September 4, 2025 • 18 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for 4 September 2025, the week of the big Eden Park test match rolls on. D'Arcy spoke with former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff to get his thoughts on the rivalry that is only two days away from reigniting.
D'Arcy speaks on what he thinks of the team selected to take on the Springboks.
And D'Arcy and Piney continue the team selection talk, as well as discuss what the fallout could be if the All Blacks lose.
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Episode Transcript
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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 and welcome into a fresh episode of the Sports
Fixed podcast with a last of enthusiasm to start us
off on Thursday, September the fourth ward and here in
association with GJ. Gardner Home New Zealand's most trusted home builder,
Darcy Watergrave. Great to see you.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
By the way.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
You are the O nine Pine. You find yourself up
here again. You can't keep away from place, can you know?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Well, certainly not when there's a huge rugby test coming
up on Saturday. Enjoyed your thoughts around team selection. I've
got a bit to kick around with you as well
regarding the enormity of this test, what it means if
we were to lose it, because let's face it, that
is one possibility, and a few other things as well.
A guest for the show today, who are we talking to? You?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Would be aware of a Springbok prop called Stephen kicks Off. Yes, yeah,
I've got it. Great, Yes, absolutely, We'll have a yarn
to him about this weekend and what it means it
has a guess he wiss he's still playing quite frankly.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Look forward to chatting or hearing from him and the
Latestanceporced news as well. So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
In other news, let's kick you off with.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
I'll look at some of the big sports stories around today.
Wallace a Titi will start at number eight for the
All Blacks against South Africa and Eden Park on Saturday nights,
sliding Simon Park at six and Ardie Savier to start
his one hundredth Test and open side coach Scott Robertson
has explained the balancing act between keeping consistent and wanting
to make changes after the loss to Argentina bit of cohesion.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Guys that have played together obviously had the month off
after the bench game and any combination of the chounge.
A tenor teams and backsive players on her experience in
combinations and also for the skills that are required for
this test match.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
The third men's semi finalist has emerged at the US
Tennis Open. Twenty fifth seed Felix O Jier Aliasim has
beaten Alex d Minur in four sets across four hours
and ten minutes.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
I went down in the tabric, but not down enough
that you think like it's out of reach, so we'd like, Okay,
she's gotta win one coach point and one important point
and then you're back in this. And then it was
obviously very tight at the end. It was only the way,
but came up with some good service.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
And the eleventh stage of cyclings Welter Espanya Grand Tour
has been cut short without a winner being declared, because
of a disruption by pro Palestinian protesters near the finish
line and Bill Boo. They appear to be targeting writers
from the israel Premier Tech team tom at Pitcock had
broken away and was poised for victory.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
It's hard to describe the disappointment, to be honest. I mean,
I felt like today was my day. I feel like, yeah,
there should be always a finish line.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Use and a vinion.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Pine and Dussy Walter Grave.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Time now for some properge on the Sports Fix podcast.
We're joined by former Springbok prop World Cup winner a
couple of times, Stephen kits Off. Hellows even welcome.
Speaker 6 (03:09):
Good Evening's going well, morning, my side, morning, my thide
but all good.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, well it's we're still on the same planet. Light
or dark doesn't make any difference, right this weekend? Tell
me about the energy and the republic around this game.
Could I suspect that there's probably more pressure on the
spring Box considering this represents a clear opportunity to uphen
the All Blacks. Springboks played great rugby. All Blacks are
(03:37):
a bit wobbly positive much over there?
Speaker 6 (03:40):
Yeah, I think it's it took a bit of a
knock after the opening two games against Australia. I don't
think the spring Box were as accurate as they wanted
to be. But I mean this entire rugby season has
been talking points, has been this Test match coming up
this weekend. I think the entire South Africa were a
nice edge on team selection. What's going to happen? I
(04:04):
was opening a couple of rounds. Are going to go
for the for the spring Box? So yeah, I think
there's a lot of excitement, but a lot of nerves
now going into Saturday's match.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Where are the strengths within the spring Box side? What
do you guys relying on? We know the way you
play your DNA. Is that changed much do you expect
this similar game of brute force and a bomb squad.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
I think as you're watching the first couple of games,
I think the stream Walks brought in a bit more
of an attacking flair. I think with Tony Brown at
the helms of the attacking structures, I think the Springboks
are definitely trying to be a bit more expensive, trying
to play a bit more on the front foot, try
and create a bit more. But I mean New Zealand's
always a tough match and I think if you if
(04:49):
you fall into that trap of overplaying, you'll really get puny.
So we might see a Springbok team that goes back
to the old school way of relying heavily on the forwards,
on the set piece and just trying to plan the
right area. So it depends on our strong Tony's voice
is going to be this week, but I think if
it comes down to Russi's formula, it will be a
(05:10):
kicking game, defensive and a almost death by a thousand
cuts type of a style of playing.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Class with the packs. That'd be fascinating because if there's
been a strength in this all black side so far
under Robertson. It has been the pack, it has been
the piece. So do they negate each other.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Steven, Yeah, I think so. I mean the All Blacks
has always had a great pack and when it comes
to scrummaging, the scrummaging powers, especially in the last couple
of seasons, it's definitely been on the up. So yeah,
I think the packs might look at each other. I
think back line dynamics. I mean Springboks have those wings
with scrump caps on and they're quite lightning around the park.
(05:51):
But it's going to be quite an interesting one. If
the Springbok doesn't get the upper hand at scrump time
or more time, it might be become a battle of
the backs, which is going to be quite interesting to see.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
What we saw when the New Zealanders took on Argentina.
They would diabolical under the high ball. There'll be an
absolute target. They wouldn't do it too tiats in a row.
Would they play that poorly under the high.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
Pil surely not.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
I think it's probably something they'll have a look at,
probably try to figure it and come off with some solutions.
Other if it's some sort of jockey back trying to
protect the ball carrier, but it's always been one of
the spring Box strings. So if you think about the
way they played against Australia Test two, there was a
(06:39):
lot more aerial battles where the guys kicked, kicked it
up and unders made those cross kicks and trying to
create collisions in the air. It's something that Springboks always
backed themselves on. It's something always highly spoken about. But yeah,
I think if there's an opportunity to do it, I
(07:00):
think that with guys like Andre Poullott, he'll definitely pull
the trigger. I think with the lead back in the
team as well, he'll definitely pull the trigger on those things,
so that it'll be interesting.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
What about discipline. Discipline has been a huge issue for
this New Zealand side, whether they're unfairly targeted or not.
You simply can't win Test matches when you're only playing
with fourteen or maybe even thirteen men. Is that a
real problem do you think?
Speaker 6 (07:27):
David definitely, Probably not as much All Blacks as African.
Discipline when it comes to penalty count has also been
through the roof, but I mean test match rugby, I
mean we've had stats and I mean Felix always brings
up yellow cards and red cards and just to see
a points difference in big Test matches, and I mean
(07:49):
yellow cards sometimes means six points swing either way. So yeah,
I think discipline, unforced errors like non roll aways, ie tackles,
those types of things will be crucial to keep control
of those things and keep the penalty count down because
I know with either the All Blacks and the spring Box,
if there's middle earth or middle midfield penalties, they will
(08:13):
just be drive into the corners and all of a
sudden other team can attack in the in the twenty two.
But it's also just the scoreboard pressure. I mean, I
don't think the spring Box if they if they have
opportunity to get three points, they would shy away from it.
So yeah, that's it is a big It's a big
part of the game. And I think big Test match
(08:35):
rugby sometimes the difference is three points and it might
have been a non rollerway penalty or someone just just
losing their concentration for two minutes and conceded a penalty
in a kickable area and that can cost you can
cost you a big Test match us.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Allion it's Sportsfix with Dancie Valdegrave.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
All White team naming normally doesn't generate the tracks it
has this time around. Plainly there's a lot of stake
coming up on Saturday. Is the All Blacks take on
South Africa and try and maintain that ridiculous record. Have
you heard They've got quite the record at Eden Park?
Because there was so much on the line and raises
(09:18):
men are, let's face it, on the back foot. There
are calls already for his head which are very premature
in my humble opinion. Although they lose this one, they
lose next week and yeah, maybe the writing is on
the wall, but at the moment it's not that everybody
has an opinion around what happened to the All Blacks
against Argentina. How can they turn around that defeat in
(09:42):
the face of the might of the spring Box. Well,
in no way, shape or form should wholesale changes be made,
and as it turns out, they weren't. And Morning Nudawah
has come in on the wing for Sevu Reese. That's
probably understandable considering his diminutive stature, that's Sevu and the
(10:03):
ability of a money under the high ball. There's been
a tweak in the loose four. It's the surprise out
of all of this is Simon Parker finds himself starting.
But in essence, the nucleus of the team, especially the backline,
has been maintained. I'm absolutely positive that Raises All Black
(10:24):
Side are very very close to putting in a cracking
performance that you get the sense and the naming of
this team. They're not going to take another backward step.
They learned a whole lot of lessons last time around.
Hopefully those lessons can be applied this weekend. That is
the coach's responsibility. It is also the responsibility of the
(10:47):
players to put those plans into action. It was a
punch in the nose last time the Argentines got them,
and I'd say there's nothing like an All Black team
licking wounds into a match like this. I'll picked the
South Africans to win early in the week, but now
I've seen this team, My confidence is back with the
(11:07):
All Blacks again because of the minimal changes made for
the run on fifteen and the twenty three on Saturday night.
And now I don't know what the score is going
to be. No one does, but I can assure you
of this, it has gone be Amdinger.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Into the chamber we go, and I must admit that
I agree with you Das on the on your view
that it wasn't time to throw that awkward come on Piney.
I know as I said the words, they almost stuck
in my throat talking about the selection of the all blacks.
And I think a lot of people after Argentina said
change him, change him, move this guy around, get that
(11:50):
guy out, bring this guy in. Guys who weren't even
in the squad were being talked about.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Least they'refying a nuku. I mean, I was like, hold on,
he's not there. Well, of course he is. It's been sensible,
but no, and I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
They haven't panicked. And look, they always talk in elite
sport about not riding the highs too high or the
lows too low. You live in a corridor in the
middle where you let the outside noise play out, but
you make cool headed decisions. And I think they've done that,
haven't they.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
I think the big call out of this, as I mentioned,
was Simon Parker coming in to start and Fabian Hollands
is off to sit on the bench because of course
Tupo has moved across back into a lot, which they
can do. But that trio, so the loose for Trayer
and the second row. They can work with each other.
But this is a massive call for a massive man
(12:38):
in a massive game. But maybe they just want that
beefcake up against the South Africans because they're not really
shy and daring violence.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
No they are not. That's one thing that they could
never be accused of. I think if Simon Parker was
fitting in July, he would have played against France. I
don't think there's any secret there. They were very keen
on getting him involved in the All Blacks, got him
across to Argentina, played him over there and straight into
the fire. He goes on Saturday night and brings that
big body, that physicality in a number six. You won't
(13:06):
see him running in the loose. But you've got Addy,
Savia and Wallace a Titi for that hell bang bodies.
And then, as you say, when they make a change
in the second half and bring Fabi and Holland on,
they could either move y eight to six and say
to Parker, hate have a seat, will finish this off.
Or they could bring Holland straight into Locke. If vis
at a big game, it does actually open up quite
a few possibilities for them.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Yeah, and it screams to me that even though last
year he was very timid or conservative, it's the accusations
around Scott Robertson. He's now started to put his fingerprints
all over this team and he has not stuttered or paused.
And we were both at the press conference today around
that we know what his team looks like, we know
who he wants. He's giving them plenty of space to
(13:49):
develop and become a better team. And Billy Procter I'm
looking at when I say that they've moved Rico to
the wing. They're comfortable. And that's what I'm saying around
that this is his team and he is not wobbling,
He's not walking away from it at all. He's backing
these guys to mop up the vomit from two weeks ago.
(14:10):
To me, it's like giving a toddler a cloth. Do
you do it?
Speaker 2 (14:13):
You did that, you gleaned up. Yeah. I do like
the little tweaks he's made. I like the fact that
he has changed the back three and Monty Nadawa comes
in and I think that's perhaps a concession that the
back three just just wasn't working in Argentina. And it's
tough on sever Reese because he's been a good All Black.
But I like the fact that Monty Nadawa has come
in there. But you're right, the consistency there is to
(14:36):
be admired. But answer me this, what if the All
Blacks were to lose on Saturday night? Because that is
one possible outcome here does.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Because of the nature of the Earth that revolves around
the sun, the Sun that never goes down, it's just
an illusion caused by the world spinning round. Will be fine, well,
I will be anyway. I've been through enough horrible All
Back defeats to deal with this before. I'm steeled for it.
As for everybody else, got no idea how they're going
(15:08):
to come.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
I guess what I'm keen to know is if they
were to lose, and we'll have to wait to see,
if you know, unlet's not catastrophize and talk about them losing,
but I am you know. Would they make changes for
tests too? I guess it would depend largely on the
manner of the loss. If it's a one pointer and
they play well, it's head to head. You shake hands
and say, hey, you were a better team. But if
you know the problems of Buenos Aires rear their head again, then.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
What That's an interesting point because listening to Razer today
and he was asked about Rica Yoani and he said, well,
it's his home ground, it's his park, but it's a chance.
I almost feel like he was saying, if you mess
this up and make no yards like you did last
time around, you're for the high jump, mate, you can
sling your hook. That's what I detected out of that comment.
(15:57):
Is that fair?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
I think it is. He wasn't diffusive and his praise
of Rico, saying, hey we got an a eighty five
test all black hair or whatever. He has a guy
who were always going to pack. He's a guy we'd
like having in our environment. Yeah, without saying it, I
think you I think nailed it Last Chance Saloon. Probably not.
But if he doesn't perform on Saturday night, then I
think he leaves the door open for somebody else to
take the positioning anukure Go.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
No, that's not a threat. But I think everybody in
the room, there's a lot of media there. They all
knew exactly they picked up what rays are put down.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Indeed, it's such a fascinating test match to consider. And look,
we've got forty eight hours or so before it even
you know, gets under way at Eden Park. But what
is your gut telling you about the result of this game.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Well, as I said in my opinion piece, I bet
the South Africans at the start of the week, but
now I've seen consistency of selection and no panic. I
like the All Blacks now because the All Blacks, once
they've been punched in the face, they tend to come
back very, very strongly. In There's no doubt those boys
got punched in the face, they got beaten up, they
(17:02):
got the jaw broken. They don't like that at all.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
No reaction coming, I agree. On Saturday night at Eden Park.
That is us on the Chamber.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Today dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Fine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
And that is us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
Thank you so much for downloading, for listening and for subscribing.
Subscribers to Sports Fix will know that next the next
episode of this Fine podcast will appear same time tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
It will happen on a Friday. And of course if
you want some talkie sport you can interact with We've
got that for as well. On News Talks EB between
seven and eight on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
night at Sports Talk Piney gets the stick on a Monday,
I run the rest of the week and then we
hand it over to mister Pine the O nine Pine,
(17:50):
who's got weekend sport coming to you between twelve mid
day and three o'clock Saturday and Sunday of a book up.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Enough mate, you have Mike, you have nothing more to say.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
See tomorrow does for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Listen live on air or online and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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 and welcome into a fresh episode of the Sports
Fixed podcast with a last of enthusiasm to start us
off on Thursday, September the fourth ward and here in
association with GJ. Gardner Home New Zealand's most trusted home builder,
Darcy Watergrave. Great to see you.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
By the way.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
You are the O nine Pine. You find yourself up
here again. You can't keep away from place, can you know?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Well, certainly not when there's a huge rugby test coming
up on Saturday. Enjoyed your thoughts around team selection. I've
got a bit to kick around with you as well
regarding the enormity of this test, what it means if
we were to lose it, because let's face it, that
is one possibility, and a few other things as well.
A guest for the show today, who are we talking to? You?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Would be aware of a Springbok prop called Stephen kicks Off. Yes, yeah,
I've got it. Great, Yes, absolutely, We'll have a yarn
to him about this weekend and what it means it
has a guess he wiss he's still playing quite frankly.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Look forward to chatting or hearing from him and the
Latestanceporced news as well. So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
In other news, let's kick you off with.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
I'll look at some of the big sports stories around today.
Wallace a Titi will start at number eight for the
All Blacks against South Africa and Eden Park on Saturday nights,
sliding Simon Park at six and Ardie Savier to start
his one hundredth Test and open side coach Scott Robertson
has explained the balancing act between keeping consistent and wanting
to make changes after the loss to Argentina bit of cohesion.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Guys that have played together obviously had the month off
after the bench game and any combination of the chounge.
A tenor teams and backsive players on her experience in
combinations and also for the skills that are required for
this test match.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
The third men's semi finalist has emerged at the US
Tennis Open. Twenty fifth seed Felix O Jier Aliasim has
beaten Alex d Minur in four sets across four hours
and ten minutes.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
I went down in the tabric, but not down enough
that you think like it's out of reach, so we'd like, Okay,
she's gotta win one coach point and one important point
and then you're back in this. And then it was
obviously very tight at the end. It was only the way,
but came up with some good service.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
And the eleventh stage of cyclings Welter Espanya Grand Tour
has been cut short without a winner being declared, because
of a disruption by pro Palestinian protesters near the finish
line and Bill Boo. They appear to be targeting writers
from the israel Premier Tech team tom at Pitcock had
broken away and was poised for victory.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
It's hard to describe the disappointment, to be honest. I mean,
I felt like today was my day. I feel like, yeah,
there should be always a finish line.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Use and a vinion.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Pine and Dussy Walter Grave.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Time now for some properge on the Sports Fix podcast.
We're joined by former Springbok prop World Cup winner a
couple of times, Stephen kits Off. Hellows even welcome.
Speaker 6 (03:09):
Good Evening's going well, morning, my side, morning, my thide
but all good.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, well it's we're still on the same planet. Light
or dark doesn't make any difference, right this weekend? Tell
me about the energy and the republic around this game.
Could I suspect that there's probably more pressure on the
spring Box considering this represents a clear opportunity to uphen
the All Blacks. Springboks played great rugby. All Blacks are
(03:37):
a bit wobbly positive much over there?
Speaker 6 (03:40):
Yeah, I think it's it took a bit of a
knock after the opening two games against Australia. I don't
think the spring Box were as accurate as they wanted
to be. But I mean this entire rugby season has
been talking points, has been this Test match coming up
this weekend. I think the entire South Africa were a
nice edge on team selection. What's going to happen? I
(04:04):
was opening a couple of rounds. Are going to go
for the for the spring Box? So yeah, I think
there's a lot of excitement, but a lot of nerves
now going into Saturday's match.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Where are the strengths within the spring Box side? What
do you guys relying on? We know the way you
play your DNA. Is that changed much do you expect
this similar game of brute force and a bomb squad.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
I think as you're watching the first couple of games,
I think the stream Walks brought in a bit more
of an attacking flair. I think with Tony Brown at
the helms of the attacking structures, I think the Springboks
are definitely trying to be a bit more expensive, trying
to play a bit more on the front foot, try
and create a bit more. But I mean New Zealand's
always a tough match and I think if you if
(04:49):
you fall into that trap of overplaying, you'll really get puny.
So we might see a Springbok team that goes back
to the old school way of relying heavily on the forwards,
on the set piece and just trying to plan the
right area. So it depends on our strong Tony's voice
is going to be this week, but I think if
it comes down to Russi's formula, it will be a
(05:10):
kicking game, defensive and a almost death by a thousand
cuts type of a style of playing.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Class with the packs. That'd be fascinating because if there's
been a strength in this all black side so far
under Robertson. It has been the pack, it has been
the piece. So do they negate each other.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Steven, Yeah, I think so. I mean the All Blacks
has always had a great pack and when it comes
to scrummaging, the scrummaging powers, especially in the last couple
of seasons, it's definitely been on the up. So yeah,
I think the packs might look at each other. I
think back line dynamics. I mean Springboks have those wings
with scrump caps on and they're quite lightning around the park.
(05:51):
But it's going to be quite an interesting one. If
the Springbok doesn't get the upper hand at scrump time
or more time, it might be become a battle of
the backs, which is going to be quite interesting to see.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
What we saw when the New Zealanders took on Argentina.
They would diabolical under the high ball. There'll be an
absolute target. They wouldn't do it too tiats in a row.
Would they play that poorly under the high.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
Pil surely not.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
I think it's probably something they'll have a look at,
probably try to figure it and come off with some solutions.
Other if it's some sort of jockey back trying to
protect the ball carrier, but it's always been one of
the spring Box strings. So if you think about the
way they played against Australia Test two, there was a
(06:39):
lot more aerial battles where the guys kicked, kicked it
up and unders made those cross kicks and trying to
create collisions in the air. It's something that Springboks always
backed themselves on. It's something always highly spoken about. But yeah,
I think if there's an opportunity to do it, I
(07:00):
think that with guys like Andre Poullott, he'll definitely pull
the trigger. I think with the lead back in the
team as well, he'll definitely pull the trigger on those things,
so that it'll be interesting.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
What about discipline. Discipline has been a huge issue for
this New Zealand side, whether they're unfairly targeted or not.
You simply can't win Test matches when you're only playing
with fourteen or maybe even thirteen men. Is that a
real problem do you think?
Speaker 6 (07:27):
David definitely, Probably not as much All Blacks as African.
Discipline when it comes to penalty count has also been
through the roof, but I mean test match rugby, I
mean we've had stats and I mean Felix always brings
up yellow cards and red cards and just to see
a points difference in big Test matches, and I mean
(07:49):
yellow cards sometimes means six points swing either way. So yeah,
I think discipline, unforced errors like non roll aways, ie tackles,
those types of things will be crucial to keep control
of those things and keep the penalty count down because
I know with either the All Blacks and the spring Box,
if there's middle earth or middle midfield penalties, they will
(08:13):
just be drive into the corners and all of a
sudden other team can attack in the in the twenty two.
But it's also just the scoreboard pressure. I mean, I
don't think the spring Box if they if they have
opportunity to get three points, they would shy away from it.
So yeah, that's it is a big It's a big
part of the game. And I think big Test match
(08:35):
rugby sometimes the difference is three points and it might
have been a non rollerway penalty or someone just just
losing their concentration for two minutes and conceded a penalty
in a kickable area and that can cost you can
cost you a big Test match us.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Allion it's Sportsfix with Dancie Valdegrave.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
All White team naming normally doesn't generate the tracks it
has this time around. Plainly there's a lot of stake
coming up on Saturday. Is the All Blacks take on
South Africa and try and maintain that ridiculous record. Have
you heard They've got quite the record at Eden Park?
Because there was so much on the line and raises
(09:18):
men are, let's face it, on the back foot. There
are calls already for his head which are very premature
in my humble opinion. Although they lose this one, they
lose next week and yeah, maybe the writing is on
the wall, but at the moment it's not that everybody
has an opinion around what happened to the All Blacks
against Argentina. How can they turn around that defeat in
(09:42):
the face of the might of the spring Box. Well,
in no way, shape or form should wholesale changes be made,
and as it turns out, they weren't. And Morning Nudawah
has come in on the wing for Sevu Reese. That's
probably understandable considering his diminutive stature, that's Sevu and the
(10:03):
ability of a money under the high ball. There's been
a tweak in the loose four. It's the surprise out
of all of this is Simon Parker finds himself starting.
But in essence, the nucleus of the team, especially the backline,
has been maintained. I'm absolutely positive that Raises All Black
(10:24):
Side are very very close to putting in a cracking
performance that you get the sense and the naming of
this team. They're not going to take another backward step.
They learned a whole lot of lessons last time around.
Hopefully those lessons can be applied this weekend. That is
the coach's responsibility. It is also the responsibility of the
(10:47):
players to put those plans into action. It was a
punch in the nose last time the Argentines got them,
and I'd say there's nothing like an All Black team
licking wounds into a match like this. I'll picked the
South Africans to win early in the week, but now
I've seen this team, My confidence is back with the
(11:07):
All Blacks again because of the minimal changes made for
the run on fifteen and the twenty three on Saturday night.
And now I don't know what the score is going
to be. No one does, but I can assure you
of this, it has gone be Amdinger.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Into the chamber we go, and I must admit that
I agree with you Das on the on your view
that it wasn't time to throw that awkward come on Piney.
I know as I said the words, they almost stuck
in my throat talking about the selection of the all blacks.
And I think a lot of people after Argentina said
change him, change him, move this guy around, get that
(11:50):
guy out, bring this guy in. Guys who weren't even
in the squad were being talked about.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Least they'refying a nuku. I mean, I was like, hold on,
he's not there. Well, of course he is. It's been sensible,
but no, and I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
They haven't panicked. And look, they always talk in elite
sport about not riding the highs too high or the
lows too low. You live in a corridor in the
middle where you let the outside noise play out, but
you make cool headed decisions. And I think they've done that,
haven't they.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
I think the big call out of this, as I mentioned,
was Simon Parker coming in to start and Fabian Hollands
is off to sit on the bench because of course
Tupo has moved across back into a lot, which they
can do. But that trio, so the loose for Trayer
and the second row. They can work with each other.
But this is a massive call for a massive man
(12:38):
in a massive game. But maybe they just want that
beefcake up against the South Africans because they're not really
shy and daring violence.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
No they are not. That's one thing that they could
never be accused of. I think if Simon Parker was
fitting in July, he would have played against France. I
don't think there's any secret there. They were very keen
on getting him involved in the All Blacks, got him
across to Argentina, played him over there and straight into
the fire. He goes on Saturday night and brings that
big body, that physicality in a number six. You won't
(13:06):
see him running in the loose. But you've got Addy,
Savia and Wallace a Titi for that hell bang bodies.
And then, as you say, when they make a change
in the second half and bring Fabi and Holland on,
they could either move y eight to six and say
to Parker, hate have a seat, will finish this off.
Or they could bring Holland straight into Locke. If vis
at a big game, it does actually open up quite
a few possibilities for them.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Yeah, and it screams to me that even though last
year he was very timid or conservative, it's the accusations
around Scott Robertson. He's now started to put his fingerprints
all over this team and he has not stuttered or paused.
And we were both at the press conference today around
that we know what his team looks like, we know
who he wants. He's giving them plenty of space to
(13:49):
develop and become a better team. And Billy Procter I'm
looking at when I say that they've moved Rico to
the wing. They're comfortable. And that's what I'm saying around
that this is his team and he is not wobbling,
He's not walking away from it at all. He's backing
these guys to mop up the vomit from two weeks ago.
(14:10):
To me, it's like giving a toddler a cloth. Do
you do it?
Speaker 2 (14:13):
You did that, you gleaned up. Yeah. I do like
the little tweaks he's made. I like the fact that
he has changed the back three and Monty Nadawa comes
in and I think that's perhaps a concession that the
back three just just wasn't working in Argentina. And it's
tough on sever Reese because he's been a good All Black.
But I like the fact that Monty Nadawa has come
in there. But you're right, the consistency there is to
(14:36):
be admired. But answer me this, what if the All
Blacks were to lose on Saturday night? Because that is
one possible outcome here does.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Because of the nature of the Earth that revolves around
the sun, the Sun that never goes down, it's just
an illusion caused by the world spinning round. Will be fine, well,
I will be anyway. I've been through enough horrible All
Back defeats to deal with this before. I'm steeled for it.
As for everybody else, got no idea how they're going
(15:08):
to come.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
I guess what I'm keen to know is if they
were to lose, and we'll have to wait to see,
if you know, unlet's not catastrophize and talk about them losing,
but I am you know. Would they make changes for
tests too? I guess it would depend largely on the
manner of the loss. If it's a one pointer and
they play well, it's head to head. You shake hands
and say, hey, you were a better team. But if
you know the problems of Buenos Aires rear their head again, then.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
What That's an interesting point because listening to Razer today
and he was asked about Rica Yoani and he said, well,
it's his home ground, it's his park, but it's a chance.
I almost feel like he was saying, if you mess
this up and make no yards like you did last
time around, you're for the high jump, mate, you can
sling your hook. That's what I detected out of that comment.
(15:57):
Is that fair?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
I think it is. He wasn't diffusive and his praise
of Rico, saying, hey we got an a eighty five
test all black hair or whatever. He has a guy
who were always going to pack. He's a guy we'd
like having in our environment. Yeah, without saying it, I
think you I think nailed it Last Chance Saloon. Probably not.
But if he doesn't perform on Saturday night, then I
think he leaves the door open for somebody else to
take the positioning anukure Go.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
No, that's not a threat. But I think everybody in
the room, there's a lot of media there. They all
knew exactly they picked up what rays are put down.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Indeed, it's such a fascinating test match to consider. And look,
we've got forty eight hours or so before it even
you know, gets under way at Eden Park. But what
is your gut telling you about the result of this game.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Well, as I said in my opinion piece, I bet
the South Africans at the start of the week, but
now I've seen consistency of selection and no panic. I
like the All Blacks now because the All Blacks, once
they've been punched in the face, they tend to come
back very, very strongly. In There's no doubt those boys
got punched in the face, they got beaten up, they
(17:02):
got the jaw broken. They don't like that at all.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
No reaction coming, I agree. On Saturday night at Eden Park.
That is us on the Chamber.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Today dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Fine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
And that is us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
Thank you so much for downloading, for listening and for subscribing.
Subscribers to Sports Fix will know that next the next
episode of this Fine podcast will appear same time tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
It will happen on a Friday. And of course if
you want some talkie sport you can interact with We've
got that for as well. On News Talks EB between
seven and eight on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
night at Sports Talk Piney gets the stick on a Monday,
I run the rest of the week and then we
hand it over to mister Pine the O nine Pine,
(17:50):
who's got weekend sport coming to you between twelve mid
day and three o'clock Saturday and Sunday of a book up.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Enough mate, you have Mike, you have nothing more to say.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
See tomorrow does for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Listen live on air or online and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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