On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Wednesday April 2, 2025 - Debbie Sornsen: Moana Pasifika's CEO talks about the growth and impact of the side in Super Rugby 2025 - is rugby making a storming comeback on our screens and at the grounds?
D’Arcy delivers an opinion on why the Americas Cup is no longer New Zealand's cup.
Plus, Newstalk ZB Sports News Editor Clay Wilson joins the panel to discuss a difficult weekend ahead for Liam Lawson in Japan.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks B Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Sportsfix, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome on into the Sports Fixed podcast one of us
Darcy Walter Grave and here it is all wrapped up
and ready to unwrap and enjoy. It's the gift of
sport for another day. It's the second of April twenty
twenty five. Welcome in to Wednesday. Coming out on today's
podcast shortly, I'll be speaking with Debbie Sorenson, acting CEO
(00:45):
of Molana Pasifica about the competition getting better and better
and better highlights it of course by MP doing the
unthinkable traveling to Canterbury and rolling the Crusaders. Probably time
we actually recognize that this is a very good competition.
I've got some opinion around the America's Cup hosting that
(01:07):
let's face was never going to happen. And we're joined
by a sports news director of News TAWKONSZIRB Clay Wilson
in the chamber as we discuss some of the big
sports stories of the day. That's what we plan on doing.
So that's what we're going to do. Let's get in
in other news, running a tape across the utterances of
(01:30):
athletes and a coach. We heard this no pressure on
a Red Bulls. A new number two driver, Ki Sonoda,
the Honda back pilot who was assigned Liam Lawson's seat
in a widely panned knee jerk call, knows what's expected
because as much as sports water backs, I mean, he
proves hisself enough to be a group potential to be
(01:52):
ri Chrubb. Didn't you been? Though, Reverence seems a little
bit struggling up. Hoskins Setutu carrying the grief of all
black non selection at the behest of the then new
coach Scott Robertson has put his heavy baggage down. He
has refocused on areas he can control, like rescuing the
lose from the hole. The foramen.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
No, that's just something I can't control, I think, so
I just didn't really think about it.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Very much anymore. I think at the beginning of my
career I'll.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Feel pressure much off the traffic for them, but now
more focus on the blues.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Man Chaster United continue to stagger around the EPL, seemingly
lost in one of the world's premier football leagues at
this time they fell to a woodless Nottingham Forest, blowing
many a chance and the one that Neil defeat. Manager
Reuben Amram reflects on the result after his being secured
more than two thirds position twenty three shots, but no
(02:45):
onion bag deposits.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
We controlled the game, but we already knew it that
this team can score goals out of nothing. And then
we tried sometimes with good opportunities. But I think in
the last third of the last cross, the last past,
the last assist, wasn't there for six?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
That's one. Welcome now to the Vixed Podcast to Debi
soren Senecting, CEO of the Super Rugby Pacific franchise Mowana PACIFICA,
Why Debbie good Enning does he? I trust your well
and still reveling in what happened over the weekend with
your team of men who did well almost the impossible.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Indeed, indeed we were very proud of them.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
They did something that no one expected. And I suppose
the underlying thing here is this competition has been throwing
up fantastic results, unusual results right the way through which
lends it to thinking what it has changed has worked.
This is a great camp.
Speaker 5 (03:39):
It is a great camp and I think it's as
you say, every week is unpredictable, which is what brings
the excitements to the fans. You know, you can't say
for sure on any week what the outcome will be.
And the teams are very close together. You know, there's
not a big gap amongst them.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Well, we've seen that Mowana hasn't had the greatest start.
They've had the one victory against the Hurricanes, but they've
been very close right the way through. They've not been
a team that's been easily rolled. Is there anything particularly
think that the new version of Super Rugby Pacific is
done to aid to assist the closing of this competition.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I think that the clubs all working and the Super
Rugby clubs all work together as a group, and so
working as a collective really makes a difference. You know,
we understand that it's all of us together, not an
individual team that will make the difference. And so on
things that matter, like improving fan engagement. You've seen Fantasy
(04:40):
Rugby stood up this year. You know, those are the
sorts of initiatives that are making a difference and you
can see those betting in.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
So there's the super rugby fantasy. Is there another way
that manifests that you can share this when teams actually
clubs come together, franchises come together. What's the dominant thing
here that helps helps us out?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
The dominant theme is actually fan engagement.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
How can the game be faster, how can it be
closer to fans so fans understand it more? So, you know,
things like reffing up mics is really important so that
fans understand the rules and what's going on on field.
I think player welfare is a big thing, and you know,
the clubs are very serious about player welfare, and so
(05:26):
that makes a difference to the team's performance.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
When you look at the transferable results from things like
fan engagement. Though, But does that directly affect what goes
on on the padd because what we're seeing here is that,
as we've mentioned, a very close competition. So is it
an easing of ruling for the referees? Is there anything
palpable there that makes these games a better fixture, a
(05:51):
better vision.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
Well, we're monitoring statistics all the time, so you know,
things like how much downtime when the ball's not in play?
So that's reduced significantly from last season, so the ball
is active for longer.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
That's what fans want to see.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
They don't want to be standing, you know, watching officials
talking about stuff, making sure that the game is moving faster.
You know how many more runs players make. Those sorts
of things they translate directly onto the field and directly
into you know, fan appreciation. And we have seen more
(06:27):
engagement from fans this year significantly than last year.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Must be helpful for yourselves that you've actually got a
regular venue to call home. There can't be slowing things down, Debbie.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Indeed, you're right, Darcy.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
You know, I think that we all accept that North
Harbor is not where we would love to be, you know,
in terms of our heart and soul. But you know,
I'm so grateful to the North Harbor Rugby and North
Harbor community, the business community have stepped in behind us,
and also to our fans who have embraced us being
(07:02):
at North Harbor. And you know, it's a world class facility.
We can't complain about the facilities there. It's just that
kind of thought of having to drive across the bridge
on a Friday night is a little bit daunting, but
we're seeing it with fans. You know, we have more
people coming than we've had in four seasons.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
You can't be close to being happy though with the
amount of fans that turn up. I'm presuming there's a
lot of room to move. What other adjustments can be
made through super Rugby that can help get bums on seats.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Yes, I think looking at how you know, this year
we've got a new.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Finals structure, so having a look at seeing how that
works with finals footy and whether that works very well.
I think also just being mindful of the drawer and
so the drawer is quite a technical activity, trying to
ship at eleven teams, you know, across sixteen weeks, and
I think just being mindful that the drawer actually works
(07:59):
for fans is an important thing because we know it
works for broadcasters.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
It's largely driven around that.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
But also making sure that fans, you know, they can
actually get two games is an important thing.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So it's planning where the games are and when they are,
and it's tailoring that to the venue they find themselves
in the city, the town they find themselves in.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
That's absolutely right.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
So you know, the Highlanders would say that that their
best crowds are on a Sunday afternoon they can get
the crowds in from their rural areas, whereas you know,
in other cities Sunday afternoon is not the go. So,
you know, I think those sorts of things. I think
there's a lot of work that goes on behind the
scenes that people are not necessarily that aware of, you know,
(08:41):
where the Super Rugby community are actually working hard to
make it a great experience and a great event.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
The general populist sports fans rugby fans for quite some time,
and I'm right at the cold face here, Debbie, have
been pretty keen to punch down on rugby union, on
Super Rugby. I think it's high time the game was
lifted through the fans themselves. Do you think it's time
for a turnaround in fortunes and for people to accept
(09:09):
that actually Super Rugby is a vibrant and relevant competition
despite years of maybe being underwhelming.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I think we're seeing that this year. It feels like
our Super Rugby star is rising. That we have the
right combination of you know, clubs and teams working together, of.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
And of the game being really exciting to watch.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
You know, it's exciting and it's interesting, and our fans
are turning out and so you know, our star is
on the rise and it's a fantastic thing to be
part of.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Well, no, Laurel, resting what happens now? What has to
be worked on now? Because there's the brave future, isn't there?
It's the new front? What are you looking toward?
Speaker 4 (09:50):
Well, that's right.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
So you know we continue to need to have you know, memberships,
We need to continue to drive fans turning up for
games because the viewership is actually very strong on broadcasting.
But you know, it makes all the difference having fans
in the seats at the grounds and you see the
impact of that. I think the other thing is just
(10:12):
the ongoing financial viability of the sport. And you know, sport,
no matter what sport you're in, things are pretty tough
at the moment with the recession, and so thinking about
you know, what does the if you consider that rugby
is primarily a broadcasting product, you know, it's an entertainment product,
what does that then mean? You know, where are those
(10:35):
markets where there's more revenue to support the game.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And on that, We'll let you get on with what
I'm sure is a very busy, busy evening. Debbie Sornton.
It was always thanks for your time and your expertise.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
A pleasure, pleasure, Does you have a good evening?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Use a Vidion.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussie Waldegrave.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It looks like New Zealand's long and fruitful love affair
with the America's Cup has come to a screeching halt.
The decision by the government, hand in hand with teamw
Zealand to not host the defense of the America's Cup
came as no surprise to a lot of us. The
government don't want to be seen as giving money to
(11:18):
rich white guys, and the rich white guys themselves. Well,
they didn't really want to defend it here anyway, did they.
There is so much more money to be made in
the Northern Hemisphere, so fader complete. I don't think they
wanted to come back. I don't think anyone here wanted
to pay for it, So of course it's not coming back.
This is not to say that the America's Cup and
(11:40):
the time it's spent in New Zealand being lost in
New Zealand, being defended in New Zealand. Some of the
most spectacular times in New Zealand's sport lucky enough to
be in and around Auckland when the America's Cup was on.
The energy is palpable. People love it, they celebrate it,
they become extremely patriotic. The rest of tourists make some money.
(12:02):
The massive luxury yacht refitters make some money. The whole
industry of tourism gets on the up and up. But
it's not happening anymore. So let's look back in fondness
with the wonderful history that New Zealand has had in
the America's Cup and look across hemispheres as possibly. We
watch a New zealand Ish team defend the America's Cup,
(12:26):
but as far as having it back here again, build
a bridge, get over it, it ain't happening. Stick a
fork in it. Hosting the America's Cup is done.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Team New Zealand, the most successful team in the one
hundred and seventy year history of the America's Cup, successfully
defends international sports oldest praise again. The America's Cup remains
New Zealand's Cup.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Sports perfect.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
We swing open the doors to the chamber and who
all waits? My mind's Clay Wilson News talks there b
director of sport greetings, Clay, come on and how I was.
Speaker 7 (13:04):
Going to say, you opened the door and I walk
right on through it. Great to be here, does.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
And great to have you on board. Do you think
we should stop bagging rugby now? Do you think time
has come that it was an easy target and maybe
just maybe Super Duper Rugby Pacific is actually the real McCoy?
Speaker 7 (13:21):
Yeah, I wonder how many people have really been begging rugby.
It has been a bit of a theme in the
in the media, I says from a media studio, But
I think in the general public people still have been
interested in rugby, but there has certainly been a kind
of tone out there that rugby is. People are perhaps
(13:44):
not as die hard as they used to be with rugby.
So for Super Rugby to come out this year and
be in the first year behind the commission, really it's
become like the NRL, we're week to week, we don't
know what's going to happen. Really, you know, when a
team like Mwana can go down to Chrostchitch and tip
up the Crusaders, that says a lot, and there's been
(14:04):
several of those results. It hasn't been a one off
in terms of upsets has it so well?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
The commission listens, didn't they? And so okay, what is
actually wrong? And I know this because some of the
guys I've talked to our fair saying we actually listened
to the show. Because you're a conduit between the people
that watch the rugby. We can't ignore that anymore. We
want to know what they want, what they're saying, and
how we can best put that into action in super Rugby.
(14:31):
Lip service is one thing, but it looks like they
are actually putting the fan at the center of the room.
They are actually listening to the complaints and we're seeing
the results. I don't think anyone thought the results come
this quickly though, right.
Speaker 7 (14:42):
No, I think Jack Mesley, the chair of the Commission,
would CEO would admit that they didn't expect it to
come this quickly. And you know, there's one thing that's
always true in terms of interest in any kind of
sport competition, athlete, is that people like winners, and people
(15:02):
like a good product, and the on field product. Really,
I mean, there's been a few rule to a couple
of rule tweaks, but I don't know if you can
hold them solely responsible for how good the competition's been
throughout these first five or six rounds. It's just I've
kind of got a little bit lucky in a way,
haven't they. And I agree with you on everything you said.
They they've listened to the fans, they've listened to people
(15:24):
in the media in terms of what what the competition
needs on the field and off the field. But yeah,
it's kind of come in of a bit of bolt
out of the blue for the competition to be this good.
I think attendance numbers still probably say that the likes
of an Auckland FC, the Warriors, these kinds of teams
are pulling in more. But as a as a competition,
(15:47):
Rugby in terms of interest to me is certainly on
the app and up.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And it's not just been the first couple of weeks.
After two weeks, this is good, three, four weeks, five,
it keeps going up and up, So maybe we could
leave it alone for a while. And even as a
hard out Crusaders fan, there was a wee part of
me that was smiling over the weekend when Mona Puss,
if you're finally put together the complete package, Well, we.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
Want Jeopardy, don't you You want to? You want to go
into a game to an extent, like you say, people
are going to be die hard fans, but put you
on the edge of the seat, your seat. It makes
you uncertain about a result. That's one of the great
things about sport. You don't want to know what's going
to happen before it happens. Otherwise why do you watch?
So Yeah, certainly agree on all of that.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Only something in sport that was going to happen before
it happened. The America's Cup was not going to be
defended here, and he said it was never the segue beautiful,
but the situation he was really so it was four weeks. Yeah,
we're going to look at doing it. After four it's
a week now we're putting the plug. He can't tell
me in four weeks they did all the due diligence
that they did, all the work. They look serious that
(16:51):
the money involved, how much they produce. I reckon THATOK,
one look at it when anyone interested in this, nah.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
The really the only party involved in this that seemed
to me to be disappointed at all that this isn't
happening is Auckland Unlimited, which is the council's event and
tourism arm something of that description. The Council themselves, like
you say, how deep did they really look into it?
The government didn't seem interested off the bat, did they?
(17:18):
And Team New Zealand themselves the statement they put out
I think reflects how see.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
How we find out that it might be going after
Athens or maybe they knew it was going there. This
was lip service and the response from the media people
were not going to be making any more comment around this.
It didn't show that they cared. It really did not.
But i'd the same thing.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
Yeah, I don't think anyone is anyone really surprised that
Team New Zealand isn't worried about this. And the reality
is whether it's Greece because one of the richest people
wants to fund a push to host it, whether it's Italy,
which is the other contender being talked about. I mean
to me, if it's not in New Zealand, I don't
(18:01):
really care where it is, you know, I think it
just speaks to probably where the interest is going to
go in Themaerica's Cup. It already to me in a
way waned off the back of not having it here.
Obvious statement, right, if you have it here, there's going
to be more interest. Now we're going to have two
successive America's Cup. We're team America's Cups, were Team New
Zealand's defending, but not defending in New Zealand. It seems
(18:24):
to me like we're heading down the path where the
America's Cup becomes less and less relevant. Yes, well, the
hardcore people are in sailing, the people that love the
history behind it still watch. Yes, But those casual kind
of people that you get on board for something like this,
the number of those people, to me is going to
keep diminishing off the back of this. But as we know,
(18:45):
with this thing, like you said, it's dollars and cents,
and when you've got billionaires throwing money at it from
other countries and the government and the council not throwing
any money in it, the decision for Team New Zealand
becomes pretty straightforward, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I can hear Sir Russell Coots laughing. Now with the
way that sale GP is going, there is the future,
hey just quickly, Clay Wilson, Liam Lawson going to give
it everything he has. Well, of course he is at
Formula one. He's on the back seat. But this continuing
saga of Laws and Sonoda, of Horner, of Red Bull,
of the stappen, this is a real, live New Zealand
(19:22):
version of Drive to Survive. I've never seen so much
Formula One coverage in my life here in New Zealand.
It's been a ripper. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (19:31):
And while while it was of course disappointing to see
what happened to Liam Lawson in terms of the Red
Bull situation, it's been a fascinating story, hasn't it. And
to me, this Japanese Grand Prix coming up this weekend, man,
your eyes are going to be locked on every session
and you know they're just going to be following two
names on that timing board Lawson and Sonoda, and you
(19:52):
know there is a lot of positives. And this has
been said, but in terms of Liam going back to
that racing Bulls car, a car that's much less, much
more predictable, in a car he knows, he knows better,
and fascinating to see. You know, we've heard Yuki Snoda
come out this week already and say, oh I don't
think that the cars is you know, is bad. It
seems pretty predictable on the simulator. Well if Anyone that
(20:15):
knows anything about racing knows that simulator driving is much
different to getting in the car for the for the
you know, on a real racetrack. So yeah, look, I'd
love to know your take on it. You're you know,
you're you're more ingrained in it than I am.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
But the.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
This this battle in terms of Lawson and Sonoda and
how it's going to unfold this weekend, it's just absolutely gripping,
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
It is No one knows what's going to happen. But
if Sonoda thinks he's going to finish top ten, he's
absolutely dreaming. And if he wants to be friends with
Liam Lawson but still has in contact after swiping his seat,
same with Max. First stepping might be a few pr
problems going in in there, one of many reball racing
at the moment. Next step the stepping has gone. Klay Wilson,
(21:01):
he's the boss man behind News Talk ZB Sport. We
thank you very much for your time in your.
Speaker 7 (21:05):
Opinion, No props.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Access and there end of the podcast. It's goodbye from me,
Darcy Watergrave. I'm glad you've tuned into Sports Fixed for Wednesday,
the second of April twenty twenty five. If you've enjoyed it,
please subscribe that way that'll come straight to it in
box Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday as we produce and
(21:29):
if you want to talk back as opposed to being
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Got Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday and then Piney with Weekend
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And Hey, if you liked it, tell your mates and
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(21:52):
carrying on with this The Sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
For more from News Talk zed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks B Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Welcome to Sportsfix, your daily dose of sport.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome on into the Sports Fixed podcast one of us
Darcy Walter Grave and here it is all wrapped up
and ready to unwrap and enjoy. It's the gift of
sport for another day. It's the second of April twenty
twenty five. Welcome in to Wednesday. Coming out on today's
podcast shortly, I'll be speaking with Debbie Sorenson, acting CEO
(00:45):
of Molana Pasifica about the competition getting better and better
and better highlights it of course by MP doing the
unthinkable traveling to Canterbury and rolling the Crusaders. Probably time
we actually recognize that this is a very good competition.
I've got some opinion around the America's Cup hosting that
(01:07):
let's face was never going to happen. And we're joined
by a sports news director of News TAWKONSZIRB Clay Wilson
in the chamber as we discuss some of the big
sports stories of the day. That's what we plan on doing.
So that's what we're going to do. Let's get in
in other news, running a tape across the utterances of
(01:30):
athletes and a coach. We heard this no pressure on
a Red Bulls. A new number two driver, Ki Sonoda,
the Honda back pilot who was assigned Liam Lawson's seat
in a widely panned knee jerk call, knows what's expected
because as much as sports water backs, I mean, he
proves hisself enough to be a group potential to be
(01:52):
ri Chrubb. Didn't you been? Though, Reverence seems a little
bit struggling up. Hoskins Setutu carrying the grief of all
black non selection at the behest of the then new
coach Scott Robertson has put his heavy baggage down. He
has refocused on areas he can control, like rescuing the
lose from the hole. The foramen.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
No, that's just something I can't control, I think, so
I just didn't really think about it.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Very much anymore. I think at the beginning of my
career I'll.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Feel pressure much off the traffic for them, but now
more focus on the blues.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Man Chaster United continue to stagger around the EPL, seemingly
lost in one of the world's premier football leagues at
this time they fell to a woodless Nottingham Forest, blowing
many a chance and the one that Neil defeat. Manager
Reuben Amram reflects on the result after his being secured
more than two thirds position twenty three shots, but no
(02:45):
onion bag deposits.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
We controlled the game, but we already knew it that
this team can score goals out of nothing. And then
we tried sometimes with good opportunities. But I think in
the last third of the last cross, the last past,
the last assist, wasn't there for six?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
That's one. Welcome now to the Vixed Podcast to Debi
soren Senecting, CEO of the Super Rugby Pacific franchise Mowana PACIFICA,
Why Debbie good Enning does he? I trust your well
and still reveling in what happened over the weekend with
your team of men who did well almost the impossible.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Indeed, indeed we were very proud of them.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
They did something that no one expected. And I suppose
the underlying thing here is this competition has been throwing
up fantastic results, unusual results right the way through which
lends it to thinking what it has changed has worked.
This is a great camp.
Speaker 5 (03:39):
It is a great camp and I think it's as
you say, every week is unpredictable, which is what brings
the excitements to the fans. You know, you can't say
for sure on any week what the outcome will be.
And the teams are very close together. You know, there's
not a big gap amongst them.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Well, we've seen that Mowana hasn't had the greatest start.
They've had the one victory against the Hurricanes, but they've
been very close right the way through. They've not been
a team that's been easily rolled. Is there anything particularly
think that the new version of Super Rugby Pacific is
done to aid to assist the closing of this competition.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I think that the clubs all working and the Super
Rugby clubs all work together as a group, and so
working as a collective really makes a difference. You know,
we understand that it's all of us together, not an
individual team that will make the difference. And so on
things that matter, like improving fan engagement. You've seen Fantasy
(04:40):
Rugby stood up this year. You know, those are the
sorts of initiatives that are making a difference and you
can see those betting in.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
So there's the super rugby fantasy. Is there another way
that manifests that you can share this when teams actually
clubs come together, franchises come together. What's the dominant thing
here that helps helps us out?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
The dominant theme is actually fan engagement.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
How can the game be faster, how can it be
closer to fans so fans understand it more? So, you know,
things like reffing up mics is really important so that
fans understand the rules and what's going on on field.
I think player welfare is a big thing, and you know,
the clubs are very serious about player welfare, and so
(05:26):
that makes a difference to the team's performance.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
When you look at the transferable results from things like
fan engagement. Though, But does that directly affect what goes
on on the padd because what we're seeing here is that,
as we've mentioned, a very close competition. So is it
an easing of ruling for the referees? Is there anything
palpable there that makes these games a better fixture, a
(05:51):
better vision.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
Well, we're monitoring statistics all the time, so you know,
things like how much downtime when the ball's not in play?
So that's reduced significantly from last season, so the ball
is active for longer.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
That's what fans want to see.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
They don't want to be standing, you know, watching officials
talking about stuff, making sure that the game is moving faster.
You know how many more runs players make. Those sorts
of things they translate directly onto the field and directly
into you know, fan appreciation. And we have seen more
(06:27):
engagement from fans this year significantly than last year.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Must be helpful for yourselves that you've actually got a
regular venue to call home. There can't be slowing things down, Debbie.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Indeed, you're right, Darcy.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
You know, I think that we all accept that North
Harbor is not where we would love to be, you know,
in terms of our heart and soul. But you know,
I'm so grateful to the North Harbor Rugby and North
Harbor community, the business community have stepped in behind us,
and also to our fans who have embraced us being
(07:02):
at North Harbor. And you know, it's a world class facility.
We can't complain about the facilities there. It's just that
kind of thought of having to drive across the bridge
on a Friday night is a little bit daunting, but
we're seeing it with fans. You know, we have more
people coming than we've had in four seasons.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
You can't be close to being happy though with the
amount of fans that turn up. I'm presuming there's a
lot of room to move. What other adjustments can be
made through super Rugby that can help get bums on seats.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Yes, I think looking at how you know, this year
we've got a new.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Finals structure, so having a look at seeing how that
works with finals footy and whether that works very well.
I think also just being mindful of the drawer and
so the drawer is quite a technical activity, trying to
ship at eleven teams, you know, across sixteen weeks, and
I think just being mindful that the drawer actually works
(07:59):
for fans is an important thing because we know it
works for broadcasters.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
It's largely driven around that.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
But also making sure that fans, you know, they can
actually get two games is an important thing.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
So it's planning where the games are and when they are,
and it's tailoring that to the venue they find themselves
in the city, the town they find themselves in.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
That's absolutely right.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
So you know, the Highlanders would say that that their
best crowds are on a Sunday afternoon they can get
the crowds in from their rural areas, whereas you know,
in other cities Sunday afternoon is not the go. So,
you know, I think those sorts of things. I think
there's a lot of work that goes on behind the
scenes that people are not necessarily that aware of, you know,
(08:41):
where the Super Rugby community are actually working hard to
make it a great experience and a great event.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
The general populist sports fans rugby fans for quite some time,
and I'm right at the cold face here, Debbie, have
been pretty keen to punch down on rugby union, on
Super Rugby. I think it's high time the game was
lifted through the fans themselves. Do you think it's time
for a turnaround in fortunes and for people to accept
(09:09):
that actually Super Rugby is a vibrant and relevant competition
despite years of maybe being underwhelming.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I think we're seeing that this year. It feels like
our Super Rugby star is rising. That we have the
right combination of you know, clubs and teams working together, of.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
And of the game being really exciting to watch.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
You know, it's exciting and it's interesting, and our fans
are turning out and so you know, our star is
on the rise and it's a fantastic thing to be
part of.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Well, no, Laurel, resting what happens now? What has to
be worked on now? Because there's the brave future, isn't there?
It's the new front? What are you looking toward?
Speaker 4 (09:50):
Well, that's right.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
So you know we continue to need to have you know, memberships,
We need to continue to drive fans turning up for
games because the viewership is actually very strong on broadcasting.
But you know, it makes all the difference having fans
in the seats at the grounds and you see the
impact of that. I think the other thing is just
(10:12):
the ongoing financial viability of the sport. And you know, sport,
no matter what sport you're in, things are pretty tough
at the moment with the recession, and so thinking about
you know, what does the if you consider that rugby
is primarily a broadcasting product, you know, it's an entertainment product,
what does that then mean? You know, where are those
(10:35):
markets where there's more revenue to support the game.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And on that, We'll let you get on with what
I'm sure is a very busy, busy evening. Debbie Sornton.
It was always thanks for your time and your expertise.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
A pleasure, pleasure, Does you have a good evening?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Use a Vidion.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussie Waldegrave.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It looks like New Zealand's long and fruitful love affair
with the America's Cup has come to a screeching halt.
The decision by the government, hand in hand with teamw
Zealand to not host the defense of the America's Cup
came as no surprise to a lot of us. The
government don't want to be seen as giving money to
(11:18):
rich white guys, and the rich white guys themselves. Well,
they didn't really want to defend it here anyway, did they.
There is so much more money to be made in
the Northern Hemisphere, so fader complete. I don't think they
wanted to come back. I don't think anyone here wanted
to pay for it, So of course it's not coming back.
This is not to say that the America's Cup and
(11:40):
the time it's spent in New Zealand being lost in
New Zealand, being defended in New Zealand. Some of the
most spectacular times in New Zealand's sport lucky enough to
be in and around Auckland when the America's Cup was on.
The energy is palpable. People love it, they celebrate it,
they become extremely patriotic. The rest of tourists make some money.
(12:02):
The massive luxury yacht refitters make some money. The whole
industry of tourism gets on the up and up. But
it's not happening anymore. So let's look back in fondness
with the wonderful history that New Zealand has had in
the America's Cup and look across hemispheres as possibly. We
watch a New zealand Ish team defend the America's Cup,
(12:26):
but as far as having it back here again, build
a bridge, get over it, it ain't happening. Stick a
fork in it. Hosting the America's Cup is done.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Team New Zealand, the most successful team in the one
hundred and seventy year history of the America's Cup, successfully
defends international sports oldest praise again. The America's Cup remains
New Zealand's Cup.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Sports perfect.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
We swing open the doors to the chamber and who
all waits? My mind's Clay Wilson News talks there b
director of sport greetings, Clay, come on and how I was.
Speaker 7 (13:04):
Going to say, you opened the door and I walk
right on through it. Great to be here, does.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
And great to have you on board. Do you think
we should stop bagging rugby now? Do you think time
has come that it was an easy target and maybe
just maybe Super Duper Rugby Pacific is actually the real McCoy?
Speaker 7 (13:21):
Yeah, I wonder how many people have really been begging rugby.
It has been a bit of a theme in the
in the media, I says from a media studio, But
I think in the general public people still have been
interested in rugby, but there has certainly been a kind
of tone out there that rugby is. People are perhaps
(13:44):
not as die hard as they used to be with rugby.
So for Super Rugby to come out this year and
be in the first year behind the commission, really it's
become like the NRL, we're week to week, we don't
know what's going to happen. Really, you know, when a
team like Mwana can go down to Chrostchitch and tip
up the Crusaders, that says a lot, and there's been
(14:04):
several of those results. It hasn't been a one off
in terms of upsets has it so well?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
The commission listens, didn't they? And so okay, what is
actually wrong? And I know this because some of the
guys I've talked to our fair saying we actually listened
to the show. Because you're a conduit between the people
that watch the rugby. We can't ignore that anymore. We
want to know what they want, what they're saying, and
how we can best put that into action in super Rugby.
(14:31):
Lip service is one thing, but it looks like they
are actually putting the fan at the center of the room.
They are actually listening to the complaints and we're seeing
the results. I don't think anyone thought the results come
this quickly though, right.
Speaker 7 (14:42):
No, I think Jack Mesley, the chair of the Commission,
would CEO would admit that they didn't expect it to
come this quickly. And you know, there's one thing that's
always true in terms of interest in any kind of
sport competition, athlete, is that people like winners, and people
(15:02):
like a good product, and the on field product. Really,
I mean, there's been a few rule to a couple
of rule tweaks, but I don't know if you can
hold them solely responsible for how good the competition's been
throughout these first five or six rounds. It's just I've
kind of got a little bit lucky in a way,
haven't they. And I agree with you on everything you said.
They they've listened to the fans, they've listened to people
(15:24):
in the media in terms of what what the competition
needs on the field and off the field. But yeah,
it's kind of come in of a bit of bolt
out of the blue for the competition to be this good.
I think attendance numbers still probably say that the likes
of an Auckland FC, the Warriors, these kinds of teams
are pulling in more. But as a as a competition,
(15:47):
Rugby in terms of interest to me is certainly on
the app and up.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And it's not just been the first couple of weeks.
After two weeks, this is good, three, four weeks, five,
it keeps going up and up, So maybe we could
leave it alone for a while. And even as a
hard out Crusaders fan, there was a wee part of
me that was smiling over the weekend when Mona Puss,
if you're finally put together the complete package, Well, we.
Speaker 7 (16:12):
Want Jeopardy, don't you You want to? You want to go
into a game to an extent, like you say, people
are going to be die hard fans, but put you
on the edge of the seat, your seat. It makes
you uncertain about a result. That's one of the great
things about sport. You don't want to know what's going
to happen before it happens. Otherwise why do you watch?
So Yeah, certainly agree on all of that.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Only something in sport that was going to happen before
it happened. The America's Cup was not going to be
defended here, and he said it was never the segue beautiful,
but the situation he was really so it was four weeks. Yeah,
we're going to look at doing it. After four it's
a week now we're putting the plug. He can't tell
me in four weeks they did all the due diligence
that they did, all the work. They look serious that
(16:51):
the money involved, how much they produce. I reckon THATOK,
one look at it when anyone interested in this, nah.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
The really the only party involved in this that seemed
to me to be disappointed at all that this isn't
happening is Auckland Unlimited, which is the council's event and
tourism arm something of that description. The Council themselves, like
you say, how deep did they really look into it?
The government didn't seem interested off the bat, did they?
(17:18):
And Team New Zealand themselves the statement they put out
I think reflects how see.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
How we find out that it might be going after
Athens or maybe they knew it was going there. This
was lip service and the response from the media people
were not going to be making any more comment around this.
It didn't show that they cared. It really did not.
But i'd the same thing.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
Yeah, I don't think anyone is anyone really surprised that
Team New Zealand isn't worried about this. And the reality
is whether it's Greece because one of the richest people
wants to fund a push to host it, whether it's Italy,
which is the other contender being talked about. I mean
to me, if it's not in New Zealand, I don't
(18:01):
really care where it is, you know, I think it
just speaks to probably where the interest is going to
go in Themaerica's Cup. It already to me in a
way waned off the back of not having it here.
Obvious statement, right, if you have it here, there's going
to be more interest. Now we're going to have two
successive America's Cup. We're team America's Cups, were Team New
Zealand's defending, but not defending in New Zealand. It seems
(18:24):
to me like we're heading down the path where the
America's Cup becomes less and less relevant. Yes, well, the
hardcore people are in sailing, the people that love the
history behind it still watch. Yes, But those casual kind
of people that you get on board for something like this,
the number of those people, to me is going to
keep diminishing off the back of this. But as we know,
(18:45):
with this thing, like you said, it's dollars and cents,
and when you've got billionaires throwing money at it from
other countries and the government and the council not throwing
any money in it, the decision for Team New Zealand
becomes pretty straightforward, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
I can hear Sir Russell Coots laughing. Now with the
way that sale GP is going, there is the future,
hey just quickly, Clay Wilson, Liam Lawson going to give
it everything he has. Well, of course he is at
Formula one. He's on the back seat. But this continuing
saga of Laws and Sonoda, of Horner, of Red Bull,
of the stappen, this is a real, live New Zealand
(19:22):
version of Drive to Survive. I've never seen so much
Formula One coverage in my life here in New Zealand.
It's been a ripper. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (19:31):
And while while it was of course disappointing to see
what happened to Liam Lawson in terms of the Red
Bull situation, it's been a fascinating story, hasn't it. And
to me, this Japanese Grand Prix coming up this weekend, man,
your eyes are going to be locked on every session
and you know they're just going to be following two
names on that timing board Lawson and Sonoda, and you
(19:52):
know there is a lot of positives. And this has
been said, but in terms of Liam going back to
that racing Bulls car, a car that's much less, much
more predictable, in a car he knows, he knows better,
and fascinating to see. You know, we've heard Yuki Snoda
come out this week already and say, oh I don't
think that the cars is you know, is bad. It
seems pretty predictable on the simulator. Well if Anyone that
(20:15):
knows anything about racing knows that simulator driving is much
different to getting in the car for the for the
you know, on a real racetrack. So yeah, look, I'd
love to know your take on it. You're you know,
you're you're more ingrained in it than I am.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
But the.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
This this battle in terms of Lawson and Sonoda and
how it's going to unfold this weekend, it's just absolutely gripping,
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
It is No one knows what's going to happen. But
if Sonoda thinks he's going to finish top ten, he's
absolutely dreaming. And if he wants to be friends with
Liam Lawson but still has in contact after swiping his seat,
same with Max. First stepping might be a few pr
problems going in in there, one of many reball racing
at the moment. Next step the stepping has gone. Klay Wilson,
(21:01):
he's the boss man behind News Talk ZB Sport. We
thank you very much for your time in your.
Speaker 7 (21:05):
Opinion, No props.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Access and there end of the podcast. It's goodbye from me,
Darcy Watergrave. I'm glad you've tuned into Sports Fixed for Wednesday,
the second of April twenty twenty five. If you've enjoyed it,
please subscribe that way that'll come straight to it in
box Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday as we produce and
(21:29):
if you want to talk back as opposed to being
talked at sports Talk between seven and eight Monday to
Friday on News Talk ZEBB. Piney hosts on Monday, I
Got Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday and then Piney with Weekend
at Sports Saturday and Sunday from midday through till three.
And Hey, if you liked it, tell your mates and
get then subscribe as well. That way we can justify
(21:52):
carrying on with this The Sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
For more from News Talk zed 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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