On Sports Fix with Nick Bewley for 16 June 2026, the All Whites have put on a real show in their FIFA World Cup opening match as they managed to steal a point in a 2-2 draw against Iran in Los Angeles. Harry Ngata is a former All Whites midfielder, he joined Nick to discuss.
Nick shares his thoughts on the Hurricanes selling out the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs in just 15 minutes.
And Nick and Newstalk ZB head of sport Clay Wilson discuss the All Whites' opening FIFA World Cup fixture against Iran, whether Ben Stokes could return as the England test captain and who can pick up the spot of Kane Williamson in the Black Caps side.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hello and welcome into the Sports Fixed podcast, Nick Julie
and Today keeping you up to date with everything sport
locally and internationally.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
It is the sixteenth of June.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Coming up shortly, the Football World Cup is firmly our focus.
What a thrilling match in Los Angeles, the All Whites
to Iran to former All White Harry Nater with his
analysis of that match. Shortly, I've also got some thoughts
on the Super Rugby Final on Shantaday Hurricanes Chiefs shouting
out in a matter of minutes and joining me in
(00:55):
the chamber to kick around. The latest in sports news
is News talksb's Sports news director Clay Wilson.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Plenty to get to, so let's rip.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Let's get you underway with some of the big sports
stories of the day, and it gets none bigger than this.
A frenetic Football World Cup opener for the All Whites.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Ramos of Mexico brings the match to a conclusion one
or two players four flat on the ground. The exertion,
the effort was supreme.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
New Zealand have drawn to all with Iran and Los angeless.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Here they're on TVNZT.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
The All Whites twice held the lead, only to concede
equalizers in both halves. Elijah just scored both of New
Zealand's goals, becoming the first All Whites player to score
twice in a match at the World Cup. Some big
results earlier today. Staying with the All Whites group Egypt
and Belgium drew one all and in Group H Cape
(01:56):
Verde have held world number two ranks Spain to a
nil all stalemate. Away from football and Brenda McCallum has
refused to guarantee Ben Stokes will return as England cricket captain.
In his first met conference since the Nightclub saga after
the First Test went over the Black Apps, McCullum reiterated
his support for Stokes but didn't endorse a return to
(02:18):
lead the side.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Those decisions are not for now.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
The concern of the moment is making sure the fen's
fine and we need to.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Look after him, rally around him.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
In time we'll get onto those sorts of decisions, but
I'm just making sure they're checking in with him.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
That's where things said at them.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
The Second Test starts tomorrow at the Oval in London,
and the Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and the
Chiefs at Wellington's Henry Stadium is sold out. Hurricanes boss
Tony Philip has told Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills that
they all went quickly.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
We got out for a minute and our fiftim coach
beautifully and and our teens an amazing job.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Phillip says they're investigating temporary seating options to bring in
more fans.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Beating of Vex. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex powered by News Talks Heavy.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Were joining me now on the Sports Fixed podcast is
former All whitesmithfielder Harry Nata. Just moments after that, pulsating
to all draw Harry in Los Angeles, how are you
feeling right now?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
How is your heart rate?
Speaker 5 (03:24):
I think we all heart rates across New Zealand and
then obviously in the stands in the US spiked on
a couple of occasions there when we went ahead after
seven minutes and then I guess took lead just after halftime.
So two really good goals from from the team but yeah,
I think like a lot of people were happy with
(03:45):
the result, you know, with the result in the performance,
but yeah, I think leading twice, I think, yeah, from
the leading twice against in a World Cup like this,
and you can't criticize, you know, the players, the effort,
but I know that'd be there'll be an edge of
disappointment as well.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Yeah, that was gonna be my next queen.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Do you see it? And I suppose for you as
an individual and then perhaps the secondary to that from
the team perspective, do you. I can't help but sense
that they will be disappointed at that. It is a
missed opportunity at history.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
They will be Yeah, they will be disappointed with I
guess with those two goals, particularly when they played so
well throughout the course of the game. And let's face it,
you know, iron And only lost one game through qualifying.
They're a top team in Asia, one of the most
referable teams through the re least, so they are a
very capable side and putting on top or the external
(04:44):
narrative around around their participation, and I guess the geopolitical
situation as well. They showed up, particularly after the first goal.
I think they were a bit slow out of the
blocks and we kind of dominated the first few minutes
and got that opening goal, but they came back into
it and it was a fairly even game. I mean,
we had the post obviously to think in the first half,
(05:07):
but we can confident and positive that we created a
number of opportunities goal scoring opportunities. We just need to
take that extra step now and repeat it against against Egypt,
but obviously the points are up for grabs. That will
be the optimal kind of task their hand.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Elijah just Harry.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Now, quite a few of our listeners tonight may not
have heard of his name before today. Tell us a
little bit a bit more about this bloke and his
composure to score both of those goals.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
What an amazing story Elijah has. You know, he grew
up in Wellington and went through the Ola Football Academy
with a number of the other boys as well, about
five or six of them went through the academy at
the same time, so have come through the junior ranks,
through the national team all together, and has since gone
on to play in Denmark and now is one of
(06:04):
the leading players in the Scottish Premier League with motherwell
had a really good Sea isn't and has now attracted
interest from other European clubs. So he's a player that
certainly I guess improved and progressed, and at the quality
that he's playing at now on a regular basis, you
can see why he's He's composed and combined really well
(06:27):
with Chris Wood, particularly for that second goal, but the
first goal as well. Man, what an amazing, what an
amazing that goal was to send I guess New Zealand
into raptures at the point in time Harry.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Nater with I said, because perhaps some of the I
suppose externally the criticism of this team is what is
our goal scoring source outside of Chris Wood? How critical
is that going forward? That hate not everything has to
weigh on the shoulders of Chris Wood. I know he
was critical in the lead up certainly to the second goal,
a little bit to the first goal as well.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
I look he held the ball up really well in
the whole game, did Chris so? And I think playing
that big man small man, I guess that that old
fashion I for one of a better term two strikers
up front, although elig to play slightly wider, but Gat
does drift in a lot of the time they complement
each other and we saw that for both goals and
(07:20):
other opportunities too throughout, particularly the first half that was
created in and around the box. So there's definitely some
synergy there. There's definitely some positive outcomes to work on
to improve around the box. But yeah, I think from
a goal scoring perspective, it has been nice that we
the focus is you're not entirely on Chris Wood. We
(07:43):
obviously know why, but there are that brings obviously other
people into play as well, the likes of Elijah Wood,
the sartpret things. I think Libyacaci had a nice strike
on goal in the first half as well, so there
are other opportunities and other players that can certainly take
that role too.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Just a couple more, Harry Naton, really appreciate your time.
You sort of mentioned before it's hard not you don't
want to be over critical, but just from a defensive standpoint,
I know that that hitter that equals to to to
two from Iran was pinpoint coming in off the post,
but could there have been you know, you mentioned Darren
baz will perk ahead of the game against Egypt. Is
there something you can see immediately that they're wanting to
(08:19):
be adjusting, just being just perhaps a little bit tighter.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Look, look, I think you know, as long as there
I guess the players in front of them, and let's
be that they do play reasonally well with crosses. Both
Finn and Michael boxall an adept about dealing with crosses,
particularly from those sort of areas that was a pinpoint cross.
I guess that and the midfield are just drifted in
between them. So yeah, just slightly off both of them,
(08:45):
and that respected to let their their their attacker kind
of just drift in between them. I don't think it's
a it's a heavy tweak or a lot of work
to do and that respect because they are so competent
nine times out of ten. But there's yeah, definitely opportunities
to work on I guess the communication and I guess
making the most of those moments both in front of
(09:07):
goal from an attack perspective, but also being disciplined enough
to actually I guess close out games and actually get
that ball away instead of letting it fall in between them. So, yeah,
a couple of work ons, but it's not it's not
a heavy I guess menu of things to kind of
tweak and and and I guess modify at all. I
(09:27):
think the attitude was superb, the energy levels despite the
I guess the heat were great. So yeah, let's more
of the same for the for the next game against Egypt,
I'm sure, certainly.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
And that leads me to my last question up to Vancouver,
now Egypt. On Monday, they had a one all drawer
with Belgium. I suppose back here at home, in terms
of the optimism and the optimism within the group, how
much are you looking forward to Monday?
Speaker 5 (09:54):
Look, optimism within the group I think will be will
be pretty positive. Optimism throughout I guess New Zealand and
those Kiwi supporting in the US now I'm going to
be in Vancouver hugely optimistic as well. I think if
you if you offered a point up before the game,
there's no doubt that we would have taken it. But
I've seen the level of exposure, the level of energy,
(10:16):
the level of I guess that the pass has completed,
the intricate play at times gives us a hell of
a lot of confidence that we can certainly, let's not
take a step back against degit. Let's let's move forward.
Let's be brave. Let's let's play with courage and conviction.
I'm sure that's going to be the messages from from
Darren and have that belief that we can we can
(10:37):
do this, we can get through to the next round.
We can pick up three points because yeah, like I said,
they're led twice against against Iran this this afternoon and
they'll be kicking themselves a little bit that they let
that one slip.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news now
and by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
V Well done Wellington. It's taken just fifteen minutes today
for Saturday's Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and Chiefs
to sell out at Henry Stadium. Our capital city has
copped a fair bit of flack over the years for
its inability to show up.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
To sporting events.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Twenty four thousand attended the semi finals SmackDown of the
Blues may have been about half that at best of
the week before against the Brumbies on what was a
terrible night weatherwise. That's not uncommon when it comes to
the qualifying finals in Hamilton that was poorly attended. The
one in christ Church, benefiting from the city's shiny new
(11:35):
home under the comforts of a roof. Anything short of
a capacity crowd this Shaturday, and no doubt the alarm
bells would have been deafening for Jack Mesley and the
Super Rugby stakeholders on either side of the Tasman. The
competition remains in desperate need of good news stories.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
This year.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
It's been besieged by the looming demise of Muana Pasifica,
a lack of a genuine contender from Australia and the
convoluted finals format that rewards mediocrity. Don't get me wrong,
there has been some tremendous be The Chiefs delivered one
of the best forty minute displays I've ever seen last
week against the Crusaders. The Hurricanes have scored one hundred
(12:15):
tries this season, one hundred and look, I think we
can all appreciate in tricky economic times that attending sport
is a luxury many can't afford. Yet today is an
example that a one off event, and a rare event
at that, a first final in Wellington in a decade,
still rates and resonates. The question now is how does
(12:38):
super be recapture the imagination of fans before the season
finale coming up next here on the sports Fix podcast,
we step inside the chamber with news Talks edb's Sports
news editor Clay Wilson.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Well, time to step into the chamber here on the
sports Fix podcast, joining me as news talks EDB Sports
News Director Clay Wilson. We are recording this about half
an hour after the All Whites thrilling to draw with
Iran at the Football World Cup in Los Angeles. Clay,
New Zealand lead twice. How are you feeling and how
do you think the team will be feeling? Proud of
(13:17):
the performance, but a lingering feeling of a missed opportunity
at history.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 6 (13:23):
Yeah, it is a strange result, isn't it. It's a
bit of a weird one in that it's very much
what could have been. You know, I think if you
had said to most football fans in this country, all
white supporters before the game, you're going to score two goals,
you're going to win a point, you probably would have
taken that. But when you lead twice and then you
have that leader race twice, you kind of come away
feeling a bit strange, like great to get a point
(13:46):
of course, you know New Zealand hasn't earned many of
those at World Cups. But you know, when you lead
twice and then you give up that lead, it just
it does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity.
As I said, so, I think a lot of people
will be feeling like that and listening to Darren Baisley
and even a loads of justin their on field interviews
kind of offering that sentiment like really proud, great, what
(14:07):
a great game, and it was a very entertaining game,
but you know, to not come away with the maximum
three points is a bit of a missed opportunity.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Were you surprised how open the game was. I'm sort
of familiar with football worll Cup games that are quite cagey,
you know that was that was anything but cagey.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
Yeah, And I think, you know, for both teams, because
of course New Zealand are you know, the lowest ranked
team at this tournament, and you expect them to play
defensive lead, to really sit back and try and strike
on the counter. And Iran in qualifying in recent history
have been renowned as a rather defensive team. So for
both teams to come out and play like that really
went against the form book. But it was a brilliant,
(14:44):
expansive game, wasn't it. I mean both goals New Zealand scored,
and even both goals Iran scored really came from a
lot of great build up play and really in stuff
at any moment. You know, you couldn't really take your
eyes off the telly too much, could you, because anything
could happen. So yeah, if nothing else, a very entertaining
game of football, and like you say, against kind of
(15:05):
what we usually expect these tournaments.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
I certainly not planning so roll on Monday against Egypt.
Outside of football, today, Clay, we heard in the headlines
of the day England's cricket coach Brendan McCullum spoke in
a media for the first time. This is since this
nightclub incident after the first Test win over New Zealand
at Lord's. What do you make of those comments? And
I suppose to narrow our focus. Can you see a
(15:29):
scenario now Ben Stokes isn't playing the second Test tomorrow?
Can you see a scenario where Ben Stokes returns as
England Test skipper.
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Well, Brendan McCallum was so open and broad in his comments,
and this follows Rob Key there, the ECB's kind of
head of the English men's team. He spoke a few
days ago, didn't he and kind of said the similar
thing is that they're not really focused and they're insisting
they're not really focused on making those decisions just now
or want to talk about whether he will be captain
again or even when he will play again. Their focus
(16:01):
now is on day to day making sure he's getting
through it and helping him through that process before they
get to that point now, Is that actually the case?
Have they discussed it in any way? I guess we're
not going to know. We kind of have to take
them at their word. I feel like with Brendan McCallum
at the Helm, there's certainly a chance I would say
(16:22):
he You know, that relationship he's forged with Ben Stokes
incredibly close and the incredibly similar characters in a lot
of ways, aren't that There's been so many comparisons in
terms of that leadership duo that they've formed. So yes,
town to your question, I can, but it seems so
uncertain right now where it's going to go, which direction
it's going to go. Will he even be back for
the Third Test? When will he even be back in
(16:44):
this England team?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Watch the space and speaking of Brenda McCullum, actually some
really nice reflections on the Test career and international cricket
career of Kane Williamson. Who's speaking of this is now
the post Kane Williamson era for this black Caps team.
Will Young Clay has flown over to effectively replace Kane
Williamson in terms of a squad mare. But now that's
no guarantee that Will Young will play at the Oval tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
What have you heard?
Speaker 3 (17:08):
What's the noise coming out of the black Caps camp
at this point in time about who takes up what's
such a key spot in the black Caps playing eleven?
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Yeah, well nothing, no real indications out of the camp itself.
But I mean it really appears to be a two
horse race, doesn't it. Like you say, Will Young's come
back and the other option there in terms of the
top order better is Henry Nichols. And of course Henry
Nichols back in the squad after scoring a mountain of
runs in the Planket Shield for Canterbury. So you've got
an inform player and then a player who you know
(17:37):
has kind of been in and out of the team,
but has had success. Now, if I look at the
makeup of that team, a quick scan down that that
top order shows me that if you bring Henry Nichols in,
you have four left handers at the top of the order. Now,
if you're a you know, an ex as and O's
the stats and numbers analytics person, you know, there is
a lot of talk often about left right hand combinations
(17:59):
and that kind of thing. And you know, I've always
been a Will Young fan, and I think for that
reason I would opt for Will Young, but I certainly
wouldn't be disappointed if it is Henry Nickol. I think,
you know, the form he's shown shows he's very much,
you know, back in the groove, and of course he
has you know, a lot of test runs on his side,
has had a lot of success in test cricket in
(18:19):
the past. So I don't really think there's a bad option,
but it is kind of intriguing to see which way
they will go.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Intriguing.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Indeed, ten pm weather hopefully permitting first ball tomorrow at
the Oval. Clay Wilson, thanks for your time here at
the chamber, no problems, thank you.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Leading a X We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix,
Power Blay, News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
There is your sports fix for another day. For more sport,
don't forget to tune into News Talks HEB between seven
and eight Monday to Friday, and it's me tonight. It's
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(19:04):
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Speaker 4 (19:08):
For now.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
For more from News Talk set B listen live on
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hello and welcome into the Sports Fixed podcast, Nick Julie
and Today keeping you up to date with everything sport
locally and internationally.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
It is the sixteenth of June.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Coming up shortly, the Football World Cup is firmly our focus.
What a thrilling match in Los Angeles, the All Whites
to Iran to former All White Harry Nater with his
analysis of that match. Shortly, I've also got some thoughts
on the Super Rugby Final on Shantaday Hurricanes Chiefs shouting
out in a matter of minutes and joining me in
(00:55):
the chamber to kick around. The latest in sports news
is News talksb's Sports news director Clay Wilson.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Plenty to get to, so let's rip.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Let's get you underway with some of the big sports
stories of the day, and it gets none bigger than this.
A frenetic Football World Cup opener for the All Whites.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Ramos of Mexico brings the match to a conclusion one
or two players four flat on the ground. The exertion,
the effort was supreme.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
New Zealand have drawn to all with Iran and Los angeless.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Here they're on TVNZT.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
The All Whites twice held the lead, only to concede
equalizers in both halves. Elijah just scored both of New
Zealand's goals, becoming the first All Whites player to score
twice in a match at the World Cup. Some big
results earlier today. Staying with the All Whites group Egypt
and Belgium drew one all and in Group H Cape
(01:56):
Verde have held world number two ranks Spain to a
nil all stalemate. Away from football and Brenda McCallum has
refused to guarantee Ben Stokes will return as England cricket captain.
In his first met conference since the Nightclub saga after
the First Test went over the Black Apps, McCullum reiterated
his support for Stokes but didn't endorse a return to
(02:18):
lead the side.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Those decisions are not for now.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
The concern of the moment is making sure the fen's
fine and we need to.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Look after him, rally around him.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
In time we'll get onto those sorts of decisions, but
I'm just making sure they're checking in with him.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
That's where things said at them.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
The Second Test starts tomorrow at the Oval in London,
and the Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and the
Chiefs at Wellington's Henry Stadium is sold out. Hurricanes boss
Tony Philip has told Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills that
they all went quickly.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
We got out for a minute and our fiftim coach
beautifully and and our teens an amazing job.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Phillip says they're investigating temporary seating options to bring in
more fans.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Beating of Vex. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex powered by News Talks Heavy.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Were joining me now on the Sports Fixed podcast is
former All whitesmithfielder Harry Nata. Just moments after that, pulsating
to all draw Harry in Los Angeles, how are you
feeling right now?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
How is your heart rate?
Speaker 5 (03:24):
I think we all heart rates across New Zealand and
then obviously in the stands in the US spiked on
a couple of occasions there when we went ahead after
seven minutes and then I guess took lead just after halftime.
So two really good goals from from the team but yeah,
I think like a lot of people were happy with
(03:45):
the result, you know, with the result in the performance,
but yeah, I think leading twice, I think, yeah, from
the leading twice against in a World Cup like this,
and you can't criticize, you know, the players, the effort,
but I know that'd be there'll be an edge of
disappointment as well.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Yeah, that was gonna be my next queen.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Do you see it? And I suppose for you as
an individual and then perhaps the secondary to that from
the team perspective, do you. I can't help but sense
that they will be disappointed at that. It is a
missed opportunity at history.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
They will be Yeah, they will be disappointed with I
guess with those two goals, particularly when they played so
well throughout the course of the game. And let's face it,
you know, iron And only lost one game through qualifying.
They're a top team in Asia, one of the most
referable teams through the re least, so they are a
very capable side and putting on top or the external
(04:44):
narrative around around their participation, and I guess the geopolitical
situation as well. They showed up, particularly after the first goal.
I think they were a bit slow out of the
blocks and we kind of dominated the first few minutes
and got that opening goal, but they came back into
it and it was a fairly even game. I mean,
we had the post obviously to think in the first half,
(05:07):
but we can confident and positive that we created a
number of opportunities goal scoring opportunities. We just need to
take that extra step now and repeat it against against Egypt,
but obviously the points are up for grabs. That will
be the optimal kind of task their hand.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Elijah just Harry.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Now, quite a few of our listeners tonight may not
have heard of his name before today. Tell us a
little bit a bit more about this bloke and his
composure to score both of those goals.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
What an amazing story Elijah has. You know, he grew
up in Wellington and went through the Ola Football Academy
with a number of the other boys as well, about
five or six of them went through the academy at
the same time, so have come through the junior ranks,
through the national team all together, and has since gone
on to play in Denmark and now is one of
(06:04):
the leading players in the Scottish Premier League with motherwell
had a really good Sea isn't and has now attracted
interest from other European clubs. So he's a player that
certainly I guess improved and progressed, and at the quality
that he's playing at now on a regular basis, you
can see why he's He's composed and combined really well
(06:27):
with Chris Wood, particularly for that second goal, but the
first goal as well. Man, what an amazing, what an
amazing that goal was to send I guess New Zealand
into raptures at the point in time Harry.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Nater with I said, because perhaps some of the I
suppose externally the criticism of this team is what is
our goal scoring source outside of Chris Wood? How critical
is that going forward? That hate not everything has to
weigh on the shoulders of Chris Wood. I know he
was critical in the lead up certainly to the second goal,
a little bit to the first goal as well.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
I look he held the ball up really well in
the whole game, did Chris so? And I think playing
that big man small man, I guess that that old
fashion I for one of a better term two strikers
up front, although elig to play slightly wider, but Gat
does drift in a lot of the time they complement
each other and we saw that for both goals and
(07:20):
other opportunities too throughout, particularly the first half that was
created in and around the box. So there's definitely some
synergy there. There's definitely some positive outcomes to work on
to improve around the box. But yeah, I think from
a goal scoring perspective, it has been nice that we
the focus is you're not entirely on Chris Wood. We
(07:43):
obviously know why, but there are that brings obviously other
people into play as well, the likes of Elijah Wood,
the sartpret things. I think Libyacaci had a nice strike
on goal in the first half as well, so there
are other opportunities and other players that can certainly take
that role too.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Just a couple more, Harry Naton, really appreciate your time.
You sort of mentioned before it's hard not you don't
want to be over critical, but just from a defensive standpoint,
I know that that hitter that equals to to to
two from Iran was pinpoint coming in off the post,
but could there have been you know, you mentioned Darren
baz will perk ahead of the game against Egypt. Is
there something you can see immediately that they're wanting to
(08:19):
be adjusting, just being just perhaps a little bit tighter.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Look, look, I think you know, as long as there
I guess the players in front of them, and let's
be that they do play reasonally well with crosses. Both
Finn and Michael boxall an adept about dealing with crosses,
particularly from those sort of areas that was a pinpoint cross.
I guess that and the midfield are just drifted in
between them. So yeah, just slightly off both of them,
(08:45):
and that respected to let their their their attacker kind
of just drift in between them. I don't think it's
a it's a heavy tweak or a lot of work
to do and that respect because they are so competent
nine times out of ten. But there's yeah, definitely opportunities
to work on I guess the communication and I guess
making the most of those moments both in front of
(09:07):
goal from an attack perspective, but also being disciplined enough
to actually I guess close out games and actually get
that ball away instead of letting it fall in between them. So, yeah,
a couple of work ons, but it's not it's not
a heavy I guess menu of things to kind of
tweak and and and I guess modify at all. I
(09:27):
think the attitude was superb, the energy levels despite the
I guess the heat were great. So yeah, let's more
of the same for the for the next game against Egypt,
I'm sure, certainly.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
And that leads me to my last question up to Vancouver,
now Egypt. On Monday, they had a one all drawer
with Belgium. I suppose back here at home, in terms
of the optimism and the optimism within the group, how
much are you looking forward to Monday?
Speaker 5 (09:54):
Look, optimism within the group I think will be will
be pretty positive. Optimism throughout I guess New Zealand and
those Kiwi supporting in the US now I'm going to
be in Vancouver hugely optimistic as well. I think if
you if you offered a point up before the game,
there's no doubt that we would have taken it. But
I've seen the level of exposure, the level of energy,
(10:16):
the level of I guess that the pass has completed,
the intricate play at times gives us a hell of
a lot of confidence that we can certainly, let's not
take a step back against degit. Let's let's move forward.
Let's be brave. Let's let's play with courage and conviction.
I'm sure that's going to be the messages from from
Darren and have that belief that we can we can
(10:37):
do this, we can get through to the next round.
We can pick up three points because yeah, like I said,
they're led twice against against Iran this this afternoon and
they'll be kicking themselves a little bit that they let
that one slip.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news now
and by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
V Well done Wellington. It's taken just fifteen minutes today
for Saturday's Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and Chiefs
to sell out at Henry Stadium. Our capital city has
copped a fair bit of flack over the years for
its inability to show up.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
To sporting events.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Twenty four thousand attended the semi finals SmackDown of the
Blues may have been about half that at best of
the week before against the Brumbies on what was a
terrible night weatherwise. That's not uncommon when it comes to
the qualifying finals in Hamilton that was poorly attended. The
one in christ Church, benefiting from the city's shiny new
(11:35):
home under the comforts of a roof. Anything short of
a capacity crowd this Shaturday, and no doubt the alarm
bells would have been deafening for Jack Mesley and the
Super Rugby stakeholders on either side of the Tasman. The
competition remains in desperate need of good news stories.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
This year.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
It's been besieged by the looming demise of Muana Pasifica,
a lack of a genuine contender from Australia and the
convoluted finals format that rewards mediocrity. Don't get me wrong,
there has been some tremendous be The Chiefs delivered one
of the best forty minute displays I've ever seen last
week against the Crusaders. The Hurricanes have scored one hundred
(12:15):
tries this season, one hundred and look, I think we
can all appreciate in tricky economic times that attending sport
is a luxury many can't afford. Yet today is an
example that a one off event, and a rare event
at that, a first final in Wellington in a decade,
still rates and resonates. The question now is how does
(12:38):
super be recapture the imagination of fans before the season
finale coming up next here on the sports Fix podcast,
we step inside the chamber with news Talks edb's Sports
news editor Clay Wilson.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Well, time to step into the chamber here on the
sports Fix podcast, joining me as news talks EDB Sports
News Director Clay Wilson. We are recording this about half
an hour after the All Whites thrilling to draw with
Iran at the Football World Cup in Los Angeles. Clay,
New Zealand lead twice. How are you feeling and how
do you think the team will be feeling? Proud of
(13:17):
the performance, but a lingering feeling of a missed opportunity
at history.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 6 (13:23):
Yeah, it is a strange result, isn't it. It's a
bit of a weird one in that it's very much
what could have been. You know, I think if you
had said to most football fans in this country, all
white supporters before the game, you're going to score two goals,
you're going to win a point, you probably would have
taken that. But when you lead twice and then you
have that leader race twice, you kind of come away
feeling a bit strange, like great to get a point
(13:46):
of course, you know New Zealand hasn't earned many of
those at World Cups. But you know, when you lead
twice and then you give up that lead, it just
it does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity.
As I said, so, I think a lot of people
will be feeling like that and listening to Darren Baisley
and even a loads of justin their on field interviews
kind of offering that sentiment like really proud, great, what
(14:07):
a great game, and it was a very entertaining game,
but you know, to not come away with the maximum
three points is a bit of a missed opportunity.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Were you surprised how open the game was. I'm sort
of familiar with football worll Cup games that are quite cagey,
you know that was that was anything but cagey.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
Yeah, And I think, you know, for both teams, because
of course New Zealand are you know, the lowest ranked
team at this tournament, and you expect them to play
defensive lead, to really sit back and try and strike
on the counter. And Iran in qualifying in recent history
have been renowned as a rather defensive team. So for
both teams to come out and play like that really
went against the form book. But it was a brilliant,
(14:44):
expansive game, wasn't it. I mean both goals New Zealand scored,
and even both goals Iran scored really came from a
lot of great build up play and really in stuff
at any moment. You know, you couldn't really take your
eyes off the telly too much, could you, because anything
could happen. So yeah, if nothing else, a very entertaining
game of football, and like you say, against kind of
(15:05):
what we usually expect these tournaments.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
I certainly not planning so roll on Monday against Egypt.
Outside of football, today, Clay, we heard in the headlines
of the day England's cricket coach Brendan McCullum spoke in
a media for the first time. This is since this
nightclub incident after the first Test win over New Zealand
at Lord's. What do you make of those comments? And
I suppose to narrow our focus. Can you see a
(15:29):
scenario now Ben Stokes isn't playing the second Test tomorrow?
Can you see a scenario where Ben Stokes returns as
England Test skipper.
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Well, Brendan McCallum was so open and broad in his comments,
and this follows Rob Key there, the ECB's kind of
head of the English men's team. He spoke a few
days ago, didn't he and kind of said the similar
thing is that they're not really focused and they're insisting
they're not really focused on making those decisions just now
or want to talk about whether he will be captain
again or even when he will play again. Their focus
(16:01):
now is on day to day making sure he's getting
through it and helping him through that process before they
get to that point now, Is that actually the case?
Have they discussed it in any way? I guess we're
not going to know. We kind of have to take
them at their word. I feel like with Brendan McCallum
at the Helm, there's certainly a chance I would say
(16:22):
he You know, that relationship he's forged with Ben Stokes
incredibly close and the incredibly similar characters in a lot
of ways, aren't that There's been so many comparisons in
terms of that leadership duo that they've formed. So yes,
town to your question, I can, but it seems so
uncertain right now where it's going to go, which direction
it's going to go. Will he even be back for
the Third Test? When will he even be back in
(16:44):
this England team?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Watch the space and speaking of Brenda McCullum, actually some
really nice reflections on the Test career and international cricket
career of Kane Williamson. Who's speaking of this is now
the post Kane Williamson era for this black Caps team.
Will Young Clay has flown over to effectively replace Kane
Williamson in terms of a squad mare. But now that's
no guarantee that Will Young will play at the Oval tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
What have you heard?
Speaker 3 (17:08):
What's the noise coming out of the black Caps camp
at this point in time about who takes up what's
such a key spot in the black Caps playing eleven?
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Yeah, well nothing, no real indications out of the camp itself.
But I mean it really appears to be a two
horse race, doesn't it. Like you say, Will Young's come
back and the other option there in terms of the
top order better is Henry Nichols. And of course Henry
Nichols back in the squad after scoring a mountain of
runs in the Planket Shield for Canterbury. So you've got
an inform player and then a player who you know
(17:37):
has kind of been in and out of the team,
but has had success. Now, if I look at the
makeup of that team, a quick scan down that that
top order shows me that if you bring Henry Nichols in,
you have four left handers at the top of the order. Now,
if you're a you know, an ex as and O's
the stats and numbers analytics person, you know, there is
a lot of talk often about left right hand combinations
(17:59):
and that kind of thing. And you know, I've always
been a Will Young fan, and I think for that
reason I would opt for Will Young, but I certainly
wouldn't be disappointed if it is Henry Nickol. I think,
you know, the form he's shown shows he's very much,
you know, back in the groove, and of course he
has you know, a lot of test runs on his side,
has had a lot of success in test cricket in
(18:19):
the past. So I don't really think there's a bad option,
but it is kind of intriguing to see which way
they will go.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Intriguing.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Indeed, ten pm weather hopefully permitting first ball tomorrow at
the Oval. Clay Wilson, thanks for your time here at
the chamber, no problems, thank you.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Leading a X We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix,
Power Blay, News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
There is your sports fix for another day. For more sport,
don't forget to tune into News Talks HEB between seven
and eight Monday to Friday, and it's me tonight. It's
on Sports Talk and tomorrow as well. Then of course
Jason Pye is behind the microphone between midday and three
on Saturday and Sunday with weekend Sport. If you want
this in your inbox your podcast feed, just hit subscribe
(19:04):
and that'll be there each day around this time, thanks
to your company.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
For now.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
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
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