On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 14th April 2026, disappointing news for Crusaders fans today. After 30 years, the iconic Crusaders horses will not be a part of the matchday experience at the new One NZ Stadium due to the tight layout around the field creating safety risks. Reuben Thorne is a former Crusaders captain, he joined Elliott to share his view on the news.
Elliott shares his thoughts on traditions in sport in light of the news that the horses will not be present at the new One NZ Stadium.
And Elliott and New Zealand Herald sports journalist Alex Powell discuss no more horses at the new home of the Crusaders, Charlisse Ledger-Walker being drafted into the WNBA and the first 12 Kiwi athletes being named in the Commonwealth Games squad.
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome to Sportsbex for the fourteenth of a pol I'm
Elliott Smith. Coming up. On today's episode powered by News
Talk z EDB, we talked to former Crusaders, Camptain, Crusaders
Century and ruben Thorn following the news that there will
be no horses with the Crusaders at their new stadium. Yes,
used to whip the fans into a frenzy before kickoff
being retired as the Crusaders head to their new indoor stadium,
(00:42):
there's no room at the end for the stadium for
the Crusaders horses. It will no longer be part of
the match day experience. Ruben Thorne gives us his taken
a few moments time, I'll give you mine as well.
We'll also jump into the chamber with Alex Powell from
New Zealand Herod and to bate some of the sporting
issues of the day, including the Commonwealth Games. One hundred
days to go Plus says always we look around the
(01:03):
Sporting Globe for the big issues of the day on
Sports today, Let's get into it. In other news, Let's
check the latters and sport from around the globe in
the allows twenty four hours and first to an historic
moment in New Zealand basketball, curiously of our friends at ESPN.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
With the eighteenth pick in the twenty twenty sixth WNBA draft,
the Connecticut Sun select Charles Ledger Walker.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The u CLN Lejah Walker, becoming the first Kiwi woman
to be selected in a w NBA draft for twenty
four year old now boys to join Megan Compaign as
the second New Zealander to play in the w NBA.
Golfer Rory McElroy has revealed the message that Sir Nick
Faldo sent him after becoming one of fall back to
back Masters Champions at Augusta. The Northern Irishman joins England's
(01:51):
Faldo and Americans Jack Necklace and Tiger Woods and completing
the feast after winning the year's edition by a stroke
a day on Falodo found a parallel between their achievements.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Here Roy congratulations from the nineteen eighty nine and nineteen
ninety chump to the eighty ninth and ninetieth Masters champ
all the best surnames. Yeah, the only other Europeans that
go back to back at this tournament, so pretty poor
company to kick.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And former New Zealand netballer ten Punda Courtney Tidy believes
the talent drain from the A and Z Premiership was
visible in the opening round Tidi Cee. She noticed teams
who have lost sewer fans to Australia's Super netball struggles.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
Still really felt that one for having lost Kate happening
through the middle just to aim to them. But then
you look at teams like the Poles, they also lost
the likes of Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon toown and Matrudo
and I mean they still come out on top.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Courtney Tidy then, and that will do us for sport today.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Leading a Vex, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex powered by News Talks Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
The Crusader's head to the new stadium in ten days
time at one in Zed Stadium in central christ Church,
but they won't be bringing some familiar faxes with them,
the Crusaders horses that have whipped Crusaders fans into a
frenzy pre game for Nil on thirty years of being
retired as part of the move to the new stadium,
got enough room to them that create safety issues around
the closeness of fans to the arena. So no more
(03:05):
horses at the venue. Sounds like they tried every ever
knew they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn't happen.
Former Crusaders camptain Reuben Thorn was part of the era
where the horses really took off, and he joins us
now on Sports Fix. Ruben, thanks for.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Your time, no problem, pleasure.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Well your reaction to the news at the Crusaders horses
will be no more at this brand new stadium when
it opens next week. As a player that no doubt
ran out after the horses many a time, what do
you make of it?
Speaker 7 (03:33):
Well, look, it's really sad actually, you know, I'm sure
that it's not just the players, it's the crowd and
even the opposition will be sad that that part of
the Crusaders no longer there. You know, it was a
big part of it, big part of the Crusader brand
and you know thirty odd years of history with those
guys running out in the pre match in the warm up.
(03:54):
So yeah, it's really sad to see them go.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
It's been with the you know, the team for what
thirty years now and part of the tradition across two
stadiums as well. What would it mean, you know, I'm
not sure whether I'm trying to think there's a player
would have been probably under the stands, But what does
it mean knowing the horses were out there and the
crowd was getting whipped into a little bit of a frenzy.
Speaker 7 (04:16):
Well, it was all part of the imagery, wasn't it,
you know, And and the crowd loved it. That obviously
got them excited. But as players, we were really aware
of it. You know, we were aware of the music,
the Conquest of Paradise music that they that they came
out to, and that was a big part of what
made the brand unique from other sporting clubs around New
(04:39):
Zealand and the world. So yeah, it was something that
we always thought was a bit special, a bit unique,
and something that we really you know, we really enjoyed
it and valued it.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Do you think it contributed to the success overall of
the Crusaders over a few seasons.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Well, look, it was, it was part of it was
part of our home and when you built that sort
of fortress mentality, and visiting teams came and they certainly
felt it, you know, because it was unique and different,
and you could argue it was a little bit intimidating
having that music and the horses running around the field.
(05:17):
And I remember being on the sideline one day and
watching the guys. Was a South African team and they
all had their cameras out and they were filming the
horses and just beaming and smiling and an admiration almost
because it is a unique and very special thing that
you only got to see in christ Church.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
It made the you know, as a youngster in christ Church,
it made the you know, the you know, the goosebumps
sort of stand up on your arms and everything like that,
especially when it was a big game, and that was
part of what, you know, sort of made the Crusaders
and that successful run part of what they were, wasn't it.
Speaker 7 (05:50):
Yeah, absolutely, you know. And the music's also very powerful.
But when you combine that with horses thundering around the sideline,
it's a pretty powerful image. So yeah, it was, and
you know the crowd, I mean even now when I
go as an observer to watch games, the music and
the horses. It's all part of the atmosphere, and like
(06:11):
you say, the old hairs on the back of the
neck still stand up. So it's pretty exciting and it's
just a real shame that they couldn't find a way
to keep them at the new place.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
How much do you think it'll hurt the Crusaders as
they go to the new stadium without something that's been
part of their life, for their identity and part of
their identity for how many years now thirty?
Speaker 7 (06:30):
Look, they'll be disappointed. The players will be disappointed about it.
I know that the Crusaders senior management will be disappointed
from even just from a branding perspective. Whether it affects
the on field performances, time will tell. It'll effect the
atmosphere there and sort of take something away, but hopefully
(06:51):
the stadium itself, because it's an incredible place, Hopefully that
sort of stands on its own and doesn't need that,
you know, with just the atmosphere that's going to be
inside that roof stadium. So I mean, time will tell,
but yeah, it is disappointing that we won't have that
especially and unique part of it still there.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I guess it's incumbent that, whether it's the Crusaders or
the fans themselves to come up with these new traditions.
And you know, this is a stadium that the city
and the region has been wanting for some time, so
it's incumbent on them creating the atmosphere and you know,
filling that gap, I suppose when the Crusaders do have
their home games.
Speaker 7 (07:24):
Yeah, look, the music is still going to be there,
the players are still going to run out onto the
field in front of you know, hopefully you know, decent
crowds there, and you know, I've been lucky enough to
be in the stadium and it is going to be
a really cool atmosphere inside. So I'm sure that, you know,
like everything is, there's evolution, and this is part of it,
I guess. You know, the crowd and the players and
(07:47):
the management and the people hosting the games are just
going to have to find different ways of bringing that
same sort of feeling to the new stadium.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
How important as a former player do you think that
identity overall is for a team, having that, you know,
that connection to the fans, whether it's through the music,
as you say, the horses and the colors of the team.
How important, as a former crew say it as captain yourself,
is that that connection, that identity as a team.
Speaker 7 (08:13):
Well, identity is really important, you know. And like anything
of value, you have a brand or an identity that's
that's unique and powerful. And this was when it was
first created back in the day. It became a really
powerful one very quickly. Part of that was because of
the team's results, but also just the imagery and the
music and that combination that just really worked and it
(08:36):
captured people's imagination, you know. So that is really important.
And we've been through one change. We know, after the
Moss shootings. There was a change there, and the team
carried on and kept being successful and found different ways
of almost rebranding themselves. And I guess this is just
another challenge along that path.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
This is Sportsfects, your daily dose of sports news.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Cower By News Talks there.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I had a feeling to stay, was going to calm.
Ever since the first pictures of the stadium began to
emerge at one Ensied Stadium in christ Duty, looks me
no way they could squeeze the horses in without damaging
the playing field. Ironically, one of the strengths of the
new stadium, how close you'll be to the ground is
going to kill off one of the traditions that the
Crusaders have made and carried for thirty years. Time moves forward,
(09:24):
but traditions and sport are important. I remember countless games
where the horses would whip around Lancaster Park or Jade
Stadium or whatever it was known as that week and
get the fans hyped for the fixture ahead and super
Uggi finals that often come around again at halftime and
get the fans ready for the second spell. Reubon Thorton
said you could hear it from beneath the stands as
the fans were whipped up into a frenzy. It's part
(09:45):
of building an atmosphere at a sporting event. Maybe it
looks a little weird to those outside of the Crusaders region,
but it was part of fan experience. It felt like
something that other teams couldn't easily replicate. Everyone can play
a bit of music or a song or whatever it
might be. Not everyone could get live animals running around
the venue pregame. It comes a few years after the
(10:06):
Crusader's logo was changed too, a move that seems increasingly
rushed and maybe even with seven years of hindsight, a
little bit mistaken. Everyone's got a different view on that.
I'm sure they've traded every avenue to make it work.
It looks like it possibly couldn't at this venue. But
it does feel like another hit to the Crusaders brand,
and it feels like another hit to sporting traditions and
(10:26):
atmosphere in this country that we are crying out for.
We always ask how fans can get through the gates.
This is one reason while neutral fans and casual fans
came through the gates at the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
The Chamber is now in session on.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Sports facts Least jump with the Chamber now. Alex Powell
joins us from the New Zealand Herald, Cricket Fan, Cricket Rider,
sports Rider, whole gamut. Alex, Welcome to the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Hey make thanks, haven't they?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Well, it's a pleasure to have you in here. Big
news today, no more horses at the home of the
Crusaders when they move into this new stadium. They've kept
it a secret. The last game is now finished at
that ground where what nine days away from the first game,
and then they say no horses at one new Zealand Stadium.
I'm devastated what you make of it.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I honestly don't care. Like I don't go to games
in christ Church because I live in Auckland. The horses
are not an integral part of my viewing experience. I
do understand the idea of christ Church losing its identity
in that sense. There has been a lot of that
over the last what twenty you want to say, twenty years,
but you know the better part of it since since
(11:28):
the earthquake and all that. So you do feel for
the people there, but you also do have to question
the identity of the Crusaders being the Crusaders. Like I know,
we had this conversation post mosque shooting in twenty nineteen
now about how much value that brand actually is, and
we know that it is quite a lot. But there
are imag images that you don't want to associate with
(11:49):
the team.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Yeah, I get that, but I think it was very
rushed at the time to make that decision. They probably
could have taken a few more months in hindsight, and
go is there something the community actually wants? Is there
something that is going to create headlines over the world.
I felt it was rushed at the time. I still
think that. I think in hindsight it looks rushed, but
this is another hit to the Crusader's identity. You take
away the logo and they take away the horses. Well,
(12:11):
just on that one of the Crusaders. Do you feel
the horses are going because of what we just spoke about,
or further meant the reasons that they've given us being
I think the reasons are actually pretty legit. I've seen
that stadium. It does look really tight. I don't see
how they could come in without being on the playing service.
I've had people ask me of the last couple of years,
and I've done some digging other horses at the new stadium.
(12:31):
I heard initially it was a yes, and then it
became a no, and then it maybe. So I believe
they have been working in the background, So I take
the reasons at face value, but I still think ultimately
it is a hit to the Crusader's brand. And and you're right,
what does it stand for? Now you've taken away the logo,
you've taken away the horses. Now it's just a name.
What does it actually mean?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yep, that's a very question. I do sort of side
with them that it is quite difficult to get horses
in an out of a CBD.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Absolutely yes, exactly when you see horse in the CBD,
go why are they here?
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Not where you should be?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Final question on this though, how important is culture, tradition,
entertainment as part of your sporting pack. When you go
to sport, you go to a lot of sport. How
much how important is that?
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Look, I'm slightly different because I go to a lot
of sport for work. I don't go as a fan
to a lot of things, but of course it's part
of it. You know, you want the experience that you're
not going to get sitting on the couch, and if
the horses are part of that, you know, not just
the horses, but you look at what Auckland f C
do and you know that they're probably i'd say the
best in the country at giving you a reason to
go besides the actual game itself. You do need that
(13:33):
point of difference. And if this takes it away from
the people of christ Church who have been crying out
for the stadium for such a long time and have
deserved a stadium like this for such a long time,
then it is a bit of a readjustment for what
the fans want versus what they're going to get.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Absolutely, let's talk to a last Ledger Walker taken in
the w NBA Draft, just the seconds New Zealander to
do so pretty moment for New Zealand basketball. I mean
great to see that there could be a second New
Zealander playing hoops over there.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
I mean it feels over to you. I know, we
have Steven Adams playing over there and really sort of
breaking that glass ceiling after you know, Penny did it
and sure Mark said it. To get key when the
WNBA is amazing because we do have so much talent
in women's basketball, but it feels like we have been
waiting for this for a while. We do have a
lot of Kiwi's playing over in college, and to get
(14:20):
the first one into the WNBA out of this wave
is of course it's amazing, but you hope it inspires,
you know, because you hope it inspires more. The famous
line through women's sport in this country is you can't
be what you can't see. And now you're going to
have a generation of Kiwi girls seeing one of their
own playing in the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
I think can only be a good thing. As well.
I think there has been a missed opportunity with Steven Adams,
and maybe it's partially because he hasn't played for the
Tall Blacks. But it's now been what fourteen years since
Steven Adams was drafted. We should be seeing this generation
come through. I'm not sure. Look, there's some very good
basketball is out there, but I'm not sure we're seeing
the cream of the crop that maybe people thought we
might have when Steven Adams was drafted.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
Do you think we have an understanding in this country
of how difficult it is to play and to make
professional sport through the American college to night?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
I think do? I think we do it? I think
people see college and go what was that? But college
basketball is huge over the It's college sports, college sport
at full set. Yeah, and you think, okay, any FLA
in NBA obviously the pinnacle, but there's only what thirty
two teams thirty teams in each of them. Each county
has a college each, you know, and and when you
don't have an NBA team, that becomes your focal point.
(15:26):
You know, your local college university basketball team in American football,
tam whatever it might be, that's maybe your focal point
in many regions of America than the NBA. And when
you've got so much talent coming through very very hard
to crack it.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Will you look at Charlie Sledger Walker playing in front
of seventy thousand people. You know that's insane. And that's
that's in a city that does have an NBA team
and a w NBA team. So back to the original question, Yeah,
it's awesome for Charlie's and for Kiwis to be able
to see another one of their own on the biggest stage.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
And just finally we have the Commonwealth Games. One hundred
days ago, New Zealand's named its first twelve athletes. Look,
you were from a region of England and that host
of the Commonwealth Games, Manchester two thousand and two. This
must have been a lot to you that the Commonwealth
Games are roaring again after it looked like they're about
to fall.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Mate, could not care less about the Commonwealth Games. I
honestly every and like this is partly from work because
it's so much effort to cover an Olympic Games, but
also are Commonwealth Games and the rewards are just not
there with the Commonwalth Games like it is so in
the shadow of the Olympics. Like Olympics you throw the
kitchen sink gap because it is arguably the pinnacle of
all sport. But the Commonwealth Games, how can you get
(16:39):
onto the stage and win gold? Congratulations? But you've not
done it against America, You've not done it against China,
You've not probably not done it against Russia for whatever reason.
So I just don't see the value in the Commonwealth
Games anymore. Like, I'm sure it's fantastic for these athletes
to get to go over and do it, but it
is not the highest level you can compete at.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
It feels like something from a by gone era that
we're just allowed to continue. And it looked like it
was about to die when Victoria and Australia decided they
didn't want it anymore and Glasgow's come and picked up
the slack. But it feels like something from yester year.
Now the Games are around, you know, the Asian Games
and the you know, always regional, which makes a lot
of sense, yep, based on the Commonwealth. Please we should
be rid of the com.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Yeah, the value of the Commonwealth is decreasing by year.
You know, we're seeing countries start to secede and become republics.
You know, Shouldnew Zealand do that? Who knows? Australia do that?
Who knows.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
It's a big topic for the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
It's a big topic for the Chamber. But that's what
we do here. We talk about the big isshes.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
So look, I honestly I it's gonna keep me up
at night, the fact that we're gonna have to cover
the Commonwealth Games. I have a miserable time doing it.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
It's a great time zone. Glasgo flip your sleepchigitle on
its heads and you'll be away laughing. Alex Peale, thank
you for your time with the Chamber.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Anytime leading a VEX, We've got just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks ivvy.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another edition
of Sports Fix, and you can catch News Talk zb
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Sport midday to three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
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Speaker 1 (18:08):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts
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this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome to Sportsbex for the fourteenth of a pol I'm
Elliott Smith. Coming up. On today's episode powered by News
Talk z EDB, we talked to former Crusaders, Camptain, Crusaders
Century and ruben Thorn following the news that there will
be no horses with the Crusaders at their new stadium. Yes,
used to whip the fans into a frenzy before kickoff
being retired as the Crusaders head to their new indoor stadium,
(00:42):
there's no room at the end for the stadium for
the Crusaders horses. It will no longer be part of
the match day experience. Ruben Thorne gives us his taken
a few moments time, I'll give you mine as well.
We'll also jump into the chamber with Alex Powell from
New Zealand Herod and to bate some of the sporting
issues of the day, including the Commonwealth Games. One hundred
days to go Plus says always we look around the
(01:03):
Sporting Globe for the big issues of the day on
Sports today, Let's get into it. In other news, Let's
check the latters and sport from around the globe in
the allows twenty four hours and first to an historic
moment in New Zealand basketball, curiously of our friends at ESPN.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
With the eighteenth pick in the twenty twenty sixth WNBA draft,
the Connecticut Sun select Charles Ledger Walker.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The u CLN Lejah Walker, becoming the first Kiwi woman
to be selected in a w NBA draft for twenty
four year old now boys to join Megan Compaign as
the second New Zealander to play in the w NBA.
Golfer Rory McElroy has revealed the message that Sir Nick
Faldo sent him after becoming one of fall back to
back Masters Champions at Augusta. The Northern Irishman joins England's
(01:51):
Faldo and Americans Jack Necklace and Tiger Woods and completing
the feast after winning the year's edition by a stroke
a day on Falodo found a parallel between their achievements.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Here Roy congratulations from the nineteen eighty nine and nineteen
ninety chump to the eighty ninth and ninetieth Masters champ
all the best surnames. Yeah, the only other Europeans that
go back to back at this tournament, so pretty poor
company to kick.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And former New Zealand netballer ten Punda Courtney Tidy believes
the talent drain from the A and Z Premiership was
visible in the opening round Tidi Cee. She noticed teams
who have lost sewer fans to Australia's Super netball struggles.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
Still really felt that one for having lost Kate happening
through the middle just to aim to them. But then
you look at teams like the Poles, they also lost
the likes of Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon toown and Matrudo
and I mean they still come out on top.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Courtney Tidy then, and that will do us for sport today.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Leading a Vex, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex powered by News Talks Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
The Crusader's head to the new stadium in ten days
time at one in Zed Stadium in central christ Church,
but they won't be bringing some familiar faxes with them,
the Crusaders horses that have whipped Crusaders fans into a
frenzy pre game for Nil on thirty years of being
retired as part of the move to the new stadium,
got enough room to them that create safety issues around
the closeness of fans to the arena. So no more
(03:05):
horses at the venue. Sounds like they tried every ever
knew they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn't happen.
Former Crusaders camptain Reuben Thorn was part of the era
where the horses really took off, and he joins us
now on Sports Fix. Ruben, thanks for.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Your time, no problem, pleasure.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Well your reaction to the news at the Crusaders horses
will be no more at this brand new stadium when
it opens next week. As a player that no doubt
ran out after the horses many a time, what do
you make of it?
Speaker 7 (03:33):
Well, look, it's really sad actually, you know, I'm sure
that it's not just the players, it's the crowd and
even the opposition will be sad that that part of
the Crusaders no longer there. You know, it was a
big part of it, big part of the Crusader brand
and you know thirty odd years of history with those
guys running out in the pre match in the warm up.
(03:54):
So yeah, it's really sad to see them go.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
It's been with the you know, the team for what
thirty years now and part of the tradition across two
stadiums as well. What would it mean, you know, I'm
not sure whether I'm trying to think there's a player
would have been probably under the stands, But what does
it mean knowing the horses were out there and the
crowd was getting whipped into a little bit of a frenzy.
Speaker 7 (04:16):
Well, it was all part of the imagery, wasn't it,
you know, And and the crowd loved it. That obviously
got them excited. But as players, we were really aware
of it. You know, we were aware of the music,
the Conquest of Paradise music that they that they came
out to, and that was a big part of what
made the brand unique from other sporting clubs around New
(04:39):
Zealand and the world. So yeah, it was something that
we always thought was a bit special, a bit unique,
and something that we really you know, we really enjoyed
it and valued it.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Do you think it contributed to the success overall of
the Crusaders over a few seasons.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Well, look, it was, it was part of it was
part of our home and when you built that sort
of fortress mentality, and visiting teams came and they certainly
felt it, you know, because it was unique and different,
and you could argue it was a little bit intimidating
having that music and the horses running around the field.
(05:17):
And I remember being on the sideline one day and
watching the guys. Was a South African team and they
all had their cameras out and they were filming the
horses and just beaming and smiling and an admiration almost
because it is a unique and very special thing that
you only got to see in christ Church.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
It made the you know, as a youngster in christ Church,
it made the you know, the you know, the goosebumps
sort of stand up on your arms and everything like that,
especially when it was a big game, and that was
part of what, you know, sort of made the Crusaders
and that successful run part of what they were, wasn't it.
Speaker 7 (05:50):
Yeah, absolutely, you know. And the music's also very powerful.
But when you combine that with horses thundering around the sideline,
it's a pretty powerful image. So yeah, it was, and
you know the crowd, I mean even now when I
go as an observer to watch games, the music and
the horses. It's all part of the atmosphere, and like
(06:11):
you say, the old hairs on the back of the
neck still stand up. So it's pretty exciting and it's
just a real shame that they couldn't find a way
to keep them at the new place.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
How much do you think it'll hurt the Crusaders as
they go to the new stadium without something that's been
part of their life, for their identity and part of
their identity for how many years now thirty?
Speaker 7 (06:30):
Look, they'll be disappointed. The players will be disappointed about it.
I know that the Crusaders senior management will be disappointed
from even just from a branding perspective. Whether it affects
the on field performances, time will tell. It'll effect the
atmosphere there and sort of take something away, but hopefully
(06:51):
the stadium itself, because it's an incredible place, Hopefully that
sort of stands on its own and doesn't need that,
you know, with just the atmosphere that's going to be
inside that roof stadium. So I mean, time will tell,
but yeah, it is disappointing that we won't have that
especially and unique part of it still there.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I guess it's incumbent that, whether it's the Crusaders or
the fans themselves to come up with these new traditions.
And you know, this is a stadium that the city
and the region has been wanting for some time, so
it's incumbent on them creating the atmosphere and you know,
filling that gap, I suppose when the Crusaders do have
their home games.
Speaker 7 (07:24):
Yeah, look, the music is still going to be there,
the players are still going to run out onto the
field in front of you know, hopefully you know, decent
crowds there, and you know, I've been lucky enough to
be in the stadium and it is going to be
a really cool atmosphere inside. So I'm sure that, you know,
like everything is, there's evolution, and this is part of it,
I guess. You know, the crowd and the players and
(07:47):
the management and the people hosting the games are just
going to have to find different ways of bringing that
same sort of feeling to the new stadium.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
How important as a former player do you think that
identity overall is for a team, having that, you know,
that connection to the fans, whether it's through the music,
as you say, the horses and the colors of the team.
How important, as a former crew say it as captain yourself,
is that that connection, that identity as a team.
Speaker 7 (08:13):
Well, identity is really important, you know. And like anything
of value, you have a brand or an identity that's
that's unique and powerful. And this was when it was
first created back in the day. It became a really
powerful one very quickly. Part of that was because of
the team's results, but also just the imagery and the
music and that combination that just really worked and it
(08:36):
captured people's imagination, you know. So that is really important.
And we've been through one change. We know, after the
Moss shootings. There was a change there, and the team
carried on and kept being successful and found different ways
of almost rebranding themselves. And I guess this is just
another challenge along that path.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
This is Sportsfects, your daily dose of sports news.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Cower By News Talks there.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I had a feeling to stay, was going to calm.
Ever since the first pictures of the stadium began to
emerge at one Ensied Stadium in christ Duty, looks me
no way they could squeeze the horses in without damaging
the playing field. Ironically, one of the strengths of the
new stadium, how close you'll be to the ground is
going to kill off one of the traditions that the
Crusaders have made and carried for thirty years. Time moves forward,
(09:24):
but traditions and sport are important. I remember countless games
where the horses would whip around Lancaster Park or Jade
Stadium or whatever it was known as that week and
get the fans hyped for the fixture ahead and super
Uggi finals that often come around again at halftime and
get the fans ready for the second spell. Reubon Thorton
said you could hear it from beneath the stands as
the fans were whipped up into a frenzy. It's part
(09:45):
of building an atmosphere at a sporting event. Maybe it
looks a little weird to those outside of the Crusaders region,
but it was part of fan experience. It felt like
something that other teams couldn't easily replicate. Everyone can play
a bit of music or a song or whatever it
might be. Not everyone could get live animals running around
the venue pregame. It comes a few years after the
(10:06):
Crusader's logo was changed too, a move that seems increasingly
rushed and maybe even with seven years of hindsight, a
little bit mistaken. Everyone's got a different view on that.
I'm sure they've traded every avenue to make it work.
It looks like it possibly couldn't at this venue. But
it does feel like another hit to the Crusaders brand,
and it feels like another hit to sporting traditions and
(10:26):
atmosphere in this country that we are crying out for.
We always ask how fans can get through the gates.
This is one reason while neutral fans and casual fans
came through the gates at the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
The Chamber is now in session on.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Sports facts Least jump with the Chamber now. Alex Powell
joins us from the New Zealand Herald, Cricket Fan, Cricket Rider,
sports Rider, whole gamut. Alex, Welcome to the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Hey make thanks, haven't they?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Well, it's a pleasure to have you in here. Big
news today, no more horses at the home of the
Crusaders when they move into this new stadium. They've kept
it a secret. The last game is now finished at
that ground where what nine days away from the first game,
and then they say no horses at one new Zealand Stadium.
I'm devastated what you make of it.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I honestly don't care. Like I don't go to games
in christ Church because I live in Auckland. The horses
are not an integral part of my viewing experience. I
do understand the idea of christ Church losing its identity
in that sense. There has been a lot of that
over the last what twenty you want to say, twenty years,
but you know the better part of it since since
(11:28):
the earthquake and all that. So you do feel for
the people there, but you also do have to question
the identity of the Crusaders being the Crusaders. Like I know,
we had this conversation post mosque shooting in twenty nineteen
now about how much value that brand actually is, and
we know that it is quite a lot. But there
are imag images that you don't want to associate with
(11:49):
the team.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Yeah, I get that, but I think it was very
rushed at the time to make that decision. They probably
could have taken a few more months in hindsight, and
go is there something the community actually wants? Is there
something that is going to create headlines over the world.
I felt it was rushed at the time. I still
think that. I think in hindsight it looks rushed, but
this is another hit to the Crusader's identity. You take
away the logo and they take away the horses. Well,
(12:11):
just on that one of the Crusaders. Do you feel
the horses are going because of what we just spoke about,
or further meant the reasons that they've given us being
I think the reasons are actually pretty legit. I've seen
that stadium. It does look really tight. I don't see
how they could come in without being on the playing service.
I've had people ask me of the last couple of years,
and I've done some digging other horses at the new stadium.
(12:31):
I heard initially it was a yes, and then it
became a no, and then it maybe. So I believe
they have been working in the background, So I take
the reasons at face value, but I still think ultimately
it is a hit to the Crusader's brand. And and you're right,
what does it stand for? Now you've taken away the logo,
you've taken away the horses. Now it's just a name.
What does it actually mean?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yep, that's a very question. I do sort of side
with them that it is quite difficult to get horses
in an out of a CBD.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Absolutely yes, exactly when you see horse in the CBD,
go why are they here?
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Not where you should be?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Final question on this though, how important is culture, tradition,
entertainment as part of your sporting pack. When you go
to sport, you go to a lot of sport. How
much how important is that?
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Look, I'm slightly different because I go to a lot
of sport for work. I don't go as a fan
to a lot of things, but of course it's part
of it. You know, you want the experience that you're
not going to get sitting on the couch, and if
the horses are part of that, you know, not just
the horses, but you look at what Auckland f C
do and you know that they're probably i'd say the
best in the country at giving you a reason to
go besides the actual game itself. You do need that
(13:33):
point of difference. And if this takes it away from
the people of christ Church who have been crying out
for the stadium for such a long time and have
deserved a stadium like this for such a long time,
then it is a bit of a readjustment for what
the fans want versus what they're going to get.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Absolutely, let's talk to a last Ledger Walker taken in
the w NBA Draft, just the seconds New Zealander to
do so pretty moment for New Zealand basketball. I mean
great to see that there could be a second New
Zealander playing hoops over there.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
I mean it feels over to you. I know, we
have Steven Adams playing over there and really sort of
breaking that glass ceiling after you know, Penny did it
and sure Mark said it. To get key when the
WNBA is amazing because we do have so much talent
in women's basketball, but it feels like we have been
waiting for this for a while. We do have a
lot of Kiwi's playing over in college, and to get
(14:20):
the first one into the WNBA out of this wave
is of course it's amazing, but you hope it inspires,
you know, because you hope it inspires more. The famous
line through women's sport in this country is you can't
be what you can't see. And now you're going to
have a generation of Kiwi girls seeing one of their
own playing in the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
I think can only be a good thing. As well.
I think there has been a missed opportunity with Steven Adams,
and maybe it's partially because he hasn't played for the
Tall Blacks. But it's now been what fourteen years since
Steven Adams was drafted. We should be seeing this generation
come through. I'm not sure. Look, there's some very good
basketball is out there, but I'm not sure we're seeing
the cream of the crop that maybe people thought we
might have when Steven Adams was drafted.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
Do you think we have an understanding in this country
of how difficult it is to play and to make
professional sport through the American college to night?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
I think do? I think we do it? I think
people see college and go what was that? But college
basketball is huge over the It's college sports, college sport
at full set. Yeah, and you think, okay, any FLA
in NBA obviously the pinnacle, but there's only what thirty
two teams thirty teams in each of them. Each county
has a college each, you know, and and when you
don't have an NBA team, that becomes your focal point.
(15:26):
You know, your local college university basketball team in American football,
tam whatever it might be, that's maybe your focal point
in many regions of America than the NBA. And when
you've got so much talent coming through very very hard
to crack it.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Will you look at Charlie Sledger Walker playing in front
of seventy thousand people. You know that's insane. And that's
that's in a city that does have an NBA team
and a w NBA team. So back to the original question, Yeah,
it's awesome for Charlie's and for Kiwis to be able
to see another one of their own on the biggest stage.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
And just finally we have the Commonwealth Games. One hundred
days ago, New Zealand's named its first twelve athletes. Look,
you were from a region of England and that host
of the Commonwealth Games, Manchester two thousand and two. This
must have been a lot to you that the Commonwealth
Games are roaring again after it looked like they're about
to fall.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Mate, could not care less about the Commonwealth Games. I
honestly every and like this is partly from work because
it's so much effort to cover an Olympic Games, but
also are Commonwealth Games and the rewards are just not
there with the Commonwalth Games like it is so in
the shadow of the Olympics. Like Olympics you throw the
kitchen sink gap because it is arguably the pinnacle of
all sport. But the Commonwealth Games, how can you get
(16:39):
onto the stage and win gold? Congratulations? But you've not
done it against America, You've not done it against China,
You've not probably not done it against Russia for whatever reason.
So I just don't see the value in the Commonwealth
Games anymore. Like, I'm sure it's fantastic for these athletes
to get to go over and do it, but it
is not the highest level you can compete at.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
It feels like something from a by gone era that
we're just allowed to continue. And it looked like it
was about to die when Victoria and Australia decided they
didn't want it anymore and Glasgow's come and picked up
the slack. But it feels like something from yester year.
Now the Games are around, you know, the Asian Games
and the you know, always regional, which makes a lot
of sense, yep, based on the Commonwealth. Please we should
be rid of the com.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Yeah, the value of the Commonwealth is decreasing by year.
You know, we're seeing countries start to secede and become republics.
You know, Shouldnew Zealand do that? Who knows? Australia do that?
Who knows.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
It's a big topic for the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
It's a big topic for the Chamber. But that's what
we do here. We talk about the big isshes.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
So look, I honestly I it's gonna keep me up
at night, the fact that we're gonna have to cover
the Commonwealth Games. I have a miserable time doing it.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
It's a great time zone. Glasgo flip your sleepchigitle on
its heads and you'll be away laughing. Alex Peale, thank
you for your time with the Chamber.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Anytime leading a VEX, We've got just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks ivvy.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another edition
of Sports Fix, and you can catch News Talk zb
sports coverage on Sports Talk midnights seven to late sad Weekend,
Sport midday to three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
For more from News Talk zed B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep
Speaker 1 (18:08):
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