May 30, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine and D'Arcy Waldegrave for 30th May 2025, rumours swirl around whether NRL superstar Nathan Cleary is going to switch codes and play Union. Former Wallaby Tim Horan joins the podcast to discuss whether there is legs to these rumours.
Piney offers his thoughts on what we can expect in the final round of Super Rugby before the finals.
And the lads are in the chamber to discuss who will be the next head coach of the BlackCaps.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News talks EDB Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks Ed.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hello there, and welcome into a fresh episode of
the Sports Fixed podcast. At the back end of a weekend,
the start for well a few people anyway of a
long weekend. We're here an association with G. J. Gardner Holmes,
New Zealand's most trusted home builder. I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
And I'm Darcy Walter Grave. Far from stale.
Speaker 5 (00:38):
I'm as fresh as you are, Piney, and looking forward
to not only this but the entire weekends race cars
going on.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Absolutely. I love your race cars as much as as
we love a story about a code hopper. Could Nathan
Cleary really come to rugby union.
Speaker 5 (00:55):
He's done everything in rugby league right except finished last,
and that might happen this here of events.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
So I shouldn't say that.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
Lot rumors and well you're going to be joined by
Tim Horren are to talk about that. The chances of
whether it would be accepted or not, so on and
so forth.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Right Pushed back from the enner, l Willis goes on
because the guy's a super stuck.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah. Absolutely, I'm interested to hear more from Tim Horan.
I've got some rugby thoughts and i want to kick
around with you the Warriors for this weekend. And the
fact that looks like Gary Stead has not got an
interview for the black capped coaching role.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
He wanted just a red ball roll.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Clearly they're not looking at splitting them, so that could
be all she wrote for Gary Stead.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
So lots to get into. Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
In other news, let's start with a chef on some
of the big sports stories around today. Blues rugby coach
Vern Caught it grateful to have retained his captain as
a number of other players exit after the Super Rugby season.
Patrick two had brought to assigned a new deal until
twenty twenty eight, as Ricky Jouani, Marc Talea, Harry Plummer,
Ricky Ricertelli and Afrian Choked all to.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Part well leave.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
And it's really important that we have continuity around that
leadership group, but also that there's an excitement to have
those guys potentially for the last time with that Blues
jersey on in an around us this week and then
take that excitement into the game.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Novak Djokovic has recovered from an injury niggle to advance
to the third round of the French Tennis Open. It
saw him call for the physio to put some tape
on his foot during the third and final set against
Korishan Moutet.
Speaker 7 (02:27):
Took me like almost an hour to deal with the
blister and the bleeding that I had, so they had
to use the injections and draw the blood out and
then inject something to dry out the.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Blisters and christ judge. Golfer Cooper Moore has been crowned
champion at the Asia Pacific Junior Champs in Hong Kong.
The sixteen year old was five shots off the lead
before searching to the top of the leaderboard with four
birdies on the back nine to eventually win by two strokes.
Speaker 6 (02:55):
Made bow you have nine and in five back and
I was the lackyards quite a bit there, but I
played some disc golf.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I have a week on the back nine, found self
in contention.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussie Walter Grave.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Good ad term. How are you mate?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Very well, Darcy, nice to be on your show.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Mate, Thanks very much for joining us. All the talk
around rugby and rugby league at the moment is about
one Nathan Cleary in the chance of him actually deserting
the NRL starting to play rugby. This is huge for rugby,
maybe not so big for rugby league. But how solid
is that rumor?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Tim?
Speaker 8 (03:38):
Yeah, it's been the room has been around for the
last six or eight weeks that you know Nathan, whether
it's his management team, whether it's Nathan, I'm not sure
who it is, but it's espressally their interesting, you know,
potentially playing the game of rugby, probably you know, in
the World Cup year, and you think or what Nathan
Cleary's done in the game of.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Rugby leagu's been unbelievable.
Speaker 8 (03:59):
He's achieved everything and more than what anyone would probably expect.
And and maybe he's thinking of you know, aka, my
last couple of years of my career, I can have
a crack at rugby. So yeah, I think, you know,
if there's an interest there from either his management or
from Nathan, you'd certainly go and have a coffee with
Nathan Cleary and go, ok, are you serious? And then
(04:21):
you just have to think about it from there. But
I think also there's so much talent coming through, you know,
the junior ranks for Australian rugby. It's probably not something
I wouldn't look at. But if he's interested, you certainly
have a chat to him.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
How many stops would they pull out Rugby Australia financially
to get a hold of someone like that.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
See that's the balance.
Speaker 8 (04:39):
See, so you know you'd have to get a third
party involved. You know, you'd have to get a couple
of rugby supporters to fund the cost of it, because
if you end up spending you know, a couple million
bucks a year on Nathan Cleary, all the junior rugby
clubs and all the schools and all the young kids
would go, hang on, well, you're spending all this money
on one player.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
What about us? How do we support the game.
Speaker 8 (05:03):
So I'd have to be probably a fifty to fifty
split I think from Rugby Australia an eighth third party
benefactor if it was to happen. I think there's a
slim chance it could happen. But you know, as I say,
if there is interest from Nathan, you'd be mad if
you didn't have a chat to him.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
If they haven't already done.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
So how many eyeballs would he bring? Dear thing?
Speaker 5 (05:22):
How effective would this be for eyeballs on screens and
I suppose bums on seats long term?
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Yeah, it'd certainly bring more interest to the game. And
you know, at the time the game now in Australia
it's reasonably solid. You know, it's after the spring tour
for the Wallaby, his last year with Joseph su Lee,
how well he played, and how well the super rugby's
going and the brand of rugby. I think that everyone's
playing has brought a lot of interest back to the game.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
So yeah, it certainly would help Phil.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
It would be looking at this and trying to work
out that balance. As you said, A gross the unfair
for the kids coming through. The superstar of league just
wanders into the role from a financial point of view
and a faith point of view of guys who come
up through the system. So he seems to be have
a good handle. A lot's going on in rugby Australia.
What do you think he's thinking, what's going through his mind?
Speaker 8 (06:12):
I think he'd be thinking, okay, well, if someone like
you know, if there's any high profile you know, rugby
league players that are interested in, you know, playing the
game of rugby. You certainly want to have a chat
to them. You want to have a chapter them personally,
not not not to their managers. You want to go
okay if they are series I want to look the
guy in the eye and say, okay, are you really
interested in playing rugby? If you are, having a few
(06:33):
more talks and then you've got to go okay, well
is the money best spent on junior players coming through
or do you throw a big number at a player
who's already established. That's the challenge for Rugby Australia. If
there's any chance of Nathan Cleary potentially looking at rugby UNI.
I think it's a slim chance, but you never.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Know what would you do. I probably wouldn't do it.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I think Joseph surely certainly has been outstanding, but it
would sort of probably come down to meeting Nathan face
to face and go okay, well how serious are you?
And then you could certainly if he's very serious and
it's not just about the dollars, it's about playing in
a Rugby World Cup and doing something different. I think
(07:18):
probably if there's any opportunity for Nathan to play rugby.
He might gather the Northern Hemisphere, but that's where his
girlfriend lives.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
That's a very good point. What about pushback from the NRL.
They wouldn't like this at all? Is there golden boy? Well,
short of this season which hasn't been great, but he's
still got New South Wales to have fun and games.
So when you look at the NRL, what their possession,
how much will they fight this just based on your
experience in lee and rugby in the media.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Oh, I don't really know.
Speaker 8 (07:47):
It's probably you know, it's a case for probably more
so for Nathan than the NRL. But they wouldn't want
to lose him so surely. But it then comes down
to the player and how serious he is about it.
But as I said, there are any rumors at the moment,
I have spoken to two or three people in the
last six weeks who are in the know, who have
(08:07):
decent dealings with different managers and you know, if there's
a slim chance, you'd certainly give Nathan a call and
is it real or not? And if it is, well,
happy to catch up one of the stars, you'd probably
take it.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
And one last thing, Tim Horan, thanks so much, chef
for joining us. How would he transition do you think
from league to rugby union.
Speaker 8 (08:26):
It's interesting with most of the transitions of NRL players,
whether it's a Lottie Takiri, Wendell sailor Matt Rodgers, they're
all outside backs. And for Nathan you know, I'm certainly
he says he's a wonderful player, you know, one of
the best players we've seen in the game. So but
it is more difficult the closer you go in to
(08:48):
the breakdown, whether it's nine or ten or twelve. You know,
if he was to do any it, he'd probably be
at number ten and run the show. But rugby union
is a totally different game than rugby league.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
There's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
And look, if he does, I'm sure a lot of
people would be keen to see how he goes. And
after winning well four can secutive titles, I don't know
if there's much else that he can actually do, so
you can understand maybe why he's sniffing around. Tim Horen
always a pleasant my friend. Thanks very much for your
time of great weekend.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Get on your dacy no os mate sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Right oh, let us if we can try to unpack
the final weekend of Super Rugby round robin and try
and work out who's going to be in the top
six at the end of it all. If we look
at the table at the moment, Chief's forty six, Crusaders
forty five, Brumbe's forty three, Hurricanes thirty four, Reds thirty three,
Mona pacificat and the Blues twenty eight the Warretars twenty six.
(09:43):
Nobody below that can make it into the top six.
So if we look at the games coming up tonight,
Highland is Chiefs. Pretty sure the Chiefs win that under
the roof in Dunedin and with it secure top spot,
and then we're off to Caner where it's the Brumbies
against the Crusaders in what is basically a shootout for
second place, provided, of course, the Chiefs don't stumble against
(10:03):
the Highlanders, in which case it would actually be a
battle for top spot. But Chiefs, Crusaders, Brumbies. With the
Chiefs on top and the Crusaders Brumbies, based on whoever
wins the game tonight, there's your top three. They will
all have home advantage when it comes to the first
round of the finals next week. Then you get down
to the Hurricanes, the Reds, Majuna Pacifica, the Blues and
(10:24):
the war Retars. Now the Hurricanes and the Reds are
already there. They have secured their places in the top six.
So what we're looking at is a straight shootout between
Mowanna Pacifica, the Blues and the Waratars in order to
claim the sixth and final spot. Now the Blues play
the Waratars, yet have to think, even given the rather
inconsistent season they've had just the five wins from thirteen,
(10:48):
that the Blues would be too good for the Waratars
and what is effectively a knockout match at Eden Park.
The warri Tars very rarely win in Auckland, and I
don't think that'll happen tomorrow either. So the Blues with
the victory will jump into the six. Then it's up
to Mawana Pacifica to jump back over the top of them,
and the only way they can do that is by
beating the Hurricanes. Look, I think a lot of people
(11:11):
would love to see more Wanna Pacificer in the top six.
I think pretty much everybody outside of Blues fans would
love to see that. After all the excitement they've engendered
the season and the surprise packet that they've become. But
I just wonder, you know, whether that tank has just
emptied a bit too much for more Wana Pacifica. Their
big loss to the Chiefs last week off the back
(11:32):
of some excellent results just maybe showed a few cracks.
And I get the feeling with fourth place on the line,
which is still important for the Hurricanes, that they'll get
the job done against Mojana Pacifica and the Blues will
squeak in to the top six. So there you go
for me, Chiefs, Crusaders, Brumby's, Hurricanes, Reds and Blues. But
(11:53):
having said all of that, Super rugby has taught us
one thing this year, we should expect the unexpected.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Into the Chamber we go, and rather seasonal look at cricket.
What are we almost June? I guess. Over on the
other side of the world there are they're playing it
not here in New Zealand. But Gary Stead, his almost
seven year reign as black Caps coach appears to be
at an end. We understand he hasn't been interviewed for
the black Caps role. The coaching role in any capacity.
(12:26):
He wanted, of course, to just take the red bull side.
I guess this is a pointer of that New Zealand
Cricket is not interested in splitting the roles stars.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
One coach fits all and that's what they're aiming at.
So what if you got down to then there were two.
They've interviewed quite a few people, what they've narrowed the
field somewhat before they identify who it is and what
the expectations are. We've got to mention what a brilliant
career running the Black Caps that Gary Stead has had
(12:55):
hard hard to match that. I you, is there a
highlight few in the square. I'm talking about him like
he's gone already, but we expect he is.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Right Yeah, Well, World Test Championship obviously, and the way
that New Zealand got to the final during COVID times
and managed to negotiat their way past into those wonderful
scenes of Ross Taylor and Kin Williamson been together at
the crease when the winning runs were hit. Look, I've
always been really interested about cricket coaches because they seem to,
I guess, have less of an influential role as coaches
(13:26):
and other codes. You know, often it's the captain, isn't it,
who runs a cricket team, whereas it's very much the
coach who runs a rugby team, a rugby league team,
a football team, that sort of thing. So in many ways,
you're sort of a facilitator more than anything, aren't you?
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Behind those scenes.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
I don't believe he didn't say thrashing India in their
own backyard to nil. I mean, that's good. That's a
bigger to meet in the World Chess Championship. Sorry, but
that was huge. But he's been fantastic and very much
his own man, which we love in a coach, and
he doesn't fold or been to pressure or criticism. He
knows what he wants to do and he goes out
there and gets it done. Because well, you're a talk
(14:01):
back host like I am, you would have experienced the
volleys of fire aimed at him when things don't go well.
Suddenly it's you're off for the hook without another you,
and then he comes back and starts winning things again.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
So superb. I'm more on coaches, so I'm going to
get this.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
In the passing of David trist, a former New Zealand's coach,
they won back in two thousand of that fantastic Champions
Trophy victory. One of the nicest blokes you'll meet in
cricket and with the best mass mustache, hands down, I've
ever seen in cricket. Rest easy, David trist You'll be.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Missed, indeed, indeed, yes, our thoughts and best wishes with
David Tryst's family at this challenging time. Yeah, he was
always willing to pick up the phone and have a
chat to the media, which can't be said for everyone
in a high profile job in New Zealand sports.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
So we just have to sit down and wait and
see what happens.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
I like the angle of possibly a shamee bond may
be going in there, But I am interested in the
workload regardless of t twenties, of one dance nationals and
of tests. But as you know, as much as I know,
that's going to change in a not two distant few
the structure globally. It has to for cricket to survive.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Indeed, indeed it does. The other name that's been bandied
around a lot is Rob Walter, a recent South African
white ball coach. He's had domestic experience here in New Zealand,
so it feels like Shane Bond and Rob Walter are
the two at the front of the queue. The panel
will make a decision, I'm sure when the time is right.
So that's one seasonal look at cricket. Let's dive right
(15:34):
into the meat of the NRL season. The Warriors having
their five game winning streak snapped at Mount Smart last
weekend going down to the Raiders. Every time they've lost
this season, which hasn't been often, they've bounced back with
a win. Your fancy they'll do that on Sunday in
Sydney against the rabbit Os.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It's the NRL.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
Who on earth can predict that with any form of accuracy.
You can't expect that one two yes are away from home.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I don't know if that works well for them or not.
They've got the.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
Return of two very instrumental players and I think that's
what interests all of us, the fact that the co
captains back together playing and that could be massive. But
like the Bunnies didn't come down the last show, what
are they sitting at sixth in the table at the
moment while I was sitting around in third And then
of course I don't know how many of the South's
(16:26):
players are backing up out of origin. Off the top
of my head, that might come into it too, but
it is the Rugby.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
League and it is the Warriors. So sorry, and.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
We all know exactly what you're talking about when you
say that. I feel like this might be quite an
interesting little period for the Warriors. The Rabbit O's this weekend,
then they play the Sharks, then the Panthers, then the Broncos.
The Panthers, as we know a're having a troubled season,
but they're still full time defending champions. It's the understatement
of the podcast, troubled, but they're still the Panthers, Rabbit O, Sharks,
(17:00):
Broncos all currently in those positions five through eight. So
so victory's over those teams does a couple of things.
Reinforces the Warriors place in the top four and also
keeps those teams from knocking on the door of the
top four.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
And it's the time where they say it's traditional that
the Warriors do well because they're not as hat as
much by origin as the other teams are, but saying
that sometimes in this period the Warriors get worse. They
just you don't know, and you know they might lose
Kurt Capbele too, because I think Queensland need that bloke
(17:34):
for the next one.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
But that's that's that's another day. It's another dollar. They
need something.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
How bad were they? My god, they were terrible, weren't
they Queen's Land. I know we've moved on from at dusk,
but man, they were terrible.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
They had nothing. They are looking for any form of
incisive play from anybody. You spend all weekend looking for that.
I think the only the need luck they had was
that they couldn't convert as well New South Wales because
if they had a good time and the tea, it
would have been brutal. But you know, another day, a
couple of weeks over in Perth and we'll see what
(18:06):
happens for them.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
We'll see what happened.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
So I don't believe in the chamber you don't want
to talk about the Grand final of the A League right.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Your team's out now and my team was out a
while ago. A New Zealand team was the point. Fair enough,
you go and play for them. We're we're not there anymore.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Let's let's have a very quick look at it. Melbourne
victory in Melbourne City, what I saw from Melbourne victory
last weekends. You know the way that they raise their
game in the big moments, the big matches, doesn't matter
they finished fifth in the regular season. This is knockout forty,
very different. I've got victory winning it narrowly tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
Night, and while they've got the background to do it,
they understand how to get victory. And we all witnessed
that last weekend. And it's a seasoned professional team. I'm
just wondering just going back to rugby league. Sorry to
do this to you, but I can't help myself. Did
you regular Latrell Mitchell will back up or not if
he does because he's a guy to watch.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
So absolutely, I think they all plan to, don't they.
The plan is always they missed the game before Origin,
but most of them seem to back up the day
after and the fact that it's on Sunday maybe gives
them the extra day. I would say so, dars, I
would say so. And on that, shall we get out
of here, Let's get out of the chamber.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
That's us eating a VEX. We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
It's Sportsfix how By News talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
And that's us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
Thanks for listening, Thanks for downloading, Thanks for subscribing. Fresh episode.
We dropping your podcast feed. Not on Monday, It's King's birthday.
So the next time you'll hear the Sports Fix podcast
is on Tuesday. If you subscribe to us. That happens automatically, right,
and I'll be there front and center not only for Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday on The Fix, but on Tuesday between
(19:49):
seven and eight on News Talks EB.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
That's PM. Pony gets the day off, but you get
them back again when Piney win.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
When well, I've got Tomorrow and Sunday, I've got a
bit of weekend sport to talk. So yeah, it's a
bit of a funny old time with a big long
weekend in the middle of in the middle of things
at the moment. But look, if you want to find this,
you can find us to he said, weeknights seven through
eight pm and on the weekends midday to three.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
I think that that's us starts as it up the wires.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For more from News Talk set B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News talks EDB Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks Ed.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hello there, and welcome into a fresh episode of
the Sports Fixed podcast. At the back end of a weekend,
the start for well a few people anyway of a
long weekend. We're here an association with G. J. Gardner Holmes,
New Zealand's most trusted home builder. I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
And I'm Darcy Walter Grave. Far from stale.
Speaker 5 (00:38):
I'm as fresh as you are, Piney, and looking forward
to not only this but the entire weekends race cars
going on.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Absolutely. I love your race cars as much as as
we love a story about a code hopper. Could Nathan
Cleary really come to rugby union.
Speaker 5 (00:55):
He's done everything in rugby league right except finished last,
and that might happen this here of events.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
So I shouldn't say that.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
Lot rumors and well you're going to be joined by
Tim Horren are to talk about that. The chances of
whether it would be accepted or not, so on and
so forth.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Right Pushed back from the enner, l Willis goes on
because the guy's a super stuck.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah. Absolutely, I'm interested to hear more from Tim Horan.
I've got some rugby thoughts and i want to kick
around with you the Warriors for this weekend. And the
fact that looks like Gary Stead has not got an
interview for the black capped coaching role.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
He wanted just a red ball roll.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Clearly they're not looking at splitting them, so that could
be all she wrote for Gary Stead.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
So lots to get into. Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
In other news, let's start with a chef on some
of the big sports stories around today. Blues rugby coach
Vern Caught it grateful to have retained his captain as
a number of other players exit after the Super Rugby season.
Patrick two had brought to assigned a new deal until
twenty twenty eight, as Ricky Jouani, Marc Talea, Harry Plummer,
Ricky Ricertelli and Afrian Choked all to.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Part well leave.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
And it's really important that we have continuity around that
leadership group, but also that there's an excitement to have
those guys potentially for the last time with that Blues
jersey on in an around us this week and then
take that excitement into the game.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Novak Djokovic has recovered from an injury niggle to advance
to the third round of the French Tennis Open. It
saw him call for the physio to put some tape
on his foot during the third and final set against
Korishan Moutet.
Speaker 7 (02:27):
Took me like almost an hour to deal with the
blister and the bleeding that I had, so they had
to use the injections and draw the blood out and
then inject something to dry out the.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Blisters and christ judge. Golfer Cooper Moore has been crowned
champion at the Asia Pacific Junior Champs in Hong Kong.
The sixteen year old was five shots off the lead
before searching to the top of the leaderboard with four
birdies on the back nine to eventually win by two strokes.
Speaker 6 (02:55):
Made bow you have nine and in five back and
I was the lackyards quite a bit there, but I
played some disc golf.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I have a week on the back nine, found self
in contention.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussie Walter Grave.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Good ad term. How are you mate?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Very well, Darcy, nice to be on your show.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Mate, Thanks very much for joining us. All the talk
around rugby and rugby league at the moment is about
one Nathan Cleary in the chance of him actually deserting
the NRL starting to play rugby. This is huge for rugby,
maybe not so big for rugby league. But how solid
is that rumor?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Tim?
Speaker 8 (03:38):
Yeah, it's been the room has been around for the
last six or eight weeks that you know Nathan, whether
it's his management team, whether it's Nathan, I'm not sure
who it is, but it's espressally their interesting, you know,
potentially playing the game of rugby, probably you know, in
the World Cup year, and you think or what Nathan
Cleary's done in the game of.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Rugby leagu's been unbelievable.
Speaker 8 (03:59):
He's achieved everything and more than what anyone would probably expect.
And and maybe he's thinking of you know, aka, my
last couple of years of my career, I can have
a crack at rugby. So yeah, I think, you know,
if there's an interest there from either his management or
from Nathan, you'd certainly go and have a coffee with
Nathan Cleary and go, ok, are you serious? And then
(04:21):
you just have to think about it from there. But
I think also there's so much talent coming through, you know,
the junior ranks for Australian rugby. It's probably not something
I wouldn't look at. But if he's interested, you certainly
have a chat to him.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
How many stops would they pull out Rugby Australia financially
to get a hold of someone like that.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
See that's the balance.
Speaker 8 (04:39):
See, so you know you'd have to get a third
party involved. You know, you'd have to get a couple
of rugby supporters to fund the cost of it, because
if you end up spending you know, a couple million
bucks a year on Nathan Cleary, all the junior rugby
clubs and all the schools and all the young kids
would go, hang on, well, you're spending all this money
on one player.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
What about us? How do we support the game.
Speaker 8 (05:03):
So I'd have to be probably a fifty to fifty
split I think from Rugby Australia an eighth third party
benefactor if it was to happen. I think there's a
slim chance it could happen. But you know, as I say,
if there is interest from Nathan, you'd be mad if
you didn't have a chat to him.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
If they haven't already done.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
So how many eyeballs would he bring? Dear thing?
Speaker 5 (05:22):
How effective would this be for eyeballs on screens and
I suppose bums on seats long term?
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Yeah, it'd certainly bring more interest to the game. And
you know, at the time the game now in Australia
it's reasonably solid. You know, it's after the spring tour
for the Wallaby, his last year with Joseph su Lee,
how well he played, and how well the super rugby's
going and the brand of rugby. I think that everyone's
playing has brought a lot of interest back to the game.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
So yeah, it certainly would help Phil.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
It would be looking at this and trying to work
out that balance. As you said, A gross the unfair
for the kids coming through. The superstar of league just
wanders into the role from a financial point of view
and a faith point of view of guys who come
up through the system. So he seems to be have
a good handle. A lot's going on in rugby Australia.
What do you think he's thinking, what's going through his mind?
Speaker 8 (06:12):
I think he'd be thinking, okay, well, if someone like
you know, if there's any high profile you know, rugby
league players that are interested in, you know, playing the
game of rugby. You certainly want to have a chat
to them. You want to have a chapter them personally,
not not not to their managers. You want to go
okay if they are series I want to look the
guy in the eye and say, okay, are you really
interested in playing rugby? If you are, having a few
(06:33):
more talks and then you've got to go okay, well
is the money best spent on junior players coming through
or do you throw a big number at a player
who's already established. That's the challenge for Rugby Australia. If
there's any chance of Nathan Cleary potentially looking at rugby UNI.
I think it's a slim chance, but you never.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Know what would you do. I probably wouldn't do it.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I think Joseph surely certainly has been outstanding, but it
would sort of probably come down to meeting Nathan face
to face and go okay, well how serious are you?
And then you could certainly if he's very serious and
it's not just about the dollars, it's about playing in
a Rugby World Cup and doing something different. I think
(07:18):
probably if there's any opportunity for Nathan to play rugby.
He might gather the Northern Hemisphere, but that's where his
girlfriend lives.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
That's a very good point. What about pushback from the NRL.
They wouldn't like this at all? Is there golden boy? Well,
short of this season which hasn't been great, but he's
still got New South Wales to have fun and games.
So when you look at the NRL, what their possession,
how much will they fight this just based on your
experience in lee and rugby in the media.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Oh, I don't really know.
Speaker 8 (07:47):
It's probably you know, it's a case for probably more
so for Nathan than the NRL. But they wouldn't want
to lose him so surely. But it then comes down
to the player and how serious he is about it.
But as I said, there are any rumors at the moment,
I have spoken to two or three people in the
last six weeks who are in the know, who have
(08:07):
decent dealings with different managers and you know, if there's
a slim chance, you'd certainly give Nathan a call and
is it real or not? And if it is, well,
happy to catch up one of the stars, you'd probably
take it.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
And one last thing, Tim Horan, thanks so much, chef
for joining us. How would he transition do you think
from league to rugby union.
Speaker 8 (08:26):
It's interesting with most of the transitions of NRL players,
whether it's a Lottie Takiri, Wendell sailor Matt Rodgers, they're
all outside backs. And for Nathan you know, I'm certainly
he says he's a wonderful player, you know, one of
the best players we've seen in the game. So but
it is more difficult the closer you go in to
(08:48):
the breakdown, whether it's nine or ten or twelve. You know,
if he was to do any it, he'd probably be
at number ten and run the show. But rugby union
is a totally different game than rugby league.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
There's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
And look, if he does, I'm sure a lot of
people would be keen to see how he goes. And
after winning well four can secutive titles, I don't know
if there's much else that he can actually do, so
you can understand maybe why he's sniffing around. Tim Horen
always a pleasant my friend. Thanks very much for your
time of great weekend.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Get on your dacy no os mate sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Right oh, let us if we can try to unpack
the final weekend of Super Rugby round robin and try
and work out who's going to be in the top
six at the end of it all. If we look
at the table at the moment, Chief's forty six, Crusaders
forty five, Brumbe's forty three, Hurricanes thirty four, Reds thirty three,
Mona pacificat and the Blues twenty eight the Warretars twenty six.
(09:43):
Nobody below that can make it into the top six.
So if we look at the games coming up tonight,
Highland is Chiefs. Pretty sure the Chiefs win that under
the roof in Dunedin and with it secure top spot,
and then we're off to Caner where it's the Brumbies
against the Crusaders in what is basically a shootout for
second place, provided, of course, the Chiefs don't stumble against
(10:03):
the Highlanders, in which case it would actually be a
battle for top spot. But Chiefs, Crusaders, Brumbies. With the
Chiefs on top and the Crusaders Brumbies, based on whoever
wins the game tonight, there's your top three. They will
all have home advantage when it comes to the first
round of the finals next week. Then you get down
to the Hurricanes, the Reds, Majuna Pacifica, the Blues and
(10:24):
the war Retars. Now the Hurricanes and the Reds are
already there. They have secured their places in the top six.
So what we're looking at is a straight shootout between
Mowanna Pacifica, the Blues and the Waratars in order to
claim the sixth and final spot. Now the Blues play
the Waratars, yet have to think, even given the rather
inconsistent season they've had just the five wins from thirteen,
(10:48):
that the Blues would be too good for the Waratars
and what is effectively a knockout match at Eden Park.
The warri Tars very rarely win in Auckland, and I
don't think that'll happen tomorrow either. So the Blues with
the victory will jump into the six. Then it's up
to Mawana Pacifica to jump back over the top of them,
and the only way they can do that is by
beating the Hurricanes. Look, I think a lot of people
(11:11):
would love to see more Wanna Pacificer in the top six.
I think pretty much everybody outside of Blues fans would
love to see that. After all the excitement they've engendered
the season and the surprise packet that they've become. But
I just wonder, you know, whether that tank has just
emptied a bit too much for more Wana Pacifica. Their
big loss to the Chiefs last week off the back
(11:32):
of some excellent results just maybe showed a few cracks.
And I get the feeling with fourth place on the line,
which is still important for the Hurricanes, that they'll get
the job done against Mojana Pacifica and the Blues will
squeak in to the top six. So there you go
for me, Chiefs, Crusaders, Brumby's, Hurricanes, Reds and Blues. But
(11:53):
having said all of that, Super rugby has taught us
one thing this year, we should expect the unexpected.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Into the Chamber we go, and rather seasonal look at cricket.
What are we almost June? I guess. Over on the
other side of the world there are they're playing it
not here in New Zealand. But Gary Stead, his almost
seven year reign as black Caps coach appears to be
at an end. We understand he hasn't been interviewed for
the black Caps role. The coaching role in any capacity.
(12:26):
He wanted, of course, to just take the red bull side.
I guess this is a pointer of that New Zealand
Cricket is not interested in splitting the roles stars.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
One coach fits all and that's what they're aiming at.
So what if you got down to then there were two.
They've interviewed quite a few people, what they've narrowed the
field somewhat before they identify who it is and what
the expectations are. We've got to mention what a brilliant
career running the Black Caps that Gary Stead has had
(12:55):
hard hard to match that. I you, is there a
highlight few in the square. I'm talking about him like
he's gone already, but we expect he is.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Right Yeah, Well, World Test Championship obviously, and the way
that New Zealand got to the final during COVID times
and managed to negotiat their way past into those wonderful
scenes of Ross Taylor and Kin Williamson been together at
the crease when the winning runs were hit. Look, I've
always been really interested about cricket coaches because they seem to,
I guess, have less of an influential role as coaches
(13:26):
and other codes. You know, often it's the captain, isn't it,
who runs a cricket team, whereas it's very much the
coach who runs a rugby team, a rugby league team,
a football team, that sort of thing. So in many ways,
you're sort of a facilitator more than anything, aren't you?
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Behind those scenes.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
I don't believe he didn't say thrashing India in their
own backyard to nil. I mean, that's good. That's a
bigger to meet in the World Chess Championship. Sorry, but
that was huge. But he's been fantastic and very much
his own man, which we love in a coach, and
he doesn't fold or been to pressure or criticism. He
knows what he wants to do and he goes out
there and gets it done. Because well, you're a talk
(14:01):
back host like I am, you would have experienced the
volleys of fire aimed at him when things don't go well.
Suddenly it's you're off for the hook without another you,
and then he comes back and starts winning things again.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
So superb. I'm more on coaches, so I'm going to
get this.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
In the passing of David trist, a former New Zealand's coach,
they won back in two thousand of that fantastic Champions
Trophy victory. One of the nicest blokes you'll meet in
cricket and with the best mass mustache, hands down, I've
ever seen in cricket. Rest easy, David trist You'll be.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Missed, indeed, indeed, yes, our thoughts and best wishes with
David Tryst's family at this challenging time. Yeah, he was
always willing to pick up the phone and have a
chat to the media, which can't be said for everyone
in a high profile job in New Zealand sports.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
So we just have to sit down and wait and
see what happens.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
I like the angle of possibly a shamee bond may
be going in there, But I am interested in the
workload regardless of t twenties, of one dance nationals and
of tests. But as you know, as much as I know,
that's going to change in a not two distant few
the structure globally. It has to for cricket to survive.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Indeed, indeed it does. The other name that's been bandied
around a lot is Rob Walter, a recent South African
white ball coach. He's had domestic experience here in New Zealand,
so it feels like Shane Bond and Rob Walter are
the two at the front of the queue. The panel
will make a decision, I'm sure when the time is right.
So that's one seasonal look at cricket. Let's dive right
(15:34):
into the meat of the NRL season. The Warriors having
their five game winning streak snapped at Mount Smart last
weekend going down to the Raiders. Every time they've lost
this season, which hasn't been often, they've bounced back with
a win. Your fancy they'll do that on Sunday in
Sydney against the rabbit Os.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It's the NRL.
Speaker 5 (15:52):
Who on earth can predict that with any form of accuracy.
You can't expect that one two yes are away from home.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
I don't know if that works well for them or not.
They've got the.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
Return of two very instrumental players and I think that's
what interests all of us, the fact that the co
captains back together playing and that could be massive. But
like the Bunnies didn't come down the last show, what
are they sitting at sixth in the table at the
moment while I was sitting around in third And then
of course I don't know how many of the South's
(16:26):
players are backing up out of origin. Off the top
of my head, that might come into it too, but
it is the Rugby.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
League and it is the Warriors. So sorry, and.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
We all know exactly what you're talking about when you
say that. I feel like this might be quite an
interesting little period for the Warriors. The Rabbit O's this weekend,
then they play the Sharks, then the Panthers, then the Broncos.
The Panthers, as we know a're having a troubled season,
but they're still full time defending champions. It's the understatement
of the podcast, troubled, but they're still the Panthers, Rabbit O, Sharks,
(17:00):
Broncos all currently in those positions five through eight. So
so victory's over those teams does a couple of things.
Reinforces the Warriors place in the top four and also
keeps those teams from knocking on the door of the
top four.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
And it's the time where they say it's traditional that
the Warriors do well because they're not as hat as
much by origin as the other teams are, but saying
that sometimes in this period the Warriors get worse. They
just you don't know, and you know they might lose
Kurt Capbele too, because I think Queensland need that bloke
(17:34):
for the next one.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
But that's that's that's another day. It's another dollar. They
need something.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
How bad were they? My god, they were terrible, weren't
they Queen's Land. I know we've moved on from at dusk,
but man, they were terrible.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
They had nothing. They are looking for any form of
incisive play from anybody. You spend all weekend looking for that.
I think the only the need luck they had was
that they couldn't convert as well New South Wales because
if they had a good time and the tea, it
would have been brutal. But you know, another day, a
couple of weeks over in Perth and we'll see what
(18:06):
happens for them.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
We'll see what happened.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
So I don't believe in the chamber you don't want
to talk about the Grand final of the A League right.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Your team's out now and my team was out a
while ago. A New Zealand team was the point. Fair enough,
you go and play for them. We're we're not there anymore.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Let's let's have a very quick look at it. Melbourne
victory in Melbourne City, what I saw from Melbourne victory
last weekends. You know the way that they raise their
game in the big moments, the big matches, doesn't matter
they finished fifth in the regular season. This is knockout forty,
very different. I've got victory winning it narrowly tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
Night, and while they've got the background to do it,
they understand how to get victory. And we all witnessed
that last weekend. And it's a seasoned professional team. I'm
just wondering just going back to rugby league. Sorry to
do this to you, but I can't help myself. Did
you regular Latrell Mitchell will back up or not if
he does because he's a guy to watch.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
So absolutely, I think they all plan to, don't they.
The plan is always they missed the game before Origin,
but most of them seem to back up the day
after and the fact that it's on Sunday maybe gives
them the extra day. I would say so, dars, I
would say so. And on that, shall we get out
of here, Let's get out of the chamber.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
That's us eating a VEX. We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
It's Sportsfix how By News talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
And that's us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
Thanks for listening, Thanks for downloading, Thanks for subscribing. Fresh episode.
We dropping your podcast feed. Not on Monday, It's King's birthday.
So the next time you'll hear the Sports Fix podcast
is on Tuesday. If you subscribe to us. That happens automatically, right,
and I'll be there front and center not only for Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday on The Fix, but on Tuesday between
(19:49):
seven and eight on News Talks EB.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
That's PM. Pony gets the day off, but you get
them back again when Piney win.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
When well, I've got Tomorrow and Sunday, I've got a
bit of weekend sport to talk. So yeah, it's a
bit of a funny old time with a big long
weekend in the middle of in the middle of things
at the moment. But look, if you want to find this,
you can find us to he said, weeknights seven through
eight pm and on the weekends midday to three.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
I think that that's us starts as it up the wires.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For more from News Talk set B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.