Brady McAllister, Fabian Holland, du Plas Kadifi and Timothy Tava
(00:42):
Tava Nahway have been named for matches against France next month.
Assistant coach of the All Blacks Jason Ryan is with
us on the Sports Fix podcast today to explain some
of those selections. We'll kick them around in the chamber
as well. I've got a few thoughts about what I
saw over the weekend in christ Church, and we'll also
bring you the latest in sports news. So, without any
(01:04):
further rejoarch, let's get into it. In other news, let's
get underway with some of the big sports stories around today.
A fuel gamble by Scott Dixon has failed to pay
off at the latest IndyCar Race in Wisconsin. Did he disappear?
Did we forget about him?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You bet we did?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Alex below championship leader wins again. It's six from nine.
In twenty twenty five, Scott Dixon led his chip Ganassi
team made Alex Balau with two laps remaining, but was
forced to pit due to a lack of fuel. A
clutch fourteen foot part has decided the champions Tour Golf
Major in Ohio, and he's.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Done, Michael, How about us?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Thirty's the second platoff Kiewe, Stephen Elka and him and
Earth finished at ten under part in regulation. The sixty
one year old Spaniard also birdie the seventy second hole
to join the fifty three year old New Zealander in
returning to the eighteenth tee where he claimed victory on
the second playoff hole, and sailing professor Mark Orham's is
(02:06):
shipping the highest praise to Team New Zealand. Departsy Peter Berling.
Berlin will help lead Luna Rossa from the shoreline at
the next America's Cup in Naples, effectively a home race
for the Italian syndicate.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Arguably Peter Berling is the greatest sailing talent that New
Zealand has ever produced. And it's not just his ability
on the water, but his technical nouse off the water,
his ability to interact with the design team, the boatfielders,
the engineers.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsvex with Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
This is the sports Fix podcast. The first all Black
squad of the year has been unveiled in New Plymouth.
Five new Caps will be part of the thirty three
man squad name to take on France test matches in Dunedin,
Wellington and Hamilton next month. We welcome it All Blacks
assistant coach Jason Ryan to Sports Fox. Jason, thanks for
your time. Congratulations on pulling together your first squad of
(03:03):
the year. How happy are you with the thirty three
men you've assembled to take on France.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, thanks for that. Look, it's an absolute privilege to
name an all black team and we've got there after
a number of robust conversations and a lot of due
diligence and around players and their craft and also characters.
So we're really excited by the squad we've got with
believe it's got a good balance across the board, power, acceleration,
(03:30):
experience and youth.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Over what positions did you have the most robust discussions?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think the loose forwards. You know, when you look
at traditional All Black teams that have been announced, that's
always a tasty one around a how many what is
the combination and who are the you know, who's got
the point of difference and skill sets that are required.
So there was healthy right to the end.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Hurricanes Lucy d plus Eilethi is there in a very
competitive position. What gave him the edge?
Speaker 3 (04:02):
He's earned the right. I think it's a real success
story for Dups. I think he first came into the
All Blacks in twenty twenty and where he is now
around his game and himself as a man, I think
is a real credit to him. He's stuck at it.
He's stuck at it. He's been probably one that's been
talked about for a few years and this year he's
completely earned the right and I think it's a real
(04:23):
credit to him. He's you know, he's led the Lions
Wellington and also the Hurricanes and it's brought the best
out of him. So it's our job to get him
to the next level and Test level, but we think
would be pretty seamless for him.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
You can ask you about the other debutantes in the
forwards JA Chiefs front rowers Ollie Norris and Brody McAllister
earned call ups. What have you seen in them?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Ollie Norris been really consistent for his whole season. He's
he's a big ball carrier, very accurate defender and it's
a chance chance for us to have a look at
a younger loose said in this series against the French.
So I think he's you know, he's learning his craft
too and he's a big body who's an excluse forward,
(05:04):
so gives us mobility around the park. Brody's really earned it.
He he's a big scrummager. He's he was in the
All Black fifteen last year. He came in and trained
with us when we're in Ireland. So we've got a
good look at him at this level and we believe
he's ready as well, and purely just because he's been
consistent for a whole season. I know that sometimes semis
(05:25):
and finals when we're selecting teams do have something to
do as well, but we believe he's really aren't the
right Brady.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And Highland is Lot. Fabian Holland is in the squad
for the first time, big lump of a lad. What
are your hopes for him?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Mate, he's he's he's going to be special. I think
he's I love the way he competes. He loves being
in the contest with the ball, all without the ball,
He's always there. You know the Highland is he was
a big part of them and he is probably one
of the most consistent and dominant lockforwards in the competition
all year.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
You mentioned due diligence before, Jase. You know, we can
all see a player in the eighty minutes on the
grass and what they bring. What does that due diligence
regarding character and readiness for an All Blacks jersey consist
of when you're doing when you're doing those background checks,
if you.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Like, Yeah, look, we're going to trust our eye as coaches,
and we've got to. You've got to. You've got to
trust your gut field on a few things as well.
But I guess in my area, I've probably said this
a few times, but I really value the relationship I've
got with the Fords coaches and the Super Rugby franchises.
They have the boys a lot longer than I do.
So we're going to make sure that you know, where
(06:33):
are they mentally and and and what maybe puts them
under pressure and how do they handle it. So that's
sort of homework off fields probably more important than the
off field, so that they can come in and be
ready for test rugby, you know, and and and enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
How difficult are the conversations with the players who are
close but have just missed out? And look at a
guy like Ethan Blackadder, who you know, we all saw
what he can do on Saturday night in christ How
challenging are those conversations or they're you know.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
They're not nice and and and you know, the boss
makes those the big calls to them individually, and then
we put tother a bit of a care package as
selectors with me and Scotty and the rest of the coaches,
and we will give them stuff to work on. And
you know, hard conversations don't need to be hard conversations
if you're just really honest with them, and you know,
some of them we've connected during the year. And it's
(07:25):
all about picking the best team and the best all
Black team, and it shouldn't be easy, and it's not.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
I bet which number are we most likely to see?
Ardie Savilla where this year ile thing.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
He's proven himself as pretty phenomenal seven, hasn't he? So
what that combination looks like with him and our eights?
And his obviously is versatilely to see as versatilely the
cover eight and seven is a good one. Look what
is the number one position that we're thinking at the
moment when we get our line out together and the
boys all assembled and have a look at some combos,
(07:58):
we'll answer that. But we're pretty clear and confident that
he can cover both.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And presumably you'll have some loose forward cover and the
locks as well. Scott Barrett we know has played loose
forward too. Is he also, you know, a loose forward
cover type of player?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, he is, And you're right like both those locks
can cover six and both big men and their athletic troops.
Has played six for a number a couple of years
for the Chiefs early on. Played there a little bit
of school and you've got no doubt in that skill set.
So you know you need you need to be able
to win the aerial battle at line out time, and
you know summer. Penny seen now is really good in
that space and we felt that, you know, he's got
(08:36):
a little bit of accuracy that will work on, which
which will help him with and but yeah, he's been
performed over all pretty well. And you know he was
in the All Blacks last year. He had an exceptional
week training with us building up into the French game
in Paris, until he got knocked out in the early stages.
So you know, we believe he's still still deserves to
stay there and get better.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
So how excited are you as a coaching group now
to get your hands on these players? You about to
watch eighteen weeks of Super Rugby probably licking your lips.
How excited are you to get your hands on your players?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, it's good, but it's just really important. It's a
fine line between flooding with information and stuff they don't
really need. But we know they can play. We just
got to keep them fresh and sharp, and we've got
to bring them together as a team and we've got
to grow each other, grow our culture. You know, we've
got a pretty cool day lined up with our leadership
group when the boys assemble and understand what it is
(09:29):
to be an All Black and the standards that are
required to be an All Black, and then what do
we want to be as a team. So we'll go
through all that and first and once to identify that,
then we'll put a game together to have a credit.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
France can't wait. Thanks so much for joining us. Jason
Jason Ryan, all Black's assistant coach, with us on the
Sportsfex podcast. Sports. On a day when All Black squads
are named, there are normally two main talking points or
topics for discussion, the new faces and the ones who
have missed out. Today a fantastic day for Highlanders utility
(10:05):
to Maty Tavatava Na why Hurricanes Flanking a duplistic Lefi
Highlander is Locke, Fabian Holland and Chiefs front rowers Ollie
Norris and Brodie McAllister as they were named in the
All Blacks for the first time. Crusader's number eight Christian
Leo Willie is also there as injury cover and will
surely get his chance at some stage. But there are
also players who have had very very good Super Rugby
(10:28):
seasons and or who have been All Blacks before who
have missed out today. It's even possible to come up
with a pretty decent team of players who weren't named today,
so I've done just that. In the front row Josh Fussy, Tour,
George Bell and Angus Tavel, Josh Lord and natoah A
Cooy the Chief's pair. In the second row Lucy is
(10:49):
of Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papa Lee and Hoskins Situtu in
the has fin Lay Christie and Rivers, Rayharner. In midfield
David HARVILLI and Branden enall from the Crusaders, and a
back three of Leroy Carter, Mark Taaa and Sean Stephenson.
You think about that team and you think to yourself,
they would compete pretty well well, if not beat many
(11:10):
international sites. And that is the nature of the All Blacks.
Good players always miss out.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
This is the Sports Fix podcast and the most popular
feature I think of the Sports Flex podcast is when
we pop inside the Chamber and kick around some sporting issues.
Monday is the People's Chamber and Nathan Limb, multimedia journalist
with news talks EDB and nz Me, host of the
Big League podcast, has joined the Chamber again. How was
your weekend, mate?
Speaker 5 (11:43):
I was busy Heine is an absolutely massive weekend in sport.
The last few days have just been outraged. The All
Black squad naming today Super Rugby Final. On the weekend
the Warriors played, we just had the game seven of
the NBA Finals. It's a bit overwhelming.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
It's wall to wall. Let's get into some of it.
The All Black squad, as you say, was named today
at midday, What in particular stood out for you among
the thirty three names that were named and maybe the
ones that weren't.
Speaker 5 (12:11):
Yeah, well, I think what's clear is that Scott Raiser
Robinson is picking this team on form. You know, just
because you've been there before. There is no indication that
that that means you're going to be necessarily picked again.
Duples caref is that is the name that you know
five new players. But I think he is the one
who is most deserved of his maiden All Blacks call up.
(12:33):
He's probably the second best, second or third best loose
ford in Super Rugby behind Ardie Savia, so I'm really
pleased to see him in there. But you know, there's
there's a lot of names. I thought I thought Ethan
Blackadder would be in there, and I was really surprised
to see him not in there. And then on top
of that you've got his teammate Christian Leo Willie, who's
actually the injury reserved so Ethan blackead it didn't even
(12:56):
make it into sort of that framework as well. Also
only four outside backs. You think about some of the
names who have missed out, Peter Larkeye, No Dalton, Papa
Lee as well. Dabian Holland is another really deserving call
up as well Highland as Locke, and he's been knocking
on the door for a couple of years now. I'm
really really excited to see what he can produce. And
(13:18):
Brady McAllister coming in for Almor no room for him.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I really was interested as well by the o mission
of David Harvey, particularly given the fact Naith that he
named six midfield backs, including the injured Antoine lennartt Brown,
including Quincy Pie, including the returning Jordi Barrett, including Tamothy
Tava Tavannahway you talk to anybody in that Crusader set
up and they wax lyrical about David Harvelli is his
(13:44):
absence of surprise to you.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
I didn't have him in my squad. I've got to
be honest, I didn't have him in my squad. I
think when you look at the midfield, you look at
what players can provide a certain point of difference. And
Jordi Bout we know he's the best midfielder that the
All Blacks have, and he's coming in from Leinster Riko
Yuwani I thought would be there just based off his
history and the amount of time he's had in the
(14:08):
Black Jersey. But when you look at a player like
Tamasi Tather Tather Nahwai, he provides a point of difference
compared to players like Jordi Barrett and David Harvey because
he's got that size, that power, that explosiveness that we
probably haven't had in the midfield for some time since
sort of maybe lestifying a Nuku brought a bit of that.
I know he was playing on the wing a lot,
(14:29):
but also you know Anan who probably since him, we
haven't had that real power, that size, that explosiveness, and
I just don't think David Harvely provides that.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
He is solid.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
He's an excellent, excellent player and obviously he's led the
Crusaders to yet another title, so he's definitely definitely in
the conversation, but I think given the midfielders that we
do have, Quintupi has had an outstanding season coming back
and trying to make his way back into the All Blacks,
and really I think is really well deserved that he
gets back in. So I just don't think there's enough room.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I look at the makeup of the squad in terms
of the franchise as they are drawn from, and if
you include Emmani Nadawa who's been in clude as injury cover,
there are twelve chiefs, more than any other side in
the thirty five. I guess if you include another Way
and Leo Willie, which we can for this exercise, why
count They wouldn't super rugby.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
They're the perennial bridesmaids, aren't they just im just they're
like Arsenal. It's just they just can't get over the line.
And you know it as an Aucklander, slightly funny, but
you know, I think I do feel really sorry for
Clayton McMillan because he's given his heart and soul to
this franchise and they have been the most oh I mean,
(15:45):
obviously aside for the Crusaders over the last nine years.
They've been so consistent, so consistent over a number of years.
In those finals, I mean sixteen twelve, it's so tight
that you've got to think, when you had two comfortable
victories over the Crusaders during the regular season, how much
does a mental block come into it in the final
(16:05):
and how much does the Crusaders just have the edge
when it came to playoff games regardless of what happens
what's happened during the regular season, because they know they
can win playoff games and they didn't have that opportunity
last year. But as soon as they get back into
the finals, they can just switch it on. But the Chiefs,
I'm not surprised at how many players they have in
the All Blacks, just given they are They were the
(16:27):
form team of Super Rabi. They were throughout the season
the best team. And you know, how would you feel
fear the players after that? Four finals and five years
has got to.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Get to you.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Yeah, hard to take, and yeah, losing one's bad enough.
I'm sure losing three in a row and four and
five years, as you say, would be a pretty tough
pill to swallow. Hey, just before we go the Warriors,
I didn't see the game, but I saw the result
and I was surprised by the result. Can you give
us a quick recap of the eighteen twenty eight loss
to the Panthers.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
It was an underwhelming performance. Pinety was out of character
from what we've seen from the Warriors this year. They
probably didn't come out the gates as hot as Penrith.
You've got the feeling that the Panthers with all those
young plays, because remember they had five State of Origin
players out. Big names Nathan Cleary, Isaiah Brian Tottle not there,
so they had a younger side and I suppose when
you're going to Mount Smart you're playing against an inform
(17:19):
Warriors team. What the Warriors needed to do was stamp
their authority really early in this game and not give
the Panthers, the young players, any encouragement, and they weren't
able to do that. The Penrith won the battle in
the contact, they won the battle around the ruck, they
won that physical contest and they had that go forward
in the first half. The Warriors just got stuck in
their own half. They couldn't get the ball in Penriths half.
(17:39):
There were a couple of key points at which the
momentum swung. The Warriors almost scored in the right corner,
there was an intercept by the Panthers and they went
up the other end and scored. That was when the
score was fourteen twelve, and that was pretty much a
twelve point swing if you think about it. The Penrith
were putting up some contestable bombs and the battle in
the air sort of went back and forth, but whenever
(17:59):
it went to the Panthers, they felt like there was
a bit of momentum and they win a couple of
those in a row. Suddenly they score another try and
the Warriors it's just a long way back. But the
Warriors dealt with injuries as well. At Dalla Why Tennis
Lesnik went out with an ankle injury, so that caused
a reshuffle. Adam Pompey went to the wing and then
in the centers, which is so critical a defensive position
(18:21):
in rugby league. You had to Midy Martin who's not
a center obviously, and Wiler Graham Toffer, who is but
it is not a first choice. You had two inexperienced
centers as you're in that defensive structure, and that definitely
made the Warrior's Defense more porous than it usually is.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Thought provoking stuff as always in the chamber from you,
Thanks for popping Innith. Always good to chat.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Thanks Piney anytime.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news cow
in by News Talks V.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
And that will just about do it for the Sports
Fix podcast for today. Thank you so much for listening,
Thanks for downloading. If you are a subscriber to Sports Fix,
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(19:15):
For more from News
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Talk set B listen live on air or online, and
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This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there, Welcome into a new week, and welcome into
a fresh episode of the Sports Fixed podcast and association
with G. J. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder,
Great deb You listening in. Five uncapped players are in
the first All Black squad of twenty twenty five. Ollie Norris,
Brady McAllister, Fabian Holland, du Plas Kadifi and Timothy Tava
(00:42):
Tava Nahway have been named for matches against France next month.
Assistant coach of the All Blacks Jason Ryan is with
us on the Sports Fix podcast today to explain some
of those selections. We'll kick them around in the chamber
as well. I've got a few thoughts about what I
saw over the weekend in christ Church, and we'll also
bring you the latest in sports news. So, without any
(01:04):
further rejoarch, let's get into it. In other news, let's
get underway with some of the big sports stories around today.
A fuel gamble by Scott Dixon has failed to pay
off at the latest IndyCar Race in Wisconsin. Did he disappear?
Did we forget about him?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You bet we did?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Alex below championship leader wins again. It's six from nine.
In twenty twenty five, Scott Dixon led his chip Ganassi
team made Alex Balau with two laps remaining, but was
forced to pit due to a lack of fuel. A
clutch fourteen foot part has decided the champions Tour Golf
Major in Ohio, and he's.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Done, Michael, How about us?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Thirty's the second platoff Kiewe, Stephen Elka and him and
Earth finished at ten under part in regulation. The sixty
one year old Spaniard also birdie the seventy second hole
to join the fifty three year old New Zealander in
returning to the eighteenth tee where he claimed victory on
the second playoff hole, and sailing professor Mark Orham's is
(02:06):
shipping the highest praise to Team New Zealand. Departsy Peter Berling.
Berlin will help lead Luna Rossa from the shoreline at
the next America's Cup in Naples, effectively a home race
for the Italian syndicate.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
Arguably Peter Berling is the greatest sailing talent that New
Zealand has ever produced. And it's not just his ability
on the water, but his technical nouse off the water,
his ability to interact with the design team, the boatfielders,
the engineers.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsvex with Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
This is the sports Fix podcast. The first all Black
squad of the year has been unveiled in New Plymouth.
Five new Caps will be part of the thirty three
man squad name to take on France test matches in Dunedin,
Wellington and Hamilton next month. We welcome it All Blacks
assistant coach Jason Ryan to Sports Fox. Jason, thanks for
your time. Congratulations on pulling together your first squad of
(03:03):
the year. How happy are you with the thirty three
men you've assembled to take on France.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, thanks for that. Look, it's an absolute privilege to
name an all black team and we've got there after
a number of robust conversations and a lot of due
diligence and around players and their craft and also characters.
So we're really excited by the squad we've got with
believe it's got a good balance across the board, power, acceleration,
(03:30):
experience and youth.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Over what positions did you have the most robust discussions?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think the loose forwards. You know, when you look
at traditional All Black teams that have been announced, that's
always a tasty one around a how many what is
the combination and who are the you know, who's got
the point of difference and skill sets that are required.
So there was healthy right to the end.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Hurricanes Lucy d plus Eilethi is there in a very
competitive position. What gave him the edge?
Speaker 3 (04:02):
He's earned the right. I think it's a real success
story for Dups. I think he first came into the
All Blacks in twenty twenty and where he is now
around his game and himself as a man, I think
is a real credit to him. He's stuck at it.
He's stuck at it. He's been probably one that's been
talked about for a few years and this year he's
completely earned the right and I think it's a real
(04:23):
credit to him. He's you know, he's led the Lions
Wellington and also the Hurricanes and it's brought the best
out of him. So it's our job to get him
to the next level and Test level, but we think
would be pretty seamless for him.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
You can ask you about the other debutantes in the
forwards JA Chiefs front rowers Ollie Norris and Brody McAllister
earned call ups. What have you seen in them?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Ollie Norris been really consistent for his whole season. He's
he's a big ball carrier, very accurate defender and it's
a chance chance for us to have a look at
a younger loose said in this series against the French.
So I think he's you know, he's learning his craft
too and he's a big body who's an excluse forward,
(05:04):
so gives us mobility around the park. Brody's really earned it.
He he's a big scrummager. He's he was in the
All Black fifteen last year. He came in and trained
with us when we're in Ireland. So we've got a
good look at him at this level and we believe
he's ready as well, and purely just because he's been
consistent for a whole season. I know that sometimes semis
(05:25):
and finals when we're selecting teams do have something to
do as well, but we believe he's really aren't the
right Brady.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And Highland is Lot. Fabian Holland is in the squad
for the first time, big lump of a lad. What
are your hopes for him?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Mate, he's he's he's going to be special. I think
he's I love the way he competes. He loves being
in the contest with the ball, all without the ball,
He's always there. You know the Highland is he was
a big part of them and he is probably one
of the most consistent and dominant lockforwards in the competition
all year.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
You mentioned due diligence before, Jase. You know, we can
all see a player in the eighty minutes on the
grass and what they bring. What does that due diligence
regarding character and readiness for an All Blacks jersey consist
of when you're doing when you're doing those background checks,
if you.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Like, Yeah, look, we're going to trust our eye as coaches,
and we've got to. You've got to. You've got to
trust your gut field on a few things as well.
But I guess in my area, I've probably said this
a few times, but I really value the relationship I've
got with the Fords coaches and the Super Rugby franchises.
They have the boys a lot longer than I do.
So we're going to make sure that you know, where
(06:33):
are they mentally and and and what maybe puts them
under pressure and how do they handle it. So that's
sort of homework off fields probably more important than the
off field, so that they can come in and be
ready for test rugby, you know, and and and enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
How difficult are the conversations with the players who are
close but have just missed out? And look at a
guy like Ethan Blackadder, who you know, we all saw
what he can do on Saturday night in christ How
challenging are those conversations or they're you know.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
They're not nice and and and you know, the boss
makes those the big calls to them individually, and then
we put tother a bit of a care package as
selectors with me and Scotty and the rest of the coaches,
and we will give them stuff to work on. And
you know, hard conversations don't need to be hard conversations
if you're just really honest with them, and you know,
some of them we've connected during the year. And it's
(07:25):
all about picking the best team and the best all
Black team, and it shouldn't be easy, and it's not.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
I bet which number are we most likely to see?
Ardie Savilla where this year ile thing.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
He's proven himself as pretty phenomenal seven, hasn't he? So
what that combination looks like with him and our eights?
And his obviously is versatilely to see as versatilely the
cover eight and seven is a good one. Look what
is the number one position that we're thinking at the
moment when we get our line out together and the
boys all assembled and have a look at some combos,
(07:58):
we'll answer that. But we're pretty clear and confident that
he can cover both.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And presumably you'll have some loose forward cover and the
locks as well. Scott Barrett we know has played loose
forward too. Is he also, you know, a loose forward
cover type of player?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, he is, And you're right like both those locks
can cover six and both big men and their athletic troops.
Has played six for a number a couple of years
for the Chiefs early on. Played there a little bit
of school and you've got no doubt in that skill set.
So you know you need you need to be able
to win the aerial battle at line out time, and
you know summer. Penny seen now is really good in
that space and we felt that, you know, he's got
(08:36):
a little bit of accuracy that will work on, which
which will help him with and but yeah, he's been
performed over all pretty well. And you know he was
in the All Blacks last year. He had an exceptional
week training with us building up into the French game
in Paris, until he got knocked out in the early stages.
So you know, we believe he's still still deserves to
stay there and get better.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
So how excited are you as a coaching group now
to get your hands on these players? You about to
watch eighteen weeks of Super Rugby probably licking your lips.
How excited are you to get your hands on your players?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, it's good, but it's just really important. It's a
fine line between flooding with information and stuff they don't
really need. But we know they can play. We just
got to keep them fresh and sharp, and we've got
to bring them together as a team and we've got
to grow each other, grow our culture. You know, we've
got a pretty cool day lined up with our leadership
group when the boys assemble and understand what it is
(09:29):
to be an All Black and the standards that are
required to be an All Black, and then what do
we want to be as a team. So we'll go
through all that and first and once to identify that,
then we'll put a game together to have a credit.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
France can't wait. Thanks so much for joining us. Jason
Jason Ryan, all Black's assistant coach, with us on the
Sportsfex podcast. Sports. On a day when All Black squads
are named, there are normally two main talking points or
topics for discussion, the new faces and the ones who
have missed out. Today a fantastic day for Highlanders utility
(10:05):
to Maty Tavatava Na why Hurricanes Flanking a duplistic Lefi
Highlander is Locke, Fabian Holland and Chiefs front rowers Ollie
Norris and Brodie McAllister as they were named in the
All Blacks for the first time. Crusader's number eight Christian
Leo Willie is also there as injury cover and will
surely get his chance at some stage. But there are
also players who have had very very good Super Rugby
(10:28):
seasons and or who have been All Blacks before who
have missed out today. It's even possible to come up
with a pretty decent team of players who weren't named today,
so I've done just that. In the front row Josh Fussy, Tour,
George Bell and Angus Tavel, Josh Lord and natoah A
Cooy the Chief's pair. In the second row Lucy is
(10:49):
of Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papa Lee and Hoskins Situtu in
the has fin Lay Christie and Rivers, Rayharner. In midfield
David HARVILLI and Branden enall from the Crusaders, and a
back three of Leroy Carter, Mark Taaa and Sean Stephenson.
You think about that team and you think to yourself,
they would compete pretty well well, if not beat many
(11:10):
international sites. And that is the nature of the All Blacks.
Good players always miss out.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
This is the Sports Fix podcast and the most popular
feature I think of the Sports Flex podcast is when
we pop inside the Chamber and kick around some sporting issues.
Monday is the People's Chamber and Nathan Limb, multimedia journalist
with news talks EDB and nz Me, host of the
Big League podcast, has joined the Chamber again. How was
your weekend, mate?
Speaker 5 (11:43):
I was busy Heine is an absolutely massive weekend in sport.
The last few days have just been outraged. The All
Black squad naming today Super Rugby Final. On the weekend
the Warriors played, we just had the game seven of
the NBA Finals. It's a bit overwhelming.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
It's wall to wall. Let's get into some of it.
The All Black squad, as you say, was named today
at midday, What in particular stood out for you among
the thirty three names that were named and maybe the
ones that weren't.
Speaker 5 (12:11):
Yeah, well, I think what's clear is that Scott Raiser
Robinson is picking this team on form. You know, just
because you've been there before. There is no indication that
that that means you're going to be necessarily picked again.
Duples caref is that is the name that you know
five new players. But I think he is the one
who is most deserved of his maiden All Blacks call up.
(12:33):
He's probably the second best, second or third best loose
ford in Super Rugby behind Ardie Savia, so I'm really
pleased to see him in there. But you know, there's
there's a lot of names. I thought I thought Ethan
Blackadder would be in there, and I was really surprised
to see him not in there. And then on top
of that you've got his teammate Christian Leo Willie, who's
actually the injury reserved so Ethan blackead it didn't even
(12:56):
make it into sort of that framework as well. Also
only four outside backs. You think about some of the
names who have missed out, Peter Larkeye, No Dalton, Papa
Lee as well. Dabian Holland is another really deserving call
up as well Highland as Locke, and he's been knocking
on the door for a couple of years now. I'm
really really excited to see what he can produce. And
(13:18):
Brady McAllister coming in for Almor no room for him.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I really was interested as well by the o mission
of David Harvey, particularly given the fact Naith that he
named six midfield backs, including the injured Antoine lennartt Brown,
including Quincy Pie, including the returning Jordi Barrett, including Tamothy
Tava Tavannahway you talk to anybody in that Crusader set
up and they wax lyrical about David Harvelli is his
(13:44):
absence of surprise to you.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
I didn't have him in my squad. I've got to
be honest, I didn't have him in my squad. I
think when you look at the midfield, you look at
what players can provide a certain point of difference. And
Jordi Bout we know he's the best midfielder that the
All Blacks have, and he's coming in from Leinster Riko
Yuwani I thought would be there just based off his
history and the amount of time he's had in the
(14:08):
Black Jersey. But when you look at a player like
Tamasi Tather Tather Nahwai, he provides a point of difference
compared to players like Jordi Barrett and David Harvey because
he's got that size, that power, that explosiveness that we
probably haven't had in the midfield for some time since
sort of maybe lestifying a Nuku brought a bit of that.
I know he was playing on the wing a lot,
(14:29):
but also you know Anan who probably since him, we
haven't had that real power, that size, that explosiveness, and
I just don't think David Harvely provides that.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
He is solid.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
He's an excellent, excellent player and obviously he's led the
Crusaders to yet another title, so he's definitely definitely in
the conversation, but I think given the midfielders that we
do have, Quintupi has had an outstanding season coming back
and trying to make his way back into the All Blacks,
and really I think is really well deserved that he
gets back in. So I just don't think there's enough room.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I look at the makeup of the squad in terms
of the franchise as they are drawn from, and if
you include Emmani Nadawa who's been in clude as injury cover,
there are twelve chiefs, more than any other side in
the thirty five. I guess if you include another Way
and Leo Willie, which we can for this exercise, why
count They wouldn't super rugby.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
They're the perennial bridesmaids, aren't they just im just they're
like Arsenal. It's just they just can't get over the line.
And you know it as an Aucklander, slightly funny, but
you know, I think I do feel really sorry for
Clayton McMillan because he's given his heart and soul to
this franchise and they have been the most oh I mean,
(15:45):
obviously aside for the Crusaders over the last nine years.
They've been so consistent, so consistent over a number of years.
In those finals, I mean sixteen twelve, it's so tight
that you've got to think, when you had two comfortable
victories over the Crusaders during the regular season, how much
does a mental block come into it in the final
(16:05):
and how much does the Crusaders just have the edge
when it came to playoff games regardless of what happens
what's happened during the regular season, because they know they
can win playoff games and they didn't have that opportunity
last year. But as soon as they get back into
the finals, they can just switch it on. But the Chiefs,
I'm not surprised at how many players they have in
the All Blacks, just given they are They were the
(16:27):
form team of Super Rabi. They were throughout the season
the best team. And you know, how would you feel
fear the players after that? Four finals and five years
has got to.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Get to you.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Yeah, hard to take, and yeah, losing one's bad enough.
I'm sure losing three in a row and four and
five years, as you say, would be a pretty tough
pill to swallow. Hey, just before we go the Warriors,
I didn't see the game, but I saw the result
and I was surprised by the result. Can you give
us a quick recap of the eighteen twenty eight loss
to the Panthers.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
It was an underwhelming performance. Pinety was out of character
from what we've seen from the Warriors this year. They
probably didn't come out the gates as hot as Penrith.
You've got the feeling that the Panthers with all those
young plays, because remember they had five State of Origin
players out. Big names Nathan Cleary, Isaiah Brian Tottle not there,
so they had a younger side and I suppose when
you're going to Mount Smart you're playing against an inform
(17:19):
Warriors team. What the Warriors needed to do was stamp
their authority really early in this game and not give
the Panthers, the young players, any encouragement, and they weren't
able to do that. The Penrith won the battle in
the contact, they won the battle around the ruck, they
won that physical contest and they had that go forward
in the first half. The Warriors just got stuck in
their own half. They couldn't get the ball in Penriths half.
(17:39):
There were a couple of key points at which the
momentum swung. The Warriors almost scored in the right corner,
there was an intercept by the Panthers and they went
up the other end and scored. That was when the
score was fourteen twelve, and that was pretty much a
twelve point swing if you think about it. The Penrith
were putting up some contestable bombs and the battle in
the air sort of went back and forth, but whenever
(17:59):
it went to the Panthers, they felt like there was
a bit of momentum and they win a couple of
those in a row. Suddenly they score another try and
the Warriors it's just a long way back. But the
Warriors dealt with injuries as well. At Dalla Why Tennis
Lesnik went out with an ankle injury, so that caused
a reshuffle. Adam Pompey went to the wing and then
in the centers, which is so critical a defensive position
(18:21):
in rugby league. You had to Midy Martin who's not
a center obviously, and Wiler Graham Toffer, who is but
it is not a first choice. You had two inexperienced
centers as you're in that defensive structure, and that definitely
made the Warrior's Defense more porous than it usually is.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Thought provoking stuff as always in the chamber from you,
Thanks for popping Innith. Always good to chat.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Thanks Piney anytime.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news cow
in by News Talks V.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
And that will just about do it for the Sports
Fix podcast for today. Thank you so much for listening,
Thanks for downloading. If you are a subscriber to Sports Fix,
you'll know, of course that a fresh episode will drop
directly and automatically into your podcast feed at around about
the same time tomorrow and for more from News Talks
EDB Sport, check out Sports Talk weeknights between seven and
eight and Weekend Sport midday to three Saturday and Sunday.
(19:15):
For more from News
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Talk set B listen live on air or online, and
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