February 3, 2026 • 18 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for 4th February 2026, the 2026 NASCAR season gets underway tomorrow afternoon with the first race day in North Carolina. Shane van Gisbergen is a three time supercar champion and NASCAR driver and he joined D'Arcy to look ahead to this season and what he wants to achieve.
D'Arcy shares his thoughts the Halberg awards and Netball New Zealand removing Grace Nweke's plea for Dame Noeline to return to the Silver Ferns from New Zealand's favourite sporting moment category.
And D'Arcy and Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliot Smith discuss the Super Rugby season opening event and the rule adaptations heading into the new season.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. This
is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, hello there and welcome on into the Sports Fix podcast.
It's a Wednesday. It's the fourth of February twenty twenty six.
Fannam's DRC Walter Grave. I'm at from now for the
next side ten fifteen minutes on today's podcast, curtesyve the
phone folk at GJ Gardner Holmes, Jellen's most trusted at
home builder. I'm having a chat with Shane Van Gibsbergen,
(00:44):
three time supercar champion who for the last couple of
years has been racing in NASCAR over in the us
A and NASCAR gets underway this week. I've got some
opinion around the the ridiculous nature of the Hallberg Awards
and Netball New Zealand a year again and I'm we
joined a chamber by Elliott Smith. Take a look at
(01:05):
the launch of Super Rugby earlier today. Thirty years of
Super Rugby. Yeah, I wouldn't read about it. That's all
coming up shortly, so I lock it in kids.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Here we go.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
In other News and Today's It short Sports Stabs, Crusader
and All Black Rape. Cody Taylor has zero problem with
the seemingly endless Super Rugby Pacific rule amendments. He's played
one hundred and forty six Super Duper Rugby games and
he knows the only constant is changed.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
They's trying to make it a lot more entertaining, which
is awesome. I think it's great to delby and play more, hopefully,
and it's just one of those things. A team that
adapts the best early on, well I'll see the most benefit.
And we've talked about it and hopefully we can take
those opportunities in their time.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Lindsey Vaughn will change into her Winter Olympic downhill soup
in a phone box. The veteran American skier finds on
competing on Monday at the Winter Olympics, even though she
suffered an ACL injury only days ago. I feel a
lot better right now than I did in twenty eighteen for.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
The last World Championships, and they still got a medal
there with no LCL and three tabill plateau fractures.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
And adapt or die. God, that's probably a bit of brupt,
but that's the black Cats Mantra for the T twenty
World Cup. Michael the Beast Bracewell outlines their theory.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
You're chopping and changing between teams.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So you've got to be able.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
To adapt quickly to the new challenges that different teams
bring you and adapt quickly.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Sporty and Shorty. There's some shots from the Athlete.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Tips use a bean.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
It's Sportsfix with Dancie Valdegrave.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
We're joined now by Shane van Gersberg and on the
Fixed podcast to Shane Van Gsbeg and plainly NASCAR driver
three times Supercar Champ gets under wayward NASCAR in the
next couple of days Skiday, Shane, I expect to be
absolutely bouncing to get back behind the wheel again after
what I present. Zoom has been a bit of a
(03:09):
break over the holiday period.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, I haven't really raced anything over summer, so it
was good to have some time off and chill out
a bit. Yeah, certainly ready to go, and we're in
a bit of a holding pattern here waiting for the clash.
I guess weather's been bad here with a lot of
you know, winter snow and stuff. So yeah, hopefully we
(03:34):
can race tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Sea I find that hard to believe, Shane, like knowing
you every chance, every opportunity you have to climb into
a car, regardless of what it is. When you've got
a break, you take it. So is this deliberate from
you to get out of the seat.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
For a while.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah, it was. Actually last year I raced a lot
and sort of started a little underprepared going into the season,
and then this year I've done the opposite and I
feel over prepared and a bit bored. So yeah, there's
a balance somewhere, and yeah, I'll make it better next year.
But yeah, it has been good to have some time
(04:11):
off that you.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Touched on the weather before, Shane, So plainly it's a
little on the dicey side. Are you going to be
okay to turn up for the first race?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yeah? Like it keeps getting delayed and even tomorrow, I
think it's meant to snow again, So I hear it.
I think it's been twenty something years since it's really
snowed here and Charlotte, so it's been crazy. I've never
lived anywhere where it has snowed before, so having to
get the tractor out and shovel snow off the door
set it was pretty it's all new to me, but yeah,
(04:43):
hopefully hopefully we can drive up there. I think you know,
it's about an hour up the road to Clash, so
hopefully everyone can drive up there tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
That's the first race of the season. Shane, if you
and your team track House cooked up a master plan
to get things going for the start of twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Oh not really. We never sort of think like that.
But you obviously don't want to be in that LCQU race.
That's always carnage. So it'd be nice to have a
good qualifying and try and sneak into the main race
straight away. But if we don't, you know, you've got
to fight through that. So it should be fun and
hopefully we can we can make the final race. You know,
(05:22):
you always want to be in the in the final
and have a good crack. You know, it just gives
you a little bit of confidence to start the season.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Plainly, you've been having success, but away from the ovals,
and the Ovals is the key to NASCAR. So looking
forward twenty twenty six, what are your plans around finding
some kind of success at the ovals? What do you
need to do?
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Just got to keep getting better, I guess, don't have
any expectations on it, but just hard work and just yeah,
keep focused and we keep learning, we'll keep getting better.
So you know, I think we came on a long
way last year, and especially at the end of the season,
we were reasonably strong at a lot of tracks. So
I just got to keep that progression up.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
In oval racing, Shane, where's the biggest challenge for you?
Is there any particular aspect of oval racing where you
can actually lift? Do you believe?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
It's just time. They're just it's just completely different way
of driving, you know. The cars are set up so different,
turning only one way, the way the car loads up
on the banking and it turns, and the way the
rubber works, like you just and there's no practice really,
like it's just I don't know where you start. It's
like a it's a completely different sport really, so it
(06:36):
just takes it just takes time, you know. And then
it's what these guys have done all their life, so
they're very very good at it, and you just you
just need experience, I guess, to get better and better.
And that's I can feel it, you know, like I
can feel myself getting better, and I'm still picking up
a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
So yeah, what about the number ninety seven, Shane, What
have you and track House Racing done to the car
of any adjustments, any improvements at all.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Yeah, there's a new body for Chevy Chevy cars. Yeah,
we've got a slightly different body style, but yeah, that
should be just the same. Yeah, I think most of
other things.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Are the same, aside everything around racing, the car, the team,
blah blah blah. What about life in America? Are you
settling in well to the good old us of a Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah it's good. Living a really nice spot and just
north of Charlotte, and yeah, close to where the team is,
and it's really good. You know, we travel sort of
every week once the season starts, but yeah, coming back here,
it's a nice base, you know. Yeah, it's from all
the places we sort of go to. It's probably the
best city that I like in America. So yeah, we've
(07:49):
picked a good spot.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
NASCAR racing is relentless. Every week you're off to a
different track with a different race. Have you managed to
work out the best way to stay refreshed with this
end to end racing right the way through the year.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Yeah, Yeah, racing cars, so it's pretty easy to get
motivated for. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, it's SPORTSFX with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
The Helberg Awards, they have a particular category designed to
drag the punters in, to let them feel like they've
had something to say, some contribution for the yearly gong
Fest for New Zealand athletes. It's the sporting Moment of
the year. Sam Ruth has been nominated. Luke Harold has
(08:38):
been nominated. That's athletics, It's snowboarding, Auckland FC, Ryan Fox, RDI, SAVI.
The list goes on and on and on. One of
the more interesting nominations was when netballer Grace Wicker came
out in support of the then suspended Silver Ferns coach
Noline Todoua. She said this on live television, Noles, if
(09:02):
you're listening, we love you and we miss you, and
we want you back here. You've done so much for
this group and the work you've done this whole year.
You deserve to be here and we want you back Knowles.
This was broadcast live as Grace the honor of captaining
the Silver Ferns for the third and final Test against
(09:24):
South Africa. I think a lot of people celebrated the
fact that a player had the spine, the backbone the
guards to say live exactly what she thought of the
current situation. Turns out, fifty odd days later, Dame Nolen
Todoa was reinstated as the Silver Ferns coach. But wait,
(09:46):
there's more. It was nominated for one of New Zealand's
favorite sporting moments, but in adjoint statement issued last night,
Netble New Zealand, the Halbergs and Grace Wicki and the
Players Association told one Network News they did not feel
comfortable that this was a celebrated sporting moment, so they
(10:06):
pulled the nomination. I doubt if what would have won,
and it might have got a bit of airtime, But
Netball New Zealand could just stop doing this to yourself.
It is insane. Let it go, Let those sleeping dogs lie.
It was a wonderful moment of self expression from one
of our treasured and very gifted athletes. And you can't
(10:29):
act like the karma police and quash everything you don't like.
That's it another shot to your own foot. You'd be like,
I'd have stumps to stand on by the end of
this ceremony.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
On Sportsfix we joined now and the Chamber by Rugby
editor commentator mister Elliott Smith. We meet again. Elliott dragged
into the Chamber from the launch of Super Rugby this morning.
You were there and all of its glory went for
a long time, didn't.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
It, Brodd. It's one of those things. It's organized chaos
in a fun sort of way. You know, there's eleven
players there, one from each of the teams. There's CEOs,
there's all sorts of broadcasters and journalists and everyone wanting
to speak to players. And yeah, as I say, organized chaos,
but I think you've one got what they're after. And
good to hear from some of the players. As we
(11:18):
count down to the thirtieth anniversary darsy of Super.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Rugga, it got me the big old time you walked
in there. It was all up in lights like Hollywood
signs saying thirty years. I'm like, wow, that long.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
How many variations of the competition have been in that time?
Think about to ninety six with the twelve and there
was fourteen fifteen conferences, eighteen teams.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
South Africa came from Super teen as well. Before that
it was just I think it was yes, the video
camera once I kicked into the pro era.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
I mean, it's just like their idea idea.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
But it's a survivor.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
It has survived and you know, regardless of what people
think about it, you don't survive thirty years by accident.
And I wouldn't know, we wouldn't say this series going
from strength to strength. And there's a bit of a
rebuild going on still in Super Rugby, but it's a
competition that means a lot to those players that were
there in the team and the franchise and everything like that.
And yeah, I think we're ready for the competition to
(12:12):
kick off, which is funny because usually in mid februy
are like, oh super Rugby, cheep is that feels early,
But given we've been talking rugby for three weeks already,
it kind of hasn't sneaked up on us maybe as
it usually does.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
You talk to a number of the players down there
and you said, all lined up to get any good
oil from them.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Well, it's interesting. I mean, obviously the still the Scott
Robertson saga and the All Blacks replacements is still casting
a shadow over things, and a few of the players
offered comments on that nothing too major and they were
reluctant probably to get too deep into the weeds it, Yeah,
but it was sort of acknowledged that that was sort
of hanging over the launch. But I think, you know,
(12:52):
you know, for likes of Cody Taylor. I spoke to
him this morning. He said, you know, some players get
really into the you know, the machinations of who's coaching
where and that sort of thing, and others don't. And
he's like, I'm not a board member, you know, rugby exactly,
and that's the mentality of a lot of players. So
you know, they're all keen to play super rugby and
get things underway. And each team's got their own sort
(13:13):
of little challenges and stories and things they want to prove.
And spoke to Patrick ty Pilotsu and he's out for
another well happening nine rounds. He reckons with the shoulder
injury still so he way back to it later in
the year. But he did say, you know, thirtieth anniversary Blues,
one of the ninety six, how good would be in
twenty six.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
So well, that's what kDa wants to hear right before
he disappears. He is right absolutely on that a big
thing around super rugby. This sere and they're going to
carry on pushing forward on that. You TMO sit down
and shut up, which is brilliant. A few other variations
in the rules as well. What always strikes me as
odd about this is that they have these changes and
then they're going to go back to the Nation Championship.
(13:51):
Now they're going to go back to international rules. That
kind of classes a bit, doesn't it. And some people
it was that you're saying Methronad.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Doesn't like this at all, doesn't like it at all.
Refretion go form a French roof that you remember as well.
I mean, he's againstant, But I think you've got to
play to the crowd. You've got to play to the audience,
and New Zealand and Australian audiences want to see fast
rugby within reason. You know, I forgets too fast, then
they'll pull it back the other way. But I think
(14:19):
there's a real lift in super rugby over the last
two or three seasons. They've shaved four minutes off game times.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
It feels faster and play. That's what people want. And
I wont know what scrums being set all the time,
which apparently is what happens up north.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Yeah, and look, Jack Measley, the CEO of Super Ruggy
as adamant they're not trying to depower the game. There
are still scrums, there's still everything going on, but it's
about what works smarter for super rugby. And yeah, I
think there is a variation when you get to test level,
but ultimately the majority of rules are the rules, and
there might be a brain fade every so often as
to actually that's a super rule rather than international rule.
(14:55):
But I don't think they're getting too far away. I
just wish it was probably referee better at test level
than what we see. You know, I think we're quite
lucky in the Australian New Zealand referees. They're not perfect,
but I think they're pretty lucky in terms of of
what they do on the rugby field.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Rugby rules aren't perfect. I can you expect the people
to put them down to be perfect. So out of
all these little rule outations, about five or six and
then stand out.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
For well going for me is fifty twenty two is
that you can now pass back into the behind the
halfway mark and attempt to fifty twenty two. So that
changes both the attacking perspective. It's almost an attacking defensive
move because you know it's very Northern hemisphere aiming for
the fifty twenty two. We don't see a lot of
those in the Super Rugby, but the teams are now
are going to have to be prepared in the backfield
(15:38):
as well, because no longer once you cross halfway is
the fifty twenty two off. You're going to have to
be ready for that, and it's going to be interesting
to see how defenses get ready for that because you
know you could pass fifteen meters back into your own
twenty two, put a player back in the pocket aim
for that fifty twenty two. So that's going to be
a little bit of a tactical shift, I think, But
otherwise I think they're figurely minor changes. I do like
(15:59):
the rule as well, where but just because it's penalty try,
you don't have to carter player and send them to
the bin. In some instances you can, and that option
is then still for the referees, but having it as
mandatory going to the team.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Look at that, Do I cart them or not? Are
they going to make.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
It feels like sometimes they just pack a number and go,
you'll do you see exactly you do? You're off for ten.
So I think that's a positive change as well.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And the biggest story out of the entire launch. I
thought the sausage rolls were the highest quality. They were
some of the best sausage rolls I've ever had at
a media launch and I've been to.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
The cupcakes are good.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
The coffee was good for free coffee. So we're all
pretty happy.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Anyone even find Marshies. They were asking out for me.
He just disappeared. Are going to go on for months?
I'm jumping in here. Yeah, see you later could and
find him? No, well you were there and that's the
main thing, absolutely looking I'm looking forward to all of
your calls this year and what are we getting underway.
It's only a couple of weeks away before the Aucklander's
(16:59):
host the Why Occasions. It's going to be.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Right, that's the Saturday night. We've got the Southern Classic
to kick things off the night before that as well,
the thirteenth, the the Cable Classic as it's once referred to,
the Hilanders hosting the Crusaders, So can't wait.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
And I can't wait to three out of the chamber.
So go all right, yeah, I see you.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Thanks leading a vix.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
IVY and that's it Sports Fix podcast for today. That
is Wednesday, the fourth of February twenty twenty six. Hope
you've enjoyed it. If you have, please subscribe. If you've
subscribed already, thank you very much. Tell you friends, tell
your family, tell everybody and may subscribe and they can
get this in their m box on a week daily basis.
(17:45):
The Sports Flex runs from Monday through to Friday, and
if you'd like a bit of terrestrial radio sport action,
you can Sports Talk Monday to Friday a game between
seven and eight pm. Jason Pine's got the seven o'clock show.
I'm at charge of providing you entertainment through sport from
Tuesday to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then Jason Pine
(18:07):
has got Weekend Sports between twelve midday and three o'clock
Saturday and Sunday. We both love you to join us
in both of those different formats. But for the hair
and now I bid you farewell. Get you again. Tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
For more from News Talks at 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 EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio. This
is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Well, hello there and welcome on into the Sports Fix podcast.
It's a Wednesday. It's the fourth of February twenty twenty six.
Fannam's DRC Walter Grave. I'm at from now for the
next side ten fifteen minutes on today's podcast, curtesyve the
phone folk at GJ Gardner Holmes, Jellen's most trusted at
home builder. I'm having a chat with Shane Van Gibsbergen,
(00:44):
three time supercar champion who for the last couple of
years has been racing in NASCAR over in the us
A and NASCAR gets underway this week. I've got some
opinion around the the ridiculous nature of the Hallberg Awards
and Netball New Zealand a year again and I'm we
joined a chamber by Elliott Smith. Take a look at
(01:05):
the launch of Super Rugby earlier today. Thirty years of
Super Rugby. Yeah, I wouldn't read about it. That's all
coming up shortly, so I lock it in kids.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Here we go.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
In other News and Today's It short Sports Stabs, Crusader
and All Black Rape. Cody Taylor has zero problem with
the seemingly endless Super Rugby Pacific rule amendments. He's played
one hundred and forty six Super Duper Rugby games and
he knows the only constant is changed.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
They's trying to make it a lot more entertaining, which
is awesome. I think it's great to delby and play more, hopefully,
and it's just one of those things. A team that
adapts the best early on, well I'll see the most benefit.
And we've talked about it and hopefully we can take
those opportunities in their time.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Lindsey Vaughn will change into her Winter Olympic downhill soup
in a phone box. The veteran American skier finds on
competing on Monday at the Winter Olympics, even though she
suffered an ACL injury only days ago. I feel a
lot better right now than I did in twenty eighteen for.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
The last World Championships, and they still got a medal
there with no LCL and three tabill plateau fractures.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
And adapt or die. God, that's probably a bit of brupt,
but that's the black Cats Mantra for the T twenty
World Cup. Michael the Beast Bracewell outlines their theory.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
You're chopping and changing between teams.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So you've got to be able.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
To adapt quickly to the new challenges that different teams
bring you and adapt quickly.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Sporty and Shorty. There's some shots from the Athlete.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Tips use a bean.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
It's Sportsfix with Dancie Valdegrave.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
We're joined now by Shane van Gersberg and on the
Fixed podcast to Shane Van Gsbeg and plainly NASCAR driver
three times Supercar Champ gets under wayward NASCAR in the
next couple of days Skiday, Shane, I expect to be
absolutely bouncing to get back behind the wheel again after
what I present. Zoom has been a bit of a
(03:09):
break over the holiday period.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, I haven't really raced anything over summer, so it
was good to have some time off and chill out
a bit. Yeah, certainly ready to go, and we're in
a bit of a holding pattern here waiting for the clash.
I guess weather's been bad here with a lot of
you know, winter snow and stuff. So yeah, hopefully we
(03:34):
can race tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Sea I find that hard to believe, Shane, like knowing
you every chance, every opportunity you have to climb into
a car, regardless of what it is. When you've got
a break, you take it. So is this deliberate from
you to get out of the seat.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
For a while.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah, it was. Actually last year I raced a lot
and sort of started a little underprepared going into the season,
and then this year I've done the opposite and I
feel over prepared and a bit bored. So yeah, there's
a balance somewhere, and yeah, I'll make it better next year.
But yeah, it has been good to have some time
(04:11):
off that you.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Touched on the weather before, Shane, So plainly it's a
little on the dicey side. Are you going to be
okay to turn up for the first race?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yeah? Like it keeps getting delayed and even tomorrow, I
think it's meant to snow again, So I hear it.
I think it's been twenty something years since it's really
snowed here and Charlotte, so it's been crazy. I've never
lived anywhere where it has snowed before, so having to
get the tractor out and shovel snow off the door
set it was pretty it's all new to me, but yeah,
(04:43):
hopefully hopefully we can drive up there. I think you know,
it's about an hour up the road to Clash, so
hopefully everyone can drive up there tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
That's the first race of the season. Shane, if you
and your team track House cooked up a master plan
to get things going for the start of twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Oh not really. We never sort of think like that.
But you obviously don't want to be in that LCQU race.
That's always carnage. So it'd be nice to have a
good qualifying and try and sneak into the main race
straight away. But if we don't, you know, you've got
to fight through that. So it should be fun and
hopefully we can we can make the final race. You know,
(05:22):
you always want to be in the in the final
and have a good crack. You know, it just gives
you a little bit of confidence to start the season.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Plainly, you've been having success, but away from the ovals,
and the Ovals is the key to NASCAR. So looking
forward twenty twenty six, what are your plans around finding
some kind of success at the ovals? What do you
need to do?
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Just got to keep getting better, I guess, don't have
any expectations on it, but just hard work and just yeah,
keep focused and we keep learning, we'll keep getting better.
So you know, I think we came on a long
way last year, and especially at the end of the season,
we were reasonably strong at a lot of tracks. So
I just got to keep that progression up.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
In oval racing, Shane, where's the biggest challenge for you?
Is there any particular aspect of oval racing where you
can actually lift? Do you believe?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
It's just time. They're just it's just completely different way
of driving, you know. The cars are set up so different,
turning only one way, the way the car loads up
on the banking and it turns, and the way the
rubber works, like you just and there's no practice really,
like it's just I don't know where you start. It's
like a it's a completely different sport really, so it
(06:36):
just takes it just takes time, you know. And then
it's what these guys have done all their life, so
they're very very good at it, and you just you
just need experience, I guess, to get better and better.
And that's I can feel it, you know, like I
can feel myself getting better, and I'm still picking up
a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
So yeah, what about the number ninety seven, Shane, What
have you and track House Racing done to the car
of any adjustments, any improvements at all.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Yeah, there's a new body for Chevy Chevy cars. Yeah,
we've got a slightly different body style, but yeah, that
should be just the same. Yeah, I think most of
other things.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Are the same, aside everything around racing, the car, the team,
blah blah blah. What about life in America? Are you
settling in well to the good old us of a Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah it's good. Living a really nice spot and just
north of Charlotte, and yeah, close to where the team is,
and it's really good. You know, we travel sort of
every week once the season starts, but yeah, coming back here,
it's a nice base, you know. Yeah, it's from all
the places we sort of go to. It's probably the
best city that I like in America. So yeah, we've
(07:49):
picked a good spot.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
NASCAR racing is relentless. Every week you're off to a
different track with a different race. Have you managed to
work out the best way to stay refreshed with this
end to end racing right the way through the year.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Yeah, Yeah, racing cars, so it's pretty easy to get
motivated for. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, it's SPORTSFX with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
The Helberg Awards, they have a particular category designed to
drag the punters in, to let them feel like they've
had something to say, some contribution for the yearly gong
Fest for New Zealand athletes. It's the sporting Moment of
the year. Sam Ruth has been nominated. Luke Harold has
(08:38):
been nominated. That's athletics, It's snowboarding, Auckland FC, Ryan Fox, RDI, SAVI.
The list goes on and on and on. One of
the more interesting nominations was when netballer Grace Wicker came
out in support of the then suspended Silver Ferns coach
Noline Todoua. She said this on live television, Noles, if
(09:02):
you're listening, we love you and we miss you, and
we want you back here. You've done so much for
this group and the work you've done this whole year.
You deserve to be here and we want you back Knowles.
This was broadcast live as Grace the honor of captaining
the Silver Ferns for the third and final Test against
(09:24):
South Africa. I think a lot of people celebrated the
fact that a player had the spine, the backbone the
guards to say live exactly what she thought of the
current situation. Turns out, fifty odd days later, Dame Nolen
Todoa was reinstated as the Silver Ferns coach. But wait,
(09:46):
there's more. It was nominated for one of New Zealand's
favorite sporting moments, but in adjoint statement issued last night,
Netble New Zealand, the Halbergs and Grace Wicki and the
Players Association told one Network News they did not feel
comfortable that this was a celebrated sporting moment, so they
(10:06):
pulled the nomination. I doubt if what would have won,
and it might have got a bit of airtime, But
Netball New Zealand could just stop doing this to yourself.
It is insane. Let it go, Let those sleeping dogs lie.
It was a wonderful moment of self expression from one
of our treasured and very gifted athletes. And you can't
(10:29):
act like the karma police and quash everything you don't like.
That's it another shot to your own foot. You'd be like,
I'd have stumps to stand on by the end of
this ceremony.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
On Sportsfix we joined now and the Chamber by Rugby
editor commentator mister Elliott Smith. We meet again. Elliott dragged
into the Chamber from the launch of Super Rugby this morning.
You were there and all of its glory went for
a long time, didn't.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
It, Brodd. It's one of those things. It's organized chaos
in a fun sort of way. You know, there's eleven
players there, one from each of the teams. There's CEOs,
there's all sorts of broadcasters and journalists and everyone wanting
to speak to players. And yeah, as I say, organized chaos,
but I think you've one got what they're after. And
good to hear from some of the players. As we
(11:18):
count down to the thirtieth anniversary darsy of Super.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Rugga, it got me the big old time you walked
in there. It was all up in lights like Hollywood
signs saying thirty years. I'm like, wow, that long.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
How many variations of the competition have been in that time?
Think about to ninety six with the twelve and there
was fourteen fifteen conferences, eighteen teams.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
South Africa came from Super teen as well. Before that
it was just I think it was yes, the video
camera once I kicked into the pro era.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
I mean, it's just like their idea idea.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
But it's a survivor.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
It has survived and you know, regardless of what people
think about it, you don't survive thirty years by accident.
And I wouldn't know, we wouldn't say this series going
from strength to strength. And there's a bit of a
rebuild going on still in Super Rugby, but it's a
competition that means a lot to those players that were
there in the team and the franchise and everything like that.
And yeah, I think we're ready for the competition to
(12:12):
kick off, which is funny because usually in mid februy
are like, oh super Rugby, cheep is that feels early,
But given we've been talking rugby for three weeks already,
it kind of hasn't sneaked up on us maybe as
it usually does.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
You talk to a number of the players down there
and you said, all lined up to get any good
oil from them.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Well, it's interesting. I mean, obviously the still the Scott
Robertson saga and the All Blacks replacements is still casting
a shadow over things, and a few of the players
offered comments on that nothing too major and they were
reluctant probably to get too deep into the weeds it, Yeah,
but it was sort of acknowledged that that was sort
of hanging over the launch. But I think, you know,
(12:52):
you know, for likes of Cody Taylor. I spoke to
him this morning. He said, you know, some players get
really into the you know, the machinations of who's coaching
where and that sort of thing, and others don't. And
he's like, I'm not a board member, you know, rugby exactly,
and that's the mentality of a lot of players. So
you know, they're all keen to play super rugby and
get things underway. And each team's got their own sort
(13:13):
of little challenges and stories and things they want to prove.
And spoke to Patrick ty Pilotsu and he's out for
another well happening nine rounds. He reckons with the shoulder
injury still so he way back to it later in
the year. But he did say, you know, thirtieth anniversary Blues,
one of the ninety six, how good would be in
twenty six.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
So well, that's what kDa wants to hear right before
he disappears. He is right absolutely on that a big
thing around super rugby. This sere and they're going to
carry on pushing forward on that. You TMO sit down
and shut up, which is brilliant. A few other variations
in the rules as well. What always strikes me as
odd about this is that they have these changes and
then they're going to go back to the Nation Championship.
(13:51):
Now they're going to go back to international rules. That
kind of classes a bit, doesn't it. And some people
it was that you're saying Methronad.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Doesn't like this at all, doesn't like it at all.
Refretion go form a French roof that you remember as well.
I mean, he's againstant, But I think you've got to
play to the crowd. You've got to play to the audience,
and New Zealand and Australian audiences want to see fast
rugby within reason. You know, I forgets too fast, then
they'll pull it back the other way. But I think
(14:19):
there's a real lift in super rugby over the last
two or three seasons. They've shaved four minutes off game times.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
It feels faster and play. That's what people want. And
I wont know what scrums being set all the time,
which apparently is what happens up north.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Yeah, and look, Jack Measley, the CEO of Super Ruggy
as adamant they're not trying to depower the game. There
are still scrums, there's still everything going on, but it's
about what works smarter for super rugby. And yeah, I
think there is a variation when you get to test level,
but ultimately the majority of rules are the rules, and
there might be a brain fade every so often as
to actually that's a super rule rather than international rule.
(14:55):
But I don't think they're getting too far away. I
just wish it was probably referee better at test level
than what we see. You know, I think we're quite
lucky in the Australian New Zealand referees. They're not perfect,
but I think they're pretty lucky in terms of of
what they do on the rugby field.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Rugby rules aren't perfect. I can you expect the people
to put them down to be perfect. So out of
all these little rule outations, about five or six and
then stand out.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
For well going for me is fifty twenty two is
that you can now pass back into the behind the
halfway mark and attempt to fifty twenty two. So that
changes both the attacking perspective. It's almost an attacking defensive
move because you know it's very Northern hemisphere aiming for
the fifty twenty two. We don't see a lot of
those in the Super Rugby, but the teams are now
are going to have to be prepared in the backfield
(15:38):
as well, because no longer once you cross halfway is
the fifty twenty two off. You're going to have to
be ready for that, and it's going to be interesting
to see how defenses get ready for that because you
know you could pass fifteen meters back into your own
twenty two, put a player back in the pocket aim
for that fifty twenty two. So that's going to be
a little bit of a tactical shift, I think, But
otherwise I think they're figurely minor changes. I do like
(15:59):
the rule as well, where but just because it's penalty try,
you don't have to carter player and send them to
the bin. In some instances you can, and that option
is then still for the referees, but having it as
mandatory going to the team.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Look at that, Do I cart them or not? Are
they going to make.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
It feels like sometimes they just pack a number and go,
you'll do you see exactly you do? You're off for ten.
So I think that's a positive change as well.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
And the biggest story out of the entire launch. I
thought the sausage rolls were the highest quality. They were
some of the best sausage rolls I've ever had at
a media launch and I've been to.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
The cupcakes are good.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
The coffee was good for free coffee. So we're all
pretty happy.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Anyone even find Marshies. They were asking out for me.
He just disappeared. Are going to go on for months?
I'm jumping in here. Yeah, see you later could and
find him? No, well you were there and that's the
main thing, absolutely looking I'm looking forward to all of
your calls this year and what are we getting underway.
It's only a couple of weeks away before the Aucklander's
(16:59):
host the Why Occasions. It's going to be.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Right, that's the Saturday night. We've got the Southern Classic
to kick things off the night before that as well,
the thirteenth, the the Cable Classic as it's once referred to,
the Hilanders hosting the Crusaders, So can't wait.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
And I can't wait to three out of the chamber.
So go all right, yeah, I see you.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Thanks leading a vix.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
IVY and that's it Sports Fix podcast for today. That
is Wednesday, the fourth of February twenty twenty six. Hope
you've enjoyed it. If you have, please subscribe. If you've
subscribed already, thank you very much. Tell you friends, tell
your family, tell everybody and may subscribe and they can
get this in their m box on a week daily basis.
(17:45):
The Sports Flex runs from Monday through to Friday, and
if you'd like a bit of terrestrial radio sport action,
you can Sports Talk Monday to Friday a game between
seven and eight pm. Jason Pine's got the seven o'clock show.
I'm at charge of providing you entertainment through sport from
Tuesday to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then Jason Pine
(18:07):
has got Weekend Sports between twelve midday and three o'clock
Saturday and Sunday. We both love you to join us
in both of those different formats. But for the hair
and now I bid you farewell. Get you again. Tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Kingdom of Fraud
It’s the unlikeliest of criminal partnerships: a devout polygamist from an insular Utah sect joining forces with a shadowy Armenian tycoon from LA. The result - a billion dollar fraud conspiracy. In Kingdom of Fraud, investigative reporter Michele McPhee traces the origins of the extraordinary alliance between Jacob Kingston and Levon Termendzhyan. Together, the two men trigger the largest tax investigation in American history and weave around themselves a web of dirty cops, influential political relationships and transnational money laundering. All this is set against the backdrop of Jacob Kingston’s clan – The Order. A powerful and secretive polygamist organization in Salt Lake City. To whom Jacob is desperate to prove his worth. Kingdom of Fraud is produced by Novel for iHeart Podcasts. For more from Novel, visit https://novel.audio/. You can listen to new episodes of Kingdom of Fraud completely ad-free and 1 week early with an iHeart True Crime+ subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. Open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “iHeart True Crime+, and subscribe today!