On Sports Fix with Nick Bewley for 1 July 2026, tomorrow evening, the first All Blacks squad of 23 will be named for the year as they are set to take on France at One New Zealand Stadium for their first match of the new Nations Championship. There are plenty of discussion points around who deserves to be named in the squad with one of those key positions being first five.
Jon Preston is a former All Black first five, he joined Nick to discuss
Nick shares his thoughts on the new Super Rugby structure for 2027 that was announced today.
And Nick and New Zealand Herald sport journalist Ben Francis discuss the Warriors' latest signing, the confirmed Super Rugby Pacific format for 2027,Serena Williams' return to singles at Wimbledon and Lebron James leaving the Lakers.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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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 Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome into the Sports of Fixed podcast. Nick Burley here
today Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
July one.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
We are officially halfway through twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
How good coming up?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Shortly? Former All Black John Preston stops fire for a
chat as we discuss some of the big contestable selections
ahead of Saturday's opening test.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Of the year against France.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I've got some thoughts on the Super Rugby competition structure
just confirmed for next year. And joining me in the
chamber to kick around the latest in sports news is
Ben Francis from the New Zealand Herald. Plenty to wrap
your ears around. So let's get stuck.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
In in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Let's get you underway with some of the burg sports
stories of the day. Two time champions France have crushed
Sweden three nil to the spot in the last sixteen
at the Football World Cup and.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Our suit suit so soit mister Dolls to the heavens
that was killing him.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Barpey's second goal of the match, sealing the victory. Norwayia
also through after a two to one win of the
Coat Dauvoir. As our tournament's co hosts Mexico, they beat
Ecuador two nil. Australian tennis player Maya Joint can't believe
she's played Serena Williams let alone spoiled her long awaited
Wimbledon comeback. The twenty year old and needed three sets
(01:44):
to beat the twenty three times Grand Slam winner, and
reckons she suffered from a huge inferiority complex throughout the contest.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Intimid having to play a match against someone who's who's
achieved so much in their career, it just seems like
she's just so much better, like in general than you
as a person.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
The Rugby and Chiefs lose Ford Samapeni female is leaving
New Zealand for Japan. He'll join the Yokohama Cannon Eagles.
The twenty seven year old had five seasons with the
Chiefs and played twelve Tests for the All Blacks and
The Warriors have signed West Tigers winger Luke Laulii on
a short term NRL deal in a move to plug
some injury holes. The twenty year old fiels a position
(02:27):
of need with a Lofiana khn Pereira sidelined indefinitely with
a leg injury and Roger t e Vasischek out for
the season.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
We've got just the ticket. It's sports, VEX news talks
evy well.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
For many of us, it's like Christmas Eve. This the
night before the first All Blacks team of the year
is released. This of course for Saturday's Test against France
and christ Church, not only the first All Blacks Test
of the year, but the first Test under a new
coach and Dave Reenni and new selectors Neil Barnes and
Sir Graham Henry. There are several big decisions for that
(03:01):
trio to make, and joining me now to pour over
some of them is former All Black John Preston. Get
ajp Hey, Nick, how are you?
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
I'm very well, Thank you, hey, thanks for stopping by
for a chat. Let's start with a position on the field.
You know a fair bit about it, and that is
first five eighth. Once more, we have three options. Two
veterans of the international scene and Bowden Barrett and Damien McKenzie,
and a young up and comer and Reuben Love, who
has had a tremendous Super Rugby season. All the clamoring
is for Ruben Love to be given the keys on Saturday.
(03:32):
Where do you stand? Do you want to see him
in the ten jersey?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (03:36):
I do, nik yea, yeah, you have to really, don't you.
I mean he's been the form teen. I know he's
been planning in an outstanding side and your job's a
lot easier when that happens, particularly when you've got the
classy head inside and the outside. But he's to developing ten.
You know, we're not flush with him at the moment.
We've got two other guys. You'd have to say, Burden
Barrett hasn't been his best form. McKenzie bit of a
(03:58):
mixture as well in whether he's actually you know you're
starting test ten. I'm reserved on anyway, So for me
give give Love the correct you know, you've got to
keep developing the guy outside of Mwanga coming back. We
don't have a long list at the moment. We need
to see how he can go and test match footy.
(04:19):
It's not the strongest French side. You know that they
will face. It's in New Zealand as well, so I
hope they give him the run.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
So do I so you don't have to preach to
the you're preaching to the converted heir John. But what's
impressed your most about the way in which Ruben Love
has gone about is Super Rugby season, because of course
he has been part of the All Blacks set up
in the last couple of years. He's played five Test matches,
a couple off the bench, a couple starting at full back,
but he rarely came of age in the first five position.
(04:50):
Of course, there was some flashy moments and bits of
individual brilliance, But what did you like about his overall
game that gives you the confidence that, yep, he deserves
his crack at the ten jersey in an all Blacks environment.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I mean, I've said it often enough. I think that
it's time settle and you know, particularly in the position
of like ten, experience counts for a lot. We know,
as you see, he's got he's got tons of flair.
We saw that in the final, we saw that multiple games.
He's a dangerous runner when he gets his opportunity. But
what I liked about what he did mostly is because
of the strength that the hurricane's head all around him,
(05:23):
he really just he became a bit of a link
to some degree, which was which was the role for
that thing? It was it was ideal. You know, he's
a sharp handler, sharp mover. He can kick when he's
called upon. I mean, he's lucky where they had Roy
Gad inside him with a left foot and then you
know Jordi Barrett with with a big right foot as well,
(05:44):
so they take a lot of the pressure off for
the hurricane. So you know, I assume they'll pick those
guys inside and outside him for the test as well
when he plays, so he'll be in the same situation.
And that's combinations too, which are critical, particularly when you
just you know, when you need to the scene bedding
in again or knew where I should say. But I
think he's just he's just growing and composure's growing in
(06:06):
game understanding, and he just fulfilled the role he needed
to for that side. He's going to have to take
another step quite clearly when you get to test level,
and that's you know, that's a little unknown until he
gets rained under the absolute heat of that situation. But
there's only one way to find out.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
John Preston with us here. So let's say Ruben Love
does get the night at ten, how do you utilize
Damien McKenzie and ll Bowden Barrett. And again this is
assuming Will Jordan is fit, he's been declared fit and
assuming he'll start at fullback.
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, well, yeah, if he is fit and available, I
hope they do start him because he's probably the best
fullback in the will when he's playing at his best,
and we assume he is one hundred percent now, so
probably yeah. I mean, Boden Barrett hasn't been a great
form and you know that it's a different environment. You'd
have to say that about a few of the Blues
players as the season went on too, But I just
(06:58):
wonder whether they might give them a breather if they
play Ruben Love at ten and perhaps have McKenzie off
the bench, who can you can cover those two positions
nicely as well. So that's possibly the way they'll go
about it. Freshness there as well, But yeah, it remains
to be saying.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
We will find out tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
A couple of other areas, John, where it's far from
an obvious choice staying in the back line the center position. Now,
you talked about familiarity in combinations with nine, ten, twelve,
roy Gard Love Bouret, where does Billy Proctor fit in?
And for you Quintu Pie, of course we did so
seem play a fear bit of center last year, but
(07:38):
has played primarily at twelve for the Chiefs. Which way
do you reckon they'll go here?
Speaker 7 (07:43):
It's a bit of a conundrumus because both you know,
Jordi Barrett, I mean he was playing extremely well for
the Hurricanes as well, and two Pie was on fire
for the Chicks. They're both been a great form. I
suspect they may play to Pirates center. You know he's
got that game international level, powerful, very direct, extremely good
(08:05):
defender as well, and as you said, he said he
has played there a bit. Two So look, I'm a
fan of Bully Proctor again, another guy who had a
really good season. But I just wonder on the international
stage is what's required that they might not just go
for two Pire For that reason, he's worked well and
that position with his first test is absolutely our stand
(08:27):
center and that year, for me, that is possibly the
way they'll move.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Cowing By News Talks v.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Super Rugby has snuck back into the news cycle before
Test fever fully takes over. By confirming its competition format
for next year. They've decided, even with the amount of
teams being reduced to ten, the amounts that will make
the finals remains at six. The lucky loser format has gone.
Top two finishes will get the first week off. Three
(09:01):
play six, four plays five. This is across an expanded
regular season in which each team plays sixteen game games,
eight home, eight away. Now I must admit my immediate
reaction when I saw this was what, how on earth
did they land on six for the finals? Surely this
is the optimal time to move to a top four
(09:22):
semi final format. This reward's mediocrity, and in all likelihood
a team that loses more games than it wins will
play finals Rugby. So we called Jack Measley, the super
ab boss, who, to his credit, is always available to
us media types, and I put some of these questions
and thoughts to him. He insisted they looked at various options,
did a lot of modeling, and while he understands from
(09:44):
a New Zealand perspective, the clamoring for a semi final
format expanding to sixteen games, they needed jeopardy for longer,
he failed. If they went to a fourteen Finals format,
there would be a large number of games that wouldn't
mean anything to the competition towards the back end of
the season. The more I thought about these comments, I
understood where he was coming from. Let's not forget they've
(10:06):
got to keep a busy the Australian market interested as well.
The problem, however, is that this may just extend the bleeding.
I think we can all agree that we want super
Rykby to have a bit more parity. The reality though,
and as we saw this season the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Crusaders
and even the Blues, they were a fair whack ahead
of the rest. Time will tell if that remains the
(10:29):
same in twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Well, we have stepped inside the chamber and joining me
today is Ben Francis from the New Zealand Herald. Good
afternoon to you.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
Ben, afternoon, NI privilege and a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Oh, the pleasure is all mine. I know you're a
big league guy. So we'll start there. Confirmation this morning
out of the Warriors that Luke low Lee Lee. I
think I've got the pronunciation of that right. It's a
bit of a tongue twister, but out of the West
Tigers has signed on a mid season transfer. Of course,
we know that the Warriors are without a lot of
(11:08):
Fianna can Pereira through injury. We saw Dallan Watenis Lesniak
leave the field in the loss to the Dolphins. At
least on the surface, this appears to be a good
bit of business.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
Would you agree, Yeah, Nick, I would totally have to
agree with that. Look, Lowell Leed plays provides a bit
of wing and center cover for the Warriors. And look,
the interesting thing I take away from this is with Campereira.
Firstly his injury, he's still listed as TBCs, so to me,
that kind of indicates it could be quite a serious
injury or he's definitely going to be out a bit longer.
(11:41):
Dallan wasn't listed on the injury sheet for the Warriors,
so that does ring positive. But also with the ability
that he can play center, and you've also got Charms
that could switch to center if needed, maybe suggests that
maybe Webster thinks, look, maybe I need to give one
of these guys a bit of a drop down to
cut because I feel like the center position is the
area where the Warriors have really been struggling, not just
(12:04):
this year, last year as well, but I feel like
the centers were really exposed in that lost to the
Dolphins on the weekend. So there could be a few
interesting combinations that they go here, but overall a good
piece of business.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, agree, and it would be the Worries six games
against the Tigers could be straight thrown into the furnace
against this old club Luke lal leey. Of course off
to the Perth Bears next year. So this is very
much just a short term deal right from one oval
ball code to the other. Super Rugby format confirmed a
little bit earlier today for the twenty twenty seven I
(12:36):
can't help think they've got this wrong personally, with the
finals format remaining with six teams. I know they've got
rid of the lucky loser elements, but to me it
rewards mediocrity. Highly likely a team with a losing record
is going to be in the finals. Where do you
lean on all of this?
Speaker 8 (12:55):
I tend to have to agree with you, actually, And
it's funny watching the World Cup on at the moment
and you know thirty two teams going through for that
and got teams that barely scored a couple of goals
going through and have you've got the similar sort of
feeling that whole thing like this is surely too many,
like it really needs to be four, especially in a
ten team competition. It just it just doesn't make any sense.
(13:17):
I feel like that you're going to get a lot
of teams that are just going to be going like, look,
we're not going to compete with the Hurricanes, We're not
going to compete with the Chiefs, We're not going to
compete with the Crusaders. Let's just aim for six and
you know, we'll still make the finals. We'll get in
at least an extra game, So happy days. And I
feel like that's what lots of teams are probably going
to do, especially some of those teams that have struggled.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
More regular season football as well. So sixteen regular season games,
just the one by round and you need to do
the maths on this properly, what the story. More will
come of it, I'm sure in the coming days, but
it poses to me at least that Super Rugby is
going to continue over Anzac weekend when fifty odd of
(13:57):
the best players are away with the All Blacks and
the Wallabies for this new historic Test at sun Corp Stadium.
But more on that over the coming days. As I say,
couple of big hitters in global sport ben in the
news for different reasons. It start with Serena Williams. First,
her singles come back at least at Wimbledon has lasted
(14:19):
all of a day a three set loss. But probably
maybe to me and maybe this is just the journalistic
side of me not fronting for a postmatch media conference,
is that a poor form or play on.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
I have to agree to be honest. I remember when
I was a young budding journalist, you know, went and
start my career. I remember one of the we're told
to do some opinion pieces and this is going back
a decade ago, as you would know, and one of
the first things I did was Serena needs to retire.
And the fact she's still going, I'm almost going jeepers.
Really it's incredible. But yeah, you know, as a journalist
you always want to hear, you know, these players speak,
(14:55):
because when they speak, everyone listens. But it is a
real shame. But I mean, good on her for giving
it a go and coming back, and you know, your
hats off to her. You know, I think to think
that she can still at least compete to that sort
of level and kind of draw that crowd, it is
just absolutely amazing. So yeah, you still have to give
their hats off to her, but definitely disappointed, not just
spicking to the media.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Yeah, indeed, no great for tennis. All the interest in
this first week of Wimbledon has surrounded Serena Williams, but yeah,
I think someone of her experience should have at least
fronted after the disappointment of losing. And just lastly, Ben
Lebron James won't play for the Los Angeles Lakers this
coming NBA season. Sounds like he's keen to link up
(15:37):
with his old buddies Steph Curry and Draymond Green for
one last hurrah at the Golden State Warriors.
Speaker 8 (15:44):
Oh jeez, really, I mean again, like good onomy is
still going and still producing at a high level, and
I think it's been quite fascinating following some of these
you know, sort of rumors going around all the free
agent signings kind of you know, slowly getting underway and
what teams are doing, and it's always fascinating. So this
(16:05):
kind of reminds me of the whole twenty ten when
he joined the Miami Heat, and this is just going
to be so much intrigue about what he does and
how that impacts certain other players and what they do
and everything like that. But I guess for some people
that's what they like. But the American sports is kind
of like that silly season where there is going on
before the season actually starts. But yeah, I mean, if
(16:27):
he does go to Golden State, that probably wouldn't have
been on many people's Bengo cards that long ago. To
be fair, it felt like that if he was going
to keep playing, it was going to be at the Lakers.
So if he does look link up with Steph Curry
and that at Golden State, I bet there's going to
be a few more people, you know, following them and
a lot of people believing that they can go all
the way. But look, they are going to be in
(16:48):
that tough Western Conference again, so it's definitely not going
to be an easy ride if that's the road he
goes down.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
No, it's no guarantee of a championship, that's for sure. Hey, Ben,
appreciate your time as always here the chamber.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Cheerio Nick, thank you.
Speaker 6 (17:01):
Leading a vix We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
There is your sports fixed for another day. For more sport,
don't forget to tune into News Talks dB between seven
and eight pm Monday to Friday. That's Sports Talk. It'll
be me filling in for Darcy tonight. Then, of course
Jason Pine is behind the mic between twelve and three
on Saturday and Sunday on weekend sport. If you want
(17:28):
this in your inbox or podcast feed, just hit subscribe
and it'll be there each day around about this time.
Bye for now.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on Irradio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Welcome into the Sports of Fixed podcast. Nick Burley here
today Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
July one.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
We are officially halfway through twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
How good coming up?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Shortly? Former All Black John Preston stops fire for a
chat as we discuss some of the big contestable selections
ahead of Saturday's opening test.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Of the year against France.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I've got some thoughts on the Super Rugby competition structure
just confirmed for next year. And joining me in the
chamber to kick around the latest in sports news is
Ben Francis from the New Zealand Herald. Plenty to wrap
your ears around. So let's get stuck.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
In in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Let's get you underway with some of the burg sports
stories of the day. Two time champions France have crushed
Sweden three nil to the spot in the last sixteen
at the Football World Cup and.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Our suit suit so soit mister Dolls to the heavens
that was killing him.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Barpey's second goal of the match, sealing the victory. Norwayia
also through after a two to one win of the
Coat Dauvoir. As our tournament's co hosts Mexico, they beat
Ecuador two nil. Australian tennis player Maya Joint can't believe
she's played Serena Williams let alone spoiled her long awaited
Wimbledon comeback. The twenty year old and needed three sets
(01:44):
to beat the twenty three times Grand Slam winner, and
reckons she suffered from a huge inferiority complex throughout the contest.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Intimid having to play a match against someone who's who's
achieved so much in their career, it just seems like
she's just so much better, like in general than you
as a person.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
The Rugby and Chiefs lose Ford Samapeni female is leaving
New Zealand for Japan. He'll join the Yokohama Cannon Eagles.
The twenty seven year old had five seasons with the
Chiefs and played twelve Tests for the All Blacks and
The Warriors have signed West Tigers winger Luke Laulii on
a short term NRL deal in a move to plug
some injury holes. The twenty year old fiels a position
(02:27):
of need with a Lofiana khn Pereira sidelined indefinitely with
a leg injury and Roger t e Vasischek out for
the season.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
We've got just the ticket. It's sports, VEX news talks
evy well.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
For many of us, it's like Christmas Eve. This the
night before the first All Blacks team of the year
is released. This of course for Saturday's Test against France
and christ Church, not only the first All Blacks Test
of the year, but the first Test under a new
coach and Dave Reenni and new selectors Neil Barnes and
Sir Graham Henry. There are several big decisions for that
(03:01):
trio to make, and joining me now to pour over
some of them is former All Black John Preston. Get
ajp Hey, Nick, how are you?
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
I'm very well, Thank you, hey, thanks for stopping by
for a chat. Let's start with a position on the field.
You know a fair bit about it, and that is
first five eighth. Once more, we have three options. Two
veterans of the international scene and Bowden Barrett and Damien McKenzie,
and a young up and comer and Reuben Love, who
has had a tremendous Super Rugby season. All the clamoring
is for Ruben Love to be given the keys on Saturday.
(03:32):
Where do you stand? Do you want to see him
in the ten jersey?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (03:36):
I do, nik yea, yeah, you have to really, don't you.
I mean he's been the form teen. I know he's
been planning in an outstanding side and your job's a
lot easier when that happens, particularly when you've got the
classy head inside and the outside. But he's to developing ten.
You know, we're not flush with him at the moment.
We've got two other guys. You'd have to say, Burden
Barrett hasn't been his best form. McKenzie bit of a
(03:58):
mixture as well in whether he's actually you know you're
starting test ten. I'm reserved on anyway, So for me
give give Love the correct you know, you've got to
keep developing the guy outside of Mwanga coming back. We
don't have a long list at the moment. We need
to see how he can go and test match footy.
(04:19):
It's not the strongest French side. You know that they
will face. It's in New Zealand as well, so I
hope they give him the run.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
So do I so you don't have to preach to
the you're preaching to the converted heir John. But what's
impressed your most about the way in which Ruben Love
has gone about is Super Rugby season, because of course
he has been part of the All Blacks set up
in the last couple of years. He's played five Test matches,
a couple off the bench, a couple starting at full back,
but he rarely came of age in the first five position.
(04:50):
Of course, there was some flashy moments and bits of
individual brilliance, But what did you like about his overall
game that gives you the confidence that, yep, he deserves
his crack at the ten jersey in an all Blacks environment.
Speaker 7 (05:02):
I mean, I've said it often enough. I think that
it's time settle and you know, particularly in the position
of like ten, experience counts for a lot. We know,
as you see, he's got he's got tons of flair.
We saw that in the final, we saw that multiple games.
He's a dangerous runner when he gets his opportunity. But
what I liked about what he did mostly is because
of the strength that the hurricane's head all around him,
(05:23):
he really just he became a bit of a link
to some degree, which was which was the role for
that thing? It was it was ideal. You know, he's
a sharp handler, sharp mover. He can kick when he's
called upon. I mean, he's lucky where they had Roy
Gad inside him with a left foot and then you
know Jordi Barrett with with a big right foot as well,
(05:44):
so they take a lot of the pressure off for
the hurricane. So you know, I assume they'll pick those
guys inside and outside him for the test as well
when he plays, so he'll be in the same situation.
And that's combinations too, which are critical, particularly when you
just you know, when you need to the scene bedding
in again or knew where I should say. But I
think he's just he's just growing and composure's growing in
(06:06):
game understanding, and he just fulfilled the role he needed
to for that side. He's going to have to take
another step quite clearly when you get to test level,
and that's you know, that's a little unknown until he
gets rained under the absolute heat of that situation. But
there's only one way to find out.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
John Preston with us here. So let's say Ruben Love
does get the night at ten, how do you utilize
Damien McKenzie and ll Bowden Barrett. And again this is
assuming Will Jordan is fit, he's been declared fit and
assuming he'll start at fullback.
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, well, yeah, if he is fit and available, I
hope they do start him because he's probably the best
fullback in the will when he's playing at his best,
and we assume he is one hundred percent now, so
probably yeah. I mean, Boden Barrett hasn't been a great
form and you know that it's a different environment. You'd
have to say that about a few of the Blues
players as the season went on too, But I just
(06:58):
wonder whether they might give them a breather if they
play Ruben Love at ten and perhaps have McKenzie off
the bench, who can you can cover those two positions
nicely as well. So that's possibly the way they'll go
about it. Freshness there as well, But yeah, it remains
to be saying.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
We will find out tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
A couple of other areas, John, where it's far from
an obvious choice staying in the back line the center position. Now,
you talked about familiarity in combinations with nine, ten, twelve,
roy Gard Love Bouret, where does Billy Proctor fit in?
And for you Quintu Pie, of course we did so
seem play a fear bit of center last year, but
(07:38):
has played primarily at twelve for the Chiefs. Which way
do you reckon they'll go here?
Speaker 7 (07:43):
It's a bit of a conundrumus because both you know,
Jordi Barrett, I mean he was playing extremely well for
the Hurricanes as well, and two Pie was on fire
for the Chicks. They're both been a great form. I
suspect they may play to Pirates center. You know he's
got that game international level, powerful, very direct, extremely good
(08:05):
defender as well, and as you said, he said he
has played there a bit. Two So look, I'm a
fan of Bully Proctor again, another guy who had a
really good season. But I just wonder on the international
stage is what's required that they might not just go
for two Pire For that reason, he's worked well and
that position with his first test is absolutely our stand
(08:27):
center and that year, for me, that is possibly the
way they'll move.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Cowing By News Talks v.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Super Rugby has snuck back into the news cycle before
Test fever fully takes over. By confirming its competition format
for next year. They've decided, even with the amount of
teams being reduced to ten, the amounts that will make
the finals remains at six. The lucky loser format has gone.
Top two finishes will get the first week off. Three
(09:01):
play six, four plays five. This is across an expanded
regular season in which each team plays sixteen game games,
eight home, eight away. Now I must admit my immediate
reaction when I saw this was what, how on earth
did they land on six for the finals? Surely this
is the optimal time to move to a top four
(09:22):
semi final format. This reward's mediocrity, and in all likelihood
a team that loses more games than it wins will
play finals Rugby. So we called Jack Measley, the super
ab boss, who, to his credit, is always available to
us media types, and I put some of these questions
and thoughts to him. He insisted they looked at various options,
did a lot of modeling, and while he understands from
(09:44):
a New Zealand perspective, the clamoring for a semi final
format expanding to sixteen games, they needed jeopardy for longer,
he failed. If they went to a fourteen Finals format,
there would be a large number of games that wouldn't
mean anything to the competition towards the back end of
the season. The more I thought about these comments, I
understood where he was coming from. Let's not forget they've
(10:06):
got to keep a busy the Australian market interested as well.
The problem, however, is that this may just extend the bleeding.
I think we can all agree that we want super
Rykby to have a bit more parity. The reality though,
and as we saw this season the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Crusaders
and even the Blues, they were a fair whack ahead
of the rest. Time will tell if that remains the
(10:29):
same in twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Well, we have stepped inside the chamber and joining me
today is Ben Francis from the New Zealand Herald. Good
afternoon to you.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
Ben, afternoon, NI privilege and a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Oh, the pleasure is all mine. I know you're a
big league guy. So we'll start there. Confirmation this morning
out of the Warriors that Luke low Lee Lee. I
think I've got the pronunciation of that right. It's a
bit of a tongue twister, but out of the West
Tigers has signed on a mid season transfer. Of course,
we know that the Warriors are without a lot of
(11:08):
Fianna can Pereira through injury. We saw Dallan Watenis Lesniak
leave the field in the loss to the Dolphins. At
least on the surface, this appears to be a good
bit of business.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
Would you agree, Yeah, Nick, I would totally have to
agree with that. Look, Lowell Leed plays provides a bit
of wing and center cover for the Warriors. And look,
the interesting thing I take away from this is with Campereira.
Firstly his injury, he's still listed as TBCs, so to me,
that kind of indicates it could be quite a serious
injury or he's definitely going to be out a bit longer.
(11:41):
Dallan wasn't listed on the injury sheet for the Warriors,
so that does ring positive. But also with the ability
that he can play center, and you've also got Charms
that could switch to center if needed, maybe suggests that
maybe Webster thinks, look, maybe I need to give one
of these guys a bit of a drop down to
cut because I feel like the center position is the
area where the Warriors have really been struggling, not just
(12:04):
this year, last year as well, but I feel like
the centers were really exposed in that lost to the
Dolphins on the weekend. So there could be a few
interesting combinations that they go here, but overall a good
piece of business.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, agree, and it would be the Worries six games
against the Tigers could be straight thrown into the furnace
against this old club Luke lal leey. Of course off
to the Perth Bears next year. So this is very
much just a short term deal right from one oval
ball code to the other. Super Rugby format confirmed a
little bit earlier today for the twenty twenty seven I
(12:36):
can't help think they've got this wrong personally, with the
finals format remaining with six teams. I know they've got
rid of the lucky loser elements, but to me it
rewards mediocrity. Highly likely a team with a losing record
is going to be in the finals. Where do you
lean on all of this?
Speaker 8 (12:55):
I tend to have to agree with you, actually, And
it's funny watching the World Cup on at the moment
and you know thirty two teams going through for that
and got teams that barely scored a couple of goals
going through and have you've got the similar sort of
feeling that whole thing like this is surely too many,
like it really needs to be four, especially in a
ten team competition. It just it just doesn't make any sense.
(13:17):
I feel like that you're going to get a lot
of teams that are just going to be going like, look,
we're not going to compete with the Hurricanes, We're not
going to compete with the Chiefs, We're not going to
compete with the Crusaders. Let's just aim for six and
you know, we'll still make the finals. We'll get in
at least an extra game, So happy days. And I
feel like that's what lots of teams are probably going
to do, especially some of those teams that have struggled.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
More regular season football as well. So sixteen regular season games,
just the one by round and you need to do
the maths on this properly, what the story. More will
come of it, I'm sure in the coming days, but
it poses to me at least that Super Rugby is
going to continue over Anzac weekend when fifty odd of
(13:57):
the best players are away with the All Blacks and
the Wallabies for this new historic Test at sun Corp Stadium.
But more on that over the coming days. As I say,
couple of big hitters in global sport ben in the
news for different reasons. It start with Serena Williams. First,
her singles come back at least at Wimbledon has lasted
(14:19):
all of a day a three set loss. But probably
maybe to me and maybe this is just the journalistic
side of me not fronting for a postmatch media conference,
is that a poor form or play on.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
I have to agree to be honest. I remember when
I was a young budding journalist, you know, went and
start my career. I remember one of the we're told
to do some opinion pieces and this is going back
a decade ago, as you would know, and one of
the first things I did was Serena needs to retire.
And the fact she's still going, I'm almost going jeepers.
Really it's incredible. But yeah, you know, as a journalist
you always want to hear, you know, these players speak,
(14:55):
because when they speak, everyone listens. But it is a
real shame. But I mean, good on her for giving
it a go and coming back, and you know, your
hats off to her. You know, I think to think
that she can still at least compete to that sort
of level and kind of draw that crowd, it is
just absolutely amazing. So yeah, you still have to give
their hats off to her, but definitely disappointed, not just
spicking to the media.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Yeah, indeed, no great for tennis. All the interest in
this first week of Wimbledon has surrounded Serena Williams, but yeah,
I think someone of her experience should have at least
fronted after the disappointment of losing. And just lastly, Ben
Lebron James won't play for the Los Angeles Lakers this
coming NBA season. Sounds like he's keen to link up
(15:37):
with his old buddies Steph Curry and Draymond Green for
one last hurrah at the Golden State Warriors.
Speaker 8 (15:44):
Oh jeez, really, I mean again, like good onomy is
still going and still producing at a high level, and
I think it's been quite fascinating following some of these
you know, sort of rumors going around all the free
agent signings kind of you know, slowly getting underway and
what teams are doing, and it's always fascinating. So this
(16:05):
kind of reminds me of the whole twenty ten when
he joined the Miami Heat, and this is just going
to be so much intrigue about what he does and
how that impacts certain other players and what they do
and everything like that. But I guess for some people
that's what they like. But the American sports is kind
of like that silly season where there is going on
before the season actually starts. But yeah, I mean, if
(16:27):
he does go to Golden State, that probably wouldn't have
been on many people's Bengo cards that long ago. To
be fair, it felt like that if he was going
to keep playing, it was going to be at the Lakers.
So if he does look link up with Steph Curry
and that at Golden State, I bet there's going to
be a few more people, you know, following them and
a lot of people believing that they can go all
the way. But look, they are going to be in
(16:48):
that tough Western Conference again, so it's definitely not going
to be an easy ride if that's the road he
goes down.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
No, it's no guarantee of a championship, that's for sure. Hey, Ben,
appreciate your time as always here the chamber.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Cheerio Nick, thank you.
Speaker 6 (17:01):
Leading a vix We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
There is your sports fixed for another day. For more sport,
don't forget to tune into News Talks dB between seven
and eight pm Monday to Friday. That's Sports Talk. It'll
be me filling in for Darcy tonight. Then, of course
Jason Pine is behind the mic between twelve and three
on Saturday and Sunday on weekend sport. If you want
(17:28):
this in your inbox or podcast feed, just hit subscribe
and it'll be there each day around about this time.
Bye for now.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on Irradio
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